Starting Off Monday With Last Friday

 

 

"Decreasing the budget on the space exploration is nothing but a great treason to humanity! Space exploration is closely related to our very existence! Cut the budget on other things and increase the budget on space exploration! Think great; if you do not think great, universe annihilates you!"

~ Mehmet Murat ildan

Christina Koch (NASA Photo)

Today, Monday April 13th, 2026, and through the rest of the week, it seems like life  will be a never ending shitstorm of stupid. So, lets just start the week by remembering the astronauts of Artemis II arriving back on earth after their triumphant trip around the moon. Last Friday was a good day! I have to admit while watching their approach home, I couldn't look away! Being the geek that I am, I snapped photo after photo with my cellphone camera, and held my breath, until communication with the astronauts was resumed after their reentry. watching that tiny ship make it through the temperatures of the earth's atmosphere was stunningly beautiful, and scary as Hell! And just like that, for a little while, something wasn't about politics. It wasn't about anything but science, and beauty, and humanity pulling for the safe return of the four scientists aboard the Artemis II. Science was cool again! I liked the world last Friday, and I am thinking of that as we greet the week ahead, I just wonder how long the good vibes will last? I am hoping they will until at least noon! 

Suppose You Were An Idiot

 

San Francisco Chronicle

April 10th 2026

"Reader, suppose you were an idiot, 

now suppose you were a member of congress.

 But I repeat myself."

~Mark Twain

Sigh.

 Here we go again. Eric Swalwell was my choice for governor. I was all ready to cast my primary vote for him. Now... I will go with Tom Steyer. Not that he's so bad, he has a whole lot to offer, but it's lets face it, nothing is ever what it seems, particularly in politics, so who knows how that will work out! To a certain degree, I agree with Swalwell, the timing is really awkward, republicans love a dirty trick, but in this case multiple women have come forward, and apparently there are receipts in the form of emails, text messages and... wait for it... unsolicited nude photos sent from his phone to at least one of the women. Next week is going to be enormous fun. His chances of being the democratic nominee for governor fell sharply yesterday and there are calls for him to resign, or face expulsion. He is vowing to fight it, but, well, I have moved on, and I think most folks will by this time next week. I will have more to say on the subject as the week goes forward, but for right now, I just feel sad. Nothing can break your heart like politics, and the those who pose as anything more than the idiots they truly are. 

Axios

New York Times

Ellipsis Word Of The Week... Snollygoster

 

"Don't gobblefunk around with words."

~Roald Dahl

The BFG

I came across this awesome word several months ago, and I meant to do a post about it, but somehow there was always something else to talk about. Well, today is Saturday, and as a rule they tend to be kick back and relax kind of days, so here is something to think about... but not too seriously!

Does the word, snollygoster, remind you of anyone?

Used In A Sentence... Donald Trump is quite the snollygoster!

See Merriam Webster for full definition and word history.

I Don't Like You Anyway, You Dumb Stupid-heads!

"An angry man rarely stops to let facts get in the way of their fury."

~Nikki Sex

 

Common Buckeye Butterflies

 

Common Buckeye Butterfly 

(Junonia coenia)

"Nature's message was always there for us to see.

 It was written on the wings of butterflies."

~Kjell B. Sandved

The beauty you see is the wonderful, Common Buckeye, butterfly! I haven't seen one in years, and not at all since moving to the, San Joaquin Valley! The last time I saw them, was when I visited the butterfly exhibits at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco! Needless to say, I was very happy to be in it's presence the other day! It was like being back in 2012 all over again! I checked some facts, and it seems they are common in the Bay Area, mostly along the coast, and it's not out of the ordinary to see one here, I just haven't noticed one! Hopefully it's an amazing turn of events, and I will be seeing a lot more of them here in the Northwestern San Joaquin Valley!

The Painted Lady Butterfly

 

"Be like a butterfly and a flower... beautiful and sought after, yet unassuming and gentle."

~Jarod Kintz

Despite all the depressing stuff going on, it's not like there isn't beauty in the world. While on Woodbridge road the other day, I spotted the first of two unique types of butterflies for 2026, floating along the wildflowers along the road! This particular one is the Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) which is one of my favorites, and seeing it reminds me that there is a lot to focus on, beyond politics. Why do I and should I, let the stupid stuff steal my joy? I wish I could answer that question! Today, for example, my body hurts head to toe, all because I tensed up yesterday, in anticipation of nuclear annihilation of Iran, and the very real possibility of World War III. I should have known Trump would Taco at the last minute, but I wasn't sure he would! Oh well, that was Tuesday, and today is today, and we all got here one moment at a time, so going forward I am trying that! One moment at a time.

Wish me luck!

I will have more new photos this week, so come back for that!

Okay, So, The Apocalypse Again In Two Weeks?

 

25th Amendment NOW!

Needless to say, having the President threatening genocide has left me a bit distraught. Tonight, in his ignorance, he may kill up to 90 million people, start WWIII and leave the world subject to nuclear attracts... bio-weapons... and then... the end. There are so man world wide tragedies that could happen. One virus, that makes Captain Trips look like a simple head cold, is not hard to imagine.

 

I'm praying for the people Of Iran, my fellow Americans, and the 25th Amendment!

I will update, some time after 8:00 pm Eastern Time... I hope.

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar

 

"I'm the Latina Marilyn Monroe. I got more legs than a bucket of chicken."

~Chi Chi Rodriguez

Too Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar

Vida, Noxeema and their young friend Chi-Chi, are three feisty, glamourous, and fun filled young women who decide to take a road trip together, in search of a crowning moment, but only if they win the, Drag Queen of America, contest in Hollywood. So off they go, in a very cool Cadillac convertible which suits the ladies, but which has a few years on it. The travel from New York to Los Angeles has a few eye opening moments for the ladies, including lessons about love, friendship, standing up for what's right, and yes, racism, homophobia and the devastation of being rejected by one's own family. This film is filled with magnificent heart, but make no mistake there are also a ton of laughs. The serious moments makes their point, and puts you right next to the ladies side. Robin Williams has a very funny cameo, that makes the movie all the more charming. The supporting cast is terrific, particularly Stockard Channing as a woman dealing with domestic violence. Watch this enormously enjoyable film, it's a cool little gem that shouldn't be overlooked. 

 And don't forget to pop the popcorn!

Cats, Easter Bunnies And A Peep

 

"Life is short... buy those shoes, have a sense of humor and take a break when you want."

~Unknow

Yesterday was Easter, and we had a good time. We enjoyed the boys having fun picking toys out of their Peep's Easter basket. Tyler immediately put his catnip toy mouse into his water bowl. He has a bug up his ass about that. He puts all his toys in his water bowl. Strange. It's like he's seen fish in a pond. I know he hasn't, but odd habit remains. Simon chose a little blue bunny to bat around. So sweet. Later they will get some nom noms and big snuggles. I am really in love with my little stress buster cats. I don't know where I would be without them! Mom and dad are made a special dinner of, roast chicken, stuffing and green bean bake! Delicious. Despite the awful things happening right now, history will tell the tale, we are had a good day. The way it should be!

Happy Easter 2026

 

"Easter is the one morning in all of history where dawn came twice;

 once in the eastern horizon and again in eternity."

~Charles Lounsbrough

HAPPY EASTER!

I hope your day is filled with peace and love. I will be spending the morning preparing an Easter Basket for the kitties. It's Simon and Tyler's first Easter, so I hope they will have a ball. I am filling the yellow chick basket I have, with all kinds of goodies. Plastic eggs with catnip toys inside, Temptations cat treats. Some Delectable chicken sticks, and Temptation's nom noms. And some tinkle balls. There is a little something for everyone! Hopefully pictures will come tomorrow, we'll see how well the basket goes over with the boys! Sometimes they are really into things like this, other times they are like meh. Everything is TBD.

Two Weeks or Forever

 

Everything, with Trump, has a two week timeline.

As of today, we are in day 35. But, as of last Wednesday, when he gave his big fancy speech, he said, again, we could be out of the war in about two to three weeks. That would make the date, somewhere around April, if we give him the full three weeks! So, we'll see. 

Sigh.

As of the writing of this post, we have a missing airman, who was shot down near the strait of Hormoz. I am praying for their safety, and that we will find them alive and well! I also pray that it doesn't take two weeks to find them!

The Main Event

 

It's Friday, Good Friday in fact, so how about a fun little movie from YouTube free tv shows and movies?

And Oh, by the way, this happened yesterday. 

"Betrayal is not a single act,

 but a crack in the mirror of loyalty, reflecting shards of shattered trust."

~Andrew Pacholyk

The Rhythm Of Betrayal

Shrug

Parking Lot Pickles

 

"Don't forget to relish the moment."

~Unknown

As you know, I live in Stockton, California. Well, from time to time, on any given day, even the casual passerby, may see a random object sitting in a random parking lot, and the object spotted will have NOTHING to do with anything in particular. In other words, it will all be deliciously, random! Like this Costco sized jar of Mt. Olive Kosher Dills. The day I spotted it, it was just there, in a stall, at Starbucks. Hmmm... pickles and coffee? Now I ask you, who orders a Starbuck's beverage, and chases it down with a pickled condiment?

Oh Barista...

 VT

 Pike's Place

 Decaf

 Caramel Macchiato

 with

Coconut milk

 Extra whip

 Caramel ribbon

 and

 Cinnamon Dolce Sprinkles

With 6 Stevia packets

And a Mt. Olive Kosher Dill Pickle, warmed.

And can you put it in a bag? Umm, the pickle, not the coffee.

Imagine the possibilities.

Breathe, Love, Meditate

 

Video Taken On One Of My Recent Walks

Cosumnes River Preserve Wetlands Walk

Galt, California

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature,

 he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

~John Muir

Breathe in, breath out. 

Meditate.

Breathe in nature. Know your worth. Live in love.

Meditate.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Meditate.

Scenes from Cosumnes River Preserve

March 19th, 2026

Greater White-fronted Geese

And A Little Soft Jazz