Dispatches and Marginalia from Michael DeVault
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Introducing “That Is All”

I’m a Buddhist. (A really, really bad Buddhist, but Buddhist nonetheless.) I’ve never observed Lent, but as a really bad Buddhist, the concept of

Mar 18
Everything Else

The Legend of the Standing Rib Roast

Holiday traditions come in two flavors. There are those popular traditions like decorating a tree or putting out the Christmas lights. Perhaps the more

Dec 25
Uncategorized

Presidential Mettle Pt. 2: John F. Kennedy

(Author's Note) In honor of former President Trump, who has "endured more than any other president in the history of the United States of

Aug 6
Uncategorized

Presidential Mettle Pt. 1: Theodore Roosevelt

(Author's Note) In honor of former President Trump, who has "endured more than any other president in the history of the United States of

Jul 27
Everything Else

Efficiency

Or: Lessons Learned in a Waffle House at Shift Change First, let’s address the herd of elephants in the room. It’s been more than

Oct 27
Everything Else

Acquisitions I: Souvenirs from a life with art

My first encounter with art happened on a staircase landing. Sometime in the late Spring of 2002, I an invitation to a gallery opening

Mar 4
Uncategorized

Welcome to the Second Republic

Or: Lessons Learned from Ancient Rome In 27 BCE, the naval and land forces of Roman consul Octavian clashed with those loyal to Mark

Jan 20
Current Events

The Case for 2020: Year In Review

Alyssa and I were nestled tightly together on the sofa, watching Bridgerton and waiting patiently. At 11:50 p.m., I removed a bottle of Korbel from

Jan 2
Uncategorized

Care in the Time of Covid

With apologies to Señor Garcia Marquez   Every year since I moved to Tennessee, sometime between Halloween and Thanksgiving, I’ve undertaken what has become an

Nov 12
All posts

The Jet Set

Or: How Little Mama Inspired Visions of a Glittering Future When I was about 12, my grandmother and I were sitting in the sunroom

Oct 23