Great Quote!

I came across this the other day and thought it was great, and pretty much sums the situation up:

Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth's surface relative to other matter; second, telling other people to do so.

                                                                                          Bertrand Russell

More Dead White Men

Seems in my recent travels I keep coming across interesting dead guys I did not know where there. In Newport it was Benedict Arnold's family. Recently my wife and I were in New York City (was asked to give a talk at the American Yacht Club in Rye - a terrific place and they put on a heck of an event) and we ended up in the cemetery at Trinity Church in Manhattan. Unbeknownst to me, Captain James Lawrence of "Don't give up the ship!" fame is buried here. Since I am mired in the War of 1812 these days (more on the new book later) I got a particular kick out of this.

Not a great picture. And, of course, the camera adds 100 pounds. Also, note what the stantions holding the chain fence are made from!

The Big 5-0

And I don't, alas, mean Hawaii. Yeah, I turned fifty today. That milestone is bad enough, but was in necessary for Mid Coast Senior Health Center to send me a packet of information about the programs they offer for the elderly? However, I was curious about the special place they have for the memory impaired. I keep meaning to call them about that, but it keeps slipping my mind.

Thanks to everyone who sent such thoughtful comments and Birthday greetings.