Perhaps it is stories like these, half-recalled classist memories, that frightens a certain type of American.

Race, self-censorship and fear of “legislative cabals” arktimes.com/arkansas-blo...

Walking the dog in 8 inches of snow is tough. Walking her in 8 inches of snow topped with a 2 inch layer of frozen sleet may actually cause my death.

Headline: Is there a business case for Trump’s resource grabs? Should we ask: Is there a business case for stealing your friend’s house or car?

New Order's Blue Monday played on 1940s instruments .

Fuckity fuck. Sent my son back to Minneapolis for college yesterday. Just heard some of his roommate’s family has been ICED. Roommate probably not returning this semester. Meanwhile, there’s cops and crowds all around the campus neighborhood today.

This goes beyond Sabre-rattling. “After Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

In my class this morning, events in Minneapolis were a topic. After class, a student stops to tell me “my family is in Minneapolis and it is much worse than people think.”

Two kids home from college, both music majors, friends since there were 3. Banjo and guitar, jazz and bluegrass and Irish folk songs. Sometimes they let me sing along.

I just received an alert that our local Goodwill store has been evacuated because “someone donated a grenade.” I am not joking.

I propose that, in January 2029, Congress passes a law that everyone who pays their 2028 taxes is eligible for a Demolition Lottery Ticket. Just check a box when you file. The winner gets to swing the first wrecking ball to knock down this monstrosity. We’ll call it Hit Him in the Ball(room).

My partner’s daughter and her husband went to Japan for honeymoon. They sent us candy. The shapes are very creative and cute. But most have, to me, very little flavor, if any. Is it just my jaded American palate?

And you can send me dead flowers every morning Send me dead flowers by the mail Send me dead flowers to my wedding And I won't forget to put roses on your grave

Just finished Adrian Tschaikovsky’s Shroud. One of the best developed aliens I can recall ever reading. Highly recommended. 5 stars.

Holidays kill people. 5 days after losing our mother, my sister’s mother-in-law died of a massive coronary this morning. Her son, who was very close to both of them, has lost both grandmothers.

Well folks, it happened sooner than we expected and before I could make it to her side. My mother died this morning of complications stemming from Alzheimer’s. She was 7 days shy of her 85th birthday. I am sad, but happy to know that her pain and suffering is at an end. Hug someone you love today.

I’ve talked about this a few times here. My mother’s body has reached the last few days of her long battle with Alzheimer’s. She, the mother I knew, has been gone from that body for a while now.

My kid attends this university. He was not there, but a friend filmed it from his dorm window. Fucking hell.

Grading exams. Student’s spell check transformed dummy variable to gummy bear and now I am dead.

It’s fascinating to me. A suggested friend pops up in FB. I don’t recognize the name but I immediately recognize the girl, two years ahead of me in highschool 45 years ago, that I had a crush on. But I don’t recognize people in the street that I saw last month.

I needed to use a word to refer to the action used by, say, an 18th century writer wielding a quill pen to remove the excess ink. Total blank. Maybe there’s an object with the same name. Blank. So I went to fold laundry. Suddenly I shout “it’s a blotting blotter!” Gf: what are you cussing about?

Years ago I did a survey for a group of progressive business leaders who wanted to invest in beautification of their small town. The majority of residents, it turned out, were opposed because they simply didn’t want outsiders moving in.

In a dream last night, I was presented with a very lifelike marzipan human foot. I was told I must eat it, but I could not take a bite.

This is not hoarding. This is capitalism trying the convince you to buy new stuff, the latest stuff, you need all the shiny things and bells and whistles! Why? To be more productive so that you can buy more stuff! You can’t be happy without the new stuff!

Sometimes, one must simply put on one’s Boogie Shoes.

Foggy morning. “Torrential downpours” expected later today.

🎶They came upon a midnight clear With glorious raids untold. 🎶Masked men with guns and camouflage, Who their own souls had sold. 🎶 Hunt them down and throw them out For Trump our savior-king. 🎶Fox News in solemn tones did say “Hosannas to him sing” thisweekinworcester.com/exclusive-tr...

Of the remainder: 30% believe THEIR billionaires will enhance democracy thru the buying of elections. 10% believe they will soon become billionaires themselves and should be allowed to buy a few politicians like the other billionaires. 7% believe billionaires do not actually exist.

I’m writing a pro-vaccine novel titled “Atlas Drugged.” It will be published under my nom de plume, Payned Gland.

Cold weather means preparing a place for the approx 100 outdoor potted plants in the house. Then bringing them in. Here are a few. There are another 3 dozen or so that live inside year round.

This dahlia choose a bad time to bloom. 28 degrees F tonight.

Hard freeze here tonight. Fortunately, all my lemons were ready to pick.

I’m listening to this album right now and it is marvelous.

I believe this is Tremella fuciformis, also called snow fungus. Edible. Cultivated in Asia as food and medicine.

When I said “I can’t make you right,” it came out all wrong.

Sometimes, I think back to the heady days of early twitter and ask myself “is bluesky really as boring as it seems or is it me? Have I lost my sense of adventure and exploration?”

More for the Radicalised Into Madness By Going On The Internet file.

I wish I could zoom in on the flower With the eyes of a bee. Better yet would be to rub my fuzzy legs In its infinite petals.

See the beauty In all the life around you Perfect or imperfect

Maybe he could try a potlatch, instead.

You may have heard of Cincinnati style chili, chili over spaghetti noodles. You may know that St Louis is famous for toasted ravioli. Well, this is St Louis-style Cincinnati-style Chili. Don’t hate me for my culinary genius.

America’s new call: Give us your whites, Your violent far right, Your sons and daughters of enslavers, But keep all of those who don’t want Jesus as savior. Give us those who have riches, Your greedy sons of bitches, Your Nazis, your fascists, And Fuck the huddled masses.

Looking across Shilshole Bay toward Manitou Beach (Seattle).

Does anyone have suggestions on hidden gems to see or do in Seattle? Thanks

Parents: Son, at college you’re going to meet all kinds of people. They’re going to try to get you to try things. Kids experiment, we understand. You might want to carry a tiki torch and join the Proud Boys. We get it. But if you get vaxxed, don’t bother coming home.

I am operating an outdoor Air Bee and Bee in my front yard. Shhhh. They’re sleeping.