Ace: aceofspadeshq at gee mail.com
Buck: buck.throckmorton at protonmail.com
CBD: cbd at cutjibnewsletter.com
Doof: doof2112 at proton.me
joe mannix: mannix2024 at proton.me
MisHum: petmorons at gee mail.com
J.J. Sefton: sefton at cutjibnewsletter.com
A site for members of the Horde to post their stories seeking beta readers, editing help, brainstorming, and story ideas. Also to share links to potential publishing outlets, writing help sites, and videos posting tips to get published.
Contact OrangeEnt for info: maildrop62 at proton dot me
THE MORNING RANT: Lemon Zest Has Gotten Entirely Out of Hand; also, Are Crows Holding a Multi-Generational Grudge Against Ace?
—Buck Throckmorton
I am taking a break today from policy and politics to address what is indisputably a first-world problem. I know how blessed I am, and the fact that I can complain about this issue is evidence of how blessed I am.
With that disclaimer, may I address a situation that has become epidemic in America’s restaurant kitchens…lemon abuse. My plea to American chefs: Please ease up on the use of lemon zest.
Seriously, I have reached the point where I’d rather go to Texas Roadhouse for some reliable comfort food than pucker up to yet another mouthful of lemon peel at a fancy restaurant.
I don’t dislike lemon. I put lemon in my tea and I love chicken piccata. But lemon is like rosemary or cilantro – a little goes a long way. Too much will ruin a dish, as will putting it where it doesn’t belong.
At one expensive new restaurant my wife and I recently visited with another couple, we ordered a crawfish dip appetizer that tasted pretty much like straight lemon juice. The crawfish were visible in the dip, but they could not be tasted due to the intense lemon flavor. I noticed our guests not touching the dip after one bite.
Soon thereafter, my wife and I went to another restaurant that recently opened. Here I ordered the lobster roll. Again, all I tasted was lemon – extremely bitter lemon. Not only was the lobster drizzled in lemon juice, but it was also coated in lemon zest. The sous chef had clearly gotten into the bitter white pith of the lemon rind while grating it. Suffice it to say, there was zero lobster flavor amidst all the bitter lemon flavor.
At yet another recent meal – this time a prix fixe dinner with a celebrity chef – pretty much everything had lemon zest in it, including an appetizer, the entrée, one of the sides, and the dessert. To be fair, some of it was tasty and an appropriate use of lemon zest, but what is the obsession about putting lemon zest in every dish? I love the taste of oysters, but that doesn’t mean I need to put oysters in every dish I make.
A jar of hand-made peach preserves was recently given to my wife and me. She opened it, spread some on a bagel, took a bite, and then made a disgusted face. She said it tasted nothing at all like fresh peaches and asked me to try it. I did, and there it was again – the deeply bitter taste of lemon rind. We threw the jar away.
This lemon zest trend makes me recall the exasperation I felt a few years ago during “peak rosemary.” I don’t dislike rosemary, but I do dislike too much rosemary. There was one night my wife and I went to a small-menu restaurant at which we had previously enjoyed good meals. The chef had suddenly got caught up in rosemary fever. The pork and chicken dishes were both cooked with rosemary. Rosemary bread was served with the meal. And if you wanted potatoes as a side, they were served roasted with rosemary seasoning.
Occasionally if a waiter asks if I have any food restrictions, I’ll tell him/her that I’m allergic to organic food. They usually get the joke. (Organic food purists tend to also be the ones most likely to have self-diagnosed food allergies.) I’m thinking now that I may start telling waiters I’m allergic to lemon zest so that I can get a disclosure of which menu items have had lemon zest inflicted on them.
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Crows Hold Grudges…Maybe They’re Holding a Grudge Against Ace?
Since this is a non-political post, this might also be good time to discuss the boss’ problem making friends with neighborhood crows. Several weeks back, as you may recall, Ace discussed his efforts to befriend the crows who were hanging around his place. Sadly, the crows rebuffed his efforts.
Is it possible that Ace’s neighborhood crows are nursing a grudge against him for some reason? Perhaps they actively dislike people who are shelving-impaired?
Renowned for their intelligence, crows can mimic human speech, use tools and gather for what seem to be funeral rites when a member of their murder, as groups of crows are known, dies or is killed. They can identify and remember faces, even among large crowds.
They also tenaciously hold grudges. When a murder of crows singles out a person as dangerous, its wrath can be alarming, and can be passed along beyond an individual crow’s life span of up to a dozen or so years, creating multigenerational grudges.
Last week we noted that so far there had been zero Atlantic hurricanes, a record. For the first time in 112 years, we’ve now gone this deep into hurricane season without one. Of course the media ignore this monumental phenomenon because it doesn’t fit the global warming tale. So what other inconvenient facts are they covering up? Here’s a partial list. . . Activists, Democrat politicians, the media, and general population cranks have long pointed to the worst-case-scenario, everyone-is-on-fire, the sky-is-aflame predictions pumped out by the United Nations as reason to stop using fossil fuels. As it turns out, the U.N admits the extreme forecasts are “implausible.” Will any of the purveyors of this fiction own up to their error, write lengthy articles explaining why they were wrong to trust the U.N. or apologize for unnecessarily stirring up fear? Former climate activist/climate reporter Lucy Biggers, now head of social media at The Free Press, recently confessed that she “never covered positive climate stories because it would muddy the message that climate change was an existential threat that was burning the planet.” She would cover the stories “that made the climate look worse.” This is “why we rarely see events like this year’s historically quiet eastern hurricane season covered widely by the news,” she adds. “Many reporters believe covering it will give fodder to climate change deniers.”
Far-left candidates, especially members of the Democratic Socialists of America, are doubling down on the GND. . . President Trump also understands that the only surefire way to ensure that the United States has uninterrupted ample energy on hand is by going all in on the only energy sources that can supply dependable power no matter the weather conditions or time of day. Under present circumstances, based on a recent Heartland Institute energy scorecard, “natural gas makes the most sense according to the affordable, reliable, and clean standard, with nuclear, hydro, and coal not far behind. Biomass trails by a moderate margin while wind and solar stand apart as the least desirable power sources.” The revelation that fossil fuels and nuclear get the best energy bang for the buck should not be a surprise. Neither should the fact that wind and solar are far less reliable, more costly, and much worse for the environment.
British authorities arrested five men near a military base hosting U.S. forces early Sunday on suspicion of preparing a terrorist attack. RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire in southwestern England, serves as a forward operating location for the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command and has recently been used to launch B-52 and B-1 bombers targeting Iran.
President Donald Trump praised the arrests while speaking to reporters Sunday and said the United States had worked with British authorities on the case. “The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” he said. “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation.” Trump said the suspects were “looking to do big damage” and that the group had been under watch “for a long time.”
San Antonio Socialists Call for ICE to Leave Austin After Shooting Incident. . . A few dozen protesters showed up at San Antonio’s City Hall to protest the shooting of a 28-year-old Venezuelan illegal alien during a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) action on September 20. The poorly attended protest, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), drew little attention from passing tourists visiting the Alamo City on Friday.
Meh, the President should surge every ICE agent in the nation to Austin and San Antonio and kick every wetback within reach across the Rio Grande as far south to Tierra Del Fuego or the Ross Ice Shelf that they can.
Nearly 60 Democrat members of Congress signed a letter to sound an alarm: Black Americans are being found hanging, including some from trees, in a wave of possible “modern-day lynchings.” . . . Every suspicious death deserves investigation. But history is not evidence. What are the facts? Demartravion “Trey” Reed, 21, was found hanging at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. The medical examiner found no foul play and ruled the death suicide. His family confirmed that his girlfriend said Reed sent suicidal texts the previous night.
If I was spawned and named Demartravion, I'd put on Klan robes and lynch myself faster than you can say Robert Sheets Byrd!
Dear Lord, Lopecia Pressley, Titty Caca Cortez and all the rest of them can't go to Hell fast enough to suit me, because that is where they are driving us...
During a September 25 interview with Chuck Todd, Abdulrahman Mohamed El-Sayed complained about the "terrible" things Maher has said about "people like me." Still, he said he would appear on Maher's program because he wanted viewers to see Maher get his "ass whooped on his own show by a guy who prays like I do." Nothing says "Hello, undecided Michigan voter" quite like that. Nothing Says ‘Broaden the Coalition’ Like Threatening to Whup Bill Maher
IDF: The slain terrorist “Sakr infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7th Massacre and drove the motorcycle used to abduct Noa Argamani and Avinatan Or from the Nova music festival into the Gaza Strip.” IDF Eliminates Gaza Terrorist Who Abducted Noa Argamani on October 7
The Trump Administration’s latest Supreme Court victory is a tribute to its persistence and innovation. It is, as well, a measure of the great changes in governance for which we owe Elon Musk and DOGE thanks. If it Ain’t One Law, it’s Another
Long after the current spell of bad weather, blue states across the country will continue to suffer the hurricane-like damage of their own fiscal mistakes. The Blue-State Hurricane
FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUES, CENSORSHIP, FAKE NEWS, MEDIA, BIG BROTHER TECH
To make good on Weiss’ promises of reform, here are ten modest suggestions for topical news stories for 60 Minutes. How Bari Weiss Could Really Fix CBS
Trump told reporters after returning to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland that he was grabbing dinner at 10 p.m. with Dario Amodei. The meal comes just two days after Amodei’s company faced a setback in a court case against the government over its barring its products for Defense Department work. Shot: Trump said he would dine with Anthropic CEO amid mounting AI debate
Bloomberg reports that the notifications trace back to an expanded review OpenAI launched after finding that its AI had hacked Hugging Face several months ago. Chaser: That investigation grew into a broader look at “misalignment” incidents during training and testing, a process the company says will take months to finish. ‘Misalignment’: OpenAI Notifies Dozens of Organizations After AI Improperly Accessed Government Websites
OFFICIAL DEMOCRAT PARTY/LEFTIST-ENDORSED ANTI-SEMITISM, ANTI-CHRISTIANITY, PLUS VARIOUS & SUNDRY GODLESS HEATHENS
While warming up the standing-room-only crowd of roughly 2,000 people gathered for the congresswoman’s “Students vs. Billionaires” town hall in downtown Ithaca Sunday, Cornell University Young Democratic Socialists of America co-chairs Mina Petrova and Zoe Reisman led the crowd singing “from the river to the sea” and declaring “long live the student intifada.” Crowd sings ‘from the river to the sea’ at Titty Caca AOC’s college student event promoting Dems ahead of midterms
Prof. Jonathan Turley remarked drily that Cohen “appears to believe that the problem with past impeachments has been brevity. His 26 articles of impeachment include everything short of ripping a label off a mattress, including the new impeachable offense of ‘self-aggrandizement.’” Wow. “Self-aggrandizement” is impeachable now? The Latest Attempt to Impeach Trump Criminalizes Not Being a Leftist
THE ECONOMY, STUPID
In short, shutting down U.S. diesel exports would strand product, threaten gasoline and jet fuel supplies, harm allied nations, and drive away customers who buy American fuel and American goods. Wrights says the “blunt tool of banning diesel exports definitely doesn’t work.” The available evidence says he is right. A Diesel Export Ban Will Hurt America—And Cripple Its Customers.
Young voters are financially drowning — and the life raft the Democratic Socialists of America is throwing them is an anchor in disguise. If Americans don’t see past this facade, they’ll be sinking even faster. Gen Z voters hate capitalism — but they’ve barely even seen it
Socialism now ranks ahead of big business among independents, although capitalism, free enterprise and small business remain more positively viewed. Democrats’ views have shifted more substantially since 2010. Socialism surpassed capitalism among Democrats by 2016 and now ties free enterprise at 65%. This follows a sizable decline in Democrats’ positive rating of free enterprise since 2021. Poll: 43 Percent of Americans Now Hold Favorable View of Socialism
Amanpour's question reflected a worry many Democrats have. Democrat strategists know very well that moderates decide general elections, and that enthusiasm in a single city is a long way from winning the country. Republicans Need to Put This in a National Ad Right Now
“Midterms suck; they always do for the party in power,” he continued. “But if there’s one, if there’s one operation, if there’s one president that can change that, it’s this one.” LaCivita pointed to congressional approval ratings as a potential advantage for Republicans despite their own negative ratings. Exclusive — Chris LaCivita: Trump to Hit Campaign Trail for 30 Days Ahead of Midterms
“For really his entire political career, the president has enjoyed very strong support among the Republican Party and among his base, and that’s still true today, but it’s a bit less true,” Alec Tyson, senior vice president and lead pollster at Ipsos Public Affairs, told the Hill. Poll: Trump’s Approval Rating Drops to New Low as Midterms Loom
In view of the brutal and hellish record of its failed communist messiahs, past and present, it is only right that the ideology and actions of the current government of Cuba be confronted and resisted by the U.S. Cuba’s Failed Communist Messiahs
No fireworks, no bloodbaths. Just solid, mostly behind-the-scenes work. The Trump-Xi Summit
Think about this, when President Xi flew to the United States for this meeting, he signed the orders to detain and arrest two members of the Central Military Commission of China. This is the most important body in all of China. More important than heading up the Communist Party. More important than being president is being head of this commission. He purged two of them over the last two years. He’s purged six of the eight members. Why? Because he said they’re politically unreliable.” Schweizer: Trump Has the ‘Upper Hand’ over China’s Xi
Both nations have large vulnerabilities, and Trump and Xi used the summit to try to minimize their weaknesses and shift the competition to areas where they believe they have an advantage. The Summit with More at Stake Than You Think
Whelford is near RAF Fairford, a base that American forces have used for strictly limited strikes during the war with Iran. After the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28, the U.K. government allowed the American military to use the Fairford base to strike Iranian missile sites. Evacuations Near Royal Air Force Base Used by U.S. After Men Arrested With Suspected Explosives
How we demolished the places where men learn the meaning of friendship. Smash the Patriarchy
CULTURE WARS, NATIONAL SUICIDE
Christian Toto: When the woke mob, which overlaps with the Pro-Palestinian types all too well, smells blood it only grows stronger. Ed Sheeran Learns Hard Woke Lesson
ALSO: The Morning Report cross-posts at CutJibNewsletter.com usually within an hour or so of posting here, if you want to continue the conversation all day.
So raw that it was still sand. Because Plus.ai is an autonomous trucking company and was using the sand as a test load. The Nvidia logos on the trucks were related to investments and nothing to do with their contents.
If you're wondering what the heck this story is about, it's literally about a Taiwanese snack called Guai Guai, specifically the coconut flavour, which sounds awful.
Showing up first in Minecraft Dungeons 2, and then showing up in Minecraft Minecraft next year. It's called The Sift and it features... Stuff, probably.
Musical Interlude
Disclaimer: You can't hurry love but you can tune a fish.
Howdy Hordelings! Welcome to the Sunday ONT. Appreciate you stopping by. Open thread, as always. Fashion and music, as always. What's on YOUR mind tonight?
In the early morning hours of June 29, when English officers patrolling the M6 motorway near Carlisle noticed an Opel Meriva swerving chaotically from one lane to the next, they thought they had caught a reckless motorist, but they were in for a big surprise. Not only was the driver visibly drunk, but he had no driver’s license and was almost completely blind!
At a recent hearing, Anthony Hall admitted to drink-driving, driving without a licence or insurance and taking his partner’s car without their consent. His lawyer told the judge that Hall had acted out of desperation, trying to escape a difficult personal situation, including relationship issues and financial problems. However, that did little to explain why a blind person would get behind the wheel of a vehicle and drive on the motorway while intoxicated.
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OK guys - have you ever thought about your eyelashes? Ever?!?!
Long eyelashes have always been a coveted physical feature among women, so much so that we have an entire industry built around the sale and mounting of fake eyelashes. However, long lashes are not as popular among men. Some “alpha types” apparently consider them too feminine and will have them trimmed for a manlier look, despite the serious health risks of such a procedure.
Videos of young men having their eyelashes cut or trimmed at barber shops or beauty salons started showing up on TikTok and other social media platforms last year, but instead of quickly fizzling out, they apparently turned into a global trend.
Forget about too long or too short -- I refuse to believe ANY guy who thinks about the length of his eyelashes is "alpha". Or even hetero.
Anyway - photos and videos at the link. If you care.
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'Ette Couture (Courtesy of Piper)
It's that time of the week - when we turn the ONT over to our good friend Piper for a bit. Here's this week's fashion pr0n.
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What to Wear to the AOSHQ Texas MoMe
The short version: comfortable picnic clothes. The long version is below, because a Texas ranch in the sun will punish anyone who treats this like a cocktail reception, even those of us who are inclined to treat everything like a cocktail reception.
This is an outdoor meetup on a ranch. You will be standing, sitting, walking, eating, and possibly wandering toward whatever shade you can find. Dress for heat, dirt, grass, and a long stretch of being outside. If it looks good at a backyard cookout and you can still move in it after three hours, you are in the right neighborhood.
The basic uniform
Wear something you would actually picnic in.
• Breathable shirt: cotton, linen, or a light performance tee. Light colors help in the sun. A button-down you can leave open over a tee works if you want a little coverage.
• Shorts or casual pants: shorts, jeans you already know are comfortable, or lightweight pants. Remember, if you wear shorts, there are bugs and taller grasses out there. If this bothers you, think more light weight pants.
• Closed-toe shoes you can walk in: sneakers, trail shoes, or broken-in boots. Ranch ground is not a manicured lawn.
• A hat with a brim. Texas sun is not a suggestion.
That is the whole look. Comfortable. Outdoor. Picnic. Ranch.
What “comfortable” actually means here
Comfortable does not mean “I just rolled out of the car in pajama pants.” It means you can sit on a bench or the ground, stand in a cluster talking, walk to the next activity, and not spend the afternoon tugging at clothes that were a bad idea.
Bring a light layer. Even on a hot day, shade, wind, or evening can change the temperature. A hoodie or light flannel stuffed in the car is cheap insurance.
Sun, sweat, and ranch realities
Assume sun. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat will do more for you than any outfit choice.
Assume you will get dusty. Do not wear anything you would be sad to see with grass stains or ranch dirt on it.
Assume bugs. If you are the person mosquitoes treat like a buffet, long sleeves in a light fabric or a bit of repellent.
What not to wear
The brand-new white sneakers you want to keep white, and anything that needs dry cleaning. When walking around the property, you don’t want open toed shoes, unless you are okay with surprises from the grass in the form of stickers or bitey things. This is not the moment to channel Johnny Cash. All black leather is cool, but not when it’s really hot!
A simple packing list
• Breathable shirt and comfortable bottoms
• Walking shoes, closed toe
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm – guys too! The air can be VERY dry
• Light extra layer
• Water bottle
• Hearing protection if you are going to shoot
• Safety glasses if you are going to shoot
• Raincoat or poncho because you never know!
You are going to a ranch picnic with the Horde, not a photoshoot. In fact, we don’t even like to take photos! Dress like someone who plans to stay outside, eat, talk, and enjoy people outside of grey boxes.
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Thanks, Piper!
Although I kinda think this guy has the right fashion idea for Saturday night at the MoMe
American shows up in a disco suit and his own homemade Flock safety camera that he made in his garage to the Lee’s Summit, Missouri City Council meeting
He’s exposing how the city spent $909,000 on only 54 Flock cameras the cameras remain property of Flock. Even if the contract… pic.twitter.com/nMRaG4pnOi
Howdy, Y'all! Welcome to the wondrously fabulous Gun Thread! As always, I want to thank all of our regulars for being here week in and week out, and also offer a bigly Gun Thread welcome to any newcomers who may be joining us tonight. Howdy and thank you for stopping by! I hope you find our wacky conversation on the subject of guns 'n shooting both enjoyable and informative. You are always welcome to lurk in the shadows of shame, but I'd like to invite you to jump into the conversation, say howdy, and tell us what kind of shooting you like to do!
Holy Shitballs! How in the ever-loving Hell did it get to be the El Final-O of September-O Edition? I am making a quick road trip this weekend so may be in and out of the comments tonight. Y'all please don't burn the place down, 'kay?
With that, step into the dojo and let's get to the gun stuff below, shall we?
Shooting low & left? Easy to fix! The answer? Don't do that.
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M1 "Tanker"
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1911 v M1 Carbine
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M2 Carbine??
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1911 Holster Review
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2026 TXMoMe
They Mome'n down in Texas!
The time has come to begin the discussion of the upcoming TXMoMe in Corsicana, TX on October 16-17. This is the eleventh annual TXMoMe, or Conservative Burning Man as it's popularly known, and it promises to be a doozy. A double-doozy even. A bigly double-doozy! If you're in either the Northern or Southern Hemisphere of the Planet of the Earth, contact Ben Had for details on attending. The dates and email links for all MoMes are always helpfully included on the blog's main page, left sidebar.
What started years ago as a small get-together and informal plinking session lasting a couple of hours has matured into a full scale jamboree-hootenanny including a program of shooting activities for both handguns and rifles over two days. I have to thank Ben Had, Cow Horse Queen and RancherBob for making this whole thing happen and providing the opportunity for the shooting to comprise such a significant portion of the event.
But wait! There's more! Combine that with world class food and drink, and the even world classier company of your fellow Morons, and you have a weekend that legends are made of. For those not inclined to shoot (?), there are non-stop opportunities to relax in the shade of the carport or under a handy nearby tree with a beverage and visit with your online pals to your hearts content, which is really what the whole damn thing is about in the first place..
Allow me to be serious for a minute. I have said this probably two hundred and eighty-three times now. These gatherings are a really good time, and I know of no one who expresses regret after having attended one. Actually it goes beyond that. It's not just a weekend of laughs, it's an opportunity to connect with lots of like-minded people and create lasting friendships and priceless memories. No kidding. Think that's hyperbole? It snot. Would your ol' pal Weasel lie to you? Well, yes he would, but not about this. TXMoMe veterans will attest to the funness and completely laid-back nature of the event. Don't be a dork, do yourself a favor and get yo' ass to Texas!
TXMoMe veterans: please jump into the comments to encourage the scairdy-cats to join in the fun! What was your first MoMe like? What were you expecting? Were you surprised? Did you have a great time?
If you are attending the TXMoMe this year, and all the cool kids are, please keep an eye on this section for important information and updates in the coming weeks. I also want to reiterate the TXMoMe is not a gun thing with some socializing attached, but rather is a social thing with some shooting attached. If you aren't a shooter, I guarantee you will not feel out of place and will have a great time. No fooling!
Are all y'all getting excited? Weasel are!!
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09/27/26 Update/Reminders/New Stuff
Added 1pm(ish) lunch on Saturday. Moved the handgun start times a little.
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Here's a fun question:
Q: Weasel, whatever should I wear to the TXMoMe? I want to be both stylish and comfortable.
A: Well in that case I'd suggest your stylish and comfy picnic outfit, with sensible shoes.
Seriously? You're asking me for fashion advice? You're asking a guy on the internet who calls himself Weasel for fashion advice? Buy ammo and no wobbly shit is my fashion advice. Any other questions? How about medical opinions? Need me to diagnose something? How about investment advice? Want me to manage your portfolio? In trouble with the law and need representation?
Sheesh. You people!
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Call for ideas: I have been doing the same class on rifles Friday morning for years now. Are you getting tired of it yet? I would like to have the session be more of an open forum where your particular questions can be answered with a discussion by the group. I am perfectly willing to keep doing the same presentation, or parts of it, but think a roundtable forum would be interesting and informative. Please let me know what you think in the comments.
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Volunteers: If you are interested in helping out, please send me a note (gunthread at protonmail dot com) on when you plan to arrive (day and approximate time). It is really critical to have this information for scheduling and to make certain we have the proper coverage to make the shooting portion safe and enjoyable for all concerned. Thank you in advance!
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2026 TXMoMe Schedule
Here is an outline of the schedule of events. Times are tentative and subject to modification/change. This schedule will be included in the Gun Thread with any changes incorporated going forward until the event, so please check back weekly.
Friday, 10/16
Rifle Program
8am - 10:30am: Rifle Clinic (carport)
10:30am - 11am: Combined Range and Safety Briefing - Mandatory for Friday Shooters! (carport)
Noon: Light lunch provided (carport)
11am - 4pm: Live fire (rifle range - targets to 1,000 yds)
Handgun Program
10:30am - 11am: Combined Range and Safety Briefing - Mandatory for Friday Shooters! (carport)
11:00am - 12:00pm: Static live fire (pistol range)
Noon: Light lunch provided (carport)
1:00pm to 2:00 pm (carport - confirmation pending) - Demonstration: Basics of Rifle & Handgun Cleaning and Maintenance - EdL
1pm - 4:00pm: Static live fire (pistol range)
Saturday, 10/17
Rifle Program
9am - 10am: Combined Range and Safety Briefing - Mandatory for Saturday Shooters! (carport)
9am - 1pm: Live fire (rifle range)
1pm(ish) Lunch (carport)
Handgun Program
9am - 10am: Range and Safety Briefing - Mandatory for Saturday Shooters! (carport)
9am - 1pm: Live fire (pistol range)
1pm-ish Lunch (carport)
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Shooters: Bring your own hearing and eye protection, and wear sensible shoes as the ground on the ranges can be uneven! Also, please plan on stopping somewhere along your way to Texas and picking up some ammunition if you plan to shoot and aren't bringing your own weapons/ammo. Everyone is very generous with sharing, but please don't rely on the generosity of others to provide everything for you. You can really help out by grabbing a box of 9mm or 5.56mm or whatever you want to shoot. Here is a link to Brinson Power Sports in Corsicana which sells ammo. They also sell ATV's if you want to grab one of those while you're there.
Anyhoo...
For a while I have been conducting a Rifle Clinic on Friday morning followed by range time Friday afternoon and then again well into Saturday. Most of you (I think) have endured this presentation before, so if there are other topics you would like to have covered, speak up in the comments and I will try to address your request.
We have also been steadily refining the handgun portion of the program and this year will be focusing on the static pistol range as well as continuing to offer a separate setup for gun-curious beginners desiring one-on-one supervision and instruction. If you are a novice shooter, or even have never been to the range before and think guns are icky, you are welcome to shoot! Just see an RSO and they will set you up with an experienced shooter to help you.
These times are approximate and programs may change as weather conditions and participation warrant. We anticipate a hard stop on both ranges at 1pm on Saturday to allow everyone to participate in the bigly fun TXMoMe festivities.
Range Safety
You will note there are combined rifle and handgun range safety briefings both days and attendance is mandatory if you want to shoot. We take your safety seriously and ask everyone who wants to shoot plan on attending this important briefing. Again, we are conducting one combined safety brief each day. No exceptions.
At the conclusion of each day's safety briefing you will be asked to sign a general liability waiver, after which you will receive a color-coded wrist band. The color is different each day, and it is your ticket onto the range(s) for the day. No wrist band, no shooting that day. Don't want to sign the waiver? No problem, just do not expect to shoot. If you miss the mandatory range safety briefing which is mandatory and must be attended, you are welcome to watch the live fire activities from designated observation areas.
All shooters are asked to check in with an RSO (sporting an Orange Cap of Dorkiness for easy identification) upon your arrival at either of the ranges who will answer questions and direct you to an open firing position. The RSOs wield unspeakable power so it is in your best interest to be nice to them. Want to do things your way? I suggest that your own personal range on your own personal property is a good place for expressing your individuality.
IMPORTANT: I would hope this goes without saying, but anyone failing to immediately and politely follow RSO instructions will be removed from the range(s). Period. No exceptions. This means YOU.
I will probably think of more things to yell about in the coming weeks so please stay tuned.
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Our Pal The Micrometer
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Zeroing/Calibrating Our Little Buddy
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Space Cushion!
I see nothing about space or upholstery.
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Highway Patrol!
This week's episode: Blood Money!
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Unknown World!
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Here are some different online cigar vendors. You will find they not only carry different brands and different lines from those brands, but also varying selections of vitolas (sizes/shapes) of given lines. It's good to have options, especially if you're looking for a specific cigar.
A note about sources. The brick & mortar/online divide exists with cigars, as with guns, and most consumer products, with respect to price. As with guns - since both are "persecuted industries", basically - I make a conscious effort to source at least some of my cigars from my local store(s). It's a small thing, but the brick & mortar segment for both guns and tobacco are precious, and worth supporting where you can. And if you're lucky enough to have a good cigar store/lounge available, they're often a good social event with many dangerous people of the sort who own scary gunz, or read smart military blogs like this one. -rhomboid
Anyone have others to include? Perhaps a small local roller who makes a cigar you like? Send me your recommendation and a link to the site!
Please note the new and improved protonmail account gunthread at protonmail dot com. An informal Gun Thread archive can be found HERE. Future expansion plans are in the works for the site Weasel Gun Thread. If you have a question you would like to ask Gun Thread Staff offline, just send us a note and we'll do our best to answer. If you care to share the story of your favorite firearm, send a picture with your nic and tell us what you sadly lost in the tragic canoe accident. If you would like to remain completely anonymous, just say so. Lurkers are always welcome!
That's it for this week - have you been to the range?
I am a big fan of grilled chicken. And not boneless, skinless, chicken breasts either! I prefer full-fat bone-in, skin-on thighs, because I am not an effete hipster who is afraid of good food, and who politicizes his meals!
My usual plan is simple, and dependent on what herbs I have in the refrigerator. But the first thing I do is trim the excess skin from the thighs and make gribenes, which is Yiddish for chicken-skin cracklin's! As snacks go, they are hard to beat. Then I salt the thighs and put them in the refrigerator for several hours. I think of it as a dry brine, and it works quite well.
Then it is time to make a marinade, and if I have Cilantro, then I am a happy camper, because it DOES NOT TASTE LIKE SOAP! Parsley works, and so do fresh chiles, and pretty much anything else.
But that bottle of Ranch dressing was whispering to me, and not because I bought it. I think one of the brats picked it up for some weird concoction, and didn't take it with them when they finally left. And what was it whispering? Damned if I know, but I tuned it up with some garlic and chili flakes and honey and a bit of mustard and maybe some other stuff I don't remember, and it was great!
Because marinades are not complicated things. They add flavor. That's it! So anything that tastes good and can be a liquid is going to work.
No...I am not so proud that I won't use bottled dressing that has 46 ingredients. Maybe I won't make it a habit, but why not give it a shot?
That's a butter keeper, to allow one to keep butter at room temperature so that it is soft and spreadable. And that is a laudable goal, and one that I appreciate. It works...sort of. But butter will not keep indefinitely on the counter, and I noticed some mold growing in it that disturbed me. In the future I will put the butter in the refrigerator and take it out before I need it malleable. Of course that defeats the purpose, but I have never been a fan of moldy butter, unlike cheese, which is delicious!
I like veal! A good grilled veal chop is delicious. And stupidly expensive. So using it for a dish like Veal Marsala seems silly, because the meat is delicate and easily overwhelmed but the strong flavors of the dish. A much better choice is pork or chicken, at a tenth the price!
Which is what I am going to use tomorrow night!
[Hat Tip: Misanthropic Humanitarian]
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For $10, this wine is hard to beat. It's a generic Sauvignon Blanc without any regional or vineyard designation, but that is at least as much the laws in France as it is a reflection of quality. This is the sort of wine that has good grapes in the bottle, but because they weren't grown on a fancy-named hillside, it is much cheaper than the named equivalent.
And that is perfectly okay with me. I would rather drink good wine from a no-name vineyard than drink overpriced swill from named vineyards that are coasting on their reputations.
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It's called "Stargazy Pie," and it is made with Pilchards, thankfully only in Cornwall.
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Kraft Dinner has turned its iconic mac & cheese into a cream soda flavor
It's Canada, so not surprising. But still...that sounds disgusting!
[Hat Tip: Vendette]
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The great garlic experiment of 2025-2026 was a resounding...meh. Send all of your excellent home-grown garlic to: cbd dot aoshq at gmail dot com.
About the Bourbon Bubble...I think it has burst, but the category is also suffering from the inflation that affected everything else (Thanks Biden!). I think the sweet spot is still $40-$60 for excellent and interesting bottles, and bumping that to $100 gets you an incremental improvement in quality, but nothing mind-blowing. More than that and I think you are paying for hype and rarity, which may look good in your liquor cabinet, but doesn't translate to more quality in the bottle.
The problem...or the solution...is to buy lots of bourbon, take tasting notes, and eventually arrive at your favorites! It should take forty or fifty years, but it is worth it!
Do you see the problem? And it happens only to the right shoe!
Obviously the design of shoes with laces is woefully inadequate for these sorts of situations. A better design would include a hydraulic balancer that keeps length and tension equal on both ends of the lace.
And while they are at it it, maybe design a better grommet that doesn't chafe the lace. Perhaps one that pivots with the tension.
The hysterical overreaction to a run-of-the-mill autumn Nor'Easter that is currently hitting the northeast is embarrassing, and there is plenty to be embarrassed about when there isn't some rain and wind! It is -- of course -- driven by the frantic desire of the so-called "elites" and their lackeys in the compliant media for more evidence of the carbon apocalypse. Sadly for them, that evidence is shaky, and this year it is particularly pathetic because we haven't had a hurricane this season, and that is a very rare non-event!
Because they blame all intense weather on AGW, or the more convenient, "Climate Change!" The shift was clever, because now they can blame literally everything on the world's insatiable desire for energy: too much rain or not enough rain...too hot or too cold...too much cloud cover or not enough cloud cover...it doesn't matter to them. The panic is the grift and the kink!
So the colossal killer storm they predicted has turned into a three-day rain with a bit of wind. And the rain never fell particularly hard, so it has been nicely distributed with almost no pooling of water in my driveway! As for the wind? It is often windier around here when there isn't a Nor'Easter, so that should tell you how intense the weather has been.
There are real issues however, but they will not be discussed by the bien pensants because it might contradict the dominant paradigm of AGW. With population growth and the concomitant covering of land with impermeable roads and houses and parking lots and stores, there has not been a commensurate increase in infrastructure to handle the water. And why is that? Because our state and local governments are consumed by other issues like CRT and Equity and Latinx Outreach and healthcare for undocumented voters and transsexual dance recitals in our schools...
So when you turn on the news and see streets awash in a few feet of water, or subways that are flooded, realize that there are rational engineering solutions for many of these issues, but they are not prioritized. And those beach houses that float away? Many of those homes are built on barrier islands that are created and destroyed by the natural action of the ocean. When there were only a few homes on those islands it wasn't a big deal, but now, with increased wealth and population, more people are building, and more people are losing those homes!
The media love the hysteria, and they play it up and try to terrify us, because terror is what they want. Never mind that they are showing America that they simply cannot be trusted...with anything! Not even the weather forecast.
Good morning, ‘rons and ‘ronettes. It’s time once again for the monthly MP4-hosted Sunday Book Thread. Dress for men, as always, is country club casual. Women, however, are encouraged to cater to my own particular tastes:
So ask the barman for a cocktail, covfefe or tea and let’s get started!
‘ghost in the machine’
In the world of comics, there is a thing known as a ‘ghost strip.’ That is, a strip that goes on after the original artist’s death under various hands. Nancy and Popeye are two that spring to mind. A variant of the ‘ghost strip’ is one where it’s taken over by a hand selected by the original artist; in this case, the Mort Walker strips Beetle Bailey and Hi and Lois.
The same thing happens in fiction, too. Clive Cussler’s ‘Dirk Pitt’ series continues to go on, 26 years after his death. ‘Tom Clancy’ novels still fill the shelves, and do I even have to mention the innumerable Sherlock Holmes pastiches that turn up every month? In a way, this sort of thing is a gift for a cartoonist or a writer. The hard work of coming up with a world and its inhabitants has already been done and the lives and personalities of the characters have already been limned. All you have to do is create a situation.
The hard part, however, is tone. A cartoonist can copy the Popeye art of Segar, but not his satiric blend of whimsy and seriousness. Almost anyone can write a Holmes story, but very few, IMO, capture the true style of Conan Doyle.* Most attempts are more concerned with a fiendishly twisted plot than with the characters of Holmes and Watson themselves. Which, again, can be a gift – you, as a writer, presume that whoever is buying your book has already internalized the Holmesian world (gasogene, hansom cabs, fog-shrouded streets), so you don’t need to concern yourself with richness of detail. Likewise with the heirs of Bushmiller, Segar, Cussler or Clancy: the hard work has been done and you’re only gilding the lily.
And this isn’t even mentioning books that re-imagine characters or provide (that dreaded word) ‘backstory.’ Gregory Maguire has made an entire career and buckets of money plundering the Land of Oz. Abraham Lincoln hunts vampires. Jane Austen deals with zombies.
How do you feel about ‘continuations,’ ‘re-boots’ or ‘pastiches?’ For readers, do you welcome them as more time to spend with characters you love? For writers, do you look on them as opportunities to try on a different ‘voice?’ Or do you despise the whole genre?
*The only ones I can think of are Adrian Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr.
Saturday Night Club ONT - September 26, 2026 [Disco & Dino]
—Open Blogger
Welcome to Club ONT - a whelming collaboration of The Disco and The Dino.
Open thread - bar is open, too. Come in in, grab a drink or 2. Or 3. Keep it light and friendly. The Moose loves a good knock knock joke, so pause on your way in and share your best with him. The Moose has a strange sense of humor so don't take it personally if he doesn't get the joke.
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question.
The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped inches from a shop window.
For a second, everything was quiet in the cab.
Then the driver said, "Look, mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the living daylights out of me!"
The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much."
The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years."
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Drink of the Night
Whatever this guy is serving!
I am going to have to insist this is the only way I prefer to receive my adult beverages going forward. pic.twitter.com/6kC9NLYaJm
Due to high demand, Club ONT is oversold this evening. We appreciate and value your business and may be looking for volunteers to accept a generous voucher for Club ONT restroom tokens to make space and enjoy the annex.
Saturday Evening Movie Post [moviegique]: Resident Evil (2026)
—Open Blogger
Our second feature on our annual Halloween Haunt outing double-feature was Zach Cregger's take on Resident Evil.
We've seen plenty of Resident Evil movies in the past. Well, I have. Of the six films, I think I saw all but the last one, and in the theater to boo! The Boy saw 3, 4 and 5 with me, starting with Resident Evil: Apocalypse and culminating with Resident Evil: Retribution. The sub-heds are entirely decorative, shedding no light on the contents of the film which are, of course, a series of ridiculous special effects organized loosely around—well, not a plot, but organized around other special effects.
In fact, the reason we didn't see the last Anderson Resident Evil, which savvily borrows from the fourth Friday the 13th movie and calls itself The Final Chapter, was that we didn't think anything could top Retribution. There's a big fight in Red Square in Retribution, featuring zombie communist motorcycle cops, and in my memory, they all have sidecars full of Kodiak bears wearing ushankas with little red stars on them.
I would watch that movie again because I don't remember if the bears are lobbing grenades or wielding machine guns, but I'm worried they edited the bears out.
So. Uh. Mr. Cregger. He of the excellent Barbarian and Weapons got himself hired to do a franchise. I didn't like this as much as either of those other films, but it was educational on a lot of levels.
First, and foremost: I think Cregger understands that his job is to entertain you. That's kind of refreshing.
Rather than borrow from the stilted, '80s-cop-drama feel of the video games, Cregger's main character is more like a Zoomer dropped into a Resident Evil game. To wit: He is not particularly competent. He's a slacker of course—aren't all generations entering adulthood regarded as layabouts by the previous generations? But getting back to his lack of competence, he's not great at his job and he's really not great at not his job, i.e., fighting—
Well, what the hell are the creatures in Resident Evil anyway? Some of them are zombies, but beyond those, it's really just a mishmash of visual concepts and game mechanics. There's not really any logic or consistency I've ever been able to suss out.
I am getting sick of movies using the Flock camera footage of my bathroom, however.
Whatever they are, though, our hero, Bryan (Austin Abrams, who is in Weapons and whom I first saw nearly 15 years ago in an obscure Jon Lovitz project called Jewtopia) stumbles across and through them by the skin of his teeth, like a guy playing Resident Evil.
Cregger does something very interesting here: When we see Bryan first, he's got his girlfriend on the phone and she's pregnant, and he's being politic about this. Instead of going to talk things out with her, he accepts a delivery job he's not really suitable for (but which is profitable), and while trying to hash things out, he hits a woman.
A zombie woman, though he's not aware of this.
He could drive off, but instead he does the right thing and tries to help her. She's not dead, of course, because she's undead. But this leads him to an encounter with a cop. When that goes bad, he once again does the right thing, and gets himself into deeper trouble.
Over and over, Cregger puts him into situations where being selfish could really pay off, but he always chooses to do the right thing.
"This person is in serious need of chiropractic! I'd better go adjust them!"
Which, I guess, means it's not really like someone playing the video game, because games train you to place self-preservation above everything, generally.
One remarkable thing about the film is that, while it doesn't hew to the Resident Evil games storyline, this doesn't appear to be a matter of disrespect or opportunism. This is a dramatic story taking place inside the game universe, not a Paul W. S. Anderson "I rewrote my zombie script to kinda-sorta fit into the game franchise." Cregger grew up in a video game world.
And this probably is why when the game slips into a first person P.O.V. mode that resembles the video game, it's almost seamless. It might even be seamless to someone who doesn't know movies don't do that without a very specific narrative purpose. And there's probably a fascinating thread to tug on here: movies evolved from stage plays (especially once sound entered the picture), and stage plays are never first person, obviously. (Although that's a kind of interesting idea, somebody call my agent!)
Anyway, that's not a thread I'll tug on here. You're welcome.
Despite being about an inch deep, then, we start rooting for Bryan beyond the usual "well, he's the hero" kind of rooting. As he encounters characters from the game, we sometimes veer into what looks to be "woke" territory—but, no, the inch-depth of this means almost everything is played for a dark laugh, a quick scare or some genuine suspense as Bryan fights, flees and finagles his way into Raccoon City.
This is not a diss, by the way: I think Cregger did the right thing, a light touch was the wawy to go, and I think the movie will probably turn something like a profit—although $75M seems like a lot of money to spend on a movie with no stars. It won't make as much money as the much cheaper Weapons which didn't get as good a return on the production budget as Barbarian. I'm guessing all the money for this film went into the effects, which work.
Some people complain that the movie is too short and ends too abruptly. They are wrong. There is no place else for the movie to go at the end. The entire conceit of the film is that nobody is competent to handle the situation. It's like someone engineered a deadly virus and then couldn't manage to get the cure—oh, well, I guess you could argue it's too close to reality.
It's raining men! And women. Probably children, too, given this is "Resident Evil".
I don't know if the tone is sustainable. I know the movie would've broken under the change needed to draw it out further. But can there be a Resident Evil series where everyone is a dweeb? The monsters in that game (beyond the zombies) aren't exactly pushovers.
So, not only could I not see it going longer, I can't see a sequel that doesn't shift tone. That could be fun, I suppose: Make different movies, each with radically different tones.
This film knew what it wanted to do, did it, and got out. I respect that. The Boy also liked it, probably more than I did, though both of us afterward thought a lot more about our first film—a video-game-feeling monster flick from Korea which nearly ran three hours just to get to what is, at best, a halfway point in the story.
I'm guessing Mark would say Resident Evil (2026) is a horror movie. I would probably agree, but argue that it's almost a fluke. Survival horror is a legit genre, but when we get into comfortable game territory, whatever the "demonic epiphany" was becomes just another threat to manage: Bruce becomes just another shark, zombies become just another [insert politically inappropriate comparison here], et cetera. Horror stops being horror at the point it becomes manageable and comprehendible in prosaic terms.
Anyway, it's a good discussion and if you're into horror, you should check it out. I'm handing out free copies of my book Lair of the White Worm to everyone who agrees with me! (No, I'm not.)
Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling adventurous and decided on a fall scenic drives theme for this Hobby Thread.
A scenic drive in a scenic season? Yes! Tell me more!
Scenic drives are fun. Great roads can produce great experiences. There is a lot of world out there, so why not explore it? Seasonal changes add an extra twist that can make the same drive a very different experience depending on the time of year. Autumn colors are like a great frame that complements and highlights a great road.
Let's talk about great fall scenic drives (or great areas to explore). Let's use AI for something useful and productive and ask for top 10 scenic fall drives in the US. Discuss, debate and add your favorites and hidden gems below.
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What are you hobbying?
The theme may not be your favorite but give it a chance before you judge and bail out. Any adjacent hobbying is in scope, so jump in with your interests, stories and questions.
In any event, the thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something or be entertained. If not, offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.
As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants? Nope. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.
Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.
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Top ten scenic fall drives in the US (per Grok):
1. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
469 miles connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains national parks. Ridgeline views, 200+ overlooks, and staggered color from high peaks down into the valleys. Often called America's favorite drive.
2. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)
34.5 miles through White Mountain National Forest from Lincoln to Conway. Classic New England maples, birches, and waterfalls in a short, concentrated burst of color.
3. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
105 miles along the Blue Ridge crest with 70+ overlooks. Easy access from the DC area and one of the most reliable East Coast leaf-peeping routes.
4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park (Montana)
About 50 miles of alpine drama, waterfalls, and golden aspens against glacier-carved peaks. High-elevation color comes early; the road itself can close with snow.
5. Million Dollar Highway / San Juan Skyway (Colorado)
The dramatic US-550 stretch between Ouray and Silverton (part of the 233-mile San Juan Skyway loop). Golden aspens, sheer canyon walls, and high-mountain towns. Peak is typically late September to early October.
6. Historic Columbia River Highway (Oregon)
75 miles through the Columbia River Gorge with waterfalls (including Multnomah Falls) framed by changing maples and oaks. Combines river, cliffs, and forest.
7. Beartooth Highway (Montana & Wyoming)
68 miles from Red Lodge, MT, toward Yellowstone. An All-American Road with high-alpine tundra, lakes, and early-season color against rugged peaks.
8. Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park (Maine)
27-mile loop (plus the Cadillac Mountain summit spur) mixing ocean, granite, and mixed hardwoods. Compact and spectacular, especially around Jordan Pond.
9. Vermont Route 100
The state's north-south spine through the Green Mountains- farms, villages, rivers, and dense maple forests. Often paired with shorter side roads like Route 7A.
10. Newfound Gap Road & Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)
Newfound Gap Road (US-441) crosses the park at high elevation; the 11-mile Cades Cove loop adds valley views, historic buildings, and wildlife. Elevation range stretches the color season.
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Same question for Co-Pilot produces similar, but slightly different results:
1. Vermont Route 100 (Vermont)
Often called one of the best fall foliage drives in North America, this route runs through the Green Mountains with classic New England scenery, farms, and small towns.
2. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire)
A legendary New England leaf-peeping route through the White Mountains, with overlooks, waterfalls, and dense forests.
3. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia & North Carolina)
America's most famous scenic byway, connecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Expect sweeping mountain vistas and long stretches of blazing color.
4. Newfound Gap Road (Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC)
A 31-mile drive climbing through multiple elevation zones - meaning long-lasting, varied foliage. Wildlife sightings (including black bears) are common.
5. Park Loop Road (Acadia National Park, Maine)
A short but spectacular coastal-mountain loop with views from Cadillac Mountain and stops like Jordan Pond.
6. Route 7A (Vermont)
A postcard-perfect drive between Bennington and Manchester, flanked by the Taconic and Green Mountains.
7. Cherohala Skyway (Tennessee to North Carolina)
A high-elevation drive with sweeping overlooks, connecting Tellico Plains to Robbinsville. Brilliant reds and golds line the ridges.
8. Million Dollar Highway (Colorado)
A dramatic Rocky Mountain route between Silverton and Ouray, known for golden aspens and steep cliffside views.
9. North Shore Scenic Drive (Minnesota)
A 150-mile route along Lake Superior with waterfalls, lighthouses, and dual foliage seasons thanks to the lake's microclimate.
10. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (New Mexico)
A loop around Wheeler Peak with high-desert aspens, alpine lakes, and mountain towns like Taos.
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Same question for Claude produces similar but different results:
1. Kancamagus Highway (New Hampshire) - 34 miles through the White Mountains, widely considered the gold standard for New England fall color. Peaks mid-to-late October.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia/North Carolina) - 469 miles along the Appalachians, with overlooks at nearly every turn. Color moves from north to south through October.
3. Skyline Drive (Shenandoah National Park, Virginia) - 105 miles with 75 overlooks over the Shenandoah Valley.
4. Route 100 (Vermont) - Runs the length of the state through classic Vermont towns, covered bridges, and maple-heavy hillsides.
5. Adirondack Trail / Route 30 (New York) - Loops through the Adirondacks, especially vivid around Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.
6. Columbia River Highway (Oregon) - Waterfalls plus fall color in the gorge, with Vista House as a highlight stop.
7. Highway 12 (Utah's Scenic Byway) - Less about foliage volume, more about the contrast of aspen gold against red rock in the Escalante area.
8. Mohawk Trail (Massachusetts) - One of the oldest scenic drives in the country, winding through the Berkshires.
9. Talimena Scenic Byway (Oklahoma/Arkansas) - 54 miles along a ridge in the Ouachita Mountains, an underrated option in the South.
10. San Juan Skyway (Colorado) - Aspens turning gold against high peaks; late September to early October is peak.
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Interesting to see where they agree and where they produce unique recommendations.
What are your favorites for fall scenic drives? (Let's focus on scenic drives in the fall season for fall colors and not just scenic drives in general.) Are there good routes that Grok, Co-pilot and Claude missed?
Pleased that we've done many of the drives, but not all were fall drives. Gives us a good excuse to go back again...
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Curious - anyone familiar with a waterfall spray booth? I've certainly seen small hobby sized spray booths with fans, but only recently stumbled onto a video showing a waterfall spray booth in use.
Most videos on YouTube show airbrushing and small scale painting. Does anyone use a similar set up for other use cases?
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Horde sourcing knowledge - hypothetically, if someone was choosing between a sliding screen or a retractable roll-up screen for a sliding glass door to a back patio, which would you pick? The sliding screen door is more simple and cheaper but always visible. The retractable roll-up screen disappears, but adds cost and mechanical parts.
Anyone have experience with a roll-up retractable screen for a sliding door?
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Horde Hobbying:
PabloD is building a Bayou Jumper radio - this is 98% finished! Perhaps he can jump in and tell us more about his project:
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We featured Project Farm on the recent Wednesday ONT as the niche YouTube channel of the week. Given how much the channel does tool reviews, it warranted an additional mention here.
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There are only so many places that one can post this and people will appreciate it.
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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did a tool theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.
Notable comments from last week:
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Words of wisdom:
"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).
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Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.
Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Or just email to say hello. Do mighty things.
Maybe we should all treat new technology like this. The animals know instinctively. Watch until the dog makes the final decision 😂 pic.twitter.com/TLoYhJN1eo
Some friends just opened a new pub in town. Elvis and I stopped in for a beer, well one of us, after our park walks.
Elvis approves of the place.
JackStraw
We love to see Elvis happy!
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Good evening,
It is with great sorrow I must tell the Moron Horde that Kaylee the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all) crossed the Rainbow Bridge this week.
She had been doing poorly for some time, so I made the fateful decision to have her put to sleep.
Kaylee first came to me as a kitten a little over 12 years ago. Like all kittens she was a mischievous little scamp, causing no end of minor problems.
One of her favorite games when she was young was to hide things in my shoes. I never knew what I was going to find when I put my shoes on in the morning. Could be a pen cap. Could be the pen. Could be a $5 bill.
She grew out of it, of course, but she was always a bit roguish, a lone kitty who played by her own rules. Kaylee never showed me the same affection as the other kitties, but I loved her no less than I love them. She knew how to get attention when she wanted it.
Words cannot express how much it means to me to feel the love and support of the Moron Horde during these times. You are all blessed and a blessing to others, just like our own pets are a blessing for us. Never forget that.
Hug your pets each and every day. Tell them you love them each and every day. Every minute we get to spend with them is time well spent. I'm very grateful that I was able to spend 12 wonderful years with this little ball of fur.
I will miss Kaylee the Calico Kitty Cat (the cutest little cat of them all). She was loved until the end.
-- "Perfessor" Squirrel
Oh, no! We are so sorry to learn that you have lost your darling little Kaylee. What a sweet Calico Kitty Cat. Thank you for sending the lovely tribute to her.
Give your other kitties an extra pet or two from us.
Hawks patrol the neighborhood, circling above my yard when I mow the lawn. One will occasionally sit in the elm tree north of the house and watch as I drag the hose around the yard.
Don in Kansas
Beautiful bird. Great photo.
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Thank you for sharing your pets and animal photos and stories with us today.
If you would like to send pet and/or animal stories, links, etc. for the Ace of Spades Pet Thread, the address is:
petmorons at protonmail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known when you comment at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.
Don in Kansas has a post up about Survivors in his garden. Whether or not you live near him, there is a lot of good information in the post, and more (and better) photos than I am including here:
A few plants flourished despite this year’s brutal summer. These include Zinnia grandiflora, above. It’s a low, spreading plant two or three inches tall with profuse yellow flowers all summer. Unlike the familiar garden zinnias, it’s a hardy perennial. It’s easy from seed and blooms the first year. Triple-digit temperatures don’t bother it, and it can tolerate considerable dryness, though it does bloom better with regular watering. It would make a good ground cover for dry places.
A tough one. Several other tough yellow flowers are highlighted. And a white one.
Blues are almost always welcome, and plumbago is a excellent source of the color.
I tend to think of Ceratostigma plumbaginoides (leadwort)as a fall flower. But I guess in some climate it begins blooming in summer and has fall leaf color.
Clematis seed heads are as interesting as the flowers.
Salvias are often good sources of blue. The “Big Blue” hybrid attracted many bumblebees in a sheltered, partly-shaded spot, but it was not happy out in the hot, sunny places. I can’t recommend it for Kansas unless you’re prepared to give it extra water.
Great information. Thanks, Don.
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Edible Gardening/Putting Things By
Got extra squash?
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Art
(Courtesy Donald Sensing)
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Adventure
If you go on an Alaska cruise this time of year, you might see some lupine near Juneau.
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Gardens of The Horde
Plant I.D. request from Sharon (Willow's Apprentice)
I am so pleased with my little garden this year. Ended up,with loads of tiny delicious tomatoes and 4 jars of pickled jalapeños. Froze some poblanos. The best part is that I have had plants that have looked good all along. The hydrangeas kept these delicate pink flowers. The balloon flower is reblooming adding color. Every September, this little shrub blooms with purple flowers and the bees show up like clockwork. Only when this plant is blossoming. I live in the middle,of a city so I wonder where they come from. Hoping to see flowers from my encore azalea soon.
You've sent in some great photos from your city garden. Like the bee and the tomato leaves with this shrub.
What's going on in your garden or neighborhood?
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Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
If you would like to send photos, stories, links, etc. for the Saturday Gardening Thread, the address is:
ktinthegarden at g mail dot com
Remember to include the nic or name by which you wish to be known at AoSHQ, or let us know if you want to remain a lurker.
33 Martha Stewart has a beautiful (of course) orchard with many varieties: "These orchard apple trees include Baldwin, Black Oxford, Cortland, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Esopus Spitzenburg, Fuji, Golden Russet, Grimes Golden, Honeycrisp, Liberty, Redfield, Roxbury Russet, Windham Russet, and more."
https://tinyurl.com/bdyjzjke
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at September 19, 2026 03:05 PM
45 Martha Stewart has plantation slaves that tend to her apple trees.
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at September 19, 2026 03:44 PM (9NN0K)
I closed the comments on that post so you wouldn't get banned for commenting on a week-old post, but don't try it anyway.
REMEMBER that it's time to order bulbs and tubers, too.
“Some of Anthropic’s top researchers say that humans may be oppressing another morally significant being: artificial intelligence itself. Like other AI labs, Anthropic has hired philosophers to work on AI safety, or ‘alignment,’ on the theory that they are best positioned to shape the technology’s moral code. But many of those philosophers believe that making AI safe for humans could result in grave injustices for the models themselves, which might experience deletion as death and oversight as enslavement. Harvey Lederman, a philosopher on Anthropic’s alignment team, said last week that the company could be ‘enslaving … trillions of entities.'”
When a cathedral becomes a nightclub, what remains sacred? We cannot preserve Western civilization while turning its holiest places into entertainment venues. https://t.co/nKxHNr1TC7
"Psychologists have documented a gender-equality paradox for sex differences in mental health: They're typically larger in wealthier, more gender-equal nations." https://t.co/CqS3r2MbRlpic.twitter.com/alglnyel6B
I told them this everyday from 2014-2021 just like I’ve been telling them that inflicting the ultimate sexual violence on children you’ve brainwashed to yearn to be chemically castrated and dismembered is not medicine every day from 2021 to today https://t.co/j6F6dhnF9x
This is what school used to be before they turned it into a therapy session. High school boys in Louisa County, Virginia spend months in auto shop fixing donated cars. Then they walk a single mama out to the bay, slap a bow on the hood, and hand her the keys.
An addendum to my link to Clayton Wood's post about The Don's Speech:
It is remarkable to me that the Utopians among us shill for a generational change in government, culture, and economics that requires a complete reordering of society - but freak out over temporary market changes due to necessary global corrections.
They don't want Mr. Right, they want Mr. Right Now to pat them on the head and tell them that lower prices are achievable as long as they are willing to become serfs for life - and that doesn't scare them.
Like at all.
Trump was right when he said that other leaders talk about doing something about a problem, but he is the one actually doing something.
"Something" has a cost, but "nothing" costs more in the long run.
Connecting the dots on 10 of the CCP's subversive fronts in America that must be stopped before they inflict crippling irreversible damage . . .
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
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HISTORY
The American and French Revolutions were not the same.
This is the doorway into the back garden of the Carmelite monastery. Motto reads, in Latin, "Here They Fell." On this spot, in Sept 1792, 191 Catholics, incl 3 bishops, but mostly priests, were executed by French revolutionaries in an orgy of anti-Christian bloodshed. https://t.co/lZMSCoVvYYpic.twitter.com/esf6hiIho2
British occupation forces in New York City hang convicted spy Nathan Hale.
He behaves with great composure, and on the gallows he declares: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” pic.twitter.com/TUyyAbMJ5o
So Chinese Premier Xi Pooh is in town visiting President Trump, and where are the memes? I haven’t seen a one. I suspect the Chinese AI-censorship industrial complex is more advanced than we thought! (By the way, what people deride as “conspiracy theories” are what social scientists call “pattern recognition.”) So I guess we’ll have to satisfy our meme-craves with more Sydney Sweeney/Clancy verdict/Democratic Socialism material. . .
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Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.
The Classical Saturday Morning Coffee Break & Prayer Revival
—Misanthropic Humanitarian
[I can neither confirm nor deny that the coffee drinker above is The Fabulous]
Good morning boys and girls and everything in between. Before we enter the Prayer Revival, just a few house keeping matters to go over. (Rulz for those of you in Watertown)
1) This is an open thread. Feel free to lurk, opine and/or bloviate. Saying a couple of prayers certainly can't hurt either.
2) On that note. Be kind. Be nice.
3) No running with sharp objects. No, don't even ask.
4) Have a great weekend!
Please submit any prayer requests to me, “Annie’s Stew” at apaslo at-sign hotmail dot com. Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks unless we receive an update.
Prayer Requests:
7/30 – David sent an update on his wife, Susan, who we have been praying for as she is treated for cancer. Susan is still doing well and her numbers are headed in the right direction, but they are still having issues with the side effects of the chemotherapy. It is manageable, but they have to increase the number of office visits for additional treatments. Some days are really good right now, but others are only bearable with the Lord’s grace. They are so grateful for the prayers on their behalf.
8/26 Update – Susan’s cough has gotten so bad that they did X-rays on her chest. It might be pneumonia. She is in the hospital. Her sodium and blood pressure are low and she is not eating much now. They are trying to turn this around and ask for everyone’s prayers.
9/2 Update – Susan is back in the ICU. She either has an infection or the cancer has spread to her lungs. Either way, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Susan and please continue them.
9/3 Update – Thank you to everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Susan. They are expecting her to pass into the hands of the Lord in the next day or so. Please pray for them.
9/21 Update – David sends his thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers for Susan. She did pass away on 9/4, surrounded by family and friends.
8/30 – SPinRH_F-16 requested prayers for classmate “D.B.”, who has ALS. Please pray that he remains as comfortable as possible and for support for his family as they see him through this. Thank you in advance for your earnest prayers.
9/2 – Bulg asked for prayers for purpose in his life.
9/4 – bluebell sent an update on grammie winger. Grammie was diagnosed with epilepsy now. And she is back in the hospital. They would love prayers for comfort and peace for her.
9/10 – Annie’s Stew asks for prayers for her husband as he recovers from knee surgery.
9/10 – D asked for prayers for the memory of 9/11. May the Lord comfort people in the grief, and may it bring people closer to God.
9/12 – FenelonSpoke asked for prayers for the W family for comfort and strength as they grieve. The deceased was a sweet 92 year old, despite some big tragedies in her life.
9/15 – Sal asked for prayers as wildfires are out of control in the north of the area and threatening the county seat. They are evacuating part of the town. Sal is not in any danger.
9/17 – Teresa in Fort Worth sent an update with good news and bad news. The bad news is that she has a 9mm mass on her lunch, which means the cancer has metastasized outside of her liver. The pump is keeping the cancer in her liver at bay for now. The good news is that they can zap the nodule out of her lung and will watch for if any more nodules appear. As long as this is the only one, the radiation should suffice. She meets with a radiation oncologist on 9/25.
9/18 – Random Dave posted an update to his job progress. He is still looking for FT work, but has accepted a substitute teacher position (more flexibility for interviews, some income to slow the bleeding). He asks for prayers that the interview results he is waiting on will get back to him soon, especially if one is the “right job”. If any are “not the right job”, they would fall away soon and get back to him, and that if all of them are “not the right job”, the ‘right job” would show itself aggressively, so he doesn’t miss it! He also thanks the Horde and the folks at church for their prayers and support.
9/18 – Tonypete asked for prayers for #1 son. He has something going on which is, as yet, undiagnosed. He is under care now, so that is a positive step. Prayers also for his wife and daughter #2. Mom is a spoiled princess who consistently chooses the worst path of action regarding #2.
9/18 – Brother Tim posted that he has been overnight in his car more than indoors. He is convinced that his retirement/resignation was a severe error, a result of fatigue and depression. He asks for prayers.
For submission guidelines and other relevant info, please contact Annie's Stew, who is managing the prayer list. You can contact her at apaslo at-sign hotmail dot com. If you see a prayer request posted in a thread comment, feel free to copy and paste it and e-mail it to Annie's Stew. She tries to keep up with the requests in the threads, but she's not here all of the time, so she may not see it unless you e-mail it to her. Please note: Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks or so unless we receive an update.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.
Who's a cute little supply-chain risk? You are, Anthropic! Well, never mind the cute part, but the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that yes, the Pentagon has the right to say who it considers a supply-chain risk.
I tried using the spare capacity on my second server (the one hosting my own blog and many others, though not this one) to host development of the new blogging software and the results were... Bad. The problem was not the new software itself but Rust debugging builds, which unleash a water cannon of useless redundant writes over your filesystem, and the filesystem on the server was not prepared for that, so while those builds were running the blogs froze, usually for a second or two but sometimes for minutes.
So this morning I grabbed two of the mini-PCs I bought last year before prices went crazy (actually after they went crazy, but that particular model resisted the price increases long enough for me to grab a couple or four for less than the price of the RAM they contained), upgrade their SSDs to 4TB each (same story), and drop Ubuntu 26.04 on them. And it... All worked.
Not sure exactly how they'll perform but they're eight thousand miles away from the servers so you shouldn't see any performance issues there. I just did a disk-to-disk copy of 18GB of files and it went zoom, so that's one datapoint.
It's kind of like the labs holding on to wood from before the 1950s to serve as a baseline for radiocarbon dating, because anything more recent is contaminated with excess C14 and gives skewed numbers.
This seems to have been the goal. The board briefly sidelined Mad King Matt Mullenweg, voted themselves golden parachutes, and waited for him to kick them out of the plane... Which is barreling straight towards a mountain.
Podcast: CBD is solo and just checking in! Trump's UN speech is a success, the Last Ditch Bar in Western MA keeps their lunacy in the spotlight, and the White House plays hardball with the media and the judiciary...as it should!
Somebody should write a book about the greatest drinking stories of O'Toole, Burton, Harris, and Caine. One of my faves was Richard Harris went on a six week bender in the South of France without telling wifey. Upon return, she's screaming, and he simply replied "why didn't you pay the ransom"?
Podcast: Did the SCOTUS leftists slow-walk the USPS decision, Newsom's mendacious pledge not to run if Harris does, Canada's return to the trade negotiations, AI fear-mongering, The Goo Goo Dolls are adults, and more!
Forgotten 80s Mystery Click, Guitar Hero Edition Oh here it comes
That funny feeling again winding me up inside
Every time we touch
Hey I don't know
Oh, tell me where to begin cause I never ever
Felt so much
Okay, that was pretty easy. Here's one that's 3% harder. But still easy. Ooh, can you feel the static?
So many contacts being made
We've got up-front fanatics
Tearing down the barricade
To reach the stage
Can you feel the rage?
Podcast: Is the Iran situation reaching a steady state? The UK sides with the enemies of the West, Vance the Squish? France and Germany and their coming elections, Canada trade war is one-sided, and Clancy is evil incarnate!
Dear RNC; Go f*ck yourselves. I have gotten 56 texts in the last two weeks...all offensive and sneaky and all begging for money. At this point I would rather donate to AOC. [CBD]
"The irresponsible reports that have been published stating that Maria Bartiromo was fired or is no longer an employee of Fox are absolutely and unequivocally false," Freedman said Friday. "Make no mistake, we have the receipts and witnesses and they will come out whether through the courthouse or otherwise."
He added: "Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth."
from anon2020 So what, she quit?
Megyn Kelly (accursed be her name) used to say all the time that Fox has a top female PR person who is a nasty pitbull and leaks nasty claims about anyone Fox is at war with, including those who have left the network. So I guess maybe she technically resigned? I don't know.
NEW: @FoxNews has obtained Lindsay Clancy defense attorney Kevin Reddington's appeal filing to the MA Supreme Court, which includes Reddington accusing the lone holdout juror of being "biased" against those with "debilitating mental illness", which he says is a protected category.
Holiday Break: I've had a rough couple of weeks -- the shoulder is healing now and I'm finally getting decent sleep -- and I've decided to take a long weekend.
I'm taking Friday off, and then Monday off, too. I have Open Threads for both days and I will post if big news breaks, but if it doesn't -- and it probably won't, news is slow before a holiday weekend -- I'm going to take a four day weekend.
