All Purls. No Swine.
Today, April 29, 2023, is the day that one of my all all-time favorite performers begins his tenth decade on the planet, I'm reposting a piece from exactly two years ago, and looking forward to seeing the man himself in concert this upcoming August. Ain't it funny (how time slips away)? Happy 88th birthday to… Continue reading Happy 90th Birthday, Willie Nelson!
Gosh. Some of the loveliest music of my childhood, from a man who lived through, took risks, and stood tall, during a difficult, and often infamous time in which people of his color were regarded by some as less-than-human. I don't remember many of those occasions. But this one, I do. Harry Belafonte and Petula… Continue reading Harry Belafonte, R.I.P.
Tradition has it that, on April 23 in AD 303, a young and promising Roman soldier in the army of the Emperor Diocletian was beheaded after gruesome torture, and died professing his Christian faith to the end. Very little is known of his life, but it’s believed he was born into a devout Christian family,… Continue reading A Bloody Cross
I originally published this post (which I've since very lightly edited) almost two years ago, in June 2021. I'm reposting it today because, when I went looking for inspiration on the web, I discovered that April 21, 2023 is the 241st anniversary of the founding of the city of Rattanakosin, now known internationally as Bangkok. … Continue reading Kap He Chom Khrueang Khao Wan 2023–กาพย์เห่ชมเครื่องคาวหวาน
Dateline, the Daily Telegraph, April 16: “Brecon Beacons to be renamed over links to climate change: National Park says the symbol of a ‘carbon burning beacon’ is incompatible with its ‘push to net zero.'” I can’t even. For first (channeling Christopher Smart, because I am an unregenerate Boomer Bluestocking who still has a connection to her past… Continue reading For the Beacons: A Lament
Years ago, I set up a rain barrel here at Chateau Right, to collect fifty-odd gallons of rainwater at a time that I could use to water the plants in direst need during a prolonged drought. (Yes, I do have running water on the property, but it comes from a well, so I'm careful.) On… Continue reading EarthMinded FlexiFit™–An Unobtrusive, Effective, Rain Barrel Diverter System
On this April 16, 2023, a day that would have been my grandmother Molly's 125th birthday, I bring back a post originally published six years ago today, on Ricochet. It was Easter Sunday for me then; it's Easter Sunday today for my Orthodox friends. Happy Easter, everyone! My grandmother Molly could be a rather stern… Continue reading On Granny. Oh, and On Chocolate, Too. And a Few Other Things As Well
Full disclosure: I'm 68 years old. This upcoming September (2023), I'll be 69. No point pretending otherwise. No point writing posts either celebrating--or bemoaning--my "hotness" in a previous life about half-a-century ago (so I'll spare you the bikini-beach-babe pic, unless you're really determined to view it, in which case knock yourself out). Fings--these days--is wot… Continue reading 2023 Update–Semper Fi! My Marine Corps Tulips. And Some Other Stuff As Well.
It's been a little more than three years (April 2020), since I first posted this, and perhaps it deserves another airing. Psymon, who entered my life in mid-March 2019, is--without doubt--the smartest, nicest, kindest, best companion and most charming cat I've ever known.*** I've always had a soft spot for 'gingers,' (perhaps it's because I… Continue reading Climin’ Psymon–Redux 2023
She is loved, and she knows she is loved. And her personality has always been vivacious, outgoing, bright and looking for the best in things--John Lydon Lydon, sixty-seven years old himself (a year younger than I), was speaking of Nora, his wife of almost half-a century. A day or two after he uttered those words… Continue reading Quote of the Day: From Johnny Not-So-Rotten