Nothing deep or political this week — just a humorous observation from game designer Will Wright, creator of SimCity and The Sims.

I gathered the quotations in my collection not by gleaning other collections, but from my own reading.  Also, in some cases, from my own listening.  This one comes from a caller on the sadly defunct Air America Radio, in May of 2004.  I don’t recall her name, if it was even mentioned — all I … Continue Reading

Andre Dubus (1936-1999) was a writer, who (in the words of his New York Times obituary) “was devoted to the art of the short story.”    In 1986 he was struck by a car while helping a pair of stranded motorists.  He lost one leg and the use of the other in the accident, and … Continue Reading

H.L. Mencken (1880-1958) was a scholar, journalist, and author, known for many works including The American Language and his satirical reporting on the Scopes “Monkey Trial” (a term he coined).  Some of his views, especially on race, are downright reprehensible (though much more common in his day).  Nevertheless his gift with the English language remains indisputable … Continue Reading

Garrison Keillor (official website) is a writer and humorist, best known for being the creator and star of the radio show A Prairie Home Companion (from which he retired after a 40+ year run in 2016).

If you ask me, “What’s your favorite football team?” I’ll probably answer “The Portland Timbers.” (If I don’t, the answer will be “The Portland Thorns.”)  This is in no small part thanks to the Timbers Army, a supporters group which is unique in American sports. The Timbers open the 2017 season this weekend, March 3, … Continue Reading

Haruki Murakami (b. Jaunary 12, 1949) (official website) is a Japanese writer of works ranging from fantastical fiction to oral history.  This quote is from his acceptance speech after winning the Hans Christian Andersen Literature Award in November 2016.

Sportswriter Bud Geracie is presently the executive sports editor of the San Jose Mercury News; this quote originates from one of his “In the Wake of the Week” sports columns, from about 20 years ago.  

Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) was an English author.  She was known for her industrial fiction, addressing the issues facing the urban poor of her day, as well as for her realistic, complex female characters.