Vol. 53, Tuesday, June 27th, 2023
Rose River Canyon
A sunbeam reached down through the emerald leaves above, spotlighting the nettles lush on the stream bank. My feet, cooled by the mountain water, re-laced in hiking books, took three noiseless steps towards the scene.
A Pondhawk Dragonfly perched regally blue in the glade, swiveling his malachite eyes. Flies droned in the light, but the King wasn’t hungry. I nodded respectfully, retreating to continue the trek through Rose River Canyon.
Dappled greens and damp browns all shouted “LIFE!” in a soundless chorus, drowned out by the constant rush and roar of the creek, punctuated by an occasional bird, unseen.
The rocks, older than the idea of a tree, meditated silently by the side of the path, ancient monks seeming to ask “why, are you so dusty from the world, my son?” Half-unconscious of maple and fern, I staggered along, answering “YES!”, a patient revived in the nick of time.
Wading into a current, I laughed aloud. “Talk to me, waterfall, of stars of old and last year’s snows, and your endless stone masonry.”
It roared back something, and I left, new.
Quote of the Week
“The mountains are calling and I must go.” - John Muir
Book of the Week
“Waiting for Ted”
Ardyce Kinsley, a friend, and reader of The Nighthawk, has penned an excellent new novel. You’ll enjoy the fictional local town, the gossip, the tapestry of lives, and the question: “Has anyone seen Ted?” Available on Amazon, etc
“Gone Wading”
The clear water of Hogcamp Branch refreshed my tired feet, and cleansed the dust of the world from my eyes. Nothing like a mountain brook!
“Look, in the sky!” 1st Aerial Refueling
Capt. Smith and Lt. Richter make aviation history, refueling a DH-4B biplane midair today in 1923. “Look ma, no lands!”
Down the Rabbit Hole
Got a favorite poet? Partial to Frost’s nature, the enigmas of Emily Dickinson, or the humor of a Nash or Silverstein? If you do, and especially if you don’t, try tracking down some verse that speaks to you this week.
Write to Us!
Welcome to The Nighthawk, a new old-fashioned way to connect, published weekly. You’re invited to write back, or just enjoy reading. Let’s have some fun! It’s a social paper! Send stories, etc to: PO Box 783, Rustburg, VA 24588 or email JoshUrban@protonmail.com
Letters from Josh
(A weekly update from Josh Urban’s adventures on the farm and in the city. #140)
Howdy, folks! Previously on Dr. Electro: Ordinary Man outlines his plan to steal cherished and sentimental items in a bit to remake the world less sappy. Learning that her stolen gem is part of a devious plot, Lady Wilkes gets angry. Meanwhile, Preacher quietly points out another electrical box. Electro, hearing a distant commotion, crosses the wires, opening an unseen door high above. Amid a deafening crash, Miss Stella skids her pink Tarot Van to a halt among the boxes. “Who’s Ordinary Man? My tarot cards told me he’d experience a change in life path today.” This is...
The Return of Dr. Electro #32: A Break for It
“You...you...crashed my party” Ordinary Man spluttered venomously. “Who are you, and what are you doing in my secret lair?”
“Miss Stella at your service, dearie. When the good Doctor and his friends didn’t come back, we started to get worried. My tarot cards warned me of a grave danger. Somehow that freight door you have at the back of the house opened, and here we are. My, it’s rather dark down here.” She broke off, breathlessly.
Ordinary Man glowered. “I won’t have some harlequin charlatan barging in here, disrupting the orderly flow of progress. No, no, I won’t stand for it” he muttered, almost to himself.
Electro eyed him with alarm. “Miss Stella” he whispered. “That’s the bad guy. We need to get out of here right now. Do you know the way?”
“No, buttercup, but she does.” The venerable fortune teller jerked a thumb at a stately gray-haired lady sitting quietly in the front seat. A strange and fantastical map lay unfurled across her lap. “Florence can navigate most anywhere.”
Casting a quick glance at Ordinary Man, now arguing with Charlotte, Electro lowered his voice and leaned towards the window. “Florence, we’ll need a speedy exit in about thirty seconds. Can you line one up?”
She returned the question with an arched eyebrow. Of course.
Electro straightened, said half a prayer, and then raised his voice. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please.”
The silence fell immediately. Electro gulped. No turning back now. “Ordinary Man, you can take your plan and..and box it. Everyone else to the tarot van. We’re leaving.”
“Not so fast, my dear fellow” Ordinary Man started to laugh. Electro opened his mouth to reply, when Charlotte and Lady Wilkes suddenly rushed towards the surprised villain, caught him about this shoulders, and tossed him unceremoniously into a heap of stolen scrapbooks.
“The indignity! You’ll never get away with this! Help! Stop! Thief! Travesty! Send the Deluder! Unleash the dogs! Help!”
The whole gang leapt into the van as distant lights flicked on. Noises, running feet overhead. It was go time. Miss Stella jammed the van into gear. “Left” shot Florence, studying her map. “Look for the west tunnel.”
...To be continued next week...