The Street Vacation

In these troubled economic times, Elko, Nevada has got it figured out. As a town, they have banded together to create the ultimate staycation: The Street Vacation. They have even made it a part of their municipal code in an effort to promote contentment from the too-poor-to-travel among them. So, Elko citizens: Has it succeeded? Are you vacationing on the street? What are the comforts of home that you miss while you camp on your neighbor's sidewalk? Do you resist the urge to sneak back into your own bed when you think no one is watching? Have you mastered the art of cooking over a campfire assembled from newspapers robbed from the recycling bin down the street? Did you think to bring matches or did you have to use the rubbing two sticks together method? And the most important question of all: When it comes time to vote for the people who create the laws in your town, will you pick new ones or do you think they are doing a great job of promoting unity in this time of hardship?

Please, Elko. I want to know.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

While I was home last weekend, my Grandma reminded me of this story that she used to read to us. It brought back such fond memories that I thought I would share it.

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (Dutch Lullaby)
by Eugene Field (1850-1895)
 
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
   Sailed off in a wooden shoe---
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
   Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
   The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
   That live in this beautiful sea;
   Nets of silver and gold have we!"
                     Said Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.
 
The old moon laughed and sang a song,
   As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
   Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
   That lived in that beautiful sea---
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish---
   Never afeard are we";
   So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.
 
All night long their nets they threw
   To the stars in the twinkling foam---
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
   Bringing the fishermen home;
'T was all so pretty a sail it seemed
   As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 't was a dream they 'd dreamed
   Of sailing that beautiful sea---
   But I shall name you the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.
 
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
   And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
   Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
   Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
   As you rock in the misty sea,
   Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
                     Wynken,
                     Blynken,
                     And Nod.