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Pics: Nymphs¹ Galore!!
1 thru 3. Ancient Greek Nymphs had a variety of nature based tasks.
They handled wild animals & plants, for holiday worship & sacrifices.
Held rites & religious experiences, like being 'entombed' as part of a rebirth rite.
And prepared herbal medicines for the sick & old.
Basically, ancient wise women - what we now call wiccans.
But, were there real women behind these tasks or, is it just a story?
4. Oread (mountain Nymph)? Or, is she a Hamadryad (tree Nymph)?
5. Is this a Naiad (river Nymph)? A Nereid (sea Nymph)?! Or, Oceanid (ocean Nymph)?!!
6 & 7. Certain trees had Dryads (oak) & Meliae (ash) to attend to them.
But, most known types of tree had its own Nymph, from Aegeirus (poplar) to Suke (fig)...
These were seen as the children of Hamadryas (oak bonded), the Dryad of Mt. Othrys (of the mountain?) in central Greece.
1914: The Work, Part 3.
The 1st paragraphs of this Lovecraft poem is a rerun, in verse, of his introduction.
"Frightful griffins (legends tell), Amid the far Rhipaean dwell. Perched on high peaks, (to) watch the moon, (while) guard(ing) hoards of Hyper- borean gold."
"In vain (do) 1-eyed Arimaspians tr(y) with... might to seize the glittering prize: (Yet) griffins are made from (such) monstrous things, A lion's trunk; (with) eagle's head & wings: What thief can oppose, (Or) in greed face such ferocious foes?"
Now, Howard focuses on a particular, "silly" griffin - who's not thinking about guarding any prized metals!
"Yet 1 there was, who (from this) rugged race, Aspired to a softer, sweeter place."
"With liquid glance² the creature eyed, The... Nymphs that ranged the mountainside³."
"No thought of strengh nor martial deeds he took, And never (did) strive but for a melting look²."
So, he's a peeping creep that's lusting outside of his own race... Will it come back to bite him in the rump?
Notes:
1. Nymphs (young women, brides) are human-like personications of nature.
They are tied to particular fertile places (rivers, forests, etc) or to certain 'living' things (trees, water, etc).
Nymphs can alter their appearance into related natural forms.
They usually attend the Olympian gods & can have children with them.
2. A "liquid glance" is compared to a "melting look."
It's not a tearful eye but, a lustful one.
Yet, the griffin's not committing to any 1 being. It's Nymphs plural, not singular.
Nor is he following a group with a different agenda - his brothers's roughhousing.
The 2 eyes that allowed him to 'appreciate' other creatures - also conspired to blind him to his race's usual pursuits.
There's other doubles to be found here:
Such as the 2-eyed griffin vs the 1-eyed barbarians.
The mythic beast can look at the moon, while it also keeps a wary eye on its riches.
But, the Arimaspians are of a single eye & purpose - to get rich...
The griffin, itself, is an union of 2 bodies - while their enemies are only temporarily joined to their horses.
Yet, even with 2 eyes, the griffin soon errs...
Eyes led astray while he lingered in his rugged ease.
3. These mountainside Nymphs should be Oreades (hill/mountain goddesses).
All mountain Nymphs were children of Hamadryas, the 1st in this line of divinities.
Oreades were followers of Artemis (butcher? stainless maiden?), Greek goddess of the moon.
She loved hunting high up in the raw mountains & rocky cliffs.
Next: Part 4 - The Work Continues.
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Pics:
1 & 2. Intro/description on griffins.
3 thru 6. Griffins galore!!
7 & 8. Examples of the "Hyperborea" Role Playing Games!
9. Title page to Milton's 2nd edition of "Paradise Lost."
Part 2 - Notes.
1. Griffins are majestic but, mythic beasts whose body is made up like a mashup of a lion's body & an eagle's head & wings.
2. The Hyperboreans were a mythic "people living beyond the North Wind."
Their lands were - supposedly - a northern paradise that was warm, sunny & blessed by Apollo.
In return for Apollo's blessings, the Hyperboreans founded shrines at Delos (floating isle & birthplace of Apollo) & Delphi (home of Apollo's oracle sanctuary).
3. Arismaspians were a mythic nation living in the southern foothills of the Rhipaean Mountains in northern Scythia (now the Ukrainian & Russian steppes).
They used horses for traveling, food, clothing, war & trading.
Ancient writers might have been inspired by the horse-clans of the Scythian folk.
4. John Milton was an English poet, polemicist (strong debater) & civil servant for the Commonwealth of England &, later, for Oliver Cromwell.
He created many new English words based on Greek & Latin bases.
Milton became famous for his "Areopagitica ( )," an impassioned defense of the freedoms of speech & a free press.
5. "Gryphus in Asinum Mutatus" is Latin for "how a gryphon became an ass."
Today, the sentiment is basically, "you turned treasure into garbage."
6. "Paradise Lost" is Milton's most epic poem. It was printed in blank (unrhymed) verse in 1667.
The book retells the Biblical story of Adam (red earth son) & Eve (mother of life) - in greater detail.
Also, the Fall of Lucifer (light bringer)!!
But, this book was banned - by King Charles the 2nd!! - because Milton publicly opposed the British monarchy & its Anglican Church!
7. Blarney is defined, by Irish politician John O'Connor, as "skillful flattery & really clever talk."
"Sweetened," he continued, "by humor & flavored by wit."
Originally, blarney meant "nonsense & humbug" in Irish slang.
Etymologically, Blarney means "a little field" in English.
8. Why are donkeys & asses inter- changable?
8A. Ass, "donkey" comes to us from the Anglo-Saxon word "assa," which was borrowed from the Latin "asinus."
It might originate from some Middle Eastern language ...
8B. Ass, "butt, bottom" is, of course, from the British "arse."
Somehow, the letters "r" & "s" were dropped in translation - but, only in American English!
9. The Rhipaean (windy? gusty?) Mt.s are a mythic place far northeast of the Mediterranean Sea area.
A cave on its southern face was, supposedly, from where icy Boreas (the north wind) emerged.
Map makers kept placing this lofty range further away as Eurasia became better explored - by traders.
These mythic mountains would persist on Western maps - until the dawn of the Renaissance!
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Pics:
1 & 2. Modern renditions of 'realistic' griffins¹. Like dragons, they were supposed to guard loads of gold!
3. Simple diagram that places the Greek mythic 'world' at the extremes - away from the Mediterranean Sea.
4. Drawing of what a Hyperborean² supposedly looked like.
Reminds me of the much later Viking raiders...
5. The face of the 1-eyed Arimaspian³ 'people.'
They were mounted warriors who sought out & fought over griffin gold.
It looks like a Hindu god with its 3rd eye (of wisdom) open...
Hmm.
The idea of griffins did come from India...
6. John Milton⁴, extraordinary British poet - in the 1600s.
7. Collection of Milton's epic Biblical poems!
1914: Output.
Intro: "Gryphus in Asinum Mutatus⁵" is the last poem that Lovecraft wrote in 1914.
It takes Howard back to his early childhood, when he read Ovid's "Metamorphosis" & HPL thought that he was a 'real' pagan.
Lovecraft actually believed that he saw a satyr (man-goat) & a nymph (minor nature goddess) in the back lawn of his grandad's mansion!!
Howard was so inspired that he wrote several short poems.
One about the Roman's (Ovid) work, another on the ancient Greek Iliad & the last on the Odyssey.
But, this 1914 work claims to show how a griffin turned out to be a real ass...
It's an amusing satire based on Ovid's idea of eternal, magical 'changes' thru out time.
And, it does show off HPL's deep knowledge of classical mythology & English verse.
It's a little known effort, nowadays.
With little professional commentary.
The Work, Part 1: Lovecraft's intro!
(Howard introduces the idea of a griffin, where it came from & gives a quote from Milton's 2nd book of "Paradise Lost⁶.")
(HPL also mentions "the Blarney⁷ or North Carolinian species" - of the North American donkey⁸!)
A gryphon or griffin is a mythic animal with the body of a lion - plus, the head & wings of an eagle.
Such griffins dwelled in the Riphaean Mountains⁹, which were situated north of Scythia (Asian stepple area), between the blessed Hyperboreans & the 1-eyed Arimaspians.
These mounted cyclopes¹⁰ attempted to steal that gold, an action that resulted in the hostility between horses & griffins!
Milton, in his 2nd book of "Paradise Lost," refers to:
"A griffin thru the wilderness, winged... over hill & moor(-like) dale..."
"Pursues... (an) Arimaspian, who by stealth, Has from (the Griffin's) custody, purloined it's guarded gold."
Next: Part 2, Notes.
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I don't know anybody who wants tRump to rule over them...
Nor do we normalize his evil acts.
We know he's an evil con man.
In fact, most people know Rump is the worst idiot to ever cheat his way into the White House!!
What I worry about are his Republikkkan enablers who are trying to keep voters from voting.
It's long been out in the open that they keep changing voting laws & redrawing Party maps to help them win...
They're especially focused on keeping minorities & older folk from voting.
And, I don't see enough Democratic response to this attack on our voting laws...
We need to help voters be enrolled to be able to vote...
Voters need to know that they have "limited times" to vote in...
Some voters need rides to even get to the limited places where the polls are located...
The Republikkkans are definitely going to try to cheat their way in - cause it's the only way they'll 'win'...
What needs to happen is that Rump gets jailed for threatening the judge, his daughter, the jurors - Hell! He's even threatening the court clerks...
Free speech doesn't include Hate Speech...
Only evil souls use bullying to attack others...
Put his Rump in Gitmo & execute him publicly - otherwise, this is going to continue beyond the election...
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10 Scary Space Facts That Will Change How You Think about Outer Space | Space Curios
Some of the weird shit going on in outer space!
I mean black holes & invisible dark matter are bad enough.
And, we've got a national election to worry about!!
Now we've got more dangers to pile up in our plates - not our overpriced goods, instead...
Yet, be warned!!
That 2nd video is a long one.
See it - but, only when you have some free time handy!
Enjoy.
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Shadow speaker: Hakeem Jeffries quietly wrests control from Mike Johnson https://www.axios.com/2024/04/21/hakeem-jeffries-speaker-mike-johnson-israel-ukraine
Good news for the Ukrainians fighting off Russia's invasion!!
Also, it looks like Hakeem Jeffries is quickly coming into his own.
He handled the vote for this much needed aid package deftly.
I think we're going to see more smart moves from this promising politician.
(Politician?! Ooo... Do I need to wash my mouth out with soap & water? No, Jakeem's a keeper!!)
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Pics: Just for fun - Lovecraftian humor... Enjoy.
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When Harry Met Sally... (6/11) Movie CLIP - I'll Have What She's Having ...
youtube
This is the scene I meant...
Sorry for all the ads, God!!
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When Harry Met Sally... (6/11) Movie CLIP - I'll Have What She's Having ...
youtube
This is the scene I meant...
Sorry for all the ads, God!!
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Pic: All Lives Matter finally posted!
Some might remember that I had these 10 pics & commentary that kept disappearing whenever I posted them.
Well, I still don't know where all that work went!!
But, some 4 or 5 versions of this one post are floating around online, some- where...
At 1st, I thought that I was being censored - or hacked!
Well, I didn't give up trying to post, in various different ways.
So, I finally found out what how I could circumvent the problem - though not why...
It was all to do with the pics I was using.
Taking screenshots & using them in- stead, finally 'disabled' whatever was keeping me from normal posting.
Phew!!
Do not want to go thru that again.
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Pics: All Lives Matter 3.
1 & 2. 'Funny' how racists think that only their past - without the mis- deeds, however - matters.
As if only their race ever did anything.
Other cultural achievements are derided for being 'unworthy' or, is stolen to be displayed as war trophies.
Please.
Come back when you've created something the like of the Pyramids...
Or, as beautiful as the Taj Mahal...
Or as amazing as the Mona Lisa's smile...
Sorry.
But, white trash culture (mostly stolen from other cultures) has quite a ways to go before it can actually 'dazzle' the rest of humanity...
Throwing paint at a 'canvas' is just not finishing to paint a wall.
Then, literally watching paint dry...
3. What can be done to better balance the American experience & ideals.
It needs more representation - from ALL kinds of kind people.
Smarter humanist rather than just lawyers.
And, wiser leaders than demagogues.
4. What it all boils down to...
If we can put men on the Moon, why can't we treat each other right?
What does skin color 'really' have to do with anything?
The real problem lies with evil folk (of all colors) that 'need' to oppress & denigrate other's lives...
As if only the oppressors matter.
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250 posts!
Wow.
Not. Expecting. This.
I've had some fun, sorrow & madness on this little blog.
Hoping I get to finish it right...
Blessed be to the readers.
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Hello maybe you should follow me back I have so many things I would love to share with you
I believe I did put your site on my follow list - yesterday...
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Hello there! My family needs to leave Gaza out of necessity . I suffer from nightmares that are so closely resemble reality that I no longer Differentiate between reality and a dream.Thank you for taking your efforts and time in reading my plea. There are no words to describe the horrors unfolding in this place,never expected to find myself in this situation. Because of this horrible situation I have decided to come before you guys for a financial support so that I can evacuate my family from this hell that we are into.The funds will be strictly used for the evacuation . I will personally bear any additional expenses incurred.Your support will make a significant difference in alleviating the suffering of my family ,We urgently need any kind of support before it is to late. As time ticking away translates to lives lost in Gaza I'm here and ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have.Kindly reach out and connect with me
I'm sorry.
As a poor retiree, I don't have the funds necessary to get you all out of danger.
I don't have any disposable money. Everything goes to my rent, food & medicines.
Our economic system isn't as great as you might have heard.
We aren't all rich stars & the streets aren't paved with gold.
They never were...
That's why it's known as the American 'Dream.'
All that I can offer are prayers.
But, perhaps you can get help from Doctors Without Borders or the Red Cross.
They've been known for helping folk get to people that can help...
Again, my humble regrets.
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Rump straight to Gitmo for most deserved public execution...
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Seriously, again, how dumb is Trump? - Robert Reich
Wow.
I can't believe that I missed this article when it originally came out!
I mean...
I knew, from other reports, that he was a Con Man & his appearances showed that he was Stupid!!
But, this Dumb POS managed to destroy the reputation of an American political Party & managed to Cheat his way into the White House...
Of course, being this Dumb meant that he had a lot of foreign & more Traitorous help doing so.
Even now, during his many trials, he continues to get help from folk hoping to use him for their own ends.
That's how Dumb he Reeks...
Wow.
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Pics: All Lives Matter 2.
1. So, racist Karens seem to have used up their 15 minutes of 'fame.'
Good riddance to their ridiculous & overemotional rants.
This kind of idiotic diarrhea of the mouth just revealed more about the Karen's mental instability than any- thing else.
Kudos to the victims who endured these spiteful verbal attacks with wit, sanity & principle - moral abilities that all of your attackers severely lack.
A shout out to all the normal Karens. You ladies rock!!
Please understand that this venom is not aimed at you - just your evil doppelgangers from the Mirror Dimension...
2 thru 4. The inequality of our justice system is truly running rampant these days.
All you have to do is watch the generous treatment that the Rump has been getting.
At all turns, the Sleepy Don is allowed to rant, rage & threaten everyone that's against him - &, a lot of people who have nothing to do with him.
Any normal 'defendant' would be quickly slapped with extra jail time - in solitary!
Away from anyone other than his crooked lawyers...
Yet, his cowardly threats against the judge's own daughter is 'rewarded' with another gag order that tRump WILL certainly challenge!
When will the legal system realize that this laughable court order isn't really working.
His cultists, who put out that threat against President Biden, should all be executed - along with their 'strong' man!!
And, so should his Republikkkan enablers. Those Toadies who like oppressive laws so much - until it's their turn...
Televising their executions would would readily deter other would be American dictators from trying this kind of shit again...
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