Stacking logs the creative way

    OINK!

Whooosh!

I don't like windy days. I don't mind wind if I'm safely indoors, I just dislike being in it. I don't think I would like to go on a vacation to this place, even though it's a very interesting landmark:

Anyone for dessert?

We're still traumatised after Tuesday's events, so I thought we needed to feast our eyes on something nice, to soothe our frayed nerves... These delicious treats were created by Italian pastry chef Matteo Stucchi.

Post mortem

I try to avoid politics on this blog, but there's very little point in trying to ignore what is on everybody's minds.

Amy's comment about Trump knowing the election was rigged in his favour, making a fuss about voter fraud, not accepting results, not conceding, were all an act to preempt any challenges from Hillary, is spot on and exactly what I thought last night.

It was a long game with marked cards. Neoliberalism in fascist flavour is doing very well, thank you. Brexit gave the UK's extreme right the "mandate" to start removing all the safety nets in the benefits system. Their recent changes, which capped benefits below an acceptable level, the cuts to housing and disability benefits, will plunge millions into poverty and/or homelessness, including half a million children, just in time for Christmas. They're also going to freeze pensions and take away the seniors' winter fuel allowance. They don't even pretend they're all about compassionate capitalism anymore.

They're destroying the NHS so they have an excuse to privatise it. The insurance companies are salivating already. Other sectors in their sights are Education, Social Services, prisons and I forget what else. If it's worth anything, they'll sell it (and line their pockets in the process). 

Theresa May can't wait to repeal the Human Rights Act, removing all workers protections, getting rid of equal opportunities and all other protections that make the UK a civilised country. Cheap labour in a police state is her wet dream.

Once they're free from EU regulations, the UK will be a free for all for the corporations. Forget the Cayman Islands, Panama and all the others. Welcome to a posh tax haven!

The racism and xenophobia are just the icing on the cake. The UK is finished as a decent country.

I went on and on about the UK and Brexit because it was a sample of what you can expect over there.

The USA doesn't have human rights and other protections, but watch out for the end of Obamacare, social security, Medicaid, Medicare... Be prepared for more racism, more tensions, more black lives don't matter at all.

Nato already moved missiles to the borders with Russia. We're screwed within our countries and also abroad. Next year could see a shift to the extreme right in a number of European countries: France, Netherlands and Germany. That could signal the end of the EU, as Brexit behaviour spreads like a virus.

I'm deeply depressed.

It seems that the best we can do is to sow the seeds of our ideals in our children's minds and hope they'll will germinate, take root and spread when future generations see a relaxing in all this horrid stuff and have a chance to flourish once again.

It's going to be a long day...

Birthday party!

Happy birthday, dear, dear CC. 1SC provided a lovely teapot cake and I stayed with the theme. I found a tea cup and cupcake site where there are very beautiful examples of both. I also included some hors d'oeuvres and drinks for every taste. Have a lovely day and I really hope you get a birthday gift tomorrow (it would be a gift to EVERYBODY, actually).

Be afraid... very afraid!

We went to another Halloween party last night, and it was better than the one last week. I'm feeling sorry for myself today, because I danced far too much and my legs are paying the price! There were some great scary costumes and I hope seeing them will distract you from the really frightening event coming up next Tuesday.

I think Peter looked great!

Trial by jury

A defendant was on trial for murder. There was strong evidence indicating guilt, but there was no corpse. In the defense's closing statement the lawyer, knowing that his client would probably be convicted, resorted to a trick. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have a surprise for you all," the lawyer said as he looked at his watch.

"Within one minute, the person presumed dead in this case will walk into this courtroom." He looked toward the courtroom door. The jurors, somewhat stunned, all looked on eagerly. A minute passed. Nothing happened. Finally the lawyer said, "Actually, I made up the previous statement. But you all looked on with anticipation. I therefore put to you that you have a reasonable doubt in this case as to whether anyone was killed and insist that you return a verdict of not guilty."

The jury, clearly confused, retired to deliberate. A few minutes later, the jury returned and pronounced a verdict of guilty. "But how?" inquired the lawyer. "You must have had some doubt, I saw all of you stare at the door."

The jury foreman replied, "Oh, we did look, but your client didn't."

                                              ==============

A man being tried for murder, facing the death penalty, happens to know one of the jurors. Before jury deliberation, the man finds a way to contact his friend and emphatically demands that he vote for life in prison with the possibility of parole. The friend agrees. 

The jury deliberates for a week and returns a verdict of guilty with life imprisonment. The convicted man phones his friend and asks why it took so long for the verdict.

His friend says, "It took me a long time to convince the other jurors for life imprisonment."

"Why is that?"

"Because they wanted to acquit you!"

                                      ====================

Modern times

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Yesterday's pictures:

1. Chalk 

2. Caffeine

3. Sand

4. Dust

5. Velcro

6. Butterfly's tongue

7. Seawater

8. Rusty, cracked iron bar