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Month: September 2011

Defective dog dilemma and questions of identity

Yesterday, I wrote about a foster dog who came to us with an extensive birth defect in his urogenital system. He was supposed to be neutered and partially repaired today, but when she realized how major the problem was, our wonderful vet started making calls. She’s looking either for advice or for a veterinary surgeon who might take the case pro-bono. The condition — perineal hypospadias — is unusual enough that even a vet from a clinic in the Big City (and in this case, I really mean The Big City, not just the place I laughingly call The Big…

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“It” and other matters

A while back we talked about “it” — The Day, The Moment, the trigger event, the one unmistakable signal that the house of cards is really, truly commencing to fall. Will there ever be such a moment? If so, will we recognize it when it happens or only spot it in retrospect? Or will there be no “it” — just be a dreary slide? Jim B. points out that Rome didn’t collapse in a day. Ellendra asks, apropos of nothing and everything whether politicians joking (?) about suspending elections might qualify as a sign. I don’t know whether we’ll ever…

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Yogurt maker and a defective dog

Yes, I know there’s no reasonable connection between a yogurt maker and a defective dog. Except that I got them both today. Yogurt was never a big part of my diet — except in the “hold my nose and swallow the crap occasionally because it’s good for me” sense. The thin, sour or over-sweetened non-fat yogurt I knew from the grocery store didn’t impress me. But shortly after I went primal, young commentor Winston turned me on to Greek yogurt. Oh man. HUGE difference. Whole different world. Plain, whole-milk Greek yogurt with a spoonful of raw honey in it is…

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Tuesday miscellany

They probably hope to save themselves by selling a billion Justin Bieber stamps. Compromise. Ptooey! Y’know, in a free country they’d be in favor of privacy. I agree this is boneheaded. But this is another misuse of the word “mistake.” It’s not like GM did it by accident or anything. I was a little premature when I railed against this 14 years ago when the pilot project was just getting underway. (This is “freedom” as brought to you by “conservatives.” With the help of “liberals.”) I don’t care if they do make them in camo. It’s a dumb idea. Probably…

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Bad Attitude Guide: great review and now on Kindle

The Bad Attitude Guide to Good Citizenship just got the kind of review authors dream about. Thank you, Frank DuBois! And thank JF and the good people at Paladin for pointing that out while I was keeping my mouth shut last week. I must also note that this is probably the first time I’ve ever been mentioned (favorably, at least) by a former Secretary of Anything. He’s got a good blog, too. Very prolific and worth checking out, especially for Westerners and people interested in the kind of land/water/leave-me-alone issues so prominent in the West. Also: The Bad Attitude Guide…

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The Simplicity Primer:not exactly a book review

Patrice Lewis of the Rural Revolution blog sent me a copy of her new book more than a month ago. I’ve been enjoying it since then, but hesitating because I wasn’t sure how best to review it. I’m still not sure. But since it’s in danger of becoming an old book before I wrap my brain around it, here I am with a few thoughts. Her book is The Simplicity Primer: 365 ideas for making life more livable. You can get it for $10.85 at Amazon using that link, which gives a portion of the purchase price to me. CHANGE:…

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Friday data dump

Some stuff I’ve been collecting while being quiet: Jake MacGregor is back again. Chapter 34 and 35. Ron Paul: speaking truth to knuckleheads (it’s harder than speaking truth to power). Another example of how government helps lower medical costs and make life easier for people. Jacob Hornberger: Blaming America. For fans of the DullHawk flag (aka “Time’s Up”). One of those good news stories. About a gutsy woman and her big, gutsy horse. A rare act of justice One reason I’ve quit focusing on stuff like this is that no matter how creepy it gets, you know next week it’ll…

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The five stages of freedom

“Where is Spartacus?” So asks David A. McElroy, while making himself crazy with political frustration and setting himself up for more. But Spartacus is … right there in your own mirror. If you can only recognize the reflection. McElroy’s frustration makes me want to propose the five stages of freedom, to match the famous Kubler-Ross five stages of grief. Hers are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. For freedomistas I propose: 1. Oblivion: I love my country — which is exactly the same as saying I love my government. Sure, it needs a few tweaks. Yeah, maybe it’s slipped a bit…

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Shifting into neutral

I woke up yesterday morning at 3:00 bathed in sweat, a headache playing in minor key at the back of my neck. But worse than the headache or the drenched nightshirt was the sense of obligation that crushed me from the moment I got conscious. The sweat dried. The headache quickly faded. But the feeling of unmeetable obligations oppressed me for hours and left me tired all day. I get this way once in a while, even though I realize that by the usual measures my life contains fewer obligations than most — no heavy-duty job, no kids, no doddering…

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