Creating Atmosphere, Part V

There’s more to atmosphere than moody old churches and damp ruins. At this time of the year, there is the fall foliage which signals the change of seasons, the coming of winter, and the harvest parties that have more elegant names to dress them up.

The photo to the left was taken looking down from a stretch of Route 6 in northern Pennsylvania. This vista has it’s own atmosphere, one that would do well in any story, fiction or not. Some views along this road seem hardly changed since the days of Daniel Boone. Now that’s an early American atmospheric setting if ever there was one.

It’s good to get out and see nature whenever you can. Living in a metropolitan area deprives people of the expansiveness of the areas beyond the metroplex. At the same time, I spend many months on a small Caribbean isle that has neither the lush green of the tropics nor the seasonal rotation of northern climes. Thus, a scene like the one at left is a real treat.

Get out and see something. It will enrich your life, calm your nerves, and do wonders for your karma.

Published in: on October 12, 2008 at 8:06 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Bistro Juliana, Philadelphia

Bistro Juliana, located on the edge of a neighborhood known as Fishtown, serves a fantastic lunch. The restaurant is owned by people who have another establishment near the center of Philadelphia.

As you can see from the street signs, this place is locate at the corner of Cumberland and Salmon Streets. There is parking across the street. What about the food? Well, the menu is Italian. For lunch I had the homemade ravioli with veal sausage. Excellent. And, the price was a mere $8.50. Some fast food meals cost nearly that much and are nothing compared to a nice sit down lunch here.

When in Philadelphia and in need for a pleasant and affordable, high-quality lunch, give this place a try. You won’t be disappointed. Spanish is also spoken, which helps a bloke like me work on his multi-lingual skills.

Published in: on October 11, 2008 at 1:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Aruba Cemeteries

There are many cemeteries in Aruba that feature excellent statuary, fascinating crypts, and haunting images. During my extended stays on the island, I typically take a few strolls through a cemetery or two like the one shown below.

If nothing else, a trip to the cemetery reminds us that no one lives forever. Best to get those things done you’d like to while you’re still alive. Sounds like a cliche, but it’s true.

Published in: on October 10, 2008 at 2:10 pm  Comments (1)  
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Something Else to Consider?

It occurs to me that no matter what anyone says, the government is a big part (if not the biggest part) of the problem with regards to the current economic situation. After all, the government decided to dabble in the mortgage market, came up with some rather insane idea, and implemented its strategy of the course of a couple of decades. Now, let’s not argue or even waste time considering the rights or wrongs of that. The point is, given that they put the taxpayer at risk playing this game, I wonder if the taxpayer shouldn’t step back and say, thanks but no thanks with regards to the government jumping in with both feet to try to “rescue” the situation. Really, they don’t know how deep the water is, or if there are sharks, or if it is water they’re jumping in to. (might be toxic waste they’re headed for)

Just something else to consider.

Published in: on October 9, 2008 at 6:25 pm  Leave a Comment  
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