Veja Rio Branco II Mesh Sneakers. My trusty New Balance 574s finally gave out after years of faithful service, so I pulled the trigger on these retro-styled running shoes. I’d been eyeing them for awhile. I’m a fan of that classic 80s silhouette that works equally well with jeans or chinos. They’re not cheap, but […]| The Art of Manliness
Here’s my response to this week’s W3 poetry challenge, set by poet of the week, Violet Lentz. Her guidelines: write a poem using one of the words in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows as prompt for your writing. You can find Violet’s prompt poem and full guidelines here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/08/13/w3-prompt-172-weave-written-weekly/ I love the Dictionary of ObscureContinue reading "Astrophe, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
My tiny poem ‘the silences’ has just been published over on Whispers & Echoes. Here’s the link, in case you are interested: https://whispersandechoesmag.home.blog/2025/08/11/the-silences-britta-benson/ Thanks for stopping by!| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Here’s my response to this Sadje’s WDYS photo prompt. You can find all of her guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/08/04/what-do-you-see-300-4th-august-2025/ I chose the AI generated image. I don’t enjoy the multitude of AI images now so frequent on WordPress. Personal preference. My choice. I find them strange and eerie. This might explain my response. Again, just personalContinue reading "None of this, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com I haven’t posted in quite some time – mostly for the fact that I’ve started writing a novel. I’m still writing poetry, though. Here&#…| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
Patagonia Provisions Lemon Olive White Anchovies. I’ve never been a canned fish guy, but after reading Michael Easter’s article about the nutritional benefits of anchovies, sardines, and mackerel, I decided to give these Patagonia Provisions a try. Turns out anchovies are nutritional powerhouses — packed with omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and an impressive 20 grams of […]| The Art of Manliness
On a peaceful Sunday, watching children play badminton in Ranchi brought back memories of my childhood in India. This piece explores the development of badminton from its ancient origins to the contemporary game. It showcases India's growing prominence in badminton, especially through figures like Prakash Padukone and PV Sindhu. Being both accessible and widespread, badminton promotes a sense of community and perseverance. In the end, badminton represents a cultural story that connects histor...| Indrosphere
During a WhatsApp chat with former classmates, a philosophical discussion emerged about spirituality and religion. The talk emphasized that genuine faith goes beyond physical places of worship. Hinduism illustrates philosophical diversity by accepting contradictions in harmony. One classmate’s Marxist perspective conflicted with this idea, expressing unease with unresolved contradictions. The insight is that truth often involves accepting contradictions, suggesting that philosophical and sp...| Indrosphere
To mark the 15th anniversary of Indrosphere, I pause to reflect on its powerful and deeply personal origins—born in the aftermath of surviving a twin bomb blast in Baghdad. That harrowing day, cloaked in dust and disarray, ignited an enduring need to document, to make sense, and to remember. What began as a solitary act of catharsis has, over time, blossomed into a vibrant mosaic of memories, reflections, and shared experiences—tracing the contours of life, joy, sorrow, culture, food, and...| Indrosphere
In the village of Jilingseling, West Bengal, Malati Murmu, a determined woman, has established a school in her humble mud house amidst significant challenges. Despite lacking institutional support …| Indrosphere
Cholera is a deadly disease often overlooked in global health agendas, overshadowed by issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Indian scientists Dr. Shambhunath De and Dr. Dilip Mahalanabis made crucial …| Indrosphere
TypingClub. I learned to touch type back in high school. While I’ve maintained decent skills over the years, I recently noticed my typing getting a little sloppy. There’s been a bit more backspacing and hunt-and-pecking than I’d like to admit. The itch to tighten things up led me to TypingClub, a free online platform that […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
The Great Cousin Decline. There’s a lot of talk about declining birthrates. One of the second-order consequences of this decline is that younger people today have fewer cousins than those in previous generations. I have 15 cousins; my kids have 8. In this Atlantic article from a couple years back, Faith Hill explores what it […]| The Art of Manliness
Here’s my response to Sadje’s ‘What do you see?’ photo prompt. You can find her full blog post and guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/06/30/what-do-you-see-295-june-30-2025/ This one is a bit weird. Hey ho, it’s Monday morning and perhaps, I just need another coffee! On a bridge in front of the fallI didn’t ask for your scream.Your heart, drenchedContinue reading "On a bridge in front of the fall"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Here’s my response to Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt: Brace (in 25 words). You can find her blog post and guidelines here: support connectscorrectsdirectsstraightenssometimes holds …| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
My Interview on The Material Review. One of my favorite newsletters is The Material Review, co-founded by Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean. Every week, they feature a curated list of products and articles to check out. I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed for the newsletter and discussed where manhood stands in 2025, […]| The Art of Manliness
Picture credit: Britta Benson Here’s my take on the Procrastinators’ Weekly Writing Prompts. You can find all of the prompts here: Whisperthat sipping silver breathtranslucentunobtrusiv…| Odds & Ends - Poetry Blog
Where Have All My Deep Male Friendships Gone? I almost didn’t click on this article, since “why are men so lonely/don’t have friends” pieces have become a tired dime a dozen over the past several years. But I’m glad I did. By dint of a compelling and relatable personal story and excellent writing, Sam Graham-Felsen […]| The Art of Manliness
Every Father’s Day, I reflect on my father, Babuji, who passed away forty-two years ago. His presence shaped my childhood through quiet love and profound lessons shared over newspapers and books. H…| Indrosphere
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171 tragically crashed into a hostel in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of 241 lives, with only one survivor. The investigation by India&…| Indrosphere
The heartfelt WhatsApp conversation among former Management Trainees at Punjab National Bank reflects on their impactful training period in 1985-86, especially at the vibrant Paltan Bazar branch in…| Indrosphere
Bhishma is portrayed as a steadfast warrior embodying duty and sacrifice in the Mahabharata. His complex actions during the Kurukshetra war, including a vow to not kill the Pandavas and his subtle …| Indrosphere
Here’s my take on Sadje’s ‘What do you see picture prompt’. You can find her guidelines here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/06/09/what-do-you-see-292/ The thing about booksIt gets complicated.Like all borderline companionsonly some are keepers.A few will make excellent door stops,so that’s a bonus, of sorts.Sometimes it’s all about possession,that’s ‘complicated 2.0’.I’ve got history.I’m a book lugger and lifter,a bookContinue reading "The thing about books, by Br...| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
Here’s my response to Sadje’s ‘What do you see?’ photo prompt. You can find her full blog post here: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2025/05/26/what-do-you-see-290-26-may-2025/ In this lifeI scramble.There’s this hill I climbed on all fours,then bum-shuffled down in disgrace.My dignity, forever absent without leave.That moment on top, though,how long did I stay there?A breath or eternity,quite the same. AndContinue reading "In this life, by Britta Benson"| Odds & Ends – Poetry Blog
A gift guide for creative people and unusual gifts for people who want both the practical and the whimsical for this holiday season.| Legal Nomads
Gattaca. Kate and I recently introduced our kids to a film we’ve long appreciated that deserves wider recognition: Gattaca. The film is noteworthy for several reasons: its distinctive color palette and unique retro-futuristic aesthetic, Michael Nyman’s hauntingly beautiful score (try “The Other Side“), and a plot that’s both philosophically rich and uncannily prescient. Gattaca anticipated the […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
Maggie Rogers. We’ve been listening to Maggie Rogers for several years now, ever since “Alaska” caught our attention back in 2016. Her music is perfect for those golden hour drives during the summer when you’ve got the windows down and sunroof open and are just feeling chill. In a pop landscape that feels vapid and […] This article was originally published on The Art of Manliness.| Odds & Ends Archives | The Art of Manliness
Inception. We recently watched Christopher Nolan’s 2010 complex thriller Inception as a family and enjoyed it. What I love about Nolan’s films in general is that even when I’m not totally sure I understand what’s going on (here’s looking at you too, The Prestige and Interstellar), the cinematography and overall plots are so rich, immersive, […]| The Art of Manliness
In a Test of Adult Know-How, America Comes Up Short. A sobering new study reveals that American workers are falling behind their international peers in basic reading comprehension and math skills, making it increasingly difficult for them to complete everyday tasks like planning a complex travel itinerary, interpreting a thermometer, or extracting information from a […]| The Art of Manliness
Cold Hollow Cider Mill Apple Cider Donuts. Our family has made regular visits to Vermont over the years, and when we’re there, one place we always visit is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury. The big draw? Their famous apple cider donuts. So good. Though we can’t get to VT as often as we’d […]| The Art of Manliness
Oklahoma’s Onion Burgers. Many regions of the country lay claim to a signature burger. For Oklahoma, it’s the onion burger, which is made by pressing thinly sliced onions directly into the patty while it cooks. It’s delicious. In back-to-back weeks, the McKays sampled burgers that are considered two of Oklahoma’s best. We got one at […]| The Art of Manliness
Books make for great gifts. Here are my favourite books of 2022, divided into categories of food, nonfiction, fiction, and self-help/memoir.| Legal Nomads