Friday

0617. Another day, another sunrise.

Today I did stuff. I made 15 cranes while listening to an audiobook. That would be multiprocessing. And I sorted out some accounting data that Quicken had messed up for me. I didn’t need to fix the accounting issue. It was messed up. But it really wasn’t important. Except to me. I like my accounting to be tidy.

The first rose of summer.

We hear much about “The last rose of summer.” What about the first rose of summer?

Yes, this is from 47’s online store.

1366 Days and 21 Hours Until 47 leaves.

0613. Silky smooth sunrise.

Like yesterday, I did stuff today. And like yesterday, I have nothing to show for it. But, I feel like I accomplished something today. I just don’t know what it is.

Princess Tree – Paulownia tomentosa an interesting but pesky tree.

The Asylum has at least one of these trees on the grounds. I know that I am not supposed to like the Paulownia. It’s very invasive. But I am not supposed to like the parrots in Hawai’i either. They are very invasive.

I like the parrots.

All righty there. A more manly military?

I took a nice long walk this morning. Trying to stay in shape so I can make as many protests as possible. It’s past time for action.

Wednesday

Weird stuff happens at The Asylum.

Did stuff all day. But nothing was accomplished. Tomorrow is another day.

Graditude

0635. Nice sunrise. A grand way to start off the day.

I folded some paper before breakfast.

The hardest origami paper I ever folded.

The largest crane was the hard paper. If found it stashed away in a box with “good” papers. Well, damn it, it’s past time to use the good stuff. Even the “hard good” stuff. I think the three will make a nice string of 3 cranes.

Gratitude

    1. Grateful for a nice warm, sunny day.
    2. Grateful that I can still get to the yoga class I have attended for over a decade.
    3. Grateful that when yoga class is over I can hoof it to the dentist that’s a mile away in less than 20 minutes.
    4. Grateful that the dentist didn’t find anything that he needed to fix.
    5. Grateful that the bus to bring me home was waiting at the stop. 
    6. Grateful that I could have taken Uber if I missed the bus.

It has been a fine day. In my own little personal bubble. Outside the bubble. Not good. It’s past time for action.

Damn. That shit is still here.

Spring.

Damn. That shit is still here. I enjoyed 24 hours with my head buried in the sand. And guess what? When I popped up, the batshit crazy man is still running the country into ruin. And my investment portfolio – AKA what I live on – continues to erode.

That wasn’t particularly refined and grandmotherly, was it? Well, I did think my granddaughters would have fewer rights than I had, either. 

Easter at The Asylum.

Nothing says Easter like a frog doing a yoga headstand.

Shared Easter Brunch with the Asylum Family. Lox, Bagels, Cheesecake.

Walked 4.5 miles. Took a nap. Folded Paper. Meeting up with most of the Asylum family to finish Thursday’s birthday cake soon. A fine day.

As long as I keep my head in the sand.

1962 Buick Skylark showed up outside The Asylum today. 
Happy Easter.

 

Warm gray spring day.

I can convince myself that I am walking in the woods.

I seek refuge in imagination, pretending the concrete walk is a woodland escape and that our republic’s current nightmare isn’t real. Unfortunately, reality bites back – the path is concrete, the nightmare undeniable.

But look closely: there are sparks of resistance, small signs that ‘we the people’ are beginning to organize, even if Congress remains inert and the Courts’ judgments uncertain. This reminds me of Tolkien’s exchange between Frodo and Gandalf. Frodo wished the darkness hadn’t fallen in his time, and Gandalf agreed, adding the essential truth: “…All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

That decision point is here. People, crucially including younger generations, are starting to decide what to do. The real weight of the coming struggle will fall on the shoulders of the 20-to-60-year-olds. While figures like Angus King and Bernie Sanders lead in their way, they are just two elderly individuals. Note well that these two old white men are neither Democrat nor Republican. But simply Americans.

Aloha Friday – No work ’til monday.

It’s Easter at The Asylum.

It’s Friday, so it’s Happy Hour. And it’s another Birthday for one of the Asylum family members. That means cake, ice cream, and snarky cards. Old people are a lot like 6-year-olds when it comes to birthdays. We are a lot like 6-year-olds in many ways.

I have the bestest great-grandkids! (Photo Credit – Honolulu Zoo)

The oldest grand and one of her kiddos. An African porcupine.

I am terrified about the coming months. But, just for today… I am trying to be calm. 

Happy 90th Birthday Mr C

Somewhere in Tahiti, ca 1990.

Carlton and I never celebrated birthdays or holidays, but we had a fantastic time along the way. Every day was a gift, especially during his last year when we finally understood that nobody is promised tomorrow. 

As a widow, my spouse never ages, so Carlton is still 79. He rides his bike every day, plays singles tennis three times a week, and gently nudges me in a better direction. 

I am struggling to accept the new America. I often wonder what Carlton would say about these times. The new America is wearing me out. 

Wednesday

Origami for the door.

Messed around with some origami today. Still looking for something to fold to sell in the fall to make money for the Asylum Foundation. I give them more than enough money but this seems to be “important” because I have to do more than tell my Charitable Trust to send money to The Asylum Foundation.

OOPS! It was very windy yesterday.

But summer is on the way.

A sure sign that summer is coming. The pool across the street is ready for action.

Goodness knows what this summer will bring. I don’t want to stay home. But, I am not too willing to go heading off across the world. I can not imagine that Americans will be very welcome anywhere except in Russia.

A surprise email

Fra Carlton. He must have been playing in our dress-up box. 4/15/2006

One of Carlton’s best friends sent this photo – to Carlton’s email address – this afternoon. I can only assume that this was Carlton’s Easter outfit since Easter was on April 16 in 2006.  

Here is the history of the outfit: Blog Entry Mar 24, 2006
The hat was mine. As I recall, it was a reproduction Civil War Era boys’ hat.

Today, I went to yoga via Zoom because our teacher was at the beach. I also made lentil and leftover soup. That’s enough. Oh, and I didn’t kill anyone. YET. The day isn’t over yet. 

Monday

0647. Sweet Sunrise.

Today I am tired. For no reason, I am tired. I treated myself to a nap this afternoon. Zero was accomplished today.

Spring.

OK, here is a plan. There’s 35minutes before dinner. I will cull and catalog photos for 25 of those minutes.