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.
Got vaccinated at 7 this morning at my local hosp. The deal is that, once they open a frozen pack, they have to use them up within 12 hours so they will take all comers if their sched is not filled. No reason to throw away unused vaccines.
Supposedly your doc or employer has to ok it, but it seems they just want to get all of the vaccines put out into the community and let none go to waste.
I did it not because I am a fearful type, but for the comfort of people I encounter. You get a CDC certificate and a sticker to wear if you want to. In 30 days, you can get the booster shot but you are immuzined until then. That's a precaution.
There appears to be no shortage around here. Around here, CVS (good for them) is all set up for delivering to all of the nursing homes and old folk's homes today. Front-line people have already had the chance over the past week, but I saw a few late nurses in our line-up. They were coming cuz of their 5 days off. RNs have strange schedules.
We had a memorable Christmas Eve service from the porch of our church last night in the wind and rain with about 200 of us singing carols, doing the readings, with those fake battery candles.
That was Tiny Tim on Christmas Day. We got into a chat today at brunch with a Brit friend about Christmas Pudding.
Whether you like it or not (it's like Fruitcake), it is a necessary Brit tradition.
How to make it is below (recipe and video). Ideally served with flaming brandy, then something creamy on top. Funny thing about Christmas Pudding is that you can make it months in advance.
Even a year or two in advance. Just put it on a shelf. Even mice won't bother it.
One bottle vino Veronese, 1/2 cup sugar, some clove, cinnamon, nutmeg. Anise star, lemons, apples, skin, orange juice. Harvey’s Bristol Cream. Medium heat - don’t boil, for 20 mins. Slice of orange peel in glass for zest.
Not sure what Harvey's has to do with Venice, but whatever.
I always need to spend some time in NYC at Christmastime regardless of weather or viruses. We feasted with family and took a nice slippery walk through Central Park. Lots of bundled-up people walking. Mostly cheerful, some masked-up and some not.
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.
A friend tells me that this was James J. Hill's signature dessert.
4 eggs 2 cups milk 1 ½ cups sugar 1 tsp ginger 1 cup molasses ½ tsp cinnamon ½ cup butter melted 1 lb loaf of stale white bread, grated
Preheat oven to 350. Butter 9” x 13” baking dish thoroughly and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs until light lemon color. Continue beating and gradually add milk, sugar, ginger, molasses, cinnamon and melted butter. Mix well. Add grated bread and stir until well mixed. Pour mixture into buttered baking dish and place dish in oven. Bake one hour, or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Spoon pudding into a serving dish and top with butterscotch sauce.
Butterscotch Sauce
4 tbsp. cornstarch ½ cup cold water 1 tbsp. sugar 2 ½ cups water 1 ¾ cup sugar 1 heaping tsp. powdered cocoa 5 drops vanilla extract 4 tbsp. butter
Dissolve cornstarch in cold water and set aside. In saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of sugar until browned to a golden color. Add water and remaining sugar. Bring to a boil and continue to boil for three minutes. Add cocoa, vanilla extract and butter. Stir to mix and simmer to a glaze. Slowly add cornstarch to boiling liquid and simmer until thickened.
“This country faces a pervasive, growing attitude of intolerance and hate — what I have referred to in the body politic as an American cancer,” Cuomo wrote in his approval message.
Mask mania is driven by the human need to believe that we are “doing something,” along with the more modern need to believe that our government is “doing something.” It is beyond the pale to ask whether there is, in fact, much that any government can do about respiratory viruses.
If reports are semi-correct, do not be surprised if the Maggie's server, and our power, is out tonight and/or tomorrow. Maybe longer. That would not be unusual.
" In short, the nation’s highest ranking military officer said publicly that there is no pathway to military victory in Afghanistan. Yet we’re still there.."
That was Tiny Tim on Christmas Day. We got into a chat today at brunch with a Brit friend about Christmas Pudding. 
Story of famous photo 
One bottle vino Veronese, 1/2 cup sugar, some clove, cinnamon, nutmeg. Anise star, lemons, apples, skin, orange juice. Harvey’s Bristol Cream. Medium heat - don’t boil, for 20 mins. Slice of orange peel in glass for zest.
A mantle plume producing almost as much heat as Yellowstone supervolcano 
Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem? 
A friend tells me that this was James J. Hill's signature dessert. 
A short