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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Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …
It is 27 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 43. Snow is in the forecast.
Well, you could knock me over with a feather. I did not expect a guilty verdict in the Chauvin case on all three counts – at most I expected that they might choose the lesser charge and then the judge could give the sociopathic epitome of white male privilege a slap on the wrist, a 2 year suspended sentence and probation. With the guilty verdict on all three charges, the minimum sentence should be about 12 years in prison. It does not begin to make up for the pain but it is, as Joe Biden said, a measure of accountability. It will be interesting to see if it brings about meaningful change.
See all y’all later!
Good Wednesday morning, Moosekind! Well…yesterday was a good day. I feel relieved, thankful, and I don’t know what else. Nothing will bring poor Mr. Floyd back to life, but I’m hoping that his murderer will get at least 12 and, it’s to be hoped, more years in prison. He won’t like prison.
This morning has dawned quite fair and almost warm—57 F. right now. However, They say that a line of squalls will sweep across at noon and we can expect storms after that. Our high today will be 63 F.
Hoping to get a lot done today, as yesterday I accomplished nothing at all except some laundry and getting my nails rebuilt. It was amazing what the shop owner did for them! She charged me only two-thirds of the price because I complained to her that my gel mani fell off my nails two days after getting it done last time. O, first-world problems! However, that said, my nails actually are a problem because they’re so weak and thin. I require help opening jars and packages, which is ridiculous.
Here’s hoping that yesterday’s Chauvin verdict will lead the way to more justice for Black Americans. Wishing a good day for all at the Pond, the downfall of Carlson, and, I don’t know, all sorts of other good things.
Understatement! “[Chauvin] won’t like prison.” It might feel like someone kneeling on his neck for 9 and a half minutes.
Wednesday Meese. 40 here in Kingston going up to 60 with rain.
MVP Harris
And from Auntie Maxine
My take:
Puerto Rico
Cold morning — I think the overnight low was 40. I ran into the office for more applications, had to wear a jacket & pulled the hood over my head. Weather guy is saying this is like January. So relieved about the Chauvin verdict, but sad & angry about the 2 teenagers shot by police in the past few days. Our society is just crazy. Today’s plan: work & astronomy shows on the Science Channel.
Good morning, 45 and sunny in Bellingham. My internal clock has a mind of it’s own lately as I’m asleep before dark and then awake way to early. And then I need a nap. Yesterday was a quiet rest and laundry day, and today I’ll focus on my desk.
Best wishes to all.
It’s 37 heading for 56 and sunny. It got down to 26 about 4 am this morning. It’ll take another day or two to tell whether the cherries survived or if I go a 3rd year in a row without cherries. Yesterday we generated 4.8 KWHs and started this morning at 268.8 – considering how overcast it was yesterday (we even had some snow – big fluffy flakes that didn’t stick) I guess it’s better than it could have been. Meanwhile the abrupt changes have triggered another Raynaud’s flare. So my ability to type is impaired and my ability to use the mouse more so. I’m pushing through – with a lot of cursing and screaming at said mouse and the computer even though I know it’s my fingers that are the problem. sigh.
Fineena texted Basket when she finally got to her hospital room apparently some time after 10 pm eastern time. That’s the last I heard/know. She was in “recovery” for at least 4 hours – I don’t know if that’s good or bad – which I know because I called multiple times to get her room number. More prayers/Holding of Good Thoughts.
Cloud is getting better. Considering he’s no longer got 5 teeth he’s used to having, this may be his new normal. And as long as he’s not in pain, that’s fine. Murf “front loads” the day with his food and doesn’t eat much at all at night. If Cloud shifts to that pattern, no big deal. Or rather I’ll deal with it.
The verdict on Floyd’s killer was a surprise and a relief. (And of course cops the nation over are looking for any excuse to kill in revenge for it.) We won a battle. In a 500 year war. Not for hearts and minds. Those that can come will come after we’ve changed law and policy. I used to think most folks were good people. I was wrong. Most folks are law-abiding people. Hillary was right (as usual), we have to change policy, allocation of resources, law. Meanwhile, take relief and a breather – and send more prayers by whatever name to the Floyd family & friends.
More coffee. More cursing. But I’ll get to Dee’s diary and my twitter stuff as best I can. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Thursday Meese. 33 going up to 46 with rain here in Kingston NY.
Lotta Puerto Ricans and allies are totally pissed by a WSJ article – feel free to add to the ratio
How gdamn irresponsible! Of course we expect ignorance and cluelessness from the Wall Street Journal, the paper version of Fox News.
Good morning, meeses! Thursday …
It is 25 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 55. Sunny skies are in the forecast. We did not get much in the way of snow yesterday, a few flurries, but there were some whiteout conditions west of Milwaukee that put a few dozen cars in the ditch. Yikes!!
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta was confirmed 51 to 49 with one Republican crossover vote (Kamala was ready with the tie-breaker if need be). Republicans are determined to block anyone who has civil rights chops and it is a bonus to them when it is a woman of color. Both will burnish their right-wing creds but in a just world it would be a permanent blemish on their souls. Next up, Kristen Clarke for the Civil Rights Division. By the way, the claim that “saying mean things about Donald Trump’s policies” should be disqualifying is risible – that disqualifies 70% of America.
Today is Earth Day, an event started by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, back when progressive policies flourished in our state. The Earth is relieved that Democrats are back in charge of government and hope that the push to put climate change front and center saves her.
See all y’all later!
Disqualifying 70% of America is the point.
Good Thursday morning, Moosekind! It’s sunny and cold in Ashburn, 37 F. right now, going up to a whopping 53 F. later. Yesterday we had only windstorms, and they were bad enough. Not a speck or drop of rain. The rest of the week will be windy as well, which, as you know, I hate.
Not much to say except that I had a very bad night owing to the cold taking hold. Sigh. A day of cold meds is coming up.
Monty threw up in the bedroom at 5:30 this morning. It was most likely grass, as usual. Today isn’t looking good so far.
Keeping fineena in my thoughts and bfitz too, with the flare-up of Raynaud’s. Wishing a good day to all at the Pond.
I was going to walk this morning but I’m a wimp about cold, I’m logging off work early to walk this afternoon. No, really — I already e-mailed my supervisor. We’re having a farewell for our Public Awareness person this afternoon, she will really be missed. I always said that she isn’t literally Wonder Woman because she can’t fly, but otherwise she is pretty darn close. And one of our librarians is leaving also, she is also brilliant and kind. If someone had to leave, why couldn’t it be the anti-vaxer?
Anyway, today: working till 3, then walking, then go to a socially distant happy hour.
Late logging on because I needed to go get gas, cat food, and cash – in that order – and wanted to do so while there would be the fewest people anywhere since most places are no longer doing COVID special hours. The businesses around here are at least requiring their employees wear masks even though they can’t (won’t) require customers to do so since our Genocidal Q Party governor ended the mask mandate. Of course at the gas station the sumbitch (male & not my “usual” very competent older Black woman) clerk was wearing his mask around his neck like he think he breathes through is adam’s apple or something. And I had to go in for my receipt because the gas pump was out of receipt paper. (I’m also late with breakfast and coffee as my head is firmly telling me.)
Anyway, it’s 51 heading for mid 60s and sunny at the moment although the widget says clouding up later. I just hope a lot later. Yesterday we generated 19.2 KWHs and started this morning at 288.3 for the m-t-d. If the clouds hold off until late this afternoon we’ll reach 300 today. If not, not.
My hands are better. Not great but better. Cloud kitty is much better. He ate well this morning and is sleeping now. (This afternoon will tell the tale though. The lidocaine and other stuff the vet put on his gums should be wearing off today.) I haven’t heard from Fineena. I did leave a voice mail on her phone and sent her an email. (Ordered the flowers from a bunch of us. I meant to pay for at least part of the tab but basket, bless him, covered it.)
The number of folks supposedly on our team out there shilling for the killer cops is. . . Deplorable. Also Despicable. & I’d say Disappointing as well but they’ve done it too many times. I don’t have enough regard for them any longer to be disappointed when they do it. But it sure doesn’t help.
I’d best be about my online business. I need to bake today as well. Which will be nice. Filling the house with baking molasses-spice muffin bread is a good thing. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
I am sorry to hear this: “most places are no longer doing COVID special hours.”
Our grocery stores still have senior hours but maybe it is because our county still has indoor masking mandates (the state’s mandate was struck down by our #RepublicanDeathCult “supreme” court after our Democratic governor was sued by our #RepublicanDeathCult state legislature). I think it is a sensible thing to stay masked because this is a college town and there are a lot of people from around the state and the country who could be bringing us variants. Joe Biden said Fourth of July and I am fine with that.
Really! The #RepublicanDeathCult is “high on their own supply” as far as COVID is concerned. That and the Genocidal part is operating big time. As long as BIPOC are getting and dying of it at higher rates than wypipo, white deaths are just fallen soldiers in the war to whiten America. sigh.
Good morning, 53 and mostly cloudy in Bellingham. I’ve enjoyed the sunny days, but my PNW sense of “normal” is ready for rain.
I read another book in the Masie Dobbs series last night so I’m sleepy this morning. The tRump years really impacted my ability to read books so It’s nice to be able to do so again. I’m not reading challenging books yet but that’s ok.
I have more desk work to do today and as a reward I’m going to light a fire in the patio stove and burn old papers and files. Seeing old worries and concerns just go up in smoke is very cathartic. Best wishes to all.
Princesspat, that is so Witchy! Love it.
Friday Meese. 36 going up to 61 here in Kingston NY
Puerto Rico
I overslept & didn’t walk this morning; and we’re supposed to have thunderstorms this afternoon. Looking at tomorrow to get that walk in. Second shot is next Wednesday. Plan for today: work till 3, go vote in local election — lots of charter revision. I wrote a diary last night to post at the orange place and here on Saturday morning because there’s a $10,000 donation match for the Ride. Please share it around, it’ll post at 9 central time. Thank you!
Yay! for your 2nd shot next week. I’ll definitely boost your diary & try to scare up some more money myself. Can’t let a match go unmatched. Healing Energy & {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, meeses! Friday …
It is 45 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 54. Mostly cloudy skies are in the forecast.
Today I will avert my eyes from the news – it seems like every time we try to take a step forward, we are confronted with a new hurdle to overcome. We convict a murderous cop and four more Black people are killed by cops who shoot first out of fear or malice – and who seem unable to deescalate a confrontation without deadly force. We pass an Asian hate crimes act while states are passing laws allowing people in cars to run over protesters who are in their way. We deliver 200 million doses of vaccine and people think we have “beat COVID-19” and run around unmasked blowing COVIDs on each other and surging the virus. We elect a Democratic administration and two Democratic Senators from Georgia to take back the Senate and the things we need to protect the vote (and democracy) are being filibustered, just like they were in the Jim Crow Senate beloved by the Senate traditionalists.
It is Friday and there is one more weekend left in April; I need to get a to-do list in place for the next few days so that I can be productive. I have some prep work for a weekend project that is just waiting for some hardware to arrive – fingers crossed that it does not get delayed because if it does, I will have a too busy Monday.
See all y’all later!
Good Friday morning, Moosekind, and happy Shakespeare’s birthday! He’d have been 457 today if those damned cold pills had worked the way they were supposed to. It is beautiful in Ashburn on this freezing Friday—44 F., up from 34 F. at 6:30 a.m. The high today will be 63 F.
Feel sad that because of Covid I’ve been unable to order a birthday cake for Shakespeare for the last two years. I used to have such fun watching the expressions on the bakery clerks’ faces as they took my order for a yellow cake with chocolate icing and the the legend, “Happy birthday, William Shakespeare” written across the top in yellow frosting. Of course, a normal-sized cake is too big for the two of us, and I wouldn’t be able to share it with the neighbors because beastly Olga-from-the-Volga won’t let me use the game room for that purpose. (First-world problem, I know.)
Anyway, as I hobble about my daily tasks I will think of my favorite lines from the sonnets and this excerpt from John of Gaunt’s speech from Richard II:
The line about “against infection and the hand of war” seems ironic in view of the fact that the U.K. is locked down because of Covid. The Bard never foresaw airplanes that act as vectors for spreading disease.
Anyway, I’m going to take a leaf from Jan’s book and try not to think about politics today. Wishing a good, peaceful Friday to all at the Pond.
It’s 52 heading for 66 and mostly but not totally overcast. Yesterday we generated 18 KWHs with 306 the m-t-d. We’ve got 8 production days left in April. Another 40 KWHs will get us over the 2.5K system and I totally expect we’ll do that. With the amount of, or rather lack of, sunshine in the forecast I’m not sure we’ll make the 94 needed to get us to 400 for the month. And the 477 to move into generating 1st place is just not possible. But anything over 300 is always good.
Cloud seems to be more or less recovered. He’s not eating as much as he was pre-dental surgery but he’s definitely eating enough for decent health. It’s possible he was eating as much as he used to because he was in pain and that’s how he dealt with it. Goddess knows many humans deal with pain by eating. I was a bit worried about Bobbie Cat this morning as he was visiting the litter box to no avail way too many times and while not showing any other signs of problems he wasn’t playing as he usually does in the mornings. But whatever it was seems to have resolved itself (thankfully) and he just did a thunderpaws playing soccer with a milk jug cap. The rest of the clowder seems fine and are settling down to their normal morning squirrel watching and naps.
There are too many names to say. The list of the “killed by cops” in my life time alone would fill the Houston phone book. The ones we don’t know far outnumber the ones we do. Which of course is no reason to ignore the ones we do. This is why it’s so very hard to believe in a caring or just god. But there is definitely Power and Energy by whatever name, and if It doesn’t/They don’t care then the folks who figure out how to channel It/Them in that direction can create caring and justice. So that’s our work.
I need more coffee. Or something. Whatever combination of Spring things out there right now gives me a massive headache but I can usually keep it manageable with caffeine. Then off to do my twitter chores (in between my housekeeping chores). Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 50 and partly cloudy in Bellingham. One of the pleasures/problems with living in a big old house is that I’ve got room to stash things I hope to deal with later. Well, later has arrived with my desk mess and I’ve been digging into the archive of old papers that should have been dealt with years ago. Lots of history of daily life in old check book registers, receipts, house and car repairs, tax files, etc. It’s hard to revisit and dispose of some of the clutter, but I know it’s time. I’ll do some more today, and then take a break and have some fun in the garden.
Best wishes to all.
Good morning, meeses! Saturday …
It is 50 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 59. The forecast calls for rain showers off and on all day.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause was lifted after they reviewed the clotting issues of a small group (15 women) who had the vaccine. They do not plan to put a label on the vial – I would assume that they will ask that physicians be more aware of possible issues. The one shot vaccination is our best bet to get to herd immunity because the 6 week commitment to an mRNA vaccine is really a lot to ask of a country with no patience and no sense of perspective. Get the J&J out to isolated areas and college campuses and places where one-and-done will help us get to 75%.
Ron Freaking Johnson is the dumbest man in the Senate even though John Kennedy (not that one!) tried to wrest the title away by his “grilling” of Stacey Abrams. Every day Republicans demonstrate that they don’t have the most basic understanding of science and/or willfully ignore scientific evidence. In a just world, the people who support idiocy would pay a price – in our world, ignorance is re-elected.
My day off from the news firehose yesterday was very fruitful, I got some important projects done. I did not get my to-do list for the weekend work set up so I am going to start digging through the stack to make sure I don’t miss anything. I will start with some accounting projects.
See all y’all later!