Castle in the Clouds

Reading is many things to me.  It's entertainment and education.  It's the broadening of mind and spirit.  It's escapism.  Looking the books I read in January, I can see how each of those elements is represented in my reading choices. Harry Potter was pure escapism.  Reading it was a chance to get reacquainted with old friends, to ride alongside in an adventure I could fully anticipate because it was well known and comfortable, even in its saddest moments.  And that last book is so very sad! Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists was meant to broaden the mind and spirit by exploring the challenges faced by women around the world.  I discovered that while we still have a ways to go here in America, Nigeria seems to have an even longer road ahead of it when it comes to equality for all.  Little slights or outright abuses need to be addressed and rectified whenever necessary. What If: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions was e

Going back to regular programming here on the blog is difficult after writing a post like the one I wrote a few days ago.  I am still worked up.  Angry.  Tired of the ridiculous and ridiculing memes that are circulating on Facebook.  Tired of articles circulated as news when, in fact, they are mere opinion pieces lacking any nuance or thoughtfulness.  I can't tell you how often I write up a pointed response only to delete it.    So I scroll on by, biting my tongue.  Biting my tongue about the dismissive and patronizing comments about the generation that we're allowing to be murdered in math and English classes across this country.    Then I come here and stare at the blank page wondering what in the world I should write about now.  How do I return to regular programming?  How can I switch from dead children to fluff and nonsense?  How abrupt is that?  How jarring?  It's difficult. That's why you get this post.  It's my sorry attempt at a transition from t

Yet another tragic school shooting occurred yesterday. According to this Guardian article , there have been eight school shootings resulting in death or injury in the United States since January 1, 2018.  This figure contrasts with the figures collected by Everytown for Gun Safety , which includes incidents where no loss of life or injury occurred but that a gun was present or possibly even discharged.  Excluding yesterday's horrific event, Everytown for Gun Safety has recorded seventeen (17!!) incidents. Seventeen gun-related incidents in seven weeks.  It's appalling. Terrifying.  Unacceptable.  I know that talking about this subject is not easy.  I also understand that the topic of gun control is a red-button topic for many people because they see it as a direct and immediate assault on their 2nd Amendment Rights.  Frankly, I don't care.  I don't care about your butt hurt feelings if you hear about dead children and your first thought is for