You’re still not worried?

He won five states last night with popular vote tallies far greater than expected, and you're still not worried? Nate Silver says it's "his nomination to lose," and you're still not worried? He's developing what appears to be a pretty plausible rust belt strategy, and you're still not worried? He's fleshing out his foreign policy agenda—sounding almost as presidential as 43—and you're still not worried? Susan Page says we "shouldn't make assumptions" about how the election's going to turn out if he's the nominee, and you're still not worried? He delivered a speech today that the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee described as "very good," and you're still not worried? He's already having a negative effect on the economy, and you're still not worried? Megyn Kelly is yielding to his dubious charms, and you're still not worried? A major poll has him at 50% support among Republicans and Republican leaners nationally, and you're still not worried? Really? Let's get into that last one for a moment. There are 146,311,000 Americans registered to vote (actually, probably a few more now—that was as of August 2015—but let's work with those numbers). 41% of those, or 59,987,510, are Republican or Republican leaning. And half of those, or 29,993,755, support him. You can look at it this way: The U.S. population is, at the time of this writing, 323,439,880. So, one in eleven Americans supports Donald Trump. That doesn't sound so alarming. Or you can look at it this way: Thirty million Americans are in favor of electing as their highest representative a man who's racist. Misogynist. Anti-immigrant. Whose campaign tactics are right out of the dictator's playbook. Who opposes marriage equality. Who thinks carrying concealed weapons should be an American birthright. Who thinks choosing a running mate who's actively anti-LGBT would be a "great idea." Whose platform is named for a political movement allied with Nazi goals. Who doesn't believe in climate change. Who wants to deny health care to the people who somehow get through his wall. Thirty million Americans. I could go on. But I'd rather just ask you a question. You're still not worried?

The Friday 13.

This weekend: Many holidays in confluence. Much merriment to be had. Much eating and drinking to be done. Let's get to it...but first, some fun to start you off. An excellent Valentine's Day gift, if you go in for that sort of thing. IKEA emojis! (Of course I did.) Just in time for the coldest air of the year...check out this minimal but cozy house (not too far from us!). Staying neutral in Vermont. I've done this, and it is absolutely not fun. Take my advice: Make this (it works with eggplant, too!). Introverts (that's me) in love. Seriously considering dropping some bucks for this. How the NBC Nightly News blew up. What your winter will be like in 2100 (there's a summer link, too!). Trust me when I say this information will be useful to you someday. Heaven for Royal watchers. If you have an hour this weekend, and you haven't heard this episode of This American Life, listen. And finally...a Valentine's Day bonus link: best adaptive reuse of a site name EVER (via On the Media).

The Friday 13.

Good Friday, fellow citizens! (No, I don't know where that came from.) What are you all up to this weekend? We'll be discussing culture and commerce over dinners with friends, which means I will get to spend a lot of time in the kitchen (yay!). We'll also be catching up on Grantchester (are you watching the series?) and, of course, huddling around the fire Downton Abbey Sunday evening. In other words, a normal weekend in the snowy 'hood. Whatever you're doing, enjoy—and take these links with you. How to make the Shake Shack cheeseburger. Dana Miller went and previewed IKEA's new kitchen system just for us! Another reason to love the French. This is a really good way to blend your longing for summer with a winter superfood. Can't wait to read this (if I can ever get my hands on a copy!). New Yorkers share their opinions on the State of the City. Now this is how we paint vintage furniture. Recipe of the week (or month, or year!): Oven-roasted chicken shawarma. The spouse says it's the closest thing to Lebanese food in Lebanon that he's eaten in years. More NYC news: How Mayor de Blasio plans to stop the artist exodus. And some really, really nice Vermont news: A very generous man has benefited a library no end. The President, keepin' it old school. Precision graffiti bombing. And finally, just because I really, really like you: JOAN ARMATRADING. Live. Happy Friday!

On law and order.

The one and only time I was ever ticketed for any sort of moving violation was on the evening of Valentine’s Day 2007. I was driving south on the West Side Highway and had just turned onto (I think) 50th Street when I was pulled over by a cop because I was talking on my cellphone—while holding it. When he said, "Do you know how long we tailed you with the siren on and the lights flashing? FIVE BLOCKS," it woke me up. I never drove non-hands-free again. We have a new-ish law here in Vermont that I thought would really improve manners on our highways. But let me begin with a bit of background. Vermont has fewer than 650,000 residents, but those 650,000 are pretty spread out. It isn’t uncommon for a commute to be 45 minutes, which here means 45 miles. I don’t bat an eyelash at driving to South Burlington twice a week to go to Trader Joe’s, because it’s only twenty minutes (26 miles) away. And so it goes, here on the roads. People spend much of their lives in their cars. And that means they do a plethora of things there. Things that endanger other people. I used to be amused by my cousin Leslie’s assertion that, having grown up in California, she could smoke, drink a soda, eat lunch, do her makeup, and talk on the ‘phone all at the same time while driving. I’m not so amused by it anymore—not because I wouldn’t trust Leslie behind the wheel with my life, but because since we moved here I have so often almost been sideswiped on the highway, broadsided at an intersection, or hit in a parking lot by someone talking (non-hands-free) or texting. So I rejoiced when, last year, the Vermont Legislature passed a hands-free bill, and Governor Shumlin (after taking some time to opine as to how everyone ought to be counted on to "do the right thing" and we didn’t really need this sort of measure) signed it into law. And here’s where we run headlong into the Vermont way of doing things. As far as I can tell, the law has made absolutely no difference. I am still avoiding idiotic behavior on the roads as much as I ever was, and as a matter of fact, it seems to have gotten worse. (In two separate instances over the holidays, for example, I was almost run over while walking across a parking lot by a woman who was driving while presumably updating a shopping list, and sustained $400 worth of damage to my rear bumper courtesy of backing into a pillar in another parking lot to avoid a woman talking on a handheld 'phone and heading right for my front bumper.) And, despite a professed "crackdown" during the fall, when we all saw "PHONES DOWN…HEADS UP" signs along the interstate highways and there were apparently a bunch of people pulled over and ticketed, the police don’t seem to be paying too…

The Friday 13…The Return Of Edition.

After a nine-month hiatus...Friday's baaaaaaaack! And, for those of you who didn't know that I (sometimes) care about football; I may live in New England, but I'll be rooting for Seattle this weekend. Herewith, some links to get you through until Sunday night. Go long, and enjoy. I can't wait to read this book. Virgo heaven: These. (via HouseTweaking) I realize I have come late to this party, but it's still genius. Beautiful pictures of a vanished San Francisco. Currently coveting (like nobody's business!): This. How about some Western flavors for your Super Bowl party? I'm making this and this. A Down Under renovation that really hits all the marks. Do you need a break for adorable? Watch this. Nobody lives here. (via Making it Lovely) Well, yay. Did you watch the new episode of this last night? (Thanks to my friend Elizabeth, I'm totally addicted.) And finally... How to be a good letter-writing ex-partner. Happy Friday!