NSFW

Most words fail me. [The obscenities will come through. After all, the topic is a vast obscenity.]

What is it with 2010? Is this? "THE YEAR OF TRYING TO OUT-BIGOT ALL THE OTHER ASSHOLES"?

Granted, I have never had any use for the American Family Association, a bunch of christianist fear mongers raising lots of money off the anxieties of people they regularly stir up. Whatever position they take on anything, the odds are excellent that I will hold the opposite, as I have no use for heterosexist dominionists.

But really, folks, the levels of ignorance, fear, intolerance, hatred - and let's call it by its name - bigotry that has risen like a gigantic shitstorm over the proposed building of an Islamic center in New York leaves one whomperjawed.

Folks who gain power or make money on other people's fears have entered some dark pact and conjured up a dark, mindless, slavering being that threatens to take over the land. Sweet church-going people are being led to fall down before the beast (whose name is IGNORANCE and BIGOTRY, let the reader understand).

I'm gonna name it: it's fucking satanic.

Get a grip, people! If you know that little about another major religion of the world you need to shut up and educate yourself.



Jillian Rayfield reports at TPM:

Bryan Fischer, the "Director of Issues Analysis" for the American Family Association, wrote a blog post yesterday on the AFA's site arguing that the United States should have "no more mosques, period."

"This is for one simple reason," he writes. "Each Islamic mosque is dedicated to the overthrow of the American government."

How's this little tidbit?

If a mosque was willing to publicly renounce the Koran and its 109 verses that call for the death of infidels, renounce Allah and his messenger Mohammed, publicly condemn Osama bin Laden, Hamas, and Abdelbaset al Megrahi (the Lockerbie bomber), maybe then they could be allowed to build their buildings. But then they wouldn't be Muslims at that point, now would they?

What if a church had to renounce the Bible and all the verses that call for the death of infidels, renounced G-d and his son Jesus, condemned the crusades of every era and their leaders (including all the religiously motivated Christian terrorists of our day) before being granted building permits? Hmm?

Am I hearing crickets now?

People like this are why Anne Rice felt she couldn't follow Christ without renouncing Christianity.

This is not something that arose spontaneously.

The Times report, however, descends into a kind of "liberal" media known-nothingism when it comes to how this became a controversy, suggesting that " a combination of arguable naïveté, public-relations missteps and a national political climate in which perhaps no preparation could have headed off controversy." This is a remarkable formula that manages to place the blame everywhere except where it belongs -- on a right-wing smear machine that went into overdrive in an effort to portray Rauf and Khan as terrorist sympathizers, an experience no one outside of contemporary partisan politics could have possibly been prepared for. The conservative media lied about the location of the project, they lied about Rauf's background, they lied about the project's funding, they lied about when the project would be built, and they lied about Rauf's political beliefs. And it would have been one thing if it had just been a small group of people lying, but they had an entire cable news station to lie for them, and politicians who were willing to amplify their smears. This controversy isn't about the "political climate." It's the fruit of a conscious, deliberate, and sustained effort. [Crooks and Liars]

Digby comments:

Normally I would think we could ride out this latest wave of nativism and racism, but there are two factors that make it more dangerous than usual. The first, of course, is the economy which looks like it's not going to recover smartly thus giving this impulse more oxygen than it might otherwise have. The second is that the right wing demagogues have an entire industry now devoted to creating and nurturing these wedge issues for political and financial gain. The culture warriors have just shifted their strategy away from "family values" to their other stand-by, "stop the boogeyman." It's all part of the same throwback tapestry, but different times require difference emphasis. We're officially in the "the foreigners and blacks are ruining everything" portion of the show.

At least one cretin on the right have suggested building a gay bar next to the center to freak out the Muslims. It is to laugh.

If you look at this picture, and you’re not too stupid to breathe (sorry, wingnuts!), you should immediately see two things that make this whole “let’s put a gay bar by the Cordoba House and see liberal heads explode!” wishful thinking look even stupider than it is on its surface: 1) There are three gay bars within .1 mile of the Cordoba House and 2) They are all as close or closer to the Cordoba House than the WTC is. [Amanda Marcotte at Pandagon]

Furthermore, you might want to check out what Maha has to share with us:

Someone here had said that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the main guy behind the Cordoba House Islamic center, is a Sufi. This is a detail I have yet to see in a news story, but I can confirm it is true. He is the imam of a Sufi mosque in lower Manhattan, about ten blocks north of the proposed Cordoba House site.

Thus, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is not connected to the Muslim Brotherhood. I can say this because there is no way the Muslim Brotherhood, or al Qaeda, or the Taliban, or any other organization dedicated to enforcing dogmatic Sunni Islam would have anything to do with a Sufi. In fact, Sufis in the Middle East have suffered terribly from attacks by Sunni terrorists.

[snip]

Sufism is mystical Islam. Dogmatists don’t get mysticism. This is true of the dogmatists of all religions. It is often the case that mystics from different traditions understand each other better than the dogmatists of the same tradition.

The idea that all Muslims are somehow part of the same conspiracy is absurd enough, but to put Sufis in the same boat as jihadist is just plain ignorance.

The endless stream of deliberate lies and misinformation filtered through blind passion makes one feel that an immense pustule has been burst and we are drowning in a flood of sanguinopurulent hatred. [Yes, I've been waiting for decades to use the word "sanguinopurulent" in a sentence.]

And before you denounce the small minority of hate mongers in Islam you really should look to your own house and denounce the hate mongers in Christianity. I mean, really. Way overdue.

Jesus weeps.

--the BB

The growth of unemployment

Not for the faint of heart.



--the BB

Sometimes I just feel overdue for a rant

Robert Gibbs is an asswipe.

You may quote me on that.

As the Rude Pundit put it:

So, let's get this straight, Bobby G. We on the left warned your boss and the Democrats that every time you reached out your hands to the Republicans, those fuckers would just gnaw on 'em. But you kept on with the effort of bipartisanship, watering down bills and watering 'em down. Anyone with a lick of sense knew that the GOP was just setting you up: force 'em to compromise and then make sure that what gets passed does just a scintilla of what could have been done. On bill after bill these mad negotiations occurred, and now you're accusing us of not living in reality?

The White House Press Secretary decided to kick the "professional left." Well, let me tell you something, Bobby boy, there are a lot of us, unprofessional but progressive, who knew from the get go that Obama was not a progressive, so we didn't expect miracles day after day, believe me. But, and I really want you to pay attention to this, treating us like shit is not winning you friends.

Sure, you've accomplished a lot. But it would take very little effort to accomplish a lot more. Recess appointments. Just saying. Close Gitmo. End DADT; it doesn't take another study, it requires an executive order.

Oh, and transparency. We count that promise not unfulfilled but broken.

Btw, I know Obama does not believe in gay marriage. He's said so from the beginning. I don't expect him to change. But he can STFU about saying he believes in equality, because it is patently clear that he does not. "Fierce advocate" my queer ass. There is zero credibility there.

It might be a good idea for the White House to consider working with the left, since we share more goals with the White House than the Republicans do. Or do we? Actions do speak louder than words and it is clear that Obama desperately wants to work across the aisle but has little interest in working with progressives. When he had public opinion with him he still would not fight for public option.

I will continue to support progressive Democrats. And the Obama team ain't getting a single penny out of me. The reasons should be obvious.

Perhaps it is time for Mr. Gibbs to spend more time with his family.

Glenn Greenwald summarizes it nicely.

--the BB

Heart thread - 08/10/2010

Tonight's prayer call comes from that most loving northern prayer warrior, David:

Prayers begged for Rosemary please. In the past I've written how this is Rosemary's second round with cancer; how she is one of the fiestiest friends I've ever seen face this challenge. Well according to my sister Jenny, who is primary caregiver when David, Rosemary's husband has to be in Ottawa during the week for his job, the days are very few and numbered before our little Armenian-Canadian is to move into paliative care. David and Rosemary have two sons, not even yet adult, who are primary reason for all that Rosemary has undergone to beat this. I ask your prayers for Rosemary my little Armenian nightengale, for the grace of a good and peaceful passing, for her husband Dave and their two boys.
I'd also ask prayers for my baby sister Jenny who a week before Rosemary's latest turn burried her father-in-law.

Begging again, prayers for Kirsten please as you might remember is also in a second round fight with cancer and is undergoing a really aggressive experimental course of treatment in California.

Prayers for M. & J. most particularly that they be held close in that 'Love beyond our wildest imagining' to quote Mam's favorite Giant.

Prayers please for two cherished sisters who are undergoing a series of major transitions in their lives which are not only impacting on their professional careers but on the location where they live. For one of these sisters in particular there has been real pain, struggle and a lot of letting-go.

Prayers for the people of Pakistan. Yet again the developed world is being invited to change compassionately, to open itself to radical transformation, but once again I'm deeply concerned that the west will be too busy making war and gorging itself to realize there is no 'us' and 'them', and that we are all diminished by these unnecessary deaths in Pakistan.

For the people of Afghanistan; here the list of need and horror is too long for this medium.

And the good news; Mam was cleared by her surgeon this afternoon. Though she is left with a limit of flexibility in her left index finger, the whole team were really amazed at her remarkable recovery, having regained a lot more mobility in her left arm and wrist than they expected. Another night staying with my sister Joanne and her husband, and then the plan is for Mam and Charlie her rescue corgi to go home tomorrow. I'm planning to go out Thursday to spend the day with her and so see what might need to be done. On the phone just now as we celebrated this good news, Mam specifically asked me to thank my 'Giants', and then she used my cousin Frank's words- exactly- 'you tell them they make all the difference.' That's you folks- beloved all.

She also specifically sent her love along to one particular Giant and his spouse who it has been her great joy to uphold in prayer daily for almost four years now. 'Tell him, through-out all this he was never forgotten, and send him my love.' You know who you are.

Rosemary and her family, Kirsten, Jenny, two cherished sisters in transit, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and thanks- joyous, heartfelt thanks for Mams recovery.

Thank-you beloved Giants, I love you all.

love always- always Love

David@Montreal

Mimi always shares these promptly but while she is off infiltrating the British Isles I want to invite all our friends to join in holding these folks in our hearts.

The congregation of San Gabriel is going to move - again - at the end of this month. From their founding they have been a pilgrim people. Pray for a smooth move and for the Spirit to sustain hearts and spirits (and bodies). They will be next to a micro-brewery, so perhaps the spirits are already covered.

For Mimi, Cathy, and Jonathan in their adventures.

--the BB

Praying the headlines

From Google News:

More than 700 die in landslides in China

CNN - ‎42 minutes ago‎

By the CNN Wire Staff Beijing, China (CNN) -- The death toll from mudslides in northwestern China rose to 702, state-run media reported Tuesday.

Moscow mayor cuts meetings due to heat, smog

RIA Novosti - ‎45 minutes ago‎

MOSCOW, August 10 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov has urged members of the city government to cut back on meetings and discuss important matters over the telephone because of the scorching heat and acrid smog in the Russian capital.

More rains add to Pakistan's flooding misery

CNN - ‎26 minutes ago‎

By the CNN Wire Staff Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Some 14 million people have been affected by the torrential rains and flooding that have left more than a thousand dead in Pakistan, a spokesman for the national disaster authority told CNN Tuesday.

UN: Civilian Casualties Rising Sharply in Afghanistan

Voice of America - ‎1 hour ago‎

Photo: AP The United Nations says civilian casualties are on the rise in Afghanistan, with insurgents increasingly responsible for harming Afghans.

--the BB

Were you even aware?

The US media seem to be ignoring this or giving it minimal notice.

The flooding just keeps getting worse and worse. On Saturday, the UN estimated that 4 million people were affected by the flooding in Pakistan. By Sunday they revised that estimate to 6 million people. Today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that over 13 million people are affected.

It is no wonder that a UN officials are saying this is bigger than the 2004 tsunami. In fact, that would make it bigger than the combined number of people affected by the Tsunami, Haiti earthquake and 2005 Kashmir eartquake...combined.

That's from the UN Dispatch.

Can we let this sink in?

Thirteen million.

Let us pray.



Flood affectees evacuating in Dera Ismail Khan. PHOTO: EXPRESS

h/t to LaughingPlanet where you can read more and find channels to help.

The UN is also launching an appeal.

--the BB

I wonder

Will I live to see the American corporatocracy turned back to a democracy?

Frankly, I doubt it. I want to believe that what I have witnessed in my lifetime is not the death of constitutional democracy but I fear that I have.

And we have "conservative" policies to thank for it. Worship at the altar of business, deregulate, screw the working public, convince everyone government is evil and incompetent (and prove it when you are in power)... this is where it leads.

Sigh.

Blogger is run by Google. May I just say, fuck Google and Verizon. They have no right to tell the FCC what it can or cannot do.

Hey, FCC! Grow a set and tell the telecoms what they may and may not do. That's your job, in the interest of the public.

--the BB

No, it's not a rat's nest

I always marvel at how much dark brown there still is in my hair, though every buzzing shows more white. Tonight it seemed to have a lot of reddish blond. On my head, it all looks silver to me.

Yep, haircut night. I was getting a bit shaggy. Also watered the yard and researched where in ABQ I could find someone to repair my refrigerator. Its fan has gone to be with Jesus.

Dang, this is as mundane as a Facebook posting. I must do better.

[But I really have not felt inspired to post, ponder, or rant lately.]

Though I will not allow them to post, there will be at least three Chinese spam comments on this post by midnight tomorrow. They multiply like rabbits. Wait for them.

--the BB

La cosecha

This evening I chased the sparrows out of the peach tree (they sneak in under the netting then get caught in it) and harvested Elberta peaches, Thompson seedless grapes, and Santa Rosa plums. There are some peaches still left on the Elberta. I left the ones the birds have started so they can finish them. The Red Haven peaches look lovely but are hard as rocks right now.

So here is the bulk of the 2010 harvest. I can testify that they taste good.

--the BB

32 military suicides in just one month

Bob Herbert had some choice words to utter yesterday:

As if there is not enough that has gone tragically wrong in this era of endless warfare, the military is facing an epidemic of suicides. In the year that ended Sept. 30, 2009, 160 active duty soldiers took their own lives — a record for the Army. The Marines set their own tragic record in 2009 with 52 suicides. And this past June, another record was set — 32 military suicides in just one month.

War is a meat grinder for service members and their families. It grinds people up without mercy, killing them and inflicting the worst kinds of wounds imaginable, physical and psychological. The Pentagon is trying to cope with the surge in suicides, but it is holding a bad hand: the desperate shortage of troops has forced military officials to lower the bar for enlistment, thus letting in people whose drug and alcohol abuse or other behavioral problems would previously have kept them out. And the multiple deployments (four, five and six tours in the war zones) have jacked up stress levels to the point where many just can’t take it.

The G.I.’s have fought valiantly in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thousands have died and many, many more have suffered. But the wars have been conducted as if their leaders had been reading from a lunatic’s manual. This is not Germany or Japan or the old Soviet Union that we’re fighting. But after nearly a decade, neither war has been won and there is no prospect of winning.

Go, read the whole thing here.

--the BB

Remind me again which party is supposed to represent fiscal responsibility?

Iraq war reconstruction funds graphically illustrated.

h/t to Digby

--the BB

Domesticity

I ran myself ragged cooking this weekend. Another Sunday dinner (I've been on a roll). Tonight's guests insisted on a photo of me with the peach pie. First pie I have made in about forty years. The crust is made with Crisco shortening the way my mother made it (recipe from Fanny Farmer Cook Book). The peaches were picked from my Elberta peach tree this morning.

This was one labor-intensive meal. I had to drop the peaches in boiling water, then ice water, then peel them. I had to cut off the area the birds had attacked (on about a third of them).

Well that was dessert (except I had H-D vanilla bean ice cream and peach sherbet in the freezer to serve with the pie - sort of a peaches and cream theme, but I forgot them).

For antipasto we had salame, slices of fresh mozzarella, shreds of string cheese, crackers, sesame bread sticks, pickled giardiniera, olives, and (non-Italian) salted peanuts. We started with Italian grapefruit soda over ice to stay hydrated on a summer day.

The main course was lasagne with garlic bread and salad. I assembled it all yesterday. Homemade egg noodles, of course, as playing with my pasta attachment is the source of my weekend meal inspiration.

There was a story to the noodles though. Harris' Law: "Nothing Is Ever Easy." I measured out the flour and made a well in it. Fortunately I did not try cracking the eggs into the well as I usually do. Grabbed some eggs from the fridge that I thought had a use-by date of July 2010. Hmm, probably July 2009. When I cracked them open they were half dry, having shrunk away from the shell. Tossed those.

So I got the other eggs in the fridge, the ones from hens raised by a friend at church. Made the dough and it just fell apart when I tried to run it through the rollers - not as dough usually pulls apart on the first few runs. Way too dry a dough. The were not supermarket size "large" eggs, presupposed by my recipe. Scrapped that batch of dough.

To the supermarket for fresh LARGE eggs. This time the egg and flour dough behaved as it ought. So I made the long broad noodles. Then I cooked them in boiling salted water, cooled them in ice water, dried them with a towel, and layered them in the pan with sauce and cheeses.

Harris' Law strikes again but without consequences. I thought I had bought more ricotta cheese. I am still certain I did. But I could not find it yesterday. Anyway, what I had worked.

For the sauce I sauteed a large onion and some minced garlic in olive oil. To that I added three cans each of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce (OK, here I was not using tomatoes out of my yard; had to cut myself slack at some point). I had a package of hot Italian sausage and a package of ground beef (no added hormones or antibiotics). I squeezed the sausage out of its casings and using the meat grinder attachment I reground these together, partly to blend them and mostly to help them break up when browning. I browned these and added them to the tomato sauce along with basil and ground fennel and anise seeds. I love a hint of licorice in my tomato sauces, something I learned from "Mama" Lipscomb on Christmas Eve, Paris 1967. Her people were from Naples. All of that was before the noodles were made as the sauce needed to simmer for something like four hours.

Noodles, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, repeat. Grated parmigiana on top. Damn. The result was spectacular if I say so myself. It was a roasting pan full, so it will serve as dinner on Wednesday at Bill's house when we visit with friends from Los Angeles who are in New Mexico this week.

A nice Montepulciano DOCG to go with it all. And good friends to share it.

I am doing this for multiple reasons: I love cooking but hate doing it for myself so this allows me to cook; I enjoy the satisfaction of doing things from scratch (it feels honest and you know what's in it); this motivates me to clean my kitchen and the downstairs in general and maintain a semi-civilized atmosphere in my digs; and it allows me to do something nice for friends.

So the kitchen, dining room, living room, and entry all got vacuumed today. The kitchen was mopped. I have run the dishwasher twice and it is almost ready to run again. The stovetop was cleaned and the counters all sanitized. I practiced making pie dough (and obviously need more work at that). I harvested peaches from my tree. (Next: a plum tart.) I planned and executed an elaborate meal. Immense feeling of satisfaction tonight.

Amid all this I managed to wash, dry, and hang up a load of shirts; have dinner with friends last night; and attend church this morning.

Tired. Very tired. And dehydrated. But happy.

I hope y'all had a good weekend. Healing vibes to all who need them tonight!

--the BB

The Senate is clearly broken

You may be getting down on the Senate because they couldn't manage to hold a vote Thursday on that jobs bill that Republicans are filibustering. But they did manage to double the penalty for marijuana brownies.
--TPM

I wish somebody could fix it.

--the BB

Planning Sunday dinner

There is no question that I am on a roll when it comes to my new pasta attachment for the Kitchen Aid. Two weeks ago I made noodles for myself and dined on them for days. Last Sunday dinner had thicker egg noodles (the kind I remember Grandma Iva making) with my first ever roasted chicken. I've been shopping after work yesterday and today for Sunday dinner this weekend.

Yep, pasta again. Lasagne from scratch to be made tomorrow, along with the sauce. Sunday morning before church I will bake a peach pie (I have not made pie in something like 40 years). Of course the crust will be from scratch and the peaches from my tree! The harvest begins. Sunday afternoon I will bake the lasagne.

There will be antipasto: olives, salami, giardiniera mix, grissini (breadsticks).

Then lasagne with garlic bread and salad.

Then peach pie a la mode (OK, I bought the Häagen-Dazs).

Sparkling fruit juices from Italy and what I hope will be a nice Italian wine are at the ready.

After all, why spend seven weeks studying Italian if you're not going to have some Italian food? I will probably put Puccini on the CD player too, and some Vivaldi.

Those who read this blog may get the impression that I cook a lot. Lately that has been more true but I have really cooked very little since my ex and I separated. Just can't be bothered cooking for myself. You don't want to know what dinner is most evenings but cheese and crackers is one favorite. Rarely more elaborate than that, though I occasionally microwave taquitos. This shift toward entertaining and cooking more is HUGE. And a good thing as I do love to cook. Inviting folks provides motivation (and once downstairs is uncluttered I entertain several times before I devolve into chaos again).

Yeah, there are chores to be done as well but I am stoked over the weekend. And so glad it is here at last.

Shabbat shalom, y'all!

--the BB

Arrivederci, scuola

Cross-posted from Facebook:

Last Italian class this evening. Sad to see it end. But we did have a party: mini-crostini with salmon pâté, grissini, delicious cannoli from an Italian bakery, Italian sparkling fruit juices, etc.

--the BB

Small stuff

No big news on my end. I cooked Sunday dinner, roasting a chicken for the first time in my life. I have always left that to others. It came out cooked but juicy. Put the dinner guest to work cranking the homemade egg noodles. Three sides of vegetables. A mushroom and cream sauce over the noodles and chicken. Blueberry crisp and ice cream for desert. Not a virtuous meal but a full-on Sunday dinner.

Friday night we plowed through the rain to catch Madama Butterfly at the Santa Fe Opera. Good singing, good acting, good production. It was lovely and very moving. Nice twist at the end. (No change in plot but a wordless twist that I shan't reveal. Very powerful.)

I put on excerpts of Butterfly last night while studying Italian grammar. Tonight we have another quiz and get to see the second half of an Italian film (with Italian subtitles to help us).

Lots of thundershowers lately so the earth is getting rain here in the desert / high grasslands.

This was just so y'all didn't think I'd dropped off the edge of the earth.

Please read Margaret's post this morning. Let us keep the prayers for her and Joel and Juan Manuel going.

Joel was grumpy, grumpy grumpy last night. He also suffered a small panic attack --and he still cannot breathe or speak very well nor swallow at all.... he continues in ICU --although they FINALLY got him out of respiratory ICU and in to neuro ICU which is where he needed to be because myasthenia gravis is a disease that prevents the brain from speaking to the nerves.... and without the nerves the muscles don't work.... and without the nerves and the muscles one does not breathe or swallow or speak....

So, I am hoping that grumpy means improvement.... because,

in truth, as far as speaking and swallowing go --I'm not seeing any improvement at all...

--the BB

Heart thread - 07/24/2010

Amid the many challenges Margaret has been facing, now this:

UPDATE: Joel is in respitory ICU. Nearly lost him overnight.... he is in stable but guarded condition.

I am okay.... numb --which I consider a mercy. Doing what comes next. I am grateful for your prayers.
--m

___________________

Joel is in the hospital. He had an acute onset of his myasthenia gravis... he couldn't breathe, swallow--kept choking.

Please keep him in your prayers.

Margaret posted an update:

Thank you all so very much for you prayers. Joel continues in stable but guarded condition in the ICU. They've brought out the big guns on the MG stuff. He is speaking--which is good. They are doing a scan of his chest later this evening. I'm okay --tired but unanxious... really. All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

For Joel, Margaret, Juan Manuel, and all the burdens Margaret carries on her heart.

Ongoing prayers for Kirstin and her entire support team. (You can follow her posts here.)

The nurse came in, started my IV, and we got talking. We probably talked for twenty minutes. She is an oncology nurse (not all of them on my floor are), has been for seven years. She’s young, and startlingly competent. Right now, she’s looking up my paper chart and printing information about the neuropathy drug they’re discharging me with. (I have the beginnings of peripheral neuropathy, in both hands and feet. It’s scaring hell out of me.)

We talked about my care team here, in Sac, in Oakland. We talked about my support system. I told her some of the things I wrestle with—see how healthy I am, how can I be sick? She told me she thought I’d do well.

I asked her why. She said, “Because you’re so positive. When the mind gives up, the body follows.” I didn’t tell her how much I hate this.

For Jonathan and Jim and David. For Mark and Sandra and Bruce and Doris.

For my sister Shirley.
Shirley will be going in for a angioplasty in a month. Too many ahead of her.

For KJ's father and for David's friend Rosemary.

Prayers for Rosemary too please- she is really having a difficult time, and i`d ask prayers for her husband Dave, their two sons and my sister Jenny, that if this is Rosemary`s time they will all have the grace, love and strength they need.

My coworker Shae says "Thank you" to all who prayed for her; her knee is doing much better.

For Patricia's mother Evelyn Rose.

For Fran who is home and gaining strength and health (but could not join her friends for the Paris trip that had to start without her). She said today was her best day yet but we're not stopping the prayers.

For children everywhere and those who worry about them. For those facing deadlines. For those caught up in anxiety of any sort.

Padre Mickey tells us:

The Lovely Mona is down with sumkinna nasty thang wut makes her sleepy alla time. I hope the sleeping makes her feel better.

For those endangered by the failure of a dam in Iowa.

For the two US service members missing in Afghanistan since yesterday.

For those killed in a stampede in Germany.

For all the burdens carried by any who read this post. Please add your own requests in the comments.

--the BB

Today's letter to the President

Dear Mr. President:

I shall be brief. If you do not appoint Elizabeth Warren to head the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection it will be widely seen as a betrayal of the middle class and likely abandonment of hope for real economic reform.

There is far too much compromise in today's political atmosphere and it is neither buying the good will of the opposition nor the confidence of the electorate.

I urge you to appoint the one person we feel confident will represent the vast majority of the people of the United States. This nation has become a corporatocracy and we need a strong signal that you really mean to do something about it.

Half measures are not enough.

Thank you.

--the BB

Starch?

Yes, Niagara spray starch.

Among the clearance rack shirts I have purchased lately is a white linen shirt, the kind with tabs and buttons to hold your rolled up sleeves in place. I decided I the initial wearing will be Friday when we go to Santa Fe after work for dinner and opera (Madama Butterfly). The noted cool factor of linen (temperature, not with-it-ness) appeals. Alas, it looked a bit rumpled off the rack. So tonight I tackled it with starch and ironed it into submission.

Yes, I know that linen wrinkles as soon as you put it on. That's OK. I just feel as though I am putting on the Ritz and that's all that matters.

I also touched up two other new shirts (spraying only with water) so they are ready to be worn to work.

How many of you remember when your mothers had starch, bluing, and Fels naphtha soap? And your fathers had Lava and Boraxo soaps?

--the BB

Oggi

As I reported earlier this evening on Facebook:

My exciting life. Relentless day at work (one third of us in training, the rest trying to keep up). I was talking on the phone for two minutes short of five hours today. Retail therapy: a couple more summer shirts on clearance. Italian class. Some protein and a strong drink when I got home.

But Friday: Butterfly!


--the BB

Heart thread - 07/20/2010

My friend Mike bids our prayers for Wes. Wes' partner Scott is one of those who worked hard at the Our Saviour clean-up day (and was at San Gabriel last Sunday).

Wes had a stroke this afternoon. He's at UNMH now and doing "okay". It seems to be on the right side affecting the left side of his body with some (unknown to me) level of paralysis. He's alert, can speak though with impaired articulation due to the paralysis, and his memory seems fine. All good signs. Scott doesn't have much more info until more time has passed and more tests are done.

David@Montreal invites us to pray for many who need to be held in our hearts.

Beloved Giants of prayer and practice

I've had two calls this afternoon for prayers for Rosemary, our little Armenian bird, who last Thursday was rushed back into hospital with severe breathing difficulties- one call from Dave, Rosemary's wonderful husband, the other from my baby sister Jenny who is Rosemary's friend and chief caregiver when Dave is obliged to work in Ottawa during most weeks. As you might remember from earlier prayer calls, this is Rosemary's second bout with cancer and her determination to get through this is incredible. Dave and Rosemary have two young sons.
So prayers for Rosemary and Dave please, their sons, and my baby sister Jenny please.

Prayer's for dear Kirstin please- undergoing her second round in the school of cancer also. Kirstin has just begun a very aggressive course of teatments which will be taking over the forseeable future. Last I heard she has been released from hospital from the first round and is currently at Bishop's Ranch in California. [Update: and is now heading back to hospital for the next round.]

Another cherished sister in faith, Fran has been having a really rough time recovering from a gall bladder operation, and has been on a medical fast. Fran, her Beloved, and her step-daughter are due to leave for holidays any day now, and she's still struggling with the first steps towards healing.

Prayers please for my former colleague Louyse who underwent brain surgery late last week. The tumor was only discovered after her throid had been irradiated, and she was experiencing balance, perception and speech defecits. Louyse will have a long path of healing ahead of her.

Prayers please for a fiesty friend who manages a life with some pretty incredible challenges and demands made on her. She is currently travelling overseas for her work, .... Prayer for all involved- for the children, for the pressure and multiple demands my friend tries to balance.

And speaking of fiesty- one beloved sister who might occasionally admit to certain mother bear-like qualities; she, her husband, and their chosen son have been undergoing some horrendous trials in the last days- the system at it's near-worst. This sister is one of the most articulate, passionate, spirit-filled priests I know, so prayers for all three- that grace and strength, insight and peace will be given sufficient to the path ahead and that generous, life-giving justice will prevail.

News of Frank- he and his latest round of cancer appear to be at a standstill. The effects of the ongoing treatments are mild compared to what he as previously been through, and his attitude is incredible. With restrictions, he and Carol are having a simple summer, surrounded by their three wonderful daughters, their spouses & the grandchildren out in BC. He called Mam the other day to see how she is doing with her situation and three times sent along his thanks to 'David's Giants' who have 'made all the difference'

And speaking of Mam, even if she is my Mam, I have to say she's incredible! No complaints, no despair, she's the first one to tell you just how lucky she is that she's still got her arm, that it wasn't her hip, that she's got family to look after her, and that they're doing it so wonderfully. The whole experience has visibly aged her, and yet though there is still occasionally some confusion with individual words, her attitude is always grateful and positive. Mam saw the surgeon late last week, and will begin physiotherapy next Wednesday. She's still unable to live on her own as long as she has the cast, soshe is staying with my sister Joanne and her husband Ken. Today, for the first time since the accident she actually made it to Church with my sister Jenny.

So much to be grateful for, but even more to offer up , and like Frank says you guys really do 'make all the difference.'

love always- always Love

Continued prayers for Doris, Mark, Mother Sandra, Tad (who gets around with greater ease as time passes). For Alex and his mom, for Jack and his family, for my sister Shirley, my nephew Jay, and my grandniece Esther.

For the unemployed, the homeless, and especially the despairing.

For those killed or injured in the train crash in eastern India.

--the BB

Do you see any weeds?

I thought not. (Unless you count the "ornamental grass" on the left, which propagates with a vengeance through small hair-like devices that cling to everything. I call it "pendejo grass" because, well, the filaments resemble pubic hairs. The clump you see in the photo is not destined long for this life. Why people plant this vile thing I have no idea.)

Yours truly was on his knees under the mid-morning sun yesterday pulling weeds between the curb and the sidewalk. Yesterday evening I tackled much of the south side of the house. This morning I did the back yard and more along the side of the house. This evening I finished the south side and returned to the main front yard. Tumbleweeds have sprung up with an especial vengeance this year. Most of them were only half an inch to an inch high but they were uprooted one by one, ripped from the earth with my own hands.

The temperatures were hovering about 100 Fahrenheit and I do not want those who fear for my dehydration to fret. I, who normally never let water pass my lips, have consumed about four liters of it this weekend in addition to my usual wet chemical poison.

There are few muscles in my body who have not had something to say about all this.

But I have photos and the homeowners' association cannot say I did not clean up my weeds.

This weekend also involved visiting with friends on both days, preaching this morning, and catching a performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream this afternoon. I am plum tuckered out.

--the BB

I'm guessing most of you have not yet read Tim Wise's post at AlterNet titled "

What If the Tea Party Were Black?"

Imagine that hundreds of black protesters were to descend upon Washington DC and Northern Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol and White House, armed with AK-47s, assorted handguns, and ammunition. And imagine that some of these protesters —the black protesters — spoke of the need for political revolution, and possibly even armed conflict in the event that laws they didn’t like were enforced by the government? Would these protesters — these black protesters with guns — be seen as brave defenders of the Second Amendment, or would they be viewed by most whites as a danger to the republic? What if they were Arab-Americans? Because, after all, that’s what happened recently when white gun enthusiasts descended upon the nation’s capital, arms in hand, and verbally announced their readiness to make war on the country’s political leaders if the need arose.

Check out the whole thing at the link.

Or perhaps you'd like a rap version of this question. Check it out at YouTube.

Y'all know the answers, don't you?

We live in a world of double standards.

--the BB

Heart thread - 07/15/2010 - UPDATED

A blessed St Swithun's Day to you all. How was the weather where you are?

I bid your fervent prayers for Fran. She has gone from utter misery through removal of the old gall bladder to.... ongoing misery.

Hospital hostage crisis day 9...
...
No liquids yet, no solids yet, no going home. Praying people unleash your prayers please.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We humbly beseech thee to behold, visit, and relieve thy sick servant Fran for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon her with the eyes of thy mercy; comfort her with a sense of thy goodness; preserve her from the temptations of the enemy; and give her patience under her affliction. In thy good time, restore her to health, and enable her to lead the residue of her life in thy fear, and to thy glory; and grant that finally she may dwell with thee in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-BCP, 458

I ask your prayers for my sister Shirley who has an appointment on July 23 with the cardiologist.

UPDATE:
I ask your prayers for Doris Hagen, my "den mother" and best friend at St Cuthbert's, who is "at the acute care center here in San Leandro today. She seems to be doing fairly well but is tired and a bit confused."

I ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Stanley Kooyumjian, the man who knew lamb better than anyone and who fed many with good food and gracious hospitality, part of my larger family and a true Fresno institution. For his wife Doris and their children and grandchildren. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

For the life of the Gulf of Mexico.

For deliverance from robber barons.

I give thanks for Argentina where gay couples may now marry.

That Jarrett and Rahm may turn and be of a better mind. (Cf. deliverance from robber barons, above. These two sleazebags are working with the robber barons to gut regulations of the financial industry.)

For the utter confounding of Timothy Geithner's plans to maintain Wall Street's status quo.

Huffington Post reports that on the very day the Senate passed Wall Street reform and created a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner is urging President Obama NOT to appoint the most credible person as its leader: Elizabeth Warren. [h/t to Forrest Brown at DK]

(Cf. deliverance from robber barons, above.)

I'm sorry folks but I'm ready for imprecatory psalms and being honest about my prayers. As I believe God is a God of justice I am not going to be all nicey nice. The heart threads try to take the high road but we have some crap going on down in the low roads and I believe God passionately cares about this kind of thing. So yes, I'm calling for some smiting.

When wilt Thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of Thy heart, O God, are they;
Let them not pass, like weeds, away;
Their heritage a sunless day:
O God, save the people!

Shall crime bring crime forever,
Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it Thy will, O Father,
That man shall toil for wrong?
“No,” say Thy mountains; “No,” Thy skies;
Man’s clouded sun shall brightly rise,
And songs ascend, instead of sighs:
O God, save the people!

When wilt Thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people; Thine they are,
Thy children, as Thine angels fair:
From vice, oppression, and despair,
O God, save the people!

Words: Eb­en­e­zer El­li­ott, More Prose and Verse, 1850.

--the BB

Very little news in my corner

And isn't that just fine?

I have been scrambling this week to take care of things I neglected over the weekend. Got some big overdue stuff out of the way and the yard is watered once again.

Totally looking forward to the weekend. Have a great Friday, y'all.

--the BB

Odds and ends including prayer

Midnight has come and gone so it is Bastille Day. Allons, enfants....!

This means it is also my niece Paula's birthday. She is off in Vegas for a few days, so what happens on her birthday stays in Vegas. Happy Birthday, Paula!

I ask your prayers for France and her people (especially those who made me feel so welcome there decades ago).

I ask your prayers for Evelyn Rose, mother of a classmate in my Italian class. May her suffering end and may she pass peacefully into larger life.

At Facebook Jane R noted that she was thinking of France. I am thinking of Italy. As in maybe going there next year. Finally. I have never been. Strike while the language classes are hot, no? For many years we said we were going there "year after next." This put it off forever, of course, until we stopped saying it. Well now....

I came home from Italian class tonight and heated up the water. I went into the yard and harvested one yellow squash, five cherry tomatoes, and a sprig of thyme. Boiled the egg pasta that I made last night. Then I made a truly wicked sauce, cholesterol heaven.

Two cloves of minced garlic sauteed in butter. Flour added to make a roux. Heavy cream. Yes, you heard me, the stuff you whip. Blue cheese. Slices of squash and bits of thyme. Freshly ground black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg. It wanted salt and I added some in the leftovers (which should provide lunch for days to come). Served with split cherry tomatoes on top for color and sweetness and tang. Grated parmigiano. A glass of red wine. The second half of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. La dolce vita, I tell ya.

I had been thinking about this for weeks and I certainly enjoyed it tonight. (Yes, there is a reason I take a fish oil tablet and pravastatin every day.)

Next time: thicker noodles, olive oil, garlic, whichever squash is ripe, fresh basil from the herb pots, more cherry tomatoes, and peperoncini (not hot sausage; pepper flakes).

And I have lots of sage for sage and brown butter another time. Lovely on pasta.

Buona notte a tutti.

--the BB

Nella cucina

Usually when I make home-made egg noodles from scratch they get cooked promptly. Since I began these rather late in the evening, they will not be cooked until tomorrow or the next night.

When I saw the pasta attachments for a Kitchen Aid last week I could not resist. I had been thinking of making this with my hand-cranked pasta maker but I must say, this is MUCH easier. Not much over half an hour from start to finish.

I added some sun-dried tomato paste to the beaten eggs before incorporating the flour. There is a hint of color and, I hope, will be a touch of flavor. Next time I try that I will use more.

I don't feel guilty about being lazy on the weekend but I am distressed about a couple of major items I forgot that cannot be put off. Anyway, this evening I did a touch of shopping (including the pasta rack), watered the yard, loaded and ran the dishwasher, vacuumed and mopped the kitchen, and made pasta. There was much wiping of the sweaty brow. And I began looking at some time-critical paperwork.

Tired now.

Sweet dreams, my tantalizing tuberoses.

--the BB

Yesterday in the yard

The last two photos are of Santa Rosa plums and Elberta peaches. We trust the changing colors are what they appear to be: signs of ripening.

Today I have refrained from all labor. No accomplishments. I have rested, ruthlessly.

May you all have a blessed week.

--the BB

Heart thread - 07/10/2010

Do not hesitate to bring out the big guns in your prayers, my friends.

My Little Sister gave me news about our Big Sister Shirley:

After heart studies this past week, she received a call from the NP in the cardiologist office that she has another blocked artery and they will be getting her in to see the doctor as soon as possible.

KJ asks prayer for his father who is going through difficult chemo and for his mother (and let us remember Kevin and all the family as well).

Four of my dear friends are coping with stressful situations and hard decisions. Please pray for them and their families.

For the repose of the soul of Margaret's mother and for all who mourn.

For MP.

For Mark.

For all who, this night, are in danger or desperation, for the sick and the dying, for the frightened and the furious.

Update:
I woke up this morning praying for a swift and complete recuperation from Fran's gall bladder surgery and asked myself how I could have prayed for her several times yesterday and still omitted her name here. Fran, you are not forgotten.

--the BB

Low key day

Last night I drove from work to meet friends and we then headed north of Santa Fe for the opera: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) by Mozart. We had a picnic-style supper in a condo in Santa Fe then rejoiced in cooler weather as we settled in for the music. The music was wonderful. Well, one expects that from Mozart, but the singers and orchestra did a great job. As one friend opined, it was nice to see Tamino look and act as one imagines a prince should. Papageno had great comic timing and acting and a wonderful voice. I enjoyed listening to Tamino and Pamina and Papageno... and the Queen of the Night hit those notes. Bravi tutti! Here is the amazing thing. I was alert and engaged all the way through. No naps during the performance. This may be a first in recent history.

It made for a late night and we were up not much later than I get up for work. Breakfast at Clafouti in Santa Fe then a drive home.

After such a long day yesterday, today was a do-nothing day. I watered the yard, traded some e-mails, and not much else. Tonight three of us saw The Taming of the Shrew. It is a very problematic play because you just want to scream at the subjugation of women and treatment of them as chattel. There were some fun comic turns but the play itself is beyond problematic. Other than the Taylor-Burton film of it, I believe I had only seen it once. That was at Cal Shakes and the lead couple were husband and wife in real life. They were able to give a lot more physicality and fire to the roles than one usually gets and I vaguely remember feeling better about the play that night. Ah well. A week from tomorrow is A Midsummer Night's Dream and I look forward to that.

The photo is of penstemon.

Sweet dreams, my frivolous vogelfängers!

--the BB

Pondering food

Well, we bears are usually pondering food. It was an accepted truth that to a bear the most important meal of the day is ... the next one.

I have been hankering for homemade egg pasta lately. Was getting ready to get out the hand-cranked pasta machine. But tonight I spotted the pasta attachment for a Kitchen Aid mixer and decided to indulge myself. So the same function will be performed without my having to do the cranking.

I have not forgotten the basic recipe. Two cups of flour. Make a well in the center. Break three eggs into the well. Beat with a fork. Incorporate the two ingredients. Then many, many repetitions of feeding pieces of dough through the kneading roller. When it is satiny, gradually adjust the rollers, taking the dough to the desired thinness. Then cut (or not if you are making lasagne). Molto semplice, no?

Not this weekend, unless I do it Sunday. Tonight was Italian class, tomorrow is Die Zauberflöte at the Santa Fe Opera, and Saturday is The Taming of the Shrew at the Vortex Theatre. But Sunday.... with squash and cherry tomatoes and basil fresh from the yard, some olive oil and garlic? Perhaps.

Life is obviously busy so posting will continue to be light.

Buona notte a tutti.

--the BB

Feeling summery

I indulged in retail therapy between work and Italian class tonight. Eddie Bauer (more summer shirts on sale) and Williams Sonoma (my 8-inch skillet had died and needed replacing... oh, and there were some pretty linens on sale). Had ice cream tonight and right now I feel very mellow.

Now, the hiking and lugging and digging of the weekend did not have my body feeling mellow at work today. Quite a collection of joints and muscles were announcing that I had been using them over the past few days. But that is a good thing and they will be the better for it.

Right now, however, it is bedtime.

Sweet dreams, my oscillating ocelots!

--the BB

If deficits matter at all....

... (and I believe they do, though not in the way the deficit peacocks proclaim), then those concerned about government deficits will let the Bush tax cuts lapse. End of discussion.


If they don't, then they are fucking hypocrites and have zero credibility. We should not listen to them. I would go so far as to invoke Miss Manners and apply the harshest social judgment and give them the cut direct. No op-eds, no time on the Sunday talk shows, no interviews, no citing their opinions. Anything they have to say on the topic is demonstrable bullshit. Why pay any attention to them whatsoever?

I mean, what part of that big swath of butterscotch in the chart above is unclear?


--the BB

Heart thread - 07/06/2010

This morning's heart thread begins with an update from David@Montreal:

Praise!
And heart-felt thanks for all the prayers, you beloved Giants.
Mam emerged from the post op recovery room just before 11 p.m. last evening.
Though the original plan had been local anesthetic and sedative, complications discovered resulted in her being put under general anesthetic- which no one thought to tell us about. The sedative was still wearing off when the family was ejected from the e.r. after eleven, and Mam was still in some serious pain. Today,the first heat wave of the season continues. I'll be catching busses and metro out to the West Island to catch a lift with one of my sisters up to the hospital, and there is a chance Mam will be released at the end of the day, to go stay with one of my sisters until the cast is removed. Please know, the love and prayers of you beloved Giants have been a real and very great blessing, throughout all this.

This morning, I'd once again commend dear Kirstin to that same wondrous generosity and she works her way into her first week of what is going to be a very aggressive course of treatment on her second battle with cancer.

love always-always Love

David

Pray for the people of Thailand.

The Thai government this morning extended a state of emergency imposed in about a third of the country during recent political protests, citing ongoing danger from anti-government groups. (Guardian)

For peace throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

For significant movement by the human race toward alternative energy before we destroy the planet.

--the BB

Yard update

The grapes continue to ripen.


I found this beauty hiding in the back as I was watering this evening.


The peaches have gained some blush.


The retaining project viewed this morning.


And completed this evening. I will probably do some more sections elsewhere in the yard as I am pleased with the result here.

I noted on Facebook last Friday evening my hope for an enjoyable and productive weekend. My hope was not disappointed. I had the manual labor of digging and lugging, a nice hike, worship (twice) at the mother church, St Michael's, and visited with several friends. Tired and happy I prepare to do my Italian homework and retire in anticipation of a very busy day at work tomorrow.

--the BB

A Message from Maggie

Maggie, the Rose Queen of Desert Farne, asks us all to save the dolphins and all her friends in the Gulf waters.

A public service announcement brought to you by Margaret Macrina Dolphin, Belle Hippoposterous, and Bearfeathers Press.

--the BB