This 11 year old knows what he is talking about and he wants to grow up to be an organic farmer. Nice!
This is our Open Thread. Time to Speak Up!
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TheZoo
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
Olbermann’s back on Tuesday. MSNBC has apparently gotten the message (300,000 times).
I think there must have been a lot of conversations on the executive level at MSNBC. The jerk that fired him probably stuck to his guns until the rest of the room said, “That’s a third of a million people, dipshit. STFU and put him back on the air.”
Gotta wonder how long our ‘civilization’ would last in a complete meltdown of our food processing and transport systems…
The rural folks who could be self sufficient would win, urban folks, not so much.
Devout Mormons always have a year’s supply of food in storage on site. It’s part of the program. When I lived in AZ, I knew many many whose home included walk-in cold room storage, also huge closets filled with canned foods of all sorts.
In this day and age, particularly with Republicans again on the threshold and wanting to destroy everything that doesn’t either increase their power or make the rich richer, I suppose one could conclude that the old LDS tradition was/is a worthy one.
We could, I suppose, here in rural Colorado grow a lot of our own food. But not this time of year. Takes planning. Whazzat?
I have a very bad feeling in my gut concerning the immediate future, and, with no reversal in two years, the more distant future of this country. On virtually all fronts.
Long day at school today. Have a great day, all!
frugal – yesterday I spoke with a friend who is a citizen of Holland. He is an art distributor and travles Europe frequently. He was telling me that Europe is in the decline both politically and economically and that the US in not far behind. I don’t hold much hope for the future, either. If the younger generation doesn’t get more involved, then their future looks bleak.
frugal, don’t the LDS believe in ‘charity begins at home’? Meaning they’ll help LDS members and really don’t ‘distribute’ to the ‘outside’?
Thanks for a great post Cats. That child is an excellent speaker and Joel Salatin is a Virginia hero. One problem with our current system is that we subsidize the wrong things. I can’t sell a T-bone for $5.00/lb. The company who grazes government land for a minimal fee, ships a load to a packer-owned feedlot where they are stuffed with subsidized corn and drugs designed to minimize the disease exposure inherent in overcrowding, and then processes them in a facility that has a captive supply chain can. I need to charge $20.00/lb for the same cut to make a profit. Sad thing is, we’d all be better off eating 1/4 lb of the local sustainable meat than we are eating 1 lb of factory meat. That local meat tastes a lot better too.
As to the supply chain, I sell a lot of cut flowers. On the Saturday after 9/11 a young woman came to my stand and bought everything I had. She was getting married that day and her florist was unable to supply flowers due to the disruption of air traffic. Now, I know flowers are not essential to life, but reliance on imports that also require a lot of fuel to be burned to bring them to market is crazy when we can grow the same product within 10 miles of where it’s needed.
Sorry for ranting, this issue is sort of a passion for me.
I agree, Cats. It’s hard to put a finger on anything with precision, but it seems to me that in the long haul, overall, it’s capitalism itself that is behind the failure. And yes, I do understand the benefits of capitalism, properly applied; but what’s happened is that the concept of elevating everyone to a comfortable plane has yielded to the more base instinct to do all possible to gain power and the position doing so guarantees. Ergo, the quest for money money money (whatever the hell “money” really is) at the expense of everything, including society as a whole, especially at the expense of the already poor and of the middle class, the latter of whom simply cost TOO MUCH to be allowed to continue in the comfy and productive lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed – better to outsource, take advantage of slave labor available elsewhere on the globe. More money in it.
America, at its operative level, has become bereft of soul. Greed is all that counts, greed has won. Accordingly, we will likely not long survive. I don’t fear for myself, I’m too damn old to be worth worrying about. But for the younger generations — I hope they have the vision to see what their antecedents have wrought, and work diligently to correct it before it’s too late.
Time is short.
On a related subject, I ran across an interesting analysis of ‘trends’ on Truthdig. Check out “A Recipe for Fascism” by Chris Hedges at
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/a_recipe_for_fascism_20101108/
Ebb: Yes indeed, that’s what the LDS believes, and does. I remember well many years ago several Mormons of my acquaintance would devote one Saturday per week, during the proper season, working at what they called their Stake Farm. It was a 40 or 80 acre plot in which produce was grown each and every year, canned or otherwise put up, to be used by and for church members who didn’t have enough, for whatever reason. But it was for LDSers, not anyone else. Charity has a beginning, and an end.
Has anyone here read Barbara Kingsolver’s “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle”? It’s about food self-sufficiency, and a lot more. Highly recommended (by me!)
“If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft, And from thy slender store two loaves alone to thee are left, Sell one and from the dole, Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul”
Muslih-uddin Sadi
Flowers are important ~ thanks for your passion, OIMF!
The last four lines of Wm. Wordsworth’s Ode On Intimations Of Immortality:
Thanks to the human heart by which we live,
Thanks to its tenderness, its joys, and fears,
To me the meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.
Amen.
I read “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” and I also recommend it. She includes a lot of interesting stories related to her own experience with growing her own food. The scariest is the story of Percy Schmeiser, whome Monsanto wanted to bill because his field became contaminated with their GMO Round-up ready trait. More here:
http://www.percyschmeiser.com/
Outstanding… We purchase 1/4 steer that was raised locally and grass fed. Last year, the price was $3.35/pound, hanging weight. I was told that the price would be more per pound this year. Do you sell your beef that way? We found that it is cheaper per pound if we order a 1/4 steer vs. buying cuts separately. Sure, we paid $3.35 lb. for hamburger but we also paid $3.35 lb. for filet mignon. We ordered a heritage turkey for Thanksgiving and yes it is expensive but the quality of the meat is so much better. There is no injecting the dead turkey breast with salt water so that it is juicy. The heritage turkeys are naturally juicier and tastier. Thank you for your organic farming. I see how much work goes into this when I stop at the local organic farms in my area. Sustainable agriculture is big in PA.
Ebb, I was just about to post something about that as well. I just read about it on HuffPo. Here was their opening paragraph, which just has my blood boiling.
A Morgan Stanley wealth manager will not face felony charges for a hit-and-run because Colorado prosecutors don’t want him to lose his job.
Justice is supposed to be blind. But apparently listens for the clanking of coins.
I must live under a dark cloud or something. Moved out of Arizona in part because the local politics had gotten so ridiculous; relocated to Colorado, where … local politics are getting absolutely stupid.
I need an island somewhere. Way out there. Somewhere.
It’s innovative and clever the way Google honors/celebrates things by sprucing up their logo.
Today it’s 115th anniversary of the x-ray – check it out ~
Is dbadass on vacation? – We’ve not been privileged to know the ‘catch of the day’. Miss his recipes.
Why isn’t everyone all over the first SCOTUS ruling on the Health Care bill? Since the suit was so broadly based, it seems to have pulled the rug out from under the anti health care movement. BnF, could you deliver some enlightenment. We will pay the usual fee.
I am so happy that Keith is coming back.
Another bit of news.. Rand Paul is doing an about-face before he even takes office.. Anyone here surprised?
muse, yeah I saw that. TP just did a post on it.
If the Tea Baggers have a shred of honesty in their positions they will denounce him. I’m not holding my breath.
ebb,
dbadass only drops in for comments now and then. He is still alive over on TP. He will show up here when he needs help on a recipe for a metric ton of escargot tongues.
thanks, Walt!
pachy,
Tell me when you want to meet. I made the prior date based on the assumption that you were gainfully employed. I am not, having retired twice. The last time generated three jobs for replacements.
Regards,
Walt
Walt,
I’m retired but busy this week driving vehicle for small business owner who got DUI and lost his licence.
Do you do breakfast?
It’s me! I’m back!
I had a modem go bad, and couldn’t get one from Comcast until today! I just got in a little bit ago and got re-connected.
Nice to have you back, House. We were a little worried.
Jeebus, I’m tired.
The sun went down half an hour ago, and my body clock is saying, “Time to get ready for bed!”
Ugh.
Hi Zooey. I was on a waiting list for a modem, because they were out of them at the office. I was out at the shop when I got the call that my name came up to the top of the list, and a functioning one had been turned in.
I was going to tell y’all what happened, but it was like when Les Nessman went on the air with a special report to tell Cincinnati that the WKRP transmitter had been bombed!
Zooey,
Ain’t it hell getting old? ;(
Pachy, I really wouldn’t know.
Damn, local news reported on a woman here who tried to sell her 8 week old grandson for $30K. The baby’s mother is in jail.
Zooey, @#%!& young whippersnapper!
Give it time sweetie, a month or two, it sneaks up fast.
Desperation makes people do bizarre things. I wonder who was trying to buy the kid?
Yeah, the old. Yeesh, some days…
I see nothing much has changed here since I was last on here…
House, just a whole lotta missing you.
House is back in the house.
House, I almost feel bad, I’ve had a Comcast modem sitting here unused for almost a year. If they want it they can come and get it.
Mmmmm, ribeye steak.
Real meat!! Stumbled onto a great deal yesterday at the grocery store, and now my son and I will have two steak dinners. Might save the extras for Christmas dinner.
Yum…
Pachy, it’s just here in Huntsville there is a shortage. I can’t even upgrade to the 12 Mbps service, for lack of a newer modem. I guess they don’t want too many spares sitting unused on the shelf, tying up capital. I was on the schedule for a service call, as I was told unofficially that the repair trucks carry spares, that they swap out on-site. So many are having to call for repair service to come to their house, just to get replacement modems or tuners, that’s backed up too. My appointment was day after tomorrow, unless I cancel it.
Zooey,
I’d send you a bow and arrows so you could deer hunt but then I remembered your weak arms. You could try fresh roadkill.
The roadkill squirrels are plentiful right now!
I just remembered something weird I saw on Halloween.
I was sitting in the car, waiting for my son to get some sort of Halloween costume at the comic book store, when this guy drives up in his Dodge Ram, and parks right in front of me.
He gets his laundry out of the back of the truck, his box of soap (cheap stuff), and his dog, and headed into the laundromat next to the comic book store. If he hadn’t had the cheap-assed soap, I probably wouldn’t have kept looking, but I noticed as he was walking away that he was wearing a side arm.
To the laundromat. Oy…
All you need to cook squirrel is a popcorn popper. That’s how Huckabee did it in college. Plus you can make warm things to wear with the pelts.
Squirrel in a popcorn popper. That’s interesting. Ew.
People who wear side arms must think it makes them look badass, but I think it looks ridiculous — unless you’re walking around in the woods or desert.
Maybe he saw you first!
Could he have been an off duty cop? Or just how bad a neighborhood is the laundromat?
I use to use a laundromat in Jacksonville that had 5 or 6 homeless people living behind it. When it got cold they would go inside and fall asleep.
I guess he could have been, but I didn’t recognize him. Of course, I haven’t worked in the courthouse for over four years now, so there could be new ones. I’ve never seen an off-duty cop carrying his gun like that. Or maybe, since our courthouse got shot up a few years ago, he’s a fraidy cat.
This is Moscow, the neighborhoods just don’t get that bad.
Keith apologizes to fans — not MSNBC.
{{{{{ HOUSE }}}}}
Knew it had to be something major for you to miss wishing Mistress Z a happy anniversary of her natal day ~!~
Nancy Grace is a horrible person. I’m glad this case settled.
Hi 2ebb,
Major? A faulty modem? No, just an old, tired piece of gear that died from overuse. It was the original one from when Comcast put in the internet for me in 2005. Funny how you can’t connect to the web without one, though.
I seem to have missed a lot. I did hear about Olbermann being suspended on his show Friday night. Now he’s reinstated, and we’ll see if that holds. I’m interested in the time slot’s ratings, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Monday normally sucks anyway, due to Monday Night Football.
“Let me look at you House – it’s been so damn long!”
Just know that you were missed and damn glad to see you back on line!
From last Wednesday:
My son got me the complete fourth series of Doctor Who for my birthday. Woo hoo!!
Belated Happy Birthday Zooey!
Those are the ones I have seen the most. BBC America just started over again with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper. I missed most of these first time ’round.
I got signed up for two more classes than I actually need for my last semester.
I couldn’t decide which classes I liked best, so I signed up for all of them. I like having the option to drop the classes I like the least!
Thanks, House! I’m really enjoying the “Doctor Donna” and Catherine Tate. She’s a genius!
House, you did see where Governor ‘Moonbeam’ is now the oldest (as well as the youngest) elected to that office!
—–
George W. Bush is a sick and warped individual, and so’s his mom.
pachy,
I do breakfast around 10 am. I am a late person (Not that kind of late!). I would guess that a weekend (or perhaps weekday) lunch is about it. I picked Sonney’s because you said you were near Masters Drive. Is there a more fitting place?
Walt
pachy,
Tomorrow and Friday are out for this week. I or my spouse have doctor’s appointments.
Zooey,
I could have told you that on the Bushes about 10 years ago!
Wow, lots to comment on today. So, in order,
Mormons: those that store food will lose to those who have more firepower. Many say that if they could save only one book in the face of a global disaster, they would save the Bible. Me, I’d save a book on edible plants/foraging.
Hey, I never thought of it that way, BnF — scope out the Mormon households in the neighborhood, cuz that’s where we’ll find food. Way to set themselves up for home invasion!
Walt,
I prefer 10 – 10:30 for breakfast over lunch. A Saturday is better for me right now.
There’s a place called The Spot on SR 16, just past Masters Dr. on the left in a small strip center. I walk there when I go.
Now, the Supreme Court decision.
No surprise. They appellants took a case from the District Court straight to the Supremes. That’s a no-no. Gotta go to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, first, then to the Supremes.
But did you know that there are some cases that go straight to the Supreme Court first?
“In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.”
Those don’t come up too often.
Where do I send my bill?
Shayne’s in charge of paying the bills, BnF. Of course, I’m still waiting for my paycheck from 2007.
I think it’s funny that Orange Boner keeps talking about ‘Washington’ as if he just arrived.
pachy,
Is that SR 16 west bound or east bound?
BnF,
To the dead letter office.
Walt, you are in fine form these days! ~
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
nothin’… sheesh.
Walt,
That would be West off US 1. or A1A. Cross the train tracks, go through 2 traffic signals, less that 1/8 mile past 2nd signal.
Where do you drive East on SR16 from Saint Augustine, Bermuda?
What did you expect? You’re already there …
Hey Gary, it’s been a while. Hope things are going well.
BTW, I really hope Keith comes back tomorrow, cuz I just watched today’s show. Prolly shouldn’t have done that…
Zooey, I guess that’ll learn me to work without gettin’ a retainer up front!
BnF, we appreciate you forgetting that.
pachy,
I was concerned more about Masters. I could also take SR206 and I-95 (If I had a death wish.) We’ll go for this Saturday about 10 AM or so.
Gary, good to read you again.
I probably asked this before, but I can’t find the answer.
Question about the Kindle: what ‘s the largest font size the reader can do without it being just two or three letters on the screen?
Walt,
I-95 would be way out of the way. I’d recommend the ride up A1A or US 1. If you come up Masters turn left on 16 then about 1/2 block on the left.
I’ll be there at 10AM this Saturday. I’ll wear a DEA hat.
pachy,
Only a hat? I have a crew cut, but will be wearing ordinary clothing. This should be interesting.
That should be an interesting lunch, Walt. You might prepare yourself for all the attention Pachy will be getting…in his hat.
OK Walt,
I was going to wear my kilt but the mornings are too chilly for that. I’ll wear pants and a shirt and under the hat will be a head of hair that needed a hair cut a month ago. I haven’t decided whether or not to shave so there might be stubble around the muzzle. I might even move the bi-weekly bath to Friday night instead of Saturday night.
“Bi-weekly bath”
Whether you need it or not, right Pachy?
Goodnight, all.
Zooey my lovely,
I can’t wait to hear the dirt Walt has on you!
000000000
You men better not be gossiping, ya hear!
ebb,
Link to Kindle font sizes.
ebb,
If you have your seeing eye dog read it, teach it how to hit the page down button!
I am off to bed now, gd’night Zooey.
Thanks, Walt. Kindle isn’t going to work for these trifocal eyes.
Were I to be a fly on the wall as TheMan and The Dragonfly meet! (unfortunately the 3,000 mile journey is a bit much for the ordinary housefly).
Look who’s visiting the Bay Area “spreading the love of gawd”: