B
That was a tribute to an enduring human spirit. This quotation near the end of the piece seemed to summarize the message.
“The essential things in life are freedom, solidarity and respect for every human being.”
As some people say, "May their memory be a blessing."
Big Al
More info on the 100 mile border zone: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone
"two-thirds of the U.S. population, or about 200 million people, reside within this expanded border region, according to the 2010 census. Most of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, fall in this region. Some states, like Florida, lie entirely within this border band so their entire populations are impacted."
Big Al
That was a very informative article.
I wonder if there is a map showing the limits of the 100 mile border proximity zone? I suspect that I live not far from it because I'm less than 100 miles from Lake Erie, but I don't know where the exact US-Canada border lies within the bounds of the lake.
Big Al
The days get shorter every day from now until the winter solstice in December. The time moves backward by an hour when daylight saving time ends in November.
Big Al
Currently reading The Greater Journey by David McCullough, subtitled
Americans in Paris. Very interesting so far. I've been a sucker for books set in Paris for a long time, even more so after visiting the city myself.
Big Al
I wondered how they would react.
Good BBQ is not confined to Texas, either. There are a lot of good pitmasters at work around the country. I've tasted more than a few. I had some excellent brisket that one of my nephews smoked for two of his children's graduation party last Saturday.
I haven't spent much time in Texas, but I certainly agree that I ate some delicious BBQ there.
Big Al
@dolmansaxlil said in Happy (one day early) birthday, dolmansaxlil!:
We went out for dinner with the kid and his girlfriend.
Wow. They grow up so soon.
Big Al
@Bernard said in The lesson of 1933:
but her fear is all too rational
And everyone's else's is not?
If she doesn't want to stay and fight with the rest of us--who by the way have as much to lose as she does, especially those of us who are gay--then she should shut up, unless she's willing to foot the bill for the millions who don't have the where with all to leave. She's gaining celebrity status from running away, that's the problem.
I don't agree with your assessment, but I can understand your opinion.
I don't think she has deliberately sought celebrity as much as had it come to her as an exemplifier of a potential choice.
The choice of flight or fight doesn't consider the other possibility of hunkering down and waiting for the storm to pass. Each person has those choices to make. Disrespecting other people's choices is at least a contributor to the mess we now find ourselves in.
Big Al
What an interesting thread. I feel like I've seen an upsurge in younger people knitting or crocheting in quiet times as they occur, but I like hearing about and seeing the work products in this community as well. It brings to mind the now-long-running sourdough thread.
Big Al
That's a very interesting chart. I was unaware that there were so many potential companion plantings, particularly those involving flowers and herbs. Have you practiced any of them in your own gardening?
Big Al
I can't agree with your condemnation, Bernard. She acknowledges that she may be cowardly or overreacting, but her fear is all too rational. As the saying goes, "Even paranoid people have real enemies." Her Jewish ancestry gives her even more cause for fear, given a few thousand years of history.
What would be even more frightening would be the situation that arose in Germany where even those who wanted to flee were, in many cases, unable to find a safe refuge to go to. So far, that is not the case.
Big Al
That's a serious roof leak if you see daylight through the hole. The entire roof might be structurally unsound. Not a DIY repair if it is!
Good luck with whatever course of repair you choose.
Big Al
I would have to guess that the clearance has been mismarked since they say they actually measured the truck at 6'-9 1/2". The most common reason for this happening is repaving having raised the roadway level under an obstruction. I applaud their ingenuity in finding a solution. I respect their caution in not simply wedging the truck under the low clearance.
Big Al
I can only hope they capture the perpetrator very quickly and identify any accomplices he may have had. I can't imagine that a list of over 70 names and addresses would be very easy for a lone actor to compile.
I still have fond memories of the time I spent working in Minnesota over 50 years ago.
Big Al
Glad to hear it's going well.
I had cataract surgery several years ago. I knew it was coming as I became fearful of driving at night, particularly in rainy weather.
When I was first examined, they discovered I also had Fuchs dystrophy, a thinning of the corneas. As a result, I had corneal transplants prior to the cataract surgery. That was actually a bigger deal. They inject some air into the eyeball and it's necessary to lie on one's back almost continuously after the surgery. The air acts like the bubble in a level to press the transplant against the interior of the eye. Not real fun.
When I had my actual cataract surgery, they aimed for normal distant vision and pretty well hit their target. It was a revelation seeing without glasses after about 60 years of corrective lenses. It's a treat not to have foggy glasses to contend with. I use a very mild set of readers for fine print or poor text, but otherwise I'm fine.
The sedation for the catarct surgery was very light. When one eye was being operated on, I could hear the surgeon talking with a nurse about Thankgiving plans. I added a comment or two.
I hope everything goes as well for you as it went for me.
Big Al
I've read of other people seeking out heirloom varieties of apples. One gentleman in West Virginia has located nearly one hundred by exploring old, abandoned farmstead in the state.
I was glad to read that they have successfully grafted specimens of that apple. Given the gnarly appearance of that tree, it would be uncertain if it would survive for much more time. The article did seem to suggest that the variety is not extinct in France.
We had an apple tree on the family farm that sprouted as a volunteer from a place we piled vegetable scrapes. It was a yellow apple and made some of the best-tasting applesauce. My father tried to propagate it by grafting, but with now success. Eventually, that tree died so its apples are lost, except in memory.
Big Al
https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/paint/sherwin-williams-loneliest-color-2025-radiant-lilac?
Sherwin-Williams looked at their sales records for 2024. Radiant Lilac was the shade that sold the least.
Big Al
