I bet you think this is about when someone doesn't call you back after a date. That's a tactic in romance when you're not at a point worthy of a "breakup" just yet. It happens to most people at some point. It's distinct from being stood-up, which has also happened to me a couple of … Continue reading Ghosting
Originally published in The Recorder May 2. Sometimes, when Staunton is too far but Monterey doesn’t have it, we pile into the car and head up to Franklin, W.Va. It’s nice to have that grocery store close by when you need produce, and this weekend we had a birthday party there for our youngest at … Continue reading Going to war
I have another blog out there, maryjohnsondiary.wordpress.com (reblogged below), which is research into the mindset and language of the 30’s for a project I’ve been working on.
Last night’s diary entry was particularly notable, because it mentioned two pieces of media that have since been forgotten. The book, “Mulberry Square” has a handful of fond reviews, so I ordered it. It’s apparently about a “Hotel California” kind of place where you can never leave.
I recently realized that there was a shift in writing styles in the 30’s. For example one author: “A 1922 poll of critics in Literary Digest voted Hergesheimer the “most important American writer” working at the time.” and then in the 30’s ” both critics and writers favoring a more terse, tough-guy style. Hergesheimer’s gift for flowery writing did not translate well in this new environment, and by the middle of the decade his popularity had fizzled.” I’m interested to see how a well remembered novel holds up, compared to the things that remain popular from that period.
The youtube video is just a radio program that aired 79 years ago, sponsored by Lux soap flakes. It is gobsmackingly terrible. It sounds like a few teenagers got into the studio one night when nobody was around and started to read a story one of them had written in the 9th grade. I can’t figure if this is a reflection of the market from the demand side or the supply side?
Dear Diary :
Today I read a book entitled “Mulberry Square” by Lida Larrimore. Talking about good, it was grand.
Listened to Lux theater “Only Angels Have Wings.”
~MJ
Originally published in the Recorder on April 26, 2018 We paid too much for our first house, and during our salad days, had to make extra tax payments. In the first year, the roof leaked and the deck started to fall down. I decided to tear it down and build a new one, and on … Continue reading Lifestyle Creep
Originally published in the Recorder on April 18, 2018 On Saturday we had a Little League baseball game for kids under nine. Karl and I arrived at the field in McDowell early to get in some practice. It was a fun sort of practice, and as the kids chased grounders I started to worry about how … Continue reading Seeing things in a whole new way
Originally published April 11, 2018 Reblogged from https://www.therecorderonline.com/articles/authors-hidden-lesson-make-your-own-story/ MONTEREY — “If you’re automatically sure that you know what reality is, and who and what is really important … then you’ll miss out on the opportunity to choose.” This quote is from a graduation speech, one I remember better than one from my own high school event. The … Continue reading The Hidden Lesson
Originally published in the Recorder on April 04, 2018 MONTEREY — “Hello, I’m calling from Bank of America’s fraud department. I just need to verify some purchases with you.” Oh, man. Not again. At least this time I won’t have to change the automatic payment for the phone bill. “OK, hang on, it’s kinda loud … Continue reading Ponzi’s Scheme
