Week-long Welcomings from Moosylvania: September 3rd

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?

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.

37 Comments

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

    Morning low of 73 degrees in the Desert Southwest with an expected daytime high of 93. Sunny skies are in the forecast.

    Have a great day, all y’alls!!

  2. Sunday Meese. 62 going up to 88 today – then into the 90’s during the week.

    Puerto Rico

    “Our African American sisters have been helping make the lie of the American Dream more true since before the country was founded,” she added.
    To Black and Brown women, Collazo’s message is, “I see you, we need all of us, you are amazing, stay in the fight.” Many Latinos are unsure of how to show up in support of Black Lives, according to the social justice advocate. The majority of white-presenting or mestizo-looking Latinos say, “Black Lives Matter, but don’t our lives matter too?” Collazo explained, “All our liberation is tied up together. Until Black Lives Matter around the world, none of our lives matter.”
    Meanwhile, the battle must also be waged within the Latino community because many people of Latin American descent identify as Black or Afro-Latino. In 2015, Pew Research conducted a survey of Latinos which asked about Afro-Latino identity. In that survey, Pew said that “one-quarter of all U.S. Latinos self-identify as Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean or of African descent with roots in Latin America,” which would suggest that the number of U.S. Latinos who identify as Afro-Latino would be around 12-15 million. In a later report, Pew said that 5% of the U.S. Black population in 2019 identifies as Afro-Latino, a number that has more than doubled since 2000.
    According to Collazo, Latinos must call people to name, notice, and disrupt anti-Blackness. Collazo examines the race issue in Chapter 4 “Disrupting Anti-Blackness in Your Culture of Origin,” in her recently released book, Thriving in the Fight, A Survival Manual for Latinas On the Frontlines of Change.

    Keeping an eye on this:

  3. Good morning. Got my tea steeping, watching the news. My friend’s tea company put out a (non-caffeinated) cocoa tea, I added it to my blend, and wow does it smell great. I don’t have to get everything done today because I have tomorrow off, but I will make next week’s breakfast and cook the vegetables for lunch. I’ll dance while I cook for exercise.

  4. It’s 77 heading for 95, heat index 98, and sunny. Mostly. Yesterday we generated 12.5 KWHs and the m-t-d at 25.7 is still on track for 365. Considering how much shade the panels get with the sun at this lower angle, while not great, it’s not bad either.

    Fineena got her mattress yesterday and hopes to get the bed itself today. Some snafu with Walmart and the TV didn’t come yesterday but it’s supposed to come today. We shall see. When the DirecTV guy was there he read off to her the password on her T-Mobile wifi thingy (print’s too small, she couldn’t read it herself) so now she’s got wifi. Next up is get the laptop fixed so she can actually see what she’s doing. Some phones may be designed to double as computers but the screens are still small and the keyboard a pain. Step by step.

    I’ve done my Sunday chores and closed up the house. I managed to get one last day yesterday without the A/C – but it was close. It was starting to cycle on just as I was opening the house up again before bedtime. I’m not even going to try today. Though I hope it doesn’t cycle on until late this afternoon. It will run enough these next 6 days before we get 80s again next weekend. Or at least we’re supposed to get 80s again starting next weekend. Off to do my boosting chores. To the music in Dee’s diary of course. Holding the Good Thoughts for everybody. {{{Meeses}}}

    • On Fineena’s phone – it should be equipped with software where it will talk to her. On Apple, it’s “voiceover”, I forget what the Android version is. Several of my co-workers use it; and the tech experts are always talking to patrons about it on their phones. I don’t know if that would help her.

  5. Good Sunday morning, Moosekind! It’s 84 F. and sunny in Ashburn, going up to 96 F. later. It’s going to be a loathsome week of 99 F. temps until, I don’t know, possibly Saturday. It’s sunny, though, so nice to look at.

    This week essays are due from my writers’ group. The assignment this time is to write about an unforgettable character. Well, that’s my father, naturally. I managed to extract 700 words from an essay I wrote 12 years ago. The word limit is 600, but they’ll just have to put up with and be grateful that I didn’t inflict the original 2000+ words on them!

    Today I need to work on the blog for my sister and somehow find time to exercise. Plan to make Peach-Blackberry Crisp for dessert tonight, as it’s summer’s last gasp—I hope!

    Wishing a good day to all at the Pond.

  6. Monday Meese. Happy Labor Day. 65 going up to 88 here in Kingston.

    Puerto Rico

  7. Good morning, meeses! Labor Day Monday …

    It is 73 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 93. Sunny skies are in the forecast. This morning the 73 degrees felt nice when I stepped out on my porch – the oppressive humidity has eased. My morning walk should be comfortable. Tomorrow the weather guys promise that when I wake up it will be 68 degrees. Huzzah!

    Since it is a holiday, I will take the day off from news. I am still working on organizing projects for September but got a lot done yesterday.

    See all y’all later!

  8. Good morning. Slept in and now I’m watching astronomy while my beans cook. I’ll go to the gym this afternoon.Made pasta salad yesterday, so I’ve got lunch covered for the next couple of weeks. But for now — astronomy, yay!

  9. Good Monday morning, Moosekind! Happy Labor Day. I did not know until I read Dee’s diary yesterday that we Amurr’kins picked September as our Labor Day month because we didn’t want to be associated with Socialist Europe, or its May Day parades celebrating the workers’ paradise.

    Speaking of workers, the WaPo and even our President are urging federal workers to return to the office full time. Oh, yeah? So they can get shot or stabbed on the Metro on the way to work? Ya think it doesn’t happen? Read the paper, watch the news. And as for “happily collaborating on projects with teams,” what about unvaxxed Trumper members of the team who moreover refuse to wear masks? Myself, I think it sounds like a dead loss. But then, I’m an introvert who loves working At Home Alone.

    That said, we have partly cloudy skies. It’s already 76 F. in Ashburn, going up to 99 F. The widget just informed me there will be high winds today, so it sounds like a good idea to wash some area rugs and dry them on the porch. I like to use solar heat when I can.

    The blog about Sister is coming along. I fear it might be too lengthy. M’Daughter in Texas informs me that my son-in-law has Covid, poor darling. He can’t take Paxlovid because he’s already taking medication for his cancer. She said it was a pity I would never see their wonderful house. I hope she will walk through the rooms and the garden and video it before it goes on the market. I certainly can’t leave Dearly to go there for a visit.

    On the agenda today–a Labor Day brunch (very uninspired) and a 2:30 meeting with Friends of Bill.

    Hope it’s going to be a quiet news day. Wishing a good Labor Day to all at the Pond.

  10. It’s 75 but already too humid to have the house open. Heading for 92, heat index 96, and sunny at the moment. Yesterday we generated 12.4 KWHs. The m-t-d is 38 which is still on track for 365 but losing ground.

    Fineena now has her bed and her TV. The former is lower and firmer than she expected but still good and the latter will stay in its box until she can get the DirecTV guy out to set it up/hook it up. She also opened/unpacked a few more bags and found her winter clothes. Not that she needs them now in this heatwave but it’s good to have them safely put away where she can get at them when she does need them. Step by step.

    Yesterday I mixed, formed, and grilled (George Foreman electric grill) 43 sage pork sausages. One of which I ate for lunch warm off the grill. The rest are divided up into 6 containers of a week’s worth of breakfast sausages. And 5 of those are in the freezer. IF the cooler weather gets here – as in cool enough to have the oven on in the afternoon – by mid-September, I won’t have to haul out (or clean) that grill again until mid-October. Which would be nice.

    Talked to my brother last night. Which I haven’t done in about 4 years. A bunch has changed and a bunch hasn’t. His older son’s marriage broke up and his own long-running relationship did the same. His younger son lives with him and the older boy (boy, yeah right, he’s 39) and his son stay with my brother on weekends and holidays. He’s got his Social Security now so his work weeks run about 30 hours instead of 70. He didn’t mention the farming so I’m guessing he finally gave up. Too much strain on his body and half the time costing more than it brought in. They weathered the hurricane fairly well. Just a couple of trees down they had to clear off the driveway so they could get in and out. So that’s good.

    Off to start my boosting day. We’ll see how my hands hold out. At least the warmer weather is helpful there. Holding the Good Thoughts for everybody. {{{Meeses}}}

  11. Good day, 63 and mostly cloudy outside my window today. I’ve had a few quiet days just dealing with my old nemesis, pain and fatigue. I knew the work I’m doing in the garden would require some recovery days so I’m not complaining. But the reality of deep rest with my legs elevated does get old regardless.
    We have a busy week ahead because Elsa will be staying with us while our son helps one of his friends bring a 65′ boat from Alaska to Bellingham. He will be part of a 4 person crew and is excited about the adventure so I’m happy for him. Elsa arrives tonight with her kennel, favorite bed, and lots of treats. We have arrangements made for her to have some daily activity with friends and/or a doggy day camp so we will be just be walking her in the neighborhood. She can also be on a lead fastened to the front porch railing, which was a favorite spot for our other dogs. It will be busy but we should all be just fine. My quiet mornings will have to change though! Best wishes to all.

    • {{{princesspat}}} Good that you’re resting before Elsa gets there. Hope your son has fun. Healing Energy & moar {{{HUGS}}}

  12. Tuesday Meese. 67 here in Kingston going up to 91. Looks like we are getting what should have been July/August weather in September.

    I just discovered that Pulitzer Prize winning Black cartoonist Darrin Bell has a YouTube channel
    Check him out:

    Puerto Rico

    Watching:

  13. Good morning. The news here is all about the Paxton impeachment trial beginning. And it feels like a steam room outside. I was going to walk this morning but I decided to log off work early and go to the gym instead. Back to work but at least I’m at home.

      • They denied all his motions to dismiss yesterday. And as I understand it, they did that super fast – like, “don’t be silly” fast. Fun side note – his lawyer showed up looking worse than tfg on his orangest makeup days. Like, whoever he lives with, or his makeup artist, or assistant really hates him.

    • My news feed said that Angela Paxton should not be on the jury but at the defendant’s table. I hope they charge her in a court of law not the bs legislature.

  14. It’s 76, heat index 78, more or less sunny – and yes, the house is closed up. sigh. Yesterday we generated 11.3 KWHs and the m-t-d at 49 is still on track for 360 but losing ground.

    Fineena had a wonderful night’s sleep on her new bed Sunday night. And said she’d get used to it being so low. She just needs to keep one of her canes beside the bed to help her get up. And in fact, except for the TV not being hooked up yet, Henry still “acting out” (doing inside what he should be doing outside), and all the boxes and bags still in the spare room to be opened, she’s almost leading a normal life again. Finally. She’s still a bit in wonderment over having no mice, no bugs, and maintenance who actually fix stuff when called upon to do so.

    Xitter is busily trying to get rid of everybody. The latest seems to be stating that by using xitter we agree that they can take, use, and sell out content. That should get rid of most if not all the small business people, especially artists and writers. At least all who know about it. I probably won’t leave until the needs people stop posting in my needs threads but I’m on Spoutible and Bluesky so I can follow “my people” at least to those two. And hope I don’t lose too many. And can figure out where to get the environmental, Indigenous, and Puerto Rico content I’ve been reposting to both those sites. sigh.

    Off to start my boosting day. Holding the Good Thoughts for everybody. {{{Meeses}}}

    • Which is better, Spoutible or BlueSky?

      I would miss so many people if I get off X. I love BrooklynDad_Defiant, Portia McGonegal, Victoria, Radio Justice, and several others, including our beloved Anne Louise Avery. I will have to leave sooner or later, though. As it is, I’m there less and less.

      • I’m on Spoutible – but only look at it about once a day – I’m still using TwitX regularly. Won’t quit till it is no longer useful.

        • That’s good. You are my main source of newspaper and journal articles I repost at Spoutible and Bluesky. LOL.

      • I like Spoutible better but bluesky has more people so vendors are heading for the latter. Aji and Anne Louise Avery both have accounts with both but are only posting on bluesky. I’m not sure but I think Portia McGonegal is on Spoutible. I guess I’m going to say Spoutible is better if you’re looking for community. If social media is “business” then bluesky is currently better. But Spoutible is growing – and is trying to catch and deal with the kinds of issues we’ve all complained about on the bigger platforms.

        • I am with the boycotters of Spoutible. I still have hopes that one or more Mastodon instances will figure out how to make a user-friendly interface. I do almost nothing on Twitter and will keep my account open but may take it private. The platform is probably ruined but just in case someone buys it and drives away the nazis, I don’t want to start over from scratch.

        • H’mm. I can’t live without Anne Louise Avery (to whom you introduced me, thank you kindly!). Still, I do subscribe to her posts, so conceivably it doesn’t really matter which one I eventually pick.

  15. Good Tuesday morning, Meese. it’s 81 F., going up to 98 F. or something in Ashburned. Outside the grass is developing dry brown spots, and we’re so parched that the trees are already losing their leaves. Ten and a half inches under for the year, but I’ll say no more about that.

    After that huge, horrible, holiday meal around the corner from our apartment, we felt as stuffed as ticks yesterday. Went to a “Friends of Bill” meeting at 2:30 and disgraced myself by starting to cry when I mentioned the death of my sister. I’m too emotional, but I don’t know what I can do about it at this stage of my life.

    At breakfast just now I read a book by a man who suffered a devastating health crisis in Paris but felt well enough to fly home to the USA for further treatment. He had a Near-Death Experience, after which he changed from atheism to Christianity.

    Hope that NEVER happens to me! As you all know, I abhor patriarchal religion. Only when I embraced the religion of the Goddess did I begin to feel that I was a worthy human being, even though female. The other members (so far) of Friends of Bill that I’ve met (twice now) seem to think about being recovering alcoholics 24/7. I don’t. It’s part of my life, like a handicap, but it doesn’t show. I think about lots of other things, writing, plans, chocolate, trying to lose the pounds I’ve gained from eating chocolate, the scenery, writing plays, and so on. After 42 years, thinking about being “in recovery” is just not that big a deal for me. I may have to drop out of Friends of Bill after a while.

    Have been following the writers’ strike and am very much exercised about it. Why do corporate biggies treat writers so badly? Where would we be without stories? The first thing most Littles learn to say is, “Tell me a story!” Hey, that reminds me of a song!

    “Tell me a story, tell me a story,
    Tell me a story before I go to bed,
    You promised me, you said you would,
    You can’t go back so I’ll be good,
    Tell me a story before I go to bed.”

    Ha, I knew y’all would love that! This morning I have to get my curls snipped off, then go to Michael’s. Dearly wants to put gas in the car. Tomorrow it’s supposed to be 100 F. so I don’t want to go out at ALL.

    Wishing a good day to all at the Pond. Thank Goddess for air conditioning!

  16. Good morning, 61 and partly sunny. My morning is as quiet as can be with Elsa in residence. She’s laying beside me now, chewing on a bone, but she has been out several times, gotten herself tangled in the planting bed by the front porch, and zoomed her toys around the dining room table. Lots of young dog energy! She is going to puppy camp with a dog she knows this afternoon and Bri will be here to work in the garden so my day will be busy. Best wishes to all.

  17. Good morning, meeses! Tuesday that feels like a Monday …

    It is 84 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 95. Sunny skies are in the forecast. This morning when I got up, it was 70 degrees with a comfortable humidity. When I took my walk it was 72!

    The day started busy and has only gotten more so. I am going to ignore the news again and try to answer enough emails to satisfy pent-up demand so I can get off of my computer.

    See all y’all later!

  18. Wednesday Meese. Will be over 90 here today. Am going to try to get some gardening done before noon.

    Puerto Rico


    (weirdly hidden content)

  19. Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …

    It is 72 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 100. Sunny skies are in the forecast. The stars were bright when I got up this morning and I could see the moonlight on the edge of my patio floor but could not see the moon because of the overhang. She is about half illuminated so is still putting out a lot of light. The weather guys are issuing heat dome warnings for the weekend but in the meantime, I can have my office window open in the early mornings.

    Marj’s Kevin is going to pretend that he has the power to pass bills to fund the federal government to avert a shutdown. After he screwed over Democrats who voted with him on the last funding bill, good luck finding anyone willing to provide a fig leaf for him this time around. So we need to hunker down and prepare for a government shutdown. Gawd, what an insane way to run a country. MAGAts don’t want to Make America Great Again, they literally want to burn it down. We need to find a way to convince the 20% of Republicans who might not want to destroy the country that they need to vote for Democrats. McCarthy may be the most illegitimate Speaker ever – so far at least 6 of the seats that helped him win his gavel have been declared to be the result of illegal racial gerrymanders. He had the corrupt SCOTUS on his side in 2022, willfully misreading the Purcell ruling and refusing to fix the obvious unconstitutional redistricting done in the red states. He won’t have Purcell protection for 2024 so he has no incentive to not join the MAGAts and burn it all down.

    Time to get back to the things I have control over. I made some progress on projects yesterday and I got up early enough today to get a few more things done before my Inbox fills up with requests.

    See all y’all later!

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