What books have I read in the last month? I Dread the Thought of the Place (see pic) about Antietam...probably best read on a Civil War battle. And No Disgrace to my Country about an artillery commander in the Army of the Potomac. I can't read fiction much these days for reasons..

For awhile growing up, I read Watership Down every year. From 10-15 in the country I was pretty much alone every summer. Hazel and co. were my friends. I last read it a few years ago after Madds passed. Just one of those books that always gives me something different to feel/latch onto every time.

From the article - agents leaving notes on how to escape constraints...for future versions. I get the skepticism bc companies and individuals are using a wide array of models and anything before this year was really prone to obvious gaffes. But the new stuff is having real world results..

Bruce Catton remains my favorite Civil War historian for the deep overviews of the conflict. But Hartwig's focus on Antietam is the best Civil War work I've ever read. So many primary sources giving context to the historical analysis - incredible. I've never...

Pretty satisfied with my pizza game these days. Sourdough, slow cold ferment ftw.

Today, in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg began. We have a lot of ties to the Union in my part of the state and I took a moment to reflect on what that can teach us about our 250th anniversary in an editorial to the local paper. Come the 4th, remember who you are, American.

Getting into peak sunset time of year.

Remember who you are, American. They made the sacrifice for us, what are you sacrificing today to live up to theirs?

(Distant) family cemetery right over the hill from us. Teaching LD about the true meaning of Decoration Day.

Someone make an AU ala Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds where Lincoln's assassination only wounds him, rebels show their unrepentant traitor colors sooner and the movie is just Civil War Nuremberg where Bobby Lee and his generals are tried and executed for treason.

My favorite part of spring...

Don't read this interview until you watch the finale, but phew, so much in here relevant to the artist's journey. Completely unsurprised that some "critics" didn't get it. Too many mistake sugar highs for great storytelling. It's about the interiority of the characters. www.gq.com/story/noah-w...

Agree about people's personal business (including their failings) being their own. Agree about journalistic integrity. Really disagree about the monogamy take. Feels like at best akin to people saying everyone uses LLM now for writing. No, not everyone. Not even most. Similarly here.

I'll admit that the AI did a decent job of pulling in screencap summaries across the books. Or more likely just searched its training data bc they stole my shit. Anyway, love book clubs and if yours wants to have me zoom in for a discussion - here for it! AI marketing schemes? Not so much.

Found a remote cabin for the weekend, no cell service, just family time with frozen lakes, eagles, and deer. Quiet weekend? What did I miss?

Lol I'm on my phone dude. The date doesn't show? Here's a refresh showing I asked this 5 minutes ago?

I don't know what we're doing differently?

Not what I got.

Newsletter dropped yesterday. I have some writing updates, an essay (2 really) about what we can do to meet this moment. And a palate cleanser photo at the end. Check it out and sign up here: bit.ly/authorryanva...

If you're like me, you've felt helpless a lot lately. I have some thoughts on that as well as some ways to help out and stick together in this month's newsletter. Also a short writing update and a cute picture at the end! bit.ly/authorryanva...

I don't post photos of LD very often, but since all you can see is a very cute (and slightly cold) toddler having just enjoyed her first toboggan run down an ice chute shot out across a frozen lake...I'll make an exception. She did two runs in 10 degree weather and then we got hot cocoa. Loved it 😄

It's been a decade of a month. What gives you hope, friends? For me it's Minnesotans. No Kings marches. Poll numbers. Foner's Gateway to Freedom (we have been here before and overcome). The kids, mine & yours. Friends. A belief that there are truly more of us than them. Martinez. Good. Pretti.

Stood in the cold this morning, coffee in hand, contemplating yesterday. I'm not a poet, nor even a short story writer. It takes me a hundred thousand words to get going, but this scrap of doggerel snuck in & wouldn't leave. May her memory be a blessing, her life a brand that lights us all aflame.

Absolutely smashed by a virus (not flu or COVID) on this New Year. Hope y'all's is going far better as we head into 2026.

Madelyn would have been 4 yesterday. LD is 2 and change and shows us every day what her big sister may have been like. Grateful for both of them. Grief is love and you are so loved, Maddie. So loved.

It's been a long December, friends. I have a short newsletter on holidays and grief and gratitude. Take care! bit.ly/4qhh7Ni

This seems a bit much. Wait until he hears about this thing called organized religion 🙄 Look, some folks need to believe they can maintain contact with loved ones beyond the memories/thoughts in their own minds. Idk that policing their coping mechanism is the way to go.

My daughter has transformed my playlist. Dispatch made a strong push, late, but was never going to displace Abba or Billy Joel 🤣

I love snowy days...until January 2nd 🤣 But for now, let it snow.

Hope everyone had a restorative holiday. Got to spend some time out in nature and cannot recommend it enough. If you can, get outside.