The Summer Day Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps... Read more

It was on this day in 1902 that Le Voyage dans la Luna was first screened. It is generally considered the first science fiction movie. Read more

Way back when he reviewed the Buddhist monk Stephen Batchelor’s lovely book “Alone With Others,” The Western Buddhist John Blofeld wrote an introduction praising the young monk scholar and his writing. Blofeld went on to say it was unfortunate that Batchelor did not touch upon the critical doctrines of karma and rebirth, but understood there is only so much one can do in one book. He added how he hoped Batchelor would turn to the subject some day. Some years... Read more

Jerry Ivan Allison was born on this day in 1939. He was the drummer for the Crickets and continued as their leader following Buddy Holly’s death. A fun factoid, his then namesake and later wife is the namesake for “Peggy Sue.” At seventy-six Jerry is the last surviving member of the original band. Long Live Rock ‘n Roll… Read more

I’m working on a book introducing koan introspection. I was considering weaving in a bibliography for people who wanted to go deeper into various aspects that I touched on, but which could profitably be explored at greater depth. I’ve decided against that. And then found myself with the quandary of what to do with that literary detritus? Well, thank goodness for a blog. Want a pointer to some good books on different aspects of Buddhism & particularly of Zen? Well,... Read more

Charles Parker, Jr was born on this day in 1920. There are those who say there are two periods of Jazz, before Parker, and after Parker. Have a little time today? Here’s something that you might enjoy watching… Read more

One of my favorite books is the Wisdom of the Desert by Thomas Merton. It recounts some of the teachings of the desert fathers and mothers, Christian monastics in the fourth and fifth centuries within the Egyptian deserts, stories that on occasion recall the sayings and actions of the Chan masters of Medieval China. It was a small sadness to see that Father Merton carefully curated his collection and slightly reworked an account or two to enhance that sense of... Read more

The great Alan Senauke sings some ancient truths to us… Read more

No, the other one. Elvis Costello was born on this day in 1954. Read more

I was scrolling through Wikipedia’s timeline for today when I saw Jim Ford was born today in 1941. Not me, the musician. My father was a black sheep and cut off from his family, and as a result I always notice Fords, and just because of names, James Fords when they pop up. So far none has ever proven to be a relative at least much this side of Adam and Eve. Actually, Jan and I gave each other genetic... Read more