Author | Lightnews

James Mitchell

@plainfeather.bsky.social

150 followers 150 following 310 posts

Retired book publisher and author, medievalist, photographer, Soto Zen student, early musician, San Francisco resident since 1967, unrepentant hippie. Like Bluesky, life is plenitudinous.

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 4h

and as stage sets for pervy sex films more recently. Fun Fact: what’s left of Mission Creek runs through the basement. Since no one seems to know what to do with the building, I suggest turning it into a homeless shelter.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 4h

In 1914 this "Moorish Revival" arsenal replaced an earlier version on Ellis near Hyde, lost in 1906. Since unhappily the socialist revolution never materialized, the present armory at Mission and 14th was used for more profitable enterprises, such as weekly boxing matches in the 1930s,

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 4h

MEDIEVAL SAN FRANCISCO #2. Fearing outbreaks of socialist violence in the late 19th century, agents of capitalism built armories across the country resembling medieval castles, to store weapons and provide drill space for local militias.

# architecture #SanFrancisco

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 16h

The Rök Runestone. Estimated to have been carved in the early 9th Century CE. It is considered the first piece of written Swedish literature. Cf. Wiki for more info and translation.
#archaeology

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 1d

While thinking about the events of last weekend and preparing my giant frog costume to confront the National Guard in San Francisco as promised by Trump, I found a 1969 Flamin' Groovies album cover which seems quite accurately to sum up the current level of political intelligence abroad in the land.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 2d

Chandler is full of little surprises like that. I should go look if the director nailed the fixity ecstasis in either of the first two movie versions.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 2d

like a hunky immigrant catching the first sight of the Statue of Liberty. He was a big man but not more than six feet five inches tall and not wider than a beer truck. He was about ten feet away from me. His arms hung loose at this sides and a forgotten cigar smoked from behind his enormous fingers.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 2d

It was a warm day, almost the end of March, and I stood outside the barber shop looking at the jutting neon sign of a second floor dine and dance emporium called Florian's. A man was looking up at the sign too. He was looking up at the dusty windows with a sort of ecstatic fixity of expression,

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 3d

#critters #doggos

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 4d

A day to remember, October 18, 2025. Thx photographer Scott Ness.
#NoKings #SanFrancisco

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 5d

No Kings! #caturday

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 5d

Also the young prince appears otherwise to be wearing a dress like the queen.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 5d

No Kings!
Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Trumpet.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 6d

The thong design I'm sure is conventional enough to appear in all cultures, including aboriginal ones. I haven't really looked into it, but the drawing shows the queen and prince together, whose controversial relationship is summarized in the German Wiki <Sieben weise Meister.>

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 6d

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 7d

I have absolutely no idea what's going on with this picture, but it is tempting to think there may have existed a branch of Frederick's of Hollywood in late medieval Germany. (Berlin, germ. qu. 12 1471 Folio 97r.)
#medievalsky

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 9d

H.W. Tilson, "Columbus Day", The Saturday Evening Post, Oct. 11, 1930.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 10d

First snowfall of the season at Glacier National Park: livestream webcams at Late MacDonald and Apgar Mountain.
#MountainMonday

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 12d

I would definitely think about a trip to Newfie if I could be sure of siting a Newfoundland Pine Marten (Martes americana atrata).
#critters

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 13d

"Diejenigen, die man tanzen sah, wurden für verrückt gehalten von jenen, welche die Musik nicht hörten" / Nietzsche.

"Those who were dancing were considered crazy by those who didn't hear the music."

#Nietzsche

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 13d

Big party tomorrow night at Tam O'Shanter's house!

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 14d

The gentleman on the right at the dinner table who has eaten too many oysters is presumably the new prime minister, while the guy next to him falling backwards has been struck by a brick, and the guy next to him on the floor has his head wound addressed.

James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 14d

Great moments in modern democracy - William Hogarth, "An Election Entertainment," 1754-55, Sir John Soane's Museum, London. Debauched Tories celebrate an election victory while demonstrators heave bricks through the window.
#art #oilpainting

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 15d

The Dog with the Pearl Earring.
Thx Tim Mitchell.
#art #Vermeer

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James Mitchell @plainfeather.bsky.social · 16d

In the Distance, Andrea Kowch, 2022.
#art #oilpainting

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