MESSAGES FROM MARS BY THE AID OF THE TELESCOPE PLANT (1892) – Written by Robert D Braine. I shortened the title for the blog post headline. The main character of this novel is a sailor named Nordhausen. After leaving Madagascar our hero winds up shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
While roaming this island Nordhausen finds plants with thick transparent leaves which refract light like lenses do. The sailor breaks off one of the leaves to study it more closely, only to be seized by the island’s native inhabitants, who have been watching him from hiding.
The natives take him through a cave entrance to their hidden village which is a blend of the primitive and the futuristic. For the “sacrilege” of damaging one of the telescope plants Nordhausen is to be executed. The means? A device formed from several of the lens-like leaves which magnify the sunlight into a makeshift heat-ray, like holding a magnifying glass over a piece of paper to catch it on fire.
Our hero is saved at the last minute by a beautiful woman named Raimonda, who wants him spared. When her own words are not sufficient to stay the execution she enlists the King of Mars to persuade the natives to spare Nordhausen. Continue reading
NUMBER FOURTEEN ROLLS – The NAIA’s 14th ranked UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS welcomed the WEBBER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY WARRIORS last night. The Patriots dominated their opponents on both sides of the ball, leading the Warriors 28-0 by Halftime on their way to a 45-14 triumph. 
UNDER THE RADAR CLASSIC – Over in NCAA Division Two the FROSTBURG STATE BOBCATS played host to the WEST LIBERTY STATE HILLTOPPERS. The Bobcats held a 17-14 edge at the Half, following which each team added another 10 points as the Bobcats won this 27-24 thriller. 
TUSSLE IN THE TOP TEN – In the NJCAA the 3rd ranked NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE RANGERS battled their guests the number 8 COPIAH-LINCOLN COLLEGE WOLVES. These familiar foes went blow for blow and score for score until the Rangers emerged with a 19-15 victory. 
Balladeer’s Blog presents another neglected epic myth from around the world. In this case, Liberia’s Woi Epic of the Kpelle people. 
PART TWENTY-NINE – As always part of the fun comes from the way the Fool Killer’s opinions are a mix of today’s left-wing and right-wing attitudes. Some you’ll agree with, others you won’t but it’s always interesting. 
Hello again, everyone! Like FAQ’s I figured I’d address these questions I’ve been asked a lot lately. And thank you for the good wishes regarding recent family hospitalizations. 
NJCAA 1. HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS ### 2. BUTLER (KS) GRIZZLIES ### 3. TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS ### 4. EAST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE LIONS ### 5. NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE RANGERS ### 
6. MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS ### 7. LACKAWANNA COLLEGE FALCONS ### 8. COPIAH-LINCOLN WOLFPACK ### 9. IOWA WESTERN COLLEGE REIVERS ### 10. CISCO COLLEGE WRANGLERS ### 
THE QUEEN OF APPALACHIA (1901) – Written by Joe H. Borders. This novel features Paul Thornton, a merchant in Kentucky, and his Lost World adventures. While hiking in the wilderness Paul saves a beautiful woman from drowning. The woman is, coincidentally enough, utterly identical to Paul’s girlfriend May Arnold. 
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION ONE – The NAIA’s TAYLOR UNIVERSITY TROJANS once again played giant-slayer, this time on the road against NCAA Division One’s BUTLER UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS. The Trojans quieted the home crowd with a 7-0 1st Quarter lead that became a 14-7 advantage by Halftime. The 3rd Quarter ended with Taylor University on top 17-7 before the Trojans held on for a 17-14 Upset win.
NAIA OVER NCAA DIVISION TWO – The NAIA’s ALLEN UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS hosted NCAA D2’s CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY PANTHERS yesterday. The Yellow Jackets led 7-3 in the 1st Quarter but the Panthers went up 10-7 by the break. From there Allen University shut out Clark Atlanta while taking a 13-10 3rd Quarter edge and sealing the Upset 16-10 in the 4th.
NUMBER SEVEN TAKEN DOWN – Meanwhile, down in NCAA Division Three, the SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY RIVER HAWKS traveled to take on the number 7 team in the nation – the JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY BLUEJAYS. A deadlocked 7-7 opening Quarter turned into a 21-7 Bluejays lead at the Half. Neither team scored in the 3rd Quarter but the River Hawks exploded in the 4th for 21 points to win it 28-27. 
Here’s Balladeer’s Blog’s examination of Don McGregor’s 1973-1975 Black Panther story Panther’s Rage. I’m no comic book expert but in my opinion Panther’s Rage surpasses much of the work done by the overrated and overpraised Alan Moore. 
