A Gorey Affair

I like Edward Gorey. I was introduced to his work when Lois McMaster Bujold recommended his "The Unstrung Harp" on the LMB mailing list. I read it, enjoyed it, and have kept an eye out for more ever since.

My sister E knows this, and for each of the last several years she has given me a Gorey-illustrated calendar. Just now, I took a closer look at the May illustration. This is not always a safe action.

"Hmm. That woman appears to be floating in midair, and she's pulling... yes, that's a baby she's removing from that enormous vase. Are those giant frogs painted on the vase, or are they inside it? *Where did that baby come from, precisely?*"

(That's only one of seven or eight scenes visible. Is the woman just outside the window actually going to throw that child? What is it that's been keeping the morose fellow in the chair up all night, making his eyes so baggy? Does it have anything to do with the man lying on his face nearby and beating the floor with his fists? What are those men arguing so passionately about? What is it that has so revolted the lady on the right, and why is that child - not the one being thrown - allowed in this disturbing venue?)

(I love it.)

Bad Lace! Bad!

Today, while grading finals, I managed to get my shoelace tangled in one of the wheels on my chair. The tangle was tight enough (given my, well, stout physique) that I could not reach it. I was reduced to calling for help. My next-office neighbor came in and managed to untangle it, but it was difficult even for her. (Normally, you'd flip the chair over to get better access to the wheel. I'm sure you can see why that wasn't in the cards.)

I've been meaning to buy a new pair of shoes (and shoelaces) for some time now. Thank heaven the semester's almost over - I'll have time to go shopping!

Misfire

In my current game of Civ 6, I am playing as Genghis Khan.

There are no horses anywhere on my home continent.

I think I'll have to abort this campaign.