The Eclipse...

 That was absolutely amazing!!!

I have been privileged throughout my life to have seen many many meteor showers, a full lunar eclipse, many partial solar eclipses, a halo around the sun, snow rollers and many other natural phenomena, but this was truly a once-in-my-lifetime event!

Since we were in the path of totality...John and I decided to make a day out of it with the reflective glasses...sitting outside together and later spoiling Tux and fixing battered and fried morel mushrooms.  He had never experienced a total eclipse, either.

Completely incredible.

There were a lot of people outside with blankets or lawn chairs.

He had extra Eclipse Glasses which we shared with neighbors.

The build-up was slow and like all of the partials we had ever seen.

Then as the face of the sun was covered to barely a sliver it got cooler...and quieter...you could see the tiny beads before totality and Jupiter and Venus became visible.  And the photo-negative gray gave way to a bright corona ring and the sky turned into night. 

Dark.  Darkness.

At 2:30 in the middle of a sunny day.

No wonder medieval people were freaked the hell out.

It was mesmerizing. 

(...Tux could not even be coaxed out...even during the return of the sun...)

And at its peak...when darkness enveloped us all...the sounds of the people near and further away...celebrating...cheering...clapping.

It was intense.

Such an emotional moment...to know, for some of us, we will never see this ever again.

For he and I, to share this moment together.

Afterwards, the morels were pretty good, too...

love,

Carla, John and the cats!

Election 2024: Politics

 

Is it just me...or is everyone else just so damn tired of this guy????

Seriously.

Easter came and went. 

And the Biden White House release was this.

Also this was from Trump's Truth Social Account.

Which one would YOU prefer to represent the USA?

Take all the time you need.

~sigh~

The Primary numbers appear good...and I, as yet, see nothing to indicate any  possibility that this mad man will EVER step foot in the Oval Office again.

That would be the good news.

The bad news is that he (and by extension...his MAGA Supporters) are already talking up "rigged" and "Civil War" and show no signs of going away when they lose, again...

So regardless of election results...we are likely stuck with them for awhile.

I have now realized that we are stuck with Trump forever...until he dies...

Watching what is happening in the primaries, and special elections this year, it seems obvious that after 2024 the GOP is going to have to make the decision to part ways with him...or watch the total destruction of their party.

Either is fine with me.

More as it comes...

 

Happiness...Our Spring Advenure...Hannah is 17...& Easter Weekend

 Happiness is when your abducted cat finds its way home!

Came back from our Spring Adventure, and no Tux.

We waited and waited and called and called...but STILL no Tux.

A black and white furball came to the patio...but it was the wrong one.

"Go home, Charlie."

...sigh...

Since he is soooo gregarious and doesn't know a stranger...we assume he strayed too near a cat-loving home and was taken in for a while.

By nearly bedtime we were beyond worry and second guessing ourselves and feeling pretty badly.

Then, just before bedtime, he appeared...out of thin air.

Tears.

He rushed inside and jumped into my arms.

"OMG, Mom...I didn't know if I would ever SEE you again!!!"

Me, neither, Fuzzbutt.

But all's well that ends well.

(...and if it doesn't end well...it is not the end.)

We had a wonderful Spring Adventure together...even woke up yesterday and decided to (uncharacteristically) breakfast together at IHOP...which has everything...and was amazing!!!

Back to the day-to-day, now.

Laundry...dishes soaking....bags unpacked..groceries bought for Easter Dinner...finished a book I had been reading and finally saw Oppenheimer!

Got a laugh when Dillon delivered my groceries, and realized he obviously wasn't a cook, when he proudly told me he found the biggest and best bunch of asparagus because

"It all looked so thin and small compared to this."

I didn't have the heart to burst his bubble and let him know that thin stuff was Spring asparagus and far superior to the thick woody stemmed he had bought...so I'll be having tips with my pulled pork, potato salad, rolls, and coconut cake.

Hannah turned 17 today.

We will be celebrating together soon!

How quickly they all grow up!

The first of my morels have arrived.

 

The Book

The latest and greatest from Stephen King.

A nice re-visitation of characters we knew and loved from the Mr. Mercedes Trilogy.

Holly Gibney, Barbara and Jerome Robinson, as well as some new and horrific ones.

An entertaining and quick read...well worth the time.

And The Movie

Which was worth every one of its 13 Nominations and 7 Oscar wins this year...including Picture of the Year.

Incredible casting.

Cillian captured the haunted look of a man who had

"...become Death...destroyer of worlds..."

Robert Downey Jr. was Strauss...and I had never seen him in an evil role before. He was masterful.

If you only see one movie this year...make sure it is this one!

 

Have a Happy Easter Weekend!

Love,

Carla & Tux 

Spring!!!

 

And soon there will be planting stuff & mushrooms and such!

Love,

Carla

A Political Cup

 Yeah...it is mostly like this.

I was planning this missive for Wednesday...but face it...there is so much that has happened this week...one can hardly keep up. 

First, Joe and Donald have been officially pronounced the presumptive nominees for their respective parties. They have both garnered the requisite number of delegates.

jesus wept

Georgia has dropped 6 of its indictments against TFG...still leaving over 30.

The special prosecutor has now resigned in the case...and Fani Willis isn't going anywhere.

Cannon has refused TFG's motion for dismissal in the documents case.

Ditto in NY's Stormy Daniel case.

Is it me...or does he just scowl all the time???

Biden found a work-around and has released frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine...as well as 300 million worth of ammunition.

He and Chuck Schumer have recently called for Bibi to be replaced...we will see how this suggestion is taken.

No cease fire was agreed on before Ramadan. 

The Ukrainians have downed one Russian plane and one ship this week.

The war still rages...starting its third year.

Both Patron (the sapper dog) and Zelenskyy are still alive and well!

Mike Pence issued a statement, today, that he can't in good conscience endorse his former boss.

ya think?????

And Chris Christie remarked, that with Mark Meadow's testimony, TFG will be "just done".

Well, one can hope!

As for me and mine...our vote is firmly for Dark Brandon.

 

 

More as it happens!

 

Last Week...Spring and The Oscars

 

Although Oppenheimer got 13 nominations and won 7 Oscars last night...this was hands down the best dress of the night!

Gliding along like a drift of cotton candy.

(...and now I have several films that I must see...)

I have to be honest...I have a very hit and miss opinion of Jimmy Kimmel. Sometimes, I find him funny,...but there are many occasions I vacillate between unfunny and downright cruel. His opening monologue and cringe-worthy display with Robert Downy Jr. underscores this.  That being said...and opinions being like assholes (...everyone has one...) Trump immediately took to Truth Social to critique Kimmel's performance at the Oscars. Predictably, it was a rambling onslaught of negativity...not worth repeating here. 

To which Kimmel, admirably and instantly responded...live before a global audience

"Isn't it past your jail time???"

To thunderous laughter.

John and I, also watched the SOTU together last week. I'll discuss this in Politics on Wednesday.

Inching towards Spring, now.  The birds are back. The grass is greening nicely. The garden shop has a selection of tipped bulbs for planting. It is getting warmer. 

And...achoo....achoo...allergies are back en force.

Living la vida Flonase, again.

So, Happy-It's-Almost-Spring, Everybody!

 

Love,

Carla and Tux

Election 2024: Politics

 

 

Staying awake last night until the Alaskan Caucus was over...so you didn't have to...

And today, there is not enough coffee...in the World.

Super Tuesday is over...Haley has dropped out (...but not before she bested TFG in DC and Vermont...and boy was he pissed off..)

And the field has been winnowed to Trump and Biden.

Yeah...feeling a LOT like this.

 The numbers look better and better, though.

From Biden winning New Hampshire solely through write-in...to many showings yesterday of getting high 80s and 90s in percentage of Democrat voters.

Trump stayed mostly in the 60-70%

Of course, this can change before November...but feeling very optimistic right now.

I think we've got this.

 

Rationale:

Trump has very very few of Democrat votes.

He has very very few of Moderate/Independents.

He doesn't even have full support of his own party.

Making it nearly impossible to win a General Election.

I'm hopeful.

Going to update from now to November.

Love,

Carla and Tux

 

 

Christina's 35th Birthday...Sisters Day...Lisa's 60th Birthday...

 

 

and yes...we ate the whole damned double layer chocolate fudge cake!

Anyway, the past week has been filled with company and birthday cake/cupcakes.

Tina turned 35, and she and Chris and I, had dinner and cupcakes and such on Thursday.

Then Saturday was Sisters Day, and we celebrated Lisa's 60th with the fore-mentioned chocolate fudge cake...also BBQ chicken, Fettuccine Alfredo with Spring Asparagus, and Garlic cheese bread.

Girl-time and chat.

Tina is the youngest of us...and will not join The Sixty Club for a couple of years, yet.

Then, we will be a small Coven.

Enjoying the warmer weather, the green-up of approaching Spring, (soon) fresh morels, and some downtime with Tux.

Love,

Carla

A Late Valentine's Day...

Filled with steak-tips and chicken and shrimp...and sooooooooooooooooo much chocolate...and a dozen red roses...a beautiful silver heart bracelet...cards and even special treats for the cats.

Feeling a bit spoiled!

Love in The Age of Arthritis.

 

 

The leg healing nicely after last week's nasty fall...gravity must have been particularly strong that day.

(...actually the remaining brake on my w/c is slipping and failed as I transferred...I've learned that not only am I too old to fall these days, but also too stiff, heavy...graceless...et al...)

A situation that my eldest is fixing with an early birthday present of a new w/c just like my old one!

(...brand new legs...)

I am blessed.

Both Tux and Gadget tossing around their feathered red birds that chirp, now.

It is Tux's favorite toy.

But the chocolates (his and mine) are gone...the roses have gotten huge and exploded in a flurry of red petals

(...much to Tux's delight, I might add...) 

and we have settled back into our day by day...and plotting and planning March's Spring Getaway!

(...also Tina's 35th Birthday...Lisa's 60th Birthday...Sisters Day...A Brunch with Ola and one with Kayleb, soon...)

BUSY TIMES

Cleaning up the house (and me) today after being out of commission for about a week.

Watch all 13 episodes of Spartacus...because it didn't require movement.

Ham and Beans bubbling and cornbread in the oven.

A Relaxing Sunday!

Superbowl...and Now There's No More Football Until September...

 

sigh....

Enjoyed one of the BEST games, John or I, had seen for the entire year!

And there were snacks...and shrimp prepared several ways...and even more snacks!

...on a related note, found out last night that Tux is thoroughly smitten with shrimp...

Watched  The Replacements. 

...an annual SB tradition...

Great game...well matched...edge of your seat into OT and up to seconds...and WE WON!!!!

Today....well...there just isn't enough coffee.

Football is over until September.

...sigh...

But there ARE politics...at it is an election year...so it's all good.

 

love, 

   Carla and Tux

Gender Reveal Brunch!

 

A nice turn out. A delicious brunch. Pink and blue everything!!!

And my son is having a son!

(...and DIL, of course...)

They are excited...and so am I.

                                         Congratulations, kids!!!

February...Recovering...and the SB Contenders

 

Yeah....what happened to the end of January?

I'm sure I couldn't tell you.

A week's worth of Sprite and Crackers and down with a particularly nasty GI bug.

BLEAH.

 But, I've lived...and now it is February.

The groundhog says we will have an early Spring...so pretty excited about that!

Hopeful, anyway.

Was able to watch the 49ers beat the Lions and Kansas best the Ravens...and so we will have 

This year.

 

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy!!!

Since the Chiefs are "my team"...but I also love Purdy from the 49ers...it is a win-win for me.

Wouldn't mind at all if Mr. Irrelevant won himself a Superbowl!

 It should be an outstanding game.

Busy now cleaning up me and the house...and later making a REAL meal.

Love,

Carla and Tux

It's a BABY...This Week...and Football

                                        My newest grand-baby at 20 weeks!

Spent Thursday with Chris and my DIL...her mother, sister and niece at their 20 week ultra-sound. Halfway there. Although we all (individually) got to view most of it...even tiny fingers and feet...they wanted to find out (alone) whether it was a boy or girl.

We waited anxiously outside awaiting their return.

When they emerged they grinned and said

"It's A....BABY"

Yeah...I know.

~laughing~

 

Anyway...they had pre-decided that on Feburary 5th they will be hosting a dinner and let everyone know at the same time.

So...it looks like for now...it is going to be a mystery (...to the rest of us...) for a little bit longer.

The doctor says it is healthy and perfect!

About 12 ounces and a little over 10" long.

Other than traipsing out to the hospital with the kids, I've been pretty much hibernating in this extreme cold.

The snow is pretty.

Next week they have predicted a real warm up.

At this point I am ready for Spring!

John and I anticipating our January "Getaway"!

Finished Taupin's

Which was an exceptional read.

And found a couple older films I had missed.

Both with Bruce Willis, and an all-star cast.

Very entertaining!

And John and I watched Saturday's playoff games...and are nervously awaiting the Chiefs/Bills game tonight.

So far the Ravens have eliminated the Texans...and the 49ers tossed the Packers out.

It is crunch time, now.

Made potato soup and crusty bread to enjoy with the games!

Getting ready for a hot bubble bath and will update who's left standing tonight!

UPDATE:

 

The Lions beat the Buccaneers!

So they will play the 49ers next week.

 

And WE WON...WE WON...WE WON!!!

 So we will play the Ravens next weekend!

Lions ~vs~ 49ers

Chiefs ~vs~ Ravens

The winners will be our 2024 Superbowl Contenders!

 

Goodnight.

Love,

Carla and Tux

Football...Food...and FREEZING!

 Yeah...it is a lot like this!

My eldest is now 37...and for wildcard weekend (and the near future) Tux and I were/are hibernating with warm blankets...food...and football.

How cold was it...you ask???

Well, started yesterday morning with -7 degrees.

By noon it reached 0.

The high at 6PM of 4 degrees... and then it started its downward spiral again.

The cat is not amused.

Since he only toilets outside he has the speed dash to relieve himself down to an art form.

The Wildcard Playoff Weekend was exciting!

Sooooooooooooooooooooo cold at the Chiefs vs Dolphins Game.

(...real temp -4 degrees with a wind chill of -23...)

Reid's mustache froze solid.

Beers exploded.

 

And helmets shattered!

Miami had problems in the bone numbing cold...and Kansas won handily.

The Packers beat The Cowboys.

The Texans beat The Browns

The Lions beat The Rams

The Buccaneers beat The Eagles

and The Bills beat The Steelers.

Hyperventilating now, as we (Chiefs) are scheduled to play The Bills at Buffalo on Sunday.

I both love and hate the playoffs.

They are wonderfully exciting...but from Wildcard Weekend it is one and done.

Selfishly...I am just not sure Patrick Mahomes can beat Josh Allen this year.

But it should be an outstanding game!

(...TBH, I like both teams, so a win by either is okay with me...)

In fact next weekend promises 4 great games...as we winnow down to the 2 teams that will end up in the Superbowl.

Have a Wonderful Week (...and stay warm!!!)

Love,

Carla and Tux

 

The First Week of 2024 and SNOW!!!

 

 

Yeah...I admit it...this was ME waking up to the first snowfall of the season...

It was a winter wonderland...and the Christmas Tree was immediately re-lit, as was the fir scented candle!

Tomorrow, it all gets un-decorated and stowed...but there will be Christmas for one more day.

                              I LOVE the first snowy day of Winter!

Pepper Steak soup (homemade) bubbling to go with garlic bread and salad.

Wanting gingerbread...maybe Monday?

And excited for tonight's Colts game with John. 

This one is critical and will decide whether the season is over for us, or whether we make it to the playoffs.

(...have pizza and Coke for the occasion...)

GO COLTS!

The first week is in the books!

 

Love,

Carla and Tux

Update:  Great game...even though we didn't win.

The season is over for us...but we went farther than anyone thought we would.

CJ Stroud (Rookie for Houston) is amazing and deserves ROTY.

That opening drive/75 yard pass/one play touchdown was incredible!

On a related note...must find more coffee....

Goodbye 2023....Hello 2024

 

Happy New Year!!!!

Now pass the coffee, and no one gets hurt.

Some real ups from 2023...John BEAT lung cancer...I have my family back together...Lennon was up for his birthday and Thanksgiving...and, of  course, Tux. 

(...hearing Otto  "I have a cat."...)

 

And some downs...I lost Sofi...

 

My friend, Diane, died, and Tux ran the feral I had worked to tame down for 6 months (Finn) off completely...sigh.

 

 

But, today is the beginning of 2024 and woke to a dusting of snow on the roof and the glow of the Christmas tree and Tux curled snugly against me, purring.

Life is good.

Watched the Colts win yesterday with John...and later Kansas...with only one regular season game left before playoffs.

Ate entirely too much cheese...crackers...cold boiled shrimp and fresh fruit.

Stayed up way too late.

Now it is time to clean up the mess...switch over the calendar...do a list of goals...and caffeinate heavily.

Not necessarily in that order.

Yeah...pretty much like that.

But anyway... 

2024's GOALS...

PT and OT twice a day to maintain muscle...keep a stable weight...and regain some of my small muscle use (which I have lost).

Get back to a PCP, and yearly MRI and labs.

Paid everything up at the end of December and want to maintain this level of financial stability...first time in 13 years!!!

Implement a healthy savings plan.

Continue to minimize and downsize.

Spend more quality 1:1 time with friends, family and John.

Enjoy our 6th year together!

Yeah...that's about it.

Now to get more coffee...