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

 

 

The Week In Stupid...

 

He was served by U.S. Marshals at his 80th birthday party in Florida.

 

From the Indictment...

 

"This scheme would have deprived Arizona voters

 of their right to vote and have their votes counted." 

 

 If you're going to be arrested. If you are being told that you are going to be prosecuted for trying to steal an election by not one state, but two, arrogance is not a good idea! The defendants in the Arizona case, including Giuliani, will be arraigned on May 21st. Will he show up?

 

Time will tell! But really, it would be stupid to not show up!

 

 Shamalot...

 

And then there's this. Trump's posse showing up dressed like Trump! It was some sad, stupid, cosplay. Or was it a nod to Hitler's Brown Shirts? Personally I think it was closer to his sycophants wanting attention from their dear leader. It was another case of the far-right kissing his ass, in a sick contest for being picked as Trump's vice president. How embarrassing for them!

 

 We live in stupid times. 

 

Diddly Squat

 

 

 

  “Alcoholism, as a disease that ravages the mind and body, often

 becomes intertwined with domestic violence,

 heightening its destructive impact.” 

~Rove Monteux

  What is Wrong with Society Today

 

I grew up in a house with physical and psychological abuse. Both parents did as much as possible to hurt the other. Throwing things, slamming doors, and scream fights so loud that often times neighbors called the police. Mom threatened suicide, and carried out mock attempts, and dad had affairs. But it wasn't all bad, he also provided for us. We had what we needed, and he rarely complained about working, at times overtime. Mom gave me warmest hugs ever, and taught me about animals. It was just all complicated. I am not sure when thins feel apart for my parents, but it existed throughout their marriage. It was sad.

 

Here, it is pretty apparent. P. Diddy is an abuser. He admits to his alcoholism. He responded to this video with a mea culpa of sorts that mostly blames his problems. I am not sure if he has quite arrived at a place of healing from his demons, and if he hasn't, he will remain a dangerous person to be around. Any woman that is in his life right now, should double think her choices. Especially in that he is also accused of other horrific crimes. He had every chance my family didn't both financially as well as access to mental health professionals. I am not sure why all this is upsetting me the way it does, I was never a fan, but I guess I just wonder why having a life of talent, of having the world in the palm of your hand, rarely leads to happiness. 

 

It's a mystery to me. 

 

 

Aurora Borealis Whatnow?

 

Daylily from my garden.

 

“Then that's what the Northern Lights are.

 All the lives that we're not living.” 

~Adi Alsaid

  Let's Get Lost

 

 

Not The Aurora Borealis, But What A Gorgeous Moon!

 

Okay, so, the Aurora Borealis decided to take a vacation by visiting the whole world, but somehow it decided to avoid Stockton. It was also missing in Galt and Lodi. I looked for it, and didn't see it at all, well, maybe a little but it certainly wasn't the awesome vibrant event I hoped to see and I am just guessing and hoping that that is what I saw. The place to be, to truly be treated to a show, was the Bay Area, San Francisco in particular. You can see the beautiful gallery by clicking the link below.

 

So, I felt a little sad about it, but not for very long. The Aurora Borealis could come back for a visit. Sigh. I think it's probably more likely we will have an attention getting earthquake or possibly a sighting of a rare bird, before this opportunity comes back around. POUT! The thing about being my age that truly sucks is that feeling of do it now, because they days are going by fast. Ride the scary roller-coaster, take the helicopter tour, go out and search for rare celestial events! Take the whale tour, because...

 

TICK-TOCK!

 

 ABC 7 Bay Area Aurora Borealis 

 

 

An Asshole And His Money And The Met Gala

 

 

“For many years I’ve said that if someone screws you, screw them back,” she read from a book by Mr. Trump. It continued: “When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and as violently as you can. Like it says in the Bible, an eye for an eye.”

 

~ Donald Trump

 

New York Times Continuing Coverage

 

His books don't teach you how to make money. They teach you how to screw people. Name one person who has became a millionaire, or billionaire, based on the advice he gives in any of his books! In fact, some folks, in multiple states lost a great deal of money, after they attend the courses offered in Trump's fake, Trump University. A "university" that was deemed a fraud in federal court. He was ordered to pay his victims $25 million dollar settlement. 

Stormy Daniels took the stand today. I can't bring myself to speak in words other than... FUCK YOU, DONALD TRUMP! His is a liar,  a hypocrite, and many other things, just ask E. Jean Carroll. He slept with Stormy, and paid her off just before the election to Hillary Clinton. He slept with Karen McDougal, and paid her off. I will never forgive him for his cruelty during that election season. He couldn't run on policy, or the vision he had for making America it's best self, he ran on cruelty, a condition his magats adopted as their guide to getting what they want, with NO regard for anyone else's right, or vision. So far all they got for their support of Trump, was a jail cell after January 6th. But all this time later he is right back up in the polls, and he has a really good chance at being elected and, of course, the cruelty continues.

You know what? Fuck it! 

Lets talk about the Met Gala.

 

Demi Moore in Balenciaga.

Perfection. 

That's right I did it, I went to my happy place.

 

Today? Today?

 

“When in doubt, steer clear.”

 

~Judge Juan Merchan 

Referencing Trump's activity on social media.

Will today be the day he blows it, and finds himself at Rikers?

Today? Today? Did he break it thoroughly enough this time?

 

 He was a bit in a snit over the testimony of Hope Hicks.

Today?

Pop A Wheelie

 

 

“Sometimes it's easier to gain traction

 once you slow the spinning wheels.” 

~Curtis Tyrone Jones 

 

Meet my new wheels. Her name is Phoebe, named after the cute little bird, that happens to be one of my absolute favorite birds to watch! Don't worry, I'm okay, but my knees aren't! As I have explained on X and Threads, I put my knees through too much in my younger days. I was told I would regret high heels, but to tell you the truth, I don't. They made my legs and ankles look terrific. They gave me height. But by the time I reached my mid 30's I knew it was time to put the flats on and enjoy not having swollen feet. I continued to do a fair amount of walking, and some like biking, you know, around town, but the damage was done, and that damage continued right up until last week, when it was suggested that I needed to use the chair, if I was going to go to remote places to do my birding, or consider moving on to a new hobby. Well, that wasn't going to happen! So, my cute little red Mini Cooper is still my main set of wheels, but you can call my new wheelchair that sporty little convertible that my daring husband pushes me around in on the weekends when we go birding. I am a very lucky woman!

 

And I have a wonderful husband!

 

Black Phoebe

 Baby photo

September 2021

It's January, But May Is On My Mind

"Lots of people go mad in January. 

Not as many as in May, of course, nor June. 

But January is your third most common month for madness."

~Karen Joy Fowler

Sarah Canary

It has been raining, for what feels like forever, but is more closely 7 out of the last 10 days. Different amounts on different days. But the rain has been serious... it's not messing around! And where it hasn't been raining, it's been snowing! Yosemite should be absolutely gorgeous with snow, and since this coming weekend is promising to be full of bright sunshine, I know the roads will finally be open.

I can't wait! I am aiming for Sunday, as that will be the middle of the three day weekend. My files of winter photos are seriously lacking, so hopefully it will be a successful photo jaunt. All I need is Alan, my camera, some snow, and a little bit of wanderlust. Well, actually, it would help if my Fibromyalgia isn't raging, so I will have to cross my fingers about that.

But honestly, even if I am in pain from head to foot, I need to get out and just do my photos. It's important to clear the winter blues by smelling the cold, fresh air, and distancing myself from the things I have no control over. Life has a mind of it's own. 

Like the day I took the photo above. It was literally my last day in our cottage in Berkeley. I was dead on my feet, just exhausted from packing and moving, but I needed to get out of the cottage for a bit. The landlord was coming by for a walk through, and Alan knew I was hurt and upset, so rather than see me lose my composure, he held it all for me, and I took my camera and went to a nearby park.

These gorgeous flowers were in full, beautiful glory! I spent about an hour or so just taking in the lovlieness of the park. I sat under one of my favorite trees, and said my goodbyes. That was one of the most hurtful aspects of leaving the East Bay, saying goodbye to that park, which was a second home to me. I still visit the park when I need to go to the Bay Area, and it is just amazingly pretty no matter what season we happen to be in. And even though I am a million miles away, it still feels like home whenever I visit, or when I go hopping around my archives, and I see these white flowers.

Flowers: Paeonia lacitfloria "Krinkled White" Peony

Mood: Quiet

~Me

 

At The Museum: The DeYoung... Fruit Still Life, By Flora C. Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick

 "Fruit Still Life

By Flora C. Mace and Joey Kirkpatrick

DeYoung Museum

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, California

May 5th, 2009

"Great art picks up where nature ends."

~Marc Chagall

As we head into the last couple weeks of summer, this photo reminded me of how much I enjoy a big bowl of summer fruits! That is one more of my favorite ways to transition the seasons, by arranging a bowl of the best of summer and autumn fruits and veggies, photographing it, and then making something really delicious and creative with it. That is how I invented my famous Pear and Havarti sandwich that I enjoy every Thanksgiving for lunch. Maybe it's time to see what yummy organic deliciousness is available this week!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Plans

"It requires a certain kind of mind to see beauty in a hamburger bun."

~Ray Kroc

For about 5 years in a row, my pal Steven, from my AOL Journal days, and I, challenged each other to come up with the perfect hamburger for Memorial Day. May is National Hamburger month, and May 28th is National Hamburger Day. I haven't done a good hamburger photo since Steven passed away, my heart just hasn't been in it. But maybe next year I will suggest it as a theme for the Round Robin Photo Challenges, or maybe I will just hold the challenge here. We'll see. All I know is that Steven would think it was stupid to not enjoy that challenge. It would be a nice way to honor his memory I think. :) I miss my friend, but the fun times still make me smile.

:)

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers

"Be like a flower, and turn your face to the sun."

~Kahlil Gibran

RRC: May Flowers

For the first Round Robin challenge of May, Karen wants to see the flowers! May Flowers to be exact! I wasn't sure my rose garden would be ready in time, but we had a sudden flux in temperatures last week, and it seems it was just the right amount of sun and rain to bring out the deep color of the garden. Pinks, yellows, reds... all bright and alive. It's gorgeous! Even my Japanese Maple is full of deep burgundy colored leaves, which will turn an amazing pink and copper just in time for autumn! 

The rose garden is one of my favorite joys in life. I have worked really hard on it, and it, in turn, has made me happy with all the beautiful colors, and the spicy scent of the roses. It's my happy place. And soon, I will be adding some Heirloom tomatoes to make it all come together. I can't wait until Alan gets the vegetable garden up and running! This year we are taking on pumpkins!

Round Robin Challenge: May Flowers















Okay, that's my May Flowers gallery. Now that you have seen my post, why not see what other participants in the challenge came up with. Just click the link at the top of the post to be redirected to the official Round Robin Photo Challenge blog. That's where you will find the links, and all the information you need to play along! 

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom."

~Audra Foveo

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

From The Drab And Dirty World...

"Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world."

~Virgil Kraft

It's been a busy month. Hopefully May will be a little less hectic, but in the meantime I am having to revisit the archives to show off pics from springtime past! But that's okay, I am finding photos that got very little attention the first time around. That's the nice thing about tip-toeing through the archives, to get a chance to reconsider your first impressions of your photos, and that always leads to learning something new about yourself and your photography process.

And Now For A Little Photoshop Fun...



I seem to be attached to the Zoom Blur filter! Well, at least when it comes to the flowers.

Shrug.

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Note: The next Round Robin Challenge, to be held on May 3rd, is May Flowers. Grab your cameras and join us, I know Karen would love to have your participation!

The Gemini

"If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies."

~Unknown

When Alan and I visited the Conservatory Of Flowers Butterfly Exhibit last month, not only were we treated to a gorgeous variety of beautiful butterflies and the flowers they enjoy, we also got to see them as they are when they have just emerged from their cocoons! What A TREAT! In years past, the butterflies remained behind a protective glass viewing case until they had been emerged for a while, but this time around the conservatory releases them into the room as soon as they are completely free from the chrysalis. Baby butterflies! Okay, I know that it'd not really accurate to call them babies, as they are fully grown, ready to fly, fully mature creatures, but to see them at their most vulnerable makes one think of them as infants, if only for the few hours it usually takes them to spread their wings. This lovely little creature was born May 22nd, 2013! I love butterflies, nothing in nature can compare to their beauty!

According To The Universal Psychic Guild...

Gemini
Element: Air
The Ruling Planet: Mercury
Symbol: The Twins
Stone: Aquamarine
Life Pursuit: To Explore A Little Bit Of Everything
Vibration: Intense Mental Energy
Gemini's Secret Desire: To Be Ahead Of The Crowd

"I'm a gemini, so I change my mind every day."

~Natalie Portman

Click here to read more about Geminis.

Personally, I am a Cancer. My birthday is at the end of the month, so we will delve into what it's like to be me as the month moves forward! Doesn't that sound like fun?! ;)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Meet Ambrose The Dragon Kite

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly."

~Lauren Bacall



Yesterday, Alan suggested we go have a little fun in San Francisco. It's always fun going on a date with Alan, so of course I said YES! After a brief debate about what we could do in the city, we decided it would be fun to grab the kites and head for Crissy Field. Along the way we stopped for a sandwich to take to Golden Gate park. By the time we got out to the marina, it was about 1:00 PM and it was perfect conditions outside for flying a kite! It's been super windy in the Bay Area the last couple days, and a bit on the chilly side, but you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. And the sight of our new dragon... Ambrose... was just the bit of whimsy we both needed! And of course the sight of the Golden Gate bridge right there... well... it never ceases to make me happy!



We had so much fun, I think this is going to be a regular activity for us this summer! There are a lot of parks and beaches to visit, maybe next time I will bring our other kite, a cow named Wendy! LOL.

Wendy... 2007
 

Isn't she pretty? ;)

I will be posting more photos, in the next few days, of our fun this week in San Francisco! Stay Tuned! :)

Mood: Silly

~Me :)

Yellow Flowers On Warm Days In Late May

"Be like a flower, turn your face toward the sun."

~ Kahlil Gibran

It's May... but you already knew that! But if you needed a little more proof... behold the Day Lily. Yellow, vibrant, cheerful, it's hard to feel bad about anything, with beauty like this in the world.

Don't you think?





Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #36: A Walk In The Park

"All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman and a pretty girl."

-Charlie Chaplin







EMPS #36: A WALK IN THE PARK. NOW CLOSED!
We are in May, and with April showers come May flowers! Let's take A WALK IN THE PARK this week and see what we find. No archived photos for this one! Flora. Fauna. Children. Old folks on benches. Wee folk on swings. Hot Dog carts. Artists. Public Art. Street Performers. It's all good. Mostly I want to see what your favorite park looks like from your artistic perspective. Look for cool angles, interesting shapes, and unusual sights. Show me what you see on your WALK IN THE PARK!

Extra Credit: Give me a little history of your favorite park. :) Just Google it and see what you come up with!

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday, at 9:00 PM ET to complete your photo assignment, post it to your blog, website or journal, and comeback here with the direct link. Remember, the link you leave must be a link back to the entry specific to this week's photo shoot assignment.

Linking List for EMPS#35: Government Buildings. 04/27/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Karen

2. Suzanne

3. Jama


Question Of The Week: How often do you add special effects from your photo editing program to your photos?

Ok, see you in one week. Now go be photographers!

-Carly

Tell Barbara Walters I Am On My Way...

"New York: the only city where people make radio requests like, "This is for Tine - Sorry I stabbed you."

-Carol Leifer

Hey, good news, it seems all of you, my wacky fans, voted for me to replace the outgoing Rosie O' Donnell, as co-host, and moderator of The View! And not just by a little margin, nope, 38%! LOL. You can view all the details by visiting my poll results blog right here. Jeepers, I have a lot of packing to do, if I am going to make my flight. What to take? What to take?

Actually, as nifty as I think it would be to join The View, I don't think Elvis would look to keenly on me being a bi-coastal mommy. Also, I would probably miss the hunky hubby a bit, so regretfully, I must send my letter of nonacceptance, or is it a letter of denial? Hmmm... anyway... my letter of NOPE, to Barbara Walters. The show will simply have to go on without me. But wouldn't it have been strange? I mean seeing me every day, sitting there at the head of the table? Moderating and stuff? Weird. Wouldn't you just have to pinch yourself and say, "Hey look... that's Carly! She's on The View! She looks taller in person!" LOL. Yeah, that would be nice, in that my feet don't usually reach the floor when I sit in most chairs, can you imagine me sitting on the set of The View, with my feet dangling below my chair? Yep... that's a nice mental picture all right.

Whoever they choose in the following weeks, they will certainly have their hands full. Do you suppose they will talk about what The View has gone through since Meredith Vieira and Star Jones exited? I mean they discuss HOT TOPICS, and right now that little/large disagreement that Rosie and Elizabeth engaged in, does seem to be alive and well and living in the media. Sigh. Still, it all seems so sad to me. Rosie continues to share her feelings by way of her blog, but it seems Elizabeth Hasselbeck has chosen to keep mum. It's probably just as well to say nothing, maybe that way they can all move on. Let's hope so.

It was strange and uncomfortable watching The View Monday morning. It was a previously taped episode, and everyone looked like friends. Yesterday was Elizabeth's birthday, and Rosie, as a present, gave her the use of her Miami home for two weeks. It's too bad things couldn't have been different. As for who might be a good candidate to replace Rosie, I think it will come down to either Sherri Shepherd, or Kathy Griffin. Both are strong, opinionated ladies, who fear very little. Shepard was co-hosting when some of the most controversial shows happened to air, and she seemed to handle them well. Griffin has already had a slight run-in with Walters, and managed to resolve it amicably. I am sure that is probably an attractive prospect at the moment. I guess we will all have to stay tuned!

Well, with the old poll "Who Should Replace Rosie O' Donnell On The View" now closed, it's time to move on to a new poll on Ellipsis. "Which Fast Food Restaurant Makes The Best Hamburgers?" Be sure to visit my sidebar to cast your vote. The month of May is National Hamburger month, did you celebrate the occasion? :)

-OndineMonet