I blame the Mormons.

Solomon Nunes Carvalho (1815-1897) was a Sephardic Jew born in Charleston, South Carolina who was invited to join John C. Fremont’s 1853-54 expedition as an artist and daguerreotypist. In February at Parowan, Utah, he separated from the expedition due to illness; the expedition had passed a rough winter in the Rockies, surviving off the flesh of their horses for fifty days. From Parowan, “I left for great Salt Lake City, in a wagon belonging to one of a large company of Mormons, who were on their way to ‘Conference.'” After three months convalescing, he traveled to Los Angeles, California with a party “consisting of twenty-three Mormons, missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, under command of Parley Pratt.”

Hoping all enjoyed a delightful Nevada Day this past weekend, here is a portion of Carvalho’s account of May 30, 1854 during their stay in Las Vegas:

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But blood will flow!

The gospels are full of paradoxes, mostly intentional. Is John 9 intentional? (more…)

If he talks to the clouds, we’re all going to drown! (more…)

Photo of a soaring Darth Vader hot air balloon.

From The Inheritance of Rome by Chris Wickam, page 55:

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Shoot. I reckon I got to apologize. I didn’t mean no harm.

On the sweetness of Mormon life. (more…)

It would not be amiss for the gentlemen of Masten to indulge in uproarious celebration, though if I may, these distances are best expressed in inches. Thank you, gentlemen.

I drew Beau GST’s name for the Drones Club Chess Tournament Sweepstakes, so naturally I toddled around and put the laddy on a strict training regimen. (more…)

Our deficits keep drillin’ down deeper ‘n’ deeper. Yeehah! We’re gonna hit oil!

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Chez Wooster is no place for daubers of colors, but some of these entries are rather festive, what?

My wife can give a humdrum talk at church, and I’ll listen. She’s my wife. (more…)

Yeehah! The great agua rush iz on!