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, Meesefolk; 27 when I got up with a high of 34. It’s a sleety mess outside; not much accumulation and too warm for a nice snowfall. I’m in full-blown envy of WA right now; our family there keeps posting pictures, and it’s just wrong that they have that lovely snow while we have slush.
Kiddo’s MIL made it through her 11-hour surgery, and the surgeon was cautiously optimistic. They got about 95% of the tumor, when they expected 85% would be the best they could do. MIL shows no signs of having a stroke during the surgery, which was a very real and strong possibility the family was warned about. More will be known today, but last night they weren’t pushing MIL to do much more than move fingers and toes and state her name.
Good day to and for all!
Good morning meese. 38 with high of 54 today. I’m hoping the snow in Seattle will be done by the time I go there next weekend!
Good morning, 26 and snowing in Bellingham. The trees are all white and about 6″ of snow is covering the ground so we’re snowbound again today. We have everything we need so my challenge will be to just relax and enjoy the quiet.
Best wishes to all.
It was foggy, gray, & a sharp/bitter wind blowing when I got in today – although officially above freezing and I didn’t have to thaw the cats’ water the windchill was in the lower teens. Now it is below freezing (28) and the windchill is in the mid teens – but the sun’s come out so that’s good. Yesterday we got right at 2 KWHs and the m-t-d is 71 but today’s sun will hopefully make up for it as well as today’s usage and maybe even start banking some.
Deplorables being deplorable. Decents trying to stop them. I’m glad Mark Kelly is running for Senate – be nice to have a Decent retired Navy pilot in there. Retired astronaut is a bonus. If we ever manage to bust up the “media monopoly” maybe we can go back to having presidential election campaigns only in presidential election years. sigh. But we’ve got a very good “top tier” a few of whom I’d/I’ll be delighted to vote for, several of whom I’m fine with voting for. I’m seriously trusting the Dem party true base to keep the ones I’d have to hold my nose to vote for (looking at you EW & Joe – & bs isn’t a Dem anyway) from getting out of the primaries. Meanwhile there’s a long way to go and my online friends/family have more immediate needs – either dealing with or because of medical issues (or both). So Holding the Good Thoughts/Channeling Make Things Better Energy. And now I’ve got more coffee I need to get back to work. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, meeses! Wednesday …
It is 16 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 25. It is snowing now but the sun will break through later. We officially got 8.3 inches of snow yesterday and the wind overnight blew it around a lot.
It sounds like the Democrats are actively recruiting Amy McGrath to run against Mitch McChinless in Kentucky. Goddess help us, I don’t think I can handle what that race will look like in a state where politics is a blood sport. The outright hostility towards women candidates in the 2020 presidential race is already ratcheting up my stress level. As more and more old white males get into the race to “save” the Democratic Party from certain defeat if a woman is nominated, I find myself wanting to disengage. Which I might! The only thing I can really do is vote in April 2020 for the candidate I want and then work to GOTV for November 3, 2020 in my own state. I am not sure how we get over this hump – where women candidates are treated seriously and respectfully and not as some outlier.
Busy day here. I took it easy yesterday and now a few projects have stacked up. I have to travel tomorrow (which I am not looking forward to) so I need to get the projects done today.
See all y’all later!
Wednesday Meese.
31 degrees here in NY’s Hudson Valley and our winter storm warning is still in effect – till noon. Icy sleet on top of the snow we got has made driving very hazardous.
I remain in hibernation.
Was talking to Bobby in Puerto Rico yesterday – about the big demonstration being held today in San Juan – students and professors protesting cuts to the University of Puerto Rico budget, and again realized that so much of what is happening on the island is ignored here.
Cold morning — needed a jacket & gloves, but they keep saying it’s going to warm up. Supposed to be 70s tomorrow. I woke up coughing last night, allergies are really bothering me — when it takes 2 screens for the weather guy to tell you all the pollens, that’s bad. Listening to Ultraviolet — like the videos from the Joshua Tree tour, with the Herstory background & all the fabulous women. This one’s from Houston & has Ann & Barbara.
51 with high of 48 and raining. There’s also a wind advisory, so good idea to limit my time outdoors. Just a quick check in to say that I’m OK and re-assure certain folks. 😁
{{{basket}}} – thank you. moar {{{HUGS}}} and Healing Energy. 💖❤💖
We started at 30 but with the cats’ water sheltered enough it didn’t freeze. We’re already up to 43 heading for mid to upper 50s and sunny. We’ve already got almost a KWH for today – and yesterday we got 12.9, new high for the year to day, and the m-t-d is 84.8 – we’re doing some banking! And I may get to walk home today. Which is a basic W00T! as well.
Deplorables being deplorable and even Decents (mostly but not always white male more or less Decents) being stupid on an all-too-regular basis. Too many people in the “if nothing happens we might make it” space. Too many folks living too close to the edge.
Warning – Rant ahead: Too many people being jerked around by our pseudo health care system. Yes, it’s very important we find a way to make health care affordable/available to everybody – but it’s at least as important to make it decent care in the first place. Over 15 months down the pike & last week Aji just got the imaging she should have gotten 15 months ago but required a referral she couldn’t get that says she needs a biopsy but again she can’t get the geedee doctor to give her the referral so she can get the biopsy. And can’t – almost as effen long as Puerto Rico has been without full power including that for medical equipment – even begin to treat the quite-possibly/probably-steadily-worsening condition until she knows what the eff it is. Every effen day the doctors “don’t get around to” the referrals needed shortens the window for dealing with the issue. That’s the kind of disconnected, ignoring what the patient says, nobody take responsibility for coordinating anything, crap that killed my mother 30 years ago. And Tricia almost 3 years ago. And swampyankee last month. Racist, misogynist, classist, elitist – the AMA has a little under the table genocide going on themselves. If the supposed care itself doesn’t improve we’ll lose just as many mostly but not always BIPOC, mostly but not always poor, mostly but not always women as ever no matter how it’s paid for. And that’s effen Deplorable. (rant over. rage ongoing.)
I need to get back to work. And remember it’s a beautiful day, generating lots (for the season) of electricity and I might get to walk home. Little things that keep one going instead of looking around for the giving up window. Healing/Making Things Better Energy to everybody everywhere shaped to your need. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, Meesefolk; 23 when I got up with an expected high of 27. Beyond that, I’m not sure what to expect today beyond the light snow that’s happening now. The forecast changed between 6pm yesterday and 11pm last night and changed again this morning. It seems certain we won’t get a lot of snow, but the winds are picking up, making a mess of the roads that abut fields (driving snow and drifts across the roads). Schools in our district are closed again, and from the superintendent’s tweets and FB messages, it seems pretty clear he’s a wee bit miffed at the county for not plowing the township roads for the past two days. We’re in in one of the northernmost areas of the county, and rather than rotate the schedule, they just get to us last…always. It’s just not safe for school buses, so in a low-snow season, the schools are on their 10th snow day.
I spent most of yesterday on the phone with Kiddo in one way or another; two hours talking and at least double that texting. Her MIL is actually doing quite well, all things considered, and is starting to come out of the fog of major surgery/anesthesia. Kiddo’s been around the block enough to know that it’s a period that can be dicey in terms of personality and the level of confusion that might be displayed. What she didn’t expect is the absolute meanness and aggression she’s seeing. Kiddo has never particularly liked MIL, but she’s horrified. Her husband and BIL are not; they both revealed last night that this is who their mother really is when the veneer of politeness is stripped away, and their childhoods were punctuated by emotional abuse and occasional physical abuse. Kiddo is fluctuating between heartbreak and rage; I’m mostly at heartbreak, because I never have to see the woman. Kiddo’s husband is one of the kindest, gentlest, most generous people I’ve ever met; somehow he survived his childhood with a strong sense of self and who he wanted to be, not who his mother tried to tell him he was. I don’t know how he managed it, and it’s ripping a hole in my heart to think about what he was subjected to (and is being subjected to again).
I hope there’s nothing political going on that I should be paying attention to, because right now, my focus is 100% on family. Good day to and for all!
{{{DoReMI}}} – offhand I’d say the reason your SIL made it out of that childhood sane is theater. It gave his mind and spirit a safe place to go even though his body couldn’t get away. The wonderful thing about theater is that the show ends. You can’t get trapped in the fantasy world because sooner or later the run is over. The costumes are put away, the set taken down, one last cast party – and you’re you again. Maybe already planning the next show, but you. And while the show is running, so much of your person and energy are wrapped up in it you can ignore just about anything going on IRL.
Good morning, 24 and mostly cloudy in Bellingham. I see icicles and snow outside one window, but there’s a bit of blue sky behind my old maple trees. The expected high for today is 32 so the snow isn’t going to melt very fast, and that’s good news for my basement sewing room. The old house drain system can handle a slow melt, but rain combined with all the snow will overwhelm it.
Time for coffee. My best wishes to all on this winter day.
Good morning, meeses! Thursday …
It is 21 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 37. Flurries this morning, mixed precipitation this afternoon and then more flurries tonight. No measurable snow accumulation expected – the brief visit to above freezing temperatures will not make a dent in our current snow pack which I think is about 20 inches. That is probably best as tomorrow we plunge into the deep freeze again and anything that melts will turn to ice.
Manafort lied! Shocked, Not Shocked. Republicans are hypocrites over anti-Semitism! Shocked, Not Shocked. When push comes to shove, #NeverTrump’ers rally in defense of war criminal Elliot Abrams! Shocked, Not Shocked.
Busy morning here as I prep for some on-site work.
See all y’all later!
Good Thor’s Day, Meese! It’s a nice, clear morning here. At 7:20 a.m. the temperature in Ashburn is 36 F., going up to 51 F. later. It’s a good day to demonstrate with several other raging grannies in front of NRA headquarters. Today is the sad anniversary of the Parkland massacre. Seems to me that this particular tragedy started the rollback of NRA hegemony. Perhaps it’s because the youngsters who survived have a forum—social media—and the ability to exhort their fellow students to protest, register to vote, and vote.
Mr. Preschooler behaved perfectly while I was looking after him, much to his parents’ envy. He saves his tantrums and meltdowns for Mom and Dad. However, the strain of coping with the child, the dog, the house, and driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods took a toll. Yesterday, after I was back here, I was absolutely useless.
We’re expecting Something on Saturday and Sunday. The European Model says snow, the other models say rain. Who knows? Anyway, we’ll prepare for a Saturday in.
Got to rush to eat breakfast and get ready—I’m meeting the others at 9:30. Wishing everyone a nice Valentine’s Day.
Warm morning, barely needed a sweater. Record high today & tomorrow, then a cold front over the weekend. The Manafort news yesterday was interesting. I wonder if they’re making an example of him, like: “if you lie to us, we’ll know and we will blow up your deal”. Rachel was…. well, very Rachel-y about it. And Ezra Levin said something brilliant on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show, but I don’t remember now, will read the transcript after they post it & tell y’all.
Today’s song: Snow Patrol, Chocolate. Mostly nonsense — couplets that are mostly not related to the next one, crazy video, but I love this song.
Thursday Meese
30 here in NYS going up to 42. Snow melting – yay!
Overslept – was up late writing – have to go back and finish before noon.
Puerto Rico
I re-tweeted that one about the FEMA guy. I know that in comparison to the whole budget, $90,000 is nothing, but imagine what that could have bought for Puerto Rico, or the California fires. It’s sickening.
It’s 50 and windy – also cloudy – at the moment but heading for the low 60s. I was able to walk home yesterday and depending on the wind I might be able to do it again today which would be nice. I can’t get my PV dashboard to come up (which is a bit concerning) so I’m going on memory here but we got a bit over 10 KWHs yesterday even though clouds moved in as I was walking home and the m-t-d is within a stone’s throw of 100 – if it clears off for a couple of hours today. It was at 90-something last night, I can’t remember if 95 or 96, but considering a sunny day is now good for over 12 KWHs that counts as a “stone’s throw” doesn’t it? 😁🌞👍
MSM being the bought-and-controlled RW propaganda machine that it is, I’m not surprised at any of its crap. Yesterday or any time. They push the memes they’re paid to push and ignore what they’re paid to ignore. And since they are owned by white supremacists who are also “free to do what we want market” fascists that runs the gamut from “forgetting” Puerto Rico and babies in cages and women doing just about anything strong or good” to pushing “poor liddle white guy” nonsense and “only a white guy can win” toxicity. There are so many layers of protection around the Kochs/Birchers and others of that group I have no idea how we will manage to at least break up their propaganda machine – but we have to if we are going to make anything close to consistent progress. Or even progress at all that isn’t erased with the succeeding election.
Holding the Good Thought/sending Good Vibes/Channeling Make Things Better Energy to everybody everywhere – especially Meeses (& other online “family”) past and present, always for their shaping to their own needs. (& I’d still like to slap – OK, chew out, not slap – Aji’s doctor for not getting that referral to her.) I need coffee and to get back to work. Bright the day, Meeses. {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, 29 and partly cloudy in Bellingham. A high of 36 is predicted, but more snow is forecast for tonight. We have 10-12″ of snow, and compared to Jan’s 20″ I should not be complaining, but I am! I know my garden is under all the white stuff and will recover but I’m going to have a lot of clean up to do when the snow finally goes away.
The main streets are clear of ice and snow now but the side streets are still waiting for rain so schools are closed again today. I’m hoping we can get the car out of the alley so we can deliver valentines to our Bellingham family, but our out of town valentines will be on snow delay :)
Best wishes to all.
Good morning meese, 59 with high of 57 and raining. Yesterday was interesting as my workplace lost power for a few hours while I had power at home. The second storm came in last night, and lowered the snow level to 1000 ft. There was snow in Placerville which closed Highway 50!
Raining today, and back to my travel claim. I thought I had fixed it yesterday but it looks like it’s still not fixed.
{{{basket}}} – snow going where it’s not (or not as) needed and not where it is AKA global weirding/warming. sigh. And yeah, that’s the nature of “travel claims” – you think they’re done but nope. Always another step or authorization (or both, usually both) before you can take another shot at wrapping it up. Good luck on it. Healing Energy & more {{{HUGS}}}
Good morning, Meesefolk; 19 this morning and going up to 40 today. I hope that’s true, because I didn’t get around to shoveling this week and could use the help in clearing my sidewalks.
I’m still in full Family Only mode, which at this point is mostly taking The Kiddo’s calls and texts and just listening. From what I gather, MILs recovery continues apace, as do her mean-spirited attacks on her boys. I don’t get it and probably never will, although Kiddo has recommended that I read up on covert, passive-aggressive narcissism if I want to understand the dynamics. I’m not sure I do; I really just want SIL to know that there are people who think the world of him. I’ve ordered a big, colorful bouquet of flowers to be delivered to Kiddo at work tomorrow that she can bring home for the both of them. It seems too small a gesture, but at the moment, it’s about the only thing I can think of.
I poked my head into Twitter last night long enough to realize that the mean-spirited, vacuous, shallow attacks against our Dem women candidates continue. That was enough to cause me to scurry out, since I’ve had my fill of meanness for awhile. But it’s very clear that the media hasn’t learned a damn thing and is just reusing the tactics they’ve been using forever. At least people are noticing now, and not just the folks who were calling it out in 2016.
Good day to and for all!
Good morning, meeses! Friday Finally …
It is 7 degrees in Madison with an expected daytime high of 16. Sunny skies are in the forecast. We got the dusting of snow we expected last night. The warming yesterday reduced our snow depth to 8 inches.
The border security standoff has been resolved and Congress passed the last of the fiscal year 2019 appropriations. Assuming that tRump did not wake up with Ann Coulter screaming in his ear, the federal government will be funded through September 30, 2019. This is good news for federal workers and for people who rely on the government. Long term bad news for our Constitution, though. The next constitutional crisis will be that one of our two political parties is in full-throated agreement that shredding Article 1 of the Constitution is just fine if it helps “re”-elect their president. Not surprising from the Party of McConnell which shredded the Advice and Consent clause by denying President Obama of a Supreme Court seat in a purely partisan political move. That was part of a set piece that will tee up a Supreme Court case on separation of powers that will be decided by four men who were nominated by presidents who were installed by the Electoral College after failing to win the popular vote. That our democracy has been on life support for quite some time is apparent as the plan to pull out its breathing tube comes into focus. Can we make it to January 20, 2021?
Amazon, which paid $0 taxes on $11 billion in profit, decided to make a show of force and told NYC “you don’t like our extortion, fine, we will find another city willing to pay to build our headquarters and not require us to pay for the commons.” And they will because people are stupid. Rich corporations and hyper-wealthy individuals with tax breaks and government gifts are bleeding our treasuries dry and cutting off basic services to people at risk. It is not shocking to me that there is an increasing call to alter this imbalance dramatically.
See all y’all later!