Vicki Lane Mysteries
Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
I Must Be Woke
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
A Promise
Monday, February 24, 2025
Today's Text
As the president and Elon Musk continue to hollow out our government,
including the DOD, Putin must be congratulating himself on installing this
useful idiot in the Oval Office. What are you doing to push back against this undermining
of our country?
That's the text of yesterday's call/email to my congressmen. Musk's email to 2.3 million federal workers demanding they document their actions the previous week or face firing has engendered mass confusion. What if said actions are classified? Who (or what) will be evaluating all 2.3 million replies?
The DOGE team has gotten so many things wrong, yet they careen ahead, an indiscriminate wrecking ball aimed at the heart of our government.
What better time for our enemies to take advantage of the disarray our government is in?
With a singularly incompetent man in the Oval Office, a man who chooses a Secretary of Defense because he looks the part ("right out of Central Casting,") a man who has given/sold unprecedented power to Elon Musk, a man who admires and excuses Putin, our country is in grave danger.
And all I can do is make those calls, send those emails.
Sunday, February 23, 2025
Josie the Disciplinarian
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Icicles
After snow all day Thursday and the temperature in the teens that night, we were happy to awake to sunshine and a melt in progress--and we still had power and running water.
Friday, February 21, 2025
We Are Not Okay
Today I am embarrassed to be an American. Our president appears to be in thrall to Russia's Putin. In the Bizarro World of the FOTUS, Ukraine started the war and Zelensky is a dictator. Meanwhile our amazingly incompetent VP lectures our European allies and takes meetings with Neo-Nazis.
I recognize this feeling. When we were traveling in Europe during the Vietnam war, we tried very hard not to be recognized as Americans, toying with the idea of attaching a Canadian flag to our motorcycle.
It's appalling that it's come to this. The stranglehold Musk and his wealth have on the GOP, with threats to primary any who don't support the agenda, has effectively put an end to democracy.
With all the information and technological expertise at his fingertips, Musk is capable of re-making our reality.
Where are the brave men and women in Congress who will take a stand?
(I was happy to read that Tillis (R, NC) did a bit of pushback on the FOTUS's lies about Ukraine. Speaking on the Senate floor Tillis called Putin a liar and a murderer and said we should treat him like one. Well, okay! --Tillis occasionally locates his spine.)
Thursday, February 20, 2025
And Snow
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Wild Times at the Palma Ceia
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Keeping On
Write those emails; make those calls.
There are so very many things to be addressed but I try to limit myself. A friend told me she had trouble with calling as she got so angry she sputtered and fell over her words. So would I if I didn't have a prepared script to follow (it works for emails too.)
This was yesterday's:
I am concerned as to why DOGE is acquiring sensitive personal information from the IRS. I am concerned that Trump/Musk's wrecking ball approach to cutting costs is doing immeasurable harm, at home and abroad. I am concerned that your party seems to be turning governing over to a gang of irresponsible actors, while conciliating Putin and offending our longtime allies. And I'd like to know if you have received financial support from Musk.
I am touched by those of you who said you read my blog daily. I shall endeavor to persevere.
As I am with the watercolors. The above is painted from a photo I took some years ago at a threshing--an event carried on as a tradition by a local family. Keeping on.
Monday, February 17, 2025
Strange Day
First my Facebook account was suspended. The reason given had to do with an Instagram account--that I don't believe is mine. I signed up for IG years ago but haven't used it since.
I'm suspecting a hack and will stay off FB till things become clearer. While I'll miss being in touch with friends, I think it will be a good thing to break the tie, at least for a while.
Then our power went off for hours. No biggie--I sketched and listened to Stephen Fry reading P.G. Wodehouse. It was a pleasant way to spend a cold, drizzly day.
I haven't yet decided if I'll continue this blog on a daily basis. It began as a way to reach readers and has become, really, a sort of online journal. Most of the engagement has come from FB with a handful of folks who read the blog online rather than FB.
We'll see
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Meta at Work
My Facebook account has been suspended for unknown reasons. I will continue to post on this blog.
What a world!
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Josie Update
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Meema picked me up and we went and got ice cream again because Cynthia at the ice cream place wanted to see my dress. I had told her about it when we got ice cream on Monday and she Really wanted to see it.
Then when we got home, there was a Valentine card with a dragon on it for me and a bag of hearts made our of different colored stones--like a dragon's hoard. My favorite is the blue one that might be lapis lazuli. I made all sorts of shapes with them.
These are pictures I painted on Monday. I remembered to leave a little bit of white on the apple like Meema told me a long time ago. Then I decided to paint a picture of one of the orchids on the table.