Welcome to The Moose Pond! The Welcomings posts give the Moose, old and new, a place to visit and share words about the weather, life, the world at large and the small parts of Moosylvania that we each inhabit.
Welcomings will be posted at the start of each week (every Sunday morning). To find the posts, just bookmark this link and Voila! (which is Moose for “I found everyone!!”).
The format is simple: each day, the first moose to arrive on-line will post a comment welcoming the new day and complaining (or bragging!) about their weather. Or mentioning an interesting or thought provoking news item. Or simply checking in.
So … what’s going on in your part of Moosylvania?
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NOTE: The comments page will now split off after 20 or so left margin comments with the most recent comments on the current page. To see the older comments, scroll to the bottom of the page and use the link.
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– Page One of Comments is HERE!
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Good morning, Moosekind! Partly cloudy and warm here in Ashburn. It’s already 79 F., going up to 87 F., so I’d better get out for my walk before too long.
Yesterday I stayed glued to the computer all day because of the border crisis. Today I’d better stay away and do some actual work. There’s always a lot to do. Today there’s another party at 3 or 4 o’clock, can’t remember which. The two party-loving ladies upstairs in our building seem to put on one a month! That’s okay, it’s good to meet new people and more people are always moving in. Our building isn’t full yet.
The Style section of the WaPo has another loving examination of conservative female millennials. I’m so tired of these conservo-freaks and their little feelings! Why doesn’t someone ever examine ours? In the Metro section, however, an article reported that George Washington received a poem extolling his virtues from Phyllis Wheatley. Wheatley mentioned the Goddess, which I found most interesting! Must get a book about her.
Nothing intelligent to say this morning, so would like to wish everyone well, remember that today is Juneteenth, as Dee reminded us, and try not to O.D. on the news. It’s always bad.
Actually raining, yay! I left my lavender out where it’ll get some of whatever we get but I’m afraid it’s done for. Very proud that Methodist clergy & laity have brought charges against Jefferson Beauregard Sessions. He wants to wave the Bible around to justify his bigotry? No. Even though he’s a layperson, not clergy, they said:
We don’t have excommunication, but I’m glad someone is standing up for the denomination, to say “hey, we’re not like that”.
Here’s my boys doing Pride in DC a couple of days ago, with some lyric changes for stuff going on today.
I too am a Methodist, more lapsed than not because of our archaic church laws re equality, but this warms my heart. Because we don’t have excommunication, I rather doubt this will go anywhere, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some bishop shuts it down with a statement about the log in your own eye. But I’m glad people are standing up and speaking out; even some of the die-conservatives at my mostly-conservative church are appalled.
My church is Reconciling – along with most of the churches in Austin. There are so many of us that for the Pride Parade, we got t-shirts made & we make our own rainbow. (Austin’s parade is in September, because the students are gone in June & the organizers want students involved in Pride)
My pastor is wearing a rainbow stole for June — and more often than that. We work at being GLBT friendly, honestly the place would come to a halt without our GLBT members. We’re going to do something about the immigration crisis, but we must plan. Because, “Methodist”.
anotherdemocrat, I am so glad to hear this about your church. Your church will continue to survive by being inclusive, whereas the strict conservative churches will fade away.
The nearest Reconciling church to me is almost an hour away, so even if I did attend, I wouldn’t be able to be a part of the life of the church beyond Sundays. (Frankly, I have the same problem at my own church; my work hours are not the standard 9-5, and most of the church meetings start at 6.) I keep plugging away, although lately I’ve spent so much time in OH that I haven’t even done that. We’re getting a new pastor after four years of our very liberal, bold, firebrand female pastor who was much beloved. The fact that she was so respected and admired is what keeps me from walking away. The membership may be mostly conservative, but they’re not close-minded…their conservatism is more of a habit than a deep-seated conviction.
One weather widget says 75 with 77% humidity, the other says 72 with 90% humidity. Either way, I’ve got the house open to bring in cooler air. Sun’s shining at the moment but one widget says there’s a 70% chance of rain. I’m hoping that will be after dark as the other widget doesn’t show rain chances until tomorrow. Only got 15.7 KWHs yesterday and the m-t-d is 339 so 600 is still possible but exceedingly unlikely (would take 22/day every single day including today through the end of the month).
The evil we are seeing has been daily life for Natives in this country for centuries. That makes it doubly hard to deal with. Yes, this is America. It’s wrong. It shouldn’t have been. And it doesn’t have to be. Finding some way to stop this, to “blockade” as is/was done about pipelines, to get these kids back to their parents – that’s the worst. Enforcing laws that don’t exist against people seeking asylum from the same kind of treatment is evil. But our law enforcement people are doing it. When it’s LEO itself doing the harm – something POC deal with daily – where can you turn? What can you do? How do you stop ramaging evil? Prayer, a few bucks, and RTing is about it for me. I am not physically capable of going to the border and standing off anybody. But it’s not enough. As long as one kid is still crying for his – or her – mama or papa, it’s not enough.
I’m going to make a few phone calls – fruitless though that is in this bloody state – and take a walk before it gets any warmer. I have to hang onto David Hogg’s mantra of “the kids will win” on this. Love is Love – I don’t know how but Love will win. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Just called my Sheriff’s office – we get ICE funds to hold undocumented folks picked up here in NW AR awaiting ICE pickup – to my relief, we are not any part of this evil business. No kids here at all. Not sure what I’d have done about it if we were, but I’d have done something.
Good morning meese. 62 at the moment with projected high of 93. It’s supposed to get into triple digits this weekend but my sister and I will be in Canada! ????
Lots of work to be done today and tomorrow before we leave though.
Good morning, 68 and sunny in Bellingham. My intentions were good yesterday, but I’m easily lead astray with gardening opportunities. So instead of the pool and dutifully working at my desk I spent most of yesterday with my son in his garden. It’s very different from mine, with covered porches, gravel, paving, lots of sun, brightly colored plants, and no deer.
He loves bright red geraniums so it is creative fun to mix in plants of other colors and fill the pots. He does most of the planting, but my aching joints tell me I did more than I should have. Oh well, it’s good for my soul.
Best wishes to all for a sunny Tuesday, wherever you may be.
Juneteenth + Family Separation
Wednesday Meese
58 going up to 81 here in NYS
Saw the eye surgeon – she’s great. I have to have laser surgery before the cataract surgery – so that will be done in July – first cataract will be done the end of August.
This means I can’t drive till probably the middle of September. Oh well. I’ll be glad to have good vision again no matter how long it takes.
Today is the 9 month anniversary of Maria
Bobby is putting up a powerful statement this morning – around 7 30 – I’ll post a link when it’s up
Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …
It is 63 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 73. Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast. If it is like yesterday’s “cool temperatures” it won’t be pleasant outside – the humidity was very high. But it beats 95 degrees!
I am getting itchy about people suggesting that Republicans running on brutal immigration policies for the mid-term (and 2020) will somehow lead to a bigger blue wave because people will be “horrified and disgusted”. In a just world, it would be so. But family separation and zero-tolerance for being non-white is very popular with the Republican Party base and the gerrymanders were created for the base. Unless we swamp them with millions of new voters, they have a good chance of winning. Besides, when has “horrified and disgusted” ever translated into “I can’t vote for the Republican”? (see, Presidential Election 2016). Assume the worst of Republican voters and focus on getting our voters registered and to the polls.
I was pleased to see that the reaction of voting rights activists in Wisconsin to the Gill opinion was not to go back to the courts but to focus on the #FairMaps initiative. There was a rally yesterday to push for more counties to support the #FairMaps initiative and force the legislature to adopt non-partisan redistricting. Let’s make it a campaign issue and see if we can peel off the votes of right-leaning independents who think that voters should choose their representatives rather than have the representatives choose their voters.
I can’t believe that is is almost Summer Solstice! I am still sorting out how to organize my time now that the school year has ended – my big chunks of quiet worktime are limited to the early morning now with a teenager underfoot. I may have to forego in-depth news reading … maybe that would also lead to better mental health! :)
See all y’all later!
A little good news – in FL
Every flip – even at the city/county level – helps! Our best hope for state pickups in the legislature this fall are in Obama 2012 states that went Trump in 2016. Florida, with its Latino population, should not be a red state and I hope people there – especially the young people – come out and vote in November.
Especially at the county level. It’s the county who handles elections. Having our people at the county level means fewer missing ballots, not enough ballots, not enough polling places, not enough early voting sites…
Good morning, Moosekind! It’s partly cloudy here, with a promise of cooler temperatures and more rain in the evening. Yesterday we had a very noisy rainstorm in the afternoon. At the moment it’s 70 F., going up to 82 F.
Have been over at Orange, watching with fascination the video of Nielsen the Nazi being driven from dinner at a restaurant (Mexican, if you please) by demonstrators shouting, “Shame!” She referred to the kidnapped children as aliens.
Also watched the video of Rachel Maddow breaking down on live TV when she was reading about the “tender age” baby cages. When will this END? Nothing seems to shame the foul, vile Thing Administration.
Can’t take any comfort in the mid-terms, they’re just too far away. Four whole months!
Today I’m going to visit my friend in Greenspring, who is still dealing with the aftermath of our friend’s demise. We probably will talk about personal things rather than politics.
Wishing a better day to everyone at the Pond, to all the kidnapped children, and to the country at large. Wish I could stop thinking about radioactive tea and poisoned umbrellas. Problem is, you can’t kill an idea, and what we’re dealing with is fascism.
I was watching Rachel last night when she broke down & literally couldn’t read the report about how they need to open a third shelter for babies. Lawrence held it together, but he was furious and Jacob Soboroff was visibly shaking with rage when he was on earlier. I’m glad there’s a nationwide thing on the 30th but that’s too far away. I hope my church announces the plan for whatever we’re doing soon, like today. I’m glad our reporters are having a hard time with this. That is the appropriate response. We really must put a stop to this.
Bobby’s piece
Only has 3 recs atm :(
Up to 6. I rec’d & shared.
Liked and retweeted.
Tweeted the diary, RT your tweet. Best I can do.
59 going up to 88 today. I just woke up and I feel like I haven’t slept at all. Need to get through this day before I can hopefully get some rest tonight.
{{{basket}}} – know what you mean. The evils going on right now are so stressful they invade what sleep we get. Maybe try playing an ocean or rain sound audio just before you go to bed tonight. Sometimes it helps me. Healing Energy. moar {{{HUGS}}}
73 or 76, humidity at 90% or 76%, take your pick of weather widgets. Slightly overcast at the moment but rain chance for later this morning. Yesterday got 17.4 KWHs and the m-t-d is 357 with this morning’s driblet. Only 11 days left in the month – but I never really thought we’d get 600 anyway. I’m just glad I haven’t been down this year the way I was last year. We’re right at the total generated for June 2017 because of the system down time – I lost over 200 KWHs to that last June alone. So far so good on the “firmware” fix.
The news is sickening. I stay nauseous – only the added anger keeps me from actually throwing up. Tent city for 4000 kids in 106 temps. Slower but just as deadly as the cyanide gas ovens the Nazis used. We’re the Nazis now. I hope we manage to stop this ourselves before the rest of the world has to combine and stop us. So I pray. A lot. Channel Healing Energy out every which way. Send a few bucks to verified helping groups. RT stuff when I can bring myself to even be online. It’s not enough. Just hoping all of our “not enoughs” together will be enough.
Need to take my walk while it’s still sunny. Not that I mind walking in the rain when it’s warm enough, but it’s not good for my shoes. Bright the Day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 68 and sunny in Bellingham. Between the pool, a dentist appointment, and my neglected desk I have a busy day ahead. Hope I can stay focused and do what I have to do!
I cried with Rachel last night and my soul is weary this morning. I do what I can, but feeling helpless while seeing tRump’s evil decisions being made real is overwhelming me with sorrow and anger. I’m struggling to understand and accept that millions of people voted for him and are working with him.
Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts. It helps me cope.
That’s the most difficult part – half the country voted for him and most still support him. For every one of us who is horrified by him there is a person who is delighted by him. :(
I love that man
Good morning, meeses! Thursday …
It is 63 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 68. The forecast calls for cloudy with showers all day so while the Solstice sunlight will be 15 hours and 22 minutes, we are unlikely to see the actual sun.
An executive order pausing family separations was issued. No one really knows what will come of it because the conditions laid to stop the separation will likely never be met short of suspending the Constitution. Further, the children already separated and sent away will not be returned and many of them are now simply “Unaccompanied Child” with no identity and no hope to be reunited with their parents. Goddess, we suck as a country. So what happens to the kids as they grow up in foster care? Do they wait until they reach 18 and then deport them to whatever country they came from? Because as we know, entering the country illegally – even as a child – is a crime. :(
The House votes on two immigration bills today, the hardline bill and the harderline bill. Assuming one makes it out of the House (not a given), neither has a chance to pass the Senate. The bipartisan bill that was the target of the discharge motion was the only one that had a chance to gather Democratic votes and that will not be offered. So going into the midterms, DACA will be an issue. I would not be shocked if Trump started a mass deportation of DACA kids to pump up his base, especially after the headlines today read “backtracked” “caved” “retreated” “surrender”. He is going to be in an orange rage.
CNN polls show that Democrats still lead in the generic ballot, Michael Bloomberg would like us to use his money – hopefully to do doorknocking and other get out the vote activities and not to just fill the airwaves with ads, and Pew polls show that voters are anxious to use the midterm as a referendum on Trump. I still think that running on Trump is a mistake but the midterms are a referendum on our government’s lack of a Congress willing to be a check on the executive and the courts. We need to push back strongly against the lie that we have no message and that being anti-Trump is simply poorloserdom.
See all y’all later!
Thursday Meese
61 going up to 84 here in NYS.
Trying to keep up with all the news has my head spinning.
Have to finish Sunday writing this morning – got distracted yesterday.
Am proud of NY’s Gov and our entire delegation of Democrats who are excoriating Trump
News stories have mentioned that some kids are being held in Kingston NY – 7 minutes away from me – am trying to find out where
Great comment from Cuomo about the Executive Order: “more of a press release than a legal document”.
The news is hard to keep up with right now because there are crises everywhere. This is good practice, though, to learn to jettison the unimportant: National Enquirer’s Pecker called to testify in Cohen case – not important, Mick Mulvaney would like to eliminate Dept of Education and Labor – not important, Scott Pruit ordered thunder pants – not important, Puerto Rico has no power – important, migrant children being separated from their parents – critically important.
I woke up early, got here early & walked around the block a couple of times before the building let me in. (our badges don’t work before 6am). We’re getting ready to really, really change over to the new system. Today is supposed to be the last one with our old one, tomorrow we’ll still be taking calls, we’ll just write down what people want then next week after the new system is up, we’ll do those things. At least without the pressure of doing them while on the phone. It’s hard to get used to a new thing & talk to people at the same time. Anyway, the rain is gone & it’s back to being hot. Here’s American Soul from the Apollo show. I hope we haven’t completely killed ours.