I post a weekly diary of historical notes, arts & science items, foreign news (often receiving little notice in the US) and whimsical pieces from the outside world that I often feature in "Cheers & Jeers".
OK, you've been warned - here is this week's tomfoolery material that I posted.
CHEERS to Bill and Michael in PWM, our Laramie, Wyoming-based friend Irish Patti and ...... well, each of you at Cheers and Jeers. Have a fabulous rest of the weekend .... and week ahead.
ART NOTES— an exhibition entitled Queen Nefertari’s Egypt will be at the Portland, Oregon Art Museum through Sunday, January 16th.
CHEERS to a wonderful Yuletide visiting family and celebrating some birthdays of old chums (albeit with a small gathering). The weather cooperated quite nicely and loved using the Moynihan Train Hall in NYC on Amtrak. The mezzanine-level food court is way behind schedule: yet it’s spacious, lots of rest rooms, good signage and natural light coming in … not the sardine-can feel of the old Penn Station.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #1 is this essay by former labor secretary Robert Reich that after the film It’s a Wonderful Life was released, the FBI considered it evidence of Communist Party infiltration of the film industry, in part based on a report from an ad-hoc group ... which included Ayn Rand.
THURSDAY's CHILD is named Lady of the Knights— a Nevada kitteh so-named because she and her five kittens were found at the NHL arena where the Golden Knights hockey team plays … and she is being fostered now.
YOUR WEEKEND READ #2 is this short essay by Cory Doctorow on how conservatives criticize public policy by using the phrase “one size fits all” — not in search of more customization …... but instead to oppose universality in the program (and sometimes, the policy itself) without having to say so.
FRIDAY's CHILD is named Budge the Cat— an English kitteh who apparently does not get on with his family’s other cat … and so spends time at Norwich Cathedral, where the parishioners who are suffering stress find his presence therapeutic.
BRAIN TEASER— try this Quiz of the Week's News from the BBC ...… and the usually easier, less UK-centered New York Times quiz.
THE OTHER NIGHT yours truly hosted the Top Comments diary with a look at some year-end musings: on Manhattan DA Cy Vance Jr., a third-grade teacher who wanted to buck-up her students and how the (above) photo of my parents from 1957 — which we, their children, had never seen before — came to light.
Reader Suggested FATHER-SON? (from Elwood Dowd) — NFL quarterback Tom Brady and Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC).
...... and finally, for a song of the week ...........................… my annual New Year’s song. This is the very mellow, contemplative Goodbye, December from bluesman John Mayall - whom I saw give a standout show nine years ago at age 79 (and who is now 88). This song, though, comes from his recording Back to the Roots (featuring many of his former star musicians in guest roles) from fifty years ago.
John has announced that — at some point — he will no longer tour (and will simply perform in Southern California) — yet has some 2022 tour dates for Europe as well as the Golden State. Whenever he retires, it’ll be the end-of-an-era.
Happy New Year, everyone.
Time for reflection Winter is here Goodbye, December The passing away of the year
Watching the day of the wind Blowing the dirt from the sky Clearing the air for tomorrow Bidding December goodbye
Make celebration Another year is gone Now part of history Gotta be moving along
Look for the sunrise Old days are dead Goodbye, December Got a big future ahead