Being pale, rhymes, oddities, and morbid bathrooms

Today's Pale Yet Truly Morbid Fact!

While organizing his forces for a night attack at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 2, 1863, Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was accidentally fired upon by his own men. He was hit in the right hand, left wrist and hand, and left arm. Although none of the wounds was in itself mortal, pneumonia set in and felled him. He died on May 10, as his physician, Dr. Hunter McGuire, relates:

"His mind... began to... wander, and he frequently talked as if in command upon the field...

"About half-past one he was told that he had but two hours to live, and he answered... feebly but firmly, 'Very good, it is all right.'

"A few moments before he died, he cried out in his delirium: 'Order A.P. Hill to prepare for action! Pass the infantry to the front rapidly. Tell Major Hawks -- ' then stopped, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"Presently a smile... spread itself over his pale face, and he said quietly, and with an expression as if of relief. 'Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.'"

Culled from: Portraits of the Civil War

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And here's the final photograph of Stonewall Jackson, taken three or four months before his death.

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Ruthless Rhyme Du Jour!

I've been reading Ruthless Rhymes for Heartless Homes and More Ruthless Rhymes by Harry Graham, a collection of hysterical poems originally published in 1899, and I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites.

CALCULATING CLARA

O'er the rugged mountain's brow,
Clara threw the twins she nursed,
And remarked, "I wonder now
Which will reach the bottom first?"

Ruthless Rhymes For Heartless Homes

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Morbid Sightseeing!

Anna has a barhopping recommendation:

"Palace of Wonders is a new bar that opened up in DC. The theme is sideshow. I had the wonderful privilege of attending the grand opening last weekend and seeing a light bulb-eating man, sword swallowers, and many other sideshow acts. The upstairs is a museum of authentic oddities from the early sideshows. Things in jars, weird animals, and medical weirdness all amassed by a man named James Taylor. If you're hungry, they actually serve carnival food: popcorn, nachos, and corn dogs. Here is the article from the Washington Post. For anyone ever visiting Washington D.C., I highly recommend this place!"

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Morbid Trinket Du Jour!

Here are some perfect trinkets for your morbid bathroom! I especially like the SOAP-O-PHOBIA Gross Curly Black Hair Soap and the brilliant Shroud of Turin Hand Towel.

Thanks to Virginia for the link.