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

September in the Washington region has brought cooler days, sleeping porch nights, and—unfortunately—hot political rhetoric. And while I did make observations on MORE TO COME about our current choices as a nation, I also found time to write about bluegrass music, a pioneer of architectural photography, and a new history of the CIA.

Let’s jump in and see what caught my attention this month.

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TOP READER FAVORITES

I describe this newsletter as “observations, recollections, and occasional bursts of radical common sense about places that matter, books worth reading, roots music to nourish the soul, the times we live in, and whatever else tickles my fancy.” The top two posts in terms of reader views this month perfectly illustrate the random mix of subjects you’ll find here.

• Hot bluegrass as summer cools down features three roots music bands who played in the DC area in late August. Liam Purcell, Molly Tuttle, and Old Crow Medicine Show made great music to end the summer. Tuttle returns on November 16th, playing about two blocks away from our house at the Fillmore in Silver Spring. I have my tickets!

• Drivel and distortion materialized after I sat down and watched CNN for the first time in years. It was “interview” night. Once the Vice President had the interview with CNN, members of the corporate media—who have been screaming why won’t Kamala talk to us—just moved on to their next manufactured grievance. Too many members of our corporate political press are not serious journalists. But the damage they can do is very real and dangerous.

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‘TIS THE SEASON

Yes, the election is upon us. For a multitude of reasons, some readers may be tiring of seeing my takes on the national political scene. That’s fine. Feel free to skip them. Others, I know, appreciate the posts, especially those tying our current choices to our history.

• Hard work is good work is the post-debate MTC essay primarily drawn from the thoughts, words, and perspectives of others. In fact, the working title was “better minds than mine.”

• Finding joy in the American people, in optimism, in the investment in our future, in dreams: a post that will take less than two minutes of your time yet will bring a smile to your face. Let’s find joy. Let’s be the joy in America. Let’s get out and vote!

• One of the main reasons I fear for our democracy is our rogue Supreme Court. Legitimacy lost examines recent investigative reporting by the New York Times that shows how the Chief Justice has been driving decisions to protect a convicted felon and insurrectionist.

• Two musicians recently made endorsements in the presidential race. Sending love to the cat ladies is my short note of thanks for their stands.

• A party returns to its roots looks at the history of Labor Day.

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OTHER OBSERVATIONS

There were other topics besides the election. One of my favorite posts (and books) was about the architectural photographer G.E. Kidder Smith.

• A voracious curiosity for the built environments of the world is a review of a beautifully illustrated and long overdue assessment of the work of George Everard Kidder Smith (1913–1997), a “multidimensional figure within the wide-ranging field of North American architectural professionals in the second half of the twentieth century.” To put it simply, I loved it!

• A 2024 work on the CIA which I review in The birth of a new imperial order highlights the often unintended and disastrous effects of unaccountable power.

• Free people read freely celebrates libraries, schools, and bookstores during “Banned Book Week.” A recent history of the American bookshop was an appropriate feature for this post. Check it out!

• Tom Paxton writes Timeless songs for every age. This post celebrates a just-released album entitled Bluegrass Sings Paxton.

• While not in the top tier of Agatha Christie novels, The Mystery of the Blue Train is nonetheless worth the ride. I give my take in Things take their course.

• And there’s the always popular From the bookshelf: August 2024.

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FEATURED COMMENTS

In response to Sending love to the cat ladies, a brilliant reader from Arlington sent the following:

Claire and Chia look great! Although I would not recognize a Taylor Swift song, I did purchase a pink Swifty for Harris t-shirt.

A few days later this picture showed up as Mr. Arlington showcased his new purchase while taking a stroll down the National Mall!

Even us geezers (we would both self-identify) can be Swifties for Harris!

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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, transformative 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.

When times get rough, let your memories wander back to some wonderful place with remembrances of family and friends. But don’t be too hard on yourself if a few of the facts slip. Just get the poetry right.

Remember that “we are here to keep watch, not to keep.” Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. And bash into some joy along the way.

Finally, try to be nice. Always be kind.

More to come . . .

DJB

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For the August 2024 summary, click here.

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Photo by Mathieu Odin on Unsplash