Currently A Rumpole Christmas: Stories By John Mortimer see related

From The Secret of Father Brown

" 'There is a limit to human charity,' said Lady Outram, trembling all over.

'There is,' said Father Brown dryly, 'and that is the real difference between human charity and Christian charity. . . . It seems to me that you only pardon the sins that you don't really think sinful. You only forgive criminals when they commit what you don't regard as crimes, but rather as conventions. So you tolerate a conventional duel, just as you tolerate a conventional divorce. You forgive because there isn't anything to be forgiven. . . . We [priests] have to touch such men, not with a barge pole, but with a benediction . . . We have to say the word that will save them from hell. We alone are left to deliver them from despair when your human charity fails them. Go on your own primrose path pardoning all your favourite vices and being generous to your fashionable crimes; and leave us in the darkness . . . to console those who really need consolation; who do things really indefensible, things that neither the world nor they themselves can defend; and none but a priest will pardon. Leave us with the men who commit the mean and revolting and real crimes; mean as St. Peter when the cock crew, and yet dawn came.' "

--G.K. Chesterton, "The Chief Mourner of Marne" from The Secret of Father Brown

Currently Hello Hurricane By Switchfoot see related

The Well Is Dry

I used to be able to churn stuff out at a great rate when I was in college. Now that I'm out, anytime I have to try to write I lock up. That may explain the lack of posts on my blog. Or laziness. That goes a ways too.

I'll try to post something substantive soon. Until then, you can read my review of Kurt Vonnegut's Look at the Birdie.

Currently Look at the Birdie: Unpublished Short Fiction By Kurt Vonnegut see related

Two and a Half Years

Dear K.V.,

The world is not nearly as funny or as magical since you are gone.

J.L.S.

Currently The Brothers K By David James Duncan see related

The Spirit Is Willing, but the Flesh Is Weak

I keep thinking, I need to post again. Now I have the time, just not the energy.

So...in lieu of a post, here is something I wrote before I got the flu: a review of the sixth book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, And Another Thing...

Currently And Another Thing... By Eoin Colfer see related

Books I Am Never Tempted to Acquire Secondhand