Welcome to Saturday ...

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“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” ~ Toni Morrison

~~~

Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body. ~ Walt Whitman

~~~

~~~

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smiley7's picture

this morning, blossoms healing the eyes and soul in spite of it all.

Have a good one, everyone.

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wendy davis's picture

i'll need to try to internalize them. thank you for them, as well as the sublime photo.

good morning to you, smiley.

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smiley7's picture

@wendy davis

Glad you enjoy Walt's wisdom. Friends heading up Roan mountain this weekend to see the bloom.
Thankfully, the weather is perfect for doing so.

Be safe and well.

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wendy davis's picture

@smiley7

gorgeous. and what words of wisdom from walt! ah, we're livin' the dream here, amigo!

best to you and yours,
wd

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ggersh's picture

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

smiley7's picture

@ggersh

thank you for bringing home, home. And an extra memory for me, that's one of the NC theatres i produced plays and dance festivals in.

Be safe and well.

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ggersh's picture

@smiley7

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

smiley7's picture

@Granma

Be safe and well, Granma.

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gulfgal98's picture

Because of COVID-19 and family obligations, we did not get back to NC at the end of March which is our normal time. We missed the spring tulips and daffodils, and all the gorgeous azaleas and rhododendrons that the previous owner had planted in our yard. But we're hoping to be back in less than a week. I miss those incredible clear Carolina blue skies of the Appalachians. The sight of them always takes my breath away as we cross over Caesar's Head and drive down into Brevard.

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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

smiley7's picture

@gulfgal98

i'll breathe in the blossoms vicariously for you until you get home; she's a pale Carolina blue this morning, about 70 with a gentle breeze.

Safe travel back up the hill.

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Lookout's picture

Been a busy week. Finally got my old tractor running and I'm slowly catching up.

Have not thought of Roan Mt in a while. Been there a time or two. Used to know and like the band The Roan Mt Hilltoppers. Guitar player had a hat that was labeled "I do it my way" Notice his style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwwzQXfmB1w (3.5 min)

Love Whitman. Have an early edition of leaves of grass that I treasure.

Morrison quote reminds me of Gladstone's..."The ultimate use of power is to empower others".

Thanks for the OT and have a lovely day amongst the laurel.

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

smiley7's picture

@Lookout

Your roan video takes us back, corn-shucking, guineas and all. Smile

Happy the tractor is on the move.
Do you have a flock of guineas protecting your farm?

Whitman stays close.

Purchased some beautiful collards and special early squash this morning and two more sage plants, love sage, especially in winter. And a mush melon from down the hill.

Be safe and well.

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enhydra lutris's picture

assume that the music is wonderful too, but not time to fire it up just yet. Got to do a few early morning start up to-do tasks before I can venture into tunesville. Skipping farmers' market today, however, so Saturday is already off to a different tempo. Temps are down a bit today, and wind is a bit up, making it yet cooler. Flocks of fledges all over the yard, it's madness out there ;-).

Haven't done any menu planning for next week yet. I wonder how many days I can get away with Steak haché if I assert that it is continental dining week. heh. Ah, time to get with it.

be well and 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

easier meal planning when alone, just go with the flow of one's cravings provided you've the goods on hand. I did venture to our market and over to the truck farmer, too. early this morning as i was short of vegetables. great tasting tomatoes this time of year, thought of your love for the special ones.

Don't advise this alone living as one evening this week, those darker feelings overcame me for a period. It is what it is. Smile

Still cranking out paperwork for the government, hope to finish by deadline, Wednesday and hoping i don't have to travel 7 hrs to get some documents i need in person.

So, i guess you may tell your mate, when it comes to meals, "it's spontaneous week." Smile

Be safe and well.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

Pushing to Evolve
Change is in the air,
change is coming.
Is the change important,
is it reflected in our
motivations?

Actions only change
when different motivations
surface.

Every act of kindness
matters, for it helps
you when you help
others.

How do we create family
in this new world?
How do we create a home
for everybody on the
planet?

What are we going to do
to change?
The push to evolve
is
strong.

Enjoy a lovely Saturday, folks! 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

Evolution is what it's all about; as to the marching forward of man's, seems most important that we don't go backwards, but celebrate the strides make over centuries as we endure to improve upon them.

Every act of kindness
matters, for it helps
you when you help
others.

Love your morning poetry.

Be safe and well.

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It goes very well with the foggy mist in this seaside town.

Have a good one!

qmess

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smiley7's picture

@QMS

Always a pleasure to see you. Miss the sounds fog horns make at times, London's calling; though being up high, we get our share of pea soup.

Be safe and well.

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snoopydawg's picture

The protests are getting results fast all over the country. From it taking 5 days to arrest Chauvin and then a few more to arrest the other 3 to just 2 says to arrest the two cops that pushed who hit his head on the ground with a loud crack to many states not just looking at was to fix the out of control cop's actions to actually doing something.

Buffalo Cops Who Knocked Peaceful Protester To The Ground Charged With Assault

Two Buffalo, New York, police officers have each been charged with second-degree assault for their roles in an incident that left a protester seriously injured.

Both pleaded not guilty to the charges, which are felonies due to the age of the victim.

A widely circulated video shows police shoving Martin Gugino, 75, before he falls backward to the ground, smacking his head and beginning to bleed from the ear, apparently unconscious

Yeah sure this is a mystery, Cuomo

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) called the video “fundamentally offensive and frightening” during his regularly scheduled news conference Friday.

“You see that video, and it disturbs your basic sense of decency and humanity. ... Where was the threat?” he said. “It’s just fundamentally offensive and frightening. ... How did we get to this place?”

Well it might have been because even with overwhelming evidence of cops beating people who are peacefully protesting you and DeBlasio are saying that you think the cops are showing great restraint and doing a fine job. This is not rocket science dude.

But here is another great story.

Condemning Police Conduct as 'Disgusting,' Federal Judge Bars Denver Cops From Using Chemical Weapons on Protesters

"Citizens should never have to fear peaceful protest on the basis of police retaliation, especially not when protesting that very same police violence."

"The time is past to rely solely on the good faith and discretion of the Denver Police Department and its colleagues from other jurisdictions," wrote Judge R. Brooke Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado in his 11-page order (pdf). "The Denver Police Depart. has failed in its duty to police its own."

"People have an absolute right to demonstrate and protest the actions of governmental officials, including police officers."
—Judge R. Brooke Jackson

The restraining order, which took effect immediately, comes in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of four Denver protesters who said the use of "pepper spray, pepper balls, rubber bullets, flashbang grenades, and tear gas" by city police during a May 28 demonstration against the killing of George Floyd violated their constitutional rights. Jackson's ruling came just hours after Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, a Democrat, imposed a 30-day ban on police use of tear gas, which is banned in warfare.

And many other states are banning choke holds and letting cops kneel on people's necks and backs which should have been a no brainer anyway. Even Utah is is having discussions about what cops should be allowed to do. And this is against the backdrop of a huge funeral procession today of cop that was shot in the line of duty in my city.

So this is what needs to happen next with the protests. There must be demands that have to be met before people return to their homes. And it shouldn't only be about cops because if economic issues aren't addressed people are going to be in the streets anyway.

Cop reform. Including unqualified immunity for cops to get away with killing us.
UBI until the economy recovers
MFA for the duration of the pandemic and then we can discuss keeping it.
Non violent prison sentences for drugs should be nullified and especially for anyone in prison for marijuana.
No More BAILOUTS for the Banks and Corporations. Anyone that received a bailout must keep their employees on their payroll unless they can show why they can't.

OWS was said to have collapsed because there weren't any demands. Horse pucky in my opinion. I heard demands. Charge the bank CEO's. Bailout the people instead of the banks.

But they actually collapsed because mayors across the country worked with the DHS to break them up.

One more demand. No private contractors for security for pipleline or other protests. Rescind the anti protest laws that rose up because companies were threatened with lawsuits when they were caught breaking the law.

Let's start here. Let's build on it. We have the power right now for the first time in a long while and I doubt we will get another chance. Barr is trying to blame the protests on ANTIFA. That is so he can implement the patriot act, the NDAA's and other unconstitutional bullshiite laws that went into effect after 9/11, but were actually written years before the DAY.

Dylan Rattigan is on Jimmy talking about this in the middle of the video

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSMs14zdPbI&list=TLPQMDYwNjIwMjANFV0x1cB...

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

smiley7's picture

@snoopydawg

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Anja Geitz's picture

I listened to it while I worked in the kitchen this morning prepping my meals. It been hazy, gloomy and rainy here for the last two days. Had the day off yesterday but was feeling so lazy, I was in my pajamas by 5:30 pm with a hot buttered rum, listening to the rain and working on a short story that just bubbled out of me faster than my fingers could type the words out. Will be including an excerpt of it in my upcoming OT as part of what I hope will be an interesting theme.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

smiley7's picture

@Anja Geitz

Bring on the short stories Smile

Many days, i never dress, look like a hermit, huge beard, long hair, no hairdressing. going for a nap as i write.

Be safe and well.

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magiamma's picture

What a stunning photo. We have sunrises that color in the winter overlooking the ocean.

Garden is in and already there are blossoms on the squash and tomatoes. Sweet. There are new gardens everywhere along my walk.

Fridays are art day with my daughter and grandson. We made these yesterday.

7F13DE2C-CA6F-4045-B34C-7913951149B0.jpeg

She’s a rock star from sf and has a star tattoo. My daughter’s fell in love with her and wants to come visit. He has a yellow face, freckles and red yarn hair. Their mouths open when you squeeze the clothespins.

A great distraction from the ongoing attempt at a fascist takeover. Christ on a crutch, a needed distraction.

Hope you are winning the paperwork battle. Tilting at windmills, it feels like sometimes.

Take good care and have a good one.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma

clever and cute, great influence you are.

Happy garden's doing well, checked on an early June apple tree today, looks like a good year though the tree is behind normal by two weeks or so.

People standing in the streets again, bout frigging time ...

Enjoy your weekend and be safe.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

to the Party, since I'm nursing another migraine headache.

(for some reason, they seem to almost always occur on Satursdays - go figure)

Gorgeous photo. Feel so lucky to live in a similarly beautiful region. BTW, not certain if I've mentioned it, but, I was a summer camp counselor (during college years) at/near Sapphire, NC - Camp Merrie-Woode. It was just as much fun for the counselors, as it was for the young girls. We usually traveled to Highlands, or Ashville on our one day off (per week) since they were relatively close by.

Got the impression that you've been a little bit scarce, lately. So, just wanted to say that I hope you're doing well. Good luck with your search for a furbaby. Hope you keep us posted.

Stay safe. Pleasantry

Mollie

“Revolution is not a one time event.”
~~Audre Lorde

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
~~Will Rogers, Actor & Social Commentator

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

smiley7's picture

oldest friend takes Kratom, doesn't swear by it, but thinks it helps at times.

Yea, lots on the to do list this time of year.

No luck, yet. Good dogs are a premium in these hills.

Lived in Horse Cove and at High Hampton Inn and Club around the corner from Sapphire and lots of friends in Franklin over the hill to this day. Splendid place in the summer.

Used to be a wonderful, professional theatre company in Highlands.

Cheers for the memories and to many more. Hugs and 'scritches' to all.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@smiley7

Kratom. Honestly, never heard of it. But, just found a couple blurbs about it; may consider trying it, if they don't abate pretty soon.

Weird thing is--most of my life, never even suffered from mild headaches. Been a bit harried, lately, trying to wind up a couple projects. (could be stress-related) Thankfully, one is almost completed, the other, half-way done.

Kaity Rambo says 'thanks' for the ear scritch! Pleasantry

Have a good rest of your weekend.

Mollie

“Revolution is not a one time event.”
~~Audre Lorde

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went.”
~~Will Rogers, Actor & Social Commentator

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

smiley7's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

can't sleep on this end, too much worry.

Take good care.

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

It makes sense, being of the coffee family, it could be helpful. I know my m-i-l, who has suffered from migraines finds some relief in a very strong cup of coffee at the first sign of a migraine.

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smiley7's picture

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smiley7's picture

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smiley7's picture

edit title sp

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smiley7's picture

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magiamma's picture

@smiley7
Black lives matter from the air rocks. Is that the new dc park designated by the mayor ??

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-mayor-bowser/washington-mayor-bow...

Bowser, one of seven black female mayors of America’s 100 largest cities, on Friday declared a small but symbolic patch of the U.S. capital - a section of 16th Street bounded by a church on one side and Lafayette Square opposite the White House on the other - “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”

The Democratic mayor then had the District Of Columbia’s departments of transportation and public works paint giant yellow letters spelling “Black Lives Matter” followed by the city’s flag on the street spanning two city blocks leading to plaza. To finish, Bowser posted on Twitter a video taken from a nearby roof showing the White House overlooking the results.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

smiley7's picture

@magiamma

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janis b's picture

Thank you for the richness of colour and word.

I also really enjoyed the sly but knowing smile of the woman in the 'racism is ...' photo.

This has likely been posted somewhere here, but she is new to me. The perfect educator, and what a lot of sassy ...

[video:https://youtu.be/f2z-ahJ4uws]

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smiley7's picture

@janis b

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janis b's picture

@smiley7

She can speak for me with her every thought and utterance.

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view in that photo. Our mountain laurel is blue so I would not have recognized yours as mountain laurel. It's beautiful. We continue to have flowers although the heat has definitely settled in for the summer. The Blackfoot daisy seems to love the heat. The lantana, Indian blanket, Black-eyed Susans, Turks-cap and several anonymous ones (to me), all continue to bloom. The white-brush is in full bloom and has a fine fragrance.
Thank you for the Whitman poem. It's perfection. I can't think of anything better to say. As I watch things unwind I feel mostly dread so the kernels of truth that some poets can reveal are necessary.

I'm glad to see you got some more sage. Sage is an interesting plant. The color is something else, with its silvery-green and its leaves resemble olive-tree leaves. Their texture is soft, which is always a bit of a surprise to me. I do think the dried leaves smell a bit like dirty socks though. When they are cooking, the story is different, then the typical sage smell emerges. I've had one Sage plant for years and she just keeps on going. Earlier this spring I took a cutting so hopefully will be able to propagate another.

Glad you are having beautiful weather. Enjoy and be well.

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smiley7's picture

@randtntx

Smelly socks, you're right. Smile But what would Turkey dressing be without sage? Have a tri-color, a purple and a green plant. Don't think i've ever seen a blue blossom laurel, cool and it must enjoy the heat. Been bewildered a few time in the wilderness when caught up in acres of laurel, grows tall here; used for pipes and impossible to cut.

Have a lovely week in Texas and be safe.

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