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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70 may or may not get to 75 and overcast enough I need the lights on. PV system is on but just barely. Got 11.8 KWHs yesterday which we certainly won’t today unless it clears off soon and the m-t-d is 87. Still on track for 300 for the month. Evil Ones still being evil. I hope this is the last battle, the one they throw everything at us in desperation – and still lose. But I’m not going to count on it. So I will of course vote but I will also be prepared for just holding our own. Not sure what I’ll do if we don’t manage that. But I’ll keep on keepin’ on as long as I can. Healing Energy to everybody shaped to the need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 51 and breezy in Bellingham. Our evening with Jan Goodall was wonderful! We started with a small reception at 5:00 pm and shared a table with two physicians who had worked with her as students and their personal stories were so interesting. Jane is small in stature, but her presence fills the room. She spoke about the duality she sometimes feels as she talks with people. On one level she is a person in a conversation, but her persona is in the room as well and she is scrambling to keep up. At age 84 and with over 300 speaking engagements her commitment and energy is inspiring!
The lecture was next, to a sold out house. Being in the room with her words and images and 1,500 like minded people was a tonic for my tRump weary soul. After her lecture she generously signed books and posed for photos so Ron did that with our grand girls and I waited in the theater with my sons and dil. It was nice to visit and have time to talk about what we had just experienced.
This video captures the essence of the evening….
Good (checks clock) afternoon, Meesefolk; 66 when I got up this morning with a sunny high of 80 today. Normally, I’d take this warm spell in stride and actually enjoy it, but I’m already in vacation mode (despite not leaving until Thursday) and can only think that these warm temps are going to make the 40s in Duluth feel colder. I definitely need to readjust and just enjoy the day.
The WH Frat Boy Party last night sickened me. I managed to avoid the live coverage, but had the misfortune of tuning into Lawrence who covered some of the lowlights. That any Republican thinks this defeat is going to stanch the flames of resistance just shows how little they know women; I’m chomping at the bit to vote and continuing to look for ways to maintain an active role after the midterms.
Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …
It is 72 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 70. Thunderstorms are in the forecast and when they pass, the temperatures will begin their drop into the low 40s. There were tornados to the west of us last night as the line started moving through.
That tRump called Nikki Haley’s tenure at the U.N. “bringing elegance to the job” says everything you need to know about his idea of women’s roles – to bring elegance! – and the importance of diplomacy – to bring elegance! It is no surprise that he is rifling through his binders of “elegant women” for her replacement.
Good news out of Missouri – the state can’t lie to people about what forms of id they need at the polls. Bad news out of North Dakota – the state can deny the right to vote if someone’s only address is a PO Box, apparently very common in the tribal areas of the state. Heidi Heitkamp is down by 10 points in the latest poll because of her principled stand against Kavanuts and if Native Americans voters are denied the right to vote, she has no chance.
I am watching the story about how migrant children are being separated from their parents so that they can be given to rich families to adopt. When they write the history of this time – assuming we survive – it will not look kindly on the Republicans who ignored the humanitarian crisis created by tRump and those who profited from it.
See all y’all later!
did you see this, though? looks like the family separation policy is costing the Rs: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/us/politics/texas-beto-orourke-evangelicals-women.html
I did see that as I was scanning the news! I am not sure that white evangelical women will ever break with white evangelical men but it was an encouraging headline. The god people should want children to be treated humanely, they should be for keeping families together – and feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and caring for the sick. That they aren’t is disgusting and a complete repudiation of the teachings of their founder.
Wednesday Meese.
66 going up to 81 here in the Catskills.
Day two of plumbers and furnace repair. Just grateful that it will be fixed before we have blizzards.
Watching Hurricane Michael :( Hurricane season ends the end of Nov. 30.
I just sent my usual e-mail to HR with early & mobile voting locations for Travis & all the surrounding counties. I always include more counties than I think really necessary, pretty sure no one drives for an hour to get here from Blanco, but you never know. I wish it was the 22nd already, I can barely contain myself. (Also, I hate the ads for Cruz & Abbott) Here’s another version of Women Of The World Take Over, with great artwork.
Good morning, Meesefolk; 64 now with an expected high of 77 before the bottom drops out temperature-wise. Tomorrow at this time I’ll be in Minneapolis, but it looks like the temps there are going to be remarkably similar to here…low 40s.
To say I’m excited about my trip to MN would be an understatement. My packing is all done except for the usual last-minute items, my car is cleaned out so no one’s tempted to break in for “stuff” (as if a 12-year old rustbucket is tempting!), and my biggest challenge tonight will be sleeping, rather than waking. I have to be at the airport by 5ish, which means getting on the road before 4…which means getting up at an ungodly hour. I suspect my biggest challenge will be getting the dogs out of bed and into the home kennel before I leave; they do NOT like having their beauty sleep disturbed.
Speaking of vacations, any word from Diana? I guess I should check Twitter to see if she’s updated at all, but if I were her, I’d be living in the moment and not on social media.
Next Tuesday’s post is scheduled, but I won’t be around much that day. I’m taking a red-eye home Monday night/Tuesday morning, so my priority will be sleep at that point. Good day to and for all…
Safe travels & have fun. We’ll see you when you get back. ✈????????????
I wrote a thing about the AIDS Walk. The orange version has a picture of me at last year’s walk, but here’s the purple version: https://www.motleymoose.com/2018/10/10/10828/aids-walk-austin-is-less-than-a-month-away/
Update: the 1st 50 people who raise $100 today will get that amount matched! Please share my diary around, to anyone you think could donate.
59 maybe going to 64 and still overcast and drizzly although it’s supposed to clear off later. Hope so. Only got 6.2 KWHs yesterday and although the m-t-d of 93.1 is still on track to reach 300 for the month, it’s pushing it. Especially if we get more cloudy days. Baked lemon muffins yesterday and also an apple pie with a cheese crust (should have refrigerated the crust/dough again after I rolled it out – had to handle it too much to get it actually on the pie and it turned out tasty but tough). That kept the house warm for the day. I’ve got a fire going now. Also laundry that’s about finished in the washer.
The evil ones are being evil. Depressing but not surprising. Got to pump some anger back into the depression so I don’t just curl up in a corner and cry. Doesn’t help and gives me a headache. Still staffing Dem HQ on weekends. My sons understand – so instead of lunch out on my birthday, it will be dinner. (Only time I was anywhere the National Anthem was playing was #2 grandson’s high school graduation. I “took a knee” – the family just kind of shrugged “that’s Mom/Grandma” at each other. (Won’t do it again as it’s no longer appropriate – ww tried to co-opt it to protest sex abuse.) Family knows me – politics and religion are my life. Or something.) Looking forward to the 22nd – 1st day of early voting. I plan to be there. Healing Energy to everybody everywhere shaped to the need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
The weather guy this morning predicted our high on Monday will be in the 50s. In Austin. In October, not February. That’s nuts. It’s the standout day in the 7 day predictions, the others are cool but normal.
Yup – that’s nuts for Austin in October. We’ve got highs in the 50s next week, too. Unusual for here but not nuts. ????
Good morning, 48 and cloudy in Bellingham. The leaves are falling now and the walkways are covered. A light breeze was blowing yesterday afternoon as I was raking the back patio and leaves were stuck in my hair when I came indoors. Made me feel one with nature:)
Best wishes to all on this autumn day.
One with Nature is good. ????????????
Good morning Meese. 52 with high of 76 in Folsom. I’m feeling a bit better this morning although still so very tired. Have a dental appointment today interspersed with work (the mobile dental office is in the parking lot) so I need to get an early start.
Best wishes to all for a good day!
Glad you are doing better. Sending more Healing Energy. & of course {{{HUGS}}} ????????????????
A sunny and bright day out here in Costa Mesa with a temperature of 73. I’ve been doing discards at the library for the last couple of days. Dusty, dusty books. Much sneezing is occuring. I hope with done with the discards today or tomorrow.
Hope you finished the discards and get a bit of relief from the dust today. {{{HUGS}}}
Didn’t quite make it. Maybe tomorrow. {{{HUGS}} back at ya.
Good morning, meeses! Thursday …
It is 45 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 43. Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast. Tonight we get our first freeze of the season with the overnight low expected to be 30 – with a windchill of 23! Right now the wind is howling, bringing this cold front in.
No time for the news this morning as I have a deadline to meet. I watched Hurricane Michael make landfall yesterday on the Weather Channel and was reminded of why I don’t like them. Overhyped, taking pleasure at the misery of others – plus juvenile “wow, look at the roof come off of that house – epic!” Anyway, the hurricane appears to have wreaked quite a bit of havoc and is not done yet. I hope folks heeded the warnings and most got out of harms way.
See all y’all later!
Good morning, Meesefolk; 65 right now, but once I arrive in MN, the expected high is 37. I’m sitting in the airport, layered to the gills and glistening a bit, but I’ll need every layer once I land. Of course, going through security felt like doing a striptease; coat off, sweater off, vest off, scarf off, belt off, shoes off…and that moment of panic when you hope you wore socks with no holes. ;D
My friends are just the best. I suggested we go to breakfast when we all arrive, and then go the wrong way for an hour and go to the Museum of Red Wing Pottery. They didn’t even blink…I guess after 40+ years of friendship they know that my interests are varied and eclectic. Good day to and for all…!
Safe travels and don’t forget to take pictures. {{{HUGS}}}
Second that. Pictures. Lots of pictures.
The weather guy this morning said that usually when people on the coasts are having awful weather, we’re having perfect weather & that is the case today. Nice cool morning — it may even dip down to 59 before sunrise, and high of only 79. Next week, we’re expecting “jacket weather”.
I did get $100 raised yesterday, don’t know yet if I’m one of the 50 who gets a match. Even so, it’s money that will go to help people. It’s looking like I’m going to do well to even raise $1,000. Election years are tough. And I keep checking the NASA twitter feed for information about the astronauts. Latest word is they are in “good condition”, they got out of the rocket themselves even before the rescue crew got there, so that’s good. They are helicoptering them in to a hospital in the city of Baikonur. Hozier was on the Ellen Show yesterday, did Nina Cried Power with Mavis Staples.
Online early today because I’ll be away from the house and offline most of the day. 43 “feels like” 38 right now heading for 60. Maybe. Supposed to be sunny today which is good. Got 12 KWHs yesterday and the m-t-d is 105 – still on track for 300 for the month. My brother (lives outside Tallahassee) checked in yesterday after Michael made landfall – after I emailed him in all caps – & said they were getting some “fun wind and a little rain” but he was far enough east to not be in danger. Sending prayers and Healing Energy to everybody in the storm’s path. And not just the hurricane’s path. There are a lot of storms going on, different kinds and different levels, and all of them need protection and Healing from. Healing Energy to everybody shaped to your need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 47 and sunny in Bellingham. A quiet morning, and leaves are falling so I’ll have more time in the sun raking them up this afternoon. The vine maples in the back garden have a beautiful red/gold color, but the old maple trees are mostly brown and gold, a bit dreary looking. Fortunately the lawn service guys are collecting them.
It’s my sister’s birthday today so I’ll take a photo of a lovely photo of her I found when unpacking the last of the boxes from mom and dad’s belongings and share it via the family iPhones. It’s a virtual birthday card!
Best wishes to all.
It’s late afternoon here in Costa Mesa. I have a nice bright blue sky with a temp of 72. Still discarding books and having to study up for the new committee I’m on. It’s a statewide committee for getting all 114 of California’s community (aka junior) college libraries items in the same online catalog. The software does much more than that but my figuring out all what it does it going to take me awhile.
Have fun with the new online catalog program. Sounds like you’ll be stepping up your intra-library loans with this. Hope somebody considered that particular expense when they bought this program. {{{HUGS}}}
This is all about money. The state is trying to consolidate what 114 libraries are paying for basic services. By putting all 114 into the same system and paying a block consortium rate California can save itself millions of dollars. The system is also going to automate some more jobs so community college libraries won’t need to hire more people. There libraries doing beta testing now but the whole shebang isn’t going live until Dec. 2019. Trying to get 114 libraries all on the same page is gonna take awhile. I’ll have plenty of entertain for months. That and trying to figure out how everything works.
Good morning, meeses! Friday …
It is 37 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 43. The forecast says “variable cloudiness” which I think means “there will be clouds, then no clouds, then clouds again.” We had frost warnings overnight but we have already winterized so hoses are in and rain barrels turned over.
It will be interesting to see if the Republican Senate caves to tRump on the Saudi Arabia human rights issues. Killing a journalist is not considered disqualifying to an administration run by an enemy of the free press and it is pretty likely that the Saudi princes literally own Trump’s business. Nancy Pelosi said that one of the first things on her agenda when she gets the gavel is to get Trump’s tax returns which, under a 1924 law that came out of the Teapot Dome scandal, is actually pretty easy. If the midterms go as expected, we will soon know who owns Trump and how much grifting he has done out of the Oval Office.
Speaking of the Oval Office, if the Republicans somehow wanted to forever taint the White House, they could not have done a better job than choosing Donald Trump and looking on admiringly as he uses it to host his gang of gross and disgusting fans. President Kamala Harris may want to burn it all down and rebuild it.
In good news, Washington state has banned the death penalty and Wilbur Ross lied under oath about the plan to add the citizenship question to the census – we hope paving the way for SCOTUS to lift the stay on his deposition in New York’s case against the Commerce Department.
See all y’all later!
Friday Meese
56 here in the Catskills – going up to only 59.
Glad I now have a new furnace.
Michael
Glad your furnace is working! My temps are about the same right now – & drizzly – but so far baking stuff and the evening fire have kept the house relatively comfortable. {{{HUGS}}}