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 now 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 and use the link.
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Good “morning”, Motley Meese! The week begins …
Morning low of 18 degrees in Madison WI with an expected daytime high of 36. Sunny skies are in the forecast.
Have a great day, all y’alls!!
Sunday Meese
28 degrees here in Saugerties NY going up to 39 with snow.
Am posting a take action for PR diary today and including a list of every diary on PR I wrote in 2018. While reviewing the past year – I started thinking about not only the good – but the ‘bad’ lol – hence this list, which I got help with from friends – too easy to write a list of Trumpublicans….these are the folks who should logically be on our side – but spend their time attacking Democrats.
Least favorite self-styled “leftists” of 2018
Politicians:
Bernie Sanders
Tulsi Gabbard
Jill Stein
Cynthia Nixon
Zephyr Teachout
Blogger/’Journalists’
David Sirota
Matt Stoller
Cenk Ugyar
Glenn Greenwald
Chris Hayes
Michael Moore
Briahna Gray
David Atkins
Nomiki Konst
Katie Halper
David Weigal
Walter Bragman
Shit-stirrers:
Susan Sarandon
Nina Turner
James Zogby
That’s a pretty good list! A lot of those “journalists” I don’t consider on the left – Greenwald, for example. I don’t understand why Tulsi Gabbard keeps getting re-elected in BLUE Hawaii – do they not realize that she has more ideologically in common with Individual 1 than any Democrat? It is difficult for me to reconcile Senator Brian Schatz and her coming from the same island.
Forgot to add Nathan J. Robinson. Frankly – I don’t think anyone who ignores or dismisses racism and sexism as a key issue is “left” or “progressive”
Gabbard is an Islamophobe – and yes – has much in common with Trump.
The “Justice Democrats” are a Trojan Horse.
Exactly. You can’t be progressive if you believe that the problem with America is politicians taking money from Wall Street and that everything bad flows from that. The essential problem is discrimination – against non-whites, women, immigrants, LGBT – and insuring that one’s circumstances of birth are not the primary reason one is killed or impoverished or neglected or ignored or allowed to get sick and die, has to be our goal.
This is a terrific list, Denise. I will never, ever understand the appeal of Tulsi Gabbard and why she’s on the presidential candidate short list of so many of the self-styled Lefties. Is it an attempt to counter the well-earned accusations of misogyny? Is it a matter of looking no further than whose “team” she was on in 2016, without examining her record? Or is it just that I’m trying to apply logic where none exists?
Sunday post up at Orange
rec’d, tipped, shared – I can’t believe we still have to do this. Ok, I can; but I can’t. I want us to be better than this.
Thread …
Good morning, Moosekind. Getting a late start here because I had a disturbed night. The day is turning out to be rather nice and sunny, ahead of the rain we’re expecting tomorrow. I hope the deer in the woods across the way will enjoy the weather while they can. Yesterday we saw a herd of four adults and one Bambi feeding in the late afternoon. When they caught sight of the chocolate Lab and his human outside the fence, they bounded off toward the creek.
Currently it’s 36 F., going up to 48 F. Hoping to take it easy today, writing letters and working on Chapter 15. Finished Chapter 14 yesterday evening. It really took it out of me, it was so emotional.
We’re having slow cooker chicken and vegetable soup today. Last night we had green salad with chicken for dinner as Dearly is under doctor’s orders to eat more greens. It’s easy to get greens when yrs truly is doing the cooking, as opposed to the chefs here. Their menus have become increasingly weird.
Obviously I don’t have anything much to say (grin), so will close. Dee, will check out your post on dkos. How’s Bobby doing?
Wishing a peaceful Sunday to all at the Pond.
I was actually asleep when the alarm went off. I couldn’t tell you the last time that happened. Had another restless, sneezy night. Lunch with my friend yesterday was nice, had a good visit. Currently watching the news & eating breakfast.
Here’s Empress from Snow Patrol, a happy, energetic song because I need the energy. And I swear it’s about the Resistance.
So standing in the steady throng of restless hope
You don’t feel like an outcast any more
And something deep inside of you has wakened up
And you know that nothing’s going to be the same again
And on the streets you can see for what seems miles
And in your heart, you know they feel like you do
28 and overcast in Fayetteville, AR. It might get up to mid 40s today. Maybe. Generated 3.3 KWHs yesterday bringing the m-t-d to 159. 170 is possible but unlikely given the forecast. sigh. Still, we’re gonna wrap up the year with the 2nd highest annual generation since I installed the system. I’m crossing my fingers we’re starting to gain again. Otherwise I’ll be paying for electricity next month. But I’m not using as much as I thought I was – I keep forgetting that SWEPCO takes whatever was left 15 months out from the anniversary of installation. This year I made a present to them of 150 KWHs. In a sense I don’t mind. As a trade off for having the intertie system at all it’s not bad. In another sense I do – especially if I end up paying for electricity in January and February because they took what I had banked in October.
Holding the Good Thought for the new year and what we can manage to do in it. I may of course be wrong but I do think we’ve passed the turning point in this war against fascism. That we’ve got at least 2 and probably more like 4 more years of war before we can call it a win but we really are heading for that win. That we are our own “greatest generation” and as the previous one did their duty we shall do ours. As always we shall see what we shall see. Meanwhile we keep working/fighting – and do our best to take care of those being hurt in the war. Always the innocents, the non-combatants, get hurt the worst – all we can do is try to hide and/or protect them. And Heal as much as possible. Healing Energy to everybody everywhere shaped to the need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
47 and sunny in Folsom, CA. The move is done, apart from various things in the bathroom (and various bottles of “happiness”) to be brought over from my old apartment. Then, the task of unpacking boxes starts…
Good day, 46 and cloudy in Bellingham. Our family is either home are on their way so Christmas is officially over, yay! It was fun to be together but the tree and the Christmas decorations are past their due date. I’m ready for the house to have a calm, more low key winter look. I want to start packing it all away, but I need to rest now so I’ve got my legs up, ice on my pesky TMJ joint, and The Transatlantic Sessions playing.
Best wishes to all.
New Year’s Eve Monday Meese
27 degrees here in Saugerties NY, going up to 45 with rain. There will be rain tonight in NYC for the NY Eve ball drop.
Why am I not surprised?
PR
Wut??!! Old privileged white male who displays disrespect for women and minorities attracts staffers who disrespect women and minorities? SHOCKED, not shocked.
Ha!
The Bros are flocking to dismiss this
Good morning, meeses! Monday …
It is 28 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 34. Snow is in the forecast.
Today is the last day of the year per the Catholic Church’s calendar and so it will be marked by celebrations – out with the old, in with the new. I changed out the calendar over my desk on Saturday because I needed a better look at January in order to plan the month’s activities.
I think I may do a few resolutions for 2019 related to staying healthy mentally and physically – I am still sorting options. Politically, the new Democratic Majority will be sworn in on January 3rd and our first order of business will be to remind the left of the left that our power will be limited mainly to blocking the terrible things that a Unified Republican Government was able to do in 2017 and 2018. There will be some bills we pass to remind people what Democrats stand for but which have no hope of becoming law. There are other bills that we will pass that will not be perfect but which will gather bipartisan support and be incremental improvements; I am hoping those include updates to the Voting Rights Act and the Help America Vote Act because we need fair elections as a starting point for everything else. It will be interesting to see how we wield power and how the new Congress makes its mark.
The “wall” is not really a wall, apparently, but a metaphor! Well, we knew that it was a symbol – a symbol of hatred of The Other, of protecting and preserving the June and Ward Cleaver America that never really existed except on Ronald Reagan’s index cards and in the subtext of Lee Atwater’s campaign ads. I wish that “logic” and “facts” were part of the discourse because it is frustrating trying to argue with people who think that House MINORITY Leader Nancy Pelosi should be contacting the Republican’s president to make a deal on the shutdown. The shutdown belongs to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the tiny fingered bill-signer in the Oval Office.
See all y’all later!
First ringing in has rung …
Good old Syddie, still one of my favorite cities!
Good misty Moon Day morning, Meese! The woods are misty gray right now, so the rain is clearly on the way. The current temp. in NoVa is 35 F., going up to 53 F. In fact, we’re expecting a warmish week for this first week of the New Year—so much for the exciting snow the online newspaper has been screeching about for weeks!
Woke up far too early this morning, so expect to crash later. Today and tomorrow the restaurants that are actually open will be hosting holiday buffets from 11 until 2. We’ll go on the early side.
Still have lots of letters left to write. Elder Son and family may come to tea this afternoon, which will be nice. Tonight there is a New Year’s Eve party a few steps down the hall, so we’ll probably go to that. We won’t stay until midnight, however: we know that whether we’re there or not, the New Year will happen.
Other than that, nothing to say but “Happy New Year” to all at the Pond, and to express the hope that 2019 will be better than dreadful 2018!
36 and raining in Fayetteville, AR – I hope the rain passes through and we get some sunshine. The PV system is still in night mode. We got 3.68 KWHs yesterday and the m-t-d is 163 – with some good sunshine from midmorning on we could reach 170. Probably not gonna happen, but it would be nice.
Well, this is it. Last day of the Xtian/colonizers calendar. As years go, well, the best I can say is we won back the House and a number of governorships and legislatures around the country. And that of my blood kin and internet family we’re all still here and nobody’s in the hospital or on the streets although there have been (& will be in 2019) some close calls on both. It is heartbreaking and maddening to see folks you love afraid and in pain and not be able to do a damned thing about it. Of course their pain and fear is a helluva lot worse than mine being upset about it. This is where one starts doubting one’s faith. At least I am. Just holding on and going through motions in prayers/channeling & otherwise calling upon arcane powers to do what I cannot until they get through this. If there is a through this. In the path of keeping on & holding on sending Healing Energy to everybody everywhere shaped to the need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Hey – looky what I found (I’ve copied the “embed tweet” stuff – hope this works)
I think Jan needs to grant you permissions to embed tweets. People who author blogs have it by default and I think she gave it to me at one point, but I don’t remember.
Something was not quite right about the embed code (I re-embedded it and it worked). I am pretty sure you have permissions to post tweets – you wrote one post here, I think.
I will look into it more closely if you try another one and it doesn’t work.
Thanks. I know I’ve written a couple of posts but not for a long time. Maybe over a year. So possibly an upgrade did me in as it were. Thanks again. (Happy New Year {{{HUGS}}} )
Slept in, watching the news and a Firefly marathon on El Rey (Robert Rodriguez’s cable channel — I think Austin has it in our line up since he’s from here). Allergies are really bad again, I sneezed so hard while I was taking my zyrtex that I lost the tablet. Sigh. I forgot several important things buying groceries yesterday, including the most important thing, blackeyed peas. So I have to go to the grocery store. And I’m taking a good long walk today. Even with the allergies.
This song could be either Christmas or New Year’s, but I’ll post it today. Better Days:
So take these words and sing out loud
‘Cause everyone is forgiven now
‘Cause tonight’s the night the world begins again
Good morning, Meesefolk; 28 when I got up with a rainy high of 41 expected (but that high won’t be hit until late tonight). It’s a good day for staying inside, lounging on the couch, and reading a cozy mystery, but instead, I’m at work, expecting to be very busy.
My weekend “plans” went awry as usual. Of the ten steps or so in my interlocking puzzle of tasks, I only got three completed with a few non-interlocking extras thrown in for good measure. I have only myself to blame. I received several books I had ordered, and showing absolutely no resolve or resistance, I started reading. I’m taking this is a clear indicator that my only New Year’s resolution, if I actually want to stick to it, is to read more. I’m good with that, even if my reading list will never come close to being as varied and interesting as President Obama’s.
I have to get back to work, but good day to and for all!
Good morning, 33 and I see a PNW pinky blue sky outside my window, a nice change from so many cloudy morning skies. I have a few end of the year tasks to do today, but will wait until tomorrow to start putting Christmas away.
This evening I’ll go with Ron to the first part of our annual neighborhood New Years Eve traveling dinner party, but the whole evening will be too much talking, smiling and chewing for my TMJ misery. I can stay quiet and apply ice with just the family but that isn’t a comfortable fix in a social setting. My immediate goal for 2019 is to to be able to open my mouth wide enough to have the dental device made that may help fix what ever is wrong.
Best wishes to all as we start a new year together, and many thanks for our daily gathering by the pond.
We will indeed start our new year together! This will be the start of my 7th Moose year, I started posting here on January 3, 2013 after we had re-elected President Obama and the anti-Obama anti-pragmatic progressive bloggers were allowed to reclaim the orange place and make life miserable for Obama-bots like me.
Hello? Is this microphone on????
Fun comments!
Seven years! So many memories, and more to come. Thanks Jan.
Good morning meese. 43 with a high of 55. I made some progress yesterday in unpacking boxes and now have half my kitchen done! The lack of a dedicated pantry cupboard requires some adjustments to where I put the spices and cans; it’s probably going to be a work in progress for a while. Next up is tackling the bedroom so that I can set up my bed; DoReMI, is your offer to come here and help for pizza and beer still on?! 🤣
Will be picking up Belle and Noname from the vet this afternoon. It’s going to be a new place for both of them and I hope it goes well.
Ha! I’m best at hauling boxes and furniture; the minute it comes to UNpacking, I become (according to The Kiddo) a royal PITA. I have Opinions, you see, and a real tendency to forget that I’m just the hired help. :D In the meantime, do you have a small, portable bookshelf that you could dedicate to your cans and spices? Or run a magnet strip under your cabinets, add a small piece of magnet to the top of the spice jar lids, and hang the spices that way (cuttable, self-stick magnet rolls can be found at most craft and fabric stores)? Or buy a cheap plastic shoe organizer that you can hang inside a closet door, and put spices and/or cans in the shoe pockets? Are you beginning to understand why I never get asked to help with unpacking?!
I like your Opinions! For now I settled by putting them in cupboards. I should take a photo of the spices and liquor bottles for you. 😂
Happy New Year Tuesday Meese.
The hubby and I toasted with some sparkling cider, and watched the ball drop in Times Square wondering as we do every year about the sanity of people who pack the area to freeze or get drenched. He works right there – and was happy to flee early afternoon…as people were already packing the streets.
I realize I am old when I have zero clue who any of the performers on stage are, and had to look them up on google.
Wow, you stayed up until midnight? I can’t make it past 8:30pm, most nights. When the sun goes down at 4:30 it sets off an internal clock that ticks down to zero at which point I know that I only have the energy to make one last trip up the stairs. :)
I saw a story this morning that Tish James was sworn in as NY Attorney General last night – 2019 shows great promise as the year that America’s elected officials reflect her diversity. In Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes will be a heartbeat away from the governor’s office and the governor, for the first time in 8 years, will be a college graduate – and someone who considers educators and scientists to be partners in building a better future for the people of our state, not as the enemy. Woo hoo!
Good morning, meeses! Tuesday, the first day of 2019 …
It is 21 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of … 21! Clouds this morning but sunshine expected this afternoon and clear skies overnight. I can’t find anything showing me how much snow we had yesterday but it feels like it was about 3-4 inches.
Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi asked her incoming Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey to release details of the bill that the House will be voting on Thursday to re-open the government. There is no wall money and, from what I understand, it is identical to the bill that the Senate in the 115th Congress voted for unanimously (voice vote). The ball will be in Mitch McConnell’s court – he can either bring it up for a vote, and risk setting up a confrontation with his president, or refuse to vote on a bill that he knows his president won’t sign. If he brings it up for a vote, it will likely pass but the question is whether there would be enough votes – or will-power – for Senate Republicans to override their party’s leader in a second vote. The freshmen Republican Senators are more hard-right than the ones leaving and all of them owe their seats to Trump’s base. They are also not up for re-election for 6 years – Trump will not be on the ballot in 2024 regardless of what happens next year – which could give them some cover. We shall see!! The House will be gavelled in at noon Eastern on Thursday, January 3rd. CSPAN will be covering it and I will be watching:
Another hat has been tossed into the ring for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential nomination. I would have no problem voting for Elizabeth Warren if she is our nominee but she will not be my first choice in the primary assuming it is still a race by the time Wisconsin votes in April 2020. She can have a long career in the Senate and I think her political style is more suited to the legislature. Plus she comes from a state where a Republican will fill her seat and in my mind that is a disqualifier (sorry, Sherrod Brown fans!). We have plenty of candidates to choose from where endangering our chances to get a Senate majority in 2020 is not an issue.
I am still working on my plan for New Year’s resolutions. Since today is a work holiday and is not subject to the same rules as work days, I don’t need to have anything in place until tomorrow morning. :)
See all y’all later!