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 don't have time to watch the impeachment hearings. In fact, I probably wouldn't, even if I could. It's boring stuff, and it's a rigged circus anyway.
That said, a friend called me to watch Jonathan Turley, saying "He's tearing it up, and all off notes from a play."
Took the time to watch the video this afternoon. Well worth it.
"A students work for B students at companies founded by D students that are run by C students."
Thanks to reader for reminding me of that old semi-truth. It does apply to me. I know that I am no genius, but I'm smart enough to hire very bright people who can make da business go good.
It's related to this one: "If you're so rich, how come you ain't smart?"
5X5 is one standard, but it depends on your goals same as everything else in life. Just one set of 5X5/wk is better than nothing but will not be enough to become a powerful lifter.
Because my goal is to maximize general fitness, endurance, and energy, and to minimize deterioration rather than to become a serious powerlifter, I alternate every couple of weeks between 5X5 heavy, and 8-rep pyramids of, say, 6X8. I also throw in one set of rack lifts/wk to work on my sticking point with my max lifts. Why not? It's just more mental and physical challenge. It builds character and sex appeal.
Remember that when we discuss weight training we mean to integrate it into the Maggie's Fitness for Life program which means approximately 2 days calisthenics, 2 days weight training, and 2 days of cardio with lots of HIIT. Around 6-7 hrs/wk, not including sports and recreation. Also, appropriate nutrition for fitness of course.
No promise you'll live longer, but guarantee you'll live better and look better.
Rocky Mountain High. From a reader skiing in Loveland, CO yesterday. I'd love to be there now because that is really living to the fullest. My quads, glutes, and hammies are fit for more skiing. Probably needs to be a guys' trip, though. Many wives seem to have lost interest in this cheap sort-of-costly, high-energy thrill.
Different categories, with some overlap. Here at Maggie's, we are sometimes busy with preserve hunting of pen-raised birds. Not the real thing but good for the dogs. Sort of Disney hunting. Golf with firearms is the way I think of it.
My love is grouse hunting in the North Woods. BD is the same. Hours of tramping over hill and dale and marsh, hoping to find a stray grouse or woodcock. With dog, of course, preferably pointer. You barely need 12 bullets in your pocket for a whole day and if you come back to the lodge with a grouse or two, it's a banner day.
Both strenuous activities require layering and you need to add an inch to your trousers to handle cold weather under-stuff. Also, if age adds an inch (which it should not, God forbid), take it into account too. Best thing: suspenders. Filson tincloth winter gear requires them. This gear is not for "bird" hunting in the southland but it is good for brush-busting in the northern regions.
Hiking, especially mountain hiking, keeps you warm and you peel layers off into your daypack as you begin to sweat. Bird hunting is slower and colder, more methodical, tactical, and there is no daypack to put stuff into.
I can quickly name three: Cameras, coffee cups and teacups, and CDs.
I happen to love CDs because I can listen to what I want to. Hundreds of 'em. I have a large vinyl collection too, mostly operas. The thing is, great speakers to fill ye olde homestead with each tiny detail. Pop music doesn't need that. I have the best speakers ever. Nobody buys them anymore.
Coffee cups do not hold enough coffee, and the coffee cools off too fast. American coffee needs mugs or styrofoam. When did anybody use their china coffee cups and saucers, eveh on holidays?
Cameras seem sort of peculiar nowadays except for professionals. Even Asians don't use them anymore, and they used to be the camera fanatics. Is Nikon still making money? What about Kodachrome?
French Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Muslim Screaming “Allahu Akbar” Who Beat Elderly Jewish Woman and Tossed Her from 3rd Floor Balcony – Cuz He Was High on Pot
UNDER a spreading chestnut tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands.
His hair is crisp, and black, and long, His face is like the tan; His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate'er he can, And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man.
Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge With measured beat and slow, Like a sexton ringing the village bell, When the evening sun is low.
And children coming home from school Look in at the open door; They love to see the flaming forge, And hear the bellows roar, And watch the burning sparks that fly Like chaff from a threshing-floor.
He goes on Sunday to the church, And sits among his boys; He hears the parson pray and preach, He hears his daughter's voice, Singing in the village choir, And it makes his heart rejoice.
It sounds to him like her mother's voice, Singing in Paradise! He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard, rough hand he wipes A tear out of his eyes.
Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose.
Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought!
Do the young'uns these days live on their ipads and junk like that? It's a damn shame.
If you have kids, or grandkids, let's get back to good toys and things which add real life, vs virtual life, to real living.
I am thinking of blocks, pick-up-sticks, wooden train sets, Legos, Chess (can be learned at 5), board games, card games, etc. Poker should be learned as young as possible, because it's part of life. Books at their levels, of course. Real books. Older kids, BB guns, bows and arrows, etc. By age 10-13, fishing rods, 28 ga shotguns, .22s, and big boy and girl toys like that.
Everything imaginable is on Amazon.
What ideas do our readers have for kids, for Christmas things?
Image borrowed from...I forget where.
Image stolen from 
The Village Blacksmith