Saturday, April 23, 2005
GUNDALOWS The technical term for the flat-bottom river boats used so successfully on the Shenandoah River in early Virginia history, no doubt would resemble the word "gondola". The mixed dialects of settlers in Virginia worked some wonders with standard words in adapting them to local, occupational needs. To the waterman who ranged the length of the Shenandoah River it's upper reaches high in the Appalachian Mountain range down to Harper's Ferry, in what is now West Virginia. which was their main downstream port. "GON-do-lah", OR "Gon-DOH-la" are not too far from the sound of "Gun-DOH-low!" The gundalow of the Shenandoah type was a massive thing for specific use on that waterway and none other. They ranged from sixty to as much as ninety feet in length, ten or more feet in width and were build to make one maiden voyage only. The boat itself was so crafted that all materials from which it was constructed could be sold downstream as lumber and building materials ...beams, rafters, siding, flooring - that sort of thing. The boats were planked horizontally and built on shore - many at Port Republic, the uppermost port on the the South Fork or at New Market, the highest navigable point on the North Fork of the River. They were flat bottomed, but steerable from both for and aft tiller locations. They were loaded with timber, lumber, and other forest products as well as skins, pelts and farm products, but the major cargo was ingots of pig iron from the numerous forges throughout the area. Tonnage had to be carefully controlled on each vessel depending on anticipated water levels downstream. Gundalows were build "bottom up" or "top down" and when the time came for the "turning over" it was a festive occasion calling for dancing, parties and other such celebrations. So much depended on the success of that one-trip only vessel! Prior to the gundalow a primitive log raft has been In use on the river but they merely drifted with the currents and did serious damage to dams, weirs and other construction along river on which people depended. They were gradually eliminated. Detailed maps of the river show numerous mills along the river and all dams were so constructed that the gundalow could go over a passageway constructed so that a section of the dam was something resembling a water slide. Often those very mills would add to the downstream cargoes is they had marketable excess of flour and other edibles for man or beast. The main cargo was that six to twelve tons of pig iron. Once downstream everything would be sold at Harper's Ferry or in that area and the rivermen would walk back to Port Republic to build another. A.L.M. April 21, 2005 [c469wds]
Friday, April 22, 2005
SYMBOLS OF CITIES What is the icon representing your city to potential visitors? Copenhagen has its classical mermaid statue sitting on a rock in the edge of the harbor welcomeing people to both the harbor and the city. Paris has its Eiffel Tower and a score or more of other famous structures which enable people to know they are in Paris. London has its Big Ben , as well as Buckingham Palace with all its ceremonial pomp; the stern, uniformed guards and the statue of Victoria in front of it at the end of The Mall. New York features it Twin Trade Towers in its newer skyline area and a number of other famous skyscrapers to mark it as the city it is and has long been, and the Statue of Liberty, on Governor's Island , is, of course, a symbol with great meaning for millions of people. Wasnington, D.C. has a host of federal buildings to mark it as being our national capital including the Washington Monument on the Mall. San Francisco has its Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars. Seattle - it's Space Needle. The list becomes endless once you start writing down a list of them, doesn't it?. Does your city or town have such an emblem which sets it aparrt from others and gives it a unique appeal to visitors? Does the visitor find a one-of-a- kind thing in your community which makes it truly unique? No, it's not just for big cities. Smaller cities such as Roanoke with huge illuminated star on Mill Mountain and the nickname "The Star City of the South." is ,perhaps, typical. Staunton, Va. has the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace , a Town Clock Tower, and Suffolk, Virginia had its "Mr.Peanut" for many years as Harrisonburg had it's Bronze Turkey. Weyers Cave doesn't have such a thing unless you speak of the "cave" itself which is six miles away at Grottoes, Va. The whole of Williamsburg is the symbol of Colonial Williamsburg. ..and again we could go on-and-on.... I think cities and towns should develop such symbols to describe who and what they are. They can change, of course with the times and many do so. Remember when New York City was called "Gotham" or "Bagdad on fhe Hudson." That was before it became "The Big Apple." Roanoke was a called "The Magic City" when I first knew it ...and I can remember wondering what was so "magic" about it. Names can change with the times. New ones can be created or accented in a different manner. Think for just a moment of towns or cities you would like to visit and be aware of the pictures which seem to flood into your mind's eye. It happens almost automatically, does it not? We have preconceived notions about such places and it is important they they be worthy ones. They will not be flawless. Think of Venice and its beautiful canals, but remember what might smell like when the tide is out. Egypt is not all pyramids and cloomping camels by any stretch of the imagination. Cities and towns. By their symbols thou shalt know them, before you go there. A.L.M. April 18, 2005 [c531wds]
Thursday, April 21, 2005
VIOLENCE APLENTY We talk a great deal about how to deal with the problems of "violence" in our society, but I sometimes wonder if we really understand the situation and actually intend to "do" anything to try to eliminate the costly condition. I don't know that violence is any more pronounced in the present era than it has been at times in the past. We hear that saids a great deal and it is more apparent, to some degree, because of the tremendous advancements made in our systems of communications in recent years. It is "closer" to our daily lives even when it is removed from us, physically, by miles, oceans or space. I remember crime being present in my own three-quarter of a century awareness of such a thing. I think the "violence" of my early years could be said to have been pretty much in line with that of today with with subtle differences as the degree of cruelty involved, and different attitudes concerning the "rights" of others about us. I don't think we really knew what was going on, either. We have, in the past year or so, experienced some changes in our view as to the nature of violence in the military services. Society, I'm sure, has never been without "violence". The very first time a human encountered another human who got in his way or disagreed with him in the simplest action resulted in violence of a sort, I am sure. Violence, one might say, has been done the word itself in that it now encompasses not only dire doings involving physical harm, death, dismemberment or combat. but, in the mind of many, verbal violence and threats against the well-being of others. Different people see violence in a variety of ways. Many people live by violence of some sort and have little genuine desire to conform to rules which might eliminate it. The theory of The Dominant Male in our civilization has often led much to be desired in fairness and equity in the home, in business and in religious observances, as well. His shoulders, his stamina, his inventiveness and his determination are all needed to maintain his forward movement and if anyone impedes his path that enemy has to be dealt with. For that reason, and others of a like nature, we tend to think of violence as a Rambo-like, he-man, super-male thing which is only the more obvious manifest ion of it, really. Man is not alone in doing violent things. Women are right in there doing their share and children, too - acting so often in imitation of their parents or other leading adults. We need to study our social structures before we can expect to make any worthy progress in the ease some of the stress of lawlessness in our lives. To violate the basic rights of society is just as destructive as the physical action we tend to cloth violence in before we deal with its ravages. The seeds of underlying violence may been slower, and much more subtle- even go unnoticed. Think about some of the nasty, little things which occur almost daily in, our lives - then we are beginning to see how deeply it is implanted as a part of our culture. There is no easy, band-aid treatment. A.L.M. April 22,2005 [c562wds]
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
WHO DID WHAT? I have an inkling of where I may have picked up the idea that a man named Clement Moore wrote the words to the fine old Christmas poem and song we used to overdo during the yuletide season each and every year. It was said to have been written in time enough to be published in a New York town's paper called called "The Troy Sentinel." It is said to have been written exactly one year before that date of December 23, 1823. The writer was a biblical scholar and religious writer and a member of the teaching staff at one of the leading theological seminaries of his time. His name was Dr. C. Clement Moore and it is thought he refrained from publishing the poem which was written for his children. He felt that, in doing so, he might harm his hard-won reputation in his special field. We do not know if he relented a year later and took his poem to the local paper to be published without using his name; if member of his family or a friend passed it along. Or, the paper, looking for a bright, humorous and honest and sincere re-telling some of the old, old Saint Nicholas tales. Or, if might be that the paper, looking for such a fun-filled Christmas poem, just "came upon it." Clement Moore updated stories of St. Nicholas pretty much in the Walt Disney manner of our day. Following that publication date, Clement Moore denied having written the poem for just about twenty years or more. By that time it had become apparent that there was to be no public uprising objecting to the introduction of such a worldly, non-scriptural poem and into the Christmas time of celebration. In 1844 a man by the name of Donald W. Foster did a book titled "Author Unknown" in which he proved to his own satisfaction that another New York state resident - a Major Henry Livingston - not Clement Moore - had written the poem "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" a.k.a. "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." Henry Livingston never commented on the poem being included as one of his in Foster's book. He had been dead for seven years. A.L.M. April 20, 2005 [c407wds]
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
COOL SPOT I have been told that twenty-seven nations have expressed some sort of special tie they feeling they have concerning Antarctica. Were it located anywhere else but where it is, that could be an omen of real trouble ahead, but I don't think we have to worry about anyone setting up a group of colonies there anytime soon. Thus far, it has attracted scientific visitors interested in collecting, at frigid, first hand, the cold facts about the continent and its occupants. In the past most nations have set up small stations and usually along the fringe of the giant expanse of land an ice formations. They were, for the most part, intended to be temporary and many were mere way stations on a route toward the main attraction - the South Pole itself. They served as weather stations, as places to leave caches of food and spare and replacement parts for machines anything to help assure them of a safer, easier return trip after their dash to the Pole such camp, a part of the USA's Richard E. Byrd expeditions, outlived them all. Byrd himself spent a rigorous winter season down there and I remember how much the ham radio operators enjoyed keeping us in touch with "Little America" as the site came to be called. I have forgotten the name of the bay on which is located, but there is a creditable ghost town on Antarctica's shores , as well. It came to be a reality rather quickly when someone decided it was time to harvest an exceptionally large crop of whales. When that was done they abandoned the town that was constructed to do the job well and left it all to the native seal population. Over flights today show the seals have adapted to indoor living quite well. They are living in and around the selection of a dozen or so building - houses, a mess hall, some storage building, shops , warehouse barns and non-discript sheds; using them wisely to avoid direct confrontation with the wintry blasts which are common to the area. These is a long row of rusted, metal storage tanks behind the town's Main and only street fronting on the bay, and looming aggressively over and above it all is a huge the two whaling vessel rotting away on the harbor bottom. A.L.M. April 18, 2005 [c418wds]
Monday, April 18, 2005
AFRO ART I remember being privileged, many years ago, to see a private collection of African art which impressed me more than I had anticipated it might. Looking back at the visit, I now realize that I was charmed with those elements we would today classify as being in the nature of “crafts” rather than traditions involving drawing and painting. The collection of several hundred pieces, had some unusual work and I especially recall a carved “Temple”. It measured, about a foot long across the front; inside of temple was perhaps eight to ten inches deep, and the ornately carved roof rested on four black columns - in each corner of a gray floor. There was strong hint of western-styled “temples”, as well as if the worker had either seen pictures of old Greek temples or had heard vivid descriptions of ancient temples. The item was displayed on a eye-level shelf and it as easy for to see in side. The sanctuary was filled with human forms. They were in a confused mass. The distinctive feature of the tiny house was to be seen on the outside. Why were the two columns holding up the leading edge of the roof so black? Halfway up on he outer surface a small rectangular box was evident on each of the columns. Then, suddenly, I found that I was a tempted to take a column in my hand and press my thumb against a sliding switch. The native artist had worked in a representation of the missionary's wonderful, miracle-working "light stick" which was common , inexpensive flashlight of that era. They were always black with a bit of gray and the temple builder had echoed that precise hue as well contrasted to the glossy, reflective blacks seen elsewhere. Later on when I thought about having seen the "Light Stick" Temple, I found myself agreeing that it was a fine thing that he had made a place in his faith respecting the powers of a mechanical contrivance. Then, this week during the time of choosing a new Pope Benedict Sixteenth, I thought a great deal about the set routines, rituals, customs, habits and adornments fitted on or into the complex ceremony. We have all added a few features which might well shock the old-timers should they come to know they are part of our religious life. It happens in other parts of our living, as well. When "Star Wars" made such wonderful use of a diagnostic rod which, when waved over a patient instant determined the precise nature of the illness or the extent of injury and suggested the way to make right. Hundreds of people - including some medical doctors and nurses - contacted the the production company with letters asking where they could get such an instrument of salvation. The "diagnostic wand" which did so well on "Star Wars" episodes is said to have, actually, been a wooden salt shaker swiped from the studio commissary and sprayed with aluminum paint. The Temple in that collection may seem to be a token of abject ignorance to some, but I tend to see it as a forward leap in the thinking of that level of society in that place, that time, in that culture. Think what his concept must have been of a Temple as a gathering place for the people of his God. Even a short, televised visit to St. Peters in Rome or to a thousand or more churches around the world shows how much we have learned since ancient times as we ply our " light sticks" on the Solar systems around us. A.L.M. April 1, 2005 [c609wds]
Sunday, April 17, 2005
WHY THE DELAY? Let's get on with it! If and when very little doubt remains that Congress Tom DeLay, Republican whip in the House of Representatives from Texas, has been getting “outsiders” and “hired agents of industry” to pay some of his personal expenses., action should be taken at once. The House, and other such investigative bodies, so often seem to dwell on such weak contentions which insist that “everybody does it” which accomplishes absolutely nothing - even does real harm to any movement tending toward honesty by encouraging others who might be holding such secrets . Another common way is to encourage the media to inundate the public areas with a surge of extra information on any and all related subjects which tactic can kill any campaign of reformation by complicating the world of supporters and critics alike by confusing them and causing divisions. The main contention this time has to do with who paid for a golf outing Tom DeLay and others made to the historic St. Andrews golf course in Scotland. It should make little difference if the accused is of a particular party or none at all, because maintaining a high moral and ethical standard for one's party is a primary reason for retaining membership. Precedence is important to be seen not as a holy writ demanding repetition. Rather, commonsense observations such as: “If it was good enough for Newt Gingrich, then it's good enough for Tom DeLay.”seem to serve well. Under ideal conditions, which never exit in politics, one might think a man of the people would simply resign when it became evident he no longer stood for their views. It doesn't work that way because getting to such a place is far more difficult and costly in our time. On does not give up such attainment casually. Yet, we must have some method of removal, clearance of guilt if accused, and possibly steps leading to restitution. This places new burdens on the group judging its fellows. The need to a devise system for weeding out the mis-fitted, the momentarily mistaken, and the worthless from their ranks. What is the purpose of having a Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct if not enforced. They are meaningless if they can be bent, fractured, broken or ignored. A.L.M. April 17, 2005 [c389wds]
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