Lovely. That insight that storytelling is the best way to convey something is what New Journalism was crafting in the Sixties – – the transparency about ALL news stories being narratives that are structured by reporters and editors. And now this blog too is a narrative overview of something ongoing. So one way and another JF didn’t just donate,…[Read more]

I’m late on this blog, but I’m sorry to hear about your dog Tulea, and typical of you, I feel, to be right by her and when she died. That happened to me too back in 2012 and I too resolved, No more. It’s achingly hard to go through, even if it’s all part of life doing its thing, whatever the hell that’s all about. So these days I just feed the…[Read more]

Off Topic: I just saw OUR SOULS AT NIGHT. A bit late, but getting old myself I wasn’t ready watch a film about getting old even though there was never a doubt I;d watch it sooner or later because of 2 people in it who, at a distance, I go way back with. Turns out to be a heartwarming, encouraging film, perfect pace, perfect pitch, a joy to…[Read more]

All too true. Nice ref to FDR too. But why have people stopped factoring in Overpopulation as a serious problem in all this? Up to the 1970s, Overpopulation was regularly on the agenda. In the ’80s it was dismissed as if we had solved the problem, as if the answer was to double the population and forget about it.

Smart, practical, grounded & fair points, all.
You must have a lot of patience, more than I, to take the time to spell out what should be self-evident to anyone with empathy and common sense. That’s what demoralises me, that these things have to be spelled out, implored, beseeched, against powerful forces that often don’t even deign to respond.…[Read more]

I’m glad to hear your writing’s on fire. I’m hoping when the Fire Drill book is done that you will carry right on through another memoir (maybe one trading chapters between films made in a particular decade and parallel political activities for the same period in the next chapter). You know, serve and volley.

“I have studied why women tend to get braver with age and men don’t, but that’s for another time.” Would be very interesting to hear more, Jane.
I remember some Indian guru saying that old men get more feminine because earlier in life that side of men was socially repressed, so those reserves well up in old age, when they are relieved of soc…[Read more]

Gotta love JF. Make sure you keep warm!

Jane, you’re on your way to Bertrand Russell’s peaceful resistance record when he was 90-something.

This goes to show you get clarity from honesty. Sincerity is what spells it out, not dumbing down, and there’s a clear-as-day contrast here between Fire Drill Friday’s message and the p-r coming out of the White House.

Those are lovely photos, especially The Book Club.
I also think there is good scope for a Grace crossover. I think you and Lili should kidnap Larry David for a 2-part episode and not set him free until he says something positive.
I hereby give away that idea for free with no need for recompense now or in the future, absolutely gratis. Go…[Read more]

(especially since I myself kidnapped the idea from ‘9 to 5’!)