Occasional Observer

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work. . .”

Daniel Burnham, architect, 1910

Each month my wife and I receive a dozen or so magazines of various kinds, most of them interesting looking and very professionally designed. But for me, many of them have a characteristic flaw: however handsome they may be, some are often difficult to read.

Not only is he one of the most powerful dictators in the world, some say he may also be the richest.   

New York City changed much over the past year due to the pandemic. The streets were more open with few people on the sidewalks, entertainment venues and restaurants barely in business, buses and subways nearly empty.

Sometimes our presidents have had a significant effect on the physical character of our country. In 1803, Thomas Jefferson arranged for the United States to purchase from France 828 million sq. mi. west of the Mississippi River for $15,000,000, probably the best real estate deal our country has ever made. 

“A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you’re talking real money. . .”

                — Attributed to the late Senator Everett Dirksen

America’s large, manicured lawns can be very beautiful, at times almost magical. However we could have even lovelier, ecologically superior landscapes while saving an enormous amount of money were we to substantially reduce the proportion of manicured lawn in our country.

Many years ago I spent a summer working in Copenhagen. Something I noticed right away told me I was not in the United States: when Danes walking down the sidewalk come to a traffic light that is red, they stop and wait until it changes to green — even if there are no cars in sight. Such an orderly, law - abiding people, I thought.