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.
4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,
4:2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.
4:3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread."
4:4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone.'"
4:5 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
4:6 And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.
4:7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours."
4:8 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'"
4:9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,
4:10 for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you, to protect you,'
4:11 and 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.'"
4:12 Jesus answered him, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
4:13 When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
The federal government has infinite amounts of free money to hand out to solve every conceivable problem of the people. There are no costs, no downsides, no tradeoffs — or at least none worth mentioning. Name the issue, and the feds will create a “program” and pass out the money.
Putin is NOT crazy and the Russian invasion is NOT failing. The West's delusions about this war - and its failure to understand the enemy - will prevent it from saving Ukraine, writes military analyst BILL ROGGIO
Years ago we had a loyal reader who had done graduate work in New York who then married and moved to Texas. I can't remember her name but she loved our pics of NYC. As I recall, she died from a pulmonary embolism in her mid-80s.
Anyway, she got me in the habit of posting random pics from our NYC outings. She loved NYC, but her husband worked in the oil patch.
Here's the Vienna Philharmonic (a huge orchestra with big sound) on Sat. night. Ravel, Debussy, and Rimsky-Korsakoff:
9:28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.
9:29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.
9:30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him.
9:31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
9:32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.
9:33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" -- not knowing what he said.
9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud.
9:35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"
9:36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.
9:38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child.
9:39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him.
9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not."
9:41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here."
9:42 While he was coming, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
9:43a And all were astounded at the greatness of God.
That is the with-gravity motion that follows the lift or push. It can be almost an isometric stress and, with weight, stress is good so resisting gravity both ways makes better use of your time. Slower is better.
I have always felt that the most wonderful people are those who make their own music at home. Voice, piano, violin, guitar - whatever.
When I was a kid my Dad was always working on Mozart on the pianny. It used to be the only time I would hear "Damn, damn, damn" from him. Like him, no talent but much desire.
Music in enchanting for me, but not as background sound. Furthermore, I am slow to get it. I need to listen to a piece many times to learn what it seems to be about. Many decades ago, I felt that weed really helped me get the idea of listening to music and it was a help. Reading about it too.
Anyway, I am long past weed but sometimes like to listen to music at night as a break from reading. However, wifi music is not good enough. I use CDs, a good amp, and fancy speakers. Problem is now that Mrs. BD's decorator friend does not want wires around. Too late to re-wire the house. What to do?
Made it to Swan Lake and other Balanchine things at NYCB yesterday. Mrs. BD was enthralled, so that's good.I love the live music. I told her that I was sorry that I still, after all of these years, could not differentiate NYCB from the San Francisco Ballet. She said "Even you can tell great from just OK."
They were sold out, of course. All ages. Yes, we missed Sara Mearns. That will have to be next time, but all perfect enuf for me. By this time I should understand dance, but it eludes me. It is one of many flaws.