DINING FOR DOLLARS (1 STAY AWAY-10 EXCELLENT)

I LOVE GOOD FOOD. I REMEMBER OUR TRAVELS BY THE RESTAURANTS WE EAT AT. THAT, AND MY SON IS A CHEF, VAGUELY QUALIFYING ME AS A FOOD CRITIC. AT ANY RATE, WHERE IS A RECENT REPORT ON SOME OF OUR EATING ESTABLISHMENTS I HAVE RECENTLY DINED AT.

• THE DESOTO CLUB: A SUPERB ADDITION TO OUR CULINARY PURSUITS. THE MENU IS AS GOOD AS YOU CAN FIND IN THIS AREA, WITH SPECIALS ON THE WAY. THE DINING AREA IS A LITTLE TOO OPEN, BUT BY AND LARGE THEY DID A GOOD JOB REMODELING. SERVICE WAS GOOD, SURROUNDINGS PLEASANT. OUR WAITRESS WAS VERY GOOD. MY FOOD WAS EXCELLENT. NO PROBLEM GIVING THE DESOTO CLUB A 9.
•  ELAN'S AT THE GRANADA CLUBHOUSE: ELAN'S IS ALSO A NICE ADDITION. MENU IS GOOD, A FEW THINGS A LITTLE PRICEY. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO START SOME SPECIALS, WHICH WILL HELP. SERVICE HAS BEEN ON AND OFF, BUT IMPROVING. I WOULD GIVE THEM AN 8.
• TANNER'S IS A RECENT ADDITION OUTSIDE THE EAST GATE. (THEY WERE AT THE GRANADA CLUBHOUSE). THEIR FOOD IS STRAIGHT UP GOOD. VERY CONSISTENT. BEST FRIED CHICKEN AROUND. FISH FRY CAN'T BE BEAT. SPECIALS ARE ALWAYS WORTH THE MONEY. SERVICE IS EXCELLENT. IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A GOOD MOVE FOR THEM. ONE OF THE BEST BAR AREA'S AROUND. THEY WILL ATTRACT A LOT OF GOLFERS. WITH THEIR LOYAL FOLLOWING, WHICH INCLUDES OUR GROUP, THEY WILL DO WELL. AN EASY 8.5.
•  EL JIMADOR AT THE WEST END IS RELIABLE, SERVICE IS GOOD, AND HAS AS GOOD OF MEXICAN FOOD AS YOU CAN FIND. I'M A SUCKER FOR THE STEAK. I IN PARTICULAR LIKE THE $1.99 MARGARITA'S. I HAVE THEM IN AT 7.5.
•  THE QUACHITA MOUNTAIN SMOKEHOUSE WAS A RECENT PLEASANT SURPRISE. LOCATED AT THE OLD DRIVING RANGE ON ROUTE 7, I HAD A PULLED PORK TO DIE FOR. BAKED BEANS WERE EXCELLENT. DESSERTS SOUNDED GOOD, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY. MAINLY A CARRY-OUT PLACE, ALTHOUGH THEY DO HAVE IN-HOUSE DINING. I HAVE THEM AT A 7.5.

The Anthropocene Is Here: Humanity Has Pushed Earth Into a New Epoch

The Anthropocene Is Here: Humanity Has Pushed Earth Into a New Epoch

NEW GENERAL MANAGER

WELL, THE VILLAGE GOT A NEW GENERAL MANAGER. AND WE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO INPUT. FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THE SECRETS WILL KILL THE PLACE. WE CAN BLAME IT ON MILITARY LEADERSHIP.

Stiglitz Blasts 'Outrageous' TPP as Obama Campaigns for Corporate-Friendly Deal

Stiglitz Blasts 'Outrageous' TPP as Obama Campaigns for Corporate-Friendly Deal



MORE OBAMA FOOLISHNESS.

RECENT READING LIST

HERE IS WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WHERE I GET ALL MY CRAZY IDEA'S. I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY RECOMMEND, UNLESS YOU HAVE LOST TOUCH WITH REALITY:

1.  "BARBARIAN DAYS-A SURFING LIFE," BY WILLIAM FINNEGAN. THIS BOOK WON THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THERE IS NOT A SENTENCE OUT OF PLACE. THAT'S SOME MIGHTY FINE PRAISE FROM CRITICS.
2. "SKIN TIGHT," BY CARL HIASSEN. THIS GUY IS GOOD. STORIES THAT GO OFF IN 4-5 DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, WITH A PULLING TOGETHER ENDING. A COMMON STYLE USED BY MYSTERY WRITERS, BUT EFFECTIVE. SOMETIMES CONFUSES ME MORE THAN ENTERTAINS ME. 
3. "DAVE BARRY'S TRAVEL GUIDE," BY DAVE BARRY. I LIKE BARRY'S STYLE. COMPLETELY CRAZY. I UNDERSTAND EVERY WORD. MAINLY FOR ENTERTAINMENT. NOTHING TO BE TAKEN SERIOUS HERE.
4. "THE UNDERTAKING," BY THOMAS LYNCH. ONE OF THE BEST CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITERS. THIS IS WHAT I MAINLY ATTEMPT TO WRITE, ONLY 98 LEVELS BELOW LYNCH. HIS ESSAY, "THE UNDERTAKING," IS ONE OF THE BEST YOU WILL EVER READ.
5. I RE-READ "THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN," BY GARTH STEIN. THIS IS ON OF THE BEST BOOKS YOU WILL EVER PICK UP. I THOUGHT OF THAT VERY STORY. IF ONLY I HAD WRITTEN IT DOWN.
6. "THE CELLIST OF SARAJEVO," BY STEVEN GALLOWAY. THE PORTRAYAL OF LIFE IN A WAR STRICKEN COUNTRY. IN THE MIDST OF HORROR, THE RISING UP OF GOODNESS AND HUMANITY.
7. "BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH CHE GUEVARA," BY BEN FOUNTAIN. I'M A REVOLUTIONARY AT HEART. HERE IS A REAL LIFE EXAMPLE. NO PRETEND STUFF.
8. TAKE A LOOK AT BRIAN DOYLE'S "LEAP." THERE IS NO BETTER EXAMPLE OF CREATIVE NONFICTION. HE GENERALLY WORDS IN FEWER THAN 750 WORDS. THESE ARE PUT TOGETHER IN A FASHION THAT YOU WILL SELDOM SEE. (I POSTED A READING OF THE ESSAY. AN ACCOUNT OF 9/11).

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE: DAY SEVEN

DAY SEVEN IS A DAY OF REST. A TIME TO BE SPENT GETTING OVER YOURSELF. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK. THE HOUSE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SPOTLESS. YOU DON'T NEED TO PUT OTHERS DOWN FOR YOU TO FEEL UP. GIVE PEOPLE A BREAK. IT DOESN'T HURT TO SPEND SOME OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE. IF YOU THINK THE POOR ARE GETTING SO MUCH, I'M SURE I CAN ARRANGE FOR A POOR FAMILY TO SWITCH PLACES WITH YOU. OH, THEY WILL PROBABLY BE RELUCTANT, CAUSE I DOUBT THEY WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH US, BUT I'LL EXPLAIN THEY WILL HAVE PLENTY OF FOOD, TWO CARS, MOSTLY FANCY ONE'S, A NICE HOME, AND PLENTY OF MONEY IN THE BANK. BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO SUFFER LIVING WITH RICH,WHITE, CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS. THEN YOU WILL GET ALL THE BREAKS THAT ARE LAVISHED ON THEM.  A DAY OF REST. YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT. DAY SEVEN WILL BE YOUR DAY OF LIBERATION. YOU WILL BE LIBERATED FROM ALL THE BURDENS OF HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY AND POSSESSIONS, AND SURVIVAL. WELL, SHORT OF ALL THOSE THINGS THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE WANTING TO GIVE YOU.

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE: DAY 6

GIVING UP WORLDLY THINGS IS VERY DIFFICULT. PAY LESS ATTENTION TO POLITICS AND MORE ATTENTION TO HOW YOU ARE LEADING YOUR LIFE. HAPPINESS DOES NOT COME OUT OF A BOTTLE OR IN THE FORM OF A PILL. CONTENTMENT DOES NOT COME FROM WHO WINS AN ELECTION, BUT IN HOW SATISFIED YOU ARE WITH OUR LIFE. A HERO IS NOT BORN OUT OF HEROIC DEEDS, BUT BY STAYING THE COURSE: DOING, REDOING. INCHING FORWARD TO GET IT RIGHT. THE BEST HUSBAND YOU CAN BE. THE BEST FATHER, SON, MOTHER, DAUGHTER, NEIGHBOR, CITIZEN. WHEN YOU CAN HOLD YOUR HEAD UP AND SAY, "I'VE DONE MY BEST," YOU ARE A HERO. IN THE END THEY CAN SAY, "THIS WAS A GOOD HUMAN BEING."

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE: DAY 5

IT IS IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING GREATER THAN YOURSELF. GREATER THAN HUMANS. IF THAT'S GOD, MAKE THAT GOD YOUR GOD, NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S. IT IS BETTER TO FIND GOD FROM THE INSIDE, RATHER THAN THE OUTSIDE. IF YOU PREFER TO USE NATURE AS YOUR GOD, DON'T BE ASHAMED OF THAT, OR LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE. THEIR GUESS ABOUT GOD IS NO BETTER OR WORSE THAN YOURS. AS IN DAY 4, PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT NATURE IS TELLING YOU. USE THE SEASONS AS YOUR BAROMETER AND THE DIRECTIONS AS YOUR GUIDE. NO NEED FOR SPECIAL PRAYERS, MAKE YOUR LIFE YOUR PRAYER. LIVE IT, WRITE IT, SAY IT, ONE SENTENCE AT A TIME, ONE MOMENT AT A TIME. EMBRACE THE WONDER OF THE EARTH.

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE: DAY 4

WALK. THERE IS NO NEED TO RUN. GET THE HURRY OUT OF YOUR LIFE. BUILD A CAREER SLOW AND STEADY. DON'T LET OTHERS RUSH YOU INTO PLACES YOU DON'T WANT TO GO. OR DO THINGS THAT YOU DON'T FEEL ARE RIGHT. WHEN YOU TAKE A WALK, LOOK AROUND. LEAVE THE HEADPHONES AT HOME. LOOK AND HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND YOU. TAKE IN ALL OF WHAT NATURE IS TRYING TO SHOW AND TELL YOU. THE MORE YOU CAN USE EVERYTHING THAT IS BEING PRESENTED TO YOU, THE MORE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE DIVINE.

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE: DAY 3

NO ONE IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU BUT YOU. DO THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD. EXERCISE IF YOU NEED TO. MEDITATE TO GATHER YOURSELF. DON'T JUMP FROM ONE THING TO THE NEXT. STICK IT OUT. IF SOMETHING MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE, FACE IT, DON'T RUN FROM IT. WHEREVER YOU ARE, WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING, HAPPINESS CAN BE FOUND RIGHT THERE. IT IS HAPPINESS THAT YOU SHOULD BE CHASING, NOT FAME OR FORTUNE OR PLACE OR PERSON.

Clinton Transition Team Headed by Anti-Climate 'Powerbroker'

Clinton Transition Team Headed by Anti-Climate 'Powerbroker'



WARNING!

'Bipartisan Fraud': Debate Rules Shut Out Third-Party Candidates

'Bipartisan Fraud': Debate Rules Shut Out Third-Party Candidates



MORE OF THE SAME FROM THE OLD GUARD.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It's the questions we can't answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he'll look for his own answers.”
Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER TOMORROW: DAY 2

QUIT COMPLAINING. IT'S EASY TO SECOND GUESS WHAT'S GOING ON. STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND DO SOMETHING TO BOOST THE COMMON GOOD. CONSTANT COMPLAINING WILL ONLY TAKE YOU DOWN. NEGATIVITY WILL COVER YOU IN ITS DARK CLOAK. COMPLAINING IS NOT THE SAME AS QUESTIONING. YOU ARE COMPLAINING WITHOUT WORKING TOWARD A RESOLUTION. YOU ARE QUESTIONING TO HONE YOUR ARGUMENT FOR A REVOLUTION. TO BREAK FROM THE STATUS-QUO, DON'T CONFUSE COMPLAINING WITH QUESTIONING. I CALL IT "POSITIVE DOUBT."

NEW SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

OUR GROCERY STORE, CRANFORD'S, CLOSED, WHICH IS NOT GOOD. THE NEXT CLOSEST IS ABOUT 14 MILES AWAY. I TRIED A NEW ONE IN HOT SPRINGS, NEAR THE FOOD BANK WHERE I VOLUNTEER. THE CLIENTELE ARE VERY DIVERSE. THIS SUITS ME FINE. CRANFORD'S WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL WHITE.  ALL WHITE SCARES ME.

TO HELP EASE THE PAIN, FORM A COMMITTEE

THE POA IS ADVERTISING FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS. I WOULD APPLY FOR THE GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, BUT I'M NOT THE "RIGHT" TYPE. THEY WOULDN'T WANT ME TO GET ANYWHERE NEAR TOM COTTON. IT WOULD BE LIKE A FLY ON STINK. OR LEFT ON RIGHT. I WAS ALREADY ON THE RECREATION COMMITTEE. I DIDN'T FIT IN. NOT A "YES SIR" KIND OF GUY. I ASKED QUESTIONS. THEY TOLD ME I COULD RE-UP FOR ANOTHER TERM, IF I COULD BEHAVE. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DIDN'T. THE POWERS THAT BE DON'T WANT ANYONE QUESTIONING THEIR DECISIONS. MOST HAVE BEEN MILITARY TYPES. THEY DON'T LIKE ANYONE QUESTIONING THEIR AUTHORITY. I DON'T LIKE ANYONE NOT QUESTIONING ANYONE'S AUTHORITY. SITTING THERE NODDING MY HEAD YES IS NOT MY THING. I'D SOONER SPEND MY TIME CLEANING THE BATHROOM.

SNAKE MAN

AS A TRIBUTE TO MY SNAKE KNOWLEDGE, I AM CALLED UPON TO REMOVE SNAKES FROM HOMES, DRIVE-WAYS, GARAGES, SWIMMING POOLS, HOT TUBS, AND PEOPLE'S ARMS. I BECAME KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT SNAKES AND LOST MY FEAR OF THEM IN GRADE SCHOOL. WE HAD A SCIENCE TEACHER, MR. KEISER, WHO WAS STUDYING TO BECOME A HERPETOLOGIST, WHICH IS THE STUDY OF REPTILES, OF WHICH A SNAKE IS ONE. ENDS UP, I AM MORE FEARFUL OF PEOPLE THAN I AM SNAKES. A SNAKE IS ALSO FEARFUL OF HUMANS, SO WE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON. A SNAKE WILL NOT BITE YOU FOR NO GOOD REASON. USUALLY YOU ARE BOTHERING IT, EITHER BY MISTAKE OR ON PURPOSE. EITHER WAY, IT WILL NOT BE VERY HAPPY WITH YOU. MOST SNAKES ARE NOT DANGEROUS. SOME, OF COURSE, ARE. KNOWING THE DIFFERENCE IS A GOOD IDEA WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH SNAKES. IF ONE SHOULD BITE YOU THAT HAS FANGS, THAT'S NOT GOOD. IT IS POISONOUS. SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, YOU WILL NEED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF SNAKE BIT YOU. RATTLESNAKE, COTTONMOUTH, COPPERHEAD ARE THE MOST COMMON. YOU WILL NEED TO CATCH IT AND PUT IT IN A SACK. THIS MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL BITES, THE EMERGENCY ROOM WILL CLEAR OUT REALLY QUICKLY.  IT WILL BE WORTH IT. THEY CAN GIVE YOU ANTI-VENUM FOR THAT SPECIFIC SNAKE. MOST SNAKES WILL NOT KILL YOU, BUT YOU WILL WISH YOU HAD NEVER MET IT. AT ANY RATE, MY BUSINESS IS GROWING. I NOW CHARGE $100 A SNAKE. I COULD CHARGE A MILLION, THEY WOULD STILL PAY IT. USUALLY, I ONLY TAKE IT ABOUT A 100 FT. FROM THE HOUSE. I LOVE REPEAT BUSINESS. A GOOD SNAKE WILL RETURN AT LEAST 2 OR 3 TIMES. DON'T YOU JUST LOVE CAPITALISM.

REV. WILLLIAM BARBER

"JESUS, A BROWN SKINNED, PALESTINIAN JEW."

Sorry folks. He wasn't a white skinned, American, Christian. That came later, in the imaginations of right-wing Republicans.

SEVEN DAYS TO A BRIGHTER TOMORROW-DAY ONE

 Do something for someone else. Volunteer. Mow the lawn for an elderly neighbor. Visit a shut-in. Pick up the litter in your neighborhood. It will feel good to do something for someone else and not expect anything in return. This will help you get over yourself and realize that it is our calling to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The elixir for a brighter tomorrow.

OLYMPIC EMBARRASSMENT

WHEN THE OLYMPICS EMBRACES IDEOLOGY, THE WHOLE THING STINKS. ATHLETES HAVE NO BUSINESS JUDGING ONE ANOTHER. KING WAS AN EMBARRASSMENT. I WAS HOPING SHE WOULD LOSE. PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES.

PEEVER LAW #94

IF YOU RUN OUT OF WORTHWHILE THINGS TO SAY, BECOME A POLITICIAN.

World Bank's New Rules Condemned for Disregarding People and Planet

World Bank's New Rules Condemned for Disregarding People and Planet



MORE OF THE SAME CRAP FROM THE RICH.

The Populist Insurgency is Ratcheting Up

The Populist Insurgency is Ratcheting Up



STAND CLEAR OR STAND WITH

SEND HELP

Arkansas is an unusual state. It is a very scenic state, with many old burnt out trailers and beautiful toilet planters dotting the landscape. Someone said the people hardly have any teeth. I'm guessing the average is about 17. That's more than hardly any. Education is another one of our specialties. If you made it through the 5th grade, you are in the top 1% in the state. Seeing I have a Masters degree, I could probably be elected King of Education. I would estimate you could get up a Confederate army in less than 1/2 an hour. That would be complete with uniform, confederate flags, and authentic AK-47's. Arkansas is featured in the NRA's commercial where they recommend everyone carry a gun, including children. You never know when you might run into someone other than a white person. And we are not very good electing anyone not advocating right-wing, Republican ideology. I no sooner got here, they elected Tom Cotton as a new Senator. Tom Cotton is the one dumbest fool I have ever listened to. He advocated we get in three wars his first 2 months. Get this: a Harvard lawyer. Need I say more. Where I live, everyone is a right-wing, rich, Republican. Lucky me. They all assume you are like them. Just today, a lady told me about the evils of voting for Hillary. I mentioned how I would not vote for Trump if she held a gun to my head. She said that could be arranged. Anyway, enough bitching. Right now it is 98 degrees. I figure this must be hell.