I was talking to an old friend and mentioned my suprise at spotting one of those "DUCK TOURS" motoring around Honolulu. These are the converted DUKWs, amphibious transport vehicles put into service during WWII for shuttling men and ammo ashore. Now they shuttle passengers around the cityscape and take a dip in the local harbor for while.
I've been on them numerous times in Philly, but was not expecting to spot them at Waikiki. Having lived in Boston for a while, my friend mentioned they had them there as well. Upon further investigation, I discovered they also paddle around Baltimore and more recently, Memphis.

The tour in Philidelphia is great. It usually includes a nice glimpse of the poor old forgotten liner S.S. United States and a barnacle-eye view of the battleship USS New Jersey(which, with Camden being awarded 'most dangerous city' status, the battleships mooring in its harbor seems eerily appropriate!).

Anyway, in talking with my friend, I had one of those moments where you suddenly realize the poetic depth of something you hadn't really thought deeply about. There was something re-affirming about those ducks! I knew their history. I knew their value to the local small business economies...

...but then I realized that they were one of the better examples of the concept "beating swords into plowshares" (Yes, I am mindful of the old army version of that which warns "Those that beat their swords into plowshares will end up plowing for those who still have swords!") Instead of aiding fighting and destruction, they're now aiding exploring and fostering a little learning, too. A bit romantic for a little sight-seeing bus, I know, but it felt like a little ray of light.

In a daily molasses flood(sorry Boston!)of downer news stories that tell of fat-cat backscratching, reveal science under the gun, list more historic sites paved flat for malls and remind us that there are still plenty of people out there who just hate(...and they're armed...well!), I needed that ray of light.

Just sharing. Does anyone else have a story about a re-affirming epiphany?


my last few posts, here and there, around the forum have had a rather bitter taste and for that I apologise. My mid-winter blues fell earlier than usual on this years calendar.