We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
The teams of good guys who replaced bad wood with azic and repainted our house thought it was fun to renovate one of my wren houses too during their lunch breaks (sometimes chickadees take it, though. I don't care).
“Extraordinary...This book is Zimmer at his best: obliterating misconceptions about science with gentle prose. He brings the reader on his journey of discovery as he visits laboratory after laboratory, peering at mutant mosquitoes and talking to scientists about traces of Neanderthal ancestry within his own genome. Any fan of his previous books or his journalism will appreciate this work. But so, too, will parents wishing to understand the magnitude of the legacy they’re bequeathing to their children, people who want to grasp their history through genetic ancestry testing and those seeking a fuller context for the discussions about race and genetics so prevalent today.”
Met a fellow at a holiday party, and we were talking about travel. He said his travel days were long done and that he had seen enough of the world. He no longer even wants to drive to Vermont unless it's a hunting trip. His wife is headed to Petra with some friends in January, but he refuses to go with them.
I loved his story. (Details altered enough for privacy and happily OKed by the guy)
On average, the scientists found, people who identified as African-American had genes that were only 73.2 percent African. European genes accounted for 24 percent of their DNA, while .8 percent came from Native Americans.
Latinos, on the other hand, had genes that were on average 65.1 percent European, 18 percent Native American, and 6.2 percent African. The researchers found that European-Americans had genomes that were on average 98.6 percent European, .19 percent African, and .18 Native American.
Warren is "possibly" as much as .09 Native American, well below the white American average. For native American DNA, look to the Indians themselves, or the Latinos. Come to think of it, how much Latino blood does Beto have?
I change my daily workout program somewhat, about every four months, while still keeping within the basic Maggie's Fitness For Life format of roughly 1/3 weights, 1/3 calis, 1/3 cardio. Change is to keep my physical adaptation off balance and fresh, and also to address perceived weaknesses and imbalances in my program (with my genius trainer's advice, of course). It's a good idea to change routines sometimes. The only basic rule is to move without comfort for an hour or so daily.
Remember, I am not a spring chicken but I'll be damned if I ever want to feel, or act, old. I will not retire either because that sounds like a kind of preliminary death to me. When something strikes me down, as it will all of us, then OK because I will have gone the distance.
The main change now is to work on cardio endurance, running in particular.
My changes are below the fold. Remember, we're interested in hearing about your workout programs too, and your progress -
It's the time of year when people begin forcing bulbs indoors, especially Paperwhite narcissus but other bulbs too.
The trick we learned but keep forgetting from my garden club Mom was to regularly give those forced bulbs a shot of cheap vodka or gin.
Paperwhites and Amaryllis benefit most from some booze. I don't know how it works, but they grow stouter, somewhat less tall and tippy stalks that way. No effect on the blooms.
We rarely have hard booze in the house, but I'll pick up some cheap vodka to keep the bulbs happy and strong.
Unlike all normal people, I never have my phone with me unless I am traveling and might need to phone AAA. Not paranoid, just no need for it. Mrs. BD says I am a Luddite.
That was the New York Times' opinion of Patrick O'Brian's Jack Aubrey series of nautical novels, set during the Napoleonic wars. You might have seen the Russell Crowe movie about the first book of the series.
Royal Navy Master and Commander Aubrey and his ship's physician/spy Dr. Maturin are quite a pair. Maturin is the more interesting character, with his estate in Spain and his passion for natural history and for spying (for free). Aubrey is a skilled seaman and lucky warrior. The two men connect mostly by playing Handel on strings after dinner.
One theme of the series is that living on land is just too complex financially, romantically, socially, politically, and practically, while going to war at sea is comfortably simple with the possibility of becoming wealthy by seizing prizes. This series offers a similar delightful escape.
The sailing details are said to be remarkably accurate. You can learn a lot about topgallant sails. I had to look up quite a few antique nautical terms. I've never sailed on a square-rigger, but I would love to.
O'Brian died recently. We owe him many thanks for his efforts. Writing novels that anybody is willing to read, given limited free time to do so, is always remarkable.
Chanukah (Hannukah transliteration from the Hebrew for those who can't pronounce the guttural Ch) begins tonight. Many non-Jews also celebrate Chanukah for it common significance of overcoming religious oppression and rededication to sacred traditions and observance. It's also fun and a learning experience for children to see the lights glowing, to eat the tasty latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganyot (jelly donuts), and play dreidal (top) for gelt (chocolate coins or pennies).
And here's a brief video of how to light the candles.
21:25 "There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
21:26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
21:27 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.
21:28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
21:29 Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;
21:30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.
21:31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
21:32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.
21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
21:34 "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly,
The teams of good guys who replaced bad wood with azic and repainted our house thought it was fun to renovate one of my wren houses too during their lunch breaks (sometimes chickadees take it, though. I don't care).
A non-technical book about heredity.
Met a fellow at a holiday party, and we were talking about travel. He said his travel days were long done and that he had seen enough of the world. He no longer even wants to drive to Vermont unless it's a hunting trip. His wife is headed to
77 years ago,
The incredible termite mounds of Brazil: 
Vanderleun: 
It's the time of year when people begin forcing bulbs indoors, especially Paperwhite narcissus but other bulbs too.
Image via 
What It Was Like 
That was the New York Times' opinion of Patrick O'Brian's 