Those of you who know me are aware of the fact that I’ve dipped my toes in many pools over the years, metaphorically speaking. So now that I’m attempting to be semi-retired, I decided that it’s time for me to actually get around to doing what some of you have encouraged me to do over the years – create a website with blogs covering the various topics about which I write.
Check out the navigation links above to see what I’m starting with. Once I get going, I expect it to grow like Topsy. Oh, wait, maybe that wouldn’t be a good plan? We’ll see how it goes. Feedback welcome!
~ Marlene
Latest posts
April 26, 2023 • Nature
Cosmos
Cosmos, one of my favorite flowers. Native to Mexico through northern South America, but has been found as far north as Washington state and as far south as Argentina. It has also been cultivated extensively for flower gardens and easily escapes cultivation to become naturalized. In some places, it’s even considered an invasive weed.
April 26, 2023 • Word Nerd
Strait-laced
I was using this term in something I was writing today, and I found I had to pause to consider the correct spelling. So, being the eternally curious person that I am, I found out more than I needed, and will share it here for those who are interested. Strait-laced is an adjective phrase that... read more >
April 21, 2023 • Songs
Old Man River (Paul Robeson)
1952. Old Man River (Paul Robeson) Music written by Jerome Kern, lyrics written by Oscar Hammerstein II Born in 1898, Paul Robeson was the son of an escaped slave. He attended university, graduated as a lawyer from Columbia Law School, and began a career as an actor and singer. By the mid-1930s, he was world-famous... read more >
April 20, 2023 • Politics
California Senate Race In 2024
Diane Feinstein has not officially announced whether she will or will not run for re-election to the U.S. Senate in 2024. But whether she does or not, it seems to be shaping up to be an interesting primary race. As I mentioned last week, I have been listening to Katie Porter, who (until yesterday) was... read more >
April 6, 2023 • Songs
Dark Eyes (Gipsy Moon)
2015. Dark Eyes (Gipsy Moon) Written by: See below. This is a song with a complicated history. And you may very well know the melody even if you don’t recognize the title. The lyrics were written by the poet and writer Yevhen Hrebinka, born in Poltava, now in Ukraine. The first publication of the poem... read more >
January 26, 2023 • Politics
The Impact of Generations
The best bright shining hope in electoral politics, long term, is that millennial (born 1981-1996) and Gen Z (born 1997-2012) voters, currently the biggest voting block, are disenchanted with, and continue to refuse to elect, members of the Republican party. I disagree vehemently with the Republicans quoted in an article I read recently, who claim... read more >