Life and today and the CSA

Really tired today and planning on focusing on some project work, so there may not be linketies, or they may be brief and late. Life is good, though. Bec and Jer hacked through the two inches of ice lining all our walkways, so we're no longer surrounded by an involuntary skating rink. We're petsitting for Bella, so I had a warm little snorting brick to sleep with. I got to see some friends this morning for a bit. Caleb and Grafton went shopping, and picked up our first delivery from the local CSA (they fit us in for an off-season membership, although I think officially new sign-ups don't happen 'til next season). So much yum!

Here's what we got (and yes, I'm shamelessly shilling for both them and the concept; I think it's a great way to support local agriculture -- if you're not a Clevelander, see if you've got something similar in your area!)

below is this week’s selection for the CSA.
( Read more... )

The guy who runs the CSA is also the person who makes the deliveries (to several pick-up locations around the county), and Grafton said he was really friendly, remembered G's name right off the bat, and even tossed in a hunk of gouda as a welcome present.

Also, for those who are wondering, it looks from previous year listings that they offer vegan substitutions for the egg, dairy, and meat products in the standard bundles.

Oh, Linketies, I wish I could quit you...

OK, just a few.

National Transgender Discrimination Survey results -- I posted about this the other day, but I want to draw specific attention to it; it's by far the largest survey of its kind, and really confirms a lot of horrific news about discrimination based on gender identity and presentation.

New GOP Bill Would Allow Hospitals To Let Women Die Instead Of Having An Abortion -- and another one I want to highlight; unlikely to make it, but going to require a fight to be sure. In case you've somehow missed the trend, the attacks on reproductive rights are coming fast and furious, from every possible direction. It's going to require a concerted effort just to keep from losing even more ground. I resent this hugely, since that effort would be better spent providing women with better care.

Goldstone Report Details a Massive Crime Scene in Gaza

It Ain't Just Mubarak -- 7 of the Worst Dictators the U.S. Is Backing to the Hilt

Mubarak's phantom presidency -- the must-read Egypt article of the day; thanks to browneyedgirl65 for the pointer.

Mubarak Mobs and Street Vendors: Welcome to Egypt

Right-wingers run out of sympathy for reporters attacked in Egypt

For the US in Egypt, Blowback Is a Bitch

State Department Approved Export of US-Made Tear Gas to Egyptian Government

Obama Backs Suleiman-Led Transition -- This really pisses me off; Suleiman is not who is next in line by any of their own governmental policies, and we like him because he's been key to our usage of Egypt for extraordinary rendition. This is not who the people want or trust, and it's certainly not the person with legitimate claim to manage the government until the next election. And may I say yet again, THIS IS NOT OUR COUNTRY, AND IT IS NOT OUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE FOR THEM. What is politically convenient for the US is, amazingly enough, perhaps not the ultimate standard of correct decision-making under every single circumstance.

LIVE POST: Egyptian Protests Discussion Part 9.

"Day of Departure" Rally in Egypt Peaceful, but Mubarak Vows to Stay

Egyptian Protesters Hold Tahrir Square

Mubarak intensifies press attacks with assaults, detentions

Mubarak Reportedly Leaves NDP Role; Mubarak's Son, Party Chief Also Exit; U.S. Signals Support for VP to Head Transition

Black History Month With radiovolume, Day Five

Homosexuality, Hockey, and Brendan Burke's Legacy

Rembrandt ‘mixed flour with paints’ for a thicker painting stroke

Baltimore abortion disclaimer ruling will be appealed

Stone Age Fertility Ritual Object Found

Justin Muir, founder of City Aquarium in Brooklyn, N.Y., designs custom fish tanks (and has an awesome octopus tattoo).

Kucinich Requests to See Bradley Manning, Soldier in Solitary Confinement for Alleged Leaks

Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions: Slide Show

Massive UN-Supported African Palm Plantations Leading to Oppression, Kidnapping and Murder

Zeta Oph: Runaway Star

Tree Octopus Interview

Early 20th Century Genderplay [NSFW!] (I agree with the majority of commenters that her labeling of this piece as trans-anything is really a problematic jump, but it's an awesome image either way)

Tons of Kissing in Hoover Biopic

Spokesscientologist refuses to answer the volcano question

last supper collection -- Oh, the Folsom one is fabulous!
More: Other Last Suppers: Where’s the Outrage?

smile for the day

Leading Iowa ‘Family’ Group Compares Homosexuality To ‘Second Hand’ Cigarette Smoke
Conservative Science Already Working on a Gay Patch, "GayDerm CQ": Side Effects May Include Spontaneous Homophobia, Outbreak of Republicanonitus, Explosive Hypocrisy Leaking, Outright Support of Family Values, and Fondness for Deep Closets.

Philip Pullman on censorship and free speech -- pithy and wonderful

Born Gay, Born This Way: A Photo Blog

A Food Manifesto for the Future -- mostly pretty good ideas

Are Game Show Audiences Trustworthy? -- interesting look at cross-cultural differences

Defense Cuts on the Table? Don't Believe It

Bill Gates on Wakefield's Vaccine-Autism Claims: 'An Absolute Lie That Has Killed Thousands of Kids' [VIDEO]

Mountie Hit By Truck After Throwing Girl To Safety

Family of Fallen Soldier Adopt His Bomb-Sniffing Dog (Video)

Recycling in Apartment and Condo Complexes in Northeast Ohio -- I wish I'd had this handy little guide when I was trying to talk our property owner into recycling back when I first moved to Cleveland.

it really comes as no surprise that the Republican Study Committee's deficit cutting plan, released in late January, proposed completely severing funds to both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), both of which operate on annual budgets of $167.5 million each. The plan also wants to take $20 million from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, "a presidential memorial that fosters scholarship and dialogue in the humanities and the social sciences."

Give 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' Victims the Benefits They Earned Say Representatives

Utah Rep Launches Legislative Assault on LGBT Rights

Who Needs Voters' Rights? Not Norm Coleman

Federalist Society Hosts White Nationalist

Taking Nutella to Court Over Nutritional Claims

School for Low-Income Kids: Opening a Door or 'Educational Apartheid'?

true, but not for you: Recommended for anyone interested in online community dynamics and massive research fail

Identity politics: Cameron on multiculturalism and religious extremists

Officials Consider Requiring Insurers to Offer Free Contraceptives -- *sigh* Why don't I live in a country where this is a no-brainer?

Abortion Debate Returns to Capitol Hill as Lawmakers Weigh New Restrictions -- Oh, right. Because we're still fighting crap like this. And as soon as I can opt-out of having my tax dollars spent on support for foreign dictators, and for implementation of the death penalty here, and the million other things I have moral objections to, I'll take their argument a hell of a lot more seriously.

Glenn Beck Stands By Egypt Caliphate Conspiracy Theory: 'I'm Not Wrong' (AUDIO) -- It only matters because there are people who actually believe him.

A Guy Walks Into A Bar (Part I) -- Common sense bar etiquette

A visit by former President George W. Bush to Switzerland this week has been canceled because of security concerns, as the threat of mass protests loomed and the possibility emerged of a legal case against him for ordering torture. -- Oh, one of the few times I don't feel the least bit guilty for my schadenfreude!

'King's Speech' Praised By Chicago Kids Who Stutter

On the HPV vaccine for men and boys

Tribunal to probe Peel [a district outside of Toronto] school board discrimination