Picto Diary - 08 to 14 November 2023

Scroll for book review feedback in Addendum.

Above: Bill Ciraco, candidate for Park City, City Council campaign event. Flanigans, Park City, UT. 08 November 2022.

Above: LSDM Friday Colloquium. 10 November 2023 - Wasatch Bagel, Park City, UT.

Topics du jour:

Gregg S. on land management. Finance and trading in real estate crowds out essential land management realities and exigencies.

Barb and Bob: Park City can easily return to ghost town status if wealthy homeowners find it too crowded. We are what we are: a resort town thriving when wealthy people want to come here and decaying when they stop coming.

Sharon L: On reason for Palestinian refugees being unwelcome in surrounding Arab countries.

Alex B: Former City Councilman. Recreational bond is a fifty/fifty. Enough recreation here already?

Roger G.: KPCW show today. Interview of visiting ADL officials about their meeting with LDS authorities. Historically strong relationship between Jews and Mormons.

Mike S: Can't stay. Working at DV tuning skis today. Ski season is upon us.

Above. Sunrise. Park City, UT. 11 November 2023.

Good morning, Park City!

Above: Bishop 'n Indiana. Wasatch Bagel, Park City, UT. 12 November 2023.

Indiana is one of a handful of builders who started the gentrification of Park City Old Town circa 1998. He has to date completed a dozen Old Town house redo projects. Bishop 'n TIMDT were business partners with Indiana on one of the Old Town projects. Almost three years ago, when TIMDT had the revelation that she needed a Washington County second home, she called Indiana in a panic for help. Indiana responded a day later with, "Margaret, I have exactly the house you want in Ivins. But houses are going fast down there... you better try for this one ASAP." It was only then that I found out we were buying the recommended house. TIMDT and Indiana's transaction has worked out quite well, I have to admit.

Above: Old Church Park. Wanship, UT. 12 November 2023.

Woman and dog.

Above: Rail Trail, Wanship, UT. 13 November 2023.

Out and about on the Duc. Three mile walk on the Rail Trail.

Above: Rockport Reservoir. Summit County, UT. 14 November 2023.

Terminator.

55 degrees. Riding weather, not ski weather.

Addendum

Feedback on my book review: "Going Infinite"

"Going Infinite" by Michael Lewis | Stephen DeWitt Taylor

Well, I was very impressed with your review of the Michael Lewis book, and I was kind of surprised that the reviewer made a mistake, since it was so beautifully written, and entertaining and knowledgeable. Curious about how Michael Lewis could make such a mistake I looked back to find the originator of the review. Surprise surprise.! The mistake was not the museum of modern art but the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Otherwise, a great job, Steve.

Comic Mom,
New York, NY

Yep. My goof. Thanks for the correction and the nice feedback.

I take it that the pears on the prickly pear cactus are not edible.

Nathans,
Orlando, FL

Yes.  How to grow and eat prickly pear cactuses - Tyrant Farms

Wow ! A lot going on thanks.

Brand Man,
Ventura, CA

Feedback on my book review: "Joseph Smith's Gold Plates"

"Joseph Smith's Gold Plates" by Richard Bushman | Stephen DeWitt Taylor

Proof of the Book of Mormon's veracity and truthfulness is in its contents.
A more reliable book than Brodie's would be Nibley's response, "No ma'am, that's not History."

Drummer J,
Lehi, UT

I have a hiking friend who has completed the Camino de Santiago several times, from different directions. He is not at all religious and does not subscribe to the teachings and beliefs that are well known. However, he is what I would characterize as a "deep thinker" and he has researched and read about many traditions including Hindu, Jewish, and Christian - among others. His objective in completing the hike is both contemplative and meditative, with the added benefits of enjoying the outdoors and interacting with those who traverse the way of St. James for other reasons. During one of these, he struck up a conversation with a Catholic priest and shared his skepticism. Surprisingly, the priest admitted to some of the same doubts. But, he asked, what would the world be like if there was no religion? Religion, he speculated, is the glue that holds societies together through its sense of right and wrong - and its focus on the greater good and higher purpose. Without it, would there not be more disorder and confusion and turmoil than there is today? Something to think about. Brings to mind the lyrics to John Lennon's song, Imagine. - Tom D.

P.S. Sadly, religion is also the reason or excuse for much of our history of war and persecution. Consider the following from one of my favorite movies:

I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is here [points to head]
and here [points to heart]
and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man - or not.

Premises,
Augusta, GA

Agree. Civilizations that don't believe in God fail.

Re the golden plates, I had always believed the story to be the equivalent of parables in the Bible. Aliens on earth? Preposterous. In recent years, media and government reports on pilot observations since WWI of translucent or metallic orbs defying laws of physics make me wonder if there isn't more there.

Back to point 1: with God, everything is possible.

Rocky