Midday over here on the Island. I finally officially close on my house this coming Tuesday, so I am off to the local version of Home Depot to get some new paint for the front door, as a little symbol of my transition from tenant to owner. The door is currently red; I’m thinking a golden yellow would be nice (my house is brick).
I was in the vicinity of the not-Home Depot yesterday, and had a classic Other People’s Cats moment when I cut through a back street to avoid some construction:
“Keep moving and mind your business, lady ape,” is what tabby there is obviously saying. Sound advice in any situation, really.
Open thread, with a preference for hearing about weekend plans. (I’m writing up my podcast episode on Herodotus and meeting a friend for Thai).
Jerry
Weekend plans: watch more Carolina Hurricanes games and go see the mighty Castle Rat tonight.
rikyrah
Good Morning, Everyone😊😊😊
Congratulations on the house👏🏾
Rose Judson
@Jerry: The plague doctor-mask guitarist is amazing.
@rikyrah: Thank you!
WereBear
Resting up from a ridiculously stupid-studded week. Cat & partner snuggling, dipping into the DVD collection, watching the ice melt.
Nukular Biskits
Good mornin’, y’all!
Today’s Biskits agenda includes planting more tomatoes and squash in the new planters I built (translated: wherein NB turned perfectly good lumber into sawdust).
And, weather permitting (T-storms in forecast), grass cutting and/or installing the circular boarders (made of decorative concrete blocks I cut to fit in a circle) around my flowering crabapples I planted last week.
Trivia Man
Herodotus is a fascinating character, interesting to see how his reputation has varied over the last 2,000 years. Seems like he has been mostly vindicated with modern fact checking. At the very least he made story telling a respectable profession.
On a slightly related note, if i hit the lottery id like to fund a tv series based on Plutarch’s Lives. Great drama just waiting to be mined.
Almost Retired
We are on our way to St. Louis from Los Angeles. I convinced my wife to go a bit off the road and spend the weekend in Branson, Missouri – a place I’ve never been and won’t need to revisit. I have never seen a destination more exquisitely designed to hoover up cash from Trump supporters’ wallets.
Lots of theaters with country acts I’ve never heard of. Yakov Smirnoff has a theater here – I can’t even imagine how radically he has had to refashion his schtick. I expect to encounter a feral Osmond brother or two before the weekend is over.
We are taking a pass on the putt putt golf courses, Go-Kart tracks, wax museums and the tiny aquarium that charges $65 dollars for the privilege of seeing a few fish and the opportunity to poke a few lugubrious manta rays resigned to their fate. Going hiking instead. The area is beautiful.
Tickets to the Haygoods tonight. I have no idea who they are, but the reviews were good. I hate country music, but paradoxically I loved my visits to the Grand Ol Opry.
Yes, I realize I sound like an obnoxious coastal elitist snob, and my attitude is part of the problem in outreach. But this place really is ghastly. Sorry. And that’s my weekend.
New Deal democrat
Not a plan this weekend, but a great success yesterday.
Earlier in the week, slow-cooked a roast pork for 18 hours with sliced onions, chicken broth, garlic and herb spices and salt. Meat practically fell apart. Even the bone was getting soft.
Yesterday I reheated it with provolone cheese and covered it with some kale inside a baguette. Moistened it with a little of the broth.
Tastiest Philly-style pork sandwich I’ve ever had. Yum!
Nukular Biskits
@Almost Retired:
I gotta ask: Why are you going?
ewrunning
Off to a Tesla Takedown rally at the nearest sales office followed by a walk through a restored wetland on Lake Washington. Hoping both will be restorative after a rough week.
Almost Retired
@Nukular Biskits: Curiosity ? A sense of adventure? An open mind for new experiences?
…or masochism. Definitely masochism.
Anonymous At Work
I saw “Oy, keep movin’ or I’ll bloody well cut ya, I will!” in that cat.
Rose Judson
@Trivia Man: I love him. I love his digressions and his thirst for gossip. I also appreciate him for the fact that he was writing from his own interest, not because some regime commissioned him, and tried to get multiple perspectives on events where he could.
Kristine
Fast-moving t- storm moved through last night. Close to 70F yesterday, snow showers with possible accumulation tomorrow, then 60s again by Tuesday. Whiplash weather in NE Illinois.
J.
Love the pic!
Scout211
Love the cat side eye pic, Rose! The black and white one is a twin to our Rocky but add quite a bit more tonnage. He’s a big chunky guy our Rocky.
Congrats on the house closing. Finally! What a great milestone for the two of you. And what a great way to purchase a home, buy the one you already live in! No packing, no moving, no unpacking, no changing addresses in all of your accounts, no muss and no fuss! Brilliant.
Big weekend plans here. My middle child and her hubby are coming down for a visit today. They have been so great since my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and they make the drive down here (90 minutes) regularly. I look forward to seeing them every time. Family is everything.
Professor Bigfoot
Fresh coffee and the Australian Grand Prix qualifying on the DVR this morning.
All last week we had wonderful weather and I was busy outside every day; but rain is forecast for the entire weekend and therefore indoor stuff.
I think I’m gonna crank up a printer and see what I can do with this new material.
IN ANY CASE, sweats and slippers all day!
Nukular Biskits
@Almost Retired:
I’m inclined to go with that last answer.
I’ve never been to Branson but I have a LOT of family members and friends who have. And from all I’ve seen and heard, I’d rather have the proverbial sharp stick poked in my right eye.
Fingers crossed you’ll survive your experience with both your intellect and your dignity. LOL
TBone
Corning a nice brisket (that the butcher cut for me) tomorrow so I don’t have to do anything on Monday but add the cabbage and potatoes. Hoping to go to Scranton, PA for St. Peppermint Patty Day (protest) and come home to a ready made classic. Great Grandma Alice Cunningham style.
I use a shortcut – a bottle of McCormick Pickling Spice has the recipe right on back.
narya
@Professor Bigfoot: Yeah, Friend is watching a practice in the background (P1) to see the liveries and new names. Gonna be interesting seeing Lewis in Ferrari red . . .
Misswhatsis
I’m sitting in the hall at a tiny New Hampshire town’s town meeting to urge people to fill out a planning survey. I brought my knitting because it’s going to be a long day.
When I get home I’m mailing a dozen postcards to that traitor in the White House.
Nukular Biskits
@Misswhatsis:
Good for you!
Back when I ran for county supervisor, I attended all the public meetings I could and I was disappointed to see the abysmal level of interest and attendance on the part of the citizenry.
Kristine
Congratulations 🍾 on the closing, Rose. The yellow door sounds grand.
S Cerevisiae
Not exactly a weekend plan but we are going to a spring training baseball game on Monday, Twins vs Pirates (Go Twins!) in Bradenton. Spring training games are a blast and the weather forecast looks great, parking at a nearby brewery and walking to the ballpark.
narya
Today’s plans? I have so! many! root vegetables to deal with–white sweet potatoes, carrots, two more butternuts, celery root, red AND Chioggia beets, other potatoes–plus I have a lot of apples, so I think some kind of apple dessert might be in the offing. Mushrooms, so wine-soaked mushrooms to go with the venison. And I have to tackle my damn taxes. And pay bills, And clean up the crud around the house. At least I don’t need to do laundry; did everything at mom’s house before I left. And some exercise.
TBone
@New Deal democrat: oooh now you’ve done it! I add fresh roasted red peppers to my pork sammies with provolone. Blacken the skins, steam in a brown bag, peel skins off, and slice into delicious strips of sweet delight. Sacrilege? I think not.
narya
@Misswhatsis: When I was in high school, one of the classes I took required that we attend a certain number of public meetings (school board, town council). It was (is) a smallish town, and it was actually interesting.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@Professor Bigfoot: Mr DAW has the qualifying on right now. Lots of changes and new faces this year.
We watched the first two episodes of Drive to Survive. Once the season starts, I have trouble remembering which thing happened where.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@S Cerevisiae: That sounds lovely. A great way to get out and not think about stressful stuff.
rikyrah
I relate to her energy. To her rage. This is how I feel watching the Orange Menace and his merry band of misfits.😠😠😠 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZP82y34E5/
Math Guy
Grading exams. Computing estimated taxes. A little housecleaning.
eclare
I just got an email that my rep, Steve Cohen, is hosting a town hall this Tuesday. He is a loyal Democrat, I expect it will be packed. Undecided as to whether I go.
Professor Bigfoot
@Kristine: Much the same here in NE Ohio.
BellyCat
Also sending congratulations on the house purchase, Rose!
ETA: About to play Gorilla Tag with kiddo in VR. Having just eaten, hoping nausea isn’t crippling. 😂
New Deal democrat
@TBone:
There is no sacrilege if it tastes good!
rebelsdad
@rikyrah: Good morning 😃
WaterGirl
@eclare: It might make you feel better to be around other like-minded people.
eclare
@Almost Retired:
I live in Memphis, so not a coastal elite, and I would never go to Branson.
Y’all could have come to Graceland! I read they just put some more of Elvis’ jumpsuits on display. They are amazing to see, he was tiny.
rebelsdad
Good morning! Alternator went out in my car and it’s supposed to be ready sometime today. Hopefully in time for me to get to the St. Patrick’s Day festival in downtown Tampa. They’re dyeing the Hillsborough River green so it sounds like a fun event.
That cat looks dangerous, like you wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley!
eclare
@New Deal democrat:
Yum! What spices? I don’t use my slow cooker enough.
Professor Bigfoot
@narya: What’s weird AF (so far) is looking at a Mercedes and not looking for Lewis in it.
First race; and looks like rain is forecast for the race so absolutely anything might happen.
LOL I keep forgetting this is on the DVR and isn’t live!
geg6
After one of the loveliest weeks I’ve ever experienced in March here in WPA, the weather, though still warm, is turning back to normal cloudy, windy and possible thunderstorms. So I plan to do a little cleaning and then possibly start watching The Pitt. I hear good things about it and it’s set here in the ‘Burgh, so maybe I can just cover my eyes during the most gory scenes.
eclare
@Scout211:
I am so glad you have family support. It means so much.
TBone
Whar pub crawls?
eventbrite.com/e/philadelphia-st-patricks-day-bar-crawl-2025-tickets-1278192451029
rebelsdad
Congratulations on the house!!!!!!
eclare
@WaterGirl:
My neighborhood is prob 90% D, and the location, Mississippi Blvd Church, is ten minutes from me. When I say it will be packed, I mean to the gills.
And I don’t like crowds. Anytime I call I get a live person, so being heard is not an issue.
UncleEbeneezer
Finishing up our tournament in Farmington, NM today. Girls won one of their matches yesterday (woo hoo!, first win) and will play for third place. Boys are fighting for fifth to avoid being last. Weather was crazy with snow in the morning and constant wind gusts, all day. Highs only reached the low 40’s. Tough weather for tennis but the kids braved it admirably well.
The drive out here from Taos was pretty spectacular going through canyons and then a pine forrest. Farmington itself is kinda depressing. Endless chain restaurants and not much else.
The biggest downside of the trip was that on Friday night (Sat am, really) at 2 am, the fire alarm went off due to an electrical fire in the elevator. Which, considering I’m suffering pretty bad PTSD from our experience with the Eaton Canyon Fire, was not ideal for my mental health. Fire alarm, smoke, wind, all pretty major triggers for me, and then I had to spend 45 minutes in the lobby talking to people who were naturally curious about our fire. Fortunately, last night was mellow and I was able to finally get some sleep. I’ll be very happy to get back home this evening. Tomorrow I’ll be hanging out with the wife and starting to learn material for an art gallery gig I’ll be playing next Sat.
All that said, I’m also probably gonna start taking big breaks from this place since I just don’t have the patience for all the Dem-bashing bullshit. Especially when it’s coming from so many people who didn’t want to get behind our candidates/party when it actually mattered. ALL OF THIS SHIT, right now is just damage control and I have no interest in all the whining from people who helped put Dems in an impossible position. Between that and the general environment of casual antisemitism (cloaked in “AntiZionism”) and yeah, I’m gonna need to step away a lot. I can’t help but notice that a couple of the few, Jewish regulars here who used to call out the nonsense, have skipped out. To me, that speaks volumes about the vibes here (and on the Left, in general), and not in a good way.
TBone
@TBone: this is the one I’m most homesick for
mcgillins.com/
McGillin’s Olde Ale House threw open its doors the year Lincoln was elected president. That’s shortly after the Liberty Bell cracked and long before ground was broken for Philadelphia City Hall. The beer taps have been flowing since 1860 — making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia and one of the oldest taverns in the country.
For history buffs
mcgillins.com/history/
BenInNM
Also giving congratulations on the house! I woke up this morning to a gentle snowfall and watched it while I drank my coffee and had a couple of brownies. The cat joined me for a nice snooze on my lap so that was really nice.
Soon I’ll get my act together and head out to the farmers market. They only have it 2 or 3 times in the winter and they’re usually smaller but last one I was able to get some nice mushrooms so hopefully I’ll be able to get some more today.
Nukular Biskits
@rebelsdad:
[DAD JOKE WARNING!] Where did it go? Did it run off with your refrigerator?
bad-dum-ching
narya
@Professor Bigfoot: We haven’t even watched qually yet–we had to watch the St. Pete Indycar race last night. (I was spoiled for the results, but Friend was not, so I indulged him & didn’t make him wait until I went to bed to watch it.) I really want Lewis to do well this year. Really, though, anybody but Max is fine.
eclare
@narya:
I don’t follow F1, except for the headlines, but I always cheer for Lewis because he is, as the saying goes, easy on the eyes.
I have much respect for the drivers, they are genuine athletes driving those cars.
TBone
@New Deal democrat:
And how!
BritinChicago
@Nukular Biskits: Humphrey Bogart (playing Rick in “Casablanca”), asked why he came to Casablanca says: “For the waters.”. In response to Major Strasser’s skepticism he says: “I was misinformed.”
Sure Lurkalot
@Rose Judson: I was chastised in grad school for liking Herodotus more than the haughty Thucydides, the bitter exile who too self consciously (IMHO) wrote a cautionary tale for the future that too many empires ignored. Thucydides’ Greek was very hard to read as well.
Can’t wait to hear your Herodotus episode! And congratulations on your house purchase, may you and the kid make splendid memories there.
Anyway
The one time (day) I was in memphis we went to the Metal museum. I don’t remember details now but it was a fun place to visit. We skipped Graceland and stopped by Elvis’ birthplace (road trip from MS to PA) instead.
Working today to meet some crazy-ass deadlines
ETA Congratulations Rose!
TBone
Tiedrich does The Stinkeye like nobody’s business.
jefftiedrich.com/p/this-week-in-stupid-march-15-edition
Reading is what’s for cold, gloomy, damp weekend weather. Hot cocoa for breakfast again.
Phylllis
@S Cerevisiae: I grew up a bike ride from (what is now) Lecom Park. Back then it was McKechnie Field and we would hang out in the street waiting on foul balls. Lots of spring training memories-watching Kent Tekulve pitch and Willie Stargill & Mike Schmitt drill homers come to mind.
Scout211
@UncleEbeneezer: It’s so good to hear that you are on your way to settling into your new life. But the PTSD has to be hard.
Ditto.
geg6
I have a new addiction: sweet and salty Chex Mix. OMG, I can’t stop.
eclare
@Anyway:
The Metal Museum has the best view of the Mississippi in Memphis. It is a popular wedding spot.
zhena gogolia
@UncleEbeneezer: Oh, please stick around.
Omnes Omnibus
@eclare: I read that as “popular welding spot.” It makes sense. Really, it does.
eclare
@geg6:
Wow. I kind of regret reading that this is a thing. My go to is the hot and spicy Chex mix, I’ll have to look for the sweet and salty.
eclare
@Omnes Omnibus:
Hahaha…they have welding workshops there! So yours was not a misinterpretation.
Harrison Wesley
@S Cerevisiae: If MCAT is running I might have to check that out.
schrodingers_cat
I have to get my trusty Prius inspected. Then will do Thai for lunch, with husband kitteh that’s tomorrow. Today its cooking for the week and watch an old Hindi movie after dinner.
My shipment of 100% cotton paper arrives today from Blick. I got
Strathmore 90lb 100% cotton mixed media paper
Bee Watercolor journal 100% cotton 8 inches X 8 inches 140 lb cold press paper
Arches Cold Press Pad A4 size 100% cotton 140lb
Also getting some matt graphite pencils. I want to work on my drawing skills. So I will be doing some drawing and loose watercolor that uses WoW (Wet on Wet) techniques.
ETA: I know that there are a bunch of watercolorists on BJ, if you are reading this what do you use for paper and do you a brand that you like for coloring supplies. Thanks.
TBone
New Edwyn Collins music alert! 🎶
youtu.be/qcSRYzAdz0w
I love this guy. Hope y’all enjoy too, if so inclined.
New Deal democrat
@eclare:
The recipe, for a 5 pound pork roast, calls for
– 2 sweet onions, sliced, placed in the bottom of the slow cooker
– 1 tsp salt mixed with 2 tbspns. McCormick garlic and herb seasoning mix rubbed on the roast (the mix includes oregano, parsley, rosemary, basil, red pepper, orange peel, onion, paprika, and celery)
– 2 cups chicken broth poured carefully to avoid washing any of the rub off the top of the roast
Slow cook on low setting for at least 8 hours. As you can see from my comment, I doubled that.
For Philly-style sandwich, top with provolone (I nuked it for 30 seconds on top of the pork to soften it). Add fresh cut kale on top. The “official” sandwich uses an Italian roll, but I used a baguette. I also added a little bit of the broth to the inside of the baguette for more taste and to soften it a little.
Happy eating!
Bulgakov
The weekend will be spent cleaning up tree limbs in the yard from yesterday’s windstorm. Ah, the joys of home ownership in suburbia
narya
@eclare: Very easy on the eyes. Lewis is also interesting in that he has grown as a person, it seems. For example, I remember him buying a table at (I think) the Met gala for black designers–probably something they couldn’t have afforded themselves, and certainly his support would raise their profile.
Harrison Wesley
@TBone: During Prohibition there was a hidden passage between McGillin’s and the Walnut Street Theater that allowed thirsty players to come over and enhance their creativity.
narya
@UncleEbeneezer: I’m so sorry for the PTSD! That must have been so very stressful. I like your voice here; I’m also tired of Dem-bashing, and continue to look for ways to avoid it, but I can see that it might be a bit of overwhelm given what you’ve dealt with recently. Sending good thoughts your way . . .
TBone
@Harrison Wesley: noice! They survived Prohibition in style thanks to Ma McGillin (in the history link I posted) but that part was unknown by me. I think I’ve had their hot grog for Christmas long ago if I remember correctly. They don’t call it grog for nothing! Coulda been somewhere else in Philly…
TBone
@TBone: follow up deleted because paywalled.
Betty Cracker
@S Cerevisiae: Oh, have fun! Love that park for spring training games. Lots of fun places nearby for drinks and dinner too!
eclare
@New Deal democrat:
Thanks! Sounds delish, tho I am partial to pork.
Miss Bianca
@Jerry: OK, me likey – where they playing??
eclare
@UncleEbeneezer:
That fire alarm must have been terrifying, I can’t imagine. I hope that you have some easy days at home to recover.
As far as Balloon Juice, I will miss your comments, but you have to protect your mental health. I think the election of FFOTUS has everyone on edge. I hope you come back after a break.
I always love your TV, movie, and book suggestions!
Librettist
@Almost Retired:
Precious Moments chapel in Carthage.
geg6
@eclare:
Do it! Not too sweet, not too salty…just perfect.
Anastasio Beaverhausen
Saw a bit of sun so I grabbed the tax deductions and hopped on the 65 bus to Kew Gardens. I wanted they to run off some energy and Kew has quite a nice destination playground, with adjacent cafe. So what’s not to like.
kindness
Rose you live in a land with a King. A yellow door would be sunny and nice. A royal purple door would be sweet, even if it pegs you as a bit garish to your neighbors.
NotMax
The British penchant for bright electric colors on front door is a thing. What I’ve never quite grokked, however, is the penchant for the placement of locks and handles at roughly eye level to Wilt Chamberlain.
;)
eclare
@Anastasio Beaverhausen:
Nice! I went there when I lived in London. Sun in March, wow.
prostratedragon
Despite one very unfortunate characterization,
Everybody Wants to Be a Cat.
laura
@schrodingers_cat: Ooh, that 90 weight Strathmore is going to feel so beautiful! I love it for charcoal drawings. Watercolor painting is so hard, but the prep is so satisfying. I really far short on the actual arting it up end, but I find the getting ready to art processes so grounding and satisfying- especially printmaking
I like Windsor Newton little pop in cubes for their heavily pigmented paints so you can pack a travel set in a small holder and also larger color palates for at home work.
Another Scott
Meanwhile, … RollCall.com:
No brilliant, obvious solutions, but they are talking and working and trying to find a path forward.
Worth a click.
Best wishes,
Scott.
NotMax
@prostratedragon
Ugh. Cat? Mark me down with Sandi Toksvig. on the Brit quiz show QI:
“So many cats, so few recipes.”
Mike E
@NotMax: yellow is classic Hobbiton, Bag End chic!
prostratedragon
@NotMax: I am a cat.
To change the subject though, cultural illiteracy is one of the scourges of the day.
Addendum: when I posted this a moment ago, the rotating tag was the one about seeing no possible difficulties …
mrmoshpotato
I got a basketball jones here.
NotMax
@prostratedragon
Not being among the privileged to see rotating tags, just static ones, I can partially commiserate.
:)
rebelsdad
@Nukular Biskits: Dad joke appreciated and added to my repertoire 🤣
NotMax
@mrmoshpotato
If it lasts more than four hours…..
:)
Trivia Man
@Nukular Biskits: “and you dont think hes going to do Moon River at all, then BAM! Second encore!”
Ksmiami
@UncleEbeneezer: have you signed up or looked at the tca.org website in Taos? Lots of cultural events etc. Heading to the Zeppelin movie myself
Melancholy Jaques
Watching Six Nations rugby. Hitting the gym for some exercise. Filling out forms for retirement to be filed on Monday.
Melancholy Jaques
@Ksmiami:
I saw Becoming Led Zeppelin a few weeks ago & really liked it. I like them a lot more now then I did when they were making albums. It isn’t nostalgia. Although their first five albums pretty much bracket my high school years, I wasn’t a huge Zeppelin fan back then.
sab
I get this completely, although I was never a jock, but I am married to a guy who cares about this stuff. He coached his daughter’s basketball team.
When I was coming up decades ago nice girls didn’t do competetive sports. That was and is me.
So we had half court basketball, which never made sense at all.
My stepdaugter loved sports.
MAGAS want to take sports away from girls, return to my school days.
sab
Your recycling bins look just like mine in Ohio. Your “wheely bin” terminology is also catching on.
No cat I know would hang out on a bin. Raccoons ( warm fuzzy looking things) are too scary, even when they don’t have rabies.