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.
It is a long read, mixing public policy with religion. The personal parts are good, but the public policy parts get complicated. Religion is mostly about the transcendent (to me, anyway), but policy is about hard core earthly reality.
I liked the way One Cosmos talked about Vertical Being and Horizontal Being. How they do, or should, intersect is above my pay grade.
I had my first one of the season this week, creeping around a woodpile. They are a cold-weather wren, much darker than our ordinary House Wren which has pretty much migrated south by now.
Winter Wrens are are a bird of the Northeastern US and eastern Canada during breeding, most often seen in woodpiles, brush piles, and similar sorts of places. You need good eyes to see them but when they are in the mood they sing up a storm.
I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but North America has lots of warblers. They come up north in May to breed, and head back to the Caribbean, Mexico, and South America in September and October.
You really need to be an expert to identify them without their springtime migration breeding colors. They mostly look like the photo, or otherwise nondescript. All around my gardens for the past few weeks.
I know three people who have no trouble with fall warblers. I am completely incompetent. Not very good with female warblers in springtime either. Too many hobbies, and not enuf IQ either (me, not the warblers).
In Spring, they are tiny jewels to look at if you do not have a sore neck. Best places to see them in the Eastern US are Cape May NJ, Central Park in NYC (my day record there in May), and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (also in NYC). All Atlantic Flyway.
19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
19:4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
19:5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
19:13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
It is fair to say that Defender in Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power is a book Yoo never thought he’d write. Fair because he says so himself, right up front: “If friends had told me on January 21, 2017, that I would write a book on Donald Trump as a defender of the Constitution, I would have questioned their sanity.”
The North American White Ash of the eastern US is one of the majestic canopy trees of American woodlands and landscapes. It is, in fact, the wood from which baseball bats are made. It has been also used for lobster traps and electric guitar bodies.
In 2002, the Emerald Ash-Borer appeared in Michigan, and since then it has spread rapidly. I lost an 80 year-old Ash.
"Misssissippi" is one of those songs that sticks in my mind. Probably will no matter how demented I may become. Some words have an inevitability to them.
The recorded version is perfect. This one is live. I heard the Dixie Chicks do it live and hated their version. Lyrics here. When Bob got past his word and image intoxication of his youth, things changed. Not for the better necessarily, but sort-of more grounded and more personal. Genius, either way.
I sometimes wonder what Bob's life is now. No touring during covid. He's put out a couple of new tunes in the past year. I wonder whether he is hanging out in Scotland, Mallorca, Minnesota on his farm, or in Malibu. He ain't done yet. I know he loves boats, farms, motorcyles, fast cars, girls, and pals. Dont't know much else. I like those things too...
Anyway, thanks Bob for the fine, mostly positive, stuff you have implanted in my brain.
Addendum: I did not know he had a new record this year: Rough and Rowdy. Have not heard any of it.
Ohio State Professor Apologizes for 'Hurt, Sadness, Frustration, Fatigue, Exhaustion and Pain' Caused By Pro-Football Article. Matthew Mayhew is sorry. Very, very sorry.
Deads strengthen the "posterior chain," from neck to the soles of your feet. We tend to view deads as a legs exertion, but no, not only. That's why they are an invaluable totaly body exertion.
That posterior chain of muscles is what it makes it possible to be bipedal and to stand up straight instead of slouching. It's counterbalanced by various anterior muscle groups, expecially the abs.
I am no body-builder guy, but after 4 years of including deads in my routine twice weekly (pushing the weights, admittedly, but gradually with high-rep days and low rep days), I can no longer button my dress shirts. 2" more. That's crazy, not what I wanted but it just happened. Brooks Brothers shirts ain't cheap, and I fairly often wear jacket and tie at work, especially for meetings when it is expected. I don't have a single dress shirt that I can button now.
Deads are the single best way, and most efficient way, to stay sturdy after age 40.
Will the Cultural Revolution Be Canceled? 
Pope Francis Declares That
Don’t Defend Columbus—Celebrate Him. 
I had my first one of the season this week, creeping around a woodpile. They are a cold-weather wren, much darker than our ordinary House Wren which has pretty much migrated south by now.
Image: Cool t-shirts for gals 
The 