Tag Archives: Tintern Abbey

Reconnecting with My Dead Son

By Robin Bates | Published: October 19, 2016

Thursday I had a shock of recognition while teaching Stephen King’s IT in my American Fantasy class yesterday. The approach to life that saves the day for the protagonist is the approach that got my eldest son killed 16 years ago. Yet I don’t think King is wrong. In fact, I was comforted once I saw the […]

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The Mental Benefits of Forest Walking

By Robin Bates | Published: July 21, 2016

Recent brain research notes that walking amongst trees is a powerful antidote to depression. Wordsworth knew this long ago.

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All Which We Behold Is Full of Blessings

By Robin Bates | Published: November 22, 2012

Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” provides us with passage that functions as a Thanksgiving poem.

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The Moment Kindheartedness Walks In

By Robin Bates | Published: February 16, 2011

Sometimes when I get depressed about the state of the world, I do two things. First, I remind myself that too often I allow myself to be stampeded into fear by media headlines, which use adrenaline to hook us. Second, I recollect the many generous and kind people in my life and in the world. […]

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With Aging, Abundant Recompense

By Robin Bates | Published: February 10, 2011

  In a follow-up to yesterday’s post where I talked about my cancer-ridden friend Alan, I examine another passage from The Brothers Karamazov. This one is focused on aging generally, not just death. If you ever find yourself getting depressed about getting old, check it out.   And check out as well William Wordsworth’s Intimations […]

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The Cataract Haunted Me Like a Passion

By Robin Bates | Published: June 14, 2010

Ansel Adams, Yosemite Falls          Julia, Toby (our youngest son) and I visited Yosemite National Park for the first time last week, and I am still vibrating from the stunning rock faces and gorgeous waterfalls.  It was remarkable to see what seemed, at a distance, to be thin, almost delicate, streams of water pouring from great […]

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The Restorative Power of Daffodils

By Robin Bates | Published: April 1, 2010

Daffodils have been breaking out all over.  St. Mary’s City has a little ravine that we refer to as “Daffodil Gulch,” and the flowers this year have been spectacular.  Daffodil Gulch borders St. Mary’s River, and if one visits it on a sunny day and then looks beyond to the sparkling waters, one cannot help […]

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