A summary of posts included in the MORE TO COME newsletter in October 2023.

October finally feels like fall. The leaves have displayed an array of stunning colors, reminding us again of nature’s wonder. Many of our days have brought cooler temperatures, open windows, and nights under the quilt. We can see the restoration of a more natural daily cycle with the end of daylight savings time just around the corner.

And . . . I’m writing about the baseball playoffs in MORE TO COME.

It just so happens that wonder and baseball were among the subjects of the three different October posts that outpaced the rest of the field in terms of reader views.

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TOP READER VIEWS

The first celebrated the work of Carol Highsmith. 

Carol is an artist and photographer who has taken the time to see the wonder in America and take in the good.

• Through an extraordinary 43-year project of visiting all 50 states and donating her images from those travels, copyright free, to the Library of Congress, Carol has “engaged in the important work of growing a robust commons built on gratitude and usability.” Her singular archive “is a testament to one woman’s passion and generosity.” In A gift to America, I highlight some of Carol’s evocative and timeless photographs, salute her generosity, and recognize her wisdom in seeing the good, the wonder, the joy in life. Because that post received so much great feedback, I followed it two days later with another group of her photographs: More gifts of joy and wonder.  Take the time today to see the wonder in America through Carol’s eyes.

Then there were those baseball posts.

After three weeks of blah baseball, the script flips. We’re treated to “sudden and startling lead changes and late-inning heroics and key mistakes and controversy and titanic performances, and there’s ecstasy and heartbreak and anger and joy and all the things that make this game so durably wonderful . . . I never argue with people who say baseball is boring. Baseball is boring. And then it isn’t. And that’s the magic.”

• Those lines come from Joe Posnanski, written after a magical day in the League Championship Series (both of which went the full seven games). Joe also wrote the book that I reviewed in A brilliant love letter to baseball. That post ― in which I provide my slightly biased take on Posnanski’s Why We Love Baseball: A History in 50 Moments ― was also right at the top of the MTC reader views list for October. Even Statcast™ couldn’t measure how fast this post rose to the top! Check it out and be sure to click on the link to see the video of Jose Canseco’s head giving an assist to a home run! Priceless! And for a related take on the playoffs, read my piece If I were commissioner of baseball.

And then there was my most recent author Q&A.

The sixth of this year’s MTC author interviews was also near the top of this month’s reader views.

• A prescription for sick cities captures my conversation with Jeff Siegler, author of Your City is Sick. Like a blunt yet perceptive doctor, Jeff first helps us understand the disease. Then in straightforward, no-holds-barred language he prescribes treatments to push his readers to transform their cities through relentless, incremental improvements. Jeff, a long-time friend and colleague, recently chatted with me about his hard-hitting yet essential new work.

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MORE READING

October found me reading a typically eclectic list of books and newsletters. Besides baseball and city revitalization, I also pass along my takes on:

• Traveling through the ages of life, which is my review of the newest book ― a memoir ― by Nobel Laureat Annie Ernaux.

• I’ve never been a fan of Amazon, so How to Resist Amazon and Why was right in my sweet spot. I provide a review in Fighting for a people-powered future.

• Many of you may have already seen the new blockbuster movie Killers of the Flower Moon. The blood cries out from the ground is my take on David Gann’s heart-shattering book upon which the movie is based.

• There is the always popular From the bookshelf: September 2023.

• And in Step back and see what’s good, I link to a long list of accomplishments by our transformational president.

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SATURDAY SOUNDTRACKS

Each weekend in October also featured something musical.

• A Great Wild Mercy highlights the just-released album of singer, songwriter, and storyteller Carrie Newcomer. As one would expect, it is simply beautiful.

• The Irish pianist and composer Joan Trimble was a new name for me. But when a work friend recommended her music, I checked it out and was hooked. You can see my response in Free to be myself, regardless of fashion.

• October has seen a great deal of bullying behavior both at home and abroad, so I naturally thought of the old fiddle tune Bully of the Town.

• And finally, Ghost, goblins . . . and roots music is the latest in what has become an annual review of roots music for Halloween.

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CONCLUSION

Thanks, as always, for reading. Your support and feedback mean more than I can ever express.

As you travel life’s highways be open to love, thirst for wonder, undertake some mindful walking every day, recognize the incredible privilege that most of us have, and think about how to put that privilege to use for good. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and others can feel especially vulnerable . . . because they are. Work hard for justice and democracy as the fight never ends.

Bash into some joy along the way.

And finally, try to be nice. Always be kind.

More to come . . .

DJB

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For the September 2023 summary, click here.

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Photo by Phil Henry on Unsplash