respublica

The best Barbeque in the country is right here in St. Louis

Zagat, THe Most Trusted Source for Restaurant Reviews has come out with their top ten Barbeque Meccas and Pappy's Smokehouse in St. Louis is rated number one.

Pappy's beat out more famous places known for barbeque like Kreutz Market in Texas. 

If you haven't been to Pappy's you really need to yourself in there.   3106 Olive, near SLU.  But go early because when they sell out, they close.  Lunch. 

K-State super Kats

For some reason someone at Kansas State thought it was a good idea to create an environmental mascot so that the school stays on the path to green.

They've rolled out EcoKat a female superhero.

Asked about this mascot, Missou football coach Gary Pinkel, said he was too busy preparing for the football season to have much of an opinion on EcoKat, but that it sounded kind of embarrassing.

More highway work?

President Obama is said to be ready to ask for lots of money for an extension of the highway bill.  This will go for more road work, bridges etc.

All I can do is drop my head on the desk.  The US is one big highway construction site and has been for several years.  It's been so long since I've been able to drive from point A to point B without lane closures, detours or jams that I've forgotten what it's like to have unobstructed driving.

And, if this money for roads is supposed to create jobs, well that's just nonsense.  Seems like the only profession safe from job loss is highway workers.  They've been working.  It won't create jobs, just keep the only ones with jobs working. 

And don't tell me how lovely the new roads are.  Some areas have been tied up in the same place for years, think the 64-55/70 merge east of downtown.  They've had that section of 64 eastbound under construction as long as I can remember. 

Rick Perry's job numbers

Rick Perry is the media's candidate to crush these days.   Everyone is trying to put the kabosh on his campaign's talking points about the success of jobs in Texas. 

Well, here is a good look at how Texas stacks up against other states, a post filled with comparison charts and thorough explanations.  Written by someone who does not like Rick Perry, won't vote for him, but came up with findings that put to rest the tall tales being written about Texas. 

He explains each chart beginning with what critics of Perry are saying and goes on to show how he came up with numbers and counterpoints. 

Political Math did a lot of work on this and had a perfect right to ask his readers who disagree with his findings to argue with real numbers they've found rather than emotion partisanship. 

My favorite picture of the day

Back story.  This morning some of the finishing touches were put to the new water feature in the seminary's Academic Quad.  It's called the academic quad because no one goes in there.  No.  I'm kidding.  Back in the old days only students with straight A grades could go in this part of the campus.  That rule kind of went away, but so did everyone else.  It is a pretty spot everyone avoids.  So, the MAtH thought it would be a great place for a water feature, some tables and chairs, find a way to get people back in there.  He worked on it all summer with help from a number of students who work part time on grounds. 

Today the liner and fountain went in, that fountain was a heavy thing.

 After it was hauled in by 4 guys, Ben and Ferdie had a quick moment.  Ferdie loves Ben.  I think Ben loves Ferdie too.

Click to enlarge

 

What industry do Americans rate the highest?

According to Gallup, it is the computer industry.

In second place the restaurant business.  Now that's interesting.

And third is the internet industry.

At the bottom...wait for it...the federal government.

The entire list is at the link.

What is going on in the Big 12

The the Big (10) 12.  Or, the Big (9) 12.

Texas A&M is leaving for the SEC, Nebraska headed to the Big Ten and Colorado is now with the Pac 10. 

This can't be all a reaction to the attention and money Texas receives. 

In Illinois it's taxes and fees

If it's not the state raising taxes and fees, it's Illinois utility companies raising rates and fees.

Last one to leave the state, turn out the lights. 

You can lead a dog to water

And make him swim.

It's been a week now since Ferdie first got up the nerve to swim in the seminary fountain pool.  And every night this past week we've made our way over there.  He now jumps right in, still swims in slow strokes, but he seems to really love it.  Swimming after sticks is his favorite.

He also likes to swim with Mimi.

Sticks are great.

But of course at the end there's this

It's a dog's life.

August 29, what a momentous day

So I woke up this morning and wouldn't you know.  It's my birthday.  Not that I'd ordinarily trumpet this event, but Dale gave me the cutest present ever.   In past years he was excited about giving me 1. a 90 foot extension cord, 2.  A weed eater.  Not that I'm complaining, just laughing at the memory.  But today he and Ferdie came in with the greatest thing, so me, so perfect that I just had to ask where in the world he got it.  Turns out he got it at Brody's Lamp store.  Hahahahahaha.  Dale in Brody's Lamp store. 

Golden Retriever Book ends!  Honestly these make me so happy.  I know Ferdie must have been behind this. 

Celebrated with Lizzie Darren and the boys last night.  I may just celebrate all day long. 

And this morning Drew got into the act.

This won't last.

See, just like a puppy.