So much hurt . . .
Thursday, February 26, 2026. It's Thor's day . . . but, no thunder in the forecasts. In the news, perhaps, but clear skies in TulseyTown as Spring continues to advance. Moderate Northerlies are to bring mid 70's after noon.
Tracking the fallout:
Some key materials related to a woman who made an accusation against President Trump are missing from the Epstein files
Former president of Harvard, Larry Summers, has resigned after revelations regarding his association with Epstein.
Trump's SOTU speech was a deliberate division of the country into “us” and “them,” a classic authoritarian move. – Heather Cox Richardson, in Letters From An American.
Full disclosure: I did not watch Trump's SOTU speech Tuesday night. Reports Wednesday indicated it was even more filled with lies than last year, ignoring the Epstein scandal and the victims gathered in the hall. I wouldn’t know first hand – Instead, I was with thousands – if not millions – of like-minded folks who were watching multiple and purposefully alternative events. Hopefully in advance of another “No Kings” gathering across the nation coming up toward the end of the month.
Today . . .
President Woodrow Wilson established the Grand Canyon National Park on this date in 1919.
And in 1929, Grand Teton National Park was formally established.
Playwright Christopher Marlowe was baptized in Canterbury, England, on this date in 1564.
Today is also the birth date of Victor Hugo. The French author of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Misérables was born in 1802 Besançon, France.
One of the first rock-and-roll stars, Fats Domino, was born in 1928, New Orleans, Louisiana.
And, Johnny Cash was born on this day in 1932, Kingsland, Arkansas.
Some times, it takes time . . .
Wednesday, February 25, 2026. This is Odin's day . . . and a lovely Spring day is at hand. Forecasts for TulseyTown indicate easy Southerlies, sunny skies, a few clouds and mid 70's afternoon.
In a culture that pushes us to focus not on what we can give, but on what we can take, what we tend to take is everything for granted.
Freedom is, ultimately, uncertain and unpredictable. One of the first lessons we all must learn in order to be free is how to “bear” uncertainty and trust in the unknown. Freedom requires a “beginner's mind.” – Estelle Frankel, “An Invitation to Something New,” in Meditations, The Center for Action and Contemplation.
Not new was Trump's State of the Union address last night. Fox loved it. The New York Times gave a more “fair and balanced” perspective.
Today is the birthdate of former Beatle George Harrison, born in 1943 Liverpool, England.
The impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born on this day in 1841, Limoges, France.
It's also Larry Gelbart's birthdate. The multi-award laureate comedy writer was born in 1928 Chicago.
Speaking of comedians, Chelsea Handler is 51 today. In addition to her fame as a standup, she is also a NYTimes best selling author and media producer. She was born in 1975, Livingston, New Jersey.
And its the birthdate of Anthony Burgess. The author ofA Clockwork Orangewas born in 1917, Manchester, England.,
There's no need to search for The Way. You are already in it. Be still. If you can.
They spoke. Of silence.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026. It's Tiw's day . . . Moderate to strong, gusty Southerlies bring Spring warmth to TusleyTown this afternoon. Sunny skies, cloud mix, and mid 70's.
Jane Hirshfield is 73 today. The poet, essayist, and translator was born in 1953 New York City.
Gillian Flynn is 55 today. The author , screenwriter and multiple laureate nominee (“Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects”) was born in1971, Kansas City, Missouri.
The cofounder of Apple, Inc., Steve Jobs was born on this day in 1955 San Francisco, California.
GenZ brains are showing cognitive difficulties brought by technologies in the classroom. Oops...
Joyce Vance and Miles Taylor talk about a counter programming strategy for the Trump State of the Dis-Union tonight. Their concept does involve actually watching critically while Trump lies his ass off about everything.
Taylor's group has put together a major “State of the Swamp” sold-out event at the National Press Club. You can join in virtually for free.
On The Fifth Day
On the fifth day / the scientists who studied the rivers / were forbidden to speak / or to study the rivers. / The scientists who studied the air / were told not to speak of the air, / and the ones who worked for the farmers / were silenced, and the ones who worked for the bees. /
Someone, from deep in the Badlands, / began posting facts. / The facts were told not to speak / and were taken away. /
The facts, surprised to be taken, were silent. / Now it was only the rivers / that spoke of the rivers, / and only the wind that spoke of its bees, / while the unpausing factual buds of the fruit trees / continued to move toward their fruit. /
The silence spoke loudly of silence, / and the rivers kept speaking / of rivers, of boulders and air. / Bound to gravity, earless and tongueless, / the untested rivers kept speaking./
Bus drivers, shelf stockers, code writers, machinists, accountants, lab techs, cellists / kept speaking. /
They spoke, the fifth day, /
of silence.
– Jane Hirshfield, “On the Fifth Day,” from Ledger, Alfred A. Knopf. 2021.