John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie (1917) Considered one of the main innovators of bebop along with Charlie Parker, Gillespie was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. His virtuosity and comic wit—in addition to his trademark puffed cheeks and 45-degree upturned trumpet bell—made him one of the most charismatic and influential musicians in jazz. Gillespie was once struck by a car while riding his bicycle. Though he was injured only slightly, a jury awarded him $1,000 because he could no longer do what? More…

Love…roots up the will like a leaf, and sweeps the whole heart into the abyss. Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)

antediluvian Definition: (adjective) So extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period. Synonyms: antiquated, archaic Usage: My grandfather’s antediluvian ideas about relationships and marriage are frequently at odds with my views. Discuss.

The Metropolitan Council donated three-hundred boxes of food, and reusable shopping bags with a face mask and small bottle of spray hand sanitizer was provided by Empire Health Plan and more reusable bags by the Department of Sanitation. Term Limited […]

Pauline Bonaparte (1780) A woman of great beauty and considerable scandal, Pauline Bonaparte was Napoleon’s favorite sister. She accompanied her first husband on an expedition to subdue Haiti, but he failed and died of yellow fever. Pauline then married a Roman nobleman, but she soon tired of him and returned to Paris, where her scandalous conduct earned her a reputation. Pauline was the only one of Napoleon’s siblings to come to his aid when he was exiled to Elba, despite having incurred his disfavor for what? More…

Antiquities are history defaced, or some remnants of history which have casually escaped the shipwreck of time. Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

indignation Definition: (noun) Strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger. Synonyms: outrage Usage: I could hardly contain my indignation at his disparaging comments. Discuss.

If you park in a Red Zone (No Standing Anytime) you are liable to have your car booted, and then towed away by the New York City Department of Traffic.  Saturday morning I came upon a situation where I saw […]

The number of murders in the Bronx for 2019 totaled 84. In the CompStat Report Covering the week of 10/5/2020 through 10/11/2020 the number of murders in the Bronx was 84, thus equaling the 2019 number with more than 11 weeks […]

John McLoughlin (1784) A Canadian doctor and fur trader, McLoughlin became administrator of the far western region of England’s Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1820s. In spite of the strained relations between Britain and the US, “the Father of Oregon” offered help to American settlers in the disputed territory. After an 1846 treaty established the US-Canadian border farther north than he had hoped, he claimed a large tract of land whose ownership he disputed with the US until his death. Who was he accused of murdering? More…

Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

profligacy Definition: (noun) The trait of spending extravagantly. Synonyms: prodigality, extravagance Usage: They fell on hard times but did not curb their spending, and this profligacy soon brought them to the brink of bankruptcy. Discuss.