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.
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.
Scott Adams did a piece on the role of luck for making a good life. It seemed as if he were implying that being born with darker skin than his was one item on his "bad luck" list.
I am not convinced of the latter, but most of "good luck" involves genetics in every sense, from appearance to IQ to illnesses to character traits and talents. A non-dysfunctional family and a decent middle-class upbringing are pretty good lucks too.
Do you view life as a series of opportunities knocking, or as a series of back lucks? I do the former.
Like many Americans, I probably could have taken my career further but, at a point, I was content. I enjoy viewing the Matterhorn, but feel no urge to climb it other than the normal macho impulse. I am glad that others do.
Ohio State Professor Apologizes for 'Hurt, Sadness, Frustration, Fatigue, Exhaustion and Pain' Caused By Pro-Football Article. Matthew Mayhew is sorry. Very, very sorry.
Deads strengthen the "posterior chain," from neck to the soles of your feet. We tend to view deads as a legs exertion, but no, not only. That's why they are an invaluable totaly body exertion.
That posterior chain of muscles is what it makes it possible to be bipedal and to stand up straight instead of slouching. It's counterbalanced by various anterior muscle groups, expecially the abs.
I am no body-builder guy, but after 4 years of including deads in my routine twice weekly (pushing the weights, admittedly, but gradually with high-rep days and low rep days), I can no longer button my dress shirts. 2" more. That's crazy, not what I wanted but it just happened. Brooks Brothers shirts ain't cheap, and I fairly often wear jacket and tie at work, especially for meetings when it is expected. I don't have a single dress shirt that I can button now.
Deads are the single best way, and most efficient way, to stay sturdy after age 40.
Nearly 100,000 New York City voters received defective absentee ballots, election officials acknowledged on Tuesday, a massive glitch that raised doubts about the city’s ability to handle a pandemic-era presidential election with millions of mail-in ballots expected.
The problems were mostly confined to Brooklyn, where voters registered outrage and confusion after seeing that their ballots had mismatched names and addresses on the outer and inner mail-back envelopes.
I don't think the Irish in Ireland drink it. I think of it as a rare dessert treat, but one time I had it for breakfast at a shooting meet and I have never scored as well since then.
Many women will view Barrett as a regular suburban mom just like them. This is where Barrett’s biography is deadly to Democratic attack lines: small-town, middle America, Catholic, teacher, mother of seven, with two kids adopted from Haiti after a devasting hurricane and one kid with Down’s Syndrome. Demonizing any part of her biography inherently demonizes thousands of other women sharing that same trait or who will find nothing but goodness in Barrett’s biography.
Yom Kippur, the most important Jewish holiday, begins tonight with fasting until tomorrow night. It is often referred to as the Day Of Atonement. It might better be referred to as the last chance for atonement before the new year begins. The prior Hebrew month of Elul is about considering our transgressions, especially toward others, and making amends. Indeed, every day would be a better start on the future by correcting our bad behaviors and confessing and asking forgiveness from those we may have harmed in any way. That is why this holiday is also referred to as Day Of Return, returning to the guidance of G-d in living the proper ways.
I just returned from ten days hiking in Utah's national parks. Glorious. Photos later. One of my thoughts was about sheep.When under the shepherd's care, they are protected from wolves. When wandering away, the sheep are less safe and wolves have an easier time of it. G-d is our shepherd and we are safer and have better lives when remaining under or returning to G-d's care.
Almost everybody's favorite opera buffa. Rossini wrote it in three weeks. Over 200 years old, and going strong because it is so much fun and so silly, with irresistable tunes.
Forget politics -this is joyful. Good actors too. Ain't Italian beautful? To me, Sienese Italian is the most musical and expressive tongue in the world.
Diversity Über Alles: 
The 
