A Candle

 

For the estimated 40.1 million people who have died worldwide.

AIDS. It ain't over yet.

Ode to old home

 

Well, the weather outside is frightful

But my god, it’s so delightful

And since there is no need to go out

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

 

Californians are freaked, they’re alarmin’

They’re convinced Armageddon is a-comin’

But this is just like home for me

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

 

Cherry Hill Blvd is closed, it’s a bummer

But this could be a Parkdale in the summer

And I’ve no desire to go afar

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Umm…I meant, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.   

One year Later

 

Ukraine still stands tall!

Cleopatra in all her glory!

 

Protected by Augustus to keep the asps away!

Jimmy and Roslynn,

As I hear the news that Jimmy has opted for hospice, my heart aches and goes out to you this evening.

Jimmy, I support your decision to dictate how the remainder of your life is lead: Rosslyn, I can only try to guess what it is like to face this reality with your partner of 76 years.

You both have my admiration for your advocacy through The Carter Center. You have made the world a better place.

Really off the wall news flash:

 Havre de Grace is the "Decoy Capitol of the World."

Yeehaw, makes you wanna just jump in your pick-up and head off to Havre de Grace, don't it! I mean what could be more totally awesome.

Okay, the Havre de Grace Museum of Decoys does have the worlds largest collection of wooden duck decoys, most hand carved between 1930 and 1960. That sounds pretty cool.

Maybe an all-inclusive sib trip!!!

(Meaning everyone is welcome, whether a sib or not.)

In the deep throws of winter.

 I awoke this morning to what is (so far) our coldest morning of winter. It was (drum roll and cymbal crash) freakishly cold at 25°.

BRRRR!!!!

Us Southern Californians are not used to such incredibly frigid temperatures. I had to build a very temporary greenhouse for Cleopatra, my beloved papyrus plant, but the rest of my flora just had to cope with the extreme climate or die. I don’t think any of them were seriously impeded, but I will have to keep an eye on Minnie, my China Doll plant. I probably should have covered her to avoid any frost issues, but I didn’t.

It should be noted that I am usually careful to ensure that my plants are climate appropriate. My two exception are Cleo, who doesn’t like to drop below 40°, (okay papyrus is native to the Nile Delta, where it doesn’t drop below 40°) and my rhubarb plant, Rutger. Rhubarb has no business being in the Southern California desert during the summer. But oddly enough, he is surviving (yes, Rutger needs special attention all summer, but he loves the winters here).