Autumn Results Yes But Zero

 

“November is usually such a disagreeable month...as if the year had suddenly found out that she was growing old and could do nothing but weep and fret over it. This year is growing old gracefully...just like a stately old lady who knows she can be charming even with gray hair and wrinkles. We've had lovely days and delicious twilights.”

~L.M. Montgomery,

Anne of Avonlea

 

Yes, I know, I have waited a few days to say it, but yes, I am a very happy girl right now, politically speaking. How could I not be? So, life is good, and I am finding the humor in things, and I have high hopes for the midterms next year. Good for America, it's waking up to the monsters, good and bad, and facing them head on, and after everything is said and done, it is Halloween every day, right? The monsters are real, and we can defeat them!

And finally, here is his current approval ratings...

I adore autumn, don't you?

Autumn Answers: Yes And No

 

Stockton, California

October 19th, 2025 

 

“This 'death' of flowers was only for a season.

 A person just needed a little patience to see things come to life once more.”

 
~Heather Flynn,

  Novelists in November: A Wild Blue Wonder Press Anthology

 

Corte Madera, California

October 21st, 2025
 

It's not autumn or winter that drains flowers of their life, it's politics. I was kinda looking forward to not having to think about politics this November, but then Prop 50 came around, and I was quite happy to think about it, in fact autumn flowers seem happier and brighter somehow after I delivered my ballot to the registrar of voters. You already know where I stand on these issues, but for the sake of history, here are two signs I spotted this week that made me smile. 

 

Maybe there is a little hope after all.

 

 

A Woman Who Stares At Ducks

 

“I once taught a duck how to swim.

 I'm such a good coach that in no time at all it learned how to fly.” 

~Jarod Kintz

  Eggs, they’re not just for breakfast

 

As uninspired as I have been feeling lately, I found a lot of happiness in photographing this gorgeous Bufflehead duck, at the Clifton Court Forebay. There was still a shocking lack of birds, but I still managed to photograph two new birds. The Shrike and the Song sparrow. That brings the total for January to 80! Not too shabby. The Shrike photo is blurry, so hopefully I will get a chance to redo that at some time later this year. I have seen one at the forebay on other occasions, so I am pretty sure it will happen. It's something to look forward to. Sigh. This lack of inspiration will pass, I just need to get there. 

 

By the way, this also happened yesterday...

 

The Oscar Nominations were announced.

 

Biggest snub... Margot Robbie. But Ryan Gosling was surely nominated. In case you didn't know, he played Ken. Don't get me wrong, I like Ryan Gosling very much, but holy HELL! I won't give anything away, but that whole dynamic sure drives home the whole point of the movie! If you haven't seen, Barbie, go watch it. You will enjoy it, I promise! See the full list of nominees here. All I have to say is, FUCK THE OSCARS!

 

 

 

And also, this happened...

 

Sigh...

 

 

January 5th And January 6th Part One

 

"A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends

 upon the character of the user."

 

~Theodore Roosevelt

 

Things aren't exactly written in stone yet, but it seems that we pulled out a real win tonight. Georgia's runoff election has turned Georgia a solid purple, and put two more democrats in the United States senate, unseating Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader and making it possible for President-elect Joe Biden to get things done, like senate confirmations of his cabinet picks! So, you'd think I would be over the moon happy... right? Well, I am, but as I sit here typing this post, I am all too aware that Trump's army, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn and some assorted domestic terrorists who call themselves, "Proud Boys" are in Washington D.C. tonight, with the specific intention of starting America's second civil war later today, after Vice President presides over the Electoral College vote certification.

 

I don't know how things will play out later, and my anxiety level is off the charts. I don't think I will be doing much sleeping tonight, and I probably won't sleep much tomorrow either. Pence has already told Trump that he cannot throw the election out, and name him president, but Trump thinks of it as Pence being disloyal to him, and in a way he is right. Pence took an oath to the Constitution, not Trump, and that is something Trump doesn't, or refuses to, understand. So, will today end in violence caused by domestic terrorism? If that isn't enough to worry about, apparently there was a threat by someone, possibly Iran, to fly a plane into the Capitol later today. This one of those times when I literally have NO IDEA about how bad things could go. 

 

For right now, yesterday, January 5th, was a very good day. I am just going to concentrate on that. 2021 has gotten off to a pretty great start. January 6th might not be the best day on earth, but America won a very important battle yesterday, so despite everything, we will always have that. History will remember who, why, and how our victories have happened. So, if today, January 6th, ends badly, if Trump's coup actually happens because of the acts of sedition of those who know better, history will remember that too. Life as an American will change forever, but I just can't believe that it will happen. America has been through a lot, and we are still standing... right? Hopefully by our next Independence Day, this will all be nothing but a bad dream, and Trump will be in prison. 

 

~Carly

 

1 In 10,000

 "Summer rushes in on the heels of spring, eager to take her turn; and then she dances with wild abandon. But the time soon comes when she gratefully falls, exhausted and sated, into the auburn arms of autumn."

~Cristen Rodgers

 

Earlier this year I spotted my very first black squirrel. A black squirrel is actually a gray squirrel, with different pigmant, but it is fairly rare, especially in California. That has been 2020. Lots of strange surprises and twists of nature. This one was at least a pleasant surprise, I think. They are rare in California, and this is the second I have seen in the same year, and it was in a neighborhood on the other side of Stockton. Black squirrels are about 1 in 10,000, so I am not sure what to think. I have seen the devastating effects of climate change on California in recent years. The extended fire season. The decline of the Monarch's at California sanctuaries. It is going to give me something to study this winter, when it will just be too cold to do much photography outside. I am looking forward to that. In addition to learning more about these squirrels, I also happened to spot a new bird in the East Bay that I haven't seen before, more on that later, so I have several topics to learn about. Vacation is almost over, and it will be nice to spend some time doing research into how California, and the nation, has changed in recent years, speciffically in regards to animal and bird life.

Note: If you are wondering about my thoughts on the election, it will all just have to wait. History and I will document things in their time. It's out of my hands. There is a strong chance that it will be several days before we finally know for sure, and that's if we aren't otherwise distracted by civil war. If I sound like I don't care... no... I do... but I just want to think about the squirrels. And the rest of my vacation. But I will say something when the time is right.

 

 

 ~Carly

Stockton, California

November 4th 2020

Dark Horses

"A frightening possibility occured to him: maybe sometimes things didn't just go wrong and then stop; maybe sometimes they just kept going wronger and wronger until everything was totally fucked."

~Stephen King

"IT"

Last week, while we were in Quincy, enjoying the incredible beauty of the leaves, and sheer quaintness of the small town in Plumas County, in the middle of the stunning beauty, suddenly more than one thing stuck out to me as being quite ominous. The dark horse on their street lights, and the movie playing at what seemed to be their only movie theater, Stephen King's "IT." 

In past years, I found the street lights, of Quincy, kind of charming, but this year there was a certain feeling down in my bones, something feeding my fears and dread so deep, that I was thankful for the darkness, and loss of light to photograph the leaves we drove three hours to see. Last week, Quincy had a different feel. It was less quaint, and definitely more Derry, Maine, the town that Pennywise terrorized every 30 years.

Please don't get me wrong, the people of Quincy are quite lovely! They depend a great deal on leaf peepers and avid shutterbugs, such as myself, for a good deal of their tourist income. No, it was something in me, not them or really even the town. I don't know what to call it. Fear. Dread. Maybe even my good old friend depression, but something inside of me felt a cold chill when I looked at that horse, and then noticed through it, that IT would be playing all weekend.

I have been feeling those very feelings since before last year's election, with brief moments of respite, but I felt the same feelings again on Friday when I read about Donna Brazile's book regarding Hillary Clinton having rigged the primary against Bernie Sanders. And then when it was given validity by Elizabeth Warren, someone who I had considered a hero, but now I no longer feel I can trust. A Brazile's book has been widely debunked over this weekend, but I fear that some damage has been to the chances of two upcoming gubernatorial elections taking place next Tuesday in Virginia and New Jersey. 

How much darker will this country grow? Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? And how much longer until we find out who and what Pennywise actually is? Most of the time, I think of Donald Trump as Pennywise, because of his strong penchant for fear mongering. I know I now live in constant fear that the west coast will be wiped off the map, in the middle of the night by a nuclear missile from North Korea, but maybe Donald Trump isn't Putin's end game. Maybe it' something so unspeakable, I don't want to even speculate here, be carry around in my own conscienceness, and that I try to put out of my head whenever it yells... BEEP BEEP CARLY!

I don't know. 

God, how I wish I did.

One thing I do know, Donald Trump blocked Stephen King on Twitter some months back, so for now I know he is who I will listen to about defeating the fear, so that it's possible to defeat the clown. Alan and I are going next week to see the reboot of IT and maybe I will pick up some new tips, or maybe it's still the 1990 version, which was a pure masterpiece, that still holds the key of standing up to what scares us the most. I guess I will find out!

Quincy Scrapbook

October 28th, 2017

 #5 Leaf Of The Day

November 5th, 2017

Quincy, California

Mood:Weary

~Me

Beware The Man You Think You Know

Quincy School House

Quincy, California

October 15th, 2016

  

Songs Of Sapphique

"Walls have ears. Doors have eyes.

Trees have voices. Beasts tell lies.

Beware the rain. Beware the snow.

Beware the man you think you know."

~Catherine Fisher

Incarceron 

As we inch closer and closer to Donald Trump taking office, I am finding myself thinking about different years of my life. I sometimes think about the first I heard about him. I think about how disgustingly seedy his life seemed, when the details of his first divorce came out. I remember thinking that it was a shame that affairs happen in marriages, but I remember thinking Ivana Trump was probably better off without him. 

I remember looking at pictures of the "other woman" and thinking despite the fact that she had slept with a married man, there was something gentle and likeable about her. I remember when Marla and Donald got married. She looked so pretty, and so glamorous. She looked happy, he looked like every other picture I had ever seen of him. He almost had this implication of "next" written on his appearance. And as it turns out... I was right. Marla would be thrown aside about 10 years or so down the road. Just as predicted by some of Trump's lawyers and friends.

And now the seedy, unfaithful husband will be president in 10 days and the joke is on his supporters because Donald Trump doesn't care about anyone but himself. He surrounds himself with YES people, and resists any kind of critique with not just dismissal, but aggressive dismissal. He thrashes and destroys anyone who dares question him. Whether they have his best interest at heart or not. If it's one thing we don't need in a president, it's a childish, aggressive narcissist who refuses to listen to anything that doesn't suit his predetermined ambition or inner dialog. 

We, America, are about to enter into the most dangerous time of my life, and that includes the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of JFK and the attempted assassination of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. All things that seemed to bring us together as a nation. But things are different now, and Trump doesn't want us to come together. So, I don't know what things will be like a year from now, assuming a year from now exists. Trump seems to get a great deal of joy out of seeing American's turn on each other over him. His decisions are dangerous and at least some of his early supporters seem to be waking up to that fact, but it's pretty late in the game to have an epiphany. I don't want to see another president impeached, but Trump seems like he is barreling toward that end with his alliance with Putin, and his MANY conflicts of interest. And there is nothing anyone can do but hold on, and hope that Trump can be stopped before real damage is done to the United States. 

Rainy days make me think about what's about to happen. I can't get out and do any photography, and my body tends to be in more pain on days like this one. This week is full of rain, and jammed packed with senate confirmation hearings of some people who have NO business anywhere near holding a government office! Also later today, is President Obama's farewell speech to America. I don't know if I can watch any of it. I have mixed feelings about him as a leader, but I never went to bed frightened for my life or with a sense of foreboding like I feel with Trump. 

I have appreciated many things President Obama did in office, and other actions by him perplexed me and exasperated me to NO END. There is ten days left, and then the world will literally change forever! As I sit here right now... I don't see anything good coming from Trump taking office. Even when George W. Bush was in office, I had to reluctantly admit he loved his country, it's a lot clearer now that he still loves his country, and I can see where I was wrong about him to a degree. It was a complicated time, much too complicated for one post on this blog. 

If Trump manages to stay in the White House four years I will be 59 years old, should I survive. The thought of him in office eight years is almost more than I can take. The GOP is poised to do away with the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and they want to privatized Medicare. Trump's followers either weren't paying attention, or just plain didn't care because now it seems like they are caught off guard by the predicted cuts to most social programs. I feel sorry for them. I feel sorry that they got so caught up in the gitchy, never boring, "reality" of Trump's candidacy that they voted against their own interests! We on the left tried to tell them. We tried. God HELP US WE TRIED! It's no solace that the people who will probably be hurt the most by Trump, will be his own supporters!

But in that we are all on a collision course with fate daily, there is nothing that can be done. So I am just listening to the rain, trying to hold on and photograph the rain for what it is, a cold distraction from how cold and dark life is sometimes. It's strange how beautiful and scary a rainy day can be depending on what window you are looking out of.

"I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry."Then I looked at the window and thought: Why yes, it's just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and I turned over, sadder still, and I fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on."

~Ray Bradbury

Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury's Adventures Making Moby Dick With John Huston In Ireland

Mood: Quiet

~Me

 

Elections Belong To The People...

"The Ballot Is Stronger Than The Bullet"

~Abraham Lincoln

Tomorrow is election day... GO VOTE!

Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

With Two Days To Go...

"George Washington was the only president who didn't blame

 the previous administration for his troubles."

~George Washington

As my vacation comes to an end, it's time to give attention the thing that is nearest to my heart and interests... politics. Specifically... the midterm elections! All the analysts say that things are looking mighty dismal for the left, I don't know if that's accurate, but I think I am holding out hope, and maybe some faith, that folks will turn out on Tuesday and vote to protect their interests. We have seen what has congress has done, and hasn't done, in the hands of the republican leadership, and republican obstructionism, and it we don't want to face that on a grand scale, 

we need to keep the senate in the hands of the democratic party.

On the other hand, the democratic party has had opportunity, after opportunity, to get the word out on the accomplishments we have realized by President Obama, and regional victories on local levels. Take California for example... the state turned deep blue and is thriving because of it. A lot of damage committed by Arnold Schwarzenegger has been rectified, and as a whole we are doing amazing again as a state. I am thankful for that. The personal devastation Alan and I experienced was nothing compared to the devastation felt by families all around us, and I know it might takes some longer to regain their footing, but at least we are on our way!

I wish the nation could begin to go forward the way California has! It doesn't mean that every democratic candidate running for office should win... but rationality would be good. Lies aren't useful. Bashing your opponent rather than stating your own record doesn't help either! Feeding into fears, be it on the subject of national security or on the Ebola virus, is a desperate strategy. Give me accurate information, and the credit to understand it! Instead, we tend to get one side or the other, with no moderation from either side. That means its up to me, and you, to figure it all out. It takes a moment, well actually, let's say it takes a whole day, but no matter how much time it takes in actuality, educating yourself, and then showing up to vote, means you can at least know,

 you let your own voice be heard!

GO VOTE!

GO VOTE!

Leaf Of The Day

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Terry McAuliffe And Chris Christie: A Tale Of Two Statesmen

From For Ellipsis Album #3

Politics, noun. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage."

~Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary

Chris Christie...

So, today voters in New Jersey, and Virginia, will go to the polls to choose a governor. As I have been hearing, all day, from different political reports, from CNN to MSNBC, and beyond, it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that both of these men will be voted for overwhelmingly. With Chris Christie, it's not all that hard to understand why the people of New Jersey will be happy to have him serve once again as their governor! In a word he is... REASONABLE. Do I agree with his political beliefs, um, no, but what I do admire Governor Christie for is his ability to ignore the rantings and ravings of the far right of the republican party. The man thinks for himself. He has a sense of humor. He served his state not just one side of it. Above all else... when the storm had come and gone, he had the backs of all the citizens of New Jersey. Bottom line, in that he is ready and able to not just reach across the aisle, but indeed to give the other side credit when it is due, I see him as the biggest threat to Hillary Clinton, if she does indeed run for president. If the republican party is smart, they will embrace Chris Christie, and follow his lead. Otherwise, I don't see much of a future for the party, due to their inability to learn from their mistakes.

Terry McAuliffe...

The state of Virginia has been through a lot. The current governor, Governor Bob McDonnell, otherwise known as Governor Ultrasound, because of his push for an invasive ultrasound test on women before they can have an abortion. That idea has proven to be not to popular with Virginia voters, and then add to it, all the controversy surrounding Governor McDonnell's accepting of political gifts, and his questionable spending and personal expenses while in the governor's mansion. McDonnell's political life has taken a beating this year, mostly of his own doing, and has done' nothing for the republican party's reputation in general. The people of Virginia are all to ready to go with Terry McAuliffe as their man. At least it seems so, we will see come later today.

2016...

What both parties can take away from the two situations is this... people all over the country, not just in New Jersey and Virginia, are tired of the bullshit. Just like our parents and grandparents were. We, the voters, will go to the polls for another national election in 2016, and we will, one way or another, begin a new day. Will it be a Clinton administration? God I hope so. Will it be a Christie administration? Could be. Either way, like generations before us, we have the opportunity to learn from past mistakes, and start over again, smarter, and wiser.

But will we do it? Will we let ourselves learn the lessons? Will we stand up to the gun lobby? The greedy 1%? Will we care enough to demand the change?

But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Time will tell.

Mood: Contemplative

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 159~ Oh The Lemons I Have Known

"When life gives you lemons, vote the bums out of office!"

~Me

Okay, I am pretty sure I wasn't the first person to say that, but in that I received my Absentee Ballot in the mail yesterday, I am relatively sure whoever did say it first wouldn't be too mad about me borrowing it.

Sigh.

The national election is only three weeks away, and I am really not sure about much of it. I don't want to vote because I feel like I have to, because voting gives me that option. Not voting IS voting. My heart is sick about the presidential election. I know I was impressed with Joe Biden when he debated Paul Ryan last week. He did good! He made me proud. But lets face it... he won't be the president, at least not yet. He could be in four years I suppose, and if so, I think he would be a much different leader than President Obama has been.

Sigh.

 Deciding my vote for president aside, California has a number of propositions that I have been waiting to see for a long time. Prop 34, 35, 36, and 37. 34 in particular is one I care about passionately. It would abolish the death penalty in California. There is so much wrong and disturbing to me about the death penalty, and I won't inflict my opinions and reasoning here, but I will say that I find it disturbing that America is the last of the industrialized nations to still carry out this barbaric act. I wish it was a national issue, rather than a state one, but perhaps one day it will be. Hopefully.

Okay, I have some thinking to do tonight... lol... a funny thought all it's own! LOL. If all goes as scheduled today, we will be in Glen Ellen for most of the day! The botanical garden awaits. It's going to be hot and amazingly lovely. This has been a gorgeous October. Now, off to get some blackberries and raspberries ready for the trip. Is there anything more lovely than a picnic lunch in the country?

Now, for your amusement, a collection of quotes about lemons...

"When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye."
~Cathy Guisewite

"When life gives you lemons, chunk it right back."
~Bill Watterson

"I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... and try to find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party."
~Ron White

"When life gives you lemons... You might as well shove'em where the sun don't shine, because you sure as hell aren't ever going to see any lemonade."
~Rob Thurman, Nightlife

"When life gives you lemons, make assless chaps."
~Angie West

All pretty good advice methinks. :) By the way, are you going to watch the Town Hall Debate tonight? I rather like that format, hopefully Obama will be a little more on the ball. We'll see.

~Me :)


Today's Link Comes By Way Of My Pal JR. Go See What He's Up To...

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/10/apadf6-156.html

Vote Baby Vote

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

-John Quincy Adams

Let's have a little fun... shall we? If you voted today, leave me a comment that says "I Voted!" You don't have to say anything else, just "I Voted!" Of course, if you want to say more you are welcome to, but for one day I thought it might be nice to simply share something all American's have in common. THE RIGHT TO VOTE! Is there a better way to spend the first Tuesday in November?

:)

-Carly
Note: Laura has written a very touching entry about accompanying her daughter to the polls, as she voted for the first time! Go read her entry. :) You'll smile!

Raspberry Reaction

"An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry."

-T.S. Eliot

This is such a shame. I expected more from Barack Obama then to see him look us all, but most pointedly Ohio and Texas, in the eye and lie. And lie he did. Although you might see the word "misleading" most often as opposed to lie... as if that makes a real difference. Barack Obama is leading Hillary Clinton according to most polls, and if she doesn't take both Ohio and Texas in the upcoming primaries her bid will be effectively over, so why do you suppose Obama is resorting to not just kicking his opponent when she is down, but also resorting to "taking a page out of Karl Rove's play book?"

I don't like what I see in this man. I don't think personal charisma is enough of a reason to vote for him. I don't want fantasy, I want reality. I don't want promises, I want truth and a solid future. I have heard folks say they are voting for him because he has "charm," because he is a "brother," because he represents "change," although that one makes me laugh because he and Hillary basically stand for the same thing... so what's the difference? You tell me.

It's true that Hillary Clinton has sent out some mailers that were "questionable" as well. Let's face it... they all do... unfortunately that won't be changing anytime soon, but I think there was just something about seeing him rationalize his lies last night on TV that just turned my stomach. He reminds me of Bush Jr. more and more everyday. Sigh. I guess it's apparent that Republicans aren't the only ones who are willing to drink the Kool-Aid when it is served up on nice charming platter. "Change You Can Believe In?" Or is the just more of the same?

Obama Mailings 'False'? (FactCheck.org)

(If your interested in reading the truth about Hillary Clinton's Health Care Plan)

-OndineMonet