Welcome to Saturday ...

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“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend ... if you have one."
~ George Bernard Shaw, (to Winston Churchill)

"Cannot possibly attend first night; will attend second, if there is one."
~ Churchill's response”

Dolmen in snow ~ Caspar David Friedrich, 1807

Not very energetic of late, doldrums lacking creativity, sometimes this lasts for a while, until ... a wind blows. Light snow falling, not very cold, feeling old, self-directed, just want to be.

Jungfraujoch research station, Switzerland

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magiamma's picture

That research station says a lot about what we humans can do. Imagine how much work it was to build. I’ve been thinking a lot about how far we humans can reach, the amazing things we can achieve, and yet how very uncaring, unkind, self serving, and manipulative some have become.

Bernie is like that isolated research station, alone on top of a pointy peak. And we are the pointy peak, all of us who are supporting him.

We must remain strong. Thanks for the ot. Have a good one, good sir. Be well...

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Lookout's picture

@magiamma

You can barely see it snaking between the station and lake.
5 Jungfrau (4)edit.jpg

Most of the trip is through tunnels...
5 Jungfrau (8).jpg

...and you arrive in the lower level of the building. Swiss engineering.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

smiley7's picture

@Lookout

best i order those glasses the doc prescribed before xmas, i thought QMS commented about the train, sorry for my mistake.

Hey, congrats on getting the new orchard planted and just in time for a little rain, well done.

Had a week of winter and now, we oscillate again. Thinking ahead, i need to plan a get away around April before the mud season arrives. My least favorite time in these mtns.

Hoping you've a great weekend.

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smiley7's picture

@magiamma

The solitude of the photo appeals to me today as does the beauty of Switzerland and it has the cleanest air in Europe if i'm not mistaken.

Think i'll put it on the travel list as must see, the train to it pictured by QMS below should be fun, too.

Read bernie's up in Iowa in a new morning poll, he can win, i've felt that way since his first run when i saw that house parties for him took place in nearby East Tennessee communities.

Now to convince the centrists to meet the people, onward.

Hoping you've a wonderful California day.

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magiamma's picture

@smiley7
because of the Coronavirus. I wonder how that will affect the carbon in the atmosphere.

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smiley7's picture

@magiamma
saw photos of empty malls and streets in China. Perhaps, we could implement a world-wide stay at home day or two.

Enjoyed this read and meant to share it a while back: Top 10 Cleanest Countries In The World https://mensgear.net/cleanest-countries/

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magiamma's picture

@smiley7
Interestingly mostly European countries. The us is 27th. Maybe they are not looking at all the old oil pipeline infrastructure.

A worldwide clean day sounds perfect. Week? Year? Heh!

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janis b's picture

@magiamma

I think it can be explained mostly by the considerable pollution generated by animal agriculture here - methane and waterways pollution. Much of the infrastructure here was not planned in sight of the fairly rapid increase in population that happened. Since we arrived in 1996, the population has grown by almost 20%. Because of the limited population, generating revenue in taxes is somewhat compromised, and not enough is devoted to infrastructure in this area. It is a subject that is often in the news, and things are improving, although not as quickly as necessary.

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smiley7's picture

@magiamma

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janis b's picture

@magiamma

for your interpretation and that wonderful image you present.

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bubbling up

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smiley7's picture

@QMS

Love Santana, thank you for the lift.

And for the Jungfraujoch train info. Let's go to the top; maybe sail into Venice and work our way up. Smile A smile came just writing that, hum, i needed this morning breeze.

Cheers.

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@smiley7
Thank lookout for the swiss train Wink

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AKA Lunar New Year and Spring Festival

Year-of-the-Rat-1-300x200.jpg

xīn nián kuài lè (新年快乐) or Happy New Year!

The Rat is first in the order of all the Chinese zodiac animals. According to one folktale, the Jade Emperor decided that the order of the animals would be determined according to the order by which they arrived at his party. This zodiac animal cleverly convinced the Ox to give him a ride.

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smiley7's picture

@QMS
animal sign by hour and time of one's birth. Recall our cast having fun with it while doing makeup. We laughed long and hard as the animals fit the different actors or at least in our imaginations at the moment. A good memory.

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

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mimi's picture

@QMS @QMS @smiley7
mention in here a link to my favorite rats.
HeroRats
Why do I feel like we will need them more than ever?

Thank you for OT, smiley7 I clean out a house that housed three generations of junk, all have memories to someone, but most of those who cherished thess things are dead. It is hard work, expecially if I am not allowed to throw things away, so, I sort, and sort, and sort and pack and move things from one place to the next, knowing that nobody but me can still relate to the "junk".

We are surrounded by thoughts of the dead, of dying, and of not belonging. I just wonder when and how I get out of this.

I am dreaming of emigrating to somewhere, but can't make up my mind where to.

Sigh. Good Night. Tomorrow is another day. So we live one day at a time.

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smiley7's picture

@mimi

were it not for mother and my need to be here, i, too would at least go elsewhere for a while. But, not in the cards for many reasons.

I've a ton of stuff stored down home that needs attention i'll probably never give it.

On good days, the spirits can guide us, on bad, they can haunt.

Have a good night, my friend.

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janis b's picture

@mimi

even when you're there. What you're doing must be very heavy and difficult.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

With wings I fly
to the top of the mount,
the small building
now looms large.
Afraid of heights
I steel my nerve
and allow myself to consider
the possibilities
of living and working
in such a place.

Maybe that would bring you out of the doldrums, smiley!

January is almost over,
as we race to the end.
Time is but an illusion
playing tricks on our head.
Living day to day
is all I car about.
Maybe there'll come a time
when I can be without a doubt.

Have a peaceful day! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann

"Everything that was to happen had happened and everything that was to be seen had gone. It was now one of those moments when nothing remains but an opening in the sky and a story — and maybe something of a poem. Anyway, as you possibly remember, there are these lines in front of the story:

And then he thinks he knows
The hills where his life rose …

"These words are now part of the story." ~ Norman Maclean

After reading your poem, i'm set to rig the Mainsail and make the most of this day; appreciate the lovely words, thank you very much.

Hey, did you get the well dug and connected? Hope so.

Have a wonderful desert day.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@smiley7
We're waiting on connection. Lots of work there but mostly waiting on the solar pump. Gonna do it right from the get-go. Thanks for asking! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

smiley7's picture

@Raggedy Ann

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Wally's picture

Mornin' Smiley. . .

This guy ain't no Spiro. . .

Another amazing Bernie moment:

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@Wally
Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

smiley7's picture

@Wally

Batten the hatches, this wind is gale force. We must elect this good man or else in my view.
Can be no ifs ands, and buts; the earth depends upon this choice.

Thanks for all the work you do on the people's behalf and for being here.

Have a great day.

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janis b's picture

@Wally

"with these hands"

Thank you.

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enhydra lutris's picture

degrees North to 5 degrees South they run, I have been there, where dead winds, a curse for sailors, prevail. In classical times, a zone of waters in the Atlantic, which I've missed (but QMS?), but the Pacific side I have seen. I've even been under sail there, and the winds do too blow, when they wish.

Until a wind blows you said, I could tell you where the 4 winds blow, but others do it better. Meanwhile the top picture seems subtly Asian, Japanese, sparse and stark. It's early yet, here at lest, and early in the year too, especially the lunar year, so enjoy your doldrums while you may. Anomie is the curse of the modern world, especially in the US, but is simply tacky billboards and posters haphazardly plastered across the land, obscuring everything of value, all of which is still there, just outside of and beyond our everyday culture.

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 --

smiley7's picture

@enhydra lutris
Indeed, a society without a rudder destined for the rocks and so right the billboards do not illuminate the way.

Thanks so much for Jerry and Robert Hunter:

In another time's forgotten space
your eyes looked through your mother's face
Wildflower seed on the sand and stone
may the four winds blow you safely home

Roll away ... the dew
Roll away... the dew
Roll away... the dew
Roll away... the dew

You ask me where the four winds dwell
In Franklin's tower there hangs a bell
It can ring, turn night to day
Ring like fire when you lose your way

Roll away... the dew . . .

God help the child who rings that bell
It may have one good ring left, you can't tell
One watch by night, one watch by day
If you get confused just listen to the music play

Roll away... the dew . . .

Some come to laugh their past away
Some come to make it just one more day
Whichever way your pleasure tends
if you plant ice you're gonna harvest wind

Roll away... the dew . . .

In Franklin's Tower the four winds sleep
Like four lean hounds the lighthouse keep
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again

Roll away... the dew
Roll away... the dew
Roll away... the dew
Roll away... the dew
You better roll away the dew

So many friends lifting spirits this morning; apparently my son read this ot as he texted me by phone a few minutes ago to ask if i was feeling okay. Much better now, got down this past week or so. Mostly minutia in the way, a little health worry, all of which amounts to nothing, i understand, but the doldrums come anyways as do blue skies.

May the winds be behind you as you enjoy this day.

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

went in the same direction hours apart ; ).

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janis b's picture

@enhydra lutris

Franklin's Tower
Grateful Dead

In another time's forgotten space
Your eyes looked through your mother's face
Wildflower seed on the sand and stone
May the four winds blow you safely home
Roll away, the dew

Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

I'll tell you where the four winds dwell
In Franklin's tower there hangs a bell
It can ring, turn night to day
It can ring like fire when you lose your way
Roll away, the dew

Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew
Roll away, roll away the dew

God save the child who rings that bell
I may have one good ring baby, you can't tell
One watch by night, one watch by day
If you get confused just listen to the music play
Some come to laugh their past away
Some come to make it just one more day…

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We try to make transoceanic passages by plotting a course thru the 'horse latitudes' -- about 30 to 50 degrees when making for northern Europe. When working the Canaries to the Caribbean, we depend on the 'trade winds' heading west.

Solar radiation warms the air over the equator, causing it to rise. The rising air then proceeds south and north toward the poles. From approximately 20° to 30° North and South latitude, the air sinks. Then, the air flows along the surface of the earth back toward the equator.

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wendy davis's picture

and a breath-taking, whoosh-worthy friedrich painting, amigo.

have a good weekend.

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smiley7's picture

@wendy davis

Thanks for being here and glad you enjoyed the banter of Shaw and Churchill; used to read autobiographies and letters of clever people and have since advised young people to do so.

Hoping you've a great weekend.

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wendy davis's picture

@smiley7

but to say the truth, 'life's a beach here' these days, but we're trying to hold life and limb together as we can. some days it hardly seems worth it. feelin' old an in the way before our times, and if we could 'catch our rides' (h/t john trudell) together, that would be fine. ; )

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Good morning Smiley. Can really relate to that feeling. My old place here in Texas has so many things I want to get done and it is very easy to just escape into a book. This week I have tackled my yard and my pantry.

The yard work was very rewarding and it was a beautiful sunshiny day yesterday. Today I cleaned out the gutters and just looked at all the maintainance necessary to keep this place up. Shook that off and now am in the kitchen with my pantry that is 8'tall, 5' wide and 21/2' deep. Not sure what all will uncover but am in the cookbook section deciding what to keep and throw and some happy memories from these books is lifting my spirits. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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Life is what you make it, so make it something worthwhile.

This ain't no dress rehearsal!

wendy davis's picture

@jakkalbessie

Life is also what it makes us in the end, but i know i shouldn't quibble with your more inspirational axiom. ; )

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smiley7's picture

@jakkalbessie

Cleaned out my kitchen cupboard recently, threw out things decades old; rewarding to have it organized so as to see what i have.

Upkeep on a place, a never ending chore; gardening, i used to love, gutters and such, not much, do enjoy being outside though. Always been a prognosticator about some things, laundry for instance, though somewhat disciplined in things i enjoy.

Good to see you, thanks for being here.

Have a wonderful Texas day.

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CNN announces Democratic presidential town halls in New Hampshire. That in itself is not so bad. But check out the lineup.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/24/politics/cnn-new-hampshire-town-halls/ind...

Here's the full lineup:
Wednesday, February 5:
Former Vice President Joe Biden
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren
Businessman Andrew Yang
Businessman Tom Steyer

Thursday, February 6:
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick

They include Deval patrick who is polling at around 0% and skip Tulsi Gabbard who is doing much better.

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smiley7's picture

@humphrey

debate, i'd decline an invitation were i a candidate. Sensationalists instead of journalists describes CNN.

Thanks for the news and being here.

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@humphrey Dude couldn’t fill a broom closet.

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Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.

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smiley7's picture

@humphrey

people in the streets. Rock on!

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Dawn's Meta's picture

@humphrey the week. In a country of 66 million. Not too bad.

Most marchers are peaceful and creative. In small towns the police walk ahead to shut off side streets to allow the marchers to walk continuously and not bunch up.

The police heavy-handedness is getting a lot of press, and popular scrutiny. Many French are surprised by the police violence as they are used to having police unions marching with strikers.

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

janis b's picture

Thank you for your Saturday welcome. The paintings stir quite vulnerable and powerful feelings.

If only we had the incredible strength of a mountain, or even the life of a tree!

There’s a Jon-Kabat-Zinn meditation on a mountain that can give one some greater strength …

https://palousemindfulness.com/docs/mountain%20meditation.pdf

[video:https://youtu.be/Yx2iOYusYeE]

Feel better smiley

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smiley7's picture

@janis b
shared the mythology of children when old enough going into the wilderness sitting and meditating on a space until they could remember each tiny stone, bush, tree, animal, bird and so on and later use the image of their special space in battle as a warrior?

Thank you for being here and all your contributions.

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

to realise where strength and power really comes from. Thank you for that.

What a great place this is to be on a saturday, or a sunday.

The subject and company here is deeply appreciated.

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smiley7's picture

@janis b

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

and so true.

Thank you for your understanding and recognition of life's stage settings,

and for being there.

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and briefly just to express my appreciation for this thread.
Thank you smiley as always.
I tried to find the picture of Ruskin's alpine view Aiguille Blaitiere, Chamonix or Cascade de la Folie, Chamonix to post here but had no luck. Someone with more skill perhaps can. Anyway, they help represent the mountain view.
Instead I'll drop this here.

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smiley7's picture

Thanks for the video, agreed, all children should be encouraged. How vacant life would be without the arts.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you are well and in good spirits.

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