occasional posts by risa aratyr
thoughts, news, and items of writerly interest
My late cousin Michael was well and widely known as an activist [Michael Rossman, 1939-2008]. In more limited circles, he attained renown as author and educator (The Wedding Within the War, 1971). I wonder, though, how many knew he was also an archivist; the curator of an astonishing collection of art comprised entirely of protest … Read more Vital Signs
In my post Midsummer last (“The Good Old Summertime“), I detailed my personal relationship with Bealtaine–how it had always been a wild ride for me, a time of upheaval and overload, and sometimes a lightning-struck tower style explosion of life-changing chaos. Then I had to go and tempt fate by adding, “Luckily, since I hit … Read more May Madness
There is but one thing of real value – to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men. – Marcus Aurelius A stoically-inclined reader of this very blog was kind enough to send me Marcus’ words of wisdom. I believe it’s well worth aspiring to the … Read more Of Two Minds
The people of Troy awoke one morning to find the Greeks gone without a trace. Ok, one trace. One measly guy, all on his lonesome, standing in front of the city gates next to a humongous wooden horse. Poor schmuck was so gutted about being left behind, he was only too eager to spill the … Read more THE COMPLEAT CASSANDRA: Positive Negativity
Somewhere between 1260 and 1240 BCE, Paris, a young, cocky, cock-centered prince of the powerhouse Anatolian city of Troy, went to Sparta on a state visit – and took Helen, Queen of Sparta, home with him as a souvenir. It was congrats and wine all around at the welcome-back banquet. Only Paris’ sister Cassandra looked … Read more THE COMPLEAT CASSANDRA: Negative Positivity