Archbald circa 1892

This is the town. And what wonderful things wikipedia can provide. Olyphant, another town just "down the line" from Archbald has a legend attached to it, according to wikipedia and other sources.

A number of years ago a man came into Borders books and music in Dickson City (another town a hair further down this undrawn line) when I worked there and told me all about this legend. He wore a puffy vest and had a bit of a crazed look about him. I'd see him walking along the train tracks from time to time. Even in the worst weather.

Coincidentally, Shannon and I knocked on people's doors throughout Olyphant two weekends ago, talking about politics. We were relatively well received. Only two doors were slammed on us in this small center of the universe.

But this is Archbald, so why am I mentioning any of this? Maybe that's where the secrets reside...

In a box of paper in a garage in Archbald there is a manuscript handwritten by the man mentioned above. It details the mysteries Olyphant may or may not possess: the sphinx like shape of the Lackawanna river as it rounds the edge of town, the positioning of seven churches --Orion in miniature, the pyramid of culm on the border of Throop and lastly eyewitness accounts of UFO activity. All of this somehow tied to the wife of Harry Houdini, who supposedly was raised in the Queen City.

Two wards (thing get better, we hopes withal)

The death of Paul Newman makes me feel unwell. He seemed a good human. He cared for and against things. This sounds empty, but it's not. The man was charitable and disinterested in what traps fame could set for him. He stood for something and lived his life according to that stance. A lot of the spectacles out there now could stand to at least carry themselves more sturdily. I am not a spectacle, but I could stand to do the same.

This weekend was rainy. Shannon and I indoors for the most part. The assassination of Jesse James and football and caffeine. The high grass swaying and motes of dust. I'm trying to get things polished. Trying to make for a glisten.

Sarah Palin is a nightmare. Both sides are smeary, but I believe in Obama. I've said it on peoples' doorsteps. I say it here.

The next number of years aren't going to be like what we've known, but it's going to take someone who can see around a number of subjects. Not someone who only knows how to attack and attack and attack. Recklessness and aggression doesn't make a good leader, our current situation proves this.

I wish Paul Newman could have at least pretended to be our president.

I've hit a round number

And so my expansion comes in circles. The rings around this township. The county that calls my waistband. You can't fathom some speedos. You and I are like in this matter. No cosmic dispersal. A door to the fight in all of us. There is no need to bear the bells, our country hears what song. Oh, how. Our country taps it out. Fits the valves. Fills the tape and spit. I've hit upon a kind of happiness. I've hit a round edged number and it rings. The register keys are springy. The register itself holds names. None for us it says in numbers. None for this here gathering. None in drawings or in drawers. None with luck or full of champagne.

Dashboard | Help | Sign

Here's what you win: a trophy car to run into the sky!

Here's what happens with the president: da daunh da duhn da deedle!

Here's a courier and his little bag full of important papers: ride the elevator, right. Now the bike!

Here's an x through a number of instructions on a piece of white paper marked to do: X!

Here we are on the labor day. Here we are sitting with our p-word, listening to horns. Here we are making decisions in the water. Here we are and here and here some more.

Here is what you win:

(and beneath it is an american

eagle, gold and bald.)

Hawk in the old hood

On Sunday we (me, Shan, and Rachel) took a trip to the cemetery so Rachel could finally get to see the statues there (I'd been telling her about them for, oh, three years) and we all took some pictures.

Birds of prey in the city are so neat! That's right, I just exclaimed neat. What have you got to say about that?

The day concluded with one of the most intense Jenga games I have been witness to. In the end I got greedy...

B&W pictures of clouds and lights (a resounding yes! to pretension)

And if you look fleetingly at this last picture you might just see Teddy Roosevelt in the treeface, though I may be a bit wonked in the eyes...and the color's jarring...and it's more effective if the image is smaller...

of the disappearing months

I've just won a sleepaward and with company. We arrived back from Italy and promptly laid down for some large fraction of a day. There were bumpy skies. Thanking Dolly, I think. Also thanking the redheaded woman who told me "you're welcome" after she asked if I wanted to get through and I passed her in the aisle of the plane to get to my seat. A big thank you for your voice and concern. She stood there for many minutes looking up angrily at her luggage. People behind her looking angrily at her. At baggage claim some 9 hours later, her child looked angirly for his sluggage and as if his life would be long and laborious. He rounded the metal conveyer belt again and again. His mother muttered loudly to herself. Her husband stared at his gold chain and surveyed their stray items.

I do not have an idea of what really happened over the past two months. Mismathed and the bank statements prove...inconsistent thinking about overly entitled teenagers, many of whom made me feel that it's possible this place may improve. Thanking them for that. Thanking you for this and the rest of the world, thanking them for what?

There was consternation and semi-consistent news proving that the people I care about are stronger than their positions. A few phone calls, some old places adorned with new statements. I met some very intelligent and interesting people who temporarily call Florence home--wishing them well if they ever come across this...

I wish I had pictures of gelato to send along (Riso and Ciacollato con Cafe from Vivoli wins my vote), but instead I'll attach a picture of a Rolls Royce from Rome. All alliteration aside...:

Or maybe not a Rolls and maybe not from Rome...