Jude Hopkins
@heyjudenotjudy.bsky.social
My novel "Babe in the Woods" available. Essays in Los Angeles Times, Women Writers, Women's Books, other places, other times.
http://judehopkinswriting.net
http://judehopkinswriting.net
"Save the gerund and screw the whale" — Tom Stoppard, "The Real Thing"
(July 3, 1937 - November 29, 2025)
#SundaySentence
(July 3, 1937 - November 29, 2025)
#SundaySentence
November 30, 2025 at 10:21 AM
"Save the gerund and screw the whale" — Tom Stoppard, "The Real Thing"
(July 3, 1937 - November 29, 2025)
#SundaySentence
(July 3, 1937 - November 29, 2025)
#SundaySentence
Leave it to John Updike to express the after-holiday ennui when the anticipation has dissipated, and reality sets in, "when marriages closed in on themselves like flowers from which the sun is withdrawn."
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Leave it to John Updike to express the after-holiday ennui when the anticipation has dissipated, and reality sets in, "when marriages closed in on themselves like flowers from which the sun is withdrawn."
Here's a beautiful Thanksgiving Day poem by the great Sharon Olds to help you forget that turkey in Mar-a-Lago.
November 27, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Here's a beautiful Thanksgiving Day poem by the great Sharon Olds to help you forget that turkey in Mar-a-Lago.
Remember that Trump always had the power to release the Epstein files. He never needed to rely on Congress to do so.
So why the machinations? Why all this folderol about Congress releasing them—or not?
The answer might be in the files.
So why the machinations? Why all this folderol about Congress releasing them—or not?
The answer might be in the files.
Trump Has the Power to Release the Epstein Files, With or Without Congress
www.nytimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Remember that Trump always had the power to release the Epstein files. He never needed to rely on Congress to do so.
So why the machinations? Why all this folderol about Congress releasing them—or not?
The answer might be in the files.
So why the machinations? Why all this folderol about Congress releasing them—or not?
The answer might be in the files.
"Life is all conjunctions, one damn thing after another, cows and wars and chewing gum and mountains; art—the best, most important art—is all subordination: guilt because of sin because of pain" — John Gardner, "On Moral Fiction"
#SundaySentence
#SundaySentence
November 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
"Life is all conjunctions, one damn thing after another, cows and wars and chewing gum and mountains; art—the best, most important art—is all subordination: guilt because of sin because of pain" — John Gardner, "On Moral Fiction"
#SundaySentence
#SundaySentence
John Updike wrote stand-alone poetry in addition to that intertwining his prose. Here is his tribute to a Bendix, the first automatic home washing machine. And I love his use of the word "jugged" meaning imprisoned, with an overtone of a rabbit stewed or boiled in a covered pot.
November 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
John Updike wrote stand-alone poetry in addition to that intertwining his prose. Here is his tribute to a Bendix, the first automatic home washing machine. And I love his use of the word "jugged" meaning imprisoned, with an overtone of a rabbit stewed or boiled in a covered pot.
Such a tribute to the life force. Things move, like Wordsworth's Lucy, "roll’d round in earth’s diurnal course, with rocks, and stones, and trees." Sometimes they even breathe.
November 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Such a tribute to the life force. Things move, like Wordsworth's Lucy, "roll’d round in earth’s diurnal course, with rocks, and stones, and trees." Sometimes they even breathe.
"There were some things that had to come in time if they were to come at all. If they didn't come in time, they were lost forever ... live all you can; it's a mistake not to." — Henry James, "The Ambassadors"
November 9, 2025 at 5:59 PM
"There were some things that had to come in time if they were to come at all. If they didn't come in time, they were lost forever ... live all you can; it's a mistake not to." — Henry James, "The Ambassadors"
I wonder how many people at Trump's ostentatious Gatsby party over the weekend had actually read "The Great Gatsby"?
I know of at least one who hasn't (upper right corner).
I know of at least one who hasn't (upper right corner).
November 3, 2025 at 4:44 PM
I wonder how many people at Trump's ostentatious Gatsby party over the weekend had actually read "The Great Gatsby"?
I know of at least one who hasn't (upper right corner).
I know of at least one who hasn't (upper right corner).
So true.
Folks, have you ever seen a president work so hard to NOT feed his people? 👠
November 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
So true.
At long last the month of November, where my book, "Babe in the Woods," is featured in my publisher's calendar.
November 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
At long last the month of November, where my book, "Babe in the Woods," is featured in my publisher's calendar.
"When spring comes / we promise to act/ the fool" — from Rita Dove's magnificent "November for Beginners."
I used to see Ms. Dove at Arizona State University when she was a creative writing professor and I an adjunct.
I used to see Ms. Dove at Arizona State University when she was a creative writing professor and I an adjunct.
November 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM
"When spring comes / we promise to act/ the fool" — from Rita Dove's magnificent "November for Beginners."
I used to see Ms. Dove at Arizona State University when she was a creative writing professor and I an adjunct.
I used to see Ms. Dove at Arizona State University when she was a creative writing professor and I an adjunct.
Today is John Keats's birthday. As the incomparable Helen Vendler has written in reference to Keats's "Ode to Autumn,"
"[Therein] the work of creation...is illimitable: there are always more boughs to bless, more honeycombs to fill, more flowers to be brought to bud." #JohnKeats
"[Therein] the work of creation...is illimitable: there are always more boughs to bless, more honeycombs to fill, more flowers to be brought to bud." #JohnKeats
October 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Today is John Keats's birthday. As the incomparable Helen Vendler has written in reference to Keats's "Ode to Autumn,"
"[Therein] the work of creation...is illimitable: there are always more boughs to bless, more honeycombs to fill, more flowers to be brought to bud." #JohnKeats
"[Therein] the work of creation...is illimitable: there are always more boughs to bless, more honeycombs to fill, more flowers to be brought to bud." #JohnKeats
National Chocolate Day is actually tomorrow, but in these crazy times, let's start celebrating a day early.
Here's a poem by Barbara Crooker extolling the wonders of such a divine confection.
"Chocolate stays up late and gambles, / likes roulette. Always bets / on the noir."
Here's a poem by Barbara Crooker extolling the wonders of such a divine confection.
"Chocolate stays up late and gambles, / likes roulette. Always bets / on the noir."
October 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
National Chocolate Day is actually tomorrow, but in these crazy times, let's start celebrating a day early.
Here's a poem by Barbara Crooker extolling the wonders of such a divine confection.
"Chocolate stays up late and gambles, / likes roulette. Always bets / on the noir."
Here's a poem by Barbara Crooker extolling the wonders of such a divine confection.
"Chocolate stays up late and gambles, / likes roulette. Always bets / on the noir."
I'm taking a break from the weekly participation in the best sentence I've read all week and celebrated on Sundays online.
Why? I read a lot—and deeply—but sometimes I don't come across a sentence that is both substantive and stylish, which I feel should be the basis for selecting it.
Why? I read a lot—and deeply—but sometimes I don't come across a sentence that is both substantive and stylish, which I feel should be the basis for selecting it.
October 26, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I'm taking a break from the weekly participation in the best sentence I've read all week and celebrated on Sundays online.
Why? I read a lot—and deeply—but sometimes I don't come across a sentence that is both substantive and stylish, which I feel should be the basis for selecting it.
Why? I read a lot—and deeply—but sometimes I don't come across a sentence that is both substantive and stylish, which I feel should be the basis for selecting it.
My blog post about the need for the humanities—especially literature—in schools so we aren't a nation of machines. Too many schools use the markets as a touchstone--the results? Lack of critical thinking, no reflection, inability to maintain a democracy.
www.judehopkinswriting.net/post/what-do...
www.judehopkinswriting.net/post/what-do...
What Do You Talk About on Your Dates? by Jude Hopkins, 10/25/25
If you read my previous post, you'll note that I bought a used library book—The Genteel Tradition and the Sacred Rage—that was distinctive for having never been checked out. The unstamped library card...
www.judehopkinswriting.net
October 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
My blog post about the need for the humanities—especially literature—in schools so we aren't a nation of machines. Too many schools use the markets as a touchstone--the results? Lack of critical thinking, no reflection, inability to maintain a democracy.
www.judehopkinswriting.net/post/what-do...
www.judehopkinswriting.net/post/what-do...
In the poem "Binsey Poplars," G.M. Hopkins bemoans the thoughtless cutting down of a row of aspen trees that were beautiful to him. The sentiment is the same in a more-recent event in which something beautiful was heedlessly demolished: "O if we but knew what we do
When we delve or hew."
When we delve or hew."
October 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
In the poem "Binsey Poplars," G.M. Hopkins bemoans the thoughtless cutting down of a row of aspen trees that were beautiful to him. The sentiment is the same in a more-recent event in which something beautiful was heedlessly demolished: "O if we but knew what we do
When we delve or hew."
When we delve or hew."
Trump was required to get permission from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area, before gutting the East Wing of the White House for the ballroom, NPR said. And, he did not. Because he is king.
October 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Trump was required to get permission from the National Capital Planning Commission, which approves construction work and major renovations to government buildings in the Washington area, before gutting the East Wing of the White House for the ballroom, NPR said. And, he did not. Because he is king.
Jackson reminds us that "the summer, pale, / Steals back alone for one more song and dance."
And those performances are numbered.
And those performances are numbered.
October 12, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Jackson reminds us that "the summer, pale, / Steals back alone for one more song and dance."
And those performances are numbered.
And those performances are numbered.
Although we are glad to see a possible ending of the Hamas-Israel war to end the killing, perhaps the next peace deal Trump brokers can be the one between the two warring divisions in America that he is largely responsible for.
October 9, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Although we are glad to see a possible ending of the Hamas-Israel war to end the killing, perhaps the next peace deal Trump brokers can be the one between the two warring divisions in America that he is largely responsible for.
Just some searing images from T.E. Hulme to keep you believing.
October 8, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Just some searing images from T.E. Hulme to keep you believing.
Just heard from my doctor that Medicare is no longer paying for Tele-Health (Zoom) visits.
Just the beginning, I fear. Another cruel cut from an administration that cares nothing for patients' health.
Just the beginning, I fear. Another cruel cut from an administration that cares nothing for patients' health.
October 6, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Just heard from my doctor that Medicare is no longer paying for Tele-Health (Zoom) visits.
Just the beginning, I fear. Another cruel cut from an administration that cares nothing for patients' health.
Just the beginning, I fear. Another cruel cut from an administration that cares nothing for patients' health.
I had to give up the role of hoping to inspire others to do things I had had such joy in, i.e., reading wonderful books and even writing one.
Most people just want to be left alone, content not to be someone upon whom nothing is lost.
Most people just want to be left alone, content not to be someone upon whom nothing is lost.
"The Hard, Gem-like Flame" is Flickering by Jude Hopkins, 10/5/25
One thing I've learned from social media: Just because I wrote a book doesn't mean everyone else wants to write a book—or will write a book. Nor do they want to be reminded of the fact that they have ...
www.judehopkinswriting.net
October 5, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I had to give up the role of hoping to inspire others to do things I had had such joy in, i.e., reading wonderful books and even writing one.
Most people just want to be left alone, content not to be someone upon whom nothing is lost.
Most people just want to be left alone, content not to be someone upon whom nothing is lost.
Such images -- all backing up "So much was golden then" and "Schools can be winged things."
Imagination needs to be looked after, too.
Imagination needs to be looked after, too.
September 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Such images -- all backing up "So much was golden then" and "Schools can be winged things."
Imagination needs to be looked after, too.
Imagination needs to be looked after, too.
"By way of imposing meaning upon our disparate American experience, the novelist seeks to create forms in which acts, scenes and characters speak for more than their immediate selves" — Ralph Ellison, Introduction to "Invisible Man"
#SundaySentence
#SundaySentence
September 28, 2025 at 11:19 AM
"By way of imposing meaning upon our disparate American experience, the novelist seeks to create forms in which acts, scenes and characters speak for more than their immediate selves" — Ralph Ellison, Introduction to "Invisible Man"
#SundaySentence
#SundaySentence