Surprise, surprise! Regular readers of this blog might be expecting to find a politically oriented op-ed here this Monday morn. You will now find these at Pub Progressive (for example, my Afghan series continues there). Future articles posted here will now be restricted to those dealing with reading, writing, and publishing. I hope that’s not an inconvenience.

I’m not doing this to appease some disgruntled readers or to follow the advice of writing gurus who tell authors “Don’t be political.” The world is very political now, and I’ve been political since the Gipper set out to destroy the UC system and wanted to go after all those pink-o commies protesting against the Vietnam War. (I was neither pink-o—lots of California sunshine back then—nor a commie, just a progressive and a pacifist.) I was a progressive long before the members of “The Squad” were born, but I was, and always will be, one led by logic and reason and very aware that exuberance can lead to unintended and negative consequences.

Readers of my novels know that I don’t shy away from political or controversial themes in my writing. My stories are complex; I don’t like to read fluff, and I won’t write it. But today that’s not enough. So I created the narrowly focused website Pub Progressive in order to do the same for my blog posts.

The major reason I did that, though, was to bring a bit of order into my writing life. Articles appearing at Pub Progressive are my political opinions, not rants, reasoned spiels about what’s going on in our nation and the world. Articles appearing here in this blog are also opinions, but ones about reading, writing, and publishing (I might rant about Amazon). It’s like having your winter clothes in one closet, summer ones in the other. (That might not make too much sense for those back in my home state, California.)

Pub Progressive is still a work-in-progress, a DIY project where I’m doing a deep dive into the murky software waters associated with WordPress blogging. I plan to keep it simple; I have to do so, because I’m no website guru. (I hire the people at Monkey C Media to keep this older website going.) I can use your comments and suggestions about improving Pub Progressive if they’re free and you are a website guru. (You can contact me via steve@stevenmmoore.com. Both sites’ contact pages use that email address.) Scientists usually like to tinker and experiment; I’m an ex-scientist, so that’s what I’m doing with Pub Progressive. Bear with me.

And again, I hope this causes no one inconvenience. For some, the separation will cause a sigh of relief. For others, they’ll say, “Way to go!” I hope you’re one of the others.

***

Comments are always welcome.

A. B. Carolan’s Origins. You can’t say A. B.’s novels are British-style mysteries; he’s Irish, and he writes sci-fi mysteries for young adults. In this one, Kayla Jones has dreams she can’t understand. Her future seems determined as the brilliant STEM student who looks forward to a research career, but her past gets in the way. As if the chaos afflicting the world and leading to her adopted father’s death wasn’t enough, killers begin to pursue her. With some friends who come to her aid, she’s on her way to discover a conspiracy that can be traced to prehistoric battles waged by hominins bent on conquest of a primitive Earth.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

Starting 8/24/2021 (today), op-eds with a political orientation will exclusively be posted on my second blog, Pub Progressive. The same rules of engagement apply (see the ROEs on the “Join the Conversation” web page), but this site’s blog will now focus on reading, writing, and publishing topics. This might upset some readers and authors; others might breathe a sigh of relief.

Authors do have opinions. Maybe it’s better that they just creep into their prose as important themes? I don’t know. I certainly don’t do fluff, and my characters often express opinions contrary to my own. Editors and publishers certainly prefer that fiction authors aren’t opiniated, so that biases modern prose toward fluff.

In any case, this is an experiment. At the very least, it will help me keep things organized.

So…reading, writing, and reading topics are found at this site’s blog, and politically oriented op-eds at Pub Progressive.

Note: Yesterday’s post about Afghanistan is definitely a political op-ed. It will be repeated on the new website. (That will be the last time.)

In this time when the word “hero” is used so often, let’s not forget the original heroes, those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep America safe and free. They did this not for Democrats or Republicans; they did it for all Americans and others yearning for freedom. Their graves fill Arlington and other cemeteries across this land and overseas where the battles were waged. This day is more than just part of another three-day holiday weekend filled with BBQs, car and furniture sales, and the “unofficial beginning” of summer. Let’s give thanks to the souls of the brave and courageous who fought and died for freedom. It’s their day. Let’s honor them.

…is about to be realized! Readers, celebrate with me! I’ve been selected by NASA to go to ISS and test the effects of space travel on older men. They called me this morning. I celebrated at breakfast with a wee bit of Jameson in my coffee. Maybe more tonight! (Jameson, that is.)

St. Paddy’s Day is here! While many celebrations would (and should) remain at home, this is the day when everyone becomes Irish, enjoying real whiskey that’s thrice-distilled, and avoiding that twice-distilled and smoky-flavored Scotch or the mouthwash-tasting bourbon; a Guinness stout, Killian’s or Smithwick’s red ale; corn beef and cabbage (although that’s basically an American invention); and tea, neither high nor low, and pastries. Let’s forget about the ethnic stereotypes—Irish cops and drunks, for example. You’ll find Irish people all over the world doing multiple things. And let’s learn a bit o’ Irish history, which is long and complex, with Celts, Normans, Britons, and Vikings contributing to it.

The Irish musical heritage is also rich. Consider this a poor review of that wonderful tradition. I’ll refer to my own music collection in the following. Readers can add their favorites in the comments. First some artists:

Máire Brennan

Celtic Women (when they sing Irish songs!)

Phil Coulter

Turlough O’Carolan

Next some songs:

The Fields of Athenry

The Star of the County Down

The Wild Rover

The Rare Old Times

Danny Boy

Black Velvet Band

Goodbye Johnny Dear

Seven Drunken Nights

Liverpool Lou

This music isn’t all jigs and ballads either. Some Irish music is mystical or religious (Brennan’s, for example). Some are bawdy or raunchy and might remind US tourists of pubs they visited in Eire. They all are examples of the Irish’s love for song, music, and dance.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day! Stay safe; drink responsibly.

***

Comments are always welcome.

Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!

We have a representative democracy. The only effective, legal way to let our representatives know how they should be running our country is by voting. Those who represent us well should be voted in. Those who don’t should be voted out. It’s as simple as that.

If you don’t vote, you are dissing that sacred trust and helping to kill democracy in America. So please vote. It’s late for mail-ins, but if you have a ballot, fill it out, and put it in the nearest drop-box. If you plan to vote in person, do so…but safely by wearing a mask. Tomorrow is Election Day! (In case you didn’t know.)

Because of the election, there are no other posts this week. The next one will be Wednesday, November 11, which is Veterans’ Day. Irrespective of political proclivities, let’s remember all those who have defended our country…and allowed us to continue as a democracy when the forces of evil in the world try to destroy us.

Carlos, this day when you perished at the hands of radical Muslim fanatics will never be forgotten. We miss you!

Chadwick Boseman, RIP. While Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, and other great historical figures you played would have established you as a great actor and sensitive man, your Black Panther portrayal inspired many. It also became a symbol for what we need to be in these troubling times: Resistant, resolute, and resilient agents for change. The big C often takes young victims and those in the prime of their lives. It’s always sad when it takes anyone. That other big C in our lives right now will be a thing of the past soon enough, so we must continue with our long battle against cancer…and the inequities in our societies, perhaps the most insidious diseases of them all.

Chadwick, you will be missed.,,but never forgotten!

Ah, spring!

The flowers sprinkled around this post prove spring has sprung. I hope they improve your mood. They improved mine, which has been slapped around a bit after the pandemics caused by COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd. That first pandemic is dwindling here in the NYC area, which is no longer the world’s epicenter—Brazil is. That second pandemic is still going on as I write this.

Spring always makes us feel good. The changes in the sun’s angle causing the dark days of winter to morph into bright spring days are exhilarating. Leaves come back on the trees; flowers start popping. (There are three kinds in the pics. Can you name them?) There’s a pleasant buzz to life as Gaia takes her perennial bow.

From ancient times forward, human beings have celebrated the coming of spring. What’s more, the plants and animals seem to join in that celebration…or even lead it. Hazel, the groundhog who lives under our shed every spring, uses our yard to feed, preparing for the little groundhogs who are on their way. (I’m sorry I don’t have a pic of Hazel. She’s a shy critter.)

As a kid, I often wondered why the ancients didn’t celebrate New Year in spring…and I grew up in California where winters aren’t that bad. I learned why that wouldn’t work for both the northern and southern hemispheres even before I started in school, but it was still a nice thought because spring seems to make the world seem better.

These are good thoughts to have in these troubled times. Spring is full of hope. We called it an Arab spring because there was hope for democracy in the Middle East; we now call what’s happening there the Arab winter. Darkness and despair are associated with winter; lightness and hope with spring.

Of course, spring is really the opposite of fall, summer of winter. Those oppositions don’t detract from my belief that spring is the real beginning of the year. It just occurs at different times in the northern and southern hemispheres, but it’s still a beginning. Life seems to rev up again each spring for all of us.

I’m sorry that victims of COVID and Mr. Floyd can’t see another spring. Or maybe they can…somewhere it’s eternal spring?

Today is the traditional day for remembering all those who have given their lives defending America in foreign wars, those courageous members of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We tend to confuse this day a bit with Veterans’ Day, which is fine—coming from a family of veterans, there’s nothing wrong with also recognizing those who returned. All members of the Armed Forces should be recognized and applauded for their service.

However, we are now at war within our borders and throughout the world, a war against an invisible enemy, COVID-19, so today we should also remember those healthcare workers, first responders, and all the support staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice in that war, along with those who have fought valiantly and are still fighting this pandemic.

Both groups mentioned above have tirelessly worked to keep us safe. In these trying times, we must remember all the heroes. They’ve all made America great and been tireless warriors in the battles that threaten the U.S. and the world.

Be smart…and stay safe. We will get through this.