A Molly Ivins tribute from her editor, on the occasion of her passing away due to cancer. (Links to some of her last columns on that page). She was loved by many in the US for her often humorous and irreverent political commentary and philosophy. As she says to Americans in one of her last columns: "We are the deciders."

Behind the raging horseshoe falls of Niagara there lurks a dormant monster, a century old tunnel painstakingly laid brick by brick. A tale of urban exploration in gloriously purple prose.

Giant Kites of Japan. A visit to the Yokaichi giant kite festival. One of a number of such festivals. Or visit a Giant Kite Museum. They are called odako (大凧, sometimes romanized as ohdako or oodako), literally: "big kite". more inside

A large gallery of pictures of beautiful Iran . This gallery has everything: the art, architecture, people, and the natural beauty of Iran. Also, a nice smaller gallery. Fewer pictures, but a little more commentary from some visitors to Iran. more inside