Janice Blake
@janiceblake.bsky.social
Reader. Writer. "The Battalion Artist" traces Nat Bellantoni's World War II odyssey in the Pacific. Next up, my Uncle Joe's #WWII experiences in the Atlantic. From service on the legendary USS Wichita to Lighter Than Air sailor, Lakehurst NJ blimp base.
3) Fortune, Jun 1942
The artwork on this WW-II era magazine cover underscores our strength as a nation...when we worked together to defeat authoritarian regimes that believed in their own racial superiority w goals to subjugate people they considered inferior, force their labor, steal their land.
The artwork on this WW-II era magazine cover underscores our strength as a nation...when we worked together to defeat authoritarian regimes that believed in their own racial superiority w goals to subjugate people they considered inferior, force their labor, steal their land.
November 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
3) Fortune, Jun 1942
The artwork on this WW-II era magazine cover underscores our strength as a nation...when we worked together to defeat authoritarian regimes that believed in their own racial superiority w goals to subjugate people they considered inferior, force their labor, steal their land.
The artwork on this WW-II era magazine cover underscores our strength as a nation...when we worked together to defeat authoritarian regimes that believed in their own racial superiority w goals to subjugate people they considered inferior, force their labor, steal their land.
Time - 16 November 1942
November 19, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Time - 16 November 1942
It's not until you start reading that you realize "Black History" IS American History. You can't understand the way things are unless you know how things were.
November 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
It's not until you start reading that you realize "Black History" IS American History. You can't understand the way things are unless you know how things were.
In Ravello I asked to thank the Nonna still in charge of the kitchen at our favorite restaurant. I told her my Uncle had fought in Italy in WW-II. "Before the Americans came, "she said, "the children had no shoes and no food." Quickly realized: SHE had been one of those children.
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
In Ravello I asked to thank the Nonna still in charge of the kitchen at our favorite restaurant. I told her my Uncle had fought in Italy in WW-II. "Before the Americans came, "she said, "the children had no shoes and no food." Quickly realized: SHE had been one of those children.
Thank you, Garrett Graff for your "Doomsday Scenario" newsletter!
Putting this lunacy into perspective for us!
Putting this lunacy into perspective for us!
November 18, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Thank you, Garrett Graff for your "Doomsday Scenario" newsletter!
Putting this lunacy into perspective for us!
Putting this lunacy into perspective for us!
continuation of Boston Globe's front page story:
November 17, 2025 at 9:32 PM
continuation of Boston Globe's front page story:
So now, in Florida, teachers are not allowed to suggest that the witch hunt of the 1950s (which truly WAS an irrational fanatical victimization of innocent citizens) was undemocratic and, in the end, a dreadful mistake that destroyed people's lives and careers.
Boston Globe-- November 15:
Boston Globe-- November 15:
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
So now, in Florida, teachers are not allowed to suggest that the witch hunt of the 1950s (which truly WAS an irrational fanatical victimization of innocent citizens) was undemocratic and, in the end, a dreadful mistake that destroyed people's lives and careers.
Boston Globe-- November 15:
Boston Globe-- November 15:
It wasn't until the White House first attempted to limit AP's access that I began to consider how important legitimate (mainstream) news organizations truly are. What will happen to our democracy if the news is filtered through the sieve of partisan/power politics?
Support AP and real news!
Support AP and real news!
November 16, 2025 at 8:18 PM
It wasn't until the White House first attempted to limit AP's access that I began to consider how important legitimate (mainstream) news organizations truly are. What will happen to our democracy if the news is filtered through the sieve of partisan/power politics?
Support AP and real news!
Support AP and real news!
People waiting in the rain for food assistance.
Thus, Donald Trump makes America "Great."
Thus, Donald Trump makes America "Great."
November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
People waiting in the rain for food assistance.
Thus, Donald Trump makes America "Great."
Thus, Donald Trump makes America "Great."
Here's an excerpt. And this is why I subscribe to Garrett Graff's newsletter. Thoroughgoing reporting. Detailed evidence to support every assertion. This is fact-based reporting at its best. Consistently!!!
November 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Here's an excerpt. And this is why I subscribe to Garrett Graff's newsletter. Thoroughgoing reporting. Detailed evidence to support every assertion. This is fact-based reporting at its best. Consistently!!!
I often see photos like this posted--of items that were in common use when I was a kid. Just came across this...and still use it from time to time. I'm guessing every "girl" who went through school when I did knows exactly what this is...and probably has one. The "boys"...probably not!
November 13, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I often see photos like this posted--of items that were in common use when I was a kid. Just came across this...and still use it from time to time. I'm guessing every "girl" who went through school when I did knows exactly what this is...and probably has one. The "boys"...probably not!
Remembering my mother's brothers--all served in World War II: Joe (USN 1940-1946); John (US Army, Italian campaign, 3 bronze stars), Philip (USAAF, B-17 ball turret gunner, 17 missions).
Love and miss these fine men who truly represented The Greatest Generation.
Love and miss these fine men who truly represented The Greatest Generation.
November 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Remembering my mother's brothers--all served in World War II: Joe (USN 1940-1946); John (US Army, Italian campaign, 3 bronze stars), Philip (USAAF, B-17 ball turret gunner, 17 missions).
Love and miss these fine men who truly represented The Greatest Generation.
Love and miss these fine men who truly represented The Greatest Generation.
November 10, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Ezra Levin of Indivisible, which organized the No Kings rallies, described his reaction to the deal as “incandescent rage, incredible disappointment.” “What do we do to demand a better party, a party that actually fights back?” he asked.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Ezra Levin of Indivisible, which organized the No Kings rallies, described his reaction to the deal as “incandescent rage, incredible disappointment.” “What do we do to demand a better party, a party that actually fights back?” he asked.
November 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
November 10, 2025
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Ezra Levin of Indivisible, which organized the No Kings rallies, described his reaction to the deal as “incandescent rage, incredible disappointment.” “What do we do to demand a better party, a party that actually fights back?” he asked.
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...
Ezra Levin of Indivisible, which organized the No Kings rallies, described his reaction to the deal as “incandescent rage, incredible disappointment.” “What do we do to demand a better party, a party that actually fights back?” he asked.
Two weeks ago, I made a pilgrimage to the Palm Springs Air Museum. I wanted to see their vintage World War II P-47 Thunderbolt. My cousin, Flight Officer Henry Marad, was piloting a P-47 when it dropped out of formation and crashing into Chesapeake Bay. He was 21 years old.
November 10, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Two weeks ago, I made a pilgrimage to the Palm Springs Air Museum. I wanted to see their vintage World War II P-47 Thunderbolt. My cousin, Flight Officer Henry Marad, was piloting a P-47 when it dropped out of formation and crashing into Chesapeake Bay. He was 21 years old.
One of our favorite places in Los Angeles. The hiking trails remain. But the house with its stories history. Gone. God bless the staffers who saved what historic treasures they could.
November 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM
One of our favorite places in Los Angeles. The hiking trails remain. But the house with its stories history. Gone. God bless the staffers who saved what historic treasures they could.
What do I do with my mother's high school class picture. It seems too precious to throw away...yet do my kids want this? We did our children (and grandchildren) a favor and tossed our high school yearbooks in the trash. Any advice? Anyone?
November 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
What do I do with my mother's high school class picture. It seems too precious to throw away...yet do my kids want this? We did our children (and grandchildren) a favor and tossed our high school yearbooks in the trash. Any advice? Anyone?
From California to the East Coast, Americans stand strong against machine politics and autocracy.
Three cheers for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
Three cheers for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
From California to the East Coast, Americans stand strong against machine politics and autocracy.
Three cheers for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
Three cheers for the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
Vraciu flew a Grumman Hellat (F6F-3). This is NOT it. Shown here is a P-47 Thunderbolt. Photographed at the Palm Springs Air Museum last weekend. My cousin, Henry Marad was not so fortunate as Vraciu. He was killed when his P-47 crashed. Henry was one of 50,530 who died during flight training.
November 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Vraciu flew a Grumman Hellat (F6F-3). This is NOT it. Shown here is a P-47 Thunderbolt. Photographed at the Palm Springs Air Museum last weekend. My cousin, Henry Marad was not so fortunate as Vraciu. He was killed when his P-47 crashed. Henry was one of 50,530 who died during flight training.
This is what my refrigerator looks like this morning. As you can imagine I'm heading for the grocery store. What about all the people who can't?
November 2, 2025 at 3:09 PM
This is what my refrigerator looks like this morning. As you can imagine I'm heading for the grocery store. What about all the people who can't?
Last night: A truly pleasant neighborhood celebration.
This morning: A glance at the news and the realization that, yes, unfortunately, we are still living in dystopia...as we have been since January.
This morning: A glance at the news and the realization that, yes, unfortunately, we are still living in dystopia...as we have been since January.
November 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Last night: A truly pleasant neighborhood celebration.
This morning: A glance at the news and the realization that, yes, unfortunately, we are still living in dystopia...as we have been since January.
This morning: A glance at the news and the realization that, yes, unfortunately, we are still living in dystopia...as we have been since January.
They take Halloween very seriously here in SoCal. I'm guessing some of these neighbors must be professional Hollywood set decorators. My favorite is this house: Emerson's Circus. The artistry and creativity is just amazing. Meanwhile, on my front steps: a lone pumpkin. (I'm from New England!)
October 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM
They take Halloween very seriously here in SoCal. I'm guessing some of these neighbors must be professional Hollywood set decorators. My favorite is this house: Emerson's Circus. The artistry and creativity is just amazing. Meanwhile, on my front steps: a lone pumpkin. (I'm from New England!)
We voted. YES on 50. This Ballot Question is all about trying to offset the redistricting in TX which just about guaranttes 6 additional Republican seats in Congress. Orchestrated by Trump, who accuses others of election rigging (but only when the vote doesn't go his way).
October 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
We voted. YES on 50. This Ballot Question is all about trying to offset the redistricting in TX which just about guaranttes 6 additional Republican seats in Congress. Orchestrated by Trump, who accuses others of election rigging (but only when the vote doesn't go his way).
My favorite: The white cake my husband makes (he's the family baker) using the Lady Baltimore cake recipe from the cookbook his co-workers gave him years ago. With white buttercream frosting, please. And a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Or strawberries on the side.
October 30, 2025 at 2:36 PM
My favorite: The white cake my husband makes (he's the family baker) using the Lady Baltimore cake recipe from the cookbook his co-workers gave him years ago. With white buttercream frosting, please. And a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Or strawberries on the side.
I'm proud to have been a "Polio Pioneer."
I was eight years old. Proud of my mother to have given permission.
I was eight years old. Proud of my mother to have given permission.
October 28, 2025 at 2:21 PM
I'm proud to have been a "Polio Pioneer."
I was eight years old. Proud of my mother to have given permission.
I was eight years old. Proud of my mother to have given permission.