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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 11h

It was this day in 1977 that the charter plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd and friends crashed in a remote wooded area of Mississippi. The accident killed band-members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines and three others on the plane. There’s a […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

A photograph of three obelisks arranged in a semicircle with the story of the plane crash and the history of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

A photograph of one of the obelisks etched with the pictures of two deceased and the text:
RONALD WAYNE VAN ZANT
JAN. 15. 1948
Ост. 20. 1977

DEAN ARTHUR KILPATRICK
MAY 30. 1949
Ост. 20. 1977

A selfie photograph of one of the obelisks with an etching of a photograph of the band in front of their doomed aircraft. The photographer stands in the foreground.

A photograph of one of the obelisk engraved with the following:
The Last Flight of Free Bird
On October 20, 1977, the band were in the early stage of an ambitious tour to promote
"Street Survivors". Flying from Greenville, South Carolina, where they had played a show
the night before, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to a scheduled concert that would never be,
the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd had every reason to feel elated. They now performed
• for larger audiences throughout the United States and beyond. The checks were
bigger. Assistants attended to them like royalty. They were in their twenties.
They must have seemed invincible.
while the group were in top form, their chartered air transportation was tragically not.
The day before the doomed flight suspicions about the plane, a Convair CV-240, were
apparent. The company that owned the ailing aircraft had scheduled it for maintenance
soon, and some band members had considered taking a commercial flight to their next
performance. But alternate flight arrangements were never made,
and repairs would never come.
On its final flight, above the thick green canopy of trees that cover this part of the state,
the aircraft began to run out of fuel. Thinking they would never make the airport at
Baton Rouge, the pilots aimed the sputtering machine toward a closer airfield in
McComb, Mississippi, but even that emergency objective was too far. When the
aircraft stalled and glided lifelessly down into the trees, one witness reported the sound
it made was like the boom-boom-booming of railroad cars colliding during hook up.
Near the tree-thick site of the crash stretched an open pasture where the desperate pilots
had hoped in vain to make an emergency landing.
At the accident many of the rescuers in the heated rush of the moment did not recognize
the victims among the wreckage were members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. One of the
rescuers recalls wondering, What's a bunch of hippies doing on an airplane? They
don't look like they can afford a ticket." Even some who recognized the band may have
been confused in their excitement. One of the witnesses at the scene informed others
nearby, "That's Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane, but don't worry, I think 'Leonard'
made it out okay."

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 12h

Not just the metric system: NOLA.com article about marsh restoration also converts acres into the universal unit of football fields. I would say they’re probably writing for an audience with an IQ less than 100, but then I’d have to restate that as “having the ball just shy of mid-field.” 🫤

A screen capture of a news article. “The landbridge project would create around 1,290 acres of marsh, or nearly 1,000 football fields, mainly along the Rigolets.“

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 23h

Here’s another campaign postcard I received today for our local judge election. “JUSTICE IN ACTION” it declares, and it outlines the process: “A crime is committed and the JPSO make an arrest. “The DA's Office prepares the case and is responsible for its […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 18/10/2026

Are you ready for some football!? I’m ready and wearing black and gold as well. #WhoDat #NOvsNYG #Saints #NOLA

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 17/10/2026

It’s comforting to know state lawmakers are making key decisions based on the best data and advice of recognized subject matter experts. #Louisiana lailluminator.com/2026/10/16/louisi…

Screencap from the linked article.
“Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, said her Google search before
the meeting showed her Louisiana's health ranking among states
went from 49th in 2010 to 50th last year.”

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 14/10/2026

This postcard arrived in the mail today which clearly explains that if you’re looking for a fair and impartial judge to vote for, Sal Brocato is NOT the guy! If I’m ever a defendant assigned to his court, I will ask for a different judge because this guy is […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

Is our system messed up? I received this in the mail today from a candidate running for a local judgeship. He includes a list of politicians who endorsed him. I know his intent is to show he has credibility, but all I see is a list of several dozen […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 26/09/2026

#Caturday Zen from about five years ago. Kumiko liked when I worked from home.

A photograph of a calico cat curled up on my lap as I sit at my desk, trying to work. On the desktop, you can see my keyboard, some papers and a calculator. The cat may or may not be smiling.

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2026

Just got back from visiting Precious Daughter in Seattle. An upbeat, optimistic city that gave me this message. =YOU= CAN DO HARD THINGS #quotes

A photograph of a city sidewalk dappled with the shadows of trees under sunny skies bears the chalked message: YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 29/08/2026

When I was blogging about life in post-Katrina New Orleans, my fellow NOLA Bloggers and I would post this simple graphic each year on the anniversary of that disaster. In solidarity with everyone in New Orleans, former New Orleanians, and kindred spirits […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

Plain white text on a black background. A large white fleur de lis is in the center. “8-29-2005” is printed above. “Remember” is printed below.

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 04/08/2026

BUNNY DAY CELEBRATING "BUNNY MATTHEWS: HIS LIFE, ART, AND OBSESSIONS" September 19, 2026 at the Historic New Orleans Collection Lectures and a Costume Contest. Free and open to the public. LINK: hnoc.org/events/bunny-day #nola #Louisiana #history #art #hnoc

A colored line drawing by the artist Bunny Matthews features his two archetypes of Mew Orleans locals Vic and Nat’ly.

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 02/08/2026

Canvassing with Lauren Jewett today. Walking the neighborhoods in this heat wore me out, but these two teachers have energy to spare! We’re going to win this! Learn more about Lauren and how you can help make Steve Scalise unemployed […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

Three smiling sweaty volunteers on the campaign trail. In the foreground is the candidate Lauren Jewett, wearing stylish sunglasses and showing off the push cards we were handing out. Behind her is Tim, decked out in a green campaign shirt. And another volunteer who just happens to be a teacher also, wearing a blue T-shirt, which says “ NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER.”

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 27/07/2026

Is it just me, or is this not an outright admission that capitalism typically does NOT do good? 🤔 #capitalism #socialism #WallStreet #investment

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 29/05/2026

TIL the Peace Symbol ☮️ was created in 1958 as a symbol for Britain's campaign for nuclear disarmament. The design is based on the semaphore signals for the letters “N” and “D” set inside a circle. The “ND” stands for “nuclear disarmament.” #history #NoWar en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_symbols

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2026

It takes no compromise to give people their rights...it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression. ~~ Harvey Milk #quote #HarveyMilkDay

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 04/05/2026

Jemere Morgan 🇯🇲 brings his reggae pop fusion to #JazzFest #NOLA #Louisiana

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 04/05/2026

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys on the Fais Do-Do Stage at #JazzFest #NOLA #Louisiana

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 08/04/2026

I don’t know who drives this car, but I think we could be friends. 🙂 #bumpersticker #ReadBannedBooks

A photograph of a bumper sticker on the back of a Sentra features a cartoon drawing of an old bearded man playing a banjo. The text says:
BANJO ✅
BAN BOOKS ❌

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 02/04/2026

Here’s my synopsis of the address from the White House last night. #fascist #fascism #FuckTrump #NoWarWithIran

A still from the Star Wars movie Return of the Jedi shows Emperor Palpatine on a throne. The overwritten text says “Roses are red, Yoda is green, Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.“

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Tim Ruppert @tmruppert.universeodon.com.ap.brid.gy · 26/03/2026

Got this political campaign postcard in the mail today. Is there anything to back up this claim of “the safest southern border in the history of our country”? I mean, what about when the United States Army invaded Mexico? Seems the border (as the U.S. redrew […] [Original post on universeodon.com]

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