Perfidy

"Godlessness ends great nations.

 The one thing we can all do is get down on our knees and pray."

~Pete Hegseth

Did Pete Hegseth commit a war crime through the act of Perfidy?

I hope not, but it appears that he may have done just that! This is the year that the midterms decides our long term future, and I know that as we move closer to next November things will become more and more crazy, but honestly, America is so far into the dark right now, that I am not sure we will find our way home. This year marks America's 250th anniversary, now what?

Read the New York Times article here.

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #9

 

“It's like summer wear the world out, and by October everyone is just ready for a nap”

~ Ta-Nehisi Coates,

 The Water Dancer

 

 

Autumn Emotions

 

“I needed a long and lingering autumn, a tenure with which to ease into another state of being.”

 
~Ruchika Tomar,

 A Prayer for Travelers

 

I love watching leaves float to the ground.They are in their last moments of life, and they deserve my respect and empathy. But more important they need my deep appreciation for their work all year, and the beauty revealed. Isn't autumn, and oak leaves, just magical?

 

  

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #8

 

“There is something incredibly nostalgic and significant

 about the annual cascade of autumn leaves.” 

~Joe L. Wheeler 

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #7

 

“I am falling in love with autumn all over again”

 
~Charmaine J Forde 

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #6

 “You cannot move forward in the real world
if you cannot see the real world.
You cannot find the beauty in the world
if all you see is its adornment.

Autumn comes.
Autumn falls.
Autumn leaves.
The world turns fire
and burns off all that is fading.”

 
~Shellen Lubin 

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #5

 

“There is great beauty in each season, but autumn has a pinch of something more.”

 
~Laura Jaworski 

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #3

 

“The autumn leaves remind me of my own faded memories.
The leaves hold their own precious stories,
which drift about in the wind,
finding a new place to settle
and continue to exist.

The bare branches of the elm tree
still stand tall and strong, like I do.
It is a reminder that life still continues
even during the most adverse times.

As I land gently on the grassy plain,
my attention is drawn to the sight of fallen autumn leaves,
floating across the steady stream of water.

Sherwin has presented me with
many of these beautiful leaves in the past.
They are symbols of our steadfast endurance as a couple
and bring warmth and joy to my heart.”

 
~Susan L. Marshall,

   Fleur of Yesterday

 

Go visit a park. Spend time in your garden. Visit a river, or the beach. Sit on your front or back porch and study the world around you. See the colors. Listen to the sounds. Just step out of this life we are forced to endure. There is so much more than the stupidity of the moment. Stepping away from it all, is the best way to be in the here and now. Make new memories by letting go for a little while!

 

 

Oh, There You Are!

 

“Thoughts swirled around her head like the leaves in the breeze.”

 
~Diana Jaques,

 The Falling Leaves

 

 I have been looking for a Green Heron this whole year, but as luck, and the rules of birding, would have you, I found one completely by accident, months after I should have. They are usually, dependably, everywhere! You remember me mentioning that birding is Sometimes about being in the right place, at the right time? Well once again, my avian friends proved it's true! I am still on a quest to find the Sandhill Crane, which have arrived in the San Joaquin Valley. The map says they are in Lodi, Mokelumne City, the Cosumnes Reserve, and Staten Island on the delta. They are here, I know they are, because you can track them here. I am just not seeing them. Yikes!

 

 So, a couple days ago, we decided to pick a spot on the map, and see if our luck could change a bit. The spot on the map we chose was Staten Island. We had never been there before, so it would be an adventure. As it ended up, there wasn't much to see yet, but it's only a matter of time until the rice is harvested, and will be replaced with water, to provide grain for the wild birds, but aren't quite there yet, so we left. On our way home, I spotted this lovely Green Heron, sitting on a telephone wire. I saw him just by chance! He moved to this tree, while I photographed him, and engaged in a little fishing in the ditch line. He was very accommodating of me, and made my time very happy, as he moved about into one beautiful pose to another. There's the rule of birding, you see what you didn't even know you wanted or needed, to see! 

 

I love it when that Pacific Flyway opens each Autumn. I have to thank the gorgeous migrating cranes, for helping me finally spot my Green Heron.

 

 

Autumn Leaf Of The Day #2

 “Autumn is a love affair with the earth, where every leaf is a love letter.”

 
~Jayita Bhattacharjee 

 

 

On The First Day Of Autumn

 

Crimson Marsh Glider

Yolo Bypass Wilderness Area

Davis, Ca

September 22nd, 2025 

 

 “I wish autumn came around twice in a year

 — first as a season, then as an event.”

 
~Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu

 

What a beautiful little creature! Yesterday, as a way of celebrating the first day of autumn, we took a little trip to the Yolo Bypass Wilderness Area, and our time there was definitely not wasted! There were few birds, but the insect world was working overtime! There were tons of dragonflies, and yellow jackets, which could be a little intimidating at times. I didn't photograph any of the yellow jackets, but it was definitely not for lack of opportunity! The Mexican Free-tailed bats should have quite a banquet this fall. I did photograph some really pretty dragonflies, and I will be sharing them this week, plus a new bug that I have never photographed before. A funny fella with BIG eyes! You'll see! Yolo Bypass should be full of all kinds of birds in October, it should be downright glorious! There is a lot of natural beauty to look forward to!

 

It was a good day!

 

 

Sunflowers And Thistles

 

 

 

“Outside the leaves on the trees constricted slightly; they were the deep done green of the beginning of autumn. It was a Sunday in September. There would only be four. The clouds were high and the swallows would be here for another month or so before they left for the south before they returned again next summer.”
 

― Ali Smith, 

 The Whole Story and Other Stories

 

 

Summer is coming to a close. Tomorrow is it's last partial day. It will breathe it's last breath at 2:18 PM, EDT. The roadside sunflowers are withering, and the thistle has gone from it's stunning purple shade, to its white haired end. Sigh. To my dismay, I am beginning to see the beauty and tragedy of summer. It's been a bittersweet season this year for me this year, as I lost my wonderful Hendrix on June 9th, yet gained silly Simon on the 4th of July! Then, in August, Tyler came along. They make every day happy. The tears, are replaced with smiles.

 

 The bats are gone now, at least at the Cosumnes River Preserve. It was a colder than average summer. Perhaps they will be at the Yolo Basin in great numbers, we'll see. That is an autumn task. On one of the few hot summer nights that we had, we spotted a barn owl for the first time! Now if I can find a Burrowing owl, I will have yet another beautiful bird for my life list! No other season transitions quite like summer into autumn. This year I will be sad to see it go, but I am enjoying the amazing morning autumn light. I am ready for autumn. See you tomorrow!

 

 

Summer Berries And Cobwebs

 

Night is brushed aside like so much cobweb. The day is wound up and begins even before the last haunted dreams, the last of the fog, those spectral and evanescent residues, have faded away.”

 ~Gregory Maguire,

 After Alice

 

I hoped to see a spider, but alas they were nowhere to be found. But there is amazing beauty in cobwebs left behind, so I took my time searching for the dazzling, romantic strands of silver thread, and daydreamed of time well spent.

 

 

Rashes In The Hinge

“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”

 
~Markus Herz

 

A couple days ago I shared a post about a sign I saw at the hospital, which for whatever reason tickled my funny-bone. The post contained a couple photos of signs for the rash clinic at Kaiser. "Rash Entrance" and "Exit" on the ceiling right next to it. It pretty much told the story, but I neglected to include this photo. It is the actual door to the rash entrance, the "Rash Waiting Room." Beyond the choice of words, is the fact that if you look closely at the door, on the right side hinge, there appears to be something red just on the other side, giving the appearance, at least to me, of the door actually having a rash. But I see stupid stuff, so really I suppose it's just my imagination goofing on me. Or maybe you see it too. Shrug. 

 

Just remember, laughter is the best medicine. 

 

But if you have a rash, especially in the hinge, seek a doctors advice. 

 

Read my original post here. 

 

 

 

    

I Miss You, Baby

 "What greater gift, than the love of a cat?

 

~Charles Dickens

 

I loved Dylan so much! I cannot believe he passed over the rainbow bridge a year ago today. He was my soul mate. No one, human or otherwise, loved me as purely as he did. He was soft, and cuddly. He loved nom-noms, and anything that contained butter! He talked to me, and did weird things with his poop. He was difficult, yet self correcting at times. He was complicated, and yet the simplest cats I have ever known. He sang twice a day, just before sunrise and again, just before sundown. Out of the three cats I owned, he was the best behaved in the car, when we needed to check in with Dr. Barrett. It's a 60 mile trip round trip, and he wouldn't complain a bit, he just relaxed and enjoyed the ride! His nicknames were, Mr. Pissypants, Dillybean, Old Bean, Corn Muffin, The Baby, and believe me, he lived up to all those names. And if those weren't enough names for him, his middle name was Andrew!

 

Dylan was my child. And I miss him so much. He was a force of nature.

 

And he loved me. 

 

I miss you, baby. 

 

 

 

Don't Be Rash

 

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.” 

 
~Charles Bukowski 

 

Am I the only one who sees the humor in something like this? I was at the hospital the other day, when I saw this and kinda snickered to myself. No one else seemed to be sharing my sense of humor at that particular moment, in fact most walked past me and glanced at me like I was nuts, and I am of course, but I couldn't help it, the 12 year old in me found it endlessly amusing! I suppose when a rash begins on one's body, it would be the rashes entrance into one's life, and, if cured, it would take it's exit! It's the natural flow ... right?

 

 I wish more things, and people knew when to just fuck all the way off!.

 

 

Promise And Enthusiasm

 

“Try things out, be happy to make mistakes, but above all have a go.”

 
~Charles Dowding,

       Charles Dowding's Skills for Growing

 

That gorgeous bird is the Great Blue Heron, and he is standing at the edge of a great BIG corn field! I love photographing heron, not only are they very accommodating to the casual photographer, but they are so photogenic that it makes my heart skip a beat! They aren't my favorite birds, the Sandhill Crane are, but the heron can be found in the San Joaquin Valley in all seasons, so I get lots of practice with my birding photography. Speaking of the crane, I have been tracking them, and right now there is a pair just above Elk Grove! It won't be long, it looks like at least a couple of them will be arriving on Woodbridge road, in Lodi, right on time! Cross your fingers for Monday! Just in case, I am planning to be out and about on the Delta next week, until I find them! I hope that is a realistic goal. I was recently diagnosed with mild anemia, so my stamina isn't what it used to be, in fact I am exhausted just few hours after I get up. We'll see. Here's to promise and enthusiasm the world of birding brings me! Positive vibes, right!

 

 

I Got This

 

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.

 Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” 

~Rumi 

 

Autumn will be here next week, but throughout the summer I found some wonderful crunchy autumn leaves, as if it had begun on June 21st! This photo was taken in Cull Canyon, in late August. Just a beautiful pile of leaves in all shapes and sizes, colors and degree of life. It was a strange summer. It would seem this autumn will have it's moments. But I have leaves, and Chai lattes, and everything else that heals my heart. Not to mention two kittens who will keep me laughing, and Joey, who never lets me feel unloved. And lets not forget Sylvie, my therapist, who talks me down, and then talks me through it.

 

I got this.

 

 

I'm Tired

 “How many have to die before we will give up these dangerous toys?”
― Stephen King,  

Guns

 

 

Usually I don't begin quoting Stephen King until the first day of autumn, but after last nights events (see my previous post) and the apparent assassination of right-wing influencer and CEO of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk, I turn to horror to find my center. The lights you see, shining through my bedroom window, are the lights from the various police, fire trucks, D.A. vehicles, and ambulances. They light shined through my window until 5:00 a.m. this morning. You see, there was an officer involved shooting across the street from where I live, basically right under my window. It's overwhelmingly stressful. (Update)

 

I couldn't stand Charlie Kirk, I believed he was verbally dangerous, and was dangerous politically motivated but I would have never wished this for him. I will not be celebrating his death. As someone said today, we must try to reach deep down in our souls and find our better angels. 

 

(Feeling Quiet)

 

About 18 months ago I witnessed a man shooting a gun, at his wife, in the back alleyway of the condos where we live. He shot toward her second floor condo, while we were driving next to him toward our parking spot. It was terrifying, and it stayed with me for months. I wrote about it here. Eventually I let go of that incident, but I hear gunshots in my neighborhood regularly. Mostly I close my eyes, and try to meditate it away. Mostly. But sometimes I hold in my fear, because what can I do about my situation? Well, we are considering moving, our condo has gained just enough equity to cover a down payment on a new place, and moving costs, but we can't move right this minute. I want more savings toward the move, so we don't go broke by starting over. 

 

Life is hard. Charlie Kirk dying at 31 is horrific. A young father of two, and husband to his wife, Erica, with a full life ahead of him. We must address guns, but we won't, and nothing ever change. We must address political apeshittery, but we won't. We must stop thinking of each other as the enemy, we won't. But sadly, nothing ever changes. 

 

Shortly after the events of 9/11, American's came together. Then we drifted apart.

 

Tomorrow is the 24th anniversary of that horrific event.  

 

(Sigh)

 

I'm tired. 

 

“Time seemed frozen, the applause went on and on even though heads were turning, necks were craning; someone had screamed because there was a man in the gallery and the man was holding a rifle and this was something they had all seen on TV, it was a situation with classic elements that they all recognized. In it's own way, it was as American as The Wonderful World of Disney. The politician and the man in a high place with the gun.”

 
~Stephen King,

  The Dead Zone

 

 Here is a booklet from the Department Of Homeland Security on how to keep yourself safe, should you find yourself in an active shooter situation. It's worth downloading.

 

 Active Shooter and How To Respond ( DHS ) 

Song Of Nature

 

“In their previous lives, poets were bats, and thinkers were owls.”

 
~Michael Bassey Johnson,

  Song of a Nature Lover

 

  

The bats of 2025 were beautiful, but that's not a new revelation. If you know me at all, you know I fell hopelessly in love with every single Mexican Free-tailed bat the visits each year. But this year I cherished them even more, as their numbers at the Franklin boulevard Bridge were noticeably fewer. As were the mosquitos. The two go together. It was disappointing and a little scary to witness such a change. In years past, the bridge would be lined with my fellow bat enthusiasts, the kids love it! But between the strangely cool summer we had, and the lack of our bat friends, it was an unusual year for nature in the San Joaquin Valley. I have also noticed less birds here as well! I am obviously not sure whether it is the decline of the ecosystem due to Climate Change, caused by greed and ignorance, or just one of those off years that happens sometimes! I have my suspicions. California has done better than most states in our fight for environmental causes, but we are far from perfect. There is discarded trash everywhere in the valley. Folks throw their old furniture and tires anywhere they think no one will notice. The folks around me just don't care! Stocktonians are dead inside.

 

Speaking of which, while I was working on this post,

 this happened, right outside my bedroom window... 

 

CBS 13 Sacramento

BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG

SIREN, SIREN,SIREN, SIREN, SIREN

FIRETRUCK

 

(Silence)

 

Stockton Police helicopter circling, in a beautiful sky, above my home.

(Falcon One)

 

It's been 2 hours and the police still have the streets closed off.

 

DRAMA. Useless drama.

 

( Sad, Scared, Depressed, Silence) 

 

Man, this post went sideways fast! 

 

Okay, so lets just focus of the beauty, shall we?

 

 

Stay Safe My Friends,

 And Be Grateful For The Beautiful Things In Life.