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.
Readers know that I no longer seek to shoot Woodcock anymore, but I sure don't mind people who do. Tasty little critters but for me kinda sad to hold one in the hand.
Woodcock are odd birds, basically shorebirds who ended up as upland birds. They still like soft earth and water, though. Swamps. I love to see them.
A reader brought up the topic. Technically, a wooden Nova Scotia fishing boat. Fiberglass now, mostly. Do I like the look? You bet.
A quote:
"The days of Novi boats having a reputation of being a 15-year boat – work them hard (and in weather you probably would not want to be out in in a “Maine-hull”), and when they get nail-sick just take the engine out and install it in a new hull and leave to old hull on a mud bank, ended with the introduction of fiberglass.
The commonest style Novi seen in New England for decades was probably the Cape Island Launch.
As said on an earlier Novi thread, some of these boats had the advantage over Maine-style hulls in being comfortable -- spanker sail up -- laying-to at night. Thus, their cruising range and ability to stay out in rough water exceeded that of the “Downeast”-type.
The nomenclature gets confusing, as Nova Scotia was always thought of as being even more culturally, as well as directionally, down-east than Maine..."
21:23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?"
21:24 Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.
21:25 Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?'
21:26 But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet."
21:27 So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
21:28 "What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'
21:29 He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went.
21:30 The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go.
21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.
21:32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.
Recreational powerboating (well, most sailboats have engines too) has been going through a rapid change. Boat designs have changed, but there are still beautiful traditional designs. I'm talking about power plants and controls.
First, power. Multiple outboards are taking over. Plenty of reasons besides easier service. Oh, another good thing about multiple engines is that you'll never be without an engine.Yes, just one 200 hp Yamaha is costly, and four could buy a house in some places. Jet Drives are a whole nother thing which I know nothing about other than that they are way cool.
Second, controls: Joysticks. For instance, if your 37' boat has 2, 3, or 4 200 hp outboards the computer controls can help you easily go in any damn direction with minimal sea skills. Maybe go 50+ knots too if in a hurry or for the thrill. Magic backing into a slip regardless of wind or current. Just jiggle the thing. It would be nice if cars would parallel park like that.
We're old-fashioned, or old school, salt-water people with a single diesel, a wheel, and a Maine lobster boat hull.
"You are old, Father William," the young man said, "And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head— Do you think, at your age, it is right?"
"In my youth," Father William replied to his son, "I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none, Why, I do it again and again."
"You are old," said the youth, "as I mentioned before, And have grown most uncommonly fat; Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door— Pray, what is the reason of that?"
"In my youth," said the sage, as he shook his grey locks, "I kept all my limbs very supple By the use of this ointment—one shilling the box— Allow me to sell you a couple."
"You are old," said the youth, "and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak— Pray, how did you manage to do it?"
"In my youth," said his father, "I took to the law, And argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength, which it gave to my jaw, Has lasted the rest of my life."
"You are old," said the youth, "one would hardly suppose That your eye was as steady as ever; Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose— What made you so awfully clever?"
"I have answered three questions, and that is enough," Said his father; "don't give yourself airs! Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff? Be off, or I'll kick you down stairs!"
This enacted documentary suggests that the English government was not very upset about this horrible incident. No doubt that in 1915, just as in WW2, they wanted the US in the war.
Reporter who wrote in NYT that 900,000 children had been hospitalized with COVID when the real number was 63,000—and that 4,000 had died from MISC-C when the real number was 68—tells Harvard governments should be more active in policing “misinformation.”
On tour, he's been behind the electric piano in recent years. It was my impression that arthritis was a problem, and I'd not be surprised if that were so.
Anyway, last month he showed up for Farm Aid with his guitar. Here's Maggie's Farm, of course:
A Day at Corso Pilota Classiche, 
Readers know that I no longer seek to shoot Woodcock anymore, but I sure don't mind people who do. Tasty little critters but for me kinda sad to hold one in the hand.
Brain health and exercise: 
Recreational powerboating (well, most sailboats have engines too) has been going through a rapid change. Boat d