(no subject)
Apr. 29th, 2026 04:42 am![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
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They're like mountain peaks, but they are forming stars.
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Poem: "Always Guided by Passion"
Apr. 28th, 2026 11:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis poem came out of the January 6, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from see_also_friend. It also fills "The End of the World" square in my 1-1-26 card for the Public Domain Day Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Shiv thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "Cause a Riot of Color."
( Read more... )
see_also_friend. It also fills "The End of the World" square in my 1-1-26 card for the Public Domain Day Bingo fest. This poem has been sponsored by a pool with fuzzyred. It belongs to the Shiv thread of the Polychrome Heroics series. It follows "Cause a Riot of Color."( Read more... )
Fires Rage in Georgia
Apr. 29th, 2026 04:01 amearthobservatory_iod_feed
An extreme drought that has gripped the Southeast for months helped fuel two large, destructive, human-caused wildland fires in southern Georgia in April 2026. The Pineland Road and Highway 82 fires together burned more than 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) as of April 28, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.
Satellite images of the fires captured by Landsat 8 show charred forests and residential areas in and around Atkinson (above) and Fruitland (below). The images are false color (bands 7-5-4), in which burned areas appear gray and vegetated areas green. The infrared signatures of actively burning fire fronts are orange. By April 25, the fires had destroyed more than 120 homes—the most lost to wildfire in the state’s history, according to news reports.
The Highway 82 blaze started on April 18 with a spark from a welding operation, and the Pineland Road fire ignited three days later after a mylar balloon collided with power lines. Both blazes spread rapidly amid blustery winds in areas that were parched by months of limited rainfall. Fallen trees and limbs left by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 also helped fuel the fires, according to forestry officials.
Heavy rains helped firefighters battle the blazes in recent days, but the Pineland Road fire remained 23 percent contained and the Highway 82 fire 32 percent contained on April 28, the forestry commission reported. Hundreds of firefighting personnel are confronting the fires with equipment in the air and on the ground.
NASA’s satellite and aircraft data are part of a global system of observations used to track fire behavior, analyze emerging trends, and develop technology that operational agencies can use to manage wildfires across the United States. Among the real-time wildfire monitoring tools that NASA makes available are FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System), the Worldview browser, and the Fire Event Explorer.
NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.
References & Resources
- AP, via U.S. News & World Report (2026, April 23) Debris From Hurricane Helene Is Helping Fuel Georgia’s Wildfires. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- CBS 47 & Fox 30, via Yahoo! News (2026, April 25) Georgia loses most homes in state’s history to wildfires in Brantley, Clinch counties. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- Georgia Forestry Commission (2026, April 28) Current Wildfire Information. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- Highway 82 Fire Information, via Facebook (2026) Posts. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- NASA Earthdata (2026) Wildfires. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- NASA Earth Observatory (2026, April 7) Drought Parches Florida. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- NASA Intro to FireSense. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- Savannah Morning News (2025, April 27) Update on wildfires in Georgia today. Here is the latest in GA. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- U.S. Drought Monitor Current Map. Accessed April 28, 2026.
- Wildfire Explorer (2026, April 28) Wildfire Explorer. Accessed April 28, 2026.
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New verses in "No Faster or Firmer Friendships"
Apr. 28th, 2026 11:26 pmysabetwordsmithBased on the general fund poll, "No Faster or Firmer Friendships" has 10 new verses. Josué reads a funny poem to Maria-Vera.
Precious Time
Apr. 28th, 2026 09:21 pmlovelyangelJenni recently returned from an out-of-state trip, and I was lucky to be able to meet up with her for lunch today. I picked her up at her home at 11:30 am, and we went to Elephants on Cedar Hills. I’ve been to Elephants Delicatessen in Cedar Hills a number of times, but Jenni had never been at all, so it was fun to watch her explore all the offerings.
After examining the entire store, we ordered lunch. I had a grilled cheese sandwich and two soups (half-pints). I got the Tomato Orange (a perfect pairing with grilled cheese) and I also got a Clam Chowder, as I’d not tried it there before. Jenni got a Spiced Lentil pint and an additional order of bread. The clam chowder tasted fine, but I prefer a very creamy chowder, and I probably won’t get the clam chowder again. Jenni really liked her soup and bread.
We chatted about everything. And when we were done with lunch, I drove us over to the Nike campus, where we took a long walk from the Hollister Trail to the Tektronix campus and back. Our walk was over 3 miles. And lots and lots of chatting. I love our chats.
After we finished walking, I took us back to Elephants Deli so that Jenni could buy a couple of meals to take home. And then I took her home. We were finished at 3 pm. It had been a very, very good lunch / walk.
The reason for Jenni’s out-of-state trip is that she and her spouse are planning to move within the next year, and they were scouting a location. I’m fully supportive, as I want them both to be very happy with wherever they are living. It’s sort of exciting reviewing the possibilities.
Of course, I will be very sad when they move away. This entire year I’ve been super-appreciating the time we spend together. Every visit, every chat is automatically a cherished, golden memory - and I’m fully aware we won’t be having these moments together after their move. I know I’ve been spoiled for quite a few years – being walking distance from Jenni’s house – and I replay the good times in my mind. As I always say, I’m the luckiest person I know.
After examining the entire store, we ordered lunch. I had a grilled cheese sandwich and two soups (half-pints). I got the Tomato Orange (a perfect pairing with grilled cheese) and I also got a Clam Chowder, as I’d not tried it there before. Jenni got a Spiced Lentil pint and an additional order of bread. The clam chowder tasted fine, but I prefer a very creamy chowder, and I probably won’t get the clam chowder again. Jenni really liked her soup and bread.
We chatted about everything. And when we were done with lunch, I drove us over to the Nike campus, where we took a long walk from the Hollister Trail to the Tektronix campus and back. Our walk was over 3 miles. And lots and lots of chatting. I love our chats.
After we finished walking, I took us back to Elephants Deli so that Jenni could buy a couple of meals to take home. And then I took her home. We were finished at 3 pm. It had been a very, very good lunch / walk.
The reason for Jenni’s out-of-state trip is that she and her spouse are planning to move within the next year, and they were scouting a location. I’m fully supportive, as I want them both to be very happy with wherever they are living. It’s sort of exciting reviewing the possibilities.
Of course, I will be very sad when they move away. This entire year I’ve been super-appreciating the time we spend together. Every visit, every chat is automatically a cherished, golden memory - and I’m fully aware we won’t be having these moments together after their move. I know I’ve been spoiled for quite a few years – being walking distance from Jenni’s house – and I replay the good times in my mind. As I always say, I’m the luckiest person I know.
Poem: "The Doom Puff"
Apr. 28th, 2026 10:34 pmysabetwordsmithThis poem came out of the April 7, 2026 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired by a prompt from nsfwords. It has been sponsored by the general fund poll. This poem belongs to the series Monster House.
Warning: Do not read with mouth full.
( Read more... )
nsfwords. It has been sponsored by the general fund poll. This poem belongs to the series Monster House.Warning: Do not read with mouth full.
( Read more... )
Library Update #27: Space for Shizu
Apr. 28th, 2026 08:37 pmlovelyangelFor the duration of the Library Project, Shizu has been exiled to the driveway, while the garage served as staging / storage area for inbound and outbound stuff. Even as the library was completed, things that used to be in the dining room, living room, home office, and family room ended up in the garage as there was no longer a place for them in the house. I had to do a major reorganization / cleanup of the garage to restore the space needed to bring Shizu back.
( The Garage )
( The Garage )
Daily Happiness
Apr. 28th, 2026 07:26 pmtorachan1. Last night when I took a shower the water never got that hot, and I thought it odd because while Carla had taken a shower, it was hours before and should have warmed back up within 15-20 minutes. Then this morning I did dishes and the water never got above warm-ish, and that was even having it fully on hot and not using the cold tap at all.
I went out to check the water heater only to find that sometime between when it was installed (eight years ago, according to my journal) and now, the sort of shed/add-on thing that it's inside had shifted slightly so that the door was now sitting below the adjoining back steps and couldn't open at all. Thankfully the door is wood, and we have a small saw, so I sawed off the bottom bit of the door so it could open (it is old and crappy anyway, so this is not damaging it or anything).
The water heater has a thing on the front that helpfully tells you what the issue is if the light is red and blinks X number of times. It was blinking 7 times, which is gas or valve failure, so we called a plumber and they said that replacing the broken part would cost like $400 plus over a thousand in labor, which seemed ridiculous. A new one is about $800, and they said we could go get one and they could install it, but they were quoting like $1800 for the replacement and removal, which again seems ridiculous. In my journal entry eight years ago, we were charged for one hour labor and free removal, which was a different plumber. I know prices have gone up a lot in the intervening years but that seems excessive.
So since I didn't think we'd be able to get a water heater in our car to bring it home anyway, I told them we'd just pay for their diagnostics today and get back to them. I ordered a new water heater from Home Depot and they delivered it today and we called the plumber from last time to have them come out tomorrow. They couldn't give us an estimate over the phone, but I feel it can't help but be cheaper than today's guys.
Anyway, we still have some warm-ish water we can at least use for washing dishes, and maybe just save the showers for tomorrow after they install the new one.
2. I was already planning on working from home today, which worked out well for all the plumbing stuff.
3. First puzzle finished since getting back from vacation:
This one was a lot of fun. I think when I bought it I saw some other similar ones, so I might have to check those out.
4. I've been sleeping better and waking up at my usual time again for several days in a row now, so I'm feeling a lot better about that. Now that I have this morning walk routine, it was really throwing me off to be waking up so much later.
5. Cutie Molly.
I went out to check the water heater only to find that sometime between when it was installed (eight years ago, according to my journal) and now, the sort of shed/add-on thing that it's inside had shifted slightly so that the door was now sitting below the adjoining back steps and couldn't open at all. Thankfully the door is wood, and we have a small saw, so I sawed off the bottom bit of the door so it could open (it is old and crappy anyway, so this is not damaging it or anything).
The water heater has a thing on the front that helpfully tells you what the issue is if the light is red and blinks X number of times. It was blinking 7 times, which is gas or valve failure, so we called a plumber and they said that replacing the broken part would cost like $400 plus over a thousand in labor, which seemed ridiculous. A new one is about $800, and they said we could go get one and they could install it, but they were quoting like $1800 for the replacement and removal, which again seems ridiculous. In my journal entry eight years ago, we were charged for one hour labor and free removal, which was a different plumber. I know prices have gone up a lot in the intervening years but that seems excessive.
So since I didn't think we'd be able to get a water heater in our car to bring it home anyway, I told them we'd just pay for their diagnostics today and get back to them. I ordered a new water heater from Home Depot and they delivered it today and we called the plumber from last time to have them come out tomorrow. They couldn't give us an estimate over the phone, but I feel it can't help but be cheaper than today's guys.
Anyway, we still have some warm-ish water we can at least use for washing dishes, and maybe just save the showers for tomorrow after they install the new one.
2. I was already planning on working from home today, which worked out well for all the plumbing stuff.
3. First puzzle finished since getting back from vacation:
This one was a lot of fun. I think when I bought it I saw some other similar ones, so I might have to check those out.
4. I've been sleeping better and waking up at my usual time again for several days in a row now, so I'm feeling a lot better about that. Now that I have this morning walk routine, it was really throwing me off to be waking up so much later.
5. Cutie Molly.
Nothing to see, move it along, just me rambling..
Apr. 28th, 2026 08:51 pmshadowkatI think I've given up on Gideon the Ninth, made it to the 15% mark, I just can't follow it? I have no idea what is going on or why? I'm confused? It's a busy and harrowing/ugly narrative style, and the way it's written is hard for my brain to make sense of - and this is coming from someone who read and analyzed and wrote a paper on James Joyce's Ulysses and William Faulkner's Sound and the Fury.
The writing style was just irritating me, I think. Here's the first chapter.
How to explain? I think it's the made-up slang? My brain doesn't like made up words or slang laden novels. Examples? Clockwork Orange (couldn't make it through that book either). There are others. Their Eyes Are Watching God, also gave me a headache. Too much slang and dialect.
I don't know if an audio book would be better? It might. Because this book was playing havoc with the dyslexia. (I need poetic prose or sentences to have a certain rhythm to them or my mind won't grasp it.)
I've decided to start reading "Firebird by Susanne Kearse" on the Kindle now, it's only been waiting in the queue for the last five years. We'll see - it's a historical/supernatural romance. I tried it twice before and gave up. Ugh. I like my hard cover novel better.
***
Mental illness has increasingly become a problem in our society - and our media isn't helping matters. It's judgemental of the mentally ill. People are really judgemental of others, aren't they? I guess there are positive aspects of being judgemental - so probably not something we want to get rid of completely.
I keep thinking...there but for the grace go we or I or you. It helps push away the judgement, and superimpose empathy and compassion instead. Emphasis on compassion. Sympathy tends to fall into the trap of judgement. Empathy, often falls into the trap of over-relating, but compassion is just caring for the other person and being mindful of their situation and our own, and trying to not do more harm.
I keep reminding myself that I'm here on this earth, right now, to learn and to help wherever or however I am able (emphasis on able? I'm not always able.). And everything is a lesson. It helps. More than one might think?
***
Wasn't planning on it - but since it recorded instead of General Hospital, I watched King Charles III's speech. I was impressed - he's a good speaker and it was an excellent speech. (Granted the bar was set pretty low with Thing 1 and Thing 2 in the White House at the Moment, but still.) He said, words and actions matter - and made a very strong point about how we need to be careful about the ones we take and honor the past in doing so. Britain may not have wanted him to come - for well, understandable and obvious reasons, but I'm glad he did - because what he said to both houses of the US Congress - needed to be said, and both Houses and both parties for the most part were in agreement with what he stated. Specifically, that we need to fight against tyranny, and honor checks and balances. It's ironic that a British King is kindly admonishing and reminding the United States ( a former colony that rebelled against tyranny) of what it's shared values are - and why it rebelled and won that rebellion in the first place.
Made all the more ironic - by the fact that the King in question is a direct descendant of the one the US's founders rebelled against, and just a few months before the US's 250th birthday. But there you have it.
Maybe the people who needed to hear that - did? Let's hope it wasn't just the choir - but also the congregation? It appeared to be both? Nonetheless, it gave me a smidgen of hope. And the befuddled yet not quite dead historian in me celebrated and did a little dance in my head.
So make of that what you will.
Off to bed, to sleep, or at least I hope. It's been up in the air of late.
The writing style was just irritating me, I think. Here's the first chapter.
How to explain? I think it's the made-up slang? My brain doesn't like made up words or slang laden novels. Examples? Clockwork Orange (couldn't make it through that book either). There are others. Their Eyes Are Watching God, also gave me a headache. Too much slang and dialect.
I don't know if an audio book would be better? It might. Because this book was playing havoc with the dyslexia. (I need poetic prose or sentences to have a certain rhythm to them or my mind won't grasp it.)
I've decided to start reading "Firebird by Susanne Kearse" on the Kindle now, it's only been waiting in the queue for the last five years. We'll see - it's a historical/supernatural romance. I tried it twice before and gave up. Ugh. I like my hard cover novel better.
***
Mental illness has increasingly become a problem in our society - and our media isn't helping matters. It's judgemental of the mentally ill. People are really judgemental of others, aren't they? I guess there are positive aspects of being judgemental - so probably not something we want to get rid of completely.
I keep thinking...there but for the grace go we or I or you. It helps push away the judgement, and superimpose empathy and compassion instead. Emphasis on compassion. Sympathy tends to fall into the trap of judgement. Empathy, often falls into the trap of over-relating, but compassion is just caring for the other person and being mindful of their situation and our own, and trying to not do more harm.
I keep reminding myself that I'm here on this earth, right now, to learn and to help wherever or however I am able (emphasis on able? I'm not always able.). And everything is a lesson. It helps. More than one might think?
***
Wasn't planning on it - but since it recorded instead of General Hospital, I watched King Charles III's speech. I was impressed - he's a good speaker and it was an excellent speech. (Granted the bar was set pretty low with Thing 1 and Thing 2 in the White House at the Moment, but still.) He said, words and actions matter - and made a very strong point about how we need to be careful about the ones we take and honor the past in doing so. Britain may not have wanted him to come - for well, understandable and obvious reasons, but I'm glad he did - because what he said to both houses of the US Congress - needed to be said, and both Houses and both parties for the most part were in agreement with what he stated. Specifically, that we need to fight against tyranny, and honor checks and balances. It's ironic that a British King is kindly admonishing and reminding the United States ( a former colony that rebelled against tyranny) of what it's shared values are - and why it rebelled and won that rebellion in the first place.
Made all the more ironic - by the fact that the King in question is a direct descendant of the one the US's founders rebelled against, and just a few months before the US's 250th birthday. But there you have it.
Maybe the people who needed to hear that - did? Let's hope it wasn't just the choir - but also the congregation? It appeared to be both? Nonetheless, it gave me a smidgen of hope. And the befuddled yet not quite dead historian in me celebrated and did a little dance in my head.
So make of that what you will.
Off to bed, to sleep, or at least I hope. It's been up in the air of late.
Things I oughta post and what I actually will post
Apr. 28th, 2026 08:13 pmcatherineldfThe last 4 months have been a LOT. I have passed my data analytics certification at the University of Minnesota so that's done, at least. I miss my buddy kitty, Shu a whole lot, especially since I am trying to sleep with his sister Ma'at so she doesn't get lonely and she is both loud and lively at unreasonable hours.
A bit more about the kitties: my late wife, Jana, and I adopted them from Feline Rescue back in 2009. They are/were rescue Egyptian Mau mixes so we named them Shu (Egyptian god of dust storms) and Ma'at (goddess of justice). They were bonded and absolutely gorgeous with white under fur and patterned black tips and random spotted patterns on their tummies. Shu was the smartest cat I've ever lived with (Ma'at is a smart kitty too, of course) and clocked in at an impressive 20 pounds. He adored pets and belly rubs and play time and liked to sleep wrapped around my ankles. He made it to 17 before his health began to fail and I had to send him over the Rainbow Bridge.He went out purring and content, but I am still bereft. Here's hoping Ma'at and I are able to adapt to the new normal soon. She is trying, poor little tyke, in her own way.
I lost another friend, this time to cancer, a couple of weeks ago. Rebecca Hranj was one of Jana's students and I met her after I moved Jana into assisted living. She helped me organize and clean out a lot of Jana's studio stuff and we got to hang out a bit around the time she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought the good fight and we went out to dinner, chatted on line occasionally and a few months back, I picked her up from an appointment and plied her with cardamom coffee and treats. I really, really wish we'd had more time to get to know each other. 2 years was way too short a time and she deserved better, as did her family and other loved ones, than to go out right before her 44th birthday. RIP to a good one.
What else is going on? I'm starting the spring grant review cycle this week (one of my side gigs) and am working on some stories and articles I have due later this year and of course, the novel. Everything this moving along, if not as zippily as I would like. I've done two bookselling events this month, hosted a yard sale and worked Independent Bookstore Day at DreamHaven. So it's been a very full month, One of my best friends is moving out of the country so I need to tackle mountain of paperwork (she's my emergency contact, among other things) as well as being sad that I won't see her much in a few weeks. I am working on making some new friends and meeting new people so not sitting around weeping into my tea or anything, but it would be nice if everything wasn't always literally or emotionally on fire at the same time. On the bright side, still pretty healthy and on year 2 of Not Being PreDiabetic. Or Diabetic, for that matter.
And, ack, just realized that I forgot to post that Queen of Swords Press has just released Joyce Chng's terrific Sailing the Golden Chersonese! This includes 4 stories about a trans masc pirate and his/their lady love sailing on a fantastical version of the South China Sea, complete with magic, Naks and romance. The cover is by the amazing Dhiyanah Hassan and the interior work is by Terry Roy, who has done most of our interior designs. It is the most beautiful little book!
And with that, back to work on sundry projects.
A bit more about the kitties: my late wife, Jana, and I adopted them from Feline Rescue back in 2009. They are/were rescue Egyptian Mau mixes so we named them Shu (Egyptian god of dust storms) and Ma'at (goddess of justice). They were bonded and absolutely gorgeous with white under fur and patterned black tips and random spotted patterns on their tummies. Shu was the smartest cat I've ever lived with (Ma'at is a smart kitty too, of course) and clocked in at an impressive 20 pounds. He adored pets and belly rubs and play time and liked to sleep wrapped around my ankles. He made it to 17 before his health began to fail and I had to send him over the Rainbow Bridge.He went out purring and content, but I am still bereft. Here's hoping Ma'at and I are able to adapt to the new normal soon. She is trying, poor little tyke, in her own way.
I lost another friend, this time to cancer, a couple of weeks ago. Rebecca Hranj was one of Jana's students and I met her after I moved Jana into assisted living. She helped me organize and clean out a lot of Jana's studio stuff and we got to hang out a bit around the time she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought the good fight and we went out to dinner, chatted on line occasionally and a few months back, I picked her up from an appointment and plied her with cardamom coffee and treats. I really, really wish we'd had more time to get to know each other. 2 years was way too short a time and she deserved better, as did her family and other loved ones, than to go out right before her 44th birthday. RIP to a good one.
What else is going on? I'm starting the spring grant review cycle this week (one of my side gigs) and am working on some stories and articles I have due later this year and of course, the novel. Everything this moving along, if not as zippily as I would like. I've done two bookselling events this month, hosted a yard sale and worked Independent Bookstore Day at DreamHaven. So it's been a very full month, One of my best friends is moving out of the country so I need to tackle mountain of paperwork (she's my emergency contact, among other things) as well as being sad that I won't see her much in a few weeks. I am working on making some new friends and meeting new people so not sitting around weeping into my tea or anything, but it would be nice if everything wasn't always literally or emotionally on fire at the same time. On the bright side, still pretty healthy and on year 2 of Not Being PreDiabetic. Or Diabetic, for that matter.
And, ack, just realized that I forgot to post that Queen of Swords Press has just released Joyce Chng's terrific Sailing the Golden Chersonese! This includes 4 stories about a trans masc pirate and his/their lady love sailing on a fantastical version of the South China Sea, complete with magic, Naks and romance. The cover is by the amazing Dhiyanah Hassan and the interior work is by Terry Roy, who has done most of our interior designs. It is the most beautiful little book!
And with that, back to work on sundry projects.
(no subject)
Apr. 28th, 2026 09:12 pmflemmingsNot really a Great Big Transit Adventure this time because I wimped out and cabbed down. Possible rain, possible subway tsuris, and in the event, College blocked off for filming who knows what. Cost me a bit more than usual because I had no fives and because Construction bloody everywhere. Anyway, one crown and one filling later, I set out towards University as the film crews packed up their vans. There were one or two small problems like the machine not accepting my bank card when I went to top up my Presto pass but then doing it, and the gates not wanting to open for my card but then doing it. 4:30 is the start of rush hour and yes the car was packed but the hell with it, I put the brakes on my rollator and sat on that. Again, knew better than to try for the e-w subway and hoped the Dupont station's elevators were working, because I knew two of the escalators weren't. But no problems there either. No bus scheduled for another 22 minutes, but there's the Shoppers handy so got my mailing envelopes. Eventually, because guy at the head of the line was requiring all sorts of things, and the clerk apologized to me for the wait. Mind, with People These Days (signs everywhere saying harassment will not be tolerated, meaning people have been harassing) this may now be standard operating procedure.
So I headed back towards home, hungry because my mouth was still frozen and she said not to eat for another two hours. Got to Bathurst and decided, since I'm awash with money just now (tax refund arrived yesterday) to get me party sandwiches at yuppie Summerhill market. And OMG have the prices gone up. $25 for a box with minimal salmon pinwheels. I got the $16 common or garden variety which was still too much and nothing out of the ordinary. However they're soft, if tasteless, so that was dinner. But shall not be going back there anytime soon, and not just because of the prices. Place was full of yuppie moms and their impervious offspring, both of them being the only people in the world. Also a store that has to hire a security guard is not anywhere I want to be.
So I headed back towards home, hungry because my mouth was still frozen and she said not to eat for another two hours. Got to Bathurst and decided, since I'm awash with money just now (tax refund arrived yesterday) to get me party sandwiches at yuppie Summerhill market. And OMG have the prices gone up. $25 for a box with minimal salmon pinwheels. I got the $16 common or garden variety which was still too much and nothing out of the ordinary. However they're soft, if tasteless, so that was dinner. But shall not be going back there anytime soon, and not just because of the prices. Place was full of yuppie moms and their impervious offspring, both of them being the only people in the world. Also a store that has to hire a security guard is not anywhere I want to be.
various (again)
Apr. 28th, 2026 08:37 pmchazzbannerToday as part of my listening project 'music between 1971 and punk' I listened to Iggy Pop's album Lust for Life. I was for surprised somehow to find out I'd heard the title track before. -- There's also a connection to another band, I might post a YT video later.
What to know an example of AI: watch out? A silly one. The other day I watched a few 'then and now' videos, showing the cast of a tv series or miniseries, what they looked like then and what they look like now - or looked like around the time they died, if that's the case. I, Claudius was the first one I watched.
Then I watched a video on Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy (miniseries). Sìan Phillips at 92, John Standish at 91, and a number of minor characters, younger actors.
I kept saying, The kid, the kid, what about the kid? Not a mention.
Duncan Jones played 'Jumbo' in three episodes of Tinker, Tailor. His only other role was in one episode of the miniseries To Serve Them All My Days. But what did AI say when I asked it 'duncan jones actor tinker tailor'?
"Duncan Jones, the renowned film director and son of David Bowie, played the child character "Jumbo" Roach in the acclaimed 1979 BBC television mini-series adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. As a child, he was credited as Duncan Jones, appearing in the series at approximately 8 years old during his school years.
"Following his brief acting stint as a child, Duncan Jones grew up to become a critically acclaimed filmmaker..."
Nope! They are not the same person.
-
What to know an example of AI: watch out? A silly one. The other day I watched a few 'then and now' videos, showing the cast of a tv series or miniseries, what they looked like then and what they look like now - or looked like around the time they died, if that's the case. I, Claudius was the first one I watched.
Then I watched a video on Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy (miniseries). Sìan Phillips at 92, John Standish at 91, and a number of minor characters, younger actors.
I kept saying, The kid, the kid, what about the kid? Not a mention.
Duncan Jones played 'Jumbo' in three episodes of Tinker, Tailor. His only other role was in one episode of the miniseries To Serve Them All My Days. But what did AI say when I asked it 'duncan jones actor tinker tailor'?
"Duncan Jones, the renowned film director and son of David Bowie, played the child character "Jumbo" Roach in the acclaimed 1979 BBC television mini-series adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. As a child, he was credited as Duncan Jones, appearing in the series at approximately 8 years old during his school years.
"Following his brief acting stint as a child, Duncan Jones grew up to become a critically acclaimed filmmaker..."
Nope! They are not the same person.
-
I opened and opened
Apr. 28th, 2026 07:43 pmoliviacirceI have two Andrea Gibson poems for you today, since I couldn't pick and also missed yesterday.
( Instead of Depression )
*
( How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best )
( Instead of Depression )
*
( How the Worst Day of My Life Became the Best )
just some more randomage
Apr. 28th, 2026 06:38 pmkellan_the_tabby
[Remy, a big black dog with white toes and a white splotch running down his chest and belly, is sitting at the corner of the house. He’s staring off to the left of the camera, ears folded over.]
Just some stuff. Like a dog.
& what a dog he is!
[Remy’s looking right at the camera now, tongue hanging out in a big smile, ears perked forward in a friendly manner.]
& then he jumped on me, because he’s large & appalling.
There was a mouse in my trash can late one night! I almost managed to get it into a container with a lid, but those little bastards can JUMP.
[A perfectly standard brown field mouse is sitting in the bottom of a translucent plastic trash can, along with an ice cream sandwich wrapper. It’s making no attempt to hide, and its ears and whiskers are eloquent of curiosity.]
I also finally got the eye plants into iNaturalist, upon which it declared that they’re actually called ‘saltlovers’, Halogeton glomeratus. They’re invasive, of course, deadly to livestock, & tend to show up on disturbed soil — which is pretty much what we’ve got here. We haven’t got a ton of it, & there’s other stuff that’ll crowd it out, so I’m not real worried about it being here.
Also, it looks like this.
[Clusters of tiny flowers, pink in the center with translucent white petals all round, fill nearly the entire photo. There are also a few equally tiny green leaves.]
They’re neato! We just don’t need em.
[This photo’s much the same, with the addition of bright pink plant stems visible in with the flowers. They’re nearly the same color as the center of each flower.]
Apparently they taste pretty gross, too, so as long as your livestock have something else to eat, they’ll avoid them.
Still gonna see about pulling a bunch of them once the flowers start dying, but if we’ve always got a couple of them around, I think we can cope.
originally posted on Patreon; support me over there to see posts a week early!
Day 1925: “A day of reckoning.”
Apr. 28th, 2026 04:40 pmwtfjht_feed
Today in one sentence: U.S. gas prices rose to their highest level in nearly four years; the Government Accountability Office will investigate the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files; the Justice Department indicted former FBI Director James Comey over a 2025 Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47”; the FCC ordered an early review of Disney-owned ABC station licenses after Trump demanded – again – that Jimmy Kimmel be fired; federal prosecutors indicted NIH official David Morens with conspiring to hide COVID-19 research records from public records requests while serving as an adviser to Anthony Fauci; the State Department plans to issue a limited run of U.S. passports featuring Trump’s portrait and gold signature to mark America’s 250th anniversary; and 64% of Americans disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president.
1/ U.S. gas prices rose to their highest level in nearly four years, reaching $4.18 a gallon as the Iran war has left the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed. Prices are up $1.19 since late February. While Iran has offered to reopen the strait if the U.S. lifts its blockade, Trump was reportedly dissatisfied because the proposal delays talks over Tehran’s nuclear program. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that Iran said it was in a “State of Collapse” and wanted Hormuz opened “as soon as possible.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran cannot decide “who gets to use an international waterway.” Analysts, meanwhile, warned that supplies remain strained and the summer demand could bring “a day of reckoning” the stock market is “ignoring.” (Reuters / New York Times / ABC News / Politico / CNBC / CBS News / Axios / Bloomberg / Reuters / ABC News)
- U.S. intelligence is studying how Iran would respond if Trump declared unilateral victory. The review comes as the two-month war has killed thousands, closed much of the Strait of Hormuz, and become a political liability for Trump. (Reuters)
2/ The Government Accountability Office will investigate the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, including how officials reviewed, redacted, and released the records. A bipartisan group of senators said the Justice Department had exposed victim information while shielding alleged co-conspirators, calling it a failure that “re-victimize[d]” survivors and violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The department has, so far, released about 3.5 million pages while withholding millions more that officials claim are duplicates or exempt from disclosure. The review has no completion date and will run alongside a separate Justice Department inspector general audit. (Politico / Washington Post / NBC News / CNBC)
3/ The Justice Department indicted former FBI Director James Comey over a 2025 Instagram photo of seashells arranged as “86 47.” The indictment charges Comey with threatening Trump and transmitting a threat across state lines, saying a “reasonable recipient” would view the post as “a serious expression” of intent to harm Trump, the 47th president. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed, “You are not allowed to threaten the president.” Comey deleted the post at the time and said he opposed “violence of any kind.” The case follows a failed 2025 prosecution that accused Comey of lying to Congress, which fell apart after a judge found that Trump’s hand-picked prosecutor had been unlawfully appointed. (CNN / Reuters / New York Times / Wall Street Journal / NBC News / Bloomberg / Axios / Associated Press / Politico / Washington Post)
4/ The FCC ordered an early review of Disney-owned ABC station licenses after Trump demanded – again – that Jimmy Kimmel be fired. The FCC claimed the review concerns ABC’s diversity practices and possible “unlawful discrimination,” but the timing follows Kimmel joking that Melania Trump looked like an “expectant widow” several days before a gunman tried to enter the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Disney said ABC complies with FCC rules and is prepared to defend its licenses under the Communications Act and the First Amendment. (Semafor / Reuters / Wall Street Journal / CNN / Washington Post / Axios / CNN / New York Times)
5/ Federal prosecutors indicted NIH official David Morens with conspiring to hide COVID-19 research records from public records requests while serving as an adviser to Anthony Fauci. Prosecutors said Morens used a personal Gmail account to evade FOIA searches for communications about bat coronavirus grants, EcoHealth Alliance, and the origins of the pandemic. The indictment cites a 2021 email where Morens said he had learned “how to make emails disappear,” though he denied in 2024 that he tried to evade transparency laws. The indictment doesn’t accuse Fauci of wrongdoing. (Associated Press / Reuters / Politico / New York Times / Washington Post)
6/ The State Department plans to issue a limited run of U.S. passports featuring Trump’s portrait and gold signature to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The design will be the default for in-person applicants at the Washington Passport Agency, while online applicants and those using other offices will receive the current version. The Trump passport follows a 2026 national parks pass showing Trump beside George Washington, newly printed paper currency with Trump’s signature, a planned 24-karat gold commemorative coin with his likeness, the renamed “Trump-Kennedy Center,” the renamed “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace,” the $5 million “Trump Gold Card” visa program, “Trump Accounts” savings plans for children, TrumpRx prescription drug discounts, and a large “MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN” banner with Trump’s face on the Justice Department headquarters. Officials didn’t say how many passports would be issued. (Associated Press / Politico / CNN / CBS News / Washington Post)
poll/ 64% of Americans disapprove of the job Trump is doing as president, while 34% approve. (Reuters)
The 2026 midterms are in 189 days; the 2028 presidential election is in 924 days.
- Today last year: Day 1560: "They know me now."
- Four years ago today: Day 464: "A small price to pay."
- Five years ago today: Day 99: "Investments in our future."
- Six years ago today: Day 1195: "Can't imagine why."
- 9 years ago today: Day 99: Weak.
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Write Every Day: Day 28
Apr. 28th, 2026 05:14 pmsanguinityIntro/FAQ
Days 1-15
My check-in: Some sentences over lunch.
Day 28:china_shop, sanguinity
Day 27:badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, dswdiane, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
Day 26:badly_knitted, china_shop, dswdiane, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme
( More days )
When you check in, please use the most recent post and say what day(s) you’re checking in for. Remember you can drop in or out at any time, and let me know if I missed anyone!
Days 1-15
We're looking for a second volunteer to share May! Is anyone up to host half the month?
My check-in: Some sentences over lunch.
Day 28:
china_shop, sanguinityDay 27:
badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, dswdiane, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilmeDay 26:
badly_knitted, china_shop, dswdiane, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme( More days )
When you check in, please use the most recent post and say what day(s) you’re checking in for. Remember you can drop in or out at any time, and let me know if I missed anyone!
Daily Check-In
Apr. 28th, 2026 06:13 pmstarwatcher posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
fandom_checkinThis is your check-in post for today. The poll will be open from midnight Universal or Zulu Time (8pm Eastern Time) on Tuesday, April 28, to midnight on Wednesday, April 29. (8pm Eastern Time).
Poll #34532 Daily Check-in
Open to: Access List, detailed results viewable to: Access List, participants: 12
How are you doing?
I am OK.
9 (75.0%)
I am not OK, but don't need help right now.
3 (25.0%)
I could use some help.
0 (0.0%)
How many other humans live with you?
I am living single.
6 (50.0%)
One other person.
4 (33.3%)
More than one other person.
2 (16.7%)
Please, talk about how things are going for you in the comments, ask for advice or help if you need it, or just discuss whatever you feel like.
4/28/2026 Inspiration Trail
Apr. 28th, 2026 02:47 pmmrkinchThere was a little fog and wind to start but most of the trail is sheltered and the sun prevailed. The birding started slowly and the fun really got going at the North end of the trail when I ran into a small warbler wave. I could hear Townsend's but there was someone else in there, too. Merlin suggested Hermit Warbler and I found it! I was surprised. I was also surprised to hear a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher; it had been several weeks since the last time. A MacGillivray's Warbler was singing on territory, as were two Lazuli Buntings. In both cases they were in addition to MacGillivray's Warblers and Lazuli Buntings in their usual places towards the South end of the trail. It was exciting. ( The list: )
A Northern Flicker was drumming on the metal power tower again.:) Still no large flycatchers on the Trail, but I heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher just down the road. Maybe next time.
A Northern Flicker was drumming on the metal power tower again.:) Still no large flycatchers on the Trail, but I heard an Olive-sided Flycatcher just down the road. Maybe next time.