Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
I’ve learned that Audible has produced an audiobook of Faith versus Fact, and if you’re into such books you can order it here. It’s $26.59, is unabridged, and you can hear a free five-minute snippet at the site. It sounds pretty good to me.
The cover (I think):
From RJ Bar-B-Que in San Angelo, a highly rated establishment. It was very good, and authentic, but better specimens are available in my favorite places, notably the City Market in Luling, Texas.
I also had their homemade peach cobbler, which can’t be shown because it’s in my belly.
Combo plate: brisket/ribs, potato salad, beans, jalapenos, raw onions, and a slice of white bread, with sweet tea on the side:
by Grania
Tony Eales sent Jerry a fantastic email and photographs of snakes. He writes:
Snakes and lizards I’ve seen on various jobs.
A big ole Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus). I find them interesting because they don’t have the classic diamond shaped python head. I think this is because they hunt reptiles and so don’t have the infrared sensory pits. The black head is weird and makes them look like a venomous snake, they’ll even do a half-hearted threat display but they’re very placid snakes.
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis). One of the snakes I most commonly encounter out and about and always gives me a start. They’re responsible for most dangerous attacks in Australia as they’re common and attracted to human habitation by the mice we have around us. In pure mice killing power they’re the second most venomous land snake in the world.
Frill-necked Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii). I don’t really like to provoke these guys into a display just for a photo. This is what they look like normally.
Golden Water Skink (Eulamprus quoyii) mid-sized to large skink but much more slender than the other common big boys like Blue Tongues. Pretty common where I am, good food for the enormous kingfishers.
Lace Monitor (Varanus varius). These big guys are often habituated to picnic areas and camp grounds. Can be pretty alarming to find sniffing around.
Lined Earless Dragon I think (Tympanocryptis parviceps). One and only time I’ve ever encountered these guys. If anyone has a better idea as to the species…..
Ring-tailed Dragon (Ctenophorus caudicinctus) again not really certain of my ID. Only time I’ve seen one of whatever it is.
Yellow-faced Whip-snake (Demansia psammophis) back to the common suburban snakes. One of my favourites, a beautiful little slender snake.
Thanks Tony, these are amazing.
Good morning! Happy midweek.
Today in 1598 William Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice is entered on the Stationers’ Register, in 1977 Elvis Costello released his debut album My Aim Is True, and in 1942 it was an awful day in Poland when Jews were deported from the Warsaw ghetto to the concentration camp at Treblinka.
Fortunately, 22 July 2015 is a far happier day.
Zosia: You are overwhelming me.
Hili: That’s why I’m purring, full of satisfied empathy.
In Polish:
Zosia: Przytłaczasz mnie.
Hili: Dlatego mruczę, pełna zadowolonej empatii.
Even Cyrus is smiling:
And a bonus Leon monologue, Mr Serious Cat of Seriousness:
Leon: I’m waiting for an important phone call.
Yes, I know that Texas is full of goddies and Republicans, but somehow when I enter the state I always get a warm feeling—and it isn’t the 100-degree temperature today. Texas is big (880 miles across!); full of oil wells and friendly, no-nonsense folk; there are ranches; there are cowboy boots; and there is BARBECUE—of which I intend to partake copiously.
Anyway, after two pleasant days on Linda Calhoun’s goat farm-cum-dairy (pictures to come), I crossed the state line this morning into Texas, where I’m currently ensconced in a Motel 6 in San Angelo. (They left the light on for me.)
Tomorrow it’s on to Austin, where I’ll visit Matt Dillahunty, famed for the popular public access TV show The Atheist Experience, and for his numerous debates against religionists and creationists. I’ll also have my final pair of boots made.
I’m much looking forward to making Matt’s acquaintance: I met him at the Imagine No Religion meeting in Vancouver in June, where he did his Unholy Trio performance with Aron Ra and Seth Andrews, but we didn’t get to talk much. As you doubtless know, Matt became an atheist after being raised as a Southern Baptist and studying to be a minister. Disenchanted, he never made it to the pulpit, and the rest is history. I’m eager to hear about his experiences and his views on Christianity.
Here’s my official entry into the state:
As for footwear, I’ve waited five years to get to the top of Lee Miller’s list for custom boots. In March, 2010, I visited Lee’s shop out of curiosity: he is, I think, the best custom cowboy-boot maker in the U.S. (and therefore the world), but at the time of my visit, which I documented in a post, he wasn’t taking new customers. When I returned to Chicago, I sent him a copy of WEIT out of gratitude for taking the time to show me his operation (I drew a cowboy boot in the book). Lee’s wife Carrlyn, who runs the business end of the shop, wrote me shortly thereafter and said that Lee would be delighted to make boots for someone who could write such a book.
That was way cool, so I got on his list. I’ve now moved to the top, and on Thursday will visit Lee’s shop for the hour-long process of measuring my feet, and the even longer process of choosing the leather, the boot design, the toe shape, heel height, and so on. It’s a complicated process. (Have a look at the link above to see what he’s capable of. Suggestions welcome.)
Here’s a video of his operation that appeared in the Wall Street Journal:
Now y’all will kindly pardon me while I find the best local barbecue. It’s brisket country!
__________
Postscript by Grania
Jerry asked me to add some clips of The Atheist Experience show, I’m sure many of you are familiar with it. The Atheist Community of Austin also does a podcast called The Non Prophets which differs from the TV show as it is aimed at an atheist audience rather than a Christian one.
A classic Jeff Dee exposition rant about why he takes offence at the Christian belief in hell.
Jeff & Matt on a question about the who “caused” the Big Bang
Okay, we already have a photograph of reader Tom Czarny holding up Faith versus Fact in front of the Vatican. Now reader Mark Cagnetta has sent in a related photo, which came with this caption:
In tribute to your recent visit to Arizona I took this shot in front of the new Mormon Temple in Phoenix.
Having two photos of course inspired a contest, especially now that the Trump Your Cat Contest is coming to an end (winner announced soon). Here are the rules for the new contest:
Send a photo of yourself (or a member of your family) holding Faith versus Fact in the most incongruous place or situation you can think of. Be creative.
I’ll give people a whole month to think of cool photos. Deadline: August 20, 2015; one entry per person. NO PHOTOSHOPPING. If you have the book on Kindle, you can still find a way.
The winner will get a hardback of the book (first edition, first printing) autographed by me, made out to whomever you want, and with a cat of your choice drawn in it. Of course you’ll already have procured a copy of the book to take the photo, so if you wish I’ll substitute a paperback copy of WEIT (I have no more hardbacks).
Both Tom and Mark have been grandfathered into the contest.
p.s. Try this in front of mosques only at your own risk. . .
Ceiling Cat (PBUH) has communed with His Emissary on earth and announced the close of the Trump Your Cat contest. Here are a few last entries.
Pauline sent us this note:
This is our skinny, no svelte, black Zelda of 18 years, working the Trump do. At this golden age, she’s still a master mouser.This photo gig was harder to pull off than I expected. The first sittings were not to her liking, as she was beyond affronted, and then felt she’d rather tussle with the tassel. However, success! She found the yellow Swiffer dusting pad quite cozy on her head, and even slept with it. A very economical solution for those bad hair days.
Avis James writes:
Here is Janet doing her “Trump the Cat”. She has her mouth open and
looks a bit pissed off, just like the other Trump. She is wearing
shavings from the wood cabinets we are making for our new kitchen.
And there’s even an entry from over the pond – Mike Barnes writes:
Election fever hits England.(from Sara Longmuir)P.S. Cat’s name is Compo.
This photo captures the multi-deranged comb-over, the wrinkled brow denoting serious brain power, and the moment just before The Neville fired the new kitten, Fluffer-noodle.
Photo credit: Hannah Jones
P.S. Neville is dumber than a post.
The Trump victim is Emma, with hair provided by Bumper.
bu Grania
Michael Glenister wote in with some wonderful photos. He writes:
Just got back from our annual trek to the Kangaroo Farm in Kelowna. Here are a few shots I thought you would enjoy:
