Moose . . . Indian . . .

Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 - May 6, 1862), known by his philosophical friends as the "Kosher Camper" allegedly spoke the words "Moose, Indian" to cap off a life full of wisdom which also included sayings such as, "a man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone". Why these words in particular were his final, puzzles some, while to others it makes perfect sense. Unfortunately, because the context in which the words were spoken is unknown, it is impossible to know the intended meaning, though speculation leads to a number of different interpretations. Thus, a list of possible scenarios in which these words may have emerged, has been compiled:

1. Thoreau was in the midst of a wooded glen with his pup when he spotted an unusual animal, which at first he thought was a moose, and then an Indian, right before he was suddenly struck by one of those fabled Chupacabra's. His body was found seemingly unharmed, save for two bite marks and the fact that it had been drained of all its blood.

2. Thoreau was playing Pictionary with some friends, and becoming overly excited while attempting to guess at Ralph Waldo Emerson's strange rendition of a tea kettle, he lost consciousness.

3. Thoreau was looking out on Walden Pond and as he realized the true nature of his existence and the oneness of the universe, all the fragments of his life flashed before himself, with only two symbolic words able to escape his lips, as he slipped into ethereal dreams.

Night Walks

Even in the vacuum of space I feel I could not possibly conceive complete silence, for in my ears the sounds of titans clashing never seems to dissipate.
- Dunwerther, Edgar Von. Vienna, Austria. 1805.

Game o' cards

"Everything in the world ends up being a dirty business, and a person who wears himself out for money or honor or whatever else for someone else's sake, without his own passion, his own need, is always a fool." (Goethe)

Blossom

These Days

Nothing To Say

One of the most important things, which we often foolishly deprive ourselves of, is being honest with ourself. - Buffers, William Lloyd. Prague. 1640.

The Bookkeeper

Literature is not only in the hands of famous writers.

Sorrow's memory is a sorrow still

"Evenings I plan to enjoy the sunrise, and don't get out of bed; during the day I look forward to enjoying the moonlight, and remain in my room. I really don't know why I get up, why I go to bed." (Goethe)

Fur Traders Descending the Missouri

Head to the beach

And so thy thoughts, when thou art gone,
Love itself shall slumber on. - P. Shelley

Sea Within a Sea

It is easiest to find what you are looking for when you know who you are.
- Alstoph, Matin. Athens, Greece. 86 BC.

At The Helm

Well here we are, intrepid boatmen, at the the great in-between. The austerity endured thus far by each and every one of us in this valiant excursion is worth nothing short of the noblest praise. However I can no longer prevent myself from articulating the notion that troubles my very core, which doubtless you are already conscious of. It is, ironically, my own dauntless and absurd disposition that has allowed for this extraordinary task to be undertaken and I am forever in debt to all of you for your unremitting trust and assistance in my efforts. But friends, I fear our journey has come to its final hour. The unmerciful elements of the North Sea have claimed a great toll on many of our crew, while the rest of us are still at a great risk of experiencing the effects of untreatable ailment, of which, as i am well acquainted, are accompanied by derangement. As my latest forecast proves to unfold, it is my duty as your captain and fellow brother, to abort in my selfish explorative pursuits and prepare for the following deluge that finds such amusement in our toils. Tired and dispirited I no longer intend to grapple with the tempest. It may swallow us at its own will, resolving to put us out of our despair. Do not try to convince me of your courage, for I am fully aware of it, and it provides me some solace in this hour of darkness, but let me state with all honesty that it has been a privilege to work along side men of such fortitude. Should we survive, this malediction will prove to be another of life's lessons instructing us to reassess our hasty impulses that lead us astray, which so often are at the helm. However there is an ever-present display of defeat as evidenced by your countenances. Let us now find our final uncharted resting place in the shadows of the sea.

Thus, a wheel has been turned.

Captain Dunker Springfield of the HMS Hogwell, moments before capsized

Unexpected Enlightenment

I liken myself to the old world explorers,
Though not quite as hasty;
Rather than assume my discoveries
And then proclaim them as a right for all,
It is an absolute privilege to know such things;
A passer-by, wholly fulfilled,
Without the need for fingerprints to be seen.
Others may try, but none will understand,
Unless ye come in alone
With honesty and detachement.

From a roof on the brook, down from the mill, I found God.
- Hammel III, Goze. Motherwell, Scotland. 1208.

The Sleep of Reason

The constant collision of the heart and the mind derails ones pursuit for rationalization.
- Marwin, Bishop Dan. Manchester, England. 1551.

Oblique Hair Cuts

Checking himself twice in the reflecting glass, he hindered not his exclamation, Tonight's the night I find my baby!

[Dedicated to Joel Karasik, ca. b. 1228 d. 1231]

On the Frontier

Skipping stones across the sea is parallel to waiting for the bus, it gets tiresome.
- Tanopper, Frtmeyer. St. Johns, Newfoundland. 1984.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._A._Andr%C3%A9e%27s_Arctic_balloon_expedition_of_1897

Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon

(Caspar David Friedrich, oil on canvas c. 1824, Man and Woman Contemplating the Moon)


She was unaware of beauty
And her ignorance was her greatest quality
She did an impression of her greatest inspiration
And it was out of mind

Like living in a room full of mirrors
And dancing for no one

A thing is not high if it can be reached
I was a man dangling from a rising balloon
Content as an observer

The Moon is fashionable
Because it is untouchable
And still makes an impression