Happy Independence Day!

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Author: Emma Lazarus

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

- Declaration of Independence

 

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. 

- Preamble to the United States Constitution

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

- Amendment IV, the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights

 

Be Careful of the Things You Say . . .

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

The Pirate King - Laurie R. King - Review Part II

I finally finished the book. It took longer than usual and I had to talk myself into it each time I picked it up.

Don't you just hate that?

Ms King manages wonderful descriptions of exotic places tucked in her narrative, but unfortunately this narrative wasn't at all compelling for me.

I've enjoyed the series until this one, all 10 of them; I just didn't like this one.

Make of that what you will.

Beekeeping for Beginners - Laurie R. King      

This one was kind of cute.

It retells the story of Ms Russell's and Mr. Holmes' first meeting and budding friendship/partnership from Holmes' perspective, introducing a new dynamic as well as another storyline.

It was short at just over 150 pages, but I enjoyed it.

Two Sides; One Coin?

      We have art in order not to die of the truth.

 - Nietzsche

We tell ourselves stories in order to live.

- Joan Didion

Source.

Quote of the Day

I enjoy paying taxes. With them, I buy civilization. 

- Oliver Wendell Holmes

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

Afterlives of the Saints - Colin Dickey   

Well. It's not what I thought it would be. The title might better be "What the Lives of the Saints Mean to Me." (not that there's anything wrong with that)

It's not that this was a bad book. But it has very little information on the Saints, themselves, and a great deal of speculation about meanings and philosophies. 

He also makes some interesting connections, but his evidence is light. In fact, in one case I know of, there are actual facts that belie his conclusions.

All in all, I'm not sorry I read it, I am only disappointed that it wasn't what I thought it would be. And that could very well be my own fault.

Quote of the Day

 



My dad always said to me: “Son, to be happy for a few hours … get a drink. To be happy for a few years…get a spouse. To be happy forever … get a garden.”

- Houdini In Garden.

If Graffiti Changed Anything . . .

BANKSY