Author Archives: Uncomely and Broken

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About Uncomely and Broken

I am a classicist in Sewanee, Tennessee.

The Biting Bishop

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

One of the principal founders of the University of the South, where I teach, was Leonidas Polk,  the Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana as well as a Confederate Brigadier General. His occupation of both roles earned him the title “The Fighting … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, Military, Sewanee, The South, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

A Visit to Highlander Folk School

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

As part of Sewanee’s new “Finding Your Place” program for freshmen, my students and I today went to the nearby site of the Highlander Folk School, the populist educational facility founded by Myles Horton in 1932 that helped to midwife … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Music, Sewanee, The South | 23 Comments

Remarks for “Foundations of Place” Panel

Posted on August 18, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

My colleagues, John Willis and Jerry Smith, have given better talks than I ever could about the historical situation of the University’s founding a century and half or so ago, and of course I always tremble to follow Jim Peterman.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Classics, Education, Emblems, Ireland, Language & Etymology, Oxford, Poetry, Sewanee, Tennessee | 5 Comments

Colonel Shaw and Some Anniversaries

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

One hundred and fifty years ago this week, Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was killed during a desperate assault on South Carolina’s Fort Wagner while leading the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first all African-American volunteers corps. Perhaps you know about Shaw … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Education, Family, Military, New England, Poetry, Race, Sewanee, Slavery, Statues & Monuments, The South, Time | 2 Comments

Gene’s Eulogy for Mark

Posted on July 21, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

Eulogy for Mark McDonough – for Funeral Service 1/13/12 We loved Mark and we are going to miss him a lot.  We take comfort from knowing that he has completed his mission here on earth and returned to his Father … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Boston, Family, Music | 2 Comments

Protected: A Block Off Dinah Shore Boulevard

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

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A Day on Dimmick

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”  Thus says Rat to Mole in The Wind in the Willows, a favorite book of mine, as some will know. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Family, Nautical, Sewanee, Sports & Games, Tennessee, Trees & Flowers | 6 Comments

A Marian Shrine in Marion County

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

In my last post, I wrote about driving along TN-156 south of Lake Nickajack–further along the highway, coming into the town of New Hope, I saw a wooden sign by the roadside: “Shrine. Virgin of the Poor.” Huh? There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Boston, Emblems, Saints, Tennessee | 4 Comments

Invisibles Lines, Local Realities

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

On a lovely day last month, I was driving home from Chattanooga and decided to take a detour off I-24, to satisfy a simple, geeky desire to stand at the precise point that divides Tennessee from Alabama and Georgia, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomical, Bible, Language & Etymology, Nautical, Poetry, Tennessee, The South, Trees & Flowers | 7 Comments

A Dozen Days Later

Posted on April 28, 2013 by Uncomely and Broken

When I first heard about the explosions at the Boston Marathon, I scoured the internet till I found a live feed and called my wife.  “What!? WHAT?!”  We were both horrified.  “This was part of the reason we moved to … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston, Classics, England, Family, Language & Etymology, Military, Mythology, Poetry, Sewanee, Sports & Games | 2 Comments