Monthly Archives: December 2007

Geez Louise, not only is the political oppression in this country causing anti-war movies to tank at the box office, it’s affected the stage as well: The constitution and the ideals that once set the nation apart have been traded … Continue reading →

Since I’m more or less conservative politically, it follows that I must not only be stupid but also greedy, hypocritical and committed to theocracy, social injustice and the suppression of wimmin-‘n’-minorities. The truth makes no difference: the narrative has already … Continue reading →

Offered without comment: A state legislator claims he wasn’t invited to watch Auburn University battle the University of Alabama on Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium, so his game plan now is to invite Auburn to battle him in Montgomery County Circuit … Continue reading →

I’m getting to this late, but there was a heartwarming story in the New York Times about the wonderful effect of the U.S. embargo on Cuba has had on the ecology of that country and the dangers of it ending: … Continue reading →

In 1971, the Ormandy recording of the Beethoven Ninth opened my eyes to the power and beauty of classical music. When CDs came out, I acquired two Karajan recordings, the 1983 and subsequently the 1977. Now there’s no question that … Continue reading →

We also have a number of original caricatures drawn by the one and only Mike McCartney. McCartney is famous in the dog world for his original and very amusing artwork. Appearing frequently at shows, Mike will turn out a spot-on … Continue reading →

  Artist John Thomas Barry poses with his charcoal portrait of our boy Sarge (Soyara’s Ace of Spades). Mr. Barry saw Sarge at the Bluegrass Cluster shows in Lexington in 2006 and raved over what a good-looking fellow he was. … Continue reading →

Errands this morning, cutting up and hauling off a tree in the yard this afternoon, computer issues this evening.

As though we didn’t have enough things to spend our money on in this house, unfortunately I’ve recently discovered several sites where I can download classical music MP3s. This helps out immeasurably with the “minority recording” problem, where I want … Continue reading →

None of the novels of James Gould Cozzens is now in print. More’s the pity, yet in an age of chick- and hen-lit and little minimalist novels with their one-sentence paragraphs about angst-riddled urban professionals, Cozzens’s work is out of … Continue reading →

My lovely bride is in New Zealand for the holidays visiting with her mother, who’s celebrating her 80th birthday, while her poor husband sits abandoned and freezing at home. Here’s a picture of the family sitting down at dinner; she’s … Continue reading →

Near Bethlehem some time ago, A flock of sheep was dwelling. To shepherds, sheep, and sheep dog, too, Angel choirs came telling. Good news, not fear, to all the world, A baby in a manger. “We’d leave to see,” the … Continue reading →

Dog News recently had another one of their periodic complaints about “cheap champions,” or unworthy dogs receiving championships (no link available). As usual, the editors bemoaned the fact that in the U.S. any dog can get its championship if it’s … Continue reading →

Professor Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has written a book entitled “A More Perfect Constitution” with 23 proposals for revising the Constitution in order “to restore equity for ordinary citizens” and reform “outmoded provisions.” Among … Continue reading →

The Tom Buchanan of the ’90’s talks about his wife, Daisy: Former President Clinton says his wife is a “world-class genius” when it comes to improving the lives of others… Calling the ability to help others the most important quality … Continue reading →