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Thu, Jan 8, 2026

8:44am EST

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Carrion Luggage

by Robert Waltz

Rated: 18+ · Book · Opinion · #2336646

Items to fit into your overhead compartment

Carrion Luggage

Native to the Americas, the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) travels widely in search of sustenance. While usually foraging alone, it relies on other individuals of its species for companionship and mutual protection. Sometimes misunderstood, sometimes feared, sometimes shunned, it nevertheless performs an important role in the ecosystem.

This scavenger bird is a marvel of efficiency. Rather than expend energy flapping its wings, it instead locates uplifting columns of air, and spirals within them in order to glide to greater heights. This behavior has been mistaken for opportunism, interpreted as if it is circling doomed terrestrial animals destined to be its next meal. In truth, the vulture takes advantage of these thermals to gain the altitude needed glide longer distances, flying not out of necessity, but for the joy of it.

It also avoids the exertion necessary to capture live prey, preferring instead to feast upon that which is already dead. In this behavior, it resembles many humans.

It is not what most of us would consider to be a pretty bird. While its habits are often off-putting, or even disgusting, to members of more fastidious species, the turkey vulture helps to keep the environment from being clogged with detritus. Hence its Latin binomial, which translates to English as "golden purifier."

I rarely know where the winds will take me next, or what I might find there. The journey is the destination.

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Annette

about 19 hours ago
In response to "Greek Geeks"

I understand your issue with the word "scientist" for people who practiced observations and deducing theories before the word "scientist" was coined.

However.

We call all kinds of things by modern words that weren't in use. I think that most readers find an article that uses language that they can easily translate into meaning more accessible than an article that fizzles out on semantics that don't help the point that the article is attempting to make.

To the point of misinformation. It's a big problem. There are too many people who rely on clips they find on social media for "information" rather than at least give journalists a chance first.

An example from my life. My coworker found a video of a Latina who is "signed up" to travel to Mars. No, she isn't. She is training for it on her family's dime. That woman has not been recruited or been accepted into any official Mars exploration program. But my coworker thought that this woman's wishful thinking video was reality. It's exhausting to explain to grown adults how to fact check things they find online.

2 Like

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

about 21 hours ago
In response to "Greek Geeks"

I'm not much of a science person but I do enjoy learning. I dont believe science has all the answers though. Faith is a necessary element.

1 Like

Robert Waltz

about 22 hours ago
In response to "Greek Geeks"

Brandiwyn🎶 v.2026

- Oops, thanks, sorry *zips up*

4 Like

Brandiwyn🎶 v.2026

about 22 hours ago
In response to "Greek Geeks"

It is absolutely possible to build an entire skyscraper of thought that rests on a swampy foundation.

This is a great analogy. Also, your civil engineer is showing.

2 Like

Robert Waltz

a day ago
In response to "In This Together"

Annette

- I completely agree. As you know, mass transit in Europe is light-years better than here, even around big cities like NYC or LA. Yet another example of what government needs to improve.

They seem to have the attitude that they'll only improve mass transit if people use it, but people don't use it unless it's improved and convenient, so we're stuck in a Catch-22 cycle of "not enough."

1 Like

Annette

a day ago
In response to "In This Together"

One thing more people could do is use mass transit and bikes to get around and for short distances.

If there were protected bike paths, away from traffic, not just a forking line on the ground, I would use my bike more frequently and leave my eight seat minivan parked. But I will not "save the planet" by attempting to win against American car drivers.

Now that I live a distance away from Los Angeles, I do take the train there. It takes an hour and twenty minutes, which is ten minutes more than by car when there is nobody else on the freeways. And much faster than a car on any other time. I come out at Union Station where I can choose from dozens of buses and three Metro lines. It's glorious and cheaper than parking for an hour in Los Angeles. And parking out here at the train station is free.

1 Like

TJ says, "keep on keeping on!"

Jan 5, 2026 at 5:46pm
In response to "Corn-er Store"

How in carnation can anyone mess up phrases? My ex-sister-in-law always messed this one up. I'm not sure if she was referring to the flower or the instant breakfast drink.

1 Like

Recovering Richard 🥂🍾

Jan 5, 2026 at 9:34am
In response to "Corn-er Store"

Perhaps John is an electrician who doesn't care which side of the electrical panel he wires to ...

2 Like

TJ says, "keep on keeping on!"

Jan 4, 2026 at 8:21pm
In response to "Re: Tired"

Nothing like talking to a doctor to put you to sleep.

3 Like

Lazy Writer est 4/24/2008

Jan 4, 2026 at 6:27pm
In response to "Re: Tired"

Well im a light sleeper..no noise or light. Sometimes takes forever to grt yo sleep..once awske nobgoing back.

2 Like

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#234. You Keep Using That Word
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#229. Another Wry Bread Pun
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#227. Facts? Maybe.
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#204. A Titillating Discovery
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