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Today we feature the “Seated Statue of Hetshepsut.” She was I believe co-ruler during the 18 Dynasty, New Kingdom 1473-1458. This statue can be found at the MMA in NYC.

I have been to the MMA, and as I recall, there are at least 32 rooms devoted to Egyptian art. One room contains a compete temple surrounded by a moat. I remain conflicted at the Egyptian artifacts located throughout the world that belong in my opinion to the Egyptians, and were taken from them in years gone by when they could not control this practice. This of course is not limited to the Egyptians but occurred in many ancient lands that had very ancient civilizations, plundered mostly by Europeans in the 1800’s. Part of me is happy to have the opportunity to view these pieces, part of me feels we hold them illegally.

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Speaking of antiquity, N.S. Gills, Ancient History Blog has a nice little piece on Grecian pottery. Known as black-figure pottery, it gave way eventually to red-figure pottery by the mid 6th century B.C.E. Examples are linked to the post so you can enjoy some really lovely art work.

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If you would like to crochet a handbag, trip on over to Sandi’s Crochet Blog. I don’t think it’s sturdy enough looking for my taste, but for occasions when you only need to take a few things, this might be the kind of fashion accessory that fits the bill. Take a look and decide.

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One of the things that I like to do for you, my dear small group of readers, is alert you to reference sites that may be helpful to you, or simply allow you to browse at leisure as your interest dictates. American Presidents Blog has some wonderful new sites for you. The first deals with presidents, from Johnson to McKinley, the second is called the Authentic History Center. Scroll down, and he has about 3 entries for “directories” regarding the presidents. If you have kids, these sites might be invaluable for those research needs! If you have kids at college, they might also find them useful.

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Just wanted to apologize for the referral to Hey it’s Free, and the March Madness game she had set up. I never did get registered, the site went to Yahoo and it was impossible to figure it out for the most part. The fact that few people got signed up tells you that as well. I left a rather nasty little comment. I ‘ll check our her links a bit more thoroughly next time before I refer you to her.

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As the Garden Grows has an excellent idea for you–an outdoor sink. As she/he points out, gardening is messy and dirty. It’s a pain to have to tiptoe through the house attempting to not sluff off dust and dirt as you proceed to the bath to wash off. I think you can set this up with relative ease and also recycle the used water in the garden. She shows you a commercial one you can buy, I think you can make one way cheaper. In any case, I can’t get the site downloaded so I hope you find something useful!

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I like cornmeal and I like muffins and we put them together regularly for chili and other wintry fare. Coconut & Lime comes up with this blending and calls it Gingered Carrot Cornmeal Muffins. The picture looks yummy and, I bet they taste as good. Any ideas of what this would be good with?

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My downloading today is slower than, well yours for instance. I always check out the Pioneer Woman even though I cannot see hardly any of the pictures unless I wait 30 minutes or more for all her photos to download. If I did that I’d never get this blog done. Today she alludes at the bottom to a recipe on her other blog for carrot cake. I have got up the address, and may see the recipe if I can wait long enough. It’s called Sigrid’s Carrot Cake. Her link is to the main page, and so if I ever get that up, I fear I must then go to another page anyway. Sigh…..

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Let me just tell you that we checked with our Direct TV to see if the prices had come down on satellite internet. They don’t do it any more, referring us to another place. We checked with them as well as with Hughes Network. Both offer satellite internet, but alas at prices that are well outside our means. So we have no hope of anything but dial-up. I’m sorry that I cannot get up pages like I should to make sure what they claim is true. I do the best I can, but when 5 minutes goes by and I’m still barely anywhere, I know it’s hopeless. There are several sites I know I love, but I can’t use them because there are too many graphics and I just jam up and have to close everything and start over. Sorry.

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Geraniums seem to be a staple in most garden centers, at least they are in Iowa. They are sturdy little plants and always do well for me. I add one or two in containers at the front steps, framing my small little garden under the bay window, around the bird feeder. If you deadhead regularly, they do produce quite well throughout the summer. Find out more about them at Sally’s Gardening Tips.

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One of these days, I’ll have to post my stolen recipe for Cinnabun’s. Until then please partake of Epicurious’s delightful recipe from Gourmet, Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Glaze.

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If you feel equal as a woman, in Iowa, think again. Wage disparity is still a problem. It has gotten better, but women in Iowa still make only 78c on the dollar that men here make. It is unsettling to find that this is still the case. It becomes even more unsettling when you learn that younger women do not see the problem. Read about the details at Essential Estrogen.

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Gardening Tips ‘n Ideas has a very interesting take on gardening and the season of Easter. Did you know that Jesus was the original gardener? She makes that claim and points to a number of passages in the bible that tell us how to care for our world. It’s thoughtful, and whimsical at the same time. Enjoy.

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I think I might have mentioned that I’m a sweets person in the morning. So coffee cake always sounds good to me. This recipe combines sweet with my favorite sweet thing, chocolate. I’m going to be making this one very soon, I suspect. Try Mocha Fudge Coffee Cake and sit back and grin at the morning tomorrow!

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HistoryMike has reviewed a couple of new books. Both deal with marginalized groups whose story is not well know, if known at all. One deals with freedom and liberty in Columbia, and the other about blacks in Spanish Florida. Read the reviews and then consider adding these two new finds to your to-read list for the summer.

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If it’s a new day, there undoubtedly are more blocks to look at, at inspired by antique quilts. I’m thinking that I want to alter my spring cleaning to put my craft room next on the list. It needs a thorough uncluttering and cleaning. Then I can get at some real quilting. She has got me so rev’ed up! I am not good on color, so she is certainly helping me a lot by showing me so many blocks and how she puts them together.

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Russell has a post about a blog that appears to be ending, and he is quite distressed. I’m heading over and taking a look. Perhaps you might like to as well, and give some encouragement to the blogger. We all need praise and recognition otherwise this time spent seems wasted. I am utterly grateful for a few very loyal people who leave me such kind and thoughtful comments most days.
Visit C’est La Vie, and leave a comment. It really is a very nice site!

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One of my eclectic interests in paleontology. That is the study of early man. Homo erectus and all that. So I was excited when I saw this post at Live Science: A fossil found in Kenya may be the oldest example of a bipedal “human” creature yet found. At 6 million years in the past, the thigh bones recovered show that the creature indeed did walk upright. Apparently you can learn more from the magazine “Science” which has a more detailed article. While not a direct ancestor of modern man, the find makes it clear that “man” and chimpanzees split prior to the 6 million year mark.

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This from the Contrarian: While both he and I tend to think it is not advisable to cancel America’s participation in the Summer Olympics because of the Chinese involvement in human rights issues in both Tibet and Darfur, a different issue arises when we talk about government visits to the event. Now according to news reports Bush is planning on attending, though the claim is now that he will do so as a completely private citizen. Thus he gives no stamp of approval on Chinese policy. The Contrarian asks: does this mean that Bush is paying his own way? Surely he can’t expect us taxpayers to foot the bill for his personal fun trip can he? I’m thinking I may ask this question a bit more loudly to my congress people. I just wrote my senators yesterday about another of those resolutions designed by the wacko religious right. I guess I shall have to send another today!

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We have talked about the Obama thing and Jeremiah Wright. A very fine article is offered for your perusal at Religion in American History. In the usual way of Fox and others of that ilk, Rev. Wright was soundbited to death. They have been most unfair. There is a great deal more you should know, and the writer of this post was in a position to know the complete picture. Read Dr. Jon Pahl, PhD, and get the full story.

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Rogueclassicism has two interesting posts today. One is about the a coin found in what is believed to be the second temple period. The other is about Jewish reaction to pagan statuary in the realm. The links are the same, and the posts are back to back. I have a long and abiding interest in the bible as both a spiritual document and a historical one. So I love these sites which help to expand our understanding of life in those times.

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Most of us were too young to remember at all, others of us were too young to be bothered by such adult intrigue. If you vaguely remember the Profumo affair but don’t exactly remember what it was all about, read on at Scandalous Women. She gives you all the juicy details, proving once again, that the Eliot Spitzer’s of the world are nothing especially new. What delightful delicious tattletelling fun! Cudos again for a finely researched post.

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I adore pasta. Heck I adore food. But pasta is comfort food. This Spring offering comes from Simply Recipes, and sounds so very good. If you don’t have real pesto, don’t bother buying that stuff in the store, wait, grow, and freeze this fall. You’ll be happier with the result for sure. So, file this away, or buy a heck of a lot of fresh basil at the supermarket. You will have to use frozen artichokes most likely, since I’ve never seen the baby artichokes offered in Iowa. I used to be able to buy them in Connecticut, but no luck here. Try Shrimp and Artichoke Pasta or miss out on a real treat.

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Another muffin recipe. I have more trouble collecting good links for crafting, but I sure never have problems finding recipes. I thought this one quite enticing and think I may add strawberries to my next grocery list. Strawberry and Cream Muffins sounds like the kind of thing one would eat leisurely on Sunday don’t you think?

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There is a rumor out there that someone is using the Internet to put up a picture of a naked woman. It’s creating quite a stir I tell you. Experts are confused and cannot quite figure out why so many hits have been recorded. There is of course nothing one can do with the photo except look. And that seems rather boring. If you think you can handle the scandal, then take the link, but I warn you (for real, I really mean this) you will see a naked woman. So I can really see no reason at all why you would want to go. Oh dear, the Contrarian has asked me to let him use the computer for a couple hours. He was reading over my shoulder, and….well, no, he wouldn’t be interested in THAT! Shame on you for even thinking that. I said Roseeeebud….I did not say Onnnnion….

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Okay, so you need some more inspiration. The Village Shop has a lovely quilt pattern for you to see. She also talks about a computer program EQ5? Anyway the quilt looks utterly beautiful, or the design page of it. She intends to give play by play instructions. It looks like stained glass to me, and I’m quite intrigued. That’s the second time today I’ve been intrigued. This could lead to something, but what I am not quite sure of.

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Here in the meadow, I mentioned to the Contrarian that we might consider clearing off the kitchen table to have Easter dinner on. That’s about as far as I can go. If you think your table deserves a more festive air, slip over to Uncommon Artistic Endeavors, and see what she has done. I’m embarrassed, I simple want to sit at the table instead of tv trays for a change! It’s lovely and simple, and a fine look for Easter.

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If you are vegetable gardening in a smaller space, rather than those of us who have acres to play with, then for sure go over to Veggie Gardening Tips and learn to make the utmost of your limited space. Lots of useful tips here folks.

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I was born in 1950 and so this post by World History Blog caught my eye. A historical overview of the years 1950-59 in the US should bring back a number of memories for those of us alive at that time, and well, news of the “olden” times for those who are younger than that. It covers the gamut of American culture and has oodles of links I am told. Enjoy, and another reference for the kids! ( I checked it out and its just crammed with info and links)

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Farmer’s Almanac says:

It’s easier to separate the white from the yoke of an egg when it’s cold.

Can herbs be used to deter moths in your wool clothes? Yep!

Having trouble getting your peace lily to bloom?

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“My method is to take the utmost trouble to find the right thing to say, and then to say it with the utmost levity.” George Bernard Shaw

“Too much of a good thing is wonderful.” Mae West

“Operationally, God is beginning to resemble not a ruler but the last fading smile of a cosmic Cheshire cat.” Sir Julian Huxley

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Sunday is Easter. The Bush Administration actually has a corporate sponsor for the annual festivity on the White House lawn. This year the eggs will be laid by Bear Stearns. – Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif.

Aired Wednesday night on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” on CBS: The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, is threatening to resign if the conflict with the Chinese doesn’t stop. Not only that, he also says he might refuse to be reincarnated again.

Aired Thursd23ay night on NBC: Osama bin Laden has released another tape. The title of his latest message is, “The response will be what you see, not what you hear.” Oh, what, is bin Laden the Riddler now? ~~Jay Leno