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Maggie's FarmWe 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. |
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Sunday, December 31. 2023New Year's Eve
Ecclesiastes 1
Who are the Houthis?The "insurrection"Hidden from Public: Q Shaman Stands Outside Doors of US Capitol and Tells Everyone to Go Home – Reads Trump Tweet to Stay Peaceful and Go Home #Insurrection Whoever came up with the term "insurrection" for a protest was a good propagandizer. Related: Yuval Levin on the attempts to defeat Trump with litigation I've seen smear campaigns, but this one takes the cake.
From today's Lectionary: The inner thoughts of many will be revealedLuke 2:22-40 2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), 2:24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. 2:27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 2:29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 2:31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 2:33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 2:35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too." 2:36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 2:37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day 2:38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 2:39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 2:40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. Saturday, December 30. 2023Ultimate hors d'oevres: Caviar Pie for the holidays (re-posted)
Some caterers make Caviar Pie which looks perfect, round, and daintily-finished, but the ones I've had at fancy New Year's Day cocktail brunches look a little raggedy, as in this photo. They don't have to look good because as soon as they are attacked by people armed with cheese knives or crackers it's messy anyway. You scoop a piece out and put it on toasts, or bagel chips, or whatever. It goes fast. As usual, one uses the most expensive caviar one can afford - or not afford. Chopped red onion is key. Here's one recipe, but you can google for more. It's a real meal too if you want, with a glass of champagne. The height of decadence. My annual Christmas present for my Dad used to be a tin from Petrossian. Worth every penny for the delight it provides. Hospice in the US
All it takes is a note from the doctor, and the "health proxy" agreement in which you agree that no further aggressive medical treatment makes sense for the person in question - or for yourself... Yes, paying for hospice is cheaper for Medicare than paying for costly, hopeless treatments. We had been mistaken in thinking that hospice was only for people with terminal cancer, and the like. Nope. Bad Alzheimers, sure, but also for any hopeless situation. The hospice teams seem to be excellent, and even includes religious support. Yes, they can give you some morphine for comfort too. We all have to go sometime. It shouldn't have to be a tortured, hospitalized ending. I'm not ready yet although I did joke with Mrs. BD about it during my food-poisoning ordeal. She knows that I will want the morphine and to float away into the stars.
Saturday morning links
Scientists Destroy 99% of Cancer Cells in The Lab Using Vibrating Molecules AI can already diagnose depression better than a doctor and tell you which treatment is best I doubt it New study highlights the psychological power of minimal social interactions Seems true Stuart's Saturday Miscellany Elements of Crime:
Kimball: When will Harvard give Claudine Gay the boot? MAINE GOES CRAZY The Left had a difficult year. Its internal splits were pronounced Millions Of People Of Color Endure Grueling Thousand Mile Trek In Effort To Enter Systemically Racist White Supremacist Hellhole Socialist Protests Erupt In Argentina As Milei Implements "Austerity" Cuts Massive Russian Air Raid – Industrial, Military and Infrastructure Facilities Hit in Ukraine – 122 Missiles and 24 Drones Used – Was It the Largest of the War? America is unprepared to fight a war on three fronts. The democratic world is sleepwalking once again towards military disaster Saturday Verse: KiplingThe Camel's Hump The Camel's hump is an ugly lump Kiddies and grown-ups too-oo-oo, We climb out of bed with a frouzly head, And there ought to be a corner for me The cure for this ill is not to sit still, And then you will find that the sun and the wind, I get it as well as you-oo-oo Friday, December 29. 2023How many ancestors?
For most people, though, that math likely overestimates because due to rural and small towns, social class, religion, castes, etc., there was more inbreeding than the math reflects. Cousins of various sorts,, etc. I do have the names, approximate addresses (towns), and burial sites of almost all of my ancestors back to around 1600 and some to the mid-1500s. After that, even church records have deteriorated. A DNA check is fun to go way back. I know mine. Maybe a smart reader can take on this topic.
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Friday morning links Trigger warnings do not work, according to recent meta-analysis Duh Nation's White Liberals Wish Each Other Happy Kwanza Mayor Eric Adams: Illegal Immigration Spurring ‘Erosion of Quality of Life’ in New York City The migrant crisis isn’t just socking New York’s budget but its economy, too Mrs. BD and 2 of the grandkids had a great time in NYC yesterday Another tragic victim of Trump Derangement Syndrome Maine Secretary of State Gets Destroyed After Removing Trump From the Ballot A Reckoning for a Wrecked America What Detransitioners Taught Me About the Risks of Therapy - The Bad Feelings Experts Can Exacerbate Teens' Bad Feelings The Racism, Revenge, and Ruin of Claudine Gay TGIF: Take Me to Our Leaders - Nikki Haley’s slavery slip-up. Maine bans Trump from the ballot. Elizabeth Warren has a yen for YIMBYs. Plus, Casey DeSantis for president. Haley was technically correct, but it's politics Who Supports Hamas? ‘Screams Without Words’: How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct. 7 War tends to include sexual violence. American soldiers an exception. Leftist Politician in Germany Says Migrants Are “Entitled” to Mass Loot Grocery Stores Thursday, December 28. 2023A Japanese Pacific War pilot's storyThe Dordogne looks like a good place to hike
Wine, truffles, and foie gras, plus hiking from village to village. 6-10 mile hikes - not too bad. I'd hike further for foie gras.
Thursday morning links Remember When Public Buildings Were Beautiful? Men Can Get Free Tampons in Canadian Government Building Bathrooms Now By now, everyone, including its proponents, knows that DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) means nothing of the sort. It isn’t diverse, it isn’t equitable, and it certainly isn’t inclusive. Funding for Failure - Even as its black students lag disastrously behind, the Los Angeles Unified School District pours more taxpayer dollars into racial and ideological indoctrination. Hundreds of California Pizza Hut locations announce ‘no more delivery’ Delta Employee Puts Whiny Transgender Actor in His Place For Complaining About Being “Misgendered” Like Bud Light, Harvard discovers backlash. Claudine Gay shows why you shouldn't hire a person based solely on sex and race Jonathan Turley Inserts Trump Into Die Hard Storyline ‘Even Latinxs are Cringing’: CO Gov. Jared Polis Blasted Over Awkward ‘Feliz Navidad’ Video "Mass Migration Blueprints" Reveal NGOs "Carefully Planned" US Migrant Invasion, Report Says Your new neighbors are on the way. This caravan is heading for the U.S. border Texas Intensifies Strategy, Plans to Send More Flights of Illegal Immigrants to Chicago in Response to City’s Efforts to Slow the Arrival of Buses from Texas The Dublin Riot: A Harbinger of Things to Come? Matti Friedman: The Wisdom of Hamas- They understand the war they’re fighting. Many in the West still don’t. Israel Updates: Amb. Ido Aharoni Aronoff Addressing the JNF-USA Daily Briefing (video) Wednesday, December 27. 2023Faith and DoubtWednesday morning linksThe Winner of Our Senior Essay Contest: A Love Song for Deborah. After my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I nearly gave in to despair. Until I found the one thing that awakened her. Inside Disney’s disastrous year of box office flops This year, Canadian patients faced a median wait of 27.7 weeks for medically necessary treatment from a specialist after being referred by a general practitioner. New Headwind For 'Gender-Affirming Care' For Children: Soaring Malpractice Insurance Costs Another Major US Chip Plant Delays Mass Production Until After 2024 Election VDH: 2024—the Year of our Reckoning. Will we meet the challenges or ensure the ongoing decline? California Unexpectedly Hit by Bad Luck As Top Wealth Producers Flee the State Is Britain 'Erasing the Right to Protest?' Britain's Net Zero Disaster & The Wind Power Scam Claudine Gay Update -- Now It's Allegations Of Data Falsification The “Exhilaration” of Massacre: Russell Rickford and the Radical Chic of Higher Education Joe and Jill Biden Celebrate Kwanzaa – A Phony Holiday Created by a Violent Felon Who Tortured Two Naked Women Professors: U.S. a genocidal ‘settler colonial state’ that needs to be ‘dismantled’ The 'Functional Collapse' at the Southern Border Is Central Planning Tuesday, December 26. 2023Do the hardest things firstThat's my rule for myself, and Jocko and Echo Charles agree. Wish I could stick by my rules 100% - but I do with my workouts. Paperwork, maybe not so much. Good life reminders here:
Boxing Day Links
Boxing Day is the traditional day to tip your helpers of the past year. Besides househeld help like Butler, Ladies' Maids, cook, sucllery maids, Housemaids, footmen, doormen, etc., best to include the early morning Dunkin Donuts crew, the garbagemen, postman, and other people who routinely make your life go better. At 5:30 AM on Christmas Eve, en route to my gym, I noticed the Dunkin tip jar filled with $10 bills. You bet, because everybody depends on them. The year of Ozempic bodies and Barbie Botox - Corporate feminism will not save us. The Cross and the Machine - After years of atheism, I went searching for the truth. I found Buddhism, then witchcraft, and eventually, Christianity. "Christmas Is Canceled": Scuffles, Arrests In NYC As Pro-Palestinian Protesters Storm Manhattan The Latest Billionaire Bails on Harvard Harvard does not need $ An Ex-Democrat's Case for Trump By Trying To Keep Trump Off The Ballot, Democrats Are Staging A Coup In Broad Daylight Jack (Smith) Not So Nimble Of Course Hamas Supporters Wanted to "Disrupt Christmas" Hamas fires on Gaza civilians seeking humanitarian aid This will be the saddest Christmas in Bethlehem. All celebrations have been canceled. There will be no Christmas tree, no visitors, no parades New York Times sparks outrage over running op-ed by Hamas mayor: ‘You have no shame or dignity’ I disagree. We should hear all propaganda
Monday, December 25. 2023Happy Christmas, with our Bach du JourI like that quote from a reader from somewhere: Beethoven tells you about himself, Mozart tells you about human nature, and Bach tells you about the universe. That's a paraphrase.
Sunday, December 24. 2023Stille NachtMore menusWe've been posting too many menus. OK, Christmas Eve here, after church, is usually poached salmon with yoghurt/dill sauce. I like that sauce more than I like salmon. Christmas Eve is sposta be a "fasting" thing. Christmas morning? I make breakfast for Mrs. BD: Scrambled eggs with good caviar on top, and a stinky French cheese. We aren't much into the presents thing, but I do put the caviar in her stocking. Yum. Christmas Day with some family? Made it easy for us: Spiral ham, roast carrots, roast brussel sprouts, mashed taters, and Grandma's Corn Pudding. Then a Santa cake. What about you?
A few Sunday links
It’s Almost 2024 And Doctors Are Still Misleading The Public About Youth Gender Medicine ALAN DERSHOWITZ: Doctors Without Borders Needs To Be Investigated For Acting Like A Hamas Front Group The Progressive Approach To Homelessness Comes To Madison, Wisconsin Kimball: Will The Guardians of The Narrative Win? We watch the unfolding of an unedifying spectacle Stuart's Miscellany If Rumors About Who's Running the Show Are True, It'll Be a Very Houthi Christmas Biden Might Lose, So Screw the Constitution From today's LectionaryLuke 1:26-38 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 1:27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 1:28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 1:29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 1:30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 1:31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 1:32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 1:33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 1:34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 1:35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 1:36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 1:38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. Saturday, December 23. 2023Reborn
Yes, it is a story about being reborn but remarkably keeps religion mostly out of the tale. Here's the real deal:
Saturday morning links
Losing weight by intermittent fasting can 'drastically change' the way your brain works - both positively AND negatively American health plummets after Covid pandemic Americans Are "Dreading The Holidays" - 1 In 3 Go Into Debt To Pay For Holiday Shopping Not me What’s Really at Stake With ‘Harvard’ Stuart's Saturday Miscellany The Press Has Lost Its Mind, Experts Say Biden’s Parole Pipeline Frees Over 670K Foreign Nationals into U.S. in 11 Months Miracle in Hell: The Baby Twins Who Survived a Massacre Hamas terror tunnels were built with your money Friday, December 22. 2023Silliest movie: We don't need no steekin badgesNot a Christmas movie, but damn silly. Have to love Gene Wilder, and Cleavon Little is perfect. You can watch Blazing Saddles on Amazon.
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