Jim Thorpe, PA

Jim Thorpe was considered the greatest athlete of the 20th century, and when we are thinking about the hands and brain, it is important to consider the rest of the body as well. In scientific jargon, it is called embodied cognition.

Jim Thorpe died in 1953, a pauper and alcoholic, and his wife talked the city of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania into building a monument and changing its name to Jim Thorpe, PA as a way of increasing its declining business opportunities. Jim Thorpe had never set foot in Mauch Chunk, but at the time, who cared? Even now, the city with the name of the world's greatest athlete is an interesting curiosity. And I love places that are textured, and preserved by caring hands.

Now, Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is a center for tourism in the Poconos, and the downtown of Mauch Chunk is beautifully restored. Shown in the photos are the memorial statue with my daughter Lucy posing as modern day embodied cognition. In keeping with the theme of intelligence and wisdom the second photo is the Dimmick Public Library, serving Mauch Chunk (Jim Thorpe) in this building since 1887.