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I briefly talk about the issue in my book--
Part of the difficulty of simply stating what can and can't be done to animals is that respectfulness has fuzzy boundaries. .... A friend of mine recently remarked that birdwatchers are a bit like stalkers, the way they pursue birds and spy on them with binoculars. Stalking people is disrespectful, but what about stalking birds? Must birdwatchers think hard about their hobby? To produce the marvelous series The Life of Mammals, David Attenborough's film crews surreptitiously invaded the space of animals in the wild. In one particularly fascinating segment, they drilled down into the burrow of a platypus – an egg-laying mammal – and inserted a periscope-like camera, giving viewers a chance to see a drop of milk emerge from the mother's skin and a blind, wriggling tiny newborn. It's fascinating footage, but does this amount to a disrespectful violation of the private space of these animals?Is "no" really, obviously, the right answer? Here's the footage (about 3:15)--
David Attenborough (a hero in my house) is warm and wonderful, but drilling into that burrow does strike me as overbearing, intrusive, certainly questionable. But how can that be an appropriate reaction if the platypus had no awareness of the probe and wasn't hurt?
Things to think about before trying to say:
- The Truman Show. People inside the bubble aren't aware that they are on camera, and aren't hurt by it.Yet the audience on the outside are doing something wrong.
- Babies. Suppose a psychologist wants 24 hour footage of an infant. Should I allow a camera to trail my child, assuming the footage will be anonymous and the child will never find out?
- More about babies. Why not blow off some steam while taking care of your infant? You could address him as "you little asshole" or worse. The kid won't be aware of it, so "no harm, no foul"?
- The severely retarded. Why not set up a webcam so weirdos can watch them take baths, and the like? They'll never know it, so "no harm, no foul"?
OK, so what's wrong with drilling into the burrow of a platypus? I would say this: the platypus has a "subjectivity" of her own--a point of view, a set of experiences. To drill in and watch is to treat this "subject" purely as an "object." As an object of fascination and wonder, so it's not all bad. But it's dubious.
In the article, Dr. Mills says, "We can never really know if animals are giving consent, but they often do engage in forms of behaviour which suggest they'd rather not encounter humans, such as running away or building a burrow. The question constantly posed by wildlife documentaries is how animals should be filmed - they never ask whether animals should be filmed at all."
The platypus enters the burrow for privacy and protection. It's not anthropomorphic or far-fetched to think that's what she prefers. To intrude and watch is therefore quite clearly to act on your own preferences and to flout the animal's. As in, "I don't care if you want to be watched or not. I can, so I will." The filmmaker is insisting on his own point of view, instead of empathizing with the animal's.
But is it really wrong, really disrespectful? I did leave this as an open question in my book. I didn't say Yes, but I think it's wrong to laugh off Dr. Mills, as if the answer were obviously No.
P.S. What if there are invisible alien intelligences drifting around, completely impossible for us to detect? What if there's an invisible camera pointed at your face right now, and your image is being beamed to billions of aliens, scattered across the universe? And what if they are all thinking that you're weird looking, what with your bizarre nasal protrusion, the tongue that occasionally protrudes from your mouth, your glassy eyes, etc. Isn't there something wrong with what they're doing?


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Crown, c. 1380 and 1402: Munich, Schatzkammer der Residenz (Bayerische Verwaltung der Staatlichen Schlösser, Gärten und Seen) Inv. no. 16. See crowns.
The treasure roll of Richard II, compiled in 1398/9, offers a rare insight into the magnificence of a late medieval English king. The roll, unknown until it was rediscovered in the 1990s, describes in exceptional detail the crowns, jewels, and other precious objects belonging to the king and to his two queens, Anne of Bohemia and Isabelle of France.
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Appendix B to Part 1026 — State Exemptions
Any state may apply to the Bureau for a determination that a class of transactions subject to state law is exempt from the requirements of the Act and this part. An application shall be in writing and addressed to the Executive Secretary, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, 1700 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20006, and shall be signed by the appropriate state official. The application shall be made pursuant to the procedures herein.
Supporting Documents
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(1) The text of the state statute or regulation that is the subject of the application, and any other statute, regulation, or judicial or administrative opinion that implements, interprets, or applies it.
(2) A comparison of the state law with the corresponding provisions of the Federal law.
(3) The text of the state statute or regulation that provides for civil and criminal liability and administrative enforcement of the state law.
(4) A statement of the provisions for enforcement, including an identification of the state office that administers the relevant law, information on the funding and the number and qualifications of personnel engaged in enforcement, and a description of the enforcement procedures to be followed, including information on examination procedures, practices, and policies. If an exemption application extends to federally chartered institutions, the applicant must furnish evidence that arrangements have been made with the appropriate Federal agencies to ensure adequate enforcement of state law in regard to such creditors.
(5) A statement of reasons to support the applicant's claim that an exemption should be granted.
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Notice of an application will be published, with an opportunity for public comment, in the Federal Register, unless the Bureau finds that notice and opportunity for comment would be impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest and publishes its reasons for such decision.
Subject to the Bureau's rules on Disclosure of Records and Information (12 CFR Part 1070), all applications made, including any documents and other material submitted in support of the applications, will be made available for public inspection and copying.
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If the Bureau determines on the basis of the information before it that an exemption should be granted, notice of the exemption will be published in the Federal Register, and a copy furnished to the applicant and to each Federal official responsible for administrative enforcement.
The appropriate state official shall inform the Bureau within 30 days of any change in its relevant law or regulations. The official shall file with the Bureau such periodic reports as the Bureau may require.
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Within the confines of a Reddit group dedicated to Donald Trump, one user has become a hero.
A video posted five days ago by user "HanAssholeSolo" shows a man in a business suit, with the CNN logo superimposed over his head, getting slammed into the floor outside a wrestling ring by Trump. It appears to be the same video shared by the president himself on Twitter Sunday morning.
By Monday, the post had been retweeted 295,000 times.
"Congratulations," one Reddit user commented. "Your dankery has been tweeted by the president of the United States."
"Solo" posted Sunday night that he was "honored" to have his post re-shared by the "the MAGA EMPORER himself!!!" (Here is a link to the group, with the warning that certain posts may be considered offensive by some.)
Asked where the White House got the video, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said: "It did not come from Reddit."
While it's not easy to verify that this user actually created the video that dominated Sunday's news cycle, there doesn't seem to be anyone else in the Reddit group arguing his claim. He commented Sunday saying that the moving CNN logo in the video Trump posted matched the one he created, except that someone added music to it.
A cursory glance at this user's posting history, even just the posts he penned this weekend, show material that could be described at best as questionable, and at worst racist and xenophobic.
There was backlash to the CNN video, because it was interpreted by some as sending a message of support for violence against journalists.
"Around the world, journalists are murdered with impunity on a regular basis," said Ben Mullin, an editor with the journalism nonprofit Poynter Institute. "This isn't funny."
White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert was asked about such criticism on ABC's This Week, and he responded, "I think no one would perceive that as a threat. I hope they don't. But I do think that he's beating up in a way on cable platforms that he has a right to respond to."
HanAssholeSolo's user page reveals a focus on race, religion and politics that is often threatening and violent.
On Sunday, he wrote "most blacks don't know who their fathers are," in a thread about how much money Americans spend on holidays like Mother's Day and Father's Day.
In a post about a Swedish music festival being cancelled, he wrote "F--- ISLAM."
The left is also a frequent target. He said he would get satisfaction out of seeing billionaire investor and prominent Democratic supporter George Soros' "dead bloated corpse being dragged through the streets."
The Anti-Defamation League released a statement Monday condemning his language, and the fact that President Trump chose to retweet a video he appears to have created.
"This individual traffics in online hatred and at times violent rhetoric, has created an image labeling CNN journalists with Stars of David and has written about stabbing Muslims among other violent rhetoric," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League CEO, in a statement.
"When those on the fringes of society feel their messaging is getting mainstream attention, that should raise alarms for all Americans across the political spectrum that reject hatred and bigotry."
HanAssholeSolo did not reply on Reddit to an NPR interview request.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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63 Responses to things
Raw Once More says:
Yay, you're back! With toast! But your vomit circle is so much smaller than mine, and your things I actually do overlap so much bigger that I'm jealous now and have to go eat some toast. With chocolate.
Raw Once More says:
Oh wow, that should have said commit circle, not vomit, but my iPad keeps correcting it to vomit. My iPad vomits at commitment!
Mayor Gia says:
Things are hard. Let's try not to do too many at once, we could hurt ourselves. I mean, we are CONSTANTLY breathing and keeping our hearts beating. I feel like I don't get enough recognition for that.
Alexis says:
People have a vomit circle? Is that a thing? Sometimes I feel so out of it on the Internet 😉
My "things I commit to doing" circle is pretty small. I've got a well developed "no" response. I also have a well developed toast eating capacity. Excuse me while I go put those things on my resume.
neal says:
Can't remember if I've ever commented before, but I've followed along and it's cool to see things back in action. Clearly, "things you end up doing" and "things you should do" have an admirable percentage in common. Long live toast.
Michael says:
You just talked about way too many things at once. Slow down speed racer. Let's focus on the toast.
MOV says:
Ha! Awesome description!
Once you get old like me (*cough-cough, 40-something*) then you can add a few more stellar circles to the lovely Venn diagram of life, for example "Things That I Thought I Might Have Already Done But Turns Out I Didn't" and the ever-popular "Things My Husband and Kids Want Me to Get Done But I Ran Out of Time and Lie About to Get Them Off My Case and Then I Try To Do Tomorrow Instead."
And my circles of accomplishments do not include toast. They include café lattes or Girl Scout cookies (sometimes both).
[…] Things | This is Not That Blog I freaking love the graphics that go along with the posts. It's like birthday cake to me. […]
Amanda says:
Mmmm, toast with nutella….toast with peanut butter and honey….Laundry? What laundry?
Eleanorjane says:
'Cos she doesn't post enough – just as cool and cute and funny, though…
Bethlin says:
There is nothing better than toast that is saturated in butter. mmmmmmmmm.
Plumsauce10 says:
I want to do things… This has inspired me to do those things…
*totters off to fulfill my need to do things*
*comes back confused*
I believe I'm lost. Where's the circle for when there are no things?
Suniverse says:
Thanks for the birthday wishes.
I hope you enjoyed your toast. And that it had delicious jelly on it. Or maybe fancy preserves. Mmmm. Toast.
Farrah | Funny Cat Pics says:
This is actually how I always end up dealing with my tasks! Sometimes, I plan to accomplish a lot of things and end up doing other things that are less important/ Well, life should be taken lightly at least that is how it works for me…and other people I know 🙂
Shawna Lewis says:
Damn. I'm too late for the giveaway. Luckily, I love Venn Diagrams and hate small talk with strangers so much that I will buy the book on Kindle anyway.
Megly Mc says:
Yes, but if the toast has butter and strawberry jelly, then it encompasses all things and is the nexus by which all events spring. (I have no idea what I'm saying anymore…it's time for a nap.)
Catherine says:
Wow, I'm glad to have found you. This blog is headed for my Feedly STAT. 🙂
Lekha G. Rao says:
Lol… Awesome Post… Awesome Blog… Too many people dealing with the same problem. My statement would say " me eating Sweets which is way better than …." I love toast too but the butter and jam in India just doesn't taste like what you get in every other country… Sigh 🙁
Laura says:
If we all just keep committing to do more and more things, then eventually the "things I commit to doing" circle will envelop the other two. Then when judgy people are all "you should have done this thing" you can be like, "I was busy doing things I committed to for others. Don't you care about others?"
My logic is unassailable.
Momof3T says:
sitting down watching TV while eating potato chips and drinking my soda and playing on my mini iPad are the things i end up doing, while my hubby would say, what's our dinner hon? Oops….
Avery says:
The fact that there is any overlap at all is actually pretty impressive!
(Avery Hanaden, http://www.pinksparklynotebook.com)
Preetha Datta says:
Awesome! I've read through this entire blog and enjoyed every second of it!
Check out my blog Kendall,http://preethadatta.blogspot.in
I'd like some pointers from you! 🙂 -
Barbara Rosalie says:
Thanks for the laughs! I enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the One Lovely Blog award. I hope you'll continue to keep us all entertained and also pass along this honor to other worthy bloggers. To find out more about this, please see my post at http://www.andbythatimean.com/#!One-Lovely-Blog-Plus-fifteen-more/cmbz/16B98C61-7713-41E6-87F2-60115FD0FB6F.
Naomi says:
My circle of getting things done is way smaller than yours. Also I need a circle for the unexpected things I'm inspired to do for no apparent reason, vaccuming my garage floor; cooking cakes at 2am and using a balance board while brushing my teeth (it will end badly one day) Really enjoying the site.
Don in Huaco says:
The good news is I found your blog, thanks to The Bloggess. The bad news? Apparently you've gone into hibernation. Hope its temporary.
Brandy says:
My "To do" list vs. my "actually got done list" is like 20 to 1. As in 20 pages of the to do and 1 item (not even a page) of the done….
Looby says:
Omg I absolutely love this blog 🙂 it's refreshing to read a blog from someone with an (excuse my french) "I don't give a shit attitude" my blog is a lot like this, Great blog!
Hamish Joy says:
I DO love a good toast.
Here's a toast to hopefully, maybe, somehow returning to post new stuff and all…
New post. New toast.
Stacey Loring says:
Wow, you circle is way better than mine. I'm more partial to the chocolate pop tart, but I'd rather shove a chocolate hostess cupcake down my throat for a job NOT completed reward.
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About Century 21 Samui
Century 21: Koh Samui Local Experts Supported by a National Network
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Degrees of Reward and Degrees of Punishment
QUESTION: Will there be degrees of reward in heaven? Similarly, will there be degrees of punishment in hell?
ANSWER: Any topic relating to the specific nature of man's ultimate, eternal abode should be of great interest to all accountable people, since every human eventually will inhabit eternity (see Thompson, 2000a, pp. 33-39; 2000b, pp. 41-47; 2000c, pp. 49-55). It is not surprising, then, that questions of what conditions will be like in the afterlife often occupy our thoughts. Whenever questions of spiritual import are under consideration—as they are when discussing the destiny of the soul—the only reliable source of information must by necessity be the One Who is the Originator and Sustainer of the soul. God, as Creator of all things physical and spiritual (Genesis 1:1ff.; Exodus 20:11), and Himself a Spirit Being (John 4:24), is the ultimate wellspring of the soul (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The Bible, then, as God's inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21), must be the preeminent authority on this subject. It therefore is to Holy Writ that we must turn to answer any question about eternity.
First, it is important to note that every faithful follower of God eventually will receive an eternal reward. Writing in the book of Revelation, the apostle John described in striking language the destiny of the righteous when this world finally comes to an end: "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them…. He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son" (21: 3,7, RSV). Earlier, John had encouraged his readers with these words: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). John's coworker, the apostle Paul, referred to those who had served Jesus faithfully as "heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7). The writer of the book of Hebrews spoke of Christ as having become "unto all them that obey him, the author of eternal salvation" (5:9).
Second, it is equally important to realize that every saint will be rewarded "according to his deeds." Matthew wrote: "For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his deeds" (16:27). Paul used practically identical words in Romans 2:5-7: "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works." Such a concept was taught even in Old Testament times. Solomon wrote: "If thou sayest, 'We knew not this,' doth not he that weigheth the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth he not know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work?" (Proverbs 24:12).
Parables from the mouth of the Lord similarly demonstrate that every person will be judged according to his or her deeds. The parable of the pounds, recorded in Luke 19:11-27, is a perfect example.
A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called ten servants of his, and gave them each ten pounds, and said unto them, "Trade ye herewith till I come." But his citizens hated him, and sent an ambassage after him, saying, "We will not that this man reign over us." And it came to pass, when he was come back again, having received the kingdom, that he commanded these servants, unto whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. And the first came before him, saying, "Lord, thy pound hath made ten pounds more." And he said unto him, "Well done, thou good servant: because thou wast found faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." And the second came, saying, "Thy pound, Lord, hath made five pounds." And he said unto him also, "Be thou also over five cities." And another came, saying, "Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I kept laid up in a napkin: for I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that which thou layedst not down, and reapest that which thou didst not sow." He saith unto him, "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I am an austere man, taking up that which I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow; then wherefore gavest thou not my money into the bank, and I at my coming should have required it with interest?" And he said unto them that stood by, "Take from him the pound, and give it unto him that hath the ten pounds." And they said unto him, "Lord, he hath ten pounds." I say unto you, that unto every one that hath shall be given; but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away from him.
After reading this parable (and the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30), it is clear that certain individuals receive—and thus are responsible for—more pounds/talents than some others. The faithful servant who soundly invested ten pounds was awarded authority over ten cities. The second servant also was recompensed in proportion to the degree with which he fulfilled his responsibility to the master. He wisely invested five pounds, and in return was given authority over five cities. There is no reason to disbelieve, then, that had the third servant been equally faithful, he, too, would have been rewarded commensurate with his investment (which likely would have been authority over one city). This parable, then, teaches the following: (1) all of God's servants are blessed with varied abilities; (2) all who are faithful stewards of the ability with which they have been endowed will obtain a reward; and (3) God's stewards will be rewarded based on what they accomplished with the abilities that were entrusted to them. [This is not to say, of course, that heaven is "earned" by any human works (see Thompson, 1999, pp. 47-49). Ephesians 2:8-9 states unequivocally that salvation is a free gift of God, not something bestowed because of any human merit. Rather, the works done in the here and now provide for the Christian an eternal weight of glory—a weight that differs from person to person (2 Corinthians 4:17).]
If believers are to be judged according to their works (Matthew 16:27; 25:31-46; Revelation 20:12), it logically follows that those with the greatest responsibility can expect the strictest judgment. Indeed, the Good Book teaches exactly such a principle. Jehovah charged the prophet Ezekiel:
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, "Thou shalt surely die," and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thy hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:17-21).
What an awesome and terrifying responsibility that ancient preacher and prophet was given. Millennia later, James offered this warning: "Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment" (James 3:1).
Those who suggest that God will reward every saint equally often appeal to the parable that Christ presented in Matthew 20:1- 15 for support of their position. There, the Lord told of a certain landowner who was in need of workers to assist him in his vineyard. The man went to the marketplace to find laborers and, when he had located some men, agreed to pay them a denarius each. About the third hour, he went to the market again in order to seek additional laborers. He went out twice more and then, at the eleventh hour, he found still more men to help. This last group worked only one hour, and yet when the end of the day arrived and all the men lined up to be paid, those "eleventh-hour" workers received their wages first—a full denarius. The rest of the men were given equal dues. When the master finally got to the laborers he had hired first thing that morning, he gave them the same amount he had given everyone else. Those "first-hour" workers were outraged! The very idea that they—who had been hired first and worked longest—should receive the same recompense as those who worked only one hour, was more than they could handle. The text in Matthew says that "they murmured against the householder" (vs. 11). But the man who had hired them responded simply: "Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?" (vss. 13-15).
Those who teach that God will reward each of His faithful followers equally suggest that the denarius in this parable represents eternal life (see, for example: Wright, 1980, 122:531; Coffman, 1974, p. 307), and since every worker received a denarius, the implication is that there can be no "degrees" of reward. This, however, cannot be what the parable is teaching. In his commentary on the book of Matthew, renowned biblical scholar R.C.H. Lenski explained why.
Those who think that the denarius is eternal life, of course, regard the evening as the final judgment or the hour of death. Even in this verse this cannot be the sense, for eternal life is never earned by any man's work. The combination of apo with didōmi means "give what is due." Eternal life is never due anyone either at the time of its first bestowal in conversion or at the time of its full enjoyment when the believer enters heaven (1943, pp. 772-773, emp. added).
If this parable were speaking about final judgment, it would indeed provide a cogent argument for the equality of each person's eternal reward. But is the parable addressing final judgment and eternal rewards? No, it is not. In Matthew 20:11 the text clearly indicates that the ones who worked all day "murmured against the householder." In regard to those who did so, H. Leo Boles commented that "they were envious; their eyes were evil" (1952, p. 400). But the Scriptures make it clear that there will be no envy in heaven (Revelation 21:27). Lenski correctly observed: "Here, it ought to be plain, the possibility of making the denarius equal to eternal life is removed. The thought that a saint in heaven may murmur against God is appalling" (p. 775).
In addition, the master of the vineyard commanded the workers who labored in the field all day: "Take up that which is thine and go thy way" (vs. 14, emp. added). Lenski rendered the phrase, "Take up thine own and be gone," and then observed:
This lord is done with him. And this is the climax of the parable. This hupage [be gone] cannot mean, "Go and be content with thy wages!" It is exactly like the imperative found in 4:10, and always means to leave, cf., 8:13; 19:21…. This is a man who works in the church for what he can get out of the church. He has what he worked for—and nothing more. He is treated exactly as the hypocrites are who are mentioned in 6:2, 5: "Verily, I say unto you, They have received their reward!" i.e., are paid in full. …Those who will learn nothing about divine grace even when they are working in the church will finally be left without this grace; those who are set on justice and refuse to go beyond it shall finally have justice (p. 777).
If we interpret the parable to mean that the master of the vineyard represents God, and the denarius represents eternal reward, how, then, are we to interpret the fact that those who worked all day received a denarius, but were sent away from the master of the vineyard? Can such a view be squared with Paul's word in 1 Thessalonians 4:17—"And so shall we ever be with the Lord"?
If this parable is not discussing final judgment (and it is not), and if the denarius does not represent eternal life (and it does not), what, then, is the point of the parable? It appears that Christ was instructing His Jewish listeners about the Gentiles' place in the Kingdom—a topic that, as we learn from later New Testament writings, became somewhat controversial among first-century Christians. The late Guy N. Woods, former editor of the Gospel Advocate, wrote concerning Christ's discussion:
It is possible, indeed probable, in the minds of many scholars that it was delivered to show that the Gentiles, who came in at "the eleventh hour," would enjoy in the kingdom (soon to be established when these words were uttered) the same privileges as the Jews who had been the favored and chosen people of the Lord for many centuries. Though last in point of invitation, they were to become first through their acceptance of, and dedication to, the gospel; whereas, the Jews, through their rebellion and disbelief, would be cut off (1976, p. 231, parenthetical comment in orig.).
Numerous conservative biblical commentators have suggested exactly such a view, including Adam Clarke (n.d. 5:194-197) and H. Leo Boles (1952, pp. 400-401). One writer by the name of Watts put it like this:
It is not the design of this parable to represent the final rewards of the saints at the day of judgment, but to show that the nation of the Jews, who had been called to be the people of God above a thousand years before, and had borne the burden and heat of the day, i.e., the toil and bondage of many ceremonies, should have no preference in the esteem of God above the Gentiles, who were called at the last hour, or at the end of the Jewish dispensation (as quoted in Woods, 1980, 122:532).
While the parable of the laborers established that all who are deserving (Jew or Gentile) would inherit a reward, it also emphasized God's grace. As Lenski remarked:
The warning represented in this parable suggests our responsibility. If we close eye and heart against grace, no matter how high we stand in the church or how much we work, we shall lose life eternal (1943, p. 781).
But what of the denarius? What does it represent, if not eternal life? Lenski concluded—correctly, we believe—that the denarius represents the blessings one receives here on Earth by being a member of the Lord's church.
The denarius paid at evening constitutes the temporal blessings connected with our Christian profession and work, and these blessings are made ours already during the entire time that we work. Every one of us gets his denarius; every one enjoys the same temporal benefits that are connected with life in the church. They come to the new convert exactly as they do to the old, to the preacher as well as to the [member], to the child as well as to the octogenarian (p. 772).
Lending credence to the idea that Jesus' parable in Matthew 20 is not discussing equality of eternal rewards is the fact that the Bible plainly depicts certain people being awarded a unique and distinguished position in heaven. Revelation 15:3 notes that in heaven "they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb." Surely none of us would be so bold as to suggest that the hosts of heaven will sing a song about us as they do about Moses. Furthermore, in Revelation 21:14 John wrote that "the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." While we recognize the somewhat figurative nature of certain terms employed by John, the principle nevertheless remains: the apostles ultimately will occupy a place of greater preeminence in the heavenly abode. Also, Luke 16 portrays Abraham as having more prominence and authority in the afterlife than Lazarus. Consider also Mark 10:40, wherein James and John asked the Lord to allow them to sit next to Him in glory—one on His right side and one on His left. Jesus replied: "To sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared." Some glorified beings (whether angelic or human) will occupy a place of distinction beside the Savior—a unique and special place reserved solely for them.
Some have argued against the idea of differing rewards by claiming that heaven will be perfect, and that something perfect can be neither improved nor diminished. However, Jesus observed that "even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more [joy] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance" (Luke 15:7, emp. added). In at least some sense, then, joy in heaven can differ in degrees. The principle of degrees of heavenly reward—which is taught quite plainly in Scripture—should motivate every Christian to "work while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work" (John 9:4).
But if there are degrees of reward in heaven, will there likewise be degrees of punishment in hell? Yes indeed. On several occasions, when speaking of eternal torment, the Bible mentions those who will suffer to a lesser or greater degree. And each time such a reference occurs, the punishment is proportionate to the opportunities missed. Those who are blessed with numerous opportunities to obey the gospel and still reject it will receive greater condemnation than those who have little or no occasion to accept Christ. Jesus echoed this sentiment in His rebuke to the inhabitants of the cities of Bethsaida and Chorazin.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee (Matthew 11:21-24, emp. added).
Jesus offered this censure to those Jewish cities where He had done much of His preaching, and where, on occasion, He even had performed miracles. The citizens of those towns had more opportunity to accept the Messiah than many others living around them, yet they persisted in their rejection of Him. On the other hand, the Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon—renowned for their wickedness—would receive a lesser punishment at the Day of Judgment for the simple reason that they had been deprived of direct exposure to Christ's message and miracles. All were to endure punishment, for all had rejected God's law. But it would not be equal punishment. The writer of Hebrews further emphasized this point when he addressed the "sorer punishment" that was to befall those who had "trodden underfoot the Son of God" (10:29). Notice also Peter's stinging statement regarding the terrible fate that awaits unfaithful, backsliding Christians:
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first (2 Peter 2:20-21, emp. added).
If Peter's statement teaches anything, it teaches degrees of punishment.
But perhaps the most convincing argument for the concept of degrees of punishment derives from Jesus' parable of the wicked servant, as recorded in Luke 12:42-48.
And the Lord said, "Who, then, is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall set over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will set him over all that he hath. But if that servant shall say in his heart, 'My lord delayeth his coming,' and shall begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint his portion with the unfaithful. And that servant, who knew his lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes; but he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And to whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required: and to whom they commit much, of him will they ask the more" (emp. added).
The meaning of the last section of this parable is inescapable. All the wicked will be punished; however, those limited in their opportunities to learn about Christ will be punished "with fewer stripes" than those who knew the truth and obeyed it not.
Does the Bible teach degrees of reward in heaven? Yes, it does. Does it also teach degrees of punishment in hell? Yes, it does. The good news, of course, is that heaven's offer of salvation is open to everyone (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). No one has to go to hell. When Christ was ransomed on our behalf (1 Timothy 2: 4), He paid a debt He did not owe, and a debt we could not pay—so that we could live forever in the presence of our Creator (Matthew 25:46). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11). Nor should we. As one writer put it: "No one who has been snatched from the burning himself can feel anything but compassion and concern for the lost" (Woodson, 1973, p. 32). As we discover the hideous nature of our sin, we not only should desire to save ourselves "from this crooked generation" (Acts 2:40), but we also should be passionate about warning the wicked of their impending doom (Ezekiel 3:17-19).
Boles, H. Leo (1952), A Commentary on the Gospel According to Matthew (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).
Clarke, Adam (no date), Clarke's Commentary (New York: Abingdon-Cokesbury).
Coffman, Burton (1974), Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Abilene, Texas: ACU Press).
Kurfees, M.C., ed. (1921), Questions and Answers by Lipscomb and Sewell (Nashville, TN: McQuiddy).
Lenski, R.C.H. (1943), The Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg).
Thompson, Bert (1999), My Sovereign, My Sin, My Salvation (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press).
Thompson, Bert (2000a), "The Origin, Nature, and Destiny of the Soul—Part III," Reason and Revelation, 20:33-39, May.
Thompson, Bert (2000b), "The Origin, Nature, and Destiny of the Soul—Part IV," Reason and Revelation, 20:41-47, June.
Thompson, Bert (2000c), "The Origin, Nature, and Destiny of the Soul—Part V," Reason and Revelation, 20:49-55, July.
Woods, Guy N. (1976), Questions and Answers (Henderson, TN: Freed-Hardeman University).
Woods, Guy N. (1980), "Editorial Note" accompanying an article by Cecil N. Wright, "Are There Degrees of Reward and Punishment in Eternity," Gospel Advocate, 122:531-532, August 21.
Woodson, Leslie (1973), Hell and Salvation (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell).
Wright, Cecil N. (1980), "Are There Degrees of Reward and Punishment in Eternity," Gospel Advocate, 122:531-532, August 21.
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text:
There's a corpse in the bathtub, wearing nothing but a pair of pince-nez spectacles. Enter Lord Peter Wimsey, the original gentleman sleuth. Urged to investigate by his mother, the Dowager Duchess of Denver, Lord Peter quickly ascertains that the sudden disappearance of a well-known financier is in some way connected to the body in the bathroom. But discovering exactly which way they're related leads the amateur detective on a merry chase. Written by a master of the detective story, this atmospheric tale abounds in the cozy delights of an English murder mystery. Dorothy L. Sayers ranks with Agatha Christie as a defining author of the genre. A novelist, essayist, and medieval scholar, Sayers was among the first women to receive an Oxford degree, and her translations of Dante remain in wide circulation. This novel marks the debut of her most popular creation, Lord Peter Wimsey, whose continuing adventures unfold amid the lively world of upper-crust British society in the 1920s.
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Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
I'm going to try to bring a little order to this 2 and a half year old site by posting certain themed articles on certain days. On Fridays, I plan to post slightly more involved recipes or food projects that are best tackled on the weekends. The first one is this really rather simple recipe for apricot preserves. It's easy to make but the preparation and cooking do take some time - a perfect project for a day off.
Making jam and preserves may seem like an out of date thing to do. The idea of having a pot of boiling sugar and fruit simmering away in the kitchen on a swelteringly hot summer day may seem to be a rather masochistic and unnecessary ritual. If we need to preserve the bounties of a garden, there's always the cooler option of freezing. Besides, nowadays we can just buy delicious jams and preserves from a variety of sources.
Still, I love to make sweet or savory little pots of preserves, pickles and liquors from fresh fruit and vegetables. It goes back to memories of my late oba-chan, my grandmother, making pickled umeboshi plums every summer (which I wrote about a few years ago); or my mother when we used to live in England making gooseberry preserves for the first time. Above all, each pot of jam or preserves seems to capture a little bit of the warm summer months in them, something that impersonal frozen bits of fruit and vegetable can't do.
Last week on on our next to last day in Provence, we went to the amazing Marché Agricole (farmer's market) in Velleron, a small town near Carpentras. One of the purchases we loaded into our car for the trip back home was a 5 kilo (about 11 pounds) crate of "Class II" apricots.
Now I must confess - I am not a big fan of fresh apricots. While they smell like heaven, to me their texture is inferior to that of their cousins, peaches and nectarines. Cooked apricots are another matter though. Once they are heated, the fruit turns golden, fruity and luscious.
As soon as I spotted those large flats of smallish apricots, I was determined to turn them into preserves. Another advantage of making your own preserves is that you can control the amount of sugar in them to some extent, and that's what I did. These preserves are just a bit less sweet than commercial varieties, and are also a bit chunky in texture. I love it on plain yogurt or vanilla ice cream, though it's also terrific on a thick slice of fresh buttered bread.
The great thing about this recipe is that the apricots don't have to be perfect. They can be a little bruised, or even just a bit hard. The cooking will soften them and bring out their flavor. (But please make them when apricots are in season in your area. They will be cheaper then too!)
I've scaled down the recipe to a manageable quantity - just scale it up for larger amounts. If you don't want to go through the bother of properly sterilizing the jars and lids, you can store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a month or so, or in the freezer for longer.
Apricot Preserves
- 1 kg, or 2 lbs plus a few more apricots, of fresh apricots
- 1 1/3 cups of granulated sugar (see notes below)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
- a heavy bottomed non-reactive pan (an enameled cast-iron pan is ideal, or a heavy stainless steel pan. Don't use aluminum or uncoated cast-iron.)
- canning jars with rubber-seal jar lids.
Melt the sugar and water in the pan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until clear and slightly syrupy. (Watch the pot at this stage or you might end up with a potful of hard crystallized sugar!)
Carefully sort and wash the apricots. Halve them and discard the pits, making sure to get rid of the stem end. (To halve them I just rip them apart with my fingers - far easier than cutting them with a knife.)
Optionally, crack open a few of the pits ([edit:] just a few, no more than a small handful! see the comments) with a nutcracker or hammer (wrap them in a cloth and smash!), wrap them in some cheesecloth and put in the pot. This imparts an intriguing almond flavor to the preserves.
Put about half of the apricots in the sugar syrup and simmer until the fruit is almost falling apart. Put in the rest of the apricots and continue simmering until they are almost falling apart, but not quite. The whole procedure will take about an hour or more, depending on how soft your apricots were to start with.
Add the lemon juice and stir. Simmer an additional 5 minutes, then take off the heat. Take out the cheesecloth with the pits if you put them in.
(If the jam gets burned on the bottom at any point, just pour out the unburned jam into a fresh pot and continue cooking. Don't scrape the burned bits into the new pot!)
Preparing the jars and lids
I always use canning jars with replaceable lids with the rubber seal built into the jar. They are very easy to handle. I re-use the jars, and replace the lids for each fresh batch of jam, preserves or chutney.
While you are simmering the preserves, sterilize the jars and lids. There are a couple of ways of doing this. If your dishwasher can sterilize baby bottles, you can use that setting for the jars and lids. Otherwise use one of the following methods:
- The traditional boiling pot of water: Bring a big pot of water to a boil, and lower the jars into it, immersing them completely. Follow up with the lids. Boil for a few minutes to sterilize. Take them out with clean tongs.
- The low oven method: Put the washed jars and lids into an oven heated to about 110°C/230°F. "Bake" the jars for about 20 minutes, or until the water on them is totally dried out. Take them out carefully using tongs and/or a clean oven mitt. This is the method I use.
Filling the jars
When you are handling the sterilized jars and lids, at no point should you touch the jars inside or on the rims, or inside the lids. Your hands are not sterile even if you wash them well, unless you scrubbed up like a surgeon.
To fill the jars, fill them up to the very rim with the boiling hot preserves, then immediately screw on a lid. Don't worry if some of the liquid spills - and whatever you do, don't try to wipe the exposed rim. Now, leave the jars until you hear and see the lids "popping" - they should be indented now. That's the indication that they are vacuum-sealed. (This happens because the hot air inside the jar contracted.)
Once the jars are cool, wipe off any dribbles outside the jar with a damp cloth, and store in a cool, dark place. Remember that an opened jar must be stored in the refrigerator.
This will make about 2 small jars of preserves. (My 5 kilos yielded 7 1-pint/ half-litre jars, plus a bowlful left over for immediate consumption.)
Regular sugar?
If you want the preserved to have that jellified state that commercial jams have, use either sugar for preserves or add pectin powder. I don't bother with this for these preserves. If they are a little runny don't worry, they will still taste terrific.
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Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Hello Maki,
been reading your site for sometime now, and I must say thank you very much for your insightful (and most delectable!) posts, especially those on Japanese food. That said, that almond-ish flavour from the apricot stones is due to cyanide. Yep, all members of the Prunus family (including peaches and plums) do produce cyanide in their pits in the form of amygladin, a cyanide-sugar compound. Not really what you'd want in your jam, I guess. ^^;;
First off Thank you so much,
First off
Thank you so much, Maki, for posting this recipe. My mother who recently passed away,
was known for her Apricot Jam, that had the ground meat of the pit in it. Unlike you,
she left it in when she sealed the jars. And like you said, it all depends on the amount.
There was never a lot, but just enough that it was her little "secret" to great jam.
And for those who didn't know better, it was a great conversation piece as they stared
at the jars of Gold necter.
This brings back many memories, as my mother never wrote down her recipes.
Thank you! I can't wait to try this out.
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Kevin: Actually, it is not that bad. It is indeed true that one of the amygladin metabolism products is HCN. However, it is in small dosage, which the human body can convert to a less problematic substance. Also keep in mind that you don't eat the apricot kernels in the jam, as they are kept in a separate bag, and removed before putting the jam into a jar. Also, a major part of that small amount of HCN being released into the jar evaporates during the cooking.
So, it is best to follow the words by the most famous Swiss medicus, Paracelsus, who said "it all depends on the quantity".
So, in order to kill someone with a jar of this apricot jam, you would need quite a lot of kernels, and you probably would be affected beforehand, by the HCN released during the cooking...
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Kevin, great point. I want to emphasize that you only want a small quantity of the kernels. Apricot jam has been made with a small amount of kernels to flavor it for hundreds of years I believe, and in small quantities it should be ok. But of course, if it concerns anyone, just leave it out - the preserves will still be delicious!
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Max and Maki,
sorta figured that out later - still, thanks for the detailed replies. =)
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Hello Maki,
I made the apricot jam and it is delicious! I wanted to know if the same recipe would work for plums? I probably don't need the lemon juice because plums are more tart than apricots. Please let me know, my plums are almost ready to pick!
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Hi Hiramatsu,
It should work quite well for plums. Depending on the kind of plum, it will have a higher pectin content (the thing that makes jam jell) than apricots so it should be more jellified, which isn't a bad thing at all. If the plums are quite tart you may want to add a bit more sugar, but it's up to your taste of course!
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
oh, by the way, I wouldn't crack the plums for plum jam.
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
Thanks Maki for your answer regarding plum jam. I have another question about plums. Are the plums used to make umeboshi the same as plums used to make jam? Do you have a recipe for umeboshi? I live in Idaho and they don't sell it here and I'd love to make my own. I think shiso leaves are needed, and I probably can't get them.
Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in a Jar
hiramatsu, unfortunately the fruit used for umeboshi, while of the same prunus genus as plums (as well as apricots) isn't really a plum as is known in the West...and I've never seen fresh ume sold outside of Japan. I guess you would have to grow it yourself! Fresh ume are quite hard and smaller than plums, with a sort of yellow-red skin. (My grandmother used to put up a batch of umeboshi ever year.)
I've never really seen red shiso being sold in the U.S. either, though shiso (perilla) is quite easy to grow and a lot of seed catalogs carry it now.
canned apricots?
could i use canned apricots? I have tons and a few new recipes i want to try call for apricot preserves. I know fresh is best but its winter here in MI. Just a thought.
canned jam
I have made apricot jam VERY successfully from canned apricots which I boiled up in a large glass dish in my microwave. It jelled and set perfectly and can't be distinguished from the usual fresh variety that I make except that there are no cracked pits to add that lovely bitter flavour. Dried apricots soaked overnight in water (and then drained) with their weight in sugar also make great jam in a microwave - oops I mean preserves or 'jelly' as americans call jam.
good luck and happy experimenting
Re: canned jam
Jam, jelly and preserves are all different. Jam has bits of fruit in it usually roughly puréed, jelly is clear with only juice - you should be able to see through it, and preserves has the whole smashed fruit in it. (Only stupid americans don't know this. ;) )
Thanks for the recipe - I've got a table full of apricots and I'm going to try making preserves. :)
Teah - an American
apricot jam
Hey Maki,
As its just coming in to summer in Japan all the green ume are for sale for umeboshi and umeshu. I picked up a some ripening ones and let them go ripe, so they look just like apricots. Then I made your jam with them.
They aren't sweet like apricots and bring an amazing sour flavour to the sweetness. Almost like a marmalade.
It worked out great!
Filling the Jars
I have done alot of home canning, using both the method you talk about here and hot water bath canning. In order for a vaccuum seal to form with the method you talk of here it is necessary to fill the jars leaving a half inch space between the preserves and the top. If they are filled to the rim, you risk contamination by leakage through the seal.
Even if refrigerated using these directions, contamination is possible.
It is also a good idea to wipe the rim of the jar after filling (I have used a damp paper towel with no problems) in order to ensure a good seal so a vaccuum will form.
Can't wait to try this
Can't wait to try this recipe. We have an apricot tree in the back yard of our new house the the picking has begun!
Lids are popping!
Thanks for this post! I have an apricot tree in my backyard and have been wanting to make preserves for awhile now. I did a search on recipes and didn't find a lot surprisingly. Anyway, it was the project for the day. I picked 9 pounds of apricots! And ther are more at higher levels. I used the water-bath method, following instructions from Canning for Dummies and your recipe. Can't wait to taste it. I have a plum tree too. I might be doing a repeat soon. Thanks again!
Thank you so much!
I have an apricot tree and for ages I have wanted to make preserves with the apricots and have often found myself a little afraid of the recipes I have found. This worked beautifully and was the perfect way to use overly ripe apricots. Now I have lovely jars full of sunshine.
thanks for posting this tasty and simple recipe. I used 7.5 pounds of cost-co qpricots -- not the greatest, but they were cheap and the jam came out delicious. I used less sugar (4 cups), and like the tart sweetness. added lemon is a great touch. i just found your site and really like it. tomorrow, plums! By the way, my granma taught me to throw one of the apricot kernels in each jar just before sealing, to add to the flavor.
Perfect results
Hello from Albuquerque, New Mexico!
Apricots grow quite well in Albuquerque and a neighbor recently shared about 6 lbs of his bounty. I canned 5 lbs today using your recipe and instructions. Everything turned out divinely.
Thank you very much.
Appricot Jam
What about putting Pineapple in with the appricots?
Is it fine using alcohol for sterylising the jars?
Hello, I just have this question in mind in regard of doing more friendly the sterylizing process.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
The picture of your jam looks awesome, similar to the Harvest Song apricot jam which I just love to eat with yogurt! I never thought of making apricot jam, but your instructions look so simple that next time apricots are in season I will give it a try.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Sounds great, I will try this recipe this year in july when we get apricot in india. Thanks again
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Well I made the jam today!
I had the neighborhood kids pick and split the apricots.
Some were still a little green but after cooking them down the house smelt yummy and sweet.
Thanks for the help.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Hi....just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed making your recipe for apricot preserves. The jars are still cooling and I am listening for the "popping". The taste is amazing and so fresh. I was wondering if I can use the same recipe using Ontario peaches which are now ready. Can I add some almond extract to adjust and enhance the flavour. Thank you for your help!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
wondering if I can forgo the jars with lids and use sterilized jelly jars with melted paraffin poured over tops to seal? (this was how my family often finished their jams and jellies).
any advice welcome! I ahave a bag of fresh apricots in the fridge I am dying to make preserves out of! thanks in advance.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Sealing jam jars with paraffin wax is no longer advised for jam-making as the seal does not adequately protect against bacterial contamination.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
any comment on use of the skins?? the recipe just said to seperate the apricots.
should they be peeled........ or not....... or what ??
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I just think your recipe is genius. The flavor is out of this world. I added my own variations to make other flavors. To the base recipe to "make it my own" I added one vanilla bean, seeds scraped and added. SO GOOD. I also made a spicy version with crushed red pepper, a brown sugar bourbon version and one with cinnamon! You have imparted a lovely gift on me - I have an apricot tree in the front yard of our new house and because of your recipe you got me excited for every year it produces fruit! I plan on passing down this recipe to my kids! Thanks!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I tried it out last week and the preserve is absolutely scrumptious. I keep finding my boyfriend diving into it when I'm not looking! Very easy to make (I had never made jam before) and utterly delicious. Thanks! I'll be posting about it on my blog soon. http://www.queenieandthedew.blogspot.com
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I made this last June, and we all loved it. This will be an annual thing for my family now. Thanks for your delightful and delicious recipe!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I just enjoyed some of these apricot preserves with breakfast. This was my first time canning or making preserves, and your recipe and explanation made it easy and delicious! Thank you!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I am wanting to make your recipe for the Week-end Project Apricot Preserves. I want to add canned pineapple though. Can you tell me how much pineapple to put in and when to add it? I have been trying to find a recipe "Apricot and Pineapple Jam" but I haven't been able to find one at least using fresh apricots. Our tree is so full of wonderful apricots right now. I sure hate to see them go to waste. I hope you can help me with this request. Your recipe sounds so great. Thanks. Tonga S. Titcomb
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I just harvested colander afer colander of apricots. This is the first year
our tree has produce in 8 years. We planted it on the north side
of our house so it wouldn't bloom too early and then get zapped
by frost or snow. Still it insists on blooming in March. We live in
Denver, otherwise known as the mile high city. But the weather was kind this year, even though there were a few touch and go days.
We now have a tree that is so heavy with fruit that it was dragging on the ground until my husband propped it up. I am literally o.d.ing on
apricots and have to do something with them other than eating 10-15
a day. Don't ask why.
I bought canning jars and pectin and have a few wonderful old
cookbooks that I rely on for just this kind of recipe. But to my dismay
they were so home-ec complicated to understand that I googled
through several web-sites until I found this one.
Thank-you, thank-you. I am going to make some preserves with
my bounty and some chutney's some for us and some to save for
Christmas presents. I just sent several pounds of fresh apricots to my mother in NYC, boy was she surprised and delighted.
In the 70's I read that the kernals prevented cancer and since I love
them I ate as many as I could, to the horror of my friends. So yes
I will be adding some kernals to my recipe.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I made this jam last week with a friend with 2+ lbs. of fresh apricots she got at the Portland Farmers Market. In the last three minutes or so we added a sprig of lavander just for fun. It is absolutely wonderful! The apricots were almost ripe and we added a little extra lemon juice. It is really good on toasted whole wheat bread!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Wow, I was so happy to find your page. Santa Fe NM seems to be overflowing with apricots at this time of year but they all sadly go to waste as people don't care to eat them. Thankfully, apricots somehow manage the frost here, which is surprising as we are 7,000 ft above sea level (making us the highest capital city in the U.S.) which painfully kills off many other fruits in the city. Anyhow, Thank you so much for the recipe, it was delicious!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
All I can say is, "Wow!" (and thank you for a great recipe). I had a box of overripe apricots and was worried they would rot if we didn't eat them, but the kids didn't like their mealy texture so they seemed doomed for the dumpster until I thought about making preserves with them. I have never made preserves but your recipe was easily written and seemed simple enough. It turned those blah tasting apricots into superstars! The preserves were so good and while they started a mellow yellow color, at the end they were that dark, beautiful orange color and tasted like fancy, expensive preserves! Thanks again!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
New to canning and perserves. I love apricots and wanted to make a jam and i plan to try this recipe today. A few questions..
1. How long will it keep in the jar if its not open?
2. Can i use it for baking? Pie filling, cookies, yummies?
3. Could i use this recipe with sweet cherries? They are in season and i miss them all winter :(
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I forgot to add the lemon juice. Will the preserves still be ok.?
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Just want to be clear, as I've never made preserves before: if I put the jam into sterilized jars, I don't need to process it in a water bath? And I have jars that I didn't use to make jam in, but stored things in--do I have to buy new lids?
Thanks! Have lots of apricots, but don't want to poison anyone!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Just wanted to reply to this from anon, though it may be too late.
To store jams on the shelf, you need BOTH sterilized jars and then to process in a water bath. Basically, you need the jars to start clean, and then once the lids are on, you need the boiling water bath to be sure everything inside with the jam is completely clean.
When I don't feel like doing the water bath, I just keep my jam jars in the freezer. I haven't had any trouble keeping things for at least a year in the freezer.
And if you want the jars to seal properly for shelf storage, I would use new lids. For the freezer, it doesn't matter.
For canning, I've found Eugenia Bone's book Well-Preserved to be a great resource; the Ball Blue Book is also a detailed classic. Online, there is wonderful, clear, science-based food safety information for all kinds of preserving at the Nat'l Center for Home Food Preservation at http://nchfp.uga.edu/.
Good luck! I'm making the apricot jam myself tonight. I just wish I could get the abundance of them that others report! They are not common here!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
The USDA says to process for 20-25 minutes, longer for bigger jars. We just want to be safe. Going to try your recipe tonight. Thanks.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Bravo this is an excellent recipe and very easy. I reduce the sugar to one cup per kilo apricots and its still sweet. However, i would like to add that apricot kernels have been discovered to be an excellent anti-oxidant and they are now proven anti-cancer. Cancer is unknown to the Hun tribe who treasure eating the kernels. They do give a nice nutty flavour - i have been making this preserve with different varieties of apricots and have dried the stones in order to remove the kernels - interesting is that the kernels of some varieties are sweet and from others they are similar to bitter almonds.
however, as the ancient Greek philospher said " Everything in moderation is excellent".
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Hello! Would this recipe work alright for freezing? My boyfriend's mother wants me to make jam or preserves out of the enormous yield of apricots their tree had, but since she doesn't expect them to get used very quickly she wants to put the jam in plastic bags instead of in jars and frozen, which of course means I'd have to let it cool before bagging it. Would this be safe? Also, where are the aforementioned recipes that use alternative sweeteners, since she's diabetic and I need to avoid sugar?
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I hate to sound stupid but you don't mention whether or not you need to take the skins off of the apricots first. Is this necessary or would you end up with chunkier product without taking off the skins?
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I just came across your website and I cannot wait to try this recipe. I have been making my own jellies and preserves for about a month (slightly obsessively) and I'm still learning but I find that most of the recipes I have tried come out far too sweet for me. I love the tartness of apricots and I hope your recipe does not disappoint! I will be trying your strawberry jam recipe as well.
I love this website and being French, I can relate to all your food experiences there (and I agree the strawberries in France are simply the best in the world).
Thanks for sharing your recipes!!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
Thanks for posting this! A coworker brought in apricots and when I mentioned it to my bigger half he immediately replied, "Make me some jam!" LOL
I've never made jam, let alone any other type of canning, so off to the Internet I went! I found your recipe and it came out perfectly! I did use a water bath to seal the jars (I'm at high altitude and wasn't sure the heat from the jam alone would be enough).
Thanks, again!
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
The pits are becoming famous as cancer cell killers. Might want to save those apricot pits and crack them open later. Chew well and swallow!
Tip for cracking the pits: use a pair of pliers with an adjustable joint. Open the jaws so that the handles fully close leaving a space between the jaws just a bit smaller than the apricot pits.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I also love this recipe:
It isn't so sweet.
Re: Weekend Project: Apricot Preserves, Capturing Summer in ...
I'm in the process of making these preserves as I type.
I hope my apricots will be up to par because I cleaned and pitted my apricots a couple days ago and left them in the fridge because I ran out of time. For future reference, I'm curious, I have an overabundance of fruit so would you recommend doubling the recipe? Also, I've seen on other sights a candy thermometer was used. What's your opinion on this?
Can't wait to try these yummy preserves.
Alterations to consider
Great basic recipe. I did make a few alterations I'm quite happy about. The first is I substituted Stevia for most of the sugar, retaining only about 40% of the sugar this recipe called for and the flavor and texture was none the less for this. I also threw in a handful of sliced almonds. But best of all, I added 1/2 of a lemon's zest for each kilo of apricots--superb marriage of sweet and tart that produced the best jam I've ever made.
Apricot Preserves
Just finished a batch and had the bit left over for tasting. YUM! Thank you very much. Hope you are feeling well.


text:
Do we need breakthrough energy technology?
Former NASA astronaut, scientist and writer Dr. Brian O'Leary was a passionate wayshower and activist for new energy technologies. Few were as articulate and humbling as Brian sought to define the obstacles obstructing the release of these devices together with the unsustainability of current "solutions" being implemented. Take a few moments to listen to one of his last interviews outlining the issues at hand.


text:
Quest for Infamy New Screens, Info
This humor-filled fantasy epic from Infamous Quests/Phoenix Online Publishing returns to the glory days of adventure and role-playing
Ray Ivey Interviews Infamous Games' Steven Alexander – May 20, 2014
Quest for Infamy Trailers, Screens, Info – April 30, 2014
Fiction allows us to explore options we might not always get in life. Sometimes, characters who lie, steal, and cheat are still redeemable. This makes interesting and complex characters who lead an uncommon life, which only adds to their mystery.
This is only a fraction of the complexity we find in Quest For Infamy. Inspired by Sierra's Quest For Glory series, it mixes the adventure genre with RPG mechanics, all wrapped in an old-school VGA graphical style.
Return to the glory days of role-playing and adventure in a humor-filled fantasy epic styled in the vein of classic PC RPGs in which you play the charming villain. Blending turn-based combat and spell-casting with puzzle solving and adventure, players can choose from three character classes — brigand (strength), rogue (stealth), or sorcerer (magic), each with unique storylines and adventures — in one of the largest retro role-playing experiences ever. Adventurers are invited to explore a world of hand-drawn wonder, as they wind their way through trap-infested dungeons, battle slavering beasts with swords or custom-made spells, and lie, cheat and steal their way to infamy.
Why be famous when you can be infamous?
Release date for PC/Mac: June 26, 2014.


text:
Quote goes here. Keith Emerson
Quote goes here.
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text:
The Devil and the Sacred in English Drama, 1350-1642," a book by Dr. John Cox of the Hope College English faculty, has just been published by Cambridge University Press.
Readers for the press recommended the book
enthusiastically. "Cox's thesis will give rise to a good
deal of useful argument in the scholarly community," wrote
Professor Anne Lancashire of the University of Toronto.
Professor Janette Dillon of Lancaster University in England
commented that "Cox's close knowledge of a wide range of
plays before and after the Reformation is impressive, and
his judgment of each individual play is informed by that
breadth of familiarity with the field."
The book's colorful dust jacket, depicting a man
putting on a devil disguise, is taken from a 15th-century
French manuscript illustration. Cox recently received a
post card from an American friend visiting Cambridge. He
said a display of Cox's book occupied an entire window of
the Cambridge University Press book shop.
The book is a history of approximately 80 English
plays, written between 1350 and 1642, that included devils
in the stories they told. Cox argues that these devils were
originally formed by a religious (or "sacred") outlook, and
that that view remained strong in devil plays through the
mid-17th century.
His view contrasts with the established
interpretation of stage devils. Scholars have maintained
that devils originated as a secular addition to religious
plays and that increasing secularization led to lack of
interest in stage devils in the early 17th century.
Chapters examine the devil and the sacred in
English mystery, morality, and saints' plays, and in plays
of the early Protestant era. The book also discusses devil
plays by Marlowe and Shakespeare. Finally, it looks at
continuity and change in English staging of devils in the
first half of the 17th century.
Cox worked on the book for more than seven years.
He became interested in the subject of stage devils while
participating in a seminar at the Folger Shakespeare
Memorial Library in Washington, D.C., in 1990. In 1993 he
was awarded a summer grant in support of the project by the
National Endowment for the Humanities. He received a major
grant from the Pew Evangelical Scholars Program for a year-
long leave in 1995-96.
Other awards Cox has received in support of his
scholarship include a Mellon Faculty Fellowship at Harvard
University in 1978-79, a research fellowship from the
National Endowment for the Humanities in 1985-86, and
membership in a seminar on "Theory and Practice of Editing"
at the Folger Library in 1997-98.
Cox currently is participating in another Folger
Library seminar, on "Puzzling Evidence: Literatures and
Histories." The eight-week seminar is examining the issue
of evidence as it has functioned in literary studies,
especially studies of the Renaissance. Cox's work in the
seminar questions the editorial practice of adding stage
directions to Shakespeare texts. Cox travels to Washington
one weekend per month to attend the seminar sessions.
In addition, he is currently finishing an edition
of Shakespeare's history play, "Henry VI, Part 3," for the
Third Arden Edition of Shakespeare's Works.
Cox earned his undergraduate degree from Hope
College in 1967 and his graduate degrees from the University
of Chicago. He joined the Hope faculty in 1979 and since
1984 has served as director of the college's
Interdisciplinary Studies program.
In 1996 he was appointed to the newly established
DuMez Endowed Professorship in English. He is author of
"Shakespeare and the Dramaturgy of Power," published in 1989
by Princeton University Press, and coeditor of "A New
History of Early English Drama," published in 1997 by
Columbia University Press, in addition to publishing many
scholarly articles and book reviews on Renaissance drama and
contemporary writers.


text:
Registration fee
The conference fee is 500 USD for non-Russian participants and 300 USD for young participants. The fee will cover expenses for publication of conference proceedings, coffee breaks, technical support, and transport service.
The conference fee should be paid in rubles to the TSUAB financial office at the exchange rate of the Central Bank of Russian Federation on the payment date using bank exchange in Novosibirsk. If you have some questions or problems about this, please inform us by in advance.


text:
NEW ORLEANS – April 20, 2009 - (AP) – Lucille Franz lost her home and her sister in the flooding that followed Hurricane Katrina. She blames the Army Corps of Engineers.
Arguments are set to begin Monday in a lawsuit she filed along with four other residents and a business. They claim the corps owes them damages because of the massive flooding after Katrina that stirred up the waters and washed out levees along a 75-mile, man-made shipping channel dubbed "hurricane highway."
Much is at stake in the trial, which will be heard and decided by a judge, not a jury: If the plaintiffs are victorious, more than 120,000 other individuals, businesses and government entities could have a better shot at claiming billions of dollars in damages.
The residents argue the corps' poor maintenance of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, a shipping channel dug in the 1960s as a short-cut between the Gulf of Mexico and New Orleans, led to the wipeout of St. Bernard Parish and the city's Lower Ninth Ward when Katrina struck in August 2005. They are asking for damages between $300,000 and $400,000 for each individual.
Franz, 75, lost her home in the Lower 9th Ward, and her sister drowned at St. Rita's nursing home in St. Bernard near the MRGO, also know as "Mister Go."
"They are responsible," she said of the corps. "We wouldn't have had that kind of water if it hadn't been for the MRGO."
The corps has argued that it is immune from liability because the channel is part of New Orleans' flood control system, but the judge has allowed the case to move forward because residents claim the shipping channel was a navigation project.
The four-week trial will explore in detail the natural history, engineering and politics of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet.
The outlet was authorized in 1958 by Congress. The route went through largely pristine wilderness of marsh and swamp forest southeast of New Orleans.
Scientists say its construction destroyed about 18,000 acres of marsh and 1,500 acres of cypress swamps. The economic benefits never paid off, and few ships used it before Katrina. After the channel was built, larger vessels continued to use the Mississippi River because a bigger lock to the MRGO was never built.
The corps has acknowledged the area's flood risk, and is in the process of closing the MRGO with rocks. The corps is also building a $1.3 billion floodgate.
"It's really something the people of St. Bernard and the Lower 9th Ward, and New Orleans East, everybody in that area, have needed for a long time. What happened there should not happen in the United States of America," said plaintiffs' attorney John Andry. "It's the largest preventable catastrophe in American history."
The Department of Justice is defending the corps, but lawyers declined to comment. In court documents, the government has argued that Katrina's massive storm surge, not the MRGO, caused the catastrophic flood.
"The only way in which the catastrophic flooding of the Lower Ninth Ward, St. Bernard, and New Orleans East could have been avoided would have been through the construction of a better hurricane protection system," the government argues.
For decades, the corps has invoked immunity from lawsuits over flooding - granted by the Flood Control Act of 1928 - and maintained it has a good track record of carrying out Congressional mandates.
In this case, the plaintiffs have a glimmer of hope because U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval has ruled the corps can be held liable for flooding caused by the MRGO. By contrast, Duval threw out a similar suit in January 2008 over flooding caused by broken floodwalls closer to the city park and downtown New Orleans, ruling the corps was immune.
"The claims are not new, nor is the defense new, but their application is novel in two ways: One, the size of the stakes and, two, the amount of the alleged negligence and malfeasance," said Oliver Houck, environmental law professor at Tulane University.
The outcome of the trial may pivot on technical arguments.
The plaintiffs say the MRGO - and all the erosion it caused - allowed Katrina's waves to destroy the levees and floodwalls.
"It was nothing but a city killer," said G. Paul Kemp, a coastal scientist with the National Audubon Society who is expected to testify on behalf of the plaintiffs.
The corps disputes that analysis, saying it took concerns about the risk of flooding seriously, but after studying its effect determined the MRGO would not contribute to severe storm surge.
Katrina flooding victims in court to seek damages