Maggie's Farm

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.

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Much Sorry with Delays
Birth, Death and All That Stuff in Between
How to Honor Labor Day, Every Day
My Yom Kippur Miracle (Repost from 2010)
Good intro to fly casting
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Easy for you to say: To the elites on mass immigration
For NYC on 9/11, Sailors' Snug Harbor
Pickled Peaches
Water Shoes
Labor Costs in U.S.
Your "identity"
Good news about The Great Courses
Uses of Hot Pepper Jelly/Sauce, Chutneys, and Jams
A Saturday Drive to Litchfield County, CT
How to Pick a Kayak
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Tuesday, February 5. 2008

Primary Season is Catalog Season

McCain too "mavericky" for you? Mitt too unelectable for you? Hillary and Bill too morally-challenged? Barry O. too lightweight and commy?

It was ever thus. If you want government to reflect your own views, then run for office yourself. Otherwise, cheer up, quit grumbling, and spend some time with the Spring Wayside catalog.

Photo: Rose Double Delight, from the catalog.

PS: I do not know who to vote for today. McCain might be able to win an election, but I agree far more with Mitt's current positions. Since appointments to the Supremes is my bottom line, and requires winning, I may hold ye olde schnoz and go with John. Sorry, Mitt - you are one fine fellow and deserve better, but I do not see you winning a national election this year.

PPS: We need a Gardening category on the blog.

Editor's note: Indeed we do. I created one, but it will take a while to backtrack. BTW, I am going with Mitt. Tough decision: practicality vs. policy. You are correct, B. - it was ever thus. In this life, we never get exactly what we want, except for lovely roses.

Posted by The Barrister in Gardens, Plants, etc., Politics at 11:14 | Comments (14) | Trackbacks (0)

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So I guess it means nothing that when McCain's initiatives are struck down by Supreme Court the 4 commies are right behind him? He's gonna get real judges in there all right...

His choices for judges will have absolutely nothing to do with the fact that his personal pet peeves have handed him defeat there, (wisconsin right to life) or have nothing to do with his yearning for amnesty for illegals.

If you are going to hold the nose and vote McCain, at least be honest: he's not as bad as the others, and might be electable.
#1 Phil on 2008-02-05 11:44 (Reply)
You hit on it when you said Mit's current positions. Just wait a day or so, they'll change. He could give Kerry flip-flopping lessons.
#2 Santay on 2008-02-05 12:01 (Reply)
Gawerish, Sarge, they's alwayz Huckabee!
#3 buddy larsen on 2008-02-05 12:36 (Reply)
regardless of who wins the fact that a woman and a black man are on a ballot is a great momnet in America politics. Democracy is a marvelous thing. I can't wait to walk in the voting booth with my daughter and let her see it for herself.
#4 opie on 2008-02-05 12:47 (Reply)
True. I guess that is "social progress."

But policies, in the end, matter more than superficialities like skin coloration or configuration of genitalia. I'd vote for a black Maggie Thatcher in a second.
#4.1 BD on 2008-02-05 13:00 (Reply)
Me too, BD -- 'identity politics' is such a huge leap backwards.

Some "progressives", eh?
#4.1.1 buddy larsen on 2008-02-05 13:44 (Reply)
you got to start somewhere, don't you? I would vote for a black Golda Meir as well. Policies mean everything but this the primary and so I will allow myself to get carried away by the superficial stuff. In November there will be a tougher decision to make but as many young people and pundits are claiming that Barack is inspiring people to become involved , to inspire "change" and then as they say the sh** will hit the fan.
We Americans are such suckers for sentiment. You just have to watch the Giants ride through the Canyons of Heroes and see why Hillary cries before an election. I have to say I am enjoying it.
#5 opie on 2008-02-05 14:36 (Reply)
When I lived in Playa del Rey , Ca and had a special date I would always try to extend the time by picking the date up at around noon and heading south to Newport Beach where there were two of the most fabulous gardens and arboretums I knew about.

The Sherman Gardens (at that time the Sherman Institute) was a hidden treasure. Ten foot adobe walls sheltered the arboretum from the streets and inside the plants were really special. Pergolas abounded and there was even an on site, outside, pastry shop with tea or coffee sheltered by an pergola. Most of my dates were very impressed I knew of such a place and more interested that I found it interesting.

Sherman Gardens http://www.slgardens.org/

The second place was a garden shop ,but of such splendor as not to be believed. An amphitheater holding about 100 people was filled hourly for the 15 minute demonstrations on potting, hanging baskets, etc. I've never seen the likes, for simply being a garden shop. People treated it more like a day at the park. Rogers Garden, also in Newport Beach.

Any of our west coast folks or those headed that way might want to visit both of these places.

Rogers Garden http://tinyurl.com/2gm35r


PS. The dates usually turned out to be very enjoyable.
#6 Habu on 2008-02-05 15:54 (Reply)
While I like a Pieris Japonica or Acer Palmatum as well as the next fellow, this time of year I start my tomato seed shopping. Just bought a nice assortment from these folks.

http://store.tomatofest.com/

While everyone has their own favorite 'heirlooms' let me tout this french hybrid. Carmello grows well here, and puts out a huge number of tennis ball sized fruit. This hybrid is a favorite in France, where it was been bred for fruit production and flavor, not shipping qualities or 'early' or 'canning' or what have you. Just a ton of medium, delicious tomatoes that keep on coming. I eat a lot of these while I'm waiting for the next Brandywine to finally ripen up.

http://store.tomatofest.com/Carmello_p/tf-0101.htm

Judging by some of the links you've already posted I'm sure you folks already have my landscape gardening urls, but here are a few more kitchen-garden links that I find useful:

http://www.kitchengardenseeds.com/index.html
http://www.cooksgarden.com/vegetables.asp?dept=1003&lvl=0
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/Home.aspx
http://www.reneesgarden.com/about/reneebio.htm

Here's to sticking a green thumb in some nannystater eyes!
#7 Carl H. (Link) on 2008-02-05 16:29 (Reply)
My beloved grows great roses! He purchased two "Double Delight" bushes, because "we have two daughters".

There is a little ray of light from somewhere far afield--try this:
http://www.narth.com/

There is currently an effort by the APA (American Psychological Association) to ban any effort to help people leave the gay lifestyle and re-enter into a heterosexual identify. However, these folks at NARTH do have the courage to defend good science.
#8 apple pie on 2008-02-05 18:34 (Reply)
AP - That's a shocker about the APA and the new ban. What is the thinking, or lack of, for that?? ugh. I'll Google it...

My ex had 200 beautiful rose bushes. They were in six sections, and he worked on them constantly after work. What a way to relax!
#9 Meta on 2008-02-05 21:56 (Reply)
Sorry to hear "ex". No matter the cause--the pain hurts!

I love to garden and there should be a section here at Maggie's Farm for gardening.

It is wonderful to think that Aristotle understood that the thing that man does with his hands,mind and heart is the thing that keeps him alive. Somewhere he has said that if you take a man away from the work of his heart you commit murder. The real tragedy came when we seperated those who work with their hands from those who work with their minds. Gardens help us to do all three.
#10 apple pie on 2008-02-06 02:00 (Reply)
Thanks, AP, but my ex is my best friend now and we are parents to our two with great diligence and agreement. (Yes, it was sad, but kids trump any dignity and pride and we made it work.)

I have a quotation cut out of a Reader's Digest, back before the Quotable Quotes began quoting celebrities, and it is a long paragraph about how digging in the dirt and planting something is the best form of rejuvenating a tired spirit. It is beautifully written, and I have it in a book I've made of quotations. I read it quite often, and that one sticks because it's so true. Planting something and nurturing it to grow is so good for the soul!
#11 Meta on 2008-02-06 14:06 (Reply)
Never did understand the fierce anonymosity that was a forseeable response to the family law court actions against ALL fathers during the 80'90's. Recently, however more reasoned minds seemed to have noticed that the hostility rubs off on the children, so it seems that family courts are seeking a balance in some places.

My grandma/grandpa were divorced in 1923, and both remarried. The four of them were friends until the end. I grew up in a world where grandma/grandpa II and grandpa/grandmaII were always at the Sunday dinner table. Not too much hostility that I was ever aware of--
being friends with their dad is really the best way to manage the situation. Good Luck
#12 apple pie on 2008-02-06 23:58 (Reply)

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