It’s simply shockingly sad. Bush is doing his level best to help out his business friends at the tail end of his disastrous presidency by trashing the environment. All the plans, regulation loosenings and so far are designed to help industry make money, and reduce the protection of lands and animals now in place. It will take much time and effort by the Obama people to undo this. It was said that Clinton was only able to undo about 13% of what Daddy Bush did at the end of his presidency. True, Clinton did the same and Dubya could only undo 3% of the Clinton environmental protections. Why this evil man is intent on destroying the earth is beyond me. He has his, why can’t he let us at least exist? AlterNet has the story.

I recently read a book called “Deep Economy” about how we might revision our economic mantra of “growth is good.” It dealt largely with environmental issues, but did make the point that studies show that Americans are deeply unhappy overall as compared to much of Europe and many other countries as well. Money and buying stuff does not make us happy it turns out. A World Health Organization now places the US first in those countries whose citizenry is depressed and otherwise mentally ill. Read more, and discover that if you are stressed with not enough time, not enough leisure, you are very much not alone.

While much against the theology of Augustine can be argued with, there is something very right about a guy who asked God to cure him of his sexual needs, but “not quite yet.” He became a very human being for that statement in his Confessions. That being said, his birthday is today, and I think we should all pause and remember this great Father of the Church. If you would like to read more about this incomparable man, link to Gill’s Ancient History Blog.

You might enjoy this aside: Being a blogger, we all get used to our private and overused phrases. Much as John McCain drove us insane with “my friends” we all have our peccadilloes when it comes to language. Britannica Blog gives us “the 10 most overused and useless expressions in English.” Did you find one you use? Numbers 4 and 5 were ones I think I use a bit too frequently.

Uncovering women’s history is always fascinating. Every heard of a woman by the name of Cynisca? Probably not, but she was the first woman to compete and win an Olympic event, and we are talking about 396 and 392 BCE. Read this fascinating tale with tons of historical background at Rogueclassicism today. G,wan, get a little knowledge, your brain will thank you for it.

Speaking of birthdays, yesterday’s was Grace Kelly. That wonderful biographer Elizabeth Kerri Mahon at Scandalous Women does her usual top notch job and presents you with a lovely reflection on this American Princess.

If you are a history buff, you might find this new blog fun. It’s called Histatic! The history blog for all your inquisitive needs. Give it a look see and bookmark if it suits your fancy. I’ll be picking up the feed and checking it for good posts that you might enjoy.

I had a co-worker when I was a lawyer, who used to go to magazines like Bon Appetit and others of that type and make their entire holiday menu. I have never done such a thing, and frankly won’t because we have found the perfect Thanksgiving menu on earth, all from different sources. But if you want to do something different, Baking Delights has a full menu for you with all the recipes. You might not choose to make it all, but you might find a recipe that you do like. I think I should try to post the incredible stuffing recipe we used last year. First time we ate every drop of stuffing I tell you, and I will never do another turkey that isn’t brined either. Enjoy!

Simply Recipes gifts us with a great Tex-Mex dish. It’s similar to enchiladas, but she says without the trouble. It’s often used as a breakfast food. Give it a look if you love Mexican food. This looks like one I’ll add to my repertoire. Full directions are given for Chilaquiles.

And just to close out the recipes, here’s one you should not miss. Easy as anything to make, elegant for the holidays, and it is Chocolate! Now that combination is not to be missed. Called Chocolate Purses, you can wow your guests and also adapt easily to your own particular tastes. What could be better? Our thanks to Uncommon Artistic Endeavors.

This next story has been on the news in the mainstream media for a few days. Partly it makes me just laugh and partly it makes me sick to my stomach. The NRA has done an excellent job in making up a scare story that Obama is gonna take away guns, and gun sales have skyrocketed. That’s the funny part, the scary part, is the gun sales have skyrocketed. What kind of world are people living in that they have to run out and buy $1000+ assault rifles before they are banned? What kind of nut wants one? The winners are of course the NRA and its beloved gun manufacturing industry. Once again the idiot poor does the bidding of the rich. Crooks & Liars has the story.

Oh Goodie Goodie, DistributorCapDC has a quiz for couch potatoes and prizes too! Hurry on over and take it, win win win, I never win a thing. Maybe this time!

And to close out, just a personal observation. Sarah, our dear Sarah is being called the gift that keeps on giving for Democrats. She is making more of an ass of herself, now that she is out from restrictions and can do things her way. Although she claimed many of her woes were the result of the left wing media, she is courting that media for all it’s worth these days. She is granting “exclusive” interviews nearly every day. True to form, she says nothing, and says that nothing in such circular fashion that one can but weep with joy that the girl hasn’t lost her stupid touch. You might have thought she would bone up a bit, but word is that her latest foray on Larry King resulted in answers about the federal economic bailout that were “stunning” in their lack of any knowledge of what it entailed.

Miss Palin continues to adhere to the idea that politics is a piece of cake and requires no real knowledge of anything. Since she is apparently interested in virtually nothing, this works well for her so far. Her press conference at the Governor’s meeting consisted of 3 questions and then was closed down. The other governors felt a bit left out as you can guess. She was not wanted there in the first place so we are told. Sarah is that annoying fly that you cannot swat and cannot evade. It will soon be time to bring out the assault spray and overkill the land in order to make sure she gets her fatal dose.

I know this sounds weird, but a bunch of political bloggers and others have set up a food network site. You can find it here, called the “Internet Food Association.” Some of our favorites, such as Simply Recipes are on board. Who knows who might be next. Bookmark it and check it out if you love food and new recipes.

Have a greater day than ever before!

I keep toying with the idea of doing a “How McCain lost” post. And yet I think it’s too near in time to events to be quite ready. In the meantime MYDD has an excellent synopsis of the Palin factor that is worth looking at. It wraps up the choice quite well in my opinion. Take a look and judge for yourself.

Don’t miss the dressing down that Michelle Malkin gives her fellow Rethugs over their nasty drubbing of all things Palin. I mean poor Sarah, who had so much integrity! So much character! Yes, lying is a virtue Michelle and mean spirited race baiting is a clear sign of a good person. It’s fun reading from none other than that flag ship of truth and justice the National Review. Don’t miss the laugh.

Professor at Harvard, Orlando Patterson, in the NYTimes, offers an analysis of Obama’s climb to the Presidency. He places it in the prospective of history, our constitutional mandate, and the rise of minorities. It’s good reading. He cautions that Mr. Obama is not necessarily the Second coming, but a direct result of several earlier events.

Attackerman has a great post on the Neo-Cons and their search for a new “host.” Randy Schuenemann lost his job as chief of McCain’s national security team a week before the election. That they managed to keep this from leaking is a tribute, since they kept very little else inside the campaign. Schuenemann had the gall to choose Palin over McCain and was leaking to the Weekly Standard apparently. It’s all juicy, and does suggest that that the Neo-Cons are ready to descend upon the unknowing Ms. Palin and attempt to use her as they used Dubya to do their bidding. It does require a dim wit and Sarah would appear to fit that bill rather well. American Street has a similar post here.

Mona at The Art of the Possible, talks about the neo-con phenom and how the Republicans cannot get foreign policy right until they purge themselves of the likes of Kristol and Barnes and others of that Foxy ilk. Her analysis relies on Brad R. from Sadly No. You should check out the link and read it. It’s serious and well done.

Joe Lieberman met with Harry Reid yesterday. I’m told that Reid offered Lieberman a sub committee chairmanship and loss of his present Homeland Security Committee chairmanship. He would be allowed to continue caucusing with the Dems. Lieberman turned that down we understand. According to The Washington Independent, word still is that Reid at leans leans to stripping him from his chairmanship. I think it should be done. Endorsing McCain on security issues is one thing. Campaigning, giving an address at the RNC convention, and speaking in favor of Palin and helping to fuel the fires of Obama’s “socialist, Muslim” connections is quite another. Lieberman went way to far and the Dems need to cut him loose.

Episcopal Cafe has a good report on the Catholic vote this year. Roman Catholics for the most part did not buy into the “non-negotiables” of abortion and gay marriage as calling for a McCain vote. They voted their economic interests pretty much as everyone else did. Similarly, there is a nice post by Bishop Gene Robinson on his meeting with Obama.

This seemed quite appropriate:

Downward facing dog?

Hey, its November with Thanksgiving on the way. And so you have all the excuses in the world to make something utterly yummy and caloric. Try Chocolate Cinnamon Cream Pie! Oh, doesn’t it sound good? Check out the recipe at Epicurious.

And that about does it for today! Enjoy!

Well, I’ve been saving a few articles I have run across during my convalescence. As we alluded to last week, the post election press is full of the usual Obama transition elements, but much more fun is the crazy world of Republican politics. The fur is beginning to fly as predicted between Sarah and the McCain campaign operatives. As well, we find the beginnings of the super fight brewing between the moderate wing of the GOP and the reactionary wingnut right. Months of fun are to follow!

Religious Dispatches reports that the much touted and predicted death of the Religious Right is highly exaggerated. In fact, what we will witness seems to be a fight among them for control of the movement. The more moderate faction will attempt to work with the Obama administration, the more wingnuttery will vie for control and try to direct the GOP in an even more conservative mode. Read their analysis.

I am always fascinated with any article that purports to dissect people from a psychological point of view. This article from The Daily Beast suggests that at least subconsciously, McCain deliberately made decisions that would guarantee his defeat. This was not conscious but was subconsciously his way of destroying the people who had destroyed his campaign in 2000. I don’t know if its correct, but I very much have always assumed that much that drove Dubya was tied to his need to prove himself to daddy. I think McCain has issues that stem from his successful father and grandfather and his relative failure as a Navy man. Additionally I think his POW time has a huge impact on him psychologically that was dangerous in it’s possibilities. Read this article and make up your own mind.

Another great post at Religious Dispatches about what role race, gender and religion played in this election. I found the analysis quite thorough and if this subject interests you, I’m sure you will find something worthwhile in the reading.

As we welcome a new president in, Britannica Blog has a fun little post on other presidents and some of the quirky things they said and did. Did you know for instance that John Adams swam nude regularly in the Potomac? See? Now go get that perfect water cooler tidbit that you so desire to dazzle your coworkers with. Also good for the kids to use in that next book report! LOL.

History News Network probes the issue of race and it’s impact on the election. Their review of polling information provides some important conclusions that we should all reflect upon. Most important the so-called “Bradley” effect seems to have been debunked as erroneous.

As someone who is more often critical of the Vatican than otherwise, I am pleased to report that Vatican officials are returning the head of a sculpture to Greece for inclusion in it’s proper place in the Parthenon. The head will be on loan for a year, and may be renewed. As some may be aware, the topic of antiquity pieces being returned to their lawful owners is hot news around the archaeology world. Reportedly, the Vatican possesses at least two other pieces of the Parthenon which may also be turned over to Greece. In any event, it’s a fascinating subject. Visit Rogueclassicism for the details.

Oh chocolate sets my heart a singing as you well know. Baking Delights has a lovely chocolate lava cake to offer you palate. I tried one recipe for these which failed rather badly, so I’m interested to try it again when my back allows a little more time in the kitchen. Enjoy.

Since the holidays are now close upon us, I thought I would include this rather interesting recipe for empanadas which are a popular finger food in Spain and Portugal. These are pork curried empanadas and they just sounded great. If you are having a party and want something really elegant but not too hard to make, you might want to take a look. Simply Recipes also suggests that you can vary the filling and spices of course.

Okay, some of us deal with snow during the winter. And those of us who have been raised in that hellish environment know snow, you know what I mean? Well the Angry African sends us a hysterical piece on a novice and snow. He happily waves at the snow plow who covered up all his clean sidewalk and troops out to start shoveling again. You can imagine how long his love affair with snow lasted! Enjoy this piece, but be prepared to laugh a lot, or cry, if it sounds all too familiar. I was nearly screaming with laughter, and pain as my back started spasming from my guffaws! Stop this!

Although we scored a huge victory in Barack Obama’s presidency, we faired badly in California with Prop 8, the ban on gay marriage. I am sickened as are many by this development, one we thought was not possible only a few short weeks ago. But all is still not lost. Read AlterNet’s report on the what the lawyers say about the legality of the new ban.

Well, enough for today. Enjoy the reads, I’ve already found some for tomorrow that will wow your socks off! LOL.

Entitled “Pategonia, Chile #5, this was done by Rene Bass Forman in 2004.

Another day with sun! Will wonders never cease? I had another of my bad dreams this morning, actually two of them together. One is the infamous pee dream. I gotta go in reality, and keep dreaming that I am having trouble finding a bathroom. It always ends up being a fairly public affair, and when I go, alas, two minutes later, I’m desperately searching for another one. That was conflated with a recurrent dream of being back in Detroit, practicing law, and I’m horridly late for a trial in progress that I have completely forgotten to return to. I woke up grumpy!

On the home front, we continue to slowly dry out. The river is down to a trickle and the Contrarian is doing some weed eating around about and burning trash. I’ve done the day’s housework–bedroom and my craft room. I’ve developed a fairly strict cleaning regime that is about the only thing that works for me. It gives me three days off a week–bedroom/craft room Tuesday, office/living room Wednesday, kitchen Thursday, bathrooms Friday. I also made a batch of Pastitsio for dinner, a Greek dish that I’ve had a lot of in the past in Detroit’s Greektown. It’s basically a meat ragu with pasta and a bechamel sauce with flavorings of Parmesan and cinnamon, and tomato paste. A nice little casserole is ready to hit the oven later on.

Let’s see what is around the internet today that sounds tasty, fun to make or just thoroughly interesting to learn about.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

For those who are as old as me, this story is well known. For younger folks, you may not know so much. Today is the anniversary of the break-in at the Watergate hotel, by five men in the employ of the White House. The coverup that followed and it’s uncovering led of course to the downfall of the Nixon presidency. Read about it at Martin’s American History Blog.

Sandi’s Crochet Blog has a lovely lacy daisy to crochet withthread. Of course you could do it with heavier weights as well. But as such it makes a nice applique to a T-Shirt or pair of jeans. It’s cute, and of course, the pattern is there for you as well.

Is McCain’s run for the presidency doomed? So say many historians, who always look at the big picture. The big picture of course means examining history and looking for parallels. They suggest that the Republican cycle is about done, and this is normal. American Presidents Blog has the story for you to ponder and agree with or not as your intellectual prowess dictates.

David Barton, mentioned here before as a fool with a penchant for spreading untruth about our founding traditions, is, according to American Revolution Blog up to his old tricks. That is, he, a exceedingly poor excuse for a historian, attempts to rewrite history to suit his motives of introducing Christianity into the public arena as THE religion of the country. Read this fine expose’ of his junk history regarding the Mayflower Compact.

I confess, I’ve never tried to cook an entire beef brisket. I’ve seen recipes that called for elaborate self-made smoking systems that require constant attention and hours of labor. Baking Delights claims that this one, done in the oven for 12 hours works perfectly well. She lays out all the particulars for you. She claims it is a true Texan perfection. Look it over, take a chance and dive in. She says it freezes just fine, because she says you must make a whole one to make it right, and they are huge. Given prices of everything these days, cheap meat is going to become increasingly welcome in our household, and I intend to make this soon.

Chocolate andhas the sublime, the incomparable, the tasting delight of  Molten Chocolate Cake for you today. Oh, I can sink into a pile of gooey ecstasy just at the mere thought of this. I’m thinking of the 4th of July for this gem.

Now for something completely different. Salad and a nice Asian one to boot. This might be a perfect foil for all manner of summer light dinners. It’s called Pickled Carrot-Cucumber Salad and comes to us from Coconut & Lime.Take a look and add to your repertoire if you so desire.

Fannie Lawrence Rickett’s was a Civil War nurse. Civil War Womenfeatures her this week in a nice little biography. Daughter to wealthy Jamaican land owners, she later married a distant relative of her mothers who was a captain in the US army. He was badly injured during the war, and she made her way to where he was imprisoned. There she cared for him and other captured and wounded union soldiers.  Read about her life of dedication and hardship as the war progressed.

Commonweal, has an editorial entitled “Marriage, California Style” that examines the new same-sex marriage situation in that state that took effect yesterday I believe. They feel the decision is ill-advised. I do not of course. See what you think.

Steak Fajitas are a staple around the Meadow. We have them at least once a month, and sometimes two. In fact they are on the menu for later in the week, if I can get to the store and pick me up a green pepper. I thought you might like an authentic one from Epicurious today taken from Gourmet magazine. The only thing weird about this recipe is the basil, which I don’t find correct. I would change it to cilantro myself.

Free Sample Forager has a slew of new items for you. I saw cereal and acid reducer and rice, all free samples. There are a good dozen to look at and link to and acquire.

There are those in this country, and I am one of them, that fear that our respective bigotries are doing such damage to our country and our world that something must soon be done. It seem epidemic and endemic in our world. I’ll have more to say on this subject at a later date, but I urge you to take a look at this offering from History News Network, “A Passion for Overcoming Injustice has Seized America Once Again.”

Mary Towne Easty was another of those women who ended up on the wrong side of Salem religious fanatics and paid the price with her life. History of American Women, focuses on her story today and her death in 1692 at the gallows.

Serious knitters know about spinning and dying their yarn. I think it’s a fascinating idea, but know I’ll never get to that level of interest. I would love to weave as well, but know I never shall. Same for learning to play the piano. If you have this kind of serious interest, Knitting Dragonflies has some information for you. I am still puzzling over socks directions and scratching my head, thinking it doesn’t make a lot of sense with all these needles (five of them?).

Ever wondered about optical illusions? How exactly they “trick” the eye?I have, pondering how the neurons in our fabulous brains fire in exquisite synchronicity to do what they do so that we can do what we do. Well, Live Science has the answer for us. It has to do with the future, and how far we can see into it.

And if you think that only humans have the capacity to think and plan ahead, well, think again as they say. It turns out that apes and orangutans can as well, and do. But another indice of defining humanity that falls by the way side. It seems that there is less and less that separates us from our close cousins than ever we thought.

Wow, a totally awesome question this week on On Faith. Do you believe that faith affects health? Does it do so positively or negatively? Is this New Age? Lots of interesting ideas here. I think it can be both a help and a detriment. I think it depends on how you use it, and what exactly faith means to you. I’ve seen a whole plethora of people who have turned faith into mental illness, and others who have grown in vigor through quiet contemplative spiritual exercises. Read the varied approaches by the panel and delve into the comments.

Once Upon a Feast has more mouth-watering recipes to tempt you to get in that kitchen and really explore your culinary heart. I think  that Cajun Spices are a must, and it’s always better to do your own that buy that expensive packaged stuff. Also, you can wander over to the Pasta Roundup and find a ton of great dishes here. The true joy of this roundup are the pictures which are so glorious, I swear you could eat the paper and be satisfied.

Religion in American Historyhas a good one today. They feature on wingnutty Cal Thomas, popular from his idiotic featured editorials and his rightwing drivel on FoxyEntertainmentNews. Cal, using that damned if you aren’t a Christiannonsense, claims that Obama isn’t one. Why you say? Because Obama actually thinks a compassionate God doesn’t condemn 4/5 of all humanity to eternal hellfires because they haven’t had the benefit of Christianity as their source of religious training. Read the funny, but sick take by Mr. Thomas.

This recipe caught my eye at Simply Recipes. I’ve forgiven her for the Chipotle Chocolate Cake. Frankly I rather detested it, and finally threw out the last piece. i just couldn’t manage another slice. Her Tex-Mex recipe for Mexican Green Bean Salad sounded just right. We have yet to plant our beans given the lousy weather, but hope to before the end of the week. I can see making this fine offering to accompany some grilled fare.

A goodie, today we get another great post from Scandalous Women. Today she focuses on Grace Metalious, the author of that scandalous book Peyton Place!Remember the TV show? How we watched in titillation at the goings on of the families, sure that we were on the verge of naughtiness. Remember the waif thin Mia Farrow and Ryan O’Neal?  Read about Ms. Metalious’s life in all its detail. My deepest thanks to Elizabeth for her extraordinarily fine posts.

Tip Junkie is featuring a whole slew of crafters with lots of talent, and lots of stuff for sale. You might want to take a look, buy something, or get some ideas for crafting of your own. I thought there were a number of delightful products, and it certainly gave me ideas.

Veggie Gardening Tipshas an excellent post on that miserable ewww pest the leafminer. Those are those great big green sluggy things that eat the tomato plant you have been so lovingly tending in less than a day. I’ve not had much trouble with them here in Iowa, but in Michigan it seems I was always fighting them. Some great help on eradicating this beast.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

More of those wacky bumper stickers–read em here instead of rear-ending somebody trying to read them on the road!

huked on foniks werkd fer me

I am overjoyed with whelm!

I didn’t fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.

I Don’t Suffer From Insanity, I Enjoy Every Minute Of It

I Feel Like I’m Diagonally Parked In A Parallel Universe

I Got A Gun For My Wife; Best Trade I Ever Made.

I Have The Body Of A God … Buddha

I Just Got Lost In Thought. It Was Unfamiliar Territory

I left the womb for this?

I put in contacts for this?

I took a pain pill. Why are you still here?

This is Called “The Threshing Floor” and was done by Diego Rivera in 1904. It is located at the Museum of Diego Rivera in Guanajuanta, Mexico.

The day breaks gloomy as it has been for days now, with little break. We got about two hours of showers yesterday, but after it stopped in mid-late morning, we got no more. So far today, we have gotten none, but as I said, its overcast. The air is thick because there is literally water everywhere, if not on the surface, then just below. Mostly it’s spongy wherever you walk. The dogs lay out, mostly on the porch or some dry place, the cats venture to the their porch as well, nobody wants to walk around much.

The cake by the way, was excellent, moist, and really tasted of root beer. The marbling worked nicely as well. If you make it, make at least a half more of the frosting if you want enough to frost two large layers which this batter does give you. The recipe is over at the old blogger site of the same name. Just put in rootbeer cake in the blogbar search engine and it will pop up for you.

Today I am doing a stir-fry with chicken and various veggies and some rice cellophane noodles for a change of pace.  Just finished the general housework, featuring the living room today. The Contrarian cleaned off the hearth for me, so I’ll address the stove itself tomorrow. I like to oil it down lightly once a year. It just looks so nice and brand new for a while.

Well, lets see what we can find around the arts and crafting world today and see what historical facts pop up.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

Sandi’s Crochet Blog has a lovely looking pattern that really caught my eye. She calls it offset shell. As always she gives you the pattern and gives you the opportunity to use it in both a shawl or a granny square.

American Revolution Blog dissects quite thoroughly a new book by another religious right person determined to turn America into a Christian nation. This time the claim is that George Washington was an orthodox Christian. While he was no doubt a deep believer in God, Washington was very careful about NOT imposing religion on the resultant new Democracy. Read this excellent post and enjoy. If you are interested in this subject, you might want to back track to his original site and pick up the new blog he and others are starting about how the nation was created and the impact of religion on it.

Baking Delights has her Saturday surfing of recipes from around the net that she thinks you might like. I saw a couple that caught my eye, like a strawberry pie that sounds very luscious. Pulled pork is always a summertime favorite as well. Run by and see if you see something that you just have to make before the week is out.

Apparently Dick (Darth Vadar) Cheney made some “joke” about West Virginian natives that was stereotypical in its allusions to intermarriage. While this would usually put it into the political sphere, Catholic Anarchy does a fine job of explaining a good bit about Appalachian life that I thought was quite good. Hope you enjoy learning a bit more about a segment of America that most think they know a lot about.

Belle Boyd is the lady featured on today’s Civil War Womeninstallment. Belle was a lady who came from a family able to send her as a young girl to college, and from there on we learn that she was an ardent Confederate supporter. She killed a Yankee and became a spy for the Confederacy in the war years. She was a fiery person and had a long life after the war, always doing what she wanted, and not necessarily what was conventional. Read more.

Epicurious has great recipes, mostly I suspect because she reads some of the best culinary magazines around. These are both from Bon Appetit and I think both are lovely ideas for the summer season. Chilled Tomato Tarragon Soup is the first offering, followed by Chili Beef Skewers. I’m thinking together they make a meal!

We are in luck whenever Garrison Keillor has a new posting. This one is about kids and pools and is a nice relaxing respite from the busyness of the day. Take time to read this stress reducer!

Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas has a humorous take on compost and why it is like a man. You must take a look if you want to get a good giggle, so slip on over via the link and do just that.

History of American Women focuses on North Carolina today and zeroes in on the colonial period. The first two colonies started by Raleigh failed, otherwise NC would have been the first of the permanent English colonies. Originally named for the French King, it became associated with Charles II later on. As always, Maggie does an excellent job in giving us this little biography of another of our states.

Ever wondered about Old Faithful and what makes her tick, or should I say spout? It turns out that the amount of rain affects the timing of her explosions. That was news to me, I thought it had to do with pressures and venting underground that had to do with magma and all that geological stuff. Live Science gives you the low down on this icon of Americana.

I’ve suggested to some of you that the evangelicals in America, the mainstream ones that is, are frankly tired of being yoked to the reactionary right and their two-issue campaign, abortion and gay rights. In a refreshing report, the NYTimes reports on these mainstream evangelicals and their determination: “Taking their Faith, but not their Politics to the People.” An excellent article you shouldn’t miss. Our thanks to Religion in American History for the heads up.

Here’s one of those great ideas that your kids might love and benefit from. Certainly this is also true of adults. UofM archaeology and members of the team from Israel are doing an excavation this summer. They plan to run a website that you can use to follow their progress as they examine the Tel Kedesh. What a wonderful educational tool for all of us, most of whom will never have the opportunity to join in a dig. Rogueclassicism provides all the information and the link and when the site will start up. Have fun.

This was one scandal I can tell you. The murder of Lana Turner’s gangster boyfriend Johnny Stompanado in the late 50’s rocked Hollywood and even I recall it, though I was a mere child at the time, not even old enough to be in “love” with Troy Donahue yet. In any case, Scandalous Women brings us all the steamy, sexy, and hush hush details of the killing by Lana’s daughter, Cheryl. This is just the most fun to read about!

I am a fool when it comes to chocolate cake, and this recipe, well, it’s gonna be made very soon in the Peyton household I can tell ya. The idea of marrying chipotle with chocolate cake makes me swoon with delight. Simply Recipes has this one, so you can count on it! It’s Chipotle Flourless Chocolate Cake. Try it or you’ll be sorrrrry.

I enjoy cross stitch a lot, and am stuck on a Native American one now that I lost my way on and am rather off pattern on. I don’t know how it happened, I try to count carefully, but it did, and I haven’t touched it in more than a year, because I can’t face taking out so much of the threads to set it aright. I do get a lot of inspiration from Threads of Desirethough. She is simply a master stitcher and her stuff is beautiful to me. See what you think.

Uncommon Artistic Endeavors has a delicious sounding coffeecake for you. I love sweets for breakfast, though I tend to eat the same thing, day in and day out, peanut butter and toast. Maybe some french toast on Sunday, but that’s about it. This one looks easy and tasty and I’m sure to give it a try quite soon. Right after that decadent chocolate cake that is. Try the Cream Cheese Coffee Cake and see what you think.

US History Site Blog has an interesting report on the relationship between Martin L. King, jr and JFK during the 1960’s election. The actions of the Kennedy family to assist the King family during that time may have been an important reason that Kennedy ultimately beat Nixon. Nixon, on the advice of his handlers did nothing, while the Kennedy’s went out of their way to help the jailed King and his family.

Women in History reports that Australia has consecrated it’s first female bishop in Melbourne, Barbara Darling.  She is only the second woman so honored in Australia. This is to the Anglican faith of course, not Catholic, which still doggedly remains a male bastion, because, well, just because it’s always been that way.

World History Blog reports that Google Earth allows a lot of fun things, such as tracing the routes of Alexander the Great as he moved around the East and won battles and confiscated vast tracts of land. He also has some other suggestions and so stop by and take a look and get the instructions for how to do it.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

And now for something completely different:

If the sky is the limit, then what is space, over the limit?

Aren’t the ‘good things that come to those who wait’ just the leftovers from the people that got there first?

“Cute as a button” Is that supposed to be a compliment? Since when are buttons cute?

Are marbles made of marble?

Why did Yankee Doodle name the feather in his hat Macaroni?

Who was the first person to say, “See that chicken over there … I’m gonna eat the first thing that comes out if its butt”?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

Can you get cornered in a round room?

In that song, she’ll be coming around the mountain, who is she?

“Have you ever noticed that if you rearranged the letters in mother in law, they come out to Woman Hitler?”

Isn’t it funny how the word ‘politics’ is made up of the words ‘poli’ meaning ‘many’ in Latin, and ‘tics’ as in ‘bloodsucking creatures’?

That’s all folks!

After having done the laundry room yesterday, I can sure say I’m glad that I don’t have to do my washing outdoors like these women. This is listed as women washing from North Dakota 1900-1910 from the Fred Hultstrand Photo collection, located at the Library of Congress.

Did I tell you I’m totally blessed with a wonderful husband? The Contrarian has graciously taken on the task of some housework and cooking today as my digestive issues returned with a fury last night. It’s the most confounding disease, and you can never peg how long it will last and how severe it will be. The last time, hardly a week ago, was a cake-walk. This morning I awoke feeling beaten to a pulp and I’m still belching up a storm. Sorry for being so graphic. I’m just tired mostly and so this is the perfect place for me; a long session traveling the internet in search of the stories you can’t live without. So let’s get to it.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

101 Cookbooks has a most interesting dessert recipe made with cream cheese and tofu and chocolate. It sounds a bit weird but Heidi promises that it’s a real taste sensation. It’s called Heavenly Pie. Drop by and take a look and see what you think. She changed up some of the ingredients and I suspect you can do the same.

I think sweets are on my mind today. Abby Sweets has a delicious sounding recipe for  Pecan Honey Sticky Buns that I think might peak your interest. It sure did mine. This is the perfect brunch item for those lazy Sunday mornings, lolling on the terrace with coffee and the paper. Okay, sitting in a lawn chair, reading a good novel and swatting flies and trying to keep them off your buns!

First off let me say that I very much admire Tiger Woods. Even though I basically despise golf, we cheer him on in every contest that I am forced to watch. I find him a terrific roll model for kids and frankly a roll model for us all by and large. That said, I found this article disturbing. Does Mr. Woods owe us some kind of moral response to wrongs in society? Read about his partnership with Chevron and see what you think?

The sickening cesspool of Iraq seems to be sucking our money faster than water drains from a tub these days. In another stunner, a Pentagon audit finds 15 BILLION dollars unaccounted for. That’s your money and mine folks, and it’s intolerable as I see it. When oh when is somebody(s) going to be held accountable? It seems the only people doing well are Halliburton and Blackwater.

First Lady of Baseball? Oh I bet you wonder who that might be. It will be a surprise I can tell you, most unlikely. Travel to the American Presidents Blog and get the answer and a nice little vignette about the president’s wife who had a passion for the game.

I talk long and hard about the misuse of history to further personal agendas. No one is more guilty of that than David Barton, alleged historian and distorter of all that is history. Mr. Barton, head of “Wallbuilders” is on a crusade to prove that America is a Christian nation and he lets no facts get in the way of that mission. Read a scathing but accurate report from American Revolution Blogand Lindsay Shuman. We first heard of Mr. Barton on a skimming of the religious cable channels. He was doing a series based on his book before two evangelical preachers, who nodded and oohed and ahhed at his every “revelation.” Pure utter nonsense, but to the unlearned sounds mighty fine no doubt.

No one who reads this blog regularly has any real question about where I stand on most issues. I am pretty vocal. I am appalled a the idea that McCain could have the opportunity to continue the reorganization of SCOTUS to reflect an ultra conservative agenda which tramples on individual rights, protects business excess and promotes majority rule over protection of minority rights. But sometimes, I figure you are entitled to both sides, and I especially enjoy giving you that when I can send you to a place that gives you intelligent, fair coverage of both sides. Bill Moyers Journaldoes just that. Read the discussion of “How strictly should the Constitution be followed?” featuring Jeffrey Toobin and Thomas Sowell. Yes, Sowell writes for NRO, and mostly I think he is a wingnut, but read on and see what you think.

Say what you will, the Bushites continue to at least provide plenty of hysterical fodder for water cooler giggling. The latest is storming the airways and blogosphere today. Scott McClellan, former WH press secretary has a book out and boy is it causing a stir. The WH is exclaiming, “this ain’t the Scott we knew.” It’s a hoot I tell you, and everyone is talking. Read Blue Girl Red State’s humorous biting take on the media frenzy that is just starting up. As I ran though a dozen or more stories about this, it seems apparent that the WH has joined ranks and officially are pretty much proclaiming that poor Scott has obviously lost his mind. To a person they say, “This can’t be Scott, something has happened to him.”

Still looking for more and better excuses to imbibe? Wine I mean. Well Britannica Blog has more for you. It actually may help prevent certain types of liver disease, and don’t we all want to do that? So sip away, and know that you are doing your heart and your liver good.

For some this is definitely too much effort period. But think again. Making hamburger buns homemade will surely set you apart, create lots of talk in the neighborhood and make lots of women hate you for being so, well, super! I suspect you will find that they, like most things, taste ever so much better than the gluey tasteless things we get from Wonder Bread. Coconut & Lime has the recipe.

Of course with the summer grilling season just underway, we are all looking for new recipes to wow friends and neighbors. Nothing gets more tiresome that the usual, ribs, barbecue chicken and brats, so take a look at Citrus Chicken under a Brick and do something new and exotic to boot. Thanks to Epicurious for this one. I love to butterfly chicken and weight it down like this. It just works wonderfully.

Lucy Rebecca Buck was a diarist, and if you are interested on her take on the Civil War as she lived through it, be sure to make it to Civil War Women and read her mini-biography of this woman. Different from her usual nurses, this lady wrote daily of what life was like for her during this period. I find these accounts simply fascinating. A snapshot of another world in another time and place. You come away with an entirely different feel for history and you undoubtedly realize how little we have changed over time.

Gardening Tips and Ideas has a great post on creating your own potpourri from your own garden. She gives you all the information you need to create your own jars of aroma. Just a few things will be purchased, the rest comes from your own lovely roses and herbs. Enjoy this crafting delight.

Garrison Keillor has a post on soldiering. A bit late, but certainly with so many of our young men and women still in harm’s way, it’s still topical. Mr. Keillor has a wonderful way of putting things in perspective and giving us a good ponder. Somehow I don’t think Harley Davidson will be offering Garrison a contract to promote hogs any time soon.

Monday in my Editorial, I alluded to the politics of yesterday promoted by Bush/McCain–one shall not speak to those we are opposed to. I find it more dangerous that the rational approach suggested by Mr. Obama. A couple of history profs tend to agree with me it seems and find that other US presidents also did as well. Read “Must We Ever Fear to Negotiate” at History News Network.

History of American Women features a lady accused of witchcraft back in our colonial time. Elizabeth Jackson Howe was born in England and immigrated to the colonies as a very young child. Things went bad in Ipswitch and poor Mrs. Howe was accused of causing illness through witchcraft. She was tried in Salem in 1692. Convicted, she was hung on July 19. A sad blot on our history indeed.

Are you sick of the media frenzy that we encounter daily on so-called gaffes of the candidates? I sure am. Inside-Out the Beltway has a fine post on being fed up with non-news and the increasing case that the media at large has lost its ability to report NEWS.

If you have a moment, drop over to inspired by antique quilts and get a look at the lovely butterfly motif quilt she has done. It’s simply lovely and perfect for a girl’s bed, or your own certainly. A wall hanging would be fine also. It certainly looks homey and comfy and just makes me feel warm all over on this still chilly day.

Sister Joan Chittister has a great post about how we are again losing our way in this election cycle. Much like Inside-Out the Beltway, she decries the non-news that the media remains focused on and finds again, that women take the brunt of the slams. Read her always interesting takes on the world, and politics today.

We talk about terrorism as a given,  and a growing crisis in the world. Certainly a number of folks, mainly McCain and the warmongering Bushites play on our fears almost constantly, mostly to hide their own ineptitude and personal agendas. However, what is the real state of terrorism today? Fareed Zakaria points out that the idea that terrorism is on the rise is flawed, and suggests that the culprit is, you guessed it, the American government. See how the Simon Fraser Study, done in Canada, sets the record straight.

The subject is greed, remember the movie with Michael Douglas? Greed he said was “good.” Well, we have been greedy haven’t we, we in the US that is, and we collectively in the West. How’s that doing for for ya now? On Faith takes on the subject with the posts from a the panel and plenty of comments. Weigh in on this fascinating moral, economic topic of the day.

George Will on Sunday’s George Stephanopolous show said in regards McCain’s cleaning house of his lobbyist bloated campaign, “he honestly believes it doesn’t matter since he is honest.” Well bully for him. I don’t buy it. I can swim with the slime but not get slimed is a poor way of convincing me for sure. It just makes me crazy to think that he proposed legislation some years ago to ban what he got caught doing to such an extreme that he instituted a “new” policy to do what he tried to legislate years before. Uh, what? Okay, let me start again. He introduced legislation I’m told to disallow candidates from hiring lobbyists for their campaigns. That didn’t pass so he then fills his campaign with lobbyists? And when the press called him on it time and again for their sleazy associations, he then institutes a “new” policy banning all lobbyists from his campaign. Is he nuts? Anyhoo, go to Political Animaland read Kevin Drum’s latest scoop from MSNBC. Seems McCain’s national campaign co-chair was working for a Swiss bank lobbying Congress about the mortgage crisis at the same time that he was advising McCain on economic strategy. McCain is obviously suffering from dementia.

I guess eclipses still cause a minor flurry of excitement around the world today. Solar more so than lunar certainly. Did you know that they have stopped battles and induced truces on the spot historically? Rogueclassicism has a nice piece on eclipses over history and how they effected the lives of those who witnessed them.

I believe that for the first time, polls in California suggest that the electorate there by a slim margin now favor gay marriage. This will come as a shocking thing to the reactionary right who claims they are the arbiters of all things moral. I can hardly wait to check out the forums where there will be much gnashing of teeth no doubt.

Oh and in case you missed it, McCain and Bush were scheduled to hold an open fundraiser a few days ago, which is why McCain couldn’t make the vote for the Iraq funding or the new GI Bill (convenient of course). Trouble is and was, that there were so few tickets sold, they turned it into a house party, and closed it, afraid that more protesters would show up than supporters. It’s too too funny. Seems the Mac is between a rock and hard place these days.

Glenn Greenwald has another of his killer posts on journalists and their desire to find themselves innocent of lazy work during the run-up to the war. Only Katie Couric it seems even suggested that the media could have done a better job. Most defended themselves saying they asked a lot of questions. LOL. It’s an excellent post, and one I suggest you should read. This is why blogging has taken on greater importance. Anyone who knows history knows that a free often belligerent press is what helps keep us free. These people cave in at the first threat of loss of access and its despicable.

Well ya can’t say that Iowa isn’t in the forefront of important stuff. Researchers at the University of Iowa are setting up the Asteroid Deflection Research Center to bring scientists from around the world together in the development of new technologies to protect the planet should we face an impeding killer asteroid strike. I feel a good deal safer knowing that, and I’m sure you do as well.

A strawberry rhubarb terrine? Oh that sounds mighty fine to me. I adore rhubarb as I might have mentioned once or twenty times. Simply Recipes has a great summery treat to make.

Are you addicted to Taco Bell’s hot sauce? Well probably not, but then again, maybe you are. Anyway, Secret Recipe Bloghas the copycat recipe for you. And hey, making your own taco sauce is not a bad thing, and it’s probably way cheaper than buying the bottled stuff. I may well give it a try when the jalapenos are ready to harvest.

This posting caught my eye, because, well frankly I think the dude is right. I’m outraged about torture being done in my name by my government. And if you peruse the blogosphere, plenty of other people are as well. But I don’t frankly see a lot of media attention being given to the subject. Believe me, if the media smelled in the lightest whiffs of a breeze that the public cared about this subject, they would be covering it daily. The Nation asks, “Where is the Outrage?” and I have to say, yeah, exactly where is it America?

To the seven deluded people in America who don’t think that McCain is just another Bush in disguise,the proof would tend to be in the voting record would it not? Obama will surely have a field day in arguing that McCain voted for Bush policies 100% of the time in 2008 and 95% of the time in 2007. So much for distancing! Think Progress gave us the news.

Tip Junkie has a number of links to sites with ideas for crafters who want to make something special for that man in your life for Father’s Day. There is quite a long list with plenty of variety, so get busy and make something special for Dad this year.

We linked you to a bio today of a woman hanged in Salem after being convicted of witchcraft. We look upon these things as horribly misguided actions by people who were backward in thinking. Amazing as it may seem, 15 women have been executed in Africa for just that offense recently. Kenyan mobs have done this, sad to say, rounding up “offenders” in villages and burning them to death.  Our thanks to Women of History for the story.

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

“Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.” Edward Gibbon

“Men live in a fantasy world. I know this because I am one, and I actually receive my mail there.”  Scott Adams

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” Anais Nin

“My mother buried three husbands, and two of them were just napping.” Rita Rudner

~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

More crazy product warnings:

Earplugs
These ear plugs are nontoxic, but may interfere with breathing if caught in windpipe

Mattress
Warning: Do not attempt to swallow

Fix-a-Flat
WARNING: Do not weld can to rim.

Rain Gauge
Suitable for outdoor use.

RCA Television Remote Control
Not Dishwasher Safe

Road Sign
Caution water on road during rain.

Road Sign
Cemetery Road. Dead End

Children’s Superman Costume
Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.

Rowenta Iron
Warning: Never iron clothes on the body.

Nabisco Easy Cheese
For best results, remove cap.

Japanese food processor:
Not to be used for the other use.~~~&&&~~~&&&~~~

The cruise liner Norwegian Spirit crashed into a Manhattan pier. The entertainment director tried to spin it positive. “Today our ship photographer will take your photo in front of some ruins. – Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif.

According to a new study, teenage girls whose boyfriends are gang members are nearly twice as likely to become pregnant as girls not dating boys in gangs. This study was conducted by Dilmore University of Hoboken (DUH).

A 77-year-old man has become the oldest person to reach the summit of Nepal’s Mount Everest. He made it by repeating over and over to himself, “I haven’t fallen so I CAN get up.” -- Paul Seaburn, Spring, Texas

Hillary thanked NASA profusely for the encouragement and vowed to fight on now more than ever after Phoenix’s photographs of Mars revealed there is as much life there as in her campaign. – Eugene Cappuccio

Both George Bushes have been accused of being in bed with the Saudis for years. But when they ask for a favor — more oil — they get a resounding no. I guess they just aren’t very good in bed. – Charles Almon

Found at the MMA, this lovely sea scape is done by Childe Hassam and is called “Celia Thaxer’s Garden, Isles of Shoals, Maine.” Done in 1890. Given the storms of last night and the unremitting rain most of the night, I thought something a bit cheery was in order. Just as things were nearly dried out and we were getting set to get in the garden, we get another huge dump of rain. Everything is soggy once more.

My mood prevented much house cleaning, but I did do the upper cupboard in the living room and washed the Fiestaware and some crystal goblets. I cleaned the window panes as well. I made meatloaf and some scalloped potatoes for dinner. I’d like to make some brownies, but I’m not very energetic now, and I’m getting way behind here.

On to the news:

~~~^^^~~~^^^~~~

Abby Sweets has a really tantalizing Peanut Butter Torte that I would like to make. It’s just the kind of thing I need  today on this rather gloomy Wednesday. I’m afraid I don’t have the patience for it though. As I said, I’m still trying to motivate myself to make some brownies.

We begin to see the effects of SCOTUS’s latest assault on voting, upholding Indiana’s requirement (backed by Republicans of course) that prospective voters present a photo ID to the polling place. Yesterday, a number of elderly nuns were refused the right to vote because they did not have ID, even though they were apparently well known to everyone there. Read all about it and Pale Rider’s biting comment at Blue Girl, Red State.

I’m always so pleased when this feed lights up. Civil War Women is offering a new post today. Today’s featured profile is on Frances Dana Gage. She was one of those women thoroughly ahead of her time. Writing, and being a strong advocate against slavery were only a small portion of her talents. She also engaged in activitiesdesigned to further the cause of women’s rights, something that of course brought its own forms of derision and persecution. Read another lovely biography by Maggie.

Oh CopyCat Restaurant Recipes has a great one today. A bit expensive to make, but oh my goodness, they are truly to die for. I’ve eaten crab cakes in Connecticut, and I tell you, if you have not had authentic ones, you are truly missing a treat. Try this recipe from the 4 Seasons, and show off!  

Another bright spot today, Garrison Keillor posts an entry, entitled “Why Mother’s Day?” Enjoy and pass it along to a Mother near you!

History News Networkhas a nice post on LIncoln. Peruse through the times when Lincoln, well, thought  his career over, after only one term in Congress. It lasted for five long years, while he lawyered and believed that he would make no mark on the world at all. Read John Waugh’s thoughts from his latest book, One Man Great Enough: Abraham Lincoln’s Road to Civil War.

Inspired by antique quilts has some more of her Civil War blocks, speaking as we were of the Civil War, well sort of. They always help me to gear up for quilting, nothing further mind you but I do gear up in my mind. Seriously, I’m a freak for delayed gratification. I cannot start any real crafting projects until I’ve finished this cleaning thingie. It’s another thing I do to force myself to stay focused.

Okay, so you are in a bad mood too? So slip over to Live Science and see lots of disasters much worse than the freaking overkill of water in Iowa. Okay I’m being a bit macabre, but really, I am a devotee of “disaster movies” the more destruction the better! I love to see it all come crashing down, as long as it’s not real of course. Still, the post does put some major historical disasters in prospective, and explains why those now seem more serious than ones of the past.

Is there a Republican war on science? Kevin Drum seems to think so. So do I for that matter. It’s a war of convenience of course, designed to support their business interests against those of us common folk. But assault it is. Read his post and again, hit the comments, nearly always the best part.  

It must make for some sleepless nights. To know, that is, that your country is occupied by dolts. Not America per se, of course, but Bush representatives for sure. Iraq is trying to broker some kind of way for the US and Iran to speak to one another, and thus hopefully move on to some kind rapprochement rather than continue to rattle sabres. I can sure understand Iraq’s concern that it will be the battle ground between the two rather intransigent sides. Come next January, things will be better, but that assumes we can keep the lid on Bush and Cheney until then. I feel bad for the Iraqis. But that has been true for neigh on to 5 years now.

It’s pretty much all over the net today. McCain gave a speech, and in it he bemoaned the excesses that occur when one branch of government usurps power from the other two. Most would automatically think that he was referring to Bush and his executive excesses that are so well documented at this point in time. But no, the Macster had something quite different in mind and it’s telling us all, that Mac is catering to those right wing evangelicals and others of the neo-con ilk who think that there is not much use for Congress any more. McCain of course is referring to his new love for all things conservative on the high court.Of course, judicial restraint is nothing more than I don’t like the decisions coming down. It has nothing to do with so called strict constructionism, of which hardly anybody could define if they wanted to. Mac, I’m constrained to say, doesn’t care what those decisions are either, but he does care that some folks that he desperately wants to vote for him care, and so he cares sort of. It is still shocking me how John will sink to any depth needed to achieve the goal he believes is his by right, the presidency. Out goes any semblance of self-respect, ethics, or loyalty to doing what’s right. Shame on ya John. Glenn Greenwald has the story.

I don’t live by any coast, unless you consider the Mississippi or the Missouri as coasts, and we aren’t all that close to either of them anyway. But it seems that there is a reason that coastal areas may be seeing increasing clouds. Can you say seaweed? Yep, Check out the post at Science Daily and read all about why you are so blue from lack of sunshine. Psst. Iodine is the culprit. Now, you’re hooked. Chase that link!

If you would like to read a wonderful article on the founding fathers and the establishment clause in our Constitution, then by all means follow the link to The New Yorkerand read Jill Lepore’sarticle, dissecting four recent books on the our nation’s early leaders. It will surprise you for sure. I’ve been reading a book on this topic and have certainly learned a lot. I’ll be reviewing it probably sometime next week. Thanks to Talk to Action for the heads up.

And it’s Wednesday, so another article from Susan Posner’s Fundamentalist series at the American Prospect. Today she features Iowa’s own Grassley and his continuing efforts to uncover televangelists use of donations, Huckabee’s doings, and problems in the world of evangelism. Don’t miss it!

We are welcoming a new regular to the list today. The Art of the Possible. Today’s post is apropos I think. Given last nights returns, Clinton’s prospects are zero in my book. I am sad, but I will speak out often and loudly for Obama. Still, I thought this post summed up why I have been such a supporter of Mrs. Clinton, and why I feel left out once again in the world of men.

~~~^^^~~~^^^~~~

“There is no greater impotence in all the world like knowing you are right and that the wave of the world is wrong, yet the wave crashes upon you.” Norman Mailer

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Krishnamurti

“What’s on your mind, if you will allow the overstatement?” Fred Allen

~~~^^^~~~^^^~~~

Funny Book Titles:

40 Yards to the Latrine by Willy Makeit and Betty Wont

A Trip to the Dentist by Yin Pain

Acrophobia Explained: Alfredo Height

Allegiance To The King: Neil Downe

Animal Illnesses by Ann Thrax

Artificial Weightlessness by Andy Gravity

Athletic Supporter: Jacques Strap

~~~^^^~~~^^^~~~

How about the presidential Democratic campaign, the primaries? Whoa, are you kidding me? Today they’re in Indiana. My home state. And also North Carolina. And then, after that, they go to Canada. And then after the Canadian primaries, they go to Europe; they do the European primaries, and the election is still three years away.  David Letterman

President Bush held a big Cinco deMayo dinner celebration last night at the White House. He praised the people of Mexico who come here to do the jobs the Americans don’t want to do, as opposed to the people of India, who are doing the jobs Americans did want to do but can’t, of course, anymore. Jay Leno

President George W. Bush is now officially less popular than his father, although Laura is neck-and-pearls with Barbara. Paul Seaburn
 

This photo is from the Library of Congress and depicts a sod house from Nebraska. Built by George Shields and his son in Keya Paha County in 1919. I guess it makes me think that my home is a tad more comfy than this one. Another good reason to remember that although life may give us some tough times, mostly they are not nearly as tough as they once were.

Welcome to my new platform. I think I’m liking it more and more. I was really surprised at just how much more I could do that I thought. I am told that WordPress has gone through a recent upgrade. I’m sure liking it. A few things were different but the forum here is excellent. You get answers very quickly. I’m sorry for those of you who either subscribe by e-mail or by feed. But hopefully it’s not too much inconvenience to change over.  I think this look is a bit more professional and easy to read. Hope you like it.

The plan to do an “International Blog” review is going to take a lot longer than I thought. It seems that many places around the globe restrict blogging. Repressive governments tend to do that. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, so far have yielded very little. In fact most shut down in 2007, and there were reports that many bloggers have been jailed. I have three so far, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine. I’ve had little success otherwise, even in places like Finland and Ireland. There aren’t a lot to choose from, and what is there tend to be quite specific. I don’t think you are all that interested in Irish local politics or a Finnish computer geek’s ramblings on software. So I’m not sure how this will go.

It’s getting late, and we have a lot to cover, so let’s get with it:

A Mingling of Tastes has some tasty brownies today. If you would like to get a bit tipsy, take a look. They include bourbon-soaked raisins! These look super chocolaty, and in my book there can never been too much chocolate.

How time flies when you are building bridges. Californians are no doubt celebrating that the Golden Gate Bridge was completed yesterday in 1937. I’m sure San Franciscans are thrilled. Read more at American History Blog.

In 121 C.E. Marcus Aurelius was born this day. He was known as the last of the “good emperors.” Read more about his life at the Ancient History Blog.

A story by the Christian Science Monitor is picked up by Alternet. It seems that Europe is beginning to close its doors to Iraqi refugees. This story is little reported on of course. We have created this incredible mess yet we are unwilling to accept very many at all. There is only so much that Europe can do. See how our war of choice has strained Sweden’s capacities to the maximum.

As you may already know, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright appeared onBill Moyers Journalthe other night. We haven’t seen it yet, but have it TIVO’d. You can read about it and join in on the discussion at the Moyers site. As always, the comments are often the best part. For an excellent commentary on Reverend Wright’s remarks read, The Jeremiad and Race in America, by Professor Andrew Murphy.

Blue Girl, Red State has a good post on the growing food crisis worldwide and how it affects the stability of those country’s governments. Most of Africa is affected as you might guess, but the problem is truly global as we are learning. I’m wondering how this will impact Iowa and the increasing prices for both corn and soybeans. How does this affect ethanol production? I wish I knew.

If you have ever bothered to check, fundamentalists spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about atheists. In fact, if an atheist believes in something, that’s a good reason not to, or so they believe. They often use this argument about evolution, which is just plain crazy. Anyway, Britannica Blog has a very interesting post inspired by a article in the New Yorker about the subject, and it was quite enlightening. Check it out if you wish.

If you would like to start organic gardening or are doing so, but happy to find a few more tips, Sally’s Gardening Tips is the place for you. I’m going to have to learn more about what this cornmeal gluten is and where you can find it. I believe Sally writes out of South Africa, so it may not be available in the states.

To be perfectly honest, I had no clue what a Lemon Crostata was, but I love lemon, so I waited impatiently for the site to download to see. Well it turns out to be a lemon tart with an Italian flair. I am adding it to my repertoire for sure. Thanks to Epicurious!

Feeling stitchy has a cute little embroidery you can buy the pattern for. It’s a solar system, with each little planet, the sun and all the various moons. I really thought it was cute and thought someone might like to give it a try. Frankly, I think with a little work, one doesn’t need any pattern at all. Talented folks can do it I’m sure.

I don’t particularly care for topiaries. I like my plants to look natural. But I must say that the ones featured at Gardening Tips ‘n Ideasare so spectacular that they are incredible art forms in and of themselves. I love the Panda best! Take a look for that reason alone. And backtrack her site and scroll down for another nice post about rocks and where to find them. Like us rural folks have a problem with that! LOL.

We are all pretty much multi-taskers these days. And I don’t believe that’s a good thing at all. In fact it’s not the way were we meant to function, I’m quite sure. You cannot stay “in the moment”  and truly focused when you’re trying to juggle five other things. And guess what? Research suggests that the human mind is incapable of holding more than 3 or 4 things in mind in what is known as conscious mind at one time. So learn the lesson, slow down, pay attention and stop fighting nature.

Mad Kane has captured my feelings on this perfectly. While John McCain decries the ads being run in N.Carolina about Obama, of course they go on, doing exactly what is most helpful to him. Her limerick hits the spot as usual. Enjoy.

Well I never thought I’d write this, but the National Review actually has a rationally put together article today. It’s about the Ben Stein, Expelled docuidiocythat came out last week. He totally lambastes the movie and its makers as well as creationists in general for their nefarious ways. I’d never thought that creationists also share common ground with Islamic fundies. Both disbelieve evolution. This is actually a well documented and thoroughly informative post. Don’t miss it. Apparently the movie is facing a few lawsuits for of all things, plagiarism. Too funny.

Wow, did Niki’s Ventures ever find a site! It’s got hundreds of quilting applique patterns for you and all for free. There is a breakdown by subject matter for your convenience. I’m going to spend some time there as I’ve been itching to do an applique quilt for some time. Something springy with hearts and tulips and done in green and pink. This will be the place undoubtedly where I can find perfect patterns!

I am not the only one weary of John McCain’s assertions that he’s the straight talker maverick. He talks a good game, but doesn’t deliver as he has proven on his issues involving campaign financing, the use of K Street operatives in his campaign. and now we see plain old pork barrel nonsense in Arizona to help one of his big contributors. The sad thing is that all too much of the press is going easy on McCain since he buddies up to them with that good ole boy crap. They have been giving him a pass on Hagee all the while crucifying Obama over Wright. Somebody has got to speak up.

Paul Krugman also weighs in on McCain. McCain admitted not long ago that he was a bit light when it came to understanding things economic. Well of course, that didn’t play well anywhere, and suddenly we have Mac out there running his economic recovery package and claiming he has it all worked out and can take care of everything if given the chance. Yeah, right and pigs fly in Iowa and unicorns are prevalent in Georgia. McCain knows a big fat nothing about economics still and plenty of experts have said so. In reality, McCain’s policies show the same lack of knowledge, experience and responsibility as did Dubya’s.

I’m not an atheist by far, but I am an American, and I do view the Constitution as one of the better things we’ve contributed to the world. So I was sickened by this report of the treatment a US soldier got in Iraq by his commanding officers when he made his atheism known and tried to organize his own private atheist group. He’s suing, the Army is shutting up. Be afraid! Politics Plus has the story.

Speaking of faith or lack of it, the Salon adds this interesting piece. An interview with Ken Wilber, renowned philosopher, explores the issues of religion, new age fads, and ultimate reality. He has a lot of fans, Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Deepak Chopra all find him very enlightening. Take a look at the interview and see what you think.

Glenn Greenwald has three posts, all on varying aspects of McCain’s campaign.The first is about McCain’s fear mongering about the Middle East in an attempt to secure the Jewish vote. No doubt Lieberman is helping him there. The second is about McCain and the real story about torture, and the third is his new fear mongering about the Middle East and that “Hamas” wants Obama as president. Sorry I’m overloading on McCain today, but the news is the news, and I thought you should have an opportunity to read these.  The first post is about Karl Rove, and worth a look as well, the three McCain posts follow.

I guess I never much thought of birds as smelling creatures. But  I was wrong. (This comes a quite a shock to my system I can tell you.) Turns out they detect predators that way, and alter their behavior accordingly. This will no doubt change and improve studying the little creatures.

Simply Recipes has a nice recipe for Mustard Greens. They are my favorite by far, but I usually mix them with a bunch of collards. I’m linking you to the main site, because if you scroll down, you’ll find a super recipe for another Lemon Tart. I’m on a lemon kick obviously. This one is reputed to be superb. Note that she has some excellent links for more recipes too.

War has many victims. In Iraq the victims are both human, animal and well other things of value as well. One of the oldest libraries in the world was looted following the American invasion. American troops were ordered not to intervene. Read about how the library attempts to struggle on. It is another sickening tale laid at our doorstep. Read about it in The Nation.

The US History Site Blog has a little profile of U.S. Grant, born yesterday in 1822. I never knew Grant had once owned a slave. One in fact.

==============

“This is like deja vu all over again.” Yogi Berra

“What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens.” Benjamin Disraeli

“In democracy it’s your vote that counts; In feudalism it’s your count that votes.” Mogens Jallberg

“Your theory is crazy, but it’s not crazy enough to be true.” Niels Bohr

You know you’re a dog person when:

You get birthday cards for each of your dogs from family, friends, and the vet. (Bonus if you keep them on the refrigerator for more than a month.)

Every gift you ever get has something to do with dogs

Kiss your dog more than 10 times per greeting

Onlookers grimace at the sight of you sharing your sandwich with your four-legged pal, bite for bite

Call long distance and talk with your dog

Your voice is recognized by your vet’s receptionist

Complete strangers call you on the phone to ask questions because they heard you were a” dog person”  From www.bored.com

The Kentucky Derby is Saturday. This annual tradition at Churchill Downs is like the Democratic presidential race. The participants behave as 3-year- olds and they always stink up the field.

Arby’s is buying Wendy’s for $2.34 billion. The assets are amazing. The new owners will obtain over 6,000 restaurants, 18,000 workers, and 1 packet of ketchup

The Baghdad Zoo has reopened to the public. Visitors to the park are most fascinated with the hyenas. They’re the only living things in this country who are laughing. – Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif

Tech support in the good old days?

Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has a distorted display. What should I do?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has these funny little lines all over the screen.
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I turn my Etch-A-Sketch off?
A: Pick it up and shake it. Set it down.

Q: My Etch-A-Sketch has lines that prevent me from doing my art project.
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I delete a document from my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: What’s the shortcut for Undo?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I create a New Document window?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I set the background and foreground to the same color?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: What is the proper procedure for rebooting my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I delete a document on my Etch-A-Sketch?
A: Pick it up and shake it.

Q: How do I keep from losing my Etch-A-Sketch document?
A: Stop shaking it.

~~**~~**~~**~~

~~**~~**~~**~~

American Revolution Blog has a nice entry on the juxtaposition of the American and French revolutions. Trying to put yourself back into that time period and examining how both we and the French viewed the two events is interesting to say the least. Explore the similarities and differences between the two seminal events.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Baking Delights offers you the opportunity to make your own wedding cake. Now, perhaps most of you have no need to do such a thing, but some no doubt do, and these instructions would work equally well for a major anniversary party or birthday party for that matter. If you need to feed a lot, here is the beginning of a two-parter which will take you through the entire process, with tons of individual choices for you to consider.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Oh boy this recipe sounded good, and it’s from Epicurious so you can expect that it’s excellent. This one is from Bon Appetit and is a Chocolate Honey Tart. Now that sounds elegant and delicious.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Oh it’s always a good day when we have a Garrison Keillor post. Today he tackles a rather pressing point, American soldiers, and what it means and doesn’t mean to support the troops. I say a big thumbs up on this one. Read it!

~~**~~**~~**~~

Okay, I often present you with science information, and the weirder the better in my opinion. I mean, I love the stuff that makes you go, wow, I don’t have a clue how that could happen but I’m bowled over that it does. I’ll scratch my head for days, and give up with a shrug. I’ll never understand how that happens. Well, it seems that our brains are wired to define left from right. I guess that makes some crude sense, in some kind of way, but that’s not all. We are wired to do so right down to the cellular level. Can you beat that? I’m sure you already knew that zebrafish are good models for the human brain. Why of course! It seems that the left brain neurons have spiral axons, while these are mostly missing in the right brain. They have flat, shallow spirals on the right, and again, there are few of these on the left. Got that straight. What does it mean? I haven’t a clue, but I sure know you can use this ammunition to complain that your other half is simply wired wrong.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Well, this next one sure was no surprise to me. We are paranoid! Yep. Most all of us, and most of the time. No one has been willing to admit this. Too paranoid it seems. No, I am not thinking that they are monitoring who reads this post, and putting me on a list. I am not prone to such paranoia, that would be the Contrarian. Drat, now I suppose I have to go and tell him he’s normal. And so I lose another edge. . . .sigh. . . Just after I told him he was wrongly wired.

~~**~~**~~**~~

We have a humongous crabapple tree up on the hill. And I have made crabapple jelly before. It’s a bit tedious but very good. Here is a nice recipe, should you be so endowed with the same good fortune as me.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Glenn Greenwald gives us all the dirt on the newly released memo by Yoo that sparked the inferno about waterboarding and torture. Mr. Yoo, then employed at the State Department, asserted in his famous writing that the President, under his War Powers, could pretty much do as he wished. He certainly was not required to follow military law. Unbelievable as it may seem, Mr. Yoo is now employed as a professor at Berkeley of all freaking places. So much for morality in America! So much for the Anti-war 60’s at Berkeley!

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you are addicted to all things Princess Diana, Scandalous Women has a detailed post of the latest goings on at the inquest, latest of several thousand now, about her death. This part deals with her past boyfriend, Hasnat Khan, and his take on what her relationship with Dodi Fayed was. Lots of inside information if you are a royal follower.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I find it hard to understand but some states know their kids are dumber than the rest of the country and are doing their damnedest to keep it that way. Louisiana has tried plenty of schemes to keep their school children ignorant of any science that might impinge on bible teachings. So far, all have been struck down as unconstitutional. Now they have a new tact: A piece of legislation is now up in the state that would require teachers to “examine all sides” of “controversial” issues, like evolution, climate change, and cloning. (Climate change, in the view of the wacko right is considered an insidious attempt to violate God’s order to “go forth and multiply” in favor of contraception–this is really big with the ultra right Catholic group.) Read all about it at Talk2Action.

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you like decoupage, and are interested in learning some glazing and texture techniques, then the Artful Crafter has some ideas for you.

~~**~~**~~**~~

A portrait of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, painted by Louis Tocque in 1758. It can be seen at the Hermitage in Moscow.

Well, yesterday it rained nearly all day, and that is never good here. Two dogs and four cats find a good deal to argue about on such a day. The dogs especially are grumpy, and the cats get increasingly so as the day progresses and they have no place to run off their excess energies. The chili for dinner turned out to be a perfect foil for a soggy cold day.

Today, the gloom remains, although the rains seem to have departed. It is cold as well, or remains so from yesterday. I am getting that feeling again of hopelessness. I ignore it, keep my head down, and force myself to continue with every day tasks.

The bedroom cleaning is nearly done already. I have the walls done all hanging on them. I have washed all the knickknacks as well. I’ve washed down the various tables and chests. I have still to rip the bed apart and wash the bedskirt, flip the mattress, and move stuff to vacuum the carpet. I am also making a major overhaul of the clothes. We have always used two main chests, but I’ve always combined our clothes into his/her drawers. I decided he can have one, and I’ll take one. I figure on doing that tomorrow. I can do no more until we get to town again and I can buy paint. I have several painting projects planned. The bedroom walls, and at this count about 3 chests or tables. Not all the same colors of course, and I thought I might do some stenciling as well on some of them. Perhaps what makes this “spring” cleaning palatable is that I’ve got a long list of redecorating ideas as well. Most are cheap and hand made and I’m excited to get started.

Let us see what is going on around and about. I visited a couple of carnivals over the weekend and have a couple of links for you that I thought you might like:

~~**~~**~~**

The first is a recipe for making your very own vanilla extract. I use a great deal of this rather expensive ingredient. We are, as cooks, always warned never to buy that artificial stuff. I’m not sure how accurate that admonition is, since often I find that I do not have that fine taste that can discriminate between the authentic and the fake. But assuming that there is a real difference, I have always used the real thing. If you buy the beans in bulk, I do think you can save some money. The balance of the ingredients are easy to locate, and well, see what you think.

~~**~~**~~**~~

This cute dream catcher is offered to you with full instructions. I have a couple of these which I bought in Santa Fe a few years ago. They can be made out of so many different things. I have one made in part of deer antler. The feathers are found on most. Beads and leather are other possible additives. These make fine little gifts, especially I would think for children.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I am starting to really like these “felted” bags.” The important thing is to make it from pure wool, because of course the point is to wash it in very hot water and let it shrink naturally. It makes a nice tight weave of course. I thought this pattern and instructions was helpful in learning how it’s done. Take a look and get some inspiration.

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you are determined to do your part and go green as much as you practically can, here are some recipes for making your own cleaning solutions. This one is for making your own laundry soap, dry variety. I’d be interested if someone costed it out and told us whether we are saving any money using these other products. That would certainly sweeten the deal for me. I hate to say it, but savings are a tad more important to me than the ecology. Facts are facts.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Abby Sweets has a nice recipe for “gooey Chocolate cake.” I have a half of one now, though not this recipe. I have an excellent thought slightly tedious recipe from Cooks. I believe mine came off their TV show, and not their cooking magazine. One day, I’ll post it. It’s a moist cake and a great frosting.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I’ve been watching the Tibet situation and feel such great sympathy for these people. I am increasingly troubled by a White House that blithely seems to be ignoring the whole thing and is happily planning it’s fun tour of the Olympics with nary a pause. I am not sure I feel we should boycott the games, as this simply penalizes an array of athletes who have little to nothing to do with what caused this mess. The world is watching. The question is, does the world have enough guts to set aside its “economic’ interests and do what is right. Read the thoughts of an American Buddhist nun about what you can do. It’s simple, and it will make you feel good and it will do good. Visit and read and then DO.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting increasingly nervous about food prices. They are simply sky rocketing everywhere and for those of us on fixed incomes, well it is scary. I don’t think I’m ready to go quite this far, but it’s worth considering at least. There is nothing embarrassing in doing this and that needs to be emphasized. We throw away tons of perfectly good and healthy food every day. Read of the posters adventures in dumpster diving, and well, consider it at least.

~~**~~**~~**~~

SCOTUS has agreed to hear a case out of Utah about religious symbols being displayed on public property. This is a bit different than the norm. A City park in a town there already carried a copy of the ten commandments. A new group called the Summum, wanted to put up another monument to the “Seven Aphorisms” of their faith. Well you see the problem. As I have researched this area of our countries history, I find that moves to reduce the public exhibition of symbols and such of Christianity are a direct result of the far right religious to promote Christianity in public forums. So what would otherwise be of pretty much no consequence, becomes so in defense of our common right to be free to practice faith as we wish and no faith if that is what we wish.

~~**~~**~~**~~

C’est La Vie has a good post about food additives and the harm they are doing us. I am quite sure that a lifetime of eating processed foods has resulted in my current inability to digest a lot of sugar. The demon is called “high fructose corn syrup” and it’s found in so many things you would never expect from bread to cereal to goodness knows what else. I make a lot of sweet things from cane sugar, but I still think I’m eating a lot healthier than before. And I feel a lot better too, though I will forever suffer certain effects no doubt.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Yippie, Civil War Women has a new post for you today, This one is about Delphine Baker, and documents her work to have Soldier’s Homes for Civil war veterans. But that was only one of her many projects. She managed to get legislation through Congress in 1865, and several “asylums” were opened in the East and Midwest.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Well the headline did it for me. I rushed right over and read this amazing story. This will flip your wig, twist your shorts, and well just do other odd and weird things to your other clothing pieces. I’m going to be very leery of growing pumpkins again I tell you, if this is what I can expect: Baby Calf grows inside Award-winning Giant Pumpkin.” (Photo’s accompany, this is no trick! honest, promise, swear.) I trust the source, don’t you? We are indebted to Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas.

Apparently gold jewelry is not a new thing. In fact, the oldest piece so far found in the Americas has been identified as a nine-bead necklace found in the Andes in Peru. Anthropologists learn that our ancestors were quite capable of doing metal work much earlier than we had thought. It seems that the more we learn about early humans, the more we realize that they were generally more sophisticated than we imagined them to be.

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you thought that we present day humans have the corner on killing off other species on the planet, think again. We have been at the business of destroying other species for a while now. Latest research suggests that humans were in part at least responsible for the demise of the mammoth. Global warming after the ice age indeed was the major contributor, but hunting delivered the final blow.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Kevin Drum has a thoughtful post based on an article written by Zbigniew Bzezinski for the Washington Post. Contrary to what the GOP wants us to believe, there is no reason to believe that withdrawl from Iraq will lead to some catastrophe. And of course, that suggests that this is not going on already. A thoughtful careful withdrawl can be accomplished, and some are sure it can result in a stable Iraq. Read Drum and then follow the link to read Brzezinski’s full report.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Gary Kamiya poses an interesting question: Has the internet helped in reducing our puritanism? We the judgmental Americans seem not so upset any more about sex scandals and drug use, and other various vices. While I’m not sure the internet is the culprit here, if there is one, it has certainly contributed I would argue. Perhaps it is in showing us all how very alike we all are, regardless of location, culture, or sex. Perhaps it is because no political party, religion, or ethnic group has been immune from the dirty little exposition of secrets long hidden from public view. Whatever the reason, most of us, it seems, are not so quick to jump on the “other.” This has the unintended consequence I believe of making the wacko right all the more strident and loud in their condemnation. It seems to really tick them off that mostly nobody is listening as they rant about the impending doom of America should we continue down this sin-filled path.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I think we all go a view, perhaps for the first time of what it must be like to be schizophrenic. A Beautiful Mind helped us see the difficulty of such a life, and why, simply most can’t cope with the voices and visions that often torment them. Normal differences in the brain between men and women seem to be reversed in those who suffer from schizophrenia. Emotion is the key, and schizophrenic women do not react as they should, nor do men, just the opposite in fact. I’m not sure that researches know exactly what this means yet. But interesting it is.

~~**~~**~~**~~

These are 4 sides of the beautiful sculpture by Augustin Pajou, done in 1790 and called “Psyche Abandoned.” It is at the Louvre, Paris, France. A nice feature of the Louvre site is the ability to view some art from several different points.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Abby Sweets went out of the way to celebrate Spring with a tea for girlfriends. The menu is certainly impressive. I thought there were a recipe or two you might be interested in. Try the Buttermilk Scones for instance. If I tried to serve creme brulee in egg shells, I do believe the Contrarian would never stop laughing. Cute idea though, but definitely a girlie type meal.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Cookies are always a favorite of mine, quicker to make than the normal cake or pie. I thought this one looked rather provocatively enticing. That means it’s got chocolate in it! Double Chocolate Crackle Cookies sounds well doubly good! Thanks Coconut & Lime.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
I don’t know about you, but what I saw of Barack’s speech yesterday was most effective. But I tend to agree with Stephanopolis that he persuaded the people that he never lost. The average working stiff who is still harboring a lot of racism deep inside, well we shall have to wait and see. I personally don’t think they are as likely to be convinced. I thought it was a masterful speech, and I think he raised the tone of the conversation as they say on Mad TV, to a “whole nuther level.” What do you think? For a lot of information about the subject visit History News Network and follow a long list of links on the subject.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Since everyone seems to be talking of new gardening beds and whatever, Sally’s Gardening Tips offers some things to consider when you begin this project. Key among them, is what you intend to use the area for. Relaxation? Growing food? Play area? Entertaining? Each will dictate a different approach. One must also consider pets too. Take a look at what Sally has to say about your garden and what it can mean.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
This recipe caught my eye immediately and I quickly pulled up the site to see it. I’ve never actually made a souffle, but this mouth-watering display of vegetable delight may make me do so soon. Roasted Garlic Souffle just sounds perfect for some fancy meal, like the upcoming Easter perhaps? We’re having ham, and this sounds about right as a side. Epicurious comes through once again. The cheese in the recipe fairly makes me whimper and drool. Okay that was not very grown-up was it?
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Free Sample Forager has a whole mess of new offers. I have linked you to the main page, because she puts each one separately. I gotta go back later and find out what garlic gold is. Get freebies on women’s sanitaries and hamburger helper if you use it. Hey it’s Free is offering $25 to the winner of a March Madness winner game. Just pick your winners in each round and collect points for correct choices. Winner is the one with the most points. I’ll slip back and check out that later too, since we already have our MM tournament sheets. I have several favorites this year. MSU, UConn, Gonzaga, for starters. I’m not sure, but I don’t think Iowa has a team in this year. It’s hard to sign up, and I’ve commented to the blogger to explain the process. You may need a Yahoo account in order to sign up. Rule 1: don’t link to stuff that can’t be understood. Better yet, don’t offer stuff unless you make it simple for readers to follow the directions.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Garrison Keillor has finally posted another story! Always fun to be sure. Read “Thinking Weaselish thoughts at Eastertide” or be square and don’t. He raises an important question, and at the same time, makes us feel quite comfortable about being unsure.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Okay, I agree, I’ve become fixated on inspired by antique quilts. I admit it. I just love the blocks. But seriously, today she has some fine pictures of fabric. Serious quilters (that is not me) are quite aware of the artists who are designing fabric and come to favor certain ones over others. Kathie gives some names of the ones she shows today, perhaps a trip to the website would capture you, and force you to buy fabric. Once you do of course, you won’t be able to leave it alone. Quilt on!
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Sr. Joan Chittister echoes something I said a few days ago. Young women are not committed to women’s rights. They think its all been done. They feel equal. If they look at the numbers they would realize otherwise. And more importantly they are part of the reason that most likely there will not be a women as president this election cycle. Get her take on how women in India are faring. More to the point, she asks: can the women’s movement be “over” anywhere when there are women anywhere being abused and treated as second-class? Oh this can get me going folks, I am just sickened by these stories.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
I dunno if Bush is so dumb that he actually thinks we have forgotten or what. He is declaring victory in Iraq again, and one just has to shake one’s head in wonder. Dick, the Dark man, Cheney also touts this as a “win”. When told that 68% of the American people disagree, his response was “So?” You see, we don’t matter to these poor excuses for leaders. They thumb their noses at us, considering us uninformed and essentially not mentally capable of being informed. They are the divinely ordained wise ones who know what’s best. I am so thoroughly disgusted with these kinds of superior acting dolts. Bush is convinced that somehow history will vindicate him, but how can it change the facts? He decries the academic arena which offers its opinion on his adminstration, by telling us that they are chumps because history “takes a long time to get here.” I mean, was it just the slightest refreshing to actually hear an adult like Obama talk with big words that he actually could both pronounce and knew the meaning of? I may not be the only one who thinks that Dubya has, well, gone around the bend completely.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
The bully pulpit seems mine today, so lets move on to John McCain. He claims that he is the only one fit to lead the country because of his extensive foreign policy experience. Turns out either age or complete lack of knowledge are actually at work when it comes to Iraq and Iran. He is confused about the ethnic makeup of the two countries and gets it mixed up as to who is arming who. On his tour of the middle east, poor old Joe Lieberman has to step forward and correct him. I do not for one second believe any poll that suggests he has any chance in the world to be elected. Heck I think I could whoop him with one arm tied behind me. He is one of the most basic disappointments in recent history. A man touted as the “straight talking” Maverick has proved himself to have feet of clay. He wants to be president bad, its personal, and well, the dude has not done his homework. His continuing failure to get anything much straight will end up embarrassing the entire GOP before its over. And well, hey, that’s not a bad thing either.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
While we are still in the political arena, stop over at American Prospect and read Susan Posner’s latest installment in her column, “Fundamentalist.” The articles there are consistently top notch and Susan is one very bright woman who knows this subject better than most anyone I know. Always an informative read.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
I don’t eat Big Mac’s. I eat Burger King’s. Why? Because they are better! But if you insist on eating Mickey D’s food, you can make your own “special” sauce. The Baking Beauties have the recipe for you from Copycat Restaurant Recipes. I gotta check out that site too.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
I figured this could happen. I’ve worried about it ever since that first sputnik flew. It’s only gotten worse of course over the years. I fear for my salvation, and well yours too, but mostly mine. I care about yours only insofar as it is required of me to get mine. Anyhoo, we have a big problem as I thought we would. I’m carving out extra time in my busy schedule for sure. You better too, or, well, start investing in those suits that those firewalkers use. Shhh, I said shallot, not onion you idiot!
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Arthur C. Clarke died. I guess you probably heard. I loved his books, and read a good many of them. I was heavily into science fiction a number of years ago, and read hundreds of books and short stories. World History Blog has a nice tribute to him. A wonderful and prolific writer who will be missed. His 2001: a Space Odyssey will be long remembered, and watched by many of us again and again. Keep your eyes peeled, somebody will be rerunning the movie soon I expect.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
I’m seriously thinking that the Yarn Harlot is nutty. Nice nutty, but nutty just the same. This came as a surprise to her that walking 14 kilometers was a long way to walk in the winter? Read of her interesting adventure and how what she had to go to town for was worth risking her life. It’s amusing! She blames her thousands of readers who failed to warn her. Okay, one assumes basic knowledge in an adult, so I didn’t feel the need to say, “whoa, that’s a long way to walk in winter. If the weather were to change for the worse, you could be in trouble. I’d not chance it.” Seems we must be on guard from now on.
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
The Farmer’s Almanac has this to tell you about:
~
If St. Joseph’s Day clear, So follows a fertile year. ( who knew gardening was so easy.)
~
Kitchen grout problems? Here is the answer. (No, not kraut, we are not cooking now.)
~
What grows less tired the more it works? (The Contrarian reminds you: the answer is in the clue~~least that is what he tells me whenever I miss final Jeopardy. )
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious. -A. N. Whitehead
~
“Nothing can be so amusingly arrogant as a young man who has just discovered an old idea and thinks it is his own.” Sidney J. Harris
~
“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” Bob Hope
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
Do you ever read or hear of a news article that calls into question such basic common sense that it’s hard to believe anyone can be so STUPID! This falls under Jay Leno’s favorite stupid criminals heading in Headlines. I’ve met a goodly number of very smart criminals, and not a few really dumb ones. My favorite was my client who in the company of several other brain surgeons, loaded a pickup truck with “pinions” from a car supply place. When they had her loaded to the gills, they discovered the weight has flattened all 4 tires. Try this one at Dave’s Daily, entitled “Police, help. . . . “
~
~~**~~**~~**~~
~
from: David Letterman:
~
There’s a quiz that you can take to tell if your spouse is cheating. Question No. 1: Is your spouse a governor?
~
But it’s gotten crazy. The only politician in New York City that’s not having extramarrital sex is Ulysses S. Grant.
~
From: Conan OBrien:>>

The painting today is called “The Thread Spinners.” Painted by Velazquez in 1644-48, it can be seen at El Prado, in Madrid.

Well, I feel a bit like Dorothy Parker. She is reputed to have said at a ringing phone, “What fresh hell is this?” It was not the phone that brought it to mind, just general “oh crap” can anything more go wrong? The car seems unwilling to start today, and recharging the battery seems not to be of any use. That makes it three vehicles that are not working, and unfortunately, we have no fourth. So the Contrarian’s plans to go to Walker and pick up the mail and some bird seed at the granary is kaput. These kinds of problems require a full 24 hour think, before any further actions are taken. First we have to find somebody who has a vehicle that can traverse our luge of a lane, and cart Parker to whatever places are necessary. It seems perhaps more likely to fix one truck which requires I believe a new starter or something of that ilk and a tire, since one is now flat. We remember that at least we have got groceries to see us through for several more weeks while we work out this latest of mini catastrophes. And I have some craft material, and received a book for review that I need to get at. So I have plenty to keep me busy. Oh, and lets not forget that the ever looming “spring” cleaning is at hand. I have plenty of cleaning products to get me started. Now I just need the kick in the pants to actually get started.

~~**~~**~~**~~

It appears that some people are out to make St. Patrick’s Day a serious holiday. I have never particularly celebrated it myself, other than perhaps some corned beef and cabbage, though I certainly didn’t get that yesterday at the supermarket. Anyway, this recipe caught my eye, because frankly, I’d never seen one like it. Guinness Brownie Recipe sounds mighty strange, but we have it on the authority of the blogger here that they are actually quite tasty. Brownie eaters come in three kinds I find, those that like them crispy like a cookie, the cake aficionados, and the fudgy gooey folks. I’m the latter.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Yesterday marked the formal transfer of the area called the Louisiana Purchase to the US from France. It is considered one of Thomas Jefferson’s greatest achievements as president. It more than doubled the size of the country in one fell swoop. (I don’t actually know what a fell swoop is, but you get the idea no doubt.) Wouldn’t we all just love to see those kind of real estate prices today!

~~**~~**~~**~~

It was not a good day for Elagabulus, emperor of Rome. The unpopular 17-year-old was assassinated in 222 C.E. He had alienated Rome in part by bringing forth a Syrian god as the new god on the block. It seems he was a bit of a bi boy as well, though it is unclear how this impacted the average Roman’s sensibilities. He was probably not attentive to the anger, it not having yet reached the dangerous ides of March we have come to be so familiar with.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Sandi’s Crochet Blog is very helpful. She really has a ton of patterns and explains things so well. Today, she shows us how to make lace fringe for things. These lovely filet crochet edgings are simply lovely. And they can be added to so many different things to add a note of elegance or Victorian charm to a lampshade, a drapery, a sweater, towels, etc. The choices are simply unending and there are so many different ones. Save this one for that special project that can be taken up a notch by edging.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I’ve mentioned before that elections nowadays are fairly tame compared to some of those of the past. It is accepted proper decorum for an exiting President to attend the inaugural of his successor. Such has not always been the case, and several have refused to historically. Head on over to the American Presidents Blog to find out which and all the details.

~~**~~**~~**~~

American Revolution Blog has a nice list for those who wish to improve their understanding of our country’s history. He has listed the objective, academic list of 5 most important American history books. These are the first 5 I would start with before I ventured out to other territory. A couple of readers disagree and submit their own lists. So you can surely pick some good ones!

~~**~~**~~**~~

I was slow to appreciate hostas and to tell the truth, they still are not my favorites by a long shot, but I have come to appreciate their value in their proper place. I don’t have any rhododendrons, but I thought this picture was simply lovely, and I agree that the whiter veined hostas work very well against the darker rhododendrons. The Iowa Garden always submits such lovely pictures for us to ogle, especially as we struggle through this awful wintry weather.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I do like the weird I admit, so you can assume I could not pass by this recipe. Root Beer Float Marble Cake. I do not have root beer extract drat. This one goes in the file for the next shopping trip. Oh, a little tip: I have a master grocery list that I print out each month. I find it very useful to keep a copy by the computer as I move around these sites so I can jot down ingredients I need to pick up. It’s also a good idea to make a separate list of the recipes, lest you wonder why you have purchased that cardamom!

~~**~~**~~**~~

Free stuff! Oh who doesn’t love a bargain, and the best bargain is of course, to pay zero, zilch, nada, nothing. Begging for Bargains has a couple you might want to check out. She also alerts you to an new bargain site, called http://funandfreegiveaways.blogspot.com/ . See the free socket and poster as well down the page. I’m checking them out a bit later when I have finished this blog. Free Sample Forager has a couple of new things for you as well. It’s got free bibles and free wipes and floss this day. Hey it’s Free has a free album song to receive for the asking, and a free Quaker simple harvest product sample.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Civil War Women has another biography, this time on Adeline Blanchard Tyler, nurse and hospital administrator. I feel such an obligation for some reason to get to know these women, so neglected by history for the most part. Maggie does an excellent job and puts in a lot of work to research these stories and bios. Support her efforts and drop a comment once in a while. Her work in this country before and during the Civil War are awe inspiring and were of great importance. Uh, that was referring to Ms. Tyler, not Maggie. Don’t miss this lovely tale.

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you have a yard with a low spot and can’t keep the standing water out of it, have a look at Sally’s Gardening Tips. She has a long article with lots of information about ways you can solve your soggy problem.

~~**~~**~~**~~

It will not be long before those tender asparagus shoots start popping up. Okay, it will be a little longer yet, but hey, a girl can dream right? Epicurious comes through once again with a scrumptious salad that makes me drool. You would drool at veggies too if you hadn’t seen a fresh one for a couple of weeks like me. Try the asparagus, green onions, cucumber and herb salad. Does that scream spring or what?

~~**~~**~~**~~

Essential Estrogen has a thought-provoking and disturbing report about Oklahoma and homophobia. It’s scary to say the least and not what I would hope would ever happen here in Iowa. Life is a bit cheaper there it seems if you sexual orientation is not the same as “mainstream” folks. It makes your skin crawl if you ask me. I know you are not, but it’s my blog, so I can answer myself. I guess the bottom line is: be glad you don’t live there, and if you do, vote this sick woman out of office as soon as you can. I will never understand what drives this kind of over the top hatred.

~~**~~**~~**~~

History News Network has so many new articles that are well worth the read that I couldn’t choose one to feature here over the others. I’ll just give you the post titles and let you peruse them off of one general link. How Historians rank GWB’s admin., The rural-urban divide and election 2008, Misremembering Reagan, The Army Monograph that predicted just about everything that happened in Iraq. See? There are many more. Spend a few minutes and find one or two that you think might enlighten you a bit.

~~**~~**~~**~~

The say that we become more conservative with age. We actually have to operate in this real reality and thus learn that all our pie in the sky desires of kumbiya (okay I spelled that wrong no doubt) peace are, well, unrealistic. Not so say sociologists. In fact, its the opposite. We actually become more liberal. I tend to think that I am for sure. The Contrarian has stated that he is finding me much more liberal than he had ever thought, mostly due to this election cycle and the women’s issue that has been raised. Life Science has a fine article explaining it further should you want ammunition to start an argument at the watercooler tomorrow.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Midwest Neurotica has served up some cheddar biscuits ala Red Lobster. They sound yummy and I echo her statement that real biscuits beat the beejesus out of the boxed or tube ones. And I echo as well her tip that you must NOT overwork the dough. Just enough hand mixing to bring it together, pat it into an oval and cut out, or simply do a square and cut them. Another tip from me: put them on a greased cookie sheet TOUCHING each other. They climb on each other and they all rise a lot better.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Niki’s Ventures has a lovely quilt block, great for the Fourth of July. She’s making one for a returning soldier she says. She is one nice lady it appears and does a lot of her quilting for charity. She says she’s made 300 quilts in 7 years. I have made 2 in 15 years. I’m gonna pass her no doubt soon. I can’t imagine making them that fast. Perhaps I choose patterns that are too hard, or something. I’m still scratching my head trying to figure it out. Actually, if you change the colors of this block, you could turn it into a Christmas theme easily. Or a springtime beauty too. Follow the links to another great quilting blog, and see some really lovely blocks. This new site is a keeper. Expect to see more in coming days and weeks for sure.

~~**~~**~~**~~

It’s been a puzzlement to me why the middle class (little as it’s shrunk to) continues to align itself for the most part with the Republican party. The GOP of course has no interest in the needs or desires of the middle class, any more than they give a whit’s butt about the poor. It’s the wannabe desire of the middle class that serves to keep the bond intact, yet they continually are raped economically by the rich whose pretty much only concern is keeping and increasing their wealth. Perhaps with this new recession which seems inevitable, the middle class will feel the hurt seriously enough to re-evaluate their allegiance. Read Bob Herbert’s, “Sharing the Pain” and learn the sad numbers. LOL…I can’t resist. When you get to the end of the post, it says: David Brooks is off today. They do not state whether that is a psychological condition or simply a reference to his not working today. Too funny. Many in liberal bloggerdom would argue its the former.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Amid the constant barrage of “the surge is working” (it’s not of course, it’s just entered a different phase of craziness), saner heads do sometimes prevail. Namely the people who are dying by the truck loads, the Iraqis’ themselves. What we have done to this country is unforgivable in both the short and long term I would guess. A informative post, Iraqis still ask if US invasion was worth it, helps you see it from their point of view. I personally cannot fathom what they have gone through, or for that matter what the Palestinians and others who have spent year in war torn areas have either. How that warps the mind only a expert could say, but it cannot be healthy living like that. The numbers of dead and displaced are sobering to say the least. Senator Tom Harkin said just this weekend in kicking off his campaign, that this war must end. And I agree. We bear such a heavy moral responsibility for this mess. The pity is that the right people will never go to jail for what they did, nope just cushy jobs in related industries.

~~**~~**~~**~~

A little Spanish influence is always good. I love Mexican food. Okay, mostly I love Tex-Mex food. Arroz Con Pollo is a great recipe. Chicken and rice if you don’t translate. The Contrarian doesn’t care much for rice–it’s illogical of course, but the Contrarian wouldn’t be contrary unless his contrariness was illogical now would he? I’m forcing this one on him anyway! Oh, and a hint that some don’t agree with but I now live by. I brine my chicken. It makes it so moist and tender it’s to die for. Perfect for left over chicken salad. We did our first turkey that way last Thanksgiving and couldn’t stop ooohing and aahhing throughout the meal.

~~**~~**~~**~~

There are those who think the Religious Right has about petered out, others think that is not even remotely true. Some think they are reinventing themselves. Whatever they are doing, it’s not going away, and its important we keep tabs on these strange folk who cavalierly seem to be willing to chuck most of our rights out the window in pursuit of a pure Christian state. Again, these folks make my skin crawl. For an update on what’s going on, read Frederick Clarkson’s latest post at Talk2Action.

~~**~~**~~**~~

One of the true delights of a blog is that I can push my opinion at you. You of course can agree, which you should, disagree and complain, or simply leave in utter disgust. I found this very good analysis of John McCain, done by Paul Waldman, senior fellow at Media Matters for America, entitled “More Bellicose than Bush?” If you think Bush as CIC is scary, you ain’t seen nothing yet. McCain is the real deal when it comes to neo-conservatives. Run, run I say.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I love banana bread. I thought this recipe from Baking Beauties had some nice nuances that were worth a look see and a try. I forgot unfortunately to get bananas this go round at the store. I also forgot bacon! My brain goes into neutral when I have to fill four cartloads. I become numb and cannot think straight. Oh, good news!!! The car just started! Parker was hoping it might just be water that froze up somewhere when it overheated and steamed out yesterday. So maybe he can pick me up some bananas tomorrow.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Far be it from me to not tell you of important news. This just came over the wires and I thought you would want to be aware. The lamentations will be starting soon. “Shroud of Turin accidentally washed with red shirt.” I know how disconcerting this must be, but the facts are the facts. The Onion does not lie!

~~**~~**~~**~~

Oh, I love copy cat recipes. Although this one doesn’t exactly make me melt into a puddle of squiggly “more please” goo, you may find it tempting. It’s from the Hard Rock Cafe, and is Shrimp Fajitas. I’m not so into Tex-Mex seafood, but I’d certainly try it. Send me some appropriately packaged and sent overnight express, and I’ll try it.

Tip Junkie has an accumulation of tips she’s received from others. I saw one or two I plan on going back and taking a look at. One is for locating local meats and veggies instead of buying whatever Walmart hauls in from God knows where, charging of course God knows what. Has anybody but me seen the prices these days? Holy Batman, this is getting out of hand. The garden will be of serious importance this year as well as jams, jellies and herbs.

~~**~~**~~**~~

It seems we have a new blog to look at and a giveaway to boot. Go over to The Village Shop and leave a comment and get in on the drawing for a pin cushion she made just for you. Tell her I sent you and I’ll get another chance as well. It looks like another good craft blog to add and hopefully we will be getting new ideas from them soon. Oh and there is a tutorial there so you could make your own. They are cute.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Seems a lot of women in the news today. Well, not today exactly, but. Oh just read on. Susan B. Anthony. I don’t believe the coinage went over very big as I recall, but her life and work are oh so important to us women. The US History Site Blog tells us a good deal of how that came about and that she started speaking out about suffrage in the 1880’s. Hillary Clinton’s mother was born before women could vote. It still shocks me to remember that. Plenty of links will take you further into the issue.

~~**~~**~~**~~

The Farmer’s Almanac says to prune your wisteria and American ivy. So do so, if you gottem.

If you have problems with aphids on your roses, then check out their advice as well. Organically of course.

I wash in hard water direct from the well. That takes its toll on both the washer and the clothes. A handy tip for how to remove the residue that can accumulate inside the washer. Somebody know what the heck trisodium phosphate is?

~~**~~**~~**~~

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.” C.K. Chesterton

“It’s a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn’t want to hear.” Dick Cavett

“Hope is tomorrow’s veneer over today’s disappointment.” Evan Esar

~~**~~**~~**~~

From Davesdaily.com:

Watch the NCAA March madness and recover from a vasectomy? Well, read it and see for yourself. I don’t think the Contrarian would go for this, except that snip snip he had that done years ago. I’ll have to ask him whether it was during March Madness.

“SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) – For guys who park in front of the TV during college basketball’s March Madness, the Oregon Urology Institute has a suggestion: Why not use that time to recover from a vasectomy?
“When March Madness approaches you need an excuse … to stay at home in front of the big screen,” the clinic’s radio ad says. “Get your vasectomy at Oregon Urology Institute the day before the tournament starts. It’s snip city.”
Institute Administrator Terry FitzPatrick said men need two to four days to recover from the procedure – but not all take the time.
He’s reserved a dozen appointment slots for March 19, the day before the first tipoffs of the NCAA Tournament, and another dozen for March 26, before the tournament’s second week.
He reported filling 15 slots by Thursday afternoon and expects to fill all 24.
The sports radio station broadcasting the clinic’s ads promises to send each patient a recovery kit of sports magazines, free pizza delivery and a bag of frozen peas.
Peas?
“The frozen peas are malleable enough that you can get them right in there and get the swelling down,” FitzPatrick said. “

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you want to split a gut as they say, go to Funny Student Exam Answers and well, you just gotta wonder how civilization will survive the next generation. Oh gosh these are so funny. A bit hard to read since they are pictures of actual test answers, but lordy lordy, they are hysterical.

Can we give poor Eliot Spitzer some credit? He met the prostitute in Washington D.C. Thereby living up to his pledge to keep crime out of New York.

“10,000 BC” opened as the No. 1 movie this weekend. Guess a lot of Americans are curious about life when John McCain was a boy.

Isn’t Hillary Clinton offering Barack Obama the V.P. position a bit like Phil Mickelson offering Tiger Woods the chance to be his caddie. ~~ Janice Hough, Palo Alto, CA

~~**~~**~~**~~

That’s all folks!

This textile is entitled “The Bridal Chamber of Herse” and dates from 1550 C.E.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I hope you guys are enjoying the new blog. I am sure it’s disconcerting to some, and some have probably left in utter disgust. Perhaps a few have even decided this is a great visit. I guess I like that it’s so diverse, you never know what to expect, and I continually look for new stuff to titillate your taste and eye buds. The sad fact is that there aren’t many crafting, food, and gardening blogs that update regularly. That’s the way most people operate. I am somewhat driven. We all have to find our own niche as it were. I hope you can just skip the stuff that bores you to tears and enjoy what you do like. I do want input, so feel free. Although this is MY forum, I do not wish to either offend or bore the entire world to a degree that I am left to talking only to myself. I do that regularly enough as it is. So, rant away at what you like, would like more of, or utterly detest. I’ll listen at least, though I make no promises.

I really am going to take a post and give you some idea of what some of these links are. Some are worth your incorporating perhaps.

That said, lets see what’s cooking, percolating, or oozing up to the surface today!

~~**~~**~~**~~

Yesterday we learned that Mexico began the assault on the Alamo. Today the deed was completed with many dead. A rather ugly incident to be sure, and one that generated all the patriotic hoopla necessary to continue the fight for control of Texas. I’m never quite sure why we applaud taking someone else’s land. We seem to find this time in our history as glorious expansion. Instead, we murdered in typical ethnic cleansing measure tens of thousands of people, all because we wanted the land. Odd I find.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I am not one of those who uses any holiday as an excuse to craft things. I certainly don’t have time or inclination to make things for St. Patrick’s day, although actually it has big significance for me: the Contrarian and I arrived from Connecticut to Iowa on that day, and I became an official citizen of Iowa. Anyhoo, Sandi’s Crochet Blog has a pattern for a leprechaun hat that you can adapt to some decorating plan if you wish. And even if not, she has lots of helpful hints on her blog if you are a crochet person.

~~**~~**~~**~~

If you have come to know me at all, you have discerned that I am wary of fundamentalists, and I tend to write about the subject with regularity. I have since stopped a Catholic blog I was doing. There is a great deal of talk in the public square about what role religion played in the formation of this country, and thus what role it should play in public affairs today. I am a very strict secularist, myself. My faith belongs in Church, not in politics. That’s my opinion. For a review of a new book on faith and our forefathers, stop by Religion in American History, and read a fine post about Steven Waldman’s “Founding Faith.”

~~**~~**~~**~~

I feel I need to alert you to this one. Many of you go to Pioneer Woman, as I do. and today I saw an amazing thing. She is asking you to take a survey to get to know her readership better as she prepares for a new skin for her blog. The goodie is a $300 gift certificate to a random winner who takes the survey. I did so, and didn’t think too much about it. At the end, it said I had to go back to the post, and leave a comment so she would know I took it. (She’s using a professional survey company) When I returned, I found in excess of 6600 comments, and knew I could never download it, but tried anyway. I saw a goodly number of comments that were very angry. They felt the survey had nothing to do with getting to know anyone, but were solely directed at the usual marketing campaign, asking location, age, income, occupation, etc. Admittedly there were no questions you and I might typically ask our readers. So you are warned, Go and take it if you wish, I wish I hadn’t and can’t win in any event since I can’t leave a comment.

~~**~~**~~**~~

My sweet tooth is oh hiatus at the moment until I can shop. No butter really sucks! But Epicurious provides me something to drool over most every day it seems. Profiteroles with Coffee Ice Cream sounds so decadently delicious that I want to cry. I want some now! Psst. It’s cream puffs with ice cream and chocolate sauce.

~~**~~**~~**~~

At Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas, we find a plant that I am not familiar with, and frankly don’t know if it’s suitable for Iowa or not. She is growing it in South Washington state I believe. It seems a hardy bugger, and she says its super soft and luxuriant. She has a nice picture of it, the botanical name, and if you decide you like it, it should be easy to find out enough about it to determine if you can grow it. It’s called a Albany Woolly Bush.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Knitting dragonflies is a new blogger I’ve found. She’s involved in an award game today, and that isn’t really the point, but she does list about 10 other knitting blogs she likes. If you are a knitting fanatic you may want to check out her list to see if you have these blogs. I guess it should get me to thinking about a quiz or poll or something. Hehe, mostly because I’m nosey!

~~**~~**~~**~~

I don’t know about you, but I loved those futuristic predictions about how technology would be changing our lives. Course, I think we were supposed to have personal little jet planes by now, and I haven’t seen any dealerships for them yet, but…Live Science has the top 10 technological advances that will change your life. I bet you just gotta go look and see now right? Just say Hydrogen and therapeutic cloning.

~~**~~**~~**~~

I for one, was thrilled that Hillary did so well on Tuesday, but that has not stopped as Mad Kane says, the onslaught from the blogger left demanding that she still step aside for their candidate. She has a good argument and another of her best limericks. Have fun.

~~**~~**~~**~~

MamieDale is also a new blog find. She shows you how to do a silhouette and mount it for scrapbooking. I remember doing these in grade school. I had forgotten all about them until this blog. Would be fun to do pets as well don’t you think?

~~**~~**~~**~~

Just thought you should know that Midlife by Farmlife is well worth a daily check. Jeannelle is one fine photographer and her prose ain’t bad either. Nostalgic and all around good reads all the time. Don’t miss her!

~~**~~**~~**~~

Back to food! The Midwest neurotica has a chicken recipe, and can’t we all use just one more. This one requires cherry coke! This one is simple, and sounds strange, but she said it was good. When you have little time, this could be the time saver you are looking for.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Begging for Bargains has a couple of things you might want to take a look at. There is one for being a tester for products, to free checklists for spring cleaning (wow do I need this), clip art, and stuff for moms. I just picked up the feed, so I’ll be more current next time, promise.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Another thing that makes me nearly insane is when people claim the don’t believe in evolution. If ever a scientific proposition had more proof than that for evolution, I doubt I’ve seen it. Cracking the genome was the icing on the cake by the way. After a long and bitter struggle, it seems that real science is winning out in the state of Florida against the powers of religious fanaticism. The evangelical nut cases did push through a “scientific theory” attachment to evolution, but little else. (theory in science is not what it’s commonly thought of. In science, the theory of evolution is actually more “proven” than gravity is.) Read all about it on the editorial page of the NYTimes.

~~**~~**~~**~~

The heresy of one age becomes the orthodoxy of the next. -Helen Keller

“The word ‘politics’ is derived from the word ‘poly’, meaning ‘many’, and the word ‘ticks’, meaning ‘blood sucking parasites’.” ~~ Larry Hardiman

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” ~~Sir Richard Steele

~~**~~**~~**~~

Of all the Royals, Sarah Ferguson seemed the most normal. She seemed to laugh at the stuffiness exhibited by the Queen and well that stodge of all stodges, Prince Charlie. Scandalous Woman has a very nice biographical sketch of the woman Prince Andrew wed. Support women’s history!

~~**~~**~~**~~

I usually draw the line at food that is fussy fixing. Things like ravioli. But I seldom turn down a recipe from Simply Recipes because, well they are just that good, and the site is lovely, and the pictures are delightfully delicious to look at. Try this one: turkey and bacon rolls.

~~**~~**~~**~~

Okay, if you are so insufferably addicted to reusing everything in your house, then go over to the Tip Junkie and find ways to use the CD case. Calendar? Photo frame? It’s truly amazing how inventive some folks can be isn’t it? They call it repurposing. Isn’t that snooty as heck? lol. It’s reusing trash! Gimme a break. Okay, I may try one, …..maybe two. You cannot know how badly I want to go to Michaels.

~~**~~**~~**~~

We watch a good deal of History channel stuff, and I know we’ve watched a series on the American Revolution and the US presidents. Somewhere in all that I learned that John and Abigail Adams carried on a long and fascinating letter writing life. They are collected in a book, linked by the US History Site Blog. The book is entitled “My Dearest Friend” and is edited by Margaret Hogan and C. James Taylor. There is a link for certain free audio offerings as well from Harvard University Press. Enjoy this one. I think this book would be a great gift for anyone who loves American history.

~~**~~**~~**~~

On this day in history:

~1521 Magellan discovered Guam
~1619 Cyrano de Bergerac, dramatist was born
~1806 Elizabeth Barrett Browning born
~1831 Edgar Allen Poe removed from Westpoint
~1836 The Alamo was captured
~1836 Davy Crockett, killed, Alamo
~1857 Dred Scott decision, slaves cannot be citizens
~1888 Louisa May Alcott, writer, died
~1896 First car driven in Detroit, driven by Charles B. King
~1906 Lou Costello born, comedian
~1921 Edict in Pa. women are to wear skirts at least 4 inches below the knee
~1964 Muhammad Ali takes his new name
~1981 Walter Cronkite’s last anchor night for CBS news
~1982 Ayn Rand, writer, philosopher, died
~1986 Georgia O’Keeffe, artist, died

~~**~~**~~**~~

I swear it’s true:

Teacher Appoints Student Insect Monitor

An Eagle Rock schoolteacher doesn’t want any bugs squashed in her classroom, so she’s appointed a student insect monitor to take wiggling, creepy critters outside.

Melodie Conrad’s be-kind-to-bugs effort is getting praise from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is giving her its Compassionate Teacher Award.

The Eagle Rock Elementary School & Magnet Center teacher says there’s simply too much violence in society, adding, “I just wanted to be careful that they’re exposed to just the opposite in this room.”

It’s not a matter of creating bug activists. Conrad says she is aiming to instill a sense of respect for life.
—
Information from: (Los Angeles) Daily News, http://www.dailynews.com/ & Davesdaily.com

~~**~~**~~**~~