Moustaki

“Qui vous donne envie de vivre, qui donne envie de la suivre, jusqu’au bout, juqu’au bout.” I am looking for a Moustaki song from the same era which ends, but does not begin in Greek. It is a happy song, not a solemn song. If you know it, I want it. Axé.

Des femmes

ALGUIEN, 1888-1973 She paid for us to go to college, not having been able herself. She says of her parents: They were both very good people who brought out what was most futile in the other, which is quite a tragic situation. If you have a good person and a bad person, that is one … More Des femmes

“Sandinista”

“Sandinista” is the word they used to use here for people who wanted progress and disagreed with the old President. One could not afford to voice such disagreement but “Sandinistas” could be identified if one looked closely. They would flash covert signs of comprehension. As you will remember, sandinistas were clandestine. I learned from the … More “Sandinista”

Shenandoah

That was Shenandoah, whose smiling valley I long to see. Now, as promised, we will talk briefly about this piece, by a valuable person but one more conservative than I. 1/- My general complaint about all columns like this is that people keep explaining how to write and exhorting to move “anywhere,” but evade the … More Shenandoah

Vicksburg Blues

Here is a bronze statue of one of my ancestors. I could visit it in Vicksburg. That is one of those places where, when I go through, I can hardly believe I am there. It serves espresso now but Mark Twain would recognize it. Like Natchez it stands on bluffs above the Mississippi, on U.S. … More Vicksburg Blues

Frederick Douglass

Every once in a while I spy on my grandfather’s family. They were the lords of Wye House in Easton, Maryland, est. 1659. This was where Frederick Douglass grew up, back when he was just Fred Baily. He describes my ancestors in his Narrative. Wye House was known for its hospitality, having housed among many … More Frederick Douglass

Et voilà

That turns out to be one of the types of shoe I am allowed to wear. There is this too, more elegant in person than in the photograph. I tried it on in the store and then ordered it online for $46. I could not get a ticket for Lincoln, although I tried, and New … More Et voilà

Being and Place

I have to go, I am late, but these are the things I want to discuss: – Astrology for academic job seekers. I am not joking. Location matters a great deal, for instance, although not in the ways people claim. There is a great deal else you can learn from your chart about what to … More Being and Place