: About Me

I am a teacher of theology and language (predominantly German and Japanese). After spending several years in southern Japan, I came back to the countryside of northwest New Jersey to raise a family. I am grateful to have this forum for writing, which has always been one of my passions.

"One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us."

Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Dying cities and towns

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Like many from my generation, I can vividly recall the first time I read J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Beyond intense battle scenes and myriad magical creatures, I remember my fascination with The Shire, home of the Hobbits. As anyone who is familiar with the books or more recent films knows, the Hobbits are a humble race of beings who desire nothing more than the simple and wholesome pleasures that come with honest work, raising a family, and the company of friends and neighbors. The inhabitants of The Shire are contentedly oblivious to the complex politics, corruption, ...

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