as a parent why am I raising my kids here? The problem with a great empire is that when it declines, it does not decline alone. The influence of this country on global affairs is so great that the

You won't venture to offer an opinion but I will, without restraint. No restraint, but reason, I hope. The war is such folly that it breaks my heart. Obama's 'nuclear deal' included a payment of 1.7 billion

I wrote a book for children once on colonialism but I didn't really cover the Dutch that much. I covered the French in Indochina, the Germans in Africa, the Spanish in the Western Hemisphere, the Italians

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😄 Grazie mille :))

That was exactly my reaction after I had done this research. Everything in moderation. There was even an instance where one man destroyed his kidneys be drinking black tea. I believe it was 16 cups a day.

😆 I hate to pay for shipping...I'd rather give the spare bottles away than pay for shipping :)

That is a fantastic building. Great pictures, despite the clouds. I just went to read up a bit on Dutch colonialism in Indonesia...347 years! Wow. That's longer than the U.S. has been a country. Now I

Wow! what a narrative. Memorable, actually, like a poem. The collage matches perfectly the eloquence of your words. A lovely, lovely creation. I am gifting you 2 HSBI tokens in appreciation of your

What a dramatic collage, @anibalj! I love the effect of the plant. Also, I'm impressed by the well-placed oar...a touch of realism in a fantastic picture. Thank you for your participation. I am gifting

Did it again! Just upvoted my own comment. I really should drink coffee before I try to do anything in the morning :)) Your father was a character. Whatever his shortcomings as a father, he certainly left

Jonathan Swift move over. I have found your wit matched and even exceeded by the incomparable @deirdyweirdy. These sentences are jewels of contradiction...of inherent parody. Thank you for the entertainment.

I didn't know you were a Vet. My husband is too, Vietnam War. Infantry, front lines. Quite an experience. Life changing. Respect to you and him for what you guys went through. I'm glad you are feeling

giving up every desire and still being super happy We have to let it go anyway, eventually. Accepting that is a path toward peace. I'm glad you are better :)

Peace to you, @oadissin. You are right. It was more than a piece of brass. After all I kept it through the years, so it meant something to me. Thank you for the lovely comment.

A small boost goes a long way. Yes it does! Thank you very much, @palomap3 and @ocdb

Absolutely magnificent. What a bird. Great shots. Amazing.

You did a job on that chocolate :)) Fascinating pictures (I'm a history buff)--architecture shows the influence of various periods in history.

You are not an old man :) Not even close. Wow, to be 55 again. I may be an old woman, but I don't feel like one, and I'm 79. I may be stiff when I wake up in the morning. I may not be able to walk as far

Reminds me a little bit of Rosalind Franklin...although Franklin was at least a highly regarded scientist. However, most people think she deserved to share that Nobel Prize, which was given to two men.