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.
From “Now the Pentagon tells Bush: climate change will destroy us” in London’s Observer, Feb. 21, 2004:
Climate change over the next 20 years could result in a global catastrophe costing millions of lives in wars and natural disasters.
A secret report, suppressed by US defence chiefs and obtained by The Observer, warns that major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a ‘Siberian’ climate by 2020. Nuclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world.
The document predicts that abrupt climate change could bring the planet to the edge of anarchy as countries develop a nuclear threat to defend and secure dwindling food, water and energy supplies. The threat to global stability vastly eclipses that of terrorism, say the few experts privy to its contents.
‘Disruption and conflict will be endemic features of life,’ concludes the Pentagon analysis. ‘Once again, warfare would define human life.’
The findings will prove humiliating to the Bush administration, which has repeatedly denied that climate change even exists. Experts said that they will also make unsettling reading for a President who has insisted national defence is a priority. . . .
As early as next year widespread flooding by a rise in sea levels will create major upheaval for millions.
I remember how I would say, “I will gather These pieces together, Any minute now I will make A knife out of a cloud.” Even then the days Went leaving their wounds behind them, But, “Monument,” I kept saying to the grave, “I am still your legend.”
There was another time When our hands met and the clocks struck And we lived on the point of a needle, like angels.
I have seen the spider’s triumph In the palm of my hand. Above My grave, that thoroughfare, There are words now that can bring My eyes to my feet, tamed. Beyond the trees wearing names that are not their own The paths are growing like smoke.
The promises have gone, Gone, gone, and they were here just now. There is the sky where they laid their fish. Soon it will be evening.
On the advice of Maggie's Farm, I managed to find some spare hours to get my REAL ID driver's license (which all legally in the US will need in 2020), my Pre-check TSA number (no lines, no undressing, etc), and, lo and behold, my Social Security Card.
The TSA fingerprints you.
In the process, remarkably, I found my original birth certificate. How and why I had that little antique document is beyond me. Stuffed mouldering in the back of some old drawer.
Part of the hassle was getting a SS card. I haven't had one for decades, old one probably disintegrated. But you need one as part of the REAL ID process, which entails a fun visit to the SS office with all sorts of supporting stuff.
I think I now have all the legal documents I need, including my Concealed Carry permit. All of these documents vet you out fairly well, it seems. The latter vets you through the police and the FBI.
Eat Less Red Meat, Scientists Said. Now Some Believe That Was Bad Advice. - The evidence is too weak to justify telling individuals to eat less beef and pork, according to new research. The findings “erode public trust,” critics said.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset tonight, beginning the ten days of Awe or Repentence that brings us to Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement and Judgment. Although every day we are to examine our actions and thoughts, making up and apologizing for our transgressions toward others and beginning to live a better good life, these ten days are especially intense introspection and self-correction.
If only for convenience, it's always a good idea to put some boards or a tarp to cover your winter's firewood.
Some claim it's important to put some tarp under the pile of firewood because unless you live where the soil is rock-frozen from Sept. to May, dampness rises up. That seems to make some sense, but the trouble is that the tarp underneath will hold water.
My best solution from experimenting with multiple cords each year is to elevate the piles with anything - logs, pallets, rocks, etc so there is airflow, and only to cover the top of the piles, not the sides. That blocks airflow.
In my view, a home without a fire is just a house in wintertime. Just clean the flue every cord or two.
16:19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
16:20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
16:21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores.
16:22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.
16:23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side.
16:24 He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.'
16:25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.
16:26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.'
16:27 He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house--
16:28 for I have five brothers--that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.'
16:29 Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.'
16:30 He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
16:31 He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
NYC Is Now 
More details on Monarch migration, which is winding down now:
HOMEMADE
A New Theory Explains How Consciousness Evolved - 
