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, October 30. 2022From today's LectionaryIsaiah 1:10-18 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 1:11 What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. 1:12 When you come to appear before me, who asked this from your hand? Trample my courts no more; 1:13 bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and sabbath and calling of convocation-- I cannot endure solemn assemblies with iniquity. 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them. 1:15 When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 1:16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 1:17 learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. 1:18 Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Saturday, October 29. 2022Saturday morning links" I Died Last Week" Jerry Lee Lewis, rock ’n’ roll pioneer who sang ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ dies at 87 The World Series Has the Wrong Kind of Black Players. Nothing will ever satisfy the identity politics beast. The author is Troy Senik and the subtitle is The Turbulent Life and Improbably Presidency of Grover Cleveland. .. A Nuclear Meltdown At The New York Times The Vast Collateral Damage of Zoning. Robert C. Ellickson exposes in convincing detail the deleterious impact of restrictions on new housing. ‘An extraordinary medical atrocity’: surgery professor condemns transgender treatments US Tax Money Pushes LGBT Agenda in Sri Lanka "On Monday, May 23, 2022, I went to bed around 11 p.m. and slept more soundly than I had in nearly two years. My easy rest may seem surprising. That day, Princeton University had fired me, a decision I learned in the late afternoon when a reporter for the New York Times called my wife to ask for comment. (In a move that was either inept or malicious, Princeton had sent the official letter of dismissal to someone else’s email address. I never received an apology.)... Canada demographic fact of the day Friday, October 28. 2022Friday morning linksImage: Many of these lady t-shirts are clever Lucianne Goldberg, 1935-2022 The literary world comes out for censorship Spectator: Publishing staff demand axing of Amy Coney Barrett book. Whiners of the literary world, unite! TGIF: Let This Sink In Edition - Elon becomes king of the Twitterverse. Progressives double back Ukraine. Sacheen Littlefeather was a fraud. Plus: Kanye, John Fetterman and much more. The Boys Feminism Left Behind - You don’t upend a 12,000-year-old social order without experiencing cultural side effects. Where the Boys Aren’t. Culture wars over gender obscure the deepening educational struggles of young males. The Brits issue some sanity on underage transgender transition When will Fauci admit the ‘open schools’ parents were right? He was integral to stunting learning, and the damage has been immense VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: The Switcheroos Of The Two Parties What If Universities Keep Pursuing ‘Affirmative Action’? Limbaugh’s Right-Hand Man ‘Bo Snerdley’ Weighs in on Midterms: ‘This Has the Potential to be One of the Biggest Wave Elections in Recent Memory’ Macron Admits Half The Crimes In Paris Are Committed By Foreigners The Truss Fiasco: Various Takes Thursday, October 27. 2022Mrs. BD's high point of our hiking trip
Their lavender fields had already been harvested. Besides olives and grapes, lavender is a big deal in Provence. There is even lavender ice cream. Since it was a hiking trip, we had to go the long way over the Petit Massif, up to the wild west-looking plateau, and down to another valley. Then back to our place over the mountain again. 6 hour hike, spre quads for sure. The hiking paths were rated as "mostly gentle", but it's a Brit company. In the US, they would be rated moderate at least. Mostly stoney paths, easy to get lost, and every one uphill. Will post hiking pics later. Here's their cloister. Lucky John D. Rockefeller didn't buy it and ship it to NYC:
Thursday morning linksWhat’s at Stake? Midterms & the Markets: A Conversation With Lawrence H. Summers & Niall Ferguson The New Gatekeepers - How the major institutions of American society all came to sing in the woke chorus, and what can be done about it The school lockdown catastrophe VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WENT WOKE, ENROLLMENT FELL 25% Biden Thinks Airlines Charging for Extra Leg Room Hit ‘People of Color’ the Hardest. It’s always about race. Democrats: The Only Way To Save Democracy Is One-Party Rule MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan asks if the 2024 election will be free and fair if black people are denied the right to vote Gov. Hochul Not Sure Why Locking Up Criminals is Important. The kind of mistake that destroys political careers. The Morning Briefing: Hillary Clinton Reminds Us That She's America's Worst Drunk and a Psychopath EVEN RICHARD NIXON HAS GOT SOUL "A Paradoxical Situation": Germany Is Dismantling A Wind Farm To Make Way For A Coal Mine Wednesday, October 26. 2022Wednesday morning linksEnthusiasts of “the new economy” long cherished the notion that it would be different from the unenlightened, sluggish, and piggish older one. Yet our economy seems increasingly to resemble not some hippy capitalist utopia, but the deeply concentrated economy of pre-war Japan. It is extremly disturbing that major scientific organizations are forbidding the publication of research that offends some political sensibilities. Indeed, roadblocks are being put into place to even investigate some questions. Randi Weingarten is bad for kids. The nation’s report card is out and teachers’ union bosses have a lot of explaining to do Just How Big Is America's 'Strategic Cheese Reserve'? Unique therapy that alters memory processes could reduce psychological disturbances following romantic betrayal COVID: Just another flu Who's that guy running in CT-05 and have you heard about him? Now Mired In Crime, The City That Kicked Off The ‘Defund The Police’ Movement Is Struggling To Recruit New Officers Democrats are now hostage to the transgender extremists, and it is going to cost them dearly The Media’s Cover-Up of John Fetterman. No amount of spin can undo what voters witnessed on the debate stage last night in Pennsylvania. Activist Sacheen Littlefeather exposed by sisters for reported fraudulent Native American identity: 'A lie' Biden Says “We Have To Pay” Other Countries To “Do What They Need To Do” On Climate Change… Yikes: According to a friend, there is a hit piece on Ron DeSantis in the Financial Times. But I just read it and it reads more like a pro-DeSantis ad campaign to me. Most of it anyway. Hillary Clinton Shamelessly Claims “Right-Wing Extremists” Plotting To “Literally Steal” 2024 Election… Tuesday, October 25. 2022My highest moment of our (mostly) hiking trip in Provence
OK. So, in an obscure corner of the lovely garden was a sign, and the view below. Sign said (in French) "From this spot in our garden, Paul Cezanne painted many of his hundred paintings of Mt. St. Victoire in varying lights and times of day." Sheesh. He lived in Aix, and the French at the time reviled his pictures. Readers know that he is my hero of "modern" fine art. A thrill. A small view of the hotel garden
The view from the garden's pergola where Cezanne liked to paint:
Tuesday morning linksHarvard Law students walk out on pro-life scholar before she started speaking Plastic recycling a "failed concept," study says, with only 5% recycled in U.S. last year as production rises After exhaustive investigation, BYU declares Duke athlete’s racial slur claim completely fabricated University ‘unable to verify’ black student’s claim white students dumped water on her There is a dire shortage of racism, so fake racism fills the gap. The kids are not alright - math and reading scores declined during the pandemic at record levels Former Levi’s top exec reveals how woke mobs took over corporations Children who think they're trans are probably just going through a 'phase', NHS says Biden's Brain Reboots Mid-Interview AOC Gets WRECKED By Her Own Constituents Over Ukraine War Funding: “You ARE the Establishment” As I predicted a year ago, the GOP will win about 46 seats in the House Karine Jean-Pierre Gets Called Out For Joe Biden’s Non-Stop Lies on the Economy A Strange and Brutal Country - Adam Curtis’s new BBC series provides a unique insight into Russia’s late-twentieth-century collapse. Sunday, October 23. 2022From today's LectionaryLuke 18:9-14 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 18:10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.' 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted." Saturday, October 22. 2022Duquesne WhistleThere has always been a bad-ass side of Bob.
Comfort Breakfasts
If you do heavy labor all day, it's another matter. All I do is to work out at the gym for an hour or so every morning, and some yard work on weekends (as little as possible because I have become bored with it), and take good walks on weekends. That is sedentary. Sometimes, though, there are occasions for a hearty breakfast. I have always liked kippers with some eggs. In Scotland, the kippers are about a foot long. Too much. The canned kippers that you find in US supermarkets are barely OK. Another breakfast that some hate but I love: Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast (aka shit on a shingle). A classic prep school, and military, breakfast. Moving a bit south in the USA, there's Shrimp and Grits. Delicious. And the ultimate American breakfast (South and Midwest especially): Biscuits and Gravy. Every family has its own recipe, so I won't link one. Those Bob Evans restaurants make a fine one, but I don't think they let you in unless you weigh over 250 pounds. Grits on the side are good. To stay multicultural, I can't omit the English Breakfast. Blood sausage:
Friday, October 21. 2022It's Burpee DayAll calisthenics are fairly intense, but the Burpee is up there. Burpee basics, re-posted:
Pumpkins are tasty food
For pottage and puddings and custards and pies Pilgrim verse, circa 1633 Pumpkins are just one variety of winter squash. Winter Squash have the virtues of being harvested in the fall, and easily storable for keeping through the winter in a root cellar as long as they do not freeze. All winter squash (Butternut, Acorn, etc) taste pretty similar and are more or less interchangeable in recipes. Winter Squash, along with string beans, maize (which we call "corn" in the US, and many other foods like peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes) were first genetically modified for agriculture by American Indians. Eastern Indians had large fields in which they grew winter squash, maize, and beans (which climbed up the corn stalks) together. In fact, one of the reasons the Pilgrims decided to stay in Plymouth was for the 50-acre and 100-acre planting fields that the Indians (recently dead probably from European diseases brought in by explorers and fishermen) had prepared there. The Pumpkin of the Americas quickly became a popular crop in many parts of the world. Our Philippino nanny rarely made a Phillipino stew without pumpkin chunks in it. (Loved that Oxtail stew with peanut sauce, potato, and pumpkin, or her winter squash and string bean stew with coconut milk plus some shrimp or chicken chunks.) And people who have read Alexander McCall Smith's series, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, know how popular pumpkin became in the African diet. As for Pumpkin pasta recipes, there are tons of them. Here's 41 Yummy Pumpkin Recipes. Mashed pumpkin with salt, pepper and butter is great. Same with steamed pumpkin chunks. A little chopped fresh Sage is good with them. Never boil winter squash. Steam or roast, or it will get too soggy. As for the olde standbys, Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Soup, those are OK too but the spices tend to obscure the subtle flavors of the winter squashes used. (Re Pumpkin Pie, the Maggie's Farm advice is to go very light on the sugar, and serve with a spoonful of whipped cream, then drizzled with 100% Maple Syrup.) Megan McArdle wrote this: Yes, Some of US Really Like Pumpkin Kenyan Pumpkin Curry Recipe EAST AFRICAN PUMPKIN STEW
Sunday, October 16. 2022From today's Lectionary:Psalm 121 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills-- from where will my help come? 121:2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 121:3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 121:4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 121:5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. 121:6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 121:7 The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 121:8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore. Saturday, October 15. 2022A Boomer treatThe Raft of the Medusa (1819)
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Thursday, October 13. 2022Thursday morning - good timing for me to take a week or so off from Maggie's editingGone hiking trip in cool places, and a good getaway from reporting the daily news insanity. No internet, no phone access. Will bring home iphone pics tho. There will be lots of boating posts for those who enjoy them. I'd rather watch the Youtube than sail alone to Hawaii in a 30-ft sailboat. Plus some random items.
Pfizer Exec Admits Under Oath: 'We Never Tested COVID Vaccine Against Transmission' No evidence that vac prevented transmission Science Finally Winning The Day In Glyphosate Cases That is Round Up Maryland’s Largest Public School District Sees 582% INCREASE in Gender Madness Among Students Transgender patients reveal their regret over NHS sex change operations and why they 'detransitioned' after they were 'rushed' into life-changing procedures WSJ: Now Even Science Grants Must Bow to ‘Equity and Inclusion’ New Zealand taxing cattle urine, burps When Corporate America Pulls A PayPal, There’s No Escaping The Digital Gulag Democrats face a green energy fiasco A Top-Ranked High School Got Rid of Merit-Based Admissions. Then Students' Grades Tanked. Joining Battle Over The "Science" Of Global Warming The revenge of the material economy. The future belongs to manufacturers, energy suppliers and farmers. NBC News Reveals Troubling facts about John Fetterman's Health His health doesn't matter, and those people do not "work hard" Trump has been fentanyl to the media Biden Administration Moves to 'Californize' US Labor Rules Oregon Spends $90M on Practically Empty Pre-K Re Fetterman: " He is without a doubt 100 percent fit and ready to be a United States Senator." Probably true NY TIMES SUDDENLY DISCOVERS THAT BIDEN IS A LIAR Biden says son Beau 'lost his life in Iraq' during Colorado speech Alex Jones Ordered to Pay Sandy Hook Families $965 Million for Defamation Biden makes stuff up daily, while Jones is just an ordinary paranoid nutjob Wednesday, October 12. 2022Truffle HuntersIt's a movie about Truffle Hunters and their dogs in Italy. Good views of Italian life. Unfortunately, you can't rent it on Amazon Prime, only buy it on Amazon Prime: The Truffle Hunters
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Wednesday morning linksVideo Footage Captures Orcas Killing Great White Sharks How California's high speed rail project became a 'loser' Heather Mac Donald: The Marijuana Myth Teacher offended by Shakespeare's 'white' male perspective Also says it's too hard to read. Yeah, a bit - but it's meant to be spoken, not read. Journalist Called Child Protective Services on State Senate Candidate—for Celebrating Columbus Day with Her Daughter Biden’s education secretary spending hundreds of millions on ‘equity’ agenda as reading scores tank catastrophically USA not a democracy if people vote for Americans Must Permanently Marginalize the Perpetual Adolescents of the American Left Tulsi Gabbard: Why I'm leaving the Democratic Party Muhammad/Mohammed/Mohammad Still Top Baby Boy Name in UK Tuesday, October 11. 2022Tuesday morning linksImage of optical illusion floor (to deter running) via Ace Christian influencer gets holy water breast implants Sheesh Spectator: The last of the Covidians - How should we treat those who refuse to acknowledge the pandemic is over? Needs More Salt. The FDA failed to conduct a peer review of its questionable scientific findings on sodium intake and did not respond to inquiries questioning the accuracy of its information. Nothing "healthy" about restricting salt intake unless some serious medical ailment. California makes it illegal for doctors to disagree with politicians Big Veganism is coming for you. The meat industry is bankrolling the movement WSJ: Western Democracy Is Revolting Against Itself. The paradox of liberalism: We’re free to air our faults, so we end up talking about them and nothing else. Not me NYC’s Mayor and Schools Chancellor hire each other’s girlfriends The World According to Xi Jinping. What China’s Ideologue in Chief Really Believes "Back To The Old Days": Europeans Panic Buy Firewood And Stoves Trump warned them, and they laughed at him Monday, October 10. 2022Monday morning linksWSJ: How to Preserve Your Family History, No Awkward Interviews Required "She holds six of the top 10 spots on The New York Times’s paperback fiction best-seller list, a stunning number of simultaneous best sellers from a single author...." I Never Wanted Kids. Number Six Is Due In a Few Months. We just outgrew our Honda Odyssey. Telemedicine was made easy during COVID-19. Not any more Why do standing ovations now seem obligatory? It’s possible this phenomenon is an extension of the 'everyone gets a trophy' culture. Euthanasia for depression? VDH: Civilization is fragile. It hinges on ensuring the stuff of life. BLM founder funnels even more cash into mansion There's a sucker born every minute After the shooting outside his home, Rep. Lee Zeldin’s fight is now clearer than ever The very bad reason white Democrats want to defund the police Did Tucker Carlson’s Bobulinski Home Run Crack the Media Protection Racket of the Bidens? Sunday, October 9. 20223-card Monte
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From today's LectionaryLuke 17:11-19 17:11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 17:12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 17:13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 17:14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 17:15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 17:16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17:17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 17:18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 17:19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."
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