Some of my esteemed colleagues are pointing out that my recent posts regarding pro-protectionist policies, reshoring of jobs, reindustrializing the U.S., building our manufacturing base, is out of step with my usual cozy local community poasting 1/4
While these appear out of step, I view them as inextricably linked. The reason we saw small town America be destroyed, and rural America get gutted, is because of globalism, offshoring of jobs, and trade agreements that hurt American workers 2/4

"The house should have a front porch where people can sit comfortably and watch the world go by." -CA

Christopher Alexander in A Pattern Language explains why porches once made neighborhoods thrive—and why their disappearance was a fundamental change 1/
A front porch is a soft boundary. It’s not fully public (like the street) or fully private (like the backyard). It’s an in-between space where life happens.

Without porches, houses become islands. With them, homes become part of a community.

Just finished Anna Karenina, one of Tolstoy's incredible Novels. I've yet to read any formal analyses, so forgive me if I either report oft repeated themes, or am extremely off base, but I wanted to offer my personal input on some of the major messages from this work of art. The 2 main characters in the story are Anna Karenina and Konstantin Levin. There are several other important plots/characters that surround these two protagonists, but their stories are obviously the driving narratives throughout the book

Tonight after dinner, my two older girls were playing “Little Women”, wearing aprons/dusting, I was playing the piano, my wife singing along to the hymns, toddler playing with toy horses, baby sleeping in crib. Someone knocked on the door - we all excitedly went to see who it was Turns out it was a man delivering a package. I could tell he was surprised by the large greeting at the door. He asked if this was the right address, handed us the package, we thanked him and he left. After he’d gone, I wondered how long he stood at the door before knocking