FIVE SECOND STORIES

In the neighborhood:

Michigan's wild weather continues-after a frigid New Year, we had another thaw culminating in a couple of days 1/8,1/9 in the 50's with a high of 59 on the 9th. The snow has disappeared again. As we did last year, we put Mr. Tree out near the Diner as a waiting area and potential buffet for treats.

We've had some sun on and off. Mr. Finch having a bite:

One evening as we were closing up for the night, I witnessed an unusual event. We still had 4-5" of snow on the ground and the independent twin came down the berm to the Diner. Mr. Big Bun was there at the buffet minding his own business. The young doe approached and seeing the rabbit, stopped and stamped her left hoof twice. I'm not acquainted with deer/rabbit relations but I cannot believe the doe felt threatened by the rab. No, this looked like bullying in order to have the joint to herself. Mr. Bun conceded that he was at a severe disadvantage in both size and weight and hopped away. Like everything else on this planet-it's all about a struggle for resources.

1/11-Another cold front swings in with high winds. It began to snow mid-afternoon.

The winds died down and the snow was a light dusting-so delicate that any obstruction would block it leaving green areas under shrubs and trees.

1/11: morning

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Square waves: 

 

These wave patterns are known as square waves or a cross sea when two wave systems coming from different directions intersect at nearly right angles. While the crisscross pattern may look mesmerizing, it signals dangerous conditions below the surface. The collision of these swells creates powerful and unpredictable rip currents that can easily pull swimmers and even small boats out to sea. 

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Interesting films:

An interview of filmmaker John Waters turned up in my YT feed concerning the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It starring Jayne Mansfield and featuring several seminal rock n' roll stars such as Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Fats Domino and The Platters. The film influenced Waters' 1988 production Hairspray as well as the Beatles. Read more:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Girl_Can%27t_Help_It#

Scottish director Bill Forsyth, who brought us Local Hero (1983) and Gregory's girl (1981), wrote and directed the 1987 film Housekeeping. Two sisters in 1950's Idaho, abandoned by their mother and elderly relatives is looked after by an eccentric and unconventional aunt. A very curious film about an oppressive and judgemental society where conformity is demanded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housekeeping_(film) 

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John Simkins (b. 1951 Napa, CA) artwork:

Pavane in Gold 1989

The Guardian c. 2010

 

Deer Edward 2012

Sri Yantra c. 2012

Polarization 2015

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Somewhere, I came across this: 

The twin scoop cone. I vaguely remember this from my childhood and haven't seen one since. I was unable to find the origin/history of this particular cone.

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Fun vids:

A people person bulldog gets a special portal in a fence next to the sidewalk so she can greet passersbys:

Crazy English adult soapbox derby in London:

The commentary is a hoot. At 15.20-a driver dressed as a carrot atop a sausage in his veganmobile crashes and the announcer says "...he tripped over his sausage." 

English humor at its best.

Liminal Spaces

Nature pics

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 Cat support group meeting:

FUBARland:

Martyr in Minneapolis-Renee Nicole Good, 37 years old, US citizen, award-winning poet, widow, mother of three. 

She was shot 3 times in the face and murdered by ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

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Meanwhile, the Roach in an interview with the NYT concerning Venezuela and continued threats to Greenland, has insisted he doesn’t need to abide by international law and the only constraint keeping his power in check is his own morality: 

He announced a surge (Iraq war speak), sending an additional 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis. I think this is what has been planned all along (Stephen Miller)-an excuse to send in more troops and hope for a major conflict which gives Roach the chance to declare martial law. The escalates across the country and we teeter towards civil war. 

But then yesterday, he states that he will bomb Iran if they escalate their killings of protesters who are demonstrating for regime change.

Mind blowing hypocrisy which shows how the regime has no foot in reality, existing only in the demented twilight zone of dear leader's head.

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Many younguns observed that many who attended the No Kings rallies were older folks. That's because we already lived through shit like this with Nixon and we recognize it. Today feels like a tipping point, like in 1970 after this happened:

How many more, indeed? 

 

 

WOLF MOON

First full moon of 2026-Wolf Moon

Jupiter appears in the final image, center lower left.

In the neighborhood: 

Late afternoon 1/2:

1/3: Mom and twins make the rounds of the Diners. Curiously, one of the girls seems to be exhibiting that universal teenage behavior: independence. She was over at Johnny's by herself:
 

She was looking back towards the berm. This shot was taken via the garage-side door so I pivoted to look out the picture windows. Sho'nuff:

They moseyed over to John's Diner across the street. I don't know where Ms. Independent went to.

I spotted the other twin noshing on Johnny's cedar which has berries. DHS was keeping an eye on her. I did not see her join her family.

Fun vid: Atomic Chicken. C. Montgomery Burns tried to have this banned. 

 

FUBARland: Venezula. Well, they wanted a war. They wanted the oil. Nevermind how 28 million Venezuelans feel about it. Hegseth must be walking around with a permanent chubby these days. One commentator noted: this action gives a permission structure for China to invade Taiwan; for Russia to continue its war and atrocities in Ukraine; for Israel to continue its atrocities in Gaza. As well as any other thug regime to abuse its citizenry and neighbors. 

One wonders if Venezuela will become the regime's dumping ground for deportees. I can hear them now: Hell, over 8 million people have fled since 2014-there's plenty of room! Plus, it makes things more efficient rather than scatter-shooting all over the globe! Direct one-way flights! And Double-bonus: they speak Spanish down there! 

I would imagine Denmark is readying what scant forces they have to deploy in Greenland.  

END OF A HOLIDAY

The Day After Christmas by Jamie Wyeth, 1971

From 1969 End of a Holiday by Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention: 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In the neighborhood: Michigan weather has outdone itself: wild swings between Alberta clipper bringing high winds and blizzard conditions, heavy rain that began as ice, balmy warmth and bitter cold. 

Solstice: 

Christmas eve:

12/28: got up to 55°!

12/29: the day began with rain changing to ice then back to heavy rains. We received 2" of rain-the airport saw 1.16". This unusual December rain bumped the month total 1.67" above average. For the year, we were a dismal 7.86" below average. I hope for a better 2026.

At least 2 raccoons have taken up residence in the Apartments:

 

 

 New Year's Eve-snow and wind:

The Diner has been quiet. Few if any avians and just one BigTail enjoying the seed I put out when I filled the feeder:

New Year's feast:

Steak Diane with a new plant-based fillets, mashed spuds and roasted asparagus. While the fillets had the proper mouth-feel, for me, it lacked the meaty flavor which I suspected would be the case and why I made the Diane sauce. But, that's how plant-based products go, falling under the saying with vegan foods-nuthin' tastes like butter except butter.

Dark evening: 

New Year's Day: +9° with a bit of sun. The Diner was busy with some early birds:

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Iceland has a tradition that began in WW2 called Jólabókaflóð, when paper was one of the few things not rationed. Families  gather on Christmas Eve, unwrap book gifts and spend the evening reading and enjoying chocolates or hot chocolate.

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Out and about: I was chatting with one of the produce mgrs at Horrocks who is from Serbia. His baby is learning to crawl with the help of his best buddy pitbull. The pitty is very tolerant despite the youngster's penchant for want to chew on his ears. 

Fun pics: 

Sunclock in St. Ignace, MI:

One stands on the current month:

Goats standing in trees in Morocco:

Goats are drawn to the sweet, nutty pulp of the argan tree fruit.
 
Wisconsin baby albino squirrel asleep:

 Two bees sleeping together head to toe in a flower:

Joe Neely

  Very rare blue lobster:

An estimated one in 2 million lobsters are blue.        Gary Lewis

Another rare lobster: the rainbow lobster  found in the deep waters of the Indo-Pacific. Its dazzling hues aren’t just for show, they help it blend into vibrant coral reefs.  

 

  The Fire Temple of Yazd, Iran

A sacred temple in Zoroastrian religion. It enshrines the Atash Behram, meaning "Victorious Fire", reportedly burning continuously since 470 AD. 

A new mural, thought to be by Banksy, by the Centrepoint building in central London, showing the same children. The building has been called an “affront to the homeless.”Credit...Leon Neal

Whimsical street art only visible when it rains:

Toronto Ripley's Aquarium rooftop: 

 

Fun vids:

The Snowman and the Snowdog-sequel to the Snowman:

 

Street art from around the world:

 National foods we got wrong:

 From 1954, White Christmas by The Drifters:

AI vids from Kelly Boesch:

House of Light:

Where Endings Begin:

FUBARland

Noticed a change of terminology by the Meidas Touch pod casts in describing Trump and his regime: evil. 

A recent New Yorker cover, which I thought was spot on:

Word of the year: pleonexia- an ancient Greek term describing the insatiable desire to take more than your fair share, even when it harms others. While the presenter is speaking about the UK, I believe that it is more than applicable to America as well.