Month: April 2022

For those rare people who are unfamiliar with the small round beetle, the “ladybug,” we would offer the following description. Ladybugs are yellow-orange, rather small beetles, with black spots on their folded wings. Liked by farmers and gardening enthusiasts, they prey on very small, (but harmful to vegetation) insects such as aphids, mites and certain other agricultural pests. We like them, however, because they are cute, colorful, small and especially, good company, when in the garden.  Since they are the first insects to show up, in spring, we are at present, anxiously, and impatiently, awaiting some discernable sign of their perennial appearance. In truth, it is better that we not worry; they will come out from the rotten tree trunks, from under rocks or houses, on their own schedule. Candidly speaking, they may have already made their first appearance, which we failed to observe.

It may be useful and enlightening, to recount the unusual short history of our close, interpersonal relationship with the little, cute beetle; which adoring relationship seems somewhat, bizarre and inconsistent, with our general distaste for insects.

Two years ago, while strolling along the edge of the woodland, in close proximity to our country house, in Kingston, New York, we felt a strange itch at the bridge of our nose. Fortuitously, we chose to gently, reach up to determine the cause; it was “Lexie,” the cute orange-spotted ladybug. Of course, we did not know yet, that it was she, until weeks later, when we came to know each other better, and assign familiar names. The little critter was distinguishable by her orange (instead of normal, black) legs and most uniquely, by her ability to distinguish us from all the environmental flora and fauna and to settle on the identical spot on our nose. In truth, we advised her of our name and named her, “Lexie”, which we considered appropriate for such a cute little critter.

Unfortunately, ladybugs do not speak, but, universally, where there exists true amity, the parties will construe some feasible method of interpersonal, or person and bug, process of mutual interaction. On early Monday morning, of the first week following our first encounter, Lexie, having already eaten her fill of aphids and plant lice from the surface of the nearby plantings, noticed our presence, just outside our front door, and quickly flew over, landing, as previously, on the bridge of our nose. We reached up, very carefully, gently, to hold her, in our hand, for examination, whereupon, we were able to discern the uniquely, identifying, orange legs, which confirmed her identity. Consistently, thereafter, whenever we were out of doors, within ten minutes or so, our tiny black-dotted orange-red new friend would settle on her usual landing pad, and we would together, amble peacefully, together in the woods.

The reader may naturally wonder at the facility and dynamics of our possible mode of communication. The explanation is as follows: People familiar with ladybugs know, that if one of the species lands on one’s hand, and he points his finger upward some innate ladybug tropism will cause the little beetle to climb, upward, toward the tip of that finger. When strolling with Lexie, who, obviously, does not speak, we would customarily, hold her in our palm, fingers uplifted, to facilitate any desired ladybug expression; affirmative responses would be expressed by her in executing the climb up my middle finger, in the same style as if she were then, succumbing to the ladybug tropism. Lexie also utilized the identical technique to call attention to something of interest in the surrounding environment. Both parties, despite the realistic and mature acceptance of the limitations on their social relationship and unrequited desire for more intimate and expressive communication, evidently, developed a mutual fondness for the other.

After approximately twenty minutes of fruitless search for Lexie among the various flower patches, just as we started to go back indoors to avoid the indicated start of rain, we had a somewhat familiar sensation, similar to a small drop of rain, which seemed to land, softly, on the bridge of our nose….

-p.           

As evidenced by our past writings, we have always denigrated the ersatz “wisdom” of aphorisms. They are predictably, erroneous, errant in their ultimate and universal application, and substitute warmed over, outmoded faux wisdom, for reason and objective empirical experience. A few are harmless, some even, to a degree, sensible nevertheless, all are, by their nature, misleading, since they prescribe fixed, or specific behavior on a universal basis regardless of nuance. An example of the latter is the prudent aphorism, “A penny saved, is a penny earned.” While it is wise to conserve one’s assets, strict adherence to this instruction, may, conceivably, cause one to fail to make a wise investment or to buy a family residence. Another seemingly harmless one is, “A stitch in time saves nine.” It is wise to act seasonably, but in a given circumstance, patient waiting might turn out to be preferable.

Aphoristic recommendations are analogous to frozen, pre-packaged, T.V. dinners, sometimes eatable, more often, not. They ill-advisedly, substitute the use of Man’s reason, for lazy, populist, Hallmark-style doggerel and can be significantly harmful.

 In our view, the most misleading and dangerous, of such traditionally roasted chestnuts is, “The ends justify the means.” The latter determinative, non-judicial statement evinces a lapse of judgment and a suspension of moral compass; and may well be the worst, but without any doubt, the most dangerous of all aphoristic, bogus wisdom.

This “hazmat” recommendation is inarguably, ignorant and reductionist in its a priori, or presumed, assumption, of the existence of universally, desired ends. It requires little argument to assert that not everyone shares identical aspirations or beliefs. Like all inane aphorisms, it thoughtlessly assumes the universal acceptability of the actor’s intended results and excludes personal or situational nuance.

The fact that “the means,” to any degree, need “justification” is an undeniable admission of their wrongful or improper character. There is no presidential pardon for improper means under any circumstances, let alone, by the assertion of subjectively acceptable (and possibly disputed) ends. Putin’s end to restore the U.S.S.R is not approved of, by Ukrainians who, (understandably) also oppose the means. The positive need to study and cure syphilis did not at all, render acceptable, the inhuman means employed, in the infamous, “Tuskegee Experiment.” The desire to limit street crime does not legitimize violation of the citizen’s right of privacy, by invasive policies such as “stop, and frisk.”

From our readings of history, we cannot find a violent revolution (ex. France, Russia) that resulted in a pacific or acceptable outcome. If the means were bloody, the ends will likewise, not be free of violence and death. The only “revolutions,” which have benefited humankind, are the peaceful advancements, by Man’s empirical advances in knowledge. The urgent need of the human species to cure polio was met by the revolutionary development of an effective inoculation. The means, scientific study, and the universally desired ends, each, were their own justification.

To, permissibly accept a miscreant’s plea that he (subjectively) intended a “justifiable” result, is to foolishly, arm the criminal with the franchise to perform anti-social or immoral acts, with the confident assurance of an acceptable defense. In the religious context, the medieval torture and burning of “heathens” or “non-believers,” would thus, be excusable, by the claimed, positive ends (at the time), of turning people to God, so that they will be “saved,” and, ultimately, go to heaven, instead of the alternative venue.

We would issue a challenge to any reader, to locate any “means” consisting of a violence, [N.B. the American Revolution was an international “War,” as distinguished from a revolution] in which violent means, did not precede violent ends. We would go further and assertively, declare that the means, themselves, effectively, and ultimately, are reflective of the ends. Anti-democratic means, consisting of autocratic action and policies, ineluctably, lead to autocracy.

-p.

As a preamble to this mini-essay, we would offer the following, objective explanation of the dynamics of the Earth’s four seasons: A season is a division of the year, featuring changes in weather, ecology, and the amount of sunlight. They are the result of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun and marked by changes in the intensity of the sunlight that reaches the Earth’s surface, causing animals to hibernate and migrate, and plants to become dormant. In the Northern Hemisphere, spring began on May 20 and will end, on June 21, 2022.  

 Our readings indicate that ancient peoples were very attentive to seasons and to the Sun’s journey across the sky because their livelihood depended upon planting and harvesting at the right time.  Worshipped as a Deity, the Sun was commonly, envisioned as traveling across the sky in a boat, or chariot, depending on the specific culture. Many of the significant agricultural dates, became pagan holidays, the dates of several of which, generally, coincide with our modern holidays. It is our understanding, that the ancient experience of regular seasonal changes is the foundational background of modern man’s religious beliefs and holidays.

Worshippers of the Sun God noted the perceived “death” of the Earth. Each year, the trees would lose their leaves, plants grow dormant, and many animals and birds, disappear from the scene (“Death”). It was, not less than, a miraculous occurrence that all of the evergreen trees, (Christmas trees) did not “die” (remained green). Nevertheless, predictably, in a matter of a few months, the Earth would be restored to life, (resurrection) the little animals seen, a verdant planet (bunny rabbits, eggs, etc.). The origin of the Christian theme of “death and resurrection,” we would propose, is empirically, traceable, to this perennial (seasonal) phenomenon.

Many Hebrew holiday observances are directly in sync with planting and harvesting time, viz., “Sukkot,” (harvest time),” Tu Bsvat,” (trees), “Lag B’Omer (re: planting times). For those people, interested in religious belief, its origin, and analogous modern observances, there is a useful treasure- trove of (empirical) knowledge readily available.

We do not denigrate religious beliefs or ethnic folkways. The same has given meaning and significance to multiple generations of believers. Historically, the Black Church has been the existential backbone of support and hope to its adherents, and their many centuries of inhuman injustice, and to European Jews, during pogroms and the holocaust. For many, it is a soothing balm to man’s universal acknowledgment of his mortality. Cultural and ethnic beliefs can be a positive supplement and support, most especially, in times of stress.

Religious belief, however, is justifiably, criticized, when, it attempts to impose its own dogma on others, when it denies empirical facts and thus impedes human advancement or human rights, such as anti-vax prejudice, anti-abortion, anti-divorce, anti-gay, and fascistic book burning. It is especially harmful when it seeks to substitute religious dogma for empirical science and proven objective knowledge Even worse, from a historically, humanistic perspective, it has been the underlying cause for a plethora of history’s bloody, shameful wars.

Religious belief, to be appropriate, should remain private, and personal, and not part of governmental policy or shared societal expectations. History, however, eternally, demonstrates that religious evangelism and policies of religious attempts at persuasion (to the extreme of warfare, pogroms, and inquisitions) are chronic. Religious belief, purportedly, dedicated to peace and justice, has, too often, been the root cause of human warfare and great suffering, especially, when the operative cause is a competition between religious beliefs (example: the European Thirty Years War).

Accordingly, we would now suggest a humanistic,” fifth season,” not a reflection of seasonal changes, responsive to the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, but rather, a year-long, perennial, observance by an enlightened humanity, peacefully and respectably, keeping its proclamation of nuanced religious beliefs, or lack thereof, to itself, or if desired, to fellow believers.

-p.

Serious and disturbing events, of late, domestic and international, have responsibly, called for somber comments, as contained in many of our recent writings. Distressing essays on Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Ukraine, Global Warming, the pernicious Right-Wing voter suppression of votes of communities of color, and the miscreant deeds of anti-democratic, White Christian Nationalists, to name some representative subjects, make one, virtually, apprehensive of the development of some kind of “Blogger PTSD” pathology. Accordingly, on this occasion, we have, therapeutically, elected to write on a more salubrious, but, nevertheless, societally significant, subject, viz., peanut butter. In terms of full ethical disclosure, we will confess to being just shy of addicted, to this singular item, and have for decades, been its secular evangelists.

Peanut butter is universally, known as a nourishing food spread made from dry roasted peanuts (and some other ingredients, included for taste). It contains omega 6, a fatty acid that lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases protective cholesterol (HSL), and, additionally, is loaded with healthy ingredients, including Vitamin E and Iron.   While, by tradition, a predictable ingredient in school box lunches, recent, medical recognition of serious peanut allergies, such as anaphylaxis, has significantly curtailed such use.

It is commonly believed that the brilliant and creative, American agronomist, George Washington Carver, was the inventor of peanut butter. However, archeological records indicate that a peanut paste of sorts was developed by the ancient Aztecs and Incas. Moreover, official federal patents, for its development, reportedly, recite title ownership in Marcellus Elson, John Henry Kellogg and Joseph Lamont, but not to Carver. Carver, however, did develop many peanut products but not peanut butter.

The definition, contents, provenance and properties of peanut butter having been briefly, but, (it is submitted), adequately, discussed, we might now, permissibly, turn to its salient feature, its taste and recommended application. Initially, we would, energetically, resist the narrow view, that it is, merely, a fun, (albeit, nutritious), treat for children. Those who maintain that limited view are not seasoned peanut butter enthusiasts. We see peanut butter as a gastronomic treat for the initiated palate.

First, a caution and a reservation. The observations and comments, included in this writing are not applicable nor relevant to the “ersatz” “peanut butter flavor,” advertised and sold, relating to yogurt, stuffed pretzels, ice cream, birthday cakes and chocolate filled candies, such as “peanut butter cups.” We identify these advertised “peanut butter” flavors, as “ersatz,” because, by explanatory analogy, their purported, peanut butter taste is as aesthetically identifiable, as peanut butter, as “lime” flavor lollypops are, to the actual taste of lime. To the authentic peanut butter aficionado, the latter designations approach the deceitful offense of false advertising.

Authentic peanut butter comes in jars, “crunchy” (our choice) or “smooth.” It is satisfying to eat alone, yet most people prefer to eat it in sandwiches, with jam or jelly (viz., a common choice of the younger set.)  After much scientific experiment, we have developed an advanced and more aesthetically pleasing version of this popular choice. We took objective note of the existence of another common sandwich, cream cheese and jelly (also, a favorite of the younger set) and explored the possibility of adding cream cheese to the peanut butter and jelly, or jam. The last time we conducted a serious culinary survey, we learned that this updated version, viz., peanut butter and jelly, or jam, and cream cheese, constituted, no less than, a major culinary triumph (not limited to the younger set).

Regarding the choice of sandwich bread, the older, experienced, gourmands, generally, prefer whole wheat, raisin or dark bread, while the younger set seems, conservatively, to remain loyal to white bread. Nevertheless, we remain ever hopeful that, with the passage of years and further development of maturity, the younger set will evolve to a better choice for the sandwich.  

The avid peanut butter fan, by empirical experience, has learned that its plenteous gifts are not limited to its ingestion in sandwiches. He is also delightfully, rewar ed by the application of peanut butter, to hot oatmeal, to many fresh fruits, especially bananas, pears and apples; some hard-core fans have lauded the application of peanut butter to pretzels and potato chips, eaten while drinking beer.

In addition to its unique taste, peanut butter (which does contain some fat) is a healthy food. The American Actuarial Association, in Washington D.C., has reported, that those Americans, who choose to eat peanut butter for 100 years, tend to live long lives.

-p.