Kirk Spencer sent this to me this morning… and I have to agree, chills. These are some of the National Guard troops taking shelter from the cold in DC while protecting the Capitol:
These soldiers singing inside the Library of Congress will give you chills
I am a poor wayfaring stranger
I’m travellin’ through this world of woe
Yet there’s no sickness, toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go
I’m going there to see my Father
I’m going there, no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
I know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know my way is rough and steep
But golden fields lie just before me
Where God’s redeemed shall ever sleep
I’m going home to see my mother
And all my loved ones who’ve gone on
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
I am a poor wayfarin’ stranger
I’m travellin’ through this world of woe
Yet there’s no sickness, toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go
I’m going there to see my Father
I’m going there, no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home
Steeplejack sent me this about a week ago, and I must share:
this is the best video i have ever seen pic.twitter.com/BYa8IWGipG
— justin (@jusdaydreamin) January 22, 2021
And finally, for anyone wanting Omnes’ Trifle or Boston Baked Beans recipe, I have PDFs here.
I think that catches you up on the fun things jackals sent me this week…
Respite open thread
Alison Rose
Damn, that first video…definite chills!
But I have to say, any time I see a video of a random animal other than a cat or dog just chilling loose in a car, all I can think is…………………….but is it gonna poop everywhere???? I mean, even cats or dogs might do so, but they’re slightly less likely as they’re trained to go in certain places (in general). But a duck? Isn’t a duck just gonna be like “quack quack crap” wherever it is?
ETA FRIST!
trollhattan
Some Starbucks employee has the best “can you top this?” crazy thing that happened at work story one could ask for.
trollhattan
@Alison Rose:
That towel’s not for the gym, if you get my drift.
TaMara (HFG)
@Alison Rose: They make diapers for chickens and ducks. Believe it or not. Ducks make great therapy animals, diapers are very helpful when you bring them to nursing homes, etc.
narya
Got shot #2 yesterday. Arm is DEFINITELY sore today, maybe a little more than last time, and I have a very slight fever (99.5 or so). Feeling a bit lethargic, but it could be because it’s Saturday. Also, already did 5 loads of laundry, so . . . So excited to have the shots that I just ordered some more masks, from Buff, who have filter versions; I’ve been using their neck gaiters that I had around for . . . 15 years? I double the tube and then put a piece of paper towel between the layers, but I think having something with a pocket will be better. And the masks go around the head, not around the ears, for anyone who’s looking for that.
Kent
@narya: Pfizer or Moderna?
My wife is a primary care physician and says they are seeing worse 2nd shot reactions with Moderna than Pfizer. Her second Moderna shot kind of knocked her out for the rest of the day. The first one was no big deal.
Raoul Paste
When you’re a nice young lady you can make a request for your duck at the drive-through and get ice water with strawberries
If I did that they’d send a SWAT team
Dorothy A. Winsor
@narya: Excellent! I’m glad to hear your side effects are minor so far. I’ve been reading some stories of 102 degree fevers.
trollhattan
@Raoul Paste:
One of the Caine messboys had a duck?
Suzanne
@Kent: Thanks for the tip. SuzMom and SuzAunt are due for their second shots in two weeks. SuzMom got Moderna and SuzAunt got Pfizer. I’ll tell them this so that they know that a different reaction is expected.
debbie
Wow! on the Library duet!
Brachiator
A great video of a woman named Jackie Weaver deftly handling blowhard bullies during a Zoom meeting of a UK parish council meeting. Funny as hell. Could be a sitcom
Video also available here.
narya
@Kent: Moderna. I signed up w the CDC so I can report my symptoms, and I’m guessing I’m not unusual.
narya
@Dorothy A. Winsor: Yeah, I’ve heard that too–a doc at work had little reaction, but her spouse had a high fever for a day or two. But knowing it’s expected/not uncommon is very reassuring, too.
LuciaMia
I think Im gonna start every conversation from now on with, “I have my pet duck with me…”
Alison Rose
@TaMara (HFG): I just Googled “ducks wearing diapers” and OMG talk about respite! Thank you. It’s not quite on the level of chimps in diapers for me, but still adorable as all get out.
Alison Rose
@trollhattan: Gross.
catclub
@narya:
.
This is what your immune system does.
Almost Retired
My youngest son (age 21) got the Pfizer vaccine last week because he’s working for Sean Penn’s CORE organization doing COVID testing at Dodger Stadium and elsewhere. No reaction at all. Same with my 87 year old mother, who also got the Pfizer first-dose. No reaction. Maybe we’re genetic vaccine super-freaks. Patiently waiting for mine, but I’m at the back of the line.
The Fat White Duchess
@Kent: The physician who does a presentation/Q&A at my temple on Saturdays after the service was asked about that this morning. He says there’s no evidence of a difference in side effects, between Moderna and Pfizer.
(I got my first shot this week. Pfizer, though I wanted Moderna. My primary care doc said to take whatever I could get soonest.)
Kelly
@narya: Near as I can tell my 84 year old Mom had only minor soreness at the injection site after each of her Pfitzer shots. She considers “not one to complain” high praise so…
Across the road a couple guys are loading the remains of another burnt home into a dump truck with an excavator. Quite a lot of banging and the screech of steel sliding on steel. It’s the 7th of 10 homes burnt in the Beachie Fire cleaned up in our neighborhood of originally 26 homes. 70% burnt buildings cleaned up seems like a good guess for the overall Beachie Fire. Burnt trees will take all year.
It really helps my attitude as the cleanup progresses.
dmsilev
I feel this headline was purpose-designed to attract as many of us as humanly possible:
President Biden, Jill Biden to promote pandemic measures during Super Bowl, Puppy Bowl
germy
For respite, I turn to the ancients. I found this thread fascinating:
pat
Got the Pfizer last week, no reaction except a very slight soreness if I touched the spot of the injection, so I didn’t touch that spot. Second one coming up on the 19th.
germy
And another thread that travels from ancient Rome all the way to Tolkien:
Ceci n est pas mon nym
@germy: That story sounds familiar. I think somebody posted it here when it first appeared last July, but I’d forgotten it till I was rereading it. It’s a fascinating story and makes me want to know more.
I love the little touch that even people in ancient times (and presumably under Roman rule?) got their Latin wrong.
Ken
Not seeing how this was different from every other Zoom call I’ve been on…
I think the hardest thing for people to learn and remember is that there is a delay of a second or so, leading to lots of accidental interruptions and talking-over.
df
That first video was lovely. Sounds like the Library of Congress is a great space to sing. I used to sing in a choir, BC (Before Covid), and hearing people singly beautifully in large spaces really tugs at my heart strings. Sometimes I listen to our old recordings and I tear up a bit. Fortunately, music has survived plagues before, and I have no doubt it’ll survive this one.
As for the second video, omg I died from cuteness and my ghost is writing this. Ducks are fantastic little creatures. A former coworker shared a video of her ducks running around and eating, and they’re just the cutest things. I mean, they’re so innocent, and not mean like geese or swans. They just want to float, maybe stick their butts in the air to bob for stuff, and waddle around (and sell you insurance or something?).
Finally, I bought some chocolate cold brew from a local coffee place, even though it’s like 20 degrees here. It’s nice not to have to make coffee, especially since I managed to burn out my last electric kettle in a frightening, smoky accident (and now I’m a little afraid to use my other one).
trollhattan
@The Fat White Duchess:
I don’t think this can be emphasized enough. Get the jab via whatever path opens for you–don’t be a Karen deciding whether the kale is sufficiently organic.
I have an appointment next week at a local university, actual on-campus location is very murky and am expecting an adventure of some sort.
germy
@Ceci n est pas mon nym:
I’m fascinated with their everyday lives. The clothes, the jewelry, the tools, food, etc.
Kent
@Almost Retired: Shrug. Officially I doubt they would ever admit to it because they don’t want people being picky about which vaccine they are getting. And justifiably so. They both do the job equally well and no one has died or been hospitalized due to reactions to either vaccine out of the millions already given.
I’m just reporting that my wife, who is on various Covid task forces and deals with this every day, says that anecdotally they are seeing more second dose reactions from Moderna. People just feeling sicker and such for a few hours. It’s always the second dose that is worse, apparently. As would be expected.
But yes, get whichever one you can get. For sure. The side effects are trivial.
Felanius Kootea
The acoustics in the Library of Congress are amazing. Chills hearing both those soldiers sing.
JoyceH
I just got a call an hour ago, and I’m going to get my first shot TODAY in a couple hours. White tent in front of the hospital, they said. I was too gobsmacked (I’d JUST the other day found the right form to get on the right list) to ask if it was Pfizer or Moderna.
germy
Any other Horlick’s drinkers here?
This thread on its history:
jeffreyw
@df:
They should put a warning on those things: Not for starting charcoal! (Use your cast iron skillet)
trollhattan
@germy:
Wowzers, that story has as many twists and turns as a cross-mountain highway.
On that topic can recommend “The Dig” new on Netflix.
https://www.netflix.com/title/81167887
It’s about a history-changing archaeological dig in pre-WWII UK that for the first time established the Anglo-Saxons as being very advanced and not a crude tribal lot. Spoiler: a very large burial ship containing art treasures is unearthed in a mound on a farm near Ipswich.
Article with photos of some of the finds.
germy
@trollhattan:
Thanks for the link.
df
@jeffreyw: It was so bizarre! I dumped the water out, then put the kettle back on the base, and it started trying to heat up the empty kettle. I don’t know if I only hit the power button once (instead of twice to turn it off) or if it malfunctioned, but I’ve had this brand of kettle for almost two years and I’ve never had a problem. (I also could’ve sworn it had a failsafe built in for that, but I guess not.) So yeah, I leave it unplugged now heh. That was enough excitement for the week.
germy
Catherine D.
@JoyceH: 👍🏻
Dan B
@Kent: It seems to me that a strong reaction is potentially indicative of a strong immune system response, although Pfizer and Moderna supposedly have 95% efficacy so who knows what’s up.
I’m scheduled for 30 days from now because the supply to WA is so uncertain, even though I’m in 1b, first tier. Are there some Trump plants still embedded who hate Inslee’s criticism of the Orange Psycho?
Brachiator
@trollhattan:
Have you seen any of the British museum videos on the Sutton Hoo items?
This one is fun: Hands on with the Sutton Hoo Sword
Dorothy A. Winsor
@JoyceH: Congrats. What a good surprise.
Spanky
@germy:
You’ll like this one then. Chris Schwarz visits Saalburg.
MagdaInBlack
@germy: God bless him, I do love my vanilla malts =-)
Elie
@Kent:
I got my first shot (Pfizer) as did my husband. We both got sore arms and a couple of days later felt fatigued and achy. No fever though. Hubby got it worse and was out of sorts for 2-3 days. I kicked it faster. We are both due for #2 on Weds. Hopefully won’t experience anything worse than after first shot —
trollhattan
@Brachiator:
Merci.
Elie
I loved the Natl Guard singing in the library. His/their voices were a balm to my spirit but its beauty was haunting given the context of why the Guards are there. What sad times for our country! I so value that there was the gift of this voice and that others heard and appreciated it. Small miracles….
jeffreyw
@Brachiator:
She was giving that a sinister spin.
Ken
@jeffreyw: Have you read Tom Holt’s Who’s Afraid of Beowulf? Loosely based on Sutton Hoo, with a sinister spin of sorts. Holt does comic fantasy, somewhat hit-and-miss IMO, but I like that one.
sab
@Dan B: Ohio has been incredibly slow on vaccine rollout. According to today’s newspapers, it is because DeWine is very focussed on nursing homes, where more than half our fatal covid cases have occurred. And Ohio has a huge nursing home population.
So now I am much less angry about the slow rollout.
Nursing homes aren’t just the elderly. They are also the caregivers, mostly young POC mothers. And they were eligible for vaccination if they wanted it.
Citizen Alan
@narya: I got mine yesterday as well. No ill effects so far. 3 weeks until the followup shot.
Another Scott
(Everything goes better with duck??)
I kept reading the duck’s name as “Manchin” until I slowed down.
That is all.
Cheers,
Scott.
jeffreyw
@Ken: Nope, never read him.
Another Scott
@Brachiator: No good deed goes unpunished.
Jackie Weaver certainly is a patient soul.
Cheers,
Scott.
Bob7094
@df:
When I was in Australia in the mid ’70s the motel I was staying at (Highway Motel, Carnarvon WA) had an electric kettle, tea bags, sugar, and a little pitcher of milk in the fridge. When the water started to boil the kettle would violently eject the 254VAC power cord. I don’t know if that’s unusual for an Australian kettle, or not.
Brachiator
@Another Scott:
I kinda liked how one blowhard said, “You can’t cut me off…” just before she disconnected him from the Zoom meeting.
Ken
@Bob7094: That does seem a little odd, but I’ve seen electric kettles that turn off when the water boils.
Another Scott
@Bob7094: something, something, Coriolis Force cross Magnetic Induction dot Quantum Entanglement cross Turbo Encabulator something, something.
Cheers,
Scott.
HumboldtBlue
Not sure if the penguins have been linked yet, so here is your adorable for the year.
Hoppie
@germy: “Nodens”? One “d” short of “Sneddon” backwards?
It is all connected, init ?
CaseyL
Thank you for the video of the soldiers singing – and thank you, @Alison Rose:, for sending me off to Google to see ducks in nappies.
Been an interesting end-of-week for me: my fridge went to that Great Kitchen in the Sky. I bought a new one, but it won’t be delivered until the 11th. The perishables are parked out on the patio and in a cooler with blue ice, but I’m not sure about some of the items. A friend suggested I treat myself to an ordered-in meal ot two, and I have decided to do exactly that.
So I ordered some French delivery for lunch. Hopefully it will get here OK even though I hit the wrong button and didn’t sign up for the message updates.
NotMax
The mind rebels at the very concept of trifle baked beans.
:)
oatler.
Spearhead used Joan Osborne on his version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU6dynWoPEA
Jess
Eva Carpenter’s version of Wayfaring Stranger is one of my faves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPNMM8Cejrg
Denali
@Jess: I think you mean Eva Cassidy- she is one of my favorites too.
Jess
@Denali: I did, yes. Too many hours grading…now I’m as dumb as my students.