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My favorite quote from today's news, in an article about divisions within the Republican party regarding proposed abortion legislation: "Representative Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader, recalled on Thursday when she was new to Congress and opposed a bill restricting abortion. “One of the Republican members got up and said, ‘Nancy Pelosi thinks she knows more about having babies than the pope,’ ” Ms. Pelosi, who has five children, said, adding, “Yeah. Yeah. That would be true.”"

UPDATE: and another, from the first female customer allowed through the door of McSorleys: “Martinis are like marriages,” said Ms. Shaum, who was married twice, to men who are now deceased. “Two is enough and three is too many.”

photo: Saveur

Yes, it's Friday, and I know you probably want I cocktail. I do too. Not *now* of course, but at the end of the day. Maybe you've had a rough week and want something strong, but you might prefer something on the low-alcohol side -- something that will ease you gently into the long weekend. I had the pleasure of going out for cocktails at Attaboy earlier this week, and was introduced to the Bamboo Cocktail. It's a classic made with equal parts of two low-alcohol ingredients: dry vermouth and sherry, and dashes of both orange and Angostura bitters. If you're looking for a slight a variation, try a Perfect Bamboo, which splits the vermouth into half sweet and half dry.

1 1/2 ounces dry vermouth
1 1/2 ounces dry sherry
2 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Add vermouth, sherry, and bitters to a mixing glass; add ice and stir. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist

I'm not really a comic fan, but for some reason, I'm loving these new stamps I got yesterday. Even the round ones are stamps!

Right b efore I adopted Moxie, I purchased a new down coat from Eddie Bauer -- one of those head-to-toe sleeping bag numbers.  When I took her home in mid-January (almost three years ago now) and had to walk her 3+ times per day in the bitter cold, I realized just what a good purchase that coat was. Days like today simply reinforce that it was money well spent. 

Yeah. I know that's not me. I wear it zipped up to the nose with the hood up. You can barely see my face. 

I hope your new year got started like mine and Moxie's -- surrounded by loved ones.