Samsung S26 Ultra

 

"My cell service return all night, and all through the next day.

 It was like ancient times, with mead and beheadings and blacksmiths."

~Penny Reid

Homecoming King

My phone died a tragic death the other day. I bought it a couple years ago, and frankly I was sure it would die on day one. Let me explain. I had purchased a Samsung Galaxy 53A 5g from T-Mobile, it seemed like a good little mid-priced phone, but when I went to use it, there was a minor bit of trouble... it would call anyone but my husband! All other numbers worked, his wouldn't! For some reason, my new phone, hated his number! When I complained to customer service, several times, I finally received a replacement phone... a refurbished version, not a new one! I bought a new one, I should have received a new one, but deep in the contract, I had agrees to receive a refurbished version, if my new phone failed. Sigh. Two choices were in front of me... I could pay it off and go elsewhere for cell service, or I could deal with it, and keep a service I enjoyed! I am very happy at T-Mobile, so I took a deep breath and moved on. 

As I said... my phone finally went onto it's glory. It crossed the rainbow bridge. IT DIED! So, what to do?! Buy a new phone! Thank goodness I found a cell phone that finally, really, suited my needs... it features a phone with an amazing camera! The camera is probably the main consideration when when I buy a cell phone. I use at about the same rate as my Minolta camera, especially this time of year, as the Mexican Free-tailed bats return to Franklin Blvd. So far, I have been nothing but impressed my new phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I have been nothing but impressed! Here are some examples of my new cell phone/camera's awesomeness!

My first photo... a dandelion from the Cosumnes River Preserve.

The Many Moods Of The Mighty Simon

Photographed in a low light setting.

Color Vibrance in a low light setting.

Tyler and Joey taking a nap on my futon.

May 29th 2026

And my new Samsung S26 Ultra has tons of photo editing tools!

 I may make a comic strip featuring the adventures of the Mighty Simon!

Okay, so you know how I feel about my new cell phone,

 here's where you can read some opinions from the experts!

Good Housekeeping

Consumer Reports

CNET

So, that's my big news. I can't wait for opening night of the return of the bats! 

I will definitely be taking the video option for a ride!

Western Pondhawk

 

"Chasing dragonflies, like buying good books or eating gourmet food, can be a curiously addicting."

~Cindy Crosby

Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural and Personal History

If I have ever seen this particular dragonfly before, I never saw it this green or this beautiful! It's the, Western Pondhawk dragonfly, and I found it at the Cosumnes River Preserve. We were just walking along and then suddenly there it was. It was so beautiful! I love discovering new things, or at least seeing them in a new light!

On Memorial Day 2026

 

"True patriotism is usually born of great sacrifice,

 and is never the result of selfishness."

~Napoleon Hill

As we stop today, to reflect and meditate on the heroes that have served their country and their better angles, I share with you some Motown jazz to make your day a little more relaxing. I am so grateful to my daddy and my father-in-law for their sacrifices during WWII, and to my brother during the Vietnam war. They were men who answered a higher calling from their county, for freedom and democracy.

Gentlemen, I will be forever be grateful for your service.

"Let their remembrance be as lasting, as the land they honored."

~Daniel Webster

Weekend Cooking... Banana Cream Pie And Banana Pudding

 

"We must have pie, stress cannot exist in the presence of pie."

~David Mamet

Boston Marriage

One Banana

Yes, I'm back from the dead. Lordy have I been sick the last several days, but I am so much better now, and ready to seek out new recipes that make my mouth water! And in that this is a three day weekend, it's Memorial Day wouldn't this Banana Cream Pie, be great for a BBQ, potluck or just a day to yourself? I have taken certain days, settled down with the cats, and eaten a whole pie. There is no shame in that, so don't judge me! LOL! Anyhoo... I'm going to try this pie, if you do, let me know what you think about the recipe. 

Two Banana

Okay, I get it, eating a whole pie is a lot to take on, so maybe instead a creamy, dreamy serving of Banana pudding is more reasonable, and just as fun. When I went looking for more recipes featuring bananas, I found this one for, Banana Pudding, from the Magnolia Bakery, which was also featured in, The New York Times Cooking section. Perfect! What better recipe to try than this one? I have always dreamed of visiting there, ever since I saw it on, Sex In The City. I am a big fan of cupcakes, and theirs look fabulous, but their pudding is supposed to be equally fabulous! It's all about having a full New York City adventure, like visiting the Statue of Liberty, having lunch at Katz's Deli, and leaf peeping in Central Park. Well, that's my idea of an adventure anyway. I don't think that adventure is in my future, but having a little taste of New York definitely is! 

Happy Eating 

Enjoy your long weekend!

By the way, the Magnolia Bakery has nationwide shipping!    ;)

The Last Of The Wildflowers

 

"I am going to give you a handful of wildflowers, 

so each petal that falls will remind you that the earth breathes and the moon rises."

~Carolyn Riker

My Love Has Not Forgotten You

It's been hot the last few days, and there is more of it along the way! The wildflowers are all drying out now, there's still roadside sunflowers, but the more delicate ones are definitely on the decline. Despite all that, I came across a small patch of California poppies, and they were so beautiful, they made me smile! I knew this was an opportunity not to be missed!

 Aren't they gorgeous?

The Dear Only Knows

A rose is a rose,

And was always a rose.

But now the theory goes,

That the apple's a rose, 

And the pear is, and so's the plum I suppose.

The dear only knows,

What will next prove a rose,

You, of course, are a rose,

But were always a rose.

~Robert Frost

Something pretty and calm to begin another week on the calendar.

Just breathe.

Stardate 2020.23

 

"Better to lie saving lives, then to live with taking them."

Captain James Tiberius Kirk

William Shatner

Star Trek

Then... April 23rd, 2020

Now... May 12th, 2026

Katy Tur Reports 

May 12th, 2026

What will be the next disaster?

 Yet another, highly contagious virus?

 Another war... only with nukes?

Bioterrorism?

Cyberterrorism?

You know it's coming, because he doesn't care about Americans.

Yesterday, he finally said the quiet part out loud!

And by the way, he has been lying about just how capable Iran is at the moment!

Read All About It At, The New York Times

Mr.Newberger's AI Funnies... The Ballroom Adventure

 

"Reality continues to ruin my life."

~Bill Watterson

Calvin And Hobbs

I love Mr. Newberger's AI Funnies. It's a great way to begin, what is promising to be a stressful week! Trump has refused Iran's latest offer of a ceasefire, to complete a framework, to end the war. Trump continues to post stupid memes to his Truth Social account, and through it all, we have his psychotic cabinet doing one stupid thing after another. And if all that wasn't enough... ugh... there is an outbreak of the Hantavirus, that while seems to be held to a small number of folks, it still worries me because who can put their trust in the CDC anymore. And I have a week of appointments coming up. An eye exam, appointments with my therapist and my psychiatrist, and a trip to the lab for a blood test! FUN! So why a little humor ... right? Especially if it has a ring of truth to it!

The World Heath Organization has additional information about the virus, but I don't know if I believe them either. All we can do is listen to what they have to say, mask up, wash our hands several times a day, stay Informed, and avoid crowds. Doing our own research doesn't hurt either.

Weekend Cooking... Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

 From Sally's Baking Addiction

I love Sally's Baking Addiction! The first time I tried making scones, it was from a recipe I tried from this website, and they came out perfect! This was the recipe that started it all, and I have made many different scone recipes ever since. It made me a true believer in them! But I kinda want to try something new, so when I came across this soup recipe, I knew it was for me! I'm going to give it a try this weekend.

Glazed Lemon Blueberry Scones

These are delicious... trust me!

A Little Humor, And Truth

 

"God knows there have always been stupid people in the world, and plenty of nasty people too. But rarely has stupid been so nasty, or nastiness so stupid. He makes Nixon look trustworthy and George W. Bush look smart. In fact, if Frankenstein decided to make a monster assembled entirely from human flaws... he would make a Trump."

~Bette Midler

Regarding her thoughts about Donald Trump

Bette has always been my hero, both for her political beliefs, and her marvelous acting. She was so funny in, Ruthless People, and didn't she break your heart in, Beaches? She's terrific! And like Bette Midler, Barbara Hershey is on earth one with the rest of us who can still think straight! I appreciate this bit of humor, in an otherwise dismal life we are all living under the Trump administration.

 Thank you, ladies!

I loved this as a kid, still do!

The Andrew's Sisters, from the film, Buck Privates.

And Now, Here's Trump Being Stupid

Why Tom Steyer?

 

"We will have to pay a heavy price if we insist on

 navigating the 21st Century with a 20th Century mindset."

~Tom Steyer

Why am I voting for Tom Steyer for governor of California? Because after watching last nights, CNN California Primary Debate, it became clear that he represented my values. He supports renewable energy. Solving the housing crisis in California, adding additional tax relief to the movie industry for California productions, which brings in local revenue in the support of local businesses, such as Yolanda's Tamales, in Sacramento. The cast and crew of the film, One Battle After Another, enjoyed Yolanda's so much, that they returned multiple times! Pretty soon, word got out, and Yolanda's made a lot of new friends and customers! We need more of that! We need it here in Stockton too.

Tom gets that with gas hitting new highs each day, Californians can't afford to live here. Gas or groceries? Gas or keeping the lights on? Gas or healthcare? Tom has some plans for affordability. Despite being a billionaire, he sees the need for the richest in this state to start paying their fair share. He believes in investing in our education system, and finding the way toward healthcare for all. As I have always said, it doesn't matter who you are, you deserve the dignity of proper healthcare. If the person standing next to you in line at the grocery store or Starbucks or anywhere is in better health, you'll be in better health! And finally, he will work to unmask Trump's Gestapo, otherwise known as ICE.

It all lines up. I am voting for Tom Steyer!

Onward to, Tuesday, June 2nd!

Ellipsis Word Of The Week... Leucocholy

 

"There is no trivia in the strategic mind."

~Toba Beta

Master Of Stupidity

Hey... just sayin, but when you are the President of the United States, should you be spending your time obsessing on all the ugly gaudy details of building a ballroom? Or an unrealistic Arc d' Trump? How about turning the reflecting pool, on the National Mall, Caribbean blue, to match the pool at Mar-a-Lago? How about his obsession with seashells on a beach, that spell out, 8647? Trump's DOJ, this week, brought yet another indictment against, James Comey, for threatening Trump's life! Motherfucker! No "86" does not mean to kill, it means to get rid of something, such as old McDonald's hamburgers, that have been under the heat lamps too long! But Trump thinks if he stomps his foot loud enough, it will be a proper distraction from his own fuck up's. He thinks we can't see all his misdeeds and keep track of them, while being aware that he is using the DOJ to get back at his perceived enemies. 

He thinks we can't see it all.

We can.

And one day, he will face the serious legal consequences of his actions.

History will write his legacy. And he will become trivial, inconsequential and forgotten.

Leucocholy, used in a sentence.

You can say I am preoccupied with the future object of trivia that is trump, but the leucocholy I get from thinking of how insipid his ballroom is gives me a sense of well being, because I know I am not alone in the trivial existence that is 2026. 

"86" According the Mirriam-Webster