Discovering the writings of Corwainer Smith in the early 1970's was a life-changing revelation. At that time, neither his one novel, Norstrilia, nor any comprehensive compilation of his incredible short stories were in print. For years, I would scour used bookstores in search of his stories, finding one of his stories in this or that compilation, in print, not in print, whatever. Needless to say, his writing had a profound effect on me and I have striven to create worlds, in music and art and words, as strange, as haunting, and, I hope, as full of love as his works, amidst the weirdness. Not that I come close in that regard: but one must aim high. Smith's stories do not grow old. Interestingly, although he was almost unknown 25 years ago, he is regularly deemed the most influential science fiction writer of all time now. I recommend his books, Norstrilia and The Rediscovery of Man without hesitation.

Illustration: The Bulbous Worlds from my novel Flapping. 

by James B. Jordan Copyright © 1991 Originally published in Contra Mundum No. 2 Winter 1992
Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger
Paul Linebarger was born in 1913, the grandson of a clergyman. His father, an eccentric man, had served as a Federal District Judge in the Philippines, but had left this post to work full time for the cause of the Chinese republican reformer Sun Yat Sen, who became Paul's godfather. Paul Linebarger grew up in the retinue of Sun Yat Sen, for his father stayed with Sen during his exile in Japan and throughout his career in China. 

              Marcie Blaine, Bobby's Girl, 1962

Images (starting with upper-left):  Infrared readings of light from the First Stars; the Bubble Nebula;  a solar flare on our new sun; sunlight on the floor in Edward Hopper's "Summer Interior," putting sunlight in perspective.

Astronomy Picture of the Day is one of my favorite websites. Every brings a new amazing photograph or image of the seemingly limitless marvels of our universe.

When I think of the mysteries of the heavens, of light and time and space, my mind invariably drifts to the embodiment of all mystery hear on Earth. 

(explanations of the photos and some great links on the flip-fl0p) 

Sweet fluffy lambs.

On a recent post celebrating Beethoven's birthday, I mentioned a lamb recipe for the bachelor who wants to impress a woman with his prowess in the kitchen. As we know, skill in the kitchen implies a heightened respect and knowledge of les Plaisirs d'Amour. D'accord.

One of our readers requested the recipe. I am including two recipes today. Neither are very demanding, but are delicious, nutritious, and shagalicious. Here is the first:

1. Determine if prospect eats meat and has sex on first date.
2. Get good lamb chops, about 1" thick.
3. Trim excess fat.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
5. Sprinkle dried tarragon generously on lambchops. Cover tarragon with coating of gourmet mustard - your choice, hot, sweet, whatever
6. Sprinkle italian seasoning on top of mustard.
7. Put lamb chops on roasting rack and into oven. Cook for 30 minutes. (Vary time according to thickness of chops)
8. Serve with brown rice and raisins. Spinach salad with avocado and tangerine slices and vinaigrette.

You will get lucky.

(Recipe #2 & story on the flip-fl0p)