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.

Our Recent Essays Behind the Front Page

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
Peach update, with pie
NYC update
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
Civilized: Fruit forks and knives
Loads of kayaking on Cape Cod
Psychology Experiments' Questionable Results

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Tuesday, March 11. 2008

No mission

The proprietor of the blog Mister Snitch has contacted us in a friendly manner to find out what Maggie's Farm is up to. He is interested in blogs.

I'd like to be able to answer his questions, but cannot. We have no mission and no goals other than a steady growth in readership. All we do is to follow our doggy noses, and try to learn something - and to amuse ourselves - in the process. Yes, we want readers, but if we are to be a boutique blog, then so be it: We started this experiment as a lark, and it has become a somewhat serious hobby. 

Our March stats surely are gratifying, but most of those visitors won't settle down by Maggie's fireplace for a smoke, a chat, and a glass or two of scotch. Alas.

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 18:30 | Comments (35) | Trackbacks (0)

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Well, sign me up for the seat by the "fire for ... a chat, and a glass or two of scotch", although I'll need to plan in advance. If I don't get baby-sitting and bring my wife, she'll be quite upset....
#1 Jerub-Baal (Link) on 2008-03-11 18:52 (Reply)
All righty, then. "No mission" is a legitimate mission, sort of the way Jack Kerouac might have responded.

It's true that the Diggers just pass through. I dare say, though, that you would not actually WANT most of them by your fire. Many haven't bathed this calendar year, and the rest have good reason to remain anonymous.

One has to cultivate one's own readers and make one's own way, and all that. No doubt about it.

Well, I imagine we'll all just see what happens, won't we?
#2 Mister Snitch (Link) on 2008-03-11 18:58 (Reply)
Yep. thanks for your interest in Maggie's.
#2.1 BD on 2008-03-11 19:28 (Reply)
"I dare say, though, that you would not actually WANT most of them by your fire. Many haven't bathed this calendar year, and the rest have good reason to remain anonymous."

What is a Morlock, because I think it's related to your assertion somehow.
#2.2 Jephnol on 2008-03-11 19:51 (Reply)
Diggers are no fantasy but legendary dumpster divers extraordinare.

Who once upon a time, fed the homeless and the hapless while on a mission which required an occasional loll when a Scotch set well.
#2.2.1 Leag on 2008-03-12 12:02 (Reply)
Went to Mr. Snitch to take a look, but it seemed too specific, analytic, directed. I enjoy your style, you know: no goals, rambling, covering the fun things big and small.

Yes, it's true, it's Maggie's Farm for me.
#2.3 PeterGunn on 2008-03-11 21:11 (Reply)
Should a hobby have a mission statement? I'd say, a hobby is a hobby only because it doesn't. IOW, whatever you like to do that has no purpose other than that you like to do it, is a hobby. But OTOH, that could be a mission statement: "have a hobby".

Your motto could be "This is my motto".
#3 buddy larsen on 2008-03-11 19:25 (Reply)
"I don't know, what's a motto with you?" Timone
#4 Jerub-Baal (Link) on 2008-03-11 19:33 (Reply)
Gideon,

Years back now I surfed through your site. I remembered when I clicked your link just now.

Read your "about" page. I went to BA as well and took a class with Mr. Andres. (A few years behind you).

Small internet, eh?
#4.1 Jephnol on 2008-03-11 19:43 (Reply)
Wow, on two counts, one... that you're a BA grad and knew Mr. Andres (who is still kicking around, last I heard) and two, that you understand the "Jerub-Baal" reference. Points to you!

I was in the same graduating class as Chas Andres' younger son, Mark. Last I knew he was on the West Coast, a professional artist and art teacher.

OK, that's enough off topic....
#4.1.1 Jerub-Baal (Link) on 2008-03-11 19:59 (Reply)
No points for me. I didn't graduate and I looked up your name.
#4.1.1.1 Jephnol on 2008-03-11 20:07 (Reply)
Well, saying that I graduated from there sounds like more than it is. When I was there, it was a good escape from my terrible local highschool, but not a huge amount more.

Berwick Academy has become a much better school since then. Good for us, makes the name look important on the CV (especially for me, I was a slacker there, before the term was invented...)
#4.1.1.1.1 Jerub-Baal (Link) on 2008-03-11 20:15 (Reply)
"Duck Soup" ?
#4.2 buddy larsen on 2008-03-12 14:35 (Reply)
Due dilligence--in every effort. In reason, in laughter, in religion, in art, in poetry, and music. Where else can I go and get so much for so little! Yes, I would come to your fire, I'll bring my own gin (Hendricks) and I will sit with you and laugh, we will go head on, and we stand beside. We have one tie that binds--a memory of what our heritage was, and the duty we are commanded to perform--all of us.

On the other hand, why don't you folks come visit us out there in the wild places of the real west? I'll bake an apple pie!
#5 apple pie on 2008-03-11 19:50 (Reply)
"On the other hand, why don't you folks come visit us out there in the wild places of the real west? I'll bake an apple pie!"

What a wonderful offer.

Now when I show up don't think for a minute that I'm anything like Mongo in Blazing Saddles.

May I have my slice of pie ala Mode?...French vanilla?
#5.1 Habu on 2008-03-11 22:32 (Reply)
"Steady as she runs Skipper...fireplace & beverages off the port bow! "

I like it as it is.
#6 Garry on 2008-03-11 22:18 (Reply)
I think Buddy is right in concurring with BD that it's a hobby, a relaxation.

Each time I contribute it's a bit more relaxing, the world in a mellow state of harmonic balance, the birds in tune.

Where or where could I find such eloquent tranquility?

Just kick back and relax is satisfying enough, totally allowing the better angels of my heart to guide my hand.

The extra good news is on our Alaska Cruise we can all share one cabin !

Mellow Habu
#7 Habu on 2008-03-11 22:24 (Reply)
PRESS PURPOSELY DOWNPLAYS KEY ROLE OF ARMED STUDENT IN JERUSALEM

http://tinyurl.com/364sgu

So an armed student can save lives. Whoduthunk?
#8 Jephnol on 2008-03-11 22:41 (Reply)
CCRKBA needs to get it's story straight and leave off it's own political bias.

But, I doubt they will give it up for Lent.

Yitzhak Dadon, an off-duty army officer, who occasionally studied at the seminary has conflicting stories.

CCRKBA is ignoring the IDF officer, Capt. David Shapira credited with killing the terrorist.
http://blog.americancongressfortruth.com/2008/03/10/an-officer-and-a-hero-capt-david-shapira-idf/
#8.1 Leag on 2008-03-12 12:44 (Reply)
"Top Hat" (RKO, 1935) with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to the totally great Irving Berlin is one of my favorite all time movies. It is a must see if you haven't.. This song seems apropos.


Now!I wake up every morning with a smile on my face
Everything in its place as it should be
I start out every morning just as free as the breeze
My cares upon the shelf
Because i find myself with

No strings and no connections
No ties to my affections
I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy

No dates that can't be broken
No words that can't be spoken
Especially when i am feeling romancy

Like a robin upon a tree
Like a sailor that goes to sea
Like an unwritten melody
I'm free, that's me

So

Bring on the big attraction
My decks are cleared for action
I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy
#9 Habu on 2008-03-11 22:43 (Reply)
Well now... and invitation to sit by the fire for a chat and some beverage is not to be taken lightly in my world. Honor, privilege and otherwise fun is how I see it.

That said, and at the risk of y'all thinking me a snob about such things, if scotch it must be then please, can I bring this if I share?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armagnac_(drink)


Elsewise I wouldnt' at all mind bringing

Glenmorangie 18

I'd point to their URL but it just may be the most impenatrable and, well, stupidly done web site I've ever seen. That said, pull up a bottle of the stuff with some nice water, start with about half and half mix, and explore.
#10 Knucklehead1 (Link) on 2008-03-11 23:38 (Reply)
Darn, that didn't make any sense.

What I meant to say was that if we're gonna sip some fine booze, I'm partial to armagnac. If it must be scotch the the Glenmorangie 18 is my choice, with a bit of water, 'bout 50%.

The invitation is very attractive so I'm willing to pack in enough supplies for myself and friends-to-be.
#11 Knucklehead (Link) on 2008-03-11 23:42 (Reply)
Ha - Knuck... a wee sip you've had already my lad... here's to the Scot's... who took bio-digested plant life and turned it into a sublime beverage.

"Hold Fast"... an excellent motto.

Yes, had my own sip as well.
#11.1 Luther McLeod (Link) on 2008-03-12 00:23 (Reply)
Why would you want to ruin good Scotch with water? Is it also eighteen years old -- the water?
#11.2 njartist on 2008-03-12 14:12 (Reply)
i doubt if either one of you is as think as i drunk you am
#12 buddy larsen on 2008-03-12 00:42 (Reply)
You're not drunk if you can lay on the floor without holding on.
- Attributed to Dean Martin
#13 Rob on 2008-03-12 01:58 (Reply)
Scotch? I hope that you mean malt; I prefer Lagavulin.
Smoke? I hope that you don't mind a large Puros Indios pyramid #2.

OK: I am all dressed up; where do I go?
#14 Mark on 2008-03-12 06:09 (Reply)
It has to be good scotch and fine cigars.
#15 njartist on 2008-03-12 08:05 (Reply)
Wow. A bunch of guys planning a party and no mention of the babes. What's up with that?
#16 Meta on 2008-03-12 10:51 (Reply)
You're invited too, Meta. Could you wear that little red clingy thing?
#16.1 buddy larsen on 2008-03-12 11:16 (Reply)
Oh, yes, Buddy! I shall wear it just for you and maybe after a few scotches, you'll want to wear it. Fine with me, honey bun. :)

(The breastelle protectors will look swell on you.... I just know it!!)
#17 Meta on 2008-03-12 12:49 (Reply)
LOL -- you're the best counter-puncher on the internet, meta!
#17.1 buddy larsen on 2008-03-12 13:14 (Reply)
sippin' scotch around the hearth doesn't sound much like work on the farm at all. flotsam and jetsam served up with knee-slapping laughter, babes and jaw-dropping music - sounds more like a healthy activity. thanks for the invite - it is greatly appreciated. is there a hand-engraved version i can get my grubby hands on? a baseball hat?

i might be in over my head here - i don't even drink scotch - would copious amounts of robust australian red be ok? if somebody says something particularly and unexpectedly funny, i could show you my trick where a little bit comes out my nose.
#18 johnnyonline on 2008-03-12 23:51 (Reply)
but no crotchless panties

until after the first drink

and cigar
#19 Anonymous on 2008-03-13 01:09 (Reply)
i need a toga

i get woodies

and it must

be free

to rise up

and rise

and rise
#20 Anonymous on 2008-03-13 01:12 (Reply)

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