Charles T. Downey

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Fungi growing in a woodland, it looks remarkably like zombie fingers reaching up from the ground

When in the woods, best beware of dead man's fingers lurking there.
Reaching up above the ground, a creepy fungi to be found.

Happy Halloween everyone.

Photo: Sheringham Park by Rob Coleman

Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings' Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.

Actual Tolkien nerd @johnsemley3000.bsky.social went deep on how poorly Elon Musk, MAGA, and other right-wing tech bros understand the Lord of the Rings. And can we all just admire this art by @anjalinair.bsky.social: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...

Jusqu’où ira sa mégalomanie ?
➡️ https://l.lepoint.fr/JgB

Originally set into the floor of the triclinium - dining room - of the House of the Faun in Pompeii, this black and white mosaic of a skeleton holding two askoi (wine jugs) was a reminder to the diners of 'carpe diem', to 'seize the day' and enjoy the food and wine while they could. Also referred to as a 'memento mori' - a reminder of death. You never know if you're having your last meal, so enjoy! Casa del Fauno (House of the Faun), Pompeii (VI.12.2), ca. 1st century BCE. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN inv. 9978)

Someone brought *two* pitchers of margaritas to the #Halloween party! 👻 🎃

‘Carpe diem’ mosaic from the Casa del Fauno (House of the Faun), #Pompeii. MANN (Nat’l Archaeological Museum of Naples)

New quote for my email signature just dropped

NSO Overnight - on WCR, the return engagement of conductor Jader Bignamini and pianist Hélène Grimaud (repeats tomorrow morning and Saturday evening) washingtonclassicalreview.com/2025/10/30/b...

The Speaker of the U.S. House, Mike Johnson, must seat Rep. Grijalva immediately - release the Epstein Files now

Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal Lodge The trio were at Andrew's mansion in 2006 as part of his daughter Beatrice's 18th birthday celebrations.

Prince Andrew hosted Epstein, Maxwell and Weinstein at Royal lodge www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Now do AI.

Pourquoi les pasteurs protestants sont-ils habillés comme des avocats ?

Pourquoi les pasteurs protestants sont-ils habillés comme des avocats ?

Waiting for someone to explain why the announcement of a trade relationship that is worse than the one we had a year ago is received as a big success

New Covid virus found in wild Brazilian bats

The discovery of a ‘furin cleavage site’, similar to that found in Sars-Cov-2, suggests the mutation which helps the virus adapt to humans is naturally occurring, experts say

@sneweyy.bsky.social reports⬇️
www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...

“God, I hope I’m not still the president of a troubled nation at that age.” Natasha Barros, Headache Researcher

Cameroon Elects 92-Year-Old President https://theonion.com/cameroon-elects-92-year-old-president/

Karoline Leavitt officially announced the "Launch of a large-scale investigation to find the people behind 'No Kings.'"

I've saved her some time.

A half-length painting of a man, grasping a pile of coins, facing an open-mouthed skeleton who touches his hands. A young man look on in fear, behind the miser stands a nude, satyr-like figure who mockingly sticks out his tongue

Giovanni Martinelli, Death Come to the Table of the Miser, 1638, oil on canvas, 102 x 126 cm (formerly Sotheby's)

Very much doubt that Elno has ever read those books

YouTube video by Marcello “MR Marcello” Felici Conway Twitty Danny Boy

Just discovered that Conway Twitty's version of "Danny Boy" was a number one hit for one week in 1960 in Italy. I was not prepared for how it goes. Amazing:

One of music's best kept secrets celebrates 100 years, quietly For a century, the tiny Coolidge Auditorium, at the Library of Congress, has been a wellspring of cultural integrity, innovative music and American ingenuity. (And free concerts.)

I meant to link to this when I heard it on the radio, about the anniversary of the Library of Congress concert series, one of many casualties of the federal shutdown - thank you, Tom Huizenga at NPR www.npr.org/2025/10/25/n...

Some of the earliest written notes in western musical history discovered in Pennsylvania Ninth-century manuscript for Easter services remained ‘out of sight’ for years in hands of private collector

I'm afraid there's a lot wrong with the expert assessment of this fragment, let alone the claim of supposed uniqueness of finding neums in a late ninth century manuscript that's getting press. Liturgical fragments get sold quite often so auction houses could try a bit harder

Some of the earliest written notes in western musical history discovered in Pennsylvania Ninth-century manuscript for Easter services remained ‘out of sight’ for years in hands of private collector

Still plenty of things to find in the archives www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Screenshot of a tweet by Senator Ed Markey that says, “Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. RFK Jr. must resign.” Below is an NBC News screenshot with the headline “Measles spreading beyond the center of the Utah-Arizona outbreak.” Two news anchors appear on screen.

Put a quack in charge, expect to be royally ducked.

I heard this while eating lunch at school today and had a mini-panic attack: the sound made me think of hearing military jets scrambled over the city on 9/11

'Washington Post' editorials omit a key disclosure: Bezos' financial ties Three times in the past two weeks, editorials at the 'Washington Post' failed to disclose that they focused on matters in which owner Jeff Bezos had a material interest.

In October, 'Washington Post' editorials fail to disclose Bezos interests

My story for NPR

www.npr.org/2025/10/28/n...

About Last Night - the Philharmonia Orchestra visited Strathmore last night, on a North American tour with Santtu-Matias Rouvali (pictured)that brings them to Carnegie Hall this evening washingtonclassicalreview.com/2025/10/28/u...

Body in Red Cedar River was ‘world-class’ violist, MSU student The body of a Juilliard-trained musician was found in the Red Cedar River near Michigan State University.

Tragic news from my beloved alma mater www.mlive.com/news/2025/10...

Immigration crackdown stokes fear and solidarity at a Catholic church in DC The Shrine of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic church a short drive from the White House, was intended to be a sanctuary for worshippers.

The Shrine of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic church a short drive from the White House, was intended to be a sanctuary for worshippers. Now, its mostly immigrant congregation is steeped in fear.

WCR Critic's Choice for the week: Washington Performing Arts brings the Philharmonia Orchestra, with conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali and pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, to the Music Center at Strathmore (a few tickets remain) www.washingtonperformingarts.org/event/philha...

One year ago

"Since when did we become Big Tech's free PR department?"

I'm really pleased to see an article like this pushing back on the uncritical adoption of (gen)AI by our universities. It hits all the major concerns.