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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Monday, November 1. 2021JumpingReaders know that we like jump rope as an intense cardio (ie real "cardio") exercise. The heavier the rope, the more challenging. I have used a 1 lb rope a few times and it is brutal. About jump ropes in general Monday morning linksJeremy Clarkson on why he won’t be giving up pheasant shooting California condors: Virgin births discovered in critically endangered birds How the FBI Discovered a Real-Life Indiana Jones in, of All Places, Rural Indiana. A 90-year-old amateur archaeologist who claimed to have detonated the first atomic bomb was also one of the most prolific grave robbers in modern American history. 'We're being pressured into sex by some trans women' WaPo: What is an ‘emotional push-up’? Exploring the concept of mental health gyms. Life is a mental health gym University Allegedly Attempting To Fire Professor For Saying Hurt Feelings Are ‘No Big Deal’ Border crisis hits classrooms as unaccompanied minors flood NY schools Elites Are Using Climate Hysteria to Immiserate the Working Class Dems Try To Pass Off $10,000 IRS Reporting Threshold as Merely Going After the 1 Percent. Proposed IRS surveillance now limited to non-wage net annual transactions of $10,000 and above. Which is still ridiculously low and intrusive. Judge Finds Teenager Guilty in Loudoun County Bathroom Assault In Defense of Meritocracy. It’s the worst system for deciding who gets society’s most important positions—except for all the others. Transgender fiction is about political control - Elite gather at G20 and in Glasgow to talk about their religion Lectures From Limousine Liberals. The same people who sat at home praising essential workers as heroes now repay them with exclusion and sneering condescension China Warming. The CCP is by far the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases on the planet. Is that a problem? Progressive Craziness Of The Day: Critical Race Theory In K-12 Schools And Corporations The Next Democratic Crusade: Taxing Hypothetical Income Sunday, October 31. 2021Thank you, Roger, etc. from ItaliaIf Roger, semi-retired King of Sicily, would take over my morning links job here, we'd be a far more interesting, amusing, and educational website. But he won't. Mrs. BD and I have been driving around northern Italy for 12 days, staying in cool places, tasting real Italian foods (avoiding pasta and pizza as usual - they are just not the best Italian food), and trying to keep to my limit of 1 museum (limit 1 hr) and 1 old church/day. And on this trip 1 Etruscan ruin/day. It got to the point that I called everything, including newstands,"Etruscan" just to calm things down. As usual, I will post iphone photo travelogues when I get organized. For now, though, a menu from an ordinary cafe in Porto Santo Stefano. Nice lunch right on the fishing docks. We drove out there to the island Monte Argentario to look around while we were staying in Orbetello (in the Maremma). Fun to look at all of the frutti di mare in the fish stores. Vecchia Pesa. Here's the menu. - click on it. I am always amazed by the rate at which Octopi must reproduce given the rate at which Italians and Greeks eat them. Best grilled, I feel. I love seafood of every type. Random bonus trivia: The police in Siena drive Alfas - Alfa Guiliettas, in fact. Me? I drive a Stelvio here at home. Fun, but this time in Italy we had a big diesel Citroen which was great especially on the highways. Mrs. BD loved driving it. Mapquest is excellent in Eurolandia. Second tip re tourism: October is the only time to visit Italy. Off-season hotel prices, far fewer tourists, no hot weather and no rain, and everything open, cheerful, and lively. Plus it's truffle season. Third thing: Tourists in Italy are still there in October, but in manageable and not-annoying numbers. We only saw them in Siena and some in San Gimignano. Mostly Scandinavians and Germans, bunches of Brits, a few French. Almost no Americanos or Asians at this time of year. You can ID tourists by dress, manners/mannerisms, posture, etc. Brits look and dress quietly elegantly, tastefullly, and always get lost; Scandinavians hip with their babies running around randomly or in backpacks and do not care if they get lost; and Americans and Germans dowdy, clunky, and overweight. You can easily ID the natives because they are skinny and fashionable at all times. La bella figura. If you want to look local, good luck: a cigarette, a dog on a leash in the bar, Max Mara, a Prada bag, and good shoes (so testifies Mrs. BD, who can pass for Italian even without Prada). Re the flag - Italy has not been a nation for very long, if they even are a functional nation now. Began 1861 or so. The history of this peninsula and its surrounds is long, complex, and fun but not important in the long run. The only reason they all now speak Italian is because the Tuscans took over. Mrs. BD: "How does this country function? Nobody works hard or pays their taxes ("We prefer cash"), and everybody looks great and seems happy. And they love their untrained, ill-behaved dogs." Yeah, their dogs are terrible, untrained menaces but they all have them. They might love dogs, but they do not have a clue how to train one for a use or for civilization. All on leashes.
From today's LectionaryMark 12:28-34 12:28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?" 12:29 Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 12:30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' 12:31 The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." 12:32 Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 12:33 and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' --this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." 12:34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question. Saturday, October 30. 2021Chocolate Cream PieYes, you can make it at home but it's always better in a diner. Many things taste better in a diner, especially breakfast after church. Tuesday, October 26. 2021Cleaning waxed cotton and waxed canvas garments, re-posted for autumnInverness has several shops which sell waxed jackets. They sell models that are more for working purposes rather than the more style-oriented ones available in the US. If any place in the world is right for a Barbour or similar brands, it is Scotland. Gore-tex made waxed clothing obsolete, more or less, but people still like it. What is not widely-known is that Gore-Tex, over time, loses its waterproofing effect and you have to replace the item. Waxed cotton and waxed canvas can be re-proofed. I have waxed canvas Filson hunting pants, waxed canvas hunting brush chaps, a Barbour, maybe something else too. Damn things are heavy to wear compared to Gore Tex. If these things get too dirty or muddy on the outside, you just brush then off or hose it off with cold water. But what about when the lining gets sweaty and smelly? Ideally it won't because of the other stuff you are wearing, but if you want to clean it out, how? I read up on the topic. The only way to do it that protects the wax is to hose down the lining with cold water. No soap, etc - just cold water. Let it soak, then hose it again and let it air-dry. That's all you can do until the jacket needs re-proofing, at which time the company cleans the lining too.
Pull-upsWhether you want to view pull-ups as weight-lfting or as a calisthenic, it is a strength-builder for the entire upper body. The problem is that many middle-aged people have trouble doing reps without assistance. Does assistance really help over time? A couple of years ago we had a one-month push-up challenge, and it worked for those who kept with it daily. The goal was 100 push-ups/day by the end of the month (not 100 at once, but 100 daily). Turned out that it was quite do-able with good results even for push-up beginners - and for women. Their reps got longer, and their muscles got tougher. There are a couple of women I see in the gym doing 20 pull-up reps. They look fit, but neither muscular nor skinny. A 60-day 100 pull-up challenge might work too, but I do not know how to begin it for those who cannot do a single one. Ideas? Monday, October 25. 2021Red SquirrelI had one rummaging around in my shrubs recently (American Red Squirrel), and had not seen one here for years. Cute little guys, not often seen on the ground or away from good-sized conifer stands. There is a Eurasian Red Squirrel too. Sunday, October 24. 2021Not from today's lectionaryJob 38:1-7, (34-41) 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: 38:2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 38:3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me. 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 38:5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 38:6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 38:7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy? 38:34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you? 38:35 Can you send forth lightnings, so that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? 38:36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts, or given understanding to the mind? 38:37 Who has the wisdom to number the clouds? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 38:38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods cling together? 38:39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 38:40 when they crouch in their dens, or lie in wait in their covert? 38:41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food? Friday, October 22. 2021Educating The Band: About the Basement TapesThe Basement Tapes (the old real ones) are good fun.
Wednesday, October 20. 2021When I Paint My MasterpieceDylan and The Band
Wednesday morning linksPhoto from How bad does a supply chain crisis have to be for Dunkin Donuts to be out of Donuts?? They don't have adult donuts anyway What happens when our sun dies? Emerging mRNA technology proved excellent for COVID vaccines. BioNTech’s founders preview what that could mean for cancer and other mysteries. OU wants to hire a 'social justice' math professor. The University of Oklahoma wants to hire an assistant professor that has a 'culturally responsive and sustaining mathematics pedagogy.' What's with that word pedagogy these days? Fire has always been part of CA, like quakes. A natural risk. Manchin Rejects Centerpiece Of Biden's Climate Agenda... Which Progressive Dems Insist On Does anybody imagine that US "climate policy" would have any effect? Trump Predicted The Left Would Eventually Go After Statues Of Thomas Jefferson And the media said he was a retard Speaking of racists like Jefferson, apparently St. RBG was one too. McAuliffe sweats: My comments about parents not telling schools what to teach are being taken "out of context" New Information About U.S. Capitol Police Shooting Of Unarmed Ashli Babbitt Nobody should be shocked that the ACLU will not support the First Amendment. Sen. Cruz on where to send illegals: The new ports would be located in places such as Napa Valley, California; Greenwich, Connecticut; Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and North Hero, Vermont. Notorious Haitian Gang Demands $17 Million Ransom For Kidnapped Missionaries Haiti is a hopeless island Tuesday, October 19. 2021How to help birds avoid crashing into your windowsTwo Youtubes
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Tuesday morning links
5 questions for Arthur Turrell on fusion energy How Science Conquered Diphtheria, the Plague Among Children Remembering the Battle of Lopanto Alternative Gender for Dogs Dalrymple with an obit for a bad architect Why Bad Climate Legislation Is Worse Than No Climate Legislation. Moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin & Krysten Sinema Are Right to Oppose the Clean Energy Performance Program Electric vehicles certainly are dirty — their battery packs are poised to be one of the biggest new sources of pollution Lockdown has triggered a terrifying spike in psychosis cases – and stress, illegal drugs and abandoned patients are to blame Students support diversity quotas...until it comes to football Bari Weiss: We Got Here Because of Cowardice. We Get Out With Courage. Say no to the Woke Revolution The Woke Threat to America— and to American Jews Reps. Stefanik & Foxx: Dems want to control your kid's education. We're putting parents in the driver's seat. Democrats are on the side of the school bureaucracy instead of students Students, faculty demand Sewanee revoke evangelical Eric Metaxas’ honorary degree I&I/TIPP Poll: Are We Becoming The ‘Divided States Of America’ Under Biden? Always divided on opinions. And I am not "under Biden". As an American, I am "over" any politician. MSNBC Host Pounces, as NBC's Chuck Todd Dares to Tell the Truth About Biden From a political standpoint, it's fine with me if Uncle Joe has "lost a step" Let Em’ Eat Cake: Biden Seen Violating DC Mask Rule For Restaurants… Nobody follows those rules nowadays Biden Administration Set To Reinstate Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' Policy Next Month ‘Caravana Madre’ With 95,000 Migrants to March Through Mexico to US Starting This Saturday A New Jerusalem Consulate Will Again Proclaim: Jerusalem Is Not in Israel Israel Needs Weapons to Stop Iran’s Bomb. Jerusalem needs help from Washington to prevail in a terrible conflict. Monday, October 18. 2021Monday links‘Airplane!’ creator slams joy-killing threat: ‘Twitter 9 percent’ Art Institute of Chicago “Fires” All 100 Volunteer Museum Guides For Being Mostly White Women Serious injury risk higher for horse riding than for football, motor racing, or skiing Is Bitcoin a Bubble? GETTING MINDS RIGHT AT YALE, CONT’D Jon Stewart says media making 'mistake' casting Trump as 'incredible supervillain' 'I think we make a mistake focusing this all on Donald Trump, as if he's ... some incredible supervillain that has changed the very nature and temperature of the US' What separation? Hundreds of ‘black churches’ to be shown VP Harris video urging a vote for McAuliffe 16K COVID-19 Positive Migrants Released into U.S. by ICE, Says Whistleblower Opportunities to Do Nothing - As businesses struggle to fill job openings, Biden touts the advantages of worker shortages. Greenwald: Civil Liberties Are Being Trampled By Exploiting "Insurrection" Fears GREEN INSURRECTION: Media Silent as Environmental Rioters Attack Gov Buildings, Officers Panorama Education, Co-Founded By U.S. AG Merrick Garland’s Son-In-Law, Contracted With 23,000 Public Schools & Raised $76M From Investors Rather annoyingGoogle Restore lost all of the links I had been sent over the past 2 days - plus my own. I hope that Roger de Hauteville, semi-retired King of Sicily, will not have such problems while he will be filling in during my upcoming Sabbatical.
Sunday, October 17. 2021What Americans wantFrom Sandel's Just Deserts at Powerline:
From today's LectionaryMark 10:35-45 10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." 10:36 And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" 10:37 And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." 10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" 10:39 They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 10:40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 10:41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. 10:42 So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 10:43 But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 10:44 and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 10:45 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Saturday, October 16. 2021Saturday morning linksRoyal Doctors Want Queen Elizabeth to Stop Drinking This Atlantic piece on the Babylon Bee ends where it should have started Progressives Against Progress by Noah Rothman Did anyone notice that Buttigieg has been "MIA" in the supply-chain crisis? Biden Begs OPEC and US Oil Companies to Pump More Oil as Prices Surge After He Cracked Down on US Production “The Revenge of the Fossil Fuels” Buchanan: Are The Good Times Over For Joe? More about what's inside Biden's spending bill The Fallacy of Joe Biden’s ‘Bank of Multilateral Goodwill’ Russia draws a red line for US in Central Asia NY food truckFriday, October 15. 2021Friday morning linksUseless Green Energy Hitting The Wall Now Two-Parent Families Are Racist Too. A leftist group is pushing the theory that the two-parent home represents ‘family privilege’ and creates barriers to equal opportunity, when in reality such families are proven to be better for kids. Mainstream Media SILENT After Florida Reports 3rd Lowest Rate Of Covid Infection A Citizen’s Action Plan to Keep CRT Out of Schools How Zuck’s Bucks helped flip Wisconsin for Joe Biden after Hillary’s 2016 defeat CALIFORNIA’S CONTINUING COLLAPSE - There are several stories that can write themselves every morning, such as the failure of green energy, the failure of the Biden Administration, the failure of the wokerati to acquire any common sense, etc. And then there’s the ongoing failure of California... Biden threatens private sector companies as polls nosedive VDH: The Left Got What It Wanted—So Now What? There is no schadenfreude in seeing the Left destroy everything it touches—because its claws tear all of us as well. Victor Davis Hanson Has a Prediction About Midterms Democrats Won't Want to Hear RECONCILIATION ROUNDUP: Policies to Wreck America Americans Revert to Favoring Reduced Government Role A Radical Dissent by Justice Clarence Thomas Offers a Reproach to Merrick Garland Thursday, October 14. 2021More Stanford WhiteDespite being a terrible person in some ways, White was not like Frank Gehry who always wants to make a Gehry statement. White just gave his clients whatever they wanted, and he knew how to do it. Shingle-style, neo-classical, whatever. From our hike, Judson Memorial Church, just off Washinton Square. Mr. Rockefeller mostly paid for it, but White designed it. It's always been more service-oriented than Jesus-oriented, but it's still there.
Video Analysis of Popular "Critical Race Theory" Texts: Family mattersThursday morning linksTree-dwelling mammals endured after asteroid strike destroyed forests Retail: The Nasty Logistics of Returning Your Too-Small Pants. What happens to the stuff you order online after you send it back? Melinda Gates' fancy wedding College enrollment and the pandemic WHY PEOPLE HATE THE MEDIA, CHAPTER 12,186 Thousands register for geophysicist’s lecture after MIT caved to ‘Twitter mob’ Dr. Michael Burry Drops Redpills In Epic Twitter Rant Cool Wife Involved in Submarine Spy Case is Anti-Trump, Progressive, and ‘Very Liberal’. If the couple was MAGA you know the media would have this story plastered on the front pages and make it the lede. Achieving equity through mediocrity: Why elimination of gifted programs should worry us all Biden wants to snoop in nearly every American's bank account What Is Critical Race Theory, Really? And why that’s often the wrong question
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