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.
None of my 5 sibs want to travel this year, and none of my kids either for complicated reasons (well, dau in law has a kid due around TG). So instead of our usual 30 people (including the jolly nieces and nephews), we are down to three - Mrs BD and me, and father-in-law.
So last night out at a nice French dinner with father in law and one of his pals from the old folk's home, I suggested we do our local diner which is advertising their TG dinner.
Who would bother with all of the chores and cooking for three or four people? That is too sad. Eat the food, then what? That is not fun. No welcome speeches? No lengthy prayers? No brats causing chaos? No fires blazing in our fireplaces? Nobody hacking on the piano? No silly indoor and outdoor games? And no classic family 1-hr after-dinner walk at dusk and in the rainy dark?
The old guy thought the diner idea was a great idea. I said I'd sneak in some excellent Scotch, and I'm sure it would be a festive if well-separated crowd there.
In fact, it might be memorable. Next year, God willing, back to normal. I have not seen my sisters or brother since Christmas.
“The Only Good Thing About Donald Trump Is All His Policies.” So proclaimed an opinion column headline in 2018. The converse might be said of apparent President-elect Joe Biden. He may be likable but he offered little vision and said nothing about policy in his victory speech a week ago— nor much during his entire campaign.
Biden, so far, is defined by who he is not: Donald Trump.
5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you.
5:2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
5:3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!
5:4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief;
5:5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
5:6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober;
5:7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
5:9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.
5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
After great pain, a formal feeling comes – The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs – The stiff Heart questions ‘was it He, that bore,’ And ‘Yesterday, or Centuries before’?
The Feet, mechanical, go round – A Wooden way Of Ground, or Air, or Ought – Regardless grown, A Quartz contentment, like a stone –
This is the Hour of Lead – Remembered, if outlived, As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow – First – Chill – then Stupor – then the letting go –
“America’s laziest and dumbest judge” seeks “a bright person to keep (the judge) from looking stupid,” and gave preference to University of Virginia law students “who studied interesting but useless subjects at snobby schools.”
Eric Hoffer observed that in America, “What starts out here as a mass movement ends up as a racket, a cult, or a corporation.” He made that observation a half century ago when America was still a country.
I agree with Scott Adams that Joe Biden is one horrible person. Calling me a racist and a Nazi is not forgiveable. I know about "just politics", but that is not.
I have crticized most of his proposed policies, and wondered about his physical and mental fitness, but never called him hateful names. Now, I am. Horrible. Nobody treats me like that. I only care about what is best for all of us Americans as I can best figure it out.
- All forms of agriculture other than hunting and gathering. No - include hunting and gathering too.
- All forms of transportation including horses and oxen.
- All forms of heating, cooling, and cooking, including wood fuel, solar farms, wind farms, or hydroelectric
All of those things kill nature. Let's face it - since humanity began, ecocide has been its implicit mission. Mass suicide is the only solution for nature. Nature is not for parks - it's for everywhere.
None of my 5 sibs want to travel this year, and none of my kids either for complicated reasons (well, dau in law has a kid due around TG). So instead of our usual 30 people (including the jolly nieces and nephews), we are down to three - Mrs BD and me, and father-in-law. 
What is
