You’re always so cynical about the maple trees. They’re full and verdant and prolific. Their shoots can only barely be controlled. The leaves, on the ground, are a big hassle. And you’re always cutting back the branches. Oh they give great shade. So good even the grass won’t grow in spots underneath that lush, cool canopy.
For all of that, you just know they’ll be the first ones to give the great heave, the shrug of the shoulders and the big sneezing sigh that means hours of rake time.
And yet, for now, they’re still hanging on:
But those are at home. This is one of our views on campus, looking from Samford’s Centennial Walk up to Shades Mountain:
I get to work at a beautiful place.
After the links you’ll find some nice pictures. So scroll on down if you aren’t interested in today’s collection of extra words.
Things to read …
Remember when the government encouraged you to go to transfat? Never mind.
Heart-clogging trans fats were once a staple of the American diet, plentiful in baked goods, microwave popcorn and fried foods. Now, mindful of the health risks, the Food and Drug Administration is getting rid of what’s left of them for good.
Condemning artificial trans fats as a threat to public health, the FDA announced Thursday it will require the food industry to phase them out.
When in doubt, never forget that someone in Washington knows more about what is good for you than you do.
“I am sorry that they are finding themselves in this situation based on assurances they got from me,” the president told Chuck Todd of NBC News during an interview at the White House.
I liked the part where he said the whole thing burned him — err, the American people. The guy just can’t help himself.
I really, really, hope this gets soundly refuted:
Reporters with the Society of American Business Editors and Writers received “training” on how to cover Obamacare’s rollout from a policy expert who works with President Obama’s former health information technology adviser.
Otherwise what you’re saying is that, essentially, government is telling you how to report on the government. Debacle or not, that would be embarrassing and should be more than a small problem for journalism. So I hope it gets convincingly refuted.
Quick links:
Grants topping $800,000 aimed at creating jobs, improving economy in Alabama’s Black Belt
NPR’S Brian Boyer on building and managing news apps teams
Made it to my grandmother’s, just in time for a few twilight pictures:
More stuff tomorrow. And by stuff I mean the big family present I’ve been alluding to for days. Come read all about it!
