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 think the trick is either to yank them out when young, or clip them low and spray the stump with poison.
If you live in the Northeast, your gardens and plantings are, right now, being attacked by the unwanted and unwelcome alien Porcelainberry. In fact, you can see it smothering trees and bushes everywhere.
This aggressive Asian weed vine was introduced as a decorative ground cover, but it is a cancer with the ability to grow 15' or more per year, and to smother anything you have planted. If you pull it up, get the entire root - or poison it.
The birds poop the seeds everywhere, so they come up everywhere around here. Especially in gardens. Their roots are tenacious. If you just clip them, they come back twice as strong.
As its leaves demonstrate, it is a member of the grape family and it can be confused with the native wild grape, which is a much less aggressive plant. You can read all about Porcelainberry here, and about how to try to get rid of it.
4:25 So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another.
4:26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
4:27 and do not make room for the devil.
4:28 Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.
4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.
4:31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.
4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,
5:2 and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
I did a double take when seeing a blue and white Parakeet (Budgeriar) picking up gravel from my driveway.
Maybe an escape, maybe an "accidental" like birds being blown by storms like Debby. After Tropical Storm Sandy I saw a flock of Brown Pelicans over my house.
Western Civ is mainly founded on a late-Roman/Judeo-Christian socio-cultural foundation. It's a foundational structure which has been slowly spreading around the world because it sorta works ok for people.
I have Holland's viewpoint, but still stick with the the idea of the divine. The "Y" axis of existence. I can't live entirely on the X axis.
I did not know how much Merlot grapes they use. Still, I can't afford really good Bordeaux, like an '86 St. Emilion. Well, I guess I could but I won't.
I have never had a Petrus but I am sure I'd like it.
Yes, the meat/weight ratio
Classical music as medicine:
If you live in the Northeast, your gardens and plantings are, right now, being attacked by the unwanted and unwelcome alien Porcelainberry. In fact, you can see it smothering trees and bushes everywhere.
Coffee for the Brain - 
Bordeaux Wines