“Happy With You” – Paul McCartney
Head Tale
Yet Another Librarian's Blog
Secular Sunday – Happy Blasphemy Day!
Apparently it’s International Blasphemy Day.
Borrowed from an atheist I know on Facebook, here’s some self-criticism of some of atheism’s “untouchables” which I (mostly) agree with…
In honour of International Blasphemy Day:
Christopher Hitchens was an over-rated warmonger.
Sam Harris frequently comes to conclusions first and then tries forcing the evidence to fit those conclusions.
Richard Dawkins has probably done more good than harm for the world but his defensiveness has also made him him bitter and blind to his own privilege.
Science is a tool, not a conclusion.
Atheism is no more likely to make someone a “good person” than it is to make them a bad one.
Saturday Snap – More My Speed?
Our neighbour built a small ramp to help him move a new appliance in his house.
Once he was finished with it, he brought it over and offered it to Pace (but I think he secretly meant it for me in case I ever decide to do a bike jump again!)
And speaking of the infamous bike ramp, yes, that’s it in the photo although this photo is a bit misleading as my father-in-law had already cut it back to half its original size right after my accident so it was (honest!) twice as high when I did my stupid stunt! 😉
Friday Fun Link – Book Cover Concentration
Can you pick which book covers belong to different editions of the same book, even when they have their titles removed?
Reunion at a Funeral
There was a mini-IHHS Class of ’91 reunion at the funeral of Kyle Raaf today.
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Our classmate, Erin, gave a moving eulogy for someone she described as “not just my big brother but my hero” and her stories of how Kyle had such a positive impact on so many people during his too-short 46 years was reflected in the hundreds who filled the Memorial Hall on a Wednesday afternoon to celebrate his life.
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It was obviously a sad day but also a joyful one with lots of laughter as a group of friends who don’t see each other nearly enough reconnected, retold old stories, and were reminded of the importance of using whatever talents we’re given to make the world a better place for those around us.
Devastating Political Ad
Not all families agree on politics and we live in increasingly polarized times.
But man, if you watch this, you can’t help but wonder what kind of a dick Paul Gosar is! 😉 (via Boing Boing)
Music Monday – “Well, the hives are gone/I’ve lost my bees/The chickens are sleeping/In the willow trees/Cow’s in water up past her knees/Three feet high and rising”
Frightening: “We’re Moving to Higher Ground” – America’s Era of Climate-Inspired Mass Migration is Here
“Five Feet High and Rising” – Johnny Cash
Secular Sunday – How Secular Family Values Stack Up
Especially with what we’re seeing in the States with an alleged pedophile endorsing an accused rapist [edit: Kavanagh’s story is blowing up tonight with two new accusers coming forward and *way* worse allegations] who was picked by a serial adulterer (among Trump’s many other mortal sins) – all as part of the party of “family values” – it’s not surprising to hear that secular family values compare to religious ones just fine.
(And yes, I know I did a post a week ago about our daughter deciding to draw crosses on herself all of a sudden. But I keep telling myself she’s practicing her letters and it’s actually a “t” or an “x”.) 😉
Saturday Snap – My Christmas List (on the First Day of Fall)
Yesterday was the first day of fall but much of Saskatchewan had already received a heavy snowfall and Regina got a sleety-snowy rain that didn’t stick around but definitely felt more like winter than fall.
There were other signs that it felt more like winter than fall as well. When I turned on the “Flow” random music mix in my car right after taking the above picture, the first song it played was “The FIrst Noel” by Crash Test Dummies.
I have no idea how Deezer’s “Flow” algorithm works but suspect that, in part, it bases its playlists on what you’ve listened to a lot recently. So coming out of summer, I’ve been hearing a lot of Americana, bro-country, and campfire-type music. And usually, after December each year, it takes a few weeks to “cleanse the palate” and clear out the Christmas songs that have dominated my listening for the past month. So again, short of Deezer somehow incorporating a check of my local weather forecast, I have no idea how a Christmas song popped up out of the blue like that!
Then, when we got home, Sasha and I got it into our heads that if it was snowing, that was a good justification for making our Christmas lists. Hers was longer…
…but I think mine was more aspirational. 😉
