In “Astronomical Psalms for a Vast Universe,” astrophysicist Arnold Benz combines a scientific exploration of the universe with spiritual insight.
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Monthly Archives: February 2026
Scientific Wonder and the Longing for God
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Arnold Benz, Astronomical Psalms for a Vast Universe, astrophysics, science and religion Comments closed
Forging a Separate Identity from My Father
I which I explore the difficulties of a son forging an identity separate from his father.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Alfred Lord Tennyson, fathers and sons, Homer, Odyssey, Scott Bates, Ulysses Comments closed
Milton, Voltaire, and Trump’s Address
In which I compare Trump’s State of the Union speech to Paradise Lost—well, a little bit—and also to Candide.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Bill Kristol, Candide, Donald Trump, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Samuel Johnson, State of the Union speech, Voltaire Comments closed
Misuse of Language Induces Evil in the Soul
Le Quin’s advice to a young writer: respect, do not abuse, language.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Ode on a Grecian Urn", "Task", John Keats, Ursula K Le Guin, William Cowper Comments closed
Hans Brinker’s Successors Bring Home the Gold
The Duchess prowess in speed skating at the Olympics was anticipate in 1865 by the novel “Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, Mary Mapes Dodge, Olympics, speed skating Comments closed
How Did This Dust Learn to Sing?
Two Ash Wednesday poems, by Malcolm Guite and Julia Bates, wonder at the mystery of the creation that arises from dust.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Ash Wednesday", “Daughter of Ashes", climate change, Julia Bates, Lent, Malcolm Guite Comments closed
To Ljubljana, with Love
A Life in Literature: Our second visit to Slovenia and how Walt Whitman became associated with my 15 minutes of fame.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Oh Captain My Captain", Riders of the Purple Sage, Slovenia, Walt Whitman, Zane Grey Comments closed
My Son, Second Generation Lit Blogger
In which I praise my son’s second generation literary blogging.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged blogging, Charles Dickens, Christina Rossetti, Christmas Carol, Goblin Market, John Milton, Lycidas, Tobias Wilson-Bates Comments closed