Okay, I’m aware of how much I’ve posted stuff from other people’s blogs, lately.

To wit, out of my nine posts so far this year, I wrote exactly one.

You might think I’ve gotten lazy, but that’s not true. It’s just, I’ve read plenty of good blogs here of late, written by bloggers whose work I respect. I share them with you because 1) They’re saying what I think, and saying it well, 2) They’re offering some useful information, or 3) I’m happy to introduce you to their blogs.

Additionally, here’s a few more I’ve discovered recently that I like, with a quote from each writer about their purpose:

Letters From an American, by Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of American history, who explores the news of the day within a historical context. Interesting and informative. This is a chronicle of today’s political landscape, but because you can’t get a grip on today’s politics without an outline of America’s Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.

Today’s Edition Newsletter, by Robert B. Hubbell, who describes himself as “Citizen. Optimist. Realist.” Above all else, I am trying to sustain and lift-up my family by staring into the noisome stream of information that passes for “news” to find the thread of decency and hope that binds us together as a nation.

The Good in Us, by Mary L. Trump, the only Trump I care to follow. For our part we must embrace the idea that democracy is always worth fighting for. We have to remember, however, that we always have to be fighting for democracy—it’s not an end in itself, it is a process. We need to be neutral as to the facts (h/t mainstream media) but always biased towards democracy.

I found these writers on a website called https://substack.com, where you can find articles on politics, culture, business, sports, the arts and several other topics of interest, written from different points of view.

Obviously, some of you will be more receptive than others to these sites I recommend, and that’s fine. We all like to gravitate toward those whose opinions align with ours, and dismiss the rest. Nevertheless, you’re invited to at least check ’em out.

And one of these days, I’ll actually have some original material for you again. Promise.