Russell Scott Valentino
@russellv.bsky.social
Prof by light, creator by dark. Exploring the world by the utterance. Lover of rhythm, melody, sentences without verbs. Skeptic of #bsky. But fine. Find me russellv.com and/or https://barenchi.com
T’s like, what, no marble? No gold? And you’re the Emperor? Come on! And Emperor is like, normally I might actually be sitting on the floor.
November 4, 2025 at 2:40 AM
T’s like, what, no marble? No gold? And you’re the Emperor? Come on! And Emperor is like, normally I might actually be sitting on the floor.
Perspectival pic for this morning: Caspar David Friedrich’s Monk by the Sea (1808-10).
September 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Perspectival pic for this morning: Caspar David Friedrich’s Monk by the Sea (1808-10).
These folks look like they are having a blast and also working pretty hard. Maybe these go together…
July 17, 2025 at 6:39 AM
These folks look like they are having a blast and also working pretty hard. Maybe these go together…
Today visited the 2nd location of the house of Mary of Nazareth, where she got the news from Gabriel. Behind the altar is a stone from Palestine, all that’s left apparently. In this version of the story, the rest was taken by angels across the water to Loreto on the other side of the Adriatic.
June 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Today visited the 2nd location of the house of Mary of Nazareth, where she got the news from Gabriel. Behind the altar is a stone from Palestine, all that’s left apparently. In this version of the story, the rest was taken by angels across the water to Loreto on the other side of the Adriatic.
Finished a draft of “Where Donkeys Go to Die,” an essay of about 4500 words. It feels done at least. I’m going to sit on it now for a couple of weeks and decide if it is.
June 27, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Finished a draft of “Where Donkeys Go to Die,” an essay of about 4500 words. It feels done at least. I’m going to sit on it now for a couple of weeks and decide if it is.
Classic end to a meal
June 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Classic end to a meal
Living decor decided I was safe so came to sit in the chair beside me
June 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Living decor decided I was safe so came to sit in the chair beside me
This restaurant has its own magical decor
June 22, 2025 at 5:42 PM
This restaurant has its own magical decor
There be dragons here (with many heads and tiny wings)
June 22, 2025 at 8:05 AM
There be dragons here (with many heads and tiny wings)
Psyche and Eros embracing turns out to be a fairly common image on sarcophagi from the 3rd and 4th centuries, symbol of love’s power to overcome all, even death. I find it striking that the oldest and most complete version we know of comes from a story about a donkey.
June 17, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Psyche and Eros embracing turns out to be a fairly common image on sarcophagi from the 3rd and 4th centuries, symbol of love’s power to overcome all, even death. I find it striking that the oldest and most complete version we know of comes from a story about a donkey.
Rare low relief in granite
March 20, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Rare low relief in granite
Wouldn’t have been able to read this without my friend Ed lighting the way the other night at our Humanities in Dark Times confab. Thanks to colleagues and friends for the lift up. russellv.com/2025/03/07/a...
March 11, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Wouldn’t have been able to read this without my friend Ed lighting the way the other night at our Humanities in Dark Times confab. Thanks to colleagues and friends for the lift up. russellv.com/2025/03/07/a...
It’s more than this, obviously. It’s about behavior, choices. I would add convictions but doubt the guy actually has them. He’s fundamentally transactional. The Nozdryov of US political life.
February 23, 2025 at 2:41 PM
It’s more than this, obviously. It’s about behavior, choices. I would add convictions but doubt the guy actually has them. He’s fundamentally transactional. The Nozdryov of US political life.
Spitting out winter
February 22, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Spitting out winter
Strange goings on just to the south of us. Can’t wait to ask when the shrimp truck that comes up periodically comes up next time where exactly they’re coming from!
February 13, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Strange goings on just to the south of us. Can’t wait to ask when the shrimp truck that comes up periodically comes up next time where exactly they’re coming from!
Being so behind on deadlines has meant I haven’t been able to respond to the many calls from the apps on my phone. This has been OK. Perhaps more than OK. Bye-bye (again). Here’s a pic of my 94-year-old mom waving to all.
February 11, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Being so behind on deadlines has meant I haven’t been able to respond to the many calls from the apps on my phone. This has been OK. Perhaps more than OK. Bye-bye (again). Here’s a pic of my 94-year-old mom waving to all.
Icefest ping pong
January 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Icefest ping pong
Hair cut! Doing my best, Antonio Banderas imitation. I know I know. Imitation, I said!
January 23, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Hair cut! Doing my best, Antonio Banderas imitation. I know I know. Imitation, I said!
Now that the semester is basically done, I can finally look more carefully (i.e., read) this book I’ve been carrying around in my bag.
December 11, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Now that the semester is basically done, I can finally look more carefully (i.e., read) this book I’ve been carrying around in my bag.
My Azorian grandfather used to make these for his many grandchildren. He died when I was young, but I think this is one of his. He believed it was important. I don’t think he was wrong.
December 6, 2024 at 5:54 AM
My Azorian grandfather used to make these for his many grandchildren. He died when I was young, but I think this is one of his. He believed it was important. I don’t think he was wrong.
Took this pic in the Basilica di San Tommaso in Ortona earlier this year, though it seems a lifetime ago. In some ways, it was. Like the personage depicted, I often doubt.
November 28, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Took this pic in the Basilica di San Tommaso in Ortona earlier this year, though it seems a lifetime ago. In some ways, it was. Like the personage depicted, I often doubt.
Quite a town
November 25, 2024 at 3:18 AM
Quite a town
In about three weeks, this will so old news!
November 21, 2024 at 1:55 PM
In about three weeks, this will so old news!