Maggie's FarmWe 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. |
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Sunday, August 2. 2020Delightful interview with Jerry GarciaFrom 1994
Getting back to gym classes this week
I've been doing weights twice weekly in my genius trainer's garage since mid-March, and was running twice/week until it got too damn hot for me, and Mrs. BD and I switched to walks. Walks with a spouse are worth doing, but are not exercise. Since my big gym has re-opened, apparently the calisthenics classes have been small, say 7 people instead of 30. Fine with me, but harder to hide. Trying to get back to 2 days of heavy wts, 2 days of calis, and 2 days of HIIT cardio. That's the Maggie's program for general fitness and conditioning. Also, I need the stair machine. It's easy to tell, because when I do barbell squats I have stiff legs for 3 days. One day of soreness is fine, but not 3. What about our fitness readers? From today's Lectionary: Loaves and fishesMatthew 14:13-21 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14:14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 14:15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 14:16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 14:17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." 14:18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 14:19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 14:20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 14:21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Saturday, August 1. 2020Fractal BroccoliA reader is growing this interesting broccoli in the garden this year: ROMANESCO ITALIA BROCCOLI I guess it's more of a cauliflower than a broccoli, but whatever. Probably more interesting to look at than to eat - unless dressed with lots of garlic and oil. My view is that even dog kibbles are good with enough oil and garlic. Letter from a reader, requesting commentsGood Morning. I am a small business owner, a New Yorker, an entrepreneur, a daughter, a sister, and an advocate of others who wish to pursue their dreams. I am passionate about freedom, education and innovation; I am open minded and eager to hear about other people's experiences. My personal views on political issues are deeply rooted in my own personal experiences. I have launched two businesses over the past seven years; however for the first five years I struggled. I am an educated and intelligent woman but found myself living hand to mouth -- even briefly taking food stamps to buy basic groceries. After year three, I was able to access capital at a reasonable cost and this allowed me to grow; after year six, I am finally seeing some success and I am able to support myself; after year seven I am thriving. My companies have created jobs for more than 250 US workers and have generated more than $10 million of economic activity. I enjoy my work and find fulfillment in creating a positive impact. I work hard day in and day out to pursue my dreams and encourage others to do the same. I help other entrepreneurs without asking for anything in return because this is the right thing to do. I am not perfect, I have made mistakes, and I am among the ranks of millions of small business owners doing the same thing. Here are some facts about small businesses. (Before we begin, note that the SBA generally defines small businesses as firms with less than 500 employees; however you can read more details about small business criteria here.)
Before COVID, it was challenging enough. Most small businesses fail; here are some stats. The primary reasons small businesses fail are cash flow and management / business planning challenges, the latter of which I believe is due to a lack of education. The SBA has amazing resources for small business owners, but small business owners often are not aware of these resources. Back to politics. On a personal level, I find many individuals in politics distasteful -- on both sides. I also find many role models in our leadership on both sides. But, personalities are their business and not my business. If I could not find a way to work with people I did not like, I would be out of business. All I ask is that everyone do a personal inventory of your motives for hate speech or rallying in an unsafe way - whichever side you are on. If you are doing this to fit in, for approval, to make yourself feel better or simply because you are bored, check yourself. Don't be afraid to speak about your experiences -- or to pursue your dreams. Please, be safe, be grateful, and support a local business today. Sincerely, A young entrepreneur
Notes: (1) Source: SBA https://advocacy.sba.gov/2019/01/30/small-businesses-generate-44-percent-of-u-s-economic-activity/ Saturday morning linksWhy Is Bob Ross Still So Popular? Twenty-five years after his death, the painter who gave us “happy little trees” is more ubiquitous than ever. TA would assasinate Jesus Jesus and the maginalized Systemic Hypocrisy Think Cancel Culture Doesn’t Exist? My Own ‘Lived Experience’ Says Otherwise The Left Eats Their Own, Portland Edition: Wall of Moms Collapses, Accused of Anti-Blackness " I am a racist. So is Katherine Kersten. She can't admit it. The first step is acknowledging the problem." Blue State blues: New York In Financial Fantasyland The Washington Post Can't and Won't Stop Lying Ami Horowitz Goes To Portland; Rioters Promote Violence, Say It’s Time To “End The American Experiment” Biden ‘Racial Equity Plan’ Would Enrich Wealthy Lawyers at Employers’ Expense Dianne Feinstein: China Is 'Growing Into a Respectable Nation' Saturday Verse: Louise GluckMatins You want to know how I spend my time? Friday, July 31. 2020Friday morning linksUN Officials Cite Study That Finds Lockdowns, School Closures Killing More Kids Than COVID Teachers Unions Want Wealth Taxes, Charter School Bans, and Medicare for All Before Schools Can Reopen Masks are the new condoms — and Americans need to get on board now! Fifty-four scientists have lost their jobs as a result of NIH probe into foreign ties Failed to disclose China ties Multiple Outlets, Journalists, Push False Stat that GDP Fell 32.9% in Q2; It Fell 9.5% I admit I believed it
Good Riddance To Drudge He served a purpose With silencing of speech, is America entering Orwellian territory? Dems Fear A Campaign-Altering Surprise From Durham CNN Claims Congress Can Pass Law To Stop Economy From Contracting Cool! Cuomo: Federal government needs to fill New York's budget gap States, seeking more coronavirus relief funds, have hardly spent the $139 billion approved in March: report. The National Governors Association said states need $500 billion to replace revenue lost during the recession From whom? Is New York Reaching Herd Immunity? What does China want? Thursday, July 30. 2020Thursday morning linksHedonism Leads to Happiness Ocean Grove, New Jersey travel notes Salt Water New England: Nice photos Charity Navigator is launching a new rating system to help better evaluate nonprofits Trader Joe's to keep popular international food labels, denies packaging is racist Social media mocks NYT report stating that teachers are ‘wary’ of both in-person and online courses UN Officials Cite Study That Finds Lockdowns, School Closures Killing More Kids Than COVID A Few Tips In Case You Find Yourself In A Mandatory "Anti-Racism" Struggle Session Day Care Fine, School Not Fine BoJo To Britons: You Fat People Are Making The Pandemic Recession Worse Firing White People Will Improve Diversity True After Ending Police Contract, Minneapolis Schools Quietly Post Job Listings For Security Guards Democrats Make Mockery of Barr ‘Hearing’ CNN Attacks Barr For Caring About Black On Black Crime… Portland Police Raise Millions By Letting Citizens Throw Tear Gas At Antifa For $5 A Pop How to Hold Beijing Accountable for the Coronavirus - Why did China cover up the epidemic? Was the Pentagon’s Blacklist of Chinese Companies Justified? Reshaped After the Pandemic: Turkish Aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean Wednesday, July 29. 2020Wednesday morning linksThailand: Police say monkeys have taken over city and fight to control them is now ‘hopeless’ I Was Invited to Testify on Energy Policy. Then Democrats Didn’t Let Me Speak Illinois can not run itself 1619 Project Creator Admits “It Is Not A History” But a Fight “to Control the National Narrative” The 1619 Project: When ‘History’ Isn’t History Arson Isn’t Violence, Argues NY Times 1619 Author Should they be trying to injure federal officers every night with rocks, cans, lasers and fireworks? That’s the question BLM activists are wrestling with according to the NY Times. Dispatch From Portland: The Morning Crew - A tarot card-reading liberal arts major, a Sudanese immigrant, and a former restaurant worker explain why they are out protesting in Rose City. Trump reroutes pharmaceutical manufacturing from China to New York Kodak plant AG Barr destroys Jerry Nadler in another House Democrat testimony disaster Tuesday, July 28. 2020Home workouts: BandsI've taken fitness classes which only use bands for resistance. In a way, band workouts are calisthenics with extra resistance. For general fitness, bands are all the equipment you really need to buy unless you are in a serious muscle-building program. Believe me, the guy in the video did not grow that muscle bulk with bands alone. Example:
Tuesday morning linksSchool Vouchers As Pandemic Response Supreme Court Backs School Choice – For Now California Cancels School. Declaring that there will be no in-person instruction this fall, Governor Gavin Newsom puts teachers’ union interests over those of children and families. How to bring New York City’s refugees back home Uncanceled: After Threatened Lawsuit, Charity Boss Who Criticized BLM is Reinstated, Cancel Mob Resigns Kimball: It Doesn’t End Well. The hooligans smashing up courthouses and police stations as they pursue indiscriminate carnage are fired by the same unholy “train of disorderly appetites” that Edmund Burke anatomized 230 years ago. Downtown Portland Businesses Seeing Business Collapse Due To “Protests” Seattle’s progressive prescription for rapid urban decay The lunacy of the ‘largely peaceful protest’ - The media says one thing while also saying the opposite Nadler Calls Antifa Violence A 'Myth' In Stunning Example Of DC Disconnect Soros Pours Record $50 Million Into 2020 Election Rwandan asylum seeker admits to setting fire to French cathedral Israel Was Ground Zero for the New Woke Religion. How coverage of the Jewish state became a signifier of the ideological activism that now permeates Western cultur Monday, July 27. 2020Monday morning linksIt's up to Grandpas to teach kids to fish The Sly Psychology Behind Magicians' Card Tricks - Is this your card? A recent study found that participants will select the suit or number they were primed to choose.
Freedom to Deface - Mayor de Blasio cancels a graffiti-eradication program, accommodating vandals who make the city uglier. Canada Approves "Glory Holes" For Safe Sex During Pandemic Sheesh Does Mathematics = Western Imperialism? Why Are We Even Contemplating Canceling Aristotle? These are the innocuous words progressives want to ban you from using The Left Has Turned Into A Crazed Maoist Cult. It's Time For The Sane To Exit. DC goes back to work - and online porn up 1600 % Las Vegas Casinos Are Making Another Round Of Brutal Furloughs And Layoffs When to re-open schools? How about never? Approval of Trump's handling of coronavirus hits new low Walmart, Home Depot Won’t Enforce Face Mask Rules Following Violent Confrontations More riots and lawlessness in cities across nation - Saturday’s unrest included damage to federal buildings and local police precincts -- and even a fatal shooting Police Tell Business Owners in Seattle 'You're on Your Own' Democrats’ Strategy – Slander the Police, Defund the Police, Close Prisons and Set Criminals Free – What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Radio host mocked Trump by claiming Seattle is peaceful, then rioters torched his apartment building American protests: Demonstrations, violent riots expected to continue throughout the country Protesters Gather Outside DHS Secretary Chad Wolf’s House… "Portland is leading. They’re showing what it looks like to stay in the streets despite police oppression, despite the federal forces being sent in. This kind of energy is actually what’s needed." Armed Militia Group Joins BLM Protest In Louisville, Three Members Shot “It’s Dangerous and She Should Immediately Apologize for That” – DHS Secretary Chad Wolf Blasts Nancy Pelosi After She Compares Federal Agents to Nazis 'Trump Might Not Accept The Results Of The 2020 Election,' Says Movement That Still Hasn't Accepted Results Of 2016 Election More willful blindness by the media on spying by Obama administration Sunday, July 26. 2020The Victim, the Persecutor, and the RescuerA friend told me about the Karpman Drama Triangle. It's a model for (dysfunctional) family dynamics. One aspect of the model is that the Victim is not necessarily a literal victim, but one who assumes the victim role.
Still not clear what they are protesting
I beieve that there is a calculated strategy: To expose the violence inherent in the system. Going after Federal buildings is just begging for that. The feds are obligated to protect Federal property and people. There is nothing these protesters want more than to receive some real bullets. Seattle police: We can no longer protect citizens or property The Kingdom of GodMatthew 13:31-33, 44-52 13:31 He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; 13:32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches." 13:33 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." 13:44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 13:46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; 13:48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 13:49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous 13:50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13:51 "Have you understood all this?" They answered, "Yes." 13:52 And he said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." Saturday, July 25. 2020Tyler ChildersSaturday morning linksHow Costco Convinces Brands to Cannibalize Themselves - An unlikely marriage where both sides win We Are About To Find Out What An Economy Looks Like When You Throw Tens Of Millions Into Unemployment Overnight Andrew Cuomo to Chicken Wings: You're Not Real Food COVID deaths per 100,00, by state Two Florida Mayors Urge Residents To Wear Masks At Home CDC Sides With Trump, Says Students Need To Go Back To School The Models Were Wildly Wrong about Reopening Too Polls Show Americans' Mood Deteriorating Over Virus, Economy The Wall Street Journal's Conservative-Leaning Opinion Editors Respond to Demands by the Left-Leaning "Reporters" That Their Lefty Reporters Get Veto Power Over Opinion: We're Not the New York Times and We Don't Give In to Woke Retards. The Harper’s ‘Letter,’ cancel culture and the summer that drove a lot of smart people mad Democratic National Committee platform mentions ‘whites’ 15 times, all damning Why? Black Americans do not dislike other Americans in my experience. Nobody dislikes Black Americans either Americans Say Blacks More Racist Than Whites, Hispanics, Asians Probably wrong Why You Need to Stay Out of Seattle This Weekend Portland Cult Sing ‘Hands Up, Please Don’t Shoot Me’ Nonsense. They would love another Kent State and look as if they are trying to provoke it What, exactly, is the message when mostly white Leftists are involved with vandalism, graffiti, property damage, assault, and arson, among others? What does it have to do with black lives matter? Chicago Mayor Agrees to Allow Deployment of Federal Police to Chicago after Call with Trump With No Deal to Curb Drug Costs, Trump Tries His Own Changes Schiff Runs Interference For Chinese Gov’t, Calls Stopping Chinese Spying A U.S. “Escalation”… The Democrats' Pro-Iran, Anti-Israel 2020 Platform Palestinians: Victims of Arab Racism Arabs have always hated the Palis. I do not know why Friday, July 24. 2020Two parts genius, one part crackpotBernarr McFadden invented the American fitness "movement" around the turn of the century. Not too different from today's fitness gurus. He got women on board with it too, back in the time when prosperity had been signified by a belly for men and women. The opposite, now. Entertaining podcast: The Crazy, Forgotten Story of America's First Fitness Influencer
Friday morning linksThe Climate Virus: Hysteria Needs To Shelter In Place The Truth According to Social Justice—A Review of ‘Cynical Theories’ How Dalrymple got canceled: Mob Rule comes to Britain White parents need to quit caring about their kids The Racism of Anti-Racist Education Success Academy shows how school leaders behave when kids come first Orchestrating Outcomes: NY Times’ Music Critic Says Blind Auditions Should End To Ensure Racial Equity Rioters Rejoice as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Announces Columbus Statue Will Be Torn Down Sierra Club Apologizes For ‘Deeply Harmful Racist Stereotypes’ Of Founder John Muir Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler Joins Antifa-BLM Street Protests — Gets Cursed and Mobbed The Media’s Political Suicide - The dying media is dying to kill America. Will the NYSE quit NYC? Chinese Researcher Accused Of Lying About Military Connections Is Now Hiding Out In Chinese Consulate Trump's press conference hit it out of the park Thursday, July 23. 2020How stupid are dogs?We're talking about domesticated dogs, from Chihuauah to Malamutes - all genetically-modifed versions of the Wolf, designed to serve or entertain humans in some ways. The domestic dog appears to be a neotonal wolf. They are certainly trainable and well-adapted to interacting with humans, but not as clever as many other mammals. (I hear some reader thinking "But my dog is different. Yeah, right."). Why do humans anthropomorphise animals? I am a dog guy, and know how easy it can be to view a dog as a pal. They sure can be great companions if well-trained, with none of the demands of human relationships. I guess I am talking about pets, not pure working dogs. Are they pretend people? Thursday morning linksEarth, moon were bombarded by asteroid shower 800 million years ago Star of David taken down by Twitter, citing 'hateful imagery' Sierra Club removes monuments to John Muir over racist ties Planned Parenthood removes founder Margaret Sanger's name Know What We Really Need? A Department Of Climate ‘Walking On Eggshells’: 62% Of Americans Are Afraid To Express Political Views, Survey Finds De Blasio Blames Coronavirus For Spiking Crime, Murder In NYC Dem Rep. Adam Smith Defends China’s Coronavirus Response: ‘It’s Not Their Job To Warn The American People’ Trump campaign jet fuel? Republicans pin hope on Durham Russia-hoax investigation China Is Ready for a Space War.Beijing is making new developments in space after spending decades envying NASA’s dominance in the region. The US needs to take action to deter near-peer rivals in space Wednesday, July 22. 2020Exercise can be costly
I never had a flab or weight problem, but before I got into my program I had a weakness and endurance problem which kinda depressed me. Sarcopenia due to physical neglect. After around 4 years of my almost-daily weights/calisthenics/cardio program, I have gained only about 6 lbs. Probably lost some fat that was not obvious to me so maybe 7-8 lbs. of meat. I do not have a beefy build, so there are natural limits. Also, probably from weights, my neck size has gone up over an inch. I can't button my dress shirts. Is that bragging? Also, my sports jackets are tight in the shoulders. Trust me, I am not over-muscled by a long shot, just fit, energetic, and functional. I have enough dress clothing (and every other sort of clothing) to last the rest of my life and more, whether it fits perfectly or not. I am done with new clothing forever. Except maybe workout stuff - they seem to wear out fast. The sneakers, mainly.
Wednesday morning linksRutgers English Department to deemphasize traditional grammar ‘in solidarity with Black Lives Matter’ Schools are being politicized, much to the detriment of children Climate-change hysteria costs lives — but activists want to keep panic alive The real climate conspiracy by attorneys general for hire Reopening Schools and the Limits of Expertise News media stoke COVID-19 anxieties; yawned during 1968 pandemic Yale Epidemiologist: Hydroxychloroquine Could Save 100,000 Lives If Widely Deployed Codevilla: The COVID Coup Teachers Unions Will Sacrifice Their Students For Their Politics Dem Rep. Blumenauer: ‘Portland, Oregon Is Not Out of Control’ Even More Now Oppose Defunding Police, Fear More Violence 'Cancel Culture' and the Historical Illiteracy That Fuels It Biden Vs. The Most Interesting Man In The World High School Teacher in Michigan Fired for Saying 'Trump Is Our President' on Social Media Nike, Other Global Brands, Complicit in China Slave Labor Tuesday, July 21. 2020Sondheim and the Art of the MusicalMy favorite quote in this Paris Review piece on Sondheim is that music can make a word explode. It sure can. One quote:
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