@AndyD The Wolfe series is a wonderful read, too; I got hooked in college. I think my favorite is The Doorbell Rang, which A&E adapted for TV. They do an impressive job of making a great book into equally excellent TV. IMHO, of course....

Didn't read through many comments on the article, but of those I did, this one speaks to me: We keep making the mistake of thinking that high technology (especially software) belongs in everything. This was my attitude in my 20s and 30s, but decades later I finally have the wisdom to realize just how much tech can be a liability in an otherwise non-tech device. I don't care if others want to surround themselves with 'smart' (:rolleyes:) technology, but I don't want to be forced to give up what works for me, and that is more often than not, analog. I dread the end of my car lease in a few years because I'm not sure I'll have any options. This is what worries and ticks me off.

Doing well. I have one more PT appt that I missed due to an emergency trip to Philly. I have full range of motion and then some. Pretty sure I am right back to where it was before surgery but it might actually bend more than a couple of degrees over baseline. Hyperextension to 3 degrees which is about what a biological knee does. Still swollen and a little sore and stiff at times but overall I am pleased with the outcome so far.

Hammond would be better than Gary. Closer and nicer. Gary is the only place I refused a gig because of where the IT building was and the lack of security in the parking lot. I would have had to carry at work. No thanks.

SCOTUSblog on the ruling. https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/02/supreme-court-strikes-down-tariffs/

Not a bit suprised. In my opinion, too many Americans are still just blaming one person for this mess we've unleashed on the world. It goes way deeper than that.

@Daniel as if there is only 1 std out there too! smh My rule of thumb during the "scourge" was to ASSUME that people were HIV positive and contagious and DIDN'T KNOW IT, which took the judgement out of things. Didn't get laid much but oh well.

@AndyD said in Faunascrolling--what's visiting where you are?: I had to search, anticipating some toilet humour The creeper was on the tree the same time a nuthatch was, so at first I thought I was seeing two nuthatches; they have similar tree-climbing movements. Nuthatches move down a tree head first, though, and the one bird was only going upwards and then flying off and coming back. I finally got out my binoculars and got a better look at both of them and realized one was a newbie to my yard. Apparently my area is part of its winter habitat. Oh, and we have had a ton of woodpeckers, too. Northern flicker and a couple of red-bellied woodpeckers. [image: 64995061-720px.jpg] I used to feed the birds during but stopped many years ago. On a whim I picked up a feeder at Costco a couple of weeks ago. It was on a closeout at my warehouse for $25. https://www.costco.com/p/-/solar-smart-bird-feeder/4000314026 Biggest problem for me is feeder placement. There aren't many places a) where I can get a wifi signal in the yard and b) where the squirrels can't get to the feeder. Lots of trees and shrubs and those rodents are so clever when it comes to figuring out ways to jump up, down, or sideways to get to the seed. If you haven't seen them, check out Mark Rober's series on squirrels. Here's the first one: Link to video

Great work, Cindy!

I've liked Robert Reich since he was Labor Secretary. He's given me no reason to change that opinion. Big Al

@AndyD said in Bloomscrolling--what's in bloom where you are?: [image: 1770898692854-20260212_120237-resized.jpg] Spring is here, and after 44days of overcast rain we are forecast sun on Saturday My snowdrops finally started blooming this past week, about three weeks later than they did the last couple of (very warm) winters. I was afraid my chives might not have made it through our extended deep freeze, but they are coming up.

I kept replacing my Casio FE-10 watches until they were no longer made. Perfect combination of thin with big enough display to wear while tuning/working. I purchased and returned quite a few others after the last one broke - searching for something that was comfortable enough and ended up with https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61ZncdOkOEL._AC_SY500_.jpg I did get a magnetic wrap band for it to cut down on the buckle discomfort while working.

The race is on to see who the AI chatbots say has the biggest ****!

Jon I'm sending you to sit on the naughty stairs, you naughty boy

Oh, and I'm glad to hear that Canadian businesses are actually seeing some benefits from what's gone on with tariffs. Bit of a silver lining. Costco stores in the US carry a number of products made or grown in Canada. Indian food products and some vegetables come to mind immediately. We try to buy Canadian when we can! Oh, and sorry (once again) for the orange man....

Our niece and nephew-in-law bought a house on Madeira (Portugal) and are renovating it. It’s an adventure!

@ShiroKuro Beautiful. Thanks....