Steve Bannon Hardest Hit

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President Trump gave reporters a "tour" of the new ballroom.  People have opinions about it. Mine has changed. In the wayback machine, on the day it was first announced, I thought it was terrible, for the same reason I didn't like it  (see middle of the link) when the Obamas put out a huge tent so they could do a grand, emperial-style state dinner instead of the republican-sized one dictated by the size of the White House. I want to stick with republican scale. 

But then I read up on the way the war in Ukraine is being fought with drones, or how we demolished practically the entire Iranian cabinet at one meeting and realized the days of presidents entertaining in tents outside -- the days of being in non-hardened locations-- are probably forever gone, and the Prez, as per usual, is showing foresight and love of country while managing to communicate only (before today anyway) "the biggest, the best."  

But whatever. What I can't believe is how the press buried the lede.  In the course of his "tour," the President made the point that the ballroom will be finished just as he is finishing his term (scroll to about a minute in), so the ballroom is for future presidents, not himself.  Guys:  this means he has no plans to run for a third term! 


Tomatoes In Ground! 2026

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 May 19th,  97F, laid in the following plants. 

  • one volunteer seeded itself; wonder what it is? 
  • 1 early girl (bc: early) 
  • 2 lemon boys (yellow seems to fool the birds and squirrels, at least so far) 
  • 1 "black prince" (bc: who could resist that name?) 
  • Something else red & beefsteaky I can't recall. 
Plus an eggplant for good measure. 


[Already growing as cold season crops: 
  • radishes (mostly harvested, a few to go) 
  • carrots 
  • various lettuces 
  • various herbs
  • marigolds 
  • mar de bois stawberries, finally mature after three seasons 
  • blueberries
  • peas, but they aren't doing well; too shady
  • asparagus (can't pick this year; next year) ] 

Epiphany of the Lord, 2026

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Image credit: Adoration of the Magi by Pekka Halonen, shamelessly pinched from here. 



 

Merry Christmas, Day 12

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Image credit: Adoration of the KingsFritz Freund Anbetung der Könige, shamelessly pinched from Wiki.
Click to enlarge! 

Continuing with the Kings theme since we are between Epiphany celebrations. 

Merry Christmas, Day 11, Epiphany in the U.S.

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Image credit: Virgin and Child flanked by Archangels by a follower of Fre Seyon. 
Shamelessly pinched from here


Highly recommend Pope Leo's homily for New Year's Day. It's a reflection on human freedom and the best way to use our freedom in the new year. 

In Mary’s divine motherhood, then, we see the meeting of two immense, “unarmed” realities: that of God, who renounces every privilege of his divinity to be born in the flesh (cf. Phil 2:6-11), and that of a human person who, trustingly and fully, embraces God’s will. In a perfect act of love, she offers him the greatest power she possesses: her freedom.

And because it's Epiphany in the U.S.: Nations Shall Walk by Your Light



Merry Christmas, Day 10

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Image credit: Rest on the Flight Into Egypt, Luc Olivier Merson. Shamelessly pinched from wiki



 Dorothy Day's New Year's Resolutions.
 

Tony Esolen on the prologue of St. John & Christmas

Merry Christmas, Day 9, Basil & Gregory

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Image credit: Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Bartolomé Murillo. Shamelessly pinched from Wiki


I grew up singing "St. Basil's hymn" as a Christmas Carol from Alan Mills' Christmas Songs from Many Lands.  Here is a hammered dulcimer version that is hauntingly beautiful and fascinating to watch. 

Also, I think this guy has the right idea.  (I do make resolutions, but usually at the close of my annual retreat. Not now, for these reasons). 


Ring Out, Wild Bells

Scott Adams is passing away. This thread documents the number of people who found sobriety or the strength to tackle a big challenge through his work. It's nice he gets to see the tributes. 

Books Read, 2025

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This is a post to aid the organic hard drive and not truly for public consumption.  Hard year, light on good reading. 

Scripture 
Matthew
Luke
Virtually the entire Bible for a class  

Popery 
Dilexi te

Shakespeare 
Merry Wives of Windsor

Merry Christmas, Day 8, Happy New Year!

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Image credit: Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Philipp Otto Runge. Shamelessly pinched from here.


Fr. Schall from 20 years ago today on Amiability

If you understand Italian, Pope Leo's remarks at the Te Deum/ First Vespers of the Mother of God last night are lovely (about 35 minutes in).