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.
Fine art museums are a modern idea. Like public parks and public libraries, they are a way to let the masses experience things previously reserved for the wealthy and/or aristocratic or, in the case of religious art, reserved for the members of the parish which bought them.
According to the article below, Manet was the first artist to aspire to have his work placed in a museum. In my view, there are a few of his I'd enjoy as our living room decor but we are out of wall space anyway...
I am ambivalent about art and cultural museums. You get to walk around in a strange reverent hush and look at pictures that you could never afford to hang in your living room.
What is the greatest art museum in the world? By all accounts, NYC's Metropolitan Museum. Lots of other wonderful ones (I've been to most of 'em) around the western world to visit, but the Met's scope and abundance is overarching.
As you know, my limit is one hour just to see a show or a few things I want to look at. Otherwise I get "museum brain". I had some excellent art history classes in high school and college, not to mention books and the good things from Great Courses. Still, a semi-illiterate with Fine Art. I like to look at all of it, cool pictures.
Addendum: Re the Met, I wish they would show a mock-up of the Greek guys - the ones with their penises broken off - with the original Greek paint on them. These were not made as "art". More like Tussaud's or Disney. Wish I knew whether Michelangelo knew that the Greek stuff had been realistically painted.
He has been an inspiration to millions for 32 years. A warm, loving guy who seemed to see through all BS but was, above all, entertaining and (almost always) cheerful and upbeat.
His wife spoke a lovely remembrance of him today on the radio, with gratitude for all of the prayers and love from his listeners.
RIP, Rush, with thanks for all of your work almost until your last breath.
Today, math is challenging for many and so is reading Shakespeare. It's not exactly a different language, but it sort-of is. His plots are not too difficult to suss out and his characters are usually interesting and colorful, but his language is the thing for me.
It is not for kids.
I wonder whether the teachers just want to avoid things that are challenging to deal with.
... we are in unforeseen territory. The women who can least afford to raise a child are the most likely to be single mothers, and the children who stand to benefit the most from stable homes and reliable fathers are the least likely to have them.
I suppose it would be possible to come up with a better plan to destroy black academic performance than by telling black students not to worry about getting the right answer to a math problem, but I can’t think what it would be.
Many people have trouble getting their minds into the logic and language of math at different levels. It takes focus and concentration, like learning a language.
We had dear old friends over for dinner last night. Somehow we got on the topic of music boxes and, guess what, I have a Regina with about 25 discs. A charming sound.
My Dad had given it to my Mom as a wedding gift. An antique at the time. It works just fine, but I am afraid to over-wind it. Given its age (c 1890) it is probably due its 100-year cleaning and oiling if I can find someone who can do it.
9:2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
9:3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them.
9:4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
9:5 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
9:6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
9:7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"
9:8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
9:9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Photo of our elegant dormitories at the school. $60/night - not bad for a living room with a chart table, kitchenette, and nice bedroom plus a spare bunk in the hall.
First thing, we can recommend them for all levels of seamanship education, from beginner to commercial Captain. Half of our classes were military guys and gals, and were from all over the US and Europe too.
The best thing about their classes is that half the time is spent in classroom, half on the water practicing with whatever size and type boat you want to master. They have the dormitory right at their own marina on Manatee Pocket, which was perfect. Classes are from 8 am to about 4 pm. You need to study for an hour or two after you go out somewhere fun for a seafood dinner.
Wish I had a pic of that lovely narrow lagoon, but I was usually too busy with boat handling to take a pic.
Yes, there are tricky paper exams but the practical water components are useful. Lots of boat traffic to deal with down on the intracoastal waterway in Florida.
A few observations about food, masks, etc below the fold, with a couple of pics.
I am back on that topic, which is always a fun and semi-controversial one here at Maggie's. Our list, from the past, includes everything from dining manners to weights to firearms, but we'll try the topic again sometime.
How many knots should a 16 year-old American know how to tie?
A good winter activity with kids, besides Monopoly, checkers, and Chess, is practicing the basic knots with eyes closed. Bowline knot is essential, among the others. What are parents for except for things like these?
Man Asks That You 
We had dear old friends over for dinner last night. Somehow we got on the topic of music boxes and, guess what, I have a 
