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The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons Barron’s own blog. We may be transfixed by the January 6 hearings, but, when Donald Trump is back invading our dreams at night after 18 months absence, we can benefit mightily from a summertime escape into fiction. Horse by Geraldine Brooks is…
Read More »Congratulations to our frequent blogging colleague David Daniel who has a column in the Ideas section of today’s Boston Globe print edition. (The column with photos of Dave in action is on the Globe website). “The blind courage of the book signing” perfectly captures the highs and lows of author events at bookstores.…
Read More »The 1922 Annual Report of the Board of Parks of the City of Lowell lists the following parks as being owned and maintained by the city. After the name of the park, is its size in acres (according to the report), a description of where it is or was located,…
Read More »Review of The Transcendentalists and Their World Book by Robert A. Gross Review by Richard Howe Most people see history as permanent and fixed in time. Something happened in the past and those in the present tell the story about what happened. Only that’s not what history is or how…
Read More »All the Way By Stephen O’Connor When somebody loves you It’s no good unless he loves you, all the way. Happy to be near you When you need someone to cheer you, all the way. —Frank Sinatra, Lyrics by Sammy Cahn Michael and Sarah are not their real names. But…
Read More »Boarding School Blues: Chapter 40 By Louise Peloquin “Wistful and admiring” Straw-colored twine secured the last box of Monsieur Dubé’s books. As soon as Blanche pulled on its lopsided bow, the top eased open and dust bunnies took flight like little genies happy to be released from confinement. Blanche watched…
Read More »This past week, after a two year hiatus, Americans returned to traditional Fourth of July celebrations. For many, however, recent decisions by the Supreme Court; testimony submitted to the January 6th Committee; and ongoing concerns for the future of democracy, tempered such celebrations. The following piece was written on July…
Read More »The entry below is being cross posted from Marjorie Arons-Barron’s own blog. Women’s reproductive rights; pollution regulation and climate change; separation of church and state; Native American rights; gun safety – the alt-Right U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a series of severe blows to hopes for an enlightened society. In…
Read More »Time Tales By David Daniel Past: 7 P.M. Sharp At 6:00 P.M. the ship is waiting at the pier, music rising over the burble of diesel engines. The college is holding a sunset harbor cruise for its adult education grads, a last big hurrah on a fine spring evening.…
Read More »Here’s a sampling of what the Fourth of July was like in Lowell 100 years ago: Fireworks display by Antonelli Fireworks Co of Rochester NY for $1200. They will also supply “bombs” to be fired from the summit of Fort Hill at sunrise, noon and sunset. Fireworks display begins at 9…
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