Don't forget to look around!

I have rearranged things somewhat, with a purpose. I'd like to rearrange things more, but I haven't the inclination to rewrite Blogger's code. They really should offer more templates and flexibility than they currently do.

1. I have a hard time writing entries to the weblog. The result is that I often fail to mention explicitly the many insightful posts that I find on other weblogs. Part of the reason is the compulsion I feel that if I am to dedicate an entire weblog entry then I must add some comments of value, rather than merely list links.

To my rescue comes Google Reader with its ability to share items from an RSS feed. I have done so with many such posts and now you can find them near the top of the right-hand column, organized into various topics.

A lot of references take you to Siris, written by a philosophy professor who makes me wish I could sit in his classes.

On the other hand, you won't notice many references to Sententiae, which might seem strange since I leave comments there much more often than on any other weblog. I have to find a way to link to Clemens' weblog more often, but I have as a rule tried to stay out of news or controversy on this weblog unless they deal with the Catholic faith. Looking at what I have linked, however, things seem a little one-sided (sigh) so perhaps I should loosen up a bit.

2. In the same way, you will find a list of weblogs that I read regularly, in which both Siris and Sententiae are featured. A number of other weblogs are also featured, but many of them have, sadly, gone silent. In illo tempore was one of my favorites, linking frequently to lovely images, reflections, and other treasures of traditional Catholicism. Elliot at Claw of the Conciliator has greatly reduced his output.

(I mention this not as a complaint, but as a sigh, and in case they stop by to let them know that I miss their writings.)

3. It would be interesting to figure out why I have stopped reading some excellent weblogs that persist, such as Lee's A Thinking Reed and Steven Riddle's Flos Carmeli. Perhaps, like old friends, weblogs necessarily part ways. There is only so much time, and we make our decisions, for good or ill. I should mention that Flos Carmeli, along with James Hannam's History, Science, and Religion (to which I do link), were the two weblogs that sparked my interest in a weblog.

4. For what it's worth, I still read Millinerd, and I'd like to share a lot of what he writes, but his weblog's RSS feed mysteriously doesn't work with Google Reader. Mr. Milliner has however begun writing for First Things on occasion, and his most recent column was, as usual, splendid.

5. I recently introduced a tongue-in-cheek poll on a news item I found amusing. In case you've missed it, it's at the top of the right-hand column.