Maggie's Notebook New Blog Home

Readers and friends, I have finally taken the step and have a new home for Maggie's Notebook. I believe you will find it easier to read and navigate, and commenting will be much less troublesome.

Note: when you click the link below, it may look like it is not taking you anywhere, but be patient, it does.
Please visit me at the all new

Maggie's Notebook

This site will stay up, however I have migrated all posts on this site to the new one. I look forward to hearing your reactions, and don't forget to bookmark, or update the RSS feed for the new Maggie's Notebook

To everyone, thank you so much for making my first blog site a success. 

It's time to move-on. I hope you will come with me.

Alter-Net Writer Says Maggie's Notebook is Part of Digg Patriots: JournoList Revenge

JournoList will not go unrevenged by the Left. An Alter-Net poster has my name on a list professed to be from a Yahoo group known as Digg Patriots. Today it is all over the Internet and is known as The Digg Patriots Bury List. To get the conversation started, I know nothing about Digg Patriots, and haven't been to Digg for months. Nevermind, they tell me I've been "caught red-handed." After the poster "weeds through the information" he plans to reveal it all on a file hosting service.

 JournoList Revenge?

So, this minute this news about Maggie's Notebook has just been tweeted - twice. I am accused of burying this juvenile blogger whom I have never heard of, and was called an idiot. Did I mention that the whole thing is on a Memorandum thread?

Another article says I'm part of "A Covert Mob of Conservatives" and the mob "Hijacked the Web." Hmmmm, just noticed that the author is the same author of the Alter-Net post.

Here is how Digg Patriots is described:

One bury brigade in particular is a conservative group that has become so organized and influential that they are able to bury over 90% of the articles by certain users and websites submitted within 1-3 hours, regardless of subject material....

And:

A group of nearly one hundred conservatives have banded together on a Yahoo Group called Digg Patriots (DP), and a companion site at coRanks to issue bury orders and discuss strategies to censor Digg and other social media websites. DP was founded on 21 May 2009. Since then, over 40,000 posts have been logged at a steady rate of around 3000-4000 per month. The “Patriots” Network on coRank is a tool to submit Diggs to a group list as opposed to sending an e-mail every time. It also has some tools that make submitting to the list as easy as clicking on a bookmark. The DP membership includes the following Digg users (among others):

I see one name on the list that I recognize. That blogger is a very respected blogger and would not waste time burying articles from Liberals.

Bettverboten is the "ring leader" according to Alter-Net, and here's how it works (and I do not know Bettverboten):

The ring leader of the group is Bettverboten, who issues multiple digg and bury orders everyday. She is a Digg power user who has dugg 70,000 articles and has 1500 submits of her own (18% have gone popular) in one short year on the site. She was previously known as Lizbett before her lifetime ban for offensive and inappropriate comments, and has two sleeper accounts waiting if she gets banned again at loquaciouslola and MsBoop. She is also on Twitter, although her primary focus is Digg, where she has acquired a huge following of power users who are likely unaware that she is gaming the system, and even calling to bury some of her mutuals.

Since originally posting this, a member of Digg Patriots has contacted me. I did not recognize his user name on the list, but know him as Matt at Conservative Hideout 2.0.  Matt has posted an article on Digg Patriots. He has actual knowledge of the group, and puts more than a few things in perspective. Read 70 Conservatives Allegedly Censor Digg for more information. Another good article is at RightWingNews.

Announcement to Readers May 5th, 2010

Friends, I have some family business that must be tended to, and that means I have to stay away from the computer for a short while and focus on the tasks at hand - maybe a week or a little more. I look forward to being back at my desk, and heading into a pre-election summer and election day on November 2nd.

My friends may or may not be posting while I'm helping two elderly family members, so please scroll down, or look to the right side of this page for a drop-down menu of my archives. I will try to read any comments, but may not answer back, until I've completed my "obligations."

Now...don't forget about me while I'm gone. I'll be missing you.

Tulsa Oklahoma March 20, 2010 Snowstorm

Lots of snow still falling.

Tulsa Snowstorm - March 20, 2010

Missing Cabo, Wish We Were There, Glad We're Not - I Think!

This moment, I should be standing on a balcony overlooking the Cabo San Lucas bay, with a cup of coffee in my hand. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico has glorious mornings. Instead, I am safely at home with no sign of any kind of flu in my area, on a cold rainy morning, drinking coffee at my computer.

Cabo Parade of Boats

For the past thirteen years my husband and I have gone to Cabo for a week. Nine years ago we added another week at the Cabo San Lucas Golf Resort. Everything about the little town of Cabo is nice. It is clean and pretty and unless you are young and drunk and hanging out at the Giggling Marlin late at night, Cabo is safe. In fact, I've heard few bad rumors about Cabo nightlife, and they are only rumors. I'm sure the Giggling Marlin is safe, as well as fun, and I've had many a mid-afternoon coke there when I needed a break from shopping.

Margaritas at Cabo Marina

A few years ago, when the amnesty issues arose and stats on the high cost of illegal aliens on the American taxpayer became known, I regretted purchasing our timeshares. I regret spending money there. I would not buy a timeshare in Mexico again today, but I will continue to go each year because we already own our units. Our timeshares are American owned. Many businesses there are American owned. The residents are always smiling, and it is our understanding that the people there have jobs and are doing well. The children go to school. You see no children diving for change when a cruise ship arrives. Cabo is a much sought-after destination for mainland Mexicans. They want to live in Cabo and raise their children in Cabo. A few years ago, we were told that Cabo limits the number of Mexican nationals arriving from the mainland, seeking a permanent home. I think you must have a job to be there.

Cabo Arc at Land's End

My hubby, brother and a friend would be playing seven straight days of golf and then hitting the Golf Club's pool late afternoon. The golf course is challenging, and the pool is beautiful.

Los Cabos Golf Resort and Country Club

Los Cabos Golf Resort - One of two pools

Los Cabos Golf Resort Lobby and Foot Pool

In the early years, I shopped late each afternoon after some beach time. I decorated my laundry room in Cabo "suns and moons," a paper machai statue of a lady balancing a basket of peppers on her head, and the man with the straw hat carrying a basket of seeds. I stocked up on Mexican pewter which we could not buy in the U.S. at that time. It goes from the freezer to the oven. Amazing stuff. My friends were envious. Now we can buy it everywhere. I have a few favorite silver jewelry shops, but after many visits, I need no more earrings, bracelets, or slides. On the beach from the comfort of my palapa, vendors display beautiful bathing suit sarong pareos, which I buy; jewelry which I do not buy on the beach, and some really gorgeous pottery. In recent years, I've seldom shopped. I'm over it. I do add to my Mexican table linens each year. They are the best for casual dining. The napkins wash over and over, keep their color and never need ironing. Recent visits find us relaxing here:

Los Cabos Golf Resort 'Personal' Hammock

We vacillated about cancelling our trip. We talked to friends in Cabo and there was no flu. The banks and federal building personnel were wearing masks as a precaution. At 6 p.m. the night before leaving we cancelled. Raising the World Health Organization threat to Level 5 made the decision for us. Once down there, if the borders were closed we knew we might not be able to get back across. We knew there was only a slim chance of borders closing, but we also knew that if we made the trip, got sick or could not get back home, absolutely no one would feel sorry for us, and rightly so.

View from our hot tub to the ocean

Last year, one of our favorite restaurants on the Marina, Margaritavilla, was closed for renovations. We were looking forward to enjoying the spectacular view and especially the chips and salsa. We're still looking forward to it...maybe in November.

Margaritavilla Restaurant on Cabo Marina

My very favorite restaurant in Cabo is Pancho's Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Pancho's is a long-time American-owned eatery, and it is a joy to be there. The the fish is fresh, with many choices of preparation. The Mexican dishes are bright and deliciously prepared, and the salad is the best in Cabo or about anywhere in the world. Cabo is not known for salads, so Pancho's is the place to find a really good one.

Pancho's Restaurant and Tequila Bar in Cabo

When we need a hot dog or a quesadilla just a few steps away from our palapa, we sit on the deck of Tabasco's, the beach shack next door. The beer is ice cold, the cokes are good and the Guacamole and chips are not the best, but okay for a snack.

Tabasco's on Cabo Bay

Our home restaurant, however, is at Club Cascades de Baja, on the beach overlooking El Arco. The breakfasts are amazing - the best in Cabo. Hamburgers served on the beach are excellent some years - not so excellent some years. Their Puttanesca is a dish I look forward to. The fruit is fresh and the chips really good.

Club Cascades de Baja Dining

We fell in love with Club Cascades de Baja the minute we walked into the open-air lobby. There are no elevators, nothing is new and slick and shiny, but everything is beautiful and beautifully maintained. We have a third floor unit with 1200 square feet and two large terraces. We walk a private outdoor stairway to get there, with gorgeous views. How lucky are we to love the climb? You can see the stairway below to our unit.

Club Cascades de Baja

We have two pools at our disposal along with the beach at Club Cascades. The below is the one farther from the beach. It's a "quieter" pool. I don't know the people in this photo. It's difficult to find the pool empty for a photo op. We spend a part of each day here after some beach time. Our unit looks like the one in the pic with the blue railing, except that our overlooks the ocean.

Club Cascades Pool

We get to the beach right after breakfast every day. The air is soooooo fresh. Many books are read, many sudoku puzzles solved, many chats with people you see only once a year. I swear, that is not me in the green bathing suit. I swear I was behind the camera. I really need a good photo shop program. From here we can see a sunrise and a sunset.

A Cabo Morning

Back to reality. The day has turned from rain to sunshine. We are going to our favorite hometown Mexican eatery tonight. They have better margaritas than we can find in Mexico. We're playing bridge after dinner with my brother and sister-in-law, who would have been in Mexico with us, along with long-time friends from Texas. It's a good life. I'm blessed.

Christmas Open House at the Thornton's with BooMama

BooMama's 2008 Christmas Tour of Homes began on December 15th, but I'm late to the party. I signed up anyway, and I am so happy to welcome you to our home. After the tour, run over to BooMama's and see what she's doing. Maybe you'll want to scurry around the house, tidy things a bit and join the fun. Really, my son arrives tomorrow, and I am so over politics for the moment! We have too much ice to get a good shot of the lights on my new little weeping mulberry tree. In reality, they are quite pretty, but rather pitiful in this photo.


This is our entry hall, with the only wall long enough for our sideboard, which is home for most holiday desserts. The mercury glass Christmas tree is dear to me...a gift from my sister-in-law.
Past the stairway. This is our dining room. We moved in only a few months ago. We plan to make many memories with family and friends here. The cloth on the table is a family tradition. Once upon a time, a long time ago, my Uncle was head of communications for the U.S. President. He brought this beautiful cloth back to my Aunt from Japan (or maybe China - I'm never sure). Our Christmas Tree. Our nativity was purchased the first year we were married. The manger is missing this year - yet to be upacked!!! It's a terrible thing to lose your manger but Mary and Joseph, Baby Jesus, the Wisemen and the Shepherd Boy are cozy by our fireplace. Thank you Father for the ChristChild. Amen. Christmas stockings are very, very important in our home. We have heavy duty wrought iron hangers because Santa leaves some serious loot in the socks. This year we have a new son-in-law, and his stocking is on the end to your left. Excuse the bare windows. I'll think about that tomorrow. I love peonies, although I must admit, after many tries, I'm not so great at growing them (they always want to fall over - lots of blossoms though). So, we have a painting over our fireplace of peonies. Because the colors are so soft, the traditional Christmas red and green wasn't a great match, so this year I found Christmas roses for the mantle. Favorite ornaments - a collection of Old Worlde Father Christmas'
Thanks for visiting. Here, take a warm go-cup of cider with you and visit BooMama where you'll find links to over 800 more Christmas Open Houses (I am number 857).

Related: Carol of the Bells by George Winston My Christmas Tree and other Famous Trees (this one done before I knew about BooMama's Open House - but see the Capitol Tree, the National Tree at the White House, the Vatican Tree and Rockefeller Center.

I'm Moving (Houses not URLs)

Sticky - to remain on top (May 17, 2008)

Please scroll down for current posts

I'm in the process of vacating one home and moving to another. My posts will probably be short for awhile. My insightful contributors (see list in right-hand sidebar) are sharing, among other topics, their exhaustive analyzation of the Presidential elections here. I am so proud to have their work posted at Maggie's Notebook. Posted by Maggie

Tagged with a "Memoire"

I've Been Tagged!

David at Third World County tagged me with this meme. His tagger is CatHouse Chat.


The Rules:

1. Write your own six word memoir .
2. Post it on your blog and include a visual illustration if you want.
3. Link to the person that tagged you in your post and to the original post, if possible, so we can track it as travels across the blogosphere.
4. Tag at least five more blogs with links.
5. Leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation to play.

Six little words...should be easy, hmmmmmm. When I think about the lovely things in my life, my husband, children, family, friends, - I am one lucky girl! To sum it all up, none of this would be as it is without one thing, (excepting my Maker), so I am:

Grateful to be born an American.

My "visual illustration" has nothing to do with being born an American. I just think it's a really sweet pic.

I'm tagging these interesting folks: FaultlineUSA, Wake up America, The Tygrrrr Express, GM's Corner, An Ole' Broad's Ramblings

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Maggie's Bio Pic

Thirteen Things about Me (Maggie) and My Notebook Thursday Thirteen Edition No. 1 1. I love notebooks, papers, pens and pencils. 2. I travel to destinations with palms, palapas and pena coladas. 3. Wine is a hobby and was, once upon a time, a vocation. 4. Starting a blog saved me from Sudoku. 5. Books and movies are a passion. 6. I'm happy at the computer from the time I get up until way past bedtime. 7. I play bridge. 8. Once upon a time I played golf. 9. My secret life is to own a bookstore (kinda like Trina at wrongblog.com). 10. I pray for huge success in Iraq, for the Iraqi's and for The War on Terror. 11. I've written a wine pronunciation guide but haven't had the nerve to publish it. 12. I have the finest husband in the world. 13. I do not journal, but everything goes into my notebooks. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. Trina 2. NancyBond 3. Bubba 4. Douglas 5. Charlotte 6. Colleen 7. David 8. Caryle 9. Bernie 10. SharlynBeth 11. April 12. Julia 13. Mr. C Leave your Link in Comments, I’ll add You here!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their Thursday Thirteens. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~