James Bethel James Bethel

There is something happening here . . .

Saturday, October 3, 2026. It's another Satyr's day . . . much like yesterday, the GreenCountry forecasts indicate a cloudy, overcast day. Easy Northeasterlies are to bring a cool mid 70's to TulseyTown's afternoon.

More than 80% of North America’s migratory bird species travel at night. Most take off 30 to 45 minutes after sunset and fly as high as 10,000 feet. You never see them. A billion birds overhead, and not one stops to ask for directions. Birds crossingTulsa last night.

[There is] something real happening in this country . . . The President of the United States can’t fill the seats his own party hands him, while ordinary Americans are lining up in parking lots to read about his friendship with a convicted sex offender. – Miles Taylor, “I need to tell you,” Defiance, 10.2.06

Today in 1990 Germany reunification united East and West, effectively ending the Cold War.

Novelist Thomas Wolfe was born on this day in 1900 Asheville, North Carolina.

Novelist, essayist, and screenwriter Gore Vidal was born on this day at 1925 West Point Academy in New York.

Gwen Stefani turns 57 today, born in 1969 Fullerton, California.

Considered by some to be the greatest detective movie ever made, The Maltese Falcon, had its world premiere today in 1941, It featured John Huston’s adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s famed 1930 novel.

Mercury Is Shrinking. So Am I. – Robert Reich, 10.02.26

For What It’s Worth

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James Bethel James Bethel

The invisible thing's secretary . . .

Friday, October 2, 2026.

It's Frigg's day . . . Moderate to strong Northerlies are in the forecasts for GreenCountry today. TulseyTown is to be cloudy overcast with cool mid 70's and a slight rain chance.

Today is the birthdate of Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869, Porbandar, India.

Poet Wallace Stevens was born on this day in 1879 Reading, Pennsylvania.

Today is the birthdate of Graham Greene. The author of The End of the Affair was born in 1904 Hertfordshire, England.

Fashion designer Donna Karan is 78 today, born in 1948, Forest Hills, New York.

And, today in 1950 The comic strip Peanuts made its debut.

How about autowars? – Robert Reich, The Nighmare. 10.1.26

Trump built a “Haunted House.” Polls show it’s about to be burned to the ground. – Miles Taylor, Defiance. 10.1.26

[Note: ChatGTP aided the research for the following . . .]

Over the past twenty years ten states have botched death penalty executions. Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Each has conducted an execution involving unexpected problems or delays that arguably caused unnecessary suffering leading to the conclusion: capital punishment cannot preserve human dignity and the rule of law. At the core, the question remains: Should a system that can't keep a child safe have the power to kill them as an adult?

A Secretary of the Invisible Thing

This is the exact phrase Milosz uses to describe

himself and other poets, not one

who dictates but one who takes dictation.

. . .

William Blake used to wander in his garden

naked. The question isn't Did Blake really see

angels in his apple tree? But Why can't we?

Whatever you are, whoever I'm taking this dictation from,

take your time putting out [this fire] me out.

– Lance Larsen, “Secretary of the Invisible Thing,” Rattle Chapbook Prize. 2026. Read the entire poem.

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James Bethel James Bethel

Doing what we can . . .

Thursday, October 1, 2026. It's Thor's day . . . Rain, clouds, 70's … the Fall transition is under way. Northerlies return this evening to TulseyTown and GreenCountry.

The only poll that really matters is when votes are counted on November 3. Turnout is critical and it’s also important to remember that not everyone around you may be registered to vote, and not everyone has a plan. That means there’s work for all of us to do; this is the time to do whatever you can do. – Joyce Vance, in Civil Discourse, posted last night.

[The] connections between the higher prices Americans are paying and the corruption of the Trump regime and its Republican enablers need to be widely understood. The richest Americans and biggest corporations have made out like bandits — and average working Americans are paying dearly for what the bandits have stolen. – Robert Reich, The Rot At The Top. 10.1.26

Cowboy mentality. – Heather Cox Richardson, in Letters From An American. Posted for today

Trump used to buy TV ads to lure gamblers into his casinos and bolster his brand. Now he’s just using your taxpayer dollars.-- Miles Taylor, Defiance.

Today in 1868 "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott was published in America by Roberts Brothers of Boston

Julie Andrews is 91 today, born in 1935 Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.

And, the laureate actor/singer Richard Harris was born today in 1930 Overdale, 8 Landsdown Villas, Ennis Road, Limerick, Ireland.

Is MacArther Park still melting?

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