A summary of the May posts from the MORE TO COME newsletter.

The poet Mary Oliver had rather straightforward instructions for life: “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” Simple, but also difficult to follow.

I sleepwalk through much of life, caught up in my own head and little problems. The writer Kathryn Schulz knows there is both a wonder and fragility to life, but instead of feeling small and powerless she takes the side of amazement.

“I cannot look closely for any length of time at even so simple a thing as a pond and do otherwise…what serves us best, in the face of inexorable loss, is not our grief or our acquiescence but our attention. For now, at least, the world is ours to notice and to change, and that seems sufficient.“

The MORE TO COME newsletter pushes me to not only pay attention and be astonished but to tell others about it. So let’s see what caught my eye this past month.

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TOP READER VIEWS

During May, Candice and I helped support the rehabilitation of Staunton, Virginia’s historic New Theater into a community cultural center by sponsoring a quote about creativity on the theatre marquee. We chose my favorite Mary Oliver quote. The story I wrote about this project—Celebrating the creators—was far-and-away this month’s top in reader views.

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OTHER READER FAVORITES

Three other posts attracted special attention from MTC readers.

• The May 20th print edition of The New York Times included a photograph of Congressman Jamie Raskin I took at Takoma Park’s 2022 July 4th parade. You can read When The New York Times came calling to discover how my image was chosen for what is often called our “newspaper of record.” It may not surprise you to find I have mixed feelings about the Times.

• In Exploring places that matter, I highlighted six upcoming tours over the next eighteen months where I’ll be serving as the educational expert for National Trust Tours. Consider joining us on one or more of these fascinating explorations around the world.

• Dreams interrupted; dreams denied introduced readers to a powerful exhibit at the United States Institute of Peace, reminding us of the price Ukrainians pay daily in their fight for freedom.

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FROM THE BOOKSHELF

I found much to ponder in all the books I read this month.

• Alice Randall, the first Black woman to cowrite a number one country hit, wants us to recognize and remember the Black roots of Country Music. Remembering the first family of Black Country Music is my look—complete with music videos—at her recent work My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future.

• The hard, but necessary work of living together with others is a review of the “memoir-manifesto” To Free the Captives: A Plea for the American Soul by Tracy K. Smith, the former Poet Laureate of the United States. Her powerful, poetic language reminds us that America is, at its heart, a soul-making enterprise.

• Solving life’s puzzles featured a lovely debut novel—The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers. Life isn’t always straightforward, but nothing worth solving ever is.

• “Love your neighbor” is not a helpful suggestion. Thomas Merton—in No Man is an Island—reminds us that it is A fundamental law of human existence.

• And there is the always popular monthly summary: From the bookshelf: April 2024.

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SATURDAY SOUNDTRACK

In addition to Randall’s exploration of Black Country Music, I had two other music-themed posts as part of my ongoing Soundtrack series.

• Small stage, towering talents is an invitation for you to enjoy a recent Tiny Desk concert with Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives.

• When the Irish find their prodigal son showcases music from—of all places—an Irish bluegrass band!

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OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Memorial Day, cataract surgery, and more were on my mind in May.

• Remembrances for Memorial Day pointed to past essays that speak to sacrifice and community.

• The third and final installment of “The Cataract Trilogy” can be found in Return to normalcy.

• Pentecost thoughts from Pauli Murray on pain, suffering, and restoration made their way to MTC in Reconciliation.

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FEATURED COMMENTS

I’m highlighting a few comments from readers this month in the hope that you’ll want to check out the stories that struck a chord with these commentators.

• In response to the post on Black Country Music, a friend and author wrote on LinkedIn: “You have me reading and listening to so many new things! Thanks!” Of course, Alan did once encourage me to read about eels, so broadening perspective is part of our relationship.

• John Swenson wins my kindness award with his comment on the month’s most-read post: “Mr. Brown: You have paid attention. You have been astonished. You have told about it. What more could Staunton ask of you? Thank you!” Wow!

• After reading about the Unissued Diplomas exhibit, Nick, a friend and former colleague from Oak Park, was moved to write: “Very powerful stories David and stark reminders of the horrors of war.”

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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 April 2024 summary, click here.

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Photo of Mary Oliver’s quote on the Arcadia marquee by Pam Wagner.