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 am more of a beer or wine guy, but for treats with buddies I am known to go for a whisky. That means Scotch, not bourbon. No bias, though.
I was introduced to Highland Park by Craig McDonald in Scotland. A man who knows his whiskys and lots of other things. If you can put up with male teasing, he's good company on hill hikes in the highlands.
With the kids mainly out of the house, I began a plan in 2017 to catch up with pals alone or as couples at least twice a week. It has been great fun. As a natural introvert, I recommend it as a plan.
I am blessed with interesting, smart, creative, and amusing pals who, like me, always have stories to tell. It's a very good thing for guys to get together, and not just in guy Bible study groups, poker, or with sports. A good reality check, laughs and tears, tragedies and triumphs. Very little politics.
Mrs. BD has been in charge of the social life in the past, but I take care of my own now. Drinks, burger, whatever. Connecting is not just for the gals. I believe that gals need gal time and guys need guy time.
A whiskey makes guy communication more open, because guys tend to be reserved. God made spirits for a reason.
Naval Ravikant is one of the truly smart guys. Deep thinker, legendary reader, genius investor, and wise beyond his years. Also, humorous, humble, and a good talker. Quite the human package. I like his line about happiness being an escape from the web of desire and acceptance of the present.
The only thing I have in common with him is reading multiple books at the same time.
"Everyone likes to be country until it's time to do country things. "I don't want to get dirty." "It's too hot." "It's too cold." "It's raining." "It's too heavy." "I'm tired.""
As our friend says, we ain't real country - we're country hobbyists. Gentry. or would-be gentry. We own lots of boots and wellies and have no fear of outdoor labor, but our lives do not depend on it.
Self-guided is much cheaper than guided trips. It depends, though, on your travel confidence. GPS is always handy. You get to see countryside, villages, and cities at your own hiking pace.
What they generally do is to transport your luggage from destination to destination, give you a map, and make your reservations. Most of their point-to-point daily walks are 8-10 miles, but some travel companies expect you to walk or hike 15 miles/day. That's a lot for many people especially in hilly terrain.
Another point is that their mapped walks are rated in the Euroland method of mild/moderate/challenging. Their "moderate" can entail serious hill-hiking so your fitness is a factor. If they say "challenging," they really mean it.
So, a more vigorous with less luxury, and a chance to see what ordinary tourists do not.
Sometimes they provide transfers to another starting point. They usually plan for two days in cities of interest, like Pisa, for people who love old churches, museums, and cafes.
It's fun to check out what these companies have to offer:
Interesting topic. On average, female students are more conscientious and more eager to please than males. Thus they make for better students, as college and grad school admissions currently reflect. Our German educational system was not designed for red-blooded restless boys.
It's interesting to consider the IQ distribution curves of males and females. Males have longer tails on the left and right sides - more dummies and more geniuses. Neither adapt well to classroom demands.
For a small school located in the nearest thing to the middle of nowhere, Hillsdale has an outsized impact. Its graduates can be found working all over Capitol Hill and in the White House. Its monthly newsletter, Imprimis, has a circulation of 3.7 million, and its free online courses in history, politics, and philosophy have been viewed millions of times. It could reasonably be said that, under Arnn’s leadership, Hillsdale has become a full-blown multimedia company, which just happens to include a college among its many endeavors.
Image: Iroquois fashion. The dude on the right has culturally-appropriated a European blanket and an iron or steel hatchet.
Like Elizabeth Warren and hundreds of thousands of Eastern Americans, we were raised on the myth of Indian blood. Spit test says none. I came out 85% English and 15% Scandinavian. I assume the Scandinavian is from the Normans (ie the Frenchified Vikings).
I mainly focus on the northeastern Indian cultures. For them, winter was a mixed blessing. Hunting and transportation was easier, fishing was more difficult. Groups that lived near the coast moved inland and built weather-proof wigwams and longhouses, some as much as 100' long. If they had a good summer corn (maize) crop in the summer, they would not starve. Remember, the northeastern Indians had hundreds of acres of corn, bean, and squash fields. Sometimes they starved when the food ran out. They did ice-fishing, and sometimes did cannibalism.
What about winter clothing? Deerskin leggings, deerskin shirts, and cloaks or coats of animal skins. Also, they greased themselves down with animal fats, preferably bear fat, as insulation.
5:1 Once while Jesus was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret, and the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God,
5:2 he saw two boats there at the shore of the lake; the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
5:3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
5:4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch."
5:5 Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets."
5:6 When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break.
5:7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
5:8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"
5:9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken;
5:10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who are partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people."
5:11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him
Since the Green Deal seeks to eliminate cattle farts (hey, what about wild Bison?) by banning beef, I'd suggest banning beans due to human methane emission. Or, is it too extreme to suggest simply banning human existence entirely?
Cuomo is proof that as far as New York is concerned, conservatives have lost the cultural war. The only thing worse, and waiting just around the corner, is what Princeton’s Peter Singer has been calling for: out-and-out infanticide for children up to 2 years who do not meet their parents’ expectations. Are you surprised to learn that Singer does not believe that “objective moral values exist”?
WSJ: 
I am more of a beer or wine guy, but for treats with buddies I am known to go for a whisky. That means Scotch, not bourbon. No bias, though.
Do Animals 
Image: Iroquois fashion. The dude on the right has culturally-appropriated a European blanket and an iron or steel hatchet.