Monday, October 07, 2024
What's new?
One of the things that's new, or at least going on, is that I've been experiencing brain fog, fatigue, inability to concentrate and general blahs.
One thing I have meant to mention is that in the summer I got hooked on the video game Royal Match. It's very enjoyable, though it may be contributing to my fuzzy-headedness.
More recently, I've been trying to become more serious about my Catholic practice. St. Thomas the Apostle parish in West Springfield videocasts daily and Sunday Mass on YouTube, so I can attend remotely. Also found not only the Rosary but also a few other devotions. No doubt you've noticed that the Morning Offering has been starting the blog day for a while now. So, that's lovely and, really, a great comfort.
For the fall I bought a pair of houndstooth check slacks [click]. I got the natural. They're a lovely, soft knit material - very comfortable.
In less cheerful news, my knuckles ache. Not all of them - mostly it's the index fingers - and not all the time, but enough. Seems to me it first became noticeable as more than a one off in the summer.
It's probably a good idea to keep a record of such things somewhere. All too often you mention somethin to the doctor and when she asks when it started, you have no idea, which makes you seem rather foolish.
Both Dad and Sis have been poorly lately. Please keep them in your prayers, hold them in the Light, whatever your thing is. It's a great help.
So, what's new with you?
Sunday, October 06, 2024
Saturday, October 05, 2024
Friday, October 04, 2024
Thursday, October 03, 2024
Gripe, Lie...
Predictably, Fox News is griping that Jack Smith's January Sixth brief should not have been released to the public "so close to the election."
Perhaps also predictably, they claim the reason for their objection is a long-standing, unwitten Justice Department rule of avoiding starting an investigation of a politician within some time (sixty days, ninety days, I don't recall) of an election. Needless to say, the "rule" they are invoking does not apply to the situation at hand.
Fox News chronically lies, misrepresents and distorts. The on-air personalities who spew these lies, to say nothing of the hacks who write them, must surely know they are lies. What miserable human beings, making their livings by knowingly, purposely diseminating lies, what's more knowing those lies will frighten and manipulate their viewers. All I can say is, may God have mercy on their souls - if they still havde souls - because I certainly cannot find it in my heart to feel charity towards them!
Wednesday, October 02, 2024
Tuesday, October 01, 2024
Monday, September 30, 2024
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Pink Canada Mints
The other day, I got a sudden yen for pink Canada mints, something I hadn’t had or even seen in probably fifty years. Google came through, and I was able to order a two pound bag from Amazon.com.
There’s a snapshot memory connected with this particular candy. Mom and I were in an airport waiting area. I must have been ten or under, since it was just the two of us. Everything was gray – the seating, the floor, the walls. Mom had a magazine or a crossword or something in her lap. We were chatting and eating pink Canada mints. No idea where we were or where we were going, just the memory of being in that moment.
Friday, September 27, 2024
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Monday, September 23, 2024
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Friday, September 20, 2024
Andy Williams with the Osmond Brothers: "Good Morning Starshine"
As a kid I had a transistor radio. Good grief, but that statement dates me! Do any of you younguns even know what a transistor radio was? The reception and sound quality weren't great, but that wasn't the point. The point was, you could take your music with you wherever you went. And I did, the wrist strap wrapped firmly around my wrist.
...all of which is preface. One day, not long after my illness, I was listening to my beloved transistor when this record came on. I absolutely loved it. Don't recall what comment I made to Mom, but she bought me the cassette issue of the album, _Get Together with Andy Williams_. Eventually wore it out, I played it so much.
Thursday, September 19, 2024
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Not only beautiful, Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night"fits models of atmospheric and fluid dynamics
A new study finds that "Starry Night," painted by Dutch Post-Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh in 1889, perfectly fits current models of atmospheric and fluid dynamics.
Study author Dr. Huang Yongxiang said, "It [the painting] reveals a deep and intuitive understanding of natural phenomena. Van Gogh’s precise representation of turbulence might be from studying the movement of clouds and the atmosphere or an innate sense of how to capture the dynamism of the sky.”
I have always loved "Starry Night." This scientific study only serves to deepen my awe at Van Gogh's talent and insight.
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Friday, September 13, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Honesty Chez Catreona
Honesty, also called Money Plant or Silver Dollar Plant, is a flowering plant in the cabbage and mustard family native to central and southern Europe. Introduced to England in the late Sixteenth Century, soon after Honesty came to our shores with the Pilgrims.
It thrives in moist, partially shaded locations. In late Spring into Summer, the plant blooms with a profusion of dark pink flowers. At this time of year, the flowers have given way to paper-thin seed pods that take on a silver sheen as they dry.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Kamala Harris wins debate, Taylor Swift endorses her moments later
Thank you, Madame Vice President, for a first class debate performance. And thank you, Taylor, for a thoughtful and eloquent statement of endorsement.
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Monday, September 09, 2024
Early Autumn
The sweet and melow voice of Jo Stafford with "Early Autumn" from her 1955 album Soft and Sentimental.
Vance for VP? Hell No!
My latest meme. I seem to be drawn to highlight Vance's, er, negative points. Well, that's okay. People with a lot more brain power and talent than I are working on Trump.
As always, feel free to share this one if you think it might help.
Sunday, September 08, 2024
Faith and Justice Matter to Harris and Walz
Amid all the discussion of the Harris-Walz campaign's wide and warm inclusiveness, till now I had heard nothing about faith-based outreach and inclusion. But, unsurprisingly, this well organized, disciplined and focused campaign is on it. At the end of August Sojourners published an article about Rev. Jen Butler, the campaign's faith outreach director. True to form, they got the best.
A veteran of the Obama administration as well as many years of organizing and interfaith discourse, Rev. Butler is a solid addition to the stellar Harris-Walz organization.
Saturday, September 07, 2024
Wildlife Chez Catreona
When they went out yesterday morning, Dad and Sis spotted a large praying mantis on the back bumper of the car. It sat for its portrait before, with a little encouragement from Dad, it flew off into the grass.
You never know what you might see in the wilds of Springfield! I'm not a bug fancier myself, but some readers may find it interesting.
You’ve probably noticed…
You’ve probably noticed, the blog has a fresh, new look, not to mention a new title.
I’ve been struggling for a couple weeks - that felt like a couple eons - to alter the source code for the blog’s template. But, ahem, every time I tried another idea that seemed like it would be the charm, the mess only got worse. Finally, I gave up and set a new Blogger template. And being new, unlike the previous one that was ancient as such things go, this one was fully customizable. Phew!
Can’t think why it took me so long to come around to the completely logical decision to apply a new template, except that I do tend to be change-averse. When I think how much time and angst I could have saved myself by exploring the current Blogger template set! Sometimes I’m not too bright. * igh*
As to the new title: At the time I founded the blog, The Arty Blog seemed appropriate. Now, though, something broader and more inclusive is called for. Life, the Universe and Everything isn’t the most original title. It fits the bill though.
Let me know what you think of all the changes.
September Morn
A sad song and, yes, I know it's a Neil Diamond [click] song. But Engelbert does a beautiful job with it.
Happy Saturday!
Friday, September 06, 2024
RIP Sergio Mendes
Master of the bossa nova, Brazilian musician and bandleader Sergio Mendes has died at the age of eighty-three.
Thank you for all the wonderful music, Sergio. Rest in Peace.
After police caution, father gave suspected Georgia school shooter AR-15
Who gives their thirteen or forteen-year-old an AR15 for Christmas? To my mind, that in itself constitutes child abuse.
I'll have to look it up, but seems to me the school shooter in Michigan a couple of years back was given a weapon - an automatic pistol? - by his parents. In that case, the parents were quite rightly prosecuted. In this Georgia case, too, the father has been arrested and charged.
An epidemic has been running through this country since at least as far back as Columbine twenty-five years ago. Boys and young men are so alienated, so deeply despairing that they obtain fire arms, often automatic weapons, and go into schools, houses of worship, malls and grocery stores... and slaughter as many people as possible. Holding parents to account is one valuable tool in confronting this mass madness. Comprehensive, sensible gun control laws would help as well. But there must be more that can be done.
Someone needs to find out why these kids are so dispondent, why they have such a bleek view of life that they think killing many strangers - and usually themselves, either by self-inflicted gunshot wounds or suicide by cop - is the only solution.
Kamala gets KEY surprise endorsement
This video dropped about 11:00 last night. But, it struck me as a great way to start our blog day.
Thursday, September 05, 2024
Tuesday, September 03, 2024
WTF?! TOP Trump Group Makes SICKENING MOVE Against Kamala
The general idea seems to be that V.P. Harris is not a natural born citizen of the United States, ergo she is prohibited from running for the presidency. Wait till you get a load of the precedent the Republican legislators' group cites to support this claim. Make sure you are not actively eating or drinking while watching this video!
Sunday, September 01, 2024
An Inconvenience
Although it is often said not to blame the child for being the product of rape, J.D. Vance is the only person I have heard refer to rape as "an inconvenience."
In the opinion of this childless cat lady, such an attitude makes Vance unfit to be the father of daughters. Indeed, it makes him unfit to be the father of sons. It is a despicable, unfeeling attitude to hold, much less to express in public.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
Thursday, August 29, 2024
New History Quiz
Here's a link to my latest FunTrivia quiz, "It Happened in 1941[click]." I've been so much at sixes and sevens that it totally slipped my mind to post the link till now.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Stinky!
I am not entirely satisfied with this one, but can't quite put my finger on what's wrong. Ideas? Suggestions? Thanks.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Friday, August 23, 2024
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Monday, August 19, 2024
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Suckers and Losers? I Think Not!
My papa, Ronald Neal Thompson, WO1, USN
When draft dodger Trump said to Sen. John McCane, "I like people who weren't captured," I thought that was it. Surely, no current or retired service members would vote for the bastard. I was wrong.
When draft dodger Trump remarked to Gen. John Kelly, who lost a son on active duty, that those who give their lives in defense of our country and what it stands for are "suckers and losers," I thought that was it.. I was wrong.
An optimist I may be, but one capable of learning. Now that draft dodger Trump has been caught on video saying, "...everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they're soldiers. They're either in very bad shape because they've been hit so many times by bullets or they are dead," I know it makes no difference. There are veterans, my dad among them, who will vote for Trump.
For myself, peacenik though I may be at heart, as the daughter of veterans I find Trump's remark despicable.
My papa, a career Navy man with seventeen years of service, was lost at sea, on active duty. He is not a sucker and loser!
Mama did a hitch in the WAVES [click] in her early twenties. My dad graduated from the Naval Academy and served thirty years. There is not something wrong with them because they served their country honorably instead of lazing around, partying and corruptly amassing wealth.
It is inexplicable to me and a sorrow that Dad is a Trumper. Nor can I understand any service member or veteran supporting Trump. I do know this though:
Donald Trump is a worthless piece of filth.
I'm a pretty easy going gal - live and let live - and something of a softy. I'm inclined to feel sorry for people who are, for instance, clearly suffering from neurological difficulties and cognitive decline, even if they are creepy crooks.
No more!
He may well be terribly ill. He may have brain worm or brain rot or what-the-hell-ever. He does not deserve one thimbleful of sympathy. Nor does he deserve one vote. He'll get votes from those like my poor dad who have bought hook, line and sinker into Fox News propaganda and other alt right lies. He'll get votes from the hard MAGA haters. But I pray to God those benighted souls are few.
We cannot elect the stinking piece of filth that is Donald Trump to the highest office in the land!
Priscilla Is on the Mend
Priscilla Kitty
Priscilla was very ill earlier this week. Sis caught this photo of her on Monday. We knew she was terribly sick, since she ordinarily doesn't allow anyone near her with a camera.
Mercifully, she has been steadily bouncing back, though she still appears to have intestinal issues. But, she's eating almost normally and drinking water. She joined Dad on the couch last night for snuggles and petting, something she hasn't felt well enough to do for several days. Best of all, she is back to full voice, making herself heard loud and clear last night and today.
A huge thank you to everybody who has been holding her and Dad in the Light - and, of course, to St. Gertrude of Nivelles! [click]
Friday, August 16, 2024
White Hostas and False Dragonhead (Obedient Plant) in the Side Garden
Sis took this photo earlier in the week.