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.
We have natural gas heat, stoves, etc. Good stuff. Our only 35-year-old furnace system came to the end of its life in the past week or two (planned obsolescence?), and the water heater for the heat system leaked.
I don't know what our readers have, but we have 4 zones. It would be better to have 6, but whatever. We didn't get into that.
A new high-efficiency gas furnace is not cheap. And it is tiny. 48 hours with just fireplaces was a good reminder about how people lived in the past. A reminder of how good we have it.
The wonderful installers asked me whether I wanted a new programmable thermostat for my work space. Nope. The antique one is great. Just turn the dial up, down, or off. I can do that.
Readers know I am not a Trump-lover, but he has done a lot of good for the country and for the world. Lots more than most people with power, and surely more than any of us have done in our lives. I am grateful.
Cagey, foolish, inarticulate, or what? The interviewer is sort of stupid, but it's interesting to see Bob. He has a killer smile, when he can. I think this at at his house in Malibu.
Not brown enough? Why do people want me to think these ways? What's the point? Maybe I am old-fashioned, but I was raised to view people as individuals, while being aware of cultural and subcultural differences. Isn't that normal? Rightly or wrongly, I have a bias towards liking people unless or until they give me reason not to. Often enough, they do. I try to use discernment, but nothing to do with appearance.
Maybe wiser people use the opposite approach, but that's not me.
I am obliged to confess that I should sooner live in a society governed by the first two thousand names in the Boston telephone directory than in a society governed by the two thousand faculty members of Harvard University. Not, heaven knows, because I hold lightly the brainpower or knowledge or generosity or even the affability of the Harvard faculty: but because I greatly fear intellectual arrogance, and that is a distinguishing characteristic of the university which refuses to accept any common premise.
Don't Buy the Debunked Dominion Voting Machine Conspiracy Theory. Trump's campaign officials and attorneys are peddling this nonsense with help from credulous Fox News hosts, but their theories don't stand up to scrutiny
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.”
Meteorologist Danielle Banks explains 
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. 
