Every Day Is A Winding Road

 

"But you are still you, and I am still me, and we are still we."

~Richard L. Ratliff

Well, this is a busy weekend for us! Today is Valentine's day, tomorrow is the anniversary of the purchase of our condominium, and it was just a couple days ago that we bought the new Mini Cooper, so it has taken a bit of time doing all the necessary tasks, although some of which I am pushing into next week! But for right now we are just planning on enjoying being us. The us that can make monumental decisions without losing each other in the details. We have pretty much become of one mind when it comes to the big decisions. You would think that would be boring, but believe me, it's not. We make our decisions together, but that doesn't mean that there isn't vigorous debate on what path we take getting there! 

Everyday is a winding road, right?

 Hopefully that road looks just like Desmond road in spring!

Happy Valentine's Day to you and your love!

Our favorite romantic movie scene...

~

A Rainbow On The Day You Buy A Car

"What you see is what you get.

 It's not just black and white.

 It's a rainbow of fucked up colors too."

~Dana Husseini

RIP Basil

Wednesday, February 11th, 2026

So this squishy little rainbow appeared in the sky, as we drove to Sacramento to trade in our car. I hope that's a good omen, hopefully meaning that our old car would make it's way to someone who really needs it! Alas, I have a feeling that our Basil has gone on to it's glory. I am very sad about that. We had a lot of good times together. It truly had our back. But hey, 15 years isn't bad for a car. And it still got amazingly good gas mileage! But I digress. The point is, I am hopeful for the future, as soon as we learn to drive the new electric vehicle to get the most mileage. One thing is for sure, we will be saving a lot of money, and it's so much better for the natural world we enjoy so much! That's life in 2026!

One a side note... Donald Trump Can Kiss My Ass!

Read About it here.

Meet My New Ride!

 

"If everything seems out of control, you're just not going fast enough."

~Mario Andretti

Okay, so our lovely Basil is no more. He was 14 years old, and had well over 120,000 miles on the odometer, so he lead a good long life and served us well! As happy as I am, its bittersweet saying goodbye to a car. We share a lot with our rides. The best memories with Basil, were the times we went birding, and that's what I am thinking about. Getting to know our new friend, who does not have a name yet, will have some new challenges, like getting used to what it's like owning an EV for the first time! I miss the olden days, where when you bought a car, it had a steering wheel, four tires, and if you were lucky, air-conditioning, but time does move on, and while somethings have gotten exceedingly easier, somethings come with built in complications. But time will shake it all out. No worries, but I do need a day of an emotionless state of being, and for that, I need a pillow, a cat, and a Sibley guide to plan my next day in nature.

If you dream it, it will come. Right now, I'm dreaming of a stress free day.

More to come...

Maybe

 

"Always focus on the front windshield, and not the rearview mirror."

~Colin Powell

Maybe.

Could be.

I really like it.

But there are things to consider.

Maybe.

Could be.

We'll find out later today.

One of my favorite scenes from the movie, is the brilliant Eugene Levy as a shifty car salesman.

"The Wagon Queen Family Truckster, you think you hate it now, but wait until you drive it."

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... Frankenstein

 

"I am obscene to you, but to myself, I simply am."

Frankenstein ( 2025 )

~Based on Mary Shelley's

 Frankenstein

Another first for me, this interpretation of the classic book by Mary Shelly's, Frankenstein. For the most part I am a purist when it comes to adaptations, and I usually bristle at versions of books that stray too far. I mean the books are best sellers for a reason! This version of Frankenstein, however, was terrific as a stand alone movie, but don't watch it for it's accuracy to the book. This first few minutes had me ready to give up, but hubby encouraged me to stick it out. Snuggling on the couch, watching movies, is a great motivation! As the movie progressed, it began to annoy me less, and actually began to entertain me. Thanks in no small part to, Christoph Waltz, as Heinrich Harlander, and Jacob Elordi as the monster. By the time the movie concluded I was sure that seeing it again, would be something to look forward to. Maybe I will add it to my October movie list. It's a very atmospheric film, so watching it around Halloween would be perfect! 

See the IMBD page here.

Atomic Game Day Elegance

 

"There's no love more sincerer than the love of food."

~George Bernard Shaw

BBC Presents, Man and Superman

The Superbowl is finally here! And there is already a lot of noise! Too bad it has nothing to do with the game of Football! "Bad Bunny bad" says the republican mood killers, "were gonna have our own half-time show, starring, Kid Rock, that'll own the libs!" Or something like that. Sheesh. Will ICE show up to ruin things? Don't know. I am sure they will pull something somewhere. Will Trump commit nasty Truthiness? Yeah, probably. But I don't give a shit! I plan to kick back with hubby, order in some decadent appetizers and watch the last football game until September! 

If I had thought of it sooner, I could have made my own appetizers, rather than order in, but alas I didn't. So, in an effort to be ready for next Superbowl, I am tip-toeing through cookbooks, online sites and YouTube to find something a quirky and fun to try. And these recipes above answer that call, and as plus, it's got a mid-century vibe to it. Go. Watch. Make something offbeat and delicious for your Superbowl party.

I'll be back Tuesday!

And now a little Atomic Age Mellow Jazz for your pregame party!

Go Seahawks!

Simon At 8 Months

 

"Cats randomly refuse to follow orders, to prove they can."

~Llona Andrews

Magic Strikes

That was my little puffball, Simon, 8 months and one day ago. He is growing into quite a beauty, don't you think? Quite the young man. My goodness, time has gone by so fast. I am so glad we brought him into our life! I am so glad that his momma gave birth right next door, so that we could once again, have the sounds of bells running through the house. When Tyler came along, life only got better! Something I didn't even know was possible! Now, however, Joey has a case of the Green-eyed Monster, so we are navigating that, but I know we will work it out, all of us, together, as a family.

Simon, February 6th, 2026

Heart Of Glass

 

"Where words leave off, music begins."

~Heine

I'm tired, but music gives me life. This is music from my era. Say what you want about music from the 1980's but to we who grew up in that time, it's sweet relief. I guess all generations say that. But the emotion is as timeless as the music!

Expect to see more videos, as we navigate the times we find ourselves in!

Pray For Nancy Guthrie

 

I don't know what quote would go with this post. I don't want to get wordy, except to say, Nancy Guthrie is missing, feared kidnapped or abducted, there is evidence of such, and she needs to be brought home. Whoever you are, wherever you are, please, let her go! Enough already!

Nancy, I am praying that the Lord touches you, and eases your pain. I pray that the Lord will lead you home to your family soon.

The world is waiting for you.

Read The New York Times Article Here.

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... Mr. Wrong

Tagline...

"He loved her from afar... not far enough!"

Mr. Wrong

Again, I gravitate toward a nonsensical comedy. But in my own defense I found it truly funny, cute in it's own way, and co-stars Bill Pullman, who I have lusted after for 40 years, because not only is he adorable, but he makes me laugh... and that vague, I'm so lost, smile that makes me want to take him by the hand and help him find his way home. How a smile can be both goofy and devastatingly sexy at the same time, I will never know! The story is funny, it's a typical 80's comedy, but it's good for a kick back laugh. The cast is excellent. So why not?

 Watch the funny movie, drool, laugh, repeat!

It's Love All Over Again

 

"Chocolate introduced me to Heaven."

~Anthony T. Hincks

Recently, I found out that not only am I allergic to pecans, I am allergic to almonds as well. I found out by way of a Hershey's with Almonds bar. UGH, a negative chocolate encounter, who needs that? I should cut back on my chocolate consumption anyway, but seriously, I am on my last nerve about things. But at the end of the day, sigh, chocolate cures a lot of evil. You already know about Trump, but now the car broke down, and who the HELL knows when the part to fix it, will arrive. It's already been 5 days. That means no birding, which is the thing that keeps me sane! And lets not forget the frequent fog of January! One day, not too long ago, I ate a half a bag on the plain Hershey's kisses, but only to balance the anger, sadness, bewilderment, and you get the idea, you probably felt it all too. And then the car took a dump!

I grabbed a bag of Hershey Kisses with Almonds, and ate a few fistfuls. A short time later, I broke out in hives. My body itched to a silly degree, but I survived, and now I know! But there was always the plain kisses, and because I now had an additional reason to bury my feelings in a bag of chocolate, I dug in with both hands. And I'm NOT SORRY! But funny thing, I hadn't had Hershey's plain chocolate in years. Previously when I indulged, it was usually Sees Candies. But unfortunately, Sees has became really expensive in the last few years, and even more expensive since Trump. Hershey's has seen a price hike as well! I can't believe how much a candy bar costs! Anyway, I forgot how amazingly delicious just a bit of their plain chocolate was! And now it's a tiny obsession? Or love rekindled? Who knows?

 I promise to try to cut back on. Seriously, I can stop anytime I want.

I found this recipe for, German Chocolate Cake, on the Hershey's website.

 It looks delicious! I think I'll try it!

Oops! 

Listen To Don

On Friday, January 30th, 2026, Don Lemon was among other journalists arrested by the Trump DOJ, for his coverage of the protest last Sunday, at a church in Minnesota. He was there as a journalist! Here is his response to this situation and his arrest. Trump sent a huge threat to all of us with this arrest. If this is allowed to stand, we are all in grave danger! We need free speech. We need a free press. We need the 1st Amendment to stand! Stop asking if we are sliding toward Fascism. Make, NO MISTAKE, we are already living in a Fascist state!

 I stand with Don Lemon!

We must listen to Don!

Listen To The Women

"When you grow up female, danger is everywhere."

~Virginia Roberts Giuffre

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir Of Surviving Abuse And Fighting For Justice

Yesterday, 3 million additional documents of the Epstein Files were released, only about half of the remaining files. And with that, the Department of Justice will no longer release any additional files. The following spreadsheets were initially released, then a short time later pulled from release. The obstruction and deception continues. Warning, the following is more than a little disturbing.

Listen To The Sound Of Silence

 

"When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty."

~Thomas Jefferson

Listen To The Reviews

 

"Here we go again!"

~Melania Trump

Melania 

Yes, Melania, here we go again. Only its all worse this time."

This is not my usual lighthearted movie suggestion. No. This is a review and suggestion by the professional reviewers. Apparently this $75 million film is exactly what it seemed to be, a shallow, thoughtless, self promoting poser of an out of touch first lady. But if you enjoy fashion, that most folks can never afford to purchase, especially in this time, then this movie is for you! 

As for me, I don't like nor respect her. So, it's a hard pass for me!

But here is a trailer for you.

Read the article at Yahoo Entertainment

Listen To Bruce

Listen To Jimmy

 

"When the rabbit screams, the FOX comes runnin' but not to help."

~Thomas Harris

The Silence Of The Lambs

I'm exhausted, and really, what more could I possibly add?

Ellipsis Movie Of The Week... Dan In Real Life

 

"You know that feeling in your heart? When you heart is just pounding, like it's actually outside your ribs? Exposed but vulnerable and awful, and heartsick, and alive, all at the same time.

~Dan Burns ( Steve Carell )

Dan In Real Life

I seem to be gravitating to movies about different kinds of love. Which is okay, I guess, but it's just that I am such a lucky person to have found all kinds of love with my husband, and that a rare thing. I think about it more as well, because we are living through such dark, desperate times. So bare with me, I am encouraging myself to branch out and enjoy a larger genre than rom-coms. But to be fair, this is a new movie for me, so yea!

As for, Dan In Real Life, I enjoyed that it dealt with the sometimes messiness of relationships. Lovers, Love at first sighters, brothers and sisters, and of course, our parents. Make no mistake, while it might seem like a comedy from the trailers, it's a dramady, but a well balanced one. It's a good watch. A pleasant one. A quiet movie that's needed right now. But I have to confess, I have loved every movie Steve Carell has every done, so I might be a wee bit impartial.

Thoughts And Prayers For The American Gestapo

 

"We cannot violence by blaming it's victims. We are in a culture of victim blaming and victim shaming, where the wounded are questioned more than the more then the one's who wounded them, because responsibility scares a society built on denial."

~Carson Anekeya

Sigh.

Say His Name... Alex Jeffrey Pretti

One Headline... Two Different Days

 I don't have a witty quotes for today. I am tired, brokenhearted and really sad. And I admit I found it surreal that the New York Times had the same headline for, Saturday, and Sunday. Forgive me if this is a less than perfect post. History will remember this time, and will not look kindly on these assholes. Say his name, Alex Jeffrey Pretti. He was an ICU nurse at the V.A. hospital, in Minnesota. He was a son. And he was so much more, including a hero, for trying to save a woman who had been shoved to the ground by ICE agents.

 He was the same age as Renee, Nicole Good... 37.

Renee Nicole Good

Murdered by ICE

 January 7th, 2025

Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Murdered By ICE

January 24th, 2026

How many more will have to die, at the hands of the Trump Administration?

The stupidity speaks for itself. Don't let yourself be Gaslighted.

RIP

 Alex Jeffrey Pretti

Woodbridge Road In The Fog

 "Lots of people go mad in January. Not as many as in May, of Course. Or June. But January is your third most common month for madness."

~Karen Joy Fowler

Sarah Canary

Yesterday, in a fit of I can't take Trump's stupidity anymore, I asked hubby if he wanted to take a ride in the fog, to look for birds. We thought it over a bit, and decided to head to Staten Island, but as we went farther and farther down the freeway, the thicker the fog got, so we changed our minds, and settled for Woodbridge road. It was a good plan.

The fog was beautiful.