Butterflies

A Book About Iguanas

In a bookstore window in Key West.

Great Work, Guys!

I didn't post this in 2016, but I should have:

To the Republican and Democratic Parties:

Congratulations!  Together you managed to nominate two candidates that I would be motivated to vote against.  Just like in 2004.

I can only hope that some off-brand ragtag political party provides an alternative.

You guys suck!!!

Peace Will Come (In Our Time)

The news is so disheartening, and too true. The domestic mass shootings add to  a feeling of hopelessness.

In this time of global and civil conflict, there is always a wish for a more safe and cordial time. Here's a sad song by Melanie Safka from 1970 expressing this heartfelt desire for this. That song was written against the background of the Viet Nam war. How many have occurred since then?

Melanie was one of the bright musical lights from that time: worth pursuing for her songs.

Tomorrow is Veterans' Day, originally called Armistice Day. It marked the end of the 'War to End All Wars,' as it was referred to in my grandfather's time.

Mississippi Was Nuked in 1964

Mississippi doesn't often make the news; and when it does, often the news is bad.

Still, saying "Mississippi" slowly is a nice way approximately to count seconds: "One Mississippi, two Mississippi....etc."

It was news to me to read that back in 1964 they had actually done some atomic testing in Lamar County, Mississippi! To be sure, these were little nuclear devices; but A-Bombs nonetheless!  The purpose of this testing was to see if underground atomic testing could be detected by seismic recording devices.

What were they thinking? It was not as if the area was unpopulated; and Hattiesburg, MS was only 21 miles away! And, depending on what way the wind happens to blow, Biloxi, New Orleans, and Mobile might also have been affected by radiation.

This testing somehow escaped notice at the time.

[By the way, al.com is a reliable site for Southern news that's quite accurate. Something about their having a dog in the fight ....] 

See also Nuclear Blasts in Mississippi.

Dove Linkhorn on a True Religious Calling

[From the movie, Walk on the Wild Side.]

PREACHER
Jezebel! That's right, I mean you! Now both of you sinners are hurrying past.

 

DOVE LINKHORN
You got no business with us mister.

 

PREACHER
Oh, sinners is my business. You and that hip-slinging daughter of Satan. You know there's the smell of sulfur and brimstone about you. The smell of hellfire.

 

DOVE LINKHORN
Who ordained preacher?

 

PREACHER
I am self-ordained son; I had the call.

 

DOVE LINKHORN
You were called by the wrong voice mister.

 

PREACHER
Lord strike this sinner down. Send a bolt down to smite and consume the blasphemer now!

 

DOVE LINKHORN
He won't hear you. Cause you no friend of God or man - standing there hollering hate to the world. God is love. God is mercy and forgiveness. Try preaching that sometime Mr. Preacher. Teach people to forgive, not to crawl in fear. Teach people to love, not hate. preach the good book - preach the truth.

Found in a Street in Washington

Psychedelic sheep at 13th St. and New York Avenue?

These were a sculpture by Taiwanese artist Hung Yi.