Tillie certainly didn't know her name yet and as each day passed, her shy, cowering demeanor changed and she is just the sweetest dog ever, so I call her Dulce (Spanish for sweet).
Meet Dulce Tillie, my new buddy. She has a lot of lab but much smaller. Her fur is so silky...
Traces of white on her snout, tip of her tail and paws besides her obvious white chest patch.
TBT: MOVING DAY, four years ago I posted this...
Today's the day the moving truck gets loaded. Yesterday, the packing crew doubted their boss's bid that all would fit on their largest truck. We shall see. Who will be correct? Less is here than when the boss made his bid...We shall see. A lot of goodbyes. Last morning to feed the goats, Zelda, Flo and Shanana, Bebe and Blanca, the barn cats and Henrietta, the last of the hens. Bittersweet ...
FYI: Yes, an additional smaller truck had to be rented to haul all the garden gear and lawn furniture which included all the sculptures.
Here's some of those things content in their Arkansas backyard...
MIDWEEK MUSINGS this week reflect another 'first.' You know something you have never done before. This first wasn't even preplanned for our New York City Birthday trip. It took place on the water, no less, on a New York Media Boat Adventure Tour, providing us with a terrific one-hour sightseeing speedboat tour with our amiable and knowledgeable guide, Max.
Our Hudson River route provided us with spectacular panoramic skyline views where Max would also stop for us to take pics and hear about the sights. You know I love photo ops!
As we ventured south we passed Little Island with 132 impressive oversized planters brought here by barges. Named Tulips their plantings are trees, shrubbery, and plant materials are part of the public Hudson River Park..
We passed the FDNY Fireboat station, followed by the Financial District and Battery Park.
Before heading under the Brooklyn Bridge, we stopped at the helicopter airport to watch a helicopter take off. Impressive.. I sent this video to my grandson, and he wanted to know if I was in it. Maybe another day! LOL
Passed Southside Seaport and were 'Welcomed 'as we went under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Special place to be as Brooklyn was my Dad's childhood stomping grounds as a kid...
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| Another Kodak moment |
I have to admit thinking perhaps we all need to visit her and think about "Give me your tired, your poor."
Nearby is Ellis Island, a historic site which once was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. It is those individuals and their families who also help make up the fabric of our nation.
It's not a secret...
Time's a passing. Make time in your visit to bounce over the waves on the Hudson River with shoreline views of the Big Apple...
A big shout out of THANKS to my son-in-law whose childhood friend and husband own N.Y. Media Boat Adventures.
We had a great time! And remember you're never too old for another first...
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| Look closely Max is in the background... |
*PS There's also a downtown tour.
MONDAY MUSINGS: RETAKING & LOSING
Last week Clinton Library was the setting of an interesting Q 'n A moderated by Skip Rutherford, first President of the Clinton Foundation and former Dean of the UA Clinton School of Public Service (left) who provided questions, some submitted by attendees to Tyler Pager (center) of The New York Times and Josh Dawsey (R) of the Wall Street Journal, authors of "2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America." *
The two journalists shared tidbits from their 300 interviews filled with surprises included in their recently released book re: the presidential campaigns of Biden, Trump, and Harris.
Pager shared accessibility differences between President Biden and Trump. Pager had called Biden directly. The President answered a couple of questions, then had an engagement. Since Pager had more questions, Biden told him when to call back. Yet before that return call, Pager received a call from one of Biden's aides stating that Pager needed to go through his aides, not the President directly. Pager did call the number again since it was prearranged. The next time he called that line was no longer in service.Trump ,on the other hand, always answers his own calls. He will talk to anybody as he loves the attention.
The book's topics include Biden's memory loss so apparent at the debate, The transition to Harris and her allegiance, disregarding practiced answers for her debate, and a mixed message of her not going to the border. The cards were not in her favor.
Trump garnered support from the Black male and Hispanic vote. Elon's $250 million poured into Trump's camp and then the focus of the Dems turned to the money spent. Oh, and let us not forget that assassination attempt on Trump, the religious right all adding votes to the Trump stage... That and more.
Pager and Dawsey humorously touched on the breadth of their new book released in 2025. A book signing followed.
I guess if the American people hadn't lost so much, the humor would have been funnier... We've all had a lot more loss this year.
*Isaac Arnsdorf also co- authored the book
TUESDAY TUNES is a result of my son mentioning having watched How to Make a Band on Netflix. Bands are formed by blind auditions and contestants decide with whom they would like to form a band ...
'Not sure which band will win but each member of this group has such rich tones... but SZN4
Take a listen and check them out... There are so many talented contestants but who will be the next band? A girl band, a boy band / a mixed band?
These four definitely have a unique bond.
Click on link below and keep listening...
MONDAY MUSINGS: Growing up with parents who spoke about world events and ending up spending a couple decades with a man who started breakfast discussing societal issues left a big imprint on my own worldview.
It shouldn't surprise you that I signed up for a summer movie month where films with a university prof leading the intro and discussions. Last week's movie was NETWORK with quite a cast starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch and Ed Beatty to name a few. Heck, it's 50 years old. Let me jolt your memories in case you are not sure if you remember it-
The retiring news anchor told his viewers to open their windows and yell at the top of their lungs:
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more!"
The last time I watched Network was with Natureman ~25 years ago. So here I am 25 years later still shaking my head that this film is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago.
The almighty dollar rules our airspace and the nightly news has adopted sensationalism and gossip to attract more viewers. We have allowed our news to be dumbed down.
Our one semblance of sanity, PBS (Public Broadcasting System) known for its educational and informative programs is now losing its funding because those in power in Washington feel threatened by allowing us to use our brains... and you know what I feel like doing?
Perhaps you'd like to join me in opening a window on your computer and typing as loud as you can...
"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more!"
Whoa!
It's been 11 years since this mother and daughter duo celebrated their birthdays together in Chicago. Last week New York City provided just the 2 b-day girls with 5 fun-filled days. To be discussed later was the additonal 6th weather-related unplanned day.
Our goal was fulfilled by attending as much theater as possible besides eating and seeing art. And that we did. We would have a cocktail pre/post plays to toast our adventurous birthday outings of the day. (Part of the airlines hotel deal)
Play 2: Musical: Shubert Theatre
Play 3: Musical: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Cuba was responsible for introducing the salsa and meringue beats to the N.Y.'s music scene.This music was performed back in Cuba in a club called The Buena Vista Social Club. Two musical sisters had to decide their fate by either fleeing to the States/ staying home in Cuba.
What do you think the sisters decided to do?
Play 4 : Musical Walter Kerr Theatre
Hadestown is as powerful as the moderator's booming voice.
5. Musical - Stephen Sondheim Theatre
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Last but not least, a rewrite of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet by his wife, who doesn't like his ending. Juliet should survive the posioning and live to find a more suitable mate. Hence the title & Juliet. To add a twist, Ann Hathaway joins in the new version to be one of Juliet's besties. Joey Fatone, NSync member is in the cast too and will be in the play until the end of July. He brings his band back together to play Back Street Boys tunes at Juliet's wedding. How fun is that?
Here's to hopes of not waiting so long to enjoy Broadway together again!
Apologies other reels attached...
by Elle Cordova
Representatives and Senators hanging out in Congressworking up the budget up on Capitol Hill..
Kicking Granny off her Medicaid to give the rich a tax break
Oodla lolly, oodla lolly, golly, what a bill!
Selling off public lands to billionaires with big plans rolling back protection for the oil man to drill,
2.8 is the estimate they are adding to the deficit
Oodla lolla, oodla lolly, Golly, What a bill!
Our forests are burning and hurricanes are churning. We got heat waves scorching the air
They're terminating Noah putting Fema in a coma but I'm sure they'll offer thoughts and prayers
Millions losing healthcare, food stamps, clean air -hopitals closing because they can not pay their bills.
No, there ain't nothing beautiful about fossil fuels and funerals
OOodla lolly oodla lolly, Golly what a bill!
MONDAY MUSINGS is about something that is going to affect all of our lives. Whoever named this last travesty did a good job with a catchy phrase which is definitely misnamed... because it is not a Big Beautiful Bill for most of us.
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Kudos to this young lady for her wisdom and talent as this week I will also feature her in TUESDAY TUNES..BUT. listen to her amazing,awesome ALLITERATION
( click on highlighted word)
TBT one of my favorite reminders of what people share living in the same country. Remember we are supposed to be united...
MIDWEEK MUSINGS: A week ago today I spent a lot of time in LAX ( Los Angeles Airport) as my kids' plane departed 3 hours earlier than mine. In fact, that's how I got my subject matter for today's musing.
You see I went to my scheduled gate and when I realized there was a flight 2 hours earlier. I asked the American service gate agent if he could check if I could get on standby, he responded " No problem." American has changed their rules that even if you have an economy ticket, you can go standby now for no extra fees. Great!
The only issue was I would need to change wings to get to that flight. It was a hike and the waiting area there was packed. By looking at the monitor I saw I was #6 on the standby list. I heard the gate agent repeat that the flight was overbooked. I stayed by the monitor to see if there was any movement. Only first class travelers filled some of the few open seats.
I watched in curiosity as to who would be stopped before boarding. It delayed the boarding process and only people of color were pulled. There were a lot of people holding passports as their id's. It infuriated me as it was very obvious this wasn't random. How terribly scary for these travellers!
I didn't make it on that earlier flight and upon my return to my original gate where half those agents were already setting up. To add to the hassle, there had been a plane change and it was a smaller craft minus 5 seats. After getting in line to board, I was informed that my assigned seat didn't exist. I was told to step over to the desk and the agent asked why I didn't get on the earlier flight. I quipped " there were no seats" and I had been standby anyhow for an oversold plane. Now, I wasn't sure if I'd be getting on my original flight. Never a dull moment.
The good news was twofold as I was able to watch a movie I had missed in the theaters A Complete Unknown, (Bob Dylan),a terrific diversion since my connecting flight might depart while we were en route. We were landing at a D wing gate and my next gate was in B wing, way on the other side of the train line.
I did make the next flight since we had to wait for the copilot who actually had been on my LAX flight. Too funny. Turns out, all flights were running an hour late due ton their bad weather.
The last thing we all needed on our traveling day was TSA PLUS...
Temps were too hot for June although lots of rain... and that heat extended to exercise music too Here's Coco Jones' TASTE Remember I warned you... It's hot, way too hot!
This Monday finds me a bit too reflective as I returned after 2 busy weeks to an empty home. You see a family who was interested in Maggie Moo, my longest rescue dog, kept her during my 2 week absence and hasn't returned her. I think Maggie has found a new home.
I am torn as this was this foster Mom's wish for Ms Maggie to have other 4 legged friends in the same house. She has more energy to release than living my quiet home lifestyle. Yet, I will miss her sweet nature greeting me upon my return, her continuous following me room to room, romps in the backyard,
quiet moments watching TV and her lying next to the bed at night.
I am happy for Maggie Moo but will definitely miss her.
May Maggie thrive in her new environs...
It turns out we both share the same birthday year. Imagine that!
