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rjnello.bsky.social
R(obert). J. Nello 👊🏻🇺🇸🔥
@rjnello.bsky.social
510 followers 170 following 1K posts
“Walter Scott has no business to write novels, especially good ones. It is not fair.” ~ Jane Austen, 1814. #5amWritersClub #writingcommunity

rjnello.com

Devon, England.
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rjnello.bsky.social
Taking off from Norman Manley Airport, Kingston, Jamaica, about 7:30 this morning. A lovely airport: No paying just to drop-off; smiling (even at 5:30am) staff checking you in; everyone wishing you a “safe journey”; and a terminal so clean it is stunning. A step back in time to when flying was fun.
Looking through an airplane window shortly after takeoff toward mountains, the edge of a city, and a causeway. Sky above the mountains is mostly blue. Much of the photo is water below the causeway.
November 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
On our way to the U.S. to visit my dad, we’ve stopped here in Kingston, Jamaica for a few days to see our 30-year-old nephew who is serving here as a priest. Yesterday, he booked us all a tour of Bob Marley’s House and Museum. (We paid, of course.) Really impressive. (No photos are allowed inside.)
Corner view of Jamaican late singer Bob Marley’s house. Near cloudless sky above it. Two palm trees are visible before it. A plaque describing Marley’s life is visible in the foreground.
November 16, 2025 at 3:37 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
For #VeteransDay, a general worth remembering: John J. Pershing, top commander of the U.S. army in Europe during (the U.S. participation in) World War I (1917-18). He sensed the armistice today - November 11, 1918 - was a “mistake”:
Photo of U.S. General John J. Pershing on the front cover of a biography about him: Text: PERSHING GENERAL OF THE ARMIES -Donald Smythe - WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION BY SPENCER C. TUCKER An interesting except: Pershing opposed the November 11 armistice. Smythe notes that Pershing believed that the Germans were beaten and that the Allies should in consequence insist on unconditional surrender. Some in Washington, including [Secretary of War] Baker, saw this as the opening shot in a bid for the Presidency in 1920 and it nearly got him into trouble with [President] Wilson who took the view, shared with other Allied leaders (Foch was another notable exception) that Germany should be given moderate armistice terms. Pershing believed that the Western armies would, as a result, have to return to Germany one day "to finish the job." In that he was prescient.
November 11, 2025 at 8:20 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, writing to Edward Jenner, 1806:
To Doctor Edward Jenner Monticello, May 14, 1806. SIR, I have received a copy of the evidence at large respecting the discovery of the vaccine inoculation which you have been pleased to send me, and for which I return you my thanks. Having been among the early converts, in this part of the globe, to its efficiency, I took an early part in recommending it to my countrymen. I avail myself of this occasion of rendering you a portion of the tribute of gratitude due to you from the whole human family. Medicine has never before produced any single improvement of such utility. Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood was a beautiful addition to our knowledge of the animal economy, but on a review of the practice of medicine before and since that epoch, I do not see any great amelioration which has been derived from that discovery. You have erased from the calendar of human afflictions one of its greatest. Yours is the comfortable reflection that mankind can never forget that you have lived. Future nations will know by history only that the loathsome smallpox has existed and by you has been extirpated. Accept my fervent wishes for your health and happiness and accurances of the greatest respect and consideration.
November 6, 2025 at 7:06 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
November isn’t looking hugely less dull just yet. Here in Dartmouth, Devon, just before 7am this morning. #dull #clouds #weather
Heavy clouds in the sky above a hillside. Trees atop hill on the left, as well as a mobile phone mast visible to the right. Buildings, some with lights on visible to the lower left. Trees visible lowest right.
November 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
A pic from Nov 1, 2024. My (now late) mom bought me this print 30 years ago. It has followed me from home to home (and between countries). Looking at it, I can only think the current “president” is exactly the sort of man NONE of these men wanted near high office. #5amWritersClub #WritingCommunity
A bookshelf positioned above a print of John Trumbull’s “Declaration of Independence” (1826) mounted above a desk. UK and US flags are positioned on the desk to the left. To the right is a desk lamp. Writing, two mugs, and other office paraphernalia, are on the desk.
November 1, 2025 at 8:56 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Presumably that would include this guy, too. #UlyssesSGrant
Library of America book cover, mostly in black. Photo, top right: A bearded Ulysses S Grant, in U.S. army uniform, 1863. Text: Grant Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant Selected Letters 1839-1865
October 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
My “favorite” remains his May 4 “Meet The Press” televised threat not to rule out attacking Denmark.

No president has ever threatened war on an ally. It is a clear violation of the 1949 NATO treaty and easily a “high Crime.” He should have been removed for that - if Congress functioned, of course.
Screen capture of Trumpactiontracker.info Text: trumpactiontracker.info Logged Actions (showing 190 of 1626) Sort by date = T 347. Trump threatens military force to take over Greenland Reported Sun May 04 2025 Foreign Policy
October 27, 2025 at 6:08 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Pope Leo did the 10:30 Mass today in St Peter’s Square. We got there early (8:15), so got good seats to see him pass. My 4th pope in person.

Canadian guy behind us shouted playfully at him as he was driven by: “Chicago White Sox, yeah!”⚾️

No sign, though, from the Pope that he had heard that.😂
Pope Leo XIV, in his white vestments, standing in the back of his “pope mobile” slowly driving by and waving at onlookers, Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, October 12, 2025. He is glancing down to his left and his right hand is holding on to the vehicle. Onlookers are visible to the right. A security man in sunglasses is at the bottom.
October 12, 2025 at 4:56 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
Here in Rome, stumbled on this small roadside memorial yesterday near the Pyramid: Remembering the ANTI-FASCIST Allied liberators of the city, June 4, 1944… especially U.S. military:
A replica of an ancient Roman column, with a wreath against it, decorated with Italian flag colors. Behind it a wall, with five historical plaques. Blue sky and clouds above. Plaque English text: FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE IN MEMORIAM ON 4 JUNE 1944 THE UNITED STATES-CANADIAN FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE COMMANDED BY BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT T. FREDERICK LED ALLIED FORCES OF GENERAL MARK CLARK'S FIFTH ARMY. A PART OF FIELD MARSHAL SIR HAROLD ALEXANDER'S FIFTEENTH ARMY GROUP, IN THE ATTACK TO LIBERATE THE ETERNAL CITY. IN THIS ACTION TASK FORCE HOWZE OF THE IST ARMORED DIVISION, THE 463D PARACHUTE FIELD ARTILLERY AND CITY UNITS OF THE ITALIAN RESISTANCE GAVE VALIANT SUPPORT AS WE BREACHED THE GATES OF ROME AND SECURED THE TIBER BRIDGES. TO OUR BROTHERS IN ARMS OF ALL NATIONS WHO DIED IN THE BATTLES OF THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN WE DEDICATE THIS MEMORIAL. FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE ASSOCIATION 4 JUNE 1984 Two plaques in Italian. First paragraph text of lower one: IN QUESTO LUOGO CHE RICORDA IL SACRIFICIO DI QUANTI CADDERO PER RICONQUISTARE ALL'ITALIA LA LIBERTÁ E LA DEMOCRAZIA CALPESTATE DALLA BARBARIE NAZIFASCISTA Translation: IN THIS PLACE THAT REMEMBERS THE SACRIFICE OF THOSE WHO FELL TO RECONQUER FOR ITALY THE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY TRAPPED BY NAZI-FASCIST BARBARITY
October 10, 2025 at 5:30 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Made it. EasyJet from Bristol, yesterday. In Rome (for a week).

Just after 7am this morning. #Italy #buongiorno
Looking out an iron-rail covered apartment window over nearby similar buildings. Blue morning clear sky at the top.
October 9, 2025 at 5:20 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
I blocked the guy at the bottom because of that “take.” If something reflects your opinion, but is openly and falsely attributed to someone who did not say it, at least remove their name(s) before sharing it. We have enough trouble already with fake s-it coming from the US president himself.
BeatnikDude @beatnikdude.com •9h This is not an actual statement by LIZ Cheney nor Adam Kitzinger. Mack Butterfield @mack2114.bsk... • 9h I know that, but I like the message.
October 4, 2025 at 11:14 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Back on October 4, 2023, at Runnymede, in Windsor, at the site of the 1215 “Magna Carta” meeting. Here King John agreed to barons’ demands for a “charter of liberties.” It is now known as the field where “rule of law” was born…
Sign along a road. Trees behind. Leaves on the grassy ground. Text on the sign: Site of Magna Caria Eight Centuries of the Rule of Law 15th June 1215 Blue sky with clouds and overhanging tree limb in the top half of the photo. Trees mid-photo in the distance. Lower half of the photo is grassy ground and a footpath, with a shaded area at the bottom left.
October 4, 2025 at 6:57 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
A moment before Monday hits: On Haytor, Dartmoor, Sunday afternoon:
The silhouette of a Dartmoor pony, standing on a rocky and grassy hillside, against a mostly sunny sky in the background.
September 29, 2025 at 5:34 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
#5amWritersClub #WritingCommunity Thinking about some recent “writing advice” I had seen thrown at someone online by a “critic,” I recalled this from an old blog post (2019). How might online “writing experts” similarly now “critique” this paragraph below?: rjnello.com/2019/08/20/t...
Not unpleasantly self-conscious, since there had been a slight sway of attention toward her during this conversation, Rosemary looked for a place to sit. Obviously each family possessed the strip of sand immediately in front of its umbrella; besides there was much visiting and talking back and forth-the atmosphere of a community upon which it would be presumptuous to intrude. Farther up, where the beach was strewn with pebbles and dead sea-weed, sat a group with flesh as white as her own. They lay under small hand-parasols instead of beach umbrellas and were obviously less indigenous to the place. Between the darl people and the light, Rosemary found room and spread out her peignoir on the sand.
September 26, 2025 at 6:16 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
#5amWritersClub What’s on your bedside night table right now? Mine, as of last night:
Two books on a white table, a column wall radiator behind, and part of a lampshade at the extreme left. Top book, a mostly black Library of America volume of Union General William Tecumseh Sherman’s “Memoirs,” with Sherman in his Civil War uniform on the visible front cover. Below it, “Cicero,” by Anthony Everitt, with a statue of the ancient Roman in the “O” on the book spine.
September 24, 2025 at 6:36 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Outside the entrance to an, uh, anti-fascist museum we visited a couple of weeks ago in Bastogne, Belgium:
Large sign mounted on a brick wall. Top left on sign: Insignia of the 101st Airborne Division. Top right on sign: Insignia of Bastogne, Belgium. Center top on sign: 1944 photo of U.S. General Anthony McAuliffe. Relevant English text on sign: General Anthony McAuliffe Commander of the besieged 101st Airborne Division who had his Command Post here during the battle of Bastogne in honor of his outstanding leadership and his reply « NUTS » to the German surrender demand.
September 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
Off Plymouth, seen from the ferry as we got back last evening: there were, it appeared, 4 warships. (Below are two.) One of them, we were told, was also German. (I’m not conjecturing as to the reasons why.)
Standing on a ship, overlooking water. To the right is a headline. The sky is broken clouds. Two military-looking ships are visible in the distance, at the horizon.
September 12, 2025 at 7:06 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Walking by the Twin Towers, New York, back in the late 20th century (January 1991)…
A ground up 35mm photo of the then Twin Towers, January 1991. The sun is shining on the left side tower. The sky between them is cloudless.
September 11, 2025 at 4:20 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Mont-Saint-Michel, yesterday, late afternoon.

This cycle to it alone entirely justified hauling our two bicycles over here to Belgium and France.
Over my bike’s handlebars, looking up at Mont-Saint-Michel. Mostly cloudy sky. A car is parked to the left. People milling around are seen to the center and the right.
September 10, 2025 at 6:43 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
Making our way back from the Ardennes today. Stopping over tonight in Dunkirk. On Malo-les-Bains beach just before 8:30pm - a little while ago.

Bonne nuit.🇬🇧🇫🇷

#France #Dunkirk #sunset #evening #plage #history #WWII #travel
A British Union Jack flag, fluttering over a beach, as the sun goes down. The lower part of the sky is a vibrant red and orange.
September 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
We knew German is the language in eastern Belgium, but this caught us out a bit. Yesterday, on N827 driving east approaching the town of Maldingen, it was like a “switch” had been thrown. With no “official” warning I’d noticed, all of the signage abruptly changes from French to German.
A Google map screen capture of the road approaching Saint Vith (Sankt Vith), where French street names and signage suddenly changes to German.
September 6, 2025 at 7:10 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
A few pics taken in La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium, today:
View of the River Ourthe at a low level. Houses to the left. Trees on hills. Riverside grass visible in center. A wall and cars parked to the right. A sign on a lamppost says: La Roche-en-Ardenne. On a bridge over the River Ourthe in La Roche-en-Ardenne. Looking at a Belgian war memorial and a Belgian flag. Buildings ahead. One store sign says “American Store.” A piece of recovered U.S. army equipment outside the Musée de la Bataille des Ardennes, La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium. Text: IN TRIBUTE TO THE GALLANT SOLDIERS OF THE 84TH US INFANTRY DIVISION WHO LIBERATED THE TOWN OF LA ROCHE AND THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES IN JANUARY 1945 DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
September 4, 2025 at 8:06 PM
rjnello.bsky.social
Dartmouth, Devon🇬🇧 is “twinned” with Courselles-sur-Mer, Normandy.🇫🇷 We made a point of getting this pic (I took it: I was not driving at this point; my wife was) as we made our way through the Norman town yesterday. It did actually remind us a lot of Dartmouth, especially its harbo(u)r area.
A cloudy sky above a road sign, trees and houses to the right. Text on sign: COURSEULLES SUR MER Ville Jumelée avec [UK flag] DARTMOUTH [Canadian flag] RIGAUD [German flag] GOLDBACH 1944 Juno Beach [Canadian flag]
September 3, 2025 at 6:55 AM
rjnello.bsky.social
We are taking a “road trip” across northern France this week. We drove from Roscoff, Brittany through Normandy yesterday.

Was last here 30 years ago: The Normandy American Cemetery, above Omaha Beach:
A cloudy sky, above trees. Below, a view of a reflecting pool, with a walkway to the right, leading toward a flagpole topped with a U.S. flag. A similar flagpole is to the left. Mostly white crosses are seen in the distance, before trees, marking the graves of the 9400 US soldiers interred there, killed during the liberation of France 1944-45.
September 3, 2025 at 6:13 AM