According to God in tonight’s Joan of Arcadia, “Knitting is the new yoga,” citing its meditative properties. Rudi noted that knitting doesn’t give you the muscles that yoga does. I laughed and asked, “Did you ever notice muscle tone on me when I was doing yoga regularly?” “No,” he admitted. “At least with knitting,” I added, “I get visible results.”

Taxes have been finished and sent out for the year. Contrary to majority opinion (which seems to be a regular theme of my life, apparently), I actually enjoy paying taxes.

I know, I know… I don’t support this administration, either. I’d like to see my money spent on better things. I’d like to have them actually listen to me periodically.

Nonetheless, I do like quite a few things that are paid for by the federal government: NPR and public television (in ever dwindling proportions, I realize, but the amount I pay in taxes could subsidize that tiny amount), for instance. Highways. Coast Guard rescues. Forest fire watchers and fighters. National parks and national park rangers (like the very nice fellow down at the Cherry Blossom Festival last weekend who was taking family portraits for tourists — the check I sent off today probably paid for his presence for the two hours Karen and I were at the festival). The International Space Station and shuttle trips.

C’mon… There must be more good things paid for with tax dollars I’m not thinking of….

Five hours and counting until the Nationals home opener. Rudi and I went in with a bunch of people on season tickets and won the Opening Day raffle to go tonight. Our seats are behind home plate — I’ve never sat in the infield before! I’m sure I’ll post more tonight after I’ve thawed out. (I have four layers to put down as the temperatures drop…)

…to those Republicans who voted against a DOMA and in favor of the bill. I was going to list the Republicans in a similar way to the Democrats, but then I discovered there are very few common-sense Republicans in the state of Connecticut.

My heartfelt thanks go out to:

Sonya Googins, Glastonbury
Diana S. Urban, North Stonington
Lenny T. Winkler, Groton

I also thank Clark Chapin of New Milford, who voted against both the DOMA and the bill. Since I can’t tell whether he meant to vote against the bill all along or switched his vote after the bill legalized discrimination, I will assume his intentions were good.

…those legislators who voted in favor of a DOMA. They’ll be getting a personal note from me later and their primary competitors may well get a check in the future. In the meantime, I include for your own edification a list of Democrats who voted in favor of the DOMA: (more…)

I have to say I really didn’t expect Connecticut representatives would roll over and play dead, adding a DOMA to the bill. Now I have to hope the bill is defeated.

Damn.