Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tuesday Diary


I need a job. Something to get me out of the house. Today and yesterday I spent most of my time at home reading blogs, responding to e-mails and messing around. I also paid bills.. Oh I let the dogs in and out.and I took a nap. I also worked on my novel (the one I am reading not the one I am writing) Such important work.

I called Jon up to see if he wanted to eat supper and we went out to Battle's Bar B Que. While we were there we looked out the front window and someone had set the trash on fire. There was a white car parked near it and I watched as the intelligent (NOT) young man backed his car closer to get a better look. He sat there for a short while and then pulled across the street so he could watch. He made no attempt to do anything about the fire. I mentioned it to our server and about a minute later the guys from the kitchen came out carrying buckets of water. They were followed a minute later by the waitress. The three of them went out and put the fire out. I thought perhaps that someone would come in the front door and steal the cash register but there was no such drama.

We ate our meals and had a nice visit. About 8 minutes later we watched as two firemen ambled up from the fire station about a block away. One had a bucket of water and the other a fire extinguisher. They proceeded to pour the bucket of water on the fire and then strolled back tot he fire station. That is about all the excitement I had today. I did go up to Walgreens to pick up a prescription. They send me an e-mail when my drugs are ready and I just have to go up and pick them up.

OH YES one other thing. This was propitious. As I was leaving the Bar B Que I stopped in at the Cyclone Liquors and asked if they had any Iowa Bourbon. They had one bottle. Iowa Bourbon is made by the Cedar Ridge Distillery near Swisher Iowa.

It is described as:

"Iowa's first bourbon since the Prohibition era. Made from nearly 75% corn, Cedar Ridge Bourbon Whiskey is crafted in small batches in our European-engineered 80-gallon pot still for a high-quality, smooth, premium bourbon that is receiving rave reviews at tasting events across the Country."

My friend John gave me a bottle of it and I was hoarding it. Wasn't going to share it with anyone. It is the nicest smoothest bourbon I have ever tasted. Now that I have another bottle I might share. I understand that their Dark Aged Rum is also superlative. I shall have to try it. Don said it is aged in Templeton Rye casks. Iowa is fortunate in the Spirits we produce. Absolutely wonderful. It is a good thing I limit my consumption.

Oh yes I picked up a fly swatter and proved the veracity of a couplet I wrote many years ago.

I have discovered the one place where flies are not.
And that is around me when a swatter I've got.

Now I have a mosquito in my bedroom. Bit me during the night. Little bastard....oh wait it is the females who bite. Makes her a Sheila. (Sheila is also a colloquial term for a girl or woman in Australia.)

Thanks for stopping by, Hugs, j

Addendum - Wednesday Morning

Read this article about Race To The Top. Then tell me.

I would like for someone to explain to my humble brain why education should be a competition. We need to bolster those states who are most disadvantaged in this so called "Race to the Top." Just like "No child Left Behind." Politicos do not understand the fundamental nature of education where you help every (underline that) child to do her or his best! Unfunded schools will keep driving nails in America's coffin.

Newly Discovered Blog

Veronica stopped by and expressed amazement at what Miles did to the toilet paper. As I often do I checked her out and discovered her blog "Amusing Musings" She has some very nice photos and interesting musings there and I invite you to go visit her.

New Wedge Issue

NPR has this story up today about Christians not wanting a Mosque in Tennessee.

I read this quote in a story yesterday

I am a liberal, progressive, secularized American Muslim. But when I see that bigotry against my faith — my very identity — has become so commonplace in America that it is shaping into a wedge issue for the midterm elections, I can barely control my anger.

I can't imagine how the next generation of American Muslim youth will react to such provocations. I pray that we never find out.

Reza Aslan is a contributing editor at The Daily Beast. He is the author of No God But God and Beyond Fundamentalism.

Read here.

I have been thinking that perhaps the Republican (Tea) party has decided that so many people no longer care about whether or not gays get married and they need a new wedge issue. They have focused their hatred on Islamic people..

This is indeed a sad thing. Most Muslims just want to peacefully co-exist with all of us, just as most Christians aren't represented by these people. Fundamentalists of any religion really do scare me.

Because they can't love they have to have something to hate.

Addendum.

Dianne over at Forks Off the Moment has this take on the issue...We Need More Practice.

John just sent me this from Frank Rich who asks:

How do you win Muslim hearts and minds in Kandahar when you are calling Muslims every filthy name in the book in New York?

Monday, August 23, 2010

Silent E



I love Tom Lehrer. Susan had this posted on Facebook

Quote for today

We believe it is time to shine light on the hypocrisy of politicians and pundits who expound on the freedom of religion for their chosen sects while seeking to tell our Muslim brothers and sisters where they can and cannot worship. Using a political podium to bully a religious community threatens one of our most fundamental freedoms.

“Stop the War on Prayer”

Eye Opener

“the billionaires behind the hate.”