Monthly Archives: October 2018

Bess Has Died Suddenly on 10-19-18

Posted on October 20, 2018 by JMN

Out of the blue, she foamed and slobbered at the mouth. She then threw up copiously and walked around groaning in obvious distress, apparently abdominal, for several minutes. I realized after several moments that she had defecated nearby. I followed … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | 5 Comments

“Woman From Bahia”

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

A large 19th century painting titled “Woman From Bahia” stands in contrast to all this. We don’t know who the subject is, or who painted her, or when (the guess is around 1850). But, wearing white gloves, a midnight-blue gown, … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged | 3 Comments

Distance from Marfa

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

That Marfa is becoming a destination might have been amusing to the artist [Donald Judd]. “When Judd lived in Marfa, he already thought it was too crowded,” [Ann Temkin, chief curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged | Leave a comment

A “four-button mongoose”?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

The Times described Mr. Bruce in 1959 as “a four-button mongoose” imbued with a streak of moral indignation. “The kind of comedy I do isn’t, like, going to change the world,” Mr. Bruce said in the interview. “But certain areas … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged | Leave a comment

1987: Andrew

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

[Dear Mother,] E*** was with Andrew at Albertson’s the other day and told me that every time they announced some instore special over the intercom Andrew would holler, “OK!” She looked at him and said, “They’re not talking to you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged | Leave a comment

1987: High-Tech Verse and Allergies

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

[Dear Mother,] Charles B*** asked me to co-edit an anthology of high-tech verse which he has been commissioned to do by his publisher…. I’ve thought fairly seriously about it, but am thinking of passing it up in favor of things … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hilma af Klint (1862-1944)

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

The idea that a woman got there first, and with such style, is beyond thrilling. Yes, I know art is not a competition; every artist’s “there” is a different place. Abstraction is a pre-existing condition, found in all cultures. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Whereabouts”

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

Quite a few readers wrote to us last week to take issue with this sentence at the end of a briefing: “His whereabouts is unknown.” Surely, they wrote, it should be “whereabouts are.” Well, yes and no. Times editors consult … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology, Quotations | Tagged | Leave a comment

1987: Coping with Technicalese

Posted on October 14, 2018 by JMN

[Dear Mother,] I’ve spent the afternoon coping with IBM technicalese in the form of new product announcements… Here’s the block of turgid prose for your enjoyment: Highlights Allows IBM Personal System/2, attached to a Local Area Network to communicate with … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Leave a comment

1987: “A Fable”

Posted on October 14, 2018 by JMN

For C*** and H*** Bamboo blinds gentle the noonday, coastal sun. A Gulf breeze licks the south-east corner of Casa Ramico’s. I take my usual table, nodding at the busboys who greet me deferentially. Eulalia brings me water and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology | Leave a comment