Fruit Flies

 Every year at some time I have to make a fruit fly trap.

A wide mouth jar, cider vinegar, and a cone of paper.

I made this one and within an hour I had fruit flies trapped.

A simple solution!

Jennifer Rubin Says it Well

from the Washington Post, September 13, 2024

by Jennifer Rubin

Two revealing surveys of religious groups in the United States 

What caught my eye The last survey from the Public Religion Research Institute tells us there is a large group of authoritarian-inclined Americans who are overrepresented among Republicans and White evangelical Christians. Republicans are about 2½ times more likely than Democrats to agree with measures of political violence: that “patriots may have to resort to violence to save our country” (27 percent vs. 8 percent); that “everyday Americans will need to ensure the rightful leader takes office, even if it requires taking violent actions” (24 percent vs. 10 percent); and that “armed citizens are needed as poll watchers” (24 percent vs. 10 percent),” the pollsters found in a survey of 5,000 Americans. Using the Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWAS), a questionnaire developed to measure authoritarian-inclined ideologies, the study also found, “Two-thirds of Republicans score high (67 percent),” compared with 35 percent of independents, and 28 percent of Democrats. Republicans who hold favorable views of Trump are 36 percentage points more likely to score high on the RWAS than those with unfavorable views of Trump (75 percent vs. 39 percent). Similarly, White evangelical Protestants are the religious group most likely to score high on the RWAS (64 percent), followed by smaller majorities of Hispanic Protestants (54 percent) and White Catholics (54 percent).” Whether authoritarian personalities are inclined to certain religious sects or those sects already foster this disposition is unknown. What we do know is that a high percentage of Americans who favor Christian nationalism are authoritarians. (Christians who believe “the final battle between good and evil is upon us” are strongly linked to support for authoritarianism and Christian nationalism.) That makes their attachment to authoritarianism essentially an article of faith, not something they are willing to rationally reconsider. And that, in turn, poses a threat to our pluralistic democracy in which religious and racial supremacy are unacceptable. Just as many Southern Christian churches reinforced and bolstered proslavery ideology, some modern White Christian sects appear to cement fascination with a hierarchical, racist and anti-democratic view of American politics. That makes it more essential than ever that all other Americans (who do outnumber White Christian authoritarians) band together to defend tolerance, civil liberties and the rule of law. At the other end of the political spectrum, Jewish Americans remain as attached to the Democratic Party as they have ever been, despite the MAGA movement’s attempts to lure them by defending Israel’s hyper-ideological, right-wing governing coalition. A new poll from the Jewish Democratic Council of America, a partisan group that supports Democratic candidates, found that Vice President Kamala Harris leads former president Donald Trump among Jewish Americans by a margin of 72 percent to 25 percent, even higher than President Joe Biden’s level of support in 2020. Trump’s antisemitic insults (e.g., agreeing that second gentleman Doug Emhoff is a “crappy Jew”; saying Jews who don’t support him should have their heads “examined”) have not gone unnoticed. “Nearly all — 91 percent — of Jewish voters are concerned about antisemitism in the United States, and Jewish voters trust Kamala Harris more than Donald Trump to fight antisemitism by nearly a three-to-one margin (60 percent vs. 23 percent),” the survey found. “80 percent of Jewish voters disagree with Donald Trump’s repeated insults targeting millions of Jewish Americans, and 84 percent of those voters think his insults are antisemitic.” Historically, Jewish Americans have leaned Democratic, citing the party’s support for social justice, unions, immigration, civil rights, access to abortion and other progressive causes. Naturally, Trump’s animosity toward all of those issues, coupled with his blatant antisemitism, have turned off the vast majority of Jews. America’s support for religious freedom has allowed a wide array of faiths to flourish in the United States. When a significant number of Americans reject pluralism and insist on White Christian domination, our democracy is at risk. Uniting America might require efforts of communal outreach and interfaith reconciliation that go far beyond politics.

Cherry Tomatoes

 The CSA that daughter Emily and I share has a plethora of cherry tomatoes.  I had a bowlful and decided to roast them with garlic, basil, salt and paper and olive oil.  400º for 25 minutes.

It smelled delicious.

An easy supper then with cheese filled tortellini tossed with the tomatoes.  Sprinkle on parmesan cheese and serve.

Dan and I didn't finish all of it so another day I'll call it pasta salad!

"Foliage Experts Predict a Colorful Fall"

 That was the title of an article in Wednesday's local paper.  The reasons given for the high expectations for color are several. 

A good growing season.

No fungal diseases like last year when the rains wouldn't stop.

A mild winter and long season has meant trees have stored up energy.

Ideal weather conditions for foliage include warm days and cool nights which are all in our weather forecasts.

But and there's always a hedge.  If we have storms and heavy winds into the peak the leaves can be stripped.

Photos from my walk on Wednesday morning.  The colors are starting.

My Political Cartoon

 

One Year Ago

 

We were in Spain, specifically Priego do Cordoba, in southern Spain.

Remembering those two weeks and sharing some random photos.

We had an apartment in the Barrio and lived like locals for our stay there courtesy of UnTours.  Everywhere you looked in the landscape were rows and rows of olive trees.  Did you notice them in some of the photos?

***

Today I'm a ballot clerk for our township.  It's primary day.  I'm on duty 8 am - 7 pm while the polls are open.  I don't know if I'll be doing this on November 5th too as I'm taking someone's place who normally does it.

Found on a Car in VA

 My brother in law in Charlottesville, Va captured this on the back of a car at the grocery store.

Observation

 

 

The goldenrod is in full bloom along this fence line. 

Here’s my observation-apple trees along the road sides. Were they planted there or are they volunteers?

This one has been here for quite awhile. 

It’s loaded with apples. 

Do you see apple trees along the roads where you are?

Love thy neighbor. No exceptions. That is Faithful America’s motto, and that is the work that Faithful America members like me give ourselves to both online and in our communities. Our faith informs our politics – not the other way around.  We oppose Donald Trump, Christian nationalism, and the religious right because of the ways they attack love and social justice. To us, loving our neighbor means caring for the most vulnerable around us, looking out for those who have been marginalized by unjust leaders and systems. To learn more about Faithful America and how you can organize to love your neighbors with other social-justice Christians, visit Faithful America. 

 

This year’s False Prophets list is headlined by  none other than Donald “Dictator on Day One” Trump himself – also known as the Christofascist MAGA movement’s golden calf. It seems Trump really was right about one thing: He truly could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose any of his support from the religious right. This is what Scripture calls idolatry. To read more about Trump’s blasphemous record and his followers’ idolatrous devotion, visit Faithful America’s False Prophets Page here.

Garden Art

If you've read my blog for awhile you know I like to place or make items to put in my gardens.  The shutter angel, an old iron wheel,

 

rock statues, or an old gate. I also have two old hand plows.

Last Saturday there was an estate sale around the corner. Sadly the owner of the house is no longer living.  Several years ago he was shot and killed doing a good deed for a friend in Woodstock, VT.  The house has been empty since then mostly because the heirs live in Toronto. For the estate sale the neighbors ran it.  One of those name your price sales.  I went looking for garden art.  Here's what I came home with;

and you can see they went right into the garden.

This next item was on an outside door.  I thought it looked like an owl.  It's really the foot from a cast iron stove.

Dan put it on my garden door on the barn.

Not pictured because they are still in my barn are a single andiron, a black coal or ash pail and two rectangular pieces of slate.  I also got a pair of brass candle sticks (not pictured either).

This is the last thing I got - a table for the porch.  I think it will be a good spot for a flower pot or a pumpkin.  I may spray paint the base to match our porch chairs.

I spent $30 for all of this.

There were lots of people there both days.  All the tools, lumber, and equipment were a big draw.  I wonder what will happen next for this house.

Project 2025 threatens us all if tRump is elected.

From Faithful America

Happy Labor Day! As Christians, we support living wages,

labor rights, and safe working environments for all God’s children --

yet these fundamental freedoms, along with our democracy itself,

are at stake in this upcoming election. Project 2025, the MAGA movement’s

Christian-nationalist agenda for another Trump term,  is not only a major

threat to justice for all but also to our basic freedoms.

Trump can try to distance himself from the plan after public backlash, but we know

his plans for a second term are nothing short of an authoritarian power grab.

Learn more about what Project 2025 would do here. 

More about Faithful America here.

From Jennifer Rubin on this last Friday of August

 

Washington Post, August 30, 2024 by Jennifer Rubin What caught my eye One of the most uplifting parts of last week’s Democratic convention was the presence of so many Republicans, such as former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger and former Georgia lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan. Both decided to put country over party and self. “I know Kamala Harris shares my allegiance to the rule of law, the Constitution and democracy, and she is dedicated to upholding all three in service to our country,” Kinzinger said. “Whatever policies we disagree on pale in comparison with those fundamental matters of principle, of decency and of fidelity to this nation.” Likewise, Duncan said, “Let me be clear to my Republican friends at home watching: If you vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, you’re not a Democrat. You’re a patriot.” The day after the convention, a dozen former lawyers from the three Republican administrations before Donald Trump’s published a letter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. They wrote, “Trump’s attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after losing the election proved beyond any reasonable doubt his willingness to place his personal interests above the law and values of our constitutional democracy.” They argued that returning Trump to office “would threaten American democracy and undermine the rule of law in our country.” Then, a four-star general who served under President George W. Bush and hundreds of former Republican staffers endorsed Harris. So, the question remains: Where are the rest of the Republicans who understand Trump is an existential threat to democracy? Most of the big names still refuse to follow Kinzinger and Duncan’s lead. Former president George W. Bush must be in a witness protection program; he has virtually disappeared. Former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney courageously stood up to Trump when he tried to stage a coup. But, sorry — if you pledge to do everythingpossible to prevent Trump’s return to power, you have an obligation to endorse Harris, the only person who can beat him. Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, who shredded Trump in the primaries, previously objected to endorsing President Joe Bidenbecause of Biden’s age. (“President Biden, in my view, is past the sell-by date.”) What is his excuse now for refusing to endorse the new, 59-year-old Democratic nominee? Paul Ryan, a Fox board member and former speaker of the House, was quoted in May as saying, “Character is too important for me. ... [The presidency] is a job that requires the kind of character [Trump] doesn’t have.” But Ryan too lacks the nerve to support the only viable alternative. When he rationalizes his refusal to endorse a Democrat on the grounds that he differs on “policy,” he is telling us that preserving democracy is not a high policy priority for him. The list goes on: H.R. McMaster (actually commending Trump’s foreign policy in the Atlantic!), Jim Mattis, Condoleezza Rice. Moral cowardice, or craving for access in future Republican administrations, seems to have silenced even those most vocal on America’s defense of Ukraine and other allies. History will not treat them kindly. Certainly, getting some Republicans to refrain from voting for Trump is helpful. But if they are as devoted to democracy and as committed to the international world order as they say, there is no moral argument for refraining from going the rest of the way to endorse Harris, especially after such a robust affirmation of her foreign policy views. Biden gave up the presidency for the sake of our democracy. Can’t these Republicans give Harris their votes? Distinguished person of the week Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), appearing on “Meet the Press,” gave the perfect retort to Trump’s disingenuous claim on Truth Social that his administration would be “great for women and their reproductive rights.” Asked if we should believe that Trump would not sign an abortion ban, Warren said, “American women are not stupid, and we are not going to trust the futures of our daughters and granddaughters to two men who have openly bragged about blocking access to abortion for women all across this country.” She added that, “for any woman who’s in the middle of a miscarriage, who goes into an emergency room and discovers there’s no medication and no treatment for her because abortion has been banned nationwide, they can thank Donald Trump and JD Vance.” As host Kristen Welker persisted in her questioning, Warren was having none of it. “Just read it. JD Vance actually sent a letter last year to the Department of Justice saying, ‘Enforce the Comstock Act.’ And remember, he did that and then Donald Trump picked him to be his vice president,” she said. “Take a look at Project 2025. It lays out the road map for exactly how to do this. And, frankly, when you’ve got a pawn in the Department of Justice and pawns in the judiciary, it isn’t even hard to accomplish.” (Frankly, Welker should have had that level of detail to confront Vance, whom she interviewed just before Warren.) One can only hope that ABC moderators at the Sept. 10 debate are as prepared as Warren to confront Trump’s utterly unbelievable reversal on an issue key to the MAGA movement. **** And look at the sign delivered to me yesterday:

The View from Here

 

Another batch of company here and gone this week.  Dan's youngest brother and his wife arrived on Monday evening and departed this morning.  It was a wonderful visit with them, a chance to share memories, learn of each other's concerns and triumphs and generally have fun.

Of course blogging went by the wayside while they were here.

The leaves on that hillside will soon be turning.  I did notice the swamp maples were all red the other day. Morning temperatures are cooler.  Tonight it will be in the 40s.  Fall is coming fast.

Jennifer Rubin's Review of ...

 Kamala Harris' acceptance speech on Thursday night.

Vice President Kamala Harris waves after speaking on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday. (Kent Nishimura/AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

What caught my eye When a convention is superbly executed and stocked with great speeches and emotional moments, there is always a risk that the presidential nominee’s speech will prove anti-climactic. That surely did not happen on Thursday night when Harris accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination. The explosion of emotion and joy that greeted her appearance seemed to exceed the sum total of all that preceded it. As much as the crowd loved the Obamas, admired Hillary Clinton and burst with emotion for the women who told their abortion stories and for the Israeli hostage families, nothing compared to the blast that rocked the United Center for Harris. The party is enthralled with her — luxuriating in her star power, reveling in her ability to put former president Donald Trump in his place and hungering for not only victory but also a historic, page-turning triumph. Harris’s speech leaned into her biography, contrasting Trump’s inherited wealth with her middle-class background in a “beautiful working-class neighborhood of firefighters, nurses, and construction workers, all who tended their lawns with pride.” She assured Americans that “building that middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency,” adding, “This is personal for me. The middle class is where I come from.” Democrats continue to emphasize economic populism. As for Trump, she did as elegant a job as any I have seen to both knock him down to size and avoid minimizing the threat. “In many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man. But the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious.” She also deployed some of the most uplifting language we have heard from a nominee since 2012: “Fellow Americans, I love our country with all my heart,” she said. “Everywhere I go — in everyone I meet — I see a nation that is ready to move forward. Ready for the next step in the incredible journey that is America.” Unity, love of country, optimism. (“I see an America where we hold fast to the fearless belief that built our nation. That inspired the world. That here, in this country, anything is possible. Nothing is out of reach”). These words are foreign to Trump. But also, rarely do you hear Democrats revel in “the greatest privilege on Earth: the privilege and pride of being an American.” Her framing of the abortion issue was skillful, with just the right amount of disgust and incredulity. “As a part of his agenda, he and his allies would limit access to birth control, ban medication abortion and enact a nationwide abortion ban with or without Congress.” She continued, “And get this. He plans to create a national antiabortion coordinator and force states to report on women’s miscarriages and abortions. Simply put: They are out of their minds.” In many ways, it was a speech a Republican of years gone by could have delivered: heavy on crime-fighting, securing the border, promising an “opportunity society,” keeping America’s military the “most lethal” in the world and standing up to dictators such as Russian President Vladimir Putin. (“I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators like Kim Jong Un, who are rooting for Trump because they know he is easy to manipulate with flattery and favors. They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable — because he wants to be an autocrat himself.”) As she wrapped up, she made a heartfelt appeal to independents and Republicans. “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past,” she declared. “A chance to chart a new way forward, not as members of any one party or faction, but as Americans.” She acknowledged, “I know there are people of various political views watching tonight. And I want you to know: I promise to be a president for all Americans.” This was a presidential-level address, not merely another campaign spiel. Her delivery, timing and demeanor conveyed calm authority. She is betting that patriotism, decency and kindness still win in Americans’ hearts. She stuck the landing this week; now, it’s up to the country to prove her right. By Jennifer Rubin, Friday, August 23, 2024, in The Washington Post

Kamala Harris

 The next President of the United States of America. 

I watched the Democratic Convention every night until the end. It was moving, inspiring, and worth getting to know Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. 

And quoting Oprah “Vote for common sense, not nonsense”!

Join me in supporting the Harris Walz team!

What's Blooming

 
I took a walk around the yard this morning.

Below is the Hosta Garden

The Maple Garden

By my mailbox I planted a dahlia this year.

On the front porch the geranium has recovered from the neglect it experienced while we were traveling.

Blooms to come on sedum

and this monster of a plant - name escapes me.

Finally being away and then being occupied with company the weeds are enjoying the sun and rain too. Here the crabgrass has overpowered the Deck Garden.

I'm headed out shortly to tackle weeds and make some plant moves.

A gardener's job is never done.