Edward Gorey Vintage Book Covers

Another great article from the website Brain Pickings caught my eye. This article highlighted many of Edward Gorey's vintage book covers from great literature. Here are some of my favorites. I think the War of the Worlds cover is the best, though that reading would not be my first choice. Check out Brain Pickings for more.

Edward Gorey

Google is featuring Edward Gorey today. I guess he would be 88 if still living. I wish he were still living! In any case, in April I plan to visit his house on the cape, now a museum. There's a watch and I'm sure several other items I will want to acquire. Love my Edward Gorey, ever since college. That old queer, fantastically creative, anglophile, sarcastic, bibliophile, cat lover....

Man With Autism Sings At Fenway

He sings the National Anthem in the exact way every little kid, and every little kid inside every big adult has ever wanted to sing it...

Don't Ask Don't Tell For Real

As many of you know, today the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding gays, lesbians, and bisexuals serving openly in the military was repealed. Well, the repeal took action today. In the meantime, here's the story of a young soldier serving in the Middle East directly affected by the policy. Beginning in May of this year he films a series of YouTube videos, in which he's very discreet and doesn't show his face or reveal his name. It's kind of amusing because he's the headless man throughout most of the videos. Today he filmed himself live coming out to this Dad in Alabama. Very poignant. 
September 20th, 2011  
First Video

Humpback Whale Freed

I heard about this video, but couldn't find it when I looked for it. Then I saw it on a friend's post. This story demonstrates how incredibly perceptive children are, and whales too.

Where Were You?

Where were you on the morning of 9/11/2001? Click on to add yourself to an interactive map, and leave your comments. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/09/08/us/sept-11-reckoning/where-were-you-september-11-map.html?hp#!/40425

Well, I was nowhere near ground zero, but New York didn't seem that very far away that day, as I knew the planes had left from Boston and Portland, Maine. I was at work in an elementary school. When I first heard about the attacks, I thought it was the World Trade Center in Boston. I felt panicky and scared, but also felt a sense of resolve. I had a responsibility for the safety of the children, and was prepared to act .

I remember being concerned about my maternal Aunt, who was still working in Government Center in Boston at the time. The FBI was one floor below her, so I thought her building might be a target, and I heard they were evacuating buildings. 

I was prepared that administrators might decide to evacuate our building and send the children home from school, but we stayed. For the most part, I was shielded from the events of that day. The principal decided not to have T.V.s or computers on, except for the older children. He rightly considered that the news would just frighten and confuse the younger children. Since I mostly worked with younger children, I went about my business mostly unaware.

When I got home from school that day, I was more shocked than I ever have been in my life when I finally saw the image of the planes hitting the towers. It was an utter sense of disbelief and horror that this could happen. 

That weekend my friends and I had a get together, a vigil of sorts. We gathered together and talked about our feelings about that day. Our friend Rosalie was in NYC that day, only blocks from the towers. She took the subway every morning to school. Later on we also found out that my friend Julie's brother took his life that Saturday night. He suffered from multiple sclerosis and depression. 

It was a memorable time for all.

Artifacts

There's an exhibit at the National Museum of American History, called "Lincoln: An Extraordinary Life." You can view the exhibition online by clicking the above link. I was struck by all the everyday artifacts that were preserved, from the day of Lincoln's assassination. Normally these everyday items would have been long ago lost to obscurity had they not been associated with the events of April14, 1865.

Laura Keene, an actress starring in "Our American Cousin" that night at Ford's Theatre, ran upstairs with water to assist the president after he was shot. As she held his head in her arms, she transferred the blood spots you see on the cuff she was wearing that night. Her niece, Virginia Adler Thompson, kept her aunt's cuff for decades, then bequeathed the artifact to the National Museum of American History in 1962.

Laura Keene 1826- 1873

Labor Day

Currently I'm reading Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States," 1492 to Present." Though perhaps more cynical than I am able to swallow, Zinn does tell the 'other side' of American history, the story of the poor and 'have-nots', a group which has included in various centuries Native Americans, women, children, African Americans, immigrants, farmers, labor workers, religious minorities, and others.

Zinn deflates some of our American heroes like Jefferson and Lincoln by describing the varied political and selfish motives behind their endeavors like the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation, rather than purist American ideals. Zinn then highlights aspects of American history like the labor movement. Though called communist and criminal, labor reform was perhaps one of America's greatest democratic triumphs for the 'ordinary' man? The poor labor workers had everything to lose by contributing even a small amount, and the very rich like J.P. Morgan had so little to lose by sharing a fraction of their wealth.

Indeed, true history is like a complicated woven fabric. There are many sides to each issue. However, though very many American institutions, businesses, museums, foundations, banks, universities, etc... were founded by men like Carnegie and J.P. Morgan, with a fraction of their wealth, Labor Day should help us keep in mind that these institutions were built on the backs of thousands of ordinary American workers, like my ancestors and yours.

Labor Day: JP Morgan Vs. The Coal Miners

Boston Billy

Today Bill Rodgers ran his first Boston Marathon since 1999. He has run 17 Boston Marathons, and many others. He's 61 years old now, and wanted to run for his 60th birthday, but was thwarted by prostate cancer treatment. He's doing well now.

During the years of 1979- 1981, Bill Rodgers was my hero. It was during these years that I was also a runner myself in high school. I was on the cross-country, indoor, and outdoor Somerville High School Girls Track and Field teams.

Bill Rodgers was a local guy and the winner of four Boston Marathons (and 4 NYC wins) during the years I was running. It was also during these years that I went to see my first Boston Marathon, with the encouragement of our coach. The dream of running the Marathon has always been implanted in my mind since.

I went to view the marathon today, but I didn't see Bill Rodgers. Later I heard on the news that he finished and did well. (just over 4 hours) My hero was somewhat deflated when I asked a marathon official: "Do you know when Bill Rodgers will be coming through?" His curt response was: "Oh, we don't track him like that."

In 1980, I played hooky from school on a rainy Monday and made my way to the Harvard Coop bookstore in Harvard Sq. Bill Rodgers was there signing his new book, "Marathoning." I was so excited that I stood in a long line and bought the book and had him sign it. (the book cost 8.90, which I remember thinking was a hefty price...) He wrote, "Carolyn. Good Luck." Gotta still run that marathon.......

Scallywags for Freedom

Today I drove up to Marblehead to visit my friend Nil. She told me about a Revolutionary War encampment at Fort Sewell not far from her house, right in Marblehead Harbor. The 14th Continental Glover's Marblehead Regiment had set up camp there for the weekend.

We discovered this hardy unit of sailors from Marblehead, Massachusetts were responsible for rowing General Washington across the Delaware on that frigid, Christmas Eve in 1776. They also aided in overtaking the many drunken Hessians fighting for the British, to recapture Trenton. The Glover militia was also involved in Yorktown.

One soldier gave us a fantastic tour through the encampment. We learned many interesting facts.
1. At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, the officers on both sides wore red sashes, which made them easily identifiable on the field. In the style of the times, however, it was a 'gentleman's' war, and it was forbidden to deliberately target officers. Pretty soon the Americans grew tired of being gentlemen and started shooting at British officers. Soon the red sash became less often used.

2. Scurvy was combated by the British with limes, which they imported from the Indies. That's why the Americans called the Brits "limeys." The Americans were blocked from access to trade, so they concocted lemon-grass mixed with sugar plum. The surgeon at the camp let Nil and I try some 'scurvy paste'. It was very good; it tasted like vitamin C. Surprise, surprise!

3. At the beginning of the war, the muskets the Americans had were originally bought from England. Needless to say, this supply of muskets was soon curtailed. Later, the Americans got a supply of superior muskets from France, called the Charleyville. Basically, we can thank France for our independence. (Eat up those 'freedom fries,' dudes).

4. We also learned that the phrase "sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," comes from Colonial times. The mattresses were held up by rope, which had to be frequently tightened, or you would unfortunately sag in the night. (Especially if you were sleeping with a very fat sailor). As for bed bugs, well, I guess they were common in straw mattresses.

Don't Worry, The Amish Men Are Coming

My heroes, the Amish Men.

Chest Bumping

AP Ding-dong World Press.
--------At a graduation ceremony this past week in Colorado, our fearless leader President Bush displayed his domination and power by engaging in behavior anthropologists call 'the ritualistic chest bump.' Gorillas, pygmy marmosets, and orangutans have also been known to display this behavior, especially if available females or rival males are watching. Bush was seen chest bumping with a young male, a fellow Texan. Bush faced the younger man then charged. At one point, it appears Bush was airborne, indicating fine chest bumping indeed. President Bush finished his ritualistic chest bump with a grunting sound, concluded by blowing out hot air through his nostrils and mouth. The crowd was somewhat awed and shocked by the gesture.

Martin Luther King Jr.

40 years ago this past Friday, 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated. I was five years old then, but I do not remember this event. Nor do I recall Robert Kennedy's death in the news later that same year. Perhaps my parents & grandparents & teachers shielded me from the news. I was too young to understand.

Here is Martin Luther King Jr.'s last speech in Memphis, Tenn. The following evening, he was murdered. His speech is eerily prophetic; it seems he knows he's going to die.

But he's at peace.

Darwin Awards

Two more candidates added to the long list, for the Darwin Awards....

Men shoot themselves in tattoo attempt

December 31, 2007

CHAPARRAL, N.M. --Getting a tattoo can be a painful proposition, but usually it's just the needle you have to worry about. Two men trying to trace a loaded .357-caliber Magnum as a pattern for a tattoo accidentally shot themselves, the Otero County Sheriff's Department said Monday.

Robert Glasser and Joey Acosta, both 22, were treated at a hospital in El Paso, Texas, after the shooting Thursday evening in nearby Chaparral.

Authorities said Glasser was struck in the hand when the gun accidentally went off, and Acosta was hit in the left arm. Their injuries were not life-threatening, authorities said.

© Copyright 2007 Associated Press.

De-Lovely Cole Porter

Cole Porter. One of our greatest American composers.
The divine Ella Fitzgerald-- with her wide ranging, gorgeous voice--- found enough songs to fill two CDS of his music. See "Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, Vol 1 & 2."
Some of Cole Porter's hits include:
"You do something to me."
"You're the Top."
"It's De-Lovely."
"Let's Do it. Let's Fall in Love."
"I Get a Kick out of YOu."
"Don't Fence me in."
"Begin the Beguine."

Here is Ethel Merman singing: "I Get a Kick Out of You." (1936)

Rescue Me

This hunk of a young man happens to be my cousin's oldest son, Brian. (sorry the photo's so crappy) Yes, I changed his diapers once, but now he's 21 and rescuing people at sea. Recently he saved a man's life. Of course, we are all proud of Brian. Here's the story below.

Mass. Maritime cadet applies school lessons to save a life

By GEORGE BRENNAN

Published: October 12, 2007

SANDWICH - When Brian Taylor spotted a man in the water and a boat adrift at Sandwich Marina Tuesday night, he immediately called for help. "I saw a red jacket in the water and his hands up by the side of the boat," Taylor, a seasonal employee at the town-owned marina, said yesterday. "I called the assistant harbor master and told him to get over there with the harbor master's boat right away. I told him there's a person in the water."
Taylor, 21, a sophomore at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, jumped into a dinghy at about 7:40 p.m. and headed toward a 44-foot Hinckley yacht adrift about 50 yards from the docks. He found a man, his face barely out of the water, trapped along the side of his boat by a rope that was entangled in the yacht's engines.
"As I got closer, he gained consciousness," Taylor said. "He started screaming, 'Help me. Help me.'"
Jack Erbes, a boat captain driving the multimillion-dollar yacht from Nantucket to a Maine boatyard, had hit his head on the concrete of the marina's fuel dock, said David Whearty, an assistant harbor master credited with assisting in the rescue.
Erbes was apparently attempting to jump from boat to the dock with the ropes in his hand when he smacked his head and wound up in the water.
"We think he got flung backwards because one of the ropes was sucked into the jet propulsion engine," Taylor said.
That rope is what trapped Erbes against the side of the yacht. "It jammed his hand against the boat," Whearty said. "He was able to keep just a little bit of his head out of the water."
Taylor, an emergency management major, cut the rope with a knife and helped Erbes onto the yacht's swim platform. The yacht's engines were shut down and it was towed to a slip.
"He had no life vest and the water was cold," Whearty said. "There would not have been a good ending if no one was here."
In fact, Taylor's season ends Sunday. He has worked for the town for about five years.
Erbes, an employee of Hinckley Yachts in Rhode Island, was taken by Sandwich Fire Department personnel to Jordan Hospital. He suffered a large bump and cut on his head and was disoriented, officials said.
Erbes returned the next morning to retrieve the boat and head toward Maine, Whearty said. Erbes did not return a call left on his voice mail yesterday.
As for Taylor and Whearty, they were recognized for their heroics by the Sandwich selectmen last night. "I'm very happy he was OK," Taylor said.
Taylor will also likely receive a cadet ribbon for having the presence of mind to use his emergency management training so effectively, Adm. Richard Gurnon, Massachusetts Maritime president, said yesterday.
"It's nice to see all those things come together with a successful outcome," he said.
Whearty downplayed his own role, giving full credit to Taylor for the rescue. "He is the one who saved the man's life, without a doubt."

Little Rock Nine

Fifty years ago this month Elizabeth Eckford made a long and lonely walk in front of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was part of the "Little Rock Nine," a group of African-American high school students designated to integrate the all-white Central High. On that first day of school in 1957 there was miscommunication, and Elizabeth was separated from the group of other black students. She had to walk alone, surrounded by a mob of white people who screamed racial epithets at her.
Elizabeth was surrounded by a maelstrom when she was just a young girl wanting to attend school. That day, Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas had defied court order, by calling in the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the black students from entering the school. The Governor said desegregation would cause violence and unrest. Some days later, President Eisenhower ordered the 101 U.S. Airborne Division to escort the African-American students to school, and for several weeks the students had to be protected daily by armed soldiers.
I remember first seeing Elizabeth's story in the documentary "Eyes on the Prize." It was quite riveting. Elizabeth still lives in Little Rock today. She says she realizes now that she suffered from post traumatic stress syndrome for many years after this incident.
1957 and 1997. The Little Rock Nine were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Clinton in 1997.

Edward Gorey, Extra- or- din -ary

Edward Gorey (1926-2000) is one my greatest artistic heroes--- a writer, illustrator, artist, book lover, cat lover, fellow queer, & collector of oddities. Perhaps one of Edward Gorey's most recognized works is his animated introduction to the PBS show "Mystery!"(you know the graveyard & the fainting woman on top of the stone wall?).


I always assumed Edward was British, (as most people do) because of the Edwardian & Victorian settings of all his illustrations. But the old boy was born in Chicago and lived the later part of his life for many years in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. Edward was just lucky enough to be raised by an eccentric family of British ex-patriots. Several family members were writers, cabaret singers, and illustrators. Gorey's first independent work-- "The Unstrung Harp," was published in 1953.

Edward Gorey's house, stocked with books, illustrations, & all kinds of curious oddities, is a museum now. I plan to make a pilgrimage there soon. http://www.edwardgoreyhouse.org/

Gorey's themes are macabre & darkly humorous. Most characters end up dead in bizarre ways. Very strange and unsettling events happen for no particular reason. Three of my favorite Edward Gorey pieces are "The Gashlycrumb Tinies," "The Doubtful Guest," and "The Curious Sofa." To give you a taste, see below:

Amish Man Saves Paris Hilton -Part 1

Amish Man--Avenger of the Olden Days-- Saves Paris Hilton from the Maddening Crowd

1. It happened one day that Amish Man was visiting Los Angeles at the very moment Paris was released from jail....







2. Amish Man was in CA to promote his new book, "The Goodly Life of Tillage."

3. Several people worldwide clamored for Amish Man's book.....


.

Amish Man Saves Paris- Part 2

4. The maddening crowd wanted to sacrifice Paris Hilton to the Goddess of Crass American culture. Paris' cries were heard by Amish Man. He gallantly jumped up in front of the crowd, spread out his arms in a godly manner, and bellowed.......

5. The crowd retracted, and Amish Man and Paris were whisked away into a nearby limo, & brought to the Hilton Estate....