OT ~ Welcome to Saturday!

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 6:01am
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Sit-a-while
on swinging porch
where tin-dippers and
sweet water
in cool touches
meet lips
from hand dug wells.

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell, and we feel like stopping to speak to the plants and animals as friendly fellow mountaineers. Nature as a poet, an enthusiastic workingman, becomes more and more visible the farther and higher we go; for the mountains are fountains — beginning places, however related to sources beyond mortal ken. ~ John Muir.

Good morning, good people,



I've always loved the wind and the outer bands of hurricane flo arrived a little while ago, it's whispering in the trees; expecting rain by 10am; forecast to continue until Tuesday morning. Probably have some flash flooding, wind gusts and falling trees in the High Country; but the folks in serious danger live down east where record-breaking river-levels are expected.

Hoping the authorities get ahead of this for a change and evacuate everyone in flood plains.

My close friends and family on the coast are okay, thankfully. Gulfgal and NCTim are also getting lots of rain; hopefully, they are hunkered down. I'm house-sitting two little dogs and an old Tom and should be fine. I am anxious to see the damage caused by the storm surge on the coasts north of Wilmington.

Walking in the morning darkness, breeze and thinking on hurricanes, Muir and Angelou's “A Brave and Startling Truth” came to mind. Hope you enjoy.

We, this people, on a small and lonely planet
Traveling through casual space
Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns
To a destination where all signs tell us
It is possible and imperative that we learn
A brave and startling truth

And when we come to it
To the day of peacemaking
When we release our fingers
From fists of hostility
And allow the pure air to cool our palms

When we come to it
When the curtain falls on the minstrel show of hate
And faces sooted with scorn are scrubbed clean
When battlefields and coliseum
No longer rake our unique and particular sons and daughters
Up with the bruised and bloody grass
To lie in identical plots in foreign soil

When the rapacious storming of the churches
The screaming racket in the temples have ceased
When the pennants are waving gaily
When the banners of the world tremble
Stoutly in the good, clean breeze

When we come to it
When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders
And children dress their dolls in flags of truce
When land mines of death have been removed
And the aged can walk into evenings of peace
When religious ritual is not perfumed
By the incense of burning flesh
And childhood dreams are not kicked awake
By nightmares of abuse

When we come to it
Then we will confess that not the Pyramids
With their stones set in mysterious perfection
Nor the Gardens of Babylon
Hanging as eternal beauty
In our collective memory
Not the Grand Canyon
Kindled into delicious color
By Western sunsets

Nor the Danube, flowing its blue soul into Europe
Not the sacred peak of Mount Fuji
Stretching to the Rising Sun
Neither Father Amazon nor Mother Mississippi who, without favor,
Nurture all creatures in the depths and on the shores
These are not the only wonders of the world

When we come to it
We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe
Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger
Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace
We, this people on this mote of matter
In whose mouths abide cankerous words
Which challenge our very existence
Yet out of those same mouths
Come songs of such exquisite sweetness
That the heart falters in its labor
And the body is quieted into awe

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet
Whose hands can strike with such abandon
That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living
Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness
That the haughty neck is happy to bow
And the proud back is glad to bend
Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines

When we come to it
We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
Created on this earth, of this earth
Have the power to fashion for this earth
A climate where every man and every woman
Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
Without crippling fear

When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.
~ Maya Angelou

Today's art: Hurricane Season by Julie Anne Greenberg and Mountain Top Sunrise by Sharon Duguay

Have a great one, the porch is yours...

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Submitted by Arrow on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:11am
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Hoping all remain safe.

Have a good if soggy day all.

another song popped into my head for this occasion.

https://vimeo.com/149992621
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I want a Pony!

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:47am
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@Arrow

Perfect song from memorable album which included Buckets of Rain. Smile

Heh, hope you're doing great and have a wonderful day.

We are:

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Submitted by mhagle on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:52am
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Thanks for the art and poetry. Wonderful.

I too love the wind. Northern Iowa was windy when I was a child. Just enough to blow the mosquitoes away.

Have a good one everyone!

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 8:11am
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@mhagle
to everyone. Its picking up now, been up since four; predicted to reach around sixty up high where i am this morning. But that's not unusual for up high as i often work in high winds in winter.

Those positive ions occupy highrises, box stores and shopping malls making everyone uneasy and irritable.

Recall this one:

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Submitted by gulfgal98 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 8:30am
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Mostly overcast here in Transylvania County right now. My walking partner and I did a long five mile walk this morning since tomorrow is 100% rain which means no walking. It was pleasantly breezy and a little cooler so our walk was great. I could see the counter clockwise rotation of the clouds up in the sky. Our rain is predicted to come in sometime this afternoon with heavy rains throughout the night and tomorrow. I worry about the saturated ground causing trees to fall. Otherwise my only worry is dealing with two springer spaniels with cabin fever. LOL

I hope everyone out there in C99 land has a good one.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 8:53am
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@gulfgal98

spoke of years back, should come in handy tomorrow. Down home, around Pinehurst, presently under emergency flood watch, enormous rain coming down.

Isn't it neat to see the spiral clouds from up high, visible from Grandfather yesterday looking southeast. Smile

Lookout's on Vacation, but from the tracking map it doesn't appear N. Al. has any worries.

Trees have been gradually turning, should be a splendid season coming as we've had such a wet summer.

Good to see you; stay safe and hugs to the precious ones.

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Submitted by dkmich on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 8:44am

I am sorry to see summer go, but the humidity has outstayed its welcome. Stay well Smiley.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 9:15am
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@dkmich

Breathe deep and long

The full flavored fine wine days
of thick air and citronella

Dancing diamonds floating
beneath the dragonfly

Light feet jumping threw, over, around
tipid water, grass and gravel

Nymph laughter falls between
the stillness of moments

The Ice tinkling between
wet lips and gossip

Dogs barking, cicada singing,
fires snapping, beer cans popping
field-ripened drips from chins and lips

The priceless gold glow on
bare backs and shoulders

Look up to the blue-orange god
The soul knows summer ending is near
breathes deep, heavy and sighs.

~ Dina EbelingHestera

On health; feel pert today as grandmother would say; thanks for thinking of me and for being here. Have a wonderful weekend.

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Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 9:20am
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I too have always been fond of the wind, except when bicycling.

So all you c99 folks take care, and, in fact, everybody in harm's way in any way today, and all week and ....

FWIW, something vibrating infinitely fast cannot be sidtinguished from something perfectly vibration free, and we all travel at the same speed relative to something, so everybody shuld kick back now and then anyway.

Have a good one.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 9:36am
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@enhydra lutris

and all things needed to bake away as the rain pours down: a pie, some bread; whatever. Smile

May not have enough libation, depends on how the spirits move me later, i suppose.

Am in need of an extra lap especially when the youngest dog gets restless when i'm holding Tom.

Hoping you've a splendid day.

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Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 10:16am
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Morning been checking on the path of the two major world storms this morning. If the link works right it shows Eastern United States wind and 3 hour rain participation. Zoom out and in to travel to other parts of the world.

OT has been a great morning read, now off to do some work. Have to take advantage of the nice weather wile it lasts.

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Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 11:07am
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@studentofearth
bookmarked.

Glad you enjoyed and happy to see you. Smile

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Submitted by Deja on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 1:04pm
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@studentofearth
I've already shared it with both of my kids and one friend. Very cool! Thank you!

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Submitted by randtntx on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 10:17am

smiley and all. Hope everyone stays safe and dry. It has been raining all week in South Central Tx so the ground is saturated.
I'm going to a barbecue today but I think only the 'pit masters' will be outside since the rain just will not let up. I have to finish putting together the cake I'm taking...so I'm doing some baking here in the rain as well smiley. I share the inclination to have a "kick-back-day".
Thanks smiley for the poetry, art, and music. I'll savor it this evening.

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Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 11:28am
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@randtntx

Texas and NC barbecues share much except sauces differ considerably, both good and fun.

Cakes, i've not much experience, so a little coaching when you've the time is welcomed.
Yeah to making the most of today and cheers for the special music of Pentangle's.

Mood and music for the outing, celebrate.

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Submitted by randtntx on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 5:08am

@smiley7 Good to see you all as well and thanks for your lovely OT.
Yes, the regional differences in barbecue are fun to compare (and taste) ....variations on a theme.
I would be very happy to coach although I am no expert and my routine baking has been cut down to very occasional baking since I follow a low-carb diet. But I always love to talk food and cooking techniques.

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Submitted by smiley7 on Mon, 09/17/2018 - 10:11am
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@randtntx
Mom was great at cakes; grandmothers and aunt Rosa great with pies. Been baking bread since late twenties, i guess, can't really recall and rarely use a recipe anymore, but as i said, not many cakes from scratch. I really need to bake one and take it to the special nursing facility, Mom would enjoy that.

Not familiar with how the batter should feel and look when baking cake. i'm horrible at shortbread's and banana cake, i know from past experiences.

Been trying to perfect good flaky biscuits from scratch without lard or milk for years; once in a while, i succeed. I know the commercial variety uses buttermilk solids, but a small container of those is expensive.

Anyways, good to have you back posting. Happy Day.

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Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 11:06am

that's a real headline

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Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 11:52am
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@gjohnsit
i see no gain in lambasting and in the process raising my blood pressure; so, think i'll sit back and let Obama be and imagine a better world of ordinary folks holding hands in hopes new leaders rise in future.

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Submitted by gjohnsit on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 12:08pm

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Submitted by lotlizard on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 1:20pm
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[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3noExmsCRyg]

Meanwhile, in Syria:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-usa-rebels/us-ma...

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Submitted by divineorder on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 1:36pm
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Thanks for the memory, friend.

Hugs

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 2:02pm
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@divineorder

Dropping the bucket down, rope spinning, waiting for the sound; cranking the well house handle, heavy to a child--an all out effort--then swinging the bucket to rest.

Reaching up for the dipper, cool sweet water the reward.

i have the dipper.

Bare-footed memories, my friend. Cheers for the hugs--back at you.

Afternoon delight for you and Bell:

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Submitted by janis b on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 2:00pm
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I especially enjoyed the work of Julie Anne Greenberg

Human attempts to control and predict the weather are fascinating to me. Each season, we have a prepared list of names for each major storm that can come our way. We have color coded radar maps that apply hues symbolically in order to alert us to the patches of rain, wind, and force that are thought to be encountered. When the storm breaks, news reports discuss each storm as though it is a person, imbuing it with a personality as details are described. There is an attempt to identify, categorize, and understand each system, and yet we still find ourselves powerless against these sublime forces. Each storm becomes a meditation for the many things that are out of our hands but that we try so desperately to control. Although we try to assign names to our deepest fears and explain the most beautiful secrets of our world, in so many ways we come up short.

My process begins with creating the patterns of the rain using sand and water over a glass surface and exposing this textured residue onto my silkscreens. These weather patterns are then printed onto prepared paper and become the building blocks of my storms. While the visual data is inspiring to me, so is the chaotic and constantly changing nature of my subject. The “raindrops” dictate how I cut the paper and I am forced to cut in ways that I might not expect. I enjoy relinquishing my grip over the traditionally controlled medium of printmaking, and prefer to respond to the conversation of shapes and texture as they flood my surfaces in surprising ways. As I print, cut, and stare, I allow myself to feel lost in the middle of each disturbance, rearranging pieces that no longer fit together.

Enjoy the wind, and stay safe. I remember the last time you were up the Mt. dog-sitting during a storm.

https://youtu.be/c1_D5gef72A

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Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 2:29pm
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@janis b

Trapped in the wilderness, never forget the ride out. Smile

On Sugar Mountain, now, one mountain over from Grandfather and the wilderness, higher up in a ski resort condo with a beautiful deck high in the trees overlooking a stream below, private, but with paved roads.

Happy you enjoy Greenberg, she's new to me and clever. "we still find ourselves powerless against these sublime forces."

Thank you.

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Submitted by janis b on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 1:55pm
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@smiley7

I'm glad you are in a place to enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer.

Sublime good wishes to you.

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Submitted by smiley7 on Mon, 09/17/2018 - 9:59am
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@janis b
Listening to Chicago this morning:

Happy day.

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Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 5:53pm
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lovely OT!

Especially, the art! Always marvel at the absolutely gorgeous, eye-popping images that you consistently share with us.

Such a treat!

Got a lot on my plate today--so, mainly wanted to wish you, Nancy & Tim a safe next several days. Thanks for keeping us posted on your situation. Hey, it sounds as though you're in the best of company--especially, since pets are so soothing at times of stress and uncertainty!

Wink

Gonna post a TN Justice Center-sponsored/commissioned video in my signature line which is a 'must-see' for folks--at least, when their safety's not in question. Actually, think I'll go ahead and post it in the body, so it's not overlooked. After the first several minutes, it's spellbinding--it is so cruel and unbelievable.

[323,000 (Tenncare Cuts) - Sharon Cobb - Published on Sep 4, 2006]

From the YouTube entry,

323,000 is the amount of people cut from their health insurance in Tennessee under the States' healthcare system, TennCare.

The Governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, ran on the ticket of saving TennCare. Instead, he dismantled it and cost many people their lives as a result. Governor Bredesen, Karl Meyers appear in this documentary.

Not only are the numbers of folks that Dem Gov Bredesen threw off TennCare (Medicaid) rolls staggering--he included the category of 'uninsurables.' Meaning, those individuals who were so ill that insurers would not cover them if they could pay a million dollar premium, were included in his TN Care purge. The carnage was unlike anything healthcare providers have ever witnessed in the state of TN.

Everyone be their own judge . . .

Stay safe!

Pleasantry

Blue Onyx

Postscript: Apologize in advance for typos/poor syntax--sorta pushed for time!

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

[323,000 (Tenncare Cuts) - Sharon Cobb - Published on Sep 4, 2006]

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:47pm
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@Unabashed Liberal

Blue Onyx

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by smiley7 on Mon, 09/17/2018 - 9:41am
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@Unabashed Liberal
Sorry for a belated reply; all those deniers of healthcare would rapidly change their tune if a disease caught them off guard i imagine. Like the NC General Assembly, Tenn. needs cleaning out; corrupt isn't a big enough word to explain their non-empathetic motives.

Having health issues is so difficult alone, the added stress of not having insurance or enough coverage is the damnedest indictment of our politicians in my opinion.

Heh, i love the land of cuteness, thanks for those and in below thread, glad you figured out the tweet posting. Images and embedding tweets is a pain to me as i've little computer knowledge and after i learn a new simple process, if i don't write it down, in a few weeks i've forgotten how. And then forgot where i wrote it down. Smile

Hope Mr. M. is doing well.

Great to see you, sending positive virtual vibes.

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Submitted by magiamma on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:19pm
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Another walk among the oaks and Redwoods this morning. Warm and windy here. Has been windy for four days now. You can see whitecaps almost all the way across the bay.

Beautiful picture of the Mountain Top Sunrise. And thanks for the poem by Maya Angelo. Here she is reading it. I love her voice.
[video:https://youtu.be/UjEfq7wLm7M]

We are the possible... I hope you and your friends are safe. Sending good thoughts. Smile

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Submitted by randtntx on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 5:19am

@magiamma Thank you for this, I love poetry read out loud so much and she does have a beautiful voice.

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Submitted by smiley7 on Mon, 09/17/2018 - 9:49am
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@magiamma

She was extraordinary. During a recent overnight with my good cousin, on my bedside table was a small Angelou book of poetry, i cried knowing his wife had placed it there. Although we fortunately had her nearby in Winston, i never saw her in person, a regret.

Sorry for this belated reply couldn't get going yesterday. Would love to walk in the Redwoods again, did a lot of fishing in and around the Lady Bird forest many moons ago.

Happy day to you.

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Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:41pm
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Guess I'll find out if I can (once again) view Tweets on my Chrome Browser.

Sorry--this is the only way that I can find out!

Pardon

Blue Onyx

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by magiamma on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 7:45pm
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@Unabashed Liberal

please tell me how... if you can. Smile

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Sat, 09/15/2018 - 9:57pm
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@magiamma

the only way that I'm able to--using Firefox.

For whatever reason, my version of FF does not display Tweets--period. I can only view them--in preview and after they're posted--as 'text boxes.' And 'photos' never appear.

OTOH, my Chrome browser will not allow me to post Tweet code, at all. I get a 'code error.'

So, I obtain code from Twitter, and post it using my Firefox (FF) browser.

Then, in order to see the actual photo/Tweet, I view it in Chrome--after it's been submitted/posted from FF. IOW, I have to view the 'finished product' in Chrome.

Hope that makes sense.

[Sorry about delay in replying--didn't see your comment.]

Have a good rest-of-your-weekend!

Pleasantry

Blue Onyx

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong."
~~W. R. Purche

“At the end of the day, people won't rememhttps://canineconnexion.wordpress.com/wp-login.phpber what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
~~Maya Angelou

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by lotlizard on Sun, 09/16/2018 - 3:55am
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After April 2019, clocks will stay the same all year round. But each country gets to decide for itself what time zone it will permanently adopt.

https://www.dw.com/en/eu-to-stop-changing-the-clocks-in-2019/a-45495680

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Submitted by smiley7 on Mon, 09/17/2018 - 9:55am
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@lotlizard

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