Burrowing into Books

  Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “ New Deal Rebels   by Amity Shlaes – Random Thoughts and Questions” August 18, 2023   “…it is neither humanitarian nor Democratic nor American to indoctrinate the people of the United States with the idea that it is the duty of the government to support the citizen, rather than the duty of the citizen to support the government.” Speech by John W. Davis, October 21, 1936 Democrat Presidential candidate 1924   Davis’ words in 1936 anticipated the penultimate sentence in President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address twenty-five years later: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”   Davis’s and Kennedy’s words expressed a longing for a time when government was limited and the individual paramount, when Horatio Alger was honored, and when children were told success was up to them, that they could become whatever they wanted, as long as they were aspirant

  Sydney M. Williams   Burrowing into Books The Girl in Blue , 1970 P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) August 15, 2023   “Oh, what a tangled web we weave,   when first we practice to deceive.”                                                                                                                 Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832)                                                                                                                   Marmion , 1808   Like his character Uncle Fred, P.G. Wodehouse spread sweetness and light over a career that lasted more than seventy years. He was the author of over ninety books, more than three hundred short stories, and, along with Guy Bolton, wrote the lyrics for more than twenty musicals. With the first name Pelham, he was called “Plum” by his friends, but to his thousands of fans he was, and still is, “The Master.” No one could (or has been able to) match his literacy, freshness, and humor in perfecting a sentence.     Consider a small sample from

    Today’s subject is one I have long thought about. It has been gestating in my mind, and it was finally given birth when I read the lines quoted in the rubric.   Sydney M. Williams www.swtotd.blogspot.com   Thought of the Day “Projection” August 11, 2023   “‘It reminds me of something you said to me that summer. How we accuse others of the sins we don’t admit to ourselves.’ I smile. ‘ projection . Remember? I had a psychologist friend explain it to me once.’”                                                                                          Emilia speaking to Olive                                                                                           The Beach at Summerly   – page 245                                                                                           Beatriz Williams   “Freud,” according to   Wikipedia   in a description of the term, “considered that, in projection, thoughts, motivations, desires, and feelings that cannot be accepted as one’s own are

  This short essay can be categorized as escapism, using the word in its positive sense. Walking is a great exercise. The pace of the world slows. It provides the opportunity to witness nature at work in the world around us.    Sydney M. Williams   More Essays from Essex “Counting Steps – A Fad?” August 5, 2023   “Whenever I’m interested in something, I know the timing’s off, because I’m always interested in the right thing at the wrong time. I should just be getting interested after I’m not interested anymore.”                                                                     Andy Warhol (1928-1987)                                                                     The Philosophy of Andy Warhol :   From A to B and Back Again , 1975                                                                             “It’s all the rage” refers to a fad, trend, obsession, or anything popular, especially if short-lived. Should we say that about counting steps? My wife likes to complete at least