Pauses and Moments

Relationships

Young Manhood, Young Womanhood: A 1919 Love Story

Joseph H Cooper on February 15, 2019

A 1919 story collection chronicling loneliness and longing, tempered by restraint, dignity, and reverence; the desire to impress, the need to have one’s new feelings understood.

A 1919 story collection chronicling loneliness and longing, tempered by restraint, dignity, and reverence; the desire to impress, the need to have one’s new feelings understood.

Deception

“Death of a Salesman” and Its 70 Years of Life

Joseph H Cooper on February 9, 2019

Every one of us, in some respects, is selling – something: ourselves. For 70 years, a Pulitzer Prize play has served to warn of self-deceptions, and provide reality checks.

Every one of us, in some respects, is selling – something: ourselves. For 70 years, a Pulitzer Prize play has served to warn of self-deceptions, and provide reality checks.

Cognition

Conceiving the Atomic Bomb – A Joy to the World?

Joseph H Cooper on December 28, 2018

75 years ago, atomic-bomb-making was an uncertainty. Stage plays capture the apprehensions, trepidations, angst, zeal and regrets – preludes to more uncertainties, more fears.

75 years ago, atomic-bomb-making was an uncertainty. Stage plays capture the apprehensions, trepidations, angst, zeal and regrets – preludes to more uncertainties, more fears.

Forgiveness

McCarthy, Weisz, Stone, Nighy, Kingsley, Grant, Redford....

Joseph H Cooper on December 14, 2018

Tis the season when nominations are announced for “Best” actor, actress, screenplay, director, movie…. For your consideration, a few selections that might be enjoyed and admired.

Tis the season when nominations are announced for “Best” actor, actress, screenplay, director, movie…. For your consideration, a few selections that might be enjoyed and admired.

Guilt

Wildfires, Hurricanes, Floods, Mudslides... Tests of Faith?

Joseph H Cooper on November 23, 2018

As with the Biblical Job, today’s disasters, tragedies, afflictions and agonies pose tests of faith, challenging our inclinations to be thankful. We want to know, “Why me?”

As with the Biblical Job, today’s disasters, tragedies, afflictions and agonies pose tests of faith, challenging our inclinations to be thankful. We want to know, “Why me?”

Grief

November 11, 1918 – Little Armistice from Loss, Bereavement

Joseph H Cooper on November 9, 2018

Testament of Youth recounts sacrifices made to liberate Europe. There was no truce in Vera Brittain’s fight to liberate women, nor any cease-fire in her war against war and PTSD.

Testament of Youth recounts sacrifices made to liberate Europe. There was no truce in Vera Brittain’s fight to liberate women, nor any cease-fire in her war against war and PTSD.

Forgiveness

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” Is An Authentic Tale of Fakery

Joseph H Cooper on October 20, 2018

Creating livelihood based on fakery, forgery, deception.
When desperation meets chance and chance presents temptation, pluck is what happens when temptation meets opportunity.

Creating livelihood based on fakery, forgery, deception.
When desperation meets chance and chance presents temptation, pluck is what happens when temptation meets opportunity.

Career

An 1898 Millennial’s Job Skills, Work Ethic, and Heroism

Joseph H Cooper on October 12, 2018

Racial bigotry & ethnic prejudice in otherwise most admirable literature: Do we condemn a whole body of literary work because it reflects some of the cultural biases of its time?

Racial bigotry & ethnic prejudice in otherwise most admirable literature: Do we condemn a whole body of literary work because it reflects some of the cultural biases of its time?

Career

Career-Change Reflections Mused in a Highbrow 1938 Memoir

Joseph H Cooper on October 5, 2018

“Most people have a furious itch to talk about themselves…. Reserve is an artificial quality that is developed in most of us, as the result of innumerable rebuffs.” -- Maugham

“Most people have a furious itch to talk about themselves…. Reserve is an artificial quality that is developed in most of us, as the result of innumerable rebuffs.” -- Maugham

Marriage

A Novel’s stories of Separations and Indignities

Joseph H Cooper on September 14, 2018

a teenager acts childlike, a married couple tries to act adult, a family court judge tries to be judicious - all trying to salvage dignity in Ian McEwan's novel "The Children Act"

a teenager acts childlike, a married couple tries to act adult, a family court judge tries to be judicious - all trying to salvage dignity in Ian McEwan's novel "The Children Act"

Ethics and Morality

If you liked “Argo” – you’ll like “Operation Finale”

Joseph H Cooper on September 7, 2018

Judgment at Nuremberg, Schindler’s List, and Shoah, arguably, the very highest achievements in telling of The Holocaust. Operation Finale is not very far behind – a worthy legacy.

Judgment at Nuremberg, Schindler’s List, and Shoah, arguably, the very highest achievements in telling of The Holocaust. Operation Finale is not very far behind – a worthy legacy.

Relationships

The Bookshop: A Sort of, Kind of, Love Story

Joseph H Cooper on August 22, 2018

“Courage and Endurance tested....
Will power is useless without a sense of direction. Hers was stuck at such a low ebb that it no longer gave her the instruction for survival.”

“Courage and Endurance tested....
Will power is useless without a sense of direction. Hers was stuck at such a low ebb that it no longer gave her the instruction for survival.”

Embarrassment

A 1928 Stage Play Still Rings of Truth

Joseph H Cooper on August 10, 2018

Fake News and Sensationalism, municipal corruption and political scandal. “The Front Page” had the scoop, in 1928; politically-incorrect, yes, but the play's aspersions zing.

Fake News and Sensationalism, municipal corruption and political scandal. “The Front Page” had the scoop, in 1928; politically-incorrect, yes, but the play's aspersions zing.

Irritability and ire mark a Senior’s independent days. His daughter is very worried. His own March madness brought on March winds, April sours, May glowers, and July “fireworks.”

Relationships

A Few of a Father’s Favorite Films—Leaving a Legacy

Joseph H Cooper on June 22, 2018

For children and grandchildren, what do we save, hold on to, tuck away and preserve? Will they be interested in our history? How much is too much? What might be too little?

For children and grandchildren, what do we save, hold on to, tuck away and preserve? Will they be interested in our history? How much is too much? What might be too little?

Law and Crime

Films for Imprisoned Fathers–Reminders for the Rest of Us?

Joseph H Cooper on June 16, 2018

Considering what Father’s Day means for those who are behind bars, the rest of us are truly free to commemorate, celebrate–to address regrets immediately, to be even better dads.

Considering what Father’s Day means for those who are behind bars, the rest of us are truly free to commemorate, celebrate–to address regrets immediately, to be even better dads.

Cognition

Thinking of Going Abroad? “Travel” a Bit Through This Book

Joseph H Cooper on May 25, 2018

Memories: What do we vividly recall from visits and tours abroad? More can be seen and heard, and “revisited”–if we are attuned listeners and attentive, perceptive, note-takers.

Memories: What do we vividly recall from visits and tours abroad? More can be seen and heard, and “revisited”–if we are attuned listeners and attentive, perceptive, note-takers.

Cognition

When Mom Isn’t Mom Anymore

Joseph H Cooper on May 10, 2018

Alzheimer’s is theft. Increasingly aware of his own memory lapses, her only child holds on to recollections of what he hadn’t been able to do to forestall her fading and loss.

Alzheimer’s is theft. Increasingly aware of his own memory lapses, her only child holds on to recollections of what he hadn’t been able to do to forestall her fading and loss.

Attention

The Nostalgia for Long Ago, and Never More

Joseph H Cooper on March 30, 2018

“Our Town” – the 1938 stage play, a reverie of contentment, endures by its lack of disharmony, discord, and dysfunction.

“Our Town” – the 1938 stage play, a reverie of contentment, endures by its lack of disharmony, discord, and dysfunction.

In a hospital bed, before and after yet another Cancer Scene Investigation (a more penetrating CSI), his mind is “harassed” by the diminished prospects for sexual intimacy.