Twenty some years ago my wife Lorraine awoke and assured me that I was craving to build an authentic Japanese Teahouse in our back meadow. So I did – and the original thatch has lasted a quarter century. These pictures show the new bundles of thatch I scythed down, hauled up, and tied down onto the roof, with a lot of help from my buddy – Thanks Marvin. Everyone should have a retreat, be it for solitude and/or contemplation with a few close friends.
Remember that question from last week’s Quip? Well, the answer is below.
“A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the famed Green Bay Packers football coach admitted to a slight bias in the offering of this quote. Vince Lombardi
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“Common sense is the set of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the inventor of the world’s best known formula: E=mc2, by age 15, had read Immanuel Kant and written On the investigation of the state of ether in a magnetic field. Albert Einstein
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“I learned law so well that the day I graduated, I sued the college and got my tuition back.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the radio comedian who got most of his real education at the Boston Public Library, maintained a mock feud with fellow funster Jack Benny.
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“If future generations are to remember us with more gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just miracles of technology.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the the 36th President and legendary lawmaker pushed through the Civil Rights act. Mr. Lyndon Johnson.
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“Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the American President who saw us through the Civil War believed that war, like conversation, should be completed “with malice towards none.” Abraham Lincoln
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“Why doesn’t the fellow who says, ‘I’m no speechmaker,’ let it go at that, instead of giving us a demonstration?”
Author: Those words were spoken by the Indianapolis News cartoonist and journalist created the “Abe Martin” drawings that appeared in over 200 U.S. papers weekly. Kin Hubbard
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“Self-made men tend to be a little too proud of the job.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the 19th century humorist, noted for his truly original spelling, came by his trade honestly – being the son and nephew of Congressmen. Josh Billings
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“Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves.”
Author: Those words were spoken bythe American President who saw us through the Civil War believed that war, like conversation, should be completed “with malice towards none.” Abraham Lincoln
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“Why doesn’t the fellow who says, ‘I’m no speechmaker,’ let it go at that, instead of giving us a demonstration?”
Author: Those words were spoken by Kin Hubbard
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“Self-made men tend to be a little too proud of the job.”
Author: Those words were spoken by Josh Billings
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“Seriousness is stupidity sent to college.”
Author: Those words were spoken by none other than Razor-tongued journalist of America’s politics and well-foibled culture – Mr P.J. O’Rourke.
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“Washington D.C. is a city of southern efficiency and northern charm.”
Author: Those words were spoken by John F. Kennedy
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“There is a vast difference between the savage and the civilized man. But it is never apparent to their wives until after breakfast.”
Author: Those words were spoken by Helen Rowland, This New York Times Journalist wrote a column “Reflections of a Bachelor Girl” and the wittily truth-laden book “A Guide to Men.”
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“Nothing gives us courage more readily than the desire to avoid looking like a damn fool.
Author: Those words were spoken by this Pennsylvania-born, wildly best-selling novelist of suspense thrillers penned “Demon Seed” and “The Key to Midnight.”. Dean Kootz.
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“Maturity comes when you have the first real good laugh at yourself.”
Author: Those words were spoken by “The First Lady of the American Theatre”, Ethel Barrymore
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“Women have always been the guardians of wisdom and humanity which makes them natural, but usually secret rulers. The time has come for them to rule openly, but together with and not against men.”
Author: Those words were spoken by the Polish-born psychotherapist wrote the groundbreaking 1977 book “Bisexuality.” Dr. Charlotte Wolff
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“The bitterness of poor service remains long after the elation of low prices is forgotten.”
Author: Those words were spoken by Ben Franklin
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“Credit cards are like snakes – handle ‘em long enough and one of them will bite you.”
Author: Those words were spoken by Elizabeth Warren
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“The chief value of money is that one lives in a world in which it is overestimated.”
Author: Those words were spoken by H.L. Mencken
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“The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.”
Author: Those words were spoken by Will Rogers.
This Memorial Day…
War is a tragedy that no flag can disguise. If there is any glory to be found in armed conflict, we must turn to those individuals whose high intentions and courageous devotion carry them onto the field to willingly put themselves in harm’s way. For these individual soldiers, the very words “defend to the death” transform from mere rallying cry, to a deep personal, principled belief. And for each soldier who served, fought, and gave her/his last full measure, it was a matter of choice – a choice that sprung from deep conviction.
Whatever the actual agendas of leaders who instigated the conflict, whatever the rationale proclaimed by those urging the call to arms, each soldier sets aside his own needs and answers his own call to battle for that better world he envisions. This heroic decision, made once and carried into every day of combat, is where the glory lies. People who step up, opt for the better world and act are those on whom we should – and must – confer our admiration. And whether that decision is born in war or in any times of human trial, we need to celebrate and remember those who made that choice. We need to hoist our children on our shoulders. Point them out as they pass by, and make sure that they hold in memory those best of us who were and are willing to defend us to the death. These are the role models called for and we need them now.
Wishing you every success,
– Bart Jackson
This kindly bit of graffiti greeted me as I came down the driveway earlier on my natal day. Just one more example of the many fun & thoughtful kindnesses so many of you have paid me lo these several decades. I can think of no man more fortunate than I am this very day, and a great part of those blessings comes from you – my countless friends. Thanks for all your good wishes….and No, Peter. I did not have to use my glasses to read the two-foot-high letters, and no I did not depend on a walker, cane, or wife to make it to the end of the drive.
My greatest gratitude to you all. – Bart
Forget the media panic, forget governments’ statistical forecasting, If you want to make understandable sense of this Coronavirus visit: https://worldcares.org/ and click on “Coronavirus FAQs.”
Lisa Orloff and her World Cares team have been handling disaster relief for 20 years. Hard-headed, experienced, knowledgeable an entirely without bias, Lisa lays out the facts about the what the virus is, where it comes from, what you should be doing to protect yourself, and what avenues of fear you need not go down.
Lisa is a recipient of the 2019 Prometheus Social Enterprise Award, to learn more about her and World Cares, visit https://bartsbooks.com/ – “Prometheus Awards.”
And on a personal note, I beg you not to fall prey to the plague of grim seriousness that seems to accompany this situation. The benefits of scowling seriousness, like old Scotch, are highly overrated, but the curative value of sharing a smile and some laughter are beyond estimation.
