Some Photographs

Of the Beautiful People

Angélique (Quartidi), 4 Prairial, CCXXXIV

I just thought I should share some pictures I have been sent of late by friends. Some of you may recall that, not long after Roland passed away, the novelist Tariq Goddard named his family’s new puppy Roland in tribute to my dear departed. I have shared pictures of the little fellow before, of course, but there is no such thing as an unnecessary dog photo.

I cannot actually tell what he is reading there, alas. But that is not a problem in this photograph of everyone’s favorite bathing beauty, Rainn Wilson. Do not be distracted by his lovely shoulder; look instead at the book in his hands.

The word is spreading even now.

And, hostile as I am to AI texts or pictures or deepfakes of any kind, some witty soul produced this in honor of my just released translation of the Daodejing, entitled Tao Te Ching (Wade-Giles-wise).

I don’t know what to think of this.