Feelasophy
"If philosophy is the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence," writes beloved Colorado poet and essayist David Feela, "then feelasophy must mean more of the same but with a bit of a personal touch." And Feelasophy, to put a bit of a finer point on it, is Feela's wonderful new collection of essays-seventy short, wry, and often-sublime ruminations on life's little absurdities and its many blessings-published in recent years in newspapers and magazines throughout the Mountain West. From a too-cautious librarian's insistence on treating an Internet password as if it were a nuclear code to the certainty that the scent of skunks means that spring is newly sprung, Feela finds ridiculousness and beauty in often-unlikely places. And to each subject he addresses, he brings a humorist's eye and a humanitarian's very big heart. The world at large and the world that lies in the palm of your hand are equally fascinating, Feela both posits and proves, and if he doesn't make you laugh out loud on every page, his essays will almost certainly generate smile after knowing smile. Readers who dread puns-even very good ones-should be forewarned, but if you're someone who loves writing focused on life's little moments and transformed into compassion, wisdom, and sometimes even grace, you can rejoice in this delightful new collection. Whether he's introducing you to a bus driver with a bad attitude on the Mediterranean island of Malta or "Joanne's Gum Gallery Museum" in greater downtown Quartzite, Arizona-all four thousand pieces on display chewed by Joanne herself-then make some time, settle in, and enjoy. Like his remarkable essays, David Feela is unique-a glib, engaging, and bemused travel guide like no other as he explores the mountains and deserts of the American West and locations far beyond and investigates, too, what truly makes a meaningful life.