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retired professor of science; reader; army brat; unapologetic diet-coke drinker; dedicated user of the oxford comma, and many other personal things [listed in no particular order of significance] [sarcasm and movie/book quotes are always welcome]
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...and now I am down a rabbit hole of lore from other cultures that I am less familiar with. :) Thanks! Who knows what I might find to add to the TBR
I like Celtic lore that leans into the fae. Also old Russian and Slavic lore that leans into the darker side. Of course, I grew up reading the Grimm brothers and Hans Christian Anderson, so that might explain things. I never really got into Disney's interpretations.
Hahahaha - yes I remember watching this.
Not a big dino book reader, but did read Dead Beat - a Harry Dresden book. Sue had a small, but significant part to play.
Why is this not more of a story? www.cnn.com/2025/08/09/u...
While we are reminiscing... I still have the phone on the left [not hooked up] but really miss the kitchen phone pictured on the right- with that long twisty cord. Sigh. Don't we all miss her?
Rereading 1984 in a book club. Ready for all the discussions. This is the ??th time I have read it.
Almost an impossible question to answer without a conversation with the person who asked. I have too many to recommend and can't narrow the list down without context.
And so it begins....
Who would you rather listen to for advice?
I just can't.
Not an answer, really.
THIS, among all the other current discoveries, is why we need to continue to fund scientific research!!!!!!!
What a change this could be for children, who might be less excited about annual flu vaccines. It is also exciting to wonder what else might this delivery system work for. Thank you for sharing these scientific advances - especially as we see funding shrink. Positive vibes!
I was watching. Thanks to @booker.senate.gov for trying to maintain protocol in the committee. He was correct to try to insist that his point of order should have been at least ruled upon, even if eventually denied. It was astonishing to see Grassley turn his back and proceed with the vote.
Thanks, @sailorrooscout.bsky.social , for the info! Any idea of the timeline for this research moving forward?
I don't even know how to respond to this without ranting.
I've read all three. I think most folks are only familiar with Charlotte's Web (from the 1973 animated movie that I remember and the more recent live action movie in 2006). I liked Stuart Little more than Charlotte's Web and I liked The Trumpet of the Swan better than both.
Can we rule that this is the best auto reply ever?
The Hexologists by Josiah Bancroft. Just a bit into it so far and it is a fun romp of figuring out what is going on with these creatures and the odd Wilby couple, who make use of a pretty smart dragon.
To clarify, my questions go to Ms. Rollins, not to Senator Murray.
Two things: 1. Don't these 'able bodied' folks mostly already have jobs? 2. Where do they live and how do you think they will be able to somehow commute to these farm jobs? One more thing - Why don't you understand the basics of who is on Medicaid and how it really works?
Also, isn't everything this guy says also a confession?
When you are so busy with morning zoom meetings that your 'mid-morning' snack is still sitting unfinished now and you realize that you are not hungry for lunch at 12:48pm. And now the whole space time continuum thing is thrown off.
I read Stranger in a Strange Land about 20 years ago and remember feeling very sorry for Michael. I am not sure if I would enjoy a reread in this current age.
I am not sure that he understands guarantee or exponential even though he used both in this sentence. If we don't see +3% growth, then what do we collect on this guarantee in return for the lack of productivity as promised? Thoughts and prayers?
My one cat is very inquisitive. When he gets the zoomies, I have started asking "What is your quest?" in the movie voice. Sometimes he stops and just looks at me. Sometimes he answers me [I don't understand the response]. Mostly he ignores me completely and goes on his zoomie way. Carry on.
I just bought a set because the spine covers make a nice scenic picture. Oh yeah - I do actually want to read them, someday. They are really pretty on my shelf for now though.
📖Reading books, buying books, collecting books, and displaying books are all separate but equal activities. All are acceptable in my world of book responsibility, and money sense is not necessarily considered in these decisions. Regret and joy are also equal but separate finance reactions.
Deciding between Hex Life and the Hexologists....
Full text : www.archives.gov/founding-doc...
6. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
5. and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
4. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
3. it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
2. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,
1. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
If a sitting president stars in a video promoting a product with his name on it, will this matter at all? This isn't official business, right?
Ick. Not what I want to smell like - or anyone else I know, for that matter. Guess my holiday and birthday list is still unfulfilled..... I think I can manage.
Thank you for your service. I mean that, coming from an army brat's ever relocating heart, one that always stopped to face the flag at retreat. I always cry at taps. I want to thank you for your voice now, which is strong and honorable, especially in what should be a crowd. And the Bulwark rocks!
Sympathies to you and your family as you walk through this part of healing. It sounds like he was a wonderful man. May you cherish his memory.
Right - isn't the actual 'leak' when he truthed his plans to the internet space? Forecasting your plans to your enemies helps them make plans to avoid those plans. And they had plenty of time to do so. Just sayin. Good military strategy is actually silent.
Yes - Orwell is a favorite. It is unfortunate that some works seem very pertinent currently. I have several copies of 1984 and a few of Animal Farm. Apparently, our libraries share two books: Erewhon and the Odyssey. Nice to know.
Shogun -Read in early 80s The Stand -Read in late 80s Priory of the Orange Tree is in my TBR, so maybe soon - not quite as long as the first two, though.
After a bit of a break, getting back to finishing The Book by M. Clifford. Waiting on a shipment - from my used booksellers - of The Death Gate Cycle series, which I have not yet read. Looking forward!
Atticus Finch is a great father to Scout.
Because of course. Nobody at all was expecting that. /s
THIS is what we need to keep talking about. Stand together to stand up to bullies.
How it's going in LA - keep watch: 'Rosa Parks was just a woman on a bus... until she was something more. George Floyd was just another Black man stopped by police. Until he was something more. Huerta is the something more of these immigration raids'
Totally feel your vibe. I do remember sleep and catch it when it does come my way. Hope you catch some soon.
See: www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-co... House: passed with amendments (12/5/73) 386-23 Senate: passed with amendments (3/22/74) 80-0 House: agree to conference report (6/18/74) 401-6 Senate: agree to conference report (6/21/74) 75-0 signed by President into law (7/12/1974)
Um... 200 years before the 1970s, we didn't even have a president or Congress. That is when it all started. The framers couldn't conceive of Nixon, much less Trump, as Presidents, which is why Congress had to add the Impoundment Control Act in 1974. Overwhelmingly passed in both chambers.
Who is creating this list? I think it is long. Newest entry? Fema director didn't know the US has a hurricane season. How many days in are we? WTAF.
Sigh. OK. Well - actually, this is NOT OK. Bird flu might not jump to humans, but maybe it will. That is the problem. We don't know for sure, but we should be prepared. Having knowledge to create vaccines quickly to combat a potential epidemic/pandemic is scientifically sound behavior.
Data exists to support that vaccines are safe. This guy is not experienced with infectious diseases or epidemiology, so is not the best for this position and is not giving correct - or credible - information. Allow folks to get the shot if they want to - which means have insurance cover it.
and then add in the extra variations of daily used cat names... Cat 1 has at least 7 and new Cat 2 has accumulated 3 in her short time so far. Formal names only used to instigate time-out sessions (that don't actually happen, because - cats)
Comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
If you want everyone to maintain their access to COVID-19 vaccines, please consider submitting a comment. Only a few days left.
IYKYK. It helps to be of a certain generation... Thanks for this @gtconway.bsky.social and associated posters. This was 😘👌
It really depends. Sometimes I need a thriller, so I pick up an Alex Delaware or Kay Scarpetta sort of thing. If I am in a whimsical mood, then I read some Cat Who... books or a Goldie Bear mystery and get a fun recipe. And I can never go wrong with picking up a classic Agatha Christie.
While I wait for the next Pendergast book to arrive from the used book seller, I am about to reread The Book by M. Clifford. Gives Fahrenheit vibes and is really good, imo.
Still Life With Crows - 4th in the Pendergast series by Preston and Child. Pendergast is an interesting character. A Sherlockian FBI agent who surrounds himself with museum staff and police officers to help solve cases. And there is a pesky journalist, too.
Ready to see where you land and who you continue to collaborate with. Your network of colleagues is strong and together we will all continue to move toward sustaining and supporting our democracy.
I remember reading Johnny Tremain as a young reader and was fascinated.
love a teacup! Hi Boomer!
Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
but then we get Mike Johnson.....
as funny/not funny as this is, I can see actual humans making this mistake, so.....
@marcelias.bsky.social using Gatsby to describe our current administration is *chefs kiss*
My favorite song is Rainbow Connection. Best way to hear it is to find the video of Kermit singing in the swamp.
It wouldn't have to be 20 ft tall to do those things.
THIS
No is a complete sentence. We are seeing examples of that in cities and towns across our land.
Yeah - it's unbelievable. And the market sure did boom, if you mean 'go boom'. big bada boom.
The problem with this - even IF these researchers decide to return, the research doesn't happen in a vacuum. To run efficiently and conduct solid scientific research, there MUST be research TEAMS in place. The PI is important, but so is the entire lab. Are they hiring the lab staff back, too? smh
Unfortunately, I agree with you on this. And, also unfortunately, most scientists are not great communicators. They struggle with simplifying complicated topics. Also, many times in science, the real answer is 'it depends on...' which often isn't easy to explain quickly or clearly.
Narrator: blinks Narrator: checks personal knowledge of economics and common sense Narrator: *sigh* Narrator: maybe I would actually prefer the Magic 8 ball Narrator: *did I really say that?????* Narrator: How can Musk not know the most basic facts? Isn't he supposed to be a genius? Narrator:
His response is the entire and transparent key to how he operates. Musk: I don't really know what they do, but they have a lot of people who work there, so that sounds bad Reasonable people: this is based on no evidence whatsoever Musk: just laughs awkwardly and says magic eight ball
If you don't already know about @meidastouch.com, take time to check. We supporters know the value of our paid membership. I started by watching and reading their work for free - you can, too. Most viewed podcast. @meiselasb.bsky.social @bmeiselas.bsky.social @meidasjordy.bsky.social
New hat from a Greenlander. Classic. www.huffpost.com/entry/greenl...
@meiselasb.bsky.social - Sure, as long as he takes Elon and the brat pack with him, away from the levers of government. Let them all play golf on our dime. It surely has to be cheaper than them messing with the structural foundation of our government.
Maryland usually has a pretty high MMR vaccination %. Here are the kindergarten mmr vax rates from the cdc site: www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxvie... OK, but a dip during the pandemic to below threshold level. This might be an issue for that age group. Might have high enough herd numbers, tho. 🤞
IF they were interested, they would be looking at Musk's contracts. Oh yeah - those were being looked at before the inspectors were fired and the cases were stopped. Hmm.
Okay, but the people don't determine or interpret the laws. The layered Judiciary does. Lawyers and judges go to school, pass one or more bar exams, some get named to the bench, and then have years of experience. Voters don't. Just being elected doesn't trump (pun intended) our laws.
The most important part of this is "even if we tried, he wouldn't listen." Pretty much apply that to everything.
The basic issue is that we had a good system. If anyone actually talked to teachers to gather ideas and then brainstorm potential solutions from the classrooms, maybe things would work. Instead, from the top, non-teacher suits implemented programs that were not research and evidence based. 🤷♀️👩🏫🏫
I think a lot of Trump's first term foreign policy was guard railed, so we really didn't get a good, clear picture of what HIS foreign 'policy' would be if left to his own devices. Now we do. This is it. And it is not good.
As a side note - I wonder when I say 'meow meow meow meow' to my cat to be polite, and she looks at me like I am a crazy person, is it because I just said something nonsensical like 'chicken sofa nap chase'? Or is it just because she is a cat? 🤷♀️
Solid post today by @joycewhitevance.bsky.social "Already they have come for federal employees, transgender people, immigrants, lawyers, the press, epidemiologists, scientists, and more." substack.com/inbox/post/1...
But....if you are receiving SS, then - by default - you are NO LONGER paying into SS, right? [at least for most folks] So how do you keep paying honestly if you aren't paying at all?
This, please!
One example of why cutting funding from NIH is bad. This doesn't happen [and might not proceed] without federal funding. CHECK BEFORE CUTTING because not all spending is fraud or waste!
If you are looking for media that is doing this, watch @meiselasb.bsky.social and @meidasjordy.bsky.social and @bmeiselas.bsky.social - their MeidasTouch network is doing just what you are asking for. They are independent and have a growing reach that is impressive - beating Fox news numbers.
@gtconway.bsky.social Agreed. Rep Jeffries should assemble topic specific teams from his 200+ Dems and deploy them as each 'pitch' arrives. Don't. Wait. For. The. Perfect. Pitch. That is Too Late.
Rep. Jeffries wants to choose when to fight back against the WH 'flood the zone' strategy. That's fine? But - there are over 200 Dem reps. How about setting up teams for specific topics and deploying them to hold pressers when those topics arise? You have a big team! Use them!
This is for the DIA only [for now], pausing the activities and observations, but the bigger issue that I see is the pause to affinity and networking groups. Having a community of support is critical and DIA just eliminated that support for these workers. Find Out phase -I don't have words
Proud of this program. Grateful for my colleagues who help it run smoothly. Always impressed by our students. There is hope for our future. www.towson.edu/news/article...
Epidemiologist and substack writer Dr. Katelyn Jetelina @kkjetelina.bsky.social yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/about