Monday, August 12, 2024
Sanders to Trump: You lose support every time you talk about healthcare – so 'go for it'
As Sen. Sanders points out, the U.S. is the outlier. Most other countries in the world have a living wage, affordable or no-cost healthcare, paid family leave, and other policies Trump is trying to label "radical." It won't work. America is ready to join the civilized world. You tell 'em, Bernie!
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Friday, August 09, 2024
Thursday, August 08, 2024
Wednesday, August 07, 2024
Sunday, August 04, 2024
It’s Sunday
Frank Sinatra and Tony Mottola bring us this beautiful song.
Have a peaceful and quiet day.
Saturday, August 03, 2024
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Happy Hump Day
Here's Engelbert with his 2021 remake of his 1988 classic "One World."
Though I have no idea what Enge's politics are, I do know from listening to him talk that he believes in love and peace. I believe in those things too.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Speaking at LBJ Library, Pres. Biden issues announcement on Supreme Court reform
Glenn Kirschner on Pres. Biden's proposed SCOTUS reforms
Monday, July 29, 2024
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Come Saturday Morning
It's been quite a week! Take a breether, relax, regroup and recharge body and mind for whatever next week may have in store.
Friday, July 26, 2024
Words Have Consequences
Violence, killing, war - these are not matters to be spoken of lightly. Yet Trump and his MAGA cult members routinely speak of some people needing to be killed and of the need for a civil war to protect their values (perverted as those are) and what they perceive as their liberties and way of life.
And yet, words have consequences. Beyond January Sixth and its ongoing ramifications, Trump's violent rhetoric has the predictable result of inciting terrorism. Yesterday an unnamed man was arrested and held in Las Begas after a months-long spree of harassing and threatening the lives of judges, D.A.s and others in the justice system nationwide who have been involved in legal cases, civil and criminal, against Trump.
The fellon that MAGA proclaimed to be their presidential nominee does not just have a decades-long record of criminal and dangerous behavior behind him, he represents a clear and present danger to our nation in the here and now. For all his painfully obvious mental deterioration, he knows all too well what he is doing when he calls for real, physical violence.
In April, Trump lost an appeal seeking to suspend a series of law suits that seek to hold him liable for January Sixth. Curiously, these suits attract little if any attention from the corporate media, though presumably they are ongoing. Incitement to violence is also a crime. I am no clairvoyant, yet it is not difficult for me to see more indictments, stemming from the actions of his cult members like the one in Las Vegas, in Trumps not so distant future.
Links
Rolling Stone: Trump Allies Sure Are Talking A Lot About Civil War (Opens in a new browser window)
Talking Feds [YouTube channel]: Pro-Trump LUNATIC Arrested for Threatening Judges (opens in a new browser window)
Thursday, July 25, 2024
Those people…The shape they’re in, all the expenses, maybe those kinds of people should just die.
Fred C. Trump III with then Pres. Donald Trump in the Oval Office, 2018
Just when you think you've heard the worst about Donald Trump, something worse comes up.
In a forthcoming book by his nephew, Fred C. Trump III, the former president and wannabe dictator is quoted as telling Fred that he should let his disabled son die and then move down to Florida.
Now maybe I'm biased, seeing that I myself am disabled, but I take exception to that attitude. It reminds me of something a doctor - a doctor mind you - told my recently widowed mother when I was lying comatose in his hospital and not expected to recover: "Throw her in a custodial care facility till she dies of pneumonia. You're young. You can have other children."
Trump's attitude does not surprise me. We've seen glimpses of it before. Remember his 2015 mockery of reporter Serge Kovaleski, who suffered from a congenital joint condition? If I had known nothing else about Trump, that act of cruelty and disrespect alone would have caused me not to vote for him.
Kovaleski was a stranger and a grown man. Here he's suggesting that his own flesh and blood, a teenager, be "allowed to die" since, after all, he has multiple disabilities, including mental defacits. In other words, he's not a person at all.
In 2024, if that were the only thing I knew about Donald Trump, it would cause me not to vote for him.
Links
Time: My Uncle Donald Trump Told Me Disabled Americans Like My Son ‘Should Just Die’ (opens in a new browser window)
The Guardian: Trump told nephew to let his disabled son die, then move to Florida, book says (opens in a new browser window)
The Guardian: Trump nephew reveals Uncle Donald’s racist outburst in new book (opens in a new browser window)
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Hump Day
Mano a mano, hand in hand, we've got the power to turn this darkness into light!
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Police violence claims another life
The American system of policing is fundamentally flawed. Hardly a week goes by without a report of some cop, somewhere, shooting dead a citizen, usually a person of color, frequently a teenaged black boy.
The latest incident is particularly shocking since the victim, a black woman named Sonya Massey, called the police for assistance because she believed there was an intruder in her home. On the officer’s body cam video, he can be heard verbally abusing Sonya and then threatening to kill her before fatally shooting her in the head.
His own words and action demonstrate that this man should never have been in any job dealing with the public, certainly not one as demanding of intelligence, quick wits, patience and empathy as that of a law enforcement officer.
As one man quoted in the Guardian report points out, for years the Defense Department has been sending surplus armaments to city and town police departments. Our civilian police do not need tanks. They need the ability to cope calmly, rationally and with a touch of sympathy with distraught people who call for their help.
Biden calls for justice after footage released of police killing Black woman (opens in a new browser windo)
Kamala Harris joins calls for police reforms after Sonya Massey killing (opens in a new browser windo)
Trump’s Kryptonite
We have to" earn his sacrifice" Rick Wilson says, and he's absolutely right. How many of us would, or could, have done what Pres. Biden did? Up to now the 2024 election has been centered on a negative - keeping Trump from returning to the presidency. Now, it is centered on a positive - electing Pres. Biden's chosen successor and thereby honoring his heroic patriotism.
Monday, July 22, 2024
It's a brand new morning
I've come to peace, more or less, with our new reality. After all, it was Pres. Biden's decision and sacrifice to make. He has graciously and fully endorsed V.P. Harris, who is moving with all deliberate speed to make the requisite arrangements and to unify the Party, together with all others of good will who wish to purge the body politic of the cancer that is Trump and his MAGA cult.
Is she my ideal candidate? No. Can she win with what one might call a coalilition of the democracy minded? Yes! She has charisma and style. She is intelligent and devoted to our country and our Constitution. She is a former D.A. and a former senator, after all. She has a heavy load to lift but, with the help of us all, she shall shift it and lift it and fling it far into the depths.
I am still reeling from the events of yesterday afternoon. Perhaps you are as well. That's okay. It's all right to grieve and to feel disappointment and anger. But rather than letting these emotions overcome us, tempting us to give up, we must carry on, must turn our disappointment and anger and sorrow into renewed determination to defeat Trump. The mission hasn't changed, only the one being sent. Together, Mrs. Harris and all of us will see that mission through to the end, and start a new, bright chapter for America.
Sunday, July 21, 2024
President pushed out by Dem. leadership in bogus crisis
In a move as notable for its hubris and bigotry as for its sheer shortsighted stupidity, key members of the Democratic Party have forced U.S. Pres. Joe Biden to step down as the party's presumptive presidential nominee in favor of his Vice President, Kamala Harris.
The big cable news companies ignited an artificial bruhaha after the June 27 presidential debate, where Mr. Biden experienced a major stuttering episode brought on by a combination of exhaustion and anxiety/frustration. Although the president came through the episode and continued the debate, and although what he said throughout was logical, sensible and true while Donald Trump lied continually, the corporate media manufactured a crisis over Mr. Biden's supposed mentaal decline. This in the face of years' worth of evidence that Mr. Biden is intelligent, thoughtful, mentally well organized and extremely competent while Mr. Trump's mental illness and cognitive decline have been blindingly evident for years and have, in fact, been growing more severe practically by the week.
From the start, Democratic Party "leaders" jumped on the so-called crisis, calling into question the President's fitness to serve as the Democrats' challenger to Trump. Were it not for these self-serving hacks, the made up nonstory would have died a quick and quiet death, since the people themselves, who voted overwhelmingly for Mr. Biden in the primaries, have been with him all the way; indeed, contrary to the lie promulgated by corporate news, support for the President has only been growing since the debate and the recent "MAGA (formerly Republican) nominating convention.
But, not to be deterred by the will of the people, these same selfserving Democrats succeeded on Sunday in pressuring Mr. Biden, who has recently suffered a second bout of Covid, into stepping aside in favor of Harris.
The ageism and contempt for a person who has largely overcome a stutter, to say nothing of the blatent disrespect for a man of principle, moral rectatude, deep knowledge of U.S. and World politics and frankly breathtaking mental accuity sickens this writer. It is also incredible that those who claim to want to defeat Trump have now cacheered the one and only candidate with a proven track record of defeating Trump. It may still be possible to pull off a blue tsunami that effectively buries MAGA without a trace. I certainly hope so! But it would have been a whole lot easier with Biden as the nominee.
Saturday, July 20, 2024
It's Saturday!
It's Saturday! Kick back, relax with a tall glass of ice cold lemonade and forget about your cares for a while.
Friday, July 19, 2024
Thursday, July 18, 2024
Hostas Chez Catreona
The hostas are doing remarkably well this year. Sis took this photo earlier this week.
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Sometimes A Day Goes By
I've always loved this song, from a fantastic Pop album by Placcido Domingo. But since losing Mom, I find it really reminds me of her. It's so true.
The Impossible Dream
Another Broadway score Mom and I loved was "The Man of La Mancha". Here's the incomparable Richard Kiley.
Wind beneath My Wings
Carmel Quin did two or three concerts at my alma mater, The College of our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass. while I was a student there. Mom and I attended and enjoyed them. At one of the shows, Carmel sang "The Wind beneath My Wings." Funnily enough, though I was familiar with the song, it had never done a whole lot for me. Hearing Carmel sing it, though, brought the meaning home to me. I remember squeezing Mom's hand during the song, and her seeming perplexed at my doing so. But it said everything I was never able to say to her.
Can't seem to find Carmel Quin on YouTube, so here's Bette Midler.
Mack and Mabel & I wont Send Roses
When we lived in England in the mid 1980s, Mom and I both enjoyed listening to "Saturday Morning with David Jacobs" on BBC Radio 2. One of David's things was the score from an obscure Jerry Herman show called _Mack and Mabel_. He loved that score and especially a sort of anti-love song called "I Won't Send Roses" sung by Robert Preston. He played that song, and played it... It wouldn't surprise me to find that David Jacobs singlehandedly made that score a bestselling record in Gritain. We bought it, and well nigh wore out the cassette before upgrading to CD a few years later.
Something else Mom and I shared was being enchanted with Torvill and Dean. When YouTube came along, we both spent happy hours watching their videos. So, what could be better than Torvill and Dean meat "Mack and Mabel"?
Up, Up and Away
With one Mom and I always loved to turn up loud and sing along with, here's The 5th Dimension.
You And Me Against The World
Today marks three years my mother has been gone. Throughout the day I'll be posting songs that she liked and/or that remind me of her. We begin with Helen Reddy and "You and Me against the World".
My papa was lost at sea in December, 1968. Mom married my dad in June, 1971. So, there was a period when it was just the two of us. This song reminds me of that period and, despite hard times, all the fun we had.
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Lawrence O'Donnell: Biden speaks to NATO and AFL-CIO after Trump read a teleprompt...
Though this video is a few days old, it is well worth watching in its entirety.
Monday, July 15, 2024
Disturbing GOP Ads Surface after Trump Rally Shooting
#NoMAGA #StopMAGA
Be warned, friends, the campaign ads shown in this video are violent. That's what MAGA is all about, after all, violence...violence and lies. One ad depicts Democrats as Klansmen.
We need to recognize and continually point out that this is not normal political rhetoric, but rather an appeal to voters' bassest instincts, to their lowest nature. By doing so, of course, they demean the very voter's they're trying to win over by saying to them, "You can only understand an action movie or a video game. You can't be expected to understand policy. Vote for me, Heep Big Action Hero, and I'll take care of the mean old bad guys for you.
Any way you slice it, they're despicable. Vote Blue
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Saturday, July 13, 2024
New Music Order Game
As you may or may not know, one of my avocation is writing quizzes for FunTrivia. Here's my latest, in the match format. If you're a Donny Osmond fan, give it a whirl.
Something Cool
Here are a couple options for quenching your thirst this warm July Saturday:
Classic Strawberry Daiquiri [Click]
Nonalcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri [Click]
Banana Daiquiri (with or without alcohol) [Click]
And for your listening pleasure:
June Christy: "Something Cool" - YouTube [Click]
Friday, July 12, 2024
A Summer Song
It's time to take a break. Sit back, sip some lemonade and let Engelbert calm your mind with his Summer Song.
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Post debate panic? What post debate panic would that be?
As usual, the American man in the street shows a lot more commonsense than the media. A new report from a consortium of major universities finds, unsurprisingly to anyone who has a brain and uses it on a regular basis, that the June 27 debate caused exactly zero panicked rush to dump Pres. Biden amongst ordinary folks.
Democrats who are calling for Biden’s removal are playing into a crisis that the media created. There is no statistical support for the idea that voters have left Biden or that there is an urgent need for Democrats to replace their nominee. The Biden debate crisis appears to be a media construct that panicked Democratic elites have played into. President Biden is doing a better job than Donald Trump of holding on to his supporters.
Thinking about things and a supergirl fantasy
It seems Don Jr. has just as many bats in the belfry as Dear Old Dad. He’s concerned about Marco Rubio as Trump’s running mate. According to Don Jr., once the ticket is elected nefarious forces (he might have named them, I don’t remember) will force Trump into the background and shine the spotlight on Rubio. Uhuh. Well, I guess it’s nice to see filial concern. :P
Actually, I had forgotten about the news item until this morning, when it surfaced. Up to now, I hadn’t given any thought to Trump’s VP pick, but remembering the article got me thinking. You know who the perfect choice would be? Marjorie Taylor Green. Follow me here. My reasoning is that, once the MAGA ticket is thoroughly trounced, her political career will be over. Remember Sarah Palen? After her half a term as governor, she sank without a trace; and, that was a run of the mill presidential campaign. With Trump and Co. plowed under, presumably everybody concerned will be, shall we say, toast.
And, can you imagine the VP debate? Harris would chop Green into mincemeat and Green wouldn’t even know what hit her. Thinking about that gives me a great deal of pleasure. I’d love to see Green put in her place. Even more, I’d love to see her have to go crawling back to Georgia 14 in disgrace – ignorant, bullying piece of filth that she is.
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Tuesday, July 09, 2024
Monday, July 08, 2024
Sunday, July 07, 2024
Saturday, July 06, 2024
Things ain't what they used to be
I’ve spent (wasted?) the afternoon tinkering with the blog layout. In its infinite wisdom Blogger has changed the creator interface since The Arty Blog was created in the Dark Ages. So, I have a lot less control over exactly how the thing looks than I’d prefer – which is aggravating. But then, most everything seems to be aggravating nowadays.
I mean, it is the world, right? It’s not that I’m getting old and cranky! 8)
"I wouldn't if I didn't think I did."
In a televised interview last night, Pres. Biden rejected claims of mental incompetence and calls for him to leave the presidential race that have grown and spread like kudzu since his poor showing in the June Twenty-seventh CNN debate with former president Trump. In a spirited exchange with ABC's George Stephanopoulos, the president discussed recent campaign events and gave a glimpse into his daily workload. Needless to say, Mr. Biden was sharp and in control of facts. He also aserted (rightly in this blogger's view) that he is the candidate who can and shall beat Trump in November.
I have been disgusted and infuriated by the rush, even by some I had long admired, to create an issue where none existed- there have been bad debate performannces before! - and foment panic. Perhaps the President's forceful presentation last night will put such dangerous nonsense to rest once and for all, so we can get on with the business of keeping Trump from being re-elected.
Friday, July 05, 2024
US Economy: Jobs numbers not great but still okay
Here's NBC Nwews' summary of today's US jobs report:
It's been a long, long time!
After some eight years, I'm back. A lot has happened since I was last here:
We’ve lived through the disaster of the Trump presidency, the Covid 19 pandemic and the 2020 election. A week after Biden was officially declared the winner, my mother had a stroke. She lingered until the evening of July 17, 2021. Since she’s been gone Dad, Sis and I have been desolate. One goes on, of course, but everything seems pretty blank. In the immortal words of Paul Simon:
I have my books and my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
In other words, I read a great deal not, I suppose, that that’s really anything new. Also I’ve been spending a lot of time watching videos concerning Trump, his legal travails and mental health issues cum cognitive decline. That at least has the advantage of keeping my mind off my own troubles.
My first link of the new era for _The Arty Blog_ concerns humans helping their fello creatures:
Over 100 Dolphins Saved from Historic Mass Stranding in Cape Cod
Saturday, December 06, 2014
Trying to Get the Feeling Again
Since we missed A Charlie Brown Christmas when it was broadcast this year, Sis and I watched it last evening, rather late, on DVD while drinking cocoa. Now, that's more like it!
Today we went to have our hair done. The shop had a small Christmas tree and just enough decorations to be festive but not enough to be garish. That, too, helped put me in the holiday spirit.
No snow today, as had been forecast earlier in the week, but there was rain and what might have been sleet. Not too jolly, but definitely wintery. The current forecast doesn't call for snow flurries till Thursday. But, there's still plenty of time for serious snow, a la "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
Fill It
The dentist explained that the upper jaw is more porous, allowing the medicine to penetrate more easily to the tooth. The numbness also wears off faster. By contrast, the lower jaw is denser, so it takes longer for the numbing agent to take effect, as well as longer to wear off.
I think of the numbing agent as Novocain, but I could have sworn the dentist said tequila.
Two Thoughts
Tequila might have worked faster as well as being a lot more fun than a needle!
No doubt when Sampson slew one thousand men with the jawbone of an ass, he used the lower jaw.
Profound thoughts from the dentist chair. :P
Monday, December 01, 2014
Trying to Get the Feeling
On breaking out the Christmas records this weekend, the first one I played was In the Swing of Christmas by Barry Manilow. Not only a lovely Christmas album, it's a fine Jazz album as well.
Even with seasonal music, I'm not really in the mood yet. Here's hoping I get a little ho, ho ho into my style in the coming days!
Friday, November 28, 2014
Advent Begins
Today we begin the period of preparation for the coming of Baby Jesus, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who became Man, entering into His creation to redeem us.
We should use this time not only to look forward in joy, but also to look into our own hearts and prepare them to be a place fitting to receive Our Lord.
It's hard in today's world, filled with violence, hatred and distrust. Here in the U.S. protests continue, some peaceful but some otherwise, over the grand jury's decision not to indict a Ferguson, Missouri policeman (who is white) for the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager (who was black).
Though I am disturbed at the decision, it baffles me how setting fires and looting and other violent, lawless acts can possibly help the situation. I'm not even sure what good peaceful protests can do. The grand jury isn't going to reverse its decision. The people of Ferguson, the county and the state need to engage in some hard thinking and equally hard work if they want to correct the conditions that led to this latest outrage, not to behave like mindless hooligans. But smashing things is always easier than designing and building them.
In this season, perhaps more than any other, we need to concentrate on thinking, on designing and building the kind of environment around us and within us where Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, the four daughters of Truth in Medieval thought, can thrive.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Thanksgiving
Today is Thanksgiving here in the United States. Shorn of parades and football games, it is a day of reflection and, well, giving thanks for one's blessings. These things aren't so popular in today's world - perhaps they never really were, I can't tell. But in the mad press of commercialism and politics and celebrity news and all the rest of the rush-rush, gotta fill the twenty-four hour news cycle, exploit-umentary, mostly empty blather of modern life it is nice to be reminded to pause and think.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Catreona in Quizziland
As you know, Dear Reader, for some time I've belonged to Fun Trivia. Indeed, I received my Old Timer badge for five years of membership in March, though I haven't been active all that time. Took a sabbatical of several months along the way. I'm active now, playing quizzes and games, taking on challenges to earn badges, participating in discussion threads and, rather absorbingly, playing in The Global Challenge,Quizziland's periodic tournament.
I also write quizzes, with twenty-four under my belt. Currently working on Silver, a general quiz with questions from across Fun Trivia to celebrate No. 25. It's not easy. The great majority of my quizzes are on Pop music, with a couple on Literature. One needs to stretch one's wings now and then, I suppose. And naturally, there is a book question and a song question in Silver; those were the first questions I thought of. Still, I'll be glad to get back to my comfort zone. Several Music and Literature quizzes are awaiting my attention. Always so much to do!
Link
Visit me on Fun TriviaTuesday, November 18, 2014
Dreaming with Linda
Recently I read and enjoyed Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir by Linda Ronstadt. Her descriptions, especially of the Arizona desert where she grew up, are vivid, her portrait of the California Folk and Rock scene in the late '60s and early '70s, equally clear and engaging. This is not one of those dreadful tell-all books. Her friends and romantic interests make brief appearances if at all, though she does tell a funny anecdote involving Jerry Brown and a dinner invitation to Rosemary Cluney's house. Instead, Linda concentrates on her music and the career path it led her on, though not without one or two insights into her inner self, such as her interest in Berlin between the Wars. Warm, gentle, serious yet with a lighthearted touch, Simple Dreams is an easy yet absorbing read.
Monday, November 17, 2014
St Hugh of Lincoln
Today is the feastday of St. Hugh of Lincoln, a Carthusian monk, the first of his order to be canonized (1220).
A man of sanctity, uprightness and great energy, Hugh accomplished much in his life being an abbot, a bishop, a diocisan and educational reformer, a defender of human rights and a diplomat. At the time of the Protestant Reformation, he was the second most venerated english saint, behind only Thomas à Becket.
St. Hugh of Lincoln is the patron saint of sick people and especially sick children, shoemakers and, curiously, of swans.
Links
Hugh of Lincoln at Wikipedia Hugh of Lincoln at The Patron saints IndexSunday, November 16, 2014
Sweet Sunday
Here is a beautiful song written by the multitalented Kay Thompson and sung by the angelic voice of Andy Williams.
Have a peaceful Sunday.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
The sere, the yellow leaf
at Howard Empowered People
I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have, but, in their stead,
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath
Which the poor heart would fain deny and dare not.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Rediscovering A Favorite
Lately, I've been reading and rereading thrillers by Dick Francis, the British champion jockey turned master mystery writer, whose books first came into my hands when I was a teenager in the '70s. I've read a fair number of his 40 plus books, and plan to read them all eventually.
Whether it's one I've read before or a new adventure, every book is interesting, exciting and beautifully written. His descriptions of the English countryside are vivid; his insight into human nature sometimes startling in its acuteness.
Always set against a racing background, each book is nonetheless unique, exploring some different aspect of life. For example, Banker's protagonist works in an investment bank and the mystery involves his job. Similarly in Risk, understanding the protagonist's work as an accountant helps in understanding the mystery. In Proof, the wine merchant protagonist has to solve a murder in the world of wine and spirits.
Of course, jockeys and former jockeys appear as Francis heroes as well, my favorite being Kit Fielding, who stars in Break In and Bolt.
Felix Francis, Dick's son who helped with research especially in latter years, has taken up his father's mantle and is now a successful writer in his own right. I've already read a couple of Felix's books and look forward to reading more.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Updating Music
I love my Crosley CR72 Mission Stack-O-Matic Entertainment Center, though mine is in cherry. It's easy to use and has great sound quality. Most of all, I love the stack-o-matic feature, what is sometimes called a record changer. There's nothing better than putting on a stack of LPs and kicking back to enjoy them. And yet...
And yet, you want to share the music you are enjoying. CDs can be imported into iTunes and from there made into videos and uploaded to YouTube (always assuming YouTube doesn't block them). But so many LPs haven't been reissued on CD. It particularly seems that a lot of Engelbert's LPs haven't been reissued. And an LP is analog, by its nature cut off from the digital world...until now.At Hammachar Schlemmer I found a record player you plug into the computer and, with the included software, convert your vinyl to digital. It's wonderful!
So, I've made a start and have already put up my first vinyl-to-digital transfer on YouTube:
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Veterans Day
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
In this year, the centennial of the start of "the War to End All Wars," we should reflect with special solemnity on the sacrifices made by both the service members and the civilians caught up in war. And, as we look around the world at the conflicts, the wars destroying countries and lives today, we should pray for God's forgiveness and ask Him to heal our hearts so Mankind can finally reject violence and instead live in peace and love.
Friday, November 01, 2013
Is it November already?
I've been jumping around in The Chronicles of Narnia, now on The Horse and His Boy.
Because I slept all morning, I didn't hear till late about the shooting at LAX. Not sure I really want to know the details, but will check the BBC in a minute. Can't help being bewildered whenever another of these atrocities takes place. How? Why? Also, when are Americans going to realize the necessity of strict gun control laws?
As to the title, here it is the Feast of All Saints. I read somewhere that in Medieval England the Christmas season more or less started November First, with the king moving to his winter residence and preparations starting. Even with such a precedent, though, I'm not willing to get into the swing of Christmas till December First. Let November be November, such as it is.
OK, someone explain to me how, with all the security measures in place at American airports, someone was able to walk into a terminal at LAX with an assault rifle in his bag? Needless to say, I would also like to know what the devil anyone needs with an assault rifle?
It is interesting to note that this was not a random act of violence. The shooter targeted members of the Transportation Safety Administration. For a wonder, he was wounded but not killed by police. When he begins to talk, I won't be surprised to find he has a grievence against the TSA. Not that such is an excuse! But it is a change from indiscriminate slaughter of random people. Again though, it's hard to shoot people if you don't have access to fire arms!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Bedtime Reading and a sweater
I did indeed start The Silver Chair last night and shall finish it tonight. I do love Narnia!
BTW you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a plain, navy blue wool cardigan at L.L. Bean! They have lots of cardigans in lots of lovely colors, but navy seems to be an endangered species. I only saw two for which navy was a choice; though in all honesty, once I'd grumpily picked out a sweater I didn't look at the remaining few. But what I don't get is why this basic color was so hard to find. I mean, how does navy blue go out of style?
I'm not totally thrilled with the cardigan I ended up with, but it should keep me warm at least. Here's the link if you want to take a gander:
1912 Heritage Bird's-Eye Zip-CardiganThursday, October 24, 2013
Late Wednesday Evening
I've been sleeping a lot the past couple days, which does not make for interesting blogging. However, I have been re-reading, or re-listening to, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis. Tonight I'll start The Silver Chair, also from The Chronicles of Narnia.
Update:Almost forgot! One Night Songs went online last night and has brought me a few nice notes of appreciation.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Holy Smokes!
I've just realized that before this resumption of blogging, my last post was January Seventh! Yikes!Not that you, dear Reader, have missed anything in the intervening ten months. My life is, shall we say, quiet. Still, I had no idea it had been so long. Tempus fugit, as they say.
The hours fly on golden sandals
From the song "Ligia" which is in the movie Quo Vadis
Monday, Monday
Another lovely afternoon here, sunny and pleasantly cool. We've been having a beautiful October. I suppose November will also be true to form, cold, misty or rainy and dreary. But I certainly can't complain about October.
I finally made it to two hundred thousand points at Fun Trivia and advanced to the next level. Phew! Still no word on my quiz under submission, "One Night Songs." *sigh*
Sunday, October 20, 2013
A New Week
The week is starting auspiciously. Dad got my iTunes restored, hurray! Because the backup from which he did the "restore" is a couple years old, I have a number of CDs to re-import; but, it is a *whole* lot better than starting all over again. That he succeeded in the end is a testament to his determination and, I think, his engineering training that led him to find the problem intriguing. However that may be, I'm very grateful!
Still kind of down, but fighting it. Besides the iTunes restoration, another good thing is that I finally broke through the two hundred thousand point barrier at Fun Trivia. Of course, that's still peanuts, but it's progress. Stilll haven't heard back on my submitted quiz. But, I did need to make a couple minor corrections and resubmit, which sent it back to the end of the queue; so, it'll be a while yet. I'm eager to get this one online, since it will allow me to move on to the next stage of Adventures in Authoring. Don't want to start The Great Quiz Race or any other quest type challenge till I've completed Adventures in Authoring, and I have no idea how much further there is to go in that.
Meantime, I continue to work on more quizzes. Haven't done any actual writing, either songs, poetry or fiction, in some time. But I figure getting the blog re-started is a good first step.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
I Never Did Get the Hang of Thursdays
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Midweek Agro
My iTunes has been giving me mysterious and vexing problems for several days now. So, finally, after discussing the situation with Sis, I decided to uninstall and reinstall iTunes. A cinch, you say? Obviously, you do not know moi. First the file(s) did not download at all. Then they only downloaded partially. As I type the files are downloading again *fingers crossed and knock on wood!*
It's amazing not to say disturbing how dependent we become on technology. Mind you, I still play good old fashioned records and CDs, as well as the occasional cassette. But I feel lost without iTunes.
Update: How is it possible for a program, in this case iTunes, to continue generating error messages after it has been removed? I keep getting boxes saying iTunes was not installed correctly. GRR!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tuesday Evening
at Howard Empowered People
Monday, October 14, 2013
Monday Afternoon
I am now the proud owner of a two (count 'em, two) terabyte external drive. Remember when one gig seemed ostentatious and totally unnecessary? Ah, for the good old days when life was simple. *wry grin*
I've been spending a lot of time at Fun Trivia and more time offline working on my own quizzes. It keeps me out of trouble. But it does become something of an obsession, so I need to watch myself.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Week Ending
Friday, January 04, 2013
Staying Power?
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Like A Herd Of Turtles
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
New Beginnings
It’s a new year, which traditionally calls for new beginnings.
Tonight I’ll start a new story. Today I’ll start getting serious about exercise and, after my birthday and the lemon Meringue pie Patty usually brings, a bit of weight loss as well. This year I am going to beat the pernicious habit of using bad language. And I’m also going to get back into the good habit of praying, saying the Rosary every day if nothing else. And I’m going to finish * something * - preferably “World Enough and Time.” Didn’t finish anything at all last year.
Not very ambitious goals perhaps. But then I’ve learned to set the bar low. Here’s hoping I have the perseverance to achieve them, modest as they are!
On a more lighthearted note, I’ve discovered a new series, the Royal Spiness books by Rhys Bowen. They are delightful Mystery/Romance stories set in 1930s London. Always love finding new books! They are definitely Chick Lit, but if you enjoy that sort of thing, I recommend them highly.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Rejection Isn't Always A Bad Thing
However, the rejection gave me the impetus to show the story to my writing group. A couple of members gave me suggestions that have proved very helpful. So, I’m now working on developing the story. It’s already twice as long as it was and considerably deeper. Developing Cassie’s personality and the relationship between her and Snowball. It’s going well and I’m excited about it.
...and all because of a rejection.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Maybe not much, but something
I’ve also been working on more Engelbert quizzes for Fun Trivia. (To see my existing quizzes, follow the “My Quizzes” link in the sidebar.) Not only do I very much enjoy researching and putting together these quizzes, but this is a great time to be promoting Enge, now that he has been named as the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. As one of my friends said, “Engelbert Mania has begun!” I’m not sure I’d go that far. But, at the very least, people are going to be looking for info and trivia about him. And your humble Cat is well positioned to fill that need.
I’ve also been forging ahead with my Hadley course on Punctuation. This stuff is harder than it looks! I express myself pretty well, but the finer points of punctuation, including italicization and capitalization, have always eluded me. That’s what comes of reading with audio rather than direct from a print or braille text. But now I’m discovering that some of the things I thought I knew – things I’ve been doing for years – are not according to Hoyle, or at least not according to this course. * sigh * Live and learn, I guess.
Anyway, I haven’t been accomplishing a whole lot lately. On the other hand, I haven’t been accomplishing nothing either, and I suppose that’s the main thing.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Braille Phone
Check it out!
Shikun Sun's DrawBraille Phone Concept for the Blind
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