Fourth of July

Just back from a restful visit to Maine, away from computers, phones, and TV. Not much time to come up with a proper Independence Day post, so take a look at Bill Allison's.

While away, I only got a look at the newspaper on a couple of occasions, but did note the death of Robert McCloskey (Make Way For Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal) in nearby Deer Isle (we were staying a few miles from Bucks Harbor, which figures prominently in One Morning in Maine). McCloskey must have been one of the last of that greatest generation of children's book authors, which gave us so many classic stories whose longevity must now be measured in generations.

Also of immediate interest was the NY Times article on Tuesday on mosquitoes (accompanied by another on the physiology of itch). Alas, I am both sensitive to bites, and very tasty -- in fact, I have long hoped to find a scientist willing to copy my pheromones and put them into flypaper or a no-pest strip: the mozzies would be elbowing each other aside to be first at it.

Finally, while picking up lunch around the corner from Condon's Garage, I spotted this story on a singular sport: Estonian wife-carrying.

Posted by David on July 4, 2003 10:28 AM