On this Veteran’s Day, I’m thinking with gratitude of the men and women who have served our country and those… Read more Between Honor and Gratitude
Author: Rick
My life-long passion is in the arts: music, theater, visual arts, and literature. I graduated from Cal Arts in 1985 with a degree in music composition. After a career in Human Resources with the AIDS Project Los Angeles and as a parish minister for Unitarian Universalist churches in the Los Angeles area, I retired in 2025 and pursued my artistic work: drawing, painting, composing, and creative writing.
The Personal and the Plural
The American character wrestles (very visibly, lately) between the poles of individualism and community. These poles are present, too, in… Read more The Personal and the Plural
Life is Funny. Seriously
When I officiated at a friend’s memorial service two weeks ago, I began the service by assuring folks that it… Read more Life is Funny. Seriously
Russians in Hollywood, Hollywood’s Russians
Russians in Hollywood, Hollywood’s Russians: Biography of an Image, by Harlow Robinson I’ve long been fascinated by the part of… Read more Russians in Hollywood, Hollywood’s Russians
Amazement and Amusement
I officiated at the Memorial of a friend last weekend. The service was lovely, and healing for me. My friend… Read more Amazement and Amusement
The Kindly Ones
The Kindly Ones by Anthony Powell The sixth novel of the series of twelve collectively titled A Dance to the… Read more The Kindly Ones
Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant
Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant by Anthony Powell This is the fifth of the twelve novels by Anthony Powell collectively titled, A… Read more Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant
The Spiritual Season
I think of the fall as the spiritual season. Beginning with our Unitarian Universalist Ingathering ceremony in September, we then pass… Read more The Spiritual Season
Life and Death
As we approach the season of holidays from many traditions that reckon with the afterlife we will look at several… Read more Life and Death
At Lady Molly’s
At Lady Molly’s by Anthony Powell At Lady Molly’s is the fourth novel of the twelve that comprise Powell’s A… Read more At Lady Molly’s