“Our canoes go with the river, but no longer easily or lazily. Every step of the way must be carefully chosen; now close to the steep bank where the bushes hang over; now in mid-stream among the huge pointed rocks; now by the lowest point of a broad sunken ledge where the water sweeps smoothly [...]
Archive for May, 2009
Canoes
Posted in Art, Environment, Literature on May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Alaskan Mail Carrier
Posted in Art, Mail, Postal History on May 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Because I love the post office and N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), I am naturally a fool for “Alaskan Mail Carrier,” an illustration in which a postman has fought for his life (and the mail) with a pack of wolves on a frozen lake. The image was said to be based on an actual event, but Wyeth [...]
San Cayetano
Posted in Art, Incense, Religion on May 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
San Cayetano/San Gaetano/Saint Cajetan (1480-1547) sought out the sick and poor, and served them, and sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church itself, rather than withdraw from it in the manner of the Protestants.
He founded a hospital for incurables at Venice, where he was devoted to spiritual healing as well as the physical kind. He [...]
Kenitorial
Posted in Commentary on May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
While jarring my memory with my senior year high school yearbook, the Kenitorial of 1964, I came across this parting endearment: “Good Lord, am I glad you’re not going to be in my classes next year.”
My thanks to Ronald L. Kern, who made me laugh in 1964 and again in 2009. Good material, Ron, wherever [...]
The Little Wet Foot
Posted in Art, Literature on May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Two illustrations by Frank E. Schoonover (1877-1972), one of my culture heroes, for “The Little Wet Foot” by William Gilmore Beymer (1881–1969) published in Harper’s Magazine in April and May of 1913.
The Angel Zadkiel
Posted in Art, Incense, Religion on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Zadkiel, “righteousness of God,” is the angel of freedom, benevolence and mercy. He is the patron angel of those who forgive. Zadkiel was said to be the Angel who prevented Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac, and is often pictured, paradoxically, holding a dagger.
In studying the lore of angels, I have found that there are [...]
The Angel Jophiel
Posted in Art, Incense, Religion on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Jophiel, whose name means “beauty of God,” is another candidate for guardian of the Tree of Knowledge and expeller of Adam and Eve. Day to day, he is the enemy of all who pursue vain knowledge and is often pictured with a flaming sword that he wields to prevent humanity’s return to the Garden of [...]
The Angel Uriel
Posted in Art, Incense, Religion on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Uriel’s name means “Light of God” and he is often pictured with a scroll and book. In the apocryphal book of Esdras, he serves as a teacher of God’s ways. In heaven, Uriel is said to be the head of all angels of salvation, light, and peace. He is the light bearer for the Gospel [...]
The Angel Raphael
Posted in Art, Incense, Religion on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Raphael’s name means “God’s healing” and he heals sickness of the spirit and the body. In the apocryphal Book of Tobit, he cures Tobit’s blindness, restores his family’s wealth, and makes it possible for Tobit’s son to marry his beloved; after all this, Raphael reveals himself as an angel sent by God to accomplish these [...]
Thank You, Cuba
Posted in Commentary on May 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Yesterday, Dick Cheney noted that if the Guantanamo detainees are moved to American soil, U.S. taxpayers will have to support them. Until that moment, I had no idea that Cuba has been footing the bill for the past seven years.
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