There are a handful of folks whose careers I find completely enchanting, for the combined quality and quantity of their creative output. Here are a few: Harry Shearer : actor, host of Le Show. (Have you heard Le Show? It’s the only brand of satire that I find funny.) Steve Martin : art collector, musician, […]

I’ve recently been debating whether or not to pick up where I left off (five years ago!) on this blog. I mean, who’s really looking for a new blog to read? So who knows. Maybe I’ll keep it going this time.

There’s something benignly satisfying about working on a jigsaw puzzle. I’m particularly fond of finding ones with fantastical, fabulously colorful, or just plain silly art. The puzzle I’m currently in the middle of assembling is a portrait of a fire-breathing dragon that just happens to glow in the dark! Wacky art aside, puzzles are a […]

Few things are known to directly contribute to one’s happiness level, but a general spirit of enthusiasm is surely high on that shortlist. In 1755 Samuel Johnson defined enthusiasm as a “vain confidence of divine favour.” Excepting the fact that they had much more interesting dictionaries back then (written by enthusiastic men?), it’s convenient for everyone that the […]