Thoughts on Living Well

This blog can be a guide through the complexities of today’s world. Dive into insightful commentary, timeless stories, and the rich wisdom of literature as James shares his experiences and perspectives. Whether you’re seeking solace in troubled times or simply a fresh perspective on life, you’ve found the right place.

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About

My name is James. I am a retired grandfather of two who enjoys spending time with his two grandsons to help their mom and dad guide them in navigating what seems to be an unraveling world lacking role models and persons of exemplary character.  I am starting this blog because I want to instill hope and enable people to see silver-linings in an ever-cloudier landscape.  

I have an especial interest in education and literacy, having served as tutor, advocate, and outreach coordinator for my local literacy council.  I hope that I can, in some small measure, assist readers find their voice, sharing what I have learned from a long life of lived experience.   

Starting from the premise that all politics is “downstream” from culture, and that literature is the well-spring of a healthy culture, I have discovered a wealth of wisdom to be found in testimonies from stories in history and humane letters that will instruct seekers and tame the waywardness of the human heart.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with the world and all that is taking place, and you are interested in timely commentary from a traditional perspective, you have come to the right place.  

Most Recent Post

ADVENT MEDITATIONS

As I pondered the subject of Advent on this unusually mild and sunny Friday afternoon, November 22, my recollections drew me back to a very sad day of remembrance sixty-one years ago, November 22, 1963.  As a fourth grader at the time, the principal of my school announced over the Intercom the death of President Kennedy.  A few classmates burst into tears; most remained quiet – some out of fear to express their emotions openly; the rest as though they did not know how to react.  As you might expect, we were all sent home. In the aftermath, a young ...
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ADVENT MEDITATIONS

As I pondered the subject of Advent on this unusually mild and sunny Friday afternoon, November 22, my recollections drew me back to a very ...
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OLGA OF KIEV: FROM AVENGING ANGEL TO CHRISTIAN SAINT

If you have read the newspapers and watched media accounts of daily news events, you would think that the Russian Federation and its allies were ...
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OUR LAND IS GREAT AND RICH, BUT THERE’S NO ORDER IN IT. COME RULE AND REIGN OVER US.

In a previous posting (see Prelude: Towards the Consecration of Learning), I made reference to a gathering storm that burst on the face of Europe, ...
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THE CONSECRATION OF LEARNING

BACKGROUND As a new Western Europe was approaching the second millennium, the kingdoms that for centuries had been warring among themselves, and with fighting bands ...
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Prelude: Towards the Consecration of Learning

In my previous two postings [See Aristotle’s Impact on The Wisdom Tradition; and Carolingian Renaissance] I discussed the state of education – its goals, its ...
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CAROLINGIAN RENAISSANCE

At the beginning of the Common Era, nothing seemed as certain to endure as the Roman Empire.  Having defeated all contenders and potential adversaries, Octavian ...
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