Have an excellent weekend. See you bright and early first thing Monday morning, when we welcome in the month of June. Time is flying.
Friday, May 29, 2026
'Untitled'
In the periods of my life when time for visual art was unavailable, I would make these types of extremely quick simple paintings. Oil on paper, 6 inches by 9 inches.
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Merton
“The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them” - Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Reality
From Yellowstone wolf expert Rick McIntyre:
"I checked the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks website during that time (2022) and saw that a person could legally shoot up to ten wolves. A license required to kill ten wolves cost $140. That meant that the state was placing a value of $14 on each wolf taken. There is another way to estimate the value of a wolf. Since Yellowstone tends to have an average of a hundred wolves and the wolves bring in an estimated $82 million to the local communities (motels, wolf sight seeing tours, gift shops, etc), you could say that each wolf is worth $820,000. Wolves are far more valuable to the local economy alive than dead."
"I checked the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks website during that time (2022) and saw that a person could legally shoot up to ten wolves. A license required to kill ten wolves cost $140. That meant that the state was placing a value of $14 on each wolf taken. There is another way to estimate the value of a wolf. Since Yellowstone tends to have an average of a hundred wolves and the wolves bring in an estimated $82 million to the local communities (motels, wolf sight seeing tours, gift shops, etc), you could say that each wolf is worth $820,000. Wolves are far more valuable to the local economy alive than dead."
Always
“The person who writes for fools is always sure of a large audience.” ― Arthur Schopenhauer - 'Religion: A Dialogue and Other Essays'
Oliver
Mary Oliver - "Attention is the beginning of devotion."
Penguin Random House: Excerpt from 'Upstream' by Author Mary Oliver
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Sneak
Fashion is not one of the objects of this blog, however, these caught my eye.
Maison Margiela Leather Black Fusion Low Sneakers for Men
Jetsunma
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo - "We should be very careful with our speech. We affect people tremendously by what we say. People remember – oh I know– people quote back to me things I said years ago! People are affected by our speech. Therefore, we should be very careful. We really are very mindless when we talk – chatter, chatter, chatter. Our speech gets into patterns especially among people with whom we are in some kind of relationship, such as our partners or children and so on. Have you ever listened to a husband and wife talk to each other, especially when they get locked into a negative pattern? He says this, she says that and then he answers this and she retaliates that and it escalates. Every time it’s the same. It’s just a variation of the same theme. They don’t even hear it anymore. For these kinds of couples, perhaps we should have a tape-recorder or a video camera and play it back to them so that they can see for themselves. This might help so that they can break out of that negative speech pattern. We could try putting things in a different way. We know if we say that, we are going to press his buttons, so why say it that way? We really have to be very careful, very conscious. We as human beings have this very rare gift of communication through speech, but we use it too casually and we should really be very conscious and aware how what we do affect others. We do affect others so deeply by our speech. Often we say certain things in a moment of irritation; we don’t really mean it, but it just comes out. However people hold it in their hearts and they remember. They don’t forget and so we have to be very responsible."
Monday, May 25, 2026
Effect
"The illusory truth effect is the tendency to believe false information is true after it has been repeated multiple times. This phenomenon occurs because repeated statements become easier to process, leading people to misattribute that familiarity as a signal of truth."
Screens
"Avoiding screens for at least one hour before bed is crucial for better sleep quality, as blue light from devices suppresses melatonin production and mimics daylight, keeping the brain alert. Implementing a "digital sunset" helps prevent sleep disruption, insomnia, and reduced REM sleep, while fostering a calmer, more restful night."
Other
From AI Gemini:
The Theory of Mind (ToM)— often referred to as the "Theory of Other Minds"—is the cognitive ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions, and emotions) to oneself and others.
It is the understanding that other people have perspectives, knowledge, and motivations that are different from your own.
Core Components
- Perspective-Taking: Recognizing that someone else may not see what you see or know what you know.
- False Belief Understanding: The realization that a person can believe something that is objectively untrue (e.g., looking for keys in a drawer where they think they are, even if you moved them).
- Intentionality: Distinguishing between purposeful actions and accidental ones.
Why It Matters
Without this "theory," the social world would be incomprehensible. It allows us to:
1. Predict Behavior: If you know your friend is hungry, you can predict they will head toward the kitchen.
2. Empathize: By inferring another person’s emotional state, you can respond with appropriate care.
3. Communicate Effectively: We adjust how we speak based on what we assume the listener already knows.
Development
In humans, this typically develops between the ages of 3 and 5. A classic way to test this is the Sally-Anne Test, which determines if a child can understand that a character will look for an object where they last saw it, rather than where it actually is now.
The Theory of Mind (ToM)— often referred to as the "Theory of Other Minds"—is the cognitive ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, intentions, and emotions) to oneself and others.
It is the understanding that other people have perspectives, knowledge, and motivations that are different from your own.
Core Components
- Perspective-Taking: Recognizing that someone else may not see what you see or know what you know.
- False Belief Understanding: The realization that a person can believe something that is objectively untrue (e.g., looking for keys in a drawer where they think they are, even if you moved them).
- Intentionality: Distinguishing between purposeful actions and accidental ones.
Why It Matters
Without this "theory," the social world would be incomprehensible. It allows us to:
1. Predict Behavior: If you know your friend is hungry, you can predict they will head toward the kitchen.
2. Empathize: By inferring another person’s emotional state, you can respond with appropriate care.
3. Communicate Effectively: We adjust how we speak based on what we assume the listener already knows.
Development
In humans, this typically develops between the ages of 3 and 5. A classic way to test this is the Sally-Anne Test, which determines if a child can understand that a character will look for an object where they last saw it, rather than where it actually is now.
Friday, May 22, 2026
'Greensleeves'
"Jim Sande makes an elegant debut on our label with a beautifully nuanced solo classical guitar performance of the traditional timeless melody, "Greensleeves.""
36 Hour Fast
From AI Gemini:
A 36-hour fast, often referred to as "Monk Fasting," is a form of extended intermittent fasting that pushes the body beyond the typical daily feeding cycle. This duration is significant because it allows the body to transition fully through several metabolic stages.
Here are the primary health benefits associated with a 36-hour fast:
1. Enhanced Autophagy
Autophagy is the body’s "cellular cleanup" process. Around the 24- to 30-hour mark, the body significantly ramps up the breakdown and recycling of damaged proteins and old cellular components. This process is linked to improved cellular health and may play a role in long-term disease prevention.
2. Deep Ketosis and Metabolic Flexibility
While shorter fasts initiate ketosis, a 36-hour window typically exhausts glycogen stores in the liver. This forces the body to rely almost exclusively on stored body fat for fuel. Regularly entering this state can improve metabolic flexibility, making it easier for your body to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat.
3. Insulin Sensitivity
Extended fasting provides a prolonged period where insulin levels remain at a baseline low. This can help "reset" insulin receptors, which is particularly beneficial for improving blood sugar regulation and reducing systemic inflammation.
4. Growth Hormone Secretion
Studies have shown that fasting for 24 to 48 hours can trigger a significant spike in Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH helps protect lean muscle mass and supports tissue repair, which is essential when the body is not receiving external nutrients.
5. Neurological Benefits
Fasting increases the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein acts like "Miracle-Gro" for the brain, supporting the survival of existing neurons and encouraging the growth of new ones, which can improve focus and cognitive clarity.
Important Considerations
Re-feeding: The meal following a 36-hour fast should be easy to digest. Focus on high-quality proteins and healthy fats rather than a large influx of refined carbohydrates to avoid a massive insulin spike.
Hydration: It is vital to consume plenty of water and maintain electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, and magnesium) during the fast to prevent dizziness or headaches.
Listen to your body: If you feel intense lightheadedness or unwell, it is better to break the fast early.
Note: Because of the physiological stress an extended fast can place on the body, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before trying it, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication.
A 36-hour fast, often referred to as "Monk Fasting," is a form of extended intermittent fasting that pushes the body beyond the typical daily feeding cycle. This duration is significant because it allows the body to transition fully through several metabolic stages.
Here are the primary health benefits associated with a 36-hour fast:
1. Enhanced Autophagy
Autophagy is the body’s "cellular cleanup" process. Around the 24- to 30-hour mark, the body significantly ramps up the breakdown and recycling of damaged proteins and old cellular components. This process is linked to improved cellular health and may play a role in long-term disease prevention.
2. Deep Ketosis and Metabolic Flexibility
While shorter fasts initiate ketosis, a 36-hour window typically exhausts glycogen stores in the liver. This forces the body to rely almost exclusively on stored body fat for fuel. Regularly entering this state can improve metabolic flexibility, making it easier for your body to switch between burning carbohydrates and fat.
3. Insulin Sensitivity
Extended fasting provides a prolonged period where insulin levels remain at a baseline low. This can help "reset" insulin receptors, which is particularly beneficial for improving blood sugar regulation and reducing systemic inflammation.
4. Growth Hormone Secretion
Studies have shown that fasting for 24 to 48 hours can trigger a significant spike in Human Growth Hormone (HGH). HGH helps protect lean muscle mass and supports tissue repair, which is essential when the body is not receiving external nutrients.
5. Neurological Benefits
Fasting increases the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). This protein acts like "Miracle-Gro" for the brain, supporting the survival of existing neurons and encouraging the growth of new ones, which can improve focus and cognitive clarity.
Important Considerations
Re-feeding: The meal following a 36-hour fast should be easy to digest. Focus on high-quality proteins and healthy fats rather than a large influx of refined carbohydrates to avoid a massive insulin spike.
Hydration: It is vital to consume plenty of water and maintain electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, and magnesium) during the fast to prevent dizziness or headaches.
Listen to your body: If you feel intense lightheadedness or unwell, it is better to break the fast early.
Note: Because of the physiological stress an extended fast can place on the body, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before trying it, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medication.
Thursday, May 21, 2026
KELS - 'Gone' - Live In The Garage
My new favorite band; a woman with a voice as golden as Amy Winehouse, and who goes trailer park.
Worms
USDA.gov: Earthworms
Earthworms play a key role in modifying the physical structure of soils by producing new aggregates and pores, which improves soil tilth, aeration, infiltration, and drainage. Earthworms produce binding agents responsible for the formation of water-stable macro-aggregates.Three Ingredient Gluten-Free And Sugar-Free Cookies
From AI Gemini:
Here are two distinct options that are simple, quick, and naturally gluten-free and sugar-free.
1. The 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cloud
This is a classic "flourless" recipe. It relies on the natural oils and proteins in the nut butter to create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter (ensure it is the "natural" kind with no added sugar)
1 large Egg
1/2 cup Erythritol or Monk Fruit sweetener (granular)
Optional: A pinch of sea salt on top.
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a dough forms.
3. Roll into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down with a fork to create a criss-cross pattern.
4. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Let them cool completely on the pan, as they are very fragile while warm.
----------------
2. The 3-Ingredient Almond "Shortbread"
If you prefer a denser, heartier cookie, almond flour is an excellent base. This version is more biscuit-like and less sweet than the peanut butter version.
2 cups Super-Fine Almond Flour
1/4 cup Melted Coconut Oil (or melted grass-fed butter)
3 tbsp Liquid Stevia or Monk Fruit drops (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
Optional: 1 tsp Vanilla extract for aroma.
Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 165°C (325°F).
2. Combine the ingredients until the mixture holds together when pressed.
3. Form into discs and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden.
5. Crucial step: These must cool for at least 20 minutes to "set" their structure.
A Quick Tip on Texture
Since these recipes lack sugar (which caramelizes and hardens) and gluten (which provides "chew"), they rely entirely on cooling to firm up. If they feel soft when they come out of the oven, don't worry—they will crisp up as they reach room temperature.
Here are two distinct options that are simple, quick, and naturally gluten-free and sugar-free.
1. The 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cloud
This is a classic "flourless" recipe. It relies on the natural oils and proteins in the nut butter to create a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter (ensure it is the "natural" kind with no added sugar)
1 large Egg
1/2 cup Erythritol or Monk Fruit sweetener (granular)
Optional: A pinch of sea salt on top.
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until a dough forms.
3. Roll into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down with a fork to create a criss-cross pattern.
4. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Let them cool completely on the pan, as they are very fragile while warm.
----------------
2. The 3-Ingredient Almond "Shortbread"
If you prefer a denser, heartier cookie, almond flour is an excellent base. This version is more biscuit-like and less sweet than the peanut butter version.
2 cups Super-Fine Almond Flour
1/4 cup Melted Coconut Oil (or melted grass-fed butter)
3 tbsp Liquid Stevia or Monk Fruit drops (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
Optional: 1 tsp Vanilla extract for aroma.
Instructions: 1. Preheat your oven to 165°C (325°F).
2. Combine the ingredients until the mixture holds together when pressed.
3. Form into discs and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are just barely golden.
5. Crucial step: These must cool for at least 20 minutes to "set" their structure.
A Quick Tip on Texture
Since these recipes lack sugar (which caramelizes and hardens) and gluten (which provides "chew"), they rely entirely on cooling to firm up. If they feel soft when they come out of the oven, don't worry—they will crisp up as they reach room temperature.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Macke
August Macke 1887–1914 - 'Landscape With Three Girls' 1911 - oil on cardboard. August Robert Ludwig Macke was one of the leading members of the German Expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter.
Wolf Saliva
From AI Gemini:
The idea that wolf saliva has medicinal properties is a fascinating mix of biological reality and historical folklore. While it contains compounds that can aid in healing, it also carries significant risks.
Here is the breakdown of what is actually in the "medicine cabinet" of a wolf's mouth:
1. The Biological "Antiseptics"
Like many mammals, wolves have saliva rich in specific enzymes and proteins that serve as a first line of defense:
Lysozyme and Peroxidase: These enzymes attack the cell walls of certain bacteria, helping to prevent infection in minor scrapes.
Histatins: These are simple proteins that promote the migration of skin cells, which can physically close a wound faster.
Nitrate breakdown: Saliva contains nitrates that, when in contact with skin, break down into nitric oxide, a compound that inhibits bacterial growth.
Opiorphin: Interestingly, some research suggests saliva contains a natural painkiller (an enkephalin) that can be more potent than morphine in terms of its weight-to-analgesia ratio.
2. Mechanical Benefits
The act of licking itself serves a purpose:
Debridement: The rough tongue of a wolf helps clear away dirt, debris, and dead tissue from a wound site.
Lactoferrin: This protein binds to iron, "starving" bacteria that need iron to multiply.
3. The "Carnivore Conundrum" (The Risks)
Despite these healing factors, using wolf saliva medicinally is highly dangerous for two main reasons:
Pathogenic Bacteria: As carnivores and scavengers, wolves harbor bacteria like Pasteurella multocida. While harmless in the mouth, these can cause severe septicemia (blood poisoning) or tissue necrosis if introduced into a human's open wound.
Parasites: Their mouths can also host various zoonotic parasites and viruses (including rabies in wild populations) that far outweigh any minor antiseptic benefit.
Historical and Folk Context
The "medicinal wolf" concept appears frequently in mythology and early natural history:
Ancient Lore: In many cultures, the saliva of "noble" animals like wolves or hounds was thought to cure everything from sores to blindness (a belief famously attributed to the Roman Emperor Vespasian).
Modern Observations: Wolf researchers, like Shaun Ellis, have documented pack members licking each other's (and even the researcher's) wounds, noting that the wounds often remained remarkably clean despite the lack of conventional medicine.
The Verdict: While wolf saliva is chemically geared toward survival and basic wound care in the wild, the bacterial "payload" it carries makes it a poor—and potentially lethal—substitute for modern first aid.
The idea that wolf saliva has medicinal properties is a fascinating mix of biological reality and historical folklore. While it contains compounds that can aid in healing, it also carries significant risks.
Here is the breakdown of what is actually in the "medicine cabinet" of a wolf's mouth:
1. The Biological "Antiseptics"
Like many mammals, wolves have saliva rich in specific enzymes and proteins that serve as a first line of defense:
Lysozyme and Peroxidase: These enzymes attack the cell walls of certain bacteria, helping to prevent infection in minor scrapes.
Histatins: These are simple proteins that promote the migration of skin cells, which can physically close a wound faster.
Nitrate breakdown: Saliva contains nitrates that, when in contact with skin, break down into nitric oxide, a compound that inhibits bacterial growth.
Opiorphin: Interestingly, some research suggests saliva contains a natural painkiller (an enkephalin) that can be more potent than morphine in terms of its weight-to-analgesia ratio.
2. Mechanical Benefits
The act of licking itself serves a purpose:
Debridement: The rough tongue of a wolf helps clear away dirt, debris, and dead tissue from a wound site.
Lactoferrin: This protein binds to iron, "starving" bacteria that need iron to multiply.
3. The "Carnivore Conundrum" (The Risks)
Despite these healing factors, using wolf saliva medicinally is highly dangerous for two main reasons:
Pathogenic Bacteria: As carnivores and scavengers, wolves harbor bacteria like Pasteurella multocida. While harmless in the mouth, these can cause severe septicemia (blood poisoning) or tissue necrosis if introduced into a human's open wound.
Parasites: Their mouths can also host various zoonotic parasites and viruses (including rabies in wild populations) that far outweigh any minor antiseptic benefit.
Historical and Folk Context
The "medicinal wolf" concept appears frequently in mythology and early natural history:
Ancient Lore: In many cultures, the saliva of "noble" animals like wolves or hounds was thought to cure everything from sores to blindness (a belief famously attributed to the Roman Emperor Vespasian).
Modern Observations: Wolf researchers, like Shaun Ellis, have documented pack members licking each other's (and even the researcher's) wounds, noting that the wounds often remained remarkably clean despite the lack of conventional medicine.
The Verdict: While wolf saliva is chemically geared toward survival and basic wound care in the wild, the bacterial "payload" it carries makes it a poor—and potentially lethal—substitute for modern first aid.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Wolves
A passage by Yellowstone wolf expert Rick McIntyre. This incident was in September 2021.
“That same month, a big male grizzly often hung out with the Junction wolves in their Lamar Valley rendezvous site. The pups quickly got used to his presence and mostly ignored the bear. One day he bedded down with twenty-seven Junction wolves, looking like a member of the pack. When the wolves got up and moved off, the bear followed along. I figured he was counting on the wolves to make a kill so he could get a share of the meat. We began to refer to him as Friend Bear.”
“I wondered what the grizzly would do if the Junctions got in a fight with a rival pack. I felt he would likely charge at the other wolves, whom he would not have known. The bear was four times the size of the adult wolves, so he would be a prime asset in a battle. That meant the Junctions had a bouncer the size of the Hulk on their side.”
“That same month, a big male grizzly often hung out with the Junction wolves in their Lamar Valley rendezvous site. The pups quickly got used to his presence and mostly ignored the bear. One day he bedded down with twenty-seven Junction wolves, looking like a member of the pack. When the wolves got up and moved off, the bear followed along. I figured he was counting on the wolves to make a kill so he could get a share of the meat. We began to refer to him as Friend Bear.”
“I wondered what the grizzly would do if the Junctions got in a fight with a rival pack. I felt he would likely charge at the other wolves, whom he would not have known. The bear was four times the size of the adult wolves, so he would be a prime asset in a battle. That meant the Junctions had a bouncer the size of the Hulk on their side.”
Baldwin
"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." James Baldwin
Knicks Have Several Advantages To Go To In The ECF Against The Cavs!
Knicks fans, tonight is the moment of truth. Game one of the ECF is on tonight at 8PM EST and will be aired on ESPN. I expect the Knicks to come out slow and then hopefully they'll figure it out and work to tie the score. The Knicks are working on a 9 day layoff whereas the Cavs last game was Sunday night, 2 days ago. The Cavs are still running on adrenaline.
Grow
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again." Abraham Maslow
"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again." Abraham Maslow
Monday, May 18, 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026
Hope
"Hope is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul" Emily Dickinson
"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming." Pablo Neruda
"Hope is a waking dream." Aristotle
"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming." Pablo Neruda
"Hope is a waking dream." Aristotle
Homer
Winslow Homer 1836–1910 - 'The Adirondack Guide' 1894
watercolor over graphite pencil on paper 15 3/16" x 21 1/2"
Thursday, May 14, 2026
The Rolling Stones - 'In The Stars'
Apparently they can't tolerate looking 80 years old, so they go AI.
Purpose
"Among people 70 and older, a strong sense of purpose is the single most important psychological predictor of longevity. Not social connection. Not optimism. Purpose."
- Dr. Richie Davidson
- Dr. Richie Davidson
Plato
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." Plato
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Love
"There is no remedy for love but to love more." Henry David Thoreau
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." Buddha
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller
"You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." Buddha
Neruda
Nothing But Death by Pablo Neruda 1904–1973
There are cemeteries that are lonely,
graves full of bones that do not make a sound,
the heart moving through a tunnel,
in it darkness, darkness, darkness,
like a shipwreck we die going into ourselves,
as though we were drowning inside our hearts,
as though we lived falling out of the skin into the soul.
And there are corpses,
feet made of cold and sticky clay,
death is inside the bones,
like a barking where there are no dogs,
coming out from bells somewhere, from graves somewhere,
growing in the damp air like tears of rain.
Sometimes I see alone
coffins under sail,
embarking with the pale dead, with women that have dead hair,
with bakers who are as white as angels,
and pensive young girls married to notary publics,
caskets sailing up the vertical river of the dead,
the river of dark purple,
moving upstream with sails filled out by the sound of death,
filled by the sound of death which is silence.
Death arrives among all that sound
like a shoe with no foot in it, like a suit with no man in it,
comes and knocks, using a ring with no stone in it, with no
finger in it,
comes and shouts with no mouth, with no tongue, with no
throat.
Nevertheless its steps can be heard
and its clothing makes a hushed sound, like a tree.
I'm not sure, I understand only a little, I can hardly see,
but it seems to me that its singing has the color of damp violets,
of violets that are at home in the earth,
because the face of death is green,
and the look death gives is green,
with the penetrating dampness of a violet leaf
and the somber color of embittered winter.
But death also goes through the world dressed as a broom,
lapping the floor, looking for dead bodies,
death is inside the broom,
the broom is the tongue of death looking for corpses,
it is the needle of death looking for thread.
Death is inside the folding cots:
it spends its life sleeping on the slow mattresses,
in the black blankets, and suddenly breathes out:
it blows out a mournful sound that swells the sheets,
and the beds go sailing toward a port
where death is waiting, dressed like an admiral.
There are cemeteries that are lonely,
graves full of bones that do not make a sound,
the heart moving through a tunnel,
in it darkness, darkness, darkness,
like a shipwreck we die going into ourselves,
as though we were drowning inside our hearts,
as though we lived falling out of the skin into the soul.
And there are corpses,
feet made of cold and sticky clay,
death is inside the bones,
like a barking where there are no dogs,
coming out from bells somewhere, from graves somewhere,
growing in the damp air like tears of rain.
Sometimes I see alone
coffins under sail,
embarking with the pale dead, with women that have dead hair,
with bakers who are as white as angels,
and pensive young girls married to notary publics,
caskets sailing up the vertical river of the dead,
the river of dark purple,
moving upstream with sails filled out by the sound of death,
filled by the sound of death which is silence.
Death arrives among all that sound
like a shoe with no foot in it, like a suit with no man in it,
comes and knocks, using a ring with no stone in it, with no
finger in it,
comes and shouts with no mouth, with no tongue, with no
throat.
Nevertheless its steps can be heard
and its clothing makes a hushed sound, like a tree.
I'm not sure, I understand only a little, I can hardly see,
but it seems to me that its singing has the color of damp violets,
of violets that are at home in the earth,
because the face of death is green,
and the look death gives is green,
with the penetrating dampness of a violet leaf
and the somber color of embittered winter.
But death also goes through the world dressed as a broom,
lapping the floor, looking for dead bodies,
death is inside the broom,
the broom is the tongue of death looking for corpses,
it is the needle of death looking for thread.
Death is inside the folding cots:
it spends its life sleeping on the slow mattresses,
in the black blankets, and suddenly breathes out:
it blows out a mournful sound that swells the sheets,
and the beds go sailing toward a port
where death is waiting, dressed like an admiral.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Mice
From AI Gemini:
It is a well-documented scientific fact: male mice sing "love songs" to females.
While we usually think of mouse sounds as simple squeaks, these vocalizations are actually complex, melodic sequences that occur in the ultrasonic range—well above the limit of human hearing.
The Mechanics of the Song
- Mice produce these sounds using a mechanism similar to a supersonic jet engine. Instead of vibrating their vocal cords like humans do, they aim a small jet of air from the windpipe against the inner wall of the larynx. This creates a high-frequency whistle known as an Ultrasonic Vocalization (USV).
- Frequency: These songs typically range from 30 kHz to 110 kHz. For context, the upper limit of human hearing is about 20 kHz.
- Complexity: Research has shown that these aren't just random noises. They have a syllable-based structure, rhythm, and distinct "motifs" that resemble the songs of birds.
Why Do They Sing?
The primary purpose of these songs is courtship. When a male mouse senses the pheromones of a female, he begins his serenade.
- Attraction: Female mice show a clear preference for these songs and will actually move toward the source of the sound.
- Individual "Styles": Evidence suggests that different males have unique singing styles. Females often prefer songs that are more complex or distinct from those of their siblings, which helps ensure genetic diversity.
- The "Duet": While males are the primary singers during courtship, recent studies suggest that females may occasionally chirp back, creating a high-speed ultrasonic dialogue.
How Scientists Study Them
Because we can’t hear them naturally, scientists use specialized "bat detectors" or high-speed microphones to record the sounds. They then pitch the recordings down—essentially slowing them down and lowering the frequency—so the human ear can appreciate the melody.
When shifted into our hearing range, the songs sound remarkably like a series of rapid, high-pitched bird chirps or whistles. It’s a sophisticated communication system that remained a secret to humans for decades simply because we weren't tuned into the right frequency.
It is a well-documented scientific fact: male mice sing "love songs" to females.
While we usually think of mouse sounds as simple squeaks, these vocalizations are actually complex, melodic sequences that occur in the ultrasonic range—well above the limit of human hearing.
The Mechanics of the Song
- Mice produce these sounds using a mechanism similar to a supersonic jet engine. Instead of vibrating their vocal cords like humans do, they aim a small jet of air from the windpipe against the inner wall of the larynx. This creates a high-frequency whistle known as an Ultrasonic Vocalization (USV).
- Frequency: These songs typically range from 30 kHz to 110 kHz. For context, the upper limit of human hearing is about 20 kHz.
- Complexity: Research has shown that these aren't just random noises. They have a syllable-based structure, rhythm, and distinct "motifs" that resemble the songs of birds.
Why Do They Sing?
The primary purpose of these songs is courtship. When a male mouse senses the pheromones of a female, he begins his serenade.
- Attraction: Female mice show a clear preference for these songs and will actually move toward the source of the sound.
- Individual "Styles": Evidence suggests that different males have unique singing styles. Females often prefer songs that are more complex or distinct from those of their siblings, which helps ensure genetic diversity.
- The "Duet": While males are the primary singers during courtship, recent studies suggest that females may occasionally chirp back, creating a high-speed ultrasonic dialogue.
How Scientists Study Them
Because we can’t hear them naturally, scientists use specialized "bat detectors" or high-speed microphones to record the sounds. They then pitch the recordings down—essentially slowing them down and lowering the frequency—so the human ear can appreciate the melody.
When shifted into our hearing range, the songs sound remarkably like a series of rapid, high-pitched bird chirps or whistles. It’s a sophisticated communication system that remained a secret to humans for decades simply because we weren't tuned into the right frequency.
Monday, May 11, 2026
Music Release
My first classical guitar release through G² Records and Publishing is due out on all streaming platforms May 22, 2026. The music is 'Greensleeves' by Francis Cutting.
Tree
Tree by Jane Hirshfield
It is foolish
to let a young redwood
grow next to a house.
Even in this
one lifetime,
you will have to choose.
That great calm being,
this clutter of soup pots and books—
Already the first branch-tips brush at the window.
Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.
It is foolish
to let a young redwood
grow next to a house.
Even in this
one lifetime,
you will have to choose.
That great calm being,
this clutter of soup pots and books—
Already the first branch-tips brush at the window.
Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.
Friday, May 08, 2026
Clarke
'I’ve lately come to realize' by John Cooper Clarke
I’ve lately come to realize
With every passing day
That "for example"
Is not the same as
"In your case."
I’ve lately come to realize
With every passing day
That "for example"
Is not the same as
"In your case."
Japanglish
From AI Gemini:
Essentially, Japanglish (a portmanteau of Japan and English) refers to the unique and often creative ways the Japanese language incorporates and adapts English words. While it is sometimes used as a slang term for "broken English," it more accurately describes a specific linguistic phenomenon known in Japan as Wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English).
Here is a breakdown of how it works and why it exists:
1. Wasei-eigo (Japanese-Made English)
These are words that sound like English but were actually invented in Japan. They often use English roots to create a new concept that doesn't exist in English-speaking countries.
Salaryman (sararīman): An office worker or corporate employee.
Skinship (sukinshippu): Physical bonding or closeness, like holding hands or hugging.
Handle-name (handoru nēmu): An online username or alias.
2. Loanwords (Katakana English)
These are standard English words borrowed into Japanese. Because the Japanese phonetic system is syllable-based, these words are modified to fit Japanese pronunciation, often making them unrecognizable to native English speakers at first.
Personal Computer becomes Pāsoru konpyūta (often shortened to Pasokon).
McDonald’s becomes Makudonarudo (shortened to Makku).
Ice cream becomes Aisukurīmu.
3. Meaning Shifts
Sometimes, Japan adopts a real English word but changes its meaning entirely.
Cunning (kanningu): In Japan, this specifically means cheating on a test, rather than being sly or clever.
Mansion (manshon): This refers to a standard apartment or condominium, not a giant estate.
Claim (kuremu): This is used to mean a customer complaint.
Note: Japanglish is distinct from Engrish, which typically refers to humorous or accidental mistranslations found on Japanese signage, clothing, or product packaging. Japanglish is a functional, everyday part of the Japanese lexicon.
Essentially, Japanglish (a portmanteau of Japan and English) refers to the unique and often creative ways the Japanese language incorporates and adapts English words. While it is sometimes used as a slang term for "broken English," it more accurately describes a specific linguistic phenomenon known in Japan as Wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English).
Here is a breakdown of how it works and why it exists:
1. Wasei-eigo (Japanese-Made English)
These are words that sound like English but were actually invented in Japan. They often use English roots to create a new concept that doesn't exist in English-speaking countries.
Salaryman (sararīman): An office worker or corporate employee.
Skinship (sukinshippu): Physical bonding or closeness, like holding hands or hugging.
Handle-name (handoru nēmu): An online username or alias.
2. Loanwords (Katakana English)
These are standard English words borrowed into Japanese. Because the Japanese phonetic system is syllable-based, these words are modified to fit Japanese pronunciation, often making them unrecognizable to native English speakers at first.
Personal Computer becomes Pāsoru konpyūta (often shortened to Pasokon).
McDonald’s becomes Makudonarudo (shortened to Makku).
Ice cream becomes Aisukurīmu.
3. Meaning Shifts
Sometimes, Japan adopts a real English word but changes its meaning entirely.
Cunning (kanningu): In Japan, this specifically means cheating on a test, rather than being sly or clever.
Mansion (manshon): This refers to a standard apartment or condominium, not a giant estate.
Claim (kuremu): This is used to mean a customer complaint.
Note: Japanglish is distinct from Engrish, which typically refers to humorous or accidental mistranslations found on Japanese signage, clothing, or product packaging. Japanglish is a functional, everyday part of the Japanese lexicon.
Thursday, May 07, 2026
Gates
“Censorship is to art as lynching is to justice.”
- Henry Louis Gates Jr - Harvard professor and cultural critic
Wednesday, May 06, 2026
Debt
From AI Gemini:
According to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve and consumer credit reports in early 2026, total credit card debt in the U.S. has reached approximately $1.28 trillion.
Here is how that breaks down for "all of us":
1. The Per Household Average
If you take that total and divide it by every household in the country, the average debt is roughly $11,500 per household. This is often considered the most accurate "real world" metric since many expenses and debts are shared within a home.
2. The Per Adult Average
If we look at it on an individual basis for every adult in the U.S., the average is about $4,900 per person. Of course, this includes people who don't even own a credit card or those who pay their balance in full every single month.
3. The "Active Debtor" Average
For those who actually carry a balance from month to month (revolving debt), the number is significantly higher. For these individuals, the average balance is estimated to be closer to $6,700 to $7,000.
A Quick Comparison
To give you some perspective on how this fits into the bigger picture of American debt:
- Total Household Debt: ~$18.8 trillion (includes mortgages, student loans, etc.)
- Mortgage Debt: ~$13.17 trillion (the largest slice by far)
- Auto Loans: ~$1.67 trillion
While credit card debt isn't the largest category, it often feels the heaviest because the interest rates—which are averaging over 21% right now—make it much harder to pay down than a mortgage or a car loan.
According to the most recent data from the Federal Reserve and consumer credit reports in early 2026, total credit card debt in the U.S. has reached approximately $1.28 trillion.
Here is how that breaks down for "all of us":
1. The Per Household Average
If you take that total and divide it by every household in the country, the average debt is roughly $11,500 per household. This is often considered the most accurate "real world" metric since many expenses and debts are shared within a home.
2. The Per Adult Average
If we look at it on an individual basis for every adult in the U.S., the average is about $4,900 per person. Of course, this includes people who don't even own a credit card or those who pay their balance in full every single month.
3. The "Active Debtor" Average
For those who actually carry a balance from month to month (revolving debt), the number is significantly higher. For these individuals, the average balance is estimated to be closer to $6,700 to $7,000.
A Quick Comparison
To give you some perspective on how this fits into the bigger picture of American debt:
- Total Household Debt: ~$18.8 trillion (includes mortgages, student loans, etc.)
- Mortgage Debt: ~$13.17 trillion (the largest slice by far)
- Auto Loans: ~$1.67 trillion
While credit card debt isn't the largest category, it often feels the heaviest because the interest rates—which are averaging over 21% right now—make it much harder to pay down than a mortgage or a car loan.
Justice
Justice by Paul Laurence Dunbar
Enthroned upon the mighty truth,
Within the confines of the laws,
True Justice seeth not the man,
But only hears his cause.
Unconscious of his creed or race,
She cannot see, but only weighs;
For Justice with unbandaged eyes
Would be oppression in disguise.
---------------------------
Harlem by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Enthroned upon the mighty truth,
Within the confines of the laws,
True Justice seeth not the man,
But only hears his cause.
Unconscious of his creed or race,
She cannot see, but only weighs;
For Justice with unbandaged eyes
Would be oppression in disguise.
---------------------------
Harlem by Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Tuesday, May 05, 2026
Monday, May 04, 2026
Twain
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." Mark Twain
Jordan Clarkson Takes New York City
Jordan Clarkson plays for the NY Knicks and he's a phenomenal basketball player.
Delano
Jack Delano 1914-1997 - 'Foggy Night. New Bedford, Massachusetts 1940'
Jack Delano was a photographer, filmmaker, and composer. He also started a television production company, was a cartoonist, poet, professor, and an architectural designer. My kinda guy.
Friday, May 01, 2026
'Nature'
'Nature' written in 1878 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
As a fond mother, when the day is o’er,
Leads by the hand her little child to bed,
Half willing, half reluctant to be led,
And leave his broken playthings on the floor,
Still gazing at them through the open door,
Nor wholly reassured and comforted
By promises of others in their stead,
Which, though more splendid, may not please him more;
So Nature deals with us, and takes away
Our playthings one by one, and by the hand
Leads us to rest so gently, that we go
Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay,
Being too full of sleep to understand
How far the unknown transcends the what we know.
As a fond mother, when the day is o’er,
Leads by the hand her little child to bed,
Half willing, half reluctant to be led,
And leave his broken playthings on the floor,
Still gazing at them through the open door,
Nor wholly reassured and comforted
By promises of others in their stead,
Which, though more splendid, may not please him more;
So Nature deals with us, and takes away
Our playthings one by one, and by the hand
Leads us to rest so gently, that we go
Scarce knowing if we wish to go or stay,
Being too full of sleep to understand
How far the unknown transcends the what we know.
Whoa!
From AI Gemini:
In a major breakthrough that sounds like science fiction, researchers have essentially "uploaded" the first complete adult fruit fly brain into a digital environment.
This wasn't just a static 3D scan; as of March 2026, scientists at a neurotechnology startup called Eon Systems (building on the massive FlyWire project from 2024) have successfully run a full-scale digital emulation of the fruit fly's brain that can control a virtual body.
How They Did It
The process involved several high-tech steps to bridge the gap between biology and code:
- Nanoscale Mapping: Using an ultra-fine diamond knife, researchers sliced a fruit fly brain into over 7,000 sections. These were imaged with an electron microscope to map all 139,255 neurons and over 50 million synapses.
- The Connectome: This "wiring diagram" was compiled into a massive dataset. It’s essentially the structural blueprint of the fly's mind.
- The Emulation: Eon Systems used graph neural networks and biophysical equations to simulate how electrical signals flow through those connections.
- The "Body": They connected this digital brain to a physics-based model of a fly’s body—complete with legs, antennae, and mouthparts—inside a virtual world.
What the "Digital Fly" Can Do
What makes this "upload" significant is that the brain was not "programmed" with instructions on how to move. Instead, when the digital neurons were activated, the wiring alone produced natural behaviors:
- Walking & Grooming: The virtual fly naturally adopted the "tripod" walking pattern real insects use and started cleaning its antennae.
- Sensory Response: When researchers simulated the "smell" of sugar by zapping the specific sensory neurons, the digital fly automatically extended its proboscis (its tongue) to eat.
- Escape Reflex: When a dark object was simulated as "expanding" in its field of vision, the fly instinctively triggered its escape circuits.
Is it "Alive"?
Not exactly. While it is the most detailed brain emulation ever attempted, scientists are quick to point out that this is a "bottom-up" simulation. It replicates the structural mechanics of the brain, but it’s still debated whether it possesses the dynamic learning or "consciousness" of a living fly.
The model is also incredibly computationally expensive; it doesn't run in "real-time." It might take a massive supercomputer hours to simulate just a few seconds of a fly's life. However, it’s a monumental first step toward understanding how complex behavior emerges from simple biological wiring—and, eventually, doing the same for more complex organisms.
In a major breakthrough that sounds like science fiction, researchers have essentially "uploaded" the first complete adult fruit fly brain into a digital environment.
This wasn't just a static 3D scan; as of March 2026, scientists at a neurotechnology startup called Eon Systems (building on the massive FlyWire project from 2024) have successfully run a full-scale digital emulation of the fruit fly's brain that can control a virtual body.
How They Did It
The process involved several high-tech steps to bridge the gap between biology and code:
- Nanoscale Mapping: Using an ultra-fine diamond knife, researchers sliced a fruit fly brain into over 7,000 sections. These were imaged with an electron microscope to map all 139,255 neurons and over 50 million synapses.
- The Connectome: This "wiring diagram" was compiled into a massive dataset. It’s essentially the structural blueprint of the fly's mind.
- The Emulation: Eon Systems used graph neural networks and biophysical equations to simulate how electrical signals flow through those connections.
- The "Body": They connected this digital brain to a physics-based model of a fly’s body—complete with legs, antennae, and mouthparts—inside a virtual world.
What the "Digital Fly" Can Do
What makes this "upload" significant is that the brain was not "programmed" with instructions on how to move. Instead, when the digital neurons were activated, the wiring alone produced natural behaviors:
- Walking & Grooming: The virtual fly naturally adopted the "tripod" walking pattern real insects use and started cleaning its antennae.
- Sensory Response: When researchers simulated the "smell" of sugar by zapping the specific sensory neurons, the digital fly automatically extended its proboscis (its tongue) to eat.
- Escape Reflex: When a dark object was simulated as "expanding" in its field of vision, the fly instinctively triggered its escape circuits.
Is it "Alive"?
Not exactly. While it is the most detailed brain emulation ever attempted, scientists are quick to point out that this is a "bottom-up" simulation. It replicates the structural mechanics of the brain, but it’s still debated whether it possesses the dynamic learning or "consciousness" of a living fly.
The model is also incredibly computationally expensive; it doesn't run in "real-time." It might take a massive supercomputer hours to simulate just a few seconds of a fly's life. However, it’s a monumental first step toward understanding how complex behavior emerges from simple biological wiring—and, eventually, doing the same for more complex organisms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)