tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46096982319454123842011-09-06T19:32:44.381-05:00QPnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3401100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-29459857630762501532009-08-28T05:53:00.006-05:002009-08-28T06:53:55.331-05:00

“He used to be a big shot.”The Roaring Twenties (1939) "And at that moment, as if by a miracle, the sick no longer died, and the stifling shadow of the vampire vanished with the morning sun.” Nosferatu, the Vampire (1922, German) “That's what makes us tough. Rich fellas come up an' they die an' their kids ain't no good, an' they die out. But we keep a-comin'. We're the people that live. They

QPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-83788137806267389562009-08-25T07:00:00.001-05:002009-08-25T07:00:04.405-05:00

Most people have heard of that epic tale of frontier darkness known as the Donner Party. But few people go beyond the sordid tales of cannibalism to study the role of likely the most important person in that gothic drama: The Standard Issue American Huckster, Lansford Hastings.Hastings , an Ohio lawyer was the classic American Booster. In addition to being an early resident of Oregon, he had

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-35818197533887479832009-08-24T07:00:00.002-05:002009-08-24T07:00:09.552-05:00

This World is not conclusion. A Species stands beyond - Invisible, as Music - But positive, as Sound - It beckons, and it baffles - Philosophy, don't know - And through a Riddle, at the last - Sagacity, must go - To guess it, puzzles scholars - To gain it, Men have borne Contempt of Generations And Crucifixion, shown - Faith slips - and laughs, and rallies - Blushes, if any see - Plucks at a twig

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-41689762029036297572009-08-21T18:29:00.001-05:002009-08-21T18:31:53.886-05:00

“I was borned in a ridge-pocket,” he said. “I never seed the sun-ball withouten heisting my chin. My eyes were sot upon the hills from the beginning. Till I come on the Word in this good Book, I used to think a mountain was the standingest object in the sight o’ God. Hit says here they go skipping and hopping like sheep, a-rising and a-falling. These hills are jist dirt waves, washing through

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-13198921062328434462009-08-14T08:50:00.000-05:002009-08-14T08:54:16.377-05:00

William Merritt Chase (1849–1916)Idle Hours, ca. 1894Oil on canvasAmon Carter Museum, Ft. Worth, Texas

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-27976735687424912832009-08-12T17:53:00.008-05:002009-08-12T19:05:57.264-05:00

There are doubtless many reasons for the degeneration of Christianity into churchiness, and the narrowing of the Gospel for all mankind into a set of approved beliefs; but the chief cause must be the worship of an inadequate god--a cramped andregulated god who is a 'good churchman' according to the formulas of the worshipper. For actual behaviour infallibly betrays the real object of the man's

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-14375767337924571222009-08-11T17:13:00.001-05:002009-08-11T19:08:38.393-05:00

American Thinker: "How to bend the curve down in healthcare costs"

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-38558089416976832792009-08-09T19:09:00.004-05:002009-08-09T19:15:04.410-05:00

With this ambiguous earth His dealings have been told us. These abide: The signal to a maid, the human birth, The lesson, and the young Man crucified. But not a star of all The innumerable host of stars has heard How he administered this terrestrial ball. Our race has kept their Lord's entrusted Word. Of his earth-visiting feet None knows the secret,

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-19314369015453750672009-08-06T16:50:00.003-05:002009-08-06T16:56:44.384-05:00

Today's Day By Dayby Chris Muir(Click to enlarge) We’ve grown, you see, a lot more democratic, And Fortune’s ladder is for all to climb; Carnegie on this point was most emphatic. A humble grandfather is not a crime, At least, if father made enough in time! Today, thank God, we’ve got no snobbish feeling Against the more efficient modes of stealing. The porter at the Carlton is my brother, He’ll

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-35751801615207545682009-08-04T23:54:00.003-05:002009-08-05T16:38:38.929-05:00

Click to enlargeUPDATE:Today, my "Legal Eagle" award goes to Erick. White House Actions Might Be Unlawful UPDATE II:Malkin is covering this stress test like a warrior. Lots of useful link arounds too...yes, she includes the Queen of Link Arounds, the Anchoress. Malkin::Texas Senator Cornyn to Obama: Disband the Internet Snitch Brigade

QPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-82457141209628386262009-08-03T15:53:00.003-05:002009-08-03T21:39:49.489-05:00

Lately The Three Stooges have been showing up in meaningful ways. It all started while perusing various genre of birthday cards. I quickly gave up on the standard fare and started flipping through the ones with sound. The one that made be buy it, cause it made me laugh out loud, was The Three Stooges....no words, just their unique grunts and ardy ar arrs. Being that the cards are a bit pricey

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-34863743855756507522009-07-31T08:49:00.007-05:002009-07-31T10:14:58.080-05:00

"We agreed to move forward," Crowley said Thursday night when asked if anything was solved in the meeting. "I think what you had today was two gentlemen agreeing to disagree on a particular issue. I don't think that we spent too much time dwelling on the past. We spent a lot of time discussing the future." For his part, Gates said he and Crowley had been caught up as characters in a larger

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-31777010455057107402009-07-29T15:06:00.005-05:002009-07-30T07:32:20.563-05:00

" ......a handcrafted doll is one of a kind, an individual which carries the spirit of the maker in its stitches and absorbs the spirit of the child who loves it". These two exceptional Waldorf dolls were made for my granddaughters by our friend Sal, a woman who is not only dexterous of hand and inventive of mind but generous of spirit. She made both of these from all-natural materials: silk,

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-4399851829848183062009-07-22T18:37:00.006-05:002009-07-22T19:07:44.959-05:00

I'm beside myself with joy. Gonna have my 11 year old grandson all to myself for five whole days. . .first time ever. Already he's manifesting his raccoon nature. I'm thinking he's gonna go in for witnessing the Truth in a big way. Checkout his latest post on Facebook - the Siamese cat.And mind y'all don't go round bearing false witness. Ya hear?

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-72426106845760341152009-07-21T10:05:00.007-05:002009-07-21T10:27:39.089-05:00

Summer in the Valley (winter)I NEVER had so much interest before, and very likely I shall never have so much interest again, in the state of the wind, as on the long-looked-for morning of Tuesday the Seventh of June. Hay, honey, heifersSome nautical authority had told me a day or two previous, 'anything with west in it, will do;' so when I darted out of bed at daylight, and throwing up the

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-5986336255048005482009-07-20T10:00:00.008-05:002009-07-20T10:19:48.645-05:00

Geckofeeder asks: "Who/what are these heliotrope robed group?" Shriners!They often participate in local parades, sometimes as rather elaborate units such as an "Oriental Band" dressed in cartoonish versions of Middle Eastern dress. This group is famous for playing off key.I Love A Parade This link will take you to my short slideshow of the annual parade. [Dial up readers, here you go.]Sadly

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-40284446024454998502009-07-15T09:53:00.004-05:002009-07-15T10:20:17.538-05:00

She screams and cries when I put her in the big porta-crib, but is all smiles when she's contained in a little 12x12 box?!??! Go figure! ~ Mama Y.(Like Sal's precious granddaughter, I, too, am de-lighted to be back in my toy box. See ya on the flipside.)

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-71485220205452757932009-07-06T11:48:00.002-05:002009-07-06T11:51:41.814-05:00

Almighty and most gracious God, have mercy on N and N, and on all that bear evil to me, and wish me harm; and by every such easy, tender, and merciful means as Thine infinite goodness best can devise, vouchsafe to amend and redress them: and make us saved souls together in heaven, where we may ever live and love together with Thee and Thy blessed saints, This grant, O sacred and glorious

Mizz Enoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-11826106212005285832009-07-04T07:00:00.006-05:002009-07-04T17:32:47.514-05:00

Near Cody, WyomingAmerica the BeautifulWords by Katharine Lee Bates,Melody by Samuel Ward [Emphasis mine]O beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain!America! America!God shed his grace on theeAnd crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea!O beautiful for pilgrim feetWhose stern impassioned stressA thoroughfare of freedom

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-6532618796722219322009-07-03T08:52:00.005-05:002009-07-03T09:37:05.532-05:00

k Long did I toil and knew no earthly rest, far did I rove and found no certain home; at last I sought them in his sheltering breast, who opens his arms and bids the weary come: with him I found a home, a rest divine, and I since then am his and he is mine. The good I have is from his stores supplied, the ill is only what he deems the best; he for my Friend, I'm rich with nought beside, and

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-79749318613873683392009-07-02T07:16:00.007-05:002009-07-02T09:30:47.573-05:00

Obama increasing jizya to Jordan and other Muslim countries "Elsewhere in the region, the U.S. is set to help the United Arab Emirates become the first Arab nation with a developed nuclear power infrastructure. President Obama gave his official support and authorization for the $41 billion project, allowing private U.S. companies to compete for construction contracts." And we get Crap 'n'

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-79187013955802446022009-06-30T07:10:00.004-05:002009-06-30T14:46:44.760-05:00

'Torum's Food Editor: "If you need a recipe for something, feel free to ask."

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-65750694304772523782009-06-26T10:01:00.002-05:002009-06-26T10:05:40.873-05:00

Six priests imprisoned in Sri Lanka: possible war-crime witnesses?Hope remains for Red Cross hostage held in PhilippinesPope renews appeal to support Christians in the Holy LandAl-Qaeda murders American man for preaching ChristianityPakistan: Tortured Christian languishing on false chargesEvangelicals now rival Catholic presence in GuatemalaYemen: Jihadists murder Christians for

QPnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-1099329381303100782009-06-25T11:42:00.002-05:002009-06-25T11:46:14.523-05:00

Never less than completely relevant…recent quotes from Cowboy:"Moderation - The Greeks invented the word cause they knew it could never be achieved.""Governor Sanford - Five daze in Argentina? The guy's crazy.""Obama - I know the type; capable of self-destructing.Conservatives - They're self-destructing too."

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-80374205835800559312009-06-24T08:04:00.003-05:002009-06-24T08:09:51.134-05:00

Guanajuato, Mexico The Present is the point at which Time touches Eternity. Of the present moment, and of it only, humans have an experience analogous to the experience which [God] has of reality as a whole; in it alone, freedom and actuality are offered them. He would therefore have them continually concerned either with Eternity (which means being concerned with Him) or with the Present--either

QPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-33048094915468721422009-06-23T08:05:00.006-05:002009-06-23T08:41:48.030-05:00

Umlauf Garden, Austin, Texas A Song for Lady Tina Song Catcher Light Beamer Radiant Soul Celestial notes from her incredible human instrument echo in the halls of jazz And in the hearts of those who admired and adored her luminous spirit Throwin’ down scat like a string of brilliant star pearls shining in the heavens Tina IS our string of pearls She IS our celestial note She IS forever in our

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-31130786825269784412009-06-22T05:30:00.003-05:002009-06-22T05:46:42.405-05:00

An altered Persian proverb, "if you trip over a pebble you can be sure it was put there by a Scotsman." Last Monday the "Torum instituted a weekly food contest, with prize money, to relieve the tedium of the summer months and the acrimony of red-hot culture wars. The announcement went on to say: "Everyone can cook, but not everyone can cook well and a contest of this sort is bound to develop

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-56183545990614767132009-06-18T16:29:00.018-05:002009-06-19T07:36:05.828-05:00

"O Freedom"1963Father's Day The 'Torum's Food Editor has not been inundated with o.rigi.nal recipeeze in its "Down the Hatch" contest, but those that have been received require a bit of, uh, shall I say processing for a proper taste testing and determination of the winner. The contest's official judge, Cowboy, arrives manana. He has some discerning taste buds. The plan is to surprise him with

Mizz Enoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-77745363979497781592009-06-17T07:04:00.004-05:002009-06-17T07:13:14.382-05:00

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. ~ 1 Timothy 6:17 The Christian refuses to give his heart to, or be taken in by, the values and pleasures of this passing world. He does not hesitate to use all that is good and beautiful and true, partly because he knows that his

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-44319705200332080802009-06-15T06:03:00.006-05:002009-06-15T10:15:21.709-05:00

For some months this blawg has been urged to inaugurate a food contest and finally it has commenced to do so, feeling that through some such diversion will tend to relieve the tedium of the summer months and the acrimony of red-hot culture wars.Everyone can cook, but not everyone can cook well and a contest of this sort is bound to develop genius that heretofore has been latent. A weekly prize

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-32371605395985302262009-06-14T09:29:00.005-05:002009-07-21T10:23:27.967-05:00

Near Banner, Wyoming Island where all becomes clear.Solid ground beneath your feet.The only roads are those that offer access.Bushes bend beneath the weight of proofs.The Tree of Valid Supposition grows herewith branches disentangled since time immemorial.The Tree of Understanding, dazzlingly straight and simple,sprouts by the spring called Now I Get It.The thicker the woods, the vaster the

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-80806940380320904082009-06-12T09:17:00.003-05:002009-06-12T16:16:05.136-05:00

It is not only in the public expenditure that what is seen eclipses what is not seen. Setting aside what relates to political economy, this phenomenon leads to false reasoning. It causes nations to consider their moral and their material interests as contradictory to each other. What can be more discouraging, or more dismal? For instance, there is not a father of a family who does not think it

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-56400773814213696182009-06-11T10:08:00.004-05:002011-04-10T10:34:51.111-05:00

Sleeping Venus by the Italian Renaissance master Giorgione The much anticipated arrival of my auction win arrived yesterday and it exceeds expectations. The 202, new-in-the-box reproductions of fine art appear to have been customized for the art dept. at Syracuse University....and, as described in the auction, they are mostly black and white with a sprinkling of color ones. All good quality.

QPnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-81715248600112579472009-06-09T19:14:00.006-05:002009-06-09T20:47:09.301-05:00

and c'est la vie won't cut it.Artwork by Paul Moyse The why's and the how's inside the dots of my mind are connecting up overtime and that's cause for paying closer attention. The catalyst for this heightened concern came from Donald "Spengler" Goldman, at First Things, who thinks reasonably and writes seriously about "The Speech". Later, in the comments, David worries: "Obama's identification

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-66170463338075060742009-06-09T06:38:00.007-05:002009-06-09T11:03:29.764-05:00

William Glackens (1870 - 1938) Beach at Blue Point, ca. 1915 Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester (If this reads like it was written for an audience of little peeps; well it was. I'm devoting part of my summer vacation time to developing art history lessons - thanks for being my test rodents; I trust you'll leave thoughtful, sophisticated responses, especially Skully.) Before

QPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-7533349991351587272009-06-08T10:00:00.006-05:002009-06-08T10:15:58.614-05:00

Don't Hate Me.Just as our body changes as we age, so too should our diet. As the years pile up, we need to consume fewer calories but more nutrients. Research has shown the following health benefits for animals on a calorie-restriction diet for anti-aging: Rodents that reduced their calorie consumption by 30 to 60 percent before age 6 months increased their maximum life spans by 30 to 60 percent

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-83942778262968805792009-06-05T19:28:00.009-05:002009-06-08T08:42:53.374-05:00

. . . is Cowboy's term for lite fare. What would be a good term for LIGHT fare? I'm back in Mayberry and have lots of summer vacation reading to catch up on. Did you see the Anchoress' piece at First Things about the Tiller murder? One of the best and maybe her best. Lil fertilizing the terra firmaOne of the most frugal things I did this week was decide to make my own hump molds, and I found

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-44535472998443306022009-06-03T18:26:00.002-05:002009-06-03T18:28:07.894-05:00

Who made the world?Who made the swan, and the black bear?Who made the grasshopper?This grasshopper, I mean-the one who has flung herself out of the grass,the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.Now she snaps

QPnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-73439440284512939572009-05-31T18:11:00.003-05:002009-05-31T19:06:04.867-05:00

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.Peggy Noonan has decided that "standing for principles" and not voting for them is ... "grown-up."Having written a book like this, them's fightin' words. Avoiding consequences, taking shortcuts, shirking responsibilities -- all comprise the m.o. of the hopelessly immature, a category fit for any US senator who, believing Justice should be blind and not a

QPnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-78213824635112793462009-05-30T08:04:00.006-05:002009-05-30T10:51:31.967-05:00

[last lines from King Rat, another recommendation from Cowboy]Peter Marlowe: [speaking about King] It wouldn't have occurred to you would it, Grey, that you're only alive because of what he gave you? Lt. Robin Grey: What are you talking about? I never took anything from him. He never gave me anything. Peter Marlowe: Only hate, Grey. Only hate.

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-66240758335667643802009-05-29T06:00:00.007-05:002009-05-29T10:35:34.726-05:00

Jan Vermeer, Painter in his Studio Continuing yesterday's post about utopias, in a comment Walt asked the question, "What sort of person promotes: 1- ugly 2- un-believable?" Last night I happened upon an interesting new series that identifies the believable sort of persons, utopians/dystopians as Mushroom put it, who were duped by ugly, from the hand of a gaudawful artist, a reoccurring theme

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-72398108929127851152009-05-28T06:41:00.003-05:002009-05-28T06:50:11.920-05:00

Utopias of historical progress cannot seduce those who believe in Christ. Utopias are the straws to which those cling who have no real hope; utopias are as unattractive as they are incredible, for those who know what real hope is. Utopias are not a consequence of true hope but a poor substitute for it and therefore a hindrance and not a help. The hope that is in Jesus Christ is different from all

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-41616940668524441152009-05-27T08:38:00.001-05:002009-05-27T08:42:52.471-05:00

"I still appreciate the fact that some bizarre cohort of fanciful old queers with more money than sense felt the need to immortalize their worldview." You gotta go read the lovable, caustic V-Man.

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-54952400835606621122009-05-25T09:03:00.003-05:002009-05-25T09:10:21.818-05:00

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ [I]n a larger sense, we can not dedicate... we can not consecrate... we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-35936724746600885062009-05-25T06:25:00.005-05:002009-05-25T10:02:21.846-05:00

A Guide To Getting the Most from Your CruiseCruises are unlike any other types of vacation so it comes as no surprise that they come with their own set of rules to make sure that everyone has a thoroughly enjoyable, safe and stress-free trip.The following are some suggestions on how cruise passengers can be good neighbors to each other while enjoying the fun and freedom of the open sea.Deckchairs

QPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-9285975574529194432009-05-23T09:51:00.007-05:002009-05-29T07:08:00.497-05:00

Ed Ruscha’s ‘I Think I’ll...’ (1983) on loan from the National GalleryKitsch is the absolute denial of shit, in both the literal and the figurative senses of the word; kitsch excludes everything from its purview which is essentially unacceptable in human existence...Kitsch causes two tears to flow in quick succession. The first tear says: How nice to see children running on the grass! The second

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-37827340445174787232009-05-22T06:00:00.006-05:002009-05-26T19:15:05.791-05:00

O God of earth and altar,Bow down and hear our cry,Our earthly rulers falter,Our people drift and die;The walls of gold entomb us,The swords of scorn divide,Take not thy thunder from us,But take away our pride.~ G.K. Chesterton ~William Cobbett (1763-1835) was a popular journalist, a defender of rural England and the rights of small property owners, and a critic of the rise of industrialism. Of

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-38579786886002653572009-05-19T10:07:00.002-05:002009-05-19T10:14:00.096-05:00

Being a maestra de arte is not a job, it is a right of passion; truly the cherry on top.Cupcake caches by children 6 - 9 years old.

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-17180339652626571012009-05-15T06:00:00.003-05:002009-05-15T08:03:28.806-05:00

Pogo Possum speaks with his friend Deacon Mushrat.♫ ♪ ♬On Tuesday night the East Room was turned into a jazz lounge with mood lighting for some 200, mostly youngsters with a few aging hipster guests arrayed at cocktail tables.Obama took the mike, and reading from lectern notes, said the purpose of the evening was "to highlight the importance of the arts. . . the power of words and music.'' He

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-70844553953578644152009-05-13T14:47:00.007-05:002009-05-13T15:12:21.627-05:00

No humps, no slumps, no bumps, no rumps . . . ....just, hand formed sushi plates, made by 2nd and 3rd grade art students, three of whom are pictured below.The word ceramic, derives its name from the Greek keramos, meaning "pottery", which in turn is derived from an older Sanskrit root, meaning "to burn". The Greeks used the term to mean "burnt stuff" or "burned earth". Thus the word was used to

QPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-82642800738886203982009-05-08T06:00:00.002-05:002009-05-08T06:00:00.697-05:00

I have a new friend. I shared Robinstarfish's link to the sublime photographs of Jonathan Singer with my pro photographer neighbor yesterday. He was awed and humbled by Singer's work, and he hesitantly shared back a link to this beautiful publication of which he was honored to be a part of.Here's a marvelous photograph from the book he sent along as well. Betcha haven't seen that before!While

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-58401903149763822662009-05-06T14:16:00.004-05:002009-05-06T14:52:19.263-05:00

Eric Berne, MD., What Do You Say after You Say Hello? (New York: Grove Press Inc., 1972) is by far one of the most useful tools I've yet to come across in my 60+ years of living (which have included 5 years spent with a TA therapist/spiritual guide.) Below is a brief overview of Berne's theory I swiped from some site I can't recall on the www.Eric Berne, the originator of Transactional Analysis

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-7734181983985113602009-04-30T08:43:00.013-05:002009-04-30T09:31:29.424-05:00

Short dispatch from a quiet pot who is Sparing of words.This must be an early Frugal Friday post 'cause I'm Soon to be Spending a long weekend with Cowboy at the San Luis ReSort and Spa. Sometimes you gotta Selebrate with a Splurge. The three year Stint has ended. As of Saturday, Cowboy will officially be a Doctor of Philosophy. Comes just in time too. We need to reSort, Save and Strengthen

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-82847654179281920352009-04-28T06:03:00.004-05:002009-04-28T07:58:43.624-05:00

Isaiah 43:5Do not be afraid, for I am with you;I will bring your children from the eastand gather you from the west.Thanks to "Miss Lilly", His/my best ambassador, we won the heart of a little girllast weekend. Nora, three years old, Cowboy's darling granddaughter is my heart's deLight

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-82235627605081633252009-04-24T00:00:00.001-05:002009-04-24T00:00:00.358-05:00

He stood before them all and said, "Up to this time I have called Pietro Bernardone father, but now I am the servant of God. Not only the money but everything that can be called his I will restore to my father; even the very clothes he has given me." And he rent off all his garments except one; and they saw that that was a hair shirt.He piled the garments to a heap on the floor and tossed the

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-56828713200200890802009-04-22T05:14:00.005-05:002009-04-22T05:37:44.143-05:00

Sittin' in the mornin' sunI'll be sittin' when the evenin' comeWatching the ships roll inAnd then I watch 'em roll away againI believe that pure thinking will do more to educate a man than any other activity he can engage in. To afford sympathetic entertainment to abstract ideas, to let one idea beget another, and that another, till the mind teems with them; to compare one idea with others, to

QPnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-4190311929677739162009-04-21T06:03:00.002-05:002009-04-21T07:13:24.678-05:00

Grace, age 6Miss M, age 6Master C, age 7 Miss M, age 6Miss B, age 5

QPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-44826560151745658022009-04-20T11:00:00.007-05:002009-04-21T07:16:25.793-05:00



(A tag on to yesterday's Torum & Froth From Walt posts)Two men are strolling along, one of which is the Devil; a third man is walking a ways ahead of them. The man in front stops, bends down and picks something up, and then continues on.

The two men behind see this, and the man asks the Devil, "What do you suppose he found?" The devil says, "Why, he found the truth." So the first man asked, "

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-48553099994761655952009-04-18T05:00:00.003-05:002009-04-20T11:07:23.795-05:00

Diana West gets it!After reading and rereading the surreal Department of Homeland Security intel report on "right-wing extremism" that clearly designates conservative political dissent as part of the threat, I finally figured out why it all seems so familiar.First, there's the report's leading villain, the "military veteran" returning from war in Iraq and Afghanistan -- the "potential lone wolf"

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-68873661281336759022009-04-17T06:03:00.014-05:002009-04-17T19:35:07.191-05:00

What do you get when the parents of your only DIL ask to throw a catered party for their only daughter at your place? Well, besides "Yes", you get a Big Fat Fun 40th Greek Birthday Party that you didn't pay for - how frugal is that?Cowboy and his "Buddy" and "Britanny"Cowboy's oldest grandson, B-girl's son, is 10.I ♥ Cowboy in wise Professor modeCowboy - kicking up his heels.In a time of

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-80760310129541499112009-04-16T09:51:00.003-05:002009-04-16T10:57:46.413-05:00

04/16 05:45 AMAndy McCarthy relays:Georgetown University says it covered over the monogram “IHS” — symbolizing the name of Jesus Christ — because it was inscribed on a pediment on the stage where President Obama spoke at the university on Tuesday and the White House had asked Georgetown to cover up all signs and symbols there….“In coordinating the logistical arrangements for yesterday’s event,

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-6835567813513231882009-04-15T21:22:00.007-05:002009-04-16T10:21:47.649-05:00

in Belton, Texas, gathered a group of 800, about the same size as Sam Houston's army that defeated Santa Ana. Both groups gathered to defend against an ancient oppressor called tyranny.The purpose of today's gathering was to tell government:"Stop abusing the constitution and spending money you don't have!"Confederate ParkLiberty - all the stimulus we needAmen.Neo has some good Thoughts on tax (

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-13970973045617416752009-04-13T05:44:00.012-05:002009-04-13T09:04:16.835-05:00

La maestra has a basketfull of fun things to do,like making sushi plates with 6, 7 & 8year olds*and*matting, labeling and hanging kid's artwork for the really big show.*and* going to a Mayberry Tea Party.Sooo, por favor pardon me while I drop blawgging for a few daze.I will return to review the Tea Party and the Cowboy style Greek party on Frugal Fun Friday.P.S. The new header photograph oozes "

QPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-33148316710650597602009-04-12T11:46:00.007-05:002009-04-12T14:20:00.047-05:00

If she's anything like me, she wants to claim Your resurrection within herself.I want to be known as I am, not loved for the best of myself but in spite of the worst.Somedays I want to cry out, Look I'm hurting behind this confident guise. Listen, not to my words that say I'm doing fine but to the silences that are sighs without sound. Feel with me, not just when success is mine,

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-5631119484166688732009-04-12T09:08:00.002-05:002009-04-12T15:28:25.717-05:00

Johann Sebastian Bach: BWV 249 Easter Oratorio (Taverner Consort)

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-60150705459667876202009-04-08T00:00:00.008-05:002009-04-08T05:53:03.083-05:00

Whaddaya get when you mix Ouzo, not retsina, a Bouzouki, not retsina, Moussaka, not retsina, Dip me spanaki, not retsina, Tzatziki, not retsina, 'Michelin with a bubble' and forty assorted peeps @ Cowboy's? A Big Fat Greek [w/o drama] Birthday party weekend that I Survived....and yes, I have photos to prove it. First, I gotta survive the holy daze, i.e. stay open to teaching moments. Celebrate

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-43254707515481721982009-04-07T08:29:00.010-05:002009-04-07T08:58:16.534-05:00

When two galaxies collide, the stars that compose them usually do not. This is because galaxies are mostly empty space and, however bright, stars only take up only a small fraction of that space. But during the collision, one galaxy can rip the other apart gravitationally, and dust and gas common to both galaxies does collide. If the two galaxies merge, black holes that likely resided in each

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-11730639516536987992009-04-06T20:19:00.003-05:002009-04-06T20:29:05.106-05:00

A moment of moments long past and just gone;Starlight years old next to planets nearbyShining as though joined in one joyous song.Over our heads is a book of the agesVividly chanting the stories of old,Even as under our fingers are pagesResplendent with light come from cauldronsnow cold.So may we gaze at the past in the present,Each prayer a jewel in a darkness undone,Destined to light on our

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-39228385547214474832009-04-04T00:04:00.002-05:002009-04-04T00:04:00.636-05:00

IVI.Some are like seeds that drop into good soil,bearing fruit and yielding a hundredfold crop.With the pure heart of an open mind,they patiently hear and understand the wordand it fills them to their innermost acre. Others are like seeds that fell onto dry rocky ground or among the clutches of vine and thorn. Too weak to stay the course once their faith is tested, they are consumed in the fires

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-59050343609353828252009-04-03T00:02:00.002-05:002009-04-03T07:49:29.852-05:00

IVI.Scholars of the highest class, when they hear about the Tao, earnestly carry it into practice. Scholars of the middle class, when they have heard about it, seem now to keep it and now to lose it.Scholars of the lowest class, when they have heard about it, laugh greatly at it. If it were not (thus) laughed at, it would not be fit to be the Tao.Therefore the sentence-makers have thus expressed

QPnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-28907059595091920612009-04-02T05:00:00.007-05:002009-06-14T09:44:34.553-05:00

Oh, shiny brook,I watch you on your way to the sea,And see little faces peering upOut of the water . . .Water-fairiesStrange smiles and questions.They are your pebbles sweet,Golden with foam of the sun,Blue with foam of the sky.I know their way of speaking,Of talking to each other:I hear them telling secretsAbout green moss, about fish that get lost.And how I am sitting on a big stoneGetting my

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-89374769257154611962009-04-01T05:00:00.003-05:002009-04-01T05:00:01.049-05:00

So it went on with its life For several years Until at last it was never heard of Any more.Hilda Conkling

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-29965269204489962952009-03-31T00:00:00.001-05:002009-03-31T00:00:00.652-05:00

QPnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-45991406988310058672009-03-30T08:18:00.012-05:002009-03-30T10:39:00.778-05:00

First, am I the only one experiencing a huge tech SNAFU with embedding YouTube vids in Blogger? There's no "share on Blogger" button at UBoob and even when I get the embed HTML it's not posting. Argghh!Work AroundHere's the link to Glen Beck's interview of Bob Basso, our modern day Thomas Paine.Toward the end of the interview, Basso says Congress critters are discarding letters with tea bags

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-76875349425421762522009-03-29T12:16:00.007-05:002009-03-29T13:12:01.682-05:00

Have you seen the modern day Thomas Paine videos? Over 3 million people already have.[I'll embed one as soon as UToob gets it's act together. Til then.]70 year old Bob Basso, the creator, a former award winning news director for NBC TV, a visiting professor at UCLA, with a doctorate in communication, reportedly has been summoned to the White House by President Obama to discuss the subject

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-86267962112560628872009-03-27T05:00:00.004-05:002009-03-27T09:59:41.125-05:00

Kandinsky. The more time I spend with this artist, his art, writing and theories, the more time I want to spend getting to know him. Fortunately for us frugal folk there is a wealth of free information available on the internet.Wassily Kandinsky Born: 16 December 1866 in MoscowDied: 13 December 1944 (aged 77) became one of the founders of 20th-century abstract art. Bear with me, not all modern

QPnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-24269234911270619542009-03-26T07:29:00.006-05:002009-03-26T10:39:09.560-05:00

Won't you come into my garden, I would like my [azaleas] to see you. ~ Richard B. SheridanThe weather is usually fine while people are courting... ~ Robert Louis Stevenson(Couple admiring a photo they asked me to take of them amongst the azaleas.)Although Cupid cannot be said to be young, yet he seems to enjoy perpetual youth, for he is not in the least the worse for wear,--his locks are still

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-91245601695961332692009-03-24T10:48:00.009-05:002009-03-24T11:16:28.500-05:00

Springtime! Very close by Cowboy's territory. Today hues of yellow and blue-violet framed by greeeeeen.Manana, colores calientes.

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-33244813943009678502009-03-23T08:29:00.010-05:002011-05-28T20:59:26.547-05:00

mendicant friardonning wispy yellow beardthe book of changes☯ Today's fotokoo was inspired by Sifu's link @ FFW to this ↑ ↓ O course, naturally, I took the foto before the link appeared.

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-25007326219923678982009-03-22T08:06:00.001-05:002009-03-22T08:08:14.752-05:00

Congratulations, American taxpayer. Finally, something has roused you from the stupor, the torpor, the catatonia of lingering Obamania.It was those bonuses. Those AIG bonuses of $165 million. Because that's your money, your millions of dollars paid out to the same incompetents who got us into this mess, right? Sure. But you're on the case now. You're on top of it. Gave your representatives in

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-68444570544716086062009-03-20T00:00:00.008-05:002009-03-20T05:49:15.910-05:00

"...a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government." ~Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801Oops.Oh well. Let's move along to a more pressing,

QPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-82772516317928279172009-03-18T00:00:00.001-05:002009-03-18T00:00:01.371-05:00

Young Man Walking with Dogs in Fontainebleau ForestPierre-Auguste RenoirTo go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society. I am not solitary whilst I read and write, though nobody is with me. But if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. The rays that come from those heavenly worlds, will separate between him and what he touches. One might think the

QPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-65867918717400583352009-03-16T09:13:00.005-05:002009-03-16T16:56:29.120-05:00

A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies. "I have a whole bag of tricks," he said, "which contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies.""I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage with that." Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs.

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-22844578639809858642009-03-15T20:45:00.001-05:002009-03-15T20:50:48.163-05:00

"Jai Ho" - Slumdog Millionaire

QPnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-41766179307140290462009-03-13T03:13:00.012-05:002009-03-13T07:46:31.185-05:00

A-Maze of LifeEarlier this week Mushroom noted that Chicken Fried Steak is the National Dish of Texas. He, right-about-many-things, is right 'bout that too. So without further diddlin' around I give you the qp's version.I've fixed it this way since - ain't gonna say since when, 'cept Cowboy now drives 80 miles for my Chicken Fried Steak w/ Mushrooms.Now given I learned to cook by following

QPnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-27260255126015954562009-03-11T16:32:00.002-05:002009-03-11T16:35:33.274-05:00

Inspired by this photo Pilot Cuz emailed the qp. Just sayin'.

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-75028752886884675322009-03-10T21:55:00.004-05:002009-03-10T22:05:26.320-05:00

Fabulous dollhouse For Sale in Mayberry. 3/2; loaded and updated. List 139K. One block north of the qp's cottage. Property taxes probably 1200K 'cause it's bigger than my spread. If you're interested, let me know.

QPnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-33919913256725117792009-03-09T20:24:00.004-05:002009-03-09T20:37:22.235-05:00

A wonderful writer and Texan, Horton Foote died last week at the age of 92. I fondly recall he provided the voice for Jefferson Davis in Ken's Burns PBS series, The Civil War.The announcement came to my attention from a new blog I read, Front Porch Republic.Academy Award winner, Horton Foote perhaps is best known for his screenplays, the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird, and the 1983, Tender

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-1634920479398816452009-03-09T10:07:00.004-05:002009-03-09T10:44:50.241-05:00

When we put money into a bank it is, as we well know, not always safe. We may have to spend it or robbers may steal it, but the coins which we put into our heart's treasury are safe forever. The memories of beautiful music, lovely poems, and wonderful pictures are coins of this kind.

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-36711980689430652672009-03-08T21:33:00.002-05:002009-03-08T21:38:37.926-05:00

The New F***ing Citibank

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-61532892169832664672009-03-07T12:37:00.003-06:002009-03-07T13:24:42.253-06:00

A friend just emailed me photos of her new twin niece and nephew holding hands.

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-69884305278814041682009-03-07T08:21:00.003-06:002009-03-07T09:38:03.449-06:00

(Note: The image is from flickr)

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-590879662018261002009-03-06T17:46:00.012-06:002009-03-07T14:13:29.329-06:00

In recognition of the Magnobamatron that's sucking the 50 year old gold inlays out of my teeth, The 'Torum is introducing Frugal Friday.I don't know about you, but my wardrobe allowance looks like the chart above. Go 'head, click it, see up close the handwork of Obama & Company.Anyways, Cowboy's been telling me for years "You'd look great in a gunny sack". Well, he may get a chance to find out.

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-58637478243402443342009-03-04T15:16:00.004-06:002009-03-04T15:44:08.881-06:00

According to Roger Simon at Pajamas Media the new Safari 4 (beta) browser is rocket fast; for him the speed is thing. And since a good skipper knows when to push on, I downloaded it. Safari 4 not only delivers speed, it has some cool new tools like this amphitheater for your top sites.

QPnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-1065407703532154182009-03-03T18:55:00.004-06:002009-03-03T19:00:01.711-06:00

Chet Baker, 1958"Out of Nowhere" "As Though I Had Wings" chaotic race to the graveyard

QPnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-50490641531428889112009-03-02T14:27:00.012-06:002009-08-23T13:13:40.540-05:00

Bill Evans(Click to enlarge)© the qpBackstory in comments here
Everything is Broken
Lyrics and music by Bob Dylan

But I like R.L. Burnside's rendition (listen below.)Broken lines, broken strings,
Broken threads, broken springs,
Broken idols, broken heads,
People sleeping in broken beds.Ain't no use jiving
Ain't no use joking
Everything is broken.

Broken bottles, broken plates,
Broken switches,

QPnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-27238802514210848932009-03-01T19:54:00.008-06:002011-05-07T21:50:46.608-05:00

so a good mood fleesgonna brood my way outtathis one someday soon

QPnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-62213523016095761112009-02-27T09:21:00.008-06:002009-02-27T09:45:16.359-06:00

Thiz iz seriouz biznezz. Yesterday a pzychotic perverted perzon hacked my Mac account. Tranzlashun: Gained entry to my account/ removed my name from account - added his/changed the passcode/reset time preference to Saigon Time/ had access to all my mail folders w/contents & address book/iTunes store for about 5 hours. How do I know this? My Mail program would not work nor would it accept my

QPnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-57319878459148686542009-02-26T07:32:00.004-06:002009-02-26T07:39:32.375-06:00

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009It Has Begun... Big Business Leader Blasts Obama For New Deal II

QPnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4609698231945412384.post-2434984508088768722009-02-25T22:07:00.003-06:002009-02-25T22:09:15.681-06:00

QPnoreply@blogger.com6