Ambrose Bierce's "Devil's Dictionary":
"Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
You can't help but be thrilled and inspired by Bierce's cheerful optimism.
I've been busy getting ready for Christmas, and that's one reason I haven't updated lately. I've been shopping and spending way too much money on the ungrateful. I thoroughly enter into the commercial and materialistic spirit of Xmas. I'm one crass individual!
If it weren't for Scrooge, Bob Cratchett and Tiny Tim, I don't suppose we'd be all caught up in this frantic mess. Before "The Christmas Carol" Christmas was a dying celebration here in the colonies, only kept alive by some heretic Lutheran and Catholic German settlers and their families. The cheerful Puritans had pretty much stomped out that expression of joy to the world. (They did that after burning the witches--or was it before? I'll have to ask Oliver C. on his next visit.)
I sent off my package to Oz, and it only cost $80.00. Postage goes up next month, so I'd better be ready to bite the bullet the next shipment.
Merry Christmas everybody! in case I miss you before that super fun pagan and Christian celebration. It's the one time of year when a person can sing and hear some of the greatest music ever written and performed. Enjoy! I will!
"Patriotism, n. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
You can't help but be thrilled and inspired by Bierce's cheerful optimism.
I've been busy getting ready for Christmas, and that's one reason I haven't updated lately. I've been shopping and spending way too much money on the ungrateful. I thoroughly enter into the commercial and materialistic spirit of Xmas. I'm one crass individual!
If it weren't for Scrooge, Bob Cratchett and Tiny Tim, I don't suppose we'd be all caught up in this frantic mess. Before "The Christmas Carol" Christmas was a dying celebration here in the colonies, only kept alive by some heretic Lutheran and Catholic German settlers and their families. The cheerful Puritans had pretty much stomped out that expression of joy to the world. (They did that after burning the witches--or was it before? I'll have to ask Oliver C. on his next visit.)
I sent off my package to Oz, and it only cost $80.00. Postage goes up next month, so I'd better be ready to bite the bullet the next shipment.
Merry Christmas everybody! in case I miss you before that super fun pagan and Christian celebration. It's the one time of year when a person can sing and hear some of the greatest music ever written and performed. Enjoy! I will!
and it is cold. my poor stilettos are now collecting dust
but what great weather to stay in and watch movies and drink wine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
happy shopping and you stay warm, too, mr.