Welcome to The Moose Pond! The Welcomings posts give the Moose, old and new, a place to visit and share words about the weather, life, the world at large and the small parts of Moosylvania that we each inhabit.
Welcomings will be posted at the start of each week (usually Saturday night with a Sunday date). To find the posts, just bookmark this link and Voila! (which is Moose for “I found everyone!!”).
The format is simple: each day, the first moose to arrive on-line will post a comment welcoming the new day and complaining (or bragging!) about their weather. Or mentioning an interesting or thought provoking news item. Or simply checking in.
So … what’s going on in your part of Moosylvania?
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NOTE: The comments page will split off after 20 or so left margin comments with the most recent comments on the current page. To see the older comments, scroll to the bottom of the page (right before “Leave A Reply”) and use the Pages Tool to view previous pages, shown here with 3 pages of comments available and Page 2 circled.
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I fell asleep yesterday afternoon, logged out of work early — and I still slept late this morning. Today is the “cool” one for the week, maybe only 99 degrees. I’m not going outside even to check the mail.
{{{anotherdemocrat}}} sleeping is good. So is staying in. Healing Energy & moar {{{HUGS}}}
It’s 76 heading for 90 today (heat index below 100) so relatively cooler. Sunny again, which is good. Yesterday we generated 20.5 KWHs and the m-t-d is right at 220 so not on track but gaining and still covering A/C use.
It’s supposed to be warmer the rest of the week so I’m going out this morning to get kibble/cat stuff. I’m still deciding whether to also go to the co-op for supplements. Thursday is senior discount day. But it’s only 5%. A help most surely and I appreciate it, but even if I spend $200 – which hopefully I won’t – it would only be $10 in savings. That’s a lot of money under circumstances I’ve been in during my life but I’m not there now even if I am on the edge right now. On the edge for me at this space in my life is no spontaneous giving. That’s wealth.
As of last night everyone is holding on. Can’t say much else. In pain, scared, and short of funds but still breathing. Still able to find pleasure in beauty and unexpected kindnesses. If magic worked the way it does in myths/fantasy they wouldn’t be in pain or scared or short of funds. But it doesn’t.
I’m going to go set up over at twitter. The pet/vet store doesn’t open until 8 and I’ll give a short bit for traffic to clear. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …
It is 72 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 100. Sunny skies are in the forecast. Today is the official start of monsoon season here, when the winds shift and we get rain. Last year, June did not have a lot of rain (July did) but this year they are expecting a more typical monsoon June and already have rain in the forecast for Saturday and Sunday. We saw a different kind of bug yesterday and discovered that it is beetle that arrives for monsoon season! These critters must have a very good calendar. :)
There were some primaries yesterday and a special election in Texas that flipped a blue seat red. I have to hope that the DCCC did not challenge in that race because they wanted to save their cash for the general election (the new Representative will only be seated for 6 months) and not because of gross incompetence. I have never liked the DCCC and this year they seem more useless than ever. If we have a Speaker Kevin McCarthy (or a Speaker Jim Jordan), people will die.
I have to get a few things done to get ahead of the curve. I have errands to run that will cut into my day and I need to get a good to-do list in place for tomorrow when I need to get some things in place for my short trip.
See all y’all later!
Wednesday Meese. Couldn’t log in earlier – glad whatever it was is fixed. 65 going up to 82 here and I’m finally getting out in the garden today to build new lasagna beds, and add some compost to last year’s. Feels weird to be starting the garden in mid June – but rainy weather stopped me from doing it earlier.
Puerto Rico
An excellent read if you want to understand Puerto Rico’s fiscal crisis and PROMESA
Good morning, 54 and cloudy. As I suspected my sister is shivering, but she’s coping and not missing the NM heat yet. I’ll move an electric heater into the library today so she will have one warm room to retreat to.
Diana, you know I love porches so I’m happy to read you are using yours now. Adding outdoor rugs to the covered areas on the patios and the front porch added color and comfort. The rugs are made of polypropylene so the rain doesn’t harm them, and in the fall I just just them clean and roll them up for winter storage in the garage. They are in place now and make the sheltered spaces feel more inviting.
I’ve got a busy day ahead but my legs are not cooperating so I’ll have to hobble around with care. Best wishes to all.
Hi, princesspat! Your idea about the propylene outdoor rugs sounds very appealing and we may consider doing that. Unfortunately, the garage here is a building garage and we’re not supposed to store things in it. Are these indoor-outdoor rugs available at Lowe’s? We will compare the cost of one with the cost of painting the concrete. Dearly was told there’s only one color for concrete paint, brown. UGH! That’s the last color I’d want.
If worst comes to worst, we could ask Younger Son, who has quite a sizable garage, to store the rug for the winter.
Hi Diana, Lowes has outdoor rugs but I don’t know if they sell the Mad Mat brand. My favorite garden shop sells them here for about the same price as Amazon. I bought them locally and my daughter used Amazon. I like the quality and the ease of caring for them with just a broom and the hose if needed.
Thursday Meese. 62 and pouring raining today here in Kingston – however yesterday I was finally able to garden. Hired my neighbor’s college student daughter to help – she did the heavy lifting and I got 3 new lasagna beds built. Friday will head to the garden shops to get the plants to put in.
Puerto Rico
I skipped my walk this morning, figured the extra sleep would be better. I had almost as much trouble staying awake yesterday as I did Tuesday. 77 degrees at 6:30am, that’s depressing. At least there’s the hearing recap tonight, with Rachel and the gang.
Sounds as if the Austin life style will have to become like the life style of Baghdad—sleep all day and do everything else at night, work, shopping, the lot.
Climate change is no joke.
Posted
It’s 78 heading for 94 with heat index over 100. Mostly sunny. Which we really need to keep generating more than the A/C is using. SolarEdge is updating their software so my system isn’t updating production. Hopefully that will be finished soon. But I’ve got yesterday’s generation – 17.69 KWHs and m-t-d 237.77 (barely covered A/C generation and inched a gain on the accumulation).
I’m not sure how much sleep I got but most of it wasn’t good. Not awake enough to read or even check the time but not really asleep either. So a brain-fog day. I did all my shopping yesterday – 3 stores and over $200. Most of that was supplements and it would have been more except they were out of my calcium citrate. But other than getting that when it comes in, I should be able to not go out again for at least 3 weeks, hopefully 4, and maybe 5. One store employee was masked and one customer besides myself. An unmasked store employee earnestly agreed with me about the importance of masks. sigh.
Aji had her 2nd treatment yesterday, which makes her “spacey” as she put it. That’s down in Santa Fe so she didn’t get her usual posts out until after I got offline. I’ll boost them as soon as I get over to twitter. Lisa was going to do a cooking marathon last night. Which is usually quite successful and always exhausting. Jill’s husband is back in 7th-grader irritating mode. Which is so silly compared to his dangerous mode she just laughs about it. Aashirs nani’s garden is starting to produce. She’s run out of people to share her bounty with and isn’t sure what she’ll do this year but she’s not physically capable of canning any longer even if what she grows is all that good canned. Which it isn’t.
The world’s situation sux. At all levels. And it’s too big/heavy/much for those of us who are trying to be able to stop it. But we’ll keep trying anyway. Maybe we can slow it down enough so that when the crash comes, it’s not end-of-life-on-earth fatal.
Off to twitter and to Dee’s diary on DK. (Also gotta flea goo the cats today so I may be late on some stuff.) Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, meeses! Thursday …
It is 72 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 106. Sunny skies are in the forecast. This is a one day Excessive Heat Warning with temperatures back below 100 for the next 5 days.
So Ginni Thomas is a seditionist! Color me NOT surprised. In a just world, her husband would step down now before he destroys the lives of millions of American women and let Joe Biden appoint a justice who puts the law above his own partisan hackery. At least some justice was done yesterday. The tRump judge hearing the case of the Confederate flag waving “Dad” and his son found both guilty of obstructing a government proceeding. Even a tRump judge could not overlook the video of that guy poking the flagpole carrying the flag of sedition at Officer Goodman and yelling “where are they counting the votes?” – it was difficult to call him a “misdirected tourist” like the judge did for the other two cases.
I got a late start this morning – I allowed myself to sleep in. I have some errands to run today so I need to get a few things done before the clock strikes 8.
See all y’all later!
Good Thursday morning, Meese! The weather goons gleefully predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms morning and evening—coffee break at noon—but as usual, they have failed to materialize. It would be laughable if it weren’t so serious for the farmers. We’re an inch under normal rainfall for the year to date.
Anyway, right now in Ashburn it’s 77 F., headed for 89 F. I made apple bran muffins this morning and would you believe, I left the molasses out! OMG! And I went to such trouble to get it! The problem with our kitchen is that it not designed for someone who cooks, so there is nowhere to set up a mise en scene. The molasses was on the other side of the kitchen so I forgot it. Bummer.
Other than dozing through the hearings today, I suppose I’ll just potter about. What I saw on the scales this morning upset me so much that I may have to start another reducing diet. Unfortunately, the cuisine here, which we’re supposed to eat, is not conducive to losing weight. As for exercising it off, the more I exercise, the more I weigh, which seems rather odd but there it is.
Still have the ear problem. Sometimes it seems as if a tiny drummer is in there, banging away. I do wish the medicines would work.
Nothing brilliant to add this morning, so will just wish everyone at the Pond a good day.
I am finding this to be true of most apartments: “The problem with our kitchen is that it not designed for someone who cooks.” We “added” counterspace by getting a rolling island that can be also used for storage which increases our very limited cabinet space. I feel as though apartment kitchens are meant for quick meals and distributing carry-out food. :)
Yes, definitely! In fact, our “kitchen” is so small there’s room in it for only one person at a time. Still, we manage. My latest bout of insanity has led me to order 3-inch tart pans with removable bottoms for Bastille Day tarts. I must be nuts.
Alors, I could NOT get to sleep last night to save my life! Kept getting up for the usual reason, so did not fall asleep until 1 a.m. This caused me to get up at 7 a.m. and it’s been slow-mo ever since. Have been texting my friend in Montreal as DIL and little Karl are planning a visit there 2-6 July. Luckily, he and his husband will be home from visiting his mom (an eight-hour drive) on July 3. I can’t believe it’s been three years since I took Nora to Montreal to stay with them. Montreal is one of my favorite cities in the world, there’s so much going on there and it’s an easy way to get your “French fix.” It’s only an hour’s flight from IAD, too.
This afternoon at 1:30 I have a legacy letter writing planning meeting. I’m greatly looking forward to it. I want to leave a letter for my family. It’s being organized by the UUs. Truly, as my daughter suggests, I have found my tribe. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve done with the UUs.
Must write SIL in Australia. She received our flowers the other day. Elder Son’s wife, who is an accomplished florist herself, made the arrangements, bless her heart.
Oh, the weather. It’s a beautiful, if breezy morning in Ashburn, already 90 F. If it keeps up like this I’ll have to resume taking Monty for a walk before we eat breakfast. Tomorrow is the Father’s Day Fishing Tournament here, so we’ll go to that (we can take the dog), and in the early evening we’ll go to Elder Son’s house.
Princesspat, did you see the note I wrote you upthread? It certainly sounds like a lot less trouble to buy an indoor-outdoor carpet. Dearly is so frail I can’t bear to think of his painting the concrete floor of the porch. He’s lost more weight, and is now down to 151 pounds. For a man who used to be 6’3,” that’s serious. He’s never been overweight, but this is awful. I’m begging him to get an appointment with his primary doctor.
OK, that’s enough of my nonsense for this morning. Wishing a good day to all at the Pond.
I replied above Diana, and yes it is much easier to roll out a rug than it is to prep and paint a concrete floor. The rugs I’m using roll up small and are light weight so they are easy to manage. They also dry fast so rain showers are not a problem. I use them on top of concrete patio pavers.
Friday Meese. 67 going up to 85 here in Kingston NY and I’ll be heading to the garden shops today to buy plants. YAY
Puerto Rico
I am glad to hear that your gardening can finally begin in earnest!
Yay for going to the garden shop, Sis!
Good morning, meeses! Friday …
It is 78 degrees in Tucson with an expected daytime high of 100. Partly cloudy skies are in the forecast. Last night it was still in the hundreds at 8pm (sunset is 7:30) after a high of 111 on our patio thermometer. We will be back into the 90s tomorrow and all of next week with a chance of rain Saturday and Sunday.
I wonder if the people lionizing Mike Pence remember that he could have had tRump removed from office at any point and that he knew that leaving him in power after January 6th endangered our country. And that we wouldn’t be having a lot of this anxiety over charging tRump with a crime if cowardly Senate Republicans had voted to remove him and disqualified him from future elections. Now if he is not charged with a crime and convicted, he could easily be elected president in 2024 or steal the election with the help of Ginni Thomas’ husband and tRump judges. Goddess help us.
I can’t read the news this morning as I have about 2 hours to get my desk tidied up before I leave.
See all y’all later!
Bon voyage, Jan!
Skipped walking again, may walk tomorrow, when I can sleep in and still walk. Left work early yesterday to pick up a library book, The Marvellers, it’s supposed to be like Harry Potter but less problematic. Watched the hearing recap, it’s great having Rachel Maddow back on my TV. Work should be interesting today, there’s a plumbing issue on my floor. Oh,and in case anyone thought Covid is over: 2 entire teams plus the race leader and several other riders dropped out of the Tour De Suisse today.
Covid will never be over. Sooner or later we’ll all end up getting the dam’ thing.
It’s 72 heading for 94 with heat index of 100 or so. Sunny at the moment. We just barely made 17 KWHs yesterday and the m-t-d is a still-not-on-track 255. To make matters worse, not only am I running A/C but for the 2nd time in 10 days I’ve found the bathroom heater on when I got up. Depending on whether I somehow accidentally turned it on when I turned out the light before going to bed or one of the cats turned it on rubbing against it, that could be as many as 8 hours or something like 12 KWHs of wasted electricity that I most certainly didn’t generate yesterday. (I don’t know which one’s scarier – that I’m doing it and not noticing or that a cat is doing it.) At least it’s cool enough to open the house and bring in some outside air for a bit. It’s humid though so I’ll have to close up again shortly even though the temperature is still relatively low. (As Diana would say, 1st world problem.)
Wildfires getting worse all around Aji. Prayers up. Lisa’s got to use the crutches because of the pain in her knees, but they are causing pain in her hands. Somebody threw a softball-size rock at Jill’s RV from the public park next door early this morning. I’m afraid that means Ronald’s found her again. I wish she had a shotgun. (The proper weapon for dealing with vermin.)
I got maybe 3 hours of sleep last night. It’s not helping the depression any. sigh. Off to twitter. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Oh, bfitz, my poor angel, sympathies about the lack of sleep!
I mistakenly posted my Friday morning post upthread this morning in answer to a comment by Jan about kitchens.
Hope you can get some sleep today, dear lady. Jill’s husband sounds like a right villain. In the WWII novels about England, men are always the villains. Occasionally Fate catches up with them, but not before they’ve made women’s lives a misery—with impunity, I might add. Damn patriarchy!
{{{Diana}}} Holding the Good Thought for you and your husband – Healing Energy to you both. I can’t sleep in the daytime. I wish I could. I hope you can. If you can find the time. (You are correct about Jill’s husband. He’s been – stupidly – “dabbling” in the Dark Magics for decades and seems to be really pushing that now, apparently in the hopes the Dark will extend his life or something. Definitely damn patriarchy.) moar {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 58 and cloudy. Indoor and outdoor temps are the same so my sister is freezing but she’ll adapt. I’ve put electric heaters in several places so she can have a few warm spots. New parts for the ignition system for the furnace are ordered but will be slow arriving.
Our son now has pneumonia and is into day 3 of antibiotics. He sounds better this morning but is still very sick. I’m relieved he is finally getting some medical care and that this doesn’t seem to be covid related. He was lucky to get a very good nurse practioner at the urgent care clinic. She called his doc’s office and told them he needed their attention. His doc is back from vacation now and has checked in with him via phone so his care is improving.
I’ve got a busy day ahead with family, food, and flowers Much to be grateful for as I hobble around on my old knees. Best wishes to all.
Sending healing prayers for your son.
Thank you Dee. I appreciate your support. He seemed stronger yesterday so I think the meds are finally helping.
Saturday Meese. Weird weather here – it’s 62 going up to only 64. I won’t complain, it will be cool while I’m out digging in the garden. Got six roses bushes planted yesterday and some hydrangeas. Headed back to garden shop to get herbs for herb garden. Decided not to plant veggies. Too much work putting up fencing to keep out the woodchucks and the terrorist puppies.
Puerto Rico
Good morning, meeses! Saturday …
Checking in from my phone as I won’t be setting up a computer area on this short trip. It is the same temperature here in the midwest as in Tucson, 78 – and the high will be the same 93 degrees. But the humidity here is an oppressive 86 percent versus 40%. I missed our first post-move monsoon rain and that makes me sad! Oh, well, there will be more and I can still have my first, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
I read this sad article on the state of feminism – is sounds like right-wing misogyny, now out and proud, has won just like white nationalism has found a political foothold from which to launch their destruction of all that is good. :(
See all y’all later!!
I slept in, may go to the gym today — 30 minutes on the elliptical, in air conditioning might be a good thing. Otoh, with Austin in “masks recommended” stage…. maybe I’ll try to make my cooking vegetables more athletic. Watching the news, the revelations of how the PBs were leading people into the Capitol are just unnerving.
It’s 75 heading for 93, heat index over 100, and sunny at the moment. The widget say “PM thunderstorms” – I hope “PM” is after dark. Or at least after 7:30 so we can get at least enough electricity generation to cover the A/C. Yesterday we got 18 KWHs which did cover the A/C and gained a bit of ground for the monthly goal. Didn’t make up for the heater being on yesterday in the early hours. But it helped. And actually, it might have. Depending on how long the heater was on. If an hour or less, it did cover it. Hold that Thought. (I put a small box fan in front of the switch last night. Hopefully that will do the job.)
It was under 70 when I got up so I opened the house for a bit. I also steamed a couple of pounds of potatoes. Some will become hash, some will become potato salad. I plan to boil eggs tomorrow morning in that brief window when I can open up. (& bake orange muffin bread Monday morning when it’s supposed to get below 65 just after dawn.)
Watching what I knew was coming, have known for decades was coming as we zoomed by every exit off this Road to Doom, isn’t any easier for the knowing. Just makes it harder to talk about. Too many “if we’d just. . .” things come to mind and since it’s too late that doesn’t help. I’ll keep doing what I can, of course. I have to. Otherwise I’d just curl up and quit. But it’s depressing as hell.
Off to twitter. Not the TL which is mostly disaster porn, but my notifications and my friends – my community. Community is how we survive. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}