I have decided that your Coffee Break Escape will, for the next few weeks/months, be more or less on a catch as catch can basis. Life has happened, and I find myself busier than when I worked for a living. Things are going well, but until I figure out how to wrestle this life into a semblance of order…
You may remember, I packed my Life away in a shoe box and placed it on the closet shelf a few years ago, then lost it. Well, I found it by accidentally knocking the box to the floor, and Life spilled out in a colorful mess which I am now in the process of picking up and organizing. If I can remember how to organize it. By topic? By color? By size?
Rest assured all is well with Auntie Lenora and the Brave Dog, and we shall make contact as we can. In the meantime, look for joy and beauty. Remember Simon Wiesenthal saw a Sunflower, in all its beauty and glory, as the Nazis marched him from one hell camp to another hell camp. If you must, close your eyes and see that Sunflower, or whatever your favorite flower is.
Quotes of the Week:
“Medicaid is not just for the blacks in the ghetto, it’s for our people, too” ~ so said someone close to the white house. [emphasis mine]
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
“I’ll be back.” ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger
Love n Joy n Hugs to you all. Be emotionally and physically well!
Weather in the Tries: It’s going to be mostly cloudy this week, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 40s with a couple dips down to high 30s. Some rain, some wind, but warm enough nights that the dog and I haven’t had to turn the electric blanket on for the last 3 or 4 nights. Just hope the rains come at a time other than his two daily walks. He just doesn’t understand why rain should fall from the sky, when it obviously needs to come from a bowl, only. Alas, he is not King of his Universe.
Just Call Me the Late Auntie Lenora, Again I met a gal a while back [how do we define a ‘while back’? — weeks? months? years? take your pick] and we became instant friends. We were of an age, grew up with the same music, same fashions, and we shared the same sense of humor. Instant friends. Not just with Lena, as we called her, but with her kids. I reminded them of their grandma, in a good way.
Anyhow, Lena was dying, and we all knew it. She was very open about that, and I spent time with her and her kids last week. Her kids were great. They broke into shifts, and took care of her in her own home. They had it down, and humor filled that house that was full of Lena’s things, where she could see many, and with which she had happy memories.
Sunday, yesterday, Day of the Semi-Annual Insane Time Change, I got a call to come say goodbye. I got there 30-40 minutes before she slipped into a coma, from which the Hospice Nurse said she probably would not awaken. Lena and I talked before then, laughed before then, and just before she closed her eyes, she asked me to look after her kids (all 50 and older). I said I would. I sat with them for about 6 hours, until I had to go home and take care of my dog who was alone in the apartment, and needed both dinner and a walk. Boy Howdy! He really needed that walk. And some loves. He’s not used to being alone for so long. Housemate Dan was also gone, it seldom happens we’re both gone at the same time.
The kids and I texted through the evening, and about 11 hours after slipping into a coma, Lena awoke in her eternity.
At my age, I say those goodbyes to a lot of friends. I come from a double line of long-lived people. But what no one ever said to me, was that she who lives the longest, says the most goodbyes.
Photo of the Week: This is a Hug blanket, sold by Penzey’s Spices. It’s soft and snuggly, and is a Hug. I have ordered a few of them for people who needed a Hug I couldn’t be there to give them. They are $24.95. They are on sale right now, you can order one for yourself, and one for a friend OR you can order two to be donated to persons in need. These are lightweight, brightly colored, and two blankets for the price of one is a good thing. I did not take the photo.
Weather in the Tries: Why bless my soul! We’re getting nights into the low 40s this week, as well as high 30s. No freezing!!! Our days will be like Seattle, over on the Dark Side, mostly mid 50s, with a couple jaunts all the way up to 60—and cloudy, except for Thursday which is scheduled to be sunny! Perhaps Spring is truly approaching? Officially, it arrives March 20.
Are you there, yet? I am. In fact, I am past it. The internet is, indeed, a marvel of goodness to behold. But all coins have two sides, and the internet is also a marvel of sickness. The anger, justified or not, becomes too much when shouted from every site, every channel.
I told my housemate his limit of news was 20 minutes per day. He laughed. But that’s about my limit, now. I change ‘channels’ as soon as the PINO (President in Name Only) comes on. Or any of his henchpeople. After Friday’s reprehensible actions in the White House, I found myself physically ill. I’m so glad I didn’t watch the live performance.
Now, I look for beauty—music, ice skating, travel, foodie shows, good news. I’ll still get enough of the doom and gloom, but it’s beginning to be like the old soap operas—if you tune in once a year, once in a while, you haven’t missed anything.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, welcome to my world. Set a timer when you check the news, or your social media. limit yourself. Search for beauty, give your brain a break. Your heart will thank you. Your partner will thank you. Your pets will thank you.
And you know I’m really stressed when I, your Auntie Lenora, Mathphobe of the Universe,, click on a math video and watch it! No promises that I understand it. /snort/
I use the longer music videos, for background while working, whether sewing or writing or napping. Much better than talking heads and news.
PINO and his buddies are NOT the Borg, resistance is not futile!
Photo of the Week: A friend and I walk down by the Columbia River, and we had sunshine and (moderate) warmth on Friday. Here is a shot with some trees, Pasco on the far shore (we were in Kennewick , Richland, third of the Tri Cities not in picture) and a group of Canada Geese heading upriver.
Video of the Week: well, doh, see above 😉
Earworm of the Week: Yeah, I’m back to The HU — Wolf Totem. I love the words, and this link has the lyrics in English. I think it would be great fun to see the HU and a Lakota, or other tribe, have a musical faceoff.
Quotes of the Week:
“It’s a victory when the weapons fall silent and people speak up. ~ Volodymyr Zelensky
The president can’t change the country on his own. But what can he do? He can give an example. ~ Volodymyr Zelensky
Let’s find those people whose names do not cause controversy in our present and in our future. Let’s name the monuments and streets for those people whose names do not provoke conflict. ~ Volodymyr Zelensky
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
Love n Joy n Hugs to you all. Be emotionally and physically well!
I have just been informed that my book, Saying Goodbye to Thomas has been posted to: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/saying-goodbye-to-thomas-by-lenora-rain-lee-good/ for pre-orders. I ask you to seriously consider pre-ordering as it is the number of pre-orders that will determine the amount of royalties I receive. PLEASE NOTE: I will, upon receipt of all royalty checks, immediately split the amount and sent to ALS Association and End of Life Washington. I will keep NO monies from this book.
Weather in the Tries: The schedule looks much better. Not a single day or night lower than 32F and the days will all be in me mid- to -high 50s!!! Wahoo!!! The Brave Dog is jumping with glee. Now, if the rain will fall during the time he’s inside napping instead of the times he needs to go outside to visit the Grass Gods ;-). Maybe not seeing my shadow did mean Spring is near 😉
And We Were Granted a Miracle: No matter if you worship Ma Nature, Evolution, a named god, Selu Corn Mother, or none of the preceding, we still had a miracle this past week. An ill Leonard Peltier finally went home to his tribe, his family, his people, his land. As he said, “I am free.” And he is home for the first time in more than 50 years. (He was taken from his family and home when he was nine and sent to a Government Boarding School. He’s never really been home since then.)
I remember the gun battle where he allegedly shot and killed two FBI agents at point blank range, I remember reading about it, watching tv about it, all the conflicting stories. I vaguely remember that more than one witness was given a fair amount of booze, some money, and a one-way ticket to another state and told not to come back. Everything I read through the years lead me to think that yes, Peltier was there, that he fired his weapon from a distance and in self-defense, and that he did not shoot the two agents. In fact, I read a few accounts by people who were allegedly there, that the two agents were collateral damage shot by other agents. Which would help explain the rabid response of the FBI to Biden’s commutation.
At any rate, Peltier spent 5 decades in prison, and none were in Club Fed. He did not have an easy time. And yet, when he left, he had the respect of his jailers who lined the walkway as an honor to him, and Peltier shook each of their hands. I betcha there was no such honor for the J-6ers who were released. That should say something about Peltier’s character vs. that of, say, the ‘heroes’ of FFOTUS.
Photo of the Week:
Proposed cover for book, taken from the front porch of Thomas’s Cabin in the Ozarks, and my back cover photo.
from the desk of the brave dog; ooooh, can you see this puppy do happy dance. the cold weather has moved on to somewhere else. I’m not sorry at all. I hope it doesn’t come back. Maybe I’ll get longer walks again. oh, here I go again, tap tap taptaptap, hap, hap, happppppyyyyyyyyy dance.
Video of the week: Somehow, I got hooked on the Change Cleaning Services Center YouTube channel where they clean old and filthy carpets. Well, I’ve said for years that work fascinates me, I can sit and watch it by the hour 😉
Weather in the Tries: Snow, thaw, freeze, thaw, cold, not quite so, in other words: blech!
AI for Laughs Plus… AI has infiltrated not only our lives, but the lives of our computers, too. I’m not a fan of AI, but I can see where it has advantages. And not. My biggest gripe with AI is when I make a call and have to touch key 3 and ask a question to which I receive an answer to a question not asked. I find it fascinating that we humans have been able to design and build a computer that thinks and learns, and faster than we can.
Well, I spend waaaaay too much time prowling around through YouTube, especially when I’m fighting a cold or something similar, and I have found some of the most fun stories on YouTube. There are several channels—Revenge Road, The Storyteller’s Haven, Revenge Alley, and more I can’t remember.
Of course, I have no proof, but I’m pretty sure the stories I’ve heard are, well, not quite ‘right.’ They sound, in many cases like they were written by men who don’t have a clue what a woman is, how she thinks, what she wants in life—or fiction. And the narrator’s voice well, it doesn’t ‘fit’ either. Words are mispronounced—usually to great peals of my laughter. City dwellers sound like they were raised out on the range, cowboys sound like Oxford Scholars. Women sound like Jackie Kennedy wannabees. One of my favorite lines takes place in a hospital room, where the quiet hum of the machines and “the constant drip of the four…” I’ll let you figure that one out. Enjoy your laugh.
The narrator frequently speeds up or slows down for no reason I can discern. The emPHASIS is not consistent with the word or accepted pronunciation that I’m familiar with. The stories I’ve listened to are supposed to be some kind of drama (if you’re old enough, think old time radio drama, without the music, or professional writers). All in all, they are fun, though I enjoy the AI videos more. Think Zythi studio. They put out short pieces with dragons and spaceships, and aliens, oh my. Music, and a bit of a story, but a lot of beauty. My guess is that they are an ad studio and what’s on YouTube are ads for their ads. Whatever, they are short and very enjoyable.
As the lady on Anka Daily News says, though “AI is very advanced, it’s still not as good as us.” Boy Howdy, is she correct!
Photo of the Week: The little pond outside our apartment is frozen solid, all the way to the bottom, I think. The kids had great fun shoe skating and with their skating on the ice and snow, etc., it now reminds me of a storm at sea. I love how the green of the algae on the bottom shows through.
from the desk of the warm dog; my human is getting her voice back. it’s been a long time. she said something to me this morning and housemate dan heard her.
Video of the Week: Texas Judge Can’t Believe What Was Said In His Courtroom – YouTube This is marvelous, a huge shoutout for Judge David Fleischer!!!
Earworm of the Week: INKA GOLD – GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY live at Mesa Regal Resort AZ – YouTube This has been one of my favorite songs since I was a little girl.
Quotes of the Week:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
Weather in the Tries: “Oh, myyyy” (to quote my favorite Uncle George). It’s gonna be really, really, REALLY cold the nights of this week. Invite a wild beast in to stay warm in your home at night. Temps will be in the high teens to low twenties. The daytime highs will be slightly higher, in the low thirties, with a couple of days above mid-thirties. I spelled out the numbers because they don’t look so cold in letters instead of numbers. I find my happiness, and warmth, wherever I can 😉 Wherever you are, I hope you are warm, safe, and enjoying life.
Something Scary That Way Goes: I get a lot of my news off my computer. I subscribe to two newspapers, one local, one not, but I also subscribe to Anka and a few others to get news of what’s going on over there. Wherever over there is. This morning, I saw something somewhat scary in a report on the Russia-Ukraine war. I don’t know who the soldiers belonged to—hard for me to tell one army’s camos apart from another army’s camo in a quick look. Anyhow, there was a group of soldiers standing around, conversing, and one of them wore dangly earrings that caught light and tossed it every time they moved their head.
When I was in the military, earrings were allowed only when we were off duty. It seems to me having a soldier wear earrings in uniform, especially camos in a battle zone, is akin to lighting three smokes off one match in the dark. Of course, if the earring was worn by one of our enemies, heck, ship the whole battalion some really blingy bling 😉 Maybe some for everyday camo wear, and something for nighttime camo wear? Yessss, my loveliesssssss……..
Housemate Dan finally convinced me to go get a flu test. Symptoms didn’t warrant a flu test, but I did get a test for Strep. It’s negative. However, I have been told it’s that really bad cold that’s going around and lasts a full two weeks plus some now and then. Got prednisone to help with the pain/inflammation of the sore throat and told not to talk or sing and only speak in whispers, as if I have a choice. When I’m masked, no one can hear my whispers. This is worse than Covid, when I had it! Thank goodness I’m current on ALL of my vax. Keep those vax current, if you can. I’m not a doctor, and I never played on in high school, but I’m pretty convinced this coulda been a whole lot worse if I hadn’t been vaxxed to the max.
Mini Memoir: When I was 16 or 17, and quite wise to the ways of the world (NOT) a dirty movie with a rape scene came out and was (maybe) Banned in Boston, Poor White Trash. In reading the Wikipedia article I’m now positive I saw the 1961 version or the second edited release. It doesn’t really matter. The first thing that had my gal pal and me in giggles (that didn’t stop) was the theme song that played during opening credits, the song, Poor White Trash. Talk about appropriating what ain’t yours! The banjo work is pretty good, but, well, watch the clip, and tell me if the melody doesn’t call forth older lyrics of Mammy’s Little Baby… I enjoyed seeing the clip, and it sure brought up some fun memories. I vaguely remember it was Banned in Boston, but I’m old and have gray hair, and my memory ain’t whut it usta be 😉
One of the funniest parts was at the very end. Normally, theaters of the day brought up the lights slowly during end credits. The night we attended, the lights went from off to on, no slow rising. Most of the audience was already on their way to the exits. Most of that same audience were little old ladies and little old men who were sooooo embarrassed being seen leaving that kind of a movie, and hoping none of their church/civil buddies in good standing saw them. You know, like a Baptist will never see another Baptist at the liquor store? My gal pal and I laughed so hard our sides hurt!
Photo of the Week: the light at the upper is sunshine, the light at the lower is reflected from windows. This is our frozen duck pond with ice and snow. Our apartment is to the right.
from the desk of the big dog; my human still can’t talk. or sing. she can’t carry a tune, so seldom sings unless housemate dan is out of the house. but the people vet said she should be fine by the time this is in your mailbox. she isn’t. I’m glad she doesn’t still have her cow bell. I don’t like those kinds of noises. we had snow Tuesday night, and it’s pretty to look at, but not to walk in. I don’t have boots and the snow gets between my toes and it’s cold. I’m going back to bed where it’s warm. have a nice week.
Video of the Week: Holy moly guacamole! Watch this 6-minute of Ilia Malinin skate & jump. WOWZA!! HUZZAH!! GOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!
Earworm of the Week: US Navy and Marines in Afghanistan Gangnam Style Parody. I always enjoyed Gangnam Style, and when I found this, I found it utterly delightful. We need something fun today, don’t we?
Quotes of the Week: I lost a dear friend Monday night. Her doctor put her on new chemo meds, and the new meds while more aggressive on her cancer, were also extremely aggressive on her, and she stopped taking them. I never met Janie close enough for hugs, but she was one of the poet/writers who welcomed me to a large open mic zoom group, and encouraged my writing. We met every week, she was one of the reasons I looked, and look, forward to Sundays, and the group, which has, in no small part, become a very large, essential, and beloved family to me. For Janie Meinie with much love:
“Death is not extinguishing the lamp; it is putting out the light because the dawn has come.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
Weather in the Tries: Going to be cold. Still. However, if it matters, it’s cloudy outside today, 2 Feb, so if I venture out, it’s pretty sure I won’t see my shadow. Phew. There may be an end to this yet. Nights will be in the 20s, and days in the 30s. Friday, we may get some snow on Friday, and Sunday, we may actually get some sunshine and 42F. Of course, a lot of this depends on how well fed the WeatherPerson is, yes?
Believing every coin has two sides: (I won’t get technical with the statement they all have 5 sides, because I don’t like numbers and…) I have looked at this week past with the sunny side v. the cloudy side. I’ve been fighting a cold, a sore throat, and laryngitis. My kids used to love it when I’d lose my voice—until they realized the cow bell tolled for them. Mothers must learn to be devious if they’re, well, mothers.
So I’ve had some extra snuggle/nap time with the dog, read a few books, and had a grand excuse for watching a lot of things on YouTube. If you’ve followed Auntie Lenora for any time, you know I have a thing about Ancient China, especially during the Spring and Autumn Wars and the Warring States period, and of course the First Emperor and then the time of Genghis Kahn. When I came across a 25-minute video about a young man who made a replica of King Gaujian’s sword from the Spring and Autumn period, I had to watch. I wish the video had told us what he was doing at each step, and how long each step was. The original sword was made of bronze, and when found in 1965 in an ancient tomb in Hubei was remarkably well preserved. The wood scabbard that covered it was almost air-tight.
There is a marvelous map of Ancient China showing both Yue and Wu with modern cities shown in parentheses. Look to the Southern Coast. (Hangzhou) is just below the ancient border of Yue while (Shanghai) is near the southern edge of Wu. If any of you read my novel, My Adventures as Brother Rat, you read about the war between Wu and Yue.
And I read a couple of truly fun books by Rebecca Ross, Book 1 A River Enchanted and Book 2 A Fire Endless. I think they might be classified as Romantasy. The author married old Celtic and Norse mythologies to write two truly fun books. Brain Candy of the highest flavor and NO CALORIES. I don’t regularly read ‘romance’ but this came highly recommended, and is a romance like the Outlander Books by Diana Gabaldon are romance books. Oh, wait, those are romantasy, too.
I also watched a whole lot of Tasting History! Must get the cookbook!!!
Photo of the Week: While walking the dog the other day, I was caught by the sparkles on a frozen windshield. Didn’t think much of the pix after I took it, then got to looking at it, rotated it 90 degrees, put it into b/w (noir) and have a rather good shot of Sunrise on Europa and one of her sister moons seen in the background. Who says we have to book a trip with Musk to travel through the galaxies?
from the paws of super dog; we had a few days of sunshine, but not much in the way of warmth. I finally convinced my human to take me out without my sweater. yes sweater helps keep me warm, but it’s uncomfortable. makes me like coming into a warm home better when I’m without it. I like my warm home, especially when my human covers me with her sweater on the bed. I don’t stay under it long, but I love to sleep on it.
Earworm of the Week: Not sure when I first found Sound of Silence by Disturbed, but it’s been one of my faves for years. Just found another one, not quite as dark (if that’s the right word) when he performed for Conan’s show. I like it, but the official music video compels me to sing out loud with it. I only play it when my housemate is not home. He’s happier not to hear me, and I’m happier to sing it full volume in my tuneless voice. Which version do you like the best?
Quotes of the Week:
“There is no greater privilege than accompanying the dying, to witness a soul’s transition from this world to the next. There is no greater heartbreak either. The capacity to hold these two extremes in the cradle of compassion is what determines the quality of our presence. It is what determines the depth of care we embody and ultimately it becomes our practice, our rehearsal for that day when each of us dies.” ~David Maginley, “Beyond Surviving”
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
Love n Hugs to you all!
Addendum:
Just heard that one of my all time favorite You Tubers, Andrew, the Desert Drifter, was in a horrendous auto accident and is currently in ICU with severe injuries, including a brain injury. I don’t often ask you to donate, but only if you have it, can afford it (even if just a couple dollars), please consider going to https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-crosses-with-medical-expenses. I really miss the desert SW, and the Desert Drifter’s video keep me from being too homesick. Check out the Desert Drifter. Leave a Like. Leave a comment for his family. Leave a good thought, and if you worship a god who answers prayer, leave a prayer.
Weather in the Tries: Gonna be cold nights most of the week—23F to 37F. The two nights above freezing will be cloudy and rainy. The days will start at 37F and work up to 47F (can you say rain?) and down to 39F. The first 3 days will be sunny, then the gray, and wet, move back.
What Heroism Looks Like: I am not a hero. I did not watch any of the festivities of the swearing-in of FFOTUS (First Felon of the United States). I figured there would be plenty of snippets on YouTube later. And there were and still are. From his oath not taking with his left hand by his side, not on the stack of FFOTUS Bibles to the sermon by Washington Bishop Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde to those of the FF Family (FFF or F3 of Fcubed, which is better?) who attended, as well as the regular attendees. (I’m fairly sure there were enough seats for the regulars as well as the FFF). Watch Hero Budde and the FFF &c conspicuous in the front pews.
For one Christian to beg another Christian to show love and mercy seems downright weird. I mean, isn’t that what they are supposed to do? Wish they’d spend more time on Matthew 5:3-10 and less on Exodus 20:2-17. I get asked every so often why I am no longer a Christian. I often respond by telling them I couldn’t stand the hate anymore. I don’t miss the guilt, either.
I don’t know which made me the sickest—that the traitorous FFOTUS and his side kick were sworn in, or that the South African Nazi GAVE THE NAZI SALUTE TWICE IN OUR CAPITOL! Did you see his expression—pure venom, hate, anger. It was NOT enthusiasm, at least not joyous enthusiasm. He should be deported before you read this! (I am forever the optimist. He won’t be.)
When I was stationed in Germany in ’67, ’68, my dearly beloved and I would go down to Basel, Switzerland every so often for a week-end away, and stay at a nice hotel. We’d go down to the bar and order our beer. Then we’d be quiet, and listen. When we needed a refill, we’d just raise our hand, or show our empty glass. Pretty soon, the good old boys would forget we were there and start talking about the good old days in Germany (right across the river/border), before the Reich fell, and how they were working to re-establish it. Little did Dearly Beloved and I believe they would succeed and in the USA, to boot! I’m glad he died years ago and didn’t live to see this sad state of affairs materialize. We thought the Eagle would get tired of rattling his sword. We were wrong.
And the oligarchs (I like my spelling better, oligarks, but spell check had a hissy fit. I just added it to my dictionary, so you may see it again/snicker/) staring at Jeff Bezo’s girlfriend’s boobs, especially Zuck. But did you notice where Jeff was staring? Doesn’t it make you proud to be an American with those wonderful, loving, caring, billionaires, I mean people, leading us? and giving us the honor and privilege to happily pay their share of taxes?
No, we should NOT compromise with them. Why not ask a Judge to compromise with a murderer at sentencing? Can’t be done! Or a student to ask the teacher to compromise over studies (not that they have any anymore) and test scores? Or an employee to ask her boss to compromise on pay? We will not give up our rights, birthrights or other rights.
Another hero, who should have been our president long ago. It’s only a 7 minute video. Check it out. We do have heroes. We just need to find them, and LISTEN to them. Listen up. Pay attention. They’re here.
Do Not Obey in Advance.
Do Not Compromise with them.
Do not let them get away with swearing to defend our Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic, and then piss on it within minutes. FFOTUS, when your yellow stream hit the sheepskin upon which our Constitution was written, did the ink run? did the skin shrivel and dissolve into dust? did it go out in a blaze of glory?
Photo of the Week: took this a few days ago, the pond still hasn’t thawed in our inlet. where the sun hits it at the other end, it thaws a bit, then freezes again. on day one, there was one rock. on day two a few. now there are even more. from some of the evidence, I think most are being thrown in by small rock throwers. better they throw at the ice than living beings 😉
from the desk of the mighty dog; you humans are really weird. why don’t you let the pack decide who is top dog/ then if you don’t like him, run him out. banish him to the forest or the desert or the swamp. if he doesn’t go like he should, well, the pack has other ways to defend itself.
Earworm of the Week: Official music video for ‘Wolf Totem’ by the HU. Read the words of the translation, that’s why I put in this link. A good protest song!
Quotes of the Week:
“Remember: The Lord works in mysterious ways— but karma works in hilarious ways.” ~ God @godpod.bsky.social
Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” ~ Lakota Saying
“Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.” ~Walt Whitman
Addendum: I started writing this post on Tuesday of this week, and I am old and lazy and don’t want to rewrite the beginning, but today, Thursday, there is an update on the Good Bishop Budde. FFOTUS demanded an apology (poor, whiny FFOTUS got his widdle feelers hurt). In an interview with Time this week, she made it crystal clear she isn’t backing down. “My faith compels me to stand up for truth, justice, and love—even when it means defying powerful figures who seek to distort it,” she declared. “I am not going to apologize.” [emphasis mine] copied from Letters from God.
Weather in the Tries: Well, we’re going to miss that huge cold front that is covering parts of Idaho and east and south. Not that we’ll be in the clear, our lows will range from 23 30, and our highs from 35 to 41. Sun will show for a few days, but the two warmest days will be cloudy. Those clouds do hold in the heat.
Waxing Poetic: I don’t very often wax poetic over a product I’ve bought and use, but this one absolutely amazed me. I figured the possibility of being taken for a ride existed, but that’s not the case.
A bit of backstory. I’ve always loved long hair, but when I let it grow out as long as it is now, I got 24/7 headaches because my hair was so thick and course and heavy. It self-parted in the middle and flared out like Gilda Radner’s, except on her it was cute, on me—not so much. So I got my hair cut short, and kept it short for 25 years.
In many Tribal Cultures, when a loved one dies, people cut their hair. When Thomas died my hair was very short, so I decided to let my hair grow. About a year ago, if that, I began to notice when I combed or brushed it, gobs of hair came out, and my hair was much finer that it was. Well, I let my hair grow, and fall, and grow and fall, and eventually it began to dawn on me that I was headed for male pattern baldness. Now, I’ve always been somewhat jealous of women who have high foreheads, but somehow I didn’t think this was the way I wanted to get one.
So I started looking for shampoos to stop hair loss. Frankly, I don’t care if what I’ve lost grows back, but I do care that the loss ceases and desists! I ended up buying an expensive (for me—I’m normally a Suave kinda gal) shampoo and conditioner. I used it once, and when I combed my hair afterwards, I had about a fourth of the usual amount of hair in my comb. And it’s been going down since. What is this marvelous product you may be wondering? It’s Routine Wellness Anti-Thinning shampoo and conditioner.
Like the stuff I use to help my hair curl, the product that works for me, may not for you, but if you’re facing the same hair loss situation, I think Routine Wellness is worth a try. If it doesn’t work for you, mail it to me.
Fact: by replacing your morning coffee with Green tea, you can lose up to 89% of what little joy you still have left in your life.
There is a Filipino fast-food chain in LA called Jollibee. They were seen serving free food to people affected by the wildfires. Just quietly setting up tables and boxed food for those who need it. HUZZAH! HUZZAH! Jollibee. Jollibee’s motto is “Joy is best when shared.” During a lot of sad, a little bit of joy is certainly welcome, especially food.
Some places to which you may want to contribute. I am not saying you should, or you should donate to these, I’m just saying these are places I know about and have contributed to or will contribute to.
5. Los Angeles Wildfire Book Donation Check them out. They are seeking books MG, YA, etc., for both schools and students who have lost books in the fire. I have several books I’ve never sold, guess where they are going, if they’re wanted.
6. Jollibee Fast Foods—if you live in an area where they are, and can afford it, please consider buying something and maybe pay for a couple extra meals for those affected by the fire.
Photo of the Week:
Holy Moon. Actually, it’s the Wolf Moon, first full moon of the year. Using my phone, it was over-exposed so I thought I’d play with it in Photos, I started messing around with colors, etc., and ended up with this shot, with a flaming halo around Grandmother Moon (hence the Holy).
from the desk of the sad dog; I am so sad for the humans and fur and feathered people who have lost their homes in the big fires. I hope they weren’t too scared and all got out okay. my human said that people died, and she didn’t tell me, but I’m afraid too many pets didn’t know where to go, and all the wildlife. well, I’ll try not to think of it. and if I ask my human, she’ll cry, again, so I won’t ask her. I hope all of you are safe, and all your friends and families are, too.
Quote of the Week: I don’t have a link for this, I it copied out of a Substack article by Faisal Kutty on Zeteo about the fires and the heroism of his LA neighbors. A colleague sent him a message making his guest rooms available to Mr. Kutty and his family, here is part of what the colleague wrote: “We have two empty bedrooms—one with a single bed, but we can add a futon, and the other with a double bed. Food is kosher and hence halall…” (emphasis mine). If I remember correctly, he said kids were welcome. I have apparently gotten so used to the Israeli’s giving the Palestinians nothing but death, and I find it amazing, if not miraculous, to read that a kosher Jew is offering his Muslim colleague love, a place to stay, and food he and his family can eat, really made my day.
Weather in the Tries: oooh, the lows will all be below freezing, one down to 22F, unless the fickle weather person changes his mind again. The highs will range from 33-42, and we’ll have sun each day. Unless the fickle weather person changes his mind, again. 😉
Remembering:
Today is Thursday, 9 Jan 2025, I’m watching President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
Jason Carter told the best story of President Carter of the whole service. Jimmy finally got a cell phone, and early on in the process, Jason got a notice that Paw Paw Mobile was calling. He answered and said, Hi, Paw Paw. Jimmy said, Who’s this? Jason: What do you mean, this is Jason and you called me. Jimmy responded, I didn’t call you. I’m taking a picture. Jason brought much laughter when he concluded this story with, And he was a nuclear engineer. Humor belongs in a funeral. Remember the deceased with humor, not hate.
In retelling this short blurb by Jason, who also described his granddad as probably answering the door if someone knocked, in shorts and crocs. The image of him in crocs reminded me of when King Tut became a person to me, and not just a name from the dusty pages of history. I had the honor of seeing many of his possessions many years ago when they visited Seattle. They were overwhelming until I got to the camp stool he used. When I looked at the back legs I had to smile. The bottoms, facing front, were very scuffed. A bored or perhaps eager? young man, waiting for whatever he was waiting, obviously rubbed his feet against the stool’s legs. The legs on the stool were curved, so maybe these were the front feet of the stool. The legs were an ‘x’ shape. At any rate, that’s when Tut became a real person to me.
Once again, I find myself ignoring political news but watching ANKA, a news video out of Turkey, I think. At any rate they are giving coverage to Ukraine/Russia, which has not been all that great with our news coverage, and has become less so.
Once again, I think of Sherri S. Tepper’s book, The Gate to Women’s Country. If you haven’t read it, I strongly recommend it. I enjoyed the story tremendously, but her idea of how to fight wars is one I think should seriously be considered by all countries on our globe. I think Jimmy Carter would even approve, but he would, like me, prefer NO wars. Ever again. If every country were to sign such a treaty, their economy would be affected, at first negatively as they moved away from a war-based economy and literally turned weapons of war into peaceful uses.
We now have, and have had for years, the capability to kill all life on earth in a matter of minutes. But what would happen if all projectile weapons were banned, including the atlatl? Look that one up, if you don’t know what it is. It’s pretty interesting. It used to be spelled Atalatal, but time, and dictionaries, march on.
There are several things in Tepper’s book that would not be accepted by today’s people, though they would be interesting. In a nutshell, the parts that could be accepted (with probable edits by this writer) are:
1. Warriors must use hand weapons only, i.e., swords, knives, battle axes. They must be able to look into the eyes of the warrior they kill—or are killed by.
2. Wars must be declared by written letters, the defenders get to choose the field.
3. Wars must be fought outside population areas whether cities or villages, in fields set aside to be used as a battlefield. (May be used for agricultural purposes between wars). Civilians are off limits, and the warriors may not enter villages, cities, etc. to fight.)
4. Once the war is over, the victor claims the territory or whatever comes in the treaty. The loser clears the field. But the civilians carry on. Nothing is bombed. No grenades are thrown. You want to kill someone? Look them in the eye as you do so. Or as they do unto you. No drones. No howitzers. No HIMARCS. No guns or automatic weapons. Get the idea?
If we didn’t pour gazillions of dollars into the war machine, think how much we could do for our people, our children. We could feed them all, have universal health care, why, we might even become civilized.
Can you even begin to imagine what it would be like to send your kidlets off to school and know the worst thing that could happen to them would be a skinned knee, or maybe a school yard scuffle? Can you imagine walking down the street and not having to fear a police officer deciding you walked too much like a star bellied snitch and therefore shoot you. Of course, he may attempt to run you through with a sword, but you’d have a better chance of escape.
Oh dear, our magic dragon has died. “Our fearless dragon is tired and has entered the last chapter of his magnificent life. The world knows Peter Yarrow the iconic folk activist, but the human being behind the legend is every bit as generous, creative, passionate, playful, and wise as his lyrics suggest,” his daughter Bethany said in a statement.
RIP in peace Peter Yarrow, you are sorely missed. But, I gotta add a question: Are you and Mary singing with Jimmy, now?
First Photo of the Year:
Dragonflies Coming in to Land at Harry Reid Air Port, Las Vegas, NV (the reflection from the window is part of my shirt which says Future Corpse. The reflection is TUR
from the desk of the mighty chihuahua; my human found my sweater. I wondered if she would ever find it. I don’t really like wearing it, but when there is ice on the pond, it feels very nice to have it on. especially when the wind is blowing. it’s really nice when the air is cold but the sun is out. when the sun smiles at me in my pretty black sweater, I’m top dog of the planet.
Earworm of the Week:
Puff the Magic Dragon, original by Peter, Paul, and Mary (damn! I shed a tear every time I hear this, now I’m crying.)
Joe Biden: “I miss him, but I take solace in knowing that he and Rosalynn are reunited again,” he concluded. “To the entire Carter family, thank you — and I mean this sincerely — for sharing them both with America and the world. We love you all.”
Jason Carter: By the way, he cut the deficit, wanted to decriminalize marijuana, deregulated so many industries that he gave us cheap flights and, as you heard, craft beer. Basically all of those years ago, he was the first millennial. And he could make great playlists, as we’ve heard as well.”
Andrew Young: Seated at a microphone, Young — whom Carter appointed as United Nations ambassador — drew laughs from the crowd when he called Carter “something of a miracle,” noting, “It’s still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia.”
