@wtg Thanks for posting that, wtg. I really needed it after the NYTimes' distasteful decision to run Andrew Sullivan's diatribe against the LGBTQ community today. Why they thought publishing a litany of hyperbole and anecdotes attacking the community under the headline "How The Gay Rights Movement Radicalized, and Lost Its Way," on the anniversary of Obergefell was a good idea, I can't fathom. Other than the insatiable desire for clicks. It was the last straw for me. Coming on the heels of their couching an endorsement for Cuomo in their "non-endorsing" editorial, and the general descent of their online front page into bland, very "safe" but clickbait headlines, the sum of which leaves one completely unaware of the horrifying situation the US finds itself in, I decided to cancel my subscription.

@Bernard I pretty much do what these guidelines say to, especially the part about smelling the stem end. I buy the Dulcinea cantaloupes at Costco, which are packaged two to a bag. I try to buy a bag with melons at different stages of ripeness so I don't suddenly have more ripe fruit than I can eat in a reasonable time. https://www.southernliving.com/how-to-tell-if-cantaloupe-ripe-7693521

Frankly, I don't care what RFK gets wrong. This is such a stupid non-scientific and ideological bullshit "debate."

@Steve-Miller said in Trump Mobile: I don’t see American made phones happening very soon. They may have figured it out, too, but aren't quite ready to admit it in public. The Trump Organization scrapped a reference that its recently revealed smartphone will be made in the U.S., amid doubts that such a device can be manufactured on American shores at its price tag. A spokesperson for the Trump Organization, which is owned by U.S. President Donald Trump, nevertheless maintained the handset would be made in the U.S. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/26/trump-phone-website-removes-made-in-the-usa-tag-for-the-device.html

Make this. You'll thank me later. I just used ground chipotle and some adobo spice instead of the can. also breasts instead of thighs. Also sauteed instead of firing up the grill for two little chix breasts. Still delicious. Marinated for three hours. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023145-tajin-grilled-chicken

Iranian immigrant who has lived in New Orleans nearly 50 years arrested outside Lakeview home The arrest highlights how Trump's immigration crackdown has ensnared people who were long allowed to stay in the U.S. as their cases unfolded. A familiar pattern Witnesses described Kashanian's arrest as following a familiar pattern under Trump's immigration crackdown — plainclothes agents, wearing body armor but without identifiable agency insignia, handcuffing people before placing them into unmarked vehicles and transporting them to detention facilities.. https://www.nola.com/news/politics/national_politics/iran-new-orleans-woman-arrested/article_bcfdc93e-01dc-4021-b5f8-a91ded5ed784.html

It got to 102F in NYC the last couple of days. We do have an A/C for the bedroom but we put it in storage for the cold months. Drinking plenty of water. The climate control system under the piano does its thing well. I dare not go out to ride my bike till the temperature drops.

Lights tonight. [image: northern-lights.png] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/24/northern-lights-forecast-aurora-borealis/84331298007/?tbref=hp?utm_source%3Djoin1440&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c06e5d78644b3aab4472

Started Cormac McCarthy's The Passenger. Read some of his books years ago. Think he is improving. Did not need to.

@ShiroKuro I think Mik has answered that question.

When my $ watch got saltwater in it, the cost to repair it almost as much as original price. Told them to keep it. Bought a Garmin that is smarter than I am. It counts steps and tells me who is calling plus more than I want to know. Smartwatches and AI could be a scary thing. May have to go back to a Timex. Then again, they are copying some expensive watches, but those look like the cheap copies they are.

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/necklaces/link-necklaces/4770-carats-kunzite-diamond-yellow-gold-necklace/id-j_24762502/ I decided to post this kunzite necklace after wanting to post something made of kunzite. It had me at hello. Love the design. Love kunzites. The most beautiful kunzite necklace I've seen belonged to Elizabeth Taylor. A KUNZITE, AMETHYST AND DIAMOND "TRIPHANES" SAUTOIR, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS | Christie's https://share.google/CLmw8QUYby5GYpYG9

That was a tribute to an enduring human spirit. This quotation near the end of the piece seemed to summarize the message. “The essential things in life are freedom, solidarity and respect for every human being.” As some people say, "May their memory be a blessing." Big Al

Looks great!

Oh, damn. I see the listing was removed today. Guess I missed out on another perfect house....

@Piano-Dad It’s rare to replace one of those roofs. What usually happens is they take off the tile, put new waterproofing paper down and put the tile back again. Nice house!