Vintage Octobia

04/06/2024

You know what's great about being an adult?

I can read all night without having to hide under the covers with a flashlight!

03/11/2024

This is an excerpt from a talk by Rachel Maddow about assessing the quality of information and she talks about the standards of journalism as a way to figure out if information is true and accurate. KATHLEEN BELEW: What is the one piece of advice you would give young adults in how to process information from all of the different outlets they are exposed to?

RACHEL MADDOW: Oh, this is a great question and an inspiring questioner. So thank you. I listen, it's actually it's not a very inspiring answer. I think it's very nuts and bolts. But I actually think that learning what journalism is is a helpful thing. So there's lots of different ways that people can get information and circulate information. And social media has made it a much more iterative process than it ever was before, you know, back and forth between people. And that's good. And that's that's democratic in its own way. But learning the difference between information and journalism, I think, is helpful. Just so you know, if you do want to assess the veracity, the trustworthiness, the validity of something that you want to cite or share with somebody else, you have some tools to do that. And so learning about sourcing. What is the source of this information? Is the source named? Are there multiple sources? Are the sources that are named in this piece of reporting or this piece of information, sources that are the type of source that should know the truth of this thing that is being attested to in this reporting? And what is the entity that is standing behind this reporting? Is it a news organization? Is it a news organization that you know anything about? Is it a person who you have reason to trust or distrust? And is there anything that you can do to see any of the raw material that they used to put this piece of information together? If they're talking about something that happened in a courtroom, there should be a link to a court document. You don't have to read the whole court document, but you might want to look and see if it's there. If it's something that's being described for which there were news photographers or even civilian photographers there. Are there timestamps on the photos that purport to be of the thing that you're describing as having happened in a time sensitive way? Just learning about what that is. Learning that in a in a news organization, you not only need to define your sources, your sources need to meet certain standards, and then you need to answer to an editor who is responsible for the professional standards of that news organization. And you can judge news organizations by their standards. Know, just knowing that having that be a basic part of your alphabet that you use when you read the news can help cut out a lot of the dross, I think. And it gets worse all the time in terms of the way information circulates online. But for me, working for NBC and MSNBC, it's it makes me feel all the more grateful to have the job that I do and that we have big, reputable news organizations who don't always get everything right, but who at least have standards, have professional tactics and who correct things when we get them wrong. I will also just say my boss is here tonight. His name is Corey and it's his birthday. And he'll like that answer. So happy birthday, Corey.

12/23/2023

Merry Christmas, Baby, sung by the amazing Phoebe Snow.

A Phoebe Snow gem found in my studio library while on air as a jock, a beauty that had to have my family photos added. RIP Phoebe Snow.

09/19/2021

9/19/21 I know God is all powerful and all good, and he/she has the largesse and compassion to give us so many ways to be nurtured and enriched. In turn encouraging us to express our gratitude and joy. Thus enlarging that joy and gratitude so that it may spread wherever it is needed and wherever we have aimed it. I let this weapon of mass delight free to touch on all who want or need the loving hand on your shoulder, or the sound of George Harrison’s voice, given freely to all who choose to touch or hear. And So it is.

9/19/21 I know God is all powerful and all good, and he/she has the largesse and compassion to give us so many ways to be nurtured and enriched. In turn encouraging us to express our gratitude and …

09/07/2021

It only takes seconds.... One of our cats, Smudge, is recovering pretty well after his life-saving surgery on Saturday. He was attacked by a pitbull on Monday morning, right on our front lawn. My son saved him by prying the dog's jaw open--getting bitten himself in the process. Smudge ran away in terror and only found his way home 5 days later, with a badly infected, smashed and broken left leg....

It only takes seconds…. One of our cats, Smudge, is recovering pretty well after his life-saving surgery on Saturday. He was attacked by a pitbull on Monday morning, right on our front lawn. …

08/19/2021

I've started my first batch for Fire Cider, ala Rosemary Gladstone and it's really fun. I'll report back with details and progress soon.

I’ve started my first batch for Fire Cider, ala Rosemary Gladstone and it’s really fun. I’ll report back with details and progress soon.

04/24/2021

Back in April 2009, I wrote about making my Nonna's stuffed artichoke recipe. It is a wonderful dish, but I've been feeling too lazy to go through all that, and with artichokes being plentiful and delicious this spring, I've gone back to our other favorite recipe: steamed artichokes dipped in melted butter with lemon, garlic, and dash of salt. O, are they heavenly!...

Back in April 2009, I wrote about making my Nonna’s stuffed artichoke recipe. It is a wonderful dish, but I’ve been feeling too lazy to go through all that, and with artichokes being pl…

02/08/2021

Reopening this page to publicize my blog, Octobia's Blog at

Just another WordPress.com weblog

12/29/2017

What you guys think of getting Pharaoh’s Treasure as a gift tomorrow?
LIKE & Share this post if you like this idea! If this post gets 500 likes, Pharaoh’s Treasure will come your way tomorrow!
By the way, what was your favorite gift in Christmas Calendar this year? Tell us in the comments!
Happy New Year and happy gaming!
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11/22/2017

A modified slouch hat in a deep, rich bronze-brown, with hints of rust and green. Ribbed brim in medium (approx 20-22). Plenty of stretch. This handknit is in a very soft superwash 100% merino yarn. Machine wash on gentle, lay flat to dry. One of a kind, but custom orders are very

11/22/2017

A slouchy hat in a variegated reds, with pink, orange, blue-green highlight; striped with blue-green. The tones run a little warmer in tone than the photos have captured. Ribbed brim in medium/large (approx 21-23). Plenty of stretch. This handknit is in a very soft superwash 100%

11/22/2017

A slouchy hat in a tonal purples with blue-green/teal stripes. 2365The tones run a little warmer in tone than the photos have captured. Ribbed brim in medium/large (approx 21-23). Plenty of stretch. This handknit is in a very soft superwash 100% merino yarn. Machine wash on gentle, lay