The Edges of Humanity: Film Review of In the Blink of an Eye ★★★ Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter One of the great overarching themes of literary thought when I was a student, an ideology that has since been overshadowed by postmodernism, postcolonialism, new feminism, poststructuralism, and deconstruction—all advances that served to include …
Read
Kickass and the Wind
Attribution: TapTheForwardAssist, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, naps as the keeper and Phylis recall the old Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “The Wind” with its laudatory lines about the wondrous and mysterious ways of the wind, and the questions it poses for those who choose to hear them. Obviously …
Read
Kickass and Helping the Old
Attribution: Photo by Jem Sahagun on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, agrees with the keeper’s assessment that you are never too old to learn how to graciously handle the challenges that come your way. Most recently, and with seeming increased frequency, there is the challenge of accepting the kindly proffered assistance of young people when …
Read
Kickass Guns for Mother’s Day
Attribution: Photo by Jay Rembert on Unsplash By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, passes along the news from the keeper that just in time for Mother’s Day, the Trump gang that couldn’t shoot straight is pushing through a change in USPS regs to make it easier to ship guns through the mail. With the comment period on …
Read
Kickass and Home on the Range
Attribution: Frederic Remington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, has occasionally been moved to howling in accompaniment to the keeper’s singing, and recently they have collaborated on “Home, Home on the Range,” with Phyllis joining in with aggressive harmony. The lyrics-“Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam …
Read
Dialogues on Strait Talk: “You Shall Not Pass!”
Attribution: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Featuring the Fabulous Dadbots: Dave S., Mark M., Mark O., Dennis C., John K., Michael D., and Geoff Carter David Sanger (NYT) asks the right question;’: “President Trump’s decision to blockade all Iranian shipments out of or into the Strait of Hormuz …
Read
Pants on Fire
Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Last week’s Pen in Hand Blog column dealt with President Trump’s use—and abuse—of the English language, how he has dumbed down presidential rhetoric to a fourth-grade level, weaponized our political discourse, and created the most divisive atmosphere since the Civil War. We have fallen incredibly far incredibly quickly. …
Read
Kickass and Birthday Parties
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper and Phyllis among the many attending the 100the birthday party of Pat who, as a fellow Vista West resident, told her assembled family and party guests about the importance of birthday parties. The most recent birthday party prior to Pat’s for …
Read
Kickass Gets a Shot in the Eye
Attribution: BruceBlaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, joins Phyllis in telling the keeper to stop feeling sorry for himself just because today is the day he checks in with the VA eye clinic in the routine of eye shots to ward off the progression of macular degeneration. It …
Read
Kickass and Older Cousins
Photo by Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper and Phyllis were on hand when 16-month-old Augie experienced one of the greatest days of his life at four-year-old Blaize’s birthday party. It happened at one of the clan’s river-rat haunts and it was the day Augie met a passel …
Read
The Pen in Hand Guide to the Movies: Review of “Anemone”
Family Matters: Film Review of Anemone ★★★ Illustration by Michael DiMilo By Geoff Carter Fathers pass down the family name, family traditions, history, religious beliefs, as well as the odd bits of wisdom to their sons. They may also, perhaps unwittingly, pass down their prejudices, hate, and fears—both personal and familial. Our parents are, after …
Read
Kickass and His Silver Walker
Illustration courtesy of Bill Stokes By Bill Stokes Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports the keeper is still searching for ways to adjust to the intrusion of a walker into his life, solely as an occasional balance aid and never to be acknowledged as yet another reminder that he is damn old and hopes to get …
Read