Friends + Interlocutors,

During a recent visit to New York, I took a walk on the upper East Side after visiting the incomparable Frick museum. In sunny Fall weather, I found myself on a side-street between Madison and Fifth Avenue. A nice, upscale neighborhood to be sure. Here I noticed an elaborate, multi-storied Halloween display at a townhouse. 

In terms of decorations, Halloween is becoming an American holiday almost a big as Christmas. I’m not sure what it means. Perhaps just an excuse to have fun. Take a close look at the display. In particular, the babies on the ground chained to a coffin. One of them is bloodied. What exactly are we celebrating here? I don’t know. It’s open to interpretation.

Patrick

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