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A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 470: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 11 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A lengthy passage relating one of Bee's dreams precedes "Passage," which begins with Bee delighting in Dwalia's seasickness after her recapture from incarceration. Bee notes her own earlier problems, as well as her explorations of the ship on which they travel. Bee also observes closely and notes her own shifting goals.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 470: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 11

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A lengthy passage relating one of Bee's dreams precedes "Passage," which begins with Bee delighting in Dwalia's seasickness after her recapture…

06.10.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Another Reminiscence for Early #Bandtober In my most recent post to this webspace, I write of how I got into band. I note that I grew to love it, a love I think clear from the several efforts I've made to remain involved with it. But it was not a linear thing, and there have been times I've not been very pleased with how things went, even in that part of my life when being a band nerd was more central to my self-concept than it has since become.

Another Reminiscence for Early #Bandtober

In my most recent post to this webspace, I write of how I got into band. I note that I grew to love it, a love I think clear from the several efforts I've made to remain involved with it. But it was not a linear thing, and there have been times I've not…

03.10.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Reminiscence for the Beginning of #Bandtober As this month of October begins, marching bands in many places are gearing up for several weeks of intensive practices and weekly competition performances. They will rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more before piling onto school buses and driving for hours in lingering heat to other schools' stadia to play in the bleachers and at halftime, only to pile back on, drive for hours, unload and unpack and air out their uniforms so that they will maybe be dry in the morning when they return, rehearse, and pile into school buses for more hours on the road in advance of one final run-through and a single shot to perform and maybe, …

A Reminiscence for the Beginning of #Bandtober

As this month of October begins, marching bands in many places are gearing up for several weeks of intensive practices and weekly competition performances. They will rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more before piling onto school buses and…

01.10.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 469: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 10 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A content warning regarding torture applies. Following a brief note on torturous punishment from one of the Four at Clerres, "Bee's Book" begins with Fitz adapting to the Tarman and the liveship's strange resonance with his magics. Despite concerns, he determines to Skill to the Six Duchies and reviews preparations for doing so with the Fool, whose condition he considers.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 469: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 10

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A content warning regarding torture applies. Following a brief note on torturous punishment from one of the Four at Clerres, "Bee's Book" begins…

29.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I Sometimes Look at My Old Work I sometimes look back at my old workRead over what I wrote when I was beforeAnd realize just how big of a jerkI was. That I'm not such anymoreI'd like to think but better knowBecause I am less than I was.Such is the way things often go,The reason, of course, "Just because." I figured on something a little different...Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Need poetry written? Need other things written? Don't turn to AI slop; you can do better--and I can help!

I Sometimes Look at My Old Work

I sometimes look back at my old workRead over what I wrote when I was beforeAnd realize just how big of a jerkI was. That I'm not such anymoreI'd like to think but better knowBecause I am less than I was.Such is the way things often go,The reason, of course, "Just…

26.09.2025 18:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Hymn against the Stupid God 241 Dare I still lift my voice to the despite Of Stupid God when, in plain and open sight, Its cult will rise and with no sense of fright Assail who speak such words as they disdain? Dare I lift up my voice in that refrain To which I return often in the pain Of hearing Stupid God by many praised…

Hymn against the Stupid God 241

Dare I still lift my voice to the despite Of Stupid God when, in plain and open sight, Its cult will rise and with no sense of fright Assail who speak such words as they disdain? Dare I lift up my voice in that refrain To which I return often in the pain Of hearing…

24.09.2025 19:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 468: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 9 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A content warning applies regarding suicidal ideation. Following commentary from Chade regarding the degradation of Skill knowledge in the Six Duchies, "The Tarman" opens with Fitz and his companions watching the titular liveship arrive. Fitz contrasts the arrival of the vessel with his experience of the docks at Buckkeep as the situation is described, and the Fool as Amber lays out some of the liveship's nature and history.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 468: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 9

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A content warning applies regarding suicidal ideation. Following commentary from Chade regarding the degradation of Skill knowledge in the Six…

22.09.2025 18:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

So, What Was I Doing Last Week? I remarked a couple of times last week (here and here) that I was away from my normal place in the Texas Hill Country. I also noted that I would make some report of what I was about while I was away. I try to be a man of my word, to do what I say I will do, and so I note that I was in Baltimore, Maryland, attending the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum.

So, What Was I Doing Last Week?

I remarked a couple of times last week (here and here) that I was away from my normal place in the Texas Hill Country. I also noted that I would make some report of what I was about while I was away. I try to be a man of my word, to do what I say I will do, and so I…

19.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Sonnet Composed Idly Instead of sitting staring at the screen,I should take pen in hand and ink a pageOr more than one. If I do truly meanTo make myself a writer and assuageThe guilt I feel, give voice to the rageThat swells between my arms--too thin and weakTo do much to avail against a cage--Then I cannot let myself be so meek…

A Sonnet Composed Idly

Instead of sitting staring at the screen,I should take pen in hand and ink a pageOr more than one. If I do truly meanTo make myself a writer and assuageThe guilt I feel, give voice to the rageThat swells between my arms--too thin and weakTo do much to avail against a…

17.09.2025 18:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 467: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 8 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following another excerpt from Bee's dream journals, "Tintaglia" begins with Reyn calling on Fitz and the Fool in their chambers to note the arrival of the Tarman. Details of the liveship's berthing are reported, and Reyn excuses himself. Afterwards, the Fool rebukes Fitz for…

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 467: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 8

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following another excerpt from Bee's dream journals, "Tintaglia" begins with Reyn calling on Fitz and the Fool in their chambers to note the…

15.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Some More Thoughts While I Am Away I'm still out of pocket, as might well be imagined, and I am going to post about what all I've been doing while I've been away from home. I'll need to finish up before I do, however, and I'm not done yet. So much said, I did have an idea Pop up, and I figured I'd spend some time getting it out down so I can keep track of it for later.

Some More Thoughts While I Am Away

I'm still out of pocket, as might well be imagined, and I am going to post about what all I've been doing while I've been away from home. I'll need to finish up before I do, however, and I'm not done yet. So much said, I did have an idea Pop up, and I figured I'd…

12.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Some Thoughts While I’m Away I'm currently away from home for work, and I'll write about that after I'm back, but there were some thoughts I wanted to get down while they were still relatively fresh. I'll be your indulgence, dear reader, that I refer to some work I've done elsewhere online, here. It's an older piece, one written when I still had some hope that I might secure an academic position but had begun to have my doubts, and it reads very much from that time in my life.

Some Thoughts While I’m Away

I'm currently away from home for work, and I'll write about that after I'm back, but there were some thoughts I wanted to get down while they were still relatively fresh. I'll be your indulgence, dear reader, that I refer to some work I've done elsewhere online, here.…

10.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 466: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 7 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Another brief excerpt from Bee's dream journals precedes "Beggar." The chapter begins with Bee considering her isolation in Chalced as she continues to hide from Dwalia and her company. Wolf-Father continues to advise her as she reconnoiters her surroundings and assesses her own condition, but the advice he can give is limited by geography.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 466: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 7

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Another brief excerpt from Bee's dream journals precedes "Beggar." The chapter begins with Bee considering her isolation in Chalced as she…

08.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 465: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 6 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following a brief excerpt from Prilkop's writings, "Revelations" begins with Fitz recuperating slowly from his exertions in the Skill. Residents of Kelsingra continue to ply him for healing that he dares not open himself to perform, and Amber joins Fitz in his chambers for brandy one evening, resuming the identity of the Fool when the pair are in private.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 465: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 6

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following a brief excerpt from Prilkop's writings, "Revelations" begins with Fitz recuperating slowly from his exertions in the Skill. Residents…

05.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 464: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 5 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. After a brief excerpt from Bee's dream-journal, "The Bargain" returns to Fitz as he readies himself for a meeting with the people of Kelsingra. He finds himself pleased with preparations undertaken by Spark and others. Perseverance asks Fitz after Spark and the Fool and their fluid identities, the boy enheartened by the man's considered answer and behavior.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 464: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 5

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. After a brief excerpt from Bee's dream-journal, "The Bargain" returns to Fitz as he readies himself for a meeting with the people of Kelsingra. He…

03.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Yet Further Rumination on Labor Day Once again, the time has come for me to wax loquacious on the subject of work. I did it last year at around this time, just as I'd done in the preceding years, and there's no reason for me not to do so this time around. As it happens, I'm actually in the same lines of work this year as last, which is nice; not having to retrain for a new job all of a sudden is a good thing, and getting better at a job held for a while is a better one.

A Yet Further Rumination on Labor Day

Once again, the time has come for me to wax loquacious on the subject of work. I did it last year at around this time, just as I'd done in the preceding years, and there's no reason for me not to do so this time around. As it happens, I'm actually in the same…

01.09.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

On Another Football Season Starting The time of year has come again in the part of the world where I live for high school football. To be fair, the past couple of weeks have seen scrimmage games in my area, the local schools playing games to test themselves but not worry (so much) about season standings, but scrimmages do not get a whole lot of attention.

On Another Football Season Starting

The time of year has come again in the part of the world where I live for high school football. To be fair, the past couple of weeks have seen scrimmage games in my area, the local schools playing games to test themselves but not worry (so much) about season…

29.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

One Practice When they are gone who should be here,I keep the porchlight burning clearSo they can always find a wayBack to our home, by night or day. Knock, and it will open...Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com When I accept that they have left,And home of them has been bereft,I then will let the light go out--But only when I have no doubt. Poetry of all lengths and patterns is available for reasonable rates--and without AI theft!

One Practice

When they are gone who should be here,I keep the porchlight burning clearSo they can always find a wayBack to our home, by night or day. Knock, and it will open...Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com When I accept that they have left,And home of them has been bereft,I then will let the…

27.08.2025 18:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 463: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 4 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. After a commentary from Chade about the decline of the Elderlings and the legendary alliance between them and the early Farseers, "Chalced" begins with Wolf-Father speaking to Bee of his being carried by the scruff of his neck as she emerges from the Skill-pillar into a hollow in the ground.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 463: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 4

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. After a commentary from Chade about the decline of the Elderlings and the legendary alliance between them and the early Farseers, "Chalced" begins…

25.08.2025 18:03 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

I Can Still Write a Sonnet That Is Not Angry The stacks of books and magazines rise high,Each thing that's piled upon them seeks my eye,And I lament that I must oft pass bySome well-worn volumes. Long they've graced my shelvesAnd gathered hand-oils and dust to themselves,Those mines in which a glad mind often delves,Those comforts, blankets shutting out the coldOf which the world has plenty.

I Can Still Write a Sonnet That Is Not Angry

The stacks of books and magazines rise high,Each thing that's piled upon them seeks my eye,And I lament that I must oft pass bySome well-worn volumes. Long they've graced my shelvesAnd gathered hand-oils and dust to themselves,Those mines in which a…

22.08.2025 18:02 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

About Some Reading My Daughter Is Doing That I have a daughter, Ms. 8, is not new information for those who have read my blogging these past many years. (Thank you who do so, by the way; I really appreciate seeing that you see what I put here!) That I take great delight in her is also not new information, and I do not think it would be a surprise if I were to note that I take more delight in her each day; as she grows and matures, Ms.

About Some Reading My Daughter Is Doing

That I have a daughter, Ms. 8, is not new information for those who have read my blogging these past many years. (Thank you who do so, by the way; I really appreciate seeing that you see what I put here!) That I take great delight in her is also not new…

20.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 462: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 3 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following an excerpt from Bee's dream journals, "In the Mountains" opens with Bee waking to find her efforts at escape noticed. Dwalia rebukes the others in her group and orders Bee secured more stringently, which orders are carried out with complaint. Dwalia, angry at needing to remain in place for another night, commands the others to seek out wood, and while they do, Bee finds evidence of…

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 462: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 3

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Following an excerpt from Bee's dream journals, "In the Mountains" opens with Bee waking to find her efforts at escape noticed. Dwalia rebukes the…

18.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Oh, Yes, It’s from the Archives It has been close to eleven months since I last posted this kind of thing, looking back into earlier materials I drafted to help one tutee begin to acclimate to testing culture. With school back in session and thus testing looming once again, I figured it would be a good time to remind people that I am capable of generating original testing material free from plagiarized AI hallucinations and responsive to emerging classroom needs.

Oh, Yes, It’s from the Archives

It has been close to eleven months since I last posted this kind of thing, looking back into earlier materials I drafted to help one tutee begin to acclimate to testing culture. With school back in session and thus testing looming once again, I figured it would be a…

15.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Still Another Weekend Piece It's possible I've mentioned that I had a busy series of weekends for about the past month at this point. It's likely I noted around this time last week that one more of them was coming. It's certainly the case that this past weekend, the last one before Ms. 8 started back to school, took my family and me afield, and it ought to be the case that I let you know how all it went.

Still Another Weekend Piece

It's possible I've mentioned that I had a busy series of weekends for about the past month at this point. It's likely I noted around this time last week that one more of them was coming. It's certainly the case that this past weekend, the last one before Ms. 8 started…

13.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 461: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 2 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Commentary from Fitz regarding the Outislander concept of finblead precedes "The Silver Touch," which opens with Fitz experiencing the onset of elfbark's effects as administered by Lant in Kelsingra. As the drug takes effect, upset continues to surround Fitz, with Rapskal repeating his accusations against the Fool as Amber, that she stole Silver, and manhandling her as Spark tries to extricate her.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 461: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 2

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. Commentary from Fitz regarding the Outislander concept of finblead precedes "The Silver Touch," which opens with Fitz experiencing the onset of…

11.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Something of a Sales Pitch School is back in session, or will be soon.The labor of lesson planning begins to loom.Avoiding AI obscenity is rightly asked--Tempt me to take on helping you with that task! Oh, for those thus diligent!Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com More seriously, I have years of experience writing instructional materials, ranging from short passages and poems for literary and content analysis to multiple-choice sets to banks of short-answer and essay questions--all human-made, none AI-generated.

Something of a Sales Pitch

School is back in session, or will be soon.The labor of lesson planning begins to loom.Avoiding AI obscenity is rightly asked--Tempt me to take on helping you with that task! Oh, for those thus diligent!Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels.com More seriously, I have…

08.08.2025 18:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Yet Another Weekend Piece I mentioned at about this time last week that I was looking at another uncommonly busy weekend. So much did, in fact, happen to be the case; I had stuff going on on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Honestly, it was all a bit much for my normally staid and stolid self; I have some hope that this weekend will serve as a bit of a counter to it, offering a time to rest and relax a bit before a bigger push begins again.

Yet Another Weekend Piece

I mentioned at about this time last week that I was looking at another uncommonly busy weekend. So much did, in fact, happen to be the case; I had stuff going on on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Honestly, it was all a bit much for my normally staid and stolid self; I have…

06.08.2025 18:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 460: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 1 Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A commentary by Chade on the map-room at Aslevjal precedes "Bee Stings." The chapter opens with Bee fleeing from Dwalia and her company after emerging from the Skill-pillar. Her situation is related, as are her surroundings, and the voice of Wolf-Father within her bids her find a place to stand and fight.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 460: Assassin’s Fate, Chapter 1

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. A commentary by Chade on the map-room at Aslevjal precedes "Bee Stings." The chapter opens with Bee fleeing from Dwalia and her company after…

04.08.2025 18:01 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 459: Assassin’s Fate, Prologue Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. An extended excerpt from Bee's dream journals serves as a prologue for the novel. It speaks of children playing and singing while one, blindfolded, rages in snippets. Wind rises, bursting from the blindfolded child and scattering all. The blindfold remains, its painted eyes staring.

A Robin Hobb Rereading Series, Entry 459: Assassin’s Fate, Prologue

Read the previous entry in the series here.Read the next entry in the series soon. An extended excerpt from Bee's dream journals serves as a prologue for the novel. It speaks of children playing and singing while one, blindfolded,…

01.08.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Another Weekend Piece It's not often that I have the kind of weekend that bears much reporting. It's far more rare that I have two of them in quick succession. But the weekend before last was a busy one, and the one just past had some excitement to it. (The one coming up does, too, as does the one to follow that, somehow.) And for so much to happen to and around me so quickly bears some mention.

Another Weekend Piece

It's not often that I have the kind of weekend that bears much reporting. It's far more rare that I have two of them in quick succession. But the weekend before last was a busy one, and the one just past had some excitement to it. (The one coming up does, too, as does the one…

30.07.2025 18:00 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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