Kicking the Can

Tags

atheist blogging, blogging, financial meltdown, gay marriage, Greece, immigration reform, Iowa, Jindal, John McCain, Lousiana, Merlin Bartz, Obama, oil spill, teabaggers

It’s Friday (shivery all over if you are a workin’ stiff, but I’m not so it’s no big deal), and typically for reasons that are beyond comprehension, tons of my readers are BUSY. Like getting ready for the barbecue tonight, or the concert, or well, any number of THINGS. So readership always goes down. And stays down until Monday rolls around.

Sometimes I figure, I’m read by mostly bored automatons sitting in cubicles across Merika, hoping the boss don’t waltz by while they are surfin’.

Anyway, it means it’s a good day to just dump all the odds and ends cramping my head space. Which is not to say that what follows isn’t R E A D A B L E , cuz it most certainly is. But I’m a tad lazy, and its rainy, and more importantly COLD and like your average amphibian, I’m  S L O W.
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Okay, so the teabaggers are all in a huff cuz they claim that Obama has violated his place nice directive by using the term “teabagger” which everyone now knows refers to some sexual behavior that we will not even describe here, let alone picture! But that’s a lie. Turns out the silly teabaggers themselves actually coined the phrase.

Yep, before, undoubtedly they knew the actual meaning. They had placards that said “tea bag the Dems before they tea bag you.” Enough said, move on please.

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Jindal, as in Louisiana Jindal is demanding federal funds to war against the oil coming ashore. I don’t mind that, but wasn’t he the same fella that was harping that he was not gonna take stimulus money because he was not in favor of the feds messin’ in his state? Seems a lot of Repooplicans suffer from dry rot of the brain in not REMEMBERING what they said last week! Just sayin’.

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Got our own brand of wacko wizardry here in Iowa. Some nut, Merlin Bartz (R-Grafton, IA) and state senator is calling for a law banning gay married couples from being declared “families” for purposes of getting a tent site at state camp grounds. Don’t that beat all? He says that the gay marriage ruling is gonna effect all kinds of terrible changes in Iowa. And course, he intends to manufacture just as many of them as he can.

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I know that I have barely had this “theme” up a month, but I’m changing it again. WordPress has gone bonkers on making new themes, like four in the last two weeks, and I just fell in love with one. So, you will be seeing it sometime today, or so. Lots of little tweaking to do, and I love that sort of thing when I have the time. I spend more time with the theme than you do, so I get bored with it faster.

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I read a couple of days ago that Obama had indicated that he wanted to open immigration reform before the end of this year. It’s gonna be a sticky wicket for both parties, but more so for the Restuplicans. I have a different take. Now, McCain lost the election and Obama trusted I suppose that the Mav would return to his senses and be a Mav again. Not so, the crotchety old fart decided to moan and groan forever, and has become a farcical right wing nut case in an attempt to hold onto his smelly seat.

So, I figure, Obama thinks, what a way to pay back old John. This will hurt the old geezer as much as possible. Something like, “John, how bout you resurrect your fine bill you wanted to introduce back before the election?” That should get the elder unprincipled one to just about choke on his spittle. Yeah, I’m likin’ the scenario a lot.

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Plenty of folks would agree that the beginning of Western Civilization started in Greece. Funny if it all ended there too. Just sayin’.

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Oh I’ve been having a private little war with John Loftus over at Debunking Christianity. John doesn’t post my comments, which are usually critical of his manner, claiming they aren’t “on point” with the post. That’s a crock, but I really can’t recommend his blog any longer. He’s spends about 90 percent of his blogging time,  touting  a book he edited (and wrote a couple of chapters in), and vilifying unfavorable reviews, (one of which he took down, after calling the reviewer an idiot and worse) all the while whining for his followers to tell him he’s really right. Take a break from blogging John, and work on those self-esteem issues a bit why doncha?

Which all raises a point about atheist bloggers in general, but that’s another post at some time when I can bother with their blather. Not all mind you, some are actually very good and raise some good points, but most are just pretenders. They attack all of Christianity, when their only real target is the fundie.

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nuf said.

Lil Bits of Rancor or Not 8/15/08

Tags

abortion, Archaeology, Barack Obama, cake, Desserts, Election 2008, Greece, History, Iowa, Jesus, Jim Leach, John McCain, lobbyists, Media, mental illness, Military, Olympics, Sports, Women's issues

We all know a bit about how athletes train for the Olympics. A huge number of disciplines are now involved, nutrition, sports health, computer technology, and tons more. What was it like back at the beginning? How did athletes train when they actually competed at Athens? Ancient/Classical History Blog brings you a piece from the stoic Epictetus on was was involved. A fascinating look at the differences.

If you are looking for an elegant dessert, and who isn’t, I mean really? You best stop over at Baking Delights and try this Instant Gourmet: Walnut Genoise with Coffee Infused Ganache. Wow a mouthful, err by figuratively and actually. It is simply heavenly with both coffee and chocolate and whipped cream. Oh help my pounding heart I think I am going to drool all over the keys. You must see the photograph of it made! And most importantly, it’s not very difficult to make.

Lordy Lordy, McCain has lost his freaking mind. Seems our befuddled old guy may be in cahoots with bad boy Ralph Reed in Georgia.Reed was a partner of Abramoff, the K Street naughty, if you remember. Ralphie boy lost his bid for lt. governor when all the poopy hit the fan over that. He is scourged quite badly in the new book by Thomas Frank, which was featured on Bill Moyers Journala few weeks ago. Ralph may well be headed for jail before all is said and done. It seems that he is sending out invites for a McCain fundraiser. We are unsure, at this moment whether Johnny intends to attend. If so, Johnboy better look out. If I hear more, I’ll let you know. This source is from Capitol Hill Blue and I’m not very comfortable with them yet as sources.

Garrison Keillor is always funny, or at least chuckle amusing, but he hit the perfect tone today in his essay, “It’s an Amazing Country.”  He rather hits McCain right between the eyes. It’s a chutzpah claim that surely hits home. I mean really, McCain the multimillionaire, son of privilege all his life, calling the black kid raised by a single mom the elitist? Well, as he says, American, she can be an amazing place to live. Don’t miss it.!

A great little piece at AlterNetyou should take a look at. Summing up a host of non-issues and falsified ones, Allan Uthman, runs down the ten most idiotic issues in this campaign so far. Most, but not all have been mentioned on this blog a time or two.  This gives a nice packaged run down of some of the worst offenders, and the real truth behind the lies and innuendo. That they seem to all pretty much fall on one side is, well a given isn’t it? It’s a good read, and actually provides a bit of real good information, expecially on Senator Phil Gramm, the guy you recall who said we were a country of whiners. Look of more of his questionable ethics and economics should, God forbid, McCain win the white house.

A couple of purely Iowan concerns. First Wesley Clark is backing Becky Greenwald in her attempt to unseat Tom Latham in the 4th District. Clark contends Greenwald has shown a strong commitment to veterans while Latham has voted to cut billions in various Veterans programs in order to support tax cuts for the wealthy. Of more general interest, our own Jim Leach, Republican unseated by Loebsack in 2006, is endorsing Obama for President. Leach, all around good guy was felled in the general “throw em out” election of 2006. This unfortunately does happen when people are so thoroughly disgusted with a party. The good goes with the bad. Leach was definitely a good guy, never fitting into Gingrich’s gang, and paying the price with low-interest committee assignments. Good for Leach!

Media Matters reports that the presidential debates will be hosted by NO Foxy NEWsless heads this time around. Good news! And there is some reason to suspect that the blogging community may have influenced that decision. Bloggerdom has vilified of course Fox as a shameless purveyor of Republican talking points. This is of course true. Anyhow, the moderators chosen this time around are: Jim Lehrer and Gwen Ifill from PBS and Tom Brokaw and Bob Schieffer from NBC and CBS. A reasonably good array I would say, especially the first two, but Brokaw is acceptable in my book as well. The post has a long discourse on how the group was chosen, and the efforts of the bloggers to block Fox out.

McCain always touts his solidarity with the military. Apparently nobody has asked the military. By a rate of 6 to 1, Obama is out raising him among overseas personnel. Ron Paul who has suspended his campaign, has out done him by 4 to 1. The only group even close to be in his camp are the Marines. Even the Navy goes for Obama.

On the humorous side, we can all remember how vociferously McCain attacked Bush for invading Iraq? Right? Oh. Well, apparently the Great Old man had an Alzheimer’s moment. He has recently said of Russia’s invasion of Georgia: “In the 21st Century, nations don’t invade other nations.”Guess the old guy forgot his chest thumping endorsement of the invasion of Iraq, and well Afghanistan? Oops. Doh, stupid history!

Among the way out there cadre of anti-abortion advocates (the one’s who like to do graphics to shock people), it has long been the contention that women who have abortions suffer to a greater degree from subsequent mental issues. Not so,according to the APA. Women who have early term abortions as opposed to women who deliver a pregnancy suffer no greater incidence of mental health problems.

Betcha didn’t know that Jesus played cricket did ya? Well, if you want to learn more, stop by Rogueclassicism and find out. A very old Armenian “infancy gospel” seems to suggest that Jesus played such a game in his youth. Interesting stuff, though I’m sure hardly definitive. But certainly water cooler stuff!

It seems prudent to stop by Angry African and catch next weeks news. It’s always special and tailored just for you. I just wish some of it actually turned out to be true. Wouldn’t that be a hoot? Then the African madman could be prescient and we could all ask him questions and he would make oodles of dough answering. Okay, get in on the ground floor and become his manager just in case it happens. Hey, if you invested in Microsoft way back when, you’d be really really rich today. So, I am giving you sound advice!

Nothing to Do But Laugh

Tags

Crafts, evolution, Gardening, gay rights, geology, Greece, immigration, Individual Rights, marriage, pasta, poverty, Rome, science, torture, vegetables

Done by Umberto Boccioni in 1911, this piece is entitled “The Laugh” and can be found at MoMA. Given that the rains have returned in force and undone all the slow seepage we have so painstakingly watched for the past several days, I figured there is not much else one can do.

We have a good lead on a nice Bronco, problem is, that now, with these additional rains, we can hardly expect to get out to see it. The Contrarian and I laughed about telling the dude to drive it to us, and then to the bank and we would drive him home and drop him off. I doubt anything but a 4×4 can get back here for another couple of days, and we have no idea how much rain is yet to come. This is just the worst winter and spring I’ve ever seen here. I hope the guy has some patience, but he wants to sell, and won’t wait surely if another offer comes his way.

Spring cleaning is proceeding just wonderfully however. I’d say half of the room is done. Mostly its pulling tables from walls and getting the dust trapped against baseboards. Yes I know, I should do this regularly. I do not of course. You have no idea, if you don’t heat with wood how incredibly dirty it is. Cobwebs are created literally within a month, everywhere. I figure three more days and it will be done. Then I may try to get busy on the painting. But I really don’t want to stop the cleaning now. I’m in a good comfortable rhythm and I want to do a good job with the kitchen, tearing the cabinets apart and reordering the entire thing.

On to the news of the day:

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When you have a moment, drop by (Mis)Adventures of a Crafty Wifey and see her extraordinarily creative jewelry. I think she has an Etsy store as well. Her work is quite eclectic and you just never know what to expect. Today, she decided to do something unusual with the flies that were tormenting her!

Okay, so maybe I am to blame for this lousy spring we are having. May is the month named after the Greek goddess Maia.I know I forgot to pay whatever homage is required. Should I burn something like a chicken or check some entrails or something. I’ve offended the Goddesssss! Whatever is needed, I’m willing to do. I want to get outside and plant and well just walk without getting my feet wet. Oh and some fine Roman victories occurred over the millenia too today, or yesterday I guess. So if you’re Italian, give a cheer for the victories over Sabines, Samnites, and Macedonians and others. Or just visit Ancient History Blog and follow more links to interesting information.

I personally detest the idea of building a wall in some asinine attempt to close off Mexico from the US. First of all, it will not work as any common sense examination of the issue shows, and secondly, IT WILL NOT WORK. Oh, and it violates tons of state laws, disturbs eco-systems, and IT WILL NOT WORK. Read more at Alternet‘s “Immigration: Do Fences make good neightbors?”

C’est La Vie reminds us of a sad statistic- Poverty and its impact on children. Canada doesn’t do a good job of carrying for children, but the US is even worse. Of course, that would be nothing new. How can we allow this? We are the richest of the rich and we let this go on. How our legislators and government can look people in the eye is beyond me. The shame is profound.

I do a lot of container gardening, mostly because I want to sit outside and be utterly surrounded by beauty. I take all my houseplants out, and arrange them, add some herbs in a container or two, a couple of hanging baskets and the rest filled with impatiens, those wonderful cascading petunias, and any and all sorts of things like lobelia. Everything sits amongst some hostas that hide in corners that don’t get much sun. Sally’s Gardening Tips has some ideas for you. Take a look.

Anybody gotten any asparagus yet? I’m sure wanting some fresh from the garden. We don’t get much, because we never kept up well with the initial planting but we do get some. Epicurious has a wonderful spring idea for you that sounds decadent to say the least. Asparagus Ravioli with Parmesan Sauce has simply got to be amazing.

Some new offers from Free Sample Forager. Today’s include a free download of a Star Wars novel, Yomommy Yogurt, Planet Heroes free DVD, and a free Comic book. Enjoy.

I’m sure you think you know why Teddy Roosevelt didn’t win the Republican nod in 1912. Newer research suggests that you might not have known at all. As we hurdle toward a Democratic convention that may prove to be more than we expected, read about how Roosevelt and Taft met heads on in a battle for the GOP nomination. Lewis Gould, (Four Hats in the Ring: The 1912 Election and the Birth of Modern American Politics) tells you all about it.

Oh, gee, another thing I can begin to obsess about. It seems that our recent shimmy shake here in the good old Midwest was not an anomaly, not something to regard as a freakish event, unlikely to happen again. No, no, you should be scared, very scared, in fact California is looking good right about now. We are on some fault line called the “New Madrid” line. I knew it was a mistake when the Spanish sailed for America. Does hopping up and down help? Or does that only work for elevators?

It appears that the marriage issue will be back on the ballot this year in California. I have not kept track of this, so I don’t know what is likely to happen. The National Reviewof course, thinks it’s just super. The Catholic wingnuts (insert right wing nutso minority) also thinks its super. I think it’s utterly horrid and mean. Nobody, not one of these dolts has yet to explain in claiming that they are protecting marriage, has told me what they are protecting it from? Not one. Seems that given that 50% of all marriages end in divorce, that it’s pretty much on life support now. I remain a supporter that anyone who wants to be married should be able to and receive all the attendant civil rights that so attach. I’m not threatened by homosexuals. I don’t think they intend to force me to divorce and marry a woman. Most importantly, I don’t try to speak for God, and since I don’t think the Bible is God speaking directly, I don’t place any real emphasis on those few passages that the wingnut religious use to claim to speak for God. So there.

More news on the torture front. The Bushites have finally released a few documents, but not many and continue to stonewall a good deal. The are trying to ride this out until after the elections I presume. They cannot keep it up for long. More and more, people are starting to predict that when all is said and done, a bunch are heading off for prison numbers. Read today’s editorial in the NYTimes and see if you agree. More and more we hear the sounds of impeachment in the air. I’m thinking it’s a tad too late for that.

The Contrarian caught this yesterday, and frankly I’m rather surprised there has been so little media coverage about it. It seems that West Coast Dock workers went on a one-day strike to protest the Iraq war. Ten thousand participated and that is quite a statement I would say. I echo Tom Cat at Politics Plus. Hats off to the Union.

Remember when Democrats stood up and refused Bushes amnesty for the Telecoms in his latest greatest eavesdropping law? Well that seems on the verge of being upset as some Dems are apparently secretly trying to pretty much give Dubya what he wants. Jay Rockefeller is implicated in this latest heist of the FICA bill. Read Glenn Greenwald’s excellent and thorough report on what is cooking behind closed doors.  

It can only be weeks away before we can somehow convert this to human beings. I mean the desire to do so on the part of any rational woman is so clear. Surely modern science can make the connection and for a change, the shoe, errr, fetus can be on the other foot, errr womb, or well, someplace. Male pregnancy is getting a long look see in seahorses. Now we just have to find some men with brood pouches and we are all set.  

Another good article on Cufi master, Pastor John Hagee and his Armaggedon scenario.Turns out it’s not just the Jews who are scheduled to die in the conflagration that Hagee prays for daily. It turns out that most of America goes as well. Course, he and his minions are all safe by then in the Rapture, watching us burn into crisps while they praise God. Old Mac it seems cannot get this at all because of senility, or perhaps he really agrees with it as well. In either case, you are aware of the type of endorsement that McCain both sought and continues to hold dear.

Have you heard the name Sami Al Hajj?Nope I didn’t think so. Mr. Al Hajj is a cameraman for Al Jazeera. He has been in Guantanamo Bay for six years. He has been released, with no charges. I always ask this same question: How to do Dubya and his band of thugs sleep at night? They do not of course ever answer me. I don’t think they have feelings like the rest of us. And who exactly are the terrorists? I’m getting more confused daily.

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“I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back.” Henny Youngman

“You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.” Will Rogers

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More Bumper Stickers!

Buckle up… it makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car.

There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead.

All men are idiots, and I married their king.

Very funny Scotty; now beam down my clothes

We’re not old people we’re recycled teenagers!

IF THIS STICKER IS GETTING SMALLER, THE LIGHT IS PROBABLY GREEN

I love to give homemade gifts, which one of my kids do you want?

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Well, the claims made by Barack Obama’s pastor former pastor, I guess, are getting more and more bizarre. He now says the high price of gas is due to Dick Cheney and all his friends — O.K., he’s right on that one. Jay Leno

David Blaine, that street magician guy, was on the “Oprah” show, where he held his breath while he was underwater for 17 minutes. Underwater for 17 minutes without breathing — or as Dick Cheney calls it, “interrogation.” David Letterman

As Americans were asked in the latest CNN poll to name worst president in their history, Harry Truman came in with an impressive 65 percent, then followed Richard Nixon with 68 percent but the all-time record with a whopping 71 percent was Dick Cheney. – Eugene Cappuccio 

Falling into the Flower Bed of Life

Tags

astronomy, Catholicism, crochet, environment, Gardening, Greece, Iraq, John McCain, knitting, racism, religion, soup, vegetables, Women's issues, world history

This is Georgia O’Keefee’s “Yellow Hickory Leaves with Daisy.” It was done in 1928 and is at the Art Institute of Chicago.

I needed something that reminded me that flowers are real. One can easily conclude that they are a mere figment of one’s imagination given the weather these days. If you can believe it, it snowed yesterday, a good 3/4 of a inch and it came down in literal sheets. Most depressing.

I have little interest in cleaning today, but I have a good excuse. The Contrarian did not sleep well, and so returned to bed around 6:30 a.m., and slept in a bit, which is all I need to declare the cleaning schedule completely ruined and a wash for the day. Pretty clever huh? I did knock down the cobwebs around the small room because I could do that quietly. I’ll do some more tomorrow. It appears that we might, just might, get some sunshine today. That would be quite unusual to be sure.

Let us see what in the world is happening!

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Today is the sad anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Stopping for a moment to remember, I guess I am most sad that so much work remains to be done. Senator Obama is very correct in his assessment that we are indeed stuck. We no longer overtly show our bigotry, but indeed, it exists within us still. It gets in some sense diluted since we have so many other groups we can hate these days, Muslims and immigrants. Yet it is all the same isn’t it? Those who struggle to make a good life, feel somehow that whatever they have they have attained by their own efforts. They reject and resent any thought that those who are less fortunate are not necessarily lazy or to blame for their unfortunate circumstances. They tout the idea that hard work is all it takes, one raises oneself up by one’s own bootstraps. Such people are against government programs to support the needy. They are afraid it will decrease what they have. They pretend that the really needy can be adequately taken care of by charity. But of course they will determine who those “really needy” are. Things have changed, but they have largely remained the same, I fear. For one person’s take on that fateful day, read Michael C. Dawson’s, “April 4, 1968: The Moment that made me a Radical.”

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Speaking of history, and we were were we not? N.S. Gill’s Ancient History Blog has a nice little biography of Homer, the father of history. Certainly Homer did not understand history the way we do. He relied often on pure rumor and innuendo for historical claims. He believed in the ancient gods and certainly in their human manifestations. But, we find that those after him read him assiduously. It was the mark of an educated person to know your Homer. Read more by following the link.

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Sandi’s Crochet Blog has a new stitch pattern she found and a new free pattern for you as well. Her blog has most all your crocheting needs imbedded somewhere within it, so be sure to spend some time looking around while you are there.

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Another asparagus recipe for you. This one is a Roasted Asparagus Soup. Oh spring soups can be so wonderful. I’m quite partial to one I no longer have a recipe for, a pea and lettuce curry soup, good hot or cold. But this one looks great and as soon as we get those new green shoots up sufficiently high, I’ll think about trying this recipe.

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The Contrarian and I have been talking about the excessive amount of wood chips and sawdust that have accumulated where the wood is being cut. He thought to gather them up and use them as mulch around the flower beds at the front of the house. After reading Home and Garden’s post on mulches, I’m not quite so sure anymore. Termites are an issue with wood mulches. Read what you can do to prevent an infestation.

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Sr. Joan Chittister is one of those people I look to to keep my moral compass aright. She is the perfect blend of Catholicism to me, pious, knowledgeable, and empathetic. She asks the question: What voice in religion is seldom heard by always there? The answer is not surprising to me at least, having had my own time in the pre-nun world of Catholicism. As always, Sister always makes you think, and usually makes you feel a bit ashamed of yourself. That is not a bad thing, but an energizing motivator.

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Knitting Dragonflies has a few neat sites she’s found. I thought this one was the most useful for our purposes, or mine I should say. I guess you, reader have little to say about this choice! This one is called, Knitter’s Review, and I thought it had some useful looking info. It also has a forum so you can ask questions and converse with other knitters.

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Communicating faults? No we aren’t talking about your marriage or your closest friendship. We are talking California and falling into the ocean. Yep, its earthquakes and they are communicating with each other! Seismologists are, well, jumping off the scale in their excitement. If I were you, I’d move.

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National Review has my kind of post today. One so thoroughly crazy and outside the realm of reality as to be the product of aliens from Planet X. Mona Charen ponders the question, just why exactly should we care what the world thinks of us? She says we shouldn’t care at all. I guess you might expect that from someone who calls the invasion of Iraq “essentially benevolent.” It gets worse, she claims that we have done nothing to those we confine at Gitmo but give them, “medical care, culturally sensitive food, prayer rugs, a Koran, and a dental plan.” Riiiighhhhht. What utter bunk. What utter chutzpah. How naive and backward thinking can one person get? Read the rest if you can stand it.

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Paul Krugman has a informative post on McCain’s health care plan, if you can call it that. The fact is, his plan is essentially more of the same tired GOP rhetoric, because fundamentally, Republicans believe that people succeed if they try, and we have plenty of charity for those who are suitably really really poor and can’t help it. Of course, the GOP is ruled by business and just maybe this Protestant work ethic idea that people are poor because they are mostly lazy is the refrain they use to keep working class and middle class people from thinking deeply. It’s always easy to dismiss the poor this way, if it means you can keep your profits high and keep the masses off your back. Because the business elite try so hard to convince you that anyone with effort can be a success, you keep plugging along, getting nowhere, and paying for everything so they don’t have to. Pretty good scheme. It’s time we woke up.

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Still listening to the rhetoric coming out of Washington and Baghdad about how well the government forces did in Basra? Still convinced that Maliki and his government, (if you can call it that) won the day against Sadr? Well think again. The Washington Post reports that in fact the Iraqi troops were overwhelmed by the second day of fighting. Thirty percent of them ran away and abandoned the fight entirely. There were shortages of ammunition and food, and some Iraqi police forces actually were helping the other side. The presence of both British and American troops saved the day as it were. It seems the lying about Iraq is so ingrained that truth is hard to come by. There is a lot more here, so pick up the link.

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Newborn brown dwarfs? No not baby Mexican midgets. Look up! They are inbetweens. No not quilting inbetweens. They are objects in our universe between planets and stars. Brown dwarfs, and they are found in stellar nurseries of course. Read all the fascinating details in Science Daily.

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If you like every entry, your nuts!

Tags

Barack Obama, breakfast, cake, crochet, Easter, Gardening, Greece, muffins, paleontology, pasta, quilting, Women's history, Women's issues, world history

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

Pick a Read and add a recipe

Tags

Barack Obama, cake, chocolate, economy, founding fathers, Gardening, Greece, Iraq, John McCain, Karl Rove, quilting, Women's history, Women's issues

Painted by Jean Baptiste Camille Corot in 1870, and entitled “Interrupted Reading.” It hangs in the Chicago Museum.

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Of interesting note, yesterday, I featured the famous mural by Seurat. Today, that painting was shown on GMA because a new stage play has been developed about Seurat’s life and the mural serves as a backdrop to the play. Apparently part of the story are the people in the mural who come to life in the play.

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It also was explained that the monkey at the foot of the woman with the bustle denotes a prostitute. I certainly was unaware of that. Also noted was that each of the people portrayed in the mural is looking at no other person. There is often much more to a painting than we assume at first glance.

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Two other matters bear mentioning today as well. First, our DSL service is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. today. The Contrarian has done what he can until the actual start time. Only then can the final hookups be done. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I have the camera working, it just needed a new battery, and the Contrarian is working on downloading. We have since changed computers and it’s not been as easy as he had hoped. So I may not have pictures, but I will be fast–God willing and the creek don’t rise as they say.

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The other mentionable is on the side bar. There is a direct link to a classic book, this one by Flaubert. You are taken to page one chapter one and can read to your hearts content. You can changed the font, coloring, margins to make it as easy to read as you like. Additionally by entering your email, it will remind you to return. Additionally, it will remember where you are, and return you to the page you left off with. You can find a direct link to the site further down in the books/reference sources. Also note the other one in that listing which is a huge site where you can find full copies of speeches, Bartlet’s Quotations, and literally hundreds of other documents and books. The internet continues to amaze me with the breadth and depth of what is now available. It appears that in excess of 100,000 books are now online in full for free. This is what the whole thing is really about, bringing knowledge and information to everyone at no cost.

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Okay, on to the potpourri of topics you have become accustomed to find here:

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In 1751, James Madison was born, and we are sure glad he was. He is, as you know, one of the most important of our founding fathers. Read a short but informative little bio about him at

American Revolution Blog. I wonder if he was Irish? Might I suggest you read the Federalist Papers and learn the real basis for the US! You can find a full copy under the History resources, Constitution link.

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I can’t complain since the snow is melting each day. A little more earth emerges each day as the snow slowly recedes in a glacial mimicry. However, the sun seems to have left its orbit and moved off into some other system for the moment and it’s been quite glum outside the last few days. As the Garden Grows has just what you need to remember that indeed those masses of spring flowers cannot be far behind. Go and take a look, take a deep breath, close your eyes, and bask in the memory of what will soon be yours to behold out your very own window!

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Regardless of your political persuasion, our government is a massive waster of our money and resources. Representative Henry Waxman, Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has been fighting that fight for a long time. He is one of my favorites as he pushes and prods, uncovering all the dirty little secrets to mismanagement and whatnot that our government tries to hide from the public. In Colorado, a taxpayer bill of rights was passed in 1992, to control some of this. Do we need one nationwide? Decide what you think.

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Civil War Women has another in her fine series on the women we never knew from history. I just get so excited when I update feeds and hers lights up alerting me to a new post. They are well researched and well written. If you have kids, I’d be requiring a read of these articles in an attempt to level the field a bit. This one is on Anna Maria Ross, a civil war nurse. Don’t miss it.

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I’m really glad that Epicurious is curious, since I find the recipes so good most every single day. I can’t make them all of course, but I think this one merits a try for a very special occasion. I’m thinking that maybe an anniversary dinner perhaps? Oh by the way, what does it say that on St. Patrick’s Day, I’m making fajitas? I’m irreligious at the very least! Anyway, try this Grand Marnier Crepe Cake and be glad you did.

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I wasn’t aware that Iowa is one of only two states that have never sent a woman to congress or elected one governor. What does this mean? The Essential Estrogen weighs in on the issue, and gives us some insight on what roll if any the Iowa media plays. An important read for sure. She are also linked to a very informative post by Women for Peace Iowa on Karl Rove’s recent visit to Iowa University. It was to say the least, a strange affair, and made this old hippie glow with pride at the protest that was held. Read their take on that “lecture.” Do people pay that lunatic money to come and spew that garbage?

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Free Sample Forager has a free sample of Tide with Dawn. Hurry while they last! The link is good and the order form pops up first.

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As I mentioned yesterday, Barack Obama has gotten himself into one nasty place in regards his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. History News Network has a very valuable essay on the subject of Rev. Wright, one that should not be missed. This story is not going away, and it’s important I think that we don’t over think this issue. Wright is doing nothing so wrong of course, it just doesn’t play well and can be used so nicely by the GOP and the radical right to dump on Obama. The role of the church in the black community is a long and some would argue essential one. It has served the African American people well. It is often misunderstood by whites. This post serves to help us understand a bit better its role, and what it means.

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Yesterday we featured some help on setting up, changing or improving a garden. I thought there was some additional insight into the subject offered by How to Garden, so you are invited to partake of the wisdom offered in a second installment. He gives you the lowdown on what you need to consider in making that garden to be viewed from the house, a true delight.

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More blocks for quilting at inspired by antique quilts. I just love the blocks. I want to make several of them. I have no time, I need to do spring cleaning. Oh, on that note, I did start a bit today, starting with the master bath. A couple more days, and it’s on to the bedroom. By the time I am done, it ought to be about November! Any volunteers? I will feed you I promise. Oh, follow the link marked “Mary” at the top of her blog to see the latest blocks. And welcome to Stitchin by the Sea, another superb quilting blog.

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So what exactly do you know about the Greek Agora? No, not angora, its not about wool. It’s about markets, the earliest we have on record in a big way. It changed the world. If you don’t believe me, go over to Live Science and read it for yourself. It may have been where people went to buy, but it’s also where they stayed to talk. And talk leads to action, and viola, democracy. Oh that it were that easy. Enjoy your history for the day!

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I find it amusing that Bush folks always sneak into Baghdad unannounced. The reason of course is obvious. Darth Cheney of course says its because “the Iraqi invasion was a successful endeavor.” I mean how does he say that with a straight face? I don’t know, but it seems that there is an alternate universe that Cheney and those of his dangerous ilk are caught up in. They do not live in our reality, but in one of their own making. Does anybody not get that the return to a less violent situation is artificially manufactured by walling off Shiites from Sunni and the fact that there has been extensive ethnic cleansing already? Does anybody not get that perhaps the only way this was accomplished was by Sadr’s moratorium on attacks? Does anyone get that we have armed both sides to the teeth in return for their cooperation in helping to eradicate al Qaeda, who were NEVER there until we invaded? Keep Cheney there and make us all happy.

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While we are on the political rant, lets talk some about John McCain. The straight talker admits that economics ain’t his strong suit, and well age may be the cause of the rest of it, but his stances on all things economic are strange, and contradictory. Not that he is quite aware of this problem. Heck he’s not even aware for the most part what his website says is his position. He often contradicts it. American Prospect has a quite useful and telling article today by Jered Bernstein. It seems his method for solving his less than stellar knowledge of how the economy works has resolved itself by and large by simply adopting Bush’s policies. Those are working soooo well of course. If you think I am trying to convince you not to vote for this guy, you are right, I am. He’s a total neo-con (like Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rice, and Rummy) in foreign policy, and a Bush neophyte as regards the economy. Oh boy, do we need more of this?????

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Oh, I love all things chocolate, so you can be sure I was going to alert you to one of my favorites, and one I don’t make nearly often enough. No, not this particular recipe, but the genre of cheeeeeesecake!! Mouth watering, drooling good, cheesecake in every manifestation. Try this marvelous Chocolate Cappuccino Cheesecake. It’s wonderfully alliterative and sounds mighty tasty too. Remember when Lucy said “and it’s so tasty too” in the Vitaminavegamin commercial show? Grams to ounces can be converted at the left remember.

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The Farmer’s Almanac has these goodies for you:

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What does it mean to get off scot-free? I dunno the answer, but is this the proper question on St. Patrick’s Day? The inhumanity of it! Blasphemy!

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The father of states. (Abbreviation of a U.S. state)? Oh I know, they are corny.

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“The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best – and therefore never scrutinize or question.” Stephen Jay Gould

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“A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.” Doug Larsen

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Today’s St. Patrick’s Day. Legend has it this patron saint drove the snakes out of Ireland. And for decades, this country was entirely free of lawyers.

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Harley-Davidson sales are up 20 percent so far this year. They’re loud, weigh a ton, and give off a noxious odor. But enough about the riders.– Alan Ray, Stockton, Calif.

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When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane. ~~Steven Wright

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Bush on Economics: Bush also said that if you look at the numbers over all, even though things may seem bad right now, they’re actually very, very good compared to how they’re going to be. So, enjoy. Jimmy Kimmel.

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