Among the 3,400 human dead at the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern was the uncle of my grandfather, A.H. Snoddy, and Cuz's grandmother, Dial Pearl Estelle Snoddy Prim.
I can't remember his first name. They drove a wagon from Johnson
County to Pea Ridge to pick up the body. That's about 110 miles each way.
Cuz walked it yesterday in honor of our fallen Snoddy ancestor and of Col. Hezekiah Vibram and his valiant Five Fingers Brigade. (No, Nicole, according to all accounts, he didn't. Apparently women in them days saw things as you do.)
On
August 5th 2012 while reading the Arkansas Democrat Gazette Artbeat
section by Ellis Widner I came across an image that was so profound that I had
to find out more about it. The image was from a monotype with pastel by Warren
Criswell entitled “Roadkill”. These types of images which are dark and
mysterious always get my attention for some reason and that is probably some
psychological glitch I have been affected by.
My first thoughts occurred when I pondered the artist’s
meaning of the subject “Roadkill”. It was disturbing for two reasons, one was
that the roadkill described was visually a human figure and two a mythological
bird like figure was seemingly eating the corpse on the road.
Over the years I have contemplated the plight of life that I
have witnessed being extinguished on highways by manmade vehicles. Quite gory
and somewhat disturbing to me was the desire to photograph those mangled bodies
known as road kill.
This image by Criswell seemed to be saying that we are
witnessing the continuing slaughter of mankind not only here on our highways
but also across the globe and even more pathetic in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Just like the animals
scattered on our roads, the human losses in war have mostly been ignored,
unless a death victim is a relative or friend. The human mind tries to protect
itself from the horrors of everyday life and from going “crazy”.
An excellent commentary in the Democrat Gazette recently by
Dave Perozek on how we as humans are ignoring the ongoing slaughter of our
young people in the unjust wars they are being asked to fight . The two major
political parties have rarely mentioned these conflicts in the campaign
rhetoric. I continue to sadly read the obituaries of the fallen daily in the
newspaper, maybe the list should be placed on the front page in red letters but
then over time we would ignore those. How quickly we turn our attention away
from issues when someone says we are getting our troops out of the country in
conflict. It’s like it’s over but the bodies keep coming home in coffins.
All of this is best summarized by Waylon Jennings in his
1978 hit “I’ve always been crazy” being crazy has “kept me from going insane”.
Congratulations Queen Claire. Mary and I wish we could be in Killorglin to celebrate with you. We encourage all who can to attend the Puck Fair August 10-12.
Defending champions Wexford will play Offaly, and Cork will play Galway in the semi-finals at Nowlan Park on Saturday, August 18. Kilkenny, home of cuz’s kin the Prims, is a great venue, even if the Cats didn’t make it this year.
"Conservative
Christians' favorite way to ignore Jesus this week? Instead of feed
the hungry – feed themselves! Judging is, of course, trending hard for
next week. And the week after that. (And the one after that.)" Mrs. Betty Bowers
"24-Jul 1956 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Snoddy, speaking at a political rally in Newport, attacked Governor Faubus for not maintaining segregation at the University of Arkansas Medical Center at Little Rock." Smith's Alternative Arkansas History.
I don't question Dr. Smith. I'm sure that some newspaper reported this, but no Snoddy would do or say anything racist and certainly not the nephew of Dial Pearl Estelle Snoddy Prim and the Grandfather of Marianne Pratt Guhman, both bleeding hearts and champions of the civil rights of all.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Mr McMath has brought up the point again that is best summarized by none other that my hero John Wayne.
Well there are nearly seven billion people in the world and growing. Should be plain to the simplest mind that this is a train wreak going somewhere to happen. Fortunately the progressive people of Tennesse have a brilliant solution: don't teach sex in school. If everyone would follow Tennessee's example young people, ignorant of the subject, would not have sex - bingo, problem solved. Perhaps we should redouble this by making it illegal for parents to teach sex before marriage as well. This should work Right?
There is also a hidden beauty in this action as it brings symmetry to the Tennessee education system, as the quality of sex education will now be in line with that of science, history and critical thinking.
"Tell the truth, have you ever found God in church? I never did. I just found a bunch of folks hoping for [God] to show. Any God I ever felt in church I brought in with me. And I think all the other folks did too. They come to church to share God, not find God." - Alice Walker Thanks to Rev. Sandi
Ann Romney: “What mother doesn’t face that all-important choice-Do I take a well paid job from Daddy and have an au pair raise my children or be a stay at home mom? That way, I get to watch her raise them”
Mrs. Betty Bower: “Ann what do you say to those whiney Mother Hubbards out there on welfare?”
Ann Romney: “These gals on food stamps need to let their housekeepers know that proper nutrition does not mean having a fresh lobster every night. Good golly, try a standing rib roast or a fresh cut rack of lamb. Mix things up.”
Mrs. Betty Bower: “But sadly I’ve heard rumors about families who go without food for their chefs to prepare.”
Ann Romney: “Well, no matter how hungry you get, remember, those thoroughbreds in your stable are for dressage-not sausage.”
This powerful Christian hymn was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi's and is still used by the Indian military in "Beating Retreat" ceremonies.
It's still sung in the USA too, thank God.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word,
But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings;
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea.
Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Abide With Me, words by Henry Francis Lyte, music by William Henry Monk
"I saw this while being driven this afternoon. While I'm relieved to see
that, after many millennia of drowning pregnant women in Great Floods
(Genesis 6-7), slaughtering first-born sons (Exodus:12:29-30) and
instructing Israelites to stone kids
(Deuteronomy 21:18), hack open pregnant women and smash youngsters to
pieces (Hosea 13:16), the Lord has decided to do such a 180-degree turn
by suddenly becoming 'pro-life.' My only surprise is that He decided to
announce such a radical departure from everything He's ever said and
done on a bumper sticker! But who says you can't teach an old god new
tricks? Glory!" Mrs. Betty Bowers
Cuz walked it yesterday in honor of our fallen Snoddy ancestor and of Col. Hezekiah Vibram and his valiant Five Fingers Brigade. (No, Nicole, according to all accounts, he didn't. Apparently women in them days saw things as you do.)
