I spent Saturday participating in a large-scale search (unfortunately unsuccessful) for a missing elderly lady. After over seven miles and an elevation gain and then descent of just under 1,300 feet with all my SAR gear I felt fairly tired and sore. However, I am very thankful that at 57 I’m still capable of doing treks like that and that it only takes a couple of days for the soreness to go away. Even on sad occasions it’s awesome to get out and hike in the mountains!
Here's something positive for US military staff and their families stationed or to-be-stationed in Sweden:
Under the DCA-treaty, they are exempt from /all/ the taxes on tobacco,alcohol, petrol and diesel, and exempt from VAT on top. While they will pay full price otc, they will then get the tax-part of the total (and VAT is 25% on most goods) paid back from the office of taxation.
So while a swede will be forced to pay at least 17:89/Liter of petrol ($1.75/0.21 gallons), an american soldier, or his wife/husband, or any american working on or adjacent to or in connection to a base will pay 8:60/Liter of petrol ($0.84/0.21 gallons).
Last poll on if people want US military presence here was 5/6 against. Before the details of the treaty were made public (including that the US may place nuclear weapons here without telling us, or our military), it was 6/10 for. As if US personnel being exempt from appearing in front of a swedish court if they are arrested for crimes wasn't bad enough.
Well done, politicians. Well done getting everyone upset. What's next, I have to wonder?
They use lizards here and in AZ. Lots more of those available and more heat-tolerant. I think that would be a good plot device if I decide to write SF in the future. So far I've mostly written a few horror stories...always a good choice to instigate parent-teacher meetings!
Also, one of my best friends always suspected cats of being genetically engineered monitoring devices sent by aliens to keep tabs on us. Fits that Malone meme nicely.
Discovered that the sleigh-dog we adopted can tow me on my bike, uphill, on a forest trail for over seven kilometers straight (ca 4.3 miles). The other dog just trotted next to him, hooked to the same line, but did so without pulling at all.
There's a lesson in that, maybe?
The ride home was even more fun, 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) downhill. Which meant I had to apply the brakes while tugging on the line to indicate "slow down". The day after was spent doing "silly walks" due to stiff calves.
My eldest aunt is doing better, her husband of 60+ years passed away this Spring and she's been completely devastated ever since, completely lost, but thanks to the family and relatives pitching in and helping out, she's getting back on her feet. To see someone you're used to viewing as a real strong character with great integrity simply fall apart has been harrowing, so her getting back to normal has been very positive indeed.
Re: Cats taking over the world. I always loved Neil Gaiman's "Dream of a Thousand Cats." Still worth a read, though I'm disappointed in the author for abandoning his free-speech absolutism now that it matters. https://imgur.com/gallery/dream-of-thousand-cats-VBHoG
SC - Thanks for guffaws and yuks. "“take the gun, leave the tuna....I, for one, welcome our new feline overlords. (I have a very high cat staff rating.)" You know your place Mr Mulder.
I don't know if this was a "happy" thing, but we had quite the storm Saturday night. It even made the National Weather Service, which rarely happens here in the PNW. Usually, thunderstorms here grumble a little, a few lightning strikes, and then they fade away. This one made us take notice, as several lightning strikes were right overhead, the thunder shook the house and the lights flickered several times. The cats were NOT happy, racing back and forth, round and round, before hiding somewhere. Every time I thought the storm was retreating behind the mountain behind us, it came back and thundered at us some more. And the rain! We are used to a lot of rain, but this was a real gully washer! I guess the happy part was waking up Sunday morning with that wonderful "just rain washed" PNW smell.
We had what are called "sun-breaks" - mostly cloudy with the sun breaking through clouds for brief periods. There was also another downpour that lasted about 20 minutes. The cats didn't like that one, either!
Sounds awesome! Those really good thunderstorms are a rarity up there for sure! We actually just got one the night before last - the thunder was DIRECTLY overhead! Normally I go out and call Bonnie inside before it starts raining, but since this was close to 11 PM, I didn't notice the weather turning bad -- so it was too late by the time we tried to get her inside. I went to bed about an hour later, and an hour after that she came wandering in -- dry as could be.
Gangster followed her by about a half an hour -- and he was SOAKING wet. He must have had quite the adventure!
Bonnie is a smart, street-wise kitty - she knows where to hide out from the elements! Maybe she could teach Gangster some secret hidey-holes.
During one of my flights into PHX in 2021, there was a thunderstorm over the metropolis. Viewing that massive thunderstorm from the air was quite the experience! There were lightning strikes from one end of the valley to the other, some seeming to strike quite near the plane. Being a pilot's brat, I wasn't all that concerned, but there were a couple that I thought, "Now that is just a little too close for comfort!" All in all, it was simply spectacular!
The best thing about the AZ weather is watching the lightning from miles and miles away! (No pesky trees or hills blocking the way!)
Bonnie has AT LEAST 3 dry hideout spots - inside the shed in the backyard, under the trailer in the alley, and inside the Jeep where she used to sleep last year. Yesterday we had another rainstorm, and just before it started I opened my window to call her inside -- she was right there waiting for me to let her in! Smart kitty.
When I met a neighbor for the first time, I mentioned that I was afraid my cat would harm their chickens even though she stayed pretty close to the house. He said "Oh yeah, I've seen her at night walking down all those fences over there (pointing to he back of his property and beyond).
I go "WHAT?? I had NO idea; she never told me that!!!" Then we both cracked up..😂
Well, what made me happy this week? FedEx actually delivered my 44 lbs of cat food and 25 lbs cat litter ON TIME from Walmart! Free shipping has its own reward! 😎 Getting my money's worth out of my Walmart + subscription 😳
those drivers hate those miserable heavy deliveries. Most of delivery guys are not in good shape. They often mishandle the boxes and arrive quite beat up.
One time a driver dropped off me large box of 65 pounds of kitty litter to the wrong house! This was a few years ago and I do not recall the whole story, but the woman called me and told me she had our delivery. I quickly said, oh I will come and get it from you right away. She sounded really irritated. (must be a kitty hater)
She grumbled that she had already struggled (unnecessarily) to put the box in her Prius.
When she arrived she was very crabby. I went out and got the box out of her hatch very easily, lifted it out. I am probably 20 years older than she was. Her car had a Coexist sticker on it.
Chewy delivery has been really sloppy lately. I also have Walmart + through a special "deal" with our AmEx card. I should switch over to them. They even pack large amounts of kitty litter in two boxes.
The day before yesterday I got the email that the 4 smaller bags of litter (I had to stop the huge bags because the packer uses one box and stuffs all in there so the pack weighs so much the box gets destroyed.) On Saturday my "delivery arrived" and I went out to see a small box with one bag of kitty litter..... It took three communications to finally inform them that they shorted me three bags. If I were not here to check incoming, my hubbs would gladly accept one bag of litter for $60 bc he did not order it or know the details.... good times
Yep, the boxes always show up in rough condition, but, Walmart did just ship once without the box, which is preferable. Normally, I would just get delivered from local store, but, a couple times, I couldn't get the cat food I wanted, so, shipping pretty much insures I get what I wanted.
Having just listened to the entirety of Joe's speech, I can say with great sincerity that cats can't take over soon enough. Perhaps a Maine Coon Cat can do suffocation duty as needed.
I’m positive the cats plotting to take over the world meme is actually true. They are very confident. How else could they sleep so much, always manage to stand just out of reach when you want to pet them, and get you to sit in an uncomfortable position because they’ve decided to take a nap curled up against you? 😹😹😹
I spent Saturday participating in a large-scale search (unfortunately unsuccessful) for a missing elderly lady. After over seven miles and an elevation gain and then descent of just under 1,300 feet with all my SAR gear I felt fairly tired and sore. However, I am very thankful that at 57 I’m still capable of doing treks like that and that it only takes a couple of days for the soreness to go away. Even on sad occasions it’s awesome to get out and hike in the mountains!
Here's something positive for US military staff and their families stationed or to-be-stationed in Sweden:
Under the DCA-treaty, they are exempt from /all/ the taxes on tobacco,alcohol, petrol and diesel, and exempt from VAT on top. While they will pay full price otc, they will then get the tax-part of the total (and VAT is 25% on most goods) paid back from the office of taxation.
So while a swede will be forced to pay at least 17:89/Liter of petrol ($1.75/0.21 gallons), an american soldier, or his wife/husband, or any american working on or adjacent to or in connection to a base will pay 8:60/Liter of petrol ($0.84/0.21 gallons).
Last poll on if people want US military presence here was 5/6 against. Before the details of the treaty were made public (including that the US may place nuclear weapons here without telling us, or our military), it was 6/10 for. As if US personnel being exempt from appearing in front of a swedish court if they are arrested for crimes wasn't bad enough.
Well done, politicians. Well done getting everyone upset. What's next, I have to wonder?
They use lizards here and in AZ. Lots more of those available and more heat-tolerant. I think that would be a good plot device if I decide to write SF in the future. So far I've mostly written a few horror stories...always a good choice to instigate parent-teacher meetings!
https://theonion.go-vip.net/cubs-eliminated-from-playoff-contention-1819586423/ (that was first published the week of season opener)
Also, one of my best friends always suspected cats of being genetically engineered monitoring devices sent by aliens to keep tabs on us. Fits that Malone meme nicely.
Back when I did fantasy football, I had a team named "Mathematically Eliminated", with a Royals logo as my avatar.
Bonus video: https://www.ebaumsworld.com/videos/baseball-by-mail/40823/
man, that quiz didn't even expect one to know the difference between their ass and 2nd base! easy!
"Ability to throw or hit curveball not required."
Discovered that the sleigh-dog we adopted can tow me on my bike, uphill, on a forest trail for over seven kilometers straight (ca 4.3 miles). The other dog just trotted next to him, hooked to the same line, but did so without pulling at all.
There's a lesson in that, maybe?
The ride home was even more fun, 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) downhill. Which meant I had to apply the brakes while tugging on the line to indicate "slow down". The day after was spent doing "silly walks" due to stiff calves.
My eldest aunt is doing better, her husband of 60+ years passed away this Spring and she's been completely devastated ever since, completely lost, but thanks to the family and relatives pitching in and helping out, she's getting back on her feet. To see someone you're used to viewing as a real strong character with great integrity simply fall apart has been harrowing, so her getting back to normal has been very positive indeed.
You did say share, yes?
Share and share away! Although there's no picture of the dogs!
Re: Cats taking over the world. I always loved Neil Gaiman's "Dream of a Thousand Cats." Still worth a read, though I'm disappointed in the author for abandoning his free-speech absolutism now that it matters. https://imgur.com/gallery/dream-of-thousand-cats-VBHoG
Sir Charles for President on the Party party ticket.
Jeffery Marsh’s mentor: https://youtu.be/zUnhfvGdmmw
Gave me nightmares for years!
MY EYES!
But good comparison!
Cheers to Charles Barkley👍🏼
I am normally not very impressed with him, but that's a huge win in my book!
Man you really love pussy!!!!
Uh..........guilty?
Not questioning you it’s perfectly natural!!!!!
I guess even demo/crazies come in all shapes 🤡🤦♀️… … … enjoy 🐶 https://x.com/DrWoofAus/status/1825359030749196605
That is great, thanks for sharing!!
great x account!!
SC - Thanks for guffaws and yuks. "“take the gun, leave the tuna....I, for one, welcome our new feline overlords. (I have a very high cat staff rating.)" You know your place Mr Mulder.
Hubbs and I were just commenting on the treatment we get over here
two cornish rex kitties, both bossy in their own special way
I don't know if this was a "happy" thing, but we had quite the storm Saturday night. It even made the National Weather Service, which rarely happens here in the PNW. Usually, thunderstorms here grumble a little, a few lightning strikes, and then they fade away. This one made us take notice, as several lightning strikes were right overhead, the thunder shook the house and the lights flickered several times. The cats were NOT happy, racing back and forth, round and round, before hiding somewhere. Every time I thought the storm was retreating behind the mountain behind us, it came back and thundered at us some more. And the rain! We are used to a lot of rain, but this was a real gully washer! I guess the happy part was waking up Sunday morning with that wonderful "just rain washed" PNW smell.
Mrs. "the Knife"
yes, some of those wild excessively large storms refuse to just move on.
I hope you saw some sun the next day
We had what are called "sun-breaks" - mostly cloudy with the sun breaking through clouds for brief periods. There was also another downpour that lasted about 20 minutes. The cats didn't like that one, either!
Mrs. "the Knife"
Sounds awesome! Those really good thunderstorms are a rarity up there for sure! We actually just got one the night before last - the thunder was DIRECTLY overhead! Normally I go out and call Bonnie inside before it starts raining, but since this was close to 11 PM, I didn't notice the weather turning bad -- so it was too late by the time we tried to get her inside. I went to bed about an hour later, and an hour after that she came wandering in -- dry as could be.
Gangster followed her by about a half an hour -- and he was SOAKING wet. He must have had quite the adventure!
Bonnie is a smart, street-wise kitty - she knows where to hide out from the elements! Maybe she could teach Gangster some secret hidey-holes.
During one of my flights into PHX in 2021, there was a thunderstorm over the metropolis. Viewing that massive thunderstorm from the air was quite the experience! There were lightning strikes from one end of the valley to the other, some seeming to strike quite near the plane. Being a pilot's brat, I wasn't all that concerned, but there were a couple that I thought, "Now that is just a little too close for comfort!" All in all, it was simply spectacular!
Mrs. "the Knife"
The best thing about the AZ weather is watching the lightning from miles and miles away! (No pesky trees or hills blocking the way!)
Bonnie has AT LEAST 3 dry hideout spots - inside the shed in the backyard, under the trailer in the alley, and inside the Jeep where she used to sleep last year. Yesterday we had another rainstorm, and just before it started I opened my window to call her inside -- she was right there waiting for me to let her in! Smart kitty.
I wish they could tell us!
When I met a neighbor for the first time, I mentioned that I was afraid my cat would harm their chickens even though she stayed pretty close to the house. He said "Oh yeah, I've seen her at night walking down all those fences over there (pointing to he back of his property and beyond).
I go "WHAT?? I had NO idea; she never told me that!!!" Then we both cracked up..😂
Well, what made me happy this week? FedEx actually delivered my 44 lbs of cat food and 25 lbs cat litter ON TIME from Walmart! Free shipping has its own reward! 😎 Getting my money's worth out of my Walmart + subscription 😳
Poor delivery driver!
Actually, it was a 50 lb bag of cat litter! 😁👍
those drivers hate those miserable heavy deliveries. Most of delivery guys are not in good shape. They often mishandle the boxes and arrive quite beat up.
One time a driver dropped off me large box of 65 pounds of kitty litter to the wrong house! This was a few years ago and I do not recall the whole story, but the woman called me and told me she had our delivery. I quickly said, oh I will come and get it from you right away. She sounded really irritated. (must be a kitty hater)
She grumbled that she had already struggled (unnecessarily) to put the box in her Prius.
When she arrived she was very crabby. I went out and got the box out of her hatch very easily, lifted it out. I am probably 20 years older than she was. Her car had a Coexist sticker on it.
Chewy delivery has been really sloppy lately. I also have Walmart + through a special "deal" with our AmEx card. I should switch over to them. They even pack large amounts of kitty litter in two boxes.
The day before yesterday I got the email that the 4 smaller bags of litter (I had to stop the huge bags because the packer uses one box and stuffs all in there so the pack weighs so much the box gets destroyed.) On Saturday my "delivery arrived" and I went out to see a small box with one bag of kitty litter..... It took three communications to finally inform them that they shorted me three bags. If I were not here to check incoming, my hubbs would gladly accept one bag of litter for $60 bc he did not order it or know the details.... good times
Yep, the boxes always show up in rough condition, but, Walmart did just ship once without the box, which is preferable. Normally, I would just get delivered from local store, but, a couple times, I couldn't get the cat food I wanted, so, shipping pretty much insures I get what I wanted.
Yes, right next to yours, but, that's still a mystery! 😉
Having just listened to the entirety of Joe's speech, I can say with great sincerity that cats can't take over soon enough. Perhaps a Maine Coon Cat can do suffocation duty as needed.
Wow, you listened?
Massive patience, you have
This is why creative projects are so vital to one's sanity. I was crocheting moths all the way through.
crocheting moths?
For my lace cardigan. They are eating it. Decoratively.
Throwback reference! :)
I’m positive the cats plotting to take over the world meme is actually true. They are very confident. How else could they sleep so much, always manage to stand just out of reach when you want to pet them, and get you to sit in an uncomfortable position because they’ve decided to take a nap curled up against you? 😹😹😹
I am not against it.
absolutely correct.