Apr. 7th, 2016
Margot Adler "Drawing Down The Moon : : Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshipers and Other Pagans In America Today" (Beacon Press)

This quite heavy 594 page tome s is a history of paganism. A modern history in sense up to its last publication date.
It did introduce a basic idea of the philosophy behind the movement as i recall. But essentially it is an introduction and history of the various different pagan religions. The cover and title are really cool. I think many people are let down after that expecting the same coolness to pervade the entire book. I read the whole thing, and i think anyone who is serious about either studying the craft in general or understanding their religions' place in the broader scheme of things should read it. Like the bible all good pagans should have it on their shelves. Don't have to read it cover to cover, dip into it when you need to, but at least you should be aware of what it says. That said, it can be dry at times, but enlightening at times as well, with some chapters slightly boring, and my readiness to read wandering ,other sections are fascinating.
Despite being somewhat out of date now, it still remains a good book to read about the community and movement itself as a very broad whole So there ya go.

This quite heavy 594 page tome s is a history of paganism. A modern history in sense up to its last publication date.
It did introduce a basic idea of the philosophy behind the movement as i recall. But essentially it is an introduction and history of the various different pagan religions. The cover and title are really cool. I think many people are let down after that expecting the same coolness to pervade the entire book. I read the whole thing, and i think anyone who is serious about either studying the craft in general or understanding their religions' place in the broader scheme of things should read it. Like the bible all good pagans should have it on their shelves. Don't have to read it cover to cover, dip into it when you need to, but at least you should be aware of what it says. That said, it can be dry at times, but enlightening at times as well, with some chapters slightly boring, and my readiness to read wandering ,other sections are fascinating.
Despite being somewhat out of date now, it still remains a good book to read about the community and movement itself as a very broad whole So there ya go.
Joyce Carol Oates "Heat and Other Stories" (Plume)

This is a collection of 25 short stories that are disturbing, brilliant often and bizarre.
The stories reflect a dark and dangerous world, especially for women and children, that can turn ugly with no warning. The world is seldom what it seems in an Oates story and this book is no exception to that point-of-view. There are some outstanding stories in this collection, even a few that I will have a difficult time getting out of my head.
My favorite is called "Why Don't You Come Live with Me It's Time," about a woman's recollections of her grandmother. It's an absolutely bizarre story, almost like an LSD trip, but the narration, the urgency of the words, many of them italicized, and the far-out imagery convey a poweful sense of aching for the loss of what may have been this woman's most significant relationship. To be frank, I'm not sure I understood it completely (I'd have to add this caveat to my impressions of most of Oates' works), but I know I felt it. A great, great story, as are many others in this collection.
If you are not generally a fan of short story collections Oates will change your mind.

This is a collection of 25 short stories that are disturbing, brilliant often and bizarre.
The stories reflect a dark and dangerous world, especially for women and children, that can turn ugly with no warning. The world is seldom what it seems in an Oates story and this book is no exception to that point-of-view. There are some outstanding stories in this collection, even a few that I will have a difficult time getting out of my head.
My favorite is called "Why Don't You Come Live with Me It's Time," about a woman's recollections of her grandmother. It's an absolutely bizarre story, almost like an LSD trip, but the narration, the urgency of the words, many of them italicized, and the far-out imagery convey a poweful sense of aching for the loss of what may have been this woman's most significant relationship. To be frank, I'm not sure I understood it completely (I'd have to add this caveat to my impressions of most of Oates' works), but I know I felt it. A great, great story, as are many others in this collection.
If you are not generally a fan of short story collections Oates will change your mind.
Thursday Music Selection - Soulfulness
Apr. 7th, 2016 08:34 pmTime for another musical excursion before i watch a DVD bio of Miles Davis.
Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe
Another one of all time fa=ve jazz and soul singers -
( More sweet grooves here )
Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe
Another one of all time fa=ve jazz and soul singers -
( More sweet grooves here )