“Go Set a Watchman” didn’t have a craft problem. It had a theme problem – in the character of a bigoted Atticus Finch. Read more.
DON'T MISS!
I've written hundreds and hundreds of posts over the years. To help you find your way to the best of the best, I've tagged my favorites "Don't Miss!" Scroll down here to find them.
Another way to locate Riffs on Life that you might enjoy is to click above on your favorite category – "My Ever-Changing Family," perhaps, or "Funny Button." You can also use the search box located way up top to hunt for stories by topic. There's fun reading at "garden," "aging," "kids" and, of course, "Jon."
Cheap Thrills at the Glasmuseum Passau — Outrageous, Over-the-Top Decorative Glass.
Spotted at the labyrinthine Glasmuseum Passau — wonderfully outrageous, phantasmagoric decorative glass. Gotta share it with you. Take a look. Cheap thrills. Read more.
I’m a Studs Terkel Wannabe — He Captured American Voices
It was Studs Terkel’s oral histories that inspired me to record the voices of Americans talking about God. Read more.
Retired Is a State of Mind — Six Ways to Know If You’re There Yet
Retired is a state of mind. Not a state of paycheck or work schedule or commute or how much time you spend at the office. Read more.
Was That Old Testament God Just Trying to Keep Us in the Game?
The fiery, judgmental God of the Old Testament and Hebrew Scripture had a redeeming quality that he shared with my persistent little son Peter. Read more.
Two California Poets: One Romantic, the Other Not So Much
Ina Coolbrith palled around San Francisco with Mark Twain, Jack London and Bret Harte. Rebecca Foust hangs out with PTA moms. Both are California poets. Read more.
Jeff Greenwald and Kevin Griffin — A Funny Buddhist and a Happy One
Jeff Greenwald is a master of the upstart art of finding God funny. Kevin Griffin writes about the commonalities between Buddhism and 12-step programs. Read more.