Rondell,
It'a the Big White Whale: Moby Dick. I think close to 700 pages or more.
daddio
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
A "Yellow Raft " was very good. The story is told in reverse in a really neat way. I won't say more as others may have not read it yet.
"War and Peace" is always bad mouthed as long and boring; wrong, its like a good soap opera; I read it in college. Mom, seriously, you'll love the book. Willing to try it?
John
"War and Peace" is always bad mouthed as long and boring; wrong, its like a good soap opera; I read it in college. Mom, seriously, you'll love the book. Willing to try it?
John
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
May selections for the Taylor Bookclub
I have chosen Dick Francis' "Dead Heat " and Michael Dorris' "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water" as our May selections. Please secure these books through your library; it truly is a waste of money to spend $15.00 to $30.00 on a book when you can rent it for free at the library.
daddio
daddio
April Book Club Selection
I really liked our April selection, a collection of three stories by the Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz( pn. Na-gib(long i) Ma- fooz(long oo).
There is a very interesting short biography of Mahfouz at Wikopedia which I recommend.
"Autumn Quail", one of the stories, has a hopeful twist at the end. "Thief and the Dogs", another of the stories, follows a principled rebel(in a strange way) who chooses, at the end, his fate.
daddio
There is a very interesting short biography of Mahfouz at Wikopedia which I recommend.
"Autumn Quail", one of the stories, has a hopeful twist at the end. "Thief and the Dogs", another of the stories, follows a principled rebel(in a strange way) who chooses, at the end, his fate.
daddio
Monday, April 19, 2010
Moving My Bethany
I had an outstanding weekend. We moved Bethany to 3074 Palmer. This is an elegant, restored turn of the century building. I made new friends: Adam, Deborah, Gabriel and Zachary. Ashley and Bethany are roomates again:YEH!!!. Ashley is one of my favorite people.
Colin impressed me with his moving skills. He is not quite up to daddio's strength and endurance, but, he certainly is outstanding in those areas.
Jeff and Matt, my literary friends visited and I have plans for Jeff'f new book. I believe I will be chosen as his editor and literary agent. It undoubtedly will be a best seller, and Jeff has offered me a generous 5% of the book profits( my retirement has thus been accelerated to age 75; much to the chagrin of my crack dealing defendants). Kristen brought me two dozen delicious oatmeal and raisin cookies, and no kidding, I had then finished off by 8:00PM Sunday.
I can't imagine a better weekend. I truly have no complaints about my life. I will probably die the happiest man in the universe.
Well, love to "All My Children" !!
daddio
Colin impressed me with his moving skills. He is not quite up to daddio's strength and endurance, but, he certainly is outstanding in those areas.
Jeff and Matt, my literary friends visited and I have plans for Jeff'f new book. I believe I will be chosen as his editor and literary agent. It undoubtedly will be a best seller, and Jeff has offered me a generous 5% of the book profits( my retirement has thus been accelerated to age 75; much to the chagrin of my crack dealing defendants). Kristen brought me two dozen delicious oatmeal and raisin cookies, and no kidding, I had then finished off by 8:00PM Sunday.
I can't imagine a better weekend. I truly have no complaints about my life. I will probably die the happiest man in the universe.
Well, love to "All My Children" !!
daddio
Monday, April 12, 2010
eagle creek state park
did an 11 mile hike this weekend at lake shelbyville and camped overnite with friends from Chicago and mattoon. gorgeous weather. saw two wild turkeys and a blue racer snake. slept without a tent and was warm and cozy. had a great campfire and great food with a dutch oven and good cooks. the trail was moderately rugged and I noticed the young bucks had trouble keeping up with daddio; they don't make um like they used too. some of these young guys just lack grit. hope they are ready when the ruskies hit the east coast or we midwestern rednecks might have to tool out with our long knives and shotguns and save you liberal pansie asses.well, back to chewing my tobacco and shootin squirrels;gonna have me fried squirrel, dandelion greens and cornbread tonight; think ma might have some cool cider in the cellar.
daddio
daddio
Monday, April 5, 2010
April Book Selection
A Trilogy of three novels by Naguib Mahfouz: "The Beggar", "The Thief and the Dogs", and "Autumn Quail".
daddio
daddio
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Bethany
Beth's appendectomy surgery went perfectly. Barb is with her;thank the good lord. Bethany will always be my baby girl; can't help it, I'm a dad. Colin really stepped into the breach; got Bethany into surgery and stayed with her all day and into the night; he always is there when we need him; he has grown into the man every father hopes his son will be.
Dad
Dad
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Helping Others
Today, I believe I have seen the most important legislation passed in my lifetime and signed by our President. This is a great country where the majority still believes that helping others who can't help themselves is a moral imperative.
I will never forget this day as long as I live. FDR and LBJ stand aside; you were great, but you were not of the character and tenaciousness of President Barack Obama. I am in tears as I write this.
Dad
I will never forget this day as long as I live. FDR and LBJ stand aside; you were great, but you were not of the character and tenaciousness of President Barack Obama. I am in tears as I write this.
Dad
Sunday, March 21, 2010
A vote for those without health care
Today is the day that good people have made. The vote will be YES in the House for health care. President Obama: you are THE Man.
daddio
daddio
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Rainy Days and Sundays
This weekend we had the clouds and the darkness, but..... we also had Colin visiting with us! We missed Kristin but we will see her Easter at Grandma Barb's; although we still missed her this weekend. I'll just have to let Rondell's stories suffice for now.
Howard and I took an outstanding walk this morning. The stars were bright, it was still dark, and we pretty much had the neighborhood to ourselves. I'm seeing a lot of rabbits out there so I know spring is here.It smells and sounds like spring; it is truly a gift.
Ivanhoe is coming along; a little slower than I had anticipated. It is good historical fiction. When I finish it I'll get a history book on the Crusades; nothing too academic, just some history. Mom, maybe you can join in with me and share your thoughts. The Crusades might have particular relevance given the situation in the mideast these days.
daddio
Howard and I took an outstanding walk this morning. The stars were bright, it was still dark, and we pretty much had the neighborhood to ourselves. I'm seeing a lot of rabbits out there so I know spring is here.It smells and sounds like spring; it is truly a gift.
Ivanhoe is coming along; a little slower than I had anticipated. It is good historical fiction. When I finish it I'll get a history book on the Crusades; nothing too academic, just some history. Mom, maybe you can join in with me and share your thoughts. The Crusades might have particular relevance given the situation in the mideast these days.
daddio
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Ivanhoe and The Speedy Trial Act
"Ivanhoe" details, in part, the animosity between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons; good history. It also puts a pretty bad hit on the Jews. Scott wrote the novel in 1819 and it may have been Scott's intent, not to mock the Jews, but to point out the injustice of prejudice to the Jews not only during the 1200's but also in the England of 1819. Anyway.. its a good read and the mysteries are spinning.
Jeff, on another note, Thomas strains the meaning of the statute. He tries his best to invoke strict statutory constuction, but.... Alito is the practical jurist in the dissent. Although the act is obviously statutory, its root is the Constitution, and their is no way the founding father's intended to make the speedy trial right a technical provision to sandbag the government; which is exactly what happened under Thomas' strained opinion; what idiots; Thomas should have stayed with recycling coke cans.
daddio
Jeff, on another note, Thomas strains the meaning of the statute. He tries his best to invoke strict statutory constuction, but.... Alito is the practical jurist in the dissent. Although the act is obviously statutory, its root is the Constitution, and their is no way the founding father's intended to make the speedy trial right a technical provision to sandbag the government; which is exactly what happened under Thomas' strained opinion; what idiots; Thomas should have stayed with recycling coke cans.
daddio
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
And the Birds Will Sing
Howard and I enjoyed the songs of the birds on our morning walk today. The days are longer; we leave work before sunset. There are breakings of soil by emerging flowers; life is on the mend.
Ivanhoe is getting very interesting. The intrigues of the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons are emerging. More on that later.
daddio
Ivanhoe is getting very interesting. The intrigues of the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons are emerging. More on that later.
daddio
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Homage and Turkey Run
Dear Folks,
Finally finished Homage yesterday. About a week late but immediately tore into Ivanhoe. As Mom noted, about 50 of the last 90 pages of Homage chronicle the various left wing party intrigues of the Spanish Civil War and are boring; they reflect left wing stupidity, i.e. it is better to be ideologically correct than to keep fascism out of power.The ideologues lost again, as they usually do, to the detriment of all. Sort of reminds me of the Democrats in Congress today. They could achieve significant health care reform in a heart beat by just adopting the Senate Bill in toto. Instead , they keep their eye over their shoulder to re-election and their own self interest; to heck with the general good.I really think it is time for the President to bring out all the power of the presidency and, even if it costs him the next presidential election, take some very crude and vicious action to bring the Congress to pass a bill NOW. This is not the time for compromise within your own party, its the time to enforce and to use the awesome power that the office of president has to bring people into line. LBJ did it. Roosevelt did it. President Obama can do it.
I'm hoping for the best.
love you all,
daddio
out
On a more positive note-I spent yesterday hiking Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. Weather was o0utstanding. Bethany will remember the which I
Finally finished Homage yesterday. About a week late but immediately tore into Ivanhoe. As Mom noted, about 50 of the last 90 pages of Homage chronicle the various left wing party intrigues of the Spanish Civil War and are boring; they reflect left wing stupidity, i.e. it is better to be ideologically correct than to keep fascism out of power.The ideologues lost again, as they usually do, to the detriment of all. Sort of reminds me of the Democrats in Congress today. They could achieve significant health care reform in a heart beat by just adopting the Senate Bill in toto. Instead , they keep their eye over their shoulder to re-election and their own self interest; to heck with the general good.I really think it is time for the President to bring out all the power of the presidency and, even if it costs him the next presidential election, take some very crude and vicious action to bring the Congress to pass a bill NOW. This is not the time for compromise within your own party, its the time to enforce and to use the awesome power that the office of president has to bring people into line. LBJ did it. Roosevelt did it. President Obama can do it.
I'm hoping for the best.
love you all,
daddio
out
On a more positive note-I spent yesterday hiking Turkey Run State Park in Indiana. Weather was o0utstanding. Bethany will remember the which I
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Ivanhoe is Still Our March Selection
Mom is half way through Ivanhoe, so, lets stick with it!!!!
daddio
daddio
Homage and Ivanhoe
By popular demand we are dropping Ivanhoe as our March selection. I ask Mom, within the next two days to announce our March selection. Mom, pick a book you would like to read, don't be intimidated by those intellectuals Joel and Jeff; they are all huff and puff!
Secondly, I strongly recommend those who read "Homage" to "Wikopedia" the Spanish Civil War and read the article. Homage is very confusing because of the many political parties that fought in that war. The article really helps.
daddio
Secondly, I strongly recommend those who read "Homage" to "Wikopedia" the Spanish Civil War and read the article. Homage is very confusing because of the many political parties that fought in that war. The article really helps.
daddio
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thunder; Fire; Shudder; Shutter Island?????
It could be all four.
Barbie and I used our senior citizen discounts at the matinee theatre yesterday to view Shutter Island( which we much enjoyed). I'm still pondering the plot( just figured out the Justice Department license plates on the warden's jeep) Ben Kingsley probably stole the show but DeCaprio was outstanding.
We've heard robins chirping this weekend so spring must be near.
Forgot to tell you all I went on a retreat with the church youth group to Wisconsin last weekend. We did tobogganing, hockey without skates, snowshoes, and cross country skiing. Great time.
I intend to go hiking at Turkey Run this weekend with the Corn Desert Group; will report Monday.
I confess to our book club that I am finishing off a non-book club book today, I'll knock off Homage in a couple nights and will be on track with Ivanhoe by the end of the week. I hope to have a decent report on Homage, but.... Mom didn't like it so maybe I won't either.
.
peace and love,
daddio
Barbie and I used our senior citizen discounts at the matinee theatre yesterday to view Shutter Island( which we much enjoyed). I'm still pondering the plot( just figured out the Justice Department license plates on the warden's jeep) Ben Kingsley probably stole the show but DeCaprio was outstanding.
We've heard robins chirping this weekend so spring must be near.
Forgot to tell you all I went on a retreat with the church youth group to Wisconsin last weekend. We did tobogganing, hockey without skates, snowshoes, and cross country skiing. Great time.
I intend to go hiking at Turkey Run this weekend with the Corn Desert Group; will report Monday.
I confess to our book club that I am finishing off a non-book club book today, I'll knock off Homage in a couple nights and will be on track with Ivanhoe by the end of the week. I hope to have a decent report on Homage, but.... Mom didn't like it so maybe I won't either.
.
peace and love,
daddio
Friday, February 26, 2010
Hotel Rwanda
Barb, Abby and I watched Hotel Rwanda last night. Well done movie.
The only shortcoming was the inability within a commercial movie to really portray the massacre. I represent a man from the Congo who has political refugee status in the U.S. He forged a passport to get his sister out of Congo. Women are raped and murdered in the Congo on a regular basis by the "soldiers" of both the rebels and the government. In getting to know him, we discussed the carnage in depth; it is incredible. In any event, we should count our blessings that in this country the government keeps the animals under some control.
daddio
P.S. Colin. No, animals does not refer to blacks. It refers to men of all colors.
The only shortcoming was the inability within a commercial movie to really portray the massacre. I represent a man from the Congo who has political refugee status in the U.S. He forged a passport to get his sister out of Congo. Women are raped and murdered in the Congo on a regular basis by the "soldiers" of both the rebels and the government. In getting to know him, we discussed the carnage in depth; it is incredible. In any event, we should count our blessings that in this country the government keeps the animals under some control.
daddio
P.S. Colin. No, animals does not refer to blacks. It refers to men of all colors.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
My Boss
Yesterday the Urbana office took a road trip to our home office in Peoria for a pot lunch for a retiring employee. I took a cherry pie I'd baked and folks gushed over it. Fruit pies are pretty easy to make, unless you decide to make your own pie crust( with lard; they are the best).
My boss is a chronic tie buyer and gave me about 20 ties which are $100.00 to $150.00 dollar ties. He buys them, wears them three to four times, or not at all, then gives them to me for free. It is extremely generous of him.After an extremely rocky start we really have become incredibly tight friends; he has really looked out for me in many ways, including good annual raises.
love you all,
daddio
My boss is a chronic tie buyer and gave me about 20 ties which are $100.00 to $150.00 dollar ties. He buys them, wears them three to four times, or not at all, then gives them to me for free. It is extremely generous of him.After an extremely rocky start we really have become incredibly tight friends; he has really looked out for me in many ways, including good annual raises.
love you all,
daddio
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Michigan
Folks,
I'm not much of a sports fan anymore, but......... the Illini beat the Wolverines last night and a successful basketball season for me is when you just beat Michigan, the rest is icing on the cake.
On a more serious note, we are enduring layoffs of union workers in building services at the UI, ie, carpenters , electricians, millwrights. I'm not sure I've seen this since I've been here. Need to check my facts on that issue.In any event it is disturbing.
No reason to come unglued, just a reminder that this is a recession that may last for many more years.
love you all,
dadio
I'm not much of a sports fan anymore, but......... the Illini beat the Wolverines last night and a successful basketball season for me is when you just beat Michigan, the rest is icing on the cake.
On a more serious note, we are enduring layoffs of union workers in building services at the UI, ie, carpenters , electricians, millwrights. I'm not sure I've seen this since I've been here. Need to check my facts on that issue.In any event it is disturbing.
No reason to come unglued, just a reminder that this is a recession that may last for many more years.
love you all,
dadio
Monday, February 22, 2010
The President Shows His Gumption
After much criticism from lefties like me( "lefty "only on the subjects of aid to the poor and lower middle class) the President has shown he can take the punch and come roaring back. I believe the President took a play from Ali's book (aka Cassius Clay):"the rope a dope" i.e., take an incredible beating on the ropes by your opponent, then, after being almost counted down,out of nowhere come out with a devasting assault on the opposing fighter producing a knockout or a TKO. It worked for Ali, and I believe it will work for the President now: we are going to get a health bill with substantial reforms.
Many of you know there were only two boxers in history who could take the punishing blows of the "rope a dope"; add one more to that group- our President
daddio
Many of you know there were only two boxers in history who could take the punishing blows of the "rope a dope"; add one more to that group- our President
daddio
Friday, February 19, 2010
Jeff, Jane, and Paul
Had a wonderful "nite run" to Tiskilwa Wednesday night to visit with Jeff, Jane, Paul and Mom. great time!!! I got me some good hugs.
Jeff and I will make an AirCon trip to California to visit Paul; time undetermined. I need to check in with my friends at the U.S. Marshall's to get us a late flight from Terre Haute FCI to California BOP. I haven't told Jeff who our fellow passengers will be, but, suffice it to say, at 58, Jeff is not the "young meat the boys eat". Now, if I can get Joel to go, he may be in some trouble; he is still looking pretty good.
Gallows humor aside, I really treasure my close connections with my family. When I get together with family, even for a few hours,it seems like the world has stopped; I am where I need to be and want to be.
Mom has always been right; family is all we really have.
Love to all my family
daddio
Jeff and I will make an AirCon trip to California to visit Paul; time undetermined. I need to check in with my friends at the U.S. Marshall's to get us a late flight from Terre Haute FCI to California BOP. I haven't told Jeff who our fellow passengers will be, but, suffice it to say, at 58, Jeff is not the "young meat the boys eat". Now, if I can get Joel to go, he may be in some trouble; he is still looking pretty good.
Gallows humor aside, I really treasure my close connections with my family. When I get together with family, even for a few hours,it seems like the world has stopped; I am where I need to be and want to be.
Mom has always been right; family is all we really have.
Love to all my family
daddio
Monday, February 15, 2010
Abby and Daddio debate
Folks,
If I want to add a contact to gmail I believe it would be user friendly to just go to gmail "Contacts" hit "add a contact" and add the new contact. It doesn't apparently work that way. Abby believes the current mode, ie, starting a new email and putting the new address on the same, and automatically thereby adding the new contact to your contact list is more user friendly. HIUH???
Readers, please contact, I hate losing arguments to the petulant abby
daddio
If I want to add a contact to gmail I believe it would be user friendly to just go to gmail "Contacts" hit "add a contact" and add the new contact. It doesn't apparently work that way. Abby believes the current mode, ie, starting a new email and putting the new address on the same, and automatically thereby adding the new contact to your contact list is more user friendly. HIUH???
Readers, please contact, I hate losing arguments to the petulant abby
daddio
Valentine's Day
Dear Folks,
Wonderful Valentine's day for the federally employed. Three days of vacation with health benefits!
Anyway; Howie and I walked this weekend and I wore a backpack with 25 lbs of weight during the walk. 25# is suggested for most adults backpacking, but, as my daughters know, I am stronger than most men so I'll eventually train up to 50#s; sometimes there are some ladies who hike with us and we real men should carry their packs too( Jeff, how many pounds did we carry at Philmont?)
Barb and I watched two movies this weekend: Godfather part I, and part of(no pun intended)Godfather part II. We will go to a movie today: I'm rooting for the new Leonardo Caprio horror film, but she who must be obeyed will make the final decision.
Barb and I went to the play Abby directed Friday night: great!!!! Abby worked very hard as she always does for her craft.
Abby and Barb bought a gorgeous prom dress for Abby yesterday; she is striking.( remember my girls: Beth, Abby and Kristin- "the clothes don't make the girl, the girl makes the clothes").
Believe it or not I had to put a hold on "Homage" so I'll be starting a bit late; but, the fact someone else in Urbana is reading it shows how literate a community is Urbana!
Well, I need to up my lithium level a tad as I am in one of my "over the top" moods this morning, but, ain't mania great!!
Love you all dearly, especially "all my children"( Colin, you were to send me an email with a picture of you, Beth, Abby, AND Kristen that I can use as a header; where is it my man?
love,
daddio
Wonderful Valentine's day for the federally employed. Three days of vacation with health benefits!
Anyway; Howie and I walked this weekend and I wore a backpack with 25 lbs of weight during the walk. 25# is suggested for most adults backpacking, but, as my daughters know, I am stronger than most men so I'll eventually train up to 50#s; sometimes there are some ladies who hike with us and we real men should carry their packs too( Jeff, how many pounds did we carry at Philmont?)
Barb and I watched two movies this weekend: Godfather part I, and part of(no pun intended)Godfather part II. We will go to a movie today: I'm rooting for the new Leonardo Caprio horror film, but she who must be obeyed will make the final decision.
Barb and I went to the play Abby directed Friday night: great!!!! Abby worked very hard as she always does for her craft.
Abby and Barb bought a gorgeous prom dress for Abby yesterday; she is striking.( remember my girls: Beth, Abby and Kristin- "the clothes don't make the girl, the girl makes the clothes").
Believe it or not I had to put a hold on "Homage" so I'll be starting a bit late; but, the fact someone else in Urbana is reading it shows how literate a community is Urbana!
Well, I need to up my lithium level a tad as I am in one of my "over the top" moods this morning, but, ain't mania great!!
Love you all dearly, especially "all my children"( Colin, you were to send me an email with a picture of you, Beth, Abby, AND Kristen that I can use as a header; where is it my man?
love,
daddio
Monday, February 8, 2010
A Winter Wonderland
Daddio went winter camping with the Corn Desert Hiking group at Kickapoo Park this weekend. We had a huge fire and many funny stories. Many were drinking but daddio kept his vows and was the designated camper, i.e., I kept a very careful eye on the fire and those who ventured near it.I met many new nice people ; folks who like backcamping and hiking. I'm planning a three to four day backpacking trip in the Shawnee in March with the group. They eat great food by the way.
I'm finishing "The What is the What"(great book Colin!), and will be tearing into " Homage".
daddio
I'm finishing "The What is the What"(great book Colin!), and will be tearing into " Homage".
daddio
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February Book Club-Joel
Joel,
We have convened a meeting of the Taylor Book Club. You were not invited for a reason. It is the unanimous decision of the group that unless you post a February book selection by midnight today you will be placed on double secret probation, and I will have to choose a Danielle Steele novel for your February selection which only you will be mandated to read, AND, submit a precis regarding the same to the book club. The rest of us, by default, will be reading "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell. This book should be available in all public libraries so I suggest our members secure one now. It can be bought cheaply in paperback but I abhor wasting money so please rent from the library and give the amount you would have paid for the book to the book club treasury to see if we can pay for a remedial reading course for Joel(he will need it once he gets hooked on Danielle Steele".
daddio
daddio
We have convened a meeting of the Taylor Book Club. You were not invited for a reason. It is the unanimous decision of the group that unless you post a February book selection by midnight today you will be placed on double secret probation, and I will have to choose a Danielle Steele novel for your February selection which only you will be mandated to read, AND, submit a precis regarding the same to the book club. The rest of us, by default, will be reading "Homage to Catalonia" by George Orwell. This book should be available in all public libraries so I suggest our members secure one now. It can be bought cheaply in paperback but I abhor wasting money so please rent from the library and give the amount you would have paid for the book to the book club treasury to see if we can pay for a remedial reading course for Joel(he will need it once he gets hooked on Danielle Steele".
daddio
daddio
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Our President
The President was outstanding last night. The "girly men": Senate and the House: Republican and Democrats don't have a clue; they are spineless. We need my hero Josef "Joe" Stalin to start the trials.I'm happy to preside; it will be quick but not painless.
daddio
daddio
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A great Saturday
Barb and I took a day trip to Chicago to view Kristen's art show; we were not disappointed. I'm still pondering Kristen's four works. Once I've seen a piece of art I need to reflect and think about it for a few days.
We then had a great lunch with my Bethany joining us. I also had the true delight of meeting Romie and her parents. I really believe Romi and I could really connect if I lived in Chicago and could then make the time to spend with Bethany and her. She is a very alert little child and very precious.
Joel, what might our February book selection be? I am anxiously waiting.
Colin, I'm glad you shared Egger's "What is the What" with me. I was reading it last night and this morning and it is outstanding! Zehtoun just doesn't have the same strength and composition
daddio
We then had a great lunch with my Bethany joining us. I also had the true delight of meeting Romie and her parents. I really believe Romi and I could really connect if I lived in Chicago and could then make the time to spend with Bethany and her. She is a very alert little child and very precious.
Joel, what might our February book selection be? I am anxiously waiting.
Colin, I'm glad you shared Egger's "What is the What" with me. I was reading it last night and this morning and it is outstanding! Zehtoun just doesn't have the same strength and composition
daddio
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Selfish Americans?
How do you read the American people? On one hand they give nobly and with passion to help out the struggling in Haiti. On the other hand they selfishly guard their own health benefits and deny them to the uninsured and underinsured in their own country; men, women and children with whom they work and live with day by day.The American people poll out as not supporting even a modest reform of our health care system. I reserve special ire for the senior citizens. They enjoy good Medicare coverage financed by even those who have no health insurance themselves( yes, people who work without health insurance still pay the Medicare tax from their payroll earnings); yet, they worry the proposed health care bill might diminish their own health care, and therefore reject the same. Many of our young people cannot get health insurance through their employment and cannot afford it on their own; yes, these are our children and your children, not some fantasized "other".
I am mindful many of our seniors support national health coverage; unfortunately, they are a minority of that age group.
The old kill our young; they devour our seed corn.
To our seniors: have you no shame?
I have all my adult life been proud of this country's support of Social Security and Medicare benefits; they have allowed our senior citizens to have some measure of economic security in their old age.
I am very angry; and I will stay angry
daddio
I am mindful many of our seniors support national health coverage; unfortunately, they are a minority of that age group.
The old kill our young; they devour our seed corn.
To our seniors: have you no shame?
I have all my adult life been proud of this country's support of Social Security and Medicare benefits; they have allowed our senior citizens to have some measure of economic security in their old age.
I am very angry; and I will stay angry
daddio
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Zeitoung(sp)
Folks,
With my apologies to Colin, I don't think this is a really good book. I just don't like the writing style: it reads like poor biography. Having said that , it is a clear and convincing work documenting and damning our own government. It shows a massive disregard and callousness to those who lived in New Orleans. I note this morning we are sending 2000 war hardend Marines to Haiti with many ships and massive aid. Why couldn't we have done that in New Orleans? I don't think we can blame all of this on Bush JR. Anyone who voted for Gore is responsible for this moral failure.
daddio
With my apologies to Colin, I don't think this is a really good book. I just don't like the writing style: it reads like poor biography. Having said that , it is a clear and convincing work documenting and damning our own government. It shows a massive disregard and callousness to those who lived in New Orleans. I note this morning we are sending 2000 war hardend Marines to Haiti with many ships and massive aid. Why couldn't we have done that in New Orleans? I don't think we can blame all of this on Bush JR. Anyone who voted for Gore is responsible for this moral failure.
daddio
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Beauty of Cold
several mornings in a row now I have got up and it is zer0 degrees outside. The air is so wonderfully crisp and clean. If you dress warmly you will be able to walk or hike in comfort. There are very few people out and you pretty much have the trees and sky to yourself.
I'm going to try some hiking at Forest Glen today. The snow ought to have been beaten down on the trails by the deer but we'll have to wait to see.
I've joined an outdoors hiking and backpacking group and we have a winter campout scheduled for February. I have some new eqiupment from Christmas so I am sure I will be out at Forest Glen and Kickapoo for some winter hiking and camping prior to then.
I am finishing "The God of Small Things"; a wonderful book Kristin gave me for Christmas, then I must dig into Eggers book therafter.
Love you "all my children"; which now includes Kristin so I need a picture of Kristin, Colin, Beth and Abby together if any of you can email me one please.
daddio
I'm going to try some hiking at Forest Glen today. The snow ought to have been beaten down on the trails by the deer but we'll have to wait to see.
I've joined an outdoors hiking and backpacking group and we have a winter campout scheduled for February. I have some new eqiupment from Christmas so I am sure I will be out at Forest Glen and Kickapoo for some winter hiking and camping prior to then.
I am finishing "The God of Small Things"; a wonderful book Kristin gave me for Christmas, then I must dig into Eggers book therafter.
Love you "all my children"; which now includes Kristin so I need a picture of Kristin, Colin, Beth and Abby together if any of you can email me one please.
daddio
Friday, January 1, 2010
Taylor Family Book Club
Well now, Pip was quite the young man now, wasn't he. Great redemption of Miss Havisham, and the same for Pip. Jaggers a bit of a hard guy. Estella made it to the homestretch with panache.
So.........Mom, January is your selection. We expect to hear from you within the next week.
daddio
So.........Mom, January is your selection. We expect to hear from you within the next week.
daddio
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