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.
I had my first one of the season this week, creeping around a woodpile. They are a cold-weather wren, much darker than our ordinary House Wren which has pretty much migrated south by now.
Winter Wrens are are a bird of the Northeastern US and eastern Canada during breeding, most often seen in woodpiles, brush piles, and similar sorts of places. You need good eyes to see them but when they are in the mood they sing up a storm.
That 3 generations could have spanned almost the entirety of the US' existence is rather astounding. Yet it is a fact, there is still one of John Tyler's grandchildren left alive.
I first learned two were alive many years ago when an article about this arcane bit of Americana went viral. It's great trivia, but easily forgotten. Yet one of them died, so the trivial knowledge was revived.
What I find just as interesting is the Gardiner name, which the recently deceased held. John Tyler had married a Gardiner daughter. The Gardiners deserve a bit of study. If you have the time I recommend looking them up, and reviewing the history of their island - Gardiner's Island - off the coast of Long Island. Mrs. Bulldog and I were out on the East End last weekend (lovely weekend on Block Island) and the topic of Gardiner's Island was something we began discussing and started reading about. The family (particularly the last "Lord of the Manor") have an intriguing and eccentric history...as does the island itself.
I don't know how many Maggie's readers utilize social media, in particular Facebook. I do use Facebook, for a variety of reasons, even though I am aware of the privacy issues it poses. It remains a very good tool to share thoughts, experiences, moments in time, etc. It has helped me re-connect, and stay connected, to many family members and friends. I have investigated other, less intrusive, media like Parler, but I have not made that move to utilize yet.
I am not writing about social media, per se, though. Whatever your thoughts on its benefits or detriments are yours and you're welcome to them. Social media is a reality now, and I doubt it will be going away anytime soon. Personally, I don't use Instagram, Twitter, or most other social media. I limit myself to Facebook and Linked In. One for personal, the other for work.
What I find particularly troubling lately is the number of friends I have posting pictures of themselves mailing in ballots and writing "I voted, make sure you do, too - you know who I voted for." This is no different than taking a selfie while you're in the voting booth and saying "I voted, you know who I voted for." And while some people have done this, most people would find it very distasteful.
This may be the new reality, though. If it is, it's a troubling problem for the democratic process. The social pressures to 'vote the right way' are being ramped up. A new generation may not understand the problems with this, and many people who don't understand Democratic Theory may not, either. Here is a view supporting selfies which I find abhorrent, since the premise is based on the reason it being good is that it allows millienials to "convey information about their political views and engage with their friends about elections." No offense, but the vote itself is, and should be, private. While many of us share our political views, and even how we voted, that's a personal choice - not a fashion statement. Turning voting into a fashion statement is a dangerous thing. For what it's worth, the article supporting selfies points out that fraud is typically engaged via mail-in votes - a fact I'm sure Slate has shifted its position on in the last few months...
A final note. As I pointed out in the first sentence, the privacy issues of Facebook are problematic. Imagine sharing your selfies on Facebook, which already has collected a ton of information about your political views from your posts, what you've clicked on, even sites you've visited (just a reminder - not having a Facebook account does NOT mean you're immune to them collecting your data. They can do it whether you're on there or not - and they certainly do collect it.), and now they can prove from your selfie that you 'did the right thing for the party.' It's a pleasant thought.
After a few years of shoeing horses, briefly interrupted by a temporary job mining silver, I ran a brush-clearing and landscaping company as a side hustle. During this scramble for meaningful independence, the leftist tendencies I’d absorbed at college dropped off bit by bit. Life as a capitalist entrepreneur brought out the best in me, even when I was flirting with homelessness. Moreover, being in the real working world pushed me into contact with people, ideas, and situations that challenged me in all sorts of ways. After a few near-fatal incidents with horses (one of which left my skull and jaw shattered), I began pursuing my own business full time in 2016.
I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but North America has lots of warblers. They come up north in May to breed, and head back to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America in September and October.
You really need to be an expert to identify them without their springtime migration breeding colors. They mostly look like the photo, or otherwise nondescript. All around my gardens for the past few weeks.
I know three people who have no trouble with fall warblers. I am completely incompetent. Not very good with female warblers in springtime either. Too many hobbies, and not enuf IQ either (me, not the warblers).
In Spring, they are tiny jewels to look at if you do not have a sore neck. Best places to see them in the Eastern US are Cape May NJ, Central Park in NYC (my day record there in May), and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (also in NYC). All Atlantic Flyway.
Historically, journalistic integrity was rare. It still is. Sometimes it is just propaganda, other times it's just not reporting things they don't like. Example: Huge Trump rally in DC yesterday.
19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
19:4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
19:5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
19:13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
It is fair to say that Defender in Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power is a book Yoo never thought he’d write. Fair because he says so himself, right up front: “If friends had told me on January 21, 2017, that I would write a book on Donald Trump as a defender of the Constitution, I would have questioned their sanity.”
The North American White Ash of the eastern US is one of the majestic canopy trees of American woodlands and landscapes. It is, in fact, the wood from which baseball bats are made. It has been also used for lobster traps and electric guitar bodies.
In 2002, the Emerald Ash-Borer appeared in Michigan, and since then it has spread rapidly. I lost an 80 year-old Ash.
"Misssissippi" is one of those songs that sticks in my mind. Probably will no matter how demented I may become. Some words have an inevitability to them.
The recorded version is perfect. This one is live. I heard the Dixie Chicks do it live and hated their version. Lyrics here. When Bob got past his word and image intoxication of his youth, things changed. Not for the better necessarily, but sort-of more grounded and more personal. Genius, either way.
I sometimes wonder what Bob's life is now. No touring during covid. He's put out a couple of new tunes in the past year. I wonder whether he is hanging out in Scotland, Mallorca, Minnesota on his farm, or in Malibu. He ain't done yet. I know he loves boats, farms, motorcyles, fast cars, girls, and pals. Dont't know much else. I like those things too...
Anyway, thanks Bob for the fine, mostly positive, stuff you have implanted in my brain.
Addendum: I did not know he had a new record this year: Rough and Rowdy. Have not heard any of it.
I had my first one of the season this week, creeping around a woodpile. They are a cold-weather wren, much darker than our ordinary House Wren which has pretty much migrated south by now.
Climate Change Is Super Important To Liberal Voters 
Image: Cool t-shirts for gals 
The