David

Before the storm, Elijah finds the last, sad helium balloon on the mountain.

Early morning out with cameras, Eli & I listen to newly discovered United Nations of Photography, Episode 160: Mark Steinmetz, "...photography has no intrinsic meaning in and of itself. It's a tool. Nothing more. A chef may have a fondness for his or her spatula, but finally, it's just a tool."

Late day. In weeds.

Emily Choate's Chapter 16 review of Richard Collins' recent book of poems "Stone Nest"

1) Sandstone barren 2) "Coming soon"

That generosity and care continue today through Claudia, through their three boys, and through the families we have all raised—now close friends and cousins to my own children. I’m deeply grateful for all of them.

During my extended college years, they became something more, often stepping in as mentors and, at times, as second parents—sharing their home, their knowledge of life, and their commitment to education and others.

Before college, they were models of generous, caring, and inspired older siblings: very young themselves, Bill a history professor and Claudia a pediatrician, who welcomed me, guided me, and treated me as a beloved younger brother.

Sequatchie Cove Creamery cheeses that Bill Keener brought to Dostoevsky seminar gathering last night. In last-minute prep, I didn't place with the more ordinary fare on the table. This morning I feel grateful for last night's discussion, sad we didn't have the cheese...but admit delight too!

Judy, Lydia, morning before work

2005ish Montreal Metro - Michael in the Eye

Visit with a Beautiful Family

Conversation notes (please share yours):

Rachel Kushner on Clarice Lispector:
“Lipstick Traces,” in Kushner's collection The Hard Crowd.

Rachel Kushner, The Flamethrowers:
Fictional character Benton is likely based on William Eggleston.
A great book in the vein of Patti Smith’s Just Kids.

Stirling's Coffee House: "Puddle. Ripple. Current." curated by Christi Teasley @ecteasley.bsky.social
(Reception Thursday Nov. 13th, 2025, 4:00-5:30 p.m.)

Heading for Halloween Friday work.

I-75 Exit 5 "Construction"
29 October 2025

"Next Exit"

Southern Festival of Books & No Kings, Nashville

David, Kiffen, David, Southern Festival of Books & No Kings, Nashville

J.Ed Marston & Emily Choate, Southern Festival of Books, Nashville

John T. Edge, Beth Ann Fennelly, Emily Choate, JEd Marston (Southern Festival of Books, Nashville)

Southern Festival of Books & No Kings, Nashville

6 September 2025, South Cumberland Regional Land Trust.
Elijah meets John Jeremiah Sullivan, the writer whose stories he grew up loving. Sullivan may be the greatest reason Elijah decided to study literature at the University of the South

2025 Late summer, Deep Woods, Sewanee

Chattanooga off Main, Sept. 2025

2025 Heritage Festival, Cowan, TN.

Elizabeth, Larry, Pip morning walk at The Res.

Jan. 10, 2008 ...drove to Athens, TN to hear Mark Steinmetz talk about the "Overhill" project. The talk was at 6:30 p.m. on a school night, Thursday. We drove through the dark and very heavy rain to see Mark. Samuel and Mark Wood were there; Ken Page; Paul Efird came from Knoxville....