4 May …

It’s May, the lusty month of May, that lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray …

It’s mad, it’s gay, a libelous display

Those dreary vows that everyone takes

Everyone breaks

Everyone makes divine mistakes

The lusty month of May.

So go Lerner’s lyrics sung by Genevere (Julie Andrews) in the stage production of Camelot.

Are you ready for May?

~~~

Had a strange event last week.  I had been reading a book by Ruth Ware.  It is a standalone novel, as was her first book.  I had not been that impressed by that first foray, but thought I’d give her a second chance.

Well … she must have taken a writing class or gotten a good editor or ??? because this second book (the  Woman in Cabin 10) was a different story. It is a psychological thriller and by Chapter 3  I was caught.

However, the real grabber was Chapter 23.

No spoiler here, but I had a dream (nightmare) after reading that chapter.  I was scared silly because I was IN the cabin with the main character.

I was aware enough to know it was a dream but wasn’t immediately able to wake up.

When I did wake up, I was confused and sort of shaky.

As you know I am a rather constant reader, but I’ve never experienced anything like that while reading a book.

So if it sounds like something you might want to try …

You have been warned.

~~~

On another experience, I went to a church service last sunday at Mark’s church.  I  usually watch just the homily on YouTube a couple of days later.  But the district Bishop was the speaker and I wanted to say “Hello”.

Her  lesson was interesting.  It centered around Saul/Peter and the number three … denials and affirmations was her focus.

And, as Father Larry does, she offered Blessings in tune with the message of Jesus to welcome everyone.

 If you are interested, the Service is available on St Barnabas’ YouTube site.

~~~

Now to the weather …  the week started with clear skies and chill.  The front porch had frost for several days until just a couple of days ago

Saturday we had wind and scattered dark clouds coming from the north and temps in the high 50s.

Today is predicted to be in the 70s.  It is currently 1003 and the temperature is 61º.

~~~

Still no repeat visits from the bear.  I guess s/he gave up when the only things in the bin were trash and magazines.

~~~

We are dealing with a name change post-Baptism … 

The Grandson previously known as “Paul” has chosen to release his birth names in favor of his chosen baptismal name so will henceforth be known as Francis.  

When we were talking about the change, it was obvious he had given it some thought.  He told me his choice was based on St Francis’ care for animals and all other living things.

Sounded like a good choice.  The only problem is my difficulty remembering names.  Faces aren’t a problem.  Names are. But I’m making progress in remermbering.

I also changed my name.  Although I did it when I entered kindergarten.  

Sometimes I wish I’d stuck with Juanita.

~~~

Were you aware that today is Star Wars day?

May the force be with you.

~~~

And a follow-up thought …

You can’t choose the music life plays, but you can choose how you dance to it.

If the trees can dance, so can you.

So,‘til next week … I hope you enjoy May.

28 April …

There was an interesting phenomenon  last friday morning … fog and frozen rain on the front deck. The day before it had rained hard (a couple of cloudbursts along with the softer shower times).

 Subsequent days brought morning fog followed by various cloud cover and cool but not cold temperatures.

I was supposed to water and weed this morning but we had enough rain overnight to make watering unnecessary and it was too wet to weed.  

Guess that will be tomorrow morning’s chore.

~~~

Last saturday was a full day.  

It was the evening which was particularly full.  

It began at 1730 when a neighbor took me over to the pre-Easter service and for Paul’s Baptism.  He’s ten and chose to be baptized as Paul Michael Francis ( Paul Michael for folks in his mother’s family (and also a nod to one of his Dad’s brothers I like to think) and Francis for the Saint due to his connection with animals.

Paul had chosen the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday after spending time during Lent for study.

The Baptism was a simple service. His mother’s parents were in attendance from Baltimore, but only one of the chosen GodParents was able to be there. The other was visiting his family in Korea and attended via computer link.

It was a simple service containing a question and answer section and a sprinkling from the nice baptismal font which had been a gift in1928 in memory of a child.  Then a collection of pictures were taken and we all returned to the sanctuary for the rest of the Easter Vigil service.

That was followed by a full family dinner at Casa Ramos, 2100 for us, midnight for the east coast folks.

Mark brought me home because I’m still leary of night diving over 89 since the logging trucks are active after dark.  That meant I didn’t get to bed until around 2200 … at least 3 hours later than usual for me.

Guess what my sunday morning was like.

This coming sunday the Bishop of the Northern California Diocese will be here in southern Siskiyou County and will be preaching the homily at Mark’s church.

I met Bishop Meagan earlier this year (we are both interested in genealogy) so even though I usually watch just the homily on YouTube the following monday or tuesday, this coming sunday I will go to the entire service for the opportunity to say “Hello” again.

~~~

At 0200 last monday I was awakened by a thunk and realized the bear had made a call.  I got up and  checked out the back door but s/he had been disappointed and left.  I turned on the back porch light, left it on, and went back to bed.

I knew the bear had been disappointed because when I went out first thing in the morning to set the bin back up, nothing had been scattered or sampled.  I learned my lesson the last time and kept every package item which had been in contact with food, as well as any food too large for the disposal, in bags which I stored in the locked shed and didn’t put in the bin until after 0730.  The collection truck doesn’t get here until afternoon, so that will be the pattern from now on.

~~~

Last week Bob’s Red Mill, an employee-owned company in Oregon which mills their own flour and sells mill based products, had an offer online for a new product not yet available in stores.  I tried ordering online rather than driving to Yreka to buy at Raley’s.  

I don’t have a credit card, only a debit card, and have had trouble ordering online in the past because the seller’s computer didn’t understand that a debit card is the equivalent of a check.

I placed an order for some of the new products and something went wrong so I called their help number and talked with a nice gentleman named Robert.

He did the order for me and my card was again rejected When he told me about the rejection, I told him of my previous problems with debit vs credit.  He then talked with his boss (Bob himself?) who said that due to a computer problem they were having, my order would be sent free.

Wow!  

I told Robert to let his boss know how surprised I was and that I would be a 90% sure customer from now on (probably based on local availability) and I’d be sure to tell everyone I talk with about the positive, polite interaction with Robert.

I don’t know how widespread their products are, but if they are available where you are I recommend them.  The products are good and their customer service is outstanding.

~~~

I HATE going to the dentist.  Holdover from childhood trauma.  But it was time to brave the problem and go in for a checkup.  I was to have a cleaning which is also a problem, but this time because of a hyperactive gag reflex.  

However, I dodged that bullet because the hygienist called in sick.  I see her the 5th of May.

 The dentist told me my next appointment is my call.  I still have enough of my own, albeit OLD, teeth and he said there is work to be done but I can decide when.  

We shall see …

~~~

… and a final observation.

Seen in a Facebook post … “This social app prohibits edited photos to encourage users to be more authentic”

No toasts of coffee or tea, but it has my approval.  This opinion seems to be growing.  Guess I’m not the only one who appreciates seeing trees, flowers, and foliage in their own colours unless used by an artist in paintings or photographic creations, not just because it can be done.

So,‘til next week …

20 April …

I’ll start with a comment from Lady Hardcastle  … Pish and Fiddlesticks.

I have no idea how I managed to delete last week’s blog.

It was probably the best blog I’ve ever written (insert giggling face here).

However, I will do my best to reconstruct …

~~~

As I recall, it started with weather of which I had been making note day by day.

Oh well …

This try at re-creation has to be a mishmash.

Rain

Snow showers

Sunny day

Cloud cover

Scattered clouds

Clear blue sky

Light rain showers

Intermittent sun

Yer pays yer nickel and takes yer choice.

This morning it was raining too hard for me to chance a walkaround. 

~~~

Next (?) in the lost post came a review of the Lady Hardcastle books …

They had been suggested to me by a cousin in Florida.  I seem to have cousins and other family (as well as book reading friends) in a multitude of places.

Lady Hardcastle is a widow whose “ladies maid” is more of a friend and an accessory to solving interesting crimes (usually murder) with giggle causing references and asides.  

Such as a local butcher named Spratt.

But the books are also scattered with some lyrical bits such as “It had been a difficult winter.  The trees were already in bud … and the temperature was struggling to reach the bearable side of chilly with a definite promise in the air of the summer to come.”

So if you enjoy a giggle or two, an occasional stroll through the English countryside, and local colour such as market days, give the books by T E Kinsey a bit of a go.

~~~

I previously told you of my first foray into an English public house (while on my long ago trip to southwestern England ) about my encounters with faggots on the menu  and restrooms vs. toilets (loos) and “bath” rooms.  

Two things I failed to mention (forgive me if I am actually repeating myself) were leeks broiled with Stilton topping (try it, you’ll like it) and my interest in small pitchers (not to be confused with American pronunciation between “pitchers” and “pictures”) which are set out for tea.  Pitchers were what I hung from the ceiling in my dining area rather than pub mugs.

My pitcher collection varied from plastic tchotchkes of all sizes to antiques such as a small one from the San Franciso earthquake and fire in early 1900s (1904? 1906?), to a special pitcher given away (filled with packets of loose tea) as opening gifts to the first few customers of a local tea shop in the Northridge area of the San Fernando area of LA, to brand new ones brought to me by traveling friends from Ireland and some other places. 

I never counted them but they gave me much pleasure.  I couldn’t bring them with me into my new life … and I miss them.

A couple of local newcomers to Mt Shasta managed to open an eatery on the main street (Mt Shasta Blvd) just before the appearance of Covid which they said was a copy of an English pub.  I haven’t yet had an occasion to sample their effort and can neither pretend to know the accuracy of that or say “Don’t bother”.  

However, it is on my to-do list now that going out is once again an option.

~~~

Something that recently came to my attention, especially during sleep and when brushing my hair, was that the humidity in my house was too low.  

As a result of dry air causing me to breathe through my mouth at night (with top-of-the-mouth discomfort) and flyaway hair.  

Yesterday I set a pot of water to a slow boil on the kitchen stove , using a timer to prevent the pot boiling dry, and was able to raise the humidity to between 35% and 40%.  That was pretty good since I wasn’t able to open windows to the rainy atmosphere (the outdoor temps were too low).

~~~

And a final reminder for this week …

Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds.  See your world.  It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

                …  Ray Bradbury

So,‘til next week …

13 April …

I just deleted this week’s blog and don’t know how to retrieve it. 

I’ll start again but this morning is busy so I’ll be late.

Oops …

7 April …

A day late and more than a dollar short …

~~~

Our weather has been all over the possibilities for the last few days … sunny and warm, light clouds and cooler, rain, overcast with showers, fluffy light clouds and temperatures in the 60s, below freezing, and today predicted to be in the 70s.

 ~~~ 

The dandelions are still doing the disappear and then reappear trick.  Juncos and RedBreasts, and BlueJays and who knows what else.

Paul had picked some dandelions for me and I’ve had them in the fridge.  I’ll rinse them later this morning and get them dry and try to do shortbreads tomorrow morning.  Maybe dry enough so that when rhubarb is ready I can tackle a pie.

Wish me luck.  It will be my first outing back in the kitchen for baking since …

~~~

I’ve made contact with an installer for the new tub and it is all set for the end of May/first of June and a much lower cost than Kholer proposed … $17,000!

Excitement …

Installation reports as things happen.  Stay tuned.

The installation of the new sink faucet sprang a slow leak a couple of days ago.  I have a neighbor who is currently open to doing small handyman chores for me and he got it under control with some white tape (teflon?).

~~~

Have noticed some further interesting things in my current reading …  the repetition of character names in some variation.  Case in point … Dr. Marten and Doc Martin.

Have also read the current Kellerman novel.  I enjoyed those in the past since they are set in the greater LA area.

It’s been some time since I lived there and I wouldn’t recognize it now.  But I can extrapolate from the past and so don’t get too lost.

Maybe I’ll go back and catch up on the books I missed.  Fortunately they seem to be chronological but not continuous … some set of characters but not one book starting right where the previous one ended.

And there are some Kellerman father-son collaborations I may sample later.

I have some series in the pipeline currently … one in samurai era Japan, two in England (one Victorian and one almost contemporary), and one in the Scottish highlands.  I can’t recall who said it but “My library card is my passport.”

Those books listed, with a smattering of standalone novels, will keep me reading for a time.

~~~

Little by little I am adding previous pastimes to my tiny weekly repertoire.  Have some iris corms which need attention today or tomorrow as well as some muscari transplants.

My weeks are filling up.

~~~

And a parting thought …

Life may not be all you wished for, but as long as you’re still here you might as well dance.     — Unknown

So,‘til next week … 

30 March …

 Last week held grandson Tyler’s birthday anniversary and today is son Mark’s which is a double …  One of my nieces was also born on this date just three years after my son.

~~~

Last friday was to be the arrival of an installer/maker of estimates for a SoftStep walk-in tub.  Son John was here to ask questions and keep an eye out for pressure tactics.  However, no one showed up.  And a search into the reviews page for that provider were overwhelmingly negative. We may have “dodged a bullet.”

So John and I spent that time going over options.  And we have both been doing further research into where to buy a tub and to find someone to install it.

I am hoping I have found someone … a local.  Further information to follow.

~~~

When I had been able to make a trip to Cornwall many years ago the first stop after Heathrow was a small pub on the way to Glastonbury.  I’d read about public houses and experienced them with Morse and Robbie. However, that first in-person one left an impression on me. 

The first was that the ceiling was soooooo low and it was hung with mugs which meant that my 6’ height meant, after the initial bump, I had to keep ducking.

The second was the shock when I saw the first item on the chalkboard menu was “faggots”.  In those days all I knew of faggots was as a rather not-so-nice name for gay men.

I asked the barmaid what they were and she told me they were very good, did I want to try?  So I did.  And they were good.  

It turned out they were meatballs made with the trimmings left from hog butchering … meat scraps and leftovers of liver and heart, served over mash with onion gravy and the ubiquitous peas.

So when I came across them in the first Lady Hardcastle book I knew what the Lady and her maid were eating.  Never found them around here.  The closest I came was upstairs at the Black Sheep in Ashland, Oregon where they served bangers and mash with a black and tan.  

Oh, and there was a third thing at the pub … when I asked (as Americans are wont to do) where was the “restroom” the answer was “That depends on whether you are a local in need of a rest or a Yank who wants to use the toilet.”

~~~

Now that I’m back to reading every evening, some afternoons, and some 3 o’clock mornings I’ve been noticing interesting similarities between authors, not so much in styles and word usage, but in names.  Most recent is a book in which one of the lead police officers/constables is named  Dawlish which is very close to P.D.James’ Dalgliesh. And that’s just the most recent.

I discovered that some of the writers of mysteries which I read all live in the same area of central California.  

I wonder if they not only read each other’s books but maybe belong to the same social group of writers.

~~~

Yesterday morning Juncos replaced the Robins in the yard across the street which is currently filled with dandelions.  I watched them while they had a full morning feed and when they finished it looked as if they had cleared the field.  However, about four hours later, the field looked as full as ever.  Guess they were selective and pruned rather than stripped.

(Oops … haven’t yet learned how to handle the new part of this computer to crop or clean-up photos.) 

I’m not yet back to baking so I won’t be doing dandelion cookies or pie this year.  I’ll keep the recipes handy for next year.  Maybe add jelly or wine.

~~~

Fasten your seatbelts.  I feel a soap oration coming on …

This open letter is from an Iowa Teacher addressed to FOX News host, Tucker Carlson, and is a MUST-READ!

Dear Tucker Carlson,

Hey Tuck, I just finished watching a segment of your show. You know, the one where you suggest that there should be a camera in every classroom in order to root out… let me get this accurate…”civilization ending poison.”

https://twitter.com/ndrew…/status/1412566208763895810

I’m going to zig where you thought most teachers would zag. I welcome your Orwellian cameras in my classroom. Frankly, I don’t know many teachers who would object to having people watch what we do. As a matter of fact, I hate to tell you this Tucker Swanson McNear Carlson, but most of us spent the last year having video cameras in our classrooms.

See, I think you believe that your suggestion that people see what happens in our classrooms will somehow scare teachers. The truth of it is that we have been begging for years to have people, such as yourself, come into our classrooms.

I somewhat famously asked Ms. DeVos to visit a public school before she became Secretary of Education (https://www.huffpost.com/…/an-introduction-from-public…). It’s unclear whether she has yet to set foot in an actual public school classroom, but I digress.

I sense that you think you’ll see all of us pinko teachers speaking endlessly about Critical Race Theory leading to…

and again, let me get this right, “civilization ending poison.”

I’ve been in a lot of classrooms (more than you I am willing to bet) and think you’re going to be disappointed on that front.  What happens in America’s classrooms is teaching and learning.

Your “spy cameras” will see teachers and students working together to be better every day. I’ll tell you what I saw on a tour of classrooms not that long ago.

I saw a group of kindergartners trying to create bridges over running water with basic classroom supplies in a lesson about collaboration. I saw a high school literature class talking about the character development in The Glass Menagerie. I saw a middle school history class participating in group project where they had to solve problems in a fictional city, with specifics of how they would utilize resources and build public support for their projects.

Anyone watching your cameras will see learning…

all day every day.  For those who watch your “nanny cams” carefully, they’ll see a lot of other things as well. They will see teachers working with students who have vastly different life experiences.

They will see students who are fluent in multiple languages working with teachers to become proficient in yet one more language. They will see students who are hungry get their one solid meal a day in the cafeteria. They will see students itching for more fine arts, industrial technology, or world languages to be offered in their school. In my classroom, if we’re being honest, they’ll probably hear some sketchy intonation from my saxophones, and I promise we’re working on it. But for sure, they will see learning… all day every day.

To be honest, I’m fascinated by the logistics of your proposal. In a world where school districts are struggling to recruit and maintain teachers, who is going to man your “citizen review boards” (setting aside the fact that public school teachers already answer to publicly elected school boards)?

For instance, in my school district I sense you would need well over 500 cameras going every day. Who watches those 500 screens 10 hours a day (I want you watching my 7 am jazz band and my after school lessons)?

What qualifications would these “experts” need to know what they were watching for? What happens when they catch a teacher teaching… let me get this right… ”civilization ending poison?” Who do they report that to? I’m also curious who will pay for all of this incredible technology.

Maybe I missed it, but can you point me to a K-12 institution where Critical Race Theory is being taught? Hell, can you define Critical Race Theory for all of us? I’m sure you’ve got answers to all of these questions.

Frankly, I’ve never been able to figure out, instead of dreaming up Orwellian plans to have Big Brother in all of our classrooms, why you don’t round up an army of bright young conservatives to actually step up and teach?

Is it because teachers work hard, aren’t paid as much as those with similar educational backgrounds, don’t have support from our elected officials, constantly serve as punching bags for those who don’t understand public education, or is it just because it’s easier to throw rocks at a house than to build one?

Here’s the real deal Tuck, I grew up with my mom making me eat your family’s Salisbury Steaks once every couple of weeks (his family makes Swanson TV dinners) for many years. I struggle to take advice on teaching and learning from a guy who makes a steak that, on its best day, tastes like shoe leather that has been left out in a goat pasture for a few weeks.

I get that Critical Race Theory is your latest attempt to scare your easily manipulated demographic, but let’s just admit that you don’t know what you’re talking about.

With all of that being said, count me on the cameras Tucky. Like many teachers, I’m in the early stages of understanding Critical Race Theory (most of us hadn’t heard about it until you and your people started crying about it), but if you find me teaching it, have one of the Tucker Youth watching your surveillance devices let me know.

If Critical Race Theory involves talking honestly about American history, I’m probably doing that sometimes. I spent much of the last six years advocating for a way for teaching to become more transparent, and in the dumbest way possible, you are joining that crusade. Let’s make this happen TV Dinner Boy.

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Kearney

Actual Teacher

(Copied from Kim Larkin-Floria and Rhae Ann Theriault)

So,‘til next week …

23 March …

Politics have consumed the news …

Saturday the headline was that the three Cosmonauts  arrived at the ISS wearing the Ukrainian colours of yellow and blue rather than Russian uniforms.

I can only applaud their courage and audacity.  

In addition, I  wonder (worry) about what will happen to them when they return to Russia after their ISS time and  what Putin will try to do to block any support for Ukraine which is broadcast from space.

~~~


Also on saturday, the day started with much needed rain.  The birds were out in full force feasting on the goodies brought to the surface by the rain. 

And this made me laugh.

Sunday morning everything was in full frost, every place the sun hit was sparkling.  Steps had to be taken carefully.


~~~

Please … everyone in California write to our state and federal representatives requesting a return to time in snc with the sun, i.e. STANDARD TIME , not “savings” time during which school children and many others are forced to get awake and going while it is still dark while adults who are mostly glued to their TVs in the evening do their watching while it is still sunny outdoors.  Research has shown that “savings” time is detrimental to so many people in so many ways.

Arizona, Hawaii, and many others have learned what standard time works best.  Those of us in California should be allowed to do the same.


~~~

The trailer/RV park next door seems to have reopened.  I’ve seen units entering and leaving, and twice last week there was “music” in the evening until 9pm.  Seems the summer influx has begun.  As long as the rule in re no-noise-after-9 rule stays in place I’ll have no problem.


~~~

The spring blossoms are starting with the flowering trees in our little Village …

No leaves on the Aspens yet so I can still see the Mountain.

~~~

A representative of the company from whom I am contemplating the purchase of a walk-in tub will be here next Friday to do an assessment and make an estimate of cost.  It will replace the shower unit which came with the house which has two in-built seats, both of which are too small to hold me comfortably (and safely) while I wash my feet and lower legs.

The one I am contemplating advertises in the AARP magazine and includes a handheld shower feature.  That way I can rinse off after a soothing soak in the tub.

At nearly 92 I am planning to give myself a treat.


~~~

Another treat which I have gifted myself, now that I’ve found a housecleaner, is biweekly cleaning.  My concern is mainly the floors, the baths, and dusting.

But there are three of us on the cu-de-sac all old enough to need help.  That is a good day’s work without drives in between.

Had a giggle thinking about those who get up early to clean before the house cleaner arrives.  Not me.

I need to get the blog posted around 1000.  Barbara arrives about 1100.  And son John’s weekly visit  is scheduled for 1300. 

All I need do is one of my three-times-a-week to pick-up mail and stop by the local store (I’m nearly out of TP) followed by dinner, grab my current read (the first Lady Hardcastle), and settle into my bed.  

Early to rise and early to bed …

~~~

And a final reminder for this week .,.

If you say only one prayer in a day, make it thank you.

— Rumi


So,‘til next week …

I’m late again.  This time a  full two weeks.

I seem to be having trouble deciding what to tell you about since my life is so much the same (other than my inner life of books and opinions) that I’m not sure you are finding any of that interesting.

Accept my apologies and don’t expect great writing, but here goes.

Oh well …

~~~

The birds are here, seemingly ignoring the weather in place of the calendar.  Robin red breasts in obvious numbers are a visible presense.  And the BlueJays are constantly raiding the feeders, even before the squirrels can get there.

Juncos and Chickadees are present as well with their obvious dress patterns and songs.

It seems I should be writing poems.

~~~

There have been signs of  bears reported by neighbors.  I have yet to see any.

Nor have I seen the fox lately.

However the geese make their presence know, if only in overhead sounds and droppings on the roads.  Geese really are messy.  Makes me think of the recent movie about looking up. 

~~~

Age has got me thinking about the purchase of a step-in tub.  AARP has been running ads for one with a built-in shower feature as well.

I am still able to use the shower with the “small” corner seats, but I really miss a deep long soak followed by a nice rinse off.  And they are currently offering a generous discount.

A representative will be here a week from tomorrow to assess the water availability, size, etc. in order to provide me with an estimate.  I hope it will be affordable since I will enjoy the soaks etc. and am told, by other that the company sales force, it will increase the value of the house.

We shall see.

Stay tuned (in spite of my lateness this last couple of weeks).

~~~

Got a bill from the folks who keep me in fuel for the monitor heater I’ve been using … over $200! 

So I’ve decided to switch to the forced air and see how an electric bill for a month compares.

And have decided to go for the mail only twice a week due to the cost of gas (averaging between $5.40 and $5.95 a gallon in this area).  My son, who has to commute to Sacramento once a week due to his job, is contemplating switching to a vehicle that uses less fuel which will probably be a long term good switch since I can’t see gas prices dropping too much any time soon.

Oh well … 

~~~

Ukraine vs Putin’s ego has most of the world in a uproar.  I’ve gotten out the medallion I got when I helped with the beginning of Another Mother for Peace back in the VietNam days … “War is not healthy for children and other living things”.

Putin, a small man with a huge ego (whose only supporters seem to currently be the Russisn people who hear only doctored news, China, and his bosom buddy (who lost the last US Presidential election) vs nearly the entire civilized world.

I’ll buy and start wearing a blue and yellow scarf as soon as I can find one. At my age there isn’t much “action” I can contribute.

~~~

We are having warmer temperatures and overcast skies, but still without much precipitation.  And the increasing earthquakes, hurricanes, and other weather events all around the Pacific Ring of Fire aren’t yet getting too much attention.

Hope things are tolerable where you are. 

~~~

Reading list is still loaded with escapist stuff … fantasy, scifi, and mysteries. Love going to the Scot Highlands with Hamish Macduff and will be joining Lady Hardcastle (on the suggestion of a cousin) next week.

So hold positive thoughts and take care …

Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought.

To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears.

To be led by a fool is to be led by the opportunists who control the fool.

To be led by a thief is to offer up your most precious treasures to be stolen.

To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies.

To be led by a tyrant is to sell yourself and those you love into slavery.

          — Octavia E. Butler

So,‘til next week …

3 March

I’ll start this with a quote from Dan Rather …

I pray for all those in harm’s way. I pray for all who desperately yearn for peace. I pray for some way out [of the Putin mess] with a minimal loss of life. I pray for hope.

~~~

Had an interesting thing happen with a mystery series I’d been reading … written by Martha Grimes.  I was 6 books into the series and ordered #7 and began reading.  Then came a surprise.  Instead of the style to which I had been accustomed, suddenly I felt I had fallen into a Harlequin romance by mistake.  A completely different writing style.

Then I thought maybe the author had been writing under a pseudonym and turned the series over to someone else.  Or had died and someone else had assumed the series.  But searches didn’t turn up any clues.

I have decided to go onto the next in the series and if I’m back in Harlequin Land just give up and find another author to read.

Oh well …

~~~

That huge flock of geese hasn’t been back.  I’ve heard them several times, and once there were three pairs just across the street and another morning a single pair across the street in the other direction, but so far no second invasion. 

I wonder where they went.  Maybe climate change has confused them and they are having trouble deciding whether to stay here or begin their usual migration.

~~~

The puppy, Amy, who lives down the street is growing so fast.  She started her life here as a small bit of fur just a single handful size.  She is now a bouncy armful who knows I’m a soft touch for a treat.  Her current lesson is to learn not to jump up on folks.

Jenny, the older lady, also knows there is usually a treat in my pocket, but is more staid and patient although she is a wiggler.

I do enjoy meeting them when I’m out on my walkabout.

~~~

Good news from a neighbor … their nephew who was in hospital on a respirator is off the respirator and was able to hold a short conversation.  His aunt was so excited she was calling everyone to share the news.

~~~

Some time ago, there was a short lived tv series about a Scot constable named Hamish Macduff in the village of Lochduch (pronounced lak’ dew).  Both George and I enjoyed it.  Then just a few days ago I found it had been based on a series of books by M.C Beaton. The actor who had been one of the leads in the Movie “The Full Monte” played Macduff.  The scenery was/is magnificent.  And the first of the books was good fun.  So I have some fun reading time ahead of me.

~~~

I’m a day late with this blog and it is raining, softly, but welcome.  Went out for a walkabout in the gentle rain.  Refreshing.

And I moved the car out from under the carport.  It needed washing.  I’ll go out shortly with a bit of soap and finish the job.

~~~

Today is the day to pay the rent on the land so I guess I will go on a short roundabout later to deliver it.

… and end with these anonymous quotes …

The universe is one being. Everything and everyone is interconnected through an invisible web. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all in a silent conversation.  One’s pain will hurt us all. One’s joy will make everyone smile.

There are no mistakes, only lessons … and lessons are repeated until they are learned.

So,‘til next week …

26 February …

I woke up a few mornings ago to the news that Putin had finally invaded Ukraine.  It had been imminent for weeks, but finally here it was.

Some time in the past I had read a lot of Nostradamus and remember two of his predictions … that the third big war would involve the bear predominantly and that one factor at the beginning was to be the death in Paris of a Prince.

Back in those days I could think of only one Prince alive  who was widely known and from an important family who fit that description, Prince Charles.  Now, with the cultural and political changes undreamt of back then, a “Prince” could be interpreted to mean any prominent and powerful man or possibly any such person.

And an observation, not a judgment, developed over the years is that short men are often also small.

Stay tuned …

~~~

Last tuesday there was a nature episode in my neighborhood.  At dinnertime there was a flock of geese foraging in the area just across the street.There were so many of them I couldn’t get an accurate count, but I think there were somewhere between 26 and 30 pairs. 

They weren’t too noisy, probably because they were busy feeding.  The most noise was when there was a dispute over feeding territory.

And another observation of feeding patterns was the ease of seeing who were the top females in the flock.  Just look for those whose crops were fullest.

~~~

For years I’ve been an Agatha Christie fan.  I’m not sure I’ve read all of her writings, but probably most of them … novels and short stories.  

Poirot was my favorite.  I’ve seen three actors portray him … Ustinov, Suchet, and now Branaugh.  Didn’t see the Malkovich version or any of the others.

Ustinov’s hairnet was a bit fey.  

Branaugh’s backstory was enlightening and the OCD was hinted (straightening the corpse’s foot) but without much followup.  

And the braggadocio of Branaugh’s Poirot came across as more selfagrandisement than a mere statement of fact.

Can you tell that I am an aficionado of David Suchet?

I think my appreciation was born when I heard him explain (in an interview) that Poirot’s distinctive walk was the result of putting a quarter (halfpenny?) between his butt cheeks at the beginning of every filming when he would be on camera and use it as a reminder until the shoot was finished.  It caught the little Belgian perfectly.

I miss Suchet’s Poirot.

~~~

My morning walkabout is still a single circuit of the center of the Village, about a quarter mile.

I can now do it with minimum need for heavy breathing even when holding a conversation with my walking companion.  Next goal is the addition of two short loops at either end of my street.  That won’t add much distance, but it will be an interim between one circuit and two.

~~~

I am on a rather extensive learning curve into the electronic age.  

I am just now getting familiar with the DirectTV ins-and-outs.  To that has been added a DVD player.  This requires three separate remotes.

The problem right now is the “touch” required.  

I have just learned the “almost” touch required by my phone.

Now I am having to learn the two remotes which require a “positive” touch and instantaneous next entry.

I’ll keep practicing.

~~~

It has been a confusing few days, ever since Putin declared war with his invasion of Ukraine.  I have been in conflict trying to decide to speak out in the blog, or ignore what is happening.

I find I have that need to close with the same subject with which I opened this post …

I ask that as you read (or choose to not read) the following, you remember the response of a US ship Captain in thePacific all those years ago – “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”

Ukraine has honoured 13 soldiers who were killed defending a tiny island after reportedly swearing at a Russian ship that ordered them to surrender.

In unverified audio clips, the borders guards defending Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea are told to “lay down your weapons” or “be bombed”.

“Russian warship, go to hell,” they respond.

Ukraine says they were then killed by air and sea strikes. Russia denies the account, saying they all surrendered.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded each of the guards the posthumous title of “Hero of Ukraine”.

“On our Zmiinyi Island, defending it to the last, all the border guards died heroically,” Mr Zelensky said.

In the audio recordings, shared by a Ukrainian government official, the soldiers can be heard exchanging barbed comments with the Russian vessel.

“This is a Russian warship,” one voice says in the clip. “I propose you lay down your weapons and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary victims. Otherwise you will be bombed”

According to the audio, the Ukrainian soldiers can then be heard speaking amongst themselves, agreeing “this is it”, before their final “go to hell”.

According to Ukrainian officials, those were the last words heard from the island before Russia began strikes and Kyiv lost contact with the island.

The official Russian account of the incident differs dramatically. Moscow said the 82 Ukrainian soldiers on the island surrendered it to them voluntarily and made no mention of carrying out strikes or inflicting casualties.

… and …

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-60539193

     … BBC News

With fear and apprehension, I say take care of yourselves.

So,‘til next week …