Embarrassing my family

Yes, that is one of my two John Deere hats.

A Buckley for Obama?

Real Republicans think, read, evaluate, discuss, argue and eventually come to their own conclusions. Christopher Buckley surely would have his family squirming in their graves if that were possible. But he is a Real Republican, not one of the phony, pseudoChristian, bigoted, scared, Faux News consumers who populate the "Republican Party" these days.

Like me, Buckley has grown disillusioned with John McCain. Read why he is supporting Obama on Tina Brown's blog, The Daily Beast.

Supervision

Watching me work.

Bye, bye, Mickey Ds

McDonalds has caved in to the bigoted demands of the American Family Association and withdrawn its support for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

It should be obvious to all thinking people, especially those who call themselves Christian, that LGBTs pose no threat to families. There are many stable same sex families who have no influence whatever on mixed sex families. And mixed sex families have no enviable track record.

The men who instigate the prejudice they say the Bible supports have no clue about the message in the Gospels. They don't like homosexuality because they can't control it. Their campaigns of fear don't work on people who try follow Jesus and love all, feed the hungry, etc. And perhaps they fear that they might actually learn too much about themselves if they open their hearts and lives to LGBTs.

So no more stops at McDonalds when the hungrys hit. It will make no difference in their bottom line. But it will be healthier for me.

Prejudice by any other name

Senator McCain has been forced to defend Obama. He has been forced to say Obama is not a Muslim, that he is a decent family man, that nobody should fear him.

Today I confronted a gal at Curves who said she will write in Hillary Clinton as she can't vote for Obama. She doesn't trust him. She was not happy when I said she can't vote for Obama because he is black. I hope I made her think about it but I doubt I made my point.

I'm sorry but prejudice rules this election. People who won't vote for McCain/Palin because they can't imagine Palin dealing with Putin will not vote for Obama because he is not pure white. As if most of us are. Ugh.

Only 47 to go

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled civil partnerships unconstitutional. Hallelujah! California, Massachusetts and now CT have said that marriage is a civil affair that requires equal access for all people. The NY Times article is here.

We need to get civil marriage out of the church. What religions care to do about marriage is their right but they should not have anything to say about civil rights.

Three states honor the Constitution and equal rights for all. 47 more to go.

Friday shuffle

1. Since I Don't Have You - The Skyliners
2. Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, 14, grave e maestoso - Peter Serkin
3. Alone Together - Ray Brown, Jimmy Rowles
4. Here Comes the Sun - Richie Havens
5. Handel: Israel in Egypt, How is the mighty fallen - Parrott, Taverner
6. Torelli: Sonata for Trumpet, Allegro - ?
7. Sealed with a Kiss - Brian Hyland
8. Villa-Lobos: Prelude #2 in E Major - Pepe Romero
9. Go Now! - Moody Blues
10. Vivaldi: Concerto Guitar and Viola d'Amore - Karl Scheit

Ouch. A few hurtful songs today. Too many memories too fresh.

Friday cat blogging

It is hard to photograph a moving cat who is determined to get as much loving as possible. Jellico is a disgusting fleabag. Now that he will allow this, I hope I can get something on him to eliminate those critters.

Your Autumn Test Results

You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You embrace change. You love change. You see change as a rebirth. You find hard work to be the most comforting thing in the world. You like the feeling of accomplishing something. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future.

The Autumn Test

snicker...

My Liberal Identity:

You are a Reality-Based Intellectualist, also known as the liberal elite. You are a proud member of what’s known as the reality-based community, where science, reason, and non-Jesus-based thought reign supreme.

Take the quiz at www.FightConservatives.com

Hat tip to Grandmère Mimi.

Addicted?

A couple of days ago, Jellico let me pet him for the first time. Now he hangs out just outside the back door watching and waiting for me to appear. He will run skittishly when I go out but he quickly stops, turns around, hisses as he doesn't seem to have a voice and waits for me to put my hand down to him. He looks so disappointed if I don't pet him. Cats are such odd people.

Prayers needed - updated

First for PuddyTat who has not come to eat since Sunday. She is my oldest and most favorite cat and the one whose photo graces my PseudoPiskie profile here and elsewhere.

Then for me. I seem to have lost something I'm sure I put somewhere for safe keeping. I have been thru the garbage, the trash and nearly all the papers in this house and have not found it. I need it today. Ugh.

Thanks.

Update: PuddyTat was waiting for me when I got home from Pittsburgh. I gave her a scritch then some chicken which she loves.

And I haven't found what I was looking for but I was able to get it replaced. Argh. I'm getting old!

And more but the last for sure

This was the view down our hill in Mondsee when the fog lifted.

This house behind the rehearsal hall had colorful laundry that changed every day.

A view from Eagles Nest.

A former palace now used by Harvard U. Yes, it was that grey and rainy.

A typical onion dome church - taken from the bus.

The castle next to St Mathias above Budapest.

A crypt at Esztergom.

This sign is depressing but reflects my opinion of Hungary. Click to enlarge a little. It says, "Try again, Fail again, Fail better."

Hungarian folk dancers.

A dahlia at Hellbrun Palace.