I went to the Georgia O’Keeffe museum while I was in Santa Fe. I knew only broad outlines of her life, and had seen a lot of up-close flowers, and stark landscapes that were her work. I learned some interesting details, and refreshed my general perception of who she was. The museum is organized more [...]
Annular eclipse from October 14, 2023
I came to Santa Fe to see the eclipse on Saturday. My lovely hostess and I had a conversation about eclipses we and others have seen. She was worried that after the long journey there would be clouds. We have a story of my father saying, “Hell’s Bells. I forgot my passport.” He said it [...]
oh, yes, that book…
TL:DR A) I don't really like books about people with no faith. B) A man can be a terrible husband but a good father. C) Romeo and Juliet is an eternal trope but the people involved, parents included, can get very annoying and stupid. Please note that I took one class in literature in college. [...]
Five generations of Catholic scientists
At some point in the early 1660’s Giovanni Domenico Cassini (1625—1712) told Pope Alexander VII that he would not to be ordained as a priest. Cassini was a gentle and holy man, but he did not feel called to the priesthood even when asked by the Pope. Cassini had worked for Pope Alexander on several [...]
Steam punk and modesty
My mind works in a spiral, moving through different topics over time. As I struggle to finish a story about sheep and shepherds several problems have been evident. This particular story involves a LOT of animals, and I am not and never have been an animal person. That’s a steep, if fascinating, learning curve. I’ve [...]