Thomas Cave's Tattoo: Lemons

"Thomas Cave's Tattoo"

I've started a blog that discusses what I call the New Great Depression - the idea that the next few years will constitute a Depression era, and not simple recession. I believe that to understand it in that way will enrich it, and encourage everyone in this country to make this era a creative period, a positive time, an act of construction, and not a cause for panic, chaos and fear. This is a chance for renaissance.

If the New Great Depression produces art, literature, theater, film, community, and a discovery of human value, as the first one did, who wouldn't want to be a part of it.

I am here to barter, trade, share, talk, listen, discuss, argue, understand, make fun, and make peace with the lack of the old prosperity. It was corrupt, and corroded, and it's gone. The dead weight of spoils has been lifted.

Thank you for listening, ma'am.

"About Thomas Cave"

Mr. Cave is the gentleman in the photograph that graces this home page. The photograph was taken by the American photographer Dorothea Lange, who so powerfully documented the country and its citizens during the Great Depression. I found this photograph at www.shorpy.com, a website with a specialty in Depression images. According to Shorpy's site, the Lange photograph, titled "535-07-5248 and Wife," was taken in Oregon in August of 1939. The gentleman is described as an unemployed lumber worker. His tattoo is his Social Security number, by which he is referred to in the title of the photograph. A public records search conducted by Shorpy's revealed that the number belonged to Thomas Cave, who was born in 1912 and died in 1980 in Portland. His wife's name, Ann Kathryn, who died in 2000, appears on their tombstone, a photograph of which is appended under Shorpy's readers' comments.

Mr. Cave is 27 years old in Lange's picture.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Lemons

If life gives you lemons, design a lemonade stand.

Seattle architect John Morefield has set up a booth at the Ballard farmers' market, where he gives design advice for five cents a pop, into a can. He told a local reporter he was inspired in part by Lucy's psychiatric advice booth in the comic strip "Peanuts."

Morefield was laid off twice this past year, he says. On Sunday, he made 35 cents, reported komonews.com, and he continues to make a lot of press. (Trapezoidal titanium masters, be forewarned. The New World may well want a lot more of Mr. Morefield, and a lot less of lemon luxury goods that leak.)

The nickels go to a food bank; the press Mr. Morefield keeps to network with.

This is New Great Depression resourcefulness at its best. Way to go Mr. Morefield. I'm joining the line for a word with you, and happy to pay the nickel. Hope we can have you here.

Thank you for listening, ma'am.

Thomas Cave's Tattoo