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S. A Few Pinches of Native Soil (con’d)

A Kentucky-born friend and I have joked about the commonalities of our respective boyhood territories. In growing up, we both found ourselves at odds with ole timey religion, country music and conservative ‘values’… Outside of Acadia, the Canadian Maritimes–– like southern Appalachia–– retains a dominant Scots-English-Irish population. There is considerable evidence that rural Maritimers are…
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S. A Few Pinches of Native Soil (intro.)
Introduction: About a decade ago, I planned to write a monograph about my oft uncomfortable relationship with the province of my origin. That project faltered with the usual exigencies. From the muddle of notes made in preparation for a first draft, I have pulled out pieces which I have hopefully, battered into some coherence……
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W. Levity Redux (con’d)

The best people– a little phase that conveys so much! As if there were a class of people who are a species apart from the common lot of homo sapiens–– a more highly evolved species with more perfect bodies… A manager of an exclusive hotel certainly has a nose for the best people–– and has…
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W. Levity Redux: (intro.)
Introduction: ‘A little Levity’, posted on this site early last year, was intended as a break from the grim reaper-themed vignettes that preceded it. The vignettes of ‘Levity Redux’ are intended to juxtapose with the grimness in postings planned to follow… If the ‘levity’ of pieces in the first batch seemed dark–– many of…
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R. In a Darker Light (intro.)
Introduction: ‘You want it darker?’ the great Leonard Cohen called out in a seeming challenge to the enveloping void… Inspired by his courage to work to the very end, I take the title for this thematic set from the signature song on the album released just days before his death… A few of these pieces…
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R. In a Darker Light (con’d)

Amputee avengers have also been portrayed as ‘freaks’ to be ogled as much as mutiles to be feared or pitied… While I have never watched a martial arts film in entirety, apparently there is a sub-genre of such films featuring martial arts-trained amputees. In the standard plot (insofar as kung fu movies have plots), amputee…