It doesn’t take much effort to createa lifetime of damage; to spoil the perfectionof a smooth façade. But come to think of it:even before being marred by a weaponwas anything ever without fault? For beforethe damage was done, imperfections were imparted.There is no true symmetry in nature,there is nothing created by God that doesn’thave a…
Tag: author
Book Review: The Writer’s Table — Famous Authors and Their Favourite Recipes
Why I was interested in this book The Writer’s Table caught my eye as I wandered through Anthropolgie on a sunny Sunday afternoon. I really had no business buying anything that day, let alone a coffee table book, but the book’s concept & design were really captivating. I own quite a few art books that…
A Beautiful Mind
I need to beautify my brain. I don’t often let her take up intentional space.She thrives on the autopilot I’ve programmed her for.Routine.Repetition. But lately, I’ve given her space for ideas to take root—a dangerous plan for an unexplored landscape. Over silent lunches punctuated onlyby my chomping sounds as Imethodically chew my salad,or in the…
Book Review: A Time of Gifts
Note: I’ve been on the struggle bus with book reviews for the past month or so—not because I haven’t been reading books. On the contrary, I’ve read quite a few good ones lately and I’ve felt rather guilty about not sharing the wealth. A few years ago, I decided that writing reviews on this blog…
Americana
I used to love America. She was expansive, she was bold, she was great. The mythology, the lore didn’t hide her faults.Like all gods, she had stumbled and fallen.Numerous were her vicious sins,but many were her stellar victories.She was scrappy; an ambitious overcomer.In my naivety, I saw her as a beaconof what could be good…
History, Your Story
Love the story you’re living right now. In a not-too-distant future, you’ll see its beauty; you’ll have learned a few of its lessons. The story of your present frames you in the role of the main character. Please rise to the occasion. Only you are suitable to fill the position. The plot will evolve as…
Musing No. 3 (Bemused)
Nora worried about her neck. Or so I heard.I read about her. I didn’t actually read what she wrote.Honestly I’ve been worried about mine ever since.Then, I was at the peak of womanhood.Or so I thought.Now, am I?I read an article. Then another. Maybe four more.Felt good. Felt bad. Felt indifferent.Hard to keep track.Lots of…
Book Review: One Hundred Years of Solitude
I almost decided not to write a review on Gabriel García Márquez’s Nobel Prize Award-winning novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. Not because I hated it or couldn’t finish reading—neither was true. More because I wasn’t sure what I would say about it or to whom I would recommend the book. I’m not sure I…
Florence, Italy | 2025
After the mesmerizing beauty of Venice, my family traveled (again by train) back southward to Florence. I was looking forward to Firenze, having been told that I would “love it” given my interest in art. The museums on our to-do list looked interesting and I had found (via Instagram) a list of sandwich shops that…
Rome, Italy | 2025
When in Rome… I’m not sure any of us actually used that phrase during our time in Italy, but we certainly tried to do as the Romans do in terms of eating, drinking and generally enjoying life during our time en Italia. We arrived on our direct flight from Chicago O’Hare to Roma Fiumicino early…
L.M.Beatty 