A few days ago I suggested an Open Thread game: Using neo’s header photo as a guide, what two books and object would you feature in the header of your blog?
What say you, fellow neophiles? (neophytes?)
Neo’s has ballet slippers as the object and “The Last Lion” and “Robert Frost: Collected Poems, Prose, and Plays” as her two books. There is also a green apple tastefully displayed on the corner of the table, a nod to Rene Magritte’s, “Son of Man.”
Regarding two books; assuming neo chose “The Last Lion” as a political work that helped in reforming her political philosophy (her “change”) I suppose I’d have to go with P.J. O’Rourke’s, “All the Trouble in the World.” I know it’s not a scholarly work. It’s been decades since I read it, but I doubt it has a single footnote. I read it because it was funny. However, it caused me to begin examining political topics in more depth. If the second book is supposed to honor an author whose non-political work helped form or shape one; or who one simply admires, or a single, non-political book that really changed one… This has been really tough for me. I suppose I’d go with either; “Field Guide to Stars and Planets” by Donald Menzel or “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain.
I’ve also been debating myself regarding the object. I keep coming back to a pair of very used track spikes. But I’m not sure how much of that decision is influenced by the familiarity of the ballet slippers in neo’s photo. The proportion of footwear leaned against the books fits well in the photo. Other important objects in my life would be very out of proportion. But, even if the idea of footwear hadn’t already been planted in my conscious by neo’s image I think there is a good chance I would have chosen track spikes.
For the fruit on the edge of the table; a lime. Or a banana as an homage to the great, Groucho Marx quote: “Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.”
Ruling Class Panic.
Is it all a Jobs issue? Is it the fear of want created by living in a part of society whose only path toward sustenance is a job in government or academia, or as a big government cheerleader?
Is it simply the basic human survival instinct faced with uncertainty that is at the bottom of the absurdity we see? Is an absence of personal agency in providing for one’s sustenance the real issue? We see widespread Hall Monitor Syndrome in adults as a response to the pandemic, with both an inability to see absurdity and vicious reactions toward those who point it out..
To justify big government there must be something that is strongly needed that government supplies, and protection from aggressors is the most basic. There must be victims which only government can protect. If there are no obvious victims some must be found. If they are hard to find they must be manufactured. There also must be oppressors, and if they are hard to find they must be created. As this cycle continues those driving it find that there are shortages in both victims and oppressors, but stopping means not surviving. The survival instinct trigger has taken over. Absurdity is the result.
The Z Man recently wrote: “the modern right is powerless in these battles. Their bourgeois objectivism requires them to find a logical explanation for everything. Since there can be no rational answer for the burst of insanity we see at the top of society, the right must sit in stunned silence.”
Dick Illyes,
Very concise explanation of where we are and why. The lunatics are running the asylum. On the topic of racism, I forget who first made this statement, otherwise I’d attribute it; “Regarding racism in today’s America, demand far outstrips supply.” One could substitute “oppression” for “racism” without changing the truth of that statement.
That appears to be a rather large Keeshond. They are a great breed, very family oriented and usually very protective of children.
That’s a Good Dog! You can see the wheels turning as s/he scans the horizon and comes to the decision that the frivolity is OVER and it’s time to go back to safety.
A friend had a German Shepherd. Very bright dog! When the friend and I would wrestle, if I ever got a slight edge the dog would immediately start pulling me off him. It would calmly let us go for minutes,but the second my friend (her owner) was in real jeopardy of being immobilized she would jump in.
The kid’s okay with it. Laughing as if the whole thing is funny and enjoyable. There’s another kind of laugh, from uncertainty and tension.
Maybe this is a game they have played before.
In reply to Rufus’ comment about the objects one would have on their blog as illustrative of their life. An interesting idea. What objects would show a bit of your history and personality? For me, the objects would be my Navy wings, a pair of rock climbing shoes, and a Hairwing Royal Coachman. For books it would be Michener’s, “The Bridges At Toko Ri,” and Eric Hoffer’s, “The True Believer.”
I’m not as well read as most commenters here. In fact most of my reading has been about flying, geology/geography, mountain climbing, fly fishing, and self help books on home building, finance, and psychology. That’s one of the things I value most about Neo’s blog is that I learn so much from her and her many well read commenters.
Hoffer’s book helped me come to terms with what I saw during the Vietnam War. It was a kind of national hysteria that gripped the country then. I think Hoffer’s book also explains much about the cult of Wokeness that we see today because it is, IMO, a re-run of the 1960s-70s.
I spent 38 years flying airplanes for a living. It was my job, but never seemed to be “work.” Actually, more a calling. On the side I climbed mountains. As I aged out of climbing, fly fishing became my hobby of choice. I have aged out of that now because I prefer stream and river fishing. My fishing partners have all died on me and my wife doesn’t want me to go fishing alone, which is quite sensible.
My hobby now is maintaining our yard and garden, scaling the wall of worry over the Wokeness mob, and fishing in the blogosphere for insights and inspiration.
Richard Aubrey;
In the case of this video there’s no problem. But I know some people who have a Lab and a swimming pond, and sometimes the dog would get overzealous and nearly drown the kids while “rescuing” them.
That appears to be a rather large Keeshond. They are a great breed, very family oriented and usually very protective of children.
It’s a Newfoundland. Very common for water rescue dogs as well.
J.J.,
When I came to the term “Hairwing Royal Coachman” I had to Bing it. My guess was that it is a humongous RV. My guess was way off! Although, I suppose in it’s way it is a recreational vehicle.
Sounds like a helluva life! Thanks for sharing!
Here are three versions of the trumpet call ‘The Deguello’ or ‘El Degüello’. The music means ‘slit throat’ or no quarter. It was supposed to have been played at the Alamo.
When I was a kid, we used to have a large German Shepard named Thor. He weighed 145 lbs. and was very, very tall for a German Shepard. A gentle giant. He used to sit in the yard and when the smaller kids were playing and got too close to the road, Thor would trot over and herd them away from the road. No one ever taught him that, he just knew it was his job and he did it cheerfully.
He was a great dog. In his 13 years of life, I never once saw aggression from him. Just a happy, family dog who loved hugs! If you asked him for a hug, he would put his front paws on your shoulders, lean his head over your shoulder and make a “growl”. My dad always thought he was imitating “man hugs”, because once again, no one really took the time to teach him that. But he loved hugs and his tail would wag furiously when he gave them.
When he passed, the whole neighborhood came to say goodbye to him before my dad drove him to the vet to be put to sleep. It was like a living wake. His hips were gone and he could no longer stand much so the kids and adults just knelt next to him and took turns hugging him as his tail wagged slowly and he doled out the dog kisses to his favorite people.
We still miss Thor to this day. What a dog.
Maybe this is a game they have played before.
Not to be too cynical, but the fact that someone (presumably the parent) is filming this suggests that it’s well-rehearsed. Otherwise the camera gets tossed on the cameraman wades to the kids rescue, dog or no dog.
The good doggie is on lead too.
Fractal Rabbit:
Sounds like a wonderful dog. I really like dogs generally, but certain dogs stand out from all the rest.
I Callahan
A Newf. You’re likely right. I’ve only seen Newfs in Black or Black/White, not grey/silver/brown. Another wonderful breed. A friend of mine has two Newfs, a Shih Tzu, and an African Grey Parrot. Guess who rules the roost. Yep, the parrot.
In our house, we have two Kees. Guess who rules the roost? That would be my wife.
Ah, Fractal Rabbit, Thor was a Good Dog. I have known many dogs, most of which were good dogs and a few of which were Good Dogs. Once known they aren’t forgotten. I’m glad you and Thor had the chance to know each other.
Fractal Rabbit, you really got to me with that one. Teared right up. Dogs are truly humans’ best friends. What a blessing to have had a dog like Thor.
Fractal – I was just listening to Mr Bojangles again while reading the comments here. AesopSpouse’s family had a child-sitting dog who also knew instinctively to keep the kids herded away from the road.
“After 20 years he still grieved.”
Not maudlin, not maudlin at all.
Because dyin’ is just part of livin’.
Version 5 This one is a variation of No.2 (about 40 secs) I used this as a custom ringtone during the Obama maladministration. https://youtu.be/8ObX8tz0hkY?t=26
And now for something completely different.
Here is a strange Seattle quirk. This performance of this song is a Seattle area Christmas song. Read the comments.
Here are the lyrics:
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here
To say we’re doing splendidly
But it’s very cold out here in the snow
Marching to and from the enemy
Oh I say it’s tough, I have had enough
Can you stop the cavalry?
I have had to fight almost every night
Down throughout these centuries
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
Can you stop the cavalry?
Mary Bradley waits at home
In the nuclear fallout zone
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Bang! That’s another bomb on another town
While the Tsar and Jim have tea
If I get home, live to tell the tale
I’ll run for all presidencies
If I get elected I’ll stop
I will stop the cavalry
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Mary Bradley waits at home
She’s been waiting two years long
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Now, J.J., Mrs. Whatsit, and Aesopfan,
Thor was the best, and we were lucky to have had him. The Ball and Chain jokingly likes to say my heart is a small, jagged piece of coal because I almost never get emotional. But just writing that up made me emotional, all the memories good and bad (his decline in health when he injured his hip) but mostly good. He really was family.
A couple of interesting facts about Thor. His grandfather was was somewhat famous in the dog world. According to his AKC papers, Thor’s grandfather was the same German Shepherd who fathered a couple of movie dogs, including one used in the 1989 movie ‘K-9’ with Jim Belushi.
My father got Thor for a very, very discounted price because no one wanted him. He was identified as having a number of flaws very young. I believe his coloring, both coat and eyes (heterochromia) made him undesirable as well as his size, even then. Experienced breeders and dog people could tell he was going to be very large, too large for a German Shepherd and believed he would have severe health problems his whole life because of it. One expert said he would be euthanized by the time he was 3 or 4 due to hip or back problems. But Thor’s only health problem was his hip, which he injured at 13, and only because he slipped on some ice while playing with our other dog, an Australian Shepherd. My dad had paid $250 dollars for him.
Chases Eagles – hooray for Stop the Cavalry! It has indeed been a quirky Christmas favorite here in the Pacific Northwest for years. I have the single on a CD but still crank up the radio when it comes on.
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A few days ago I suggested an Open Thread game: Using neo’s header photo as a guide, what two books and object would you feature in the header of your blog?
What say you, fellow neophiles? (neophytes?)
Neo’s has ballet slippers as the object and “The Last Lion” and “Robert Frost: Collected Poems, Prose, and Plays” as her two books. There is also a green apple tastefully displayed on the corner of the table, a nod to Rene Magritte’s, “Son of Man.”
Regarding two books; assuming neo chose “The Last Lion” as a political work that helped in reforming her political philosophy (her “change”) I suppose I’d have to go with P.J. O’Rourke’s, “All the Trouble in the World.” I know it’s not a scholarly work. It’s been decades since I read it, but I doubt it has a single footnote. I read it because it was funny. However, it caused me to begin examining political topics in more depth. If the second book is supposed to honor an author whose non-political work helped form or shape one; or who one simply admires, or a single, non-political book that really changed one… This has been really tough for me. I suppose I’d go with either; “Field Guide to Stars and Planets” by Donald Menzel or “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain.
I’ve also been debating myself regarding the object. I keep coming back to a pair of very used track spikes. But I’m not sure how much of that decision is influenced by the familiarity of the ballet slippers in neo’s photo. The proportion of footwear leaned against the books fits well in the photo. Other important objects in my life would be very out of proportion. But, even if the idea of footwear hadn’t already been planted in my conscious by neo’s image I think there is a good chance I would have chosen track spikes.
For the fruit on the edge of the table; a lime. Or a banana as an homage to the great, Groucho Marx quote: “Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.”
Ruling Class Panic.
Is it all a Jobs issue? Is it the fear of want created by living in a part of society whose only path toward sustenance is a job in government or academia, or as a big government cheerleader?
Is it simply the basic human survival instinct faced with uncertainty that is at the bottom of the absurdity we see? Is an absence of personal agency in providing for one’s sustenance the real issue? We see widespread Hall Monitor Syndrome in adults as a response to the pandemic, with both an inability to see absurdity and vicious reactions toward those who point it out..
To justify big government there must be something that is strongly needed that government supplies, and protection from aggressors is the most basic. There must be victims which only government can protect. If there are no obvious victims some must be found. If they are hard to find they must be manufactured. There also must be oppressors, and if they are hard to find they must be created. As this cycle continues those driving it find that there are shortages in both victims and oppressors, but stopping means not surviving. The survival instinct trigger has taken over. Absurdity is the result.
The Z Man recently wrote: “the modern right is powerless in these battles. Their bourgeois objectivism requires them to find a logical explanation for everything. Since there can be no rational answer for the burst of insanity we see at the top of society, the right must sit in stunned silence.”
Dick Illyes,
Very concise explanation of where we are and why. The lunatics are running the asylum. On the topic of racism, I forget who first made this statement, otherwise I’d attribute it; “Regarding racism in today’s America, demand far outstrips supply.” One could substitute “oppression” for “racism” without changing the truth of that statement.
That appears to be a rather large Keeshond. They are a great breed, very family oriented and usually very protective of children.
That’s a Good Dog! You can see the wheels turning as s/he scans the horizon and comes to the decision that the frivolity is OVER and it’s time to go back to safety.
A friend had a German Shepherd. Very bright dog! When the friend and I would wrestle, if I ever got a slight edge the dog would immediately start pulling me off him. It would calmly let us go for minutes,but the second my friend (her owner) was in real jeopardy of being immobilized she would jump in.
The kid’s okay with it. Laughing as if the whole thing is funny and enjoyable. There’s another kind of laugh, from uncertainty and tension.
Maybe this is a game they have played before.
In reply to Rufus’ comment about the objects one would have on their blog as illustrative of their life. An interesting idea. What objects would show a bit of your history and personality? For me, the objects would be my Navy wings, a pair of rock climbing shoes, and a Hairwing Royal Coachman. For books it would be Michener’s, “The Bridges At Toko Ri,” and Eric Hoffer’s, “The True Believer.”
I’m not as well read as most commenters here. In fact most of my reading has been about flying, geology/geography, mountain climbing, fly fishing, and self help books on home building, finance, and psychology. That’s one of the things I value most about Neo’s blog is that I learn so much from her and her many well read commenters.
Hoffer’s book helped me come to terms with what I saw during the Vietnam War. It was a kind of national hysteria that gripped the country then. I think Hoffer’s book also explains much about the cult of Wokeness that we see today because it is, IMO, a re-run of the 1960s-70s.
I spent 38 years flying airplanes for a living. It was my job, but never seemed to be “work.” Actually, more a calling. On the side I climbed mountains. As I aged out of climbing, fly fishing became my hobby of choice. I have aged out of that now because I prefer stream and river fishing. My fishing partners have all died on me and my wife doesn’t want me to go fishing alone, which is quite sensible.
My hobby now is maintaining our yard and garden, scaling the wall of worry over the Wokeness mob, and fishing in the blogosphere for insights and inspiration.
Richard Aubrey;
In the case of this video there’s no problem. But I know some people who have a Lab and a swimming pond, and sometimes the dog would get overzealous and nearly drown the kids while “rescuing” them.
That appears to be a rather large Keeshond. They are a great breed, very family oriented and usually very protective of children.
It’s a Newfoundland. Very common for water rescue dogs as well.
J.J.,
When I came to the term “Hairwing Royal Coachman” I had to Bing it. My guess was that it is a humongous RV. My guess was way off! Although, I suppose in it’s way it is a recreational vehicle.
Sounds like a helluva life! Thanks for sharing!
Here are three versions of the trumpet call ‘The Deguello’ or ‘El Degüello’. The music means ‘slit throat’ or no quarter. It was supposed to have been played at the Alamo.
Version 1 is the version used the John Wayne Alamo (1960)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2A5fdgMCa8
Version 2 is the one used in the Billy Bob Thornton Alamo (2004)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKm0UoXZWmc
Version 3 is supposed to the authentic version
https://youtu.be/BsSBC02irr4?t=69
When I was a kid, we used to have a large German Shepard named Thor. He weighed 145 lbs. and was very, very tall for a German Shepard. A gentle giant. He used to sit in the yard and when the smaller kids were playing and got too close to the road, Thor would trot over and herd them away from the road. No one ever taught him that, he just knew it was his job and he did it cheerfully.
He was a great dog. In his 13 years of life, I never once saw aggression from him. Just a happy, family dog who loved hugs! If you asked him for a hug, he would put his front paws on your shoulders, lean his head over your shoulder and make a “growl”. My dad always thought he was imitating “man hugs”, because once again, no one really took the time to teach him that. But he loved hugs and his tail would wag furiously when he gave them.
When he passed, the whole neighborhood came to say goodbye to him before my dad drove him to the vet to be put to sleep. It was like a living wake. His hips were gone and he could no longer stand much so the kids and adults just knelt next to him and took turns hugging him as his tail wagged slowly and he doled out the dog kisses to his favorite people.
We still miss Thor to this day. What a dog.
Maybe this is a game they have played before.
Not to be too cynical, but the fact that someone (presumably the parent) is filming this suggests that it’s well-rehearsed. Otherwise the camera gets tossed on the cameraman wades to the kids rescue, dog or no dog.
The good doggie is on lead too.
Fractal Rabbit:
Sounds like a wonderful dog. I really like dogs generally, but certain dogs stand out from all the rest.
I Callahan
A Newf. You’re likely right. I’ve only seen Newfs in Black or Black/White, not grey/silver/brown. Another wonderful breed. A friend of mine has two Newfs, a Shih Tzu, and an African Grey Parrot. Guess who rules the roost. Yep, the parrot.
In our house, we have two Kees. Guess who rules the roost? That would be my wife.
Ah, Fractal Rabbit, Thor was a Good Dog. I have known many dogs, most of which were good dogs and a few of which were Good Dogs. Once known they aren’t forgotten. I’m glad you and Thor had the chance to know each other.
Fractal Rabbit, you really got to me with that one. Teared right up. Dogs are truly humans’ best friends. What a blessing to have had a dog like Thor.
Fractal – I was just listening to Mr Bojangles again while reading the comments here. AesopSpouse’s family had a child-sitting dog who also knew instinctively to keep the kids herded away from the road.
“After 20 years he still grieved.”
Not maudlin, not maudlin at all.
Because dyin’ is just part of livin’.
Here are two more Deguellos
Version 4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEBLbWLldR0
Version 5 This one is a variation of No.2 (about 40 secs) I used this as a custom ringtone during the Obama maladministration.
https://youtu.be/8ObX8tz0hkY?t=26
And now for something completely different.
Here is a strange Seattle quirk. This performance of this song is a Seattle area Christmas song. Read the comments.
“Stop the Cavalry” by The Cory Band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O91kqMsigZs
Here are the lyrics:
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over here
To say we’re doing splendidly
But it’s very cold out here in the snow
Marching to and from the enemy
Oh I say it’s tough, I have had enough
Can you stop the cavalry?
I have had to fight almost every night
Down throughout these centuries
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
Can you stop the cavalry?
Mary Bradley waits at home
In the nuclear fallout zone
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Bang! That’s another bomb on another town
While the Tsar and Jim have tea
If I get home, live to tell the tale
I’ll run for all presidencies
If I get elected I’ll stop
I will stop the cavalry
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dum-dum-dub-a-dum
Dub-a-dub-a-dum
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Wish I could be dancing now
In the arms of the girl I love
Mary Bradley waits at home
She’s been waiting two years long
Wish I was at home for Christmas
Now, J.J., Mrs. Whatsit, and Aesopfan,
Thor was the best, and we were lucky to have had him. The Ball and Chain jokingly likes to say my heart is a small, jagged piece of coal because I almost never get emotional. But just writing that up made me emotional, all the memories good and bad (his decline in health when he injured his hip) but mostly good. He really was family.
A couple of interesting facts about Thor. His grandfather was was somewhat famous in the dog world. According to his AKC papers, Thor’s grandfather was the same German Shepherd who fathered a couple of movie dogs, including one used in the 1989 movie ‘K-9’ with Jim Belushi.
My father got Thor for a very, very discounted price because no one wanted him. He was identified as having a number of flaws very young. I believe his coloring, both coat and eyes (heterochromia) made him undesirable as well as his size, even then. Experienced breeders and dog people could tell he was going to be very large, too large for a German Shepherd and believed he would have severe health problems his whole life because of it. One expert said he would be euthanized by the time he was 3 or 4 due to hip or back problems. But Thor’s only health problem was his hip, which he injured at 13, and only because he slipped on some ice while playing with our other dog, an Australian Shepherd. My dad had paid $250 dollars for him.
Chases Eagles – hooray for Stop the Cavalry! It has indeed been a quirky Christmas favorite here in the Pacific Northwest for years. I have the single on a CD but still crank up the radio when it comes on.