The Prairie Panicle No. 4
A monthly roundup of interesting items from the prairie
Welcome to 2024’s first edition of The Prairie Panicle. This is a monthly roundup of items worth reading, listening to, and more.
Why “The Prairie Panicle”?
A panicle is a type of flowering seedhead with many branches. Several important prairie grasses (switchgrass, big bluestem, and others) bloom in this manner. The multi-branched inflorescence symbolizes the complexity and layers of life on the semi-arid grasslands. I hope this newsletter helps to illustrate that.
A Few Words On Dr. King
I’m releasing this newsletter on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so I’d be remiss to not open this newsletter by sharing Dr. King’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” In my opinion, it’s the best single writing of the 20th century about concepts of justice. Dr. King reminds us (in vivid and uncomfortable language) that there is no guarantee that things will work themselves out over time. People who know what’s right must be bold enough to take action when action is required.
I’ve written a few pieces over the years on Dr. King’s letter, so I thought I would share a few here:
“The Nonsense of Inevitability”
New Things I’ve Written
Last month, I hinted that I had something new being published elsewhere. By now, you’ve probably seen it, but if not, I got my first outside publication at Front Porch Republic! “Wheeler Catlett: Law and Community” looks at the nature of practicing law amongst your friends, inspired by Wendell Berry’s fictional lawyer character who was loosely based on Wendell’s own lawyer father. Now, the rest of my recent writing:
“The Local Livestock Show” looks at the local roots of the livestock show industry and the manner in which we’ve tried to bring new competitions to the youth of the Stamford area.
“In Favor of the Solstice” honors the darkness of the winter by embracing the reasons for its existence, with a few additional thoughts on fasting and feasting.
“Christmas…Correctly” looks at the “correct” way to celebrate a complicated Christmas season.
Books I’m Reading
I finished “All the King’s Men”. It was not what I expected, but something very worthwhile. Robert Penn Warren’s writing skill is something that all aspiring writers should look to in admiration.
I received G.K. Chesterton’s “The Outline of Sanity” for Christmas and hoooo boy what a read. It is here that Chesterton unveils his theory of economic distributism, warning of the inherent dangers of capitalism and socialism, emphasizing the benefit of small business, and spelling out the danger of big business. It’s something that any agrarian, Christian leader, or rural American should read, because Chesterton’s warnings are very prescient.
Online Reads
I was forced by Apple into buying a new phone at the end of December. I lost most of my bookmarked reads, so I’ve got some sorting out and catching up to do before the February edition.
Listening Recs
Now with the help of a producer, “West of 98” the podcast will return very soon! Subscribe to get it when it drops!
I listened to this earlier in 2023, but I just undertook a re-listen and it was just as good on the second round. “Dreamtown: the Story of Adelanto” is an eight-episode podcast about local government in the High Desert of California. Adelanto is a town with familiar struggles: to attract good jobs, improve quality of life, and upgrade infrastructure. In the mid-2010s, aspiring local politicians concocted a municipal “get rich quick” scheme to attract commercial marijuana cultivation to Adelanto. The twists, turns, and shockingly bad local government will have you on the edge of your seat. It’s a cautionary tale for local leaders in so many ways, but it’s a highly-entertaining listen. The circus-tinged theme music is quite fitting.
Things to Watch
I re-watched a few “30 Rock” episodes on Peacock the last few weeks, after “30 Rock” inexplicably started trending on Twitter a few weeks ago. The rapid-fire wisecracks are just as good as they were a few years ago.
James Decker is the Mayor of Stamford, Texas and the creator of the West of 98 website and the Rural Church and State and West of 98 podcasts. Contact James and subscribe to these essays at westof98.substack.com and subscribe to him wherever podcasts are found.