Terms Clarifed By Example

 

                                                              science.nasa.gov

 Confounding.      "This much we know. We live in a galaxy, the Milky Way containing around 200 billion stars. There are something like a trillion galaxies in our observeable universe. . . . Distant galaxies are moving apart from one another.  Extrapolating backwards we reach a hot, densely packed configuration about 13.8 billion years ago. . . . The Big Bang event is a hypothetical moment when the whole thing started - a moment in time - a 'singularity' - probably never happened, signals we do not have the correct understanding."                  Sean M. Carroll NYRB 8/20/2025  pp 27-29

Sardonic      "If I thought you weren't my friend, I just don't think I could bear it".                                                                                     Doc Holiday  Tombstone

 Fear        In 1935 Heavyweight boxing champion Max Baer defined "fear" as looking across the ring, seeing Joe Lewis and knowing he wants to go home early.    Google AI

Enlightment  In 1956 " . . . as Soviet tanks crushed the Hungarian uprising, the Marxist literary critic Gyorgy Lukacs was arrested in Budapest, held in a Romanian castle and deprived of his right to know the charges, much less rebut them. 'So Kafka was a realist after all" he declared.   NYT 5/23/2024

Alert    Old Jewish cable - "Start worrying. Details to follow."  Roger Cohen NYT  10/20/2017

Chloe's Gone - Obit

   Chloe a Lhasa-Poo and Carol's companion for 16 years died Friday, July 10th, 2026. She was an intelligent, determined, alert and beautiful little dog.. As legend has it Lhasas have been used for decades as mobile burglar alarms roaming in small packs vast Tibetian monestaries. 

    Sixteen years ago Chloe, age 12 weeks was enrolled by Carol in a course for puppies at the Humane Society of Sarasota County, The Certificate she received with her picture is framed on the wall in  front of my desk. It reads "This certifies that CHLOE has completed the HSSC Pawsitively Positive Dog Obedience Training Class." OK - it's not a Pulitizer Prize but the puppies had a great time and we were very proud!  

    Chloe had a comfortable life living summers in Fly Creek, NY (nearby Cooperstown is part of Greater Fly Creek) and wintering in Sarasota FL She and Carol walked every day and covered through the years many miles, meeting and greeting people and dogs.  Chloe's grooming was always excellent. Her haircuts were three times more expensive than John's, a close friend, but happily much less than Carol's.  As she aged Chloe required a special chicken/rice diet received in packages requiring refigeration. A picture of the inside of our freezer stuffed with Chloe's food is available for purchase.

    Chloe's passing has left a dark lonely void in our lives. Run free little dog    Look for Max, Dusty and George.  Perhaps in the future we . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                                                

                                                    

                                                           

Tonka's Gone - Obit

 

   

                                                       

                                         

     Tonka died April 19th, 2026 at age 13. She was always a very good dog with issues. Her "breed" was a subject of debate but a mix of Terrier, Pit Bull and perhaps a dash of Thai Ridgeback were possibilities. Her home for the past decade was Satchel's Last Resort in Sarasota. She was my friend across that time. Together we made 539 trips to Myakka State Park and over 300 visits to Twin Lakes County Park. She absolutely loved Smoked Pig's Ears ("light chew") until most of her teeth were extracted. Then her love switched to my especially created meat soup - water with hamburger AND/OR grilled hot dog, chicken, pork, salami, turkey, liverwurst.

      Tonka is sorely missed. Run free my friend - wait for me.

                                          

  For Tonka's bio see "Define Humane" in this blog.