The Vulgar Eclectic

Vulgar: of the usual, typical, or ordinary kind
Eclectic: composed of elements drawn from various sources

definitions courtesy of Merriam-Webster

recent blog posts

• The Survivors by Tom Godwin

  I finished reading The Survivors (1958), also published as Space Prison, by Tom Godwin. This is a short, tightly woven science fiction tale that begins quickly and never lets up. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

  The premise involves an alien race that captures a ship of humans fleeing Earth en-route to a habitable planet. The humans are brutally dealt with and a large number are dropped on an inhospitable planet and left to die.

  This is a story of perseverance, survival, and the indomitable human spirit. I loved the pacing and narrative style, as well as the reflections about human nature, meaning-making, cultural knowledge, and duty. And the creatures known as prowlers are a special treat!

  “Tears and fear are futile weapons; they can never bring us any tomorrows. We’ll have to fight whatever comes to kill us no matter how scared we are. For ourselves and for our children. Above all else, for our children…”

  

• Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum

  A while ago, I finished reading Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum (1900). This engaging memoir was written shortly after Slocum returned from his more than three year journey over the briny seaways of the globe.

  Beginning in 1893, he worked for over a year rebuilding a sloop he named the Spray in Massachusetts. In the spring of 1895, he set off on what would become the first solo circumnavigation of the globe. He faced long periods of isolation, extreme weather and storms, dangerous passage through the Strait of Magellan, pursuit by pirates, attacks by natives in Tierra del Fuego, and the challenges of navigation and maintaining and repairing nautical equipment.

  His voyage eventually covered around 46,000 miles. His longest stretch of isolation aboard his ship at sea was 72 days; in addition to the many months at sea, he relates numerous stops in many ports and at a multitude of islands. His adventures and the people he encounters are described in a lively and vivid manner, making the book a memorable and highly enjoyable read. Slocum’s love of nature, people, and the freedom of travel and exploration makes one want to follow in his footsteps.

  “I had already found that it was not good to be alone, and so I made companionship with what there was around me, sometimes with the universe and sometimes with my own insignificant self; but my books were always my friends, let fail all else. Nothing could be easier or more restful than my voyage in the trade-winds.”

  

• Another beetle

  I found this little guy on the floor. Part of one of its front legs is missing. After scooping him up, I put him in the terrarium we have. I figured he might do better in there where there is good coverage and food. I’ve been noticing him (or another beetle) in the mornings eating in the terrarium and then retiring under a honey locust seed pod.

  It is some sort of Eleodes beetle (commonly called darkling beetles). I thought at first it might be Eleodes obscura, but it seems to be missing the anterior tooth projection on the front femurs that help distinguish that variety.

  

  

• Katydid

  I discovered this critter while moving some scrap pieces of siding a few mornings ago. It was on the underside of the board, seeking refuge from the overnight freeze. I believe it is a broad-winged katydid (Microcentrum rhombifolium). It’s beautiful and delicate-appearing green, leaf-like wings are a great example of an insect using mimesis.

  

  

• The Misanthrope by Moliere

  From April 2022:

  I just finished reading The Misanthrope (1666), a play by Moliere, translated by John Wood and David Coward. It was an engaging and fast-paced read centered on the character of Alceste, who, presumptuously dismissive of every form of duplicity and hypocrisy, is determined to speak truthfully regardless of social circumstances. Even though he disparages all of society, he finds himself smitten by Célimène, a beautiful young woman who encourages many suitors with her charm.

  Through the interactions of the characters, many of which express rather extreme examples of a range of individual virtue and personal philosophies, Moliere appears to comment on the relationship between human nature and society.

  I was reminded of a line from King Lear: “Know thou this: that men are as the time is.” This was spoken by the villain, Edmund, as an excuse for his grasping and unscrupulous actions. One can read King Lear as an argument for the timelessness of virtue and human nature. Moliere, with a softer tone, seems to agree. The characters of Éliante and Philinte seem to be the closest thing to a model of reasonable response to the pressures of society and the realities of human nature.

  “Men ought to be different from what they are.”

  

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