For endless hours of fun have Mom and Dad order Cat Jack in the Box!*
* Due to the Trump tariffs and Nanny State animal cruelty laws there is a strict two item limit per order. Just pay additional shipping and handling. **
No apologies necessary! Election day was awful, for all of us, not just for me. My husband was at least spared seeing the outcome, and I'm glad for that small mercy.
A most happy birthday, Diane! You are amazing. I love your dedication to your projects, I love your manner of "speaking" which is clear and direct yet engaging, without the vitriol that often hides in those first two adjectives. I love your dedication to a good cup of coffee. May all your coffee today be the best. Cheers!
Happy birthday. May your next trip around the sun bless you with love, health, peace, grace, abundance, prosperity, integrity, longevity, laughter, tears, friendship, courage, compassion, creativity, community, and joy. 🌺
A little Animal Planet dog program, now Fred and Ginger on TCM. Relaxing TV day, this is the only social media I've opened so far. No news, if I can help it...
"If you think there are only two sexes you are wrong.
"Rebecca Helm, a biologist and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville US writes:
“ 'Friendly neighborhood biologist here. I see a lot of people are talking about biological sexes and gender right now. Lots of folks make biological sex sex seem really simple. Well, since it’s so simple, let’s find the biological roots, shall we? Let’s talk about sex...' "
My name is proudly on a petition for the United Farm Worker back in the 70s when I was in college. The FBI has it on file. I know this because of a security background check.
(Note to self: Check personal records under the FOIA to see what else pops up.)
Just because I can be a nasty SOB when I’m pissed off, I hereby suggest we refer to Tom Homan as Thomas Himmler. Or maybe Himmy, if it catches on.
As the old joke goes, if we can’t come right out and accuse Himmy of being a Holocaust II fan and architect of contemporary ethnic cleansing, let’s at least make the fucker deny it.
I can almost guarantee that, if the Trump ship capsizes and goes down, we’ll find Himmy hiding in a lifeboat, disguising himself in a kicky calico dress, a Marilyn Monroe wig, and a tasteful, wide-brimmed sun hat. In addition to being a cruel asshole who gets off on the pain of others, he’s also an idiot; so he’ll still be wearing his fucking MAGA armband. He also might be sucking on a lollipop to pass himself off as a minor.
Man that Crypto plot to loot the treasury and make a few techbros super rich is some grade A bullshit, which is why the incoming administration will do it post haste!
WOOT!!! I was AFRAID to even eat a damn grape at someone ELSE'S HOUSE til my 30's, yes.
I had reasonable fear MOM of MORGANX would find and harangue and SHAME me with the spectre of THE GREAT AND MAGNIFICENT DOLORES HUERTA.
Next, typing now with bandaged fingers due to melting spatula-handle incident during EPIC chili production, I made a batch of KILLER OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES, WITH WALNUTS last night, regardless. Organic and sort-of healthy cookies (give me that, okay?) with big, fat California walnuts in, also, and browned butter, YUM, and half dark Muscavado sugar GOD DAMN.
Some chocolate mousse, probably, later, in addition to the dressing prep for tomorrow, as well as unwrapping that not-gigantic-this-year Amish turk to dry the skin in the fridge to make crispy in roasting tomorrow, also.
I have PGBSD as well (Post Grape Boycott Stress Disorder) and still kind of flinch when purchasing grapes at the grocery store. But as my wise godmother advised me when the boycott ended: now we've got to start buying grapes again to prove that the boycott worked.
As I wrote earlier, we're doing a Thanksgiving buffet at the retirement apartment place my folks live in, as their kitchenette is unsuited to cooking, let alone the machinations we'd have to go to for seating 8 adults all of whom have 60+ year old hips unsuited to sitting on the floor.
But I made pumpkin pies, and they just came out of the oven a little bit ago. Later I'll make sugarless whipping cream (I just put nutmeg and vanilla in it, and it's delish).
Pumpkin pie tips, garnered from Martha Stewart, to improve on the classic recipe on nearly every can of pumpkin puree:
- Use 3 eggs instead of two per pie (6 eggs for 2 pies, though Martha used 7; I thought it was too "eggy")
- Use a bit more spice than the usual recipe calls for - I use pumpkin pie spice instead of individual spices, and use a heaping tablespoon of the stuff for two pies
- don't cut back on the salt, it's definitely part of the taste
- use half regular sugar, half brown sugar; the molasses in the brown sugar adds to the flavor. I don't know if you could just add a little molasses to regular sugar for the same effect because I always have brown sugar around
"Trump has chosen health economist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates, to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns were causing irreparable harm. The Great Barrington Declaration was embraced by some in the first Trump administration, even as it was widely denounced by disease experts. Then-NIH director Dr. Francis Collins called it dangerous and “not mainstream science.”
Bhattacharya, who faced restrictions on social media platforms because of his views, was also a plaintiff in Murthy v. Missouri, a Supreme Court case contending that federal officials improperly suppressed conservative views on social media as part of their efforts to combat misinformation. Bhattacharya has argued that vaccine mandates that barred unvaccinated people from activities and workplaces undermined Americans’ trust in the public health system."
Tiedrich quotes Scott Bassett on tariffs and inflation:
"tariffs can’t be inflationary because if the price of one thing goes up, unless you give people more money, then they have less money to spend on the other thing, so there is no inflation.”
His response, "got that? 'prices going up' and 'inflation' are two different things — which is incoherent fucking gibberish, because prices going up is literally what inflation is," ain't exactly wrong, but it's kind of a dogmatic and unconvincing "words mean things" argument.
What happens is credit. Inflation creates a powerful incentive to buy NOW, while prices are still low, and use tomorrow's money to pay for it. After all, any debts will be easier to pay off in the future, when dollars are worth less and thus more plentiful. This keeps demand high even though consumers technically have less disposable income to spend.
Of course, interest rates will eventually catch up with and surpass the inflation rate. But by the time that happens, a lot of consumers will have unsustainable debt burdens. And demand for big-ticket items like housing and cars will crater due to unaffordable interest costs.
Most Americans alive today have never experienced the destructive synergy of real inflation, we haven't seen any since the seventies. But us olds know what it's like, in our bones.
I was a teenager back then and I still remember what it was like (NOT FUN). I work in retail for a somewhat upscale home store and people are buying in droves. Ever since the election, people are buying all the things now.
As for me, I'm terrified and pissed off at the same time. As Cassidy Steele Dale says: "Puck, man. Just...puck".
Also, he is neatly eliding the likely scenario of stagflation, when prices go up at the same time employment and incomes plummet, so that even the optimistic prediction, that people will rush to spend while their money is still worth something, is unlikely.
Companies are already raising prices and trimming production/investment, which means people are already going to start losing income, *before* anybody's thinking about riding it out on credit.
ETA: What I think the most likely scenario is going to be is a Milei-style implosion, where the economy is going to crater almost overnight, tens of millions of people will be plunged into poverty, and because the government will be run by the most stupid, corrupt, incompetent, and evil people on the planet, every single tool they're disposed to use will make things worse. I honestly think it's going to start by early spring, and then we're going to speedrun a Great Depression that'll make the 70s look mild.
I bet every powerful political person has some groupie like Harp. Democrats too. The difference is that Obama wouldn’t encourage it and keep the woman around because he’s not a narcissistic lunatic.
Happy almost-Thanksgiving! Enjoy your holiday. I wish you safe travels should you be one of the many folks hitting the road today.
Here is your hed gif source link: https://open.substack.com/pub/martiniambassador/p/bobcat-in-a-box
And your meme chat: https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/add7b9cb-82b3-4253-a5bd-f15ed14113a1?utm_source=share
"It fits so I... wait, what? It fit when I was kitten. Hey! Cat Wrangler! My box shrunk."
Have a happy every day! Don't wait for holidays.
But, but, Boxing Day isn't 'til December 26th. That said, I'm a Yank so what do I know?
Oh, it’s you, Bob.
HEY KIDS! IT'S CAT JACK IN THE BOX!
For endless hours of fun have Mom and Dad order Cat Jack in the Box!*
* Due to the Trump tariffs and Nanny State animal cruelty laws there is a strict two item limit per order. Just pay additional shipping and handling. **
**Monkey and weasel not included.
https://media.tenor.com/297FWWCzDgIAAAAe/here-i-am-jack-in-the-box.png
Big cats are still cats! It fits, so they sits!
Have a very festive and Slackful Thanksgiving, folks, stay safe and stay sane.
If saber tooth tigers somehow made a come back, and you had a big enough box...
I'm imagining a Smilodon rolling around in a huge pile of catnip, and it's simultaneously funny and terrifying
Got a meme photo somewhere of an adult male lion sitting in a wheelbarrow....
Is this the place where I lynx to the tabs?
This is where I would put up the Fozzie Bear groaning gif but it don’t know how
😹
Will to fit! I 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰!
Enjoy! And thanks for all you do!
Happy holidays - lol - 😆 - to Martini and Rebecca and Ziggy and Evan and and and everyone and the noncommenters and the Great Silent Wonketteers -✌️-
Cats is cats even when they are big cats XD
"But the box had a 4 1/2 star rating."
Bobcat rents NYC apartment
Awe you brought me a present for my brithday!
Happiest Birthday to you! I hope your family never overlooked you during the annual Turkey panic.🎂
Happy birthday!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Happy birthday!
Happy born day Diane!
Happy Bday and many more to come!
My b-day was on election day. You couldn't possibly have a shittier day than I did, so best to you.
Hold my beer. My husband of 42 years died on election day.
Deep and sincere condolences to you, your family, and all his friends and colleagues. May his memory always be a blessing.
Please accept my condolences. There just isn't a good day for that.
Oh dear. My apologies, and condolences. Definitely a worse day.
No apologies necessary! Election day was awful, for all of us, not just for me. My husband was at least spared seeing the outcome, and I'm glad for that small mercy.
Happy Birthday!
A most happy birthday, Diane! You are amazing. I love your dedication to your projects, I love your manner of "speaking" which is clear and direct yet engaging, without the vitriol that often hides in those first two adjectives. I love your dedication to a good cup of coffee. May all your coffee today be the best. Cheers!
Thanks suzie!
🐈🐈🐈 Happy birthday! 🐈🐈🐈
Happy birthday, Diane!
🎁
Happy natal day!! ❤️🎉🍝🍷
Happy birthday. May your next trip around the sun bless you with love, health, peace, grace, abundance, prosperity, integrity, longevity, laughter, tears, friendship, courage, compassion, creativity, community, and joy. 🌺
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Same to you, Tini!
XOXOXO!
May I have the fat kitty in the meme as my own??
A little Animal Planet dog program, now Fred and Ginger on TCM. Relaxing TV day, this is the only social media I've opened so far. No news, if I can help it...
I enjoyed that tune! Tx!
Even Bobcats love square things?
Narrator: We're going to need a bigger box.
"Alicia Norman
2d - Alicia’s Substack
------------
"If you think there are only two sexes you are wrong.
"Rebecca Helm, a biologist and an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina, Asheville US writes:
“ 'Friendly neighborhood biologist here. I see a lot of people are talking about biological sexes and gender right now. Lots of folks make biological sex sex seem really simple. Well, since it’s so simple, let’s find the biological roots, shall we? Let’s talk about sex...' "
https://substack.com/@oneangryblackchick/note/c-78891091?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=mwtl3
Ta, Sister A. All the upfists in the world!
My name is proudly on a petition for the United Farm Worker back in the 70s when I was in college. The FBI has it on file. I know this because of a security background check.
(Note to self: Check personal records under the FOIA to see what else pops up.)
Just because I can be a nasty SOB when I’m pissed off, I hereby suggest we refer to Tom Homan as Thomas Himmler. Or maybe Himmy, if it catches on.
As the old joke goes, if we can’t come right out and accuse Himmy of being a Holocaust II fan and architect of contemporary ethnic cleansing, let’s at least make the fucker deny it.
I can almost guarantee that, if the Trump ship capsizes and goes down, we’ll find Himmy hiding in a lifeboat, disguising himself in a kicky calico dress, a Marilyn Monroe wig, and a tasteful, wide-brimmed sun hat. In addition to being a cruel asshole who gets off on the pain of others, he’s also an idiot; so he’ll still be wearing his fucking MAGA armband. He also might be sucking on a lollipop to pass himself off as a minor.
“Nein! Nein! I know nothing!”
Can’t argue with that, Himmy.
Bobcat in a box. Thank you, @Martini Glambassador
Man that Crypto plot to loot the treasury and make a few techbros super rich is some grade A bullshit, which is why the incoming administration will do it post haste!
Is this thing letting me comment today or what?
So, first: CHILD UFW MARCHERS UNTIE!!!!
WOOT!!! I was AFRAID to even eat a damn grape at someone ELSE'S HOUSE til my 30's, yes.
I had reasonable fear MOM of MORGANX would find and harangue and SHAME me with the spectre of THE GREAT AND MAGNIFICENT DOLORES HUERTA.
Next, typing now with bandaged fingers due to melting spatula-handle incident during EPIC chili production, I made a batch of KILLER OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES, WITH WALNUTS last night, regardless. Organic and sort-of healthy cookies (give me that, okay?) with big, fat California walnuts in, also, and browned butter, YUM, and half dark Muscavado sugar GOD DAMN.
Some chocolate mousse, probably, later, in addition to the dressing prep for tomorrow, as well as unwrapping that not-gigantic-this-year Amish turk to dry the skin in the fridge to make crispy in roasting tomorrow, also.
WHAT ARE YOU GUYS MAKING OR DOING TODAY?
I have PGBSD as well (Post Grape Boycott Stress Disorder) and still kind of flinch when purchasing grapes at the grocery store. But as my wise godmother advised me when the boycott ended: now we've got to start buying grapes again to prove that the boycott worked.
As I wrote earlier, we're doing a Thanksgiving buffet at the retirement apartment place my folks live in, as their kitchenette is unsuited to cooking, let alone the machinations we'd have to go to for seating 8 adults all of whom have 60+ year old hips unsuited to sitting on the floor.
But I made pumpkin pies, and they just came out of the oven a little bit ago. Later I'll make sugarless whipping cream (I just put nutmeg and vanilla in it, and it's delish).
Pumpkin pie tips, garnered from Martha Stewart, to improve on the classic recipe on nearly every can of pumpkin puree:
- Use 3 eggs instead of two per pie (6 eggs for 2 pies, though Martha used 7; I thought it was too "eggy")
- Use a bit more spice than the usual recipe calls for - I use pumpkin pie spice instead of individual spices, and use a heaping tablespoon of the stuff for two pies
- don't cut back on the salt, it's definitely part of the taste
- use half regular sugar, half brown sugar; the molasses in the brown sugar adds to the flavor. I don't know if you could just add a little molasses to regular sugar for the same effect because I always have brown sugar around
UVAS NO
💪🏽
"Trump has chosen health economist Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates, to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns were causing irreparable harm. The Great Barrington Declaration was embraced by some in the first Trump administration, even as it was widely denounced by disease experts. Then-NIH director Dr. Francis Collins called it dangerous and “not mainstream science.”
Bhattacharya, who faced restrictions on social media platforms because of his views, was also a plaintiff in Murthy v. Missouri, a Supreme Court case contending that federal officials improperly suppressed conservative views on social media as part of their efforts to combat misinformation. Bhattacharya has argued that vaccine mandates that barred unvaccinated people from activities and workplaces undermined Americans’ trust in the public health system."
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-transition-nih-jay-bhattacharya_n_67469267e4b0779903a9345f
Vey iz mir.
Love of the Lovin' Spoonful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnbfuAcCqpY
Nov 1965. I was 5 years old and I still know all the lyrics though 59 years has passed. Great song!
Tiedrich quotes Scott Bassett on tariffs and inflation:
"tariffs can’t be inflationary because if the price of one thing goes up, unless you give people more money, then they have less money to spend on the other thing, so there is no inflation.”
His response, "got that? 'prices going up' and 'inflation' are two different things — which is incoherent fucking gibberish, because prices going up is literally what inflation is," ain't exactly wrong, but it's kind of a dogmatic and unconvincing "words mean things" argument.
What happens is credit. Inflation creates a powerful incentive to buy NOW, while prices are still low, and use tomorrow's money to pay for it. After all, any debts will be easier to pay off in the future, when dollars are worth less and thus more plentiful. This keeps demand high even though consumers technically have less disposable income to spend.
Of course, interest rates will eventually catch up with and surpass the inflation rate. But by the time that happens, a lot of consumers will have unsustainable debt burdens. And demand for big-ticket items like housing and cars will crater due to unaffordable interest costs.
Most Americans alive today have never experienced the destructive synergy of real inflation, we haven't seen any since the seventies. But us olds know what it's like, in our bones.
I was a teenager back then and I still remember what it was like (NOT FUN). I work in retail for a somewhat upscale home store and people are buying in droves. Ever since the election, people are buying all the things now.
As for me, I'm terrified and pissed off at the same time. As Cassidy Steele Dale says: "Puck, man. Just...puck".
https://cassidysteeledale.substack.com/p/the-three-fights
Also, he is neatly eliding the likely scenario of stagflation, when prices go up at the same time employment and incomes plummet, so that even the optimistic prediction, that people will rush to spend while their money is still worth something, is unlikely.
Companies are already raising prices and trimming production/investment, which means people are already going to start losing income, *before* anybody's thinking about riding it out on credit.
ETA: What I think the most likely scenario is going to be is a Milei-style implosion, where the economy is going to crater almost overnight, tens of millions of people will be plunged into poverty, and because the government will be run by the most stupid, corrupt, incompetent, and evil people on the planet, every single tool they're disposed to use will make things worse. I honestly think it's going to start by early spring, and then we're going to speedrun a Great Depression that'll make the 70s look mild.
Obviously, cats love boxes! Even the bobcat in this video is really getting off on that box. So cute😻.
I bet every powerful political person has some groupie like Harp. Democrats too. The difference is that Obama wouldn’t encourage it and keep the woman around because he’s not a narcissistic lunatic.
Bill Clinton has entered the chat…