Cambridge, Massachusetts, late 1970s “Heads up!” called the voice from the basement. “Here come the bags!” When they heard the cry a hundred men and women straightened up, like ragtag soldiers jerking to attention. Spaced about three feet apart, they stood in a line that ran from the open end of a big tractor-trailer truck … Continue reading A Between-the-Holidays Quaker Holiday Story: Beethoven in the Basement
This is a Megabus, seen from the upper deck pretty far back. It’s heading from Fayetteville, NC to Durham NC, just after dark Saturday December 7, 2019. This ride finished up a long and full day for me. The day started with a chilly sunny gathering at the cemetery of the VA hospital in Fayetteville. … Continue reading A Visit to Debbie’s House
I just read a long thread on a Quaker Facebook page, filled with semi-hysterical advice-giving about elaborate steps for paranoid parents/grandparents to take NOW to keep their precious sons out of the iron clutches of the military draft, and smooth their path into the safety of C. O, (Conscientious Objector) status. Threads like this pop … Continue reading A recipe for calming parental panic about the military draft
Hat tip today to Reporter Olivier Knox, whose Daily 202 newsletter for the Washington Post, reminded me that today (November 30) is the birthday of Samuel L. Clemens, aka Mark Twain (born 1835). Knox sent me in search of some Mark Twain quotes, of which there are of course many. Here are a few, relatively … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Mark Twain, You Old Anti-Imperialist!
The eleven authors in the new book, “Passing the Torch” were invited to draw on their several centuries of living and Quaker experience to offer “Advices,” informal counsel for readers. A few made lists. Others wove such insights into their texts. Others left this part of the work implicit. Here are some selections from these … Continue reading Some “Advices” for Quakers & Others from “Passing the Torch”