16 April—The dedicated, long-time Litchfield Monitor reader who took issue with our reference to the nothingburger eclipse last week nevertheless confirmed the northingburgerness (Germanic) or nothingburgerality (Latinate) of the astronomical fizzle as experienced in the Litchfield area in an email that got sequestered by Altice non-Optimum and was rescued only yesterday:

“According to the NASA eclipse map, Litchfield experienced ~92.5% totality, but the darkening arrived, peaked, and passed so gradually, it was hardly perceptible to the human eye. [Precisely. Ed.]

“A calibrated light meter would have shown the darkening to be much more pronounced than what the eye perceived.”

For our edification—and to support his own better luck in Buffalo, he continued:

“In the totality zone, the darkening was also gradual, right up the point of 100% occlusion. At that moment, the sky went nighttime-dark in a matter of seconds.[Now that would have been something to rave about. Ed.]

“And looking to the horizon in every direction one could see the illuminated world outside the umbra.

“Those were the most unforgettable parts.”

The dedicated reader’s diligence and magnanimity are much appreciated. And we most assuredly don’t take umbrage at his 11 April remonstrance. He was fortunate to be in almost the right place at the right time, even if it was Buffalo. The several readers from around Litchfield who expressed their disappointment in the nothingburger eclipse certainly envy his good luck. Probably, anyway. Or his strategic planning.

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Left-wing (i.e., public) radio and television news programs have taken to issuing so-called trigger warnings before broadcasting reports and stories that may subject listeners and viewers to traumatizing things like gunshots, explosions, shouting and other loud noises; descriptions and even mere mentions of violence; references to suicide and homicide; and of course racial slurs, especially the dreaded N-word. Among other news elements that may just possibly disturb or offend the sensibilities of the cosseted public who must be protected from reality.

Yes, that’s censorship. Next thing you know, Left-wing broadcasting will trigger-warn us before mention of Republicans, conservatives, and political incorrectness.

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The Connecticut General Assembly is once again talking about so-called green burial, an overly nuanced and costly way of disposing of mortal remains—human composting. Hark back to February 2023’s The dirt on burial to refresh your memory on the details. But why the hell, since we can simply dig holes to bury horses and other livestock and pets when they give up the ghost, can’t we do the same with people? After proper death certification, of course. Dead is dead, after all . . .