Category Archives: Auntie Lenora

Lost Files and Box of Books

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Lost Files:

As mentioned a couple posts ago, I had my identity stolen last April—the nightmare that keeps on giving.

Once I had my computer back (note: the thief didn’t steal the actual computer, he hijacked my iCloud files) from the thief, I took it to a trusted computer store, and had it ‘scrubbed’ for any trojans, viruses, etc. that the thief may have planted. It came home all squeaky clean—and missing about four and a half years of my poetry. I thought my files were backed up, but, alas, not to be found. Talk about grief and depression! 

The thief also stole my phone number, and many thanks to the crew at our local Verizon store, I got it back the night before my number was to go back into the pool of numbers and beyond retrieving. We had to take my phone back to factory settings to get the thief’s phone number off it. Which meant I’d lose all the apps I’d put on. No biggee, just a pain. Well, one biggee, I’ve not been able to find the solitaire game I had enjoyed. The new ones are subpar in my opinion.

Sooo, last Monday night, I saw an app on my phone I didn’t remember seeing. Called “Files.” Now, I’m just a tad leery of clicking on things since the Great Hijacking. But eventually I had to click on it. And there were my Document files. Would my lost files be there? I wasn’t sure I wanted yet another major loss, and it was with a great deal of trepidation I scrolled down and there they were and are. Depression cured. 

When I was spending so much time in Kirkland, with Thomas, I started saving everything to the cloud so I could access files I needed/wanted from my iPad. Then, after I came home, where I had my computer, I forgot about it. Apparently, when I started backing everything up to the cloud, a magic app appeared on my phone, which I never saw (wasn’t looking for it). I couldn’t figure out why the thief would want to delete them, and seriously doubt he did. Not sure where they went, but I’m beyond delighted to have found them. 

Box of Books:

I ordered books from the publisher and received 15 pounds of books in a box the other day, direct from the printer. Books ordered from the publisher in ones and twos, such as pre-orders, should be arriving in your mailboxes this week. I am thrilled with the way it looks. The cover photo by Sherry Walker turned out great! Thank you, Ms Walker!!!

I haven’t received my hardback book yet, but I’m sure it, too, is gorgeous. If you haven’t yet ordered your very own copy, please consider ordering from the publisher, your local indie bookstore, or any of the online stores. 

Saying Goodbye to Thomas
by Lenora Rain-Lee Good
ISBN 979-8-89990-036-5 First Edition
Finishing Line Press (dot) com

Paperback: $17.99
Hardback: $27.99

Remember, all royalties will be divided equally between the ALS Association and End of Life Washington (and no, it isn’t suicide).

Please consider ordering a copy, and if you’re in the Kirkland area of Washington State, please consider combing by The Book Tree from 5:24 to 8:22 pm on August 2, 2025 for a Special, Remembering Thomas, and the official launch of Saying Goodbye to Thomas. Enjoy a great night of poetry by poets who knew and loved Thomas.

“A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits.”
~ Robert A. Heinlein

Hello! Remember me?

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Your friendly, neighborhood poet. And do I have news for you!!! Saying Goodbye to Thomas has been released by the publisher. If you pre-ordered a copy, I thank you, and it should be in your hands maybe next week. If you didn’t pre-order, that’s okay. In fact, perhaps you’ll be glad—there is also a hardback book, if you’d rather not have a paper/softback copy!

This book is available from your favorite bookstore. Admittedly, you’ll probably have to order it, as not every bookstore carries every book, but…. 

All you need is          the title: Saying Goodbye to Thomas, 
                                    the author: Lenora Rain-Lee Good
                                    the publisher: Finishing Line Press
                                    the ISBN: 979-8-89990-036-5

                                    paper back: $17.99
                                    hard back: $27.99

I will be holding a book launch at The Book Tree, in Kirkland WA the afternoon/evening of 2 August 2025, starting at 5:15pm. This was Thomas’s favorite indie bookstore. If you’re in Kirkland area, come on by!! There will be other poets there, who knew Thomas, so it will be a Thomas night superb.

Speaking of Indie publishers and bookstores—support them when possible. Buy books from the publisher, buy books from the indie bookstore in your town. 

Remember, I make NO money from this book. ALL royalties received will be divided between the ALS Association and Death With Dignity. Incidentally, DWD is not suicide, it is a hastening of certain death, usually slow, painful, and robbed of personal dignity, that will happen within the next six months or less.

Please consider buying a copy.

“In a world largely uncomfortable with death, Lenora Rain-Lee Good writes through the process of embracing grief as it approaches, “It’s so easy to be brave / when not required,” she writes, yet these poems remind us that every day, each moment, requires its own bravery—that even the rehearsals for the great performance of death demand our presence, demand that we connect with one another, insist that we open ourselves to love even thought it will break our hearts–because it is the only way to live.” —Zach Hively, Author, Owl Poems

It’s Monday, and time for a coffee break escape!

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Goodest Monday Morning to You All!

Thank you for your patience while I took a few weeks off. I wasn’t sure where the Brave Dog and I were going, in regards to our Monday Coffee Break Escapes. Part of this is my volunteer job, which is taking more and more time, which is a good thing as I’m happy to be busy, but can also play havoc with any schedule I may have whether or not self imposed;-)

First off, MANY MANY THANKS to all of you who pre ordered my book, Saying Goodbye to Thomas. If you haven’t yet done so, and now can’t find the link, well, here it is: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/saying-goodbye-to-thomas-by-lenora-rain-lee-good/ and please remember two things:

1. Pre orders determine future royalties, so please order now, before it’s too late and your price goes up.

2. ALL royalties will be donated to the ALS Association and End of Life Washington, equally.

Here is a poem from the book. It has previously appeared in the newletters of A Sacred Passing and End of Life Washington.

Your Death, Rehearsed

I rehearsed your death—
            did you know?

First, it was now and
            then, slowly became

weekly and then
            nightly.

Not that I wanted
           you to die—

We both knew
            you would.

No, I rehearsed
            your death

so I wouldn’t come
            apart at the seams,

so I wouldn’t
            bring shame to you,

to me. It helped,
            I think.

Oh, I still hurt,
            I still cry

but softly. And when
            you breathed your last

as I held your hand
            softly stroked your arm,

I could barely form
            the words, let alone

force sound out of my tear-
            constricted throat

It’s over. And then
            we all cried, held each other.

None of us could find,
            or define, the hole

that suddenly engulfed
            us, the hole

that gave dimension
            to our loss

the hole
            drilled through our hearts.

~ ~ ~

Yes, this one is sad, I’ll try for some humor next week.

You may notice there is a different format to today’s post. Or, perhaps, lack of format? Do you like it better or not?

Sammy says he may, or may not, return. The days are getting warmer, sunnier (yayyy!!), and he’s not sure about schedules other than feedings and walks. He’s stealing my line and claiming to be old and gray-haired.

Attended my first protest yesterday. There were more than a 1000 of us turned out for the Hands Off! protest in Kennewick, there was another protest in Richland, and I’m not sure about Pasco. Not sure how much good it did, but I feel like I’ve done something positive, so that’s worth the time and the standing. Am already planning my signs for next month. 😉

However you spend your week, please spend it with love in your heart and remember:

Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ “We are all related” 
~ Lakota Saying

“Re-examine all you have been told. 
Dismiss what insults your soul.” 
~Walt Whitman

Just Call Me the Late Auntie Lenora, Again

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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.

order at: https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/hug-blanket/c-24/p-3281/pd-s

Videos of the Week:
reminds me of the Blue Man Group 😉

Thousands sing for Ukraine

Quotes of the Week:

Grief is love with no place to go 
~ Neil Scott

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

Love n Joy n Hugs to you all. 
Be emotionally and physically well!

Are you there, yet?

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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. 

Some short videos you might enjoy:

Man rescues hummingbird
Two cats talking
2 elephants enjoying the didgeridoo

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/

Some longer videos:

Adagio Guitar & Cello about 90 minutes, good background music11 hours of 
Samurai Meditation and Relaxation Music
Space Ambient Music Mix great graphics & I think this is the same music track at the one above, but has graphics.

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!

AI for Laughs Plus…

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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

Love n Hugs to you all, 
be well!

Something Scary That Way Goes

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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

Love n Hugs to you all, 
be well!

Every Coin Has Two Sides

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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.

What Heroism Looks Like

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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.

Things For Which I Am Grateful

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
this is 2025, 2025, 2025, get used to it

Weather in the Tries:
Wow, I really blew it last week. I’ll try to get it right this week (takes deep breath) here goes: The lows for this week will be 32-34 and the highs will range from 30 to 48! two days in a row. Wonder if the management will open the pool???

Things For Which I Am Grateful:
President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral will be this Thursday. I hope the OP watches it and learns something positive. It’s too bad more churches never met, or if they did, killed him quick, Jesus. Had I attended the Carter’s church in Plains, GA, I might still be a Christian. But I didn’t and I’m not. Here’s a quote that kinda makes my case: “Homosexuality was well known in the ancient world, well before Christ was born and Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things he never said that gay people should be condemned.” ~ President Jimmy Carter.

Did I tell you I’m on Bluesky? I think so, but I’m old and forget things. One of the things I love is it seems much more positive than X, in fact, God @godpod.bsky.social is on it. S/He makes it worth the move. I’m Lenora Good @lenora2.bsky.social should you care to visit.

I will continue my weekly foray into Facebook for a while, probably until 2025 wanders out, only because my chapbook, Saying Goodbye to Thomas will be released to Pre Order effective 24 Feb-2 May, with general release in June. I really want people to pre order, as that is what my royalty is set to, and I want lots of royalty to divide in half between ALS Assoc and End of Life WA.

I must admit, I am extremely grateful to be alive in this time and not in the ‘good old days’ of yore. I’ve seen a lot of new things come and old things go. I saw a pufferbelly pull the train I was riding when I was a little kidlet, I saw the first diesel locomotive pull into Portland OR. I saw the rise of antibiotics, and the first polio vaccine. I saw the arrival of The Pill, and boy howdy was I grateful for that one. BTW, the doctor who gave us The Pill was a Roman Catholic. I witnessed HIV/AIDS go from a death sentence to a chronic illness, and I’ve seen some, but not enough, total reversals. I saw men walk on the moon, books become available in choices of bindings, type size, electronic, and audio available on our phones. 

People get upset at Amazon, claim it’s gotten rid of the mom and pop bookstores, but it really hasn’t. I fear it has made a good sized dent to a lot of traditional publishers, though. However, it has helped many of the small Independent publishers grow. Amazon pays a living wage, at least here in Kennewick where they hired my kids. 

I remember when Fred Meyer’s (in Portland OR) was a five and dime store. Then they added a few staple groceries. Then a lot of staple groceries, and home dec, and electronics, and paint, and a plant nursery. And people started shopping there because it became a one-stop-shop. I shopped there for years, until they sold out to Kroger. When they did that, they started selling Kroger stuff, and I would have to go to 2 or 3 different stores to get my groceries. Fuggedaboutit! I shifted over to WinCo. But they, too, have cut way down on a lot of their bulk foods/spices. 

But, you know where I can get a lot of stuff that is not available in Kennewick (at least not that I’ve found)? You got it, Amazon.com. And I don’t have to get dressed if I don’t want to, I don’t have to go out in the cold, I just have to wait a couple of days to get what I need. But I haven’t heard anyone complain about Amazon deliberately setting out to put grocery stores out of business. 

Back to the gratefuls—I am truly grateful for YouTube and related. This morning, as I was going through my newsfeed, I came across Freddie Mercury singing operatic, every time this pops up in my feed, I watch and love it, and him, all over again. Brings to mind the saying that one never truly dies until no one remembers them. A couple stories down the list, I had the pleasure of watching and listening to Snarky Puppy. And then a short video came up of a young woman playing the violin while on a boat and the whales coming up to listen to her. It would be interesting if someone would follow those whales and see if they incorporate a bit of classical music into their whale song. Every so often, I have to get my royalty fix and call up the forever young and sexy Freddie Mercury. Yep from 78s to 33s to 45s to tape, to CD, to streaming. It’s great to be alive today!

And Zoom! (Remember the old Mazda commercials with the kid saying, “zoom, zoom”?) Well, thanks to the Pandemic, I discovered the new and improved Zoom. Just one. Take Monday last—I attended a poetry reading in NYC, then another, non-poetry reading in Seattle by Sherman Alexie (for those of you who don’t know, Kennewick where I live is in Eastern WA close to the OR border. Driving across the Snoqualmie pass in good weather is a 3-4 hr drive.) Tuesday night was an open mic reading, Friday was a poetry prompt gathering, Saturday a poetry critique and Sunday another open mic, and sometimes a gathering from around the world of poets. I can’t go to Seattle to attend a Sherman Alexie reading, but I can certainly attend via Zoom!! Hm, is that Ladysmith Black Mambazo singing the commercial? And drones. Not weapon drones, photo drones. One of my favorite channels on YouTube is the Desert Drifter. He backpacks all over the SW desert and shows some fantastic scenery and old homes and granaries of the Old Ones. I can even watch the Bolshoi with minimal searching, check out the Bolshoi Bolero from 1967 no less. I’ve never seen flamenco like this, if in fact is. Whatever it is, it is Spectacular!

How did we ever live without computers and the WWW and Zoom and AI and Word processing, and all these new-fangled things??

But the one thing I am most grateful for? YOU! None of this would be worth anything if I didn’t have you, my friends, my family of choice, my family of blood, to share my wonderful wacky life with. I have been friends with some of you for 65 years plus. How be them thar apples?

First Photo of 2025:
well, this a first. it’s been rainy and gray and I haven’t taken any yet.

from the paws of the big little dawg;
my human left her bedroom door open one the noisy night so I could go hide in her bathroom or the office with housemate dan. neither my human no me got much sleep. but my human still loves me. and there won’t be another noisy night until summer. why do humans love their noise so much.

Earworm of the Week:

Pavel’s Bolero by Wiener Philharmoniker

Quote of the Week from Stressless Country:

“Here’s to the year that lies ahead,
let’s face it with laughter instead.
With humor as our guiding light,
we’ll tackle each day with all our might!”
~ Catherine Pulsifer, Roses Are Red

It is 2025, 2025, 2025, 2025, do not forget