@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Fascinating to listen to stories from this former miner at the Maryland Iron Festival, near Cunningham Falls State Park. 

Learned about the incredibly tough and dangerous working conditions in the mines. 

He said everyone he knew who worked in the mines is already dead. 

Working hundreds of feet underground, in the pitch black and dust, in cramped spaces of only 30" high, and with dangerous mining tools and explosives all for $75 per day. 

This song is about the miners protesting for better wages and safer working conditions. 

And if not, no more "fire in the hole!"  ;-)

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

@Maryland Iron Festival (Catoctin Furnace)

Drain The Swamp

We were promised they would "drain the swamp."

What happened with that?

It often still seems pretty dirty, dark, dank and swampy! 

We need real democracy, freedom, human rights, and justice for all people.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Drain The Swamp

Mr. Golden Sun

There's nothing like the hot sun.

Too bright to look at it. 

It enlightens our whole world.

The warm glowing sun is life.

Cold empty darkness is death. 

Light drives out the dark. 

We need more light in this world. ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Mr. Golden Sun

Welcome Back - Leadership and Donuts

Really impressed today going back to work after the 5-week Federal government shutdown...

And who is at the front gate, in the dark and freezing cold welcoming every single person back?

The director of the agency!

And not only that, but he is handing out morning donuts to the crew. 

This was a truly spectacular display of leadership. 

I've seen this only one other time in my 30-year career and that was at the Secret Service, where the director stood behind the dessert table at the agency holiday party serving out the ice cream. 

Humility and giving are what true leadership is all about. 

I am proud to serve under such leaders as these.  ;-)

(Source Photo--not from today--by Andy Blumenthal)

Welcome Back - Leadership and Donuts

Foreboding GW Masonic Memorial

So I took this photo of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. 

On one hand, it is quite a large and impressive structure (9 floors and 333 feet sitting atop Shooter's Hill).

It is fashioned after the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, the 7th wonder of the world, that was built after 290 BC, and which guided trade ships into the busy harbor of Alexandria, Egypt.

On the other hand, this memorial is quite spooky in its shape of narrowing ascending floors over a protruding larger base, as well as the noticeable pentagram (often used to signify paganism and the occult) that sits at the top. 

There is also the Freemason square and compass with a big G in it built and displayed in the ground in front of the building. 

The symbols and the building itself just seem more than a little eerie--whatever the rituals are that go on there. 

In a way, I can't stop looking at the photo of this building...it's sort of mesmerizing.  

But I feel it somehow has the draw of a dark and foreboding place. 

Like the Lighthouse of Alexandria that was destroyed by three earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries, I have an unsettling feeling about this as well. 

Maybe it's just a feeling...or maybe it's something more. ;-)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Foreboding GW Masonic Memorial

Emphasis On The Eyes

Really liked this picture that my daughter, Rebecca, showed me in Vogue Paris.

The lady has this amazing tattoo around her eyes.

The way the lines come out and around, flowing from the ends of her eyes, is so awesome.

The dark and exotic swirling emphasis around the blue eyes makes her look deep, mysterious, and undeniably sexy.

Mike Tyson and his facial tattoo has nothing on this model.

Also, reminds me of when Rebecca, as a kid, asked me joking around, "What does Y-E-S spell?"

Okay, how easy is that, "YES."

Then she said "What does E-Y-E-S spell?"

And not thinking, I fall for it and blurt out E-YES.

Man, you don't know how to spell EYES--stupid, stupid, stupid! ;-)

(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)

Emphasis On The Eyes