New Dog in the Holler!

We celebrated Justin and Claui's birthdays Saturday night and they brought up Claui's birthday present--a handsome young guy who is a real sweetie.

Claui favored Cannoli (a nod to the black dots) as a name; Justin suggested Moby (the pup is going to be large). They may have settled on Moby Wan Cannoli

Otter isn't thrilled; she prefers being an only. But signs are she'll adjust. Josie is in love.

We were happy to be able to have the birthday dinner without losing power or, indeed, having any really adverse weather. 

We had a yummy Salmon Wellington--salmon topped with a mix of spinach and Boursin, wrapped in puff pastry with a creamy, lemony sauce.  And there was lemon curd and chocolate pie. 

NOTE As Monday morning, no big weather event so far, thank goodness! Just a little snow and Very cold. Still have power and running water!

 

Dear Sirs

                                                       

 Your president has dragged the US into the company of dictators and strongmen, while alienating the civilized nations of the world. He continues to enrich himself and his family and his billionaire donors, and propose vanity projects while ignoring the very real needs of the country. The corruption , the pay to play is rampant. Impeach Trump.

Meanwhile, the so-called Justice Department does not release the Epstein Files. Impeach Bondi.

And the out of control masked ICE thugs continue to terrorize Democrat-aligned cities, kidnapping children, attacking observers, and seemingly attempting to inspire violence. The murder Saturday of an observer who was filming them is abhorrent, as was the murder of Good and others.  Will you condone the lack of accountability the ICE thugs seem to enjoy? Defund ICE; impeach Noem.

I am ashamed of my country and want it back.

Aging Amaryllis

I'm always captivated by fading flowers and the changes in color and texture. They seem to age more gracefully than most people.

Some folks fight age for all they're worth--diet, exercise, dye, cosmetic surgery, makeup, denial. I, all too obviously, just succumb to nature, gravity, and my inner swamp witch.

After spending the first half of my twenties wearing uncomfortable clothes (heels, stockings, panty girdles, mandated by the prep school where I taught,) as well as makeup and coiffed hair (rollers and a hairdryer,) it was a relief to spend a summer wearing jeans and riding on the back of a motorcycle. And then to teach at a school where the dress code was quite relaxed.

And then to move to rural western North Carolina where there was no dress code. I had found my spiritual home.

And I'm still in that state of grace.

Note: who knows what the power situation will be for the next several days. Don't be surprised if I don't post.

 

Waiting for the Winter Storm

 

A Perfect Comfort Read

A lovely book, as comforting as a comfy chair and a really hot cup of tea. I was captured on the first page and, apart from picking up Josie and grocery shopping in advance of the predicted storm, I was engrossed in a compelling story with just enough obstacles and difficulties to keep one reading and cheering for a good outcome.

Major Pettigrew is the sort of man the world needs and his story is a welcome escape from the headlines. It's like a warm hug.

I                                       

These Are Not Normal Times

 I used to hear right-wingers talking about "suffering under" Obama or Biden and I wonder just what that suffering consisted of or if it in any way could compare to the existential dread I feel on reading the news every morning.

I can remember praying with my grandmother for an end to Stalin. I no longer believe in the power of prayer but I can wish with all my heart . . .

Meanwhile I email my congressmen--pretty hopeless, as at least two of them are firmly in the cult and Tillis, though he's not seeking re-election and occasionally shows signs of remembering he once had balls, is still not free of MAGA.

May the Blue Wave come and wash away the orange stain on our country. (That's as close to prayer as I get,)

Jonah and the Almighty

I don't know when I first became fascinated with the story of Jonah. At least twenty years ago, I planned to paint this picture in oils on a very large panel. Sketched it out and then something or other intervened. So I decided to scale down my ambition.

Anyway, the story goes like this: The Almighty tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the sinners there of His displeasure. Jonah tries to avoid this commission by taking ship to Tarshish, upon which the Almighty sends a storm. The sailors, in fear of sinking, find out that it's Jonah who has disobeyed heavenly orders and toss him overboard. 

Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish and, from its belly, prays for redemption and promises to go to Nineveh and do as the Almighty told him. The fish vomits him up onto dry land.

So Jonah goes to Nineveh, warns the king and the people of the Almighty's wrath, and the entire city repents, fasting in sackcloth and ashes. And seeing this, the Almighty decides not to punish them.

But then, and to me this is really strange, Jonah goes into a kind of pout because the city is not destroyed. And, it's the words of the Almighty to him that I've copied here.

It's those last four words, I think, that really captivate me. As you might have guessed by the picture's border.

 

MLK Day

 "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Dear Sirs

 The President and this regime are running amok and Congress is ignoring it.

What is the justification for seizing Venezuelan assets and sequestering them in an account in Qatar under the president's control? Are we being made safer with violent masked thugs roaming our streets and demanding identity papers? Will the continued threat of seizing Greenland turn all of NATO against the US?

WHERE ARE THE EPSTEIN FILES?

Not to mention the truly pathetic sight of your Dear Leader eagerly seizing every unearned gilded award he can. Give the Toddler in Chief a gold participation trophy and impeach and remove him.

Thank you for your attention to the matter.

The Eternal Promise

In the dark days of Winter, 

Daffodils persevere.

So must we all;

So must we all.

 

Snowy Day--Works in Progress

 

Amazing Amaryllis Inspires Josie

This beauty was a gift from Josie's other grandparents, and it has outdone itself in blooms. Multiple stems from each bulb and sometimes five flowers on each stem. And the deep dark red!

Yesterday, of her own volition (which is pretty much the way she does everything), Josie painted its picture.

I was impressed. It took me years (fifty or so) before I attempted painting from life. And I'm still more comfortable with a photo or picture to follow.

 

Hope Dawning?

I see small signs that make me hopeful that this national nightmare is being challenged on various fronts.

May it be so!