Autumn Leaf Of The Day #60

 

“The world know it not; but you, Autumn, I confess it:

your wind at night-fall stabs deep into my heart”

 

 ~Murasaki Shikibu,

 The Tale of Genji

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #48

 

“There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky,

 which through the summer is not heard or seen,

 as if it could not be, as if it had not been!”

 

 ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #36/Help Me Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

 “I love the Autumn,
And yet I cannot say
All the thoughts and things
That make me feel this way.

I love walking on the angry shore,
To watch the angry sea;
Where summer people were before,
But now there's only me.

I love wood fires at night
That have a ruddy glow.
I stare at the flames
And think of long ago.

I love the feeling down inside me
That says to run away
To come and be a gypsy
And laugh the gypsy way.

The tangy taste of apples,
The snowy mist at morn,
The wanderlust inside you
When you hear the huntsman's horn.

Nostalgia - that's the Autumn,
Dreaming through September
Just a million lovely things
I always will remember.” 

~Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis 

 

With a little bit more than a week to go, until the election, I am a nervous wreck. My final order from the Harris/Walz store hasn't arrived yet. It's a Kamala Harris poster, and a set of "Ka-Ma-La" campaign buttons. I am hoping it will get here soon, so that I can put it in a frame on the wall. I waited on putting Hillary's poster up, and I was really sad on election night that I hadn't. It was at least a couple years before I finally did add it to my office. And then we had to move, and well, shit happens. We finally put the poster in our upstairs hallway, and now I can see here from my office. I am hoping to put the poster that's coming, next to Hillary, in the hallway, but I might also bring both of them into my office, after the election. We will see how thing go. Anyway... I need strength. And I need my Kamala Harris poster.

 

 Autumn, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, help me.

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #4/It Should Be IlLegal

 

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” 

~Emily Bronte 

 

 Politics in autumn should be fucking illegal. Sheesh. I am so sick of everything right now. I went out yesterday and spent basically 3 hours in 100 degree weather and to no pictures worth editing. It was a complete waste of time, and to make matters worse, I have one of those late summer colds, that is currently driving me insane, but that I am grateful for, because at least it isn't Covid. And I'm grouchy. But all is not lost, we are going somewhere today, in search of something, I am not sure of where and what yet, but first thing, later today, I will be in the little red Mini Cooper on my way to whatever comes my way. Wish me safe travels, and good luck in finding something and somewhere amazing!

Let's kick this mood's ass!

To The Bat Bridge, Robin

 

 

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb."

 

~Batman 

1960's TV Show

 

So, the Mexican Free-tailed bat is finally back! I think of them as a summertime adventure, but technically they are definitely a springtime visitor as well. We came across them, for the first time, late last summer. It was all quite by accident, which is the best way to experience any adventure for the first time, and it was delightful but unfortunately they were only a few weeks from returning on their migratory path. I only got to see them a handful of times. It was disappointing, but I resolved to be ready for their return. So, I spent my free time this past year, learning about them and prepping for their return. Things like what to look for, listen for, and oh, hey, what's that smell? If don't hear anything in particular, but you know for sure that bats are located in a certain area, the smell of ammonia is a big clue that they are nearby. Most folks probably wouldn't like the smell, but to be honest, I love it! It's certainly distinctive. It's a little like bat pee mixed with bat sweat. That sounds terrible, I know, but to me all it means is, Honey, I'm home.

 

98% of my experience with the bats is amazing. I get to learn about lighting with my camera. I get to learn facts about bats that I never knew before, for instance did you know they are amazing pollinators? They are as beneficial as the honeybees are. The sunsets I get to see are truly awesome, and the people you meet who share that passion with you have always been really fun to talk to. No politics. No suspicious heaviness in the air, just a couple people enjoying a part of nature that is, by erroneous popular belief, misunderstood. All in all it's very rewarding, except for the fact that I am ultra allergic to one of my bat friends favorite meals, mosquitos. I am sitting here right now with my feet swollen twice their normal size, large welts, and deep painful red "burn" rash from the bites. I left home without spraying my clothes with deet, or putting my boots on. What a mistake. Had I learned nothing from the summer of 2023?

 

I am going to let my feet heal, then I am going back to the bridge, probably sometime later this week, or early next week. I love my bats, and no one is going to keep me from studying them. They clean up the mosquitos and other pests, and pollinate beautiful night flowering plants, HELL, I wish I could own a bat of my very own! Or a colony of bats, yes, I would definitely own a whole colony of them if I could!

 

 

 

Grifters Gonna...

 

"For the love of money

People will steal from their mother

For the love of money

People will rob their own brother"

 

~The O'Jays

For The Love Of Money

 

 

A meal card. With Trump's mugshot puss on it. For $100 dollars. And the only thing that makes this stupid shit different than the black card he issued in 2016 is the fact that it is now made in metal, and it it costs a lot more than the 2016 price of $35 dollars! It's still pretty much useless to the purchaser, but in that Trump now has about a bijillion dollars in legal fees, all proceeds will more than likely go to his legal defense. 

 

Read the article... do you know anyone who ordered the Trump card back in 2016 and had it actually arrive? 

 

My exclusive Trump "black card" never arrived 

By Rick Newman

Monday, November 7th, 2016

Yahoo News

 

 

99 Cents Store, Over And Out

 

“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.”

 
― Paulo Coelho

  The Zahir

 

It's the end of yet another era. The 99 Cents store has decided to close all of it's stores nationwide. I shopped there, especially when I lived in the Bay Area, for years. Truth is, I could get odd ball stuff that I liked, in affordable amounts and prices. Before hubby retired, he would be furloughed from time to time, the last furlough took three days out of his paycheck per month, which doesn't sound like a lot, but it makes a dent. We had some very lean months, the balance was not fun, but the 99 Cents store was a big help. On a different note, they carried some awesome stuff that was cool to come across. One example was Zhu Zhu pets. They were a brand of robotic pets (hamsters) that talk and move about when you pressed a button on their back. Dylan had a favorite. Pinky. He loved that toy completely. Sometimes, because he didn't quite understand how it worked, I would catch him picking it up and throwing it across the floor to get it to go. It was absolutely delightful! I couldn't help but stop whatever I was doing to play with him. The interaction meant a lot to both of us.

 

 

 

 We bought about 8 of them, and I gave them to Dylan on birthdays and Christmas. He enjoyed all of them, but he always came back to Pinky. One day, Pinky broke, and he dragged him over to me to fix, unfortunately there was nothing I could do. Sigh. My heart kinda broke for him, but the play went on with the other pets.

So I am thinking about this and other memories that came by way of the 99 Cents store. When I think of how many stores that have shut down, just since I moved to the Central Valley, it makes my head spin. Toys R Us and Pier One just to name a couple of examples, and I understand Dollar Tree may close as well. Macy's hasn't closed completely, but it's closing it's Union Square store and that saddens me. San Francisco doesn't need another financial hit. Beginning in 2008, 99 Cents store began raising their prices and continued to do so until the pandemic began, stores like the 99 Cents store have raised their prices to the point you couldn't call it the 99 Cents store with a straight face. I think that was a big part of their undoing. The pandemic play a roll, and will get a big share of the blame, but I think raising their prices may have a lot to do with it too. It's really sad they didn't survive. 

Thanks for the memories, 99 Cents Store!

 

Little Laws

 

“The more complicated the law the more opportunity for scoundrels.”

 
~Robert A. Heinlein,

  The Door Into Summer

 

Laws about using the crosswalk, and the penalties for jaywalking, are pretty straightforward, sometimes one just needs to be reminded that if you let the little laws go, the big ones will follow. I am really proud of this gal, she is a wonderful example of how to live your life. For safety sake, always walk within the lines. By the way, in California, the fine for jaywalking prior to January 1st 2023 was $196. As of that date it became legal to jaywalk. However, obviously, if you dart out into traffic you can be cited for creating a dangerous situation. 

So definitely don't do that.

 

A Guns And Roses Update

 

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” 

~G.K. Chesterton 

 

See My Previous Post, Guns And Roses

 

 

Okay, call it fate, or an Easter miracle, or even dumb luck, but the bad neighbor who likes to shoot guns at his girlfriend in the middle of the day, has moved. The occupants of the entire condo are now gone! As you can see, this is how they left things as they exited our little bit of paradise, which thrilled everybody to no end. Why did folks do this? They began packing up a LARGE U-Haul truck on Saturday, and it took a full day to create this mess, and finally take their leave. The shooting incident happened on March 22nd, or about 10 days earlier, so either they were kicked out over what happened, or they were hopelessly embarrassed, which I doubt, so what happened? I have been through my share of stressful moves, but damn I never pulled out a gun and pointed it at a loved one! Or even someone I just like! Ultimately it's none of my business, and I don't plan to think about it. They are gone, it's over. No need to think about it again. Now excuse me while I download my, Active Shooter Event Quick Reference Guide, from the FBI.

 

Six more days, and I wouldn't have been a statistic of gun violence. Thanks, guy, for the additional instance of PTSD.

14.3

 

Via New York Times Article

"Fourteenth Amendment  Equal Protection and Other Rights

Section 3 Disqualification from Holding Office

No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."

 

~The Constitution Of The United States

 

 

It's not unexpected that the Supreme Court ruled the way they did, but it seems that they handed him another win. You can read and download a PDF of the judgement here. Also be sure to see Judge Luttig's opinion of today's decision on Youtube (CNN)

 

 

 

Body Language

 

“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” 

~Plato 

 

I am expecting the Supreme Court to rule that Donald Trump is allowed to be on the ballot. You know how I feel about things, but here is a link to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution Section 3. It's not a long read, it's one small paragraph, and that is kinda the joke, isn't it?

One small paragraph is standing between us, and the fall of democracy. The court issued a trigger warning for tomorrow, a rarity on a weekend, so I assume they want both sides to brace for impact. Well, I am doing just that.

I can't stop thinking about this clip of Trump saying something to Justice Kennedy, the night of his retirement announcement. Justice Kennedy seems genuinely taken aback about something. Who knows? Trump is such a goon it could have been anything I suppose, but it also could have been Trump bragging about his political power to do evil, and how the Supreme Court will now be young enough now to continue his agenda for years to come. He made them his bitch.

So what do you think? Was it a devil's handshake?

Read the article at the New York Times.

Lighting And Timing

 

Sandhill Crane

Woodbridge road

Lodi, California

 

“For me, the subject of the picture is always

 more important than the picture.” 

~Diane Arbus 

 

Sandhill crane always inspire me to search for the beauty in the world, and despite the vile cruelty in the world, natural beauty eclipses it. They are becoming my favorite subject. So far I have never seen them, when they weren't photogenic, not all birds are like that. The crane will be on their way soon, and I will miss them very much, because photographing them has taught me a lot about lighting and timing. I will miss their beauty, but I will especially miss hearing their call, but September will bring them back home, as we usher in the autumn season. Its all only two seasons away. It's a long time away, but I have plenty of subjects to keep me busy while I wait for their return. And hey, I spotted a couple of them that were banded, so hopefully I will get to photograph the same group in the fall!

Ellipsis... Brought To You By...

 

 

 

 “Advertisement shouldn’t look like information,

 it should look like a promise.” 

~Amit Kalantri

 

 Eat your cereal. Eat your toaster pastry. Eat your ice cream.

 

Remember Post Toasties? Lordy I loved the commercials of the 50's, 50's and 70's, so here is 17 minutes, or so, of some fun ones from, among other brands, Post, Seven Seas, and Bird's Eye. My goodness advertising was great from back then. I get so nostalgic for these simpler and more dangerous times. Yum. Food additives, lack of safety seals, and false advertising. Good times.

 

 

16,990

 

“Be skeptical, ask questions, demand proof. Demand evidence. Don't take anything for granted. But here's the thing: When you get proof, you need to accept the proof. And we're not that good at doing that.”

 
~Michael Specter 

 

17, 990 people died because of Donald Trump. THIS DRUG DID NOT AND WOULD NOT WORK! I knew it then, and I know it now, and so does everyone else, well, not the dead obviously. Donald John Trump is a fucking, opportunistic MONSTER, and I just know if he is reelected he will cause even more folks to lose their lives. I pray that those going to the polls next November will remember not just him telling a frightened America to drink bleach, but that he encouraged American's to take Hydroxychloroquine when he knew there was NO PROOF it would be effective against Covid-19. 

 

 "What do you have to lose? Take it."

 

~Donald John Trump

May 18th 2020

 

When was Trump diagnosed with Covid-19?

Friday October 2nd 2020

 

Please read the article in Politico.

 

And then watch the video below.

 

Here is the current trends from the CDC data tracker. Please check it out. Please Mask up. Please seriously consider getting you vaccinations caught up. 

Here is a map of states with the highest Covid rates.

Newsweek

 

 

Please take care of yourselves. We all have the information at this point, don't get complacent. Don't think for a moment this thing is gone. It's not. It continues to mutate, and it will do so for years. I am fairly sure I only have about 15 visitors, give or take, but I care about all of you. I don't need a big audience. I am just grateful for all who visit my posts. 

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

Sitting Up A Tree

 “You live in your head too much, you curl up and shut shit out and spend so much time doing it, you forget to live your life. You can’t live your life in your head. That isn’t living.” 

 
~Kristen Ashley

  Mystery Man

 

 It's so weird. This is the second Red-shouldered hawk I have seen in the last few days. I went most of last year without seeing one, except for a single one I saw perching on a phone line deep in the valley. Strangely, it was across the street from an Osprey nest sitting high atop a different pole. The Osprey wasn't being particularly combative about it's presence, so I guess it wouldn't be considered too strange, but it intrigued me. This little Red-shouldered hawk is chilling in an old tree at the Stockton Rural Cemetery. I would have loved to have studied him longer, but it was pouring down rain, and even with no wind, it seemed like it was coming at me in all directions. That's what it is like to live in your own brain too much. Information, experiences and events you want to enjoy are sometimes drowned by one single thought or a at times a deluge of unrealistic fear. The "what if's" can burden one to a devastating level. But it's 2024, the year I embrace living in the moment, instead of the fear! Friday, for example, we are heading to Bodega Bay where, hopefully, I will come up with enough birds to reach 75 in this year's bird album. But really, 80 is a nicer number! Hey, it could happen, I reached 54 yesterday!Not bad for 3 days of searching! I can't wait to see what's waiting for me next!

 

Baby Steps

 

Woodbridge road

Lodi, California

January 1st 2024

 

“Ten Things To Do In January:

• Read a good book
• Get a Library Card
• Walk 30 minutes a day
• Send a Birthday card to a friend
• Invest in a Fitness Tracker
• Buy a Coin jar and save those quarters and nickels
• Donate to a Charity
• Volunteer 45 minutes of your time to an Organization
• Take a Yoga Class
• Volunteer at Bingo night a Nursing Home” 

 
~Charmaine J. Forde 

 

That's a pretty good list, but it's not the list for me. Do I have a list? Not really, but I have decided to try some new things, so I guess trying them during the month of January is as good as any time. Case in point, I have decided to check out a local  Democratic club. I have always wanted to see what it would be like, so when I found myself in a fit of depression a couple weeks ago, I decided to look into it. The Central Valley is predominately republican, so it can be a challenge at times. I have felt like a fish out of water since we moved here in 2015. If it all works out, and they don't hate me too much, I will be able to help out and share my political hopes and fears with like minds as we move through 2024 and the lead up to the national election. I am hoping for the best. The first meeting is January 27th, and  I am really looking forward to it. I would also like to join a book club later this year, but baby steps. I feel like 2023 drop kicked me into this year, so baby steps is my current state, but I can't wait to see what happen next!

The First Robin Of 2024

 

“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.” 

~Emily Dickinson 

 

This was not the first picture I took for the year, but it is the first picture of a bird I took for year. The first picture I took was of a dumpster with a refrigerator sitting next to it. It looked like it had been a pleasant enough appliance at some point, but now it was a discarded old fridge that probably had stored many a New Year's Eve snack. What a way to treat a faithful old pal like that. And on New Year's Day to be exact. On the other hand, I once had a refrigerator that I hated so deeply, I begged my husband to let me personally throw the damn thing down the garbage chute at the dump myself. But I save that story for a different day. Right now it's all about the birds, and as I sit here, I am a happy girl. We have almost 50 birds in the 2024 album, most of them from yesterday, so the year is off to a wonderful beginning, and we are planning on visiting Bodega Bay later this week. A lot of gorgeous stuff has been reported in the last couple days, and hubby and I are both really excited for the possibilities. Who knows, maybe we will make this a really BIG YEAR and top our number for 2023. We ended at 163 birds, many of which were new sightings, like the Black Oystercatchers and Caspian Tern. Maybe 2024 will be there year that we spot a California Condor and a Snowy Plover!

The Last Love Of 2023

 

“Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering 'it will be happier'...” 

~Alfred Lord Tennyson 

 

 

It's the almost last of the year 2023. Well, what I mean is, it's December 30th, and that means it's time to clean up my desktop, and put away the last of 2023. My files. My photos. My compilation of the trumpiness of Trump. And it's a last chance to put the past in, well, the past. The picture you see above is the last of the autumn leaves of 2023. It's raining now, and we are well on our way to storms that will rob me of any bit of autumn that endures, but hey, what a way to go! I kinda love the soggy cereal look of the leaves and I sorta look forward to that stage of things. You must solider through the work of the year, to arrive at a time of fun and splendor. Of autumn leaves and sweaters and hot chocolate. See, I am not mourning autumn 2023, I am looking forward to, and planning for, autumn 2024! But back to the photo portion of this post. Below you will find some final impressions of 2023 that I photographed. I hope they make you smile.