On the Year That Was, 2017

With 2017 drawing to a close and 2018 about to begin, I decided to take a look back at 2016 and spotlight the best (or most significant) blog post of each month. John Hurt, a Reminisence – Sir John Hurt died, aged 77, of pancreatic cancer. I can’t say that what I wrote was profound,Continue reading “On the Year That Was, 2017”

Frank Delaney and Scott Simon: Their Epic Radio Friendship

After writing some words on the death of author Frank Delaney this morning, I was curious — I remembered his voice appearing on NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday from time to time, so how many times did he appear? I turned to Google. The answer is six times. Stories by the Fire: Frank Delaney’s ‘Ireland’ –Continue reading “Frank Delaney and Scott Simon: Their Epic Radio Friendship”

Frank Delaney, A Reminiscence

The author Frank Delaney has died. He suffered a stroke at his home in Connecticut on Tuesday, and he died on Wednesday. He was 74. Delaney was an occasional guest on Scott Simon’s Weekend Edition Saturday, and that was where I first encountered him. Fifteen-ish years ago — ah, I’ve looked, it was merely twelveContinue reading “Frank Delaney, A Reminiscence”

On Counting Down the Days to Bloomsday

This Saturday, June the 16th, is Bloomsday. A date on which the events of James Joyce’s novel, Ulysses, are celebrated. On June 16, 1904, Stephen Dedalus and Leopold Bloom wander separately and together through the streets of Dublin, and through them the reader explores the richness of life. This year’s Bloomsday will be particularly noted,Continue reading “On Counting Down the Days to Bloomsday”

On Attempting Ulysses Once More

Yesterday, a package arrived in the mail. It was the Dover edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses, a reproduction of the original 1922 printing by Sylvia Beach for Shakespeare & Company. Like many people, I have started Ulysses. Like many people, I’ve never finished Ulysses. I tweeted last night about the book’s arrival, and in theContinue reading “On Attempting Ulysses Once More”