Picture of the Day
Seen in South Florida
A millionaire Mormon who’s spent his life destroying companies and a poor Cuban who washed up on a Miami boat ramp! Only in America can they find common ground!
Filed under News
Quote of the Day
“He never declared how big and how much money should be spent on the military etc, whether Government should provide welfare etc. Since Jesus did not say out of his own mouth we cannot beat our wives then it must be okay to beat them? Of course not. An argument from silence is very poor and unhelpful.”
– The Archdiocese of Washington’s Monsignor Charles Pope, slamming President Obama for mentioning scripture in his endorsement of same-sex marriage.
As I’ve said so often before, goddamn queers! They just want all sorts of rights!
Filed under News
Carolyn Herron – One Person Who Made a Difference for Me
I’m kind of sad right and not just because of the gloomy weather here in Northeast Texas and the fact that allergies have ambushed me again. I just found out that a former teacher of mine, Carolyn Herron, died May 2. I had Caroline as an English literature and German language instructor at Brookhaven Community College in Farmers Branch, Texas, in the early 1980’s. I opted out of attending a major university and chose to begin my higher education at Brookhaven. It still remains one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And, in part, I’m thankful because I met Carolyn Herron. She was kind of quirky, but very delightful and charming. She had a unique way of teaching that set her apart from anyone I’ve ever met in my academic career, from kindergarten to college. She was truly different – and that was a good thing. I never realized her academic credentials were so impressive. She had graduated valedictorian from Highland Park High School in Dallas and went on to earn degrees in German from Southern Methodist University, also in Dallas. I recall her talking about time she spent in what was then West Germany where she was a Fulbright scholar. She was quite a character and really one of only a handful of instructors or teachers I remember vividly and fondly. Some teachers do that to you. They have that kind of impact. It’s their approach to teaching, which they see as a calling instead of a job, and how they relate to their students. Carolyn was 72 and passed away after a battle with cancer. I’m glad she’s no longer suffering, but I’m still heartbroken. It’s really odd, though. I had been thinking about her recently. Now, I know why. Wherever you are, Carolyn, thank you for all you’ve done and rest in peace.
Filed under News
Why Be a Writer?
This is a great opinion piece on the “Indies Unlimited” site from writer and fellow blogger J.D. Mader who asks quite simply, “What’s a writer for?” It’s certainly a query I’ve made to myself. Why am I doing this? What purpose does this serve? I could drop dead in the middle of this great story, and the world will not stop rotating. So, why go through all that trouble of writing, editing and researching? Well, I do it mainly for the love of it. I’ve always loved to write; to create stories and characters, or in many cases, reconfigure what’s happened to me and the people I’ve met. Of course, I change the names to protect myself. But, for all of us creative types, we always find ourselves asking what purpose does it all serve.
Filed under News
Posters for Acrobat Shows, 1892 – 1903
The circus has always been a popular amusement distraction. Its various forms have entertained generations of people for decades. In Europe and North America, the modern circus took shape towards the end of the 19th century. Railroad expansions and later developments of motor vehicles allowed circus troops to travel long distances and delight huge crowds. Circuses have had to reinvent themselves in recent years with the advent of the Internet and concerns about animal abuses. But, in their prime, posters such as these, courtesy of the Performing Arts Poster Collection, Library of Congress, attracted the masses.
Filed under Classics
May 11, 2012 – 223 Days Until Baktun 12
Survivalist Tip: Spinach is something you should have in your food supply. It is one of the most popular vegetables and one of the most versatile, as it can be prepared in a number of ways. It is also one of the most nutrient-dense of all foods; low in calories and extremely high in vitamins and minerals. Like all leafy green vegetables, spinach is an excellent source of Vitamins A, B2, B6, C and K, as well as magnesium, potassium and calcium. All of these elements work to combat free radicals in your body. And, with plenty of radicals running all over the place after the apocalypse, you don’t need to worry about inside of you. Some studies have shown that even moderate consumption of spinach slows age-related decline in brain functions. Spinach also has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease the aggravation of arthritis, asthma, migraines and osteoporosis. There’s no proof it helps ease the aggravation of dealing with bratty kids, but the migraine relief might be close. As I’ve mentioned several times before, struggling to survive in the barren wasteland following the upheaval will require you to be in top mental and physical shape; thus, spinach is one food to help you stay sharp. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy all that chocolate you’ve stored.
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
May 11 Notable Birthdays
If today is your birthday, “Happy Birthday!”
Comedian – actor Mort Sahl is 85.
Guitarist Dick Garcia (A Message from Garcia, Four Most Guitars) is 81.
Fashion designer Valentino Garavani is 80.
Physician Robert Jarvik, inventor of the Jarvik 7 artificial heart implanted into Barney Clark in 1982, which kept Clark alive 112 days, is 66.
Filed under Birthdays
On May 11…
1858 – Minnesota entered the United States as the 32nd state.
1888 – Composer Irving Berlin was born in Mogilyov, Russia.
1894 – Choreographer Martha Graham was born in Allegheny County, PA.
1896 – Writer Mari Sandoz was born in Sheridan County, NE.
1904 – Surreal artist Salvador Dalí was born in Figueras, Spain.
1910 – Glacier National Park in Montana was created by an act of Congress.
1927 – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded in Los Angeles.
1928 – WGY-TV in Schenectady, NY, began the first schedule of regular TV programs, offering programming to its upstate New York audience three times a week using the mechanical scanning method.
1947 – B.F. Goodrich announced the development of the tubeless tire.
1997 – IBM’s super computer Deep Blue made history by defeating Gary Kasparov at chess.
Filed under History
Quote of the Day
“Confederate apologists have spent almost 150 years trying to change the Civil War into something that it was not. Here’s what it was: an insurrection against the United States government with the main goal of maintaining the institution of African slavery.”
– A group of 12 Texas lawmakers, in a letter opposing a proposed marker on the Texas Capitol campus recognizing the Confederacy.
Filed under News
