Designed by Winslow Homer: Thanksgiving Day - Ways and Means
Harper's Weekly, November 27, 1858

This writing week, like every previous week, was destined to become a writing week that was. Like you, I live with a trailing tail endlessly emerging, persistently trailing me, and refusing to let go of my present past or my fading presence. I routinely accomplish considerably less than I might otherwise prove capable of producing. Any engine designed with the presumption that it might perform at its design peak was always designed to fail. Any engine built to perform well beneath its design spec was always built to actually exceed its more optimistic expectations. I began this writing week naming a familiar haunt, the Dundency that has always followed me. I praised that most unlikely and always welcomed couple, Dignity and Freedom. I reframed my experience of Decency as a Decendency rather than as an ascendancy up and into any place above. I reported that indecency seems radioactive in Radioactivization (which is a term Google® found no hits for on the internets). I ended this week with a short screed insisting that Decency must be deployed relentlessly if it is to be effectively used. I appreciate all those who shamelessly employ their Decency without ever once necessarily expecting to be rewarded for their efforts. Bless us all as we defend the continuing insults to our Dignity again. Thank you for following along!

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Weekly Writing Summary

Duncency
“Let such mysteries be.”
This Decency Story introduces a familiar sort of Decency in which everybody occasionally engages: Duncency.
The Decency Story tells how shows of Decency can often be insincere but are nonetheless widely understood and tolerated as harmless social conventions. These acts—such as forced niceness or exaggerated politeness—are usually recognized by both parties, serving to keep interactions smooth and protect privacy rather than to maliciously deceive. While being aware of this insincerity might prove to be important, confronting it generally proves to be unnecessary, and trying to eliminate it would disrupt social bonds. Such minor misrepresentations seem normal, causing little harm and even helping maintain everyday relationships.


Mervin Jules: The Art Lover (1937)

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Dignity&Freedom
“May Dignity&Freedom never abandon them...”
This Decency Story celebrates Dignity&Freedom, two prominent attributes of Decency.

The Dignity Story reflects on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle as not just a defense of territory, but a profound fight for both Big ‘D’ Dignity and BIG Freakin’ ‘F’ freedom. It argues that dignity justifies hardship and inspires global support. I lament that my U.S. has turned away from these ideals, and criticize current leadership for betraying both national and global responsibilities, leading my country into division and moral decline. I find hope and inspiration in Ukraine’s dedication, emphasizing that their pursuit of dignity and freedom seems an intrinsically valuable and self-fulfilling act that preserves and renews those very ideals.

Paul Giambarba: The Withered Arm (c. 1960)
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CommonDecency
“…everything’s extraordinary, especially and including CommonDecency.”
This Decency Story explains whatever happened to CommonDecency.

This Decency Story expresses nostalgia, noting that even everyday items and experiences from then now seem extraordinary. Decency was never truly common, but always remarkable for the effort it takes to manifest. Acts of Decency stand out because they’re rarely the easiest choice, and their rarity increases their value. I ultimately conclude that everything, including whatever might be otherwise considered ordinary, is in fact extraordinary when closely enough observed.


John Singer Sargent: Venetian Glass Workers (1880–82)

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Descending_Into_Decency
“That’s how Descending Into Decency feels to me.”
I hope this Decency Story helps dispel the notion that Decency usually comes from somewhere on high. I think it more likely that we’re usually Descending_Into_Decency instead.

I describe Decency not as something lofty or superior, but as an immersive, grounding experience that feels like descending into rather than ascending above. It involves active choices and self-imposed boundaries, providing comfort and a sense of innocence. I see it as originating from everyday people and experiences, rather than from some higher authority. I compare this transcendent feeling to entering a welcoming dive bar, where one quickly feels at ease and more authentic, with the experience remaining warmly memorable.

Ohara Koson: Descending egrets in snow (1925 - 1936)

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Radioactivization
“That’s what Decency appears to be here for.”
This Decency Story recounts how radioactive indecency tends to seem.

This Decency Story employs the metaphor of radioactivity to describe the nature of indecencies, arguing that while they may provide short-term resolutions or benefits, their effects become toxic and persist far beyond their intended use. It highlights the dangers of such choices in both personal and political contexts, noting that they often require extensive, costly efforts to address the resulting damage. I point out that leaders who abandon principles or laws leave society with deep and lasting harm, akin to civic contamination. Yet, this story also expresses hope that, with time, these destructive elements will ultimately decay, allowing for eventual renewal and the potential restoration of Decency.

Barbara Norfleet: High level radioactive waste storage tank: Savannah River Plant (300 square miles): Aiken, SC. 35 million gallons of high level radioactive waste are stored in the deteriorating tanks

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Relentless
“This necessarily requires that the Decent fear less and be Relentless more.”
This Decency Story explains that Decency demands to be deployed in a requisitely Relentless manner.

This Decency Story argues that only Relentless Decency can effectively counter persistent indecency. While indecency often presents as loud and shameless, true Decency involves consistently standing up for what might be right, even when that feels futile. Decency can seem small compared to the overwhelming presence of indecency, but regular, fearless demonstrations of Decency provide a necessary alternative. For Decency to matter and counter indecency, it must be practiced boldly and without fear, making its presence known whenever indecency appears.

Félix Edouard Vallotton: Cover for Paris Intense (1894)

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Permanent Maintenance Mode Again
Thanksgiving arrived before our first hard freeze. Leaves fell at a leisurely pace, which I mostly managed to keep up with. Two bins of my composter overfloweth with the finest chopped leaves, those from the crabapple, plum, and apricot trees. The maple leaves went to the street to be hauled to our municipal composting facility. Nothing's wasted.

I finally tore off the construction cardboard that had been protecting our new front porch deck while the post-and-beam covers and railings were installed. Some touch-up painting remains, but I'll wait until Spring to tackle that chore. The porch, after two years and three months of remodeling, looks finished from the street, even without the back stairs and rail cabling installed. I grew accustomed to having the front entry under construction and hadn't noticed what that barrier had been costing me. My context sensitivity left me feeling diminished until that remodeling was finished. I'd been missing my primary egress, though the only symptom was an unassociated hollowness. It was as if I'd had my brick front removed and replaced with crime scene tape. With cardboard and construction clutter removed, the place looks open and welcoming. Finally, TheVilla Vatta Schmaltz feels finished, or, at least, more finished. No hundred and eighteen-year-old place can ever be properly said to be completed. It's back in permanent maintenance mode again.

©2025 by David A. Schmaltz - all rights reserved

Tags: #Decency, #PureSchmaltz