UPDATE

It's Day 7 for me and my family without power. Check "NEXT" on Tuesday before class for the latest update.
==
Wind chill below zero when I took the dogs out this morning. Robert Frost comes to mind...

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To know that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

I'm not really this pessimistic. But I'm ready for Spring. (Good news: pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in a couple of weeks!)

Questions FEB 3

Thanks for indicating your midterm report preferences, Amanda (17th) and Markeem (24th). Everyone else, please indicate yours.

Here are some discussion questions on this week's reading. Feel free to respond to any of them, offer your own, or just share your own observations. Try to post at least three separate comments on the reading prior to each class. First: Questions JAN 27...

1. In light of recent events in Middle Tennessee, and of what Frank says about giving god a bellylaugh, is it still wise to make plans for merely-possible contingencies in life? What is your philosophy of planning, as an individual and as a  member of a community? 47
2. What do you think of Frank's remarks about the days when Haddam wasn't so "skittish"? 48
   
3. Have you "found yourself"? Still looking? How do you know when you've found it? 50
4. Should we all aspire to a life of "achievement" or is it enough to be a "presence"? 51
5. What do you imagine it would be like to survive your child by decades? How would you cope with the feeling of profound grief?
6. Have you ever scattered a loved one's ashes, or requested that your survivors scatter yours? 53-5
7. What does "giving life its full due" mean to you?  
8. Do you think there are particular things you need to do OR not do, to be happy? 56
9. What do you think of what Frank says about Mike the Buddhist realty magnate making "a good Christian"? 58
10. What do you think about Republicans "opening doors"? 61
11. Howe would you feel if you ever received a call from your adult child like Frank's from Clarissa? 64-9
12. Any thoughts on the medical profession? Do you agree with Frank? 70
13. Thoughts on Frank's description of Trump? 72
14. Does it matter, for the relevance of his philosophy, that Heidegger was affiliated with the Nazis? 73
15. Does Frank's fantasy of flying to La Jolla indicate to you that there's something wrong with him? 74
16. Is it mealy-mouthed to qualify statements with "I guess"? 76
17. Should parents have specific life's goals for their children? 77
18. Do aerial vistas provide important data? 80
19. What does Frank mean by "randomness"? 82
20. What does it mean to say that another world is in this one? 83
21. Would Paul's airplane analogy bother you, if you were in his support group? 85
22. Was Heidegger right about death? 87

Day 6

  

Still without power, holed up in a downtown hotel a stone's throw from the Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge so artfully depicted in the lobby. Want to dogwalk it, but it's forbiddingly icy. Hurry please, NES.

UPDATE Jan 29

Please scroll down to the midterm reports post below, all, and indicate a date preference for your first presentation in the comments section. And stay safe and warm! We still have no power in my neighborhood, hope you do have wherever you are. jpo

UPDATE Jan 28

 Still powerless in my neighborhood. Please continue reading Be Mine and post your comments as you are able. ALSO: select a midterm report date and indicate your preference below. Looking forward to seeing you all (including a new student) Tuesday in the 3d floor JUB conference room. jpo

No class today

  Or tomorrow. Probably not the rest of the week, though that  determination has not yet been made as of 5 AM Tuesday. I hope you are all well, staying warm wherever you are. It’s day three of no power where I live, in Nashville. We’re spending a lot of time bundled and huddled around the fireplace and consuming warm beverages. Last time this happened was the big chill of ‘94. Every 30 years or so is often enough!

Please keep up with the readings and post your comments about them as you are able. We’ll catch up when we can. See you soon. jpo

NYTimes: The Peculiar Magic of a Winter Snowstorm

Our Lyceum guest last Fall, Megan Craig, sees beauty and spirit in the snow (if not the ice & slush).

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/24/opinion/winter-snow-storm.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Phil.Oliver@mtsu.edu

👣Solvitur ambulando

💭Sapere aude