MINT-AND-CORN COUNTRY, INDIANA — Over at Nathancontrmundi, I’ve posted my first substantive bit of writing in some time, “Confessions of a Front-Porch Realist”, my reflections on the less-pleasant realities of localism in contemporary America. It is not, I hope, an accurate depiction of all of rural Middle America, but I fear that it aptly describes all too much of the Heartland. (My more pessimistic side fears that the problems that I explore are just as dishearteningly pervasive amongst a great deal of urban neighborhoods, too — and not just in obviously crumbling cities such as Detroit.)

I hope to have, by day’s end, a second front-porch reflection posted at my home Weblog, this one exploration at least of one seeming internal tension in New Urbanist thought as it relates to front-porch republicanism, if not a deeper investigation of the relationship between the two.

God willing, getting these two pieces online will be the kick in the pants that I need to return to contributing regularly here and reviving my blog. I have a lot to say, and William P., inter alios, I’m sure, has a lot to refute.

Filed under: community, ideas