My niece (by little brother Ian and Randi), Ruby Renee Ragsdale, was born 2 October 2009, healthy and happy.   She is Ian and Randi’s first child and the photographer, Wendi Schoffstall, is quite remarkable.
More Ruby (and more of Wendi’s work) here…

…because as Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times puts it, “No, gang rape isn’t exactly great fodder for cocktail parties. It’s incredibly uncomfortable and depressing to speak about — and that’s probably one reason it’s gone on as long as it has, with relatively little attention. It’s taboo to discuss — not only in [...]

The Cabildo in New Orleans was built in 1799 and served as the place’s town council building up to and after annexation by the United States, ceasing in that function in the 1850s.  This place stands at the center of the history of Louisiana and was the location of the ceremony marking the Louisiana Purchase.
The [...]

Next week will be busy, though it will also be a really nice respite from the daily grind.  Portus 2008 is a Harry Potter symposium (replete with papers, panels, presenters, parties, pageantry, pomp, etc.) that will be held at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas, Texas from 10-13 July.  It’s being put on by the [...]

A little late this is, but liturgically still just fine. Happy Easter, everyone (including my Orthodox friends who will celebrate it about a month from now)!
Jeff

YouTube is a gift from God.
Always on the news and elsewhere, we only get the famous last two minutes or so of this most-famous oratory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But seeing the entire thing (yes, from the moment the gathering’s MC introduces King) for the first time gives me [...]

The Nativity by Petrus Christus, c. 1445.
Photo taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_of_Jesus
Growing up Baptist, “Christmas” was just the one day (25 December), and after that, thoughts of getting ready for Easter come into play. Having been a part of the life of the Episcopal Church for almost six years, I have fully and gladly [...]

Though I have to say I’ve a friend who teaches at a Montessori school, sings in the Houston Grand Opera Chorus and sings at Palmer Episcopal.  She is every bit as busy as I and since she works with kids, her responsibilities are much, much greater than mine.
High Holy Days are once again upon us [...]

If you live anywhere in the vicinity of southeast Texas, your world is not so bright as it was: Marvin Zindler, the most-iconic television news personality our area has ever had or ever will have, has passed away this evening from complications of pancreatic cancer. He was 85.

Snapecast Episode 19
A little belated, I know - I was in England at the time it came out.

Rachael.
The visionary behind the Harry Potter Snape-related podcast Snapecast, and an amazing person, I cannot find enough good things to say about her and Charles, her new husband. I’ve known Rachael since March 2006 when [...]