. Why shouldn’t a frog fall from the sky?  Does it have something better to do? divested of vistas It isn’t wise to buy or sell a Lot of eggs with salmonella. The artist sees art as the true business of life. The audience sees art as a diversion from the true business of life. […]

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Salt and pepper packets occupy a strange position in our strange society.  In a country that monetizes everything, they’re free.  Everybody knows and uses them; and they pass unnoticed.  Other condiment packets contain commercial products familiar to the condiment-eater: the ketchup and mustard look like the bottles in the store.  Salt and pepper are also […]

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These “Tree Spotter Cards” were published by Ed-U-Cards (no date).  The precise illustrations and warm colors give them a cozy look, I think.  And as the box copy enthuses, “It’s fun, too, playing the ’64 Point Game,’ learning many interesting facts about the different kinds of trees, and becoming an expert!” (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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genial mobs with menial jobs The word “Luddite” has changed meanings.  It originally meant someone who was opposed to technology; now it means someone who doesn’t buy every digital product on the market.  A rejection of uncritical consumerism is not a rejection of technology; this misunderstanding is unfortunate. A writer’s bio, in a textbook, Can […]

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“Card Magic” was a 1959 deck from Ed-u-Cards; it provided pictorial cards that allowed the young magician to perform various tricks.  This card was used in the “Spelling Trick.”  As a bonus, an “applause” card was also included, so the audience would know when that was expected. (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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…that you don’t have to say everything that occurs to you?  If you are with other people, many things may pop into your head.  However, some of them may be rude, boring, or inappropriate, and best left unspoken.  If, for example, you are telling a story, and notice that your friends are checking their messages […]

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First comes pencil, then comes sentence; Then come decades of repentance. fly by night, flow by note vive la dissonance map spam another newscaster slip: “perpetrate his legacy” for “perpetuate his legacy” noxious nixies The path of righteousness is straight and narrow; that’s how you can tell that it’s evil. Here’s the church, and here’s […]

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I’m afraid I can tell you nothing about this charming Japanese deck, since all the copy on it is in Japanese.  Jack doesn’t look too welcome here, does he? (Posted by Doug Skinner)

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…that you can eat fruits and vegetables?  Many of the unfamiliar items you avoid in the grocery store are harmless plant products that are surprisingly tasty and nutritious.  Although they are sold without branding or packaging, they are perfectly safe to eat.  If the lack of packaging upsets you, you can make your own at […]

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I once had a group of French citizens in my apartment.  They were showering Americans with invective, so I replied by mocking the French.  They all told me, with genuine indignation, how rude I was to so insult my guests. Must I buy another bugle? I should try to be more frugal. There’s a thin […]

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