Ah, Britain! We may have shot ourselves in the faces with Brexit, the NHS may be on life support, and our new Labour government may be giving off strong loser vibes already, but at least we have reasonable egg prices:
You know, for now. (£3.20 is worth $4.00 at the moment.)
This morning I took my last run of the year along the canal. The weather here is picking up again – wild wind, heavy rain on the way overnight – and my four-miler was even more of a struggle than it would normally be after a week of holiday cheer because I was frequently getting shoved in the chest by 30-mph gusts out of the north.
The Birmingham and Worcester Canal is a surprisingly good place to spot birds. I am ever-so-slightly superstitious about the birds I see on a run: I tell myself that whoever shows up is a sign for what kind of day I’ll have. Today I saw two grey herons, glimpsed the kingfisher (bright blue, dashing past me with the wind), and then, on one of my walk breaks, I watched a crow peck out the eyeball of a dead fish lying on the towpath.
If those guys augur the year ahead, I’d say those are decidedly mixed omens. I think instead I’ll take these appearances as one last temper tantrum from 2024, a real steamer of a year.
Still, I had some personal triumphs: 15 years after conceiving of it as a blog project, I got Books of All Time off the ground at last, as a podcast. After years of struggling to find an extracurricular she likes (and that caters to her needs), I was able to get The Child into animation classes. She loves them and is creating amazing things. Then, yesterday, I signed the final paperwork for my house purchase. Sometime in the next few weeks the lawyers and banks will do their bit, and voilà, I’ll be a homeowner for the first time.
And I also started contributing here, and hope to do more of that in the coming year. I have been reading many of your names and thoughts and benefiting from the stories and links you all share since September 2008, when I had first become a freelancer and was expecting The Child. It’s nice to be able to give back a bit to a community that has been part of my mental landscape for so long.
Good luck in 2025, everyone. We’re going to need it—and each other.
Baud
Eggs are precious. Hold them near to your heart.
TBone
Congratulations and back atcha!
TBone
@Baud: mine were in my midsection.
Joy in FL
I’m glad you’re a front-pager, and I wish you and The Child a fine New Year in a new home.
raven
The Food and Drug Administration has classified its recall of eggs sold under Costco’s Kirkland brand as a Class I recall, a designation reserved for instances of the highest potential health risk — including death.
A Class I recall signals that “there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death,” according to the FDA.
The agency announced the voluntary recall on Nov. 27 and posted news of the Class I designation on Dec. 20; it has not provided updates about whether any possible illnesses or medical cases related to the recall. Neither the agency nor Costco responded to NPR’s messages for comment on Friday.
MazeDancer
Have been paying 6 to 8 bucks a dozen for a year, at least. To backyard farmers. Or known good farmers.
Because I refuse to torture chickens.
Happy chickens. Hand gathered eggs. Gorgeous yolks.
Still cheap protein.
sab
Yay for you and the house. Shows how entitled my life has been, but owning not renting has always been very high on my list of secure living.
The Audacity of Krope
You forgot tightly…
sab
I might go back through old comments and develop a map of who lives where. We certainly are diverse. Not even limited to English speaking countries.
Villago Delenda Est
Your last sentence…may I add a hearty “hear, hear” to that.
jackmac
I’m enjoying your posts and looking forward to more in 2025! Happy New Year!
Rose Judson
@sab: I gotta admit, I’m a little bit terrified. Mainly because I earn in USD and pay my mortgage in GBP. Here’s hoping the incoming clown car gives me at least 6 months of runway before they tank the dollar.
owlbrick
Just waiting to see what egg prices will do once the Trump admin guts the FDA.
sab
We have our heat on again. Toasty 64° inside. Yay!
Husband still wants to yell at the contractor. I think he is being an ass. High repair bills and glitches are part of buying an 80 year old house.
The Audacity of Krope
Invest in chicken coops now, folk.
sab
@Rose Judson: Don’t Brexit and Trump Clown Car offset each other’s damage? Although I prefer our politically independent Federal Reserve to your Chancellor of the Exchequer.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@MazeDancer:
We had hens back at the Dauphine: we restored the original chicken coop/run that dated back to the 1870s and put New Hampshire Reds in there.
When my wife would come out the side door and look up to the run, they’d come flying down expecting treats.
Guests loved em. We short ordered breakfast and always said “Happy Hens make for Happy Eggs”. We also bought bacon and sausage from a local farmer and it was to die for.
We miss having hens for the social/entertainment value and the eggs. My wife keeps cogitating over setting up an urban roost/run for them here in the heart of Denver.
sab
@The Audacity of Krope: Your birds will get avian flu also. That has been the point of all these posts. And they will infect you and your neighbors.
Rose Judson
@sab: that is literally the best I can hope for. I know the exchange rate at which I am cooked – it’s $1.80 = £1. Hasn’t been that high since before the 2008 financial crisis, but anything’s possible.
The Audacity of Krope
@sab: Ok. Everyone invest in self-contained biospheres and chicken coops.
Trivia Man
@The Audacity of Krope: but wear a respirator and wear gloves!
Villago Delenda Est
@sab: Bobby the Infinitely Lesser will do nothing to mitigate this, it will be 2020 all over again.
The Audacity of Krope
@Trivia Man: Hygiene is for wimps.
sab
@The Audacity of Krope: Properly supervised and regulated bird farms are practically biospheres. It’s to protect the birds.
If we slack off on that they’ll get flu, we’ll get flu and our neighborhood wild birds and chickens will get flu.
Yard chickens are a lot like raw milk. Good luck with that.
hitchhiker
I look at it like this. We’re all in some hellish version of high school, and the biggest bully has taken over the principal’s office. The teachers are scared of him, and the minor bullies are feeling powerful and mean.
The regular kids oscillate between snickering (they think some of the bullies are funny) and trying to stay out of fights.
The nerd kids and the weird kids know that they’re targets, but there’s not much they can do about it because the regular kids don’t care enough to risk their relatively safe status by trying to help them.
The big bully is going to spend all his time gloating now. The minor bullies will look for ways to mess with their favorite targets. There are no grown ups coming to fix this.
I am a nerd. My people are not safe. Every day is about looking furtively for allies and trying to outlast the madness.
The Audacity of Krope
@sab: Good advice, because this investment advice I’m providing is entirely sincere…
Ohio Mom
I had a very similar experience a few days ago. I thought I saw three wild turkeys out the car window — we were on our way through our suburb to the supermarket. I had Ohio Dad, who was driving, turn around so we could drive past them again and get a better look.
It turned out they were black turkey vultures, which is considered a bad omen. But I decided they were feasting on the metaphorical remains of 2024, cleaning things up for a better new year.
On another note, Ohio Son is having a rough time of it in his new job at the thrift store and is on probation.
One of the issues is that he’s late, and I know that is not true. He almost always arrives a few minutes early, depending on his Uber.
Upon questioning him last night, I discovered that clocking in involves going to a computer and getting to the correct ADP (payroll contractor) page, a process that can take several minutes.
Ohio Son, in his concrete, literal autistic thinking, decided that since his work day starts at noon, he should not start clocking in until noon. So he waits — could be up to ten minutes, again, depending on the vagaries of Uber — until the clock strikes 12, guaranteeing he will be recorded as arriving late.
You’d never guess from this story he has a job coach that is supposed to be well,coaching him. I am wondering how many of the other issues have comparable simple autistic explanations and fixes.
sab
@Villago Delenda Est: But now we can still buy N95 masks. In 2020 I used up all my scrap fabric making less than effective masks. The Cleveland Clinic farmed out mask and scrub production to Amish housewives. I kid you not.
Scout211
Rose, congratulations on your house purchase. And animation classes for The Child sounds really awesome.
We had a sad occurrence here. Just when the price of eggs started soaring, our flock of backyard chickens has disappeared. All were taken by predators in the past few weeks. 😢 There is only one left, a lonely traumatized hen who is not laying any eggs right now. She lives under a large bush and rarely peeks out. She won’t go anywhere near the coop because we think she is so traumatized by what she must have witnessed.
We are now buying eggs at the store for the first time in many, many years. But in the past I often joked with Mr. Scout that he spent so much money buying feed and treats and hay and all the extras for his hens that they probably cost us $3.00 per egg. $36.00 a dozen for organic, free range eggs that we gave away to neighbors when we had extras. He loved raising chickens, so it was worth it.
TBone
@hitchhiker: it hasn’t really started in earnest yet, either. I wish you community where you can find it.
mrmoshpotato
@Baud: I ate a couple this morning.
sab
@Ohio Mom: Yikes! My stepson’s company is closing up his workplace in March. They want to tranfer him to subirban Philadelphia, but he doesn’t want to transfer away from his significant other and his entire support system.
He will be okay. But we worry about his autistic coworker, who is fine at machining but might underperform in job interviews.
wombat probability cloud
Very glad you’re here and thanks muchly for your fabulous podcast. Your presence is going to help us get through 2025 and I hope it’s reciprocal.
sab
@hitchhiker: I agree with your picture of our short term future.
laura
I’m fixing to make deviled eggs right now.
Off topic, my blood pressure just shot through the roof as I have received a fund begging text from Pramila Jayapal looking for loose change to “fight the hard right.” My response was not for tender ears.
Ohio Mom
@sab: Machining is a field that attracts a fair share of um, neurodivergent men, and that might be on his side as he interviews. After all, he did land his current job.
If he feels he needs more help, the state voc rehab agency (Opportuntiesfor Ohioans with Disabilities) might be a help. Ohio Son’s job developer (person who helps you find a job) was through that agency, as is his job coach.
Baud
All you people eating eggs are driving up the price for everyone else.
Betty Cracker
Y’all have such beautiful kingfishers over there! In my neck of the woods, we have Belted Kingfishers, who are lovely in their way but lack the iridescence of their UK cousins.
Happy New Year, Rose — so glad you’re here!
rikyrah
Have a Happy New Year!
You are a welcome addition to the BJ FPagers. :)
Elma
I want to let you know how much I am enjoying the podcast. When Aesop was a little late showing up on my computer I was worried that Amazon Music wasn’t going to carry it anymore. (I know I shouldn’t be giving Bezos money, but it’s so easy.). A couple of years ago, I went from being a home owner to a renter. Owning nothing but a car and a large balance in my bank has been remarkably freeing. I hope your journey in the opposite direction feels just as good for you.
WereBear
@Scout211: That is sad, especially for your husband.
Wanted to say “back of me hand” to 2024 with my fellow Jackals.
Martin
Important reading for Democrats.
Some additional context – the imperial valley is artificially irrigated by way of the Colorado River and is where many of the nations winter crops are grown. As the river’s water issues have become national news, there’s no similar focus on water issues in the northern growing regions that get their water from other sources. Billions are being allocated for water projects in the norther part of the state, all part of other watersheds. Imperial Valley was always a focal point for us in higher education because they are so poorly served. Other agricultural communities at least have a CSU campus reasonably close by – Chico, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Fresno, Bakersfield, but Imperial county residents are particularly poorly served with their nearest campuses being San Marcos or UCSD on the coast – only Imperial Valley College, part of the CCC system serves them. The region is somewhat reminiscent of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas that seems largely ignored by all politicians, gutted in times of austerity and then ignored in times of growth.
Politics often isn’t what it seems on the surface. This year in northern Orange County AFSCME ousted a pretty popular democrat for not supporting a bill that gave equal labor protections across the UC system. The Republican who won that seat (someone I’ve had to deal with personally) is an absolute piece of shit – but the message was sent – don’t take Democratic support for granted.
When I talk about ‘the system’ I don’t just mean how Congress allocates funds, or how the public is served by the legal system, I also mean how politics is conducted – whose palms are greased and by who, who gets to influence policy and who doesn’t. AFSCME was trying to reassert how politics gets conducted, and the cost of doing that was some asshole holding a legislative seat for 2 years. Trust me when I say that AFSCME hates the new guy much worse than the old one, but Democrats are now on notice in the state.
WereBear
@hitchhiker: Mmm, I loathe that but see your point :)
I wanted to take the GED and skip high school altogether.
Trivia Man
@Betty Cracker: And if Rose can share a picture of a REAL Robin that will be a bonus.
Betty Cracker
@Scout211: Poor hen. :(
p.a.
@MazeDancer: When backyard/farm eggs are available I grab them. Only issue is the non-standard shells. One requires a hammer stroke and the next explodes across the kitchen with an angry look.
; )
sab
@Trivia Man: They are too small to photograph. Like tiny wrens.
Quaker in a Basement
One of these days, when in Europe, I’ll remember not to look for the eggs in the refrigerated section.
sab
@Ohio Mom: He has been there a couple of years, performimg well.
sab
@Ohio Mom: I will tell my stepson, who works with him and likes him.
Rose Judson
@Trivia Man: I’m away this coming weekend but they are regular visitors to my feeder. I’ll do what I can for you!
sab
@Baud: I was allergic to eggs as a child, and I still don’t like them. All eggs should be fertilized and hatch into chickens in my opinion.
I have three dozen in the fridge and that should last until next next year (2026).
FelonyGovt
Rose, congratulations on the house purchase! It’s a good feeling.
I’m enjoying your posts. Happy New Year!
Trivia Man
@Rose Judson: Thanks. I am not complaining about MY robins, but I know YOUR robins are just better
Betty Cracker
@Trivia Man: I recently saw an episode of the Great American Baking Show, which I assumed was filmed in the U.S., but when they showed a robin closeup, I realized the contestants came to Paul and Prue rather than the other way around!
surfk9
@Martin: SDSU has an Imperial Valley Satellite
Sure Lurkalot
I absolutely love Books of All Time and enjoy your BJ posts. May your house be a joyous haven for you and your kiddo. Happy New Year!
zhena gogolia
@hitchhiker: That’s quite a metaphor. Rings true.
Prescott Cactus
Rose it’s a pleasure to read your posts. Thanks for sharing yourself with the Juice !
Ph64n
Just got back from Gozo, Malta, where 15 eggs cost 1.25 Euro, and a bottle of decent wine 4.69. If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive island adventure in the coming warm months, you could do worse.
Rose Judson
@Ph64n: That sounds tempting! I will discuss it with the Books of All Time Advisory Council (we’re due a group holiday this spring).
wonkie
Hi! I have this image of the UK in my mind–mostly from murder mysteries and Ben Aaronovitch Rivers of London–as a place I’d like to live. I sent some of my books to English readers and I looked up their addresses on google map for fun. I peered at their houses from the air–every damn one of them lives in a cute little cottage on a cute little lane in a town with a name like Bag End.
I know…but I can dream, can’t I?
Meanwhile, I get my eggs from happy chickens on a nearby farm, and I am terrified that they will all die of bird flu. I’m a volunteer at a cat sanctuary and our neighbor, the Wild Felid Center, just go hit hard. Twenty of their cats died. Just fucking tragic.
I’d like to say happy new year, but the best I can come up with is: I hope you all are okay in your personal lives.
Matt McIrvin
@Ohio Mom: I saw an unusual number of turkey vultures in Maryland on the way to visit my folks for Thanksgiving in Virginia.
As for gangs of wild turkeys, we see them around here all the time
In other poultry news, i ate some wild Canada goose on Christmas. Goose for Christmas seemed like a Dickensian sort of thing to have. Holy cow, Canada geese are delicious. I’d never had it before.
Another Scott
@Martin: Thanks for the pointer.
It looks like Gil Rebollar won the mayor’s office via a 5:0 vote (IOW, the mayor of Brawley seems to rotate among city council members (IIRC, Cincinnati does or used to do something like that)). But that’s just something that tweaked a memory with me.
I have great sympathy for the people there, but…
The people there need to do more than be “resigned” to their fate if they want to see things change. That’s the way politics works. I think that just about everyone active in politics understands that, and politics decides where public funds are spent (because there’s never enough funding to invest in everything that needs to be done).
It’s good that he seems to be trying to get people more involved (from the 760news link above):
Godspeed, but I don’t see this opinion piece as a huge wakeup call for Democrats. Yes, civic engagement is important, yes it needs to increase. But people who never vote and never participate in the advocacy and political processes, or drop out when they don’t get what they want, shouldn’t be surprised when people who do show up and put in the work, often for generations, are ahead of them in line.
Of course we need to do the right thing by them. But they need to do their parts as well. Citizenship should not be a passive activity.
My, perhaps too cynical, $0.02.
Thanks again.
Best wishes,
Scott.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@wonkie:
Their kittehs died of what? Bird flu? My wife is volunteering for a group doing a massive TNR at an apartment complex in Aurora, she’s mainly doing socialization work for those trapped and deemed adoptable.
They’ve not said anything about bird flu. I’ll hafta ask if they’re talked about it.
https://www.petmd.com/cat/conditions/respiratory/bird-flu-in-cats
wonkie
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: The Wild Felids died of the bird flu, I think from eating infected raw meat. A domestic cat in Oregon died from commercial cat food that had raw meat in it. Apparently cats can die from eating infected birds.
Matt McIrvin
@hitchhiker: Except for the odd detail that the secondary bullies in this case (you know, the ones you’ve really got to watch out for because they go after people much weaker than themselves to gain status) are all people who self-identify as nerds.
RevRick
@Baud: Just one more data point that inflation was a global problem. Inflation seems to be the inevitable consequence of exogenous shocks to an economy. We suffered nasty bouts after the oil crises of the 1970s (‘73 & ‘79), after WW1 & WW2, and during the Civil War and American Revolution.
Kayla Rudbek
Climate change is real; I don’t ever remember thunderstorms on New Year’s Eve here (Northern Virginia) before.
prostratedragon
Rose, congrats on having had a productive year in spite of everything. I just visited Books of All Time, and it’s looking like a regular stop. Here’s to the next one!
kalakal
@sab: The Bank of England is UK’s Fed. Weirdly ( for a central bank) it was a private bank with shareholders etc from 1694 until it was nationalised 1946.
Another Scott
@Kayla Rudbek: Yup. It was pretty intense for a few minutes!
Of course this means we will get 3-feet of snow in 18 hours in February to make up for it.
:-/
Best wishes,
Scott.
Kayla Rudbek
@Another Scott: Mr Rudbek texted me that there was a tornado warning
La Nonna
Rose, enjoying books of all time podcasts, we listen in the car or in the kitchen, great for keeping our English up to speed. Happy 2025 in the new house.