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.
4:25 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.
"If you count the number of seconds between the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder, and then divide by 5, you'll get the distance in miles to the lightning: 5 seconds = 1 mile, 15 seconds = 3 miles, 0 seconds = very close."
We were up in Hudson, NY, and environs this weekend for a party. Not on our boat, alas, but we did take a ride on the river. Beautiful. Frederick Church country.
Interestingly, the Hudson remains an estuary for over 100 miles north. Still kind of tidal, but with a 5 knot current.
Kinda odd that a port 120 miles north of NYC would have been a major whaling port, but it was. It's a big fashionable summer town now, and an easy Amtrak from NYC. Warren St. is shop after shop, and cafe after cafe. Not my style, but I get its appeal. Architecturally, very fun and interesting.
51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
51:4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
51:5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
51:6 You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
51:11 Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Abigail Shrier: Republicans, You’re Going After Kamala All Wrong. The GOP can complain about a ‘coup’ and call Harris a ‘DEI hire.’ But it won’t win them votes
I call it the Costco Walk. Even though it is not a body-weight exertion, I put it into my calisthenic days. Nothing is simpler or more basic.
It is a functional total body stressor, especially as your kettlebells or dumbells get heavier. If you get to a weight where your grip fails due to grip strength or sweat, you can use a towel around the weight. Maintain posture. It's sort of fun to walk until failure.
Coffee for the Brain - 
Bordeaux Wines
Can You Really Get the World’s Best Scotc