Sunday, February 20, 2022


In our republic we’ve enter an era… a short one we hope, where there are massively held multiple notions of history science, and reality. The earth is simultaneously flat, and round. We did and didn’t go to the moon. Vaccines have, and never have worked. Our unfinished Civil War was and wasn’t over slavery.

These, and many more. Truth is no longer truth, but opinion.

This is not long term sustainable.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022



Fox News: "So... Uncle, what's with all the toys?"

Uncle: "Cause I Loves' em."
Fox News:"...So then you 'do' believe in Santa."
Uncle: "What?"
Fox News: "...and Faeries, and Angels, and the Free Lunch."
Uncle: "...Yes but..."
Fox News: "So how long have you been a Communist Homosexual?"
Uncle: "Hey I was asked here about my book, "The Sandman, and Me."
Fox News: "...And you spent decades pushing your agenda on the air."
Fox News" "Would you care to explain your relationship with "Tink?"
Uncle: "...you mean Tinkerbell?"
Fox News" "The possibly underage faerie of your...eh acquaintance."
Uncle: "You nuts she's 648 years old!"
Fox News: "...and Daffy Duck. A known anarchist, and drug addict."
Uncle: "About my book..."
Fox News: "We have found an essay by you, "Satan is my Co-Pilot."
Fox News: "Also a fresco you did depicting Hitler Stalin, and Walt Disney in Hell involved in physically impossible erotic behaviors."
Uncle: Now I can explain that...see I got a call from Stan Lee, and..."
Fox News: "Is it true you put 'Vinegar' on your fries...Like-the-French."
Uncle: "....um...eh."
Fox News: "Uncle...?"
Uncle: "...I need to call my Agent."

Sunday, February 13, 2022

"...we all have history"





 I am no pal of any sort of Ethnic Nationalism of any color. That way always leads to death,...but I like flags. "Vexillology" it's called.

Just liking flags is different...a bit, from going to Bund rallies.
There are seven US states that are completely at the same latitude of Africa - South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Texas.

Not by Coincidence. The Geo-Black American flag, top, resembles the, below, first flag of the Confederacy. Peoples, and cultures are *complicated.
I'm African Asian Scots Irish American. However, in this country
you're what the last cop that saw you thinks you are.
*My Scots Irish ancestor was an officer in the Confederate Calvary.
My post-Civil War freedman African American ancestors ran a dairy in Mississippi. Some of the grandchildren were graduates of the first Negro Universities. My Chinese ancestors were merchants, and teachers. The two giving us a tradition of education business and the arts.
The flags however historically ironic are true to my roots. My love of Celtic lore the poetry of Black America, and my embracing of the written word. These come from whom I came from.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

"...Q"



A FB memory of an election edition of "Sydneytoons".

With some guy dressed as the ghost of Nazi-sympathizer Charles Lindbergh in the background. A policeman sez to our Villain: "Sir, are you aware that you just broke into an empty paper house."

Villain: "I'm a Criminal Mastermind, and a champion of 'Q'. I will not be stopped by Liberal Deep State Tyranny! I demand my day in court with appropriate media coverage!"
Cop: "No really the thing is held together with tape and glue. It doesn't actually exist. Neither do we...we're both from Uncle Sidney' toy box."

Q-Villian: Deep state lies! I demand you put this outrage on the news!

Cop: "Sorry I can't arrest you for being delusional. Half da country would be in the slammer if I could."

"...books"



My social isolation reading is the smarty pants book “Swann’s Way”. The first volume of Marcel Proust’s triad of dreams “Remembrance of Things Past”. All three books should slowly take me through mid-winter into spring.

I’ve had an off, and on relationship with these books. It was shoved into my life in high school, and again later at university. It has hovered just out of sight ever since. My last involvement was during my radio career when Bill Watson of “Listening with Watson” fame did a serialized reading of it.

Bill Watson was a dear friend to me.
During a period of racist incidents…more than usual back in the early 1980’s here in Manhattan. He offered to give me shelter at his country home if things became too dangerous in the city.
He gave me a copy of the keys, and detailed directions. If I had to leave suddenly. He said:
"Don't call get on the train and go!" That was Bill.
So Marcel Proust “Remembrance of Things Past", and Bill’s radio programs… “Listening with Watson”. Classical music my radio life violent Jim Crow are all jelled together with “Swann’s Way”.
Events persons art, and the ways of history enter our ordinary yet unique lives. I’m again starting volume one “Swann’s Way”. This on Project Gutenberg. A treasure of online works free to all.

Friday, February 4, 2022



This dear old Shaker Hymn has always been a great comfort to me. I'm sure it's been that to millions around the world now. "Elder Brackett" would quietly smile I think on hearing that. These are hard days for many of us. Difficult times in the world, and in our hearts.

So I thought I'd share "Simple Gifts" with those that happen by this page. It's always been a healing piece for me. I hope it helps you on your way.
Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in "The Gift to be Simple": Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the "United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing" (...more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.
Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right
'Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.
Refrain:
'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.


 

"...walk up"



This is part of a series I'd written for radio years back. I just found it again. I thought I'd share the first episode with you.

"Heaven on Earth"
G-d is not far away in some golden heaven, ruling some distant Paradise. G-d is here with us. Always has been. Always will be. Because G-d's Heaven is on Earth.
"Heaven on Earth"
G-d's on the subway coming home from work. It's crowded she couldn't get a seat again. She has a headache, and her feet are killing her. G-d makes another mental note to do something about urban congestion, and stress.
She's been noticing this problem since "Ur", or was it Babylon? Anyway, it was that time she was a snake charmer. Oh! ...the carnivals, the music, the theater. These are just about the best things humanity has come up with. It's among the reasons she loves them so much.
It's their saving grace ...literally.
The train pulls into G-d's station. She has to struggle her way out of the crowded car. No one will get out of her way. Manners, and polite consideration still haven't caught on. At least not consistently. Still, they are learning, her children. They are trying. G-d joins the wave of tired people coming home from work or school or mischief, and they ascend together out of the tunnel.
On her way home G-d does some lite shopping at Her favorite deli. She picks up a pint of vanilla ice cream...with almonds. Some oranges, a box of mint tea. You know, the brand with all the nice pictures on 'em. Some bread sticks, and dried figs. All the major food groups.
G-d browse's Her way to the counter, and pays for the goods in Aztec jade, Roman silver, and Confederate bank notes. The Jamaican family that owns, and runs the deli are used to their 'special' customer paying in odd currencies.
The dread-locked woman behind the register gives G-d her change in Barbados dollars, American dimes, and Australian pennies.
The two are friends, the clerk, and G-d.
So they stand awhile exchanging gossip, and other pleasantries which are cut short by the needs of the other customers. G-d adds a lotto ticket, and some chap-stick to her purchase's.
Outside the deli G-d sees a homeless man begging for change.
G-d knows him, his name is Thomas. G-d remembered when he was conceived. She was there when he was born, and She's been with him ever since. Though Thomas doesn't remember it 'once upon a time' his name was Bartholomew, and he is an Angel.
G-d blinked, and there was Light. G-d sang, and there was Life. G-d smiled, and there was Love.
The "Lord of Hosts" got to her building. She lived on the top floor of a six story walk up. G-d liked living up there because it was convenient to the roof. In summer, and spring if it wasn't raining, she'd spread a blanket and lay there.
She'd lay on her blanket, and watch Her sky, Her clouds, and at night Her moon, and Her stars. How she loved them...as she did all Her children.
G-d quickly walked up the stairwell concerned that her ice cream might melt. As She went She passed through and enjoyed the aromas of the cooking of half a dozen ethnic groups. Her neighbors were preparing and settling down for their evening meals.
The "Divine" enjoyed not only that, but the music the symphony of all their languages, and emotions. Well, G-d finally got to Her apartment 6-B. She put Her key into her triple "Medico" lock and entered.
Cain, and Able her Persian cats we're waiting for her, and meowing indignantly! It was well past their dinner time, and they were more than slightly annoyed.
Cain, and Able didn't care if She was G-d 'they' were cats, and they were hungry.
"LISTENING"
It was well past midnight, and it began to snow. The sharp winter winds blew around Her.
G-d was looking out over the city and listening to prayers.
The "Lord Creator" listened to prayers the way people listened to the radio. The music of souls was in the air. The sky was bathed in prayer. Their light danced over the city like bright aurora's.
G-d watched and listened. She listened to each, and everyone.