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Painting of Madam Pompadour done by Amedeo Modigliani in 1915. You can see it at the Institute of Art in Chicago.

Things are progressing well in the housecleaning venue, however it seems another full week is in the offing. I got the upper cupboards done today and the window and ledge over the sink.  It’s coming along quite nicely for the most part, but it is tedious and I really wish I had started here first. Most of the other rooms were done in a week or less, and this two-week plus monster is trying. I haven’t culled my cupboards in way too long, and at least I have a much better organization going now. That is especially important for baking. I can’t stand having to drag things out of back spaces in order to do something.

On the blogging front, things are going to slow down a bit for a couple of weeks.  We are trying to get our garden in and it’s fairly large as you might guess. Parker got a first tilling done today, and I’m going to Walker a bit later to buy tomatoes, peppers, corn, and a few other things. I have a lot of seeds for lettuce, beets, chard, spinach and a host of other things that I must address as well. So I’ll get as much done on this as possible each day and post what I have.  I really had expected I guess to have the spring cleaning done by now, such is not however the case. I still have the laundry/pantry to do yet, though I suspect that will go in one day or two.

On that note, on with today’s news:

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Abby Sweets has a lovely berry tart that turned into a parfait after the usual kitchen disaster that befalls us cooks all the time. It still looks great and sounds great and is another of those spring time recipes that make for a light but luscious dessert.

Sandi’s Crochet Blog has three offerings today, a potholder pattern, another filet crochet, and a paneled afghan pattern. All are her creations, all free to you. I especially thought the potholder was cute.  I’ve linked you to the main site so just scroll down to see them all.

If lemon bars are more to your taste and you want to do something pretty quickly, stop by A Mingling of Tastesand try her recipe. I have tried one’s similar to these and I can tell you they tame that lemon desire very well.

Britannica Blog has a good look at the issue of racism and how it is or is not playing out in this election cycle. Is it okay for African Americans to vote for Obama because he is black but not okay for white West Virginia voters to vote for Hillary because she is white? It’s a difficult and qualitatively different answer. See what you think.

This is one that has troubled me for some time, and the Contrarian pointed out that we are only one of two countries worldwide who allow it. No I don’t know the other one. Why do we allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise on the airways? Frankly, they do more to dissuade me that otherwise since the side-effects they so quickly run over are scary to the point that I would avoid the medication unless it were truly life threatening. Bill Moyers Journal weighs in on the issue.

I was shocked I tell you to read the crawl this morning and see that ANOTHER McCain campaign staffer is leaving for improper/unsavory lobbying. That makes it 5 in one week. Now, we are waiting impatiently for the end of one administration led by a dolt who picked the worst collection of numb sculls to run the government and now his hip-joined buddy McCain is embroiled in a ongoing series of questionable campaign workers who have left under suspicious circumstances. Need one say more? Blue Girl, Red State has the dope.

Ezra Klein points us to a article in the New Yorker about McCain and his philisophical or not beliefs about SCOTUS. It seems that McCain as we are wont to understand on other things, knows little, cares little, and uses this issue as a nice vehicle to pander to the right wing base he so desperately is sucking up to. If you have noticed, McCain is now using all the proper phrasing about “activist” judges which is pure nonsense in the first place. He is not a lawyer, and one doubts he has a clue about what he is talking about.

History of American Women has a great post on the Native American peoples of New York. She gives a nice overview of each tribe, of which there were eight or more. Very informative history lesson for us all.

Iowa’s own Tom Harkin has a very telling and to the point statement about John McCain and his background. Harkin finds his worldview simply well out of touch with mainstream America and suggests that he views all through a military lens. Certainly McCain has been candid about his lack of knowledge of things economic and it seems Americans are quite concerned about the economy. The Iowa Independent has the story.

It seems we can never get past the discussion about science and God. Live Science attempts to put the whole issue in some kind of perspective. Science we know deals with the observable reality. Theology deals with the supernatural. The two are not at loggerheads. They are two rather different things. I have always concluded that science will not “find” God simply because that it why it is faith. It’s a journey of spirit, not the intellect. See what you think.

Mad Kane does it again. Anyone who saw the absurd interview with Bush wherein he claims to have given up golf to show solidarity with the troops knows what I mean when I say yech. I mean how obscene can one person get? He didn’t bother to stop fishing or dancing did he? Who does he think we are? morons?

We all know of Bush’s latest case of hoof and mouth disease as he accused Obama of appeasement. That has brought down a firestorm of criticism. (Good ole John joined in on Bush’s side, God bless him). Fareed Zakariahas a post today on the subject and the disingenuous nature of the remarks. As if Dubya has not done the same thing. Zakaria asks “Whose the real Appeaser?” Or you might like to take a look at Glenn Greenwald’s take on the matter at the Salon.

The Contrarian likes to watch the House and Senate on the tube when something interesting is going on. He gets a kick out of Byrd, whom he says ranges from senility to glimpses of true brilliance if you are quick enough to catch it. He has just endorsed Obama. Given that he is from West Virginia, I’d say it’s quite telling. Read Ben Smith’s thoughts on the matter at the Politico.

A Greco-Roman Buddha? It seems that from the earliest of days, making a likeness of Buddhas was not done. Sometime after the time of Alexander the Great, it became a more acceptable thing.Rogueclassicismhas a report of early images of the Buddha having been located in Mathura.

Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte is the next installment in Scandalous Women‘s Bonaparte week. She married into the family, marrying Napoleon’s younger brother. Jerome. They met ironically at a ball given by Declaration of Independence signer, Samuel Chase. Follow the link and read more about this fascinating woman.

I am delighted to post this next link. I have only 2 years to go and peace and calm is mine. So say scientists in a report by Science Digest. Aging seems to be associated with more positive emotions than negative ones.Yippee, I can hardly wait, because this gloomy gus feeling I’ve had since winter is getting tiresome indeed. I think the Contrarian is thinking of locking me in the basement! LOL.

If you are dreaming of icy delights, and I can’t say that I am, given the temperature is not even 70, you might be interested in this recipe for Strawberry Frozen Yogurt offered by Simply Recipes. If you have tried any of her recipes you can be sure they are always the best.

A terrific new blogger by the name of Chris in DC has hit the internet. Longtime commenter on Greenwald’s blog, he has started his own and given us a great post in what is going on in the sad sad world of GOP land. His writing is snappy and his mind is above average so enjoy reading his thoughts. We welcome Inside-out the Beltway. 

It appears we are all going to do what we usually do, rant a little or a lot, and then turn our head away and pretend we’ve done all we could. Things in Myanmar continue to deteriorate,the ruling Junta continues to refuse most aid, and pretend there is no human tragedy going on. What is worse, they were warned days before the cyclone hit that it was coming and they did nothing, nothing other than of course making sure their miserable lives were secure. One Neanderthal at a forum I frequent had the unmitigated gall to suggest that it was not our problem since we had no “interest” there. I guess I should not be shocked, we have done perilously little in Darfur either. How can humanity stand by and watch this? It’s beyond me. God must weep.

I admit we watch a bit of Fox NONews as comedy. I admit that one of the most silly of the commentators around is Bill Kristol, heir apparent to the great Neo-con revolution started by pappy. I enjoy quite mightily his lousy journalism in the NYTimes. He’s made another booboo it seems. The dude cannot keep his facts straight and has been caught going oops about 3 times now in his very short tenure. Join the fun in reading Think Progress‘s cute and fun article.

Tip Junkie has a nice little post on closet reorganization, and who doesn’t need that. She’s collected a few sites you might want to take a look at and get some ideas from.

 Boy this arrived in the nick of time. Urantian Sojourn’s Saitia has a lovely piece on how to find yourself when the world just looks like a mean and glum place. I hope you spend some time reading their stuff. They have been good friends to me, generous and thoughtful, always insightful. And if that one doesn’t grab you, there are several others. These guys are wonderfully prolific. Read Terry’s fine post on racism, still alive and sadly kicking today. Or read Propagandee’s great Republican Dog Food, or get a great laugh with Michael’s post on McCain’s VP choices! I apologize that I can’t direct link, but these posts are from Friday onward and all on the front page.

Wow, this one is a surprise. Archaeologists think they have found the palace of the Queen of Sheba! Visit this fine blog and learn all the particulars about the new find in Ethiopia. Thanks to Women of History for this one.

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“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” Henny Youngman

“Even if you do learn to speak correct English, whom are you going to speak it to?”  Clarence Darrow

“It’s never just a game when you’re winning.”  George Carlin

“Marriage is a great institution, but I’m not ready for an institution yet.” Mae West

“Never be afraid to laugh at yourself, after all, you could be missing out on the joke of the century.” Dame Edna Everage

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And now for some stupid quotes:

Golden, Ripe, Boneless Bananas, 39 Cents A Pound.”
– Ad in the “Missoulian” by Orange Street Food Farm

“Sure there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious.”
– Alan Minter, Boxer

 

“How to store your baby walker: First, remove baby.”
– Anonymous Manufacturer

“You guys line up alphabetically by height.”
– Bill Peterson, Florida State football coach

“Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl.”
– Bill Peterson, football coach

“The internet is a great way to get on the net.”
– Bob Dole, Republican presidential candidate

“I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada.”
– Britney Spears, Pop Singer
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Big Brown has now won the first two jewels of horse racing’s Triple Crown. UPS is the appropriate sponsor of this thoroughbred. That package you’ve been waiting for is also three years old.
The office cubicle has turned 40 years old. The unique structures have revolutionized the work environment. Now most government buildings can sleep up to four times as many employees. – Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif.

President Bush was just in Saudi Arabia, meeting with King Abdullah. I think he gets a little confused. He kept saying, “So where’s Paula Abdul?” I don’t think he understands. Jay Leno