January 26, 2012 1

The Month of Letters

By in Personal, Writing

Readers, you probably know all too well by now our penchant for letters at the Dean house – we try and write a couple each weekend. I have started replying to personal emails (if I have not replied during the week) with a letter so that I spend a bit less time in front of a screen. Jen and I usually write at least one postcard or letter to a friend or family member. However, I feel as though I might “step up my game” in the letter writing department and a challenge posted recently online prompted me to commit to writing 24 letters in the month of February. If you’d like to participate with me, send me your address (email, twitter, facebook, etc) and I’ll put you in line for a letter! It might be on fun paper, might be long or short, but either way I will hand-write a letter to you. Also, we have fun stamps to put on the envelopes as well!

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January 11, 2012 2

Colleagues

By in Library

2011 was a year in which I met and maintained professional relationships with many people I am proud to know. Writing about mail last week set me to thinking about what I have learned about making contacts (but more personal than that) with colleagues inside and outside your profession. I think this has become very important for both Jen and myself, and I feel as though we are much better at meeting people and initiating relationships than we once were. So, indulge me as I share five brief thoughts I have after meeting some great people and making new relationships within my profession. Read the rest of this entry »

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January 4, 2012 7

The Power of Mail

By in Personal, Writing

The holiday season (which is just about over as of this writing) is quite the time for mail. Holiday cards and letters, thank-you notes, and packages filled with presents. It’s amusing, then, that it appears that the postal service is ending next-day delivery and shuttering many of its locations across the US. Of course, as pointed out recently in The New Yorker, the rise of email and other forms of electronic communication are largely to blame.

Still, receiving a piece of mail is far more exciting than an email or an “@” mention in a tweet. Our many holiday cards on our mantle reminded me of this, and set me to thinking about why “analog” mail is such a joy to receive. Read the rest of this entry »

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December 29, 2011 0

2011 Books in Brief

By in Books, Personal, Reading

Remember last year when I posted all about what books I read, when, and what I thought of them? That was really great, wasn’t it? I started 2011 fully intending on doing another series like that, but, well, it didn’t happen. As you know too well by now, Jen and I moved to Arkansas, and we both started new jobs. That said, we certainly did not stop reading. I think overall our reading pace slowed some, but overall, things were about the same. Except for keeping track of the books!

Well, instead of a series of posts about what I read this year, (and lacking a list) allow me to point out some highlights from my reading this year.

Don't believe the Devil, don't beLIEve his book

And here they are, in reverse order:

  • James Turrell: The Wolfsburg Project I love Turrell and the piece he did in Wolfsburg. And, it came with a cool bookmark!
  • Baseball : a literary anthology Of course, this was mixed – some pieces were great, and others were not as great. Still, one of the best books I read this year!
  • The Island of the Colorblind Jen and I both love the writing of Oliver Sacks. This is one of his older titles, but it’s still great!
  • Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865 I finally finished Lincoln’s collected writings, and true to form, this second volume of later writings was much better than his first. It was interesting to see his development as a writer, and how great stress and responsibility improved his writing.
  • Print the Legend: Photography and the American West I will freely admit that this is a surprising best book choice for 2011. It ties together almost all of my interests and passions, though – American history, photography, books, and printing. Sandweiss’ writing style is quite readable, but it is certainly a serious study of photography and its impact on our perceptions of what the West is, and the native and non-native cultures within it.

So, there you have it. I apologize for not keeping good track of the books I have read this year, and I have a plan in place to rectify this. Namely, my Goodreads profile.

I have started tracking what I have read, and what is in my reading queue now, and I will give it my best effort to keep it current and updated. If you are on Goodreads, please add me as a friend (as this makes it much more fun for everyone) and if you are not, consider signing up and add me as a friend.

That said, I would love to hear about any books you really enjoyed this year. Have a great 2012!!

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December 28, 2011 0

As the year winds down…

By in Arkansas, Periodicals, Personal, Reading

As the warmth of the remainder of a fire still envelopes my toes and I sit with two of my favorite living creatures – one furry, one less so – I cannot imagine a better place to rest. As I flip through the pages of a long awaited magazine volume betwixt stirring a fresh batch of oats, I find an unblemished contentment in winter. The blustery cold, the naked tree limbs and the knowledge that another year will soon pass are no match for what the new year holds, for what the evening holds.

May each of you find moments of peace as you transition into a new year. And may all of you – at one time or another – say to yourself, “I am perfectly content.”

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