One late morning a couple of days ago, I was cruising in and out of the house when I glanced over to the Diner and saw that the feeder had vanished! I found back by the birch behind the pool. They didn't manage to get it open and just left it there. I had been noticing that twice before, the metal perches had been removed-earlier attempts perhaps. This time, they had evidently held on to the feeder and torqued it until the wire holding it on the shepherd's crook snapped. I replaced it with sturdier wire. The suspects:
1. One of the new squirrels who must have jumped down from the birch
2. Rocky, who somehow climbed over the baffle then jumped
3. Deerskis
The weather continues to be coolish-50's and lo-60's but only a few showers now and then getting stuff wet. Most trees are fully leafed, the iris have begun to bloom, lilacs and honeysuckle continue blooming and Mrs. Krabappel is in her glory.
A fluffer enjoying a slice of bread:
Mr. Goldfinch and Mr. Redbird:
Our resident Bun, one of Big Bun's children or grandchild from last year:
Mr's Redbird and White Crown Sparrow
Early one morning-May Flower Full Moon:
A new Stampy at the Diner!
Sun tea season!
Buddy chillin' on the deck chairs:
Mr. Bun splooting in the Back 40:
M/M Big Blue were out gathering peanuts and having a sip:
Mr. Cope's Gray Treefrog on the shed ramp:
Welcome back stranger! It's Mr. Rose-breasted Grosbeak!
He winters in Central/South American, migrates North flying at night, breeds in the forests of Canada/NE US.
He visited last year in late April and earlier 2012-2014. Is our latest visitor related to him? Do they carry genetic memories?
#cutebuddypix:
Hodgepodge for $300:
World's largest cashew tree in Natal, Brazil covers an entire city block:
Cleveland, OH personal injury lawyer Tim Misny face is so recognizable that he just puts his image on a billboard for advertisement:
His tagline: I'll Make Them Pay!
Driving at night into snowstorm looks like Star Wars hyperdrive:
I once did this years ago. We were awakened 1am with a call that Michele's brother John had been in a snowmobile accident in Cadillac and was in the hospital. So, off we drove into a snowstorm that got worse the more northward we travelled barely at 25 mph. The normal 2.5 hour transit took us over 4. Oy!
A male cardinal looking like he's putting on the brakes:
Pjniska
The Bearded Woman of Abruzzo:
Magdalena Ventura, known as the "Bearded Woman of Abruzzo" (or La Mujer Barbuda),
was a 17th-century Italian woman from Accumoli who developed a full,
thick beard at age 37. She was immortalized in a 1631 portrait by Jusepe
de Ribera, showing her at age 52 breastfeeding, which challenged gender
norms by juxtaposing a masculine beard with maternal, feminine symbols.
The island of Nantucket, MA has over 800 pre-Civil War homes and structures. In the 18th Century, it was the whaling capital of the world.
I came across this image the other day watching a vid concerning the fate of the Anasazi : the Healing hand or Shaman's Hand representing healing, protection, and the universe's energy. Rooted in
Native American (Hopi), this symbol uses the spiral to signify the
journey of life and the universe, while the hand offers blessing and
protection.
Fun vids:
What happened to the Anasazi people whose culture created the Chaco Canyon complex:
Gorilla hail Springfield, MO 4/28:
Destino:an animated short film released in 2003 by The Walt Disney Company. Destino is unique in that its production originally began in 1945, 58 years before its eventual completion. The project was originally a collaboration between American animator Walt Disney and Spanish Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, and features music written by Mexican songwriter Armando Dominguez and performed by Dora Luz.
The History of the World According to Cats:
Kelly Boesch AI-Fairytale:
Strange Saturn moon Mimas:
MADads: Snapshots of an era-animated TV ads from the '50's:
Fun Norwegian ad for sober boating:
FUBARland:
Without freedom of speech, we wouldn't know who the idiots are.
Meanwhile, the Dept. of Ag recently was bragging that they had kicked over 4 million people off SNAP benefits. Yep, all those lazy welfare queens, illegal immigrants and other corrupt non-deserving individuals, including children, are left to dumpster dive or just die. We just can't afford these free-loaders anymore cuz we have to spend that money to replenish our v expensive missiles we used up against Iran and build dear leader's Ballroom and Victory Arch.
We should go into Spring like greedy pirates, making snow angels in piles of glittering doubloons, drinking in the season's exuberant energy like tankards of rum.
Under fair skies and a morning breeze, unfurl the yards of linen and sail for the promise of Summer that lies just over the horizon.
-J. Kristin, 2022
~
Yo Yo Ma, playing his famous Bach piece, next to a brook in a forest. Accompanied only by the sound of water, such evident joy.
~
On a Fine Spring Day, Four Strangers Meet at a Walgreens
After spending a few hours on yard work, I showered and went to Walgreens to pick up a couple of items. Business was slow, being 3 o'clock in the afternoon. I found my items and was heading towards the cashier at the same time as a young woman. I motioned for her to go ahead of me. She was tall, very light brown with a big curl 'fro. Big smile. Behind the counter was a petite middle-aged white lady with a distinct Southern regional accent. As she was being rung up, the young woman remembered an item she had failed to grab and dashed back into the aisles for it. Upon return the clerk, being well-trained, did a bit of suggestive selling indicating that the young woman had accumulated points giving her a deal on one of her snacks. Get another for just pennies. So, the young woman dashed back once again and as she returned, murmured to me an apology. I replied no worries-how can one be in a hurry on such a fine Spring day! Both of the women chirped back in unison right?!! and were smiling.
The transaction was nearly completed when a very uber-fit, older woman came in. She was dressed in looked like a walking outfit: lightweight top and shorts, snazzy ball cap and sunglasses. Evidently, she had already been in Walgreens as she had a bandage on her upper bare arm that had a large W on it. I figured she had come in for a vaccination. Now, being her age (older than myself, I thought,) she made a bee-line to me to request help from a male: she was having some issue with her car and needed help. Could I come out once finished and take a look? she asked, then launched into this explanation: I don't want to call my children for I would absolutely never hear the end of it! For some reason, I was immediately transported in my head to some Downton Abbey era show where Lady Wedgeworth, 12th Baroness of blah blah blah reveals herself to an elderly male commoner. Those infernal machines! My infernal family! I replied: I am more than happy to help and I assure you, I do not know your family and if I did, I promise never to say a word. I shall be out shortly. She smiled and went out with the young woman following a few steps behind. As she was ringing me up, the Southern Lady said: I am not quite sure what is going on with her car to which I replied: neither do I but it shall be interesting and I hope I can help.
When I walked out, I saw that the young woman was leaning over a vehicle where the older woman is sitting in the driver's seat. The problem was immediately recognizable: something has triggered the car alarm with that annoying, steady beep beep beep. I see that it is a Lexus convertible...yep, it is Lady Wedgeworth! While the old lady was vocally trouble-shooting, the young woman saw me and leaned over saying: I think it's something with her key fob. I grinned as it's obvious that neither of us had a clue but remain to give some sort of moral support. Suddenly, the car shuts up and three enthusiastic huzzahs are shouted. I turned to leave and the young woman says have a blessed day. Ahh, I thought to myself-here's a believer who lives their faith. Without it turning into a proselytizing opportunity. I appreciate folk like this. The beeping suddenly started up again and I turn back. The old woman rummaged through her purse and exclaimed, it's my other fob! The beeping stopped again accompanied by 3 more huzzahs. She thanked us both and wished us well and we returned the sentiment.
As the young woman and I walked towards our cars with our trajectory angle widening with every step, she asked me about my t-shirt.
Is that a logo or something?No, I replied. It's the Celtic Tree of Life. She looked puzzled. It's an old Norse myth brought by the Vikings who came to Scotland and Ireland and I have a bit of Celtic blood in me. She nodded. Besides, I added, I'm an old hippie and it's Earth Day! She burst out laughing, waved and said Have a blessed day!You as well, I answered and we both entered our cars.
Weather has been a mix of warm sunny days and chilly overcast. Little rain. The dandelions are in full bloom. Meanwhile, the Diner has been busy. Nutkin having a drink:
MamaC has returned-here she is hanging out on her apartment porch:
His Lordship in one of his outposts-here, a castle keep-to monitor TBK over at Benny's:
A Tiger in my backyard coming back from patrol:
4/22-23 First mowing of the yard.
4/22 High 70's and our first supper on the deck:
Along the edge of the pool are the three peonies that I transplanted last Fall. They survived the Winter and have had a good growing spurt. They are fenced in to protect from hungry hungry critters.
Benny's maple with reddish/brown immature leaves:
Bud in this castle keep again. Nice camo he has with his brown and grey coloring that goes with the color of the planters. Smart lad.
4/23-our first 80° day with a high of 81°. Our last 80° day was on 10/6/25. Such a gorgeous day, I was tossing peanuts to my wild pals-here Big Blue and LG are partaking:
Rocky looking for peanuts:
He/she headed back to the apartments as MamaC keeps watch:
Another day, I see Rocky may have taken up residence a couple of doors down from MamaC. Hmm, I wonder if the apartments are turning into a maternity ward? Stay tuned!
#cutebuddypix
This is why we call him Longfellow:
So cute with his white chin:
4/25-temps have cooled with a brisky wind. M/M Redbird have a meal together:
Lil' Woody joins Mr. Redbird. Big Woody has not been seen in a couple of weeks. I don't know why-he may have been fueling up to move on to his permanent home this season, or may have been pushed out of a potential nesting spot by the Starlings or he did not care to be in competition at the feeder with the Red Wings. Too bad-he's an attractive fellow.
C cleaned out the Department frig again so the Buffet featured all sorts of exotic dishes:
Mr. White-Crowned Sparrow has returned from his Southern Winter home:
The lilacs are blooming:
Mrs. Krabappel's blooms are about ready to burst:
A sunny yet cool afternoon:
Hodgepodge for $400:
I was YT surfing when I came across a vid about a town in WI that showed this flag flying in front of storefronts that I was unfamiliar with:
This is St Piran's Flag (Cornish: Baner Peran), the official flag of Cornwall. Adopted as the Cornish standard in the 19th century, it is attributed
to the 6th-century patron saint of Cornish tin miners, Saint Piran,
symbolizing white tin against a black ore background.
On the cusp of a revolution for automobiles? I came across a clip talking about a new EV from China with Sodum Ion batteries. That's right...salt! Meet theChangan Nevo A06:
Launching in mid-2026, this is the first mass-production passenger car
featuring a sodium-ion battery, utilizing CATL’s "Naxtra" cells. These
batteries offer superior cold-weather performance (retaining 90%
capacity at -40°C), faster charging, and lower costs using abundant,
sustainable materials. They are ideal for affordable, urban electric
vehicles. The downside is Sodium-ion (Na-ion) cars suffer from lower energy density, resulting in a 20–40% shorter driving range compared to lithium-ion,
necessitating heavier and larger battery packs for the same capacity.
These batteries also generally offer slower charging speeds and a
shorter cycle life than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) alternatives. Having said this, sodium-ion is much less expensive to make, by-passing the complexity of extracting and processing lithium into battery-grade material.
First images from the new Vera C. Rubin observatory in Chile:
Two prominent spiral galaxies (lower right),
three merging galaxies (upper right) in the Virgo cluster, as well as
several groups of distant galaxies, many stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Photograph: NSF-DOE Vera C Rubin observatory/AFP/Getty In one of the last posts, I featured the Drought Map which showed major issues in the deep South. As a result, GA, TN and FL have been experiencing wildfires. To my memory, this is quite unusual especially in April. This could be the beginning of a long, extreme weather event filled Summer. We've already had a lot of major tornadoes in the Mid-West.
Gotta love the YT algorithm's categorization system: under "Ancient History and More", a LIVE storm chase vid was featured.
MADads: 'Tis Spring and with it comes allergies for those unfortunate souls. On YT, the ads for such meds are as thick as the dandelions. One important part of the spiel is the emphasis on getting relief without any drowsiness. No doubt brought to you by the pharm/corporate coalition for the enhancement of productivity. No more sick days every Spring because of these wheezy pansies. Suck it up! Take your meds and report for work! We at least give you weekends off-Yes! 2 days off IN A ROW! It's our carrot for donkeys.
I've also noticed an offshoot of the campaign aimed at parents of schoolchildren. Again: Do you want Jr to keep up with his classmates? He needs to stay competitive and productive especially if he is involved in sports! This sets the tone for the next Gen worker-in-training.
The new mystery LaCroix sparkling water: "Sunshine". They're being clever-no description, just "natural flavors". Wanna know? Well, spend the money and find out. According to LaCroix,LaCroix Sunshine is a bright and sparkling blend of citrus and tropical zest, capturing the refreshing essence of a sun-kissed day in every sip. That was helpful.
Conclusive evidence: Vikings were the first Europeans to reach the New World.
In 1960, Norwegian husband-wife team of explorer Helge Ingstad and archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad discovered what they felt was a Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows on the Northern tip of Newfoundland. Nailing down the date of settlement was nebulous until 2021, when Margot Kuitems and her team from the University of Groningen published the results of their research that revealed the date.
In 993 CE, there was a Solar storm event that hit the Earth. Known as the Solar Spike, it produced a notable spike in Carbon 14 in tree growth, which can be seen as a thicker ring. The Kuitems team analyzed 3 pieces of wood from the settlement. They found that the wood showed evidence that it had been chopped by a tool made of European iron, something Indigenous populations in the area did not possess. They found the 993 Spike rings on all 3 pieces of wood, then counted the number of rings outward. The wood dated to year 1021, conclusively placing the Vikings in the New World at least 470 years before the Columbus voyages!
However, the Vikings did not stay long. Current thinking based on excavation at L'anse is that this was a forward base for further exploration inland. It only was used for maybe a decade, abandoned and the population returned to Greenland.
So, what Columbus represents is the beginning of continual European settlement in the Americas.
The Devil's Horns sunrise:
Qatar, 2020
This occurs when there is a solar eclipse at sunrise.
Site unknown-2025
Fun Vids:
The Etrucians:
Fun fact: Elite Etruscan women actively participated in banquets, dining and drinking wine alongside men while reclining on shared couches. Unlike
their Greek counterparts, Etruscan women enjoyed high status,
education, and independence, allowing them to mingle freely, eat, and
drink in public.This practice, depicted in tomb paintings like the Tomb of the Leopards, distinguished them from Greek and Roman women, who were generally excluded from such social, male-dominated gatherings. In fact, later Greek writers would describe Etruscans as decadent. This civilization was considered to reach its zenith around 500 BCE.
Welcome back stranger! It's Mr. Rose-breasted Grosbeak!
