From a young Peggy Lee, one of many classic renditions of “Why Don’t You Do Right,” also known as “The Weed Smoker’s Dream.” While touring with the Goodman band, Miss Lee obsessively played Lil Green’s rendition of the song, which had earlier been recorded by the Harlem Hamfats (who were, by the way, from Chicago). […]

A 3200-year-old bronze-age battlefield has been excavated next to the Tollense River near the Baltic Sea. The result: 10,000 bones of at least 130 individuals, plus some horses.  The bodies, all men, were hacked with swords, stabbed with spears, and shot with bronze arrowheads. Archaeologists have only opened 450 square meters, which suggests that there’s […]

So I was talking to an acquaintance whose family hails from Tennessee.  He said, “In my family we used to be embarrassed that the Yankees came and took away our plantation.  But now what’s embarrassing is that we had a plantation in the first place.” Which is enlightened self-knowledge, if you ask me. And which […]

“Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen!” Yes, another year has gone by, so on Wednesday its time to don the green and purple and celebrate St. Urho’s Day! Just so you can get an idea of the sort of mischief you can get into on St. Urho’s day, here’s a video of the celebrations from Menahga, […]