Can Cousin Henry's Occupation really be listed as "Gambler" in the 1860 census?

What other word could this possibly be?

SLO Tribune's Slant on Paso Robles's Recovery from Earthquake 10 Years Ago Today

The story seems to be about the resurgence of Paso Robles with its Frenchified restaurants offering the products of 200 or 400 new vineyards--all very good, except that from my worried skimming I could not see any mention of the new reality that Paso is facing something worse than the earthquake--the draining of the aquifer by the vineyards.

10 Years Ago--San Simeon Earthquake

Monday December 22, 2003

Dr S. rescheduled. Tough day. Cat out 545—slept again till after 7. On watch for garbage men to give them their Xmas tips—[they were] late. Made fabulous Fourth Bread—Shock 1035-- landing doors popped for a second or 2. Ran in 36 or so very slowly at 1115, on dunes, 6.5 Earthquake—knew I was not drunk and had not been nauseated [on dunes] before—so knew [what it was]. Garbage trucks farther up Juniper—had to wait to give them tips. Then began to assess damage—books & pictures on floors—pot off pedestal on top floor—[potting] mess by elevator. Things fallen in cabinets but none of the porcelain or even Nellie’s crystal was hurt. Sue D[       ] said she lost her glassware. E/o had some damage. Bread out 1150 or 1155. The perforated pan loaves I gave to Joyce & to Dave & Sylvia as Miracle Loaves—cooked during Earthquake. [Kept rescheduled appointment.] Waited at Dr S’s office 30 minutes in cold after waiting 10 mins on street with wet feet—Chilled—left note. Ate part of loaf then—but shaky & nauseated rest of day. No computer. Calls to check coming in: SOS, Darrell Parker, Patsy McCarthy, Paul Seydor. Called bk & talked to Danielle. Water in Sentry Box [bathroom]—splattered from tank? So lucky. Many aftershocks. Heddy home [from LA] at 330 not knowing anything about Earthquake. . . . .

A model apology from 1826 for all who have been naughty in 2013

From a Tuscumbia, Alabama paper, 1826

Notice.—I do hereby certify, that I, Charles C. M’Clure, last from Tuscaloosa, and now in the town of Columbus, Mississippi, have been guilty of uttering the most infamous, villainous and hellishly slanderous falsehoods against the character of a portion of the family of Major Jesse Weaver of the aforesaid town of Columbus, and also that I have threatened the life of Mr. Thomas Morford, and that I do hereby acknowledge that I feel thankful that I have even a hope of escaping the just vengeance of said gentlemen, with that merited from every honest and good citizen, not only of this town, but that I do not deserve the countenance of lenity ever again to shine upon me.

          In acknowledgment to all of which I do fix my hand and seal in the presence of the witnesses, and thank them that they even condescend to sign their names as witnesses against me.

                    C. C. M’Clure.

Some of my Sims folks were there:

THE TUSCUMBIAN - FRIENDLY TO EQUAL RIGHTS & PRIVILEGES - November 29, 1826

{ NOTICE } On the 20th day of December next we will proceed to sell at the home of James Smith dec'd 11 
October 1826 at La Grange; the following property, to Witt; House hold and kitchen furniture; some farming 
utensils - stock of HOGS and CATTLE; a quantity of shingles & On the following day we will proceed to sell 
at the plantation of said dec'd five miles east of Tuscumbia, quality of CORN & FODDER, HORSES & MULES' 
about eighty head of SHEEP, and a number of fine BEEF CATTLE, several yoke OXEN and WAGONS, with a variety of 
other articles, too numerous to mention, A credit of nine months will be given the purchaser giving bond with 
approved security, JOHN HOGAN, JAMES N. SMITH.

{ Notice } I, do hereby certify that I Charles C. Mclure, last from Tuscumbia and now in the  Town of Columbus 
Mississippi, have been guilty of uttering the most infamous, hellishly slanderous falsehood against the character 
of a portion of the family of Maj. Jesse Weaver, the aforesaid town of Columbus, and also that I have threatened 
the Mr. Thomas Morford, and I hereby acknowledge that I felt thankful that I have even a hope of escaping the 
just vengeance of said gentleman, with that merited from every honest and good citizen, only of this town, but 
that I do deserve the countenance. I acknowledgement to all which I do fix my hand and seal the presence of the 
witnesses and thank them that they even consent to sign their names as witnesses against me. C. C. Mclure, 
Witnesses, G. W. Sims, John W. Blundell, James Sims, T. R. Norman, W. W. Humphries, C. H. Abert, Erasmus Potts, 
W. B. Patterson.

Bell Cousin and Dougherty Cousin Victor Miles Holding Court Among Costner Cousins

His wife Doris Edwards's sister and brother, Audrey and Grafton and her nephew Elwood Edwards--all Costners. Victor's and Doris's children (not portrayed here) are my triple cousins. What an intelligent and handsome bunch! And a man comfortable in his skin and his house!

Christmas Present for MELVILLE BIOGRAPHY: AN INSIDE NARRATIVE

http://ahab-beckons.blogspot.com/2013/12/gift-idea-even-if-its-for-yourself.html

Ahab Beckons

In Which Is Discussed the Annual Moby-Dick Marathon of the New Bedford Whaling Museum

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Gift idea! (even if it's for yourself)

Released this year: Melville Biography,
An Inside Narrative

For the Melvillian on your list is this unclassifiable tome by Hershel Parker: Melville Biography, An Inside Narrative.

"Unclassifiable" because it is part autobiography, part rebuttal of his critics, part explication of his approach to biography, part continuation of his monumental Melville biography.

More than that I hesitate to say—because I've only just started reading it, and because my ignorance in these matters is vast. For a real review, see this one by Carl Rollyson, himself an accomplished biographer. (You may need a Wall St. Journal account to load the review. I was able to view it once; no longer. If you have access to back issues, it's in the 3/29/2013 WSJ.) A slightly condensed version of Rollyson's review is here, about halfway down the page.

I can tell you that it is interesting reading. (Be sure to read the Notes in the back, too.) 

Erika and Heddy