Sus scrofa domesticus

In November 2012, scientists managed to sequence the genome of the domestic pig. The similarities between the pig and human genomes mean that the new data may have wide applications in the study and treatment of human genetic diseases.
With around 1 billion individuals alive at any time, the domestic pig is one of the most numerous large mammals on the planet
—wikipedia

And the pig has never attempted to contest mankind’s claims to their own noble superiority as the paragon of animals. Indeed, pigs have remained on ambivalent if not friendly terms with most all humans until that last clear moment of apprehension of the plans of those that intend to eat them.—Porkopolis

Silent Sam

CHO City manager moves to Chapel Hill
Following the Charlottesville incidents a crowd of a hundred people gathered in August 2017 around the statue to call for its removal. University officials are evaluating state law to determine if that is possible.–Wikipedia

To the sons of the University who entered the war of 1861-65 in answer to the call of their country and whose lives taught the lesson of their great commander that duty is the sublimest word in the English language.–text block on the side of Silent Sam

Charlottesville City Manager is moving to Chapel Hill. Always some statuary to greet the new employee. UVA has a memorial landscape as well. Is UNC like UVA, not part of Chapel Hill?

Silent Sam was torn down August 20, 2018 by a crowd of “protestors”

the dome and the blue tarp

Domes have been found from early Mesopotamia, which may explain the form’s spread. They are found in Persian, Hellenistic, Roman, and Chinese architecture in the Ancient world, as well as among a number of contemporary indigenous building traditions. Dome structures were popular in Byzantine and medieval Islamic architecture, and there are numerous examples from Western Europe in the Middle Ages. The Renaissance architectural style spread from Italy in the Early modern period. Advancements in mathematics, materials, and production techniques since that time resulted in new dome types. The domes of the modern world can be found over religious buildings, legislative chambers, sports stadiums, and a variety of functional structures.–Wikipedia
Rotunda, Homer, blue tarp
with the color…

Hopes and fears

7/4/2018 Monticello Naturalization
For 56 years Monticello has hosted a Naturalization ceremony on the nickel side of the house, July 4. It is July in Virginia, in the direct sun, high humidity. It is a joyous celebration at the complicated man’s house, on the day he died.
new citizen
The Honorable Michael F. Urbanski presided. 70+/- people took the oath, joined the work, new citizens from Afghanistan, Barbados, Bhutan, Burma, Burundi… the list goes on, 35 countries in all. Andrew Tisch, Leslie Bowman and Judge Urbanski spoke. Their words were meaningful, inspiring and portentous. Or maybe it is the mountaintop venue? Like singing in a cathedral where voices reverberate. Monticello is a complicated place to contemplate Liberty, it is the high altar and the thin ice.
Monticello crowd
And so, into the 243rd year.
Monticello 7/4/2018
Tyler Simpson sings the National Anthem, lady on his right signs…

 

Rosni Farm

Rosni Farm wasn’t my first or last job, but of the places I’ve lived/worked, it owns my heart. The pasture, crop and woodland, the herd, the barns, the buildings and the people, were featured in stories from 100+ years. The stories were part and parcel of being there, they were the soul of a place. Stories were told, around a wood stove, under a shade tree, on a hay wagon. They made work easier, they made the world bigger.

Lama glama

AlbCo llama

Berserk llama syndrome or berserk male syndrome (as it is more pronounced in males) is a psychological condition suffered by human-raised llamas and alpacas that can cause them to exhibit dangerously aggressive behavior toward humans. The term has been overused, however, and is sometimes inappropriately applied to llamas with aggressive personalities that are not truly “berserk”.–Wikipedia