“Lived” experience. Is there any other fucking kind of experience??? Anyone have imagined experience???

I half-watched Sleepless in Seattle for the third time recently, just listening to the music. Excellent film. Watched a 1962 b&w Japanese movie called Harakiri. A drama, set in the peaceful 18th century I think, a story unfolds about human nature, life's struggles, all of which held my attention completely, though it is filmed only in two houses. No sweeping violent samurai battles here, but reading the reviews it is regarded as one of the best movies ever made. Certainly the actors and camera work make you feel part of the drama.

Our brains are truly amazing, weather/whether/weather instantly finding meaning from context or figuring things out by association. Reminded me of this: [image: 14243.jpg]

Thrones.

That’s what she said.

I love Barbara Kingsolver. I haven’t read anything by her in ages. The last book I read by her was Animal Vegetable Mineral. I also loved The Poisonwood Bible (both gardener related). Bean Trees, Prodigal Summer and Animal Dreams are the others Ive read, all when we lived in Idaho in the 90’s! But she’s written tons more. I will definitely check this latest one out. I’ve been using Steve’s new Kindle. I didn’t think I’d like it, but it’s really nice to read from. I may have to get my own the next time they are on sale.

Fantasia is the best American singer of modern times, imho. Yes, the one who won American Idol. She went on to be mentored by Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle no less. I don't think her studio albums or videos are the best but in a live performance, commanding the band, improvising, and interacting with the audience, I think she's one of the GOAT. This is only a mild version of her virtuosity. I love this performance. Link to video

Link to video Make sure Putin's not hiding under your bed before you go to sleep.

I hurkle durkled today. Wrote a very long blog post about the rest of our river cruise. But I also got up in the middle to play the piano, which I hadn’t done since I got home.

Thanks!

I have a hatchback. I use the back for hauling. I leave the rear seats down and have stored the removable 'boot cover" (?) behind a piece of furniture in my dining room. The large SUV's,.e.g. Hyundai Santa Fe are actually nice but $$$$.

Whether? smacks head. Btw, I have a headache. This is what it must feel like to be boxed by nuns. Anyway, low from as low as 61 recently back up to 68 tonight. It's great the rainy season is over. Very pleasant days and nights. But I'll be glad when I can switch on the heat. Using air, off, and heat. I plan to buy three different space heater for different parts of the house. Then if the AC unit fails so what. I'm not going to spend a single day without heat this winter after having none at all for 2 consecutive winters. People think the winter in FL is a joke. It's not. I know from experience it can go below freezing as far south as Sarasota.

So this sad crowd that turned up to H and M's cosplay royal appearance? Aerial footage has surfaced showing their PR team leading this little group into the venue. The footage shows handlers bring in adults and literally groups of children. So this event was what kids today might call- "performative". Why am I surprised?

@mik, nice find. I Google AI- ed brass and bronze. I didn't know they are both mainly copper. I didn't know bronze turns green with a "protective patina". I'd rather have brass. It doesn't have the reputation of bronze but so what.

@Steve-Miller said: caprese sticks on his boards. Cherry tomato, a basil leaf and cheese on a stick. Ooh, that sounds nice! A little labor intensive for some of the mid-semester events I do, but doable for a Christmas gathering. @Bernard said: Cheese straws are easy and inexpensive to make. Interesting! I've never heard of those, but from what I saw googling, they look yummy!

Well I knew what it meant, if not how to spell it.

Vive la France! ️

Yes. A great breed with personality. Sometimes too much personality. lol He can be a stubborn and mischievous little guy, but most of the time he is a sweetheart.

Jared Kushner is pushing back on a report involving a hacked iPhone, international spies and billion-dollar transfers from foreign governments. An upcoming book by journalist Matthew Cole claims Kushner, who is President Trump's son-in-law, had access to more than $2 billion in "slush money funds" from Middle Eastern leaders in an attempt to influence U.S. foreign policy. An excerpt of the book released Thursday details allegations encompassing Kushner's time as a senior White House adviser during the first Trump administration, which included a lead role in U.S. policy in the Middle East. Kushner had a major hand in negotiating key foreign policy deals that involved Israel, the Gulf states, China and Russia during that period. https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/kushner-pushes-back-report-involving-133251393.html Here's the Vanity Fair excerpt from the book. Subscription required. https://www.vanityfair.com/story/jared-kushner-hacked-phone-secret-negotiations Link to video