There are 78 blog posts for you to enjoy.
"I Contain Multitudes": On Contradiction and Growth
August 15, 2026
"Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes."
—Walt Whitman, From "Song of Myself", from Leaves of Grass (1855)
With this one iconic line, Walt Whitman gives us not only permission, but a full-throated celebration of change. And yes, with a touch of humor, he freely admits: "I might not always be consistent. And that's okay."
It's an important reminder in an age when contradiction is often viewed with suspicion. Change your opinion on something, and someone's quick to call you a hypocrite. But Whitman saw things differently. He understood that human beings are not static. We evolve, we reconsider, we feel one way today and another tomorrow. What matters is not rigid consistency, but honesty.
Read MoreThe Quiet Gift of Presence
August 8, 2026
“They might not need me—
yet they might—
I’ll let my Head be just in sight—
A smile so small as mine might be
Precisely their necessity.”
—Emily Dickinson, Poem 1391
Dickinson’s brief poem is a masterclass in emotional restraint and empathy. Instead of overwhelming with words, gestures, or advice, the speaker offers something lighter—steadfast presence. It’s a promise without pressure: “I’m here, if you need me.”
Read MoreInteresting for an Old Duffer
August 1, 2026
“Very interesting for an old duffer like me to try his hand at something new. If I don't do that once in a while, I might just turn into a fossil, you know!”
This charming quote is widely attributed to Norman Rockwell, the legendary American illustrator best known for capturing the warmth and quirkiness of everyday life. However, despite its frequent citation online and in print, no verifiable source confirms Rockwell actually said or wrote these exact words. Still, whether or not they originated with him, the sentiment fits well with the spirit of his creative legacy.
Read MoreMore Than Knowing: The Real Goethe Quote That Still Matters
July 25, 2026
In the age of endless information, one might assume that knowledge is power. And yes, knowing is powerful. But Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German literary giant, reminded us that knowledge alone is never enough. His actual, verifiable words strike deeper:
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
From "Wilhelm Meister’s Journeyman Years / Wilhelm Meisters Wanderjahre"
The original German is: “Es ist nicht genug, zu wissen, man muss auch anwenden; es ist nicht genug, zu wollen, man muss auch tun.”
Simple, direct, and unmistakably Goethe.
Read MoreWriting Through the Wound
July 20, 2026
“Writing is a way of processing our lives. And it can be a way of healing.”
—Jan Karon (1938- )
From a 1998 article in The Washington Post
For those who write, this quote feels less like advice and more like a shared truth. Writing has always been more than putting words on a page. It’s a private ceremony. A ritual that helps make sense of confusion, transform sorrow, or even simply name the feelings we otherwise don’t know how to face.
Read More
I used to teach English as a foreign language in Barranquilla, Colombia. Now I'm retired and traveling throughout South America.
I'm from Kennewick, Washington, USA. In my previous life, as I call it, I was an IT guy, systems administrator, computer tech, as well as a shipping/receiving guy and also worked as a merchandising guy in a RV/Camping store.