A bit of a swerve here, but I just want to brag on Daphne. I’ve been turning up the progress of integrating the diverse feline personalities I have living in my household, starting with the conflict that I believe has the highest possibility of success, and that is Máebh vs. Daphne. I’m trying to go beyond mere separation into the slow, careful negotiation of truce.
Máebh is a tube treat whore. This helps. She scratches on the door, I collect her, secure her, shut the door, and offer her a tube treat, while she watches Daphne. If I released her, I think it would turn into a scrap, but I do not. And I offer some of the treat to Daphne, who also adores tube treats, but this little professional cat is so smart that she frequently will just turn her head away and say, nah, I’m OK. She doesn’t escalate, she uses mama cat calming signals. I would not be able to do this if she was reactive.
And for the most part, Máebh keeps purring while I do this, remains relaxed against my body, watches Daphne. I can see the little wheels going around as she observes, as I praise her, as I tell her, she doesn’t have to be afraid. Daphne times her moves as she gradually eases closer, pushes her envelope without violating her boundaries. And all the time she remains so relaxed. She even got away with some tail sniffing yesterday.
When we run out of tube treat, I praise everyone involved, and remove Máebh from the situation before she has a chance to remember that she hates Daphne.
Lather, rinse, repeat repeat repeat. After she’s left the room, I tell Daphne that I see her, and that she is remarkable and clever and wise. And she appears to be appreciative of having her efforts recognized. I cannot emphasize enough her role in these encounters.
Also, some systematic desensitization with a hearty dose of divide and conquer—Gryffn tends to react more, but if her sister eventually models acceptance, she might follow. Also. The mysterious powers of tube treats. And a lot of luck.
I’m setting my sights on the long game. If most of them are getting along in six months, that will be a win. If all of them can coexist peacefully a year from now, my life will be ducky.
Israeli strikes on Beirut, Lebanon are causing major issues with finalizing any deal with Iran, per Fox News. A diplomat tells Fox: "This is a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the President’s deal and drag the United States back into war."
AI company Anthropic has disabled customer access to its most capable systems after the US government ordered it to suspend all use by foreign nationals, Anthropic said in a statement Friday evening. The move is the latest in a series of adverse Trump administration actions targeting the company.
The broad directive to Anthropic’s Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models is one of the furthest-reaching actions the government has taken in response to the advanced capabilities of an AI model.
I am so old I remember when the Republicans screamed to the high heavens that Obama was picking winners and loses a by um, letting a loan program do its thing.
I am reading a book about Angel Meadows, the worst slum in Manchester and reputedly the worst slum in the whole of Britain, and sending quotes about the underground illegal poteen stills to my Irish mate.
Those wasps shouldn't have gotten past the screen on the window. I don't know if I'll need to just seal up some gaps, get a new screen, or have the whole window replaced. I don't like this.
Huh. It looks like we just got a little rain last night. If we had a major, severe storm last night, I slept right through it. Except no flood warnings this morning, so probably not.
Right after the swarms of mosquitos and no-see-ums.... also preceded by a hail storm. Maybe accompanied by a hail storm. Yeah, I kinda like rain and hail together but as a quaint surprise, with NO forewarning thunder. Anyone who would like to, may hope for a bolt of lightning to hit that goddam cage.
Smith has often said "controversial" things, apparently in hopes of getting himself noticed. IOW, he's as much a narcissist as Trump. I couldn't care less what his "view" of Biden is, and I don't think CNN should, either.
If I may say this is a rather auspicious day and one we should all celebrate. At 80 years old and in obvious decline both mentally and physically the chances of seeing another birthday are slim. I'd like to say slim to none, but that would be wrong. It is with great pleasure that I say - we can look forward to a celebration like no other in the near future - if The Universe is willing and the creek don't rise.
With all that said I plan to bake a cake and make a fabulous feast for Paul and me to celebrate us. I think we should all do something wonderful for ourselves today. Do something that makes you truly happy. Be joyful. Dance the dance of the seven veils. Sing your favorite songs at the top of your voice (I will refrain because I scare the kitties when I sing). And don't forget to say "fuck you you fucking fuck" whenever the spirit moves you and say it with gusto whenever and wherever you want.
Joyful here at the pied-à-nuage. Happy Flag Day to all who celebrate. I have some paperwork to fill out, beloved Meccalopolis will mail it from the city; he drives back later. I'm staying for Ebony, who is improving slowly. Lots of sleep is helping as well as her meds. Five more pills, antibiotic ear ointment every day until it runs out, oral liquid antibiotic until that runs out (which should be five more days as well). Another reason for joy: Luna moth is still on the screen door, having moved up higher. She's female; emitting pheromones which a male can detect from miles away (I just looked them up). Once she mates, she'll lay a few hundred eggs on the underside of the leaves of her chosen tree. She is SO lovely! 💚
I’ve had three rugs in the car for three days now, and I’m finally gonna get them to the laundromat because they have high-capacity washers there. And then I am going to go to two different grocery stores. This is after I go back to sleep, and then wake up again because my body thinks it’s still Saturday night.
It counts if you find joy in washing your rugs. I love to do laundry. I can't explain why I love doing laundry I just do. I love to hang laundry out on the clothesline and I love to bring sun dried laundry back into the cabin and breath in the smell. Go wash your rugs and enjoy the day. ((HUGS))
I am trying to remain open to the possibility that this might be a positive experience, as advised in a couple of posts a few days ago. I have a really negative mindset about the idea of going to a laundromat. These rugs are heavy, so anticipate a bit of a wrestling match. And I will be bringing them home damp, looking for places to hang them to dry.
So right now just being neutral about the experience is an achievement. But whenever I go out and about, it’s sort of turns into an adventure. I have no explanation. Stuff just happens.
Oh no doubt I will. I do have one positive about today and that is that I got the immediately pressing outdoor chores done yesterday, so I’m not trying to balance doing all of that in the same day.
This is one of the lessons I am learning in retirement, it’s to settle for enough. It doesn’t mean there are no marathon efforts, but it’s a choice, not an obligation, and not the default.
There are certain adjustments that are made upon retirement. I've chosen to say 'fuck it' with regularity now. I'm not a serial procrastinator but I do have my moments when I think - I can do that later or a month from now.
Listen, chaps, you know you're on an embargo. It's a bit embarrassing for all of us, but you chose to use the channel, so here we are. You're fucked. Don't even try persiflage because we'll have to brutalize you.
A bit of a swerve here, but I just want to brag on Daphne. I’ve been turning up the progress of integrating the diverse feline personalities I have living in my household, starting with the conflict that I believe has the highest possibility of success, and that is Máebh vs. Daphne. I’m trying to go beyond mere separation into the slow, careful negotiation of truce.
Máebh is a tube treat whore. This helps. She scratches on the door, I collect her, secure her, shut the door, and offer her a tube treat, while she watches Daphne. If I released her, I think it would turn into a scrap, but I do not. And I offer some of the treat to Daphne, who also adores tube treats, but this little professional cat is so smart that she frequently will just turn her head away and say, nah, I’m OK. She doesn’t escalate, she uses mama cat calming signals. I would not be able to do this if she was reactive.
And for the most part, Máebh keeps purring while I do this, remains relaxed against my body, watches Daphne. I can see the little wheels going around as she observes, as I praise her, as I tell her, she doesn’t have to be afraid. Daphne times her moves as she gradually eases closer, pushes her envelope without violating her boundaries. And all the time she remains so relaxed. She even got away with some tail sniffing yesterday.
When we run out of tube treat, I praise everyone involved, and remove Máebh from the situation before she has a chance to remember that she hates Daphne.
Lather, rinse, repeat repeat repeat. After she’s left the room, I tell Daphne that I see her, and that she is remarkable and clever and wise. And she appears to be appreciative of having her efforts recognized. I cannot emphasize enough her role in these encounters.
Nice. That mirrors some of the best dog training advice I ever received -- reward the behaviors you want to see.
Also, some systematic desensitization with a hearty dose of divide and conquer—Gryffn tends to react more, but if her sister eventually models acceptance, she might follow. Also. The mysterious powers of tube treats. And a lot of luck.
I’m setting my sights on the long game. If most of them are getting along in six months, that will be a win. If all of them can coexist peacefully a year from now, my life will be ducky.
I love these tales!
Time to officially cut ties with Bibi. Stated on FAUX NEWS, no less.
https://bsky.app/profile/meidastouch.com/post/3moax7vmqqc2d
Israeli strikes on Beirut, Lebanon are causing major issues with finalizing any deal with Iran, per Fox News. A diplomat tells Fox: "This is a clear attempt by Israel to sabotage the President’s deal and drag the United States back into war."
jeez, yeah, the president's plan to have the US taxpayers send 300 billion to iran to rebuild, that plan?
Oh no. Bibi has lost FOX News?
The war the President agreed to and initiated? BiBi is dragging him back in? Shouldn't have happened IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Now we just have to keep repeating Putin is a loser, of which he is, and remind MLY he doesn't like losers.
Heard about this on NPR yesterday:
AI company Anthropic has disabled customer access to its most capable systems after the US government ordered it to suspend all use by foreign nationals, Anthropic said in a statement Friday evening. The move is the latest in a series of adverse Trump administration actions targeting the company.
The broad directive to Anthropic’s Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models is one of the furthest-reaching actions the government has taken in response to the advanced capabilities of an AI model.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/13/business/anthropic-mythos-model-national-security
I am so old I remember when the Republicans screamed to the high heavens that Obama was picking winners and loses a by um, letting a loan program do its thing.
80 is the new 115.
Utterly random: I've been enjoying this today
Japanese Bossa Nova from the 60s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxV6KMwUIW0
LOVE Bossa Nova!
EbertFest Bound event:
https://bryanthehebeler.wixsite.com/mysite/event
I am reading a book about Angel Meadows, the worst slum in Manchester and reputedly the worst slum in the whole of Britain, and sending quotes about the underground illegal poteen stills to my Irish mate.
There's testimony from residents griping about the quality of the potato hash.
There are fucking residents moaning about the quality of what the fucking scousers have chucked out.
He told me a few years ago his family and friends give me a pass on being English because I'm Manc.
The English don't.
I take pride* in being from the westernmost outcrop of Manchester, on the march between civilisation and Cheshire.
*in the "you know me enough to know what that means" sense
It fucking pains me to fucking say, but I respect you for that
Keeping out the Cheshire Set is vital. They start creeping in from Wilmslow and before you know it BOOM. Knutsford.
Those wasps shouldn't have gotten past the screen on the window. I don't know if I'll need to just seal up some gaps, get a new screen, or have the whole window replaced. I don't like this.
Huh. It looks like we just got a little rain last night. If we had a major, severe storm last night, I slept right through it. Except no flood warnings this morning, so probably not.
If only the Brooklyn Dodgers had known this . . .
elliepnw.bsky.social
@elliepnw.bsky.social
Seattle elects a socialist mayor, wins the Super Bowl
NYC elects a socialist mayor, wins the NBA finals
Win your city a major sports title with this one neat trick
11:34 PM · Jun 13, 2026
this one neat trick that the fascists don't want you to know
Are they broadcasting the kerfuffle on the south lawn? I want to see it getting rained on.
The Thrilla with the Vanilla
Right after the swarms of mosquitos and no-see-ums.... also preceded by a hail storm. Maybe accompanied by a hail storm. Yeah, I kinda like rain and hail together but as a quaint surprise, with NO forewarning thunder. Anyone who would like to, may hope for a bolt of lightning to hit that goddam cage.
Paramount+ only.
Fine. It will be shown on the news and internet for days.
I'm okay with that as I cancelled them last year.
Uh, that's being held on the public's land. There should be no exclusivity allowed.
Do these dopes think saying this actually works?
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3moauvyikw526
Stephen A Smith on CNN: "The president is certainly an upgrade from what we were seeing from Joe Biden in terms of his alertness and what have you"
He certainly is leaps and bounds ahead of Biden in hatred of POC, is that what you mean, sports bonehead?
Stephen A Smith is a loud, obnoxious, fool.
Seriously, people need to start laughing right in their faces.
Smith has often said "controversial" things, apparently in hopes of getting himself noticed. IOW, he's as much a narcissist as Trump. I couldn't care less what his "view" of Biden is, and I don't think CNN should, either.
LOL, "...and what have you"...ha, sure sign the lies are taking a toll.
lol wut?
I guess Bari has her dirty fucking hands in the game on CNN. Gaslighting is about all these fucks have now.
Isn't CNN owned by a different fascist who came in and decided CNN needed to do more fascism?
That fascist sold out to a richer fascist.
Steppin A Smith can shut up.
https://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1811144/donald-trump.jpg
If that chair didn't have arm-rests, he'd be on the floor.
Happy Sunday Morning Wonks!
If I may say this is a rather auspicious day and one we should all celebrate. At 80 years old and in obvious decline both mentally and physically the chances of seeing another birthday are slim. I'd like to say slim to none, but that would be wrong. It is with great pleasure that I say - we can look forward to a celebration like no other in the near future - if The Universe is willing and the creek don't rise.
With all that said I plan to bake a cake and make a fabulous feast for Paul and me to celebrate us. I think we should all do something wonderful for ourselves today. Do something that makes you truly happy. Be joyful. Dance the dance of the seven veils. Sing your favorite songs at the top of your voice (I will refrain because I scare the kitties when I sing). And don't forget to say "fuck you you fucking fuck" whenever the spirit moves you and say it with gusto whenever and wherever you want.
"FUCK YOU YOU FUCKING FUCK" - Rebecca
Joyful here at the pied-à-nuage. Happy Flag Day to all who celebrate. I have some paperwork to fill out, beloved Meccalopolis will mail it from the city; he drives back later. I'm staying for Ebony, who is improving slowly. Lots of sleep is helping as well as her meds. Five more pills, antibiotic ear ointment every day until it runs out, oral liquid antibiotic until that runs out (which should be five more days as well). Another reason for joy: Luna moth is still on the screen door, having moved up higher. She's female; emitting pheromones which a male can detect from miles away (I just looked them up). Once she mates, she'll lay a few hundred eggs on the underside of the leaves of her chosen tree. She is SO lovely! 💚
How cool!
I'll do my best, angel sweetheart! With you in mind 💚
Joy! All the joy. Make it a joyful day. Sending all the love and ((HUGS))
I’ve had three rugs in the car for three days now, and I’m finally gonna get them to the laundromat because they have high-capacity washers there. And then I am going to go to two different grocery stores. This is after I go back to sleep, and then wake up again because my body thinks it’s still Saturday night.
Does this count?
It counts if you find joy in washing your rugs. I love to do laundry. I can't explain why I love doing laundry I just do. I love to hang laundry out on the clothesline and I love to bring sun dried laundry back into the cabin and breath in the smell. Go wash your rugs and enjoy the day. ((HUGS))
I am trying to remain open to the possibility that this might be a positive experience, as advised in a couple of posts a few days ago. I have a really negative mindset about the idea of going to a laundromat. These rugs are heavy, so anticipate a bit of a wrestling match. And I will be bringing them home damp, looking for places to hang them to dry.
So right now just being neutral about the experience is an achievement. But whenever I go out and about, it’s sort of turns into an adventure. I have no explanation. Stuff just happens.
Have a wonderful adventure filled day! Let us know what happens in today's travels - promise?
Oh no doubt I will. I do have one positive about today and that is that I got the immediately pressing outdoor chores done yesterday, so I’m not trying to balance doing all of that in the same day.
This is one of the lessons I am learning in retirement, it’s to settle for enough. It doesn’t mean there are no marathon efforts, but it’s a choice, not an obligation, and not the default.
There are certain adjustments that are made upon retirement. I've chosen to say 'fuck it' with regularity now. I'm not a serial procrastinator but I do have my moments when I think - I can do that later or a month from now.
"𝗛𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻, 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻, 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝘂𝘆. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗘𝗽𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻?"
~ Donald "I'm 80-yrs-old Today!" Trump; June 10, 2026
We're actually talking about you! lol
Just eat your jello, Grampy.
Now, intersex is real us actual humans know that.
Republics don't like it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex
You will get tested early for this.
See where I'm going?
"Hi there, it's the British military."
Royal Marines boarded the Smyrtos Tanker in the English Channel overnight. The tanker carried 100,000 tons of crude oil.
First time the RMs have captured a Russian tanker in U.K. waters.
https://bsky.app/profile/noelreports.com/post/3moauczhbsk27
One really has to wonder about the decision-making of that Russian ( or whomever ) captain, to think he could "sneak" through the English Channel.
Even captains do what they are told to do.
Rule, Britannia!
Again, my friend. All you need to do is follow the worms.
Waiting.
Listen, chaps, you know you're on an embargo. It's a bit embarrassing for all of us, but you chose to use the channel, so here we are. You're fucked. Don't even try persiflage because we'll have to brutalize you.
And from the other side of the channel was heard, "And WE shall have to taunt you a SECOND TIME!"
"Bad form, wot? Not the done thing."
"Simply not cricket, Frank. I'd hate to have to chuck at you. You understand?"
"Quite."
"We've come to inspect yr snaccs"
"It would be inadvisable."