So I got this book on herbs and herbal medicines. Very interesting read, particularly on the history of medicine from a pharmacological point of view. Considering that the Tyrant George Bush has just used his FIRST veto to condemn millions of Americans to suffer needlessly from potentially cure-able diseases based on his Xtian "pseudo-science", this is of interest.
Speaking of the stem-cell thing - First off - I would donate every remaining "egg" in my body - and any additional material needed - if it would bring back Mom and have her be happy and normal again. Secondly - the "embryos" that were about to be used to help find cures for such things as alzheimers and lupus and other horrible diseases, are going to be destroyed anyhow. There won't be any "babies" from them. But it seems Christians would rather see them DESTROYED than used to improve the health and lives of the POST-BORN.
The "heat wave" continues. Seems to me it's just "Summer" - but the news says it is a "heat wave" so I suppose they must be believed. It is hot and humid and muggy. Must be Summertime in Chicago.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
The Thunderstorm
Oh, what a lovely, lovely thunderstorm last night.
Started around 10:30-ish, maybe 11. First the full-sky "heat-lightening" - then flashes, booms, crashing. Monsoon winds and driving rain. A gully-washer, in Denver it would have meant flash flooding. Torrential, primitive, wild and violent.
I loved it. Of course, the 20+ degree drop in temperature was VERY welcome indeed also. But the storm was the real attraction. Watching the treetops thrashing in the wind, the sheets of rain driving across the pavement, saturating the ground and turning the flowerbed into a mudslick.
It's been a while since we've had a really GOOD night-time thunderstorm.
Started around 10:30-ish, maybe 11. First the full-sky "heat-lightening" - then flashes, booms, crashing. Monsoon winds and driving rain. A gully-washer, in Denver it would have meant flash flooding. Torrential, primitive, wild and violent.
I loved it. Of course, the 20+ degree drop in temperature was VERY welcome indeed also. But the storm was the real attraction. Watching the treetops thrashing in the wind, the sheets of rain driving across the pavement, saturating the ground and turning the flowerbed into a mudslick.
It's been a while since we've had a really GOOD night-time thunderstorm.
Friday, July 14, 2006
Spoke Too Soon?
*sigh*
Well, the pollacks have managed to squash SOME of my flowers.
Asshats.
They also are moving at a SNAILS pace. Must be paid hourly.
And they broke my BBQ grill.
This Means War.
Well, the pollacks have managed to squash SOME of my flowers.
Asshats.
They also are moving at a SNAILS pace. Must be paid hourly.
And they broke my BBQ grill.
This Means War.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Good News/Bad News - Part II
Good News:
They tyvek'ed my house, and are putting up the siding. It will be a nice shade of grey. It's rather pretty.
They took down the fences and did NOT squash my flower gardens! Also, they took down the back porch light and will be putting up my new one...
And the guys all seem to speak Polish, not mexican - at least the ones at MY house.
Bad News:
I have no idea how I'm going to be able to hang up my wind chimes or my outside thermometer now.
Meh.
They tyvek'ed my house, and are putting up the siding. It will be a nice shade of grey. It's rather pretty.
They took down the fences and did NOT squash my flower gardens! Also, they took down the back porch light and will be putting up my new one...
And the guys all seem to speak Polish, not mexican - at least the ones at MY house.
Bad News:
I have no idea how I'm going to be able to hang up my wind chimes or my outside thermometer now.
Meh.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Things that annoy me about me
I hate it when I do stupid stuff
like throwing a pillow at the cats and not noticing I am also taking direct aim at a glass of iced tea sitting on the edge of a table....
promising myself I'm going to get something into the mail, then conveniently forgetting it on the top of the dresser when I waddle out to work...
remembering to buy a birthday card, then forgetting to send it...
not being able to sleep and playing online video games instead of folding laundry...
cleaning up room A by throwing all the stuff into room B, instead of the trash...
Losing my keys... yet again. Is it all THAT Hard to put them in the same place every night?????????
Bah.
like throwing a pillow at the cats and not noticing I am also taking direct aim at a glass of iced tea sitting on the edge of a table....
promising myself I'm going to get something into the mail, then conveniently forgetting it on the top of the dresser when I waddle out to work...
remembering to buy a birthday card, then forgetting to send it...
not being able to sleep and playing online video games instead of folding laundry...
cleaning up room A by throwing all the stuff into room B, instead of the trash...
Losing my keys... yet again. Is it all THAT Hard to put them in the same place every night?????????
Bah.
Good News/Bad News
Good news:
The condo association is replacing our horrible, rotted-out, waterlogged, ugly, disgusting wood siding and trim with aluminum siding. The houses they've done so far look very nice. Certainly as nice as Dad's place down in Fla. They are pre-wrapping the houses in Tyvek House Wrap - which looks funny, like they're going to mail the houses to Australia or something.
This can only be a GOOD thing for the houses, and likely increase property value. I'm all for that. Also, they are taking down the outside light fixtures to do this (and the mailboxes) - so I will be able to trashcan the old back light and put up the new one that the doves can't nest on. YAY!!
Bad News:
They're residing our houses, so I have to clean up my back garden. YUCK. And they'll probably trample all over my perennials border, destroying the gorgeous red lillies about to bloom, and the lovely new plants I bought this year. Double Yuck.
and they all babble in mexican - so I can't even try to talk them into NOT destroying my perennials border. *sigh*
The condo association is replacing our horrible, rotted-out, waterlogged, ugly, disgusting wood siding and trim with aluminum siding. The houses they've done so far look very nice. Certainly as nice as Dad's place down in Fla. They are pre-wrapping the houses in Tyvek House Wrap - which looks funny, like they're going to mail the houses to Australia or something.
This can only be a GOOD thing for the houses, and likely increase property value. I'm all for that. Also, they are taking down the outside light fixtures to do this (and the mailboxes) - so I will be able to trashcan the old back light and put up the new one that the doves can't nest on. YAY!!
Bad News:
They're residing our houses, so I have to clean up my back garden. YUCK. And they'll probably trample all over my perennials border, destroying the gorgeous red lillies about to bloom, and the lovely new plants I bought this year. Double Yuck.
and they all babble in mexican - so I can't even try to talk them into NOT destroying my perennials border. *sigh*
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Sewmouse the Iconoclast
The Tyrant George W. Bush has repeatedly tried to brainwash and manipulate the general public - no more so than with his multitudinous "Constitutional Ammendment" proposals (more than ANY other President in history) - surprising, since he has been quoted as calling the Constitution of the United States "just a goddamn piece of paper"!!
One of his many obfuscations has been the proposed "Flag Burning Ammendment". From what I gather, it would become a criminal act - indeed, a FELONY - to "desecrate" the flag of the United States of America.
Most Americans are proud of their country. They are proud of it's heritage, and the symbol of both the country and it's heritage to them is it's flag. Note the word SYMBOL - it is relevant.
You see - although many men feel they have "fought" for the flag, I am certain beyond any reasonable doubt that the VAST majority of these men did not fight for a rather visually disappointing and patchwork piece of cloth - or in many cases now, plastic or polyester. What these men fought for - what countless of their brothers and fathers and other family members died for - was not the SYMBOL - but that for which the symbol STANDS. The Constitution of the United States (that goddamn piece of paper, according to GWB). The country, it's people, it's ideals. For heaven's sake, it can't POSSIBLY be for it's flag - because then the question arises - WHICH flag? There have been SIXTEEN US Flags - from the first one that Betsy Ross cobbled together from her quilting scrap stash
to the 50-star version currently in use.
But in the end - no matter which of these SYMBOLS we discuss/desecrate/deride or revere, the fact of the matter is - it is just a SYMBOL.
Just as the numeral 1 is a symbol for the quantity of a single instance of an item, or the first instance in a group of items, so too, the flag is just a SYMBOL.
These very words you read are symbols. They are symbols that represent the sounds of the words that represent the ideas I espouse. You can burn my words - but you cannot destroy my ideas by doing so.
If I tear a flag - it does not tear the Constitution, nor the country, nor it's people.
If I burn a flag - it does not burn the Constitution, nor the country, nor it's people.
Destroying or hurting the SYMBOL does nothing to the real thing. If our country is so fragile, so delicate, so WEAK that the desecration of it's SYMBOL can destroy the country, then we seriously have a LOT more wrong with our country than simply a few nutjobs who want to burn or pee on the flag.
In fact, having a President who considers the FOUNDATION of our country - it's Constitution - something he TWICE SWORE TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC - to be "just a goddamn piece of paper" seems to me to be MUCH more dangerous than simply having a SYMBOL spit upon.
Support our troops and our Country and it's Constitution - IMPEACH BUSH
One of his many obfuscations has been the proposed "Flag Burning Ammendment". From what I gather, it would become a criminal act - indeed, a FELONY - to "desecrate" the flag of the United States of America.
Most Americans are proud of their country. They are proud of it's heritage, and the symbol of both the country and it's heritage to them is it's flag. Note the word SYMBOL - it is relevant.
You see - although many men feel they have "fought" for the flag, I am certain beyond any reasonable doubt that the VAST majority of these men did not fight for a rather visually disappointing and patchwork piece of cloth - or in many cases now, plastic or polyester. What these men fought for - what countless of their brothers and fathers and other family members died for - was not the SYMBOL - but that for which the symbol STANDS. The Constitution of the United States (that goddamn piece of paper, according to GWB). The country, it's people, it's ideals. For heaven's sake, it can't POSSIBLY be for it's flag - because then the question arises - WHICH flag? There have been SIXTEEN US Flags - from the first one that Betsy Ross cobbled together from her quilting scrap stash
to the 50-star version currently in use.
But in the end - no matter which of these SYMBOLS we discuss/desecrate/deride or revere, the fact of the matter is - it is just a SYMBOL.
Just as the numeral 1 is a symbol for the quantity of a single instance of an item, or the first instance in a group of items, so too, the flag is just a SYMBOL.
These very words you read are symbols. They are symbols that represent the sounds of the words that represent the ideas I espouse. You can burn my words - but you cannot destroy my ideas by doing so.
If I tear a flag - it does not tear the Constitution, nor the country, nor it's people.
If I burn a flag - it does not burn the Constitution, nor the country, nor it's people.
Destroying or hurting the SYMBOL does nothing to the real thing. If our country is so fragile, so delicate, so WEAK that the desecration of it's SYMBOL can destroy the country, then we seriously have a LOT more wrong with our country than simply a few nutjobs who want to burn or pee on the flag.
In fact, having a President who considers the FOUNDATION of our country - it's Constitution - something he TWICE SWORE TO UPHOLD AND DEFEND AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC - to be "just a goddamn piece of paper" seems to me to be MUCH more dangerous than simply having a SYMBOL spit upon.
Support our troops and our Country and it's Constitution - IMPEACH BUSH
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
The Rocket's Red Glare
Ah, the joy of not having to leave home to see a fireworks display. Not only are the township "official" fireworks visible from my window, but some kind soul gave us an "unofficial" (Illegal!!) fireworks display right outside my bedroom window. Until about 2 a.m.
The cats are nervous wrecks. When even Kili will crawl into my lap and demand pets, you know it's bad! Fortunately, they are banned from the bedroom (they chew cords, and I think I have an allergy) - so they weren't on top of me all night as well.
You know, sometimes I feel like Fate doesn't much like me. Susan is up here to visit this weekend - but she has to go back tomorrow so she's home for a Dr. visit on Friday. FRIDAY - which is when Pirates of the Caribbean II comes out. PHOOEY I would have loved to go to that one with her. Guess I'll be solo-ing it again. Oh well. Movie popcorn tastes the same solo or duo. We will probably go out to dinner or something tonite instead. She wanted to go bowling, but I dont' think I could handle that anymore. I'd probably put my back out. Still have the bowling ball somewhere in the garage, though....
I should. I should just go bowling now and again. I like it. I just don't ever do it anymore. So many things I don't do anymore. *sigh*
I just saw on Yahoo that Ken Lay died. Another one I'm having trouble mustering up any real greif over. That man was evil, he destroyed so much with his greed and dishonesty. Ken Lay is one of many that epitomize the abuses the Bush Regime has inflicted on our country. I knew that a Bush presidency was a bad thing before he even stole the first election in 2000. I had no idea it would be THIS bad.
The cats are nervous wrecks. When even Kili will crawl into my lap and demand pets, you know it's bad! Fortunately, they are banned from the bedroom (they chew cords, and I think I have an allergy) - so they weren't on top of me all night as well.
You know, sometimes I feel like Fate doesn't much like me. Susan is up here to visit this weekend - but she has to go back tomorrow so she's home for a Dr. visit on Friday. FRIDAY - which is when Pirates of the Caribbean II comes out. PHOOEY I would have loved to go to that one with her. Guess I'll be solo-ing it again. Oh well. Movie popcorn tastes the same solo or duo. We will probably go out to dinner or something tonite instead. She wanted to go bowling, but I dont' think I could handle that anymore. I'd probably put my back out. Still have the bowling ball somewhere in the garage, though....
I should. I should just go bowling now and again. I like it. I just don't ever do it anymore. So many things I don't do anymore. *sigh*
I just saw on Yahoo that Ken Lay died. Another one I'm having trouble mustering up any real greif over. That man was evil, he destroyed so much with his greed and dishonesty. Ken Lay is one of many that epitomize the abuses the Bush Regime has inflicted on our country. I knew that a Bush presidency was a bad thing before he even stole the first election in 2000. I had no idea it would be THIS bad.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Global... WHAT?
It's been so darn cold here the last few nights...
Global warming my ass.
In fact - my ass would appreciate a bit of warm weather. It was farking COLD last nite. It's almost the 4th of July - someone wanna remind the Weatherbunny about that????
Global warming my ass.
In fact - my ass would appreciate a bit of warm weather. It was farking COLD last nite. It's almost the 4th of July - someone wanna remind the Weatherbunny about that????
Friday, June 23, 2006
What would YOU do?
Imagine if you will, the following scenario (taken from a REAL incident):
Your sister (brother, father, uncle - pick a relative) asks you to pick up something for them at the store and promises to reimburse you for it. As it so happens, the amount is EXACTLY $100.00 and said relative writes you a check for that amount.
The next day you take this check to the bank and cash it, the cashier gives you the money in a little envelope/packet thing, and you check, see there are 10 bills (10 x 10 = 100) and you drive off.
You realize you are out of aspirin, and stop at the Walgreens to pick up a bottle of aspirins, and hand the clerk one of the bills from the packet. The clerk gives you 97 dollars change.
You protest - the clerk shows you the $100 bill that you just handed her.
You check the packet and discover that you do not have 10 $10 bills, but instead you have 10 $100 bills.
What would you do?
As it happens, I know the woman this happened to. I'm proud to say that my friend was honest - immediately called the bank, and the next day had her mother return the $900 that she had been handed in error. I hope I can say I would do the same. I want to say it - and I hope that I wouldn't go the "too bad, so sad" route.
But...
What would YOU do?
Your sister (brother, father, uncle - pick a relative) asks you to pick up something for them at the store and promises to reimburse you for it. As it so happens, the amount is EXACTLY $100.00 and said relative writes you a check for that amount.
The next day you take this check to the bank and cash it, the cashier gives you the money in a little envelope/packet thing, and you check, see there are 10 bills (10 x 10 = 100) and you drive off.
You realize you are out of aspirin, and stop at the Walgreens to pick up a bottle of aspirins, and hand the clerk one of the bills from the packet. The clerk gives you 97 dollars change.
You protest - the clerk shows you the $100 bill that you just handed her.
You check the packet and discover that you do not have 10 $10 bills, but instead you have 10 $100 bills.
What would you do?
As it happens, I know the woman this happened to. I'm proud to say that my friend was honest - immediately called the bank, and the next day had her mother return the $900 that she had been handed in error. I hope I can say I would do the same. I want to say it - and I hope that I wouldn't go the "too bad, so sad" route.
But...
What would YOU do?
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