Brad Zellar –Illustration by James Dankert Forgive me if you’ve heard this story before. I am a man of such unvarying moods and routine that it’s inevitable I’m going to repeat myself from time to time. I’m afraid I just don’t have an inexhaustible –however exhausting– store of life experiences that anyone in their right mind would … Read more
I love Torii Hunter. He’s a genuinely fine character, and he had a tremendous game last night against the Diamondbacks. But, my God, why would anybody in their right mind throw Hunter a strike, let alone a hanging breaking ball? The man is up there to swing the bat, and he’s not exactly what I … Read more
In room eleven there was an old snapshot with serrated edges taped to the mirror above the dresser, a photo of a dark-haired woman, her eyes closed and her head tilted slightly back, standing in a dark angle of shadow. Outside the shadow the sun was shining on an impossibly bright pastel world and a … Read more
Each of the Twins three Division titles has been sort of strange, and in almost exactly the same regard. Every year the team confounds expectations every which way, and still finds a way to win. I don’t know why I expected this year would be any different, but I know I wasn’t alone. I watch … Read more
Here are your waters and your watering place. Drink and be whole again beyond confusion. —Robert Frost, “Directive” I am looking back into a world now gone forever. Thinking of a time that will never return. A book of photographs is looking back at me. Twenty-five years of looking for the right road. Post cards … Read more
I’m headed out of town for a brief spell. I’ll be back early next week. This seems as good a time as any for a breather, since we seem to be basically recycling plotlines the last several days. I’ll leave you with some fine links to explore (and I’d encourage you to investigate the links … Read more
I’m headed out to Montana to read and take some pictures. Here are the CDs that travel with me wherever I go, whenever I go someplace that qualifies as somewhere else: Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music Creedence Clearwater Revival, Willie and the Poor Boys Minutemen, Double Nickels On The Dime Louis Armstong, The … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I spent the day not watching baseball. I did tune in briefly to the end of the White Sox game tonight, but what I saw was not encouraging. I saw a tough and resiliant team which is, at least at the moment, showing why it’s the best –and certainly … Read more
He would get up from his bed each morning in the long hours after midnight, confused, sour with his inability to sleep, insomnia the curse of his life, stretching all the way back to when he was a boy and was still excited to imagine all the wonders and revelations he might miss every night … Read more