Wild sings the bird of the heart . . .

Saturday, February 14, 2026. It's the Satyr's day . . . rain off/on/off is in the forecasts for TulseyTown today and into the evening. Moderate Southerlies are to maintain mid 60's.

The comedian Jack Benny was born on this day in 1894, Chicago. The undisputed master of timing, he was Johnny Carson's idol.

It's Valentine's day. The celebration has both secular and religious roots dating to Roman times.

Some poems prompted by the occasion . . .

Wild, Wild

Why couldn't Romeo have settled for someone else?

Why couldn't Tristan and Isolde refused

the shining cup which would

have left peaceful the whole kingdom?

Wild sings the bird of the heart

in the forests of our lives.

And wild, wild sings the bird.

– Mary Oliver, “Wild, Wild” from New and Selected Poems, Volume 2, Beacon Press, 2006.

The More Loving One

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

– W.H. Auden, The More Loving One, Curtis Brown, Ltd. 1960.

Like fireflies searching in the rain

for you

at the speed of light.

– jab

How high the hill . . .

Friday, February 13, 2026. It's Freya's (Frigg's) day . . .Moderate Southeasterlies are forecasted to bring rain to TulseyTown overnight tonight and all day Saturday. Mid 70's with increasing clouds this afternoon ahead of the rain.

In the wilderness and the garden at the same time. – Thomas Merton, in Meditations from The Center for Action an Contemplation.

So, what's the big deal with Friday the 13th? Well, whatever you do, don't say the name the name of Shakespeare's “Scottish Play” if/when you are inside a theatre.

Landscape painter Grant Wood was born on this day near Anamosa, Iowa in 1891.

Peter Gabriel is 75 today. The English singer, songwriter, musician, and human rights activist was born in 1950, Woking, Surrey, England. The original frontman of the rock band Genesis (Carpet Crawlers). His solo work career has earned him a double hand-full of music award laureates.

Climbing up that eternal hill . . .

Pandora lives . . .

Thursday, February 12, 2026. It's Thor's day . . . a mild day is in the forecasts for TulseyTown. Sun, a few clouds and low 70's after noon.

Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were both born on this same day in 1809. Lincoln was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky. And Darwin was born across the pond in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England.

Heather Cox Richardson reflected on Lincoln's legacy in Letters From An American, posted last night. In it, she reminded us of what we have at stake today.

Judy Blume is 88 today. The children and young adult author of more than 25 novels was born in 1938 Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The Epstein mess prompted a response from Sophie Strand yesterday: “. . . for now, I’m looking to the bonobos.” – Sophie Strand, “The Sacred Negative” on Make Me Good Soil, 02.11.26

Robert Reich sees the D.C. grand jury action in the “illegal orders” case as indicative of a citizens' revolt.

Pam the ICE Queen. – Joyce Vance, Civil Discourse.

Pandora Station

Chaos

has an

order

all

its

own.

– jab