Are You Sure Where You Are?

This mural was done by Bartolommeo di Giovanni between 1490-95 in Italy. It is called “Scenes from the Life of Saint John the Baptist.” It can be found at the Art Institute of Chicago. I guess I am constrained to recall any of these “scenes” about John.

The office is just about done. It will be finished tomorrow since there is but a small area that still needs some sorting. We’ve moved a lot of things around and it’s shaping up as a more usable room now, easier to get around in, more organized. So I’m quite pleased. When we get out I’ll get the paint and that will really make a huge difference no doubt. I’ve got spaghetti sauce on the stove ready to go. Usually I make sauce and then meatballs, but I ran out of meatballs and don’t have all the ingredients now, so I just cooked up loose ground round and added it to my usual sauce. It smells good.

I guess the weather is going to continue to be terrible. Bad rains are forecast for tomorrow and then some really cold temperatures again. The Contrarian is getting a bit depressed at this turn of events, as am I, but at some point, you just give in. It is out of my control certainly, so I just plug along with my cleaning as best I can and forget about the rest.

Let’s see what is going on today. As you all know by now, Hillary won Pennsylvania by ten points, so that race is going to go on. Although the Contrarian disagrees, I think her argument is now a good deal stronger. He has outspent her 2 or 3 to 1 and he cannot close her out. In fact, as I actually expected, she beat him by more than most were saying she would. He is having trouble in the big must win states, and I do think some are beginning to wonder.

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Sandi’s Crochet Blog has some nice patterns for you to filet crochet a monogram. Nice to do for your home, or as a gift. I think they are quite beautiful and would make a lovely wedding gift. See what you think.

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It should come as no surprise that newspapers have been losing readers in the last few years. As more and more of us turn to the TV and our computers for news, newspapers seem to be gathering dust. The stuff that passes as news on TV is a joke, and most of us know that. It seems almost the unanimous opinion that Gibson and Stephanopolous, moderators of the last debate, were just plain awful, wasting the majority of the time on matters trivial and inconsequential, and neglecting the real issues that are of concern to all of us. Newspapers and their writers were the people we turned to. They spend real time investigating and learning about an issue before they set pen to paper. We got a more thorough and thoughtful examination of the news item rather than the one minute thirty-second “high” points rendition we get on TV. Blogging has certainly pointed that out dramatically to me. Things I refer you to here, often appear on the news a day or two later. Almost invariably they barely skim the subject and the written post I link to has much more detailed and often important information. I’m at a loss what can be done, or should be done. Read Alternet’s take on the issue.

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Blue Girl, Red State has a good post on Congress and it’s finally nailing the FDA for utter incompetence. We’ve been saying that for a long time of course, and the same pretty much applies to most if not all of our so-called “regulatory” agencies. The question is, will Congress actually do something about this state of affairs.

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Remember the Brown Derby? Feeling a bit nostalgic about Old Hollywood? Want to cook? LOL. Okay, Copycat Restaurant Recipes has one from the famous California eatery–Cobb Salad and the Old Fashioned French Dressing. I remember the old I Love Lucy, where she and Ethel and Fred went there, and well, you can imagine the trouble that ensued.

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I didn’t waste a second when I pulled up this feed. I love lemon desserts and this one looks soooo very delicious one could almost eat it off the page. Lemon Curd Mousse Cake sounds and looks divine and I’m running off the recipe now so I can be sure to get my lemons at the store when I get to shop again. I wish I lived at Epicurious’s house, if she makes this stuff every day. Do you think?

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Essential Estrogen has a very important post today. Friday is a Day of Silence, which is being observed by many in Iowa in support of efforts to stop harassment, bullying and assault both verbal and physical on gays and lesbians in our state. You can expect the usual right wing screaming that somehow this supports an “ungodly” lifestyle. Of course it doesn’t do anything of the kind but merely speaks to our solidarity with all who stand against violence toward ANYONE. Read Lynda’s report and decide for yourself.

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Knitting Dragonflies has a great post today that you should not miss if you like to knit. She has five reader’s choice sweater patterns for you free! I’ve made two sweaters in my life, a V-neck pull over, and a cardigan with buttons and all. Both turned out wonderfully, and believe me I’m barely more than a beginner knitter. So you can do it, I promise. I’m making sure I keep track of these for this fall, and I am gonna make me another one.

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It would appear that oil painting was first invented in Asia and not Europe. Remember when the Taliban destroyed Buddhas throughout Afghanistan? Well, behind those statues that were destroyed were caves in which oil paintings were discovered. They are older by many centuries than the ones found in Europe. Read more at Live Science.

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If you caught Boston Legal last night, Alan Shore pretty much summed up my views on the death penalty. Oh how I wish it were possible to stand as he did before a facsimile of Scalia, Roberts, Alito, and Thomas and tell them to their face how hideous they are in their smug little privileged world as they legislate in their own fashion from the bench. Gilbert King offers his opinion in this NYTimes editorial.

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Another good issue is being raised by On Faith at the Washington Post: In his speech to U.S. bishops last week, Pope Benedict XVI said: “Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted . . . To the extent that religion becomes a purely private affair, it loses its very soul.” Do you agree or disagree? Why? This strikes directly at our present controversy I believe, what role should religion play in our town square? Read the panel responses and join in yourself. It’s easy to sign up to post your comments.

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Most parents have probably known this forever, but our faces really do give us away when we lie, and it’s not the usual shifty eyes, or inability to look you in the eye that tells the tale. Read this interesting report in Science Daily and learn how a new expertise is helping police tell the truth tellers from the liars. It has to do with facial muscles that we are really unable to control. Now if this gets allowed as expert testimony, a whole lot is going to be changing in the world of crime I tell ya.

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From what I hear, it’s getting pretty hard to meet those recruitment quotas these days in the good old US of A (army). I’m thinking that if you can walk, they will sign you up. Well, maybe even if you promise you will walk someday. You might want to look at this recruitment talk and see if you think it works. Undoubtedly this is close to the mark, I’m betting.

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Tip Junkie has a list of submitted tips today. It’s a pretty long list of ideas for crafts other helpful bits and pieces. Take a look and see if there is anything you fancy.

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“Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them.” Leo Tolstoy

“Sure there are dishonest men in local government. But there are dishonest men in national government too.” Richard Nixon ( I kid you not)

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Yes, dear Iowans, it’s still illegal to do the following:

Horses are forbidden to eat fire hydrants in Marshalltown, Iowa.

In Dubuque any hotel in the city limits must have a water bucket and a hitching post in front of the building.

Indianola: The “Ice Cream Man” and his truck are banned.

One-armed piano players must perform for free.

Warn your hubby that after lovemaking in Ames, Iowa, he isn’t allowed to take more than three gulps of beer while lying in bed with you — or holding you in his arms.

You may shoot Native Americans if there are more than five of them on your property at any one time.

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How about the presidential campaign? I’m no political expert, but here is the problem with what the Democrats are doing. They’re spending too much time attacking one another and not enough time trying to rig the election. David Letterman

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These warnings do appear on the following products:

Liquid Plummer>> Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages

Tags: art, crochet, death penalty, FDA, gay rights, journalism, knitting, Military, psychology, religion, salad, salad dressing