urbantrappistblogastery

The best word to characterize the daily Mass readings of Lent is dismal. Even today’s Hebrew Scripture portion, in which Moses discusses how God kicked some Egyptian tail and why that deserves some dap and some grub, emphasizes words like “suffer” and “toil” and “harsh” and “oppression” and I have no shortage of further [...]

As Cincinnati has now become the largest metropolitan area in Ohio, I’m expanding some of the city slickness.
First, a multitudinous paean comparing my 23-course gluttony at Alinea to sundry scenes.
Second, the latest additions to the brewery:

Maplethorpe, a dark ale brewed with maple syrup and artistic temerity.

Paradoxicale, a balanced brown ale gone nuts with almonds and [...]

Most of the writing here hasn’t approached UT philosophy, though the thoughtful element at least manifests it. (OK, fine, thoughtful might not be the best word. Laugh it up.) Anyway, here’s a paradox that’s analogous to the city/monastery duality.
There are a lot of good reasons to cook, not least being the need [...]

I am forever shomer shabbos.
(Shabbos, Donnie, is the Jewish day of rest.) But shomer? Guardian. Defender. Preserver.
Walter is, in fact, a Pharisee. He talks big about defending his day of rest, upholding 3000 years of beautiful tradition (from Moses to Sandy Koufax,) but when the test comes, he drops his [...]

Christoffermas! Today is the solemn, solitary passion of this grand holiday. It is marked by a ritual reading of The Great Gatsby, a comfortably long run (though today may boldly shoot for a circumnavigation of Big Glen Lake, basically a half marathon and likely to resemble the mid-week trek of Hocking Hills (RIP)).

No [...]