The Kindest Of All Birds

 

"Be like the bluebird who is never blue,

 for he knows from his upbringing what singing can do."

~Cole Porter

We did a little birding the other day, just the usual places, and while we didn't find a lot new in the way of birds, we did find out two pieces of information that made us smile. First, the small bridge on Franklin Blvd has now been fully repaired and is now open for traffic! It has been closed since, January 1st, 2023, and was supposed to reopen in October of 23, but for whatever reason, repairs got pushed back! It's a fairly short bridge, but quite necessary. It provides traffic with a straight shot, to Thornton road, as opposed to having to travel through the middle of the Cosumnes River Preserve! The additional traffic Desmond road had on it, always seemed dangerous to me. Bruceville/Desmond is a fairly narrow road, with a dangerous elbow turn. The speed limit is only 35 mph, but I have seen folks traveling the road at over 50 mph. It's safer for the birds, and it's safer for the birders! So, YAY! 

The second piece of information involves that pretty little Western Bluebird. I spotted it, just inside the entrance to the Cosumnes River Preserve. It stunned me. It was sitting on a very thin branch, not making a sound. I was lucky I spotted it! They are such tiny birds, that sometimes you have to seek them out. It's a quiet little bird too. I have always got the impression that it was the kindest of all birds. It just give out that vibe to me. According to Google AI, the Western Bluebird symbolizes, joy, hope and the arrival of spring. And hey, it's not just me who finds them so ethereal, Neltje Blanchan described their disposition as, particularly angelic! So, Spring is here, finely, and I got a few photos, so it's a happy start of things to come! Last Sunday was a very good day!

Congratulations!

 

"When I stand before God, at the end of my life I would hope that I wouldn't have a single bit of talent left, so I could say, 'I used everything you gave me."

~Erma Bombeck

Letter From, Franklin Graham to President Trump

October 15th, 2025

Posted on Donald Trump's Truth Social Account

March 29th, 2026

It scares me when he does things like this, posting questions about his own mortality and the hereafter. Trump is erratic. Who knows what's going on in his brain. Is he contemplating suicide? Is he not long for this earth, due to health related issues? And there's no way of knowing because no one with the information is going to tell anyone! It could be as simple as an elderly man processing his life, and contemplating the next chapter, but with Trump things are never as simple as that! All I know is it disturbs me greatly. I am afraid, because at the moment he also behaves like a hopelessly cornered dog, that he will decide that nuking the HELL out of the Middle East is what it means to be the ultimate peacemaker, and therefore worthy of Heaven, despite the repercussions for the rest of us! Too many psychotic people are whispering in his ear. And so begins another week of, will he nukes us, or will he get someone else to do it?

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... it's the ultimate theme park ride!

Now That Everything's Been Said

 

"Music gives a soul to the universe,

 wings to the mind,

 flight to the imagination

 and life to everything."

~Plato

When I was a little girl, I loved the Mod Squad, and I still do to this day! I mean, how groovy were they? My neighbors lovie that show too. I can remember sitting outside, on an especially hot night in August, listening to my friend's parents discussing trivial things. Grown up trivia. But when they began talking movies and tv shows, my ears perked up! I was really curious about what they watched and why! My friend Wendy had some chic parents, at least by my reasoning as an 7 year old. Mrs. Greg lived for the Mod Squad, and she was miserable that she couldn't just survive the house to watch it. No air-conditioner, meant you toughed it out inside, or took it outside, even if it was still blistering hot at 10:00 pm! I don't why that memory is so sealed in my mind, but it is. I guess it's just one of life's mysteries, what you remember and what you don't. Anyway, years later I bought the full series on DVD for hubby, because he had never seen the show! Can you believe it? So, if you are like darling hubby and you have never seen the amazing hip coolness, of the Mod Squad, here is a particularly wonderful clip of Peggy Lipton, from 1969, singing, Now That's Everything's Been Said, by Carole King. It's truly wonderful. It's peaceful. We need that right now. I need that right now. And the nostalgic feeling and memories it brings up aren't bad either.

Carole King

Now That Everything's Been Said

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?

Bullet Holes

 

"Speaking personally, you can take my gun,

 but you'll take my book when you pry my cold dead fingers off of the binding."

~Stephen King

There is so much beauty at the Cosumnes River Preserve. Nature at it's most beautiful. From the amazing sunsets, to the birding I have done there. I spotted my first ever Bald Eagle soaring over the preserve, it was the most majestic thing I had ever saw. The wildflowers in the spring and the autumn leaves in the Fall, every bit of the best of nature is to be had. Even the Mexican-free tailed bat adds additional joy to just being there, in the moment. So why would anyone be so hollow inside as to shoot up a sign, asking those visiting to not bother the birds? It's sad, and a shame that folks behave in this manner. It's fucking heart breaking. Sometimes I just want to give up, stop stepping out of my condo, but the world is so scary that I need the respite of this amazing place, so I keep calm and carry on. Why does every area of life have to be so exhausting... and deeply depressing?

The Beauty Of The Cosumnes River Preserve

Ellipsis Christmas Movie Countdown #8

 

"If you look for it, I've a sneaky feeling that you'll find that love actually is all around."

~Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister

Love Actually

What a cast!

Love is the star of this movie. The kind of love that is universal. The dagger to the heart love, first love, the love you have to let go of. Heartbreak love, selfish love, and love that is eternal. The absence of love, love of enduring friendship and. of course, the love of one another. If you aren't in the mood for a syrupy Christmas tale, at least watch the first five minutes for the Christmas son sung by Bill Nighy. It almost steals the whole movie, but frankly, love always be the star!

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Be thankful for the beautiful moment.

Be thankful for the gift of today.

Be thankful for how far you have reached.

~Lailah Gifty Akita

Think Great: Be Great

From Our House To Yours...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Autumn Heart Flutters

 

 

“Under the brush of the autumn wind, the leaves dance, painted in hues of orange and gold, a visual symphony that sings in every corner of the forest.” 

 

~ David Passarell

    Mountain poems: Musings on stone, forest, and snow  

 

I just need to breathe.

 

 

 

Cathy And Kate

 

Sometimes, there is no quote that will fit the horrors

 of the moment we find ourselves living in.

 

But...

 

"We're all gonna to die!" 

~Kate Dibiasky

Don't Look Up

 

 

 

 

 

I stand with Ukraine, Greenland, Gaza, Canada

 and any other country Trump has threatened.

 

 I'm going to take a nap now.

 

 

Fuck You, J.D. Vance

 

Open Your Eyes And Dream

 “It was the golden time of year. Every day the leaves grew brighter, the air sharper, the grass more brilliant. The sunsets seemed to expand and melt and stretch for hours, and the brick facades glowed pink, and everything got bluer. How many perfect autumns did a person get?” 

 
― Elif Batuman,

  Either/Or

 

Yesterday, Thanksgiving, was perfect! Hubby and I shared the delicious chore of preparing dinner. A feast actually, of turkey, cranberry sauce, peas and carrots, yams, and of course, pumpkin pie for dessert! Swoon! Later, we watched two of our favorite holiday movies, The Lemon Drop Kid, with Bob Hope, and Miracle on 34th Street, with Sebastian Cabot. It's my favorite version of the story. I know, I know, I am mostly a purest when it comes to movies. Rarely does a remake of a masterpiece turn out as good as the original, but this version did! It was a 1973 TV movie, and I loved it! Every single minute of it. It didn't really stray from the original, but the actors in the movie were folks I had seen in other projects, so it made the whole thing more relatable. David Hartman, Roddy McDowell, and Jane Alexander were brought it all together perfectly. Plus the incidental music, Miracles and Open Your Eyes And Dream, are 1970s background gems. Thanksgiving can be a hectic holiday, so go put your feet up, grab something soothing, like hot chocolate, and watch Miracle On 34th Street. It doesn't really matter which version, but if you have never seen the one this post is about, just press play, and ENJOY! And Happy Day After Thanksgiving! Can you believe has fast this year has gone?

And Christmas Eve is exactly one month away!

 

 

 

There's Always The Moon

 

"You are my fantasy on a cold dark night,

 my muse during the light of day

 and the one wish my soul would make."

 

Grace Willows

 

I wanted to see the alignment of Jupiter and Saturn, but it was not meant to be. I missed it. A silly common cold got in the way. But I did get to see them fairly close together and that was fun. I wish I could have gotten a good photograph, but that wasn't meant to be either. Still, I always have the moon to keep me company. He's always there, like the most dependable friend any mere mortal could have. I love the moon, and I never get tired of taking his picture, so yes, I guess he is a friend at this point. And what could be wring with that? If you look just to the left of the palm tree, you can see two white dots, which are the two planets. So, I kinda photographed the event, right? Oh well, there will be more celestial events, and I will try then too. Never stop trying... right? Never give up! Good things are coming our way! Now, if I could just stop worrying about the lunatic in the White House. Please hurry, Joe!

 

 

~Carly

Stockton, California

December 22nd 2020

 

 

 

 

Canada Goose

"I've always marveled that geese can feel a call stirring, rise on hardy wings to engage it, and without contemplation, compass or map complete the feat. And could it be that they achieve this astounding accomplishment because far too often contemplation, compass or map rob the call by sterile analysis when we should liberate the call through expectant obedience."

~Craig D. Lounsbrough

Victory Park, here in Stockton, is easily one of the most beautiful parks I have ever visited. It's not surprising, as the Haggin Museum sits right in the middle, as does a fairly large rose garden. I visited there for the first time in a couple years ago, just to sit for a while, get some air, and shake off the day. It was really nice, and not even the smokey air could spoil it. I got in some photography time, and there were plenty of birds to inspire me. I didn't see any Muscovy ducks this time, like I did in 2018, but there were plenty of ducks, swans and Canadian geese! The only thing that disappoints me is the orange color on most if not all of my photos. The wildfires have turned everything slightly orange. It feels like we won't have clean air until winter when the rain comes, but I know its just me wishing things were different. As Ommy used to say...

"... and this too shall pass."

New Leaves...

And the leaves continue to turn beautiful colors and fall,

 and if I have that, all may not be perfect in the world,

 but it's damn close.

More About Canada Geese

 

~Carly

September 16th 2020

Stockton, California

 

 

Meowy Christmas And Happy Pawnakkah

"December is full of the light and love
 that you can bring into your life. 
You can chose to be stressed or you can choose to let the small stuff go and be peaceful this holiday season.
 It really is a choice you make."

~Eileen Anglin

It's Christmas Eve, which traditionally is a bigger deal in our house than Christmas Day is! We have our traditions on snack foods, and board games. We watch our favorite holiday movies, and rag on politicians. This year there is a little bit more to complain about than most years, but also this year we are celebrating the season a bit different than we usually do. You see, as of the time of this post, Alan is in bed with a fever of 102.3 from a head cold, passed along by an inconsiderate coworker! I can feel it, it's coming in my near future, I should be in a feverish haze within 24 hours! Weeeeeee!

Alan and I were both sick with colds last year too! It's our second Christmas in our new house, and it's the second year in a row that we will both be suffering from head colds. LOL. I guess that is just our new tradition! If so, so be it! We have always had weird traditions, so we are just going with it! Christmas might be delayed but it's not like that stopped the boys from making holiday videos for your festive viewing pleasure!

So now, without any further delay, we present...

MEOWY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY PAWNAKKAH

Starring... 
The Brothers Gordon 





I love my boys!

It doesn't really matter how you say it,
 the most important thing is to mean it!

Peace On Earth 

Mood: Happy/Grateful

~Me :)

 

 

In One Day

"Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be."

~Ernest Hemingway

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Yesterday, Sunday, was quite a day. We are slightly through the mid-point of autumn, and it's amazingly beautiful outside. Clouds wax and wane, casting haunting shadows one minute, and then filling one's soul with warm sunshine and clarity the next. It's downright enchanting! Can you tell I am in a romantic mood? Well, I am, and I am so happy inside that my soul is doing cartwheels! It looks as though Donald Trump might just lose the election on Tuesday, and nothing could make Alan and I happier!

We spent our day yesterday in Reno, Nevada. We had some reservations about going on the trip, because of the incident that had occurred the night before in Reno at a Donald Trump rally. It seems a young man with an anti-Trump sign, was beaten, and thrown to the ground, basically physically assaulted by Trump supporters who didn't want him to peacefully protest with his small, homemade sign, that simply said... "Republican's Against Trump."

It's been a long, horrible campaign season. Both candidates have gone low, but in my opinion, only one of them has maintained any sort of decorum... Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump has encouraged every kind of negative behavior from his supporters, if they don't like what you have to say, or if you simply disagree with him or his surrogates. Everything from shouting others down, to blatant physical violence. He hides behind his supporters, putting them up to his sick dirty work whenever possible. It's distressing, and it makes me want to push back against the cruelty. I admit, the political climate has brought out the worst in me at times. I try to rise above, but to my own dismay, I find myself almost gleeful, at times, in my negativity.

Hopefully, after Tuesday, it will all be over. The election that is. After a solid week of Donald Trump deliberately lying about the FBI opening a new investigation into Hillary Clinton, because of emails discovered on a laptop computer shared by Anthony Wiener and his wife Huma Abedin, Hillary was cleared of any wrong doing, as the emails discovered turned out to be duplicates of already discovered emails! If Hillary does manage a win, after the partisan actions of James Comey, the current head of the FBI, will Donald Trump accept it? Will his supporters? Or will we see Americans turning on each other in a new civil war?

History will not be kind to James Comey, for how he has handled this whole situation. Both sides have legitimate complaints about his conduct, but Donald Trump is his own worst enemy also, and he has continually shot himself in the foot as his candidacy has moved along the last 18 months! Lies are stupid. You will get caught. Just don't do it. But that advice seems lost on Trump, as he has lied approximately 92 percent of the time he has been running for president, and engaged immature and disturbing deceitful and narcissistic behavior that at times seemed nothing short of sociopathic!

Tuesday will be a long day in the universe. And I am hoping for the best outcome. Hillary Clinton has the experience, in fact she might just be the most experienced person to ever seek the office of the presidency. She has been lied about, called all kinds of derogatory names. Dragged through the mud by fixated republicans. And yet she gets back up every single day. She is a tough woman, who has spent her life in public service! She fought for the medical benefits for first responders, while she was the junior senator from New York, and as Secretary of State helped capture Bin Laden. 

I am hoping on Tuesday Americans make the right decision. I pray the day will go peacefully. And I hope and pray that NO violence occurs. We Americans need each other, and we even loved each other in the days and weeks after 9/11. Then one day we let ourselves be divided. Actually, it probably took more than one day to get us here, but if we let it, one day might be all it takes to unite us again. Hopefully by electing the first female President Of The United States!

Hey... I can dream. Right?  

 Leaf Of The Day

November 7th 2016

Mood: Hopeful

~Me

 

More Peace

"May every sunrise hold more promise

 and every sunset hold more peace... ."

~Umair Siddiqui

Heartwork

By Suzy Kassam

Each day is born with a sunrise

and ends in a sunset, the same way we

open our eyes to see the light, 

and close them to hear the dark.

You have no control over

how your story begins or ends.

But by now, you should know that

all things have an ending.

Every spark returns to darkness.

Every sound returns to silence.

And every flower returns to sleep

with the earth.

The journey of the sun

and moon is predictable.

But yours, 

is the ultimate

ART."

 Leaf Of The Day

October 12th 2016

Mood: Happy

~Me :)