by Toni McNaron | Jul 15, 2020 | Uncategorized
I recently watched six seasons of an American detective drama, each season having ten episodes. The series is called “Bosch” because our star detective is one Hieronymous Bosch, called “Harry” by his colleagues and friends. And yes, his name...
by Toni McNaron | Jun 15, 2020 | Uncategorized
In 1939, Billie Holliday recorded the powerful song about lynchings of black people in America. Its title is “Strange Fruit.” On June 15, 1920, three black men were lynched in Duluth, MN. They were Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie. In the...
by Toni McNaron | Jun 6, 2020 | Uncategorized
In the 12th century, many experimental thinkers tried to turn base metals into gold. This enterprise was knows as alchemy and attracted many proto-chemists and pseudo-scientists. This school of natural philosophy classified metals into “base” as in lead,...
by Toni McNaron | May 1, 2020 | Uncategorized
The first day of May has several public meanings attached to it. In Mexico, it is Labor Day, though I suspect that most Mexicans who “labor” won’t get the day off to celebrate themselves. In the world of leftist politics, it’s a major day in...
by Toni McNaron | Apr 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
When I see the name Vermeer, I think of Johannes Vermeer, the 17th century Dutch painter (1632-1675) who focused on the play of light in interior scenes depicting middle class life in Delft. His most famous painting is “The Girl With the Pearl Earring.”...
by Toni McNaron | Apr 2, 2020 | Uncategorized
Like millions of my fellow Americans, I am “sheltering in place,” reading more, connecting through virtual means, walking with friends, playing with my companion cat, Patches. But something miraculous is happening outside my house in my own front and back...
