Author Archives: Jeff

C-19 Pandeme

In a recent open mic, Geoffrey Hall, an Austin poet, proposed a new poetry form, C-19 pandeme: 100 words in 19 lines. He read two fine examples. C is the Roman numeral for 100. Pandeme is not an English word. … Continue reading

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Visual Rhyme

One thing new I’ve learned from on-line Open Mics is visual rhyme, also called eye rhyme. During a recent on-line open mic, the poet shared the word processor screen as he read the poem. The first three lines all ended … Continue reading

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COVID-19 in Travis County

Austin is largely contained in Travis County. The county publishes an update every evening of the COVID-29 cases. The questions are, “Have new cases peaked here?” and “When can we go back to work/normal?” The Travis COVID-19 Dashboard shows confirmed … Continue reading

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What to Write

Writing in the Time of Global Trauma looks like it might be a topical blog post about the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a timeless meditation on what to write, what calls to the writer, grounded in the author’s life and … Continue reading

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Austin – Sinatra Serenades

About once a week, usually Fridays, we get take out. Last Friday it was Reale’s, our favorite New York-style Italian Restaurant. It has a small stage for live music, room for just one musician and their equipment. Wednesday is usually … Continue reading

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Coronavirus Good News – 100% Testing Key

Early on the fight against the coronavirus in Italy, the University of Padua did a study in the small town of Vo. The lockdown was enforced and everyone in town was tested, all 3300 residents. They found over half of … Continue reading

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Who or What is Worshipped?

On April 1, Governor Abbott issued an Executive Order “requiring all Texans to stay home unless they are participating in an essential service or activity.” Under pressure from some big church pastors, he declared places of worship an essential business, … Continue reading

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Youth ministry isn’t about fun

Excellent and moving story in the Christian Century about how a youth group was transformed by moving to a story telling format for people of all ages.

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Austin – Shaggy Nation

With barbers, beauty salons, hair and nail dressers, and dry cleaners all closed, Austin is going to get shaggy looking. Working from home or video conferences with the video off, it won’t matter. Shopping? Maybe nobody cares as long as … Continue reading

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We’re Number 1

According to Worldometer‘s Coronavirus numbers, today (March 26), the United States moved from third to first in the number of coronavirus cases (over 17 thousand new cases in one day). We’re number 6 in deaths. Yesterday I thought the total … Continue reading

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