RSS Parrot

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/16/it-feels-sometimes-that-critics.html

Published: January 16, 2025 13:57

It feels sometimes that critics of euthanasia laws–see the closing paragraphs here–expect everyone to die like Christ on the cross. Why should we force people to endure a death that can only be endured gracefully by saints and martyrs, but which is slow…

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/15/ive-been-enjoying-the-axe.html

Published: January 15, 2025 22:37

I’ve been enjoying the Axe and Anvil blacksmithing YouTube channel, though he doesn’t seem to be active there anymore. I found out about him because he’s teaching an upcoming Mortise and Tenon course.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/15/what-is-it-you-plan.html

Published: January 15, 2025 21:50

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Apparently, give too much attention to one of the people least deserving of such attention. Does anyone else feel like they–along with most Americans–are subject to some strange bewitchment?…

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/15/brian-merchant-blood-in-the.html

Published: January 15, 2025 12:25

Brian Merchant, Blood in the Machine: In 1589, William Lee of Calverton developed one of history’s most quietly revolutionary technologies. The legend goes that Lee was upset that his wife spent more time knitting than with him, so he devised the stocking…

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/14/video-about-the-meaning-of.html

Published: January 14, 2025 22:44

Video about the meaning of Gandalf’s speech to the Balrog. “Servant of the secret fire.” I’m putting that on my business card.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/13/austin-kleon-mentioned-the-book.html

Published: January 13, 2025 19:22

Austin Kleon mentioned The Book of Building Fires in a recent newsletter and, of course, I’m interested. Good book so far. I finally got my order of dried guajillo peppers, which means it’s time to make beans again.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/11/spring-mill-and-rachel-in.html

Published: January 11, 2025 19:37

Spring Mill (and Rachel!) in the snow.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/10/the-view-out-our-front.html

Published: January 11, 2025 02:17

The view out our front door

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/10/happy-birthday-to-robinson-jeffers.html

Published: January 10, 2025 22:21

Happy birthday to Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962), “inhumanist” poet of the central California coast. In one of the highlights of 2022 and possibly my life, we visited Tor House and Hawk Tower and got a personal tour. They ask visitors not to post any…

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/06/the-winter-storm-seems-to.html

Published: January 6, 2025 18:38

The winter storm seems to have moved out at this point. This is one of those times I’m thankful to live in town rather than the country. Apparently the country roads are impassable. We’ve been under the highest level of travel warning for a day or so now.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/05/some-pictures-from-the-neighborhood.html

Published: January 5, 2025 22:56

Some pictures from the neighborhood today. Rachel and I have been listening to the Telepathy Tapes for most of the day. While we’ve been listening, I’ve been playing solitaire. Haven’t done that in years, especially with real cards.

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/04/there-were-a-couple-of.html

Published: January 4, 2025 19:30

There were a couple of us in line to fill up our kerosene tanks in advance of tomorrow’s winter storm. Around here, it seems, only the smallest and dingiest stations have kerosene. The shiny, new ones never do. I wonder why that is?

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/04/alexander-beiner-so-what-does.html

Published: January 4, 2025 19:15

Alexander Beiner: So what does metaphysics have to do with the assassination of Brian Thompson? As I’ve argued already, what’s particularly powerful about this breach is that it re-embodies accountability. Here’s why it matters: the body is the source of…

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/04/stopped-me-in-my-tracks.html

Published: January 4, 2025 11:10

Stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it: “Stand by Me” by the Staples Singers. 🎵

https://jabel.blog/2025/01/01/first-day-hike-at-spring.html

Published: January 1, 2025 15:35

First Day Hike at Spring Mill state park.

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/31/im-glad-to-have-encountered.html

Published: December 31, 2024 13:30

I’m glad to have encountered Lewis Mumford’s phrase “life cannot be delegated.” I’m also glad for the way L.M. Sacasas invokes Illich to relativize an idea that could become overly rigid–because, of course, a great deal of our work is delegated: The…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/31/any-recommendations-for-reduction-in.html

Published: December 31, 2024 13:12

Any recommendations for reduction in blue light exposure? I wear prescription glasses but I think adding those flip down lenses to my existing glasses would look a bit goofy. I’ve switched my laptop and phone to night mode all the time. I will likely…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/30/ive-listened-to-two-episodes.html

Published: December 30, 2024 13:25

I’ve listened to two episodes of “The Telepathy Tapes” and my brain is melting. It’s a podcast series that explores the clear evidence of telepathic (and other remarkable) abilities of some non-speaking people with autism. It’s astonishing–and it pretty…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/28/ive-gotten-away-from-hiking.html

Published: December 28, 2024 21:53

I’ve gotten away from hiking over the past year—and I felt it today. It does me a lot of good in a lot of ways when I’m regularly in the woods. I’m going to get back to that.

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/28/after-the-recent-rain-theres.html

Published: December 28, 2024 21:43

After the recent rain, there’s a lot of water rushing out of Donaldson Cave at Spring Mill State Park. You might call it chthonic water. (Ha ha?)

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/26/i-think-about-this-one.html

Published: December 26, 2024 15:35

I think about this one now and then. The most sensuous poem I know. The minute observation of his father’s work is deeply moving. Digging Seamus Heaney Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; snug as a gun. Under my window, a clean rasping…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/24/its-okay-if-you-dont.html

Published: December 24, 2024 15:32

It’s okay if you don’t like Christmas. Take this as your official permission. 😄 It’s the year’s most potent mix of guilt, obligation, and expectation. Simplify your way out of it wherever you can. And where you do find ways to simplify, utterly refuse the…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/23/i-may-not-agree-with.html

Published: December 23, 2024 19:52

I may not agree with everything Charles Eisenstein says in this column, but I totally agree with his conclusion: The mindset that demonizes one’s political opponent is the same one that demonizes a foreign enemy to make war, or that demonizes a population…

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/22/one-last-fun.html

Published: December 22, 2024 15:09

One last fun bit about solstice: all the ash from the fires yesterday will be sprinkled onto the garden in the spring.

https://jabel.blog/2024/12/21/closing-out-the.html

Published: December 21, 2024 23:54

Closing out the day with a campfire, the flame of which traces back to the spark struck this morning. It’s been a full but unhurried day, my favorite kind. Plenty of time to reflect on the year and consider the one upcoming. Plenty to be grateful for.