Pandora’s Proximity

Tags

American History, Asian, barbecue, beef, Cajun Spices, cake, chocolate, church/state, Civil War, Crafts, crochet, evolution, faith, fundamentalism, Gardening, gay rights, health, human physiology, John McCain, knitting, leafminers, marriage, racism, religion, salad, science, tex-mex, Watergate, Women's history, Zoology

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.

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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.

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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?

Eat, Craft, Read, Be Merry

Tags

American History, Archaeology, beef, breakfast, cake, chocolate, Civil War, coffeecake, crochet, cross stitch, Desserts, evangelicals, founding fathers, Gardening, geology, History, Presidents, religion, science, soup, Women's history, world history

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.

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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.

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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!

Fencing the Good, Bad and Ugly

Tags

beef, breakfast, chocolate, fundamentalism, immigration, Indian, Iraq, John McCain, marine biology, meat, paper crafts, pasta, quilting, salad, tips, Women's issues

This haunting print was done by Julia Margaret Cameron in 1867 and is British. It is entitled “Julia Jackson” and was prepared from an albumen silver print from a wet collodion negative. It is located at the Institute of Art in Chicago.

Another morose looking day. The dinginess of Spring is always apparent on days such as this. Everything is wet, brown, and unpleasant looking. The birds seem to step carefully among the rubble of winter, picking this or that, perhaps for a nest lining. The dogs seem oblivious to all this, focused entirely on what must be a cornucopia of aromas stored in snow for all these months.

The bedroom is done! I finished this morning with a good carpet cleaning with the vacuum attachments pulling ancient dust bunnies from corners and along baseboards. The bedding was the last to receive attention, and the quilt is now in the drier, the blanket has been replaced with its summer alter ego, the bed skirt fresh and perky once again. Of course this all means a lot to the cats, who are now busily finding new hidey holes to secrete themselves in. Tomorrow I start on the other bathroom. I’m still fairly upbeat about the process, albeit I know my way is most strange. The average women does the spring cleaning in a few days of concentrated work. I’m way too lazy for such an endeavor. I can only do this mind numbing work in small spurts, rigorously limited by the clock.

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Let’s see what folks have been talking about and doing today. I hope not quite so much. These long posts are taking up a bit too much time.

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I heard the other day that Bush had ordered that state laws be ignored and the fence put up rapidly along the border with Mexico. Now I think this fence thing is silly, costly, and insulting on a good many levels. Just so you are clear where I stand. Plenty of others agree with me. This is no attempt to keep out “terrorists” heck no, they undoubtedly find it far easier to just come in through Canada, the entire northern border is nearly wholly open of course. It was pushed through Congress at the opportune time, just before the midterm elections in 2006, and worded in such a way that no candidate wanted to be on the wrong side. My advice: be on the wrong side and then explain it to me. I’ll understand common sense I promise you. Instead we are stuck with this partial bandaid on a hemorrhage. What a waste!

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American Presidents Blog has a nice new find for you all. A nice link to a section of the Library of Congress, entitled “A guide to the American Revolution 1763-1783.” He gives you a preview of the site and the information you can find there.

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Begging for Bargains has a link to a shopping discount site with emphasis on coupons and other discount deals. Be sure to check it out, there are three different links in all.

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Another lovely chocolaty coffee cake for your delight. One more piece of the chocolate cake tonight and I’ll be baking something. I’ve been thinking about making Cinnabuns, but this would be way easier and might be just what I need for those high activity mornings of mine, cleaning away. Thanks to Coconut & Lime for the usual yummy recipe.

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You know when it gets awful hot in the summer? When the humidity is like a wet slap in the face every step you take. Where your nerves frazzle and even the panting of the dog is close to driving you batty? Well that’s when pasta salad is the best thing invented for dinner! And Copycat Restaurant Recipes has a hugely good one for you. Taken from a local restaurant in Louisville, called, Lotsa Pasta, this Farfalle Salad is just perfect to cool the heat. Note: the recipe is backwards, but you can see they just inverted recipe with dressing. It’s all there!

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If you enjoy paper crafts, or want to learn, get some inspiration from Craftiblog and her lovely card. I think these things are really cute, but I really would have so little use for them, that I doubt I would spend the time to learn. I still enjoy viewing other people’s creativity however. Hope you like it too.

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I have a secret. I love african violets, but alas I’m not so good at keeping them going. Especially keeping them blooming. Sally’s Gardening Tips has some help for me, and you, should you suffer from violet disability like me.

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The Contrarian has rather a broad range of taste, contrary to what I have found from most men. But for reasons unknown to rational creatures, he is apposed to curry. He has no explanation for this, and frankly, I miss curry, which I adore. I may simply make this, and set it before him, with an appropriate look that says, “don’t you dare complain until you’ve taken a bite.” This recipe is certainly long and a bit difficult but it has that look of true authentic cuisine about it. Try the Spicy Beef Curry when you want to make something very different and very exotic.

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Lynda at Essential Estrogen is my go-to girl when I want to find out what is going on politically in Iowa. She runs a fine blog. Today she has a deeply moving post about her miscarriages. If you have suffered through this, or know someone who has, I’d urge you to read her quiet, beautiful and honest account of how it has affected her life. Regardless of where you stand on issues of women’s reproductive rights, you cannot fail to be moved by her account of her three losses.

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I’ve been confused as to exactly what the Biography tour of John McCain is or hopes to accomplish. On one level, he clearly wanted to get back in the news, his tour of Europe and the Mideast were pretty much a bust. On another we are undoubtedly supposed to conclude something about him from this trip down memory lane. I am not concluding much other that in a time when there are so many serious and important issues before us as Americans and human beings, this dude is waxing poetic and boring about his high school and classmates of ancient times. I remain convinced McCain is about McCain, and his way right of Bush foreign policy desires. He is busily trying to court the evangelical righties and make them forget those days when John was not sure the Republicans any longer fit his views of the world. I am sure he will succeed to some degree, it’s pretty much John or stay home on election day. I’d of course prefer they stay home, but I have no illusions that the wacko right is going to vote Democratic. That is simply too counter to their agenda.

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Victory, as Jon Stewart says, has taken on a new definition in the Bush White House. Victory meant that the Surge was working and violence was down. When violence went up again, it was because the surge was working. Neat trick isn’t it? The same can be said about the battle between Maliki and Sadr in Basra. Maliki acts like he won, but plenty suggest Sadr simply said, we will stop fighting, we won’t give up our weapons, and now get out of my city, before I really get mad. Now the claim is that Sadr is calling for a million man march against the American occupation. If he pulls it off, and many think he will with ease, one wonders how the Bushites will spin this one?

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Just when you thought you had all your list of species on the planet complete, well, as they say, do they always say? not so fast there buddy boy. There is a new species of fish on the block, yep partner. Well, no, not a species exactly, but a whole new family. You see, a family is like yours, and a species is like humanity, or something like that. In any case, these are part of the anglerfish group. A group is something I chose as some defining line between family and species. You can see I’m a fair expert here! Go look at the cute little fishes who like to crawl into crevices. Their eyes may be human like, so go figure.

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There are those that predicted pretty much what we have in the Bush Administration. A rather savvy writer by the name of George E. Lowe, told us this would happen. And he said that John McCain’s daddy would be surely turning over in his grave at the stance his son now takes against all things “terrorist.” Read this thoughtful and concise explanation of the chilling designs of the religious right. Fundamentalism is and remains a danger to this country and the world.

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While you are at it, continue on in the same vein with Susan Posner’s latest in the series Fundamentalist at American Prospect. It’s a must read each week on my list. Lots of interesting subjects this week, including Huckabee and the Charismatics, Ron Parsley and the New Deal, and more!

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Do you feel this way? A bad guy gets caught. He tries to minimize the damage by snitching on everybody he can think of guilty or not. He writes a book. He writes another one. Still the poor boob cannot get it. You are still a sleazebag and nobody likes you. Shut up. Jose Canseco are you listening yet?

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I’m actually afraid to go into quilt shops. The array of fabrics makes me swoon, quiver, shake all over, and realize that if I lived 17 lives I’d never get a chance to use all the lovelies I am seeing. (The same can be said for books too, and it causes me even more agony.) The Village Shop has a peek at Amy Butler’s new line of fabric. So go, only if you can keep your fingers off ordering more than you can reasonably use or afford. There is a link for a free pattern as well.

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I’m figuring that about this time next week, I’ll be opening the scary room, otherwise known as “my office” and begin the work of decluttering and cleaning it. It is not the worst room in the house, no that honor belongs to the Contrarian and his office, also the main avenue for transporting wood indoors, and where the cats eat. It is, to put it mildly in need of a hose job. Just in the nick of time, Tip Junkie comes through with a redecorating scheme for of all things: A Craft Room! Come, or go, as the case may be and see the lovely ideas she has accumulated for your perusal.

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Well the day would not be complete without reference to The Farmer’s Almanac so listen up:

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Wish on a spring frog for good luck. (please tell me how do you determine a spring frog? Is it in the genitals?)

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I’d like to plant some carrots in a container, since I lack garden space. What do you recommend?

The answer is poorly written. Don’t plant the carrot seeds 12″ deep, the container should be 12″ deep.

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Where have tornadoes caused a great deal of damage? (Umm, where they touch down? )

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This play holds the season’s record [for early closing], thus far, with a run of four evening performances and one matinee. By an odd coincidence it ran just five performances too many. ~~Dorothy Parker

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Wit has truth in it … wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words. ~~Dorothy Parker

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…as for helping me in the outside world, the Convent taught me only that if you spit on a pencil eraser, it will erase ink. ~~Dorothy Parker

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Burglers should dress better. At least that is one interpretation of the following story from Dave’s Daily: Burgler plays dead at funeral home.

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Aired Wednesday night on NBC: The husband of Democratic U.S. Senator Deborah Stabenow from Michigan has admitted he paid a prostitute he met on the Internet $150 for sex at a hotel room. Now, he could end up serving four years as governor of New York — if he is convicted.

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Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, while speaking before Congress, warned we may be headed towards a recession. Oh, thank you, Captain Obvious! Let me guess. Real estate market not looking too good either?

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Oh, and Bush’s secretary of housing announced he is stepping down. Well, sure. Nobody’s got a house anymore. He’s got nothing to do — might as well step down.

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John McCain appeared on the David Letterman show and told some jokes, taking a lead in the talent portion of this contest. Which is good, since he’s not expected to do so well in the swimsuit competition.– Will Durst

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Con’t again?

Tags

appetizers, beef, bread, Iraq, Oil, tex-mex, US Gov.

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Big Oil on TV. Did you see it? The boys lined up and were prepped and ready to reply in unison to all those nasty questions. Perhaps with those gigantic profits you might forgo the billions in tax breaks? NO! They shouted, that would be absurd. Well then, how bout a little break for the consumer at the pump? NO! They chimed, whatever for? A fine post by Washington Independent gives you the gory details as the RWM have a go in Congress. (RWM= Rich White Men) Read it and well. . . . PS–their advice to us: drive less!

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Breadsticks! Now that is something I’ve never made before, and I adore them. So good with pasta dishes, so good with nothing. Baking Beauties has the recipe.

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Oh, did I mention that I loved Tex-Mex? Perhaps you have concluded there is not a great deal I don’t like where food is concerned. You would be pretty much spot on. Anyhoo, you might want to try this spicy little Beef Empenadas, for either an appetizer or main dish. Just adjust the size for either. A nice submission by Uncommon Artistic Endeavors. I would only make my own pie crust rather than buy it ready made.

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Urantian Sojourn has a fascinating take on our excursion into Iraq and why it failed so badly. I tend to agree with them. I said a lot of similar things quite a number of years ago about Vietnam. Nobody listened, but then I didn’t have a blog either! They give you plenty of YouTube to make their points, which I can’t of course watch, but I got the point just fine without. Hope you enjoy it and learn a thing or two. I sure did.

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The Farmer’s Almanac says:

It’s time to dig up and divide horseradish!

What is the origin of the trapdoor in long underwear?

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“There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.” Sir Francis Bacon

“I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.” Albert Einstein

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Comedy Central that bastion of truth, Superman, the American Way, and tulips, has decided that it’s time to endorse a candidate in this ’08 election year. I thought their choice was well thought out as you will undoubtedly agree. They have come with powerful evidence to support their choice, and if you just think a minute, undoubtedly you will agree. Don’t lock yourself out on this one. Order your lawn signs and car bumper stickers before it’s too late!