Ramblings

Interesting article from Newsweek, Darwin v Lincoln. A good analysis, it is insightful and thought-provoking. You may, early on, figure out what the author admits later. One of those who commented was way off base. He claimed Darwin was much greater in that Lincoln was involved in saving "only one country." What this guy ignores is that this "only one country" is the world's "last best hope." You can find it at http://www.newsweek.com/id/143742.

One would think, with all of the bells and whistles that are put on cars, standard equipment mind you, that one of the things would be turn signals. When did those become passe, no longer put on cars? Obviously, they are not on newer model cars since the vast number of lane changers I saw over 5 hours yesterday didn't signal!!!! And, need I mention the cars, trucks, SUVs doing in excess of 80 mph--with $4.20 a gallon gasoline????

Guest column in today's (?) newspaper ripping on state super of schools M. Flanagan. Even more to the point, though somewhat lost in the rest of the article, was the bit about "fake teachers." Yep, but nobody listens. To people today, a degree is a degree is a degree...they are all equal. Little do they know....

Is there anything better than working outside? I've spent the last 4-5 days out there, about 4-5 hours each day--mowing the lawn, hauling dirt and shredded bark, etc. I enjoy the physical nature of that work, but also just being outside is cool. And, what better break than to stop and watch my grandkids play on the trampoline, in the sandbox (that Grandma turned into a pool), and just running the yard.

Good book coming out in Sept, a photo bio of Lincoln. Very poignant pix, great quotations from Abe, with good text. I zipped through my review copy. I'm about halfway through Ellis's Passionate Sage, the John Adams bio. It, too, is very good--but what else might one expect from Ellis? I remain impressed with the research these guys (I know they have researchers, but they have to do it, too) do. Where do they find the time?