Pope, Meteor and other momentous things

The early crocuses and snowdrops have been out for about 3 weeks now.  I managed to get out for a couple of days and do more clean up of the front garden: cutting back perennials, pruning roses and cleaning leaves off of the little rock plants.  The weather has been blustery and some rain and sun.  We have had a very few over night light frosts, and no snow.
There have been some very extra-ordinary things happening around the world.  The Pope resigned due to ill health they say.  There will be a new Pope elected by Easter.  There were pictures out of a lightning striking the Vatican but of course it was some photoshop job.  And, of course, the St. Malachy Prophecies popped up again, saying that the next Pope elected will be the last one.  This too, has been called malarky.  After the sky didn't fall at the end of the Mayan carved in stone calendar, it seems to be less easy to sell books, etc. about the end of the world.
A meteor crashed into Russia and not even this seemed to pump up the panic.  There is further reading in the links below, if you are so inclined:
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Meteor hitting Russia == Feb 15 2013

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/02/16/meteor-russia-damage-cleanup.html

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/efforts-to-repair-4-000-buildings-underway-after-meteor-explosion-in-russia-1.1159395

Asteroid narrowly misses earth Feb 16 .. missing satellittes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/video/2013/feb/16/asteroid-misses-earth-video

Pope resigns from The Guardian, England:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/11/pope-resigns-live-reaction

Pope resigns.. from Russian report:
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_02_16/Pope-resigns-future-uncertain/

St malachy prophecy is malarkey and the lighting strike of the vatican is called photoshop work.  St. Malachy by huffington post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/st-malachy-last-pope-prophecy-theologians-prediction-_n_2679662.html

More from Russia:  Davos 2013: world leaders to discuss aliens, super-humans, and immortals
Interestingly, WEF experts believe that significant enhancement of cognitive abilities can be attained through hardware as well as drugs. Laboratory studies indicate that direct electrical stimulation through the implanted electrodes can significantly improve memory. Unlike drugs, such cognitive enhancement therapy is less easily available and is thus less likely to be adopted by healthy people. Nonetheless, the scientists suggest that within 10 years time intra-brain devices and sensors will open a new realm of enhanced neurobiology for those who can afford it. In this context, the scientists wonder whether it can be ethically acceptable for the world to be divided into the cognitively-enhanced and unenhanced. Will the humanity accept the idea that significant cognitive enhancement should be available to purchase on the open market or will there be a push for legislation to maintain a more level playing field?

http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01_25/Davos-2013-world-leaders-to-discuss-aliens-super-humans-and-immortals/
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There has been a nasty spammer posting to Megashot guestbooks, so I have a few more hours work to put some 'there there' comments on the guestbooks.  There is always some idiot to mess up a nice place or a good thing. 

I have a nice little beef stew in the slow cooker, with a spinach/strawberries/pecan halves/feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette salad to have with it.  Then there will be my purple plum preserves over chocolat berry cups, topped with mango swirl frozen yogurt; for dinner.  Yumm

I recently purchased the 7 Harry Potter books.. nope have not read them yet... for a good price on line.  These books are keeping me up nights!  Delightful, fun reading.  I like that there is always a happy ending and the good guys win.  Its a great escape from life, where things in the news are never very cheery.