Week-long Welcomings from Moosylvania: February 21st

February 20, 2021 JanF Community 65

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 (usually Saturday night with a Sunday date). 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 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 (right before “Leave A Reply”) and use the Pages Tool, shown here with 3 pages of comments available.

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33 Comments

  1. Good “morning”, Motley Meese! The week begins …

    Morning low of 14 degrees in Madison WI with an expected daytime high of 30. Snow is in the forecast.

    Have a great day, all y’alls!!

  2. We got water back last night! I took the most wonderful shower ever this morning and I’m washing dishes right now. Will do laundry tomorrow. I went to 3 grocery stores yesterday, 1 had virtually nothing — I got a couple of cans of tea & sparkling water and some organic cheez-its. Second store had some stuff — again I got tea, water and noodles; and the third store has nearly normal amounts of food, they even had produce and frozen fruit and veggies. The didn’t have bread but had other bakery stuff so I’m having a blueberry scone for breakfast. So I’m set for food for the week, not making my big pot of tea but I bought tea that will do. Anyway, water is amazing. Looking forward to clean dishes.

  3. Sunday Meese. It was 9 degrees when I got up this morning – is now 22 here in Kingston NY.
    Sunday Music posted

    Puerto Rico
    Puerto Rico

  4. Good Sunday morning, Moosekind! Brilliantly sunny this morning in Ashburn, with a current temperature of 29 F., on its way up to 39 F. “They” are predicting snow tomorrow morning. Rubbish.

    I was able to get into Moosylvania with only one failed attempt this morning!.I “cleared cache” yesterday. This morning I clicked on the link in Jan’s email of yesterday, but that didn’t work. “The server unexpectedly dropped the connection.” Harumph! Then I tried my normal bookmark and it worked just fine. I can fierce again! Yippee!

    Entirely too much has been happening in my part of Moosylvania. On Friday, Dearly and I both pronounced our printers dead and set about procuring new ones. Dearly loves Hewlett-Packard for some reason, so he went to Best Buy and bought one. The Geek is here even as I write, installing it.

    Second, we received the unwelcome news from Younger Son yesterday that after receiving the results of the Covid tests he ordered for the family, DIL tested positive for Covid. She reportedly has mild symptoms but can still eat. Kaiser advised her to self-isolate for 10-14 days, so she’s in the master bedroom suite of their house. Worried she might expire from sheer boredom, Dearly and I rushed around there with anti-boredom treats: a bunch of pretty pink and purplish flowers, a black gift bag with bright flowers painted on it, containing a copy of Vogue magazine, a candle scented like nutmeg, and a small box of chocolates. I added a book of wonderful Chinese stories, Treasures Long Hidden, which I’ve read many times. She texted a photo of the dinner Trevor took up to her room, and it looked very tasty. The children were in Nora’s room immersed, no doubt, in their latest favorite video game, Spectre. The dog said hello, though.

    I received an email from the subjects of my interview, who apparently didn’t like the engaging story I wrote about their stewardship of the library here. They want all mention of themselves removed and a dull recitation of facts substituted. Whatever.

    After I get the crockpot going with the stew, I’ll finish my morning chores that include writing letters to friends and my sister-in-law from Australia. I wish I could get that little boy in Texas out of my mind. It’s the 21st-century version of “The Little Match Girl.” It’s so unfair! I don’t think I’ll ever forget that poor little child.

    It’s Elder Son’s wife’s birthday today, so five-year-old Mr. Kindergartener brought her breakfast in bed: a bowl of Cheerios, a jug of milk, and a dish of blueberries. She texted the photo to us. What a sweetheart! Well, both DIL and grandchild are sweethearts.

    Wishing a peaceful, enjoyable day to all at the Moose Pond.

  5. It’s 42 heading for 44 and overcast (sigh) – it didn’t get quite below freezing overnight so the melting snow is still dripping off my roof as if it were raining. Which it’s supposed to do this afternoon. Sundown yesterday about half the panels were clear and generating. We only got 1/2 KWH but that certainly beats the previous 6 days (4 got nothing, 1 got 13 watts, & the last bit of production before the snow shut it down was .4 KWHs) – the m-t-d 1s 59 and won’t get much higher today. We’re forecast for mostly sunny the next 5 days so I think – I hope – we’ll at least get over 100 for the month. Which will make it the worst month ever for the 4K system and only 2nd to Dec ’14’s 76 with the 2.5K system.

    I’m tired. Well, I’m usually tired but I’m extra tired trying to bring the new cat into the bunch. I have to get Murf out of the way of course before letting it out at all. But yesterday it started running up to the twins and they don’t like it. They’re backing off and trying to avoid the new guy instead of playing with it. I hope I’m not trying to bring an alpha cat into a clowder of betas. That will take a lot of patience as best and possibly more expertise than I have. But I’m gonna try.

    Rumor has it our utility rates are going to go up 500% due to this. I hope it’s just a rumor. Thank heavens I do have solar panels even if they aren’t producing a lot right now. (& if the rates are jacked, I will find some way of clearing them when we have snow.) So I’ll only get hit by the gas company and not both. TX is gonna get clobbered worse. The vulture capitalists have been just waiting for this opportunity they knew would be coming when TX de-regulated after the Enron scam in CA. AR was in Dems hands at the time and decided not to de-regulate. So we at least have a utility commission that might – or might not, Rs control right now – stop the gouging. I know a lot of folks, including my son, who will be hurt by any increases much less 500% increases, in their electric bills. GeeDee vulture capitalists. Here’s where my “socialist” hat comes out. Utilities should be public. Our water/solid waste bills have been inching up over the years but no big jumps and there never will be because it municipal. Power and gas have changed hands over the years and we’ve had multiple jumps. None 500% but at least one 100%. And these corporate-owned power vendor/vultures are why we didn’t shift to renewables over 20 years ago.

    I need more coffee. And then chores and music from Dee’s diary. Stay in, stay warm, stay safe is still a good idea. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}

  6. Good morning, 41 and raining in Bellingham. The colors outside my window are all shades of gray, a wet cocoon. But I’ve nearly gathered enough spring stems to redo the winter arrangement on the patio table so that’s my plan for today. Pussy willow and red twig dogwood branches, budding salal, ivy and Camelia stems, and fake forsythia and dog wood blooms will make a large spring arrangement. I’ll leave space for adding fresh tulips when/if the occasion happens.

    Best wishes to all on this rainy day.

  7. Good morning, meeses! Monday …

    It is 27 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 36. Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast. We had some snow overnight, maybe 2 inches, could be a little more. We now start a stretch of somewhat above normal temperatures – tomorrow it will be in the 40s. I think – but don’t hold me to it – that the bitter cold days are behind us as we are poised to have March eschew lioning and enter like a lamb!

    Today is Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland’s confirmation hearing. I am sure he will be internally rolling his eyes when the same Republican deadenders who refused to give him a hearing for a Supreme Court seat question him today and tomorrow. That they held up this hearing during the 10 days that they were still in charge of the Senate calendar is deplorable. That the Democrats let them do it is infuriating. In any event, we should expect the Republicans to bloody him up and set the stage for calling him a partisan hack when he chooses to investigate and prosecute the former guy’s campaign, family and followers for sedition. I think he is a good pick and the deputies and assistants poised to work with him will be excellent. I hope they put the vote on the floor quickly – we need an Attorney General in place to clean up the Justice Department and return it to its core mission of “justice.”

    See all y’all later!

  9. Monday Meese. 34 here in Kingston NY – snow on the way

    Puerto Rico

  10. I have electricity & water, clean dishes since I washed yesterday; and it appears the repair will be paid by my neighbor — well, hopefully by her insurance. I’m so incredibly lucky.

    Weather was gorgeous yesterday, and will be today — highs in the low 70s & sunny. I moved my 43 plants back outside. My arms & shoulders are tired, I think I’ll count that as a weight lifting session. Watching the local news & listening to my “exuberance” music mix.

  11. It’s 34 heading for 56 and sunny. It was so cloudy yesterday we didn’t get quite 2 KWHs but the panels are all clear of snow so we may see even 10 today. (I hope.) We are at 60 for the m-t-d. Definitely not great but considering a solid week of diddly to no production, it’s still good.

    The nice news is it’s my younger son’s 47th birthday. I don’t know if he got my card yet since we didn’t have mail service for 3 days but I sent him an email “Happy Birthday” this morning. We’ll see when I hear back from him. Time flies and all that. He’s got sons of his own now. His elder will be 11 next month.

    I made a mistake yesterday with the little cat. I asked my son to take a look at it and I don’t know if it was just having a stranger in, having a man in, or the masks, but the poor baby freaked. Like panic-stricken, running around the walls, bouncing off the windows freaked. Hid under the bed for a solid 5 hours after my son left. And even now isn’t being the calm laid-back kitty I brought inside. Was hiding when I took in food this morning. And wants out of the room. Probably because all the hiding places have been discovered and poor thing doesn’t feel safe any longer. The vet comes next Monday and I only have one carrier. Freddie’s got to be put in that before the vet even drives up or we won’t be able to catch him – I’m hoping we can deal with Freddie first then while the vet’s looking at the others I can pick up the new one and get it into the carrier before it sees the other people. Hold the Good Thought.

    I need to grill sausages this morning. I hate it because it’s so messy. But I love having the sausages. For one thing they’ve got less crud in them than ham does so I can eat them daily without upsetting my tummy. I can only eat ham a few days in a row before there’s a rebellion in my body. So I’d best get to it. Need to check in with Twitter first and boost anything still out there from last night. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}

  12. Good morning, 47 and partly cloudy in Bellingham. I was focused on the Camellia branch I was clipping yesterday and forgot where my hand was, ouch! My clippers are sharp so the cut on the side of my hand is a reminder to be more careful. I did get the branches and greens clipped and into water before I had to quit so maybe I can make the spring arrangement today.

    But first I need to tend to my desk, change the beds, and do a few loads of laundry. Monday routines are both comfortable and boring, but oh well!

    Best wishes to all.

  14. Good morning, meeses! Tuesday …

    It is 36 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 41. Sunny skies this morning and then clouding up. The rest of the week will be dry and (relatively) mild.

    I hope Joe Biden holds firm on his cabinet nominations – there appears to be a concerted effort by “Democrats” in the Senate to block women of color and women who stick up for themselves (aka uppity). You can’t manufacture votes out of nowhere and Joe Manchin, channeling the bigotry of his constituents in the (literal) hollows of West Virginia, is either going to have to get with the program or watch the Democratic administration crash and burn. He can suck it up and take one or two for the team or he can turn the government over to the Republican deadenders who want veto power over the Biden-Harris cabinet and agenda. At this point I am not sure if it is the racism or the misogyny that is the problem but the end result is the same: if you are a strong woman of color, you have no business in government.

    There will be a difficult balance of news reading and former guy avoidance as the CPAC is going to have their annual whatever-the-hell-it-is-that-they-do in Florida (where else??!!). I really don’t want to see icky people in my timeline or on my TV. Maybe I will put some effort into getting caught up on office cleanup projects.

    See all y’all later!

    • Am also watching “the left” (cough cough) attack Tanden – won’t post any of their tweets here, and don’t have time to screenshot – just blocked a bunch of their accounts.

  15. Tuesday Meese – 28 here in Kingston NY going up to 42, which I hope will melt some of yesterday’s snow.
    Haven’t seen much about this upcoming election in Louisiana

  16. Puerto Rico

    A must read:

  17. It’s so nice to wake up to a normal day. How wonderful to wear just one layer of clothing, not need wool socks inside the house, and water when I turn a faucet. We’re going to have gorgeous weather today — sunny & near 80. My agency had to close the building yesterday because the water pressure was so low on the top floors, so everything isn’t over yet. But we’re getting there.

  18. G’morning Meese. It’s 45 heading for upper 60s & sunny. We got 13.66 KWHs yesterday and 74.5 is the m-t-d. We may be about to reach the “pissing wars” part of new cat introduction. sigh. I hope Biden stays firm on his appointees – puts the in a temporaries as long as he has to until somebody who knows how can twist some arms. I’m heading out the door for shopping. Senior safety starts in about 10 minutes. I’ll boost stuff when I get back. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}

    • Good Tuesday morning, Meese! Brilliantly sunny and 41 F. at the moment—windy this afternoon, though, with a high of 53 F.

      Thank you, bfitz and princesspat, for your good wishes for my DIL. Texted her yesterday at lunch time and she says she’s feeling better.

      I had a really rotten night, despite taking a sleeping pill, because of the gastric reflux syndrome or condition, or whateverinell it is. Next time I visit the grocery store I’d better get Pepcid or something. Spent the rest of the night in a chair but feel so tired I’ll have to rest before I go to the gym at 11. Managed 32 minutes on the treadmill yesterday (the first time I’ve been on a treadmill in a year). The new gym is lovely but you have to make an appointment, which goes against my grain, and you only get 45 minutes so they can sanitize the equipment before someone else uses it.

      I’ve always sanitized the equipment before and after because of ‘flu germs. I can’t take the ‘flu shot.

      Anyway, I’m feeling rather cross because the nice article I wrote did not meet with the approval of the people who run the library. It’s getting far too close to page makeup time, so if the people don’t get back to me pretty damn quickly, it’ll go in just as it is.

      On the other hand, there’s a lot of interest in my “brush with history” series. Need to type up the notes I’ve got so far.

      Made blueberry muffins this morning and they were great. Wishing a wonderful, sunny day to all at the Pond!

  19. Good morning, 37 and partly sunny in Bellingham. We will receive our 2nd Covid shot today and I’m both relieved and worried. I hope the rumored side effects are going to be ok. We’ll continue to be very careful, but I won’t really relax until everyone in my family is vaccinated. I do hope some of the covid angst we’ve been feeling will start to ease though.

    Best wishes to all on what looks like a sunnier day.

  20. Wednesday Meese. 33 here in Kingston NY going up to 49 – which will hopefully melt some of this snow.

    I’m highly annoyed that Dem folks are not paying attention to the special election coming up in LA. Sigh

    Let’s try to boost her profile

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