Saturday Sanity: The Antidote to the Madness (March 28, 2009) First Hummingbird and First Cactus Flower!; Wisconsin Robin; Happy Birthday, TORO the Dog!; Trooper Shows Off)

~~By InsightAnalytical-GRL

Just because we’ve been enjoying some great spring weather lately (although the last couple of days have been cool and windy), it doesn’t mean there aren’t signs of spring in other places, too.

Kenosha Marge sent in this report from way up north in Wisconsin after reading last week’s Saturday Sanity:

SO and I have seen a couple of Robins the past few days and were getting that “Spring Is Coming Soon” spring in our step. Yes, yes I know that the offical first day of Spring was Friday the 20th. That’s what the calendar says. When a Robin is in your backyard birdbath and on one of your backyard bird feeders that really means Spring is coming. Or maybe not. Here’s some expert who just had to rain on my parade.

Steve Lewis of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Division of Migratory Birds in Minneapolis said some robins in northern Wisconsin might have come south from Canada, “but they’re not birds that are coming back early from their wintering areas.”

Some may wonder how a bird weighing under 3 ounces can survive in a climate that can drop below zero degrees without warning.

For robins and other winter birds, it’s simply a matter of sprouting a few more down feathers for extra insulation and finding a steady source of food.

Frozen ground means no worms and frozen air inhibits crowds of insects, so robins and other birds like cedar waxwings will seek out fruit from crabapple trees and other berries still hanging on branches.

If they can keep their stomachs full, they see no reason to leave, said Dick Verch, a retired DNR employee who organizes the annual Christmas bird count for the Chequamegon Audubon Society.

“If you look at a lot of the fruiting trees – mountain ash and others – they still have fruit on them, and very often at this time of the year they’ve been stripped by birds,” Verch said. “That’s an indication there’s a good quantity of food, so maybe as the birds went into the winter with a lot of food around them, it kept them here.”
Verch said participants in the 2008 count spotted 76 robins – 56 more than the previous record of 20, set in 2004.

A few weeks ago folks in in WI were doing this...

Last week...a Wisconsin Robin!

While we’re on the subject of our animal buddies, I thought I’d share a pic of  Toro, our first dog, who turns 10 on March 31st!  Happy Birthday, TORO!  With spring in the air, Toro has taken a fancy to eating al fresco!

Birthday Boy Toro

Here’s an update on TROOPER, my betta fish.  Over the last few weeks he seems to have really “grown up” in his behavior….he’s gotten larger and more aggressive about going after his food. He’s probably reached maturity and he certainly is robust in health, especially since I change him every 4 days!  I picked up a calendar at my State Farm office which feature golf courses…and the greens and traps seem to bring out Trooper’s colors very nicely.  He’s such a dark blue that he needs the contrast to be seen at his best!

Trooper likes to hang out at the 18th hole...

Disappointing news…I’ve had to give up hope that I could entice Mario, the runaway chihuahua. The food was being eaten by birds, so it seems Mario is gone.  Best of luck, little guy…

But, some good news…On Tuesday (3/24) I was buzzed. A few moments later I saw my first hummingbird of the season!  The feeder is up and it looks like it’s being used.

The desert plants are beginning to wake up and within a couple of short days, the cactus in the front yard started blooming!

Cactus flower

The NM privet that was flowering last week is now leafing out and the larger privet in the front yard is also starting to show some leaves.

Backyard NM privet

The peach, fig, pomegranate and apricots are all continuing to bud out and the baby figs and peaches are really growing fast.  And my oldest grape vine is really starting to rev up:

Flame grape

Finally, here’s a shot of my garden beds with a lot of the plants waiting for transplanting under the sun shade. I cover them at night because it still gets chilly and the wind over the last few days dries things out in a very short time.  By the way, I found Ichiban eggplant and those fantastic pimiento peppers this week, so I can’t wait to get all these wonderful things into the ground!!

Waiting for a little less wind...

Hope spring is happening wherever you are!

I’ve Been Tagged…So Here Are Six Things About Me….

A few days ago (or was it MANY days ago…I forget, I’m losing track of time these days), I was TAGGED by our ex-pat in Italy (my ancestral homeland), American Indy in Italy….

Which means I have to write 6 things about myself and write to 6 other people. I’m going to include the crew at IA in this, too, just to cover all the bases here at IA.  I’ve probably broken the chain, but here goes:

1) I graduated #1 in my class in Automotive Technology back in the mid-80′s and then was given jobs like fixing water leaks on convertibles instead of the money jobs like brakes.  See how long my being pissed goes back??? (and it goes back even further, believe me!) (At least to my undergrad and graduate student days at Cornell and Rutgers School of Library and Information Studies, which is now called something else…)

2) I really love COOKING!  My latest kick is watching Gillian McKeith on BBC America. The show is “You Are What You Eat” and it is brilliant!  The one recipe that I have adopted with gusto is here Sweet Potato Pie Pizza….that crust is AMAZING!!  I top it with greens like fresh-from-the garden steamed mustard, kale or collards, or stir-fry up some broccoli and top the crust with that and lots of olive oil and garlic.   I’m making it tonight!!

3) I’ve gardened for at least 25 years and really got into it while recovering from foot surgery. I read lots of books since I couldn’t walk for awhile.  I had a huge garden in Jersey complete with a Troy-built rototiller. I canned tomatoes for the whole winter.  I’ve had to re-learn everything for the Southwest (high desert) and have two raised beds (about 3 feet high) to spare my back (had surgery 9 years ago).  You can see pictures of my winter garden on this site in various places.  I planted more lettuce yesterday, by the way.

4) My doggies and betta fish are my babies. Toro, the oldest and the one we bought via the vet, a chi but with lots of rat terrier in him (a “deer chi”).  Tico, who is probably a mix of chi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and Slick, the min pin rescued from the street.  The fish is still unnamed and I could use a  few suggestions.  I’m trying to learn chess, and still listen to shortwave radio.  But I’ve just found a new site that I will be writing about that is really great…foreign TV!  My favorite TV channel is Turner Classic Movies, especially anything they air that’s pre-1970.  Preferably black and white.

5) I lived in London during the mid-80′s and made a lot of trips there before and after that experience (and the rest of Europe, too, including behind the Iron Curtain, including a foray alone into East Berlin). I had a work permit and had a blast working around London. I also attended Vidal Sassoon to perfect my haircutting (I had graduated from a local “academy” and got a work permit for the UK since I had been a student at 35!)  The only time I ever got sick traveling was when I went to Paris for a quick few days. On the train to the Hovercraft, it started.  So, I actually got sick in London, not from the traveling!!  I had also planned to go to Moscow and Leningrad and had my tickets all set from the official tourist bureau…but Chernobyl blew up.  The Russians decided to refund my money….I guess I was caught in the radioactive cloud as I walked around Kew Gardens that day…

6) I started inviting folks to contribute to the blog and wound up with the crew you see on the sidebar! Kenosha Marge is a really talented seamstress!  Grail Guardian is a history buff and works with computers!  American Lassie has worked in the tax field!  And Leslie works in a Chicago hospital setting and is a long sufferer as she deals with the media there!

So now I have to write to 6 bloggers…I don’t know who’s been tagged, but I’ll find some folks and tag them as soon as I eat lunch!!!

Welcome to…THE IA INAUGURATION DAY SAFE-ZONE!

By InsightAnalytical-GRL and the entire crew…

Welcome to our playground today!  Pleasant diversions, good thoughts, & good friends make it the perfect getaway today!

We’ve got several places to play: with the dogs and fish; in the outdoors; and in our minds with words, from us at IA and some sharp folks like Ambrose Bierce (Who? you’ll find out!).  We’ll provide links to the appropriate pages so you can enjoy ALL the pics!

But before we get to the above…

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE CAM FOR A SPECIAL MESSAGE from my betta fish!! He’s ready to FIGHT and has a special message for YOU!!  And while you’re visiting…if you have a  suggestion about what I should name him…PLEASE leave your it in a comment!!! (CAM goes live at about 7 AM MT.)

(1/21/09) Note to latecomers: the fish had a sign up saying: RESIST!

Link to the CAM here!

We’ll start with some pictures to lift your spirits…which means, of course…DOGS!!!

Slick models his “Superman Cape”…

Superman Slick

More dog pics HERE!

Now, let’s feast on some wonderful scenery!

Last week I went out for a rare later afternoon walk with lazy-bones Tico and saw one of the most stunning sunsets I’ve ever seen here in NM…and believe me, I’ve seen many.  I ran back to get my camera….Here’s a few of a series (more sunset pictures and other outdoor shots if you follow the link below.)

Sunset January 8, 2009 19:06

Sunset January 8, 2009 19:07

More sunsets and other pics of of open range and winter garden veggies HERE!

Finally, we have some words to reflect on!

We’d like to start with some great snarky quotations from Ambrose Bierce’s classic book, “The Devil’s Dictionary.” According to the booksleeve blurb, the dictionary “was begun in a weekly paper in 1881 and continued on and off until 1906…[and] shows Bierce as one of our great wits, the first American “Black Humorist” and one of most uncompromising satirists…”  And you may know him as the author of “Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” one of the great American short stories.  More from The Ambrose Bierce site:

AMBROSE BIERCE (June 24,1842–?) Ohio-born writer and journalist who vanished in 1913 while attempting to join Pancho Villa in Mexico. Acclaimed for his Civil War and supernatural stories, as well as for his legendary wit, best appreciated by reading his Devil’s Dictionary. Bierce suffered no fools, spared no enemies, and spat in the face of man-made gods and those who prayed to them. His definition of astrology: “The science of making the dupe see stars.” Except for H. L. Mencken, Bierce’s intellectual heir, there’s never been a man of letters like Ambrose Bierce. His fate’s not only a mystery, but he remains an enigma.

Here is some of Bierce that I’ve selected for today!!

Coronation, n. The ceremony of investing a sovereign with the outward and visible signs of divine right to be blown skyhigh with a dynamite bomb.

Corporation, n. An ingenious device for obtaining indivdual profit without individual responsiblity.

Cynic, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a cynic’s eyes to improve his visition.

Delusion, n. The father of a most respectable family, comprising Enthusiasm, Affection, Self-denial, Faith, Hope, Charity and many other goodly sons and daughters.

Liberty, n. One of Imagination’s most precious possessions.

Politics, n. A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.

Politician, n. An eel in the fundamental mud upon which the super-structure of organized society is reared. When he wriggles he mistakes the agitation of his tail for the trembling of the edifice.  As compared with the statesman, he suffers the disadvantage of being alive.

Presidency, n. The greased pig in the field game of American politics.

President, n. The leading figure in a small group of men of whom–and of whom only–it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President.

Prevaricator, n. A liar in the caterpillar state.

Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. Specifically, in American history, the substitution of the rule of an Administration for that of a Ministry, whereby the welfare and happiness of the people were advanced a full half-inch. Revolutions are usually accompanied by a considerable effusion of blood, but are accounted worth it–this appraisement being made by beneficiaries whose blood has not the mischance to be shed.

Zeal, n. A certain nervous disorder afflicting the young and inexperienced. A passion that goeth before a sprawl.***

****

Which leads us to our commentaries by IA writers, starting with a little ditty about AGE…

From Kenosha  Marge via friend Donna

Are You Feeling Old?

1977: Long hair
2008: Longing for hair
1977: KEG
2008: ECG
1977: Acid rock
2008: Acid reflux
1977: Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2008: Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
1977: Seeds and stems
2008: Roughage
1977: Going to a new, hip joint
2008: Receiving a new hip joint
1977: Rolling Stones
2008: Kidney Stones
1977: Screw the system
2008: Upgrade the system
1977: Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2008: Children begging you to get their heads shaved
1977: Passing the drivers’ test
2008: Passing the vision test
1977: Whatever
2008: Depends
Just in case you weren’t feeling too old today, this will certainly change things.
The people who are starting university this year were born in 1992.
They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
The CD was introduced the 3 years before they were born.
They have always had an answering machine
They have always had cable.
They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
They can’t imagine what hard contact lenses are.
They don’t know who Mork was or where he was from.
They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. even is.
They don’t have a clue how to use a typewriter.
Do you feel old yet? Pass this on to the other old fogies on your list. Notice the larger type, that’s for those of you who have trouble reading…
It is good to have friends who know about these things and are still alive and kicking!!!!

***

From American Lassie who muses on a couple of  women in power…
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY REMAIN THE SAME

My horoscope for Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 said “Reserve some time today to delve into a novel you’ve been dying to crack open”.

It just so happens that I received a book for Christmas that I’ve not taken time to begin reading yet, so I’ll do just that.

The title of the book is “The Other Queen” by Phillipa Gregory.  For those of you who are not yet familiar with her work, she is known as “the Queen of royal fiction”.  Her use of undisputed facts and the use of fiction based on her knowledge of these facts, makes her books a must read for addicts like me) of historical fiction.

“The Other Queen” is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots aka Mary Stuart.

Lately we’ve read a lot about the rivalry and betrayal of women by other women and the misogyny and patriarchy practiced during the past election cycle, but during this period in English History it ran rampant.

Mary, Queen of Scots (1542 – 1587) was the greatest rival of Queen Elizabeth l.  She became Queen of Scots when she was only six days old.  Scotland was ruled by regents during her youth  – including Mary’s mother – Mary of Guise.  Mary Stuart was raised at the French royal court and married the heir to the French throne.  She was left a widow at the age of eighteen.

She returned to Scotland and began her period of personal rule over the country.  She married Henry Darnley, who, like Mary herself, was a descendant of the first Tudor King of England Henry Vll.  After the murder of Lord Darnley, Mary fled to England – supposedly under the protection of Elizabeth l, but actually she was betrayed by Elizabeth and confined for twenty years.  After unsuccessful attempts to re-capture the Scottish throne, and alternating conspiracies against Elizabeth, she was put to death in 1587.  Various accounts have portrayed Mary as a romantic heroine and a martyr for her faith (she tried to seize the throne of England to restore the Catholic faith).  Others portray her as a political simpleton.  Poor Mary.  Throughout her life she seemed to put her trust in the wrong people.

An example of a powerful woman (Elizabeth) being threatened by another powerful woman (Mary).  This period in English history seems to abound with powerful women jealous of other such women.  Mary Tudor (Bloody Mary, Elizabeth’s half sister) was also always jealous of Elizabeth.

Will women ever learn?  Seems not.  I’ve read several books on this rivalry and am anxious to get into this one.  My opinion wavers from time to time as to which cousin (Elizabeth and Mary Stuart were cousins) I sympathize with but I admire them both.  Since I am of Scottish descent, I am always inclined to favor Mary Stuart.

Now on to my reading. This will be a nice departure from today’s world.

***

And some thoughts from Chicago Correspondent Leslie:

I just thought of something that I am likely to do (besides go on a cooking binge that night). I think I may start tonight  – I’m going to watch as much of “The West Wing” as I can. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll watch “The American President” or “Dave” or “Man of the Year” or even “In the Line of Fire”.  I want to see what a president that I could support, might look like. Or maybe I’ll find the tapes of Hillary Clinton at the debates and watch that. Or maybe, I’ll just curl up with a book and some tea, and read.  That sounds like a good idea.

I just know I cannot watch “history in the making” because it would be just like watching W when he stole the elections.

I didn’t watch those, either.

***

We hope you’ve enjoyed some of the excursions we’ve provided today!

PS–As the day winds down, you may find the courage to re-visit Grail Guardian’s own dictionary:  How To Communicate with an Obot: The **OFFICIAL** English to Obamese Dictionary

The Past Week: January 4-January 10, 2009 (Donor Fatigue among Obamacrats; Wes Clark; Ms. Magazine–Total Sellout; Tess; Street Numbers Man; “Grounding” with Harvesting; Betta Fish Drama)

~~By InsightAnalytical-GRL

It’s  just over a week before the Obama juggernaut is officially in office. I’m trying to put it out of my mind. Every morning my mother comes into the kitchen fresh from listening to the radio. She’s armed with the latest news.  I usually know about it, but the little report from my “mother-who-doesn’t-like-Bush-anymore-but-still-defends-him” always manages to get me bugged. And no matter how many times I tell her I don’t want to hear it, I wind up hearing it because she thinks it’s a delightful game to taunt me about the demise of the Democratic Party…the REAL Democratic Party.

***

Chicago Correspondent Leslie sent this along…the SHOCKING NEWS that Obama has actually sent out an email message WITHOUT asking for money!

The LA Times “Top of the Ticket” blog snarks:

Breaking: Obama sends national e-mail with NO plea for money!

This is no Friday joke.

Word has just been received at The Ticket that President-elect Barack Obama sent out an actual e-mail today without asking for more money from tired donors. No, really.

The N.Y. Times’ Katharine Seelye recently reported growing donor fatigue among eager and happy Obamaites to whom it has occurred that they’ve already given nearly $1 billion to buy all this change to believe in, even many long weeks after the ex-freshman senator won the White House already.

See the rest of the story on the $$ that Obama has raked in, including post-election,  as well as details on the email that was sent out in praise of “ideal leader” Tim Kaine after he was named part-time DNC head–without any begging for cash.  Bush also appointed a part-time party chair because he had Karl Rove hanging around in the White House.  Obama is following the same pattern, but we’ve got David Axelrod pulling the puppet strings now.  Big change, huh?

Anyway, doesn’t this pair inspire you??

Obama & Kaine, Perfect Together

As for Kaine, I recall how often he campaigned in Virginia to get Kaine elected governor of Virginia and how I already had misgivings about Kaine  (I was separating myself from Clark by then.)  By the way, what’s Clark up to now?

***

Well, after campaigning for Obama he made appearances on the Stephanie Miller and Ed Schultz shows in late November. More recently, he wrote a column for the Washington Post entitled “Taking Command“  [12/21/2008] discussing how Democrats and the military can get along. His message concludes:

We have a president-elect who has set out a pragmatic, nonpartisan, visionary course. It’s time to lay to rest the old stereotypes about feckless, pacifist Democrats and authoritarian, war-mongering soldiers. If there were ever a time to get the relationship between Democrats and the military right, this is it.

Clark brownies up everyone in sight and now he’s following Obama and embracing “nonpartisanship” and Obama’s VISION.  Clark mentions “authoritarian soldiers”–I guess he doesn’t see that characteristic in his new “leader”?? To think I once actually worked for his campaign for President…

***

Recently, we’ve posted quite a few entries about women and the treatment we receive, so Ms. Magazine’s cover on their “Inaugural Issue” really turned our stomachs.  Heidi Li broke the news on Friday.  Go over to her site read her story, but I’m posting  the cover art here just to give you an idea of why she (and we) are so aghast!  The hits just keep coming…Honest to Goddess, are these people NUTS???

Delusion or Dementia??

***

Tonight (1/11) is the concluding segment of the BBC production of  Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the D’ubervilles” (link takes you to the BBC site).  Part 1 was SO DEPRESSING, especially in light of what women have put up with this year.  I almost can’t bear to watch Part 2.  Let me tell you, we’re heading back to Tess’ world at the rate we’re going…

***

UPDATE on The Man Who Paints Street Numbers…(Final Installment in Our “Season of the Heart” Series) (1/1/09)

I emailed the story and link to the local “Life” reporter on Monday 1/5 as planned…but still, no response!!!  Fingers still crossed …

***

Enough news, it’s onto more important things like gardens and betta fish!  Seriously, without the plants and the dogs and fish, I think I’d go nuts myself.  There’s nothing more “grounding” than harvesting fresh broccoli, feeding the birds, and loving the family fauna.

The pak choi was eaten last week and I’ve got to plant something else one of these days. Today I had delicious collards and harvested a second batch of  broccoli. Tomorrow it will be steamed, then sauteed with garlic and olive oil and served with pasta.  Oh, that’s SUBLIME!   The mustard is still going strong after multiple cuttings…nothing better than steamed mustard drizzled with olive oil, topping a sweet potato pizza crust that’s been baked with olive oil and garlic.  Amazing!

Betta Drama

The betta looked sickly a few days ago and I did tons of research. Bought a Master Kit for testing the water and did a few partial water changes and he’s looking 100% better.  There’s a lot of conflicting info out there on bettas, tanks and how to keep them clean…the stumbling block for me was the issue of cycling the tank (mine is probably too small to do it correctly) versus just changing the water the old-fashioned way. I’ve mastered the vacuum so today the partial change I did took only about 15 minutes.   I’m doing several until the ammonia levels reach “O”  and then will clean the tank the old-fashioned way and forget about cycling.   The cam is back on betta (still haven’t named him!) since he is back to acting like a happy fish, so he’ll be featured during the evenings.  The camera angle catches the doorway and you might catch the dogs wandering in an out, too!

THE PAST WEEK

*By American Lassie

Obama “Media Advisory”: Groups Being Used to Build Public Pressure for “Recovery Plan”

Used Body Parts (Female)

Women in Power: The Example of Prime Ministers in Bangladesh, “A No-Casserole Zone”

Make Your Plans for Inauguration Day NOW!! Important Info on Alternate Events to Help Get Through the Day!!

*KING HARRY SAYS “HE’S NOT WELCOME” (UPDATE 1X) Burris Stopped by “Paperwork”

The Past Week: December 28, 2008-January 3, 2009 (Court Dates; Barnicle on Bloggers; Burris-Delmarie Cobb Connection [Clinton Supporter]; Economic Collapse; The Feeding Machine)