Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Woo Woo?

Bob Graham will be a guest. I wonder if they will ask to see his notebook for the day to that point?

"Woo Woo?"

Timidity gets you nowhere, Fall In NOW!

Tentative but still in the lead. :-)

http://horseracing.about.com/od/triplecrown2000/r/blackeyedsusan.htm

"Traditional drink of the Preakness. This is how it is served at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico and also to the fans at the Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Stakes. Be careful as it is deceptively strong!

Black-Eyed Susan

Ingredients:
1 1/4 oz. Whiskey
3/4 oz. Vodka
3 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
2 oz. Orange Juice

Preparation:
Fill a highball glass with shaved ice, add the liquors first, then top off with orange juice and sweet and sour mix. Stir and garnish with an orange slice, cherry, and stirrer.

This is not the original recipe...but is the current official recipe. The original called for equal parts of Cointreau, Mount Gay rum, and Vodka topped off with orange and pineapple juice, and garnished with a lime wedge."

"She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still."

Thought for the day :
" America did not invent human rights, Human Rights invented America. "

St. Brendan's Day

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan

Firedog Lake raised $91,000 in 2 days to fund EmptyWheel's investigative work ....................

" Marcy Wheeler made the front page of the New York Times with her scoop about about Khalid Sheik Mohammed being waterboarded 183 times in one month. It's not the first time she's been there -- her liveblogging of the Libby trial was one of the seminal moments in online journalism. In fact, her work on the CIA leak case set the model for "crowd sourcing" that many others have since copied. Again and again, she's demonstrated the investigative skills that show what bloggers and those using online tools are uniquely capable of doing.

But nobody is willing to fund that work, so we're starting a fund to raise money for Marcy's work. We want to raise $150,000 to support Marcy, another investigative blogger to work with her and a researcher to help them. All money raised by this campaign will go directly to this effort. "

https://secure.firedoglake.com/page/contribute/MarcyWheeler

Saw a blog this morning called The Essence of Bobness.

"The answer is yes. I think it's a great country. " That's SUCH a politician's answer. It's a great country? WTF?

Anyhow, I don't believe him.

tt

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228419

CBob,

Perfectly understandable. Bobness is an admirable quality. I have a fondness for most men, but have to say that all the best ones in my life have been Bob or Robert. :-)

I associate myself with this other sturgeon's revelation:

Sturgeon's Law: prov.

“Ninety percent of everything is crud”. Derived from a quote by science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon, who once said, “Sure, 90% of science fiction is crud. That's because 90% of everything is crud.” Sturgeon himself called this “Sturgeon's Revelation”, and it first appeared in the March 1958 issue of Venture Science Fiction; he gave Sturgeon's Law as “Nothing is always absolutely so.” Oddly, when Sturgeon's Revelation is cited, the final word is almost invariably changed to ‘crap’. Compare Hanlon's Razor, Ninety-Ninety Rule. Though this maxim originated in SF fandom, most hackers recognize it and are all too aware of its truth.

I wondered long ago in passing if you might be Sturgeon and then remembered he is dead and his real last name is Waldo.

Try to expand the GOP pup-tent with hypotheticals. Nice.

Happy Preakness!

SQUIRREL ATTACK! Just caught one of these damn furry rats munching on one of my blue corn seedlings, had pulled it right out of the ground and ate the roots.

oh man, that's cold........

Turtle Attack -

http://cbhopibluecornexperiment.blogspot.com/

I'm lucky..........the feral cats must be keeping away Brer Rabbit and squirrels and such......now if they can scare away the crows then I'll let them share in the eventual bounteous harvest............

Sturgeon was a magnificent SF writer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_All_Men_Were_Brothers,_Would_You_Let_One_Marry_Your_Sister%3F was my favorite of his stories simply because it tackled the issue of what is fact and what is belief and prejudice. The whole idea of asking "Why" as being essential to truth.

Colorado Bob, I have a question about the blue corn growing experiment. It is my understanding that to properly grow corn one must or at least should have about 5 rows so that the corn my properly cross pollinate. Is this true?

Not sure what it means, but long shots are winning almost every race at Pimlico today.

http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/quick/PIM051609USA-EQB.html

Gallup sez for the first time in 15 years a (very slim) majority of Americans are pro-life
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/15/national/a131641D16.DTL&tsp=1

I think there must be something wrong with the poll (or the questions.)

KGC

Not with the poll but with the reporting. The majority of those polled at 37% believe that abortions should be allowed in some circumstances.

The Always pro choice and the Always pro life percentages are 22% and 23% respectively.

When you combine the "legal in a few" and the "legal in most" groups, you are still over 50% on the choice side

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx

While there has been a small shift to the pro life end of the spectrum, don't believe the headlines, read the fine print:

"Not with the poll but with the reporting." Jamie

Well there you go..it sucks to be the SF Chronicle --the same paper who told us there was NO difference on the abortion issue between Al Gore and Shrub.

Dr. Dooty -
That's partly true, The Hopi developed the hill method in part to over come this. These hills are spread out, so the plants have less competition for water , they are doing serious dry land farming.

So a circle of stalks helped with this . The little plots we're fooling with can be hand pollinated. When the corn begins to tassle, you bend them over the silk coming out of the ears , and shake.

Craig, did you catch it or...catch it...to be a pet, perhaps?

;-)

tt

I failed to tell people about being a corn sex worker.

Critters vs Growing Stuff.

Stinky and I use a combination of a critter resistant fence (it stops rabbits but not squirrels and birds) and garden netting. The net covers the entire garden and stops everything. I suspend it from PVC pipe surmounted with T's to gently support the net. The net does not rest on the plants.

We have a smaller net, cut from the remains of an old larger net, that we use over our small strawberry patch. It's very effective.

I don't recall the brand we use, but it has about a half inch mesh and is ultraviolet resistant. A large one will last about four or five seasons depending on how violent the weather becomes. I usually buy them in the late autumn taking advantage of the inevitable end-of-season sales.

Here's what those tassles will look like when the time comes.

http://www.michaelandjudystouffer.com/judy/images/ARS_corn_growing_b94c3869_300px.jpg

Here's a series doing it by hand with complete set of pictures:

http://www.nativeseeds.org/how_to/seedsave

C-Bob, that could be too much info.

:-)

Some things need to remain mysterious.

tt

Tighty-righties are reading the tea leaves and hoping they haven't "lost another one of our leaders to the mushy middle."

http://www.stoptheaclu.com/archives/2009/05/07/did-sessions-say-abortion-is-not-a-problem-for-judicial-candidates/

"In my opinion, this was Sessions’ cagey way of saying that if a judge follows the law properly said judge cannot help but realize that Roe v Wade is bad law and should be reversed. So, that means that even if a judge is personally pro-choice, but follows the logic of the law, he’ll be anti-Roe v Wade regardless of his personal convictions."

"...doing it by hand with complete set of pictures..."

Goodness. Are they kept under lock and key?

This Day In History - First Academy Awards

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=VideoArticle&id=52690

Craig,

This blog just got an X rating! Wild corn sex with pictures and a network of on line practitioners.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Two seasonal Yellowstone National Park concession workers have been fired after a live webcam caught them urinating into the Old Faithful geyser.

http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1120ap_us_odd_geyser_goons.html?source=mypi

Lost fans (including fearless leader) here's a question for you from Twitter

rpmkel wants to know:

Can anyone help me understand why Jacob is reading Flannery O’Connor’s Everything That Rises Must Converge in the #lostfinale?

Huntsman appointment to China

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12385867

Trashmen: Surfin' Bird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZThquH5t0ow

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228446

Bob,

I don't think they could put it out.

http://www.rr.com/home/home/article/9000/7767190/RNC_chief_Gay_marriage_will_burden_small_business

"RNC chief: Gay marriage will burden small business"

"Republicans can reach a broader base by recasting gay marriage as an issue that could dent pocketbooks as small businesses spend more on health care and other benefits, GOP Chairman Michael Steele said Saturday.

Steele said that was just an example of how the party can retool its message to appeal to young voters and minorities without sacrificing core conservative principles. Steele said he used the argument weeks ago while chatting on a flight with a college student who described herself as fiscally conservative but socially liberal on issues like gay marriage."

Steele is such a foolish windbag.....

check out the rivingtons:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYQiZxyw0I

Their first hit, "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" (1962), like many such songs, began with the bass chanting nonsense syllables (in this case the title), followed by the tenor singing over repetitions of it. "Mama-Oom-Mow-Mow", an even more baroque rewrite of the theme, failed to sell, but they returned to the charts the following year with the similar "The Bird's The Word". Conversely, the B-side of "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" is a song called "Waiting", and indeed showcases the softer, more melodic talents of the group.
Previously The Rivingtons had been known as The Sharps and had already tasted chart action via Thurston Harris' "Little Bitty Pretty One" in 1957, after which they appeared on several Duane Eddy recordings when any extraneous sounds of rebel yells were required (as on Eddy's 1958 hit "Rebel Rouser").
After the two hit singles, The Rivingtons struggled till the mid 60s to find another hit, and after the Columbia single "A Rose Growing In The Ruins" flopped, they called it a day.

However, the two hits entered a life of their own, courtesy of a Minnesota group called The Trashmen, who recorded a song made up from the nonsense syllables, calling it "Surfin' Bird". The band cut the disc over a record shop and passed it off as their own work. It was a medley of the choruses without the verses. However the Rivingtons' management reported it to their lawyers and the group were ordered to add the surnames of The Rivingtons to the credits, having the effect of causing the first pressings without The Rivingtons' credit to become collectors items.

After the publicity surrounding the allegations in Billboard Magazine, The Trashmen had to share the writing credits on not only this recording but a later one as a sign of good faith. "Surfin' Bird" itself was revived in the 1970s by the Ramones and The Cramps.

Tony,

Steele's logical abilities leave something to be desired.

""Now all of a sudden I've got someone who wasn't a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for,"

I guess if you have a small business and hire a single person who then gets married you don't have any responsibility for their spounse if they are the opposite sex? Apparently Steele only approves of unmarried sex for small business employees.

Yardwork, what was scheduled is done.
Grocery shopping done.
Horserace still pending.... Is Rachel ready??

Just caught three rug rats in a piroque trying to steal one of my Tide catfish jug lines. Already lost three. They just don't realize how many clothes I had to wash to get to that jug. I wonder if they know that is a whoopping offense out here on the river.

Speaking to Craig's post today, is anyone really pro-abortion?? I think it is pro allowing women to follow their conscience and do what they think they must do for their life circumstances ie. pro-choice.

Carol,

You are correct. The rabid right always says "pro abortion" in their naming game instead of "pro choice" to make it sound as if women were running off to the neighborhood abortionist for a quick murder and then let's do lunch.

come on baby girl!

I am not too crazy about an early lead

Let's hear it for the girl!

Wow! The lady did it, but Mine That Bird put up one whale of a race.

i wonder if there are numbers for the true "pro-abortion" people......parents of pregnant teen-age daughters......the parents of those girls who in former times were forced to seek and undergo illegal abortions.......

and our boy Calvin!

make those boys eat our dirt. Sorry fellows.

That's why Rachel won. She didn't want to get dirty. What we women have to do to stay clean.

It's a shame Mine That Bird is a gelding otherwise we would be hearing thoroughbred wedding bells.

Great race!

Lucky number 13.

Best line from the Preakness coverage: "Rachel Alexandra runs like a girl."

Well, I'm disappointed. I suspect if Calvin has been on the Bird, the result would have been different.

Jamie, what's the rationale for having less weight aboard the fillies? Is it something more substantial than custom?

But, no matter how I feel, my hat's off to Miss Rachel.

Didn't they say earlier that no one has ever won from post position #13. Hah.

Mine That Bird ran a helluva race, by the way....he had some serious maneuvering to do to get around that crowd, and he did it with a vengeance!

" unmarried sex for small business employees.'

Jamie
HA HA..The new Republican party mantra!! I think its beats there tired old 'drill baby drill"......

Love that Martin O...

Space Shuttle Atlantis caught in silhouette against the Sun

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article6292923.ece

John Grunsfeld, the lead spacewalker in the shuttle Atlantis crew, opened up the Advanced Camera for Surveys and replaced four failed computer cards, Florida Today reported.

"The fourth card is out. Woo-hoo, " Grunsfeld announced.

"Somehow I don't think brain surgeons go 'woo-hoo' when they pull something out," a teammate inside the shuttle responded.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2009/05/16/Astronaut-does-delicate-camera-repair/UPI-51351242476652/

Actually Mike Smith rode well. The other riders blocked the rail run and he had to come from way back and outside so lost time catching up to Rachel while Borel just had to keep her from tiring on the lead. The little horse did very well coming in second.

ALLOWANCES- Weight permitted to be reduced because of the conditions of the race or because an apprentice jockey is on a horse. Also, a weight females are entitled to when racing against males.

Rachel just happens to be a bit of a freak. She is very big and strong for a filly, but is still entitled to the allowance.

Here is a good page with most of the racing terms that you might see in a program or hear around a track

http://horseracing.about.com/od/helpfornewfans/a/aaracetypes.htm

Here's the horse Jackson says he's breeding Rachel with:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curlin

Whoa - Curlin and Rachel - That could be an interesting combination. Did he indicate how much longer he would race Rachel before putting her to foal?

She is still just a teenager, but she could be bred now though they might wait until next spring when she is four. Eleven months gestation and they would want the foal born as close to the first day of the new year as possible.

I didn't hear the whole pre-race interview so don't know when he's thinking about it. But it sure sounded like that was the "marriage" he wanted when he bought Rachel.

"Somehow I don't think brain surgeons go 'woo-hoo' when they pull something out," a teammate inside the shuttle responded"

They leave that to the rocket scientists...

Congrats to everyone on an excellent race.

(I am glad to say I put my money on the philly when the money was on the line! Plus, she was rocking the number 13.)

Cheers.

A while ago, someone posted the name of a hummingbird feeder which doesn't leak any food and keeps the ground underneath clean and not messy - anybody remember that? I'd like to get one. Thanks.

Scanner - this bit of a post of yours yesterday is another of those piles of crap and crud that have been mentioned lately:

"... glad you let me dumb this place down a little."

Dumb it down?? DUMB it down????????? You are a highly skilled and educated scientist, you work each day with dangerous and villainous people, and come home at night to live among gators and poisonous snakes - not one thing of which I would do except to save the life of a loved one. I might accept that you live a foolishly risky life, but DUMB? Sorry - you're way outta line, there, toots.

Go, Rachel Alexandra - I also love the line that she runs like a girl.

Well just came back from a funeral for my friend Stephen Bruton. For those that don't know, Stephen was the lead guitar player for Kris Kristofferson for many years. Kris actually did the eulogy today at the church. Famed music producer T-Bone Burnett at whose house Stephen died last Saturday was there also. T- Bone was a high school band mate of Stephen's here in Fort Worth. Tomorrow there is a free musical free for all at the big hall here downtown. How cool do you have to be to have your eulogy done by Kris Kristofferson?

"Blue litmus paper turns red under acidic conditions and red litmus paper turns blue under basic (i.e. alkaline) conditions, the color change occurring over the pH range 4.5-8.3 (at 25°C). Neutral litmus paper is purple in colour."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litmus_test_(chemistry)

Thanks Bethy, I'm just a small town girl learning from those who are much more sophicated and I am not talking about the "evolved one, my sister."

I knew there was a reason I loved you.

and Bethy I do sort of enjoy the role of dumbing down this blog some. We all have a part to play.

That is interesting ivy. I wonder if some scientists had any part in labeling us blue or red people - or purple.

Wise words ct.

Scanner - sophistication can make one stupid because it can cloud vision. I love all your posts cuz they show who you are, like everybody else here, Nobody dumbs anything down here, in my opinion - there was someone here for a while that I used to wonder at but I suspect one of the reasons we all hang around here is because we like each others' brains.

I'm going to get going to my Old Ladies Club - one of our sillier members volunteered to make a sausage casserole with noodles and all sorts of good stuff. She makes me a smaller one without the green peppers cuz I don't like them, but you guys would love it all. It's in the 90's but that 's her mistake, not mine,

Oh, yeah, the weather map sure looks as if you, Tony, Ivy, Chloe, and a few others are in for some big water for a couple of days. Wanna trade?

It's not dumbing - it's adding enjoyment of life and lightening the mood. We all do that.

Bethy,

I think you are talking about the Humm Zinger

http://www.wrenshop.com/servlet/Categories?category=Hummingbird+Stuff

I'm not a fan of green peppers either bethy. And I think onions are overrated.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228495

Warren --

I don't know, but "drat" those scientists...started with that pesky Copernicus and kept going past the nudnik Darwin...they just won't leave well enough alone...

Doots, very sorry for your loss. Sounds like Stephen got a real nice send off.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228426

Craig --

I would be the last one to advocate torture even for squirrels -- but this is war, dammit!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14788397

Love both onions and bell peppers, cooked that is. Can't be a cajun without using both and lots of garlic. Don't get too close to me and breath in.

Jamie, race news says "Jackson said he would let Rachel tell him if she wants to run in the Belmont." Now how exactly will she tell him? Will she stomp it out with her hoof?

And have you ever told us how you came to learn so much about race horses? Were you a jockey in your last life?

And Jamie says if our pick wins then we get bragging rights for a year. So Renee, Blue, Bethy and me of course, who wants to go first?

Stinky and I watched a squirrel bury something or other in the backyard today. Whenever I see them doing that, I wonder how long they remember what and where they buried what.

Off to some birthday celebrations...

"Now how exactly will she tell him? Will she stomp it out with her hoof?"

He must be a horse whisperer.
He seems to be doing pretty well so far. :)

Actually, I think he may just see how she's feeling and running during practice. I imagine that race took a lot out of her. She looks like she has an amazing running record, but after a race like that one, she'll have some healing and recuperation to do.

Carol,

Cal will take her out a few times. Test her over the distance. Top of the line race horse are very good at letting their people know exactly what mood they are in. There are times when I swear they are chatting in the paddock, "you take it this time, I'm feeling a little iffy today".

Let's face it, this girl has all the humans convinced that she should be hand delivered only her favorite foods at regular intervals, bathed daily and given a good massage, taken out to exercise by her personal trainer and then get introduced to a really beautiful guy when she is in the mood.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228491

Horsedoot --

It sounds like it was a mixed blessings day for you...thoughts, prayers, etc.

Hubs predicts "Sportsman of the Year" for Monsieur Borel.

Thanks guys for the horse info. I was trying to hurry up and finish and return a movie I rented yesterday. It only took me 23 hours to watch it. It was a good movie but I get easily distracted. Actually didn't even start watching until 10:30 last night.

The movie was The Electric Mist and I recommend it. It's one of those Burke stories. I think Bethy is a big fan of his.

Do you guys have a Redbox where you are? It is a DVD vending machine. It only cost a buck a night for a new movie. I love the Redbox.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228440

C-Bob --

That looks like W-O-R-K. What fun is that?

Watching a Peter Paul and Mary retrospective. Somehow the lyrics are sounding all too familiar. Just keep changing countries.

They say for half a billion they could do it right
Bomb all day, burn all night
Until there's not a living thing upright
in El Salvador

They'll continue training troops in the USA
And watch the nuns that got away
And teach the military bands to play South of the Border
And kill the people to set them free
Who put this price on their liberty?
Don't you think it's time to leave
El Salvador?

I couldn't find the PP&M "El Salvador" on You Tube, but I did find a Joan Baez and Jackson Brown song of the same name that I had never heard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-tYinK-I1o

Naturally there was a mean mouthed comment under it. Every time I start feeling a little conservative, I bump into one of these comments and start thinking, "What in the H*** is wrong with your people?" They really are their own worst enemies, when they aren't in favor of shotting other people that is.

Posted by: Jamie | May 16, 2009 4:39 PM :

"This blog just got an X rating! Wild corn sex with pictures and a network of on line practitioners."

X RATING ??? I did not have sex with that plant !

However, I have been known to get oral with corn. Maize, actually. And, yes, I've had oral relations with barley, too. And, rice, just not condi. And, candy, but not Clark.

Oh, forget it.

Onions over-rated, Mr. Warren ? Not a chance. Green peppers, ok , but onions ? Never ! Raw, pearly, or cremated, onions are God's gift to burgers, potato salad, bagels, French * soup, olive & * pizzas, and apple, *, coleslaw. Onions should be in the running with Blue Corn to become our National Plant.

Ivy -
Just 15 seeds, now 15 acres of seeds that would be work.

Got the 1 st drawings of this crazy oven idea done -
http://cbsolaroven.blogspot.com/2009/05/drawings.html

Dr. Dooty -
We're burying to many good Texas guitar players this spring. Look for the silver lining ....... Their passing has reunited many old friends.

That damn should-be-condemned racetrack called Pimlico anyway!
Smith tried his damndest, but unlike two weeks ago at Churchill Downs, when Calvin had an inch of room to take the rail and maneuver around another horse, Smith was blockaded from any chance to move up, took Mine That Bird way outside, and then still lacked just two strides from winning this race on this terrible, rough, narrow piece of shit race track.
Pimlico is a disgrace to racing and The Preakness should be moved somewhere else and that Pimlico disaster should be levelled.
Yeah, Calvin knew he had a fine horse, but The Bird almost had her.
Mine That Bird really won my heart Saturday. Wow.
And now good luck to the filly.

Sweetie and I went to a St Paul Chamber Orchestra Concert tonight. It was Shuman, Mendelsohn, and Brahms. Even for an old geezer who has heard it all, the performance was thrilling.

I am a fan of 18th Century Diddle-Diddle, but despite all the Romantic Sturm und Drang, weeping fiddles and angry oboes, this performance was astonishingly glorious. Besides being very Romantic, a quality that Sweetie appreciates, it was note perfect, soulful, crisp - and all done sans conductor.

The SPCO completes it's 50th year of life this year, and is one of the best orchestras in the world.

Dam' Dexter ! Most of us just tear up the ticks and go back to the $2 window.

That's too simple for you. You make a 3 hour epic show of it complete with stars - equine and humine, a narrow track, impervious rails, bulldozers to the rescue, and the obligatory gasoline explosion that blows up the most famous racetrack in the history Maryland.

Who do you have picked to write the score and sing the finale ? Andrew Lloyd Weber? Susan Boyle ?

If I were a horse, I'd want to be written into your script, especially as the kindly, wise old, but still revered and beloved, stud.

SolarDelusion will want to cast me as the horse's ass, and Lord Skoffington will suggest that I am only capable of playing the part of a fly-bedecked road apple, but I assure you, I can hold my own with that pretty little filly in the love scenes.

Ya, I can hear you all saying, "Neigh."

Good snooze to yooz all, and to all a good night.

xrepugg: Gasoline would be the coup de grace ! Maryland and the owners have let that racetrack settle into ruin and shame. Nobody seems to care, except the grooms who were booted out of their living quarters. (Some have moved back into rooms atop the stables). Yes, it's time to close Pimlico for good...or else get the hell with it and at least fix the rotting boards so the hinges on the doors work....and a thousand gallons of paint might be a good start, but nobody gives a crap.

Upcoming events in Hannibal, Missouri:

http://tinyurl.com/pklxt9

Lost fans (including fearless leader) here's a question Posted by: Jamie | May 16, 2009 5:09 PM :
"for you from Twitter rpmkel wants to know : Can anyone help me understand why Jacob is reading Flannery O’Connor’s Everything That Rises Must Converge in the #lostfinale?

Flannery O'Connor, the belle of Andalusia Farm, outside Milledge, GA - Baldwin County - Georgia's Civil War capital, lolling today on the shore of beautiful man-made Lake Sinclair ?

If it's the same Flannery O'Connor, maybe the dialogue writer came from Milledgeville, and dreams of someday being as good a writer as the late, lamented Ms O'Connor was.

Now, I'm really goin' to sleep, no kiddin'. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

milledgeville.......lake sinclair........mill edge village and lago without clair.......swam wit me cousins in lake sinclair.....drove thru milledgeville bunches of times from 48 to 64 or so......

Eat Chili with Billy.......we knew we were halfway to Bummin-ham when we saw the eat chili with billy sign........

after there were interstate highways we didnt see so much of milledgeville and eat chili with billy........

thanks, ike.............

nice crabfest tonight.......many wished to know of the progress of this blue corn they've heard so much about..........

and now i must make some soup............

The filly won. Oh, you already knew that from hours ago?

Well, OK then.

tt

http://cbsolaroven.blogspot.com/2009/05/drawings.html

cbob, cbob-b-que looks good. can already smell the corn aroasting.
drawings seem familiar. pull back, squint one's eye and the first sketch looks like a turkey in full presentation... the second (the profile) looks like a greco-roman war helmet (or maybe trojan which befits earlier xxrated discussions posted).
what would you estimate are the dimensions and weight and ease to manuever in a crowd? especially how fast can one move it when one's out of goodies and being chased by crazed and drooling fans?

craig, this may be the answer to your corn thieves. build a small chicken coop around the plants.... fresh eggs a bonus.

"Legal or Not, Chickens Are the Chic New Backyard Addition"
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/05/13/ST2009051301310.html?hpid=smartliving

Bethy, I woke up pondering what you said last night about..."you work each day with dangerous and villainous people".....

I seldom ever think that. More often I think they are someone's son or daughter, sister or brother, mother or father.....They came to that Y in the road and took the wrong path. I try to do my part to help them see that and to point out that today is the first day of the rest of their lives and it can have a happier ending but it is up to them to see to it. Not too many places in jails/prisons where they get treated like that.

Some of our young people have never been treated like that, even at home. I have had some of my inmates look real puzzled and turn to me and say thanks for caring. You know there is hope there.

I tell people who can't understand why I love my job that it is my peace corp/missionary job that I get paid well for.

Not having any children I got the opportunity to help raise students when I taught nursing for 23 years. Now I am raising lots of teenagers. Most of my inmates I see as stuck in their adolescence. That is a tough stage as most of you parents are well aware.

I will have to admit that I have some problems with anyone who murders innocent people or hurts or molests a child. Those I will leave for God to deal with and I will just treat them like they are human beings.

Carol .

Oh, and another little plus of the job is that when someone comes in and starts demanding this or that or sticks their finger in my faces and says, "you are going to do this for me".....you can watch nice, respectful Carol turn into insta-asshole...and my head will spin around and I can spew green stuff from my mouth. Can't get by with that in the "free world". I like it when it happens on a particularly bad day for me. It can be a good release.

"I got the opportunity to help raise students when I taught nursing for 23 years. Now I am raising lots of teenagers."

ct, you deserve the mother of all mother's day cards and big hug for that "peace corp/missionary job" you've done/are doing.
and what you said about it and them is a fine sunday service lesson for us to think about today.

Thanks Pat. I do feel like God has given me some rewards for doing my job the right way. Owl camp is one of them. I know it is a thank you.

btw, my 5:38 comment about cbob's drawings were meant to be complimentary even tho' said in jest.
he really is an artist in so many ways.

When I was going through the most horrible period of my life when everything I tresured and depended on was being threatened and I didn't think that I deserved any of it, I started journaling. There just so happened to be a program on Oprah that day, a little miracle, the day that things looked the darkest. People on her show said that journaling saved their lives.

I started journaling that day and I wrote a book. It is in my computer now. It helped me to see that even though you think things can't get worse, there are always miracles coming in and lessons to learn. It helps to keep a record so you can recognize and remember them.

ct, sure hope you've backed-up the book... maybe put it also in a cd or saved to a safe place.

Dex -- loved this post: Posted by: DexterJohnson | May 17, 2009 1:53 AM

Yes -- I think that track threw off Rachel Alexandra as well. At least according to the jockey. I think the other jockeys were waiting for Mine That Bird to try to make his move and they stopped him. Then his move to the outside was flat out heroic! Just an amazing run. I was rooting for the filly -- but wanted it to be a very close showdown between her and Mine That Bird. He's something else! And so is she.

You do have a good sense of humor Pat as most of us on this blog do. That will get you through this life.

About the only nice thing my sister said during her visit with me was that she was glad I had you people. I am too.

Carol -- I so respect your post about the prisoners. Once a long time ago I was left jobless when my boss suddenly quit and left some of us in a lurch. I went to work that summer for a friend who owned a demolition company and worked in a crew where most of the men were on parole. Once they realized that me knowing the owner didn't mean I wanted special privilege, we all got along fine. It was a big day when they invited me to sit with them while we ate our box munches. I learned a great deal from those guys, and was left horror stricken about the judicial system. Especially when it came to drug related changes.

Patsi, let's hope that Obama can make some changes in that area. He has expressed an interest there.

I have lots of ideas about inmate rehabilitation....

ct, thanks. what's not to laugh about somedays?

some political commentary from florida today:

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20090517/CAPITOLNEWS/90516028&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

“If I’m going to take that kind of heat,” he said, “I want to own the stove.”

liked that statement from the article above.

and remember, we didn't all get together on this blog by accident. There are no accidents. We were drawn together here for a reason. Only you, one day, will understand why.

Do you think that the democratic south will rise again???

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/17/opinion/17rich-5.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

"Obama Can’t Turn the Page on Bush"

"TO paraphrase Al Pacino in “Godfather III,” just when we thought we were out, the Bush mob keeps pulling us back in. And will keep doing so. No matter how hard President Obama tries to turn the page on the previous administration, he can’t. Until there is true transparency and true accountability, revelations of that unresolved eight-year nightmare will keep raining down drip by drip, disrupting the new administration’s high ambitions."

"Do you think that the democratic south will rise again???"

I stupidly thought it was rising in Tennessee for a few years, Carol. But this past election left us the reddest of red. Nashville and Memphis have a lot of liberal Democrats....but everywhere else...damn!

Tony, when you have to jump into a cesspool, it is kinda hard to get the poop smell off.

Well Patsi, there are still a lot of our people who listen to Rushbo. Those people are beyond doing any serious thinking.

Carol, although you've made your home where you are, I think you would really have enjoyed working in the USDB at Ft Leavenworth.

BTW, what's the difference between the demo south and the repug south other than which block is x'd on the ballot?

On so many things the south is ultra conservative, like unionism as an example. So, I think control of the school boards is where progressives must start. And, it must be done on an inclusive basis.

Tony, a couple of weeks ago I watched the Godfather trilogy (the first time for any of them). Brando was _so_ good. His performance completely dominated.

XR, I really liked your early morning comments; lots of good thought there.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228522

Dexter,

Pretty much the way I saw it. Even Cal said Rachel didn't like the track. Now if the winner doesn't like something, it should probably be changed. Mine that Bird may be little, but he proved he's no fluke. The little guy can really run.

Very true -- I've seen his damage with people I love dearly and mourn their intellectual passing. My sister and I continually shake our heads at what Rush hath wrought in our own family.

Dex, Patsi

No doubt both horses were very impressive. I wish they had let Rachel carry the extra 5-pounds--in my mind it creates a cloud that she didn't. (Thanks Jamie for finding the explanation of allowances.)

I wish it had been a mile and a quarter. It would have been one hell of a finish no matter who prevailed.

flatus.......if you like brando, you'd probably like the book he wrote (with a ghost, of course)

Songs My Mother Taught Me

gives a good insight to the man, his youth and all his work.....from his perspective.....one of my favorite books........

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228519

I agree XRepub, and don't forget spagetti sauce, stews, chile and enhiladas.
...................

"Do you guys have a Redbox where you are? It is a DVD vending machine"

Carol,
We have them here too... I usually see them in front of the McDonalds.
What you said about "There are no accidents", I couldn't agree more.

This group never ceases to amaze me with its collection of personalities, professions, interests, connections, and talents. I will go on record as saying in one way or another you are all remarkable.

Dooty, Allow me to add my condolences for the loss of your friend, and yes you have to be pretty damn cool for Kristofferson to do the euology.

Happy Sunday people.

"I wish they had let Rachel carry the extra 5-pounds--in my mind it creates a cloud that she didn't."

Hmm -- don't know about that Flatus. Should the jockey have gained five pounds the previous week to make sure the boys weren't at a disadvantage? When he rode Mine That Bird did he weigh the same? If so, was Mine That Bird's win dubious? I think the five pounds was nothing compared to the fact that Bird's jockey couldn't make that move to the inside, was blocked and had to run around everyone. As I said, that was a stunning sight! I love both those horses. The girl and the underdog champion are number 1 and 2! Excellent!

... and you Jamie, are as remarkable as they come.... TrailMix is lucky to have you.

M condolences for your friend also, Doots.

TEXAN ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Help a young girl win a $15,000 scholorship from Google

http://thiseclecticlife.com/2009/05/17/libraries-give-our-children-dreams/

The rest of you from different states can vote too!!

Thought for the day :
" The reason people blame things on previous generations? There's only one other choice! "

1936 Dennis Hopper Dodge City KS, actor (True Grit, Blue Velvet, Easy Rider)

1804 Lewis & Clark begin exploration of the Louisiana Purchase

Taj Mahal & Corey Harris - Sitting On Top Of The World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81mJomPVuxw

It's Taj Mahal'a birthday as well he's 67.

Beyond the historic nature of yesterday's Preakness, it appears that Pimlico Race Course best days may be behind it.

"The usually crammed infield at the Preakness Stakes, which earned the nickname (The Freakness) because of drunken fighting & other forms of debauchery, was far from full as post time neared.

Seems that race track officials banned spectators this year from bringing their own beverages, including beer,
onto the field. The move contributed to a 30% drop in attendance..."

Adding to the troubles--the company that owns it filed for bankruptcy in March---it remains to be seen what
the fate of the race track will be.

"At Troubled Preakness, a Sobering Attendance Drop"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/16/AR2009051602390.html?hpid=topnews

Good Morning TM.

Horsedooty, I'm sorry to read about your friend.

ironic: a filly and a gelding...
the testing of testosterone

wonder what the advice was that calvin gave to smith before the race.

"1804 Lewis & Clark begin exploration of the Louisiana Purchase"

wow, would've loved to be starting out on that trip... fine may morning with unknown wonders on the trail ahead...
heck, that sounds like everyday here on the old tm.

it was a dog eat dog life out there back then

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/may/17/neanderthals-cannibalism-anthropological-sciences-journal

old saying: if you can't beat 'em, eat 'em

"ironic: a filly and a gelding... "

I agree that it is ironic pat.... I really underestimated her amongst all that testosterone. Her, as well as a gelding. You connect testosterone to an advantage in muscle and strength (at least in your mind) and then it seems we find out, maybe it's just as much about spirit and training, as well as genetic abilities that have less to do with hormones.

Stephanie Miller is doing really well on Reliable Sources. People forget that her father (a Republican) was a prosecutor at Nuremberg. She is making the anti torture arguement well without her trademark humor and snarkiness (she saved that for Cheney).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E._Miller

thanks all,

here is a topical song by Tom Paxton. for those that don't know about Tom just google him and read all the stuff he has done. He wrote the song Ramblin' Boy and many others. This is a tongue in cheek poke at the bailout situation and his solutions to it.

"I Am Changing My Name To Freddie Mae" by Tom Paxton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etUq7IY_7Mc

This piece on Stephanie Miller is more than two years old, but about halfway through it talks about her family members and their relationships with today's Republican Party. If the party had paid attention then, they could have seen the wipeout coming.

http://www.rochestercitynewspaper.com/news/profiles/2007/01/Stephanie-Miller/

Boehner wants Pelosi to "come clean" about when she knew about "enhanced techniques". I want him to come clean about why he thinks torture is a good idea.

Dooty... let me add my condolences as well.... he sounds like he was a lucky man to have had so many friends.....

Carol..... I hereby dub you this blog's philosopher.... your posts are amazing at times.... and I dub Bethy it's co-philosopher.... same reason....

yup.... great race.... loved the outcome.... hope both horses run the Belmont....
and yes.... if they had run the 1 1/2 miles of the Belmont.... Mine That Bird would have caught Rachel....

gotta college graduation bbque to go to for our nephew (plus he's our godson) today....

have a great Sunday!

Re: If Preakness had been a mile and a half--

If the dog hadn't stopped to shit, he'd a'caught the rabbit.

GQ article on Donald Rumsfeld

http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_9217

Patsi, it is interesting that you pointed out that Calvin rode both horses with the same weight. I would assume he did also but sometimes a horse may need to carry more weight so they add iron to the saddle. Does anyone know if that was done on either? It has to be announced.

Mine that Bird had the disadvantage of being blocked in but then again Rachel was in a post position that they said never won. She had to start out pretty wide and I thought I heard the guy say she went even wider so she had more ground to cover.

patd -- very interesting Neanderthal article! I guess it shouldn't surprise....but did a bit.

"Boehner wants Pelosi to "come clean" about when she knew about "enhanced techniques". I want him to come clean about why he thinks torture is a good idea."

Spot on, Jamie!

PS -- I missed that Reliable Sources segment. Damn.

If Mind that Bird would have had a little longer race, he most likely would have won. He's a come from behind guy.

And Rach did go a little wide in the first turn.

A rerun of the race:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTJUTJJCmR0

" I really underestimated her amongst all that testosterone. Her, as well as a gelding. You connect testosterone to an advantage in muscle and strength "

I worried about it too, Chloe. I guess I wondered if she'd been around great numbers of stallions before....and if it might throw her off. Who knows, maybe it did a bit. I also didn't know if she could be muscled flat out of the way or something.

Of course, she's big and strong, but those stallions are too. I think I've mentioned that my uncles quarter horse racing stables were right next to our house when I was growing up. Those stallions were wild as shit. When they got out of the pens from time to time, they tended to come munch on the grass in our yard -- and let me tell you they would charge you in a heartbeat. I learned to run for cover fast.

I doubt I'll ever again see anything as spectacular as that Derby win...except that I really wanted Rachel and Mine That Bird come out winners yesterday and they did.

Carol,

The fillies in the Kentucky Oaks being three year olds would have carried the same 121 weight. The only time there would be an exception would be if there was an apprentice jockey riding then there would be an allowance. That condition didn't exist this time and since this is one of the famous Class 1 Stakes races, it would be truly unusual for it to happen.

One of the reasons Joe Talamo is considered such a phenomenon is that he is only 19 and is already a journeyman jockey who sped through his apprentice qualifiers at lightening speed, but even he got bounced out of his first Kentucky Derby because his horse dropped out and the big names had already picked up the other available horses before him.

Jamie -- did Calvin weigh the same when he rode Mine That Bird?

I had a blast last night. I went to a country concert. I saw 3 bands last night. A local band called "Small Town Sons" another group called "Dew South" and the headlining act was "Luke Bryan". The concert was at a bar in downtown Grand Rapids. The crowd was loud and ready to party last night. The ladies loved Luke Bryan last night. I have to say that Luke's female fiddle player has a great smile as well as some serious skills on the fiddle. It was a pretty rocking show.

Carol, Thanks for linking that you tube... I missed the race and it was great getting to see it. I was surprised to see she was the first filly to win the Preakness stakes since 1924 - and what a beautiful horse.

Patsi, I wouldn't even want to be around a stallion. We had one here for a short time once, and he became a gelding before he knew what hit 'em. Before that, he was impossible to be around.

The announcer said all the non-fillies were carrying 126, the filly, 121. I have absolutely no knowledge of the sport so I don't know if such a difference in weight is meaningful.

All the race horse talk reminds me of some terrible arguments my dad and my uncle used to get into. My uncle loved to race two year old at the Futurity in Ruidoso NM....my dad would get jacked up because he said he was sacrificing a potentially great horse for big purses. I believe the mmoney in two year old racing is bigger than anything, if memory serves.

If you are ever curious about a jockey, you can go to the NTRA site and look up their bio, racing history, and win percentages

http://www.ntra.com/stats_bios.aspx?

" I have absolutely no knowledge of the sport so I don't know if such a difference in weight is meaningful."

I grew up around it, but am in the same boat Flatus -- don't know how much a few pounds really means.

After spending some time moonlighting as a track nurse for a year, all I know is that a jockey can drop some weight in a short short. He/she will get in a sweat box and take Lasix. Can lose up to 10 lbs but not without side effects. We used to give K+ to keep them from getting too weak to ride.

Some keep their total weight down by "flipping their meals." The old bulemia trick. Those practices can reduce life expectancy.

Patsi,

I agree with your dad. Fortunately, the trend is to not putting them on the track until the very end of their second year. More and more trainers are going to no start before the third year with their best horses and then only five or six major races for seasoning before the Kentucky Derby in May.

They are running all the time, just not on a race track and not at speeds or in competition that could injure young horses.

"don't know how much a few pounds really means."

I think it probably makes a difference in the same way it does with athletes in any sport. Cyclists are always trying to lighten up their bikes and clothes, swimmers even lighten their suits and gear, as well as runners.

The more extra weight you carry, the slower you go (unless it's weight working using gravity to it's benefit).

"More and more trainers are going to no start before the third year "

That's good to hear.... I consider it cruelty to animals to ride them too young. They aren't completely developed yet.

I do remember Chloe that the jockey would rather be of the correct weight rather than having to add weight with iron. The iron didn't add any muscle or help out. It was pretty interesting to study those guys. Racetrack life is a very unique culture. My career in nursing certainly gave me the opportunity to study some very unique cultures.

My mom being a Chicago yankee, growing up I thought I was a yankee, I even talked with the accent of one. I really didn't know too many cajun people, even growing up among them.

When I hit college and had more of an opportunity to see other groups of people it was such a hoot. When the cajuns spoke their broken English mixed with French I couldn't even understand what they were saying. I needed an interpreter. That experience helped me to learn to understand all the different dialects I deal with in medicine. Just learned to use a kind of charades.

An interesting life you've had Carol.

I really admire those jockeys. I noticed on that clip you linked, when the jockey got bucked off, no one worried about him.... they all just wanted to make sure the horse was ok. Then he jumped right back on, like nothing had happened. Being bucked off a horse can be pretty traumatic, but nothing to them.

Carol, It must have been great working in that environment. All the different things you've done, and the changes you've gone through have made you a very interesting person.

... as well as open minded and funny. :)

Republicans like Rep Peter King are scary.

I don't mind the dolts such as Bachnan parroting and screwing up talking points and issues. The average person can see through them for the weak minded idiots they are. Ones like King who can do it within a good level of conversation sound almost reasonable. It takes much longer to get to the "What in the h*** is wrong with you?" point of realization.

He almost made torturing people at Guantanamo while the ACLU destroyed America sound acceptable.

Carol,
How did you end up in Louisiana?

When I was a youngster, there were two racetracks adjacent to one another on the edge of Cleveland.

All the stables were wood construction and the stable hands all used to sleep practically side-by-side with their horses. Every year, it seemed as if at least one stable would catch on fire killing numerous horses and often some of the hands.

In the early '50s, one of the tracks replaced the wooden stables with ones made of concrete block. Real bunk houses were constructed at the end of each stable.

That ended the carnage. The next year, the other track did the same.

This was outside of Cleveland. One track was Thistledown and the other Randall Park.

I do understand that feeling about worrying about the horse. When I working at the track during the races, if a jockey got hurt, we had an ambulance and rushed him to the hospital if necessary. I didn't worry about them too much.

If the horse got hurt, they were euthanised. That was devastating to me.

Of course, those horses weren't worth millions.

"Every year, it seemed as if at least one stable would catch on fire"

I would imagine there were a lot more hands smoking back then too. It doesn't take much to light of hay, and once it starts, it's hard to stop.

Flatus, I bet some of those hands died trying to get those horses out of that fire.

"If the horse got hurt, they were euthanised"

... those horses have a rough life.... I guess any athlete does though

Without a doubt, Chloe. I would read accounts of what happened and they would talk about trying to lead the blindfolded horses out of the stables. Terrible.

At Troubled Preakness, a Sobering Attendance Drop
"To restore civility to what had become little more than an all-day party, officials at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore banned spectators this year from bringing their own beverages, including beer, onto the infield. The move contributed to a 30 percent drop in attendance, and it drew plenty of complaints. "
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/16/AR2009051602390_pf.html

Someone, I can't remember who, told me that racing a horse was cruel. Whoever it was said that the horse's, with those long skinny legs weren't made for that kind of abuse.

Chloe, I was born and raised right here in SW La. Only time I ever lived anywhere else was while in grad school in Houston at Texas Women's University.

They really do run those horses hard Carol. I don't know about the long, skinny legs (although we know what happens when they break), but I'm not particularly fond of the bits they use on some horses either. I don't know much about race tracks, maybe they have rules on the bits used. (?)

I think the jury is out on cruelness. Some of those horses sure seem to enjoy what they're doing.

Some of this street art is really neat:
http://www.designundersky.com/dus/2009/2/25/edgar-mullers-3d-street-art.html

That is some nice artwork Flatus. I also like this link off of it:
Redefining Victory Gardens
http://www.designundersky.com/dus/2008/7/18/redefining-victory-gardens.html

Speaking of artwork, I particularly like photography (other peoples photography, that is). I've got your photo of your meditation spot, Carol, on my desktop. I replaced the other one of yours with it. I love that picture. The way you got the shadows from the trees, etc. It's a keeper. Maybe you should submit it to a competition or something.

What He's Learned
A Conversation with Barack Obama
http://www.newsweek.com/id/197891

.. well, time to get ready to go to lunch.

Years back I had a friend who's family raised race horses. The people they leased land from decided over night that they wanted the land back to raise Tx long horn cattle. They had to move. They had no where else to go so they had to sell all their horses at auction.

I went to the auction and bought two to save their lives. One I named Curley(registered name is different) because the previous owner called her that. She was just a baby. She is a registered quarter horse.

Here is a pic of my stepfather, Curley and her first little filly, Emily. Emily's birth comes with an interesting little miracle story also.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu286/cithorn/bobemcurley.jpg

Carol, I'll be looking for that miracle story when I get back. Pretty horses.... what kind are they?

(Those auctions often lead to loving homes for those horses)

I've had some emails with that kind of art in them, Flatus -- spectaular illusion!

Also, Flatus -- the fire thing is such a scare. When our house burned that was one of my dad's first actions, after getting everyone out and the firemen called....going over and helping move my uncles horses just in case sparks from our house floated over to those "wooden" stables....and yet everyone smoked around there....lucky they never had a fire I guess.

Here in Tennessee the big question re: cruelty is more about walking horse competitions....

Flatus,

They are running a Thistledown now

http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/index.html

As to cruelty. As with anything involving animals, there are good people and there are bad people. In modern horseracing the trend is to more and more regulations to protect the animals. In many ways the tragedies of Barbaro and Eight Belles put a fire under what had already been a steady movement to improve tracks, animal treatment, and racing conditions.

There is now a commission that inspects and awards recognition of tracks that meet the newer standards. Churchill Downs was the first track to qualify.

Curley turned out to be a great cow horse even though my stepfather, stubborn guy, thought that a racehorse was good for nothing except racing. Hard to change an old man's mind especially one who is so hard headed. Curley has a beautiful gait and works cows well.

Curley is tall and my stepfather is short. He has arthritis so he had trouble getting up on her. That pic is from about 8-9 years ago. He is now 80 with a hip replacement so he doesn't even ride much anymore.

I'm afraid to tell anymore interesting stories here today Chloe. I just might interest ya'll to death.

They are registered quarter horses Chloe.

"....been a steady movement to improve tracks, animal treatment, and racing conditions."

That's good to know Jamie.

the cruelty usually comes after the horses can no longer race and expense of maintaining them is more than their worth breeding.

I can't speak for anyone else, pat -- but my uncles horses were treated very well in retirement. Of course, I suspect quarter horses are easier to keep than thoroughbreds.

Frequently the thoroughbreds who don't work out on the race track end up being the companion horses, walkers, and gate trainers for younger horses. Many times a thoroughbred who has the talent will be trained as jumpers and steeplechase mounts which is a field for older, fully developed horses.

As with anything else, there are good owners and bad owners just as there are legitimate dog breeders and puppy mills.

patsi, quarter horses also can be useful other than just creatures of beauty.

they use to recycle superfluous, abandoned or unwanted horses as dog* food, but most states have banned that process now.
* used to sell to some countries for human consumption.

I agree Jamie. Good people will take care of their old or retired animals or find a good home for them. I do tend to judge people on how well they treat animals, the ones that don't have something financial to give to them.

"quarter horses also can be useful other than just creatures of beauty"

Very true, pat....

http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/special-reports/total-package-health-plan-ceo-compensations-2008

compensation packages for health insurance ceos

flatus, what's your opinion on the hunstman appt?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/16/AR2009051600917.html

from wapo article:
"In announcing the nomination of Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., Obama noted that he is choosing an envoy with years of experience in the region and who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese."

Huntsman has an extensive trade background in addition to his language and cultural skills. Given the major problems we have in trade, currency, and human rights, it is essential that there be someone with those skills.

Other than perhaps a native Chinese person of comparable skills, I can't imagine anyone better for the post.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228636

KGC,

Even the lowest paid one on the list is almost 70 times the median income for a family of four. Before all these CEOs started playing musical board chairs in the 1980s, the average ratio of average worker to CEO was 40 times and that was for one worker not a whole family that frequently includes two pay checks.

It is rediculously out of line and a totally phony construction of compensation for worth.

anyone heard the new Randi Rhodes show on Clear Channel stations? Is it being live-streamed? I can't seem to find a website for the show...and is it on satellite radio?
it started last Monday....

Pat,

I really have no opinion on Gov Huntsman, just an observation.

The language and cultural skills acquired by young LDS members during their missionary service, has been very valuable for this country over many decades. I'm pleased having someone in-country who has demonstrable abilities and a genuine affinity for his post, than a superlative fundraiser.

Maybe here Dex

http://www.progressivetalk1150.com/cc-common/ondemand/player.html?world=st

But Dex, not now. On weekdays in the AM.

List of radio programs that carry Randi Rhodes...

http://www.therandirhodesshow.com/affiliates.html

Mr Obama's speech at Notre Dame is winding up. He did very well carrying an audience with significant philosophical differences.

One of my favorite bloggers has a friend who just lost her father. Given, that this type of event happens here at regular intervals, I thought you might like to see the poem he published for her (The French original is translated below)

Travis is well worth reading on just about any subject.

http://travsthoughts.blogspot.com/

Posted by: Jamie Author Profile Page | May 17, 2009 2:23 PM

The Malthusians are still winning --we need Buckminister Fuller

speaking of Malthusians. There are already one billion people on the planet for whom starvation is a constant threat on land that is steadily getting more and more arid. What will happen when we have three billion more human beings in just a few decades?

I was really disappointed that KPOJ, the supposed progressive station in town, once again brought back Randi Rhodes last week.

I listened for just a few minutes and aquickly tired of her insulting callers.

It is interesting that she has a tiny amount of stations.

Liberal radio stations demean themselves when they assoiciate with the likes of Randi Rhodes and Ed Schultz.

Jamie,

That's essentially the same argument that we've been having every generation during my lifetime. We've always been convinced that we'd run out of food in the foreseeable future.

But, instead of population growing exponentially, it's been our ability to produce nutrition that has achieved that feat.

That we have pockets, often sizable, of hunger is caused not so much by our inability to produce, but by man's incredible inhumanity to our fellow human beings.

Pres. Obama names Stephanie Cutter to guide his
nominee for the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill.

Speculation is he will name his nominee before he
travels to Egypt on June 2.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090517/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_scotus

"He did very well carrying an audience with significant philosophical differences."

I thought so too, Flatus -- I was impressed.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228652

Flatus,

50 years ago I might have agreed with you. Now it is a race for survival. Thanks to monoculture, chemicals, etc. we are able to produce more and more on fewer and fewer acres as arable land gets swallowed up by more and more human beings and the pollution and run off destroy the supplies of clean water. Then there is global warming that further decreases the amount of both land and water.

Can we survive it ... sure. Some great epiphany might suddenly strike the human race before a mass disaster forces them to change, but humanity isn't real good at epiphanies. I'm betting on mass disaster. Change will come. The question is at what cost?

The Incredible Shrinking Woman is a great movie.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Shrinking_Woman

And re: Obama's commencement at Notre Dame - much ado about nothing. (I thought his speech at ASU was better.)

Dex, I see Carol listed the stations that are carrying her show, and this site has pod casts.... (not sue that's what you're looking for)

Programs schedule - Randi Rhodes
http://www.green960.com/pages/podcasts.html

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228622

Carol --

I just LOVE your photo...thank you so much for sharing your interesting life with us.

I've been wanting to let you know just how much your stories mean of you giving "the human touch" to the fellows in your charge...more than I can say, but I guarantee you have made differences in ways you may never know.

Thanks Ivy. I think that my not having any kids to raise and mentor, which I feel is the most significant purpose a human being has in life, made me try a little harder to do something a little similar in my career experiences.

I often wonder how having kids would have changed my life. I might now be in a mental institution.

My dog, Maggie, never gets off her lease when outside and she totally ignores me when I call for her. That is likely a hint of how I would have done with kids.

jamie, faltus, thanks for your tho'ts.
there was a curious phrase in that wapo article cited above on gov. huntsman that puzzled me. what's a "panda-hugger" as used here?

"Huntsman is no panda-hugger," Green said. "He knows the country well, but he will be firm. And it will also help to continue some bipartisan spirit for a relationship that is important but not easy."

It is unclear how far apart Obama and Huntsman are philosophically, but Nelson said he expects there to be little disagreement between the two about the direction of U.S. policy toward China.

"He was a sensible, centrist guy, not a hard-line conservative," Nelson said of Huntsman during his tenure in the U.S. Trade Representative's Office. "A logical thinker, not an ideological thinker. That's like Obama. Very Socratic."

oops, sorry flatus for the misspell... you are certainly not a "faltus" in my book

I agree with the call of this long-time Sun writer...I say the ones who didn't show up had little interest in the horses anyway, only in acting like horses patooties...

"Preakness officials made the right call prohibiting folks from bringing in their own beer. Look, things were getting completely out of hand....People were getting hit with full cans of beer thrown by drunks. Fights were breaking out. Women were being groped....It was time for a change," Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said of the BYOB ban. 'We tried to upgrade the experience for our guests'."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/horseracing/bal-sp.cowherd17may17,0,4017603.column

How many racetracks are BYOB? You can't BYOB at our racetrack here.

ivy, that sound like what happened at fenway park. was told that they had to limit the amount and restrict the beer concesessions.... no bottles, just cups... cause especially when yankees played there was mayhem

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-c.cgi#comment-228659

Carol -- you're welcome, but you're the deserving one...

...the road not taken is something we always wonder about...and despite the final line of Frost's poem, what would or wouldn't have "made all the difference" is ultimately unknowable...we just trust we were placed on the path we were supposed to be on...

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

I remember going to Fenway with a 12-pack in my pants during college.

Carol -- "copy shortcut" thing went haywire, but you know what I was trying to say...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228666

patd --

I remember when Yankess and Orioles played it was always mayhem...

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228669

Warren --

They were just happy to see you.

and I love that poem Ivy.

"I remember going to Fenway with a 12-pack in my pants during college.

and Warren I bet many thought you were happy to see them. Almost too happy.

We're thinking alike Ivy.

Ct - Your post really resonated with me. First, I do think your inmates, or most of them, are capable o doing horrific things but can sure understand how you feel about them.

Over the years when a class needed some dressing-down, that's what I did - I dressed them down. I spoke to them and my voice is very loud. Sometimes I was angry, sometimes not, but I could talk for a full hour - easy to believe, huh?

One time a class complained that I'd chewed out an earlier class but had not done so to them for a while. I said, "You want me to chew YOU out?" They said yes - one of them said,"The thing is you never repeat yourself." I told them I couldn't do it unless they inspired me with some ridiculous behaviour.

They were mostly 14 and 15 years old, and not from a scholastically-minded area, and I just tried tos make them see how important it was to take their own behaviour seriously. One of my favorite lines was that they were not going to wake up some Christmas morning with beautiful boxes all wrapped up with big red bows and find out that one contained knowledge and another understanding and another job etc. That created some recognizable looks on faces.

But my favorite was when I was so frustrated as the kids seemed to get more childish and irresponsible every year, I finally sighed and said," Look, I'm not rying to insult you. I love you kids and want you to have good lives, and you need to learn something this year and every year. I'm trying to help you grow enough so that you can keep growing." They looked at me, stunned.
"You LOVE us?" I was dumbfounded. "Yes, of course I do. why do you think I'm trying so hard?'

It helped, I think, but I also think it was food for thought for them for many years. It had never occurred to them.

Sp, that's what you're doing for your inmates, and I'm thrilled to hear it, altho I had kind of guessed it by the way you talk about them. Thank you for being a positive thinker and force in our law enforcement.
I think you have a much much harder row to how than I ever did with my teenagers, and you should be extremely proud of yourself.

When you hear the stories re co's etc, it makes it seem impossible for anyone to recover from being in prison.

It looked as if Mind That Bird could have caught Rachel, but we'll never know. Rachel might have found just enough to leap for it in that case. She didn't like the field either. It would be interesting to be able to see how much mileage each horse actually runs.

Actually if it had been a 2 mile race, what then?

Ct - you really ARE good.

I remember our da's office renting a bus to a giants game. We had one of those big clear green plastic margarita globes, with extra bottles galore just in case -about 50 people in the bus.

We left Santa Rosa, and KGC, you'll appreciate this, by the time we got to Rohnert Park, we were empty. That's about 12 miles or so.. the bus driver had to pull off the highway and go into a big shopping center, and two top drawer da's got out and went to buy more supplies.
I think one is a judge now.

Another da took a bottle of evian water, filled with vodka.
They chaecked purses and let her thru. I wonder if they've learned to watch for that yet.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228661

Patd

My guess is that it means he won't be tentative with the Chinese simply because of our huge trade imbalance and loan structures. At the same time, he is practical and will insist on some monetary concessions without being confrontational.

The Chinese are very long term planners and Huntsman is likely to take the "in both of our best interests" approach.

blue corn magic is making waves in the ethersphere.......

Thanks Bethy. No, I think teaching junior high or high school is probably much harder than what I have to deal with. You can't call a security guard and have them hauled off if they aggravate you.

Since working with inmates, I don't want to ever have to go back to working in the "free world" as they say, ever again.

Inmates also have their own language. If it is out of jail it is the "free world." If they use the word minute, it means a very long time. If I ask how long they expect to be in and they say "I'll be here for a minute", it means for a long time. I try to tell them that a minute is only 60 seconds but nada.

And Bethy, the medical department is the inmate's only shelter in the storm. Many in security treat the inmates like dirt and at times I can't easily tell the inmate from security except the inmate wears the orange.

My blue corn is only a vague memory. Sniff, sniff. But I do have a very fat, happy rabbit. That's what I get for creating a habitat for bunnies in my yard at the house. Didn't think I would ever be vegetable gardening there again. Never say never or if you do you must learn to live with it.

The Sophie Kerr Prize was awarded today at Washington College...a gem of a school in the small riverfront town of Chestertown, Maryland. The coveted annual prize to a graduating senior is the largest undergraduate literature prize in the U.S.

http://news.washcoll.edu/press_releases/2009/05/17_sophiekerrprize.php

"Chestertown, MD — Most college seniors will look back on their graduation ceremony as a day of pomp and circumstance culminating in a handshake and a diploma. For William Bruce, 21, a Washington College English major from Rydal, PA, the ceremony brought another reward: a check for $68,814."

http://english.washcoll.edu/sophiekerrlegacy/#section5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_Kerr_Prize

I just rented a movie titled "The Women", got home and looked up the review and it said "don't rent it", too late. Anyone see it? The critic said he and his wife both hated it. It was written by a man so I guess that will make it a little gender confusing.

Bethy I watched "The Electric Mist", yesterday. Book written by Burke. Aren't you a fan of his? I loved that one.

Carol,

I hate to tell you this, but it only got a 13% on Rotten Tomatoes. That is about as bad as you can get without crossing over into so bad it's good campy territory

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009516-women/

Jamie, since I will only half watch it, it will only be half as bad. So it should be down to a 7.5%

or is that 26%?

There are movies on my list of adored films that everyone else thinks are the pits. Watch it and love it if it works. :-)

bethyboo
"you'll appreciate this, by the time we got to Rohnert Park, we were empty."bethy

you hang with some hard drinkin' people

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww2prhAWEA

jackson and david.......running on empties.......

Ct - I've heard some really bad stuff about the co's and others. There must be an answer to the problems that arise from careers in law enforcement, but we haven't found it yet.

I think I will watch the movie Electric Mist. That's the only Burke book Sturge said he had read, I think, and he didn't like it. The movie left out a lot of it, I think.

As for the Women, do yourself a favor and rent the 1939 one with Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, and Rosalind Russell. I refuse to watch re-makes of old movies - they seem to think they should make them more "realistic", which means they have everybody saying the f bomb. The story is about a woman who is wealthy and very nicely brought up, totally un-vulgar and un-suspicious. Their marriage is not a modern
one, and there are nuances everywhere. The story is rather softly told - by Clare Booth Luce and Anita Loos, who wrote Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

I gues the point is suspposed to be that the situation transcends time, and that is true. Howver, the treatment of such a story is so different today from what was done then. There are no men in the 1939 film either.

I don't even watch all the Jane Austen re-makes. Give me Greer Garson anyday. Women used to walk and talk very differently years ago, and that is a big part of the stories' messages.

I'm gonna shut up - been talkin' way too much lately.

KGC - I gotta tell ya those margaritas wne down like breathin' air!

from what i vaguely remember of the Burke "mist" book the only reason i didnt care for it is i don't care for anything even remotely dealing with ghosts and such.....supernatural things, i guess......as i remember the picture he paints of that part of louisiana was enjoyable and he writes well......pretty much the same reason i've only read one stephen king book, the shining......

That's what I thought, Sturgeone, but as I was already
talking too much, I thought I'd try to cut it short.

Checking in. This movie is all right if you only pay half attention to it.

I liked The Mist movie. I liked Tommy Lee Jones and the others in it. It held my attention if you can call watching it over a 23 hour time span holding my attention but that isn't unusual for me since I jump up and down a lot. I am about the only person I know that can make watching a movie into an aerobic activity.

Sturge, they treated the ghost thing as more of a hallucination. It worked for me but then again I am into ghosts or at least orbs.

I also liked the Louisiana scenery. The few people who did the cajun accents did better than most have in other movies. I recommend it but usually my opinion doesn't often agree with the critics for most movies.

What usually bothers me the most about movies is when they try to sell you on behavior that is just not consistant with any real behavior. If it is meant to be off the wall or silly it's OK but if they are trying to make it seem real when it would never be like that then I won't like the movie.

Does that make any sense? ie someone running from the bad guys in spike heel. No one would do that. They would lose those heels and haul ass.

I don't know if it will happen or not, but a Chicago sports radio station had a contest to choose what the Chicago Blackhawk fans should chant when the Red Wings play in Chicago during their playoff series. Lakers fans know how teams loved to chant "BEAT L.A.!" in the past. Well, the winning chant for the Chicago sports radio contest was "SELL MORE CARS!" That's what the Chicago fans will be encouraged to yell at the Detroit players.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228695

Sturge --

This hashed and rehashed before perhaps, i.e., the famous Stanley Hotel in Estes Park CO, but don't know if its purported connections to Stephen King and "The Shining" have been mentioned.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stanley_Hotel

I too have only ever read one Stephen King novel - four guys from high school with secrets are reunited somehow years later with scary consequences - anyway, it cured me of the genre. I might have tried the mean dog book, but don't remember if I stuck it out.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228697

Bethy --

If all of us "cut it short" Craig might go out of business. (^_~)

Obama's sharp reaction to Cheney:

What's your reaction to Vice President Cheney's ongoing [criticism]? He's not quite twittering your administration [ laughter ] but he's coming fairly close.
You know, Dick Cheney had a strong perspective about national security. It was tested in the early years of the Bush administration, and I think it resulted in a series of very bad decisions. I think what's interesting is that, in some ways, Dick Cheney actually lost these arguments inside the Bush administration.

And so he may have won early with Colin Powell and Condi Rice, but over the last two or three years of the Bush administration, I think there was a recognition among Republicans and Bush administration officials that these enhanced interrogation techniques that were being applied—that they had applied early on—were potentially counterproductive; that a posture of never talking to our enemies, of unilateral action, of framing national security only in terms of the application of force, often unilateral—that that wasn't producing.

And so it's interesting to me to see the vice president spending so much time trying to vindicate himself and relitigate the last eight years when, as I said, I think, actually, a lot of these arguments were settled even before we took over the White House.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/197891/page/2

Wheeee ! My tweet made CNN with Don Lemon ... Fame at last. :-)

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228703

Jamie --

Do tell...!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228692

Bethy Boo

New British series running on PBS: Lost In Austen. It's about a very modern girl who loves Pride and Prejudice and falls into the story while Elizabeth Bennett moves to the modern world. Everything goes wrong. Only saw the first episode. Modern girl falling for Bingley. Eldest sister Jane falling for bad boy Darcy, and who knew Mr. Bennett's first name was Claude? :-)

http://www.watoday.com.au/news/entertainment/film/dvd-reviews/lost-in-austen/2009/05/12/1241893983758.html

"They came to that Y in the road and took the wrong path."

And unlike many, including the COs, they got caught. :-)

Ivy, This is the one that got read:

jessied44@donlemoncnn Not a fan of Pelosi, but this is Republican red herring - Who did the torturing and who ordered it?

Rez, sound familiar?

Jamie, that must not have taken more than a minute so I think you still have at least 14 more minutes of fame coming to you. Congrats.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/05/no-abortion-litmus-test-sessio.html#comment-228707

Jamie -- my sentiments too!

Those red herrings are said to stink...

"While there is no such fish as a 'red herring', the term red herring refers to preserved herring. The smoking and brining process gave the fish a distinct reddish-brown colour as well as a strong odour."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring_(idiom)

HA! Carol,

I use to say to DW that the only difference between some of those guys and me was. . they got caught. Now obviously I talking about the drug, fraud, and white collar crime folk, not the ones prone to violence.

And, of course, not having any money or connections for representation makes the world of difference.

BIG shout out to ct & chloe for reuniting me with Randi Rhodes! I got her on a podcast right now! I am happy as a clam!
http://www.mastersargentmolds.com/intarsia/clamthm.jpg

What do Mike Barnicle, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Joe Biden and now Maureen Dowd all have in common?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/05/17/national/a194458D68.DTL&tsp=1

Very interesting how Pimlico banned BYOB.
In 1978 I first saw a beer can used as a weapon. I heard about a tavern sponsoring a Cubs baseball trip and I signed on for the voyage. Obviously, a beer trip.
One drunken racist guy on this bus ( a real scumbag) saw an African American walking on a sidewalk near Wrigley Field.
He uttered a racist slur and fired a full can at the man with intent to maim, I truly believe. He missed, and the man picked up the can , opened it, and took a drink. So it turned out the best way it could have, I guess. I guarantee you I never associated with those guys ever again...I was livid with rage.

I San Francisco in 1970, anyone could carry in 12 beers in a paper bag, no one cared. I did that a lot.
A few years later it was easy to sneak in a few cans at most ballparks. Now it is not easy at all, I would guess. Some stadii allow a bottle of water if the seal is intact, some don't.
A Heineken beer is what, eleven dollars at Yankee Stadium? A tiny cup is $6 and a cheap-brand large cup is $10.
Beer was only fifty cents at the park back in 1970, but we could buy a 12-pack of Lucky Lager for $1.98 at a party store right across from the Candlestick Park outfield entrance.

A Lucky Lager lover that I guar-an-damn-TEE you will recognize!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2326/1904308910_315f374d16.jpg?v=0

"Riding With the King" John Hiatt & Sonny Landreth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CUzuitxSI

-------------------
"Don't cha know we're ridin' with the King. "

17 more 8 cell trays, of peat pots , and we'll have finished every seedling I planted this spring. Our failure rate is around 2 % to date. We're closing in on 700 transplants . ( We bought seedlings as well.) Spent 3 hours alone with it today, it's giant, and it's so rich.

The clip says it all, you'll see what I mean .

Good things in Sand Storm City tonight.

He's on a mission of mercy to the new frontier,
He's gonna check us all on out of here.
Up to that mansion on a hill
Where you can get your prescription filled.

John Hiatt - Slow Turning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UrueP3aM40

-------------------
Everyone do their best today, let's all bring a little pepper to the fast ball. It'll count, somewhere, somehow it'll count.