I'll hang in there as you're a pleasure to keep company with. So many of my family members and friends have left the RCC that I long ago learned to distinguish between individuals and their current beliefs.
It sounds like the move has been good for all of you . Nonetheless, moving is one of the top ten stressors, as if you didn't have enough already! I'm praying for you and your family.
I share your interest in "the phenomenon " and believe it will prove to be where physics and metaphysics meet. Any articles you write about it will, I'm sure, be worth waiting for. If you haven't already, be sure to read "Passport to Magonia" and anything else by Jacque Vallee. Reading up on fairy lore from Europe (especially the Celtic lands) and tales about the Djinn from the Middle East will help give perspective on the "high strangeness" factor that's intrinsic to the phenomenon.
I’m still hanging in. We have a precious little one year old destructor to chase around too, and I can certainly understand the difficulty of managing time away from that.
I am not a fan of New England, nor a critic. If getting back to Scottsdale is working for you, then maybe moving away was a good idea that in time you might have a deeper appreciation of.
My wife and I can relate about the whole family and church thing you went through. We had to go our separate ways in a similar manner.
Hey, we don’t need to know the details, man. I saw that you were already having enough work dealing with putting all the shit-talking, shallow assholes behind you, and gave you space, but I keep reading what you published, because one thing that never changed about your articles is that they’re made by someone genuine who can think and ask his own questions.
And I am looking forward to reading more about what you think about the whole ufo thing. I have some questions about it too, and more than that, I am looking for new questions to ask.
No matter when or what you write…I’m in! I love your style and your courageous honesty. Wishing you all the best in this latest transition. You’ve got a lot on your plate…with a little one to boot. I don’t envy you, that’s for sure, LOL
Thanks for the note Steve. You got a lot of leeway from me with the stuff you were posting last year, and you still haven't fallen under two posts a month even in the midst of awful family drama and numerous personal difficulties. Happy to hear things seem to be ramping back up creatively, and that you're growing and healing personally.
OK. You've really got me scratching my head. To leap from a heavenly deity to UFOs is one of those things that rhymes more than contradicts. That aside, having a few years on you and my share of twists of family, faith, and fate, I can tell you there is no blueprint for how one leads one's life. There's no destination. There's no guarantees. I have always been at peace with that. For me, uncertainty has been my safe place, success a source of disappointment. I have always enjoyed the battle more than the win. The more I know, the more I don't know anything. There's peace in that. You may never find what you're looking for but if you enjoy the journey, it won't matter. At all.
What a lot of changes for you and your family - some very positive and others concerning. We were having a conversation with a neighbor, recently. He was having issues with a family member, and we shared a similar story. The funniest thing was said, and it's burned in my brain - "Family, what good are they?" I smile every time I recall the words. Yes, it is difficult to transition, and like you, we did a sudden (mostly unplanned move). But we are happier and hopefully, healthier. Hoping for the same for you.
Steve, you're one of the substacks I most look forward to seeing in my inbox. Every time I see that headline "Steve from the Skoj" (this is where Gmail truncates it, haha) I know I'm in for a treat. I sometimes tuck them away for reading when my toddler wakes me up in the middle of the night and it's three o'clock in the morning and I can't fall back asleep.
Too bad New England didn't work out for you all. I'd like to hear more about that story, if it's one you feel like sharing. But I definitely want to hear you expound on this line:, "For my part, I have a growing suspicion that there really is crossover between the traditional understanding of entities like demons and the kind of scientifically-measurable-but-still-elusive phenomena that are going on at Skinwalker Ranch..." Tell me more!!
And I know I'm still looking forward to you sharing some of your fiction work, if that's something you decide to do here. In short, I'm not going anywhere. I'm a firm believer that Life Happens, so you've got my understanding and patience as you get things sorted. All good things in life are worth the wait, including your writing. Cheers!
I like what you say re the "crossover" between the UFO phenomenon and... other entities. I choose to hope they may be closer to faeries than to demons, although I know there is some ambiguity about the fair folk also, whether they are good. But I hear that some are good.
Though neither do I discount the "nuts and bolts" side of what is happening. Bob Lazar reports working with "craft," physical things you can climb inside of, and I am inclined to credit his testimony. So there's that.
Do you read Michael Martin? If I may add to the bibliography of recommended reading, I'll recommend his blog at The Center for Sophiological Studies. His most recent post is titled, "The Invisible Country," and it touches on faerie lore. I mean to follow up on some of the citations there also. (https://www.thecenterforsophiologicalstudies.com/post/the-invisible-country)
Must say I enjoy your postings very much indeed, however sporadically you offer them. It might be too late, but if you can get your hands on today's editorials in the WSJ there is a thoughtful (short) piece on the whole UFO thing of late. You won't be pleased - he is pretty skeptical, and suspicious - but it is an interesting read nonetheless. I hope you and your family are enjoying being back in Arizona!
I’ll admit I never really read 1P5 outside of an article here or there. Rod Dreher pointed me to your substack and I find a lot of stuff that resonates with my thoughts. It’s nice to … commiserate? If that’s the right word. I’ll read as sporadically as you post, so just keep it up when you can. I’ll admit, reading about your drama has probably been good for me, even as hard as it was for you to write. We all have drama and sometimes we just need to let it out; and sometimes we just need to hear other people talk about theirs so we can recognize our own drama isn’t unique, per se, we all go through it, and we’re never truly alone.
That’s a lot of transition brother, but as usual, you were courageous and followed your conscience. 
I’m really proud of you bro. You got my support and, if I ever win lottery, you’ll get a lot more of it.
Until that day, f@$# you & God bless.
I'll hang in there as you're a pleasure to keep company with. So many of my family members and friends have left the RCC that I long ago learned to distinguish between individuals and their current beliefs.
It sounds like the move has been good for all of you . Nonetheless, moving is one of the top ten stressors, as if you didn't have enough already! I'm praying for you and your family.
I share your interest in "the phenomenon " and believe it will prove to be where physics and metaphysics meet. Any articles you write about it will, I'm sure, be worth waiting for. If you haven't already, be sure to read "Passport to Magonia" and anything else by Jacque Vallee. Reading up on fairy lore from Europe (especially the Celtic lands) and tales about the Djinn from the Middle East will help give perspective on the "high strangeness" factor that's intrinsic to the phenomenon.
All my best to you and your family
I’m still hanging in. We have a precious little one year old destructor to chase around too, and I can certainly understand the difficulty of managing time away from that.
I am not a fan of New England, nor a critic. If getting back to Scottsdale is working for you, then maybe moving away was a good idea that in time you might have a deeper appreciation of.
My wife and I can relate about the whole family and church thing you went through. We had to go our separate ways in a similar manner.
Hey, we don’t need to know the details, man. I saw that you were already having enough work dealing with putting all the shit-talking, shallow assholes behind you, and gave you space, but I keep reading what you published, because one thing that never changed about your articles is that they’re made by someone genuine who can think and ask his own questions.
And I am looking forward to reading more about what you think about the whole ufo thing. I have some questions about it too, and more than that, I am looking for new questions to ask.
Peace out!
No matter when or what you write…I’m in! I love your style and your courageous honesty. Wishing you all the best in this latest transition. You’ve got a lot on your plate…with a little one to boot. I don’t envy you, that’s for sure, LOL
Thanks for the note Steve. You got a lot of leeway from me with the stuff you were posting last year, and you still haven't fallen under two posts a month even in the midst of awful family drama and numerous personal difficulties. Happy to hear things seem to be ramping back up creatively, and that you're growing and healing personally.
OK. You've really got me scratching my head. To leap from a heavenly deity to UFOs is one of those things that rhymes more than contradicts. That aside, having a few years on you and my share of twists of family, faith, and fate, I can tell you there is no blueprint for how one leads one's life. There's no destination. There's no guarantees. I have always been at peace with that. For me, uncertainty has been my safe place, success a source of disappointment. I have always enjoyed the battle more than the win. The more I know, the more I don't know anything. There's peace in that. You may never find what you're looking for but if you enjoy the journey, it won't matter. At all.
What a lot of changes for you and your family - some very positive and others concerning. We were having a conversation with a neighbor, recently. He was having issues with a family member, and we shared a similar story. The funniest thing was said, and it's burned in my brain - "Family, what good are they?" I smile every time I recall the words. Yes, it is difficult to transition, and like you, we did a sudden (mostly unplanned move). But we are happier and hopefully, healthier. Hoping for the same for you.
Steve, you're one of the substacks I most look forward to seeing in my inbox. Every time I see that headline "Steve from the Skoj" (this is where Gmail truncates it, haha) I know I'm in for a treat. I sometimes tuck them away for reading when my toddler wakes me up in the middle of the night and it's three o'clock in the morning and I can't fall back asleep.
Too bad New England didn't work out for you all. I'd like to hear more about that story, if it's one you feel like sharing. But I definitely want to hear you expound on this line:, "For my part, I have a growing suspicion that there really is crossover between the traditional understanding of entities like demons and the kind of scientifically-measurable-but-still-elusive phenomena that are going on at Skinwalker Ranch..." Tell me more!!
And I know I'm still looking forward to you sharing some of your fiction work, if that's something you decide to do here. In short, I'm not going anywhere. I'm a firm believer that Life Happens, so you've got my understanding and patience as you get things sorted. All good things in life are worth the wait, including your writing. Cheers!
I like what you say re the "crossover" between the UFO phenomenon and... other entities. I choose to hope they may be closer to faeries than to demons, although I know there is some ambiguity about the fair folk also, whether they are good. But I hear that some are good.
Though neither do I discount the "nuts and bolts" side of what is happening. Bob Lazar reports working with "craft," physical things you can climb inside of, and I am inclined to credit his testimony. So there's that.
Do you read Michael Martin? If I may add to the bibliography of recommended reading, I'll recommend his blog at The Center for Sophiological Studies. His most recent post is titled, "The Invisible Country," and it touches on faerie lore. I mean to follow up on some of the citations there also. (https://www.thecenterforsophiologicalstudies.com/post/the-invisible-country)
Hi Steve,
Must say I enjoy your postings very much indeed, however sporadically you offer them. It might be too late, but if you can get your hands on today's editorials in the WSJ there is a thoughtful (short) piece on the whole UFO thing of late. You won't be pleased - he is pretty skeptical, and suspicious - but it is an interesting read nonetheless. I hope you and your family are enjoying being back in Arizona!
I’ll admit I never really read 1P5 outside of an article here or there. Rod Dreher pointed me to your substack and I find a lot of stuff that resonates with my thoughts. It’s nice to … commiserate? If that’s the right word. I’ll read as sporadically as you post, so just keep it up when you can. I’ll admit, reading about your drama has probably been good for me, even as hard as it was for you to write. We all have drama and sometimes we just need to let it out; and sometimes we just need to hear other people talk about theirs so we can recognize our own drama isn’t unique, per se, we all go through it, and we’re never truly alone.