7/1941

     'Hitler's greatest weakness', Stalin told Harry Hopkins on July 31, at their second meeting in the Kremlin, 'was found in the vast numbers of oppressed peoples who hate Hitler and the immoral ways of his government.' These people, Stalin added, 'and countless other millions in nations still unconquered, could receive the kind of encouragement and moral strength they needed to resist Hitler only from one source, and that was the United States.'

From Sir Martin Gilbert's "The Second World War"

West Village City Snakes

Here are a few varieties of City Snakes we found in the West Village.

A few hatchlings in search of food.

An older female.

Bookstore Panic Disorder

There is a special kind of anxiety that I get at book stores and libraries. I get this feeling almost nowhere else, and I really have to refocus myself so that it does not paralyze me completely. I am talking about BPD - Bookstore Panic Disorder.

Last weekend my fiancees dad was in town. He informed us of his intention to buy us books with a gift certificate he had to Strand Books here in NYC. Strand is, at least by my standards, a very nice place. They have new books, used books, rare books, etc. It is always extremely crowded, and it always feels a little exciting to walk in.

But I felt a powerful sense of dread. This happens every time I am in one of these places. I get a kind of anxiety that seems inexplicable. I begin to freak out, I become indecisive, confused, even a little sweaty. That's when I know my BPD is kicking in.

I get this feeling when I look at tables filled with history books, autobiographies, books about foreign affairs, and all sorts of non-fiction. How can there be this much knowledge? How can anyone have the time to absorb all of this information? How will I keep a job when I commit myself to reading ALL of these books?

Then I turn around and I look at the fiction. I remember that I don't read enough fiction - meaning I have told myself that I ought to read more fiction. I worry that I have not read enough of the classics, or that there are so many foreign writers whose work has been translated so that I may read their stories. I think about all the current literature that's out there, that I should be reading. WILL I EVER READ IT ALL?

At this point I have to calm myself down. I remind myself that I read for two reasons:

1. For pleasure - I like reading. It makes me happy, simple as that.
2. To learn - I want to know more, and reading offers me that opportunity.

I have to remember that I will probably never know all that there is to know. About anything. I have to remind myself that as long as I am enjoying myself, that's all that matters - there is no required reading list in life.

I suppose that it is a good thing that this is what brings me anguish. So many people in the US simply don't read. So many people look at reading as a chore, something to be done only when forced.

I suppose that it's also ok to admit that some books suck. I tried to read Moby Dick because I read that it was great. Someone else made me believe I needed to have that experience. Ultimately, I did not care for that experience. I was bored. Sometimes a book is not what you want, even if it universally accepted as a "must-read."

Ultimately, we walked away with a half-dozen new books. Thus far, I have resisted the temptation to begin any of these while my lengthy book on WWII remains unfinished. I have my work cut out for me, though.

I think I may not have enough real problems in my life.

Queensboro Plaza/Long Island City

Some City Snakes as seen in Long Island City. Now that the weather is warming, expect to see more.

 This large female is searching for food on the tracks.

 Young male.

This one must have just hatched!

Time for a change/Attempt at blogging #3

Today I took my dog to the park. As usual, she decided to spend her time trying to catch squirrels. It can be embarrassing to be with her when this happens, as she tends to make a lot of very loud squealing noises while spinning in circles. But I know she enjoys it, so I don't mind. 

There she is, doing what she loves, what comes most naturally to her, and then it happens - she tries to follow one of her intended targets up a tree. Sadly, dogs are not very good at climbing trees. In fact, they are not really designed to do so. Thus, she will sit, squealing at the base of a tree, unable to pursue her squirrel friend any further.

The Hunter in Action

Butterscotch's struggle is my struggle. I understand how this feels. And I understand her frustration.

You see, I love to write. I like to share my ideas, tell stories, and express myself. I am driven to do it. But I too have trouble continuing. I get stuck at the base of the tree, unable to go any further. There is a mental block keeping me from going beyond a certain point. I talk myself out of writing, convinced that I am not good enough. I procrastinate, thinking I will make time some other evening. I think of a hundred other things I ought to be doing with my time. 

I even put off sharing pictures of garbage that I take all over NYC.

I have tried blogging a few other times, but I always seem to lose steam. But I don't want it to be that way any more. 

So, City Snakes is expanding. It will include more than it's titular subject, though I intend on still sharing my many finds. I will talk about other things that interest me, and share pictures and stories from my travels throughout the Boroughs.

I am going to try and be better about this, if for no other reason than to not feel the defeat of having a squirrel evade me at every turn.

She Will Never Cease

City Snake Tours

I recently had some visitors to NYC ask me to show them some City Snakes in their natural environment. We went out in search of the city's finest specimens, and we were not disappointed. These were spotted in SOHO and the Financial District.

The size of this one is incredible!

Always be careful where you step as you go down the stairs...

A size comparison.

Adult male.

So very cold...

There is not much City Snakin' to do when it snows. They are very resilient creatures, and can survive in extremely low temperatures. However, it is very difficult to see them under a few inches of snow and ice. The polar vortex made looking for City Snakes tough, but I'll keep looking! Stay tuned for more pictures and excitement!