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.
I hate invasive species, and I have read all about foreign earthworms. However, I am not askeered of European Nightcrawlers because they seem not to be able to handle certain sorts of winters, and they will not travel far.
So every couple of years I order 2500 of these rapid breeders. If you have decent soil, to a decent depth, regularly replenished with good mulch and fallen leaves, these guys will do a good job for your borders and other gardens while feeding the worm-eaters.
All of my shrub, lawn, and vegetable gardens have been carefully prepared. No pesticides, etc, with good deep loam fortified with maure, etc. I let grass clippings lie, and fallen leaves too (until autumn). Feed the worms!
How can you tell whether your soil is lousy? If you dig up a shovel full of earth and do not find 5 or 6 wigglers, it's either not very good or it's been a rough winter for them.
Annual Presidential Financial Disclosure coming soon: CNN notes his finances might be good, because he’s a criminal CNN notes his finances might be bad, because he’s a loser and a fraud
The reason for guys and gals of any age to do total body resistance exercises like squats and deads is to maintain or build muscle and bone strength and overall functionality. They are not just for athletes, and yes, they are preferable to machine exercises which tend to isolate muscle groups rather than being full-body, functional exertions.
BUT proper technique is important. Beginners need to be trained to do those things correctly. Even with excellent training, I had a painful back during my first few months of deadlifting. As I grew stronger with the movement, the pain went away and never returned.
I began doing deads 3 years ago. I began with 95 lbs, with trainer. The bar weighs 45 lbs, and the lightest bumper plates weigh 25. I have the movement pretty-well grooved in by now so I do deads on my own. However, my trainer still programs what I do. Occasionally I use the trap bar, for no reason other than variety.
At this point (mind you, I am not a youngster, and do not have a husky lifter's build) my programming looks like the below note from my genius trainer - This is a strength program for a not-young guy, not an endurance program although I mix it up sometimes:
Think: after 115 lb. 5 rep warmup, with 90 second rests between sets.
Set 1—135 for 5 reps Set 2—145 for 5 reps Set 3—155 for 5 reps Set 4—155 for 5 reps Set 5—165 for 3-5 reps
If you add a 6th set add another set at 135.
Even if you feel you can/should do more weight, don’t. Master the weight(make 135-155 move smooth and easy, with no sticks)- Master the hold. Get to a point where 135-155 for 5 reps “feels” like you could do it for 15-20 reps.
Mrs. BD has been traveling around Normandy with her Dad for the past week. Yes, they did it the high-end way.
Wherever they went, people walked up saying things like "Thank you, Americans, for what you did for us." Europeans of all types from all counties (not Germans) showing gratitude to Americans.
Very moving, obviously. Story goes that the old guy was too young to join the army. He lied about his age, but the recruiters phoned his Mom to check. His two older brothers were in the war (one on Omaha Beach), and both survived and went on to great educations, great careers, with fine families.
Photo is Mrs. BD's Monkfish supper last night in a tiny seaside port in Normandy. She says they poached it right, tender, juicy, delicate, and not chewy as in the US. Those French know how to cook.
My bike has a flat tire so cannot deliver the subversive news. Yet. In the meantime, George Papadopoulos is an impressive young guy. It's all about spies.
The Partner Chase - An elite law firm’s inability to promote enough minority partners exposes the unrealistic expectations of diversity mandates - Heather Mac Donald
Dystopian fiction is fun, but dystopias rarely come about. Even the Dark Ages weren't so 'dark'. Dystopias, when they occur, do tend to be regional in nature, and often (though not always) occur for short periods of time. The future is almost always brighter than the past, which may be why dystopian fiction is popular, particularly among sci-fi fanatics. The fear of a frightening future most likely prevents it, or should prevent it. Always expecting things to be good and wonderful can create a society of Pollyannas. Of course, it also creates Cassandras.
The one thing that worries me, more than anything else, is a decline in standards. I don't mean a decline in standards of general behaviors. There is politeness in good society and there is excessive or unnecessary politeness. Miss Manners was never my friend.
I'm referring to standards of right and wrong. Too often, we choose people as role models of what is good and just. I used to do that, but have not for many years now. I trust no politicians, even those I like or prefer. Athletes, celebrities, businesspeople, all exist in a pantheon of model humans. None for me. I will admire individual traits, and focus on those. No whole person is perfect, and we can't really expect them to be. That inability to have a perfect role model (for what it's worth, I'm not including Jesus here, though certainly He is a great starting point) creates misunderstandings about what is good and bad in humanity.
When right and wrong become fungible, as it seems they slowly are, we need to worry. When 60% of Millenials surveyed don't distinguish between right and wrong, it's time to start discussing what we're teaching our kids.
We flatter ourselves with the idea that we make our own decisions, arrive at our own rational conclusions, etc.
If psychology has taught us about the unconscious influences that tend to control our thoughts and choices, the current social "science" of influence and persuasion addresses the external forces that control our minds. It is darn interesting, but depressing.
As a prof of Marketing, Berger surely knows how to sell us but gives us tools to see through it all too.
There were all kinds of things I was afraid of at first, ranging from grizzly bears to 'mean' horses and gun-fighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid I gradually ceased to be afraid.
Theodore Roosevelt. He was right: Only action can overcome fears. That's why courage is a virtue, and fearfulness a weakness.
I know it's a "Hallmark Day," but, just like giving thanks to God on Sundays, if we were better people we'd show some gratitude every day. I do try.
My Mom is gone, and Mrs. BD (a Mom of 3) is in France with her Dad. Still, I am going to cook up some pan-fried ribeyes for a Mom.
Better yet, if no kids at home, take the relevant Mom or Moms out for a fancy dinner (champagne, lobsters, oysters, etc). It's not easy being a good Mom, harder than being a good Dad. Often boring, frustrating, worrisome, disappointing or even heart-breaking despite the rewards.
Higher Ed is not what it was designed to be. Everybody learns his job via apprenticeship, whether it is plumbing, law, finance, bank teller, medicine, or a fishing guide.
US Birth Rate Plunges To All-Time Low
Mrs. BD has been traveling around Normandy with her Dad for the past week. Yes, they did it the high-end way.
Something strange has been going on with Maggie's for the past ten days or so. Mainly redirections or failure notices. 
Dystopian fiction is fun, but dystopias rarely come about. Even the Dark Ages 
Better than I could have done:
We flatter ourselves with the idea that we make our own decisions, arrive at our own rational conclusions, etc.