put down your phone

Has to be one of the best commercials of the year:

what richard ate

More news on Richard III, whose remains were discovered beneath a Leichester parking lot in England.

It is now known that Shakespeare's controversial protagonist dined frequently (in real life) on freshwater fish - as well as "exotic" birds like swan, crane and heron.  Analysis of his remains also show that Richard consumed copious amounts of wine and suffered from advanced tooth decay.  Video report here.

*Photo Credit/Via the Guardian, "Digging Up Richard III Will Not Bury Old Arguments."  And, "A painting of Richard III by an unknown artist from the 16th century: the idea of Richard as villain began almost as soon as his reign came to an end. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters"

americana

Amy LaVere and Will Sexton in Last Rock N Roll Boy To Dance. ..

in the shop

Arion Press celebrates its 100th book and 40th anniversary with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass.

big yellow

A new book by Swiss photographer Catherine Leutenegger, Kodak City, "chronicles the decline of Kodak and Rochester, NY, the city built by Big Yellow." 

Also see these motel photographs.

raju

Elephants can weep - really weep.  This "gone viral" animal rescue story makes me think about how we go looking for intelligent life in other galaxies when the "E.T.s," so to speak, live as remarkably right beside us here on this planet. 

We have so much to learn from these magnificent beings.

An update on Raju who currently has a girlfriend.

camden, new jersey

Tenacious gardeners.   Via @SocialMediaMo.