The Prairie Panicle No. 5
A monthly roundup of interesting items from the prairie
Welcome to the newest edition of The Prairie Panicle! As always, this is my monthly roundup of links, thoughts, and recommendations that do not fit in the weekly West of 98 newsletters.
A Lenten Goal
This month, I’m hitting the publish button on the second day of Lent. For those who observe, Lent is an important time of reflection, fasting, and sharpening of faith prior to Easter and Holy Week. The great author
(more on him later) keenly observes that fasting is an integral component to feasting:The fast, as I can currently attest, sharpens the feast. It counts down the days, it provides a communal experience — everyone in the Church is following the same fasting rules together — and most of all it trains the body and the mind to do without, in the service of focusing on something higher. That, at least, is the theory.
I’ve often struggled with the concept of Lent. In my Methodist upbringing, it was never mandatory. I know my own failings in pursuing a 40-day restraint from some particular item or activity. However, I did previously limit my soda consumption over Lent and it actually helped me kick the habit. Over the years, I’ve learned that this 40-day effort need not ONLY be an abstinence from some vice or habit. It can also be an affirmative pursuit.
This year, I am taking up an affirmative pursuit. I have written mostly-weekly essays-turned-newsletters for a half decade and it has undoubtedly affirmed my passion for writing. The great Larry McMurtry once gave an interview (for the life of me, I cannot find the link) in which he recommended writing at least 750 to 1,000 words per day. Now, given that my weekly newsletters typically run in the 750 word range, I don’t think I can pull that off yet. I simply don’t have the time. But for 40 days, I am going to attempt to write every day, whether it’s 100 words of 1,000 words. Some of it may become future newsletters or articles to pitch to websites. Much of it will likely never see the light of day, but it will help me sharpen my skills and focus.
I look forward to sharing a progress report in March and a final update in April, after Lent is concluded!
West of 98 Store
If you’ve read my recent weekly newsletters, you’ve likely seen the announcement that I now have a West of 98 bookstore at Bookshop.org. This store will contain my lists of my essential reads and links to purchase the books I recommend in my writing. The purchases will pay me a small commission that I will apply towards the West of 98 project. Even if you never buy one of my recommendations, do your online book shopping at Bookshop! Their profits support independent bookstores.
What I’ve Written
I kicked off the last month’s writing with “Resolutions of Spring,” a call to live seasonally and plan our annual life improvement in spring, rather than on January 1.
“It Is Always Personal” channels Michael Scott in emphasizing the importance of good local government.
“Subsidiarity, Localism, and You” kicks off a series that introduces the principle offf subsidiarity as an essential part of rural renewal.
“The Hope of Localism” differentiates between “hope” and “optimism” and applies hope towards localism
“The Peril of Disconnect” tells the story of Robert Moses and discusses the need for important decisions to be made by the people who live with the consequences of those decision.
Books I’m Reading
I am still deep into G.K. Chesterton’s “The Outline of Sanity”. The broadsides against against the impossible utopias of capitalism and socialism are incredibly deep and not designed for the 21st century’s surface-level Christianity that runs rampant. That doesn’t make it any less valuable or important. Quite the opposite.
Online Reads
Paul Kingsnorth is a brilliant writer. In 2021, he wrote about his faith journey from atheism to Buddhism to Wicca to Orthodox Christianity. I’ve read and re-read this essay at First Things a number of times and it hits me in new and powerful ways each time.
My friend
is a truly brilliant writer in the tradition of Kingsnorth and Wendell Berry. His recent essay “Where You Is Where You Are” turns our attention back towards our place and away from national and global events that distract us.Listening Recs
“Doomer Optimism” is a superb podcast. The new episode interviews Front Porch Republic editor Jeff Bilbro about the meaning of agrarianism, as a life centered around relationships. It’s very much worth your time.
Not long after you read this newsletter (or maybe before!), a new episode of “The Rural Church and State” podcast will hit your podcast feeds. Stay tuned for a fun conversation in the works.
Now with the help of a producer, “West of 98” the podcast will return very soon! Subscribe to get it when it drops!
Things to Watch
Last week was the 50th anniversary of the release of “Blazing Saddles.” This wise man on Twitter summed up the movie’s true brilliance. It’s still on Netflix, so go re-watch it if it’s been a while.
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.
Thank you James for your kind words - and for your reminder that I ought to start listening to the Doomer Optimism podcast. Brilliant to hear Jeff Bilbro was on it.