Sunday morning is relatively quiet at the Marriott Bonvoy where we are staying. Louisville is in the South. Sunday is a traditional “day of rest” in the South. This is a reflection of the fundamentalist Christian history of the area. English Protestantism left a deep mark in this part of the country. I am referring to Calvinist theology, the hard-edged attitudes of our ancestors who regarded the Bible (as understood by the pastor) the ultimate authority. Sunday was to be sequestered from commercial activity, a day for resting, for pious reflection, for joining one’s neighbors at the house of worship. If you’ve lived in the South you know what I am referring to.

We will return to Illinois shortly. Driving due north on Interstate 65 crossing the Ohio river into Indiana soon hoping to arrive in Batavia, if the traffic gods are favorable to us.

I intend to post a collection of pictures taken yesterday at the Pride parade. As usual, I will convey ideas that came to me in the course of the Pride festival celebration, prompted especially by brief conversations with strangers. On account of our differences in life-style, and due to the habits of thinking which inevitably originate – we are in a pickle here in America. Perhaps our

condition is not unlike that of Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries when society was roiled by the protestant reformation. That was severe, and people lost their lives (were murdered). Ideas have consequences, even lethal consequences. Is there a way forward for Americans at present? I hope to have some thoughts to share.

Meanwhile two images from the Louisville Zoo. One photo comes from a dark aquarium. The story is told of Theodore Roosevelt’s journey to the Amazon river in Brazil for an adventure. Roosevelt was 55 years old, and nearly died on the

two month long trip. One of the creatures encountered was the black piranha native to the river. The one in the image is the size of a dinner plate.

The additional image symbolizes the opposite side of the continuum of life, the rainbow hued plumage of two parrots.

On symbol is the unequivocal singularity of the blackness of death. The other points to the ambiguity of life, the spectrum of expression which life takes, inviting the participation of all.