Happy Valentine's Day!

                                                                       

And I'm Back

                                                                            

A new charging cord and my laptop is back in business! Boy, what an improvement to use a full size keyboard Would that everything else I'm worried about could be so easily and quickly remedied!

I'm concerned that the GOP is facilitating a white supremacy movement by allowing the F(elon)OTUS to allow Musk to do pretty much whatever he wants--snap up lucrative government contracts, bring his kid to work in the Oval Office, enable importing other white supremacist South Africans, and generally run amok in the name of government efficiency.

                                     

Who's in charge here?

And my congress critters are probably in Musk's pocket. Making those calls is still important, but I have to say that reading the weasel-worded replies is nauseating.

But I endeavor to persevere.

This Is Just to Say

 I'm having computer problems and using my phone to post. Which is a drag.   If you don't hear from me for a few days, that's what's up.

Where Are We Going?

     on

Our country is heading into the unknown as a mad president raves about sporks and plastic straws while choosing the worst and wackiest for his government.

  Meanwhile the richest man on earth has free rein in that government, molding it to his advantage, getting rid of programs that hinder any of his multipleI interprises.

And the GOP aids and abets.

 

 

Orchids in the Sun

 

Bricolage (See also Gallimaufry)

                                                                          

BRICOLAGE

1. (In art or literature) Construction or creation from a diverse range of available things.

2. Something constructed or created from a diverse range of available things.

This word popped up on Word Daily and I realized it was the perfect description of this blog.

Flowers, sunrises, food, dogs and cats and sometimes snakes, politics, watercolors, books . . .

                                                                                    

Of course, Josie. And whatever else my magpie mind seizes on.

Meanwhile on Word a Day, this word could describe same of my posts:

archaeolatry

PRONUNCIATION:

(ar-kee-AH-luh-tree) 

MEANING:

noun: Excessive reverence for the past: an earlier time, old customs, antiquity, etc.

                                                             

ETYM

Trying to Improve

As I've said before, drawing people is right out of my comfort zone. So I'm working on it, using old photos from family albums. All the folks pictured are no longer here to be offended by my clumsy attempts.

 I loved the pose of the mother in this picture. Those firm black shoes! I had thought at first that it was a photo of my grandmother and mother. . .

But the inscription on the back "To Virginia from Billie" and the date, which is later than my mother's birth date, suggest otherwise. I can't explain the 1924 stamp--the mother's dress looks earlier than that but what do I know.

This is a photo of my mother and her friends at the beach on a chilly day. I was stuck by the headless pose and how the whole thing suggested a coven of witches. I can't be sure who's who but my mother stayed close to at least four of her high school friends throughout her life.

Do Something

I confess to having felt overwhelmed by the shock and awe, flood the zone tactics of FOTUS, Musk, and all their minions. But, shamed by the resolution of some of my friends, I'm committing to calling my congress persons daily to ask what they're doing about the latest outrages.

I made my calls today while waiting to pick up Josie. One voice mail, two full mailboxes. So I emailed my comments. Not as good as actually speaking with a staffer but better than nothing.

According to an article I read, quoting an ex-staffer, phone calls get the most attention (except for showing up in person which is optimum.) This ex-staffer said that online petitions aren't particularly effective. I get bombarded with these and they all want a donation.

The concerns I addressed in my Wednesday calls and emails were three: FOTUS's incendiary plan to ethnic-cleanse Gaza, using the US military, and then turn it into a resort; the seizure of sensitive information by Quasi-President Musk and his merry band of hackers; and the recently floated (and probably illegal) plan to send American prisoners to prisons in other countries. In each case, I asked for the congressperson's stance and what he intended to do about the matter. I don't have much hope for these guys, Republicans all, but I think it's important they know there is opposition in their district.

It will, alas, be easy to find new topics to address tomorrow.

 

A Narrow Fellow in the Grass

The neighbors are awakening! This slender young blacksnake brought Emily D.'s poem to mind, though he didn't slide away. Indeed, I believe s/he had just emerged from his winter burrow--when I touched him with my walking stick, he didn't react. 

                                                                                      

You can see the dirt on the tail coming out of the ground. It was still pretty chilly, and he looked like I feel most mornings--Do I really want to get up now? 

A few hours later, the sun had done its work and the snake was gone. I hope he's hunting--that place where his hole is, is also where I've seen a couple of copperheads in years past. 

Signs of Re-Birth and Renewal

 

Thrusting through Fall's leaves,

Green blades promise another

Spring--as the wheel turns.

Shock of Recognition

                                                                           

Usually I dash past Facebook ads but a picture stopped me cold--I know that place!  There at the corner of the building in the foreground, I once washed the mud and sheep poop off my boots, using a brush (hanging on the wall) provided for walkers such as ourselves so that we didn't track crud into the lovely establishments of the village. 

The place is the Old Mill in Lower Slaughter. In 2006 we were on a self-guided walking tour in the Cotswolds--one of the best trips ever.

The first picture is grabbed from a page on Cotswold touring. The second was taken by John, of me, cleaning those boots.

  

                             And a third, also from John's files.

                                                  

It's wonderful how that quick glance brought back those very special couple of weeks.

Inching Toward Spring

                                                        

The rising sun is working its way from the far right of this photo to a bit beyond the left edge which will be the equinox. A ways to go but even slow progress out of winter is welcome.

Rabbit, Rabbit, (Rabbit)

                                                                              

The west end of our living room. There are 3 rabbits.