The Day After Christmas by Jamie Wyeth, 1971
From 1969 End of a Holiday by Simon Nicol, Fairport Convention:
Thursday, January 1, 2026
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:
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:
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| Joe Neely |
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| 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.
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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.
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