Category: The Moosilauke Letters

 Horseshoe RunWest VirginiaJune  2011 There are quite a number of smallest churches in the United States of America.  One such mini-church, which bills itself as the “Smallest Church in the Lower 48,” is on Route US-219 in the unincorporated community of Horseshoe Run in West Virginia.  It’s on our way to the high point of… Continue reading Smallest Church in America

Sir Francis Bacon (1st Viscount of St Albans), philosopher, jurist, statesman, author and scientist was born January 22nd, 1561 at York House in London. Once an adult, he was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I as well as being a close advisor to the Earl of Essex. One of his biographers, the historian William Hepworth… Continue reading Sir Francis Bacon

Edgar Thompson Works, U S SteelBraddock & North BraddockPennsylvaniaJanuary  2014 There are 27 columns in my Pennsylvania Series.  Behold! ===== Behold the greatest imaginary folk hero steelworker who ever lived.  And he lived and worked right here in my home town of Pittsburgh. The word Magarac, this character’s last name, is Croatian for “donkey,” which… Continue reading Pennsylvania Series XII — Joe Magarac

all around youall the time sealSeals lounge and bark.  Many of us have been addressed by a seal. Or were you addressed by a sea lion?  Is there a difference?  Behold… seal small thinly webbed flipperssea lion large flippers seal wriggle on their belliessea lion walk on land seal no visible ear flapssea lion small,… Continue reading Sound Off or How to Recognize Your Friends in the Woods — part III

all around youall the time vultureVultures make raspy, drawn-out hissing sounds while feeding and fighting, along with grunting noises that can sound like hungry pigs or dogs barking in the distance.  Courting vultures may give a yapping sound although sometimes it just plain old squeaks. They always sound annoyed.  Probably because they are always annoyed.… Continue reading Sound Off or How to Recognize Your Friends in the Woods — part II

all around youall the time Open your ears and close your eyes. cow“Mooo,” said the cow.  I was surprised.  I think of myself as a very good listener and I must say that in general, cows do not moo.  Cows low.  There’s a difference. N’wait, I’ll give you this.  Some cows moo.  You can actually… Continue reading Sound Off or How to Recognize Your Friends in the Woods — part I

May   2021 My brother Steve had a birthday one week ago.  He turned 85, or would have had he lived.  Let me show you my tribute to him, delivered at his on-line wake. I’m Kenn, Steve’s younger brother, have been all my life. I could be crying a lot here.  I certainly had my… Continue reading Tribute to Steve

June  2022 Cemeteries are not places I frequent.  Rarely, if ever, do I visit the people who live there.  Well, actually, I often visit the cemetery two blocks from my house on my daily walks.  I simply am not there to visit with the residents. Until today.  It was time to say goodbye to Mom. … Continue reading To Visit Mom

New MexicoJuly  2013 We have some free time and it’s a good day for exploring.  We visit Carlsbad Caverns, beyond Whites City, a provocative name at best. Mount Davis, the high point of Pennsylvania, is on Negro Mountain.  No one in the history of this area was named Negro.  Here in New Mexico however, there… Continue reading Whites City/Carlsbad

Forest HillsPennsylvaniaJanuary  2014January  2015 A Pittsburgh community called Forest Hills is home to the big light bulb thing you see in the photograph. Actually it’s not really a light bulb, it’s just shaped like one.  This large not-a-lightbulb was the first van de Graaf nuclear generator in the country, or maybe the world, depending on… Continue reading Pennsylvania Series XVIII — Atom Smasher