General Discussion, Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Stella

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207 Responses to General Discussion, Wednesday, March 7, 2018

  1. czarowniczy says:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:22 am

    Well, facing a $1-billion defecit in its upcoming budget Louisiana’s legislature threw itself into a do-or-die crisis meeting and spent two weeks and beaucoup dollars attacking the problem. You propbably guessed it by now – they accomplished nothing, the $1-billion hole is still there.

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    • stella says:
      March 7, 2018 at 12:24 am

      Is Louisiana required to have a balanced budget?

      Liked by 3 people

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      • czarowniczy says:
        March 7, 2018 at 12:52 am

        Problem is the state’s budget is based on projected tax revenues and regardless of the governor’s budget proposal or the legislature’s it all comes down to revenue generation.
        We had ‘temporary’ taxes levied for the last budget mess and one side wants to reinstate them while the other side wants to cut spending.
        So much of the state’s budget is unrealistically based on projected petro severance tax that when oil prices drop the budget gets a kick in the butt. A 2019 budget will be based on the price of oil being ‘X’ per barrel and it wouldn’t be unusual for the guestimated price of oil to be ‘fidged; upwards to help balance the budget.
        The state has also given so many huge tax breaks to businesses/industry to set up in the state that they lose a big chunk of their tax base for years.
        The governor has a line item veto capability so he can balance by slashing spending BUT only those items not earmarked and most of those earmarks not only make up a large part of the budget but are heavily fluff pieces set up by legislators for their supporters.
        We expect colleges and medical care to take yet another major hit.

        Liked by 2 people

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  3. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:40 am

    Bobby Hackett (1915-1976) was one of the greats, an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent…

    Bobby Hackett Sextet – “Swing That Music”
    Bobby Hackett (cornet), Urbie Green (trombone), Bob Wilber (clarinet), Dave McKenna (piano), Nabil Totah (bass), Morey Feld (drums) – New York City, January 1962.

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    • Wooly Covfefe says:
      March 7, 2018 at 9:53 am

      That’s the good stuff, Lucille.

      I’ve played a few Steinway’s and would love to play one again some day, but never a trombone or drums or clarinet.

      The only Steinway’s I’ve played were without their owners’ permission. I had the keys to their condos in the priciest condo in Boston. I was just delivering their mail. But it’s a Steinway. Am I supposed to ignore it?

      I used to know how to do scales on a trumpet, and a cornet. In 6th grade.

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      • Lucille says:
        March 7, 2018 at 1:54 pm

        No, you’re never supposed to ignore a Steinway! LOL!

        A piano anywhere would be tempting…afterall, you don’t want them to get out of tune and cost the owner big bucks to restore. But, then, a lot of people consider their piano just a piece of furniture.

        Re Hackett, he started off playing the violin, then went to trumpet and lastly the cornet. Seems to me he also played the trombone, but I’m not sure about that.

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        • Wooly Covfefe says:
          March 7, 2018 at 11:23 pm

          My town, back in the day, made Everett Pianos. The factory is a “brownfield” right now. Nonexistant and non-developable for decades. I’ve played a few.

          I know where one is, outside, in a doorway, but still gets a snowbank on it every winter.

          I’ve heard some amazing things come out of that piano. When the snowbank melts, it still works. And some anon obviously maintains it well.

          If you live in a city or town, think about a public piano. It’s a neat thing to behold, because you never know who is going to sit down at that thing.

          I know where another is, too. I could play it tomorrow. It’s in a hotel lobby.

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  4. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:43 am

    SCOTLAND: Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017
    https://www.visitscotland.com/about/themed-years/history-heritage-archaeology/

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  5. Gil says:
    March 7, 2018 at 2:32 am

    I had a long day today towung the kiddo with me. Taxes and more all day. I bought him an antique kids desk and chair, although I dont think early 1950s is that old but I guess it is. From the original owner who used it himself in astounding good condition. Solid wood, dovetail joints, almost no damage. He saved it for his kids or grandkids and no one wanted it. Can you believe that?! Repurpose it even jeez. Kiddo was super excited to get it hopping around and everything.
    He understands its old but that makes it better.

    Are your families interested in vintage or antiques? Or am I a crazy mom for loving non new stuff? I think I gave him the bug…

    Liked by 8 people

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    • stella says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:50 am

      I think it’s great that you got him a desk made of real wood, and probably by Americans! Technically, it’s not an antique until it is 100 years old, but that’s not too long now. My bed is solid maple, made in Canada, and about the same age. My sister bought it when she was first married. It has carved maple leaves on the head board and on the matching dressers.

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    • lovely says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:51 am

      I prefer the old stuff. Almost everything in my house is vintage 🙂 . I love that there is history attached to things, I have a canning table for my kitchen table, imagine the stories it could tell.

      Liked by 7 people

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      • Menagerie says:
        March 7, 2018 at 8:42 am

        I do the same thing lovely. Most of the fun in antiques is taking a time trip, trying to picture the people and their lives and what their homes looked like with the item and them using it. I do the same with old houses and farms when we take our weekend drives.

        I am in the process of wrapping up my glassware collections for the granddaughters. I really hope they love those as I do.

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        • litenmaus says:
          March 7, 2018 at 9:43 am

          “I am in the process of wrapping up my glassware collections for the granddaughters. I really hope they love those as I do”.

          {hugs} – #MeToo

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          • Gil says:
            March 7, 2018 at 10:45 am

            I got rid of a lot of my toys when i had my son. I kept the heirloom ones. I have a figurine colkection i have been trying to sell locally but the dealers who buy are nasty and cheap. Wont do fair sales. My only option is sell on ebay. The money is only for the kiddos savings. That safe deposit box you have is really going to be handy!

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            • litenmaus says:
              March 7, 2018 at 11:17 am

              If you don’t have to sell your collection quickly Gil, do try to get the word out that you have the collection….(post little notes at the laundrymat, the post office, library boards, hospital waiting rooms, etc…..)

              Chances are there is a collector out there who just needs to learn that you have a collection available…:0)

              At some point, one of those safe boxes is going to hold Glitter…I guarantee it….0)

              Liked by 1 person

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        • lovely says:
          March 7, 2018 at 7:50 pm

          My canning table once belonged to a family friend’s great grandmother, it was in their family for 3 generations and none of the adult children wanted it so my friend offered it to me.

          Liked by 1 person

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    • Menagerie says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:52 am

      I love antiques, I used to love to go poking around the stores and malls, mostly just looking but occasionally finding a treasure. I have a few furniture pieces in my home that I found for the cabin, and one precious to me piece I inherited. It’s an antique secretary that belonged to my grandparents.

      Nowadays instead of buying I’m mostly getting rid of stuff. None of my sons inherited my love of old things. Yet. I didn’t get hooked on antiques until my mother died and I had to spend so much time going through her things.

      Liked by 8 people

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    • stella says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:54 am

      I have an oak lawyer’s (barrister) bookcase, and it is a true antique, with the original (and dangerous) glass. It is made in five parts – three book shelves, each with a sliding glass door, a wood base, and a wood top – that stack together.

      Liked by 7 people

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    • lovely says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:58 am

      One of my favorite things is my antique wood hope chest. I’ll try to post some photos later 🙂 .

      Liked by 5 people

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      • Jacqueline Taylor Robson says:
        March 7, 2018 at 8:42 am

        Oldest thing I have is an old chest that belonged to my Great Grandmother, circa 1870. My Mom gave it to me along with her Carnival Glass. I also have the handle to a Mayan Incense burner that is pre-Columbian, that my ex-sister-in-law dug up in El Salvador! If it was the whole thing, it would be worth a lot, but it’s just the decorative handle. It’s still a cool piece of pottery.

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        • auscitizenmom says:
          March 7, 2018 at 9:18 am

          My mother had my grandmother’s china cabinet. It is one of those that is high on each side with the middle section lower and a curved glass front. It is a beautiful old piece. It was supposed to go to my brother, but he lived on a boat so Mama kept it for him. When he died, my mom said it was to go to his daughter. But, when Mom died my niece didn’t want it, so I have it and I love it.
          I also have my paternal grandmother’s Duncan Phyfe style couch, along with a small bookcase, a three section dressing table, and a few tables of hers. These things were shipped to FL when my grandparents moved to be near my parents, then, after their deaths, shipped to CA, then back across country to GA, then to NY, and back down to TN where it started. The interesting part is that the large mirrors on the dressing table did not get broken. I love all my old furniture.

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          • stella says:
            March 7, 2018 at 10:08 am

            I have a walnut dressing table from the 1940’s, with a round mirror, and I LOVE it! I got it at a flea market in about 1987 for $40. It is so well made and has lot of storage space.

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            • auscitizenmom says:
              March 7, 2018 at 10:16 am

              I especially love this one. It has three large mirrors and the two outside ones can be adjusted. Also, the one in the middle is longer and the little shelf is very low, so it is almost a full length mirror. I loved sitting at it when I was a little girl visiting my grandparents. She had a big airy room with large windows and those pretty ruffled curtains. It was like something out of a Victorian picture. It was that dark brown/black stain that was so popular way back. I have had it for almost 40 years and finally painted it an antique yellow. With trepidation. But, I am not sorry. It really stands out, pretty and bright, and I love to sit there.

              Liked by 4 people

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              • stella says:
                March 7, 2018 at 10:35 am

                It sounds lovely. My step grandmother had one like that in her guest bedroom. I loved the long mirror too.

                My dressing table is pretty common, with curved front and a dropped center. Very much in the style of the 40’s, but I love it and use it every day. It has a center drawer and three drawers on each side.

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              • stella says:
                March 7, 2018 at 10:38 am

                I don’t know why dressing tables went out of style. So comfortable and handy for getting ready in the morning. I sit there drinking my coffee while I do my hair, makeup (if I’m doing that) and other beauty stuff. My little seat is a square stool with storage in the seat that was originally intended for sewing. The removable top is padded.

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          • Gil says:
            March 7, 2018 at 10:10 am

            My dad sold my maternal grandmothers solid cedar and mahogany china cabinet to someone for $50. I kept telling them not to. Would you believe I saw the exact cabinet 15 years later 50 miles from where we had lived? For sale in an antique store for $2000. My parents should have saved it for me.

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            • auscitizenmom says:
              March 7, 2018 at 10:12 am

              Wow. I bet that hurts. This one was refinished at some point many years ago with that old brown/black stain they used to use. It is actually a really beautiful piece of oak.

              Liked by 1 person

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        • stella says:
          March 7, 2018 at 9:46 am

          I love glass. I have some carnival glass, but mostly pretty common kind, and a couple of pieces of depression glass. I put lights and glassware on top of the cabinets on one wall of my kitchen. A pain to keep clean, but beautiful when the lights are on at night. A variety of sizes and colors lit from below.

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        • lovely says:
          March 7, 2018 at 8:06 pm

          Very neat Jacqueline I love when you actually know the history of a piece, then it carries stories with it.

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    • sandandsea2015 says:
      March 7, 2018 at 9:01 am

      I think it’s great! It can become a family heirloom. Plus, things used to be made to last. Not so much now.

      Liked by 3 people

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    • joshua says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:14 pm

      ours had an inkwell hole in the top, and a top that raised up to get to your books and papers, and the seat folded up against the desk that was behind it in a row.

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  6. nyetneetot says:
    March 7, 2018 at 6:13 am

    Mornin’ stella! (Smiter of those that ought to be smote) 😎 🍸 (Long Island Iced Tea)
    Mornin’ WeeWeed! (Master Mixologist Extrodinare) 😎 🍸 (Old Fashioned)
    Mornin’ Menagerie! 😎 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Jack Daniels – Single Barrel )
    Mornin’ Ad rem! (Queen Felis catus) 🐱 🍸 (Flaming Lamborghini)
    Mornin’ Sharon! 😎 🍸 🍸 (earthquake)
    Mornin’ ytz4mee! 😎 🍸 (cosmopolitan)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (white wine and perrier)
    Mornin’ partyzantski! 🙂 |_| (Tom Collins)
    Mornin’ texan59! 🙂 |_| (Black & Tan)
    Mornin’ ZurichMike! 🙂 🍸 (fuzzy navel)
    Mornin’ Col.(R) Ken! (hand salute) 🙂 |_| (Boilermaker)
    Mornin’ czarina33! (aka czarina) 🙂 🍸 (Lynchburg Lemonade)
    Mornin’ czarowniczy! 🙂 |_| (Wild Turkey Rare Breed)
    Mornin’ letjusticeprevail2014! 🙂 |_| (Irish Car Bomb)
    Mornin’ Patriot1783-ctdar! (aka “ctdar”) 🙂 🍸 (grasshopper)
    Mornin’ tessa50! 🙂 🍸 (flaming volcano)
    Mornin’ waltzingmtilda! 🙂 🍸 (sidecar)
    Mornin’ varsityward! 🙂 |_| (Godfather)
    Mornin’ MaryfromMarin! 😀 |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| |_| (Mortlach)
    Mornin’ Wooly Covfefe! (aka “Wooly Phlox” aka “taqiyyologist”) 🙂 |_| (Roy Rogers)
    Mornin’ Howie! (aka “doodahdaze”) 🙂 |_| (Classic Daiquiri)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Gin & Tonic)
    Mornin’ Sha! 🙂 🍸 (Lemon Drop)
    Mornin’ BigMamaTEA! 🙂 🍸 (Harvey Wallbanger)
    Mornin’ cetera5! (aka “Cetera”) 🙂 |_| (Blackberry wine)
    Mornin’ The Tundra PA! 🙂 🍸 (Gentleman Jack Whiskey Sling)
    Mornin’ lovely! 🙂 |_| (Backdraft)
    Mornin’ michellc! 🙂 🍸 (Salty dog)
    Mornin’ auscitizenmom! 🙂 🍸 (Kiss on the Lips)
    Mornin’ Margaret-Ann! 🙂 🍸 (White Russian)
    Mornin’ Auntie Lib! 🙂 🍸 (Tom and Jerry)
    Mornin’ holly100! 🙂 🍸 (Jack & Coke)
    Mornin’ Pam! 🙂 (Not even water)
    Mornin’ Ms.Tee! 🙂 🍸 (Mojito)
    Mornin’ koolkosherkitchen! 🙂 🍸 🍸 (Cuba Libre)
    Mornin’ ImpeachEmAll 🙂 |_| (Flaming Dr. Pepper)
    Mornin’ Monroe! 🙂 |_| (Stinger)
    Mornin’ Les! 🙂 |_| (Rusty Nail)
    Mornin’ shiloh1973! 🙂 |_| (Jack Daniels)
    Mornin’ TexasRanger! 🙂 |_| (Whiskey Smash)
    Mornin’ Ziiggii! 🙂 |_| (B52)
    Mornin’ oldiadguy! 🙂 |_| (Rum & Coke)
    Mornin’ smiley! (“stuck in spambucket”) 🙂 🍸 (Spanish coffee)
    Mornin’ derk! (“Stellars”) 🙂 🍸 (Kamikaze)
    Mornin’ Jacqueline Taylor Robson 🙂 🍸 (Shirley Temple)
    Mornin’ facebkwallflower! 🙂 |_| (Night Train Express)
    Mornin’ Ms. Cindy! (aka “Ms Cynlynn” aka “ms cynlynn”) 🙂 🍸 (1970 ducru beaucaillou)
    Mornin’ sandandsea2015! 🙂 🍸 (1961 Château Montrose)
    Mornin’ amwick! 🙂 🍸 (Blue motorcycle)
    Mornin’ hocuspocus13! 🙂 🍸 (1970 Chateau Latour)
    Mornin’ Sloth1963! 🙂 🍸 (1971 Moulin Touchais)
    Mornin’ MTeresa! (Ex-lurker) 🙂 |_| (Albanian Raki Moskat)
    Mornin’ rheavolans! (aka “Rhea Salacia Volans”) 🙂 |_| (Hot Buttered Rum)
    Mornin’ joshua! 🙂 |_| (Mudslide)
    Mornin’ John Denney! 🙂 |_| (RumChata)
    Mornin’ litenmaus! 🙂 |_| (Stolichnaya elit, no ice)
    Mornin’ kinthenorthwest! 🙂 🍸 (A Lonely Island Lost in the Middle of a Foggy Sea)
    Mornin’ TwoLaine! 🙂 |_| (Smoking Bishop)
    Mornin’ patternpuzzler! 🙂 🍸 (Old Lady)
    Mornin’ Senatssekretär FREISTAAT DANZIG! 🙂 |_| (Red Russian)
    Mornin’ G-d&Country! 🙂 🍸 (Blind Russian)
    Mornin’ Gary! 🙂 |_| (Yuengling)
    Mornin’ valeriecurren! 🙂 🍸 (Flaming Sambuca)
    Mornin’ Lucille! 🙂 🍸 (Peach Schnapps)
    Mornin’ Lburg! 🙂 🍸 (Lburg lemonade)
    Mornin’ davidhuntpe! 🙂 |_| (Baileys Irish Cream on the rocks)
    Mornin’ skipper1961! 🙂 |_| (Brompton’s Cocktail – No cherry, no umbrella, no plastic monkey)
    Mornin’ mightyconservative! 🙂 |_| (Benjamin Franklin’s clarified milk punch)
    Mornin’ whiners and complainers! 😛 (No drink for you!)
    Mornin’ to people posting that I missed. 😳
    Mornin’ to all you lurkers! 😕

    Also just in case someday; mornin’ to Elvis Chupacabra, F.D.R. in Hell and sundance! :mrgreen:

    Breakfast!

    NEW and IMPROVED breakfast with extra bacon for ZurichMike!

    Lemon Scones with Vanilla Lemon Glaze

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    • Lburg says:
      March 7, 2018 at 6:36 am

      It’s Windy, Wet and Wild Wednesday! Thanks for the great breakfast Nyet! Good morning Stellars!

      “Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?” ~ J R R Tolkien

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      • lovely says:
        March 7, 2018 at 7:53 am

        Good morning Lburg 🙂 . MMMmmmm soon enough fresh strawberries! Yum!

        Liked by 5 people

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      • Menagerie says:
        March 7, 2018 at 7:56 am

        Yesterday my granddaughter told me she is going to own a bakery when she grows up. She will make cakes and cupcakes and bread and pies and healthy stuff! I asked her what kind of healthy food she would sell. Strawberries she said, with loud enthusiasm.

        She’s going to give me a job and we are going to work together in her bakery.

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        • stella says:
          March 7, 2018 at 8:00 am

          And she can make shortcakes to serve with those strawberries!

          Liked by 5 people

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          • Menagerie says:
            March 7, 2018 at 8:22 am

            And we can sell her locally famous lemonade with it, although with as much sugar as we put in that stuff, I would not call it a health food. What goes better with fresh strawberry shortcake, topped with freshly whipped cream than lemonade? Perfect summer dessert.

            She is spending the weekend with us to celebrate her sixth birthday and she is going to be in charge of making her own cake. She is very excited. She has a very nice pink ruffled apron she keeps here for her cooking exploits.

            Liked by 7 people

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            • stella says:
              March 7, 2018 at 8:23 am

              What flavor cake will she be making? Any particular decorating theme?

              Liked by 3 people

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              • Menagerie says:
                March 7, 2018 at 8:59 am

                Just a simple yellow cake with chocolate icing, and I bought her one of those spray cans of pink icing to play with. I don’t have any of the decorative frosting bags and tips and stuff.

                I love to bake, but I never got the hang of making the detailed beautiful stuff. I think I may have to brace myself and try to learn because I’m thinking she will want to do that.

                After all those years of boys, finally I have girls who enjoy the kitchen stuff with me.

                Liked by 6 people

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            • Lburg says:
              March 7, 2018 at 9:56 am

              How wonderful that you’ll get her ‘all to yourself’ in the kitchen! I’m convinced that the feeling of working with someone who adores you mingles with the scent of cookies, cakes, pies and bread creating memories that are never forgotten.

              A magical kind of baking with results that never go stale.

              Liked by 4 people

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              • Menagerie says:
                March 7, 2018 at 12:47 pm

                Thanks Llburg! Beautiful words and sentiment. Not only do I treasure time with her, it is my hope that sometime in the future when she faces pain and struggle she will be comforted by the memories and the love and know that no troubles are forever and love is lasting. And that a cupcake really helps. And bread is a fine expression of love.

                Liked by 5 people

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                • Lburg says:
                  March 7, 2018 at 7:36 pm

                  I’ve been housebound most of the day, Menagerie, and have been thinking about kitchens and granddaughters and scent memories. My grandmother was one of 11 children of Italian immigrants. I still remember walking up what seemed like endless steps to her apartment in NYC, looking with wonder at the hexagonal tiles on the floors in the stairwells and smelling ‘gravy’ cooking mixed with distinct notes of garlic, provolone and salami.

                  But when I close my eyes and picture her, I get a distinct whiff of percolating coffee on the stove surrounding Ivory soap floating in the kitchen sink where she would bathe me. I couldn’t have been more than three years old but to this day, real percolated coffee reminds me of her.

                  So what we do as grandmothers is important, but sometimes it isn’t what we do, but where we are and who we’re with that are somehow the most powerful memories.

                  Liked by 3 people

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        • lovely says:
          March 7, 2018 at 8:02 am

          My mom’s granddaughter told her we are all moving to Florida and getting a ginormous house where we can all live together and my mom’s role will be to cook delicious food and play 🙂 .

          Liked by 8 people

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      • sandandsea2015 says:
        March 7, 2018 at 9:18 am

        Morning Lburg! I love that hobbits get to eat so many meals each day! I would make a great hobbit! Stay warm!

        Liked by 2 people

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    • lovely says:
      March 7, 2018 at 7:52 am

      Good morning Nyet :), thanks for keeping us well fed !

      Liked by 3 people

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    • Col.(R) Ken says:
      March 7, 2018 at 8:52 am

      Nye!!!!!! Thank you, thank you….

      Liked by 2 people

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    • sandandsea2015 says:
      March 7, 2018 at 9:04 am

      Morning Nyet!!!! Thank you for breakfast! Have a great day!

      Like

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    • auscitizenmom says:
      March 7, 2018 at 9:20 am

      I’m just having oatmeal this AM. Mornin’ Nyet, everyone. 🙂

      Like

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    • Lucille says:
      March 7, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Morning, Nyet! I’ll have a bacon quesadilla if you can qhip one up for me.

      Like

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  7. Wooly Covfefe says:
    March 7, 2018 at 8:04 am

    Imagine having the resources to do that, there.

    Or to go climb that little snow-covered hill in the background, on a whim.

    8 days of food. Cooking gear. Tent. Fuel. Hunting gear. Camera. Booze. Herbs. (ahem) Smokes. Toilet paper. Moose bait. Fishing gear. Climbing gear. And a multi-tool.

    😉

    Liked by 6 people

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  8. WeeWeed says:
    March 7, 2018 at 8:45 am

    Mornin’ kids! Y’all ready??

    Liked by 10 people

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  9. stella says:
    March 7, 2018 at 9:23 am

    Trivia for Outlander fans – March 6, 1988 was the first time that Diana Gabaldon started writing a book for practice. That turned out to be OUTLANDER. She posted a “Daily Lines” (excerpt from her new book) in honor of the anniversary:

    Liked by 2 people

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    • czarowniczy says:
      March 7, 2018 at 10:40 pm

      Not so much the book but the picture here – reminded me that Sunday I went out to what will be this summer’s garden spot and, in the space at the back was my oldest Southern Cran Apple in full bloom. The smell was fabulous and the tree was alive with bees…all over now, short attention span theater.

      Liked by 2 people

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  10. stella says:
    March 7, 2018 at 9:30 am

    Apparently there will be a Trump rally in PA on March 10. Details later.

    Liked by 4 people

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  11. michellc says:
    March 7, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Teachers whine so much anymore that I pretty much tune it out if I ever hear anything about teachers. I guess I should have been listening as I guess they’re planning on striking. If I was in charge I’d tell them to strike, but they better hope they have enough paid leave to support them while they’re striking. Then I’d really get parents pissed by extending school as many days as needed during summer break.
    I’m not in charge, so I figure the state will cave and our taxes will be getting raised.

    I’m sorry that I’m not sympathetic, but when you decide on getting a teaching degree you know what the salary is, if you don’t like it choose a different profession.

    Liked by 5 people

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    • sandandsea2015 says:
      March 7, 2018 at 9:41 am

      Striking in Oklahoma? 😳

      Like

      Reply
    • Wooly Covfefe says:
      March 7, 2018 at 10:06 am

      Sympathetic? Not me.

      I want the public schools, and their unions, demolished. Utterly gone. All of them.

      Let them find other work. If you’re really good at teaching, a private or charter school might hire you. If not, you can find a job at a restaurant (hopefully not mine) or a grocery store, or breaking rocks at a quarry.

      Like

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      • Wooly Covfefe says:
        March 7, 2018 at 10:14 am

        I know, I know. Their drama clubs provide such wonderful crisis actors.

        Burn it all down. Start from scratch. Public Schools need to be gone.

        (But where are male gymnastics coaches going to get little girls? Where are wrestling coaches going to get little boys? Where are drama coaches going to get both? Where are swimming coaches going to get both? Where are football coaches going to get little boys? )

        Public Schools need to be gone. The NEA needs to be gone. Period.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        • michellc says:
          March 7, 2018 at 11:50 pm

          It’s pathetic how they whine. If you don’t like what you get paid, find a different career. If it sucks so bad being a teacher in Oklahoma and that’s what you really want to do then move to another state.
          If you love the kids so much and you’re fighting for them then quit whining about how you’re underpaid. Plus if you love the kids so much and care so much about their education then why would you keep threatening to walk out?
          Most of all quit the lying that convenience store clerks make more than you or that you’re living in poverty.
          If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times it wasn’t a great secret what the salary for teachers was when you chose that profession.

          Like

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  12. Sharon says:
    March 7, 2018 at 10:59 am

    I don’t know if this will post – just checking. Stella, I tried to make comments on the doggity day thread and the note tells me, “This comment cannot post….” Maybe it’s some kind of limited problem….just letting you know it happened. Have a good day.

    I got the back yard mowed yesterday which was a good started. I will have to mow it again because it was so tall it will have to taken in two passes. It’s been too wet for mowing for quite awhile so the grass just happily grows until it’s not too wet to mow.

    Liked by 4 people

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    • stella says:
      March 7, 2018 at 11:03 am

      I’m happy that you are enjoying spring! It will be some time yet before we can mow the grass – or need to. Got some snow/rain overnight, so it is once again in a white blanket.

      Like

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      • Sharon says:
        March 7, 2018 at 2:47 pm

        ….sometimes I thought, when in MN, ND, or MT, that those final smacks of snow were an evidence of a reluctance on the part of weather personified to just leave us alone and let us get on into spring.

        Those who have never lived as one of the Frozen Chosen, in the Northern latitudes, would not have the heart experience – so GLAD – so very GLAD – when the corner is finally turned, and there is warmth in the sunshine day after day, not just brightness.

        Liked by 4 people

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        • litenmaus says:
          March 7, 2018 at 3:24 pm

          Eight more days Sharon…..the forecast tells me that in 8 days we here on the Montana plains have an opportunity to see weather above the freezing mark…..I’m definitely ready for the corner…

          I am jealous/not jealous that you are mowing lawn :0)

          Liked by 4 people

          Reply
          • Sharon says:
            March 7, 2018 at 3:32 pm

            My home was 9 miles NE of Culbertson….I know what you mean by being ready for the corner. And it always does come.

            What have the medical developments been for Judy (Havskjold)?

            I just learned that my dil’s best friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. They removed it (the size of a lemon) and found that it had divided/invaded the brain. She’s in her late 50s, I suppose. Best friends from their young years so Jennifer (dil) is walking close with her friend, who has three adult daughters. Tough, tough stuff. Always.

            Liked by 3 people

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          • czarowniczy says:
            March 7, 2018 at 10:49 pm

            Had a friend of mine think that what he really wanted was to retire and move to Montaba from Florida. He set it up for years until, just after he reached minimum retirement age, he packed up his truck and moved. That lasted about two winters and he packed up the truck and moved back to south Florida.

            Liked by 2 people

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            • michellc says:
              March 8, 2018 at 12:15 am

              My husband once told me he always dreamed of moving to Montana, I told him he married the wrong woman to live that dream with him.

              Like

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              • czarowniczy says:
                March 8, 2018 at 12:16 am

                Sounds jes like Czarina when I broached the subject of retiring to Alaska.

                Like

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                • michellc says:
                  March 8, 2018 at 12:26 am

                  I wouldn’t be doing that one either. I hate Oklahoma winters and I know they’re really nothing.
                  I’m a wuss when it comes to being cold, that’s why I’ve been a whine bag the past few days. I’m tired of being cold.

                  Like

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                  • czarowniczy says:
                    March 8, 2018 at 12:35 am

                    There’s a quality to some Alaskan cold that goes beyond cold, it’s something of a zen thing, Ft Richardson is cold, Ft Wainright is COLD! And then some.

                    Like

                  • czarowniczy says:
                    March 8, 2018 at 12:38 am

                    %^&%$# Chromebook touch screen.
                    Both Czarina and I are familiar with Oklahoma and Utah winters – she didn’t like either. Gulf Coast was about as close to the Artic Circle as I could get her, every now and then we get some cold and I can dust off a field jacket and dream of hunting moose with a pointed stick.

                    Like

        • stella says:
          March 7, 2018 at 5:41 pm

          Boy, is that every true!

          Like

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    • michellc says:
      March 8, 2018 at 12:12 am

      Our grass is just starting to turn green. Although it doesn’t feel like spring is in the air. I’m very ready though to mow the grass and weed the flower beds.

      Like

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  13. stella says:
    March 7, 2018 at 11:49 am

    I know we talked about mincemeat during the Christmas season. I ran across this video today, which explains how they made mincemeat during the 1880’s in England. Filmed at Audley End House in Essex, now an English Heritage site.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • stella says:
      March 7, 2018 at 11:55 am

      The recipe makes a HUGE amount of mincemeat!

      Like

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      • Menagerie says:
        March 7, 2018 at 12:53 pm

        I bought some of those mincemeat pies nyet posted a link to, and I loved them. They had a very strong liquor taste and smell and it made the pies wonderful. My husband did not like them, so I got one of the tiny little pies each day I chose.

        I’m going to watch the video now, thanks.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  14. stella says:
    March 7, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    Seen on Facebook:

    Saw this challenge by one Pete P.:

    “Now if Trump abandons his tariff plans maybe companies will stay here. They’re a disincentive to manufacture here.”

    To which one Paul Strauss brilliantly responded:

    “What are they going to do? Go make goods overseas and pay the tariffs to sell back to the US? Here’s a little perspective: The tariffs Trump is proposing (25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports) would add about a half cent to the cost of a can of beer/soda and $160 to the cost of a $36,000 car — which is why the stock market continues to go up since Trump announced his tariffs.

    Total U.S. GDP is $18.5 TRILLION.
    China’s total GDP is $8 TRILLION.

    They don’t want a trade war with us. A trade war with China would hardly be noticed by us, but would be devastating to China.

    Trump’s trade policies are mainly aimed at China — which is the real bad actor in the trade game.

    China’s tariffs on most U.S. products are 30-35%
    China also uses what it calls Quarantine Inspection Permits to block U.S. agricultural products from coming into China.
    China uses a host of other tricks to block U.S. access to China’s markets.
    Very few of our companies are big players in China precisely because China blocks our products from its markets.

    Plus, I don’t think we want to be making our tanks, ships and weapons with Chinese steel or build our bridges and skyscrapers with Chinese steel.

    In addition, China steals our intellectual property. Often China requires our companies (especially our tech companies) to give them their intellectual property to do business in China.

    The EU doesn’t treat U.S. products fairly either.

    EU countries charge U.S. car companies a 10% tariff on our cars.
    We only charge a 2.5% tariff on cars made in Europe.
    EU countries charge a 30% tariff on U.S. clothing and shoes.
    For dairy products, the EU charges a 50% tariff.
    For grains, the EU charges us a 55% tariff.
    Some agricultural products, the EU charges tariffs as high as 330%
    We mostly charge a 10% tariff on their agriculture products sold here.

    Trump wants to even out the trade playing field.

    Tariffs would also incentivise foreign companies to build factories here to avoid the tariffs.

    Trump is also using the tariff threat to get a better NAFTA deal for us. I bet he succeeds.

    Before the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1909 empowering the federal government to collect income taxes, the U.S. government was financed almost entirely by tariffs. Foreigners paid for our federal government, including our military.

    THE RESULT: The U.S. economy was the fastest growing economy in human history. We need to go back to that system . . . and eliminate federal taxes on U.S. citizens.

    Tariffs is how we get Mexico to pay for the wall. Tariffs is how we get foreigners to pay for our military and much of our government. If they want to do business with us (the largest economy in the world, by far), they have to pay our tariff. And I don’t think China or Europe wants a trade war with us.

    The USA is 25% of the entire world’s GDP (we’re just 3% of the world’s population). All sensible countries will pay our modest tariffs so they can be included in our system and be part of our club . . . Or they can live in mud huts.”

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    • Menagerie says:
      March 7, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      Every American who graduates high school should have to read and be tested on this excellent summation. People are ignorant.

      Why are we Americans, the most powerful economic force in the world, not taking care of our own interests? Why would even ignorant liberals give up that revenue? There has to be a huge sellout. Nothing else makes sense. Our politicians are owned by our rivals.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
    • czarowniczy says:
      March 7, 2018 at 1:21 pm

      I almost fell over last night when I saw Schumer agreeing with Trump on nailing China as China’s been playing bus like a rading partner fool for years. CHUCKIE, for heaven’s sake! Of coiurse thi begs the question of where was Chuckie when this was known and going on during the POtuS’s reign but still…Chuckie agreeing that Trump’s right?

      Like

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    • Lucille says:
      March 7, 2018 at 2:34 pm

      China has the aim of being the leading world nation. I haven’t noticed them giving up their plans for militarizing the China Sea. We should never let down our guard.

      China To Allow Leader For Life
      Mar 6, 2018 By Renee, Writer Intern
      https://youngzine.org/news/world-news/china-allow-leader-life

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Menagerie says:
    March 7, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    Saw this answer to the question “Where has communism worked?” on Quora.

    Communism has worked in every country it’s been tried in. There’s likely a perfectly functioning communist society within a few hundred yards of you right now.

    People call these entities “ant hills”. Other communist societies are called beehives.

    For humans, communism has never worked.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    • czarowniczy says:
      March 7, 2018 at 1:27 pm

      ‘Works’, of course, depends upon your definition of ‘work’. For the European Communists the system worked, they lived the high life while the peasants chased the elusive ‘carrot on a stick’ of the Worker’s Paradise. It worked for Mao, the Kim Dynasty and Pol Pot as they enjoyed adulation and privilege while millions of their beloved minions died miserable deaths. Almost worked for the Obamas too but luckily they went out to pasture before they got to loose their masses upon the productive class.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • czarowniczy says:
        March 7, 2018 at 1:41 pm

        Mao once said he’d accept the death of half of China to attain his Great Leap Forward just as Stalin’s idiotic policies that killed 5 million or more Ukrainians and Russians and PolPot’s social reengineering thjat murdered upwards of 3 million show what could well be in store for us were the likes of Obama to reign agaion.
        The murder of political/ideological opponents is an accepted if not integral part of the progressive sociopolitical movement, and dividing races, classes and genders makes the process that much easier.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  16. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    “Calgary ‘snow angel’ clears neighbourhood with snowblower attached to wheelchair”
    Jackie Dunham, CTVNews.ca – Published Wednesday, March 7, 2018 8:49AM EST
    https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/calgary-snow-angel-clears-neighbourhood-with-snowblower-attached-to-wheelchair-1.3832342

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  17. G-d&Country says:
    March 7, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Hi all 🙂 Boy am I late to the party today!
    Here is another great painting by Joseph Farquharson. In honor of the fact it is snowing again (YES! 🙂 ) “The shortening winter’s day is near a close” – one of his famous sheep paintings:

    Farquharson is known for long names for his paintings – often in reference to Scottish poems.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  18. G-d&Country says:
    March 7, 2018 at 3:10 pm

    Really busy today, but skimmed furniture thread. I love old wood furniture – Federal, especially can’t think of name now! augghh! similar to Hepplewhite – the one with the X in the table legs – Duncan Phyfe! Cherry or mahogany. Would love to have that furniture!
    Have a great day – back to work as soon as check out doggies 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    Ardvreck Castle, Scotland

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 4:45 pm

    Utah: Muslim student leaves explosive backpack at high school, posts Islamic State propaganda
    March 6, 2018 by Robert Spencer

    Clearly Utah is not diverse enough yet, but it is, with this smoking backpack at Pine View High School, rapidly approaching an acceptable level of diversity.

    https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/03/utah-muslim-student-leaves-explosive-backpack-at-high-school-posts-islamic-state-propaganda

    Like

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  21. michellc says:
    March 7, 2018 at 6:59 pm

    Our farm is getting smaller, we’re selling out of the bacon makers. The market just doesn’t make it feasible to continue raising pigs. I haven’t bought pork in a long time out of the grocery store so I don’t know how it reflects it, but 35 cents a pound for slaughter size pigs and $15 to $20 for weaning age pigs doesn’t pay the feed bill. We planned on trying to hold out until it went back up, but two years at these prices it just doesn’t make sense.

    We have some customers not happy, but like I told them you want our pigs but you want to pay market price, so you’ll have to go to sale barn and buy them at market price. I still won’t buy store pork though, we have one pig ready for butcher now and we kept one baby back to raise for butcher next year. After that if the market still sucks, we’ll pay the $20 from those who haven’t thrown in the towel and raise them up to eat.

    DH is going to miss his pigs, but as all of you know I hate pigs so I’m secretly doing a happy dance. First time in years we won’t have pigs.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  22. Lucille says:
    March 7, 2018 at 7:44 pm

    Professor Supports Euthanizing Disabled Children Because “Parents are Harmed Seeing Their Child Suffer”
    BY WESLEY SMITH March 6, 2018 | 11:28AM WASHINGTON, DC
    http://www.lifenews.com/2018/03/06/professor-supports-euthanizing-disabled-children-because-parents-are-harmed-seeing-their-child-suffer/

    Like

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  23. auscitizenmom says:
    March 7, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    lilbirdee12’s prayer:

    Our Heavenly Father, Your children come to you tonight to ask for healing and peace throughout our country so that we may return to being One Nation Under God. Guide us to be leaders in Your Kingdom, spreading Your Love and Salvation to all. Forgive us our sins and deliver us from evil.

    Lord, we ask for a blanket of protection over all our troops and law enforcement who serve to defend and protect us. Bless our representatives with the strength and wisdom they need to achieve the path You have chosen for us.

    Please place Your Guardian Angels of Protection around Donald Trump and Mike Pence and their families as they seek to lead America back to You.

    Grant us patience, Lord, as the evil ones try to anger us and cause us to fall.
    Spread blessings over Israel and Netanyahu.

    We humbly ask that You please comfort those who are grieving and in pain.
    Thank you Father, for Your Love and the gift of Life.

    In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

    Liked by 3 people

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