9 Comments
User's avatar
Beyhan Trock's avatar

John, you are a gem. Just when I’m beginning to give up hope for humanity, you write something that directs our view to higher heights!

Leslie's avatar

The name Lebezyatnikov contains the Russian stem for the word "fawn," as in brown-nose, not deer. Fitting. I will re-read the Hobbit!

John Dickerson's avatar

I love this. The kind of detail lost to me as I try to just hang on to understanding which person is being discussed.

Leslie's avatar

Dostoeyevsky plays with names. Raskol means split or schism (Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment).

Tim N Taylor's avatar

I found the Seven Storey Mountain very inspirational, as I too experienced a turning point in my life much like the one in Merton's story.

Later in other readings, I found Merton's affair while presumably being constrained by his religious vows somewhat off-putting.

Chrystie Munves's avatar

Dostoefsky is always a relevant read on politics and power. Sadly never more so than today. As for the others..thank you for the uplift and food for thought.

Melinda's avatar

May we know the artist who painted the work above your chair? Perhaps you’ve been asked and I missed the reply?

Thanks as always for sharing your thoughts, as well as a glimpse of your personal space.

John Dickerson's avatar

The artist is our youngest child :)

Susan Allred's avatar

Purpose matters no matter who you are.