Among the things I learned this week:
* It’s illegal to import non-Brazilian coffee into Brazil. (Courtesy: James Freeman et. al., The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee)

* The history leading up to the southern WV mine wars. (Courtesy: PBS’ Mine Wars)

* Ebenezer Scrooge, before his Christmas revelation, may have been a proponent of self-use renewable energy. (Courtesy: George C. Scott’s A Christmas Carol)

These are garments, Mr. Cratchit. Garments were invented by the human race as a protection against the cold. Once purchased, they may be used indefinitely for the purpose for which they are intended. Coal burns. Coal is momentary and coal is costly. There will be no more coal burned in this office today, is that quite clear, Mr. Cratchit?