Episode 33: On Their Way

A Stroll At Storm King
Up here in the Hudson Highlands lies an underutilized cultural resource that deserves a great deal more attention than it receives. The founders provided us with a 500-acre estate of wildflower meadows, tailored forests, and rolling hills, and placed within it the monumental works of some of the most influential sculptors of the second half of the 20th Century. Examples of the permanent collection are positioned with precise curatorial care around the grounds, never too close to one another but always within view of the next achievement in metal or stone.
Among the artists represented are Louise Nevelson, Alexander Calder, David Smith, Mark di Suvero, Richard Serra, Isamu Noguchi, and Henry Moore, along with many of their less exalted but equally compelling contemporaries. There is also a small manor house used for temporary exhibits of works too delicate to be placed outdoors. Currently, space is given to the honored French sculptor, Louis Bourgeois (until November 15th).
A tram carries visitors around the estate at half-hour intervals, pausing at major sites so riders can dismount and pick up the next tram later.
There's an enticing picnic area, but cooking isn't allowed. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors. The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, all year. Cross to the west shore of the Hudson over the Bear Mountain Bridge. Turn north on Route 9W, continuing to Route 32 in Cornwall-on Hudson. Follow signs from there.
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"There is a premium on reciting the conventional wisdom in Washington, and that's what passes for experience."
- Barack Obama

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They're Melting, Melting
Geezer will graciously avoid metaphors about rodents and ships springing leaks, tempting as they might be. But it's hard not to notice that escalating sound of dozens of little feet scrambling to get out from under the coming avalanche:
* Having polished his impression of an Evil Oz to a dull glow, Karl Rove announced his resignation from his post as Bush's Brain, slathering his near-tearful farewell words with several references to prayer and The Lord. He doesn't want to stick around the final 17 months to see his Genius label tarnish. On the way out the door, taking his permanent Republican majority with him, he did repeat his shot at Hillary, calling her "fatally flawed."

*Dennis Hastert, 65, the longest-serving Republican Speaker of the House, announced that he would not stand for re-election. He didn't appreciate his demotion at the hands of Nancy Pelosi. Denny said he didn't know what he'd be doing after his departure, but getting rid of about 150 ugly pounds would be a worthy project. You might recall that he replaced Newt Gingrich and his lieutenant Tom DeLay, currently out of power and no loss to the Republic.
*Republican Representative Ray LaHood, also from Illinois, had already declared his retirement. He and Denny are close buds. That leaves two slots vulnerable to any halfway decent Democratic candidates.
*Republican Senator Wayne Allard has also announced his departure. Note that his state, Colorado, showed signs of tilting Democratic in the last election.
*Deborah Pryce, Congresswoman from Ohio, barely survived the 2006 election, and she doesn't want to play anymore. Her colleague in the state's delegation, Ralph Regula, has been in office since 1973, but said it's no fun being in the minority and that Ohio was "moving towards more of a blue state."
*Ted Stevens of Alaska is under federal investigation for receiving bribes, as is Alaska's Congressman Don Young.

All this makes Geezer wriggle like a cocker spaniel in giddy anticipation.

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YouTube Alert!
Make time to check these video clips on www.youtube.com:

(1) Go there, enter "Dick Cheney 1994" in the Search box. Then click on "Interview with Dick Cheney (1994). You won't believe your ears.

(2)Then, enter "Battle at Kruger". You won't believe your eyes.

(3) Then, enter "Women in Art". You'll be delighted.

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"If God didn't want us to eat animals, He wouldn't have made them out of meat."
-Homer Simpson

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