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 to view previous pages, shown here with 3 pages of comments available and Page 2 circled.
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Good “morning”, Motley Meese! The week begins …
Morning low of 66 degrees in the Desert Southwest with an expected daytime high of 90. Sunny skies are in the forecast.
Have a great day, all y’alls!!
Have a good Sunday Meeses, whether celebrating Beltane or Worker solidarity. 37 degrees here in Kingston NY, going up to 69.
Puerto Rico
You have a gift for putting matters with marvelous clarity, Dee:
What I wish would happen to antichoice legislators would get me kicked off this blog, so I won”t say it. But I’ll continue to think it. I’m meaner than they are.
The Doggies of May are back! April Showers Are Bringing May Flowers.
In the desert, we are seeing May flowers blooming now, as well. But the water for these blooms is not coming from April showers but from showers long ago, stored in fleshy leaves, roots and stems that grab every bit of water they can find and seal up their pores to hold the water as long as possible. Many of the root systems for the desert plants are shallow but spread out over extensive areas to maximize the rain that will be captured. I have a bloom I will post as soon as my phone finishes an update.
Here you go, blooms and fruit!
The ways of Goddess are truly marvelous, aren’t they? I’ll never forget reading how Tom Selleck’s house was spared from a wildfire that consumed the houses around it because he had planted native California plants, including cacti, around his house. I thought, “What a great idea!”
Of course he’s a Republican, but occasionally, it must be admitted, even Rethugs occasionally have good ideas.
Flowers are flowers. And all the more precious in the desert. Happy Beltane in AZ.
Good morning. Got tea steeping, watching the news. Yesterday was laundry & other housekeeping stuff. Today, I have a friend’s 40th anniversary of being a pastor. Jim Rigby is really, truly a blessing to this world. Back in the ‘90s, he put a memorial to people who died of AIDS on his church’s lawn — in very conservative north Austin. He has spoken out for equality & inclusion for years; he once made me cry with an impassioned speech at a pro-choice rally; and he’s faced more than one church disciplinary trial for his being pro-equality for GLBTQ people. (which seems weird, as the Presbyterian church is better than the Methodist church on that) The church has housed a refugee family for years, keeping them from being deported. He truly walks the walk.
Truly, a rare man and that rarest of all things, a true Christian.
Black Music Sunday
Love that million-dollar-smile!
Happy May Day! – whatever significance you place on it. It’s 55 heading for 77 and sunny at the moment. The widget says clouds will move in this afternoon and pretty much stay for the week. sigh. Hopefully late afternoon so May gets a good start. We wrapped up April with a decent 416.4 KWHs thanks to the 18 we got on the last day. May targets go: over 500 is great, over 475 is quite nice, but over 400 is still good and beats the last 2 Mays’ production. Last year was the 1st time – and hopefully the last time – the 4K system generated under 4 MWHs for the year, so the minimum goal is to generate over what we did last year.
I got 6-1/2 hours of solid sleep then muscle spasm and sinusitis woke me. So I did my back exercises and got up. Got my bedroom and both bathrooms done. And 10 minutes on the treadmill. I probably shouldn’t have stopped for breakfast because my energy seems to be draining out. But I did so once I’ve gotten everything started on twitter & read Dee’s diary I’ll push myself to finish. The vacuuming is the hardest to make myself do but I will. Later. LOL.
Aji sold another piece yesterday (Kishik bought it) so barring emergencies the 1st phase (4 shots) of the new pain relief treatment are paid for. Nothing new with Amelia which considering the possibilities I guess is good. Jill thinks she may have something set up for her son’s dogs. Hold the Good Thoughts. Getting that situation settled will take a load of stress off her. The wildfires in NM are getting worse (little to no containment, new ones starting) and the whole state’s a tinderbox. Other states have them and they’re bad wherever they are, but NM is drier, in a 1200-year drought (i.e. hasn’t had one this bad since before the Pueblos were built), and has fewer resources. It’s hard to say whether the war in Ukraine is getting better or worse. Mostly it’s still going on. Which is good in that Russia hasn’t gotten them but that’s about the only good. Global warming is getting worse and is going to do nothing but get worse. We have not had the combination of President and Congress who’d even consider doing what we know needs to be done for more than 2 years at a time since science told us how bad it was going to get. And we’d need not just one president’s administration but at least two 8-year administrations with a strong majority in Congress the whole time to be able to put those changes in place and get them so solid the Rs couldn’t undo them the minute they got back in office. That’s reality. But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep trying. The Wheel of the Year reminds us what we’re working for and Beltane is a time of promise.
I think treadmill first, then twitter & Dee’s diary. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
I find this happens to me as well but I am not sure that a morning fast is a great idea either.
I have to find some balance and am considering a nap and then hope for a “second wind” to finish the things I needed to get done in the mornings. The problem is that my best braining is in the morning and after about 11am, everything takes longer and is more prone to errors.
I know a morning fast for me isn’t a good idea. My blood sugar would tank and I wouldn’t be able to even “push it through”. I’ve got a narrower window for best braining than you do. From about 9 until noon and that’s it. When I was working, coffee could give me an OK braining window from about 2 to 4. That’s why I always tried to do payroll and travel stuff in the mornings if at all possible. LOL. I hope a nap works for you. ????
Good Sunday morning, Moose Peeps, and a joyful Beltane to you! (Or May Day, if you prefer the term.) I’m feeling quite joyful and my my mood has improved even more after reading Jan’s Beltane post.
We have had the Proper Breakfast, I’ve made the bed and thrown a load of laundry into the washer, so alles ist gut. Dearly is taking Monty for a walk before settling down to a day of watching British soccer and so forth on the telly. His day was plumb ruint yesterday when he turned on the car radio and heard the results of the Manchester City vs. Leeds match (or whatever). He’d recorded it and just watched the first goal being kicked when he remembered he had to pick up the dry cleaning. Since when does American radio take note of British sports? Unheard of. Anyway, he decided to watch the rest despite having eaten the Apple of Knowledge.
Meanwhile, the TV weather guy announced cheerily this morning that we are in Stage 1 of Drought for the area, which I already knew, and predicted showers, a dry spell, and then more rain, which I beg leave to doubt. We’re more than an inch under for the year.
Bfitz, glad you exceeded April’s goal! Let’s hope for the best for May.
Right now in Ashburn it’s 58 F., going for a high of 70 F. If one could but dissuade one’s Dearly Beloved from eating beef! The American preoccupation with beef is ruining the Amazon rainforest. But here we are, the most selfish nation that ever lived, so whaddaya gonna do.
Well, ’tis time to finish the ablutions and straighten the sofa before The Man and The Dog return. See y’all later!
Wishing a good, peaceful day to all at the Pond and those in Ukraine.
Good afternoon, 58 and cloudy outside my window now. Our family time with Ryan was great fun yesterday. It’s so good to see his smile and to know that he is relatively healthy again. He’s still sorting out school and what to do re his aversion to online classes but that will happen over time. Being happy and feeling healthier will make everything better! Best wishes to all.
{{{princesspat}}} I’m so glad the family party went well yesterday – and that Ryan is getting healthy again. And yes, being happy and feeling healthier always makes things better. Healing Energy and moar {{{HUGS}}}
Some people thrive in the online instruction environment, others don’t. It is too bad that Ryan is in the second group because I think it is going to become more popular. It is very expensive to have in-person teaching and both universities and students can save money going virtual.
Monday Meese. Raining here in Kingston, 50 going up to 59. COVID reports for my part of NY are not good. I’m staying masked and at home.
Puerto Rico
Happy Monday. Woke up early, now I keep dropping off for a couple of minutes at a time. Sigh. Will use my internal jukebox to keep myself awake.
Good Monday morning, Moosekind! It’s a fairly decent day in Ashburn, weather-wise. (Wise-wise, I’m not sure yet.) We have 53 F. with partly cloudy skies and weak sunlight. The high today will be 80 F., so I may put on shorts this afternoon.
Rain-wise, although we did get some yesterday, eventually, it was not as much as expected. We’re now two inches under for the year to date.
The Powers That Be here at the Home have decreed that today is Kindness Day, so we are going to foregather in various places to write notes to people who need cheering up. I know someone who does, so I’ll go next door to the Great Oak Clubhouse. This will be at 10 a.m. so I’d better hurry.
I wish I could describe the difference a good night’s sleep (at least 7 but more is good) makes. I feel energetic. I can THINK. Yesterday I finished revising Chapter 9 of Iron and Scarlet. I haven’t TOUCHED it since January! The boar hunt is over, thank Sylvanus, god of the hunt, and now my only problem is getting permission for the Conor the Brigante to leave the fort again in the company of our hero, Centurion Quentin, who will be obliged to commit suicide if Conor escapes while they’re outside.
Chapter 10 is going to be a Big Mess. I had to cut chunks and chunks out of Chapter 9 that were not relevant to the boar hunt, but which are relevant to the story. I’ll think of something, no doubt. I should appeal to Grandmother Wolf and the others who are overseeing my spiritual welfare.
Well, that’s enough from me this morning. I hope we at the Pond will have a good day and those in PR and Ukraine will have a better day than they’ve been having. Bonjour!
It’s 58 heading for 72 and raining. Lightly at the moment but supposed to be off and on all day. The clouds will be steadier than the rain. sigh. Yesterday it stayed sunny long enough for us to start the month with 18.4 KWHs. Which we may not do again until next weekend. double sigh. The PV system is on, but just about enough to cover the lights. Which are also on. Oh well. One benefit of cloudy rainy weather is that the cats are all asleep and nobody’s loudly demanding I let them out. (Which I don’t. Deliberately.)
I’m groggy this morning. I’d resigned myself to 4 hours of sleep when the rain started at 6 and I dropped off again until 7:30 and probably would have at least dozed longer, since it was so dark, if the cats weren’t all at my bedroom door insisting I get up and feed them. My hands are cold but I think they’re OK on the mouse today. I think. I haven’t checked in with anybody yet but as of last night nothing was new. Except more wildfires in NM and the spread of the existing ones.
I think I’ll get another session on the treadmill before I head to twitter. Once I get over there I get involved in all that and don’t get back to the treadmill under later in the day than I’m happy about. But I’ll get my boosting done soon. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 50 and light rain outside my window. I feel more rested today so I’ll change the beds and start the laundry after I win all the solitaire games I’ve started playing. First things first! I should also work at my desk so that may happen too. Best wishes to all.
Good morning, Meeses! Monday …
It is 88 on the patio thermometer and think it will get to the mid 90s. Sunnyish skies – it looks a little hazy but it could be my cataracted eyes.
I spent the morning getting caught up on my to-do list then got stuck on a live chat with a vendor. Now I am worn out and will get away from my computer and do something else. I have two phone calls in to places I need to get information from so at least I got those two projects started.
See all y’all later!
This. Fk Bernie Sanders and his cult.
Well, the opinion hasn’t been released yet, so this ain’t Gilead. Yet. I’ve always asked every politician seeking my endorsement, at every level, whether they are pro-choice. Back in the ‘80s when we thought stuff like this was settled, people would say it doesn’t matter for city council or county commissioner. It does.
Anyway, today is wfh. I won’t watch the news during the day. Got to remain calm and concentrate on work.
Good morning, meeses! Tuesday …
It is 61 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 88. Mostly sunny skies.
Well, ’tis done. I stayed up much too late reading the Roe reaction and it is sickening. I will never NEVER forgive Bernie Sanders and his cult for bringing us to this. And I will never NEVER forgive lazy Democrats for believing that Roe was somehow the “law of the land” instead of a Supreme Court decision and not repealing the state laws that made abortion a felony. During the 50 years since Roe, a lot of states were blue or purple and yet laws denying women the right to control their own bodies stayed on the books. Political malpractice. And people saying “NOW, everyone will be energized to vote!” are ignorant. THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX THIS WITH THE FILIBUSTER INTACT. And in 2024, short attention span Americans who were willing to give power to a political party that paved the way for the deaths of a million Americans are not going to hesitate to put another Republican in the White House and set the stage for a nationwide ban on abortion and contraception. They won’t bat an eye at a few hundred thousand dead women. As Bernie Sanders says “abortion and gay rights and civil rights are distractions from the important goal of a $15 minimum wage.”
I am not going to read any more day-after stories, they are too depressing. I have a bunch of nagging projects that I need to get done so that my to-do list is not so daunting.
See all y’all later!
Good Tuesday morning, Meese! It’s 58 F. and rill ugly outside. Old Father-Knows-Best, sitting in the corner reading the news on his phone, said it wasn’t raining but I distinctly felt a drop or two just now when I took Monty out.
Well, if the heathen are raging this morning, the Pagans are apoplectic and so are a lot of other people, some of whom gathered in front of the Supreme Court last night. As many people are saying, not only Roe but ALL rights will be overturned if there is no right to privacy! The Constitution doesn’t mention that everyone who owns a car must carry insurance, either, but we all have it. Eff all the conservatives! Most of all, eff Bernie!
We have to get more Democrats elected although with the way the effing Rethugs are suppressing the vote, it won’t be easy. Look how you can’t even give water or snacks or seats to people standing in line for eight hours to vote because the Rethugs reduced the number of precincts to two and banned “Souls to the Polls.”
This makes me want to rush out and buy every contraceptive on the shelf at the drugstore. I already have some seeds for contraceptive herbs in my dresser drawer, although whether they’re still viable I don’t know.
Younger Son texted the family late yesterday evening and said Nora has Covid. She’s quarantined, with meals delivered to her door. The Princess Suite has its own bathroom, so she doesn’t have to leave her room for that. She has a laptop and a phone, so she won’t be bored. I’m going to ask her father how she is.
I have another busy day of writing ahead. I’ll go to exercise at 4. On Thursday I won’t be able to go as there will be a Celtic Music Ensemble performing a “lusty month of May” concert. I hope they’re good.
Wishing a good day to all at the Pond, all in PR and Ukraine, and a binding spell on all Rethug politicians. They should all be constipated for 9 months and in maternity outfits after 3 months.
Morning Meese on a Tuesday – I’m bleary eyed cause was up all night – I am so pissed, just like the tweet Jan posted – every single person who didn’t vote for Hillary, and those who continue to trash Democrats from the left can KMBA.
Puerto Rico
Translation: According to Politico, the United States Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade and with it will open the door to the prohibition of abortion in that country and in Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans – Chicago