More of the Same Sad Story

Today is the 77th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor in whose aftermath the USA redefined itself as a nation and within the world of nations until the attacks of 9/11 to which the former is invariably compared. 

America of 1941, and the world for that matter was very different from our world today and it's with that span of time, I suspect, comes some detachment in looking at that history half a world away for those on the Eastern Seaboard. 

I learned about Pearl Harbor as a child in American History classes, then later at college through my classes and studies and still later when I encountered men (and women) who had served in World War II, and not always on the victorious side. The more I learned, the less I knew which is one of the positive results of education: when you don't know what you don't know, you're at your most dangerous. 

When the last resort, armed force, becomes the first recourse, we all lose. I've never had the chance, yet, to visit the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii (it wasn't the only ship sank and her Sailors weren't the only ones who died), but I'd hope to do so before I pass, as I suspect waiting until afterwards, I wouldn't get quite so much out of it.. 

I wandered across the battlefields of World War II while living in Europe from Normandy, France (where every single bar is called June 6, or at least it seems that way), past the ruins in downtown Frankfurt am Main, (West) Germany, as modern a city as you could otherwise ever imagine. 

I visited Dachau, just outside of Munich, walking through the remainders and reminders of the barracks trying to grasp that people had lived (and died) there. I never got used to the fact that no birds were ever heard at Bergen-Belsen in the Luneberg Heide, one of the Nazi interim equations as they made their Final Solution. It was as if God, Himself, had turned His face from us, ashamed of those who insist and persist in our belief that we are created in His likeness while committing hateful and hurtful acts on one another.

All of those spaces and places are connected as if in a straight line to Pearl Harbor, Bataan, the Rape of Nanking, and a thousand other geographic locales (more than 20 million men (and women) fought in World War II and the death toll of those who were non-combatants may be higher than that number) as some sort of a perverse demonstration that as noble as we can be, the depths of our depravity and indifference towards one another may not yet be fully plumbed.

There has been a lot of darkness and a lot of blood and tears since the last Cautionary Tale we think of as World War II. The rush of all the ensuing years may have served to make us numb to the approaching calamity of what will undoubtedly be the Last World War. We won't have to worry about what lessons we learned, or didn't, as there will be no one left to read anything.
-bill kenny

Just Reverse the Bib

My Thelma and Louise were doing a run to the Ikea in New Haven yesterday leaving yours truly to pad about the house by himself. I like to compare a description of my wanderings to a wonderful turn of phrase John Lennon offered about thoughts, 'meander like a restless wind inside a letter box,' but the truth is I'm more like a bee-bee rolling around in a boxcar. 

I was left to my own devices for lunch (Sigrid had made an extra portion of dinner Tuesday evening for me to have last night under the motto 'Poofter's Froth Wyoming Plans Ahead') and I had a multigrain roll with swiss cheese for lunch and since I am the dishwasher in my house, to cut myself some slack, I opted to place my roll on a paper plate.

We get those tall stacks of paper plates that seem to be sort of welded together and that you struggle to separate so as to only have one and I discovered in the course of that wrestling match yesterday that being able to determine when I have more than one paper plate is apparently my super-power. 

I surprised (and for a moment, disappointed) myself with that discovery since and let's face it, I'm not ever gonna get all of that 'I Can Tell When I Only Have One Paper Plate' scrawled across the front of a skin-tight shirt tucked into a pair of tights with a cape. Much less wear that outfit in public. As superpowers go, it's kinda meh I admit. But.

On the other hand, until I made my discovery, I'd gone sixty-six and a half years without having any superpowers at all so I guess there's that. Turns out, in the interest of full disclosure, I  don't have that same ability with red Solo cups. In case you were about to ask.
-bill kenny     

First (Friday) Things First

I really enjoyed Saturday’s Winterfest Parade and I hope you did too. Despite the cold and windy snap we had earlier in the week our weather and temperatures Saturday were, I think, perfect for the season. 

Kudos to the parade organizers, Norwich Events! And a hearty (if belated) thank you for your efforts (along with the sponsors and all of the assorted helpers) who enabled our city to remind everyone (again) why Norwich was named Connecticut’s Christmas City all those years ago.

In years past when the afternoon shadows grew long after the parade we’d gather at City Hall but as of last year the annual Lighting of City Hall now kicks off the First Friday Downtown Norwich, and last one for this year, which is the day after tomorrow. 

If history holds true, hundreds (if not more like a thousand or so) of us will fill every place and space surrounding City Hall to enjoy the carols, the skits, the singalongs and (of course) the countdown to, and lighting, of one of the most beautiful public buildings in all of New England.  

From a Light Up City Hall of Years Past

And, while we're downtown Friday, we can now also enjoy an ever-expanding offering of attractions and events to include art gallery openings and shows at downtown theaters the artists and merchants who call downtown home have to offer. First Friday is a catchy title to jot down on the planning calendar and the sights, sounds, moments, and attractions are an invitation and enticement to stop and enjoy downtown delights.

First Friday is organized by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce, and is a cooperative effort between and among galleries, theatres, businesses, civic organizations, and local artists to include painters, sculptors, actors, musicians, culinary experts, authors, and photographers to offer all of us a night they hope we'll long remember (and remind us in perhaps some subtle ways that we can have evenings just like it all the other days of the week that end in ‘y’ whether they’re first or otherwise).

Here’s a (by no means complete) listing of places to visit including Encore Justified, Gallery at the Wauregan Inc., Monocle on Broadway, Norwich Arts Center, The Art House of Norwich, Reliance Health, Inc., NAC Gallery, Bold As Love Artisan Guild, Central Baptist Church, Bully-Busters; Reliance Health Gallery, restaurant, and ArtSpace Norwich. And there’s also a book signing with Lottie B. Scott, author of "Deep South, Deep North, A Family's Journey".

And yet another Light Up Past

If you get hungry or thirsty (or both), First Friday has something for every palette with Billy Wilson's Ageing Still, Craftsman Cliff Roasters, Epicure Brewing, Harp & Dragon, Ice & Fire, La Stella Pizzeria, Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant, Namoo, The Royal Punjabi, These Guys Brewing Co. LLC, and Strange Brew (plus whoever I forgot).

The great thing about community events like these is because so many neighbors and friends work to create them and so many more enjoy them, first they become great memories and then, wonderful traditions we all can share. See you Friday? Of course!

-bill kenny

1924-2018

Sometimes a picture is worth a lot more than a thousand words.

President George Herbert Walker Bush

And sometimes you have to borrow someone else's words. 

Rest easy, Mr. President, we have the watch, CAVU.

-bill kenny

Zevon Would Smile

We were once a nation of rules, penalties, punishments, and rewards. I'm not we were always that way but until recently I had assumed we'd always remain as we are in terms of avoidance behavior. 

I grew up watching a black and white Superman TV show where he fought for 'truth, justice, and the  American Way,' and almost a lifetime later truth seems to have become situational, the American Way is no longer synonymous with integrity in how we treat one another and fairness for all, and justice has become who has a bigger and better lawyer. 

Just ask Jason Stibler. 
We are a now a county of lawsuits at ten paces. Warren would be pleased.
-bill kenny    

Every Year Again

We've had a lot of man-made events in the last week and a half as the pace of the holiday season accelerates. Thanksgiving Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Shirtless Wednesday...What? Oh, right, yeah like I'm the only one celebrating that. Okay, be that way. 

And then there's today, the First Sunday of Advent. 
Truly, the embodiment of 'one of these days is not like the other.'

Feel free to use your tablet, smartphone or new computer purchased on Cyber Monday to look up exactly why.
-bill kenny

Natal Anniversary Celebrations!

Today is my oldest younger sister's birthday. I’m actually kind of impressed I remembered it since I, myself, was so young when she was born. Of course, I must also concede that she, too, was young at that time, and probably remembers it just fine, thank you.

When we were very small (with our heads at about the height that whacked dining room tables when you cut corners too closely as you ran around the house not that we ever did) I used to call her "Boss in charge of the Dog." I don't think I ever actually did that in front of the dog, or better phrased, dogs, as from her earliest age, she was (and has remained) an animal lover while I only liked them at mealtime.

She has had more than her fair share of tumult and tears (as well as triumphs) in recent years and, as always, has a lot on her plate these days with enough wishes and worries, hopefully in equal number to allow her to sail through the holiday season and into the New Year. Where fingers crossed, even better days await.

Happy Birthday, Evan!

-bill kenny