September Reflector back cover

Glad to hear they're finally getting delivered! We had hoped for people to get them 2 weeks ago.

Mine arrived today too! And might I say? It's another fine job you two have done.

AMEN!

Ditto what A.J. and Frank have posted! Ever since the REFLECTOR arrived last week I can hardly take my eyes off the beautiful back cover photo! The Howard built BELLE OF THE BENDS (1898) has long been a favorite of mine and that wharf scene of her at Vicksburg (circa 1906) is absolutely fabulous! Gives the mesmerized viewer a "YOU ARE THERE" feeling with the illusion of almost being able to walk up the stage of that grand old sidewheeler. SIGH!

We have a porcelain soap dish from that beautiful steamboat on display here at the museum which is labeled Vicksburg and Greenville Packet Company. Perhaps I should hold it in my hands while viewing that photo and really "feel the vibes"!!!

Whenever I see a photo of the BELLE OF THE BENDS I always think of a quotation from Will Percy's book, Lanterns on the Levee, where he writes that he had "a fine, choky feeling" whenever he saw her steaming majestically into the sunset. Oh, what a sight that must have been!

As always, THANK YOU Dave and Jonathan for your wonderful work!

I think photos were being tinted from day one. I have a few old tintypes that have been colorized.

Here we go again. No Reflector yet. Mountains wreathed in clouds, so passes probably a little dicey, zero visibility. Not much fun when you don't see the Eisehower tunnel until you're in it. Slows down the mail and almost everybody else. On top of that, they may close our post office, and then what???

Shut out fog in my brain too. I've been under the gun on several levels and completely forgot that I had received the Reflector yesterday.

Wow! That photo is spectacular! But what's the matter with that cock-eyed steamboat in the background?

Lexie,

Yes, that boat lying cattywampus in the background piqued my interest, too! So . . . all you steamboat sleuths out there on the message board. How about helping out the poor old editor with some guesses, hypotheses, or shots in the dark as to who she is and what's been going on. I'd love to print some dialogue from our faithful readers about photos we publish, just like back in the good ol' days when Capt. Fred and Woody could precipitate lively discussion in the pages of the REFLECTOR by tossing out little tantalizing teasers with the pictures they printed. Be looking forward to your responses.

My Reflector arrived today. Can't wait to curl up with it and the cat in my lap for some pleasant reading.

Do not book passage on this boat

A. A fast fall has left this boat aground. (note: the Belle fo the Bends has a spar out to avoid such embarrassment.)

B. They are overhauling the starboard side of the hull. (This practice was usually reserved for old round bottom sailing ships.)

C. They are loading the port side first.

D. There is a naked lady swimming off the port side.

E. The boat is sinking.

F. The captain is drunk.

G. Both of the above.

More Questions

My husband had a question about the piece of wood attached to the stage of the boat left of the Belle. I thought it was to keep the stage from sliding back onto the deck. He thought it might be a way of sparring with the stage. I imagine if we could walk around on one of those old boats, we would see all kinds of queer things, little innovations to make life easier for someone or downright mysteries. Lots of "what is its?"

I've never seen so many slack lines. No current for sure, and another slight indication of a falling river. Wonder if they had BFR's in those days. (Will not translate, but it's a rock that is put at the water's edge to detect a change in water level.)

Lexie: A nice list, methinks, but I vote for D in both the boat's and your list. To embrace this cause, we will hafta assume that it is early upon discovery of said lady in the water...the boat has not turned over yet. Dave, I look forward to seeing both the boat's and Lexie's list in the Reflector...and, oh yes, mebbe a picture of the lady. Cap'n Walnut

Lexie: Sigh! Alan sez it's a BAR and he doesn't translate all of it either. Cap'n Walnut.

Lexie, Bob Reynolds, et. al.,

Did you ever get asked to letter the BFR (aka Alan's BAR) with your paint brush? I recall doing that at least once, and also being asked by a passenger what the letters meant. I confess that I don't recall my response . . . but then I wasn't as quick on the draw back in them days either. Cappy Louden would be proud of your list, Lexie. As to how all of this will appear in the REFLECTOR is a real conundrum -- we're a family magazine, you know.

Dave,

Yes, and I was told the proper response was "big fine rock". But it was said with a smirk.

Bob,

How about "Beware: Falling River"? That's innocuous enough and true to the intent of the BFR. When we are at Marietta next weekend, I must share with you a story about a fellow who was very quick thinking on his feet, and always had the perfect comeback to cover any kind of embarrassing situation. See you then.

I don't think I ever painted a rock, but just about everything else. The rock really didn't need to be painted unless other rocks were around to confuse the situation. I don't know where these rocks came from, but I suspect that the Corps of Engineers might have been a source. Revetments were a regular Walmart of BFR's. Of course, once a rock was painted, it became the property of the Delta Queen Steamboat Co.

What Reflector?

Still no Reflector here...and the USPS wonders why it's losing money. Back when my dad was a letter carrier, they delivered more mail with less technology much faster. And they didn't spend millions on TV commercials featuring a dipstick blond phony mailman!!!!

Patience, my child. It is worth the wait. After all, they have had floods and hurricanes in that part of the world (where they don't usually have floods and hurricanes) and maybe one of those mail trucks was planning to cross whatever river that was that washed out all the bridges and it is stranded somewhere on an island with a herd of cattle.

That Reflector

The Reflector arrived today, completely dry...that back cover is a doozy, should have been the front one in my opinion. Haven't had time to study the issue in depth due to football games on TV, but it looks to be another scholarly gem!