Some nice morning clouds again today, before it clears and supposedly heats up in the afternoon... except the forecasted temperature is 72° and it only gets up to 68°. So that's even better.

There's a couple of squirrels right out the door... but today both of them are uncooperative!

I'm at the Community Garden and the construction guys and their dog are here, looks like they are just putting the finishing touches on the fence and the new gates!

At last! The work started in mid-March and was supposed to be done on April 1. A month late. I guess it could be worse.

I've brought the Striped German Tomato in the backpack today...

Oh, nevermind those liquor bottles, there! haha, they actually make really good markers... if you stick them in the ground upside down, they can be bumpers for the hose!

oh, haha. While I was looking at the House Finches across the way, I didn't realize this Lesser Goldfinch was standing right above me!

Just curious about what I'm doing!

Okay! Getting to work! I've got the Striped German in the ground.

Most of the right side of the garden plot...

Okay, that's mostly 'weeds' *laughs* But look how lush the Elephant Garlics are!

The Striped German is to the left of them, near that patch of clover. And you can just barely see the SunGold at bottom right, near the Beet that is bolting.

And the brown above the garlics is the new right side neighbors... they've got some potatoes growing there! I'm glad they are doing something! The rest of their plot is starting to get weedy again

But in my plot... I think this might be a Salsify seedling!!!

Yay! I was starting to wonder if anything was going to happen with those seeds! I do hope this isn't the only one... but at least I've got one!

And next to it, the Echinacea that Roz gave me is getting underway!

The smallest Black Cherry Tomato has died, and the other small one is struggling... but I think it will pull thru.

And the bigger two are getting settled.

I just can't get enough of these beautiful dark leaves!

And when I was planting the Striped German, I looked up and saw another Columbine!!

Ha! I never even noticed the leaves growing here next to the Clover! and how did it get to the other side of the plot? From seed, maybe? That's exciting! I am happy to welcome it to the plot!

I wander down an aisle before I leave. This Geranium plant is pretty and cheerful.

I was walking towards the front and Kevin turned around from locking the gate and said, oops, I locked you in!

I laughed and said, well, now I'll have to wander around a little more. And I pointed out these beautiful irises!

Too bad for all the junk in the background...

But these almost black Irises are absolutely stunning!!

I stop by the Flicker nest hole before going home.

It's been all quiet here as well...

It might mean the Flickers aren't here. OR!
It might mean the Flickers ARE here, and are sitting on eggs and being quiet!

Anybody in there???!

Tag: may 2026

To be unnaturally warm today at 83° and the forecast for the rest of the week says mid and upper-70s. Sighs. Normal is 66° and I'm going to the garden to water seeds and new plants.

Out the door, Haha! I was just amused to get two squirrels in the frame!

I go into the Community Garden and Oh Yay! Someone has extra tomato starts and has left them as freebies on the picnic table!

Black / Purple Cherry

Oh, happy coincidence!! I had been wanting some kind of purple tomato this year!! I was actually wanting a full size tom, but I will take what is given!!

There are four plants in this little pot, and they are all a little pathetic and starting to wilt in the sun.

I'm able to separate out the smaller two plants, but hmm, I'm not sure they will live.

The bigger two plants' roots are so intertwined I decide to keep them together. And look at their gorgeous dark leaves!!

These two little tomato plants are giving me happy vibes and I'm sure they will live. And I'm excited to have them.

And while I was watering the Basil seeds under the big trellis, I noticed a little volunteer...

Well, the rest of the seedlings are Borage, but this one...

Looks like a Sunflower!

I am always delighted with volunteer plants! This one is almost perfectly centered under the big trellis... and I have to wonder what it's going to do when it gets tall enough to hit the top of the trellis. I have had some dwarf varieties of Sunflowers, and the trellis is 4feet tall.

But... this is just a baby, and maybe I shouldn't worry about it's future quite yet!

I stop at the pollinator garden on the way out.

And then I realize a couple people are walking behind me and staring at me with the flowers. sheesh. As I stand up, I think Roz planted those. Aren't they pretty?

My friend Roz! He's awesome. Unfortunately, I'm so discombobulated from the people looking at me, all I can manage is Oh. Yeah.

*laughs* and *rolls eyes at self*

I go up to Dragonfly Land and see the Minnows are out again!

And then, ducklings everywhere!

Thirteen babies!

One goes wandering off!

12 babies.

And then the wayward child rejoins the group! (number 13 is behind mama's head!)

Haha... it looks like this little guy tripped on the water and fell over!

The other day I read this and had to do somethng about it.

∞ My Favorite Abortion So many to choose from

What a prick, right?

I'm sending a couple postcards.

Translation: Representative Gil,
My favorite kind of abortion is the one that is legal and safe, accessible and affordable. My other favorite kind of abortion is the one that is healthcare -- ALL of them -- and between me and my doctor only and none of your business!
Sincerely, rift v.

It was so very hard to not say None of your fucking business! And Look! I didn't even say Damn Business!

*laughs*

Tag: may 2026

We've got morning clouds again that are set to clear and be warmer in the afternoon. It's a nice trend, with the clouds, and I could definitely get used to it even tho the rest of the day is climate change hot.

On my way out, I stop to admire the Fuchsias I rescued!

And then I'm off to the Community Garden... I want to water the dirt over the seeds I've planted this week!

And Yay! The SunGold has perked up...

I was so worried about it. It was not happy with the walk in the backpack, and then it was droopy when I planted it in the dirt, and then it was colder last night than I thought it would be. But, as I said, SunGolds are pretty tough!

I'm looking around as I water and I found a squash seedling in the Snap Pea Patch!

Ha, it helpfully still has it's seed casing attached, so I know it's a squash. Sometimes it's hard to tell squashes from the borage when they first pop up.

Last year, the Crooknecks were growing here, so that's probably what this will turn out to be... Tho who knows how it will get along with the Snap Peas!

And this thing is growing behind the small trellis. I don't know what it is, it might be a tree, but those leaves are so cute!

Kevin is here, working in his plot behind mine and we chat a little bit.

He has been worried because he feels he's been seeing less birds this spring, and yeah, I have to agree with that. It's just a feeling, and I could double check it by looking at my photos from last year to see how many birds I found every day and comparing the numbers... But I kinda don't want to know.

But today Kevin happily announces that he's seen some Bluebirds this morning!

And I mention that it's such a shame that we lost our Bluebird nesting boxes when they tore down the old fence.

But Kevin had good news for that as well! He was talking to our other Community Garden Volunteer, Ashley, and she said a local Girl Scout troop was going to make us some new nesting boxes!

Yay! That's brillant! And then he added, Oh, but that will probably be for next year? Yeah, I replied, they need time to think about it. :)

I am going to do a garden walkabout, since there's not too many gardeners around. But before I leave my plot, I'm looking at the Lettuces...

See that? Zero slug munchings. I transplanted the Lettuces last Saturday and they've been in the ground for a week. A WEEK! And the slugs haven't munched them to death?

The slugs will come. But this extra time, for the Lettuces to get their roots established, and maybe even grow a little? This extra time might just give them the edge for when the slugs do start munching... like they might live thru it.

I might actually have a salad.

Okay. Let's not make hope here. Move on! Garden Walkabout!

Oh, little friend Crab Spider... you aren't very camoflauged with this flower!

And the Bluebirds are here, just like Kevin said! But is the camera doing anything about it? No.

Heh. I keep trying, and eventually the camera gets the focus right.

There's some House Finches too!

And I'm out for a walk up the bike path... all quiet at the new Downy Woodpecker nest hole.

An Anna Hummingbird's song makes me look up.

heh. He keeps fluttering up there... proably annoyed that the sun isn't out to show off his beautiful colours.

His tiny little legs and feet!

Oh my gosh! The West Leaning Tree Sapling is alive!!!

I swing back around to the bike path and the creek. And... Oh WOW!

These Barn Swallows are gathering mud for their nest!!!

So Awesome! And there's a bridge right here... If I watch where they fly next, I'll be able to see approximately where they are building.

And then... I sneeze! Stupid pollen! And when I look up again, the birds are nowhere to be seen.

Well. It was pointless to know where they are building the nest, anyway. There's no way to get under the bridge to see... the way down from the bike path is steep and of course the bank at the creek is muddy and perilous.

But lovely to see them in the process, anyway. I wonder if these parents are ones I've watched before, further downstream. It's quite possible.

And a Song Sparrow at Dragonfly Land!

So very happy with the good variety of birds I've seen today. Tho it doesn't reassure me very much. We are killing our precious bugs, and the precious birds will follow in suit.

∞ The Biggest Attack on Abortion Since the End of Roe
A federal court wants to end mifepristone by mail

Oh, blue states will continue to send pills to red states. But this is a disguisting state of affairs.

Tag: may 2026

Grey and overcast this morning, which makes for a much nicer walk out to the garden... tho it's to get up to 71° this afternoon.

How the Sungold traveled...

*laughs* It's actually not very happy at the moment. I put it in the ground and it's still not very happy, altho it looks okay from this angle.

Sungolds are pretty tough. It will probably be fine.

I've also brought some seeds to plant. I thought the cloudy day would be a good one for seeds.

Beets, Basil, Lemon Cucs and the other one that's covered up is Armenian Cucumbers. Something different. If they grow.

I don't have a lot of luck with seeds. But I have hopes.

I walk around the block before I go home. No activity at the completed Downy Woodpecker nest hole.

I was looking over the books I got at the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale.

And I have Concerns!!

ha. Apparently the one non-fiction book I got, Rambunctious Garden, is NOT a garden book but is a nature and ecology book... and the reviews point out bad science and reportedly E.O. Wilson hates it in one of his books AND a real life botanist has problems with it too.

So this is super interesting to me. I am rather glad that as a used book, none of my money went to the author. um, I just don't want to support non-real science, or an opinion that damages or degrades nature, you know?

And I'm kind of looking forward to reading it... like... How much will I hate it??! HA! Will I be able to finish it? Will I write so many notes in disagreement that I'll have my own book at the end?

We'll See! :)

Yay Books! And Yes... Yay even to the books we disagree with!!

Tag: may 2026

There's some high clouds this morning and it's just kinda hazy. The forecast says 75° which is ridiculous. Ten degrees over the normal of 65° for this time of year. Stupid climage change.

Going past the Community Garden, the two guys and the big white dog are here... which is Unbelievable! It's Thursday! This is NOT one of their working days.

So that's interesting.

And the Downy Woodpeckers?

Hmm. I pause here for a minute, but don't hear any more tapping, and don't see anyone either.

They must be finished!

Okay. So Woodpeckers generally make a couple or more nest holes every spring, and then they choose their favorite location. This one, straight up from the bike path is def not ideal... but you never know.

I will add this to my list of nest areas to check!

*laughs* two things make a list, right? The other one is the Flicker hole in the tall stump behind the wood fence.

I'm going by the Leaning Tree Saplings, and the west tree still hasn't woken up from the winter.

sighs. At least the other two are fine!

Babies!!!

Just the three. How adorable!

haha, I didn't notice the Ant walking along!

Oh, isn't this a lovely spot!

I don't know what the pink flowers are.

These are an interesting colour!

And beyond them...

Walking home, and I happen to notice the grass!

huh. Probably making people sneeze.

Tag: april 2026

I'm looking at the forecast for the rest of the week and into the weekend, and it's all WELL above normal. We've got mid-70s, an 81° for Sunday. And all the over night temperatures are upper 40s and low 50s.

Normal is 64/42.

But if I'm stuck with warmer temps, I'm going to jam and get some SEEDS planted at the garden!

So I'm going thru my seed packets before I head out. *laughs* I've got them spread out all over my bedroom floor, I should have taken a photo, and Partner is all, is everything okay?

Well, besides the fact that the Brandywine seeds are from 2017, yes, I think everything is okay!

ha, it's way too late for Brandywine anyway! or any tomatoes, actually. So I've got a variety of Squash seeds packed in my backpack and heading out!

I get to the garden and oh my gosh, the two guys and the dog are here and it looks like they are working on the gates, finally!!

They said the gates wouldn't be ready to install until May or June, and I was actually thinking we wouldn't have gates finished until flippin' August or September!

Okay. I need to get the right side of the plot organized. All this dirt is the finished compost that I've hauled in and spread. The Strawberry Patch is at the top left there, in front of Kevin's raised beds...

The green plants in the middle are the Goldenrod patch and a healthy Dandelion that I need to remove because I'm going to put the small trellis for the Lemon Cucumbers right there.

I learned my lesson last year... I'm pretty blasé about 'weeds' and wildflowers that come up, but last year the Lemon Cucs got a bit choked from everything growing around them. Between that and the bug irruptions, I just didn't get many fruits last year.

So this year, I'm going to be Very Aggressive about everything growing around the Lemon Cucumbers!

Because I need those things to GROW! :)

The Dandelions bring up good nutrients with their tap root, so you can see I've just laid them down to return those nutrients to the soil!

And the dark spots are where I planted seeds for Patty Pans, Crooknecks and Spaghetti Squash!

The Sugar Snap Peas I transplanted are getting a little munched, but it's not bad!

I am NOT looking at the Lettuces, because they still remain un-munched. This can't last very long and I don't want to think about it.

So let's look at the cute little Sunflower instead!

What was it, again? Oh yeah. Firecracker.

And the lovely Columbine!

Hmm. Can we get a different angle here? Yeah!

That's the big trellis in the background, where I'll eventually have the Wax Beans.

I'm out and visiting the Downy Woodpeckers' tree. I'm disappointed to see no one at the door...

But Then!! A bunch of wood chips come flying out! Yay!

This has got to be the female, making the bowl of the nest perfect.

And then she's down in it for a minute or two... I can just barely hear her gentle tapping from the bottom of the nest!

And then she brings up another load of wood chips and they fly like confetti!

So Awesome!

I wander down to Dragonfly Land... oh, the Minnows have returned!

The photos are terrible. hmm. I don't remember... do I need to fiddle with the exposure? or what? Maybe it's just the fact that the water is deeper than the summer time levels.

And the first native Nootka Roses blooming!

ha, surrounded by invasives! The big leaves are Himalayan blackberries and the fern looking leaves are Poison Hemlocks.

And the latest from the PeaceHealth fiasco.

∞ Dr. Glaucomflecken... Corporate Medicine Is On Trial
Video: 3m 42s.

This is a great, quick explainer! I really love that channel! Basically Eugene Emergency Physicians are suing because the corporate company, Apollo, that will take over PeaceHealth ERs is probably illegal in Oregon due to a law created last year.

And an interesting addition to that video... the Apollo shell company they've created to try to get around the new law that Oregon has, is called Lane Emergency Physicians (Eugene is in Lane County)...

That shell company currently has ZERO emergency physicians associated with it! Bahaha! None! And this shell company is supposed to take over the Emergency Department, um, in June, I think? Not sure how they're going to do that when no doctors want to work for them!!

Tag: april 2026

Some morning clouds again. Yesterday the clouds had cleared later in the afternoon, and the forecast says the same for today. That's nice!

I go by the Community Garden and the guys with their dog are working on the fence again. *rolls eyes* Because, seriously. At this point, even if they had worked full weeks instead of just Mon, Tue, Wednesdays... They wouldn't have completed their work before the deadline (April 1) anyway.

It makes me wonder if ANY construction projects are completed when they say they'll be completed. Sheesh.
Moving on...

Yay! The Downy Woodpecker is still working on his nest hole!! The female yesterday must have given the Go Ahead to continue work here!!

Or maybe he's just stubborn! *laughs*

He's tossing out wood chips! They are so small, they float away on the breeze!

I'm kind of curious about those fungi on the side of the dead branch. They don't look like anythiing I've seen before.

This patch of Camas Lilies along the path in this tiny strip of wet prairie next to the bike path!

Oh, cool! I'm at the back of the Events Center and there's a Vulture swooping low and being mobbed by a single Crow!

Wow!

Crows mob Hawks because the Hawks would eat up the Crows eggs and babies, if they found a nest. There's no reason to mob a Vulture, but some Crows don't make the distinction between Hawks and Vultures.

I'm right at the Solidarity Garden so I stop to admire everything here!

And then I head around the block into the neighborhood.

There's still some blooms on this Chinese Witch Hazel!

Oh Crud!! These are Salsify!! The wildflower seeds I had planted in the garden plot.

I planted the seeds too late! They haven't even come up yet and here the wild ones are blooming already.

Shoot. I wonder if they will germinate at all, or if they need the cold? foo.

Well. Live and learn. If needs be, I can gather more wild seeds later and try again next year. I wonder how early I need to plant to get blooms in late April!

Oh, haha. I took that photo but didn't realize someone was there...

She's a beautiful Crab Spider! I didn't even know they came in different colours... I've only just seen white ones!

Coming back to the Woodpecker's tree... Wow, look how deep he's gotten!!

When I got home and came in the front door, I almost ran into the mainenance guy and his ladder. He was working on the light in the entry way, and had a couple other things to fix in the apartment.

He let me past and went to the upstairs bathroom to work on the blower. I got some food going while he was doing his thing.

When he was finishing up with all the chores, Partner asked if there was anything we could do to prevent the drain from getting clogged... I've currently got long hair and I shed like a nervous cat, so the drains just eventually get cloged.

I expected his reply to be something along the lines of This is my favorite brand of Drain-o, just dump some down every other week! or somesuch.

Instead. *grumbles at the mild misogyny* Instead he hems and haws for a few and then says, Well, you know. When there's a clump of hair in the sink, just wipe it out with a tissue.

I'm just wtf. Men. ALL YALL MEN. You think women are stupid, right? RIGHT? jhc.

Gah. Okay. Let me just rant here for a minute because Maybe MEN are too stupid to understand why this comment is so FUCKING GODDAMN Idiotic.

I've had long hair for most of my life. I prefer short hair but I'm lazy about getting it cut, okay? Because I shed, I comb my hair several feet away from the sink, and when I take a shower, I dry my hair outside the tub.

Because I have a fucking brain, I am able to connect my stupid shedding hair with the stupid clogged drain, so I do my very best to keep every single hair I can from going down the drain.

Right? Because! I do NOT particularly like maintenance guys coming into my apartment. So I actually do everything I can to prevent clogged drains.

AND ON TOP OF THAT... This guy thinks I'm too delicate and fragile to get the hair out of the sink, I have to use a tissue to do it?

Seriously. This sink. This sink that I cleaned with my fucking bare hands, my BARE HANDS, how many days ago. Just wait until he finds out that women clean toilets as well!!

*screaming*

And you know what else? I wasn't going to type about this, because I don't want to embarrass our maintenance guy, or any other maintenance guy who has said something similar. And I actually feel kind of bad and uncomfortable for saying anything!

But that's literally the patriarchy which is lodged in my head. And think about it... the guys aren't embarrassed anyway! They are all What? I didn't do anything!

And I am seriously wondering... I'm getting to the point where I think that ALL MEN think that women are stupid.

You men keep saying not all men. But I don't know. the bullshit women have to deal with? ALL the damn time? Yeah, I just don't know... how about you prove it? hmm?

Tag: april 2026

We've got some morning clouds, and to be a little bit cooler than it has been... Last few days the high has been 67° (19°C), a few degrees above the normal of 64.

I'm heading to the garden with a couple veggie starts in my backpack. But I'm really noticing the colours of the prairie today!

The yellows of the Western Buttercups, the small swaths of purple here and there, is the Camas Lilies, and some spring colours in the trees!

At the Community Garden, a couple of the construction guys are here, working on the fence some more. The fence that was due to be completed on April 1. *grumble*

That's the little tray of 6 Sugar Snap Peas I bought at Saturday Market, and the Sunflower is in there as well.

I glance around and Hmmm. That's weird. Look at the lettuces...

They are still in one piece. Not a single slug munch.

Well, maybe the slugs just need a day or two to find them. In the meantime... aren't they pretty! :)

I know, I know. Do not look at the lettuces. Do not get attached to the lettuces. Do not have hope for salad.

Well. I get the Snap Peas planted in the patch where the pea seeds are coming up...

This is a square in the front left of the plot. That's the Crocus leaves on the left and on the right a Dandelion growing with the Columbine. I should pull that out, proably.

The starts are several time the size of the little seedlings, who are over on the left.

And then I plant the Firecracker Sunflower in front of the Strawberry Patch!

I think that stick on the right is one of the Avocado trees that I let grow last year! No sign of any of them coming back to life yet.

That Unknown plant from the Pot People.

And the Echinacea from Roz!

The plot at the end of my row has these bit Red Hot Pokers blooming!

And then I head to the tree to see if the Downy Woodpecker is still there... Oh wow! He's made some good progress!!

It's the male again.

I wondered, and I looked it up, and sure enough, male woodpeckers do much of the work of building the nest holes. And then the females come in and perfect the bottom part where the babies will be.

I wander around the block and I try a different angle when I come back...

In the above pic, you can see the bigger Flicker hole above, and the Downy at the hole they are working on.

But wait a minute! Oh!! This is the female!!

She must be checking on the workmanship!

Do you approve??

at home, and Shadow is in the front yard. Our precious TNR stray kitty with one eye.

And the happy Fuchsias!

Tag: april 2026

Well, you little stinker!

Squirrel was digging in one of the Fuchsia pots Right in front of me!!!

*laughs* So far, the Fuchsias don't actually mind the digging. They are just happy to have a home!

On the way to the Post Office to check my PO box, I always enjoy the flowers in front of this tea shop...

∞ Oregon Tea Traders

I've never been in the shop, but every time I look at their website, I definitely want to try some of their teas... Drizzly Days Breakfast Tea! Crater Lake Blue Herbal Tea! Daydreamers Cardamom Tea!

Okay, I'm on the bike path, and just past the Community Garden I hear tapping...

OH MY GOSH!!

Male Downy Woodpecker! He's tapping out a nest hole!!

This tree is alive, but this branch is dead and in fact, he's just a meter or so down from a Flicker nest hole that was made, um, was that last year? When was that?

Anyway. Totally exciting! I don't want to disturb him when he's just getting started. Altho, he is straight up from the bike path. There will be humans.

I go on and make a loop around one of the neighborhoods.

Oh, isn't this a lovely scene with the Grape vines!

I swing back around to the bike path. Wait a minute?

Evening Grosbeak!! They live here year round but I rarely get to see them!

And that one is not being very cooperative. But the light and the shade and the sky behind is too much trouble for the camera, anyway.

*laughs* oh well. I'm still excited, even tho I'm a terrible photographer! *snort*

And coming back... My new friend is still at it!

I do double check online to make sure this is a Downy Woodpecker, since I never really see his face...

Downy Woodpeckers are a look-alike with Hairy Woodpeckers. Downies are the little ones, with shorter beaks. Hairies are larger, with longer beaks that are the same length as their head. I rarely see Hairy Woodpeckers here, tho, which is why I was assuming this is a Downy.

Yep, sure enough.

∞ Sibley: Another clue for identifying Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers

Male Downies have a solid red band across the back of their head, as this one does. Male Hairy Woodpeckers have two patches of red, broken with black, at the back of their head.

Book bans are depressing. And book bans in the Quote/Unquote Land of the Free, are even more depressing.

∞ The Guardian: US saw record high of 5,668 books banned in libraries in 2025
Most-banned book was Sold, a 2006 novel by Patricia McCormick about sex trafficking in India

I make an effort to seek out and read banned books, but I've not read Sold yet. I think it would be too upsetting, and sometimes I just don't want that in my head.

The books I have read from that list: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Gender Queer, Looking for Alaska.

Just 3 of the 11. I feel I should do better! :)

The other books are familiar, they've been on banned book lists before. Except Last Night at the Telegraph Club, I've never heard of.

And it looks really interesting! Yeah. I think I will start this years banned book reading with this one!

Yay Reading!

Tag: april 2026

Partner and I are driving to Saturday Market, but this weekend is the Eugene Marathon as well. And for some reason they were closing the parking garage where we ususally park. ARG.

Partner drives around aimlessly for a while and then we get situated in a different parking garage... I meant to aim for the other public parking structure, but we accidently went into the garage for The Hult. I wasn't sure if it was free on the weekends like the other two garages, and I worried there were cameras for the license plates or something, and we would get a parking ticket in the mail!

Haha! It was fine! Turns out The Hull parking is free over the weekend, too!

So we walked over to the Farmers Market and stopped at our favorite Farmer's stall to buy some veggie starts.

∞ Mountain View Farm and Nursery
(Public Facebook page, non-facebook users can look at the top couple of posts.)

They have a huge selection of starts, plus they are completely awesome! We've been buying our veggie starts there for like 9 or 10 years (or more?) and they recognize us and it's good to say hi.

Done and out of there. Saturday Market is always crowded... I'm okay with the excessive humans for a little while, but I'm not lingering.

Partner drops me off at the Community Garden, and he comes in for a minute so I can show him all that is growing and all my plans for the plot!

I keep the Lettuces with me, and sent Partner home with the rest of the starts... it's actually kind of overly warm today, and I didn't want to spend a lot of time in the heat.

And, yeah. I know! WHY did I buy stupid LETTUCES?!? It's like I Want to break my hope machine, or something!!

*laughs*

I plant the Lettuces in the back left of the plot, between the bigger Leeks and the Leek Seedlings.

Supposedly slugs don't like Alliums (Leeks, Onions, Garlics) so maybe the slugs have vacated this area.

Yeah. I know. Who am I kidding? These Lettuces will be munched to the ground by next weekend!

There are ever more Sugar Snap Peas coming up!

They are slug munched, but most of them will be able to out grow the damage.

The Cut Leaf Geranium I left in the front...

It's not native and I probably should have pulled it out. But I don't really have a plan for the front area yet, so it gets to stay for a little while!

Also in the front, the Echinacea that Roz gave me is looking good!

The plant on the left is a Beet, leftover from last year and bolting. That's fine, the birds will be happy with the seeds!

The glorious baby Goldenrods.

This thing... This is a volunteer leftover from the Pot People, the old right side neighbors.

I think it's some kind of Mallow, maybe? When it bloomed in their plot last year, it had very pretty flowers that were jam packed with bugs. I appreciate anything that's bug friendly, so of course I'm letting it grow!

And speaking of the Pot People, yeah, as I suspected, they are gone! Kevin is working in his plot behind mine, and we chat for a few minutes. He tells me my new right side neighbors are four guys and he is impressed with their enthusiasm! *laughs* They certainly did a good job at clearing the weeds and grasses left over from the Pot People abandoning the plot all last year!

So, that's good to know. We'll see if they turn out to be good neighbors in the long run, or not!

I glance at the beautiful Strawberries.

And then I'm out, to walk around the block before heading home.

And this purple bush that I love!

Pretty as a postcard! *laughs*

I get home, and here's the rest of the Veggie Starts we got today.

A Zuc and a Patty Pan. Two Lemon Cucumbers. A Ring of Fire Sunflower. Sugar Snap Peas. And two tomato plants: a Sungold and a Striped German.

Tag: april 2026

There's several Hawthorn trees along the bike path curve, but this is the only one with pink flowers!

Okay! I'm at the garden and I'm going to get my share of three wheelbarrow loads of finished compost! It's still pretty heavy from the rain we got Monday and Tuesday, but it's good exercise I guess!

I just love our volunteers who have made the finished compost available, and I love my city for implementing this awesome program!

∞ Love Food Not Waste

Our trash companies collect kitchen scraps in the yard debris bin, and that goes to a local company which composts everything down! And then they offer the compost back to the community for free!

They brought a big load to the Community Garden last year, and again this year. Every plot gets four wheelbarrow loads of the finished compost for free.

I've got the compost spread on both sides of the plot, with my usual pathway running approximately down the center...

The left side is the area that has been making stunted plants for a while and last year I called it my Fallow Area. I've just set up the big trellis there and I hope the Wax Beans will grow in the compost. It is really gonna be tragic if the beans are stunted!

And then the right side, behind that clump of Clover and the Elephant Garlics is going to be the small trellis for the Lemon Cucumbers and then Squash plants, and the Strawberry patch in the back.

Ah, hopes and dreams!!

But doesn't that finished compost look beautiful! *laughs*

That green in the center is a couple Dandelions and the clump of happy Goldenrod!

And at the front left of the plot, the Sugar Snap Peas are coming up!!!

They have a few munches from the slugs, but the peas look like the've got a good start!

And, ha, there's a single volunteer Buckwheat growing in the Snap Pea Patch!

I love having Buckwheat around, and eventually I'll plant more! It's nice to have a few that have self seeded tho!

And here's the back left of the old Fallow Area.

Those are some Fava Beans which survived the winter, a couple of Leeks that also survived the winter.

The little patch of dirt behind the Leeks is where I put down the Salsify seeds... I don't know what those seedlings will look like, but I don't think any have come up yet.

And behind that clump of Favas is where the Leek flower fell over last autumn, and look at all the happy seedlings!

The Strawberry Patch at the back right.

I noticed a flower with six petals instead of five...

And I thought that was weird, but now I've looked it up and that's pretty normal! Strawberry blossoms can have up to 8 petals, even!

And this... *sighs* ...

This, where I've left the garden hose, is the Sunroot -- aka Jerusalem Artichoke -- which I never got around to digging up over the winter.

It's a pretty thing, and makes the birds happy with the seeds it makes. It's just that it's so big!

Well. I'm just going to ignore it some more! *laughs*

Very pleased to see the Columbine is going to bloom!!

I make a loop around the Community Garden before I leave.

I am really fighting the wind today, makes even flowers tough to photograph when they're waving all over the place!

Ooh! Look at the colour of this one!

Okay, this is just hilarious...

∞ Free the penis

*laughs* A woman, Aunt Tifa (ha!) dressed up in an inflatable penis costume, had been arrested in Alaska... for what, exactly? disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace?

*rolls eyes*

And then this...

∞ MAGA Men Learn the Truth: Women are terrified of them Video 10m44s

Some of the many reasons women will not date Maga men.

It just cracks me up that Maga get all confused and upset when they are shunned by their liberal family and all... They think It's just politics.

But it's not Just Politics. We are talking about human rights here! The right to bodily autonomy, the right to due process, the right to free speech.

These are the most basic human rights and this regime is stomping all over these rights. This is causing actual, real life harm. People are dying because their human rights are being denied!

DYING! PEOPLE!

And if you support the regime, the sane people do not want to associate with you.

Tag: april 2026

I'm walking the bike path, and as I approach the ½ mile point, I glimpse a BIG white bird.

They were flying down to the creek, on the other side of the street. And I'm just, Who the Heck was that?!! *laughs*

The only thing that comes to my mind for Big White Bird at the Creek is an Egret... but no, I review the glimpse in my brain and nope, the wings are all wrong for an Egret. so who...?

I get across the street, get past the first few trees and bushes, looking, looking. And then...

It's a gull. What in the world??!

I have NEVER seen a gull in the creek!! That is the weirdest thing ever!!

Eugene is about 60miles (100km) from the Pacific Ocean, and there are a few gulls who fly out here during the winter. But they don't ever go in the creek. I have never seen one paddling along like a duck!

So I'm kind of flabbergasted!!

And the ducks are curious too! ha.

So that was weird!

There's still some Kanzan Cherry Blossoms, but they are starting to fall apart.

As I'm going by Dragonfly Land -- no Dragonflies yet, it's too early for them! But there's some Swallows swooping and twittering in the field, behind. It makes me think of the Barn Swallow nest here, under the car bridge...

I don't know how many years of babies I watched growing up in this nest, and the second one, off to the right.

But they won't be using it ever again. Last year the parents had a catastrophic nest failure... the babies were so close to being able to fledge, when we had a terrible week long heat wave. The babies died of the heat, and there was nothing the parents could do.

The parents will be back again this year, of course. But they won't want to live with the memories here, and will build a new nest somewhere else.

And this will be the first year in a while that I don't get to see Barn Swallow babies growing up. sighs.

Oooh! A white Camas Lily!!

There was a saying that I had picked up from the InterWebs that white Camas Lilies were poisonous. I repeated it, here on my blog, many times over.

But it's not true! The bulb of Camas Lilies is edible. Doesn't matter what colour the flowers were!

The poisonous white Camas is a different species... Death Camas and it looks completely different from our common, Camassia Camas.

The bulbs look the same, tho. So you should never forage in places where both Common Camas and Death Camas live.

I'm going thru the Solidarity Garden behind the Events Center, and one of the family of three Killdeers is here again. Their nest (or nests??! :) must be in the area.

A cute lil Crab Spider!

∞ DOJ Vengeance Tour Has Indicted Southern Poverty Law Center For Being The Klan Well. We don't believe you.

*swearword* the time line we are living in.

Every accusation by this regime, is a confession.

Tag: april 2026

Still a couple sprinkles coming down overnight, and it's a beautiful gloomy day this morning!

I'm headed to Stewart Pond Park today, but enjoying the flowers in the neighborhoods on the way...

I'm looking at these Hawthorn blooms, but realize there's some of those flowers here that I had mis-identified as Wallflowers.

These are actually Honesty plants. Also called Silver Dollar plants. Those weird round things hanging are the seed pods!

If Honesty was a native plant, I would def keep an eye on those seed pods! It is in the mustard family, easy to grow but native to southern Europe.

This is a popular flower around here, and I don't know what it is!

It is an interesting thing tho!

Update: Honeywort or Blue Shrimp plant!

And some other flowers I don't know!

Ha, I don't know much of anything today!

And still a nonsence war in Iran. And how many people killed? Thousands. And too many children and women. And for what? Nobody knows.

So Many Swallows!

Mostly Violet Green Swallows, but there's some Barn Swallows here too!

Oh, and someone else is flying in!

Haha!

How cool is that... three species in the frame!!

As I walked thru the little patch of forest, I heard tapping! It took me a second to find the tapper...

Oh my gosh!

I make note of the tree, it's a bit off the path and you have to come around... but I won't be able to see the hole unless I go off the path. And I don't want to do that, I don't want to step on any native plants... or FROGS!

So that will be a tough nest to observe.

If they even use it! Woodpeckers ususally make several holes each spring and then they choose their favorite location. It's good to have choices!

Tag: april 2026

A bit of rain over night!! Which is so lovely!

But we had some finished compost delivered to the Community Garden over the weekend, and I'm not going to be able to get my share today.... The rain will make it too heavy for me to lug the wheelbarrow over the uneven pathways!

That's okay. It can wait.

There's still some sprinkles as I head out, and this is my favorite kind of weather to walk in!

The Poison Hemlock has been growing in big patches along the creek.

Yep, the same Poison Hemlock that killed Socrates.

I'm walking a different way, in front of the Events Center instead of behind it...

I've never been to this Master Gardener Plant Sale before...

I would love to go, it's free to get in. But it wouldn't be easy to carry a bunch of baby plants for a mile or two, walking back to the garden or home! *laughs*

Anyway, I would rather patronize my favorite farmer at Saturday Market!

And besides, look at the glorious trees!

Buckeyes!

The clouds are starting to break up during the walk home.

The Camas Lilies are catching the sunlight beautifully, but the photography doesn't do them justice!

Tag: april 2026

Overcast this morning. It's to be another warmer day, in the mid-60s, but the forecast says there's a 30% chance of rain this afternoon.

But as I was getting ready for a walk, the sky turned way darker. With the forecast somewhat unreliable these days, I decided to take my rain jacket to protect the camera.

Right out the door, here's Shadow, one of our TNR stray cats that everyone looks after. She's pretty old now, been coming around for ages. And yeah, she's only got one eye.

oh, hello? who's this?

Huh. I have to look them up! AllAboutBirds: Orange Crown Warbler? I think so!

Awesome! New bird for me!

Princess Buttercup and her fella.

How companionable!

Here's what's happening at that weird plum tree...

The ... deformed? fruits are going bad.

Oh cool! I'm loving the variety of birds today!!

And some new flowers to look at, too!!

Um. You know what? I have been calling these purple flowers Wallflowers...

But look at those weird round things hanging from the stem!!

It's called a Silver Dollar Plant! Also called Honesty.

Always happy to learn new things!

He's eating the Maple keys!

Tag: april 2026

Still quiet at the Flicker nest.

I've brought the kitchen scraps from home to dump on the Community Garden compost pile, and when I stop at my garden plot... A Snap Pea!!!!

Yay Garden! Here's the Leeks who started re-growing from last year's bases. The bare dirt to the right there is the second patch of experimental Salsify, from seed. Nothing showing up there yet.

And here's the Leek seedlings that sprang up from a flower that had fallen over last year.

The strawberry patch is ever so happy!

And the Goldenrods. I really should separate them and transplant them in all corners, since they will make the bugs so happy. But I'm lazy!

The Elephant Garlic and the Lettuces I transplanted from the compost area...

You know what? I am strangely not interested in eating that salad. I think I'm just going to let them go to seed. That will be good for the pollinators and the birds will LOVE the seeds!

The Echinacea that Roz gave me last autumn is starting to look like a plant!

There's some Speedwell here too, with their tiny blooms.

Heading out, and walking around the block before I go home!

I'm walking past the Community Garden again, on my way home. The Apple Tree outside the garden is just buzzing like mad! The whole tree!

At the creek... um? This is weird...

Three ducklings. But I don't see Mama. And no one is peeping. But if they've gotten separated, they should be peeping!

Weird. I don't know what to think!

Bahaha!! We've got an itch! Their cute little toe nails!

And, huh! I didn't know they could lift their head feathers like that! Even the long, decorative feathers are standing up!!

And look at this cute pair.

Tag: april 2026

After a week or so of some good off and on rain, we've got a gorgeous day. The sun is shining and the forecast is for 71° (22°C) this afternoon...

And oh my gosh, there are a LOT of humans on the bike path!

I am thrilled that so many people are out, enjoying the sun and the nature!! At the same time, I do rather miss my alone time in nature. *laughs*

Hawthorn trees starting to bloom.

I decide to pay a visit to the Solidarity Garden.

oh wow! Making figs already!

And then I turned around and saw The Green Line!

The Green 420 Line is something so very uniquely Eugene!

It shows up around April 20, and it marks the contour of 420 feet above sea level.

One end is at RiverPlay at the Willamette River, it winds thru downtown Eugene. It goes by here, at the back of the Events Center, then thru some neighborhoods and ends up at the back of Westmoreland Park, near the pickle ball courts.

I'm not sure how many miles it is, I've never walked the downtown part. But today, I've decided to walk back home along this end of the line. It's a little bit out of the way, but that's okay.

And the first thing that happens, a HUGE group of several families with kids racing around all over the place! They are out following the line as well and it makes me so happy that this day, and this line is bringing people together!

The line goes across a major street, and there's a pedestrian light here, thankfully. I use it and wave to the drivers who have stopped for me!

And now I'm in a neighborhood that I only come thru once a year!

Altho! This is a nice quiet neighborhood. And I know if I go a bit further out, I could go thru a city park or two. I really should walk this direction more often!

Yesterday, I was trying to add a new rant about our PeaceHealth situation with the Emergency Department chaos, and the new alligations against the head administration guy.

But the article I wanted was paywalled, and I couldn't even get a PDF of the article from the newspaper that I pay for. *frustation*

But that's okay, because today we've got a brilliant explainer from one of the YouTube channels that I watch!

∞ Dr. Glaucomflecken: The PeaceHealth Fiasco is Out of Control (video is 5:14)

And yeah. It turns out the evil guy, CEO Jim McGovern, the guy trying to influence ER docs to reduce the healthcare provided in the Emergency Department.

That guy?

Yeah... that guy does NOT have a medical licence!!

Tag: april 2026

∞ Postcrossing Blog: The US Postcrossing stamps are available for pre-order now!

The first ever set of Postcrossing stamps from the US Postal Service!!! And they are triangles!!

Other countries have been making Postcrossing stamps for ages. AGES! and I was vaguely glad that the US was finally going to catch up with that trend.

But then reading the blog post above...

GASPS!!!

We've got maxicards too??!

MAXICARDS ???? *Screaming Joy*

Oh my gosh!!! The first US Maxicards!! Totally excited!!

Oh my god, they're expensive. $23 for the set of four.

Damn. But I must have them and I must send them!

I love the designs too. And oh, they're huge. Sheesh, they are 6x8inches. ha.

Tag: may 2026

I'm heading for Steward Pond but I've grabbed my pepper spray and put it in my pocket.

The last time I came out here, I passed a couple homeless guys on the bike path that set off my Spidey-sense in a major way.

... and, turns out a woman was assulted there.

But once I get to the bike path, I see no homeless people. And there's a couple of city Parks people here too in their new souped up golf cart.

Good. That makes me feel better.

I'm at the park and there's still some pond water here! We've actually gotten a decent amount of rain for April.

*laughs* Too busy for photography!

A Red Tail is flying over.

I suppose that means I won't have much luck with the birds in the forest.

And when I come around the hill, I realize they are mowing in the park as well.

But when I get on the forest path... the mowing stops. Ha! The guy is on his lunch break, and it's perfect timing!

I am so appreciative that I get to listen to the birds in the forest. I'm lingering here, but the only bird I get to see is a happy Scrub Jay...

*laughs* I wonder how far she's carried that peanut!

At the back of the park, the willows are making fluff to send their seeds out on the wind!

As I'm heading for the other end of the park, I see the mowing guy. He's standing at his truck, eating a sandwich! I wave happily at him and he waves back.

Tag: april 2026

∞ Alleged arsonist's words may shock you. His motive may not.

All you had to do was pay us enough to fucking live.

No one was injured. and hey: Power to the People!!!

The comments there are great!

∞ The Kindle update controversy

Yep.

They don't just want more money. They want all the money.

Sighs.

I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do when they shut down my ability to buy new books for my kindle. It's just so annoying, I don't want to deal with it.

Currently Reading: a paper book!

Tag: apr 2026

I slept wrong? and I'm in a good bit of pain today. I've got whiplash that acts up from time to time, but it's weird because I've been doing my exercises.

But then I realized... I'm not! I had dropped some of the shoulder stretches because I thought my awesome work on pushups every day would cover that.

Apparently not. And today is a pretty loud wake up call! The upper back just hurts, in the usual manner: it feels like if I could just pop my back, it would feel a lot better. But on top of that, I can't lift my right arm very high, because it hurts, and this is a new and different thing. It's killing me to lift my coffee mug up to my face, and that's actully kind of funny. Left arm seems fine, so that's good.

Well. If I can survive the day, tomorrow will be better. and I will return to my old stretches, so this never happens again.

And fortunately I don't need my upper back or my stupid arm in order to walk!

(and actually, walking is part of the exercise that ordinarily keeps me pain free!)

All is quiet at the Flicker hole.

As I was taking pictures of the cherry blossoms, this one was slowly coming up behind me...

*laughs* I really should carry some walnuts!

The construction guys are not working again today. what a surprise. Still only working Mon, Tue, Wed, even tho they were supposed to be done two weeks ago. *grumble*

There's no one inside the Commuity Garden, so I decide to go in. At my plot there's a couple of Sugar Snap Peas germinating, that have come to the top of the dirt.

I covered them all up. and then I noticed there's a second Columbine here at the back of the pea patch!! Yay!

Here's the Columbine that has been growing over the winter. It's happy, and I'm glad to see that it will flower before too long. The couple of small plants I had last year didn't bloom at all!

First Squirrel on the new fence! :)

Oh my gosh. I don't know what that purple bush is in the background... But the COLOURS!!!

Heading home, and I happen to catch this Golden Crown Sparrow sunning!

Ha! They look so weird when they do that!! Plus they're pretty zoned out, too.

Tag: april 2026

You know when you suddenly notice things that have been there for years, and you see this thing and you are amazed?!

*laughs*

I was out the door and across the street I saw this Wisteria blooming...

That roof at the bottom is a one story house, and that Douglas Fir, I don't know how tall it is, but it's a normal sized fir tree for the city. And that Wisteria goes up past the frame and almost to the top of the tree!

Just wow. Can you imagine how heavy that Wisteria is? Wisterias are vines but they have a pretty serious trunk... I would love to see the base of those trees, the Fir and the Wisteria, except they are in someone's back yard so that's not going to be possible.

Okay! It rained and winded most all night, but the sprinkles tapered off slowly this morning.

But it's just the next storm blowing in! I get ½ mile down the path and it starts pouring.

Oh!

It's the female Flicker again!

She flies, and I thought she was flying away...

But she comes back around to the hole they've been working on!!

I walk past the Community Garden in the pouring rain, and the two construction guys are here again. They are bringing dirt in to fill the trench under the new fence.

I go by the three Leaning Tree Saplings. Two of the saplings are coming back to life from the winter.

But the west tree is still brown.

This bums me out... it was the west trunk of the original Leaning Tree which was so amazing. It dipped down so you could lean on it like a standing desk. I stood there a lot, and even brought a little notebook and pen sometimes.

Sighs.

And the single Killdeer is here again, without the other two of the group.

As I get into the downtown neighborhood, the sun comes out again.

This hell strip is just amazing...

I'm coming back on the bike trail... I hear peeping and oh my gosh!! First ducklings of the season!!

There's a couple males here. They are just curious about the babies, but Mama doesn't trust them. Mama says no and blocks them.

Aw, the baby with their arms out!

Mama gets everyone out of the water...

But the peeping that I heard before has gotten more insistant.

A baby has been left behind!

We are under a car bridge, and with all the concrete around the creek here, the sound is echoing. I can't tell where the peeping is coming from!

And neither can Mama!

She's looking, looking. In the same direction I am, but she doesn't see baby either.

and oh my gosh, my heart is breaking, listening to the distressed baby!

And Mama must be feeling that so much more!

I bet she wishes she could say Children, you stay here while I go look for your sibling!

But the babies are going to try to follow her, no matter where she goes.

Ugh. I can't handle my emotions, and I have to leave before Mama finds #9.

I'm sure she won't give up. She will find her baby.

Tag: april 2026

We've happily had some rain over the last few days, and it looks like that will continue for a few days more!

It's cloudy this morning, the forecast says rain this afternoon. And as I walk behind Gudu-kut (Tree Frog) Park, I hear a single frog singing! I'm glad he is happy!!

And when I walk by the new Flicker hole...

Hmmm? I've not seen the parents-to-be here, since the female was checking things a couple days ago. But I think the hole is a little bit wider? Maybe? :)

I'm going to do more weeding at the Garden Plot today, and I see the construction guys are here again, working on the fence.

One guy is attaching the upright wood bits to the outside of the posts. I thought it was to make things pretty, but now I see it's another anchor for the wire fencing.

But seeing the guys working on these little projects, just makes me a little bit mad. They had started the fencing project on Mar13, and their due date was Apr1. At the beginning of April we were informed that it would be several more weeks before the gates arrived. But, jeez, they aren't even close to ready for the stupid gates! *grumble*

Well anyway. Continuing with digging up the Horseradish at the border along the east side of the garden plot...

And, that's a lot of grass there, too, next to the pot. And you know what? If I've got new neighbors there, as I suspect I do... that abandoned pot is now mine. I wonder what I should do with it!

The few bits of green left there are Borage plants.

I dug out grass almost to the front of the plot, again going several feet into the other plot. And the bucket is almost full!

I tidy up and have a look around before I go.

So very pleased with the Strawberry Patch!!

And the little Goldenrods are happy too!

I get home and ha, Riley is here with the new Fuchsias!

Video by Danainspired...

∞ Questions for 'not all men' men

Yep, straight up.

'Not all men' doesn't change a single thing for women!

Tag: april 2026

Princess Buttercup, again!

There's a couple sprinkles this morning, but I don't think it's going to continue and I'm headed to the Garden.

A blurry Chickadee. *laughs* They bounce around too quickly for me and the camera.

*Bounce!*

Okay. I'm at the garden, and as I'm walking to my plot... oh, poor dead squirrel.

Very, very dead.

And eaten. I'd assume a hawk.

There's no calories left, but the tendons and all are holding the skeleton together. I will bury the poor thing in my plot.

But I'm interested, and I look at what's left before the funeral.

Their tiny molars!

I dig a hole between the Irises and Snap Pea patch, and I say a few words.

And now I'm working on the Horseradish on the right side border.

That green pot, filled with grass, next to my bucket is one of the last reminents of the Pot People, who technically lasted two years. The first year had many pots and many flowers. And a good bit of annoyance, too, with their Sunflowers and decorative Grasses right on my border! *grr* I mean, Decorative GRASSES! Seriously!

The plot was un-worked last season. It became a weedy mess and I'm pretty sure I've got new neighbors now!

Murdering the Horseradish, I start out with the Dandelion tool... but ugh, the dirt here is too muddy. And the hand spade is actually easier to get down as far as I can with the tap roots.

I'm going several feet over the border, but I'm not quite finished when it starts sprinkling again. Well, humph.

But I've gotten a good bit done.

The sprinkles are getting serious, so I'm heading out. But I see someone has left a freebie out on the picnic table...

Fennel. ha. No thanks. I've experimented with Fennel before and I don't like it.

The yellow flowers here are some kind of invasive... looks like Dillweed.

∞ Amazon worker dies at warehouse. Coworkers forced to keep working around his body.

What is this? A factory from the 1800s?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???

Neighbor Kitty Riley and Grumpy Grey who is a TNR stray! They are happy friends and I see them playing occasionally.

Tag: april 2026

Princess Buttercup and her fella.

And then, ha, their cousins paddle by!

That's that juvenile Hooded Merganser with his girlfriend. Such a cute couple!

When he gets all his adult plummage, I won't be able to recognize him any more...

But, they'll probably be leaving soon anyway. They will find a more appropriate area for their nesting!

I will miss them, but it won't be long before we have Mallard ducklings to distract me!

∞ US Citizen detained at traffic stop and deported by DHS

I'm sure this happens a lot. Because ICE and Border Patrol and DHS are stupid racist idiots. And the Supreme Court has ruled to allow them to be stupid racist idiots.

Due process?

∞ Detention Quick Facts

Look at more flowers.

Tag: april 2026

Right out the door, I stop to admire the new Fuchsias!

They are so happy out here, despite the squirrels digging in their dirt! *laughs*

It rained most all night and this morning was off and on sprinkles. I'm a bit concerned because I'm going to the Used Book Sale at the Events Center... and the small backpack is not waterproof! I throw in a couple trash bags to wrap up the books I buy, to keep them dry on the walk home!

But the rain quits just as I was leaving the house. It's still pretty dreary, but it's not long and I had to take my rain jacket off, it's too warm!

The Crab Apple tree outside the Community Garden is just loaded with blooms!

So Lovely.

Oh, and the Camas Lilies are starting to bloom!

Well. I will be back this way, later. Right now, I'm getting excited about the book sale!

But then, this little one stops me! Yelling like crazy.

It's just the one, and I'm wondering where the rest of the crew is... Since Febuary there have been three Killdeers hanging out here...

And she/he keeps sitting down?

They fly away before I even get close... but I am definitely looking closely in the grass here to see if there's a nest.

Killdeer nests are hard to see, but I know what to look for. And I don't think there are any eggs here. Tho I don't step into the grass, just in case.

My friend hasn't flown very far...

I wish I knew what they were thinking! Has this one been rejected from the threesome? Or are the other two on nest duty and this one is taking a well deserved break? I wish I knew! :)

But I'm at the Events Center, and I walk past the big Exhibit Hall to the other side of that building... oh, there's a long line of people here?

I look around, and apparently I look so confused someone stops to tell me what's going on. Yep. That's the line for the book sale.

Oh. Thanks! Why are they doing that? Something about the fire marshall not wanting so many people in there. They let groups in every five minutes or so, as people check out. Okay. Thank You!

And yeah. The wait time is excruciating. About 20mins to get into the building then another 5 or 10 waiting in the hallway outside the room.

But, once I get in, it is much less crowded than it usually is. And that's nice!

My plan of attack is to stick with the Science Fiction aisles...

Last year I had bought several nonfiction books... And I've not read a single one yet. So this year, I've decided to focus on fiction instead.

I find a couple authors that I'm familiar with... Andre Norton, Anne McCaffrey. But I'm pretty sure I've read these books before.

Sheri S. Tepper is an author I recognize, so we'll see about Shadow's End... altho that sounds more like a fantasy book, so I hope it's actually scifi. And I know Beggars in Spain is a scifi award winner, with both the Hugo and the Nebula.

So that's four books and then I head over to the Science and Nature section. One nonfiction book, that is all!

Ooooh! The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks!! Excellent book, I highly, HIGHLY recommend it!! But I don't want to read it again... I want something new.

Okay! I've found Rambunctious Garden. I look at the back and see the author lives in Oregon! Great!

I wander over to the checkout line... and a volunteer is going up and down the line. When she gets to me she says, There's an express lane over there if you have six books or less. Oh! Great!

I walk in the direction she pointed, and there's just a bunch of people chatting in front of the check out tables. um? I walk up to the volunteer with the sign and she all, Can I help you? heh. Can I check out? I ask, trying to keep any snark out of my voice.

Oh! She and her friends move out of the way and I have to laugh. I don't know how you can forget what you're doing in this kind of environment!

I get checked out and I pay my 10$ for five books, and I put a couple dollars in the donation box. I really should be a Friends of the Library member, too. I don't know why I'm not.

Heading home, and it looks like the next rain storm is building up!

And sure enough, a couple hours after I get home, it starts to sprinkle. And then it pours!

So I timed today's walk for books, perfectly!

Tag: april 2026

The sun is shining and we've got a lovely sky.

Got a couple days of rain in the forecast, starting this evening. So I thought it would be a great day to plant some seeds.

Oh my Gosh!!!

I thought this partially completed nest hole had been abandoned, I've not seen anyone here for about two weeks!!

This is the female Flicker and she's checking out the location, not doing any work.

She's definitely noticed me staring at her, and I'm glad... This is necessary information for her to have! A nest right next to the bike path is going to include a lot of humans!!

I'm at the garden and I'm going to plant Salsify today, but first I have a look around.

There's some invasive Horseradish growing on the right side border... If the neighbors there are new, they won't know about Horseradish yet, so I'm not going to get mad. :) But I do need to bring the dandelion tool and dig this out!

Okay! Salsify!

For starters, it's pronounced Salsa-Fee... saul-suh-fee.

It's a wildflower native to Europe that grows wild around here. About a meter tall, with a purple flower, you eat the root and supposedly it has a mild mineral taste.

Anyway, I had gathered seeds of some wild Salsifies last year and I'm planting them today!

Most of that is fluff... Salsifies make a seed head that looks a bit like huge Dandelions, tho straw yellow instead of white! Here's what a single seed looks like.

I think I should have planted these back when it was colder. So I plant two patches, and I use all of the seeds I have, there's no reason to save any for later... If it fails, I will gather more seeds and plant them a lot earlier next year!

But, of course, I am overly hopeful for This Year! I imagine the future flowers, a patch in front with the Elephant Garlics and the couple Beets going to seed...

and another in back! They will be lovely!

And I've brought the sprayer for the hose, so I've watered the dirt.

And when I was looking at the front patch... Yay! Roz's Echinacea has survived the winter and is starting to come back!!

There's a wildflower in the front that I decided to keep, too.

We've got several kinds of Geraniums that grow wild here. I have a hard time figuring them out because many of them are not native.

But I've found what this one is... Cutleaf Geranium. Not native, but that's okay. The flowers are tiny, but the leaves are pretty.

And I'm so pleased at the Strawberry patch!

Look at how Healthy they are!!!

Of course I have to remind myself that the slugs will eat the strawberries. I can't get my hopes up too high!

But ... I can't wait to eat strawberries!! *laughs*

Okay. I'm out of the garden.

Oh! The Wood Ducks! ha, not very cooperative today. oh well.

And from the local news, the PeaceHealth saga of our Emergency Department continues. They have been trying to switch our local ER doctors out for a corporate group of ER doctors...

And WHOA! Today's revelation is a doozy!!

Unfortunately, it's behind a paywall at Lookout. But here's what I've stolen from their newsletter...

PeaceHealth placed Jim McGovern, chief hospital executive at PeaceHealth Medical Center at RiverBend, on leave Thursday after allegations he worked outside of his administrative scope and tried to influence the emergency care of patients.

And in the evening newsletter.

The fallout continued today over allegations ] Jim McGovern, chief hospital executive for PeaceHealth's Oregon network, overstepped his license and inappropriately tried to influence patient care in the emergency department. A day after McGovern was put on administrative leave, RiverBend hospital's Chief of Staff Dr. William Emerson said the process by which PeaceHealth chose the new emergency department provider, ApolloMD, has been 'irreconcilably compromised.' And U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle said PeaceHealth needs to 'question every action that Mr. McGovern made as CEO.'

For an administrater to second guess ER doctors' decisions and try to influence patient care is INCREDIBLY Unethical! Does the guy even have a medical license???

Maybe. But you know... YOU KNOW!... he was trying to get the ER docs to do less for their patients, to save money.

And this is just horrifying.

Tag: april 2026

I am always amused to visit this tree in the spring...

The tree is a Kanzan Cherry tree... with the pink, double petal cherry blossoms.

But someone has grafted on a branch of a different species with white blossoms!

It's just funny. Like, just... where did this other branch come from and who decided to graft it here!! I would love to know what happened!!

My partner has been bringing some sidewalk chalks to this little park...

And I'm thrilled that someone has been using them!

This is my favorite, flowery yard to take lots of photos of...

But I got this single photo and then realized there was someone weeding, almost right behind me! Haha, he was hidden behind some bushes, but I needed to run away before he saw me and talked to me! *laughs*

I've arrived at the trail head of Hidden Trail, and there's a construction crew here, working on the driveway of the apartments. They've got a jackhammer and the noise is annoying. It takes a while before I'm far enough away to ignore it.

But, oh! Look at the Fawn Lilies blooming!

There's Trillium blooming as well.

There's a small pool, and I see a Water Strider dancing. I don't want to disturb her by crouching down... but I try to get her portrait anyway!

*laughs* There's no chance for this photo to happen, but I give it a try too!

At the top of the trail, there's a family of Steller Jays yelling to each other about something. But now I've got a whole theme of crappy photography going!

I went over to the bioswales, hoping to see another newt. But nope, they are starting to dry out, and I didn't see anyone in the water.

And the sad construction continues up here.

And I don't see any Acorn Woodpeckers.

So, I'm wondering again if they are shifting their territory to some place else.

Sighs.

Coming back down the hill... I come SO CLOSE to getting a squirrel in the cherry blossoms, but there's too many sticks in the way.

Yep, she's eating the cherry blossoms! haha!

The Western Grey Squirrels are just everywhere today!

Oh!

She's not looking at me. She's looking down at... Oh! Haha! I didn't even see this other deer right in front of me!

I'm back down in the native plants section, and I'm hearing a swarm buzzing. I'm looking all around, trying to figure out where the bees are.

Straight up!

Oh my gosh, they are catching the light like gems up there!

Wow!

∞ Amazon Pulls Support for Perfectly Fine Older Kindles
In an email to customers, Amazon announced that it would be ending service for Kindle devices older than the 2012 edition. Those devices will lose access to the Kindle Store.

Yeah. I got that email a couple days ago.

I have a Kindle Keyboard and I love it to no end.

But I guess this is the end.

The move doesn't completely turn your ebook reader into e-waste. On the older devices, you can still read the books you have downloaded. You can also manually download documents via USB cable.

And that's the thing... the kindle works fine. I've never had any trouble with it. It doesn't cost amz anything to keep sending ebooks to it. They just want to force people to buy the next kindle.

And you know what? That's not inspiring loyalty in me.

Why would I want another kindle if you're just going to pull the rug out in a few years???

I don't know what I'm going to do. Amz is giving me a decent discount, and that is tempting.

But I've got a lot of paper books around here. Maybe I should dig into those!

Tag: april 2026

We've got blue sky this morning, tho a bit of a haze out there in the hills.

Male Towhee, bouncing around...

And here's the female, much more shy.

At the back of the Events Center...

Yay! The Friends of the Library Used Book Sale! This weekend! Books are 2$!!! I will be there!

And now we get to the place where I get totally carried away looking at flowers!! *laughs*

But how can I not get carried away? All the amazing colours! Just Wow!

Oh, this is pretty! The leaves are some kind of Wood Sorrel...

Yep: Pink Sorrel. *laughs* I like it when the names of the flowers are nice and descriptive!

And, back at home, I stop to admire the Fuchsias... I had set them out front yesterday afternoon. And the Squirrels started digging in the dirt almost instantly. *laughs*

They are getting some sun right now, but soon the leaves of the Oaks and Sweet Gums above will grow bigger. I'm not sure if enough light will get thru to keep the Fuchsia's alive. But, we'll see!

∞ Hi, God. It's me, Susan.

Oh my heart. The photo of people forming a human chain around their power plant.

This is just... gods.

Not just the one power plant, either...

∞ Iranian Civilians Form Human Chain Around Infrastructure Citizens, including children, guard power plants and bridges amid U.S. threats and airstrikes

According to Iranian Fars News Agency, Tasnim News Agency, and others on the 7th (local time), citizens gathered at the thermal power plant in Bisotun, Kermanshah Province, western Iran; the thermal power plant in Mazandaran, northern Iran; and Iran's largest thermal power plant, Shahid Rajaee, in Qazvin Province, northwestern Iran, to protect the facilities.

Publicly released photos and videos showed Iranian citizens holding national flags and signs reading 'Attacks on power facilities are war crimes,' forming a ring around the facilities. Some were also seen holding hands.

Fars News Agency also reported on residents gathered in front of a thermal power plant in Kazerun, a southern Iranian city. Footage showed children among adults guarding the facility in a circle. Fars News Agency stated, They gathered in front of the power plant to condemn attacks on public infrastructure and defined them as clear war crimes.

In addition to power plants, hundreds of people formed a 'human chain' by standing closely together on bridges in Dehloran and Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran.

I am so so proud of the Iranian people!

And so so ashamed and disguisted at Trump and Hegseth, and I wish someone would arrest them, impeach them... DO something.

Here! Don't be upset... Look at more flowers.

Tag: april 2026

Another interesting weather forecast this morning... says there's a Frost Advisory tonight. Except the overnight low is to be 41°? So how, exactly, are we going to get FROST when it's 9 degrees above freezing?

Okay! I am planting Sugar Snap Peas at the garden today!! I've got some peas that I had saved from last year, and a bought packet. (haha, nevermind the mud smudges on my fingers... that's just me being soooo authentic! :)

I planted a big patch in the front left of the plot... right behind the new Irises that are still looking rather pathetic. Last year, I had a couple Crookneck Squashes growing here and they did fine: the crappy dirt of the fallow area did not extend to this area.

Now that I think about it tho, I'm wondering if those saved peas will breed true. I know the offspring of hybrids sometimes reverts back to their original. I guess we will see what happens.

And I planted just as many of the bought peas, as well. So there will definitely be plenty of actual Sugar Snaps here, no matter what the second generation peas do!

And I planted so many peas, I actually got bored! haha! So I quickly gave them a little water and I got out of there!

Isn't this time of year just glorious!

∞ US-Israel attacks on Iran: Death toll and injuries live tracker

If you scroll down a bit, there's a map listing the number of people killed and injured in Trump's war.

It makes me cry. Hundreds of children because the US blew up an elementary school. a war crime. and so Pointlessly.

So pointlessly.

Ugh... let's look at more nature...

oh, this little patch of purples!! Wallflowers and Periwinkle.

And doing a little bit of research about Sugar Snap Peas, I found this interesting blog post...

∞ Sugar Snap Peas: Rest In Peace

This gardener was getting a lot of Snow Peas growing from bought packets of Sugar Snap Peas... The Johnny's seed produced about 30% snow peas. The Baker Creek seed is worse. Of the approximately 60 seeds planted, 3 or 4 plants yield true Sugar Snap peas, one produces tough podded shelling peas and the remainder produce snow peas.

Yikes! That's crazy!

Fortunately, that was written in 2015, and we are still buying, growing and eating Sugar Snaps.

So no Sugar Snap Pea Apocalypse yet! Yay!

Tag: april 2026

It's in the 60s already when I leave the house, and the forecast is for 77° but it actually gets up to 81° today.

Shakes head sadly... not just at the climate change, but also the failure of our crippled weather service.

Normal temps are 59/39. And a normal forecast, on the morning of, should be right on. It should be precise. Not 4° off.

Good Morning Friend Teal! Where is your girlfriend?

That Plum tree with the weird fruits...

And that one, little red round one will grow up to be a normal plum, probably. I wish the Extension Office could have explained this weird thing!!

It is the time for Lilacs!

And thrilled to see the Honey Bees at this nest again!

So cute and precious!

And I do really love the colour of these double petal Tulips.

And this Apple tree is looking lovely.

And this Maybe Apricot. *laughs*

Some of the fields are filling up with yellow!

Western Buttercups, a native wildflower!

∞ Democrats respond to the rapist-in-chief's unhinged message from Easter morning -- UPDATE

Invoke the 25th. hmm. Do you think anything will come of that?

Tag: april 2026

I thought for sure she was going to catch somebody for dinner right in front of me. But nope, she looked hard and then she kept walking by.

It's so cute when they're thinking about a nap!

I just learned these double petal cherry blossoms are Kanzan Cherries... and I need to use that word a lot so I can remember it! *laughs*

Kanzan, Kanzan, Kanzan!!

And look at the colour of the trees!

And back to the Kanzan Cherry trees. :)

Okay, can I tear myself away from the Kanzen Cherry blossoms??!

*laughs*

And the Heron is still hunting, just downstream, under the bridge.

Oh my god. The profane heresy is breath taking. On EASTER! A Holy Day for Xians!

∞ Jesus Christ is Risen

The president of the not-so-United States said, and I quote, Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards... Praise be to Allah.

ON EASTER. Do any Christians have anything to say about this? and what the heck is this Praise be to Allah??

∞ Trump Totally Blows His Cool, Demands Iran Open the 'F**king Strait'

And oh yeah. Let's not get all distracted by dear leader throwing down the f-bomb. There's this other thing....

Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran.

Bombing civilian infrastructure like bridges and electricity plants, is absolutely a war crime.

Not that this regime cares about war crimes, when they've committed so many already.

Tag: april 2026

Blue sky today and the forecast has us in the mid-70's thru the weekend and into next week.

Ugh. Normal for this time of year is 59/39. And overly warm days right now, have me worried about the summer.

But walking in the sun does cheer me up.

Aw, the Wood Ducks!

She's so pretty!

This amazing tree is behind the Events Center and living with a couple of Apple trees.

I have wondered in the past if this is a Apricot tree... but I've never actually bothered to check what kind of fruits result from these dark pink blooms.

Oh wow, under the Camellia bush!

Oh! The Wood Ducks are still here... but now there's a second male.

∞ They are fast, but the cognitive dissonance is faster

Yeah, this is a good reminder. My whole family is Maga, and my parents are pretty deep in it, especially my Dad. And as he has gotten better from his double knee replacement (highly successful, YAY!) He has been trying to ... proselytize his craziness at me.

And I really really need to just ignore that. Because I love him. And I know I will not be able to convince him of his craziness. As this video reminds us, actual facts are not going to change anyone's mind.

And as one of the commenters said: I chose sanity over trying to convince my family they are defending pedophiles.

Tag: april 2026

Still a little chilly when I leave the house, 39°. But the sun is shining and it should warm up... I've left the small backpack at home because I want to walk today!

But then I get to the Community Garden and Oh Crud! I forgot that we had gotten a load of finished compost and everyone gets a free wheelbarrow load!

Well? I suppose dealing with one wheelbarrow load without gloves, probably won't kill me! I get to work!

Since they've not completed the fence yet, we've still just got the one gate in and out of the Garden. So my wheelbarrow trip is a little bit longer than it should have been. And this compost is pretty heavy. oof!

But I get the load around to the plot.

Hmm. One wheelbarrow load isn't much, but Kevin promised there would be a second round where we'll get three more loads. I do want some compost in the fallow area, for sure.

But today I have visions of the future! At the back of the plot last year, in front of the strawberry patch, is where I had the tomatoes. I think this year, I'll put the summer squashes there.

And later, I'll drag the big trellis over to the fallow area. That might be a mistake, especially if the beans don't grow. Which is a serious possibility... the soybeans I've planted here last year were VERY stunted, the Fava as well, tho at least some of them made some beans!

I've got time to think about it!

But right next to the big trellis...

This is that Goldenrod plant which came in an unlabeled pot and remained a mystery for so long last year. And then it exploded with yellow blooms and the bugs LOVED it! Which means I love it too!

And LOOK!!! All around the base!!!

Happy little Goldenrod seedlings!

Yay! Tho that's a lot for one little spot. Maybe I will dig a couple up and move them.

But I actually meant to walk today! So I'm heading out!

Oh wow, look at this colourful display!

It amuses me highly that the yard is a weedy mess... Dandelions, Dead Nettle and some Spanish Bluebells there!!

I'm back at the bike path, and here's that weird looking pair of Hooded Mergansers.

As I suspected, the one with the bright orange eyes is a juvenile male. His adult feathers are starting to come in!

He's kind of cute like this, tho!

And a bit further on, Princess Buttercup and her fella!

And when I get home, I decide to take care of the patiently waiting Fuchsias that I had rescued a month ago.

I've even found matching pots for them. A bigger one for the two dormant plants and a smaller one for the single greenhouse plant.

The greenhouse Fuchsia is rather unhappy about the move! So I'm going to keep it inside for a few days to make sure it lives!

I'm sure it will be fine. And I didn't clean up, you can see all the leaves they lost after their adventure of being dumped at the creek and going without water for however many days.

And once this one gets it's act together, they will look great in the front yard, leading up to the door!

Tag: april 2026

It rained thru most of the night but I'm up to a blue sky. My first set of photos, I didn't realize the exposure was turned up just a bit too much.

But, ya know? I'm gonna call these Artsy! And anyway, the more I look at them, the more I like them! Hahaha!

This is a tree which someone has grafted a branch of white cherry blossoms to a tree of pink double petal blossoms.

Here's a helpful page explaining the different kinds of Cherry Blossoms in the parks at Washington DC...

∞ NPS, Cherry Tree Field Guide

So the pink, double petals are Kwanzan Cherries. They are easy to recognize! and the white ones might be Yoshino Cherries? not sure.

Everyone's Tulips in the neighborhood are being colourful!

I've come back around to the bike path, and there's a place where it comes close to the road...

That idiot's war in Iran, just a lame distraction from the Epstein files and the fact that he raped children. I am glad that Iran is fighting back, in an appropriate manner. They are definitely the adult in the room.

Dear World: I am sorry. I don't know why that guy is not in jail. I don't know why Congress is going along with everything he says. I don't know why he's not impeached. I don't know why people voted for a rapist in the first place. I am so ashamed of America. Utterly Ashamed.

*deep breath* I hate it when the real world intrudes on my nature time. Okay. Back to Nature!

Keep! Looking! Up! (in the voice of Jack Horkheimer, Star Hustler) :)

There's still a good puddle at the front of the park. But no ducks or shorebirds.

Once again, I try to get the swooping swallows in frame!

Well look at that! Proof that they are Violet Green Swallows rather than Tree Swallows!

There's still some puddles in the bit of forest, too.

Bigleaf Maple is starting to bloom!

Tag: april 2026

The sky has been dripping off and on since about 5am. As I head out for a walk, it's pretty dreary and the gentle rain is consistant. Perfect weather for a walk!

I'm chasing after the sparrow with Leucism! *laughs*

This time she or he doesn't disappear quite so quickly.

Some Elephants have joined the fence of Graffiti!

A guy was coming towards me, talking on his phone. Ha, I love eavesdropping on the snippets of conversation I hear! But this one sets me on edge right away.

It's not that big a deal, he says. His voice isn't raised, but it's a bit on the emphatic side. Just come pick me up. Drop me off at home. And then go...

We've passed each other now, and I don't hear where she's supposed to go next.

And you KNOW he's talking to a woman... because he has THAT TONE.

Oh. You know that tone. You know it well.

It's the tone of a privileged white guy who has asked for an unreasonable or extraordinary favor from a woman. And the woman has said no, because she's not able, or she's not willing, or whatever. And privileged white guy is ... not taking no for an answer. He is wheedling and manipulating and demanding. He WILL get what he wants.

It's that tone. That misogynistic, caveman tone that says, Woman! You do what I want! No matter what! Because me Man!

That tone.

I hate that tone with the heat of the fusion in the sun.

But now I'm upset and pissed off during my nature time, and that is just not to be endured!!

So I'm imagining the rest of that conversation. The woman will say, You know what? You can call a damn cab if you need a ride home! And hangs up! It's just too bad we can't hang up with a slam anymore!

And then the woman decides some life choices need to be assessed, and yep, it's time to move on from this asshole! If he does come home in the cab, there's a note telling him it's not his home anymore, we're done, go away forever!

*Laughs*

And now I can breath easy again. Nature! Let's look at Nature!

I stop to look at the Solidarity Garden... they've got huge patches of California Poppies which are thinking about blooming!

And one of their fruit trees is blooming. It's sign is missing, but I think this was a Sweet Cherry.

I turn around and wow, this Magnolia sure pops in the dreary weather!

I'm back on the bike path, and I don't know what this fruit tree is either. But these are the darkest pink blossoms around!

∞ Supreme Court To Decide If 14th Amendment Says What It Says The textualists wouldn't dare ignore the plain text, right?

The 14th Amendment is the Birthright Citizenship one, and it's not just about making former slaves citizens. Birthright Citizenship is a common practice that lots of other countries follow.

But America has this little problem with white supremacy at the moment.

Yeah. America is terrible. One of the comments boiled it down: There's a legitimate chance the Supreme Court will rule the Constitution unconstitutional.

Tag: april 2026

It's cloudy this morning, but the 40% chance of rain is for this afternoon. So I've got my small backpack and I'm heading for the Community Garden.

There have been several new Herons hanging out at the creek the last few months. I haven't given the newbies names yet, I'm kind of waiting for my brain to sort them all out... distinguishing characteristics haven't really called attention to themselves yet!

I arrive at the Comm Garden, and there's no one here... not even the guys working on the fence. Which is weird because they had been working Mon, Tues, Wed, and their due date is tomorrow and they are no where near close to done.

So that's annoying, but with no gardeners here either, I'm free to to my work. Hope to get this corner of Plot 15 done today!

I get to work, digging out the Lesser Celandine...

But, crap! The dirt here has dried out and the stupid litle root bulblets were just falling off! That is not good! I can see them as they fall off, but when they hit the dirt they basically become invisible!

So I have to adjust my technique... I'm dumping the whole shovel full of plant and roots AND dirt into the trash bag. It fills up quickly, and I'm not quite done when I have to quit.

But there's nothing for it. I can only carry so much in the backpack. And some of the Lesser Celandine roots here are really big... these ones are practicallly 2inches long.

And I assume this will be the end of my volunteer time. April will bring in the gardeners, and warmer weather will put the Lesser Celandine into dormancy.

Since I'm still alone in the Garden, I'm going to see what flowers everyone has!

I try to get artsy! *laughs*

Some teeny tiny Violets!

I'm looking at the big strawberry patch in my plot...

Oh yeah! First flowers! I think I'm going to have some serious fruit!!

Moving on.

Okay. I know, I know. I'm such a sucker for the flowers!

I check out the new fence, since the guys aren't here. There will be a gate behind the tool shed, and there's an awkward corner there since they were building the new fence on the inside of the old fence here. That's the only place they did that, tho.

Well. I'm heading out.

Zag? Is that you? Where the heck is your girlfriend??

No answers from him. Maybe Zig is looking for a nesting site!

This evening, I got the mail... oh.

*sad*

I've got an envelope back, which says Return to Sender.

And written across the top, Deceased.

sighs.

Tag: march 2026

The three Fuchsia plants I rescued from the bike path the other day are still sitting in the porch room. I still haven't potted them up yet, just lazy.

I've been dumping water on them every day and they are so happy they are making flowers!

The two dormant plants are making leaves and Look at all the flower buds!

Okay! I'm heading out. It's cloudy today and the forecast says rain, starting tonight for a couple days. I've got the small backpack and hope to get a little more volunteer work done at the Community Garden.

Princess Buttercup!

And then I see she's got the male with her! Yay! They finally met up!!

It makes me happy to see them together.

And their little cousin, Zig and Zag the Hooded Mergansers.

Okay! At the Community Garden. There's two guys working on the fence... the due date on that project is April 1st, and they are definitely not going to meet that deadline with just the two of them. *grumble*

I go past them and there's no one else around. Great! I'm at Plot 56 again, and hope to get it finished up.

There's just a few clumps of Lesser Celandine left to dig up in this front corner.

I'm so focused on the work, I'm surprised when someone says Hello! There's a couple walking past, oh hi!

I don't recognize them, but they obviously recognize me. Did you switch plots? I shake my head No and I can tell she has realized what I'm doing as I explain, No. I'm digging out Lesser Celandine for my volunteer time.

They are here for their own volunteer work. They guy has grabbed the weed whacker from the shed and the woman is weeding in the Art Installation.

I finish the front corner of Plot 56. And there were a couple plants at the back of that plot to dig up as well.

And my bag is full and this plot is done!

That's great. I still have a bit left to clear in Plot 14. Maybe tomorrow.

This evening, there's some lovely colours in the sunset!

Tag: march 2026

Cloudy today, and there's a 30% chance of rain this afternoon... making yesterday's blue sky for the protest even more perfect!!

I head out... alone and not in a huge crowd and *laughs* that's very refreshing!!

I go by the Sparrow's thicket, and I see the Golden Crown with leucism. But that one is too fast for me, bouncing away to hide. I did catch one of the little flock, but blurry.

Oh my gosh, the ornamental Cherries have their first blooms!! Spring is moving right along!

A blurry Downy Woodpecker... it's so weird that I only ever see males!!

This is that weird plum tree that I contacted the Extension Office about last year... they didn't know what was going on with these weird fruit things!

It's not a one-off either, there's another tree, half a mile away with the same deal!

Mr Short Tail!

Someone flies up from the creek and settles in a tree just down the way. And ya know what? That kinda looked like a Green Heron?

Yep! Yay! Welcome back from Mexico!!

Tag: march 2026

It is a gorgeous day for a protest!! A little chilly in the morning, but the sun is shining and the high will be 63°!

I've backed up the camera memory and cleared it in case I need to take video. And I've rearranged my small backpack. I've got both water bottles, some Clif bars to snack on. And this is a family friendly event - no weapons allowed - so I've removed the pepper spray as well.

And like I said, the bus rides were crazy...

I'm out the door at 10:15, walking down to the bus stop. I get on, and there's maybe a couple more people riding than is normal for a Saturday. And then we have to make stops at Every Single Bus Stop... which is definitely not normal for a Saturday!

After the first stops, a couple older people come aboard! Are they going to the protest? And then the downtown stops... whoa, there's just more and more people who want on the bus. And once we get to the hub, the bus is full! Jam Packed!

The bus is still stopping at all the stops, and there's loads of people waiting to get on. But nope, we are full. There's a little shuffling around but they'll have to wait for the next bus!

I'm glad to have a seat, and I mostly just stare out the window so I don't have to feel claustrophobic looking at all the people who have jammed themselves into the bus!

There's a couple guys who need to get off... but the bus doesn't keep the doors open for long enough! Everyone shouts at the bus driver to WAIT! To no effect. The guys are forced to stay on until the next stop. I feel bad for them, the stops are generally about a half mile apart and that's a long ways to walk when you're going to be late for work!

We cross over the river and Interstate 5 and get into Springfield! At the hub there, everyone gets off and I just follow the crowd to the City Hall! I arrive at 11:10am.

Things were supposed to kick off at 11am but with the bus situation, it's going to be a little while before everyone arrives. But I could see the crowd was growing by the minute!

I've passed by a few people in inflatable costumes!

The first speaker...

All the speeches are spoken in English and Spanish, that's awesome. I didn't know there's a bigger community of Latin American people in Springfield!

I had been seeing this symbol, resembling the Star Wars Rebel Alliance...

... The Rebel Loon, symbol of Minnesota's resistance to Trump's Operation Metro Surge. Yay!

Well! Meat is Murder. That's random!! *laughs* Yay Vegan!!

foo... I wish I could read the sign with the birds! (under the American flag)

The March was to start at noon... and the drums have been sounding! But there's a bottleneck between City Hall, where most of us are, and the street we'll be marching on.

It takes me a good 15 or 20minutes to make my way over to Pioneer Parkway!

There were quite a few signs featuring cats! :)

There's always a Handmaid!

This group was having good fun!

As a Family Friendly event, I was thrilled to see quite a few dogs joining us!!

I was surprised to see the street we're marching on is going thru residential neighborhoods.

Good sign above: War crimes won't hide sex crimes!

It's 12:50pm and my energy is starting to flag. I decide to turn back.

Because I've cut across, and I'm avoiding people now and thus walking a little faster... I happen to hit the front of the March!!

And the very front of the March!!

And I'm done. It's 1:15 and I'm heading towards the bus hub. ha, I've gotten a little turned around in this new place and I'm not sure which direction to go! But I just follow the others who are walking away from the march, and there's the station behind some tall buildings.

There's a big crowd waiting for buses back to Eugene, and I get in line. One bus comes and get's filled up. I'm towards the front of the line for the next bus, but there's a guy in a wheelchair and his chair is running low on power.

The bus comes, and of course we let wheelchair guy on first, but it takes a minute for the bus to get the ramp down. Meantime the back of the bus is filling up and I'm wondering if I'll have to wait for the next bus after all!

ha. Nope, I'm able to get on. and It's a good ride home, the bus slowly empties as we go thru Eugene.

I get home at 2:25pm and oh boy, I'm starving! *laughs* I get some lunch and a shower and then spend the rest of the day processing the photos!

What a fun day! So many happy people! I'm so glad I made the long trip out there to participate!

And here's my favorite picture from today...

Tag: march 2026

Oh, don't you look pretty up there in the Red Maple!

oh no! What's wrong with your foot? I'm so sorry, I hope it gets better.

Ha, the Flicker hole isn't any bigger than when I saw it yesterday. That male must have abandoned his work right after I saw him!

I've brought the backpack so I can continue working on plot 56 in the Garden... but ugh, there's 3 cars in the parking lot. And when I swing around, I see there's someone in the plot to the right of mine.

The Pot People. I am extremely not interested in meeting him!

Well, I guess I'll be walking on by. I'm sure I can find some flowers to photo in the downtown neighborhoods!

All the crows are feeling photogenic today! *laughs*

I love the colours of this Chinese Witch Hazel!

This is a popular colour of Iris around here, and I have to admit, yep, I love that colour too!

Tag: march 2026

It got down to freezing last night, brr!! It's still pretty chilly when I leave the house, 36° but the sun is going to warm things up pretty quickly, and the high today is 58°.

There's still a good puddle at the wet prairie, but the rest must be drying out because there's 6 or 8 swallows swooping above for bugs today!! I try to get someone's photo, but nope. oh well.

At the garden, Roz is here and the plot I'm working on is just a couple plots away from his. But I have some social energy today, and chatting with Roz is ususally nice, anyway.

I go in, and we talk for a bit... complain about the new fence and how the guys working on it aren't here, yet again, because we guess they only work Mon, Tue, Wed. And pretty sure it's not going to be done on the 1st, because there's A LOT left to do. But anyway...

I show Roz what I'm doing in plot 56. He knows the people who garden here, and wonders if they're coming back again this year.

That I don't know. But they've let this corner get over run with Lesser Celandine and it's my mission to dig it out! *laughs*

He goes to make a video and I get to work in the space. I make another dent, but I've still not finished.

I clean my tools and put them back and say Bye to Roz who is still puttering in his plot.

Oh My GOSH!!!

Flicker! Making a nest hole!!!

The hole looks like it's at least two inches deep, already!

Oops. I've distrubed them. But they're looking towards the other side of the tree?

They get back at it and I shift over to see if I can get a different angle...

Ah ha! He's a male, that red moustache!

Well, my dear. Are you sure about this location??

You're right next to the bike path. Everybody can see you.

You're still thinking about it? Good.

Golden Crown Sparrow. And they are starting to molt into their breeding plumage!

∞ Why Saturday's No Kings Rally Is More Important Than The Last One

Yep. That's a LONG list of reasons to protest!

∞ NPR: Trump is dismantling democracy at 'unprecedented' speed, global report finds

Sighs.

Scholars are alarmed by Trump's blitz on the U.S. system of governance, but John Carey, a co-director of Bright Line Watch, says the United States' democracy rating might have slid even further in recent months if not for the courts pushing back.

The courts pushing back is not enough and it's WAY too slow. People are dying because of the regime!

We the People have a duty here!

I hope to see you at the protest this weekend!!

Tag: march 2026

Overcast this morning, tho the clouds are moving around a bit, which makes me think it's going to rain any minute. The forecast says 20% chance for this morning, and I'm hoping the conditions will keep people away from the Community Garden so I can go in and get some work done!

And on the way, it's Mr Short Tail!

I'm at the Community Garden, and the guys are working on the new fence in this corner.

As I walk around to the front gate, Yay! No gardeners here right now!!

Fabulous! The last time I was able to come in for my volunteer work was the 13th... it's been almost two weeks!

I start going up and down the aisles... I dig out this clump under whatever this bush is. (And I'm keeping in mind that woody plants are _not_ allowed in the Community Garden... So I'm not especially careful with the roots of that woody bush.) (*grumble*)

And then I notice some in front of the plot right behind me.

And then I catch the clump in the plot just down from Kevin's. This is the one that's really been niggling my brain. I am glad to murder it!

I've made a big loop around the main pathways of the Garden, and now I'm going to stop here.

A lot of this Lesser Celandine is still young, which makes it hard to get out... the stems going down to the root Bulblets are more delicate, and I just need to work a lot more carefully.

But I make a decent dent in the patch.

Hopefully I'll get another day or two, so I can finish. But I'm feeling very accomplished for the work I've done today!

The new Irises in my plot are still looking sad. I wonder if that one will ever stand up!

And the transplanted Lettuces are fine.

The clouds have broken up...

There's a 70% chance of rain this afternoon and evening, but nothing comes of it. Looks like we've got another dry streak coming. That's a bummer.

∞ ABC News... TSA: Wait times highest in history as 3,100 officers call out sick nationwide

40 days of the partial government shutdown and TSA not getting paid. TSA people are at food banks and selling their plasma!! Disgusting.

It's just disgusting that American treats workers like this.

And the 14 airports with ICE: They're just in the way. Ha, well sure. They've got no training, they don't know what to do. What did you expect??

Tag: march 2026

Sprinkling this morning and the wind is crazy. Weather page said 14mph but it's very gusty. It's annoying but at least the temperature is warm enough that the wind doesn't make it excessively cold.

Oregon Grape is our state flower. But it's so ubiquitous that I tend to overlook it. Even when they are blooming like crazy!

The guys are working on the fence at the front of the Community Garden today. This is the new fence in the back corner. There were two gates here, one for big machinery and a person size gate. They currently just have the wire mesh going across and the only gate left at the moment is the one in front.

Oh, my dear! I know! They took your nesting box! I'm so sorry, I know you were thinking about bringing up some babies here. But you'll have to go elsewhere.

It's still sprinkling, so I'm not going into the garden today. Walking on by!

America Goldfinch, well into his breeding plumage... I suppose they'll be migrating out of here before too long.

heh, the Leaning Tree Saplings... They don't have a good angle for photography yet, it's going to take a few decades before they are as magnificant as their predecessor.

Oh weird! I think these are Wallflowers, but I've not seen any that are even close to these interesting colours!

The blooms are pretty beaten up and munched, tho. ha, plus I'm having trouble with the wind... making flowers a moving target!

What a lovely front yard!

Tag: march 2026

The sun is shining right now, but there's a good chance of rain in the forecast for a couple days. We have been getting a little bit of rain, about once a week-ish this month. But the blue skies are starting to get tiresome, when it's supposed to be solid grey skies this time of year.

And we are behind on rainfall again this month, about 3inches.

sighs.

Oh, that little bit of blossom pink, tucked into those other trees, showing their spring colours!

And swooping above the wet prairie here... the first pair of swallows!!

I didn't get their picture, but I assume they are our usual Violet Green Swallows.

The guys are back to working on the Community Garden fence again today... after a four day weekend. Must be nice: they only worked Mon, Tue, Wed last week.

I have kitchen scraps to drop off at the compost pile, and then I walk on by.

My Kingfisher friend!! She's flying silently today, and is alone again.

Ha, that branch is perfectly hiding her red belt. bummer. But I'll assume the belt is broken on her right side, and this is the same Kingfisher I've been seeing thru the winter.

And usually she doesn't give me the chance to photograph her at all. So it's nice to see her sit for more than 2 seconds! *laughs*

Well, sheesh.

This Hooded Merganser is alone, and looks like a girl. But his bright orange eyes... I think he's an immature male.

You can't tell from the news, but Trump's Regime has been crashing planes left and right.

∞ When Is It Time To Scream About The Trump Regime's Deadly Incompetence?

Why isn't anyone screaming about all of the plane crashes? This morning at LaGuardia two Air Canada pilots were killed and 41 people were injured when the plane struck a Port Authority Fire Truck. Since the start of the administration there have been 184 aviation disasters in the US, killing a total of 387 people, starting with the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, the first commercial big-jet domestic fatal airline disaster since 2009.

Sometimes words are an inadequate form of expression.

Tag: march 2026

I haven't yet potted up the Fuchsias I rescued the other day. But they are looking much happier in the porch room, getting loads of water every day...

Yep, we're making new flowers!

But I guess it's been more than just the other day since I got them! It's been two weeks! ha, I need to get my act together and find some pots to put them in!

I'm walking to the garden today, just to look.

The new Irises are looking a little pathetic, tho I assume they will live once they get their roots established.

The Lettuces, tucked between the Elephant Garlics look happy, tho they've not started growing yet.

And the Beets which lived thru the winter are making leaves like crazy! I suppose they will bolt soon.

And the right side neighbor has been doing some work as well! The ground has been forked and they've got a wood chip path going up the middle...

That's interesting. These are the Pot People and last year they did nothing with their plot. So I wonder if these are the same people, or if someone new got the plot?!

Tag: march 2026

I wake up this morning to a woodpecker drumming nearby... And he's still at it when I go out to drop my postcards in the mail!

He seems to be in the tree right outside my window, a Sweet Gum which is very much alive. I study the tree, and realize there's a broken and dead branch on the other side.

Sure enough, there's the drumming woodpecker... a Downy!

Thinking about woodpeckers, I decide to go up Hidden Trail to see if I can see the Acorn Woodpeckers up there.

But I'm still walking past my own apartment complex when I see a weird looking Chickadee!!!

OH MY GOSH!! Chestnut Back Chickadee!!

They are a species that lives along the Pacific Coast of North America... And I've never seen one before!!!

Wow! How cool is that!!

I don't know what kind of Magnolia this is.

The Red Flowering Currant bushes are about at their height of blooms!

I get up to the top of the trail and go on to the Acorn Woodpeckers territory. I can hear them calling, but I don't see anyone right away. So I go up to look at the construction happening a bit further up the hill.

But I notice... oh no!

Those trees belonged to the Acorn Woodpeckers, you damn bastards!!! ARG!!

I didn't notice at the time... but looking at this Granary Tree now? It looks strangely empty! Usually you can see the acorns in the holes, but I see only one acorn in this pic!

I wonder. Could the Acorn Woodpeckers be moving their territory???

I hope so. But will I ever get to see them again?

Sighs.

Well. I do get to see one! But the dreary day means the photography isn't great.

The Fawn Lilies are just starting to bloom.

I'm walking home thru the neighborhood. And... Oh Hey!

I cross the street to get a little closer, tho I don't want to disturb him, of course!

For a minute I wonder if he's here by himself! haha! But then I see, there's a handful of females, down near the house.

Plus, check out that Gargoyle!!

Tag: march 2026

I'm about half a mile up the bike path, when I notice this one on the other side of the creek!! Raccoon!! She's small, so probably a female, but then I notice...

That tipped ear! This is the Mama who had that slightly blonde child last summer!!!

Smiley face graffiti!

I've brought my backpack to work at the Community Garden. But there's a couple people in there, so I decide to walk on by!

These double petal Daffodils are interesting, but I've never really liked them because pollinators can't get in to the good stuff in the flower...

But it turns out that most all Daffodils are not very accommodating to pollinators, anyway...

∞ The truth about daffodil pollination: surprising reasons bees ignore them

So that's interesting! Especially since we have so many Daffodils around here that are clearly feral and probably not planted by humans moving bulbs around!

oh, check out this little bush!

Chinese Witch Hazel! Isn't it lovely!

Zig and Zag!

This Mallard goes by, and you can see how much smaller the Hooded Mergansers are, in comparison!

Tag: march 2026

We've got sunshine and a high of 78° again today and you know what? I am tired of the sun and the warmth already. It's supposed to cool off and be closer to normal, over the weekend... but this little preview of heat, with high temps that are 20° over normal, has me worried about what the summer is to be.

But, like usual, I get out into the sunshine and it cheers me right up! *laughs*

It's warm enough to bring out the butterflies! I've been seeing Cabbage Whites here and there this week. And here's a Painted Lady!

The fence guys are not working today, and they've just connected the new fence with the old fence.

I'm interested to see that the wire mesh that will go underneath to keep the Nutrias out, only goes down about a foot or so. Is that deep enough?

The three Killdeers are here again.

They are cute, but their voices are ear-piercing!

*laughs*

Tag: march 2026

Well. The new fence at the Community Garden is coming right along. Too bad it's so ugly.

And as I'm walking along the path here... my brain is trying to tell me something. Once I'm past the guys working, I pause and study the fence...

Oh. The Bluebird nesting boxes! They're gone!

The disappointment crashes down so hard on me. That pair of Bluebirds have been hanging out here for months! I was so hopeful that I would get to see baby Bluebirds fledging here again.

And now that's not going to happen. *WAI*

You know what? I think these white and yellow Daffodils are my favorite!

I had such a hard time finding this Hummer with the camera, and now that I have, of course she's got her head in the shadows, arg!

*snort* oh my gosh! Itchy!

*laughs* Okay, here's a more dignified picture, after I've fiddled excessively with the histogram.

I'm coming back...

Free Irises. And they are legit! Unlike the Fuchsias I rescued the other day.

Yeah, I think I'm going to take a couple. I go thru the pile, there's more here than I could carry and I only want a couple. I pick out six or seven of the smallest ones, and take them back to the garden.

At the Community Garden, I avoid the guys working but do glance at the new fence some more.

Their mission is to build the new fence while still keeping the Garden enclosed. So here they've got the new fence a few feet inside the old fence which is still standing. So much for that pathway along the fence line.

And supposedly they are using a heavier gauge wire, which will be harder to cut into.

I go to my plot and there's new people working in the plot that is diagonal across the pathway. Asian couple, and they've pulled out a few of the raised beds that were orignally in that plot. It looks like they've done good, hard work and I say Hi as I go by.

I put the new Irises in the front corner of my plot, near the Crocuses. I wonder what colour they are. And I'm thinking I will put the Sugar Snap Peas right behind them, once I get to that point!

Tag: march 2026

I kept my bedroom window open a crack all last night, due to the excessive warmth of yesterday. The cold air felt nice. Today will be mid-70s, and I've decided to walk a different direction.

oh my gosh, this Saucer Magnolia!!

oh! Haha!

huh. I was a little surprised to see this much water still here! But I guess we did get a bit of rain the other afternoon.

There's loads of Green Wing Teals!

And a pair of Canada Geese on the other side.

There's usually some birds bouncing around in this little thicket, and I always stop to look at them. But nobody today.

I linger over the Black Mustard blooms.

In the forest, I see this little one...

But the birds are messing with me! I don't even get blurry photos today! *laughs*

Oh well, just means I'll have to come back another day!

∞ Officials 'missed 99% of data' before ending Covid vaccine recommendation, memos reveal
US based Covid vaccine guidance for children and pregnant people on ideology instead of evidence, critics say

Yeah. that put that 'missed 99% of data' in quotes because they didn't 'Miss' the data so much as they IGNORED the data.

It's sickening what's happening in the US.

I mean, ha, yeah, literally sickening. But it makes me sick to my stomach that we don't do science for our health anymore.

The US used to do the most incredible medical research. We threw a lot of money at it and we've done amazing things.

But Trump, his cabinet members, and republicans are turning America into a shithole country.

It's tragic to watch it happen in real time and it's tragic to imagine the future.

... and now I'm depressed. So, here... I've saved one cheerful photo to share with you.

Now, if you can... go outside and get some Nature time! Otherwise, keep scrolling down for some Nature photography!

Tag: march 2026

We've got blue sky and it's to be 78° today... and low 70s for the rest of the week.

That's crazy. Normal for this time of year is clouds, bit of rain, and 57/37. 20° over normal? UGH.

But I can't help enjoying the nice day!

Oh wow! Look at the happy Honey Bees!

They will get lots of action this week with the warm temperatures!

At the Community Garden, there's a small crew who have just started working on the new fence! Great! And I walk on by!

The Solidarity Garden...

Oh, look! Someone has already started planting stuff!

Not sure the Collard Greens will appreciate the hot weather, tho. And I don't think this garden has any water, either.

*smiles* All kinds of bugs coming out today!

On way home, a guy standing at a bench spoke to me. He was mumbling and I'm all What was that?

Can you get your phone out and ... I'm shaking my head as he goes on to say he's lost his speaker and whatever. I say I'm sorry. I'm not carrying a phone with me.

And his response: Bitch! and then he mumbles other disparging things in my direction. And I keep walking and just make sure he's not following me.

You know what I have decided? There are too many men like this in the world.

They make an unreasonable demand of a woman. The woman politely refuses. And then they get pissed off and threatening because they've been rejected.

That effin' ICE guy who killed Renee Nicole Good was exactly the same. Called her a bitch after he murdered her in the face.

It's 'Not all men?' huh? Riiight. It *IS* ALL men... until the REAL men stop asshats like this!!

Tag: march 2026

I have lived here for how many millions of years, and today I looked up what the difference is between Cherry blossoms and Plum blossoms.

Plum trees bloom much earlier than Cherry trees! I didn't know! But now I do! *laughs* All of these, so far this year, have been Plum blossoms.

Also Cherry blossom petals have a notch in them, and plum petals are round. There's obvious differences in the trunks of the trees as well.

And ya know, sheesh! It's not hard to tell them apart, I've just never bothered to learn!!

Here's a good article on the suject...

∞ Plum trees versus cherry trees: how to tell the difference and identify them

Hummer! This is a point and click and hope...

She never sits down.

Mr Short Tail, pauses a moment to look back at me before bounding off with his nut.

I go into the Community Garden for a look around.

ha. This male House Finch has found his one true love.

He is bouncing around with great energy.

And she is studying him closely.

Dead Nettle. I wish I had so many in my plot!

And I can't help but notice that my mission to murder Lesser Celandine must continue.

Tag: march 2026

I need a walk that's completely different, for all the garden work I've done these last couple of weeks! I have done 13½ hours of volunteer time, and I'm heading over to Hidden Trail today!

The fawn lilies are coming up!

I keep walking past the end of the trail to visit the Acorn Woodpeckers territory. It's the first time I've been all the way up here, this year and ugh. There's new houses being built up here.

I can hear the Acorn Woodpeckers, but I can't see any at all. Hidden in the trees. So I take a little diversion and visit the bioswales.

The frogs aren't singing today, but when I reach the top one, I do hear a single ribbit! and I go down to the edge.

I see movement in the water. Oh My Gosh! A Newt!!!

She disappears before I can get the camera, but oh wow! I'm so impressed that this bioswale has that kind of wildlife! I got to see a Newt!!

*laughs* I study the water carefully, but she's not coming out, and I don't see anyone else.

Foo. But now I have a new reason to walk all the way up here!

and heading back to the trail, I do see a single Acorn Woodpecker! Not that we are very cooperative, but that's okay.

And heading back down. Oh sure. This is the photo I get! *laughs*

I take a different turn on the way home, and whoa! Look at these bicolour Camellias!!!

They just delight me!

What an absolutely lovely hike!

Tag: march 2026

Ah Spring!

As I come round to the garden... #1 the porta-potty is back. So that was perfect timing that I dug up those Lesser Celandines there yesterday!

#2 there's a couple of guys here with a big white dog. They are looking at the garden fence and have set up some barriers in the parking lot. The work to replace our fence around the Community Garden begins on Monday!

#3 these are the trees that were murdered yesterday.

I think these were all Hawthorn trees. I don't know why they were murdered, and I'm sad about it.

I walk past the guy's work truck and into the garden. I wave Hi at them, and then do my usual work on plot 15.

I had forked a bit more than I could dig out today. But I'm really happy that I can almost see the end of this clump of Lesser Celandine!!

The lettuces that I transplanted into my garden plot are still looking good.

I'm not even thinking about a yummy salad yet. I'd like them to get their roots established before I start picking leaves off them. And it'll be a while before they really start growing, with the chilly nights.

The one remaining Columbine.

At one point, I had three different colours of Columbines. But they've gotten smaller and smaller every year, and last year I didn't even have a single bloom.

I should get some more, I really like the flowers! And the leaves are lovely as well.

I go wandering thru the Community Garden.

*screams* in horror!

That yellow is Lesser Celandine, and this plot is just east of Kevin's plot. Ack! I will be sure to dig that out soon!

Wandering on the Internets this evening, I happened upon this YouTube video...

∞ I Put Rain Puddle Mud in a Jar, Weeks Later THIS Appeared!

Oh my gosh! What Fun!!

I do love stuff like this!! Mud in a jar!! *Laughs*

He never says who the predator is... It looks like a dragonfly nymph?

The comments wondered about that as well, and someone else says: they are the larvae of the great diving beetle.

Tag: march 2026

Oh, those spring colours over there!

The second Vulture sighting of the spring!

I'm at the garden, and there's a truck and a wood chipper and some guys working on the bike path exit I need to take to get into the garden. I don't know why we always have to murder trees. Instead of trying to walk past them, I walk thru the grass and carefully slide past the leaf pile at the other side of the Community Garden.

And hey, hey! There's no guys here today, trying to figure out how the lawn mower works! *laughs*

I dig out the pathetic Lesser Celandine that was at the edge of the porta-potty area. and then I put my little dent into the invasives at plot 15.

And then I go back to my plot to see how the transplants are doing. The Crocuses are sadly quite done.

The transplanted lettuces are good... a couple of wilted leaves at the bottom, but their cores are happy!

And then I go to the back, where I put the Artichokes down. But I don't see them for a second? ... oh.

well, crud. All three of them have wilted to death.

I guess that experiment was not to be.

And then my usual walk around the block.

Tag: march 2026

OH NO! My sweet! Why aren't you in your den??!

Poor Baby. She must have gotten treed this morning, and now there are too many humans around and she can't come down!

oh my gosh, look at her hands! Haha, they look like AI hands!!!

Well. I don't want to distress her by staring at her for too long, so I move on. But I suppose she'll be stuck in her tree until dark, and that's an exhausting day for her.

Princess Buttercup is back with her friend again!

And I almost get a photo of a Steller Jay.

*Laughs* Steller Jays are more shy than our other blue-coloured jay, Scrub Jays, and I don't get to see them very often.

I want to get some work done in the garden, but there's a guy working behind the shed again. SIGHS. But I have a little bit of social energy today, so I went in anyway.

The lawn mower is out again and he's got a wheelbarrow full of pulled grass. I peek around the shed and said hello and he asked, in the same plaintive tone as the guy yesterday, Have you ever used the mower?

Haha!! I showed him the trick with the button and the lever that you have to hold.

And then I grab a fork from the shed and head to plot 15.

He goes back to his wheelbarrow of grass, while I get down to my own work. But soon, he's putting his stuff away. He comes over to tell me that he's heading out, goodbye.

I have to wonder, did the fact that he had to ASK A GIRL about the lawn mower, put him off??

But maybe he had done enough work already, pulling out grass from where ever he was working, and didn't want to start a new, extensive project.

I guess it's none of my business, and I'm happy to have the gardem to myself!

And I've put another dent into the huge clump of Lesser Celandine.

Before I go, I double check a couple spots where I had dug up Lesser Celandine last year... This is where they put the porta-potty, and I had removed plants from all around the edges of it...

I am very pleased to see, there's just a couple pathetic looking plants that have returned in one corner!!

I'll have to dig that up soon. I'm not sure when they'll be returning the porta-potty, maybe any day now with the work on the fence pending!

And then I had dug up some plants in front of the picnic table and at the side of the shed. And those have not returned at all! Probably the new wood chip paths, helped there. But I'm going to take the credit anyway!! *laughs*

I walk around the block before going home. The colours of early spring delight me.

Back at the bike path. And here's Zig...

And Zag!

And, as I suspected, poor Opossum is still in her tree.

Poor girl. It's a long day, she's got. But maybe she'll be able to look back on it as an adventure.

Tag: march 2026

I've decided I'm going to dig up some volunteer Artichokes today and move them to my plot!

But when I get to the garden... arg, there's a guy there in front of the shed. Ordinarily, I would just keep walking. But I've got kitchen scraps to dump on the compost pile...

And I really, really want those Artichokes.

I go in and say Hi to the guy. He's pulled the lawn mower out of the shed...

He looks at me and says, Do you know how to run the mower? Nope, sorry. He explained that he could get the motor running, but it wasn't cutting the grass.

I couldn't help him, but grabbed a fork from the shed and wished him luck in solving the problem.

I dump my compost and pick out a couple of Artichokes to dig up.

That was easy. The dirt just fell away. Tho I'm kind of worried that they lost a lot of their tiny roots, too.

I dig up some Lettuce as well! But this, I just leave a big root ball to transfer over. It's really heavy, but I know Lettuce doesn't like to be transplanted, and maybe this way, they won't feel a thing!

I get everyone situated in the ground. It's been a week since the last rain we got, but the dirt is still pretty wet. I do wish I could pour some water on them, anyway, to help the roots connect with their new place. But the water at the Garden won't be turned on until April.

They look happy, but now I'm wondering if this is going to work!

Well. Nothing for it. I clean the fork as best I can and take it back to the shed.

The guy is still there... and he says he has figured out the lawn mower!

He shows me the trick. Once you get the motor going, you have to push this button on the handle and then pull this lever and grip it with your hands. That engages the blade and you're good to go to cut the grass!

Yay! And now he has to figure out how to open up the gas can to give the mower some fuel. Haha, I wish him luck again and head out!

I get buzzed by a Hummingbird... do you see her?

Scrub Jay at the bottom, Anna Hummingbird at the top!

She's looking for bugs, and probably finding some, too!

It's a blurry bird day, I guess!

The Goldfinches don't want to show their face, either.

Back at home, I do a bit more research on Artichokes. and hmm, this is concerning...

∞ Artichokes vs. Cardoons (5min video)

What if those are not Artichokes after all?! Ha.

Artichokes are descendants of Cardoons. And you should not keep the seeds of Artichokes because they tend to revert back to Cardoons!

Cardoons are very popular in Italian cooking, where they are native.

But it's not something I'm interested in... you have to keep the stalks covered in dirt so they stay blanched. and then you have to cook the heck out of them, boiling them maybe several times over.

So. *laughs* All that, and I probably don't have Artichokes anyway!

Tag: march 2026

Mr Short Tail!

Okay! Garden work. I'm working at the corner of plot 15 again.

I've made another little dent in the Lesser Celandine.

And then I go to the back of the Garden to look at the Artichokes growing in front of the compost heap again.

I've looked up basic transplant information. Artichokes have a tap root but you're supposed to dig these at the end of the summer.

So they might not do well, to move them at this time of year.

But I think I'm going to try it! Instead of working on the invasives tomorrow, I'll dig up a couple of these free Artichokes!

I go around to study this mature Artichoke...

It's such a big plant. But that shade of green is so delightful.

Cooking Artichokes is kind of a pain... I think you just have to steam the whole flower and then strip it to get at the heart. And really, it's not much food, for such a big plant, just a few mouthfuls.

A few delectable mouthfuls! *laughs*

I go home a different way... and find a new Little Free Library. And isn't it a lovely scene!

Tag: march 2026

Oh my gosh!! So much fun!! So glad I went!

The bus rides were CRAZY. *laughs* Everyone had the same good idea to ride over to Springfield and the buses were just Packed!!

And then we got there and YAY! There's thousands of people! And we are all happy and joyful.

It will take me a little bit to get the photos organized. So stay tuned.

Meantime, here are a couple of local news articles about our protest!

The photo gallery at the local newspaper...
∞ Register Guard: No Kings Protest Photo Gallery

And a great writeup from our local NPR station...
∞ KLCC: Third round of 'No Kings' protests held in Oregon and across the nation

Ha... The KEZI reporter actually found a counter protester...
∞ Families join No Kings march in Springfield

One man at the rally showed his support for Trump among all of the No Kings participants. Both sides stayed peaceful.

*giggles* Yep. A Single counter protester!

And here's the photos from LookOut Eugene-Springfield...
∞ Photos: Scenes from the third 'No Kings' rally

And the photos around the world at The Guardian...
∞ No Kings protests across the world: in pictures

More photos from across America at Wonkette...
∞ NO KINGS: Pictures From Wonkette Readers All Across This Land ... We are ready for the fight!

And a video of scenes from Indivisible!
∞ Indivisible: No Kings 3

Over 3,300 protests. All 50 states, plus Washington DC, Puerto Rico and American Samoa!! 8million people!!

Not to mention all the protests across the world!! There was even a NoKings protest in Antarctica!! We've got all the continents.

Dear World, Thank you for standing with us! It means so so much that you see us!

Tag: march 2026

Oh ugh. It's the Spring Forward time change. The worst. I wish we didn't have to go thru this foolishness!

I'm a little bit grumpy about 'sleeping in' without any actual extra sleep. But, let's get the day on...

*laughs* Mr Short Tail, not sticking around for the photography!

I'm in the garden, just looking at everyone's flowers!

Oh, wow. Someone has Peas coming up already!

It has been quite a bit warmer than normal. Probably a good idea to get a jump on the season!

In my plot, I check on the little patch of Leek seedlings, that had sprang up from a fallen flower.

The Strawberry patch is the biggest I've ever had!!

And there will be loads of Elephant Garlic to pick before too long!!

And there's still some Beets leftover from last year, currently making new leaves.

There's a few Crocuses left.

But look over here! Someone else has Crocuses too!

At the back of the Community Garden, in front of the compost pile...

Are these all Artichoke plants? Hmmm...

I'm thinking about digging up one or two, and transferring them to my garden plot. Artichokes are very big plants, but wouldn't it be fun to grow them for a season or two!

Some pretty Lettuces are growing here too.

On the other side of the compost heap... you see all those yellow flowers?

That's all Lesser Celandine. It's way too much for me to deal with. I'm gonna pretend I didn't see it! *snort*

A bird way over on the other side of the garden catches my eye with an unusual flying pattern...

Oh! Black Phoebe!! How cool is that!

And heading home.

Ha, that was a lot of photos today. Maybe I should calm down a little with the photography! But how can I do that? It's Spring!!

Tag: march 2026

I've worked at the garden every day this week. I'm up to 11½ hours of volunteer time! And today... I think I'm just going to walk. I'm taking the backpack, just in case the Garden is empty. I might change my mind.

But the blue sky is starting to work on me!

At the bike path, a little dot of pink catches my eye, and I walk over to investigate.

Hmm.

A few potted plants have been abandoned here.

I just glance over them and see there's one healthy and green plant with a pink flower. All the others are just sticks.

I make note of the location, and if I remember when I'm coming home, I'll look at them again and maybe rescue one.

I continue on. But I'm thinking hard about that single pink flower that caught my attention!

Oh! First Vulture of the year! Welcome back! It must be spring!

ha, not that you can tell it's spring from the trees, who are still winter bare!

The Crocuses are starting to look a little bit rough.

The Camellia bush that I love is just starting to bloom.

I'm such a sucker for this bush! It's not that shade of pink, particularly. It's more the shape of the petals and the way they overlap and all.

I've come back around to the plants which have been dumped, and yep, I'm still thinking about them.

I assume a homeless person dumped the plants here. But who knows what they were thinking when they picked them up, in the first place?! Did they steal them? Or the plants could have been out, in front of someone's house with a 'Free to a Good Home' sign.

I'm studying the plants now, and OH! The pink flower that caught my attention...

It's a Fuchsia!!

I pull out that plant... it doesn't have a pot, but it looks like it's come straight from a hot house. There are a couple more Fuchsia plants behind it that are in a dorment state... just sticks with a couple leaves.

There's also some Roses? I think that's what they are. Dorment as well. They've been properly pruned down, tho, and it makes me think that all this has been stolen rather than just picked up for free.

Well. I'm not interested in the Roses, but I want all three of the Fuchsia bushes! The first big empty pot I find to carry them, does not have a bottom. foo. But then, oh good, there's a plasic tub here. It's broken around the edges but a perfect fit.

The three plants are a bit heavier than is comfortable. And I've got a ¼ mile to walk home!

ooof! So heavy! The muscles in my arms are shaking and my hand is painful holding the edge of the tub!

But I finally get home, and set the things in the porch room.

And the dormant sticks of the other plants behind...

I dump some water on them, and in a couple of hours they have visibly perked up!

So that's awesome! I will have to find some pots for them. And they will look great at the front door, I think.

Tag: march 2026

I take the mail out to the box, first thing every morning. And this morning there were a couple of Crows yelling in the trees over the parking lot...

I looked and looked, and finally I saw a flash of red between the winter bare branches. hmm. When I came around for a different angle, ah! Cooper Hawk!!

So that's way cool! I've been hearing hawks talking, close by lately and I wonder if there's some nesting happening!

Out for my walk, and as soon as I jump on the bike path, this...

Oh, Unseen Beaver. I LIKE this tree! Are you really sure you want to bring THIS tree down??

*laughs* a Beaver has to chew!

At the Community Garden there's a sign next to the gate. Yay! New fence! Planned Start Date: 16 March. Expected Completion Date: 1 April.

Fabulous! Some of the fence posts are leaning in a uncomfortable way. And they'll be using a heavier gauge wire to make it a little more difficult for the homeless people to break in.

At the moment, the wire can be cut with just a pliers. And we have so many patched holes.

I continue my work in plot 15.

And then I head out and walk around the block again. And as I'm coming back to the garden on the bike path...

It's Mr Short Tail!!

Someone has left some sunflower seeds here for the wildlife. That's nice!

Good Video...

∞ When men say 'not all men'

I've been watching this YouTube channel, danasinspired for a while, and this is a very excellent explaination of why this phrase is an attempt to derail the conversation.

It's the same deal when people respond with All lives matter when they see a Black Lives Matter sign.

We are trying to talk about systemic harms, and these phrases try to turn the conversation to their own individual discomfort.

Anyway. A good thing to think about, go watch the video!

Tag: march 2026

Oh yeah! Going to the protest tomorrow!!

I wasn't sure. I had signed up for the protest a while ago. But this one is in Springfield, instead of here in town like it usually is. And I wasn't sure I could get there easily. I've never been over that way!

But last night I looked at the bus maps, and it's an easy, straight shot. Just a longer trip, is all. It'll take half an hour or a bit more to get there.

But that's okay. I do wonder how little Springfield will accommodate thousands of people walking around their downtown. ha!

And since it's someplace new to me, there's going to be a zillion photos as I look at interesting things besides the protest!

The weather is forecast to be nice... sunny, no rain.

It will be a great time, I think!!

∞ Why Saturday's No Kings Rally Is More Important Than The Last One

I hope you'll be going to a protest tomorrow as well!! You can find the closest one here: No Kings

Tag: march 2026

ha. Oh well. To Work! Let's murder some Lesser Celandine!

I'm going to move around today. I'll start with this clump next to the shed, that's been annoying me all week.

Those white things are the ribs to support a tunnel of row covers. Someone must have abandoned them.

That little clump was easy to dig out, so now I'm going for a challenge... Here's some Lesser Celandine in the main path going to the back of the garden.

Yeah, I get frustrated with that mess, and decide to move on before I've dug out all the Lesser Celandine.

There's hardly anything in the trash bag, so I decide to work on the bonanza in the back corner of plot 15.

It's a damn swamp here! And I needed the fork, too, because the roots of these go down way deep. But the mud was so watery, it was easier to pull out whole roots. I made a dent!

There's some Red Dead Nettle growing here too, and the whole thing is pretty.

I'm out, and walking around the block.

I really like this striped kind of Crocuses.

∞ Sesame Street: Ian McKellen Teaches Cookie Monster to Resist

*laughs* This just made me feel happy and nostaligic. Who doesn't love Cookie Monster?!

Tag: march 2026

It was pouring when I woke up this morning. Rained itself out and the sun shines. But the clouds are rolling in for the next rain storm!

Princess Buttercup! You still haven't found that male yet? Where could he be??

*laughs* but of course, the Leucism Sparrow isn't hanging around for photography!

oh... Bumblebee... maybe wondering about her life decisions this morning.

Okay. Here I am at Plot 38, and the clouds that have rolled in are starting to send some sprinkles down.

I HATE working in the rain. But I'm so very close to finishing up the edges of this plot. I get to work!

I finish the grass in the front as best I can, and then went up the west side again since there were some baby Lesser Celandines coming up. Unfortunately, they were too small to mess with. A lot of the roots just broke off! Which made me even more frustrated than the sprinkles.

It's raining now, but my little trash bag is not even close to full. I head over to plot 58 and hope the rain will quit in a minute.

Instead it starts pouring. You know what? Maybe it's time to quit!

Packing up in the pouring rain and having to deal with cleaning off the mud from the fork and my hand spade... almost sends me over the edge! I think about screaming out my frustration!!

But once everything is put away... and I'm in the shed looking out at the rain... I remember...

I LOVE THE RAIN!

*laughs* Yes. It's annoying to do garden work in the rain. That's a good reminder. Let's not do that again.

But now I get to walk home in the glorious rain! The bike path will be cleared of humans. And I'll get some real nature time! It is good.

Tag: march 2026

On my way to the Community Garden again, and I run into a happy group of Nutrias. These two over here...

And that's the little runt on the right, there. I guess she's not going to get any bigger. But it makes her identifiable! I should think about giving her a name!

But look at her foot! I rarely get to see how their feet are webbed!! So cute!

And then there's these two, over here. Butt to butt. How sweetly gregarious!!!

And then our little runt comes over to join them.

Aww!

And you can see how little she is, compared to the others.

So cute. I'm glad I got to meet them all today!

Okay. Plot 38 is getting so close to finished. But these last few Lesser Celandines buried in the grass are going to be tough to get out.

While I'm at it, I pull up the edge of the tarp to give myself a bit of working room. Oh jeez! So tenacious!

well. There's still a bit left to do. Maybe I'll be done tomorrow.

I stop at my plot before I go.

oh! Haha! A Spotted Cucumber Beetle!

These are the nice bugs, it's the Striped Cucumber Beetles that cause so much havoc and destruction.

As I'm leaving, some Hyacinths catch my eye.

Princess Buttercup! Where's your friend? Did you know there was a male here?? Yesterday! You JUST missed him!!

She just paddles away, questions unanswered! *laughs*

Tag: march 2026

Mr Short Tail was bounding away from me, and I just noticed the white furs at the end of his poor tail.

I waited a second, and yep, he popped up to look at me!

It's surprising to me... he's roaming an area that's a bit over ½ a mile! It seems like a lot for someone so small.

And the male Common Merganser is here for a second day, still hasn't met up with Princess Buttercup.

And his little cousins, Zig and Zag the Hooded Mergansers.

Okay, let's get to work!

Prepare to Die, My Pretties!

Another frustrating time, trying to dig the Lesser Celandine out of the grass. The bag isn't very full when I quit.

The clouds were breaking up as I worked and the sun has come out.

Oh, and these fruit trees on the other side of the creek!

I call all the tree flowers Cherry Blossoms, even tho we have plums, pears and other fruits. I don't really make a distinction unless I know the tree.

For instance, there's an Apple Tree outside the Community Garden that I know well. It will bloom later in the spring.

So, all that to say: I don't know what kind of fruit tree this is! *laughs*

The sun has warmed up the world enough to bring out some bees!

And maybe it's just as well that the tree is on the other side of the creek! I would be here all day, just taking pictures! :)

Tag: march 2026

Red Shoulder Hawk, just outside the Community Garden!!

I'm moving around to see if I can get a better angle. Nope. ha. Oh well.

I decide to go into the Community Garden, just to look around. The little clump of Crocuses in my plot.

They're so pretty in the rain!

There's Loads of Robins here today, grabbing worms who have come up from the rain... but can I get anyone's photo???

This Rosemary is pretty pretty!

Oh, the Bluebird couple is here again!

As I'm leaving, I finally get a less blurry Robin.

And on the way home... Oh my gosh!

A male Common Merganser!

He's by himself. He hasn't found Princess Buttercup or her new friend yet.

And is this the male who was hanging out with the female mallard with the bum wing? Or is this someone new?

I don't know. He's not talking! :)

Tag: march 2026

*Wails* Did Trump just start World War 3???

What the hell? Just, what the hell?

And this is another CLEARLY ILLEGAL action, and the military has completely abdicated it's duty to uphold the constitution. Again.

Right? Because the president doesn't get to declare war, randomly!

I am so sorry, World. Starting a war just to distract from the Epstein files. Will somebody please just arrest him, already?

I'm upset when I leave the house, and I'm not thinking about where I want to walk or anything. I just do exactly what I did yesterday, grabbing my small backpack and walking toward the garden.

Oh! Princess Buttercup has a companion! That's good!

I'm at the garden and no one else is here, so I may as well go in and work.

I don't usually like to visit the garden on the weekends. But at some point, there will be gardeners coming in to work in their plots, and I'll have to quit murdering invasives in everyone else's plots. So I suppose it's just as well that I'm getting more done today.

It's such hard work, digging in the grass, and trying to separate the Lesser Celandine from the grass roots. My little hand spade is almost useless here, the grass roots are too thick and the edges of the spade need to be sharpened. But the fork is useless as well, bringing up solid blocks of mud and grass. frustrating.

And I'm out and back on the bike path. Here's Zig and Zag.

*laughs* still trying to get a squirrel in a Cherry Tree...

I guess it's pretty impossible. ha, oh well!

Yep, I'm such a sucker for the Cherry Blossoms!

Oh no.

∞ The most bitter news: Iran reels as more than 100 children reportedly killed in school bombing
The building appears to be among many devastated in Trump's 'major combat operations' as long expected attacks arrive

We murdered elementary school children.

Who will punish us for our war crimes?

Tag: february 2026

Overcast this morning but the clouds are clearing out as I start my walk.

And I'm at the garden again to murder Lesser Celandine in the pathway again.

It's muddy and it's not long before I'm frustrated, but I get another small section mostly dug out.

I have been working a little over half an hour at a time, generally. And with today's time, I'm almost at 8 hours of volunteer time. Twice the requirement!

*laughs* but I can't quit! I'm so close to getting all the way around plot 38! And there's the back of plot 15 that really needs help. And more Lesser Celandine popping up all over the stupid place.

Tag: february 2026

I've enjoyed this guy's funny medical YouTube channel for a while. I don't know where he lives, but this is the second post he's made about the local hospital, here in Eugene.

∞ Corporate Healthcare Strikes Again

So here's the deal.

December 2023... Peace Health CLOSED the hospital in Eugene. It was downtown and got a lot of traffic from homeless people. And you don't make money treating homeless people right? So it's closed. Please note, that was Eugene's ONLY Emergency Department.

Wait times at Peace Health in Springfield jumped up, and for a while they were treating patients in the hallways because they didn't have room for everyone! Fucking Ridiculous.

And now, it's just over two years later and hospital administration has decided to fire our ER Doctors and staff the ER with an out of state, corporate group. Apparently the ER doctors are not employed directly by the hospitals, which seems weird.

But of course, everyone freaked out that they were firing our ER docs. And the administrators were all, we don't need to consult you about the choices we make! (ha! Srsly! They said that out loud!!) And they tried to justify this change because the corporate group is good about reducing Emergency Department wait times. And they go round and round with their words, but you know... YOU KNOW! This corporate group is cheaper and it's all about money, and not actual patient outcomes!

And the administration were also saying: But No Worries! This out of state corporate group is SO AWESOME and it usually hires the local ER doctors! So, everyones happy, right?!

And 100% of our fired ER docs (Eugene Emergency Physicians = 41 doctors) were all: Oh Hell No! They've all refused to be a part of the corporate group. And good for them, corporate is evil. There's a reason why the corporate group is cheaper... They limit the time the doctors spend with patients, and they don't pay the doctors what they are worth!

So earlier this week, ALL the doctors at the hospital -- there's 367 of them -- held a vote and 93% said No Confidence in the administrators. Next week, the nurses will hold a vote as well, and I'm sure it will be about the same.

But what does a vote of no confidence mean? Probably nothing in the real world. But it does get us some national attention!

Tag: february 2026

Cloudy and chilly this morning. And I'm heading to the Community Garden to work in the mud.

And as I walk behind Gudu-kut Park... a whole chorus of tree frogs is singing!! I'm so glad they have puddles for their babies now!

I listen to them for a while before moving on.

Okay! I'm at the Garden and looking at the pathway in front of plot #38.

In some places, the Lesser Celandine is pretty thick.

But other places, it's just a few leaves sticking up here and there. Ugh. This is going to be difficult.

Difficult and muddy. It's really annoying. But I fill up the trash bag.

And then I have to spend some time cleaning the muddy tools. Arg, annoying!

But look who's coming over!

He requests pets and I am happy to oblige.

I didn't get very much done today, maybe two feet. And look at how much is growing on this side too.

It's going to take forever.

I walk around the block before going home.

A squirrel was looking down at me from a cherry tree and I was all oh my gosh you are beautiful up there! But when I got the camera out, this is what I get...

Bahaha!

Oh, dang it. That Sparrow with leucism is being uncooperative as well. But that's normal.

And back at home, the Monstera is unfurling it's new leaf!

Tag: february 2026

The wonderful rain of the last two days kept sprinkling off and on thru the night. But now the clouds have broken up and we've got more of our new abnormal weather: blue sky, chilly nights, all thru the forseeable.

Sighs. Stupid climate change.

Princess Buttercup!

And the pair of Canada Geese are still here!

The Mallards mostly stay out of the creek when the water is high. But the Mergansers are braving the current!

The Mallards are enjoying the calmer waters of the wet prairie puddles.

I was coming back thru the Events Center parking lot, and a black thing way up in a tree on the other side kept drawing my attention. I thought I saw it moving, but it could have just been a black plastic bag catching the breeze.

I took a photo and zoomed in to look...

I saw the tail... definitely a woodpecker. And then they flew away and all I could see is black... And they sang their song...

Oh My Gosh! Pileated Woodpecker!!

These birds are SO COOL! And I wished I had been on the other side of the parking lot so I could have a chance at photography. Oh well.

Pileateds are Huge! And they are a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

Well. Not here, specifically, in the parking lot of the Events Center in the middle of the city! *laughs* He's just passing thru! But when you see Pileateds out in their home territory in the forest? That would be the healthy ecosystem!

And they remind me of the recently extinct Ivory Billed Woodpeckers down in Florida. I have an interest in the recently extinct, and I will definitely go down a rabbit hole while I'm thinking about them. Ivory Billed and Passenger Pigeons and Thylacines and Quaggas!

Okay. Back to my flowers!

The perfectly placed red graffiti on the fence behind amuses me greatly!!

Tag: february 2026

The rain continued, and it sprinkled all night. So nice!

And the sprinklings are still coming down as I head out.

The bike path is still flooded under the bridges.

And still too chilly for the Crocuses to open.

The Lenten Roses don't mind the chill, tho.

Or the Camellias.

There's these three Killdeers out in the field again. A bit too far away for photography, but I'm kind of curious about them.

Oh sure. The ONE photo I get that's actually in focus...

And who are you, anyway?

Oh right... Female House Sparrow. It always surprises me, how different they look from the males!

House Sparrows are invasive from Europe, and common across most of North America and much of South America as well. They aren't terribly common here, tho I do admit, when I notice them I usually just keep walking instead of stopping for photography.

But... Today hasn't been a great day for the picture taking, anyway. *laughs*

At the back of Gudu-Kut Park, ah, some happy frogs singing!

Pacific Chorus Frogs. I would listen to them all day!

Tag: february 2026

It was sprinkling off and on all day yesterday but at 3:20 this morning it started pouring! It woke me up and I was happy!

And it kept pouring! All thru the morning and still, as I'm walking!

The sprinkles of yesterday added up to 0.42 inches. But there must be inches of rain today! (Yep! 2.35inches total for Feb23!)

Of course that's not really putting a dent in the 8½ inches we are behind. BUT! We've gone well over the normal for February...
Normal = 3.84 and Rainfall as of today = 5.98 inches!

Awesome! and the creek is full!

And good to see our wet prairie puddles filling up!

And, of course, the path is flooded under the bridges.

And the wet prairie where I was down taking photos of the wild Daffodils and Snowdrops? Yay!

Mud-luscious and Puddle-Wonderful!! (e.e. cummings)

I stop in at the garden, but just to drop off kitchen scraps at the compost pile. The Garden is on wet prairie land as well, and there are puddles forming here too. No ponds yet, tho!

Tag: february 2026

On Sundays I like to check my PO Box. That's the address I'm using for LetterMo, and I was a little bit excited to see what was there.

I've gotten a few friend requests, and the normal etiquette is for the member making the request to send mail first.

But I got there and my box is empty. *Sighs*

Oh well. It's maybe much too early to be expecting mail. I've sent a postcard to all my new friends, this past week. And this week I will continue on and send a postcard to all my old friends from previous years.

Zig and Zag are here at the creek... haha, the rain today has messed up Zag's feathers and he has two horns on his head!!

It's raining pretty good, and except for happy ducks, I'm probably not going to see much wildlife today. So I decide to walk up to the neighborhood to the south. I never see wildlife there, but the flowers in people's yards are pretty!

There's Tulips coming up...

And I check the Little Free Library.

Oh! Haha! I was not expecting Turkeys!!

Wow, I wasn't expecting any wildlife and here I've had a pretty lucky day!

And check out these Amazing Camellias with varigated petals!!

Tag: february 2026

I've got my backpack, to do work at the garden, but I'm gonna assume there will be people there again. I'll probably walk on by.

Happy to see these two, still enjoying our wet prairie puddles!

And even happier to see my new friend Princess Buttercup, the Common Merganser.

Sure enough, at the garden there's a couple people, tho not the same four guys who have been working the last two days.

An older guy is walking at the back of the garden and he recognizes me and waves. I grin and wave back, and yeah, I'm going to walk on by again today! *laughs* at my own shyness. :)

A little bit further up the bike path, a murder of crows!

I thought it was pretty sus that they were all facing the same direction. But I couldn't see what they were looking at.

I walk on, but happened to look back. Ah ha! Now I can see who they are yelling about!

A Red Tail Hawk, I think.

Poor girl being mobbed for no reason. heh. But she's taking the attention of dozens and dozens of crows calmly.

Some wild Daffodils...

But it's crazy that I can walk down here. Normally, this time of year, this would be a wet prairie puddle and I would be up to my leg in mud and water!

Some Snowdrops here as well.

I'm walking back the same way and ha, the hawk is still here. Not as many crows, now.

The Red Tail is still calm. Probably just waiting for the Crows it get bored and wander off. :)

I decide to walk a different way home and... Oh Wow!

Cooper Hawk.

And I'm so close, I can really tell how small he is. About the size of a Jay.

So little and cute!

With all that is terrible in the US, I'm trying to distance myself from the news a bit. But this caught my eye.

∞ Oregon's measles surge: why wastewater tracking matters

With RFK jr, anti-vax and conspiracy theorist, as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, diseases are going to go rampent. I suppose he'll be satisfied when polio comes back, but in the meantime, he's fine to kill some kids or make them deaf with measles.

It's despicable and I am so ashamed.

But. I calm myself with Nature. Scroll to look at more pics! Maybe sit with one for a little while, stare and imagine a better world!

Tag: february 2026

Oh, the sparrow with leucism, who is shy about getting their picture taken.

And there's some House Finches hanging out with the sparrows today!

New graffiti... Birds who speak Love! Yay!

The pair of Bluebirds are at the garden again...

Female still thinking about using one of our nesting boxes!!

As I swing around to the exit off the path, to go up to the gate of the Community Garden, arg, a pickup truck pulls into the parking lot. And then a second truck.

I guess the guys yesterday didn't hit their required four hours of volunteer time yesterday.

And, again, I don't want to talk to people. And I kinda don't want to be locked up in an area with four guys, either. I guess I'll keep walking.

Ah, Princess Buttercup!

Oh, look! Blazey's Throne got painted a new colour!

Back when Blazey was alive, they always kept that thing painted lavender, they'd give it a fresh coat of paint every year. But they hadn't repainted it since he died, and this is a rather surprising colour! *laughs*

Someone has Witch Hazel in their yard!

Wow, those Dwarf Irises are blooming already. That's crazy, it's February!!

These are a new colour.

Tag: february 2026

Chilly again today, but just 30% chance of rain, so I'm going to see about some work at the Garden.

Zig and Zag, the Hooded Merganser pair.

I get to the Community Garden, and there's a bunch of pickup truck in the parking lot. On the other side of the garden, I see four guys working in a half plot, at the end of the aisle, just down from my own plot.

Ugh. I'd have to walk by them to get to the plot that I'm working on. And I don't feel like talking to people today!

It looks like they are putting in their volunteer time, as well. They are getting this plot ready for a new owner! They're digging out weeds, filling up their wheelbarrow. And they've got a tiller as well.

Well. That's nice. But I walk on past.

And it's just as well... a few minutes later, it starts sprinkling. I love to walk in the rain!

Wow. This Turkey Tail fungus is such a bright orange!

I am happy to see this pair of Canada Geese. Maybe I should pick out names for them as well!

Tag: february 2026

It's chilly and sprinkling off and on thru the morning. The sun is trying to break thru when I head out, but with the wind, I'm happy I put on extra layers! I decide to skip the work at the Community Garden.

Oh, hey. The female Common Merganser again!

Since she seems to be hanging around, I've decided to name her.

Princess Buttercup, the Common Merganser.

But perhaps you will not find her Common, now!

Bahaha!

At the Events Center, they are holding their Logging Conference. It's a big deal around here, but imagining that big machinery, destroying everything in the forest makes me sad.

Tag: february 2026

We got some good rain yesterday afternoon, 0.71inch, and there's a couple rain showers first thing this morning, too. The kind where the clouds roll in, rain themselves out to a blue sky, and then the next rain clouds roll in!

When I head out the door, there's blue sky. But the clouds are building up again and I assume I'll get rained upon soon.

But I've got my small backpack and my goal is the garden. If it's not raining when I get there, I will see about some work! If it is raining, I will walk on by.

Not interested in the photography, I guess...

A non Zig and Zag pair of Hooded Mergansers are here, this guy holding his hood up.

His mate is nearby, but I can't get her pic before they both hide behind the bushes. Shy.

Here I am at the garden, and oh dangit! I didn't notice I had no focus! *laughs*

oh well. I go in and get set up. It's very muddy, but that raised bed I saw the other day shouldn't be as bad!

I thought this would be relatively easy. But as I tossed the leaf cover, ugh, I found a ton of TINY Lesser Celandines starting to grow underneath.

The seedlings were a major pain, trying to dig down to find the very small bulblets they are growing from.

This is what the bulblets of an established plant looks like...

The bulblet of a seedling just getting started is about the size of a lentil. Stupidly small. and the stem of the seedlings is just more delicate, half the time it would break. sighs.

But I do what I can, and the bed looks clear, anyway...

and I've still got plenty of room in the trash bag, so I have a go at the front corner as well.

That white thing is not nailed down, thank goodness, and I move it out of the way. But ugh. The mud is too annoying right here! I get fed up with it right away.

I'm walking further up the bike path before I go home, and across from Dragonfly Land, oh! There's a group of Robins!

You know what? I am really enjoying the presence of Robins!

Every once in a while, when I wake up, there's a Robin singing nearby. I love to lay there in bed, warm and comfortable, and listen to their cheerful song!

Cheery! Cheerily! Cheery!

Oh!

Haha, this Robin is a juvenile... she still has some spotting on her orange, and a bit of streaking on her head.

She's going about her business...

But she keeps looking back at her parents!

The parents, who are a lot more cautious about the human standing a little bit too close! haha.

Tag: february 2026

It started raining in the night... and oh! I sleep so well when it rains at night! Blissful!

It's chilly when I leave the house, and a bit of a breeze, so I've got my layers on.

But the rain has stopped so I'm heading for the garden to dig in the mud! I'm going to start working to pry out the Lesser Celandine that's growing in the path in front of the plot in remediation...

Ugh! It's a pain! The mud is annoying, of course. But the grass roots are frustrating to hack thru. I know I'm not getting all the evil bulblets, and eventually I give up in despair.

I didn't get very far, and my little trash bag is not even close to full.

oh well. I do what I can. And every little bit helps.

I've been sending mail out every day so far, this month! Today is a postal holiday, Presidents Day.

I've got a couple letters to go out with tomorrow's mail... But I've finally got all my mailings organzied, and I can start thinking about sending postcards to my new LetterMo friends!

I've got the first four printed out and I will write them tomorrow!

I'm excited for the destinations... New Zealand, Wales, Italy and Washington D.C.!! How fun is that!!

Tag: february 2026

A dreary day, tho there's no rain.

A new stray cat...

the orange markings on his body almost look like letters...
A YEPA

*laughs*

Tag: february 2026

Happily sprinkling this morning. Which means I'm walking on past the garden.

But as I do, I see something in the sky. It's moving weirdly, and I wonder if it's a drone, tho I can't hear anything...

I zoom in. Oh, it's a party balloon. You know, one of those things that fucking ICE wants to shoot down and close airports over!! So hilarious that those people are such idiots!!

At the other end of the Garden, we get back to happy wildlife in nature. Flicker!

Oh, there's two of them! Both female.

Both a little bit scruffy and muddy from the rain.

As I'm walking behind the Events Center, I see some cars in the parking lot. Wondering what's going on, I walk around to the driveway to look at the sign...

Model Railroad Show. Well that's really fun! Unfortunately, it costs 6$ admission.

That's a bummer. I don't usually carry money with me. It would have been interesting to walk thru, but maybe not $6 worth of interesting!

In the neighborhood beyond... oh, the first cherry blossoms!!

And a couple more over here!

Yay Spring!

Oh hey. It's that female Common Merganser again. Been a while since I've seen her.

And a little bit downstream, I see the Hooded Merganser pair as well.

That's the female, of course. I couldn't get a good pic of the male today...

And you know what? With him always not holding his hood up, I'm just going to assume this is the same pair from last year that I named Zig and Zag. :)

Tag: february 2026

Another dry day. But there's rain in the forecast, starting tonight, and it looks like it'll go all thru to next week!

I'm heading to the garden to work more at plot 15. Before...

And after. I've put a good dent in the clump of Lesser Celandine!

Before I go, I decide to do a walk about to see where else I need to put in work. Walking down the main pathway to the back of the garden... Yikes!

And this is the same plot. Where did they get the dirt to fill this stupid raised bed??? Major Mistake!

Sheesh. And of course, there's some Lesser Celandine growing into the grass all along that path. A plant here, a plant there, and I've not finished the path in front of plot 38, and suddenly I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed.

I'll never be able to get all of this! Especially in the path, it takes so long to dig them out of the grass! ARG. Do I need to think about asking Kevin to send help?? UGH! I don't want to deal with people!

Sighs. And Sheesh. I go to my plot to calm down. The pretty Crocuses, they already look better!

And the single surviving Columbine is trying to grow with some dandelions.

And then I'm heading home.

I'm on the bike path curve and there's a homeless couple ahead of me, talking loudly. And then plainly arguing. I start thinking about walking a different way so I don't have to go past them.

They are still about 3 light poles away and the guy grabs the girl! OH HELL NO!

I yell, HEY! STOP! And of course they ignore me. They fall down, he's shoved her too hard and I start running!! My brain is just: NO, this is NOT going to happen right in front of me!

And it's far enough away, while I'm running towards them, that I have time to think what am I gonna do when I get there????? I DON'T KNOW!

They are back up when I get there, still yelling at each other. I put myself between them, standing in front of the woman. I tell the guy to get out of here and he's all She punched me!

OMG what is this, the playground? She replies, I swiped you with the paper! she holds up the Weekly she's got.

Yeah, it doesn't matter who started it. It doesn't matter if she did hit him. He's a lot bigger than she is and he needs to go.

Get out of here! He has backed down and is now being conciliatory, and soon, he leaves.

And she walks the other direction, not looking at me or anything.

I walk a little distance behind her. And I make sure the guy keeps walking the other way.

At the road, she's getting off the path and she looks back and says, Thank you. Sorry.

I just give her a nod and a wave.

Tag: february 2026

This morning I came down to water the house plants in the porch room... and Look!!

The Monstera is making a new leaf!

Okay. It's been a week since I've worked on the invasive Lesser Celandine at the Community Garden... and actually, I don't have to do any more. I've added up my volunteer time and I've got 4h17m!! The requirement is for four hours.

But I can't stand the thought of Lesser Celandine growing and blooming and getting worse and worse. So I will continue!

Instead of finishing up in the grassy pathway of plot 38 -- which is going to be a serious pain getting thru the grass -- I've decided to start on plot 15.

I work a bit over a half hour.

Yay! I've made a dent!

I pause before I go, to admire the flowers of the evil plant I'm trying to murder!

And then I walk around the block, thru the neighborhood. And isn't this lovely!!

It's warm enough for a honey bee to be flying around!

But by the time the camera gets around to some focusing, we've only got a bee's butt! haha!

Back at home this afternoon, I've been thinking hard about this article...

∞ Maybe Cutting Off MAGA Relatives Is Wise: Dad Shot Daughter After Trump Row

Horrifying.

But the reason this one hits me... my whole family is varying degrees of Maga. And, yeah, I have thought about 'cutting them off.' Instead, I studiously avoid conversations that will upset me.

And thus far, I've not been shot in the chest. So that's nice.

But the fact that Magas are okay with murder, with the ethnic cleansing that's going on thru ICE, with the child rapist we've got for a president ... with a hundred other evil things...

well? They should be cut off. Because there's something wrong with humans who don't do empathy. Very wrong.

Tag: february 2026

***Huge Grin***

∞ Firefly Crew Teaser / Once We Were Spacemen / Nathan Fillion Alan Tudyk

NEED more information!

Tag: march 2026

The sun is shining but it got down to freezing last night. I'd much prefer a layer of insulating clouds, as is normal for this time of year. But climate change.

I've brought the kitchen scraps to dump on the compost pile at the garden. There's a couple other humans here, but I have a quick look around.

It's been a week since I've done any volunteer work, and I check on Plot 38. I still need to get the Lesser Celandine out of the grassy pathway in front of the plot...

But all the other borders around the plot are remaining clear! Yay!

And then I walk down to my plot... Look!

I uncover the leaves so they can get some light.

Grow! Bloom! Very Happy!

And then I'm out, to keep walking.

Oh! The Cedar Waxwing flock is here again!

But I'm looking into the sun, and I can't see anything on the camera screen. Point and Shoot and Hope!

And then I find some Lesser Goldfinches being beautiful up in a Alder tree, which is catkinning like crazy!

On my way home, I'm thinking about writing an introductory post over at the LetterMo forum!

When I'm out in the sun, and thinking about my words, I am happy and excited!

But when I get in front of the computer, and start typing? Ugh! Everything I say sounds so stupid!

Sheesh! The Month of Letters is practically half over! I have been sending mail every day... Letters the first week, and now I'm sending postcards.

But it would be nice to get over my shyness, and maybe participate a little! Sighs.

*rolls eyes at self*

Tag: february 2026

It's dreary today, and the morning is chilly. The wind is blowing, too, and even tho I've got a heavy shirt on under the rain jacket, I am wishing for one more layer!

The loudest ones here are European Starlings. But there's a couple crows watching over the bunch.

And the rest are Brewer Blackbirds!

Oh Hey! My Leucistic friend lets me take a photo!!

But we are not sticking around. BOING!

And here's a regular looking Golden Crown Sparrow.

One of Blazey's Squirrels.

Oh! She dove and came up with someone. I think that's a small crawdad.

La de da, da, da, dah...

*hack, hack*

Oh gross.

Well. That was weird. Maybe you shouldn't eat plastic? ... or ... whatever that was. ick.

Tag: february 2026

Well. We got 1.6inches of rain over the last two days, which seems like a good bit, but doesn't even put a dent in the 8½inches we're behind. And now the sun is back to put us even further behind. sighs.

I'm walking thru the neighborhood, on the way to Hidden Trail and meet up with some Turkeys. And they're all headless! *laughs*

Preening!

Oh, crud! So much for having dry socks!

The Red Flowering Currants have their first blooms!

The waterfall is spring fed, but the rain has provided a bit more volume.

It's lovely to listen to!

I never have much luck with the little birds in this patch of forest, for whatever reason.

Osoberry is starting to come alive as well!

Pretty pretty!

Tag: february 2026

The rain started in earnest yesterday afternoon, and it rained all thru the night and still it rains!

It is so good to see the wet prairie puddles filling up!

I walk around a different way to go by Gudu-kut Park...

I think there must be frogs singing at the back of the park... but I can't hear them for the distance and the traffic. But they will be happy with the rain and the puddles!

Back at home... I have been slowly but surely eating the bit of food that I had frozen from last years garden abundance.

I think I've finished off all the bags of Wax Beans. There was one bag that the beans were really fibery and tough, bleh. Not sure how that happened. But the rest of them were good!

Plus, I couldn't tell the difference between these that I had just cut up, dried off and froze, and last years beans that I blanched before freezing! So that's great. Blanching is completely unnecessary, and the less kitchen work I have to do, the better!

And now I've gotten into some of the Sungolds and other tomatoes that I froze.

Oh. My. Goodness!!!

Store tomatoes taste like water. These from the garden, taste like heaven! So! So! Good!

So I will be making more of an effort this year to freeze tomatoes!

They were easy to do as well. I just cut the Sungolds in half, the bigger tomatoes into about bite size bits. Put them in a ziplock, including the juices from the big toms, and then make sure it laid flat while it was freezing...

The Sungolds froze separately, and that makes it easy to pull the bag from the freezer, take what I need and put the rest back. But for the juicy bags, the liquid needs to be thin enough in the ziplock that I can break frozen chuncks off.

Ha. I can't wait to garden!! :)

Tag: february 2026

Last night YouTube served me up some AI videos, without informing me. And I was thinking about them ALL night long!

The first one was a little bit longer and I had to stop it when the shouting began, it was stressing me out!

The second one was shorter, and I happened to watch all of it, but it was giving me the same vibes... with the outrage and the shouting.

And that's the thing that tipped me off... there was a lot of oddness in the story, but this was the thing that finally got thru and made me realize it was an AI video.

Shouting Directly at the camera.

Yeah, I don't like people shouting at me! heh. and I had closed the tab in disgust when I ws done.

But I kept thinking about it and I went back to look for more information. And this was in the blurb...

How this was made: Altered or synthetic content
Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated. Learn more.

... So I'm pretty annoyed.

I pulled up the first one to look at it again, and there's no Synthetic Content warning on it. So that's even more annoying.

Ya know... AI art has it's place, I suppose. But this? Ugh.

Today is cloudy and warmer and Yay, some sprinkles of rain!

I've really missed the clouds. And I'm so happy with the off and on sprinkles.

We need a lot more than sprinkles, of course. But today is nice!

I walk thru the Solidarity Garden.

And then I wander thru the neighborhood.

Oh! Too fast for me! *laughs*

But really odd for a Western Grey Squirrel to be this far into the city. They normally prefer fewer humans.

I'm loving all the Robins today! They are enjoying the bit of rain as well... brings up the worms!

And Mr Short Tail!

I wonder if he's starting to recognize me... he kind of paused in this awkward position for a few seconds, before carrying on with his day!

Tag: february 2026

Ha! That unseen Beaver!

There's so little water in the creek, it looks like summer. I stop to admire the sun playing on the rocks.

We've got rain in the forecast for the weekend... but that's it. By Tuesday and Wednesday we are back to sunny skies. So that's not going to help very much.

*laughs* Couldn't be bothered to take down the Halloween decorations...

... and now we can't be bothered to take down the Holiday decorations!!

Hmm. This is the tree with a woodpecker hole in it. It got taken over by Starlings last year, but this pair of Flickers seem to be checking it out.

That's the male, the female is further up and doesn't come around for photography.

But the Starlings are here as well... hanging back in the next tree, watching. Flickers are bigger than Starlings, but I can't imagine them fighting over an old nesting hole.

And the littlest Nutria. She must be a runt, she hasn't grown like the others.

Tag: february 2026

The heavy fog of this morning is clearing as I'm heading out to the garden. It's another sunny day and the Air Stagnation Advisory goes thru tomorrow night. And then we'll have warmer nights and possible rain. Desperately needed.

At the Community Garden, I've done my half hour of volunteer work, murdering Lesser Celandines!

And I'm done with the west border of Plot 38!

There's quite a bit of Lesser Celendine growing in the grass of the pathway. Ugh. That's going to be a serious pain to get out. But that's for another day.

I'm walking around the block, and this weird happening catches my eye...

House Finches... Zoned out while sunning!

A couple facing the fence, and the rest in weird positions.

But it's perfectly normal, they're just catching some rays!

They are pretty far from the bike path, and I don't want to disturb them by getting closer. Sunning is important for feather maintenance and I want everyone to have the best feathers! :)

The Poison Hemlock is starting to grow and take over a section between the bike path and the creek.

It's very poisonous, but the leaves are so pretty!

So this is amusing to me...

∞ Eugene riots cause $200k damage; federal building remains closed

uh huh. $200,000. You think that's correct for a couple broken windows?

Where is DOGE when you need them??! Because this is some Actual government fraud happening right in front of us!!

And let's talk about this other flat-out, blatant lie...

On Friday night, 400 rioters stormed the ICE Eugene building destroying windows and did over $200,000 worth of damage to the facility, said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

400 stormed the ICE building. That's fucking hilarious!!

Four hundred people were there, peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights. There were just a handful of people banging on the windows. In fact, the FBI is looking for exactly THREE people.

So. Three people get bumped up to 400 rioters... you think the $200,000 got inflated in the same way?

Yeah. Stupid assholes.

Tag: february 2026

Newspaper today said we are at 30% snowpack, only slightly better than 2015, the worst on record.

It's been a fairly warm winter, even melting the bit of snow we've gotten in the hills. And the lack of rain is pretty terrible.

Let's do some math... Our water year starts in October...

Normal Oct rain = 3.17inches. We got 2.62inches.
      That's 0.55 inches behind.
Normal Nov rain = 5.98in. We got 3.47in.
      Total behind is 3.06 inches.
Normal Dec rain = 7.21in. We got 5.51in.
      Total behind is 4.76 inches.
Normal Jan rain = 6.05in. We got 2.29in.
      Total behind is 8.52 inches.

Eight and a half inches behind on rain! That is a LOT of water we didn't get!

There is snow in the forecast for the mountains this weekend. Maybe a lot.

But we've still got our Air Stagnation Advisory, and there's no way that a 30% chance of rain on Saturday is going to help much of anything.

Bah, climate change. And even more unfortunate is the regime who wants to make things worse. *shakes fist at the sky*

Murdering Lesser Celandine at plot 38 again.

oh yeah!

And then a quick check on Plot 15, which I had started on last year. yeah...

The Lesser Celandine is pretty thick here.

It really is pretty tho. Too bad it's evil!

I'm out and walking a different neighborhood street for my loop around the block before going home. And here's another yard with Crocuses!

I wasn't sure how the shadows from the nearby trees would work out in the pics... but I really like the stage lighting here and there!

Okay. Stop obsessing over the Crocuses. Because Look, there's some Daffodils to obsess over as well!

That's a Hoverfly, a Bee look-alike. And I'm all, Yes, you are very cute, but could I get a photo without a bug, please?

I snapped exactly one shot, and then the Hoverfly buzzes over. HAHA!

Tag: february 2026

It's been a week since I've been at the garden for my volunteer work, and I'm happy to get back to it.

I've had some time to think about this big clump of Lesser Celandine...

And I've decided to get a fork from the tool shed to dig them out.

It works great! But only because it's been so dry.

Normally, I'm digging thru watery mud. Picking out individual plants and brushing off soil and worms is more time consuming... But it also feels like I'm making a real difference! I Know I'm getting all the evil root nodes, here.

When I'm done with this clump, it is NOT going to come back!

I worked for a half hour today. Ordinarily, I would fill the trash bag with mud in about ten minutes, and would have to quit because I can only carry so much.

This is great for the required four hours... I've done 3 hours already!

But I'm on a mission, now. I don't know how much time it will take to finish going all the way around this plot, but I'm going to do it. And then the back of that Plot 15 that I started last year, I def want to dig that out.

If this dry weather holds, I need to make the most of it!

I clean off the fork I used and return it to the shed. And then I do my little walk around the block before heading home.

Oh the Crocuses popping up in this yard!

Getting home, I'm about to go up the steps... but look who's sprawled at the top.

hahah!

Tag: february 2026

oh ugh! There's another stupid Air Stagnation Advisory on the weather page. Starting tonight and going thru the week.

Bleh. It's troubling because we are way behind on the rain, and it's guaranteed not to rain with the Air Stagnation thing.

Normal rain for January is 6.05 inches and we only got 2.29 inches. That's bad, and we were behind for December and November as well.

Sighs. But Look!

The Wood Ducks are back! Yay!

oh, haha!

Just tryin' to get a drink of water? okay!

I just love the colours on this stray kitty. Tuxedo Siamese? Colourpoint Tuxedo?

Yellow Rump Warbler. Or, more affectionately: Butter Butt. :)

That's the eastern race, Myrtle. Our western race, Audubon, has a yellow throat. I think they get all mixed up about where they want to spend the winter! So I see a bunch of the eastern Myrtles here.

Ha! With the Spider web!

I'm on my way back, and Nice! The Wood Ducks are still here!

WooHoo! Today I have finally finished sorting my December photos!

I've been working on them, slowly but surely, since I got back. Sometimes just 20 or 30 photos at a time. Just whenever I had an extra 10 minutes or so.

I was down to the last 160 photos, and I just JAMMED thru all of them! Finally done!

and good timing too. Now when I've got a bit of extra time, I can spend it on organizing for the Month of Letters!!

I've got letters to write, all this week. Today's letter is going down to California.

Tag: february 2026

Some lovely rain last night, tho the clouds were breaking up when I woke up this morning. But it was just the next rain clouds moving in, and it gets dark and dreary again soon!

But the sun was shining by the time I got out the door. And at 53°, heading towards 61°, it's really too warm for the rain jacket. It quickly turns into a sauna as I walk.

Ha, this is cute... tho I've never considered Opossums fluffy like this!

Oh you Bewick Wrens. Such trouble makers! *laughs*

Across the street is a park with a Frisbee Golf course. I rarely visit, but it's good to walk a different way!

And, yep. I've decided to participate in LetterMo this year, to send mail every day.

I do send mail most days, thru the year. I'll just have to be a little more organized to send something every day!

And I hope to meet some people there to send mail to, as well!

The letter I'm working on today is my usual for Sunday afternoons... the weekly TGIF Notecard swap that I host at Swap-Bot. I really enjoy writing these Sunday letters, and I've been hosting that swap for ages!

Tag: february 2026

I finally looked up this bush that's just starting to flower....

Laurustinus. Native to the Mediterranean, introduced to Oregon and California as a landscaping plant for it's winter blooms. Info says it has metallic blue berries... It's weird that I've never noticed that before!! ha.

I'm at the creek, and there's a Bewick Wren. Bouncing around as they do, but really close to the path!

I whip out the camera, heard something hit the path near my foot, but was focused on the wren... who just flew away before I could get a single photo. sighs.

I look down to see what fell...

oh.

So that's the damn lens cap on the ground! The tether had broken! My own stupid fault. I saw it was getting frayed a week ago.

But now, without the tether? The next bird I see is a cute little Chickadee, just sitting there! I grab the camera, lens cap hits the sidewalk, the sound spooks the bird, who flies away. And then I cuss as I pick up the lens cap.

This happens 5 or 6 times over! I forget to HOLD the lens cap EVERY SINGLE TIME!! So now I'm mad at myself.

Finally I knot what's left of the tether and wind it around my fingers, and then I walk with my hand resting on the top of the camera. It's awkward, but I don't drop the lens cap again!

I'm halfway home, and I suddenly get my mojo back with a flock of Cedar Waxwings!

They are so cute!

Looking at my photos... I don't see a single "wax wing" on them! ha. They've all got the waxed bright yellow on their tail feathers, but no one has the waxed red sticks poking out from their wings.

They must grow those specifically for the mating season?

Yes, you're cute too!

Tag: january 2026

Oh no!

∞ Riot declared at old federal building, police direct public to leave the area

∞ Eugene police declares 'riot' at federal building, orders protesters to leave

∞ Live Updates from ICE Out

∞ EPD declares activity at Federal Building a riot

Protesters were banging on the windows of the Federal Building, and a window broke. ICE started throwing tear gas and flashbangs.

Eugene Police didn't want ICE to go overboard with their freakout and possibly murder people, like they do. So they declared a riot and stood between the protesters and the building.

Tag: january 2026

Another lovely day... dreary but warmer, about 48° when I leave the house.

Good Morning!

A spot of colour catches my eye.

Flowering Quince!

At the creek, a tiny flash of green...

Anna Hummingbird and it's just Point and Shoot and Hope, here. *laughs*

Female!

Thank You Dear!

This power pole is an occasional dove hang out, and I head over when I see movement up there. But it's not Pigeons, like I thought.

Eurasian Collared Dove. Invasive, but they are beautiful. Those suble colours in their grey feathers!

Another Anna Hummingbird, this one a male. He's up there singing in an Alder tree.

A pair of Hooded Mergansers.

you know. There was a pair last year, where the male always kept his hood down. I named the Zig and Zag.

I wonder if this is them. Or maybe males keeping their hoods down is more common than I thought.

Further downstream, there's a Green Wing Teal, too.

Happy with all the birds I've found today!

Tag: january 2026

It's a grey day, warmer again. And I grab my backpack and head to the Community Garden to get my work done, removing invasives.

But I get there, and there's loads of humans.

There's four people in the back, at the new Master Composters area. They are busy moving the different compost bins!

And then there's a few more people at the front of the Community Garden, chatting.

So, I walk on by. I don't feel chatty today. Which is to say, I never want to talk with the humans! Asocial. :)

And it's just as well. It starts sprinkling, and I am happy to walk in the rain.

Oh hey.

Some wild Miners Lettuce!

I had gotten some seeds to plant last year, but we had some flooding last spring and I never got around to putting them in the ground.

I should get them out and see if they can grow past the slugs!

They are interesting little plants!

I walk out to the downtown neighborhoods, but I don't get the camera out with the bit of rain.

Coming back, the humans have left the Community Garden and it looks like the new compost area is all set up and ready to go!

It looks good, there next to our little native pollinator bed!

Foo. I get home, and I can't find the packet of Miners Lettuce seeds. humph. I wonder what I did with them.

February is the Month of Letters. You write and send mail every day of the month.

And I'm seriously thinking about participating.

I'm a long time member there, from the very beginning. But the website lost functionality, and over time that really diminished my interest.

I don't think I even logged in last year, and in 2024 I only sent a couple postcards.

But I'm trying to revive my postcarding. So I feel I should give LetterMo another go.

Tag: january 2026

There have been frequent protests out at the Federal Building, which holds the ICE offices.

And yesterday, ICE escalated with unprovoked tear gas...

∞ Agents pepper-spray protesters during altercation at federal building

Several people detained, at least two protesters pepper sprayed, and the tear gas affects all in the area.

*Shakes head*

OH HEY... Eugene got a mention from Hemant Mehta at Friendly Atheist!!

∞ In Oregon, a local official's 'State of the County' address turned into a Christian revival... Comments made by Lane County chair David Loveall and others show why religious proselytizing has no place in a government address

Yeah, this thing by Loveall was so gross! There have been multiple letters to the editor complaining about what happened at that meeting.

The thing is... when people signal this particular brand of Christianity, they are bringing so much baggage to the conversation.

These jerks are willing and enthusiastic to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people. They don't want The Gays to get married, and they really don't want trans people to exist. They love censorship and are always trying to take books away from kids.

Not to mention the misogyny that oozes from guys like Loveall. Yep. That guy needs to go.

And now, shake it off. We've got a song to listen to!

∞ Lizzy & the Triggermen... When that Man is Dead and Gone (1941) - Protest song against Hitler (Live Take)

In 1941, Irving Berlin wrote a powerful protest song about Hitler. It's only been recorded a few times - most memorably by the incredible Al Bowlly (who, tragically, was killed in a Nazi airstrike only 2 weeks after recording it). Our Lizzy & the Triggermen arrangement is by the amazing Dan Barrett (with lots of loving homage to the Bowlly version). We did this in a live take.

Fabulous!!!

Tag: january 2026

We've finally got some actual, real cloud cover today. And the temperature when I come out is a wonderful, wonderful, blissfull 50°!!!

Ah! So nice!

Ha! When you don't know what to say, but NEED to say...

hm.

um?

Is this going to be one of those days when the birds have no cooperation for the camera?

Well! That's good to know. I'll go looking for some flowers today, instead!

Pretty, pretty.

There are several homes here where people have left their protest signs out on their porch!! That's great to see!

Okay! Blurry, but at least we get to see someone's face!

Tag: january 2026

Good Morning Dear Starling. Hello Sweet Scrub Jay.

What is it that you have, Mx Scrub Jay?

A kernal of corn! Well, that's a nice treat!

Just outside the garden, I hear this little guy singing.

He's a little too far up for good photography, and I wonder why he's not singing in the Community Garden.

I'm at the garden and I start my murdering work with this bit of Lesser Celandine in the back pathway.

Whoa, I found a ton of bulblets under that plant. Like way, way more than normal. I take out a good bit of dirt, to try to get most of it.

And now there's a stupid hole in the middle of the pathway. Dangerous, since the grass hides it. crud. I fill the hole with sticks and stuff from the compost heap, but it's awkward.

Then I head to plot #38.

I work around the edges of that big clump. I feel like those plants might go deeper than my little hand spade can reach.

I've set some plants aside to study some more. This little one was right at the surface.

But these plants are more typical... with the white stem reaching way down into the dirt and just a couple inches of stem and leaf above the ground.

And yeah, I realize now that I should have taken the photos with the plants laying on the black tarp rather than the white thing. Live and learn! *laughs*

Heading out, and I make the loop around the block. And again catch a glimpse of my friend the Nutria.

And oh, look. That never-seen Beaver has been here recently.

Coming home, I'm crossing the little alley next to the apartment complex, and there's a utility worker walking out to fold up his traffic sign. They've been working on the water or sewer lines at the back for a few days now.

I smile and say hi, as I pass him and he sees the camera.

Get any good pictures today?

I remember the Nutria, who was trotting away. And the birds, too far up in the trees. Not really, I said. The birds didn't really show up.

Guy nods. I'm the same way, sometimes. I'm a rock hound, and sometimes I go out and find nothing. Yep.

He adds, You can't go out just for the destination... you gotta enjoy the journey!

Totally! So very true!

Tag: january 2026

The overnight low was 23° but it's warmed up several degrees above freezing by the time I get out.

Brewer Blackbirds! It's nice to see someone different!

The work of our local Beaver...

And the partially chewed one, top left. A Beaver's gotta chew!

New graffiti!

Yep.

And then I stop at the Solidarity Garden.

They should paint more of their bricks!

Oh! Ruby Crown Kinglet!

Winter visitors here, and usually way too bouncy for the camera focus time! *laughs*

And some House Finches!

I am so delighted with all the different birds I've seen today!!

So. My Wired Magazine subscription. I'd been going back and forth with ... a bot, I guess. And then it sent me over to the humans.

Who never responded. It's been a couple weeks now. Nothing.

So, my subscription ends tomorrow. And there's nothing else to be done, since the people refuse to talk to me.

I cancel the subscription. And then to make doubly sure, I also cancel the recurring payment on my credit card.

I am so bummed! I want to pay for good journalism! The reporters at Wired are brilliant. They do such good work. Sighs.

And now it's time for some good news!

In the paper today...

∞ Dept. of Education withdraws appeal in Eugene 4J lawsuit

Yay!

DOE had sent out a threatening letter last February, which ordered schools to cease DEI efforts or risk losing federal funding.

Our school district was the only public K-12 school district to join the lawsuit.

We've been told that the suit would not have been successful without our district, Jonak said. By lending our voice, we helped protect smaller districts that could not step forward themselves. This is something our entire community should be proud of.

YES! I am very proud!

The only trouble is, the wheels of justice turn slowly.

This thing was won. But it's been almost a year, and how much money wasted? And how much damage was done in the interim?

Tag: january 2026

18° last night. Gah.

Right outside the door is a native Western Grey Squirrel.

But he's got business elsewhere!

Down at the bike path... Oh! Wait!

Aren't you cute!

Even with your funny very orange teeth!

More Nutrias!

This is a family, I don't get a count on the kids, they all disappear behind the brush pretty quickly. But I do notice there's one kid who is a lot smaller than the others. An adoptee maybe?

Oh my gosh! It's my friend, the Belted Kingfisher! She's playing tag... but she doesn't fly quite far enough! I can still see her from where I'm standing!

That's really blurry, but that's okay. Proof of her existance!

An Island of Teals!!

I'm heading back home, but notice another Nutria across the creek...

And then yet another...

Ha. This is crazy. I've never seen so many Nutrias in a single day! I guess this is Nutria Out-And-About Day! *laughs*

And there was a news article yesterday about our over-night warming shelters.

∞ Record cold in Eugene tests shelters; community help crucial

Our Egan Warming Centers open over-night to homeless people when the forecasted low hits 30°... They have been open for eight consecutive nights, and that's nine nights, now. Hard on the volunteers.

Not to mention they've lost a bunch of funding, I assume due to the evil regime, and they've had to drop a couple sites. To compensate, the other sites are taking in more people. And when one site gets full, they offer a free shuttle to get people to a non-full site.

Keepin' people alive. When the current federal government is actively killing people. Hundreds of Thousands of people, and counting, just from the loss of USAID, most of them kids.

Sighs. The blog is turning into a daily dose of doom... America is a terrible place.

Tag: january 2026

∞ Man killed in Minneapolis by federal agents identified as VA nurse Alex Pretti: 'He wanted to help people' ... Pretti, 37, worked in the ICU at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and had assisted on scientific research

∞ 'How many more Americans need to die?': Minneapolis mayor condemns Trump ... Jacob Frey's full response after federal agents shot and killed 37-year-old US citizen Alex Pretti on 24 January

So that's on my mind as I'm heading out... It takes a while for Nature to calm me down. Outside the Community Garden, I see the Squirrel with the short tail. But he's not very cooperative.

I walk on by the Garden and decide to go to the Solidarity Garden. They've still got some Calendulas blooming.

And when I get home, I need to do something with my frustration.

Translation:
How many people will be murdered on the street before you do something about ICE?? Not to mention 32 people dead in concentration camps in 2025. The USA is on the front page of Amnesty International for Human Rights Violations! You are useless. Step aside, let someone with some morals be the House/Senate Minority Leader.
Liberty and Justice for ALL!

These are to Chuck Schumer (Senate Minority Leader) and Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader)... neither of whom are my representatives, but they are the ones I want to talk to, being the leaders of their people.

I thought about writing to the Republican Leaders... but what would I say, besides cussing? They are the ones abdicating their duties to the Constitution.

The Dems as well, of course.

The Amnesty International thing I'm referencing is this report that came out at the beginning of December:

∞ USA: New Findings Reveal Human Rights Violations at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' and Krome Detention Center

Amnesty International always has a case or two from the USA about human rights violations. And I am always ashamed to see them.

But this report about these concentration camps and the torture... There are thousands of people there. Thousands.

Tag: january 2026

Cold blue sky today, and the Air Stagnation Advisory, happening since Jan10, is finally gone from the weather page.

But it's been replaced by a Cold Weather Advisory now. And still no rain. Sheesh.

I'm heading to the garden to dig up more invasive Lesser Celandine.

And on the way I run into that Sparrow with leucism again, in the usual place!

Little dude or dudette is so Uncooperative with the photography! But at least I got them today! *laughs*

They have reason to be bouncier than their friends. Those white patches make them stand out, for sure.

And at the garden I'm digging at Plot 38, again, the plot down from mine that's in remediation.

As I'm going at it, I realize the soil is dry enough here that I can actually see the root nodes! This is interesting!!

So these things are technically called Bulblets (above) and Tubers (below).

I'm taking photos of some short Lesser Celandines, so that I can include the leaves in the pics.

But the significant thing here is that the white part of the stems? Those can actually be a lot longer... meaning those Bulblets and Tubers might be buried a foot deep!

So, my little hand spade must be shoved down into the dirt, all the way to the hilt, in order to maybe get down to the evil root nodes!!

This is great information to have! Know your enemy, right?!

So, I am very pleased with myself and my new knowledge! And on top of that, with today's time, I've hit 2 hours for my required 4 hours of volunteer time at the Community Garden!

Heading home, with a happy bounce in my steps!

A cute pair of Green Wing Teals.

The male wanders off, and the female goes back to preening. ha! Her cute lil foot!! Stretch!

Today I am working on a resistance swap at Swap-Bot.

Yep.

The discussion thread under the Swap description, has been ... interesting.

∞ Swap-Bot... F*CK ICE!

One of the people disagreeing with the swap, is my friend.

It upsets me to be reminded again that there are people in the world who are okay with the evils of ICE.

And... honestly, I'm not sure how to process this about my friend. I am okay to sit with ambiguity about people. But, again. It's good to have information.

Tag: january 2026

Cloudy and ridiculously cold again today... the low last night was 19°! Nineteen! Completely unacceptable!

I'm ready for it, with all my extra layers to keep warm. I also went to pull out some new garden gloves, since I'd apparently lost my last set...

When I told my Mom how much I like these gloves, she got me a pack of them! I got the next pair out, separated them from their plastic fastener. I'm looking at them as I go to put them in the backpack... and it slowly occurs to me... they are both Left Hand gloves.

Huh! So I go back, and get the pack out again, looking for the pair of two Right Hand gloves. But nope, the other pairs are normal. With a left and a right.

So foo. *laughs* They may have been useful, if they were two Right Hand gloves. Since I'm right handed, maybe the right glove gets holes in it before the left glove, and I could just replace that one. But what the heck am I going to do with two left gloves? ha!

It's been dark and dreary this morning, but the clouds are moving around now, so maybe the sun will make an appearance. Meantime, there's ice in the wet prairie puddles again.

The triangles are kind of fascinating! Look at those perfect equilaterals!!

In the Community Garden, I do a little walk about. I make note of a couple Lesser Celandines growing in the path that I will need to dig up.

And I look at Plot 15... I had started working on it last year, but I ran out of time before I could dig out all the invasives there. And sure enough, the same corner is getting covered with Lesser Celandine.

Well. I have my work cut out for me. And I want to focus on the remediation plot first!

The sun has come out, and I'm able to take off the jacket. But it's still cold enough to need the new gloves... a Left AND a Right! *laughs*

Digging up this border is going to take a while!

But I'm full up today! As I leave, a little pop of colour catches my eye... I think these are Japanese Anemones.

I go around the block again, and again see my new friend, the Nutria. But this time, he's down in the water.

And the things that piss me off today...

∞ ICE Now Demanding Papers From Off-Duty Cops Caught Driving While Brown. Well of course that's happening.

He added that this was anything but an isolated incident, noting that other officers in his and other area law enforcement agencies had experienced similar profiling, and that all of them were people of color. 'If it's happening to our officers, it pains me to think how many of our community members are falling victim to this every day,' Bruley said. 'It has to stop.'

*Screaming* Then YOU NEED TO STOP IT!

Goddamnit! That guy is the authority there, and he just says a few words and can't be bothered to DO anything about this fucking serious problem.

WHEN will people stand up and DO SOMETHING???

And Also...

∞ Say hello to Liam Ramos ... Violent terrorist, age 5, detained by ICEstapo in Minnesota

The Ramos family is here legally; they have an active asylum case.

Just more proof of the ethnic cleansing that ICE is carrying out. I am so utterly ashamed of what America has become.

Tag: january 2026

Another very cold night, and again it's still below freezing when I head out. But today the sun is shining and that makes the world warmer!

The ongoing Air Stagnation Advisory goes thru Friday... but they keep pushing back any chances of rain. The possible rainy days keep hovering at the end of the forecast and don't move up to the present. The lack of rain is going to be a problem at some point.

But today's sunshine has brought a bit of joy...

There's a group of Starlings playing in the bath!

The same Great Blue Heron of the other day is hanging out with the Mallards!

And back at the garden to continue my work with Lesser Celandine removal. The east side of the remediation plot has a few clumps invading the neighboring plot.

And my bag is full.

I take the same route as yesterday, around the block. And I see the same Nutria, just up from the garden!

She or he walks over to the tall grass for cover when I get too close.

Ha. I've never named a Nutria before. I hope they continue hanging out here!

Made me cry...

∞ Support for Renee Good's Widow and Family

Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn't wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine.

Tag: january 2026

It got down to 23° again last night. And I'm horrified to see it's still well below freezing when I head out at 11am!

Gah! Look! Ice! UGH!

*laughs* I've got extra layers on, and after a half mile of walking, I'm warmed up enough to live. but, gah.

There's a pair of Hooded Mergansers.

I'm looking over at the female, and almost miss what's happened here...

oh. Poor little Crawdad.

Okay. I'm at the Community Garden to do my volunteer work. Here's the plot that's just down the aisle from mine. It's been in remediation for years, after the guy gardening there let Lesser Celandine get totally out of control.

I get started on this back corner, there's just a few clumps here.

But digging past the roots of the grass and whatever that other weed is... was actually kind of tough!

It took me longer than I thought it should to fill up the bag!

And plus, my hands were so cold while I was working. I went to get the garden gloves out of the backpack, just for warmth... but foo, they aren't there. That's annoying.

But the clouds start to break up and the sun makes a showing. That warms things up a little.

I stuff the trash bag of Lesser Celandine into the backpack and on the way out, I glance at my garden plot.

The freezing nights haven't bothered the clump of Leek seedlings! Good!

I decide to walk around the block before I go home. As I'm coming back on the bike path... haha...

A Nutria. And that makes me glad we have a decent fence around the Community Garden... tall enough to keep the deers out, tho I've never seen a deer in this area. And buried enough to keep these guys out!

American Robin in a Blue Elderberry tree.

Tag: january 2026

The Air Stagnation Advisory that started ten days ago continues. The nights get SO cold! Last night was 23°, which is the coldest it's been this winter!

But when the sun shines at least the afternoons warm up to about normal, which is 48/35 this time of year. Of course, the normal temps are due to cloud cover acting as insulation... which we don't have with this high pressure system hanging over us.

I miss the rain.

I saw this guy come in for a landing...

And then he flutters to a different perch.

If someone so big could be said to 'flutter'!!! haha!

Oh yes. This is a much nicer place!

Well...

No one likes a fascist I'd like to believe that but the regime sure is held up by a shit ton of evil people, who apparently like fascists just fine. Sighs.

Also. No one likes to run out of room when they are writing important words! haha!

I'm stopping by the garden to harvest a beet.

And the strawberry patch is looking good.

And then I have a look around to determine my plan of attack for my required volunteer time.

Just down the aisle from my plot is a plot that got taken over by Lesser Celandine. It's been covered with black tarps for a couple years now. It hardly slows them down, tho... I can feel them growing in places under the tarps! Even with no sun!

And they are coming out the edges...

So maybe I should work on this! I feel like I'm starting early enough, I could probably dig up a good bit of this. Maybe all of it!

As I'm walking away, I hear a hummingbird singing! Here he is!

He lets me walk right up to him!

What a handsome fellow!

And then he goes back to his singing!

This video of a protest amuses me greatly!

∞ You need to know what's going down RIGHT NOW at Target stores in Minnesota

Ha! Buy Salt and then return it. It's brilliant.

Just punishing the workers is a corporate talking point which is meaningless. The Workers get paid the same crappy slave-wage, regardless of what happens during the day. And the Protesters are of course being respectful. The Workers are undoubtedly enjoying this effort as much as anyone else!!

And as Parkrose Perma says, Yes, it is performative. So many non-violent, direct actions and acts of civil disobedience, those are a performance. And the sooner we undersand that we are doing these actions, not because it's something that makes us feel righteous and good but because we are trying to create mass public opposition.

I've had fun reading the comments as well! Good Stuff there!

Tag: january 2026

Oh oh oh!! I saw that one sparrow with leucism again!! But she flew away too quickly for me, and here's what the camera had to say...

A Blur of Sticks. Great. Just Great.

Bahaha! oh well. Next time, my dear!

Here's someone who stuck around long enough for photography!

A Point and Click and Hope...

But my Song Sparrow friend decides to wait for me to find her on the mess of sticks on the camera screen!

So sweet! Thank you!

There's a protest tomorrow for Martin Luther King Jr Day... But I'm just not feeling it.

It starts in a different place than usual, and the bus ride out there would be longer and I'd have a longer walk to get to the place. And then I would have to walk the entire march, to get to the nearest bus stop to come back home. And I've never had the social energy to walk the entire march.

I know. It sounds like a bunch of excuses, doesn't it. Espcially since there's a more dire reason to protest now that ICE has murdered Renee Nicole Good.

sighs.

Tag: january 2026

It's chilly, it got down to 25° last night. But the sun shines and that is promising some warmth.

I'm heading towards Hidden Trail, and I meet up with the wild Turkeys in the neighborhood!

There's a couple in the trees above.

and several on the roof of the houses!

I love to see them!

Moving on, and up on the trail.

The camera has trouble with forest lighting conditions, but this photo of a Steller Jay is making me laugh... Her Eye!! haha!

Tag: january 2026

Another day of cold and dense fog.

And I've packed up the small backpack. I am definitely going to start the volunteer work at the garden this time!

Okay! At the garden, and I've decided to start at the back pathway. There's several clumps of Lesser Celandine growing in the grass back here near the Compost pile...

Well, and some other Wildflowers there too... Borage, Dead Nettle, and a couple other things that I don't need to concern myself about.

The target for my murdering spade is the round leaves!

And ten minutes later, the little trash bag is full.

Unfortunately, you can't put this invasive in the Compost pile. It will just keep growing!

It has to be bagged up and thrown away at the landfill. And since there's no trash service at the Community Garden, I have to haul this home. And that's why I use the tiny trash bags and the small backpack. There's only so much I can carry, as I walk home!

Especially since I'm carrying a lot of mud... the evil part of Lesser Celandine are the small root nodes. So I dig up quite a bit of dirt under the plants to try to catch most of the root nodes.

Right outside the Community Garden... hey hey! It's that squirrel with the short tail again!

He's come about a half mile, up the bike path from where I orignally found him. Looking for a place to call home? Or maybe that's just what some squirrels do!

And a little bit further... oh my gosh! There's a whole passel of squirrels playing!

There's five there, and at least one more at the base of the tree. Maybe two more. Siblings, and Mama is probably happy to see them out in the world! *laughs* That many babies is a lot of responsibility!!

What a delight to watch them! Chasing each other, bouncing thru the tree branches. And then across the bike path and down to the creek. Good Luck, Little Ones!

The clouds are starting to break up and when the sun shines, the warmth is very welcome.

And when I get home... oh thank goodness.

This is Riley, the neighbor's outside cat. He's been missing. She was out calling for him yesterday afternoon, and night and this morning.

I'm glad he's back, but ugh, I wish outside cats did not exist.

Tag: january 2026

I saw somebody on the near bank and I stopped to look. They scatter and suddenly there are Nutria youngsters Everywhere!!

I caught six in this photo (there's two behind the trees on the left)...

But I'm pretty sure there were more and I never got a count of all of them! They were coming and going, every which way!

So cute!

So very cute!!

This Nutria is a little bit bigger than everyone else, but I don't think she's full grown... the teenager babysitting the neighbors kids, probably!

And by now, everyone else is swimming downstream. But how many?? Eight? Nine? Ha! Who knows? (Well! The Mamas know!)

Moving on.

It looks like they are finished upgrading this corner of the Community Garden for the new Master Composters area!

ha, look at how camoflagued this one is!

Fox Sparrow! They are winter visitors here, and I am happy to come across one every once in a while!

Not very fox coloured, are we? ha. The colouration of our local subspecies is called Sooty, and is the darkest of the variations across North America.

Well! That was a pretty good day of photography!

Tag: january 2026

It is So cold!

I left for my walk around 11am, and there's still a heavy fog and it's a couple degrees below freezing.

And there are occasional big, white raindrops that fall around me. Just a couple spatterings. I suppose the rain is a bit slushy?

The fog lends some atmosphere, I suppose.

Yay! The Turkeys!!

And, as usual, I try to capture the beauty of the little waterfall I'm walking next to!

But really, you need the full ambiance with the sound of the water and the cold, wet air.

I don't go all the way up the hill, even tho I would love to visit the Acorn Woodpeckers territory.

The shin splint pain started healing about a month ago, since I wasn't walking as much when I was in Colorado. But I'm overly cautious, maybe, about pushing it. The pain is gone but it's just always on my mind when I walk. I suppose it will take a little while for my body to forget it.

Coming back down the hill, the sun is finally starts to burn thru the fog. This new planting catches my eye. Cute baby tree with tethers!

And there's a Rhododendron bush blooming in someone's yard!

I've got a little extra time, so I loop around on one of the side trails.

Back at home, I am trying to teach myself to drink tea.

*laughs* I've got this fruity herbal tea. It's good, I like it. I just don't have a habit of drinking tea.

And I just thought it would be nice to have some tea while I work on my postcards. Ya know? Especially on a cold and grey day like today!

Tag: january 2026

Ha. This morning I am being pissed off about my subscription to Wired Magazine.

This is a great magazine! In the past I've subscribed to the delivered paper mag for years and years. But at some point I had to quit... it was too much to read!

But with the Trump regime and last January's disgusting DOGE disasters, I knew I wanted to keep up with that news. And Wired's political reporting kept showing up in my feed.

So, I signed up for one of the super cheap deals, 6$ for a year, with digital access, to renew at 30$ after that.

Well. My subscription is coming to an end, and the renewal is 80$ a year!!! Holy!

And when I looked around, it seemed that a normal subscription was 60$/year!!!

The 60$ seems reasonable. (Tho going up from 30$/year in just the single year of my orignal subscription seems kind of ... sus.) The 80$ they now want me to pay... feels like I have to pay them back for the 6$/year, for the rest of my life!!

And that does not make me happy. The cover price of the magazine, to buy a regular 2-month copy at the newsstand is 8.99$... times six per year is only 54$/year!! I get that digital access is extra. (Except, why should it be?) But don't you want to give subscribers a break, since that is dependable money?? Instead they over charge by a significant amount?

It doesn't make sense!

So, I've emailed them to see what they are willing to do for a long time subscriber. A Subscriber who really does want to pay for good journalism.

It's chilly... the overnight low was 26°!

But the sun shines, and it will warm up eventually. Except it's still just 34° when I head out and the Zero wind reported on the weather page is not accurate at all. BRR!

And the guys are still working on the new Compost corner at the Community Garden. So I walk on by again.

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

Since Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti were murdered...
I have rage.

And my words just felt inadequate for the situation.

I did write a couple postcards.

But they keep piling on the evil...

∞ ICE Leaving Ace Of Spades Death Cards Just Like In Vietnam, Which Worked Out Great

So, yeah. I totally stole that image of the Ace of Spade Death Card! Why? Because, folks! That's an address! It's postcard time!!

The other postcard is blank... I will probably write some vitriol on it and send it in a day or two.

Tag: january 2026

Tag: january 2026

January 2025

February 2025

March 2025

April 2025

May 2025

June 2025

July 2025

August 2025

September 2025

October 2025

November 2025

December 2025

January 2024 (partial)

February 2024

March 2024

April 2024

May 2024

June 2024

July 2024

August 2024

September 2024

October 2024

November 2024

December 2024

February 2023 (partial)

March 2023

April 2023

May 2023 (partial)

June 2023 (partial)

July 2023

August 2023

September 2023

October 2023

November 2023

December 2023

So I've looked at a map, and I hope I get around the new Downtown Riverfront Park without getting lost this time. It's closed because they are using it for the World Athletics Championships, which started yesterday and runs until the 25th.

This amazing mural just outside the Rose Garden was finished just in time for the Championships.

And, of course, you can't go by the Rose Garden without obsessively taking photos of the roses.

And then we gotta check the Osprey nest on the other side of the river. There's one child there today, and she takes off ... only to make a loop and come back to the nest.

XXX... Goal: Finish this post!

Tag: xxx 2022

I'm archiving the 2022 posts...

∞ January 2022

∞ February 2022

∞ March 2022
Story of nesting Anna Hummingbird begins here!

∞ April 2022
... And the nesting Hummer story continues here, until the babies fly away in mid-April!

∞ May 2022

∞ June 2022

∞ July 2022

(completed 28 May 2023...)

January thru July 2021 Archive

August 2021 Archive

September 2021 Archive

October 2021 Archive

(No entries for November 2021)

December 2021 Archive

Goal: revisit August 2021... Road Trip to Utah!

And then keep filling in posts from there thru the end of 2021.

Tag: 2021

(completed 27 Dec 2020 thru 5 Jan 2021...)

2020 Archive... January thru July

(posted 21 Apr 2023...)

2020 Archive... Aug thru Dec

GOAL...

Revisit the Aug thru Dec archive page and add photos and clear out the xxx!

Tag: 2020

(Posted 22 Dec 2020...)

The new archive is HTML5, and completely validated!

2019 journal entries

Tag: 2019

(Posted 18 Dec 2020...)

I have managed to move all of the 2018 journal entries into an archive page. I did not write very much in 2018, so I decided not to divide them up into months, like I usually do.

The new archive is HTML5, and completely validated!

2018 journal entries