Bob on Balzac

Shortly after first arriving in New York, Bob Dylan, if his Chronicles can be trusted, spent many nights on a sofa belonging to Ray and Chloe, and many hours reading in Ray and Chloe's extraordinary library. He was particularly taken by Thucydides. I like what he has to say about Honoré de Balzac:

'Balzac was pretty funny. His philosophy is plain and simple, says basically that pure materialism is a recipe for madness. The only true knowledge for Balzac seems to be superstition. Everything is subject to analysis. Horde your energy. That's the secret of life. You can learn a lot from Mr. B. It's funny to have him as a companion. He wears a monk's robe and drinks endless cups of coffee. Too much sleep clogs up his mind. One of his teeth falls out, and he says, "What does this mean?" He questions everything. His clothes catch fire on a candle. He wonders if fire is a good sign. Balzac is hilarious.'

a new face in town

hollyhocks

These hollyhocks have no idea we are here: they're looking in the wrong direction.

the baking heat led me here

S-e-r-i-o-u-s local meteorology!

2 legs in the afternoon

I'm taller: I've just been out to stretch my legs.
My legs are green: what could they be jealous of?

agresty

crazy map

Click here for a better view of this extraordinary map. What's your favourite metamorphosis? I like the idea of Missouri turning into Poland. And the Alabama-Iran and Wyoming-Uzbekistan pairings appeal.

Agnieszka Osiecka

squint! you won't regret it

Dudek

In a roundabout sort of way, may I present the mighty hoopoe as a contribution to today's celebrations of American Independence.
As I type, the good pundits on Radio Trójka are chewing the fat over Bruce Springsteen. Blah blah blah surowy rockandroll blah facet z New Jersey blah blah blah. Super!