R.I.P. Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

Dolly Parton, pictured in 1988 Country Music isn’t really my thing, but I was very sad when I heard the news a couple of days ago about the death of Dolly Parton. So sad, in fact, that I felt I had to wait a while before posting anything. I have little to add to the obituaries about her now, but I’ll just mention some things that I liked about her. O ne was that she was totally accepting of the LGBTQ+ people, which is why she was adopted so enthusiastically even by people like me who aren’t really country music fans. Her unoffocial motto was “Find out who you are and do it on purpose”. That is admirable advice. Even during the ongoing backlash of bigotry she stood her ground. For that alone I would mourn her passing. The second thing that I should say mention is her philanthropy. She was a tireless supporter of good causes, especially her wonderful Imagination Library (which has had a branch in the Republic of Ireland since 2019). This exists to encourage young children to read by…