The marketplace is different to Anne at night. All the vendor carts are gone. The moon casts eerie shadows that seem to take a life of their own. Feral cats are heard screeching through the chill night air. Yet, Ann is ecstatic to walk through the empty marketplace and find Professor Black’s candle still lit. She knocks lightly on his door, and he opens it excitedly.

“Miss Greenfield! Welcome. I was hoping you would find a way. I took a nap after our meeting just in case this was the way. Snuck out, did you?”

Shyly, Anne says, “Yes.”

“No need to be embarrassed. You are about to embark on an adventure that will make it all worthwhile.”

At his desk, by candlelight, Professor Black starts her with the alphabet before moving on to numbers, telling her that they will be the foundation for everything she will learn. He plays her a song on the piano and they discuss the elements of the music, going over pieces of the song several times so Anne can familiarize herself with the concepts. Anne is having so much fun learning these things, she loses track of time.

She runs out the door with a thank you to her teacher. She storms through the marketplace and into the wilderness. She stumbles over a tree branch, skinning her knee, and dirtying her dress. She looks up and sees the sun rising. When she gets home, she knows she is too late. Her father is normally in the field and mother will be cooking breakfast. She pushes open the door to find her parents sitting at the table with furious expressions.

“Where have you been young lady, and do not lie,” her father growls.

“I met a man at the market, a professor. He offered me an education. I knew you would have said no, father, so I snuck out and went to his home,” Anne replies meekly.

“Blasphemy! Women do not need educations! They need men! Is this man ready to marry you? Taking a young woman into his home during the depths of night. Have this man no decency?”

“He is quite the gentleman, but he’s old enough to be my grandfather. I’m not going to marry him!”

“We’ll see about that! As God as my witness, you will not be sneaking in and out of my house to do the devils work with this professor. You’re of age. You’re past the age. If it wasn’t for you constantly questioning everybody about everything, I would have had you married off a long time ago. If this man wants the right to educate you, he can earn it proper. Let’s go. I want to meet this professor.”

#

There is an impolite knock on the door that nearly causes Professor Black to spill his tea. He didn’t get much sleep last night and is looking forward to a little rejuvenation, but that will have to wait. Grabbing his cane, he heads for the door, albeit not fast enough. Another loud bang erupts from the entryway.

“Hold on, hold on, I’m almost there.”

Upon seeing the old man, Robert Greenfield’s demeanor softens a little, but he keeps his tone firm. “Sir, we need to talk about my daughter,” he says, pushing Anne through the doorway.

“Ah, you must be young Miss Greenfield’s father. I’m Professor William Black. Nice to make your acquaintance,” the old man says, offering his hand.

Robert ignores the gesture and pushes by him. He gazes around the professors home. It is filled with books, scrolls, maps, and art. He has a piano with a violin on top. On his desk sits an abacus, a writing quill, and some parchment. “I understand you are educating my daughter, putting ideas in her head. Women don’t need such things. That’s why they have husbands and fathers.”

“But for someone as quizzical as Anne, life will be much more fulfilling if she were educated.”

“What education do you need to birth babies and do as you’re told.”

“One of the things she wants to learn is farming and how to improve your harvest. Have you ever considered teaching her yourself and leaving things for her to manage.”

“Not once. That brings me to why I am here. She is of marrying age, but she is difficult, too curious for her own good, and opinionated. Nobody wants her and after last night, I am tired of her. If you are willing to do it properly, she is yours. Then you can educate her all you want.”

“I am a smidge too old to remarry, but I have a son who lives in town. He is a business proprietor, mainly soaps, but he does well. He is closer to her age. Care to arrange a meeting.”

“Yes, I do. When?”

“Come back tomorrow for lunch. He will be here.”

#

The following day, Robert and Anne put on their Sunday best and returned to the professor’s home. There they meet Robyn Black, a tall man with dark hair and dark eyes who possesses a charming smile. Anne is not only taken by his looks but by his manners. She has never been treated like such a lady in all her life. He is, however, twenty years older than she, which might explain the chivalry.

“Miss Greenfield, my father has told me a lot about you. You desire to be an educated woman. That is not common. Quite frankly, it is unheard of. What do you plan to do with all this knowledge once you obtain it.”

“For one, Mr. Black, I will find gratification in gaining said knowledge. I am a very curious woman. For two, I do want to have a family and I do not want to raise idiots. I do not want them to believe things just because someone told them so. I want them to be able to search out the truth on their own. Too many liars in the world, Mr. Black. And three, I believe by educating my children I can provide them with more opportunities, so they can live better lives.”

Turning to the professor Robyn says, “You are right, father. I like her. She will make the perfect wife, mother, and a shrewd business partner behind the scenes once she finishes her education.” Turning to Robert he asks, “May I ask for your daughter’s leave to accompany me in the garden. I would like to get to know more of her.”

Anne sits on a small swing tied to a tree branch in the garden while Robyn pushes her. He tells her of his business ventures and his travels. Anne listens intently, mentioning that someday she would like to travel too. She shares her stories of life on the farm, some of them bringing laughter to the garden. They walk arm-in-arm about the garden. Anne stops to inspect and smell each variety as they pass them by, asking Robyn each one’s name. When they rejoin their fathers inside, Robyn is so enchanted by Anne’s curious ways, playful banter, and the way she carries a conversation, that he asks Robert for her hand in marriage.

Robert agrees, but with terms. “Anne is to stay with me until she is married. All educational activities are to cease until after she is married. Anne, once you are married, I don’t want you around the farm ever again, or associating with your brothers and sisters still living in the community.”

Robert breaks his daughter’s heart, but she accepts his terms.

Robyn and the professor waste no time in arranging the wedding ceremony. Asking Robert his opinion on the wedding plans, location, and guest list, Robert says, “Her mother and I will be the only ones in attendance only to give her away. Do as you please.”

Despite being a small wedding, it takes months, nearly a year, before the day comes that Anne sees Robyn again. Invitations had to be sent and arrangements had to be made for traveling families, but it was all worth it. Robyn looks dashing standing at the end of the aisle with the professor at his side. Anne feels beautiful in her mother’s wedding dress, holding a bouquet of wildflowers she picked herself before the ceremony.

Anne looks for her father and her mother after the ceremony, but they are nowhere to be found. This momentary sadness disappears when Robyn takes her by the arm to meet her new family before the celebration begins. It’s a night of music, accompanied by singing, dancing, drinking, eating, and laughing. Robyn’s family tells Anne tales of Robyn from birth to manhood, which has Anne laughing to the point of tears. She is having the time of her life until she feels a longing for friends and family back home.

“What is it, child,” the professor asks, taking a seat next to her.

“Nothing. It’s just that I was having the time of my life until I thought about those I’ll be leaving behind. Why is my father being so cruel about this.”

“I cannot speak what another man thinks, but what you are venturing on is not a normal practice in society. Your father might find shame in this. You might change society, Anne. Someday, maybe all women will receive an education when society sees it is beneficial for women to be educated. You’re an explorer and a pioneer. Be proud of what you are venturing on and use it wisely. Perhaps one day, your father will come to his senses, and you will see the people from your past again, but now it is time to focus on your future.”

Anne leans over and kisses the professor on the cheek. “Thank you for everything, the faith, the encouragement, the teachings, and, most of all, that handsome man you call a son.”

#

Anne and Robyn spent a month in London after their wedding. She continued her education as soon as she got home. She and Robyn had five kids: two boys and three girls. The boys grew up and took over the family business, expanding it. The girls found work in the homes of royals due to their educations, which they passed on to the noble’s children whom they raised. Anne’s curiosity was never quenched, but at least she got to spend her life watering it. She and Robyn traveled a lot, mainly because Anne was obsessed with history. She frequented the libraries, which some people found peculiar. What Robyn loved most about Anne was that he was no longer alone at night. Instead, he had a beautiful woman whose views and opinions challenged his own, leading to discussions that kept them up half the night. She had one theory, though, that Robyn couldn’t help but laugh at. Who would ever believe that the Earth was round.

I had been diagnosed with Endometrial cancer, had had a hysterectomy, and due to a wound infection was back in the hospital. The wound had dehisced- it was now a huge open wound. The infection was so severe, they put in a urinary catheter. I had been through chemo, radiation, and now I had this massive open wound across my belly from hip to hip.

I’d been through the mill, and was anxious just to go home and start to heal.

My first husband- a man who was proud to have been a volunteer first-aider for 20+ years saw the wound, then saw the catheter and said

“You’re not coming home with that pissbag.” and then “And, you stink- that cut smells horrible”.

And he left. I felt like the wind had been sucked out of me. It wasn’t my fault it stunk… that’s what infected wounds do.

The nurse came in, and asked when I was leaving- I explained, and she said “but you can’t stay here”.

These were the days before cell/ mobile phones. I called my Mom and Dad’s house, they weren’t in. I left a message on their ansaphone to please call or come up to the hospital.

I remember sitting there, and feeling an incredible and indescribable freezing chasm inside me, like someone had reached inside and pulled my heart out. I felt like I should have died. I couldn’t go. I couldn’t stay. I could hardly walk. I was in unbelievable emotional and physical pain. I was exhausted. I felt absolutely alone… it was horrible. It was 30 years ago- and as I write this, my insides are struggling with the memories of the pain and the rejection.

Fortunately for me, my doctor came in, I explained everything, and she said it was reasonable for me to stay another week… after all, I still had a wound. She ordered an IV, changed my antibiotics to IV, and ordered patient controlled analgesia by IV. As I nurse, I know she did those things to ensure I could stay.

My heart was broken at the rejection I felt. I cried for days. The doctor got a hold of my husband and read him the riot act, complete with four part harmonies and a 21 gun salute… she was livid and held nothing back. I’d never imagined someone like her could speak to someone the way she spoke to him. He was escorted from the hospital unit when he went to take a swing at her and she kicked him in (as she called it) his “Cere-ballum” (his nuts).

Yes, police got involved, my folks, his folks, hospital social worker- I felt like a non-entity. All these people in the room wound up arguing about who was gonna be stuck with me. His mom asked me to stick with him, and I agreed. She was a lovely woman, but his dad- his dad sided with his son.

I finally did go home, and because in the US if you can leave the house you don’t get home nursing care, and I could leave the house albeit with exceptional difficulties, I was on my own. I used to sit and put a huge mirror in my lap so I could see into the wound, I would clean it, pack it and dress it. My husband had admitted that he was afraid he was going to “catch” cancer from me, which explained some of his behaviour. It hurt so bad- he would do anything for anyone else… but he couldn’t do t for me.

We broke up, long story, and I wound up moving to England to be with a man I met on the internet.

Fast forward 20 years. I am now with husband 2, and have been diagnosed with cancer, again. The fear and panic rose- hubby knew all about the first time, I could not hide the massive ugly ropey scar… and his reaction to me saying “I have cancer” was to put his arms around me and say “No, WE have cancer. You are not going through this alone. You don’t need to face anything alone. I am with you every step. I might not know what to do, but if you teach me, I will learn…”

And he has. He gives me the injections I need. When I had a wound after surgery, he helped dress it. When I got septic and was very clueless with delirium, he was patient, loving, and did everything for me from feed me to wiping my bottom. And he does it all without making me feel shame, or fear, or embarrassment. He just *loves* me, and that love is in everything he does.

I made a much better choice with my second husband than with my first. In the first cancer episode, I had to fight alone and I felt so alone I can hardly even face it now… but the second time, I feel like I have a knight standing by me. As I write this, I can still feel the memories of rejection and loneliness, and I still have an irrational fear it will happen again- but my husband understands and leaves me notes. Although not an artist, he makes them little works of art with coloured ink, little pictures he’s drawn, and they always say the same things- “I love you. You’re not alone. WE can do this. I’m with you….”

I am very lucky.

Best war movie ever

This is a gem from South Africa. Full movie. Totally free.

Many in the audience will enjoy it.

What impact could China’s response to the latest US weapons sales to Taiwan have on regional stability?

The United States wants to collect protection fees, but Taiwan Province has to pay them.

On October 26th, the US Department of Defense announced that the US State Department had approved a new round of arms sales to Taiwan.

The Taiwan Province authorities plan to deploy these three sets of “National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems” around Taipei, Qingquangang Base of the Air Force, Jiashan Base in the East and Taitung Base.

What is the actual effect of this system? In fact, in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this system is very lame and has obvious shortcomings.

First, the protection space is small.

Second, the launching method is backward. This system uses a fixed launcher, which is close to a “living target” in the actual battlefield. On February 27, 2024, the Russian army reported that it destroyed the transmitter of NASAMS air defense system, and related pictures were circulated on social platforms.

Third, it is impossible to intercept ballistic missiles. This has been confirmed in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. On December 28, 2023, Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine. At that time, the air defense system intercepted most of the missiles, but none of the eight Kh-22 supersonic missiles were intercepted. Moreover, the Kh-22 missiles were designed in the Soviet era and the age was very long.

It can be seen that this air defense system, which the Taiwan authorities have invested heavily in this time, is not enough to “establish a perfect missile defense system” as it advertised.

In fact, the most advanced anti-missile system needs multiple systems to form a three-dimensional protective net, which is an expensive and time-consuming project, and the Taiwan authorities have neither time nor financial resources to implement it.

Why does the Taiwan authorities want to buy this system that can be described as “unable to get up”? To put it bluntly, the United States wants to collect protection fees, and Taiwan Province has to pay them.

Since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022, the global arms sales of the United States have increased substantially.

According to the data of the US Department of Defense, in fiscal year 2023, the United States completed more than $80 billion in transactions through arms sales systems in other countries and regions, setting a historical record.

Now the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have caused the demand for weapons in many countries to grow rapidly, which is exactly what the United States wants. As a country that has made a fortune from war, the United States is naturally overjoyed at such demand, and even has to sell goods if there is no demand to create demand.

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why the United States recently crossed the Taiwan Province Strait with Canada to provoke China, while holding joint military exercises with Japan to approach the nearest island of Nagano with Taiwan Province, and at the same time sending personnel to participate in the South Korean “national defense” military exercise to intensify the contradictions on the peninsula.

Obviously, under the background of the tense situation in the Middle East and the anxiety of the American election, it is beneficial for the politicians to continue to please the real big money owners-military enterprises by disrupting the regional situation with all their efforts in the form of military exercises and arms sales.

However, the United States has done much more to “collect money and not deliver goods”. At the end of September, a report from an American think tank pointed out that in August 2024, the United States announced 22 new arms sales to other countries and regions, of which 10 pieces of military equipment coincided with weapons projects owed by Taiwan Province. So far, the value of weapons owed by the United States to Taiwan Province has reached $20.5 billion.

There is still a long way to go between “approving arms sales” and “acquiring armaments”, and the Taiwan Province authorities know in their hearts that they can only “have a hard time”.

Seinfeld Power Hour

Funny.

How does a lock manufacturer make sure that no two locks are the same?

In the mid-1980s, I was hired by a company that was a leading manufacturer of door locks, to convert a COBOL program running on their mainframe into C so it could run on an IBM PC instead, and directly control a key cutting machine (before, the COBOL program would output punch cards, and these would have to be carried from the computer center to the key cutter area on the factory floor).

The program that ran on the mainframe generated the different combinations that were cut into the door keys to make them unique. As I remember, there were six different cuts made on each key, and each cut could take on 10 different levels, 0–9.

But it wasn’t as simple as just generating six digit random numbers, as there were physical constraints on the key cutter to be considered. For example, a key couldn’t have a 0 cut next to a 9 cut, as the slope would be too steep. At the same time, the distance from one cut to another had to be over some threshold; you couldn’t have a key with a combination like 4–4–5–5–4–5 as it would be almost level. So there were a lot of these rules buried into the COBOL program, along with a pseudo-random number generator.

In any case, it was not as if there were ${10}^6$

(or 1 million) possible combinations that could make valid keys. Probably only a couple hundred thousand.

Cranberry Biscotti

Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.
3. Whisk the eggs, egg whites and vanilla extract together and add to the dry ingredients, mixing just until moist, using a hand mixer on medium speed. Add cranberries and almonds and mix thoroughly. Turn out onto a floured surface and divide batter in half. Pat each half into a log about 14 inches long and 2 inches wide. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes or until firm.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees F. Leaving the baked log on the cookie sheet, cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Turn the slices cut side up on the cookie sheet and return to the oven; bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until firm and dry.
5. Cool and keep in a tight container.

What was the most shocking thing you ever saw happen on a public beach?

Fathers and mothers stealing other children toys and another is the local authorities allowing business concerns to take over the public beaches with their umbrellas and family people need to pay for these umbrellas and not allowed to bring their own.

Another is families leaving rubbish behind them on the beach.

Lately, after many years, one sea turtle laid its eggs on one of our beaches during a night and the beaches were too noisy with the swimmers during the day and the beach was too lit up with the powerful light for the benefit of Tourists and those Barbequing during the night , thus disturbing the “ eggs in the sand “ and they died with the disturbance, After that new enforcements were applied and the year after we had some successful hatchings, I prefer having turtles as visitors rather than the illegal and illegal and the tourists coming in large numbers disturbing more than the turtle’s nests.

What is the current amount of debt that the United States owes to China? Why is it considered a problem for the US to owe this much to China?

The bulk of what US owes China is in the form of Treasury Bills held by China.

This has been declining. About 3 years ago, the holdings were worth $1.3 trillion. This fell to $774.6 billion at August 2024, after the sales of $1.9 billion during the month.

China is the second largest holder after Japan’s holdings of about $1.2 trillion. Japan is net buyer, but its economy is stagnant, which limits its appetite. UK, the third largest holder, has the similar story.

China’s holdings per se should not be a problem for the US, only just over 2% of its national debt.

Of the major foreign holders, China has the most money to buy more. Yellen twice visited China but failed to convince it to buy. Instead, it is selling. Other holders take note and may follow it. This could be a problem for the US.

US has to issue new bills worth trillions of dollars to refinance matured bills and to finance fiscal deficits. Foreign holders hold about 30% of the outstanding issues. If they stay away from Treasury auctions, the weight of subscription will fall heavily on tenders by domestic institutions, and in the ultimate on the Fed.

The big problems for the US are the growing trade deficit, the growing fiscal deficit, and the growing national debt.

The growing trade deficit will put pressure on the exchange value of the dollar, amid the erosion of demand for dollar due to dedollarisation.

The growing fiscal deficit causes the growing national debt. This is a political hot potato which no one wants to touch. The national debt increased almost $3 trillion in the 12 months through October to $35.95 trillion. The interest bill alone is pushing $1 trillion and will exceed it next year.

China is not the primary cause of these problems. But its absence from Treasury auctions and selling its holdings add on the burden for the US.

Bundys Abroad | Married With Children

You’ll love this shiner from the 1990’s.

Hell, I didn’t even know they had a movie!