Paintings by Susan Ulrich

Struggling through Martel's Life of Pi

I've been struggling mightily to appreciate this novel - but it's hard when the middle section is so unmistakably implausible besides being a somewhat monotonous, extended soliloquy. Shades of Robinson Crusoe and Moby Dick...Only one problem: the tiger, hyena, zebra and meerkats can't really serve as satisfying characters. They are all-too-obvious symbols, sure, but that leaves the middle section literally "starved" for character interaction and suspenseful dialogue! The ending is much too overt - using an almost "connect the dots" approach. If he would have only hinted at an "alternative account," he could had added immensely to the earlier symbolism.

"L'Elan" by Henriette Brossin de Polanska

Fleeting Thoughts on Vanilla Ice Cream

I can't stop eating this stuff during the summer months. Every day I break down in my resolve, although, today, come to think of it, I didn't have any, because it always makes me wonder (when I finish that is) how many miles I'd have to walk or run in order to compensate for the calories absorbed. Oh, heck, I'm just going to have another scoop and not think about the repercussions. Bring it on, Jeeves.

An Open Letter to the Average American Voter...

Attention Voters (or should I say Truth-Seekers): When you enter that voting booth in a few months time, just remember that neither you nor I nor anyone else has ALL the facts. Indeed, there is a high likelihood that we may actually be misinformed on certain issues, swayed by fears, resentments, anxieties, vitriol, misled by rumors and gossip and propaganda emanating from media outlets, think tanks and fellow citizens, provoked by all the hype to "make a statement" yet feeling like the canvas presented (the voting booth) does not allow for such.  Hey - wouldn't it be great if we as a populace, just came clean and realized...that...

Moonlight Beach

The Incantation of Words