I have a subconscious distrust of the spoken word — or maybe that might be explained by too many decades of listening to political speeches. I'm convinced that I can read aloud. I can't find anyone who wants to listen to what I'd like to read, and second, I'm beginning to think I'll never find the perfect vehicle for my dream talent so that I can hold an audience rapt. more »

"When he could marshal some grains of his spirit, he trawled the web for plastic surgeons, hoping someone might offer the medical care he needed. Most days he simply drew the blankets over his head ... They ended their relationship by mutual agreement, but he knew she just needed a graceful way out" more »

A birding walk on the Filoli estate in Woodside, California a few years ago and inspiration from an unknown warbler some weeks ago in our backyard, led us to list a new site which, regardless of your attachment to birding, might of be of interest to all who hear a song and wonder about the singer. Meeting the members of the site could perhaps be the most interesting aspect of all at Xeno-Canto. more »

It was Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., who served on the US Supreme Court from 1902 to 1932 who held up freedom of thought as one of the prime protections offered to citizens in the US Constitution. He explained that he believed that this protection was most valuable "not free thought for those who agree with us, but freedom for the thought that we hate." more »