Ypsilanti to allow Sunday alcohol sales all day
via annarbor.com
This is big news if you put it into context, that is. In the USA there are still many places–small and big counties across this land–where the sale of tobacco and liquour products are prohibited on Sundays before Noon. This was true here as well until the city council laws that were passed yesterday…
Some years back, I lived in an altogether “dry” county in another state where there was no sale of such products in any store, and one had to cross the county-line to make such purchases!
I suppose the USA has come a long way from the days of Prohibition which resulted in many vices including the infamous bootlegging enterprises, etc.
There is, however, something to be said about the moral fabric of a people that chose to adopt such laws: it displays an inherently Christian ethic of observing the sabbath on Sunday, the Lord’s day.
What's In A Tree? Life, Of Course!
Well, it could be anything… anything at all from a birds-nest, to a proper tree-house, to an ornament. Or many such ornaments. 🙂
Yes, I’m fully aware of the origins of the Christmas tree to be a symbol of a pagan winter festival and all, and yet I choose to associate it with the tradition of the season. And although I might be labeled as just another victim of the rampant commercialism that this holiday reeks of, I still choose to make of my tree what I will… which is that it represents family and tradition in my house.
Each ornament on my tree has a story– of when it was bought, for whom, by whom, and from where. That’s a lot of stories on that tree.
So, it’s ten days to Christmas from today– here’s wishing you a very merry one, and best wishes in the new year!
(And in case you’re wondering why this post has been housed here, this isn’t just a conglomeration of pictures of a christmas tree; it is the embodiment of a lifetime of christmases spent here in these great United States. It is a show. And it must go on.)
Mark Zuckerberg – Person of the Year 2010
via time.com
The face behind FB, and now TIME Magazine’s POY! (i guess i should go see that movie now…!)
How Facebook Is Corroding Civilization
via gawker.com
ummmm… actually, no, you may not! 🙂 although i *could* choose to ignore you if you do… which is what makes interaction on these social platforms oh-so-lovely… you can be engaged as much or as little as you wish. but people, please do mind your manners– it is after all, what makes us civilized. 🙂
And Your Bird Can Sing
Much Ado About Nothing
We’re not done with Shakespeare for the year just yet…
Last Saturday we attended a terrific production of Much Ado About Nothing put on by the University of Michigan’s Dept. of Theatre at the Power Center.
Want proof? Click here!
One Human Face
A Character
– William Wordsworth
I marvel how Nature could ever find space
For so many strange contrasts in one human face:
There’s thought and no thought, and there’s paleness and bloom
And bustle and sluggishness, pleasure and gloom.
There’s weakness, and strength both redundant and vain;
Such strength as, if ever affliction and pain
Could pierce through a temper that’s soft to disease,
Would be rational peace–a philosopher’s ease.
There’s indifference, alike when he fails or succeeds,
And attention full ten times as much as there needs;
Pride where there’s no envy, there’s so much of joy;
And mildness, and spirit both forward and coy.
There’s freedom, and sometimes a diffident stare
Of shame scarcely seeming to know that she’s there,
There’s virtue, the title it surely may claim,
Yet wants heaven knows what to be worthy the name.
This picture from nature may seem to depart,
Yet the Man would at once run away with your heart;
And I for five centuries right gladly would be
Such an odd such a kind happy creature as he.
Note on the two pictures: the one on top at the beginning of the poem was taken yesterday; the one here at the end of the poem was taken almost exactly to the day last year. Both are self-portraits.
