Come on Home

It's a dog week. Zero felines this go-round, sorry to say. I'll try to work on that. 

Memorial Day walk. Someone in the 'hood decorated. 

Spring time flower pose in some metro park. 

Zero is having the time of his life in his new home with Dith, Norman and Bosch. 

I'm LOVING it. 

Pic-a-nic with Shep. 

We had turkey and cheese sandwiches. He had some turkey and cheese. 

It's like Jurassic Park, but cuter. 

Song by: Mary Chapin Carpenter

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!   

I have never not purchased an Arcade Fire disk (save their first one) on the day of release. Pre-ordered them, actually. 

I have never not purchased an Arcade Fire disk.  Until now. 

I didn't think it was possible for the band to put out a disk worse than 2017's Everything Now.  Until now. 

While I have listened to Pink Elephant in its entirety, several times, on-line, I have not put down any money for it - other than what we pay for Apple Music. 

I am a hypocrite in this regard. 

710 and my friends will chide me for actually buying my music. And I do. Or did. The artist deserves to be paid for their work. But for my conscience and my wallet, I can't spend a dime more than we do on Apple Music for this album. 

10 songs. Three of them are mostly synth musical interludes, two barely lasting one minute each. These are somewhere between droning and ambient music. I'm sure in the band's mind there is a good reason for them - but it is lost on me. 

I don't think it should go unnoticed that the band is coming off a tumultuous time:  leader, Win Butler has had multiple allegations of sexual advances towards women, and at the same time (probably on the notice those would be coming down the pike) brother Will Butler jumped ship from the band. 

Honestly, I have not listened closely enough to lyrical content or themes, should there be any. Sonically, this is just a misfire. Distorted vocals are not great. The synth drone goes on over many songs ("I Love Her Shadow", "Ride or Die" etc). Not having Will Butler's guitar work is also a hindrance. The work here is lifeless. 

I can't even point out a good song, to be frank. Daniel Lanois, who co-produced the album was either stifled or fell down on the job. He is one of the better producers out there and he either does nothing, or has nothing with which to work. 

So I take it back (to a degree) what I said eight years ago about Everything Now - at least that has one redeemable song, which is one more than Pink Elephant. 

Before anyone thinks me being a naysayer, I'm not the only one who feels Pink Elephant falls flat. In just over two weeks, the album no longer appears on iTunes or Billboard's Top 200 album charts. This disk sank faster than an anchor dropped into the ocean. 

Save Me

May is Mental Health Awareness Month - if you didn't know. 

I didn't. 

At least until last week. 

I thought I'd touch on it before the month slips away. 

A while back, I vowed (maybe too strong a word) to try to break the stigma on mental health issues, but documenting some of mine. I feel I have been only semi-transparent - which makes me believe I have my own stigma with which to deal. I'm trying to change that. Good of place to start as any is right here. 

Did you know when you call to make an initial appointment with a psychiatrist or psychologist, the first question they ask isn't what your name is?  Nope.  

"Are you having suicidal thoughts?"

Depending on your response, the second question is: "Have you made a plan to harm yourself?".

Yes, you should be able to deduct how I know the second question. 

As odd as it might sound, the question, and my answers, were a little jarring. Even to me. And I was experiencing these first hand, but never had to verbalize anything outside my own skull. It is a weird mirror that is held up - and an uncomfortable one at that. 

At least for me. 

And since I called a number of places, these questions seem to be the standard. 

I am coming up on two years since those phone calls. I had some low-lows and some stability. There are, as of yet, no high-highs. There might not be. It's all a metaphorical dance. If I can stay away from the low-lows, I call it a win. 

I've made no secret that my lows as of late come from this administration. Vile. Cruel. Destructive. I guess I didn't know or think I'd see evil coalesce like this in my lifetime. I am flabbergasted daily and daily I'm surprised that I'm surprised. The hole, the evil, is just never-ending, and they just keep digging. 

The post image was of my monitor at work. And yes, I had a post-it with 988 on it staring back at me daily. It wasn't like I needed to remember the number. It's not even necessarily that I needed the number. The post-it did keep me in check though. Just an important remembrance that there was someone should I ever need someone. 

That post-it looks like it is hanging on a thread. Somedays I know how it feels. 

BLOTUS and RFucKer Jr were planning on defunding the the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. 

Seriously. 

Just do away with 4-1-1 while you're at it. Actually, I don't put that past them either. 

As of a few days ago, funding for 988 seems to be secure (breath is not being held). However, they are looking to shut down a specialized line for LGBTQI youth this upcoming October.  You know, National Coming Out Day. 

I shit you not. 

America has a youth mental health crisis, and LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. 

Honestly, I'm surprised it's only 4x more likely. 

In theory, 988 could (and would) take those calls, but counselors for this at risk youth population have specific / deeper training. It would be nice if all counselors could be trained to this level, but who knows. 

Naturally there is no surprise that this administration would target anything gay to just be that much more hurtful. That they are youths is just a plus for them. They do like easy targets. And do hate the homos. 

You can understand how this country, as it stands now and the direction we are going, is making it necessary for this service. I get "they" don't care, which is why it is doubly important to have such a phone line. 

Song by: Fleetwood Mac

the Bug

May in Cleveburgh = Midge season. 

Apparently there are numerous kinds of them, and I should have asked Geo to write up a piece on this, but I didn't so I am sewing this together with the internet and all its infallible wisdom. 

Nothing here is going through fact checking or peer review. 

Midges are an insect, they’re often mistaken for mosquitoes. 

It is the time of year we in the 216 start seeing them again. They prefer to have the water hit about 60 degrees. 

This is the time that they come out as adults. Midges live the majority of their lives as eggs, larva and pupa in bodies of water like Lake Erie. Once they hatch, their life spans don’t last very long. 

Yes, they rise from the bottom of the lake, from the mud and come inland. 

As you can see from just regular radar, there are enough of them to make them look like a storm. 

They live about five to seven days, but it's not like they are all "born" at once. While they will be present all summer, not nearly in the numbers they are now. But those 5-7 days stretches over at least two weeks. 

We live inland, so while we have it bad, it's worse closer to the lake. We have not walked Shep there for a bit due to the volume. Even at our house, just walking down the drive we encounter thousands - yes, thousands - of them. 

You can keep your mouth shut, but it doesn't stop them from getting in your ears, nose and eyes. Glasses helps. A little. 

Open the car door for a second and expect to get a number in your vehicle. 

Despite their swarming nature, the insects don’t pose any threat to humans. They are non-biting midges and  are totally harmless. 

Me? I hate anything in numbers. Ants. Bees. Midges. People.  Dollar bills I'm fine with. 

One does not dare walk by a hedge or bush without unleashing swarms of these things. Dog walks have just been horrible. One weekends, we have been driving south by about 30 minutes just to lessen the impact of them. 

I thought they were waning, but last evening's dog walk tells me that was a lie. 

We have to wait until Fall to get the Mayfly / Canadian Soldiers which are similar to Midges. They are just as plentiful and just as annoying. 

This is not our window screen, but the number of these on each of them on the west and north side of the house look just like this. 

BTW......the mom and baby deer are no longer in our yard seemingly, but they are nearby.  This did not stop the mom from chasing us down the street again last evening, while a dozen Hispanic roofers across the street watched, pointed and laughed.  We're gonna get beat up by a girl!

Song by: Dire Straits

Deer Dance

I don't think deer usually kill humans, but...........never say never. 

This gal, yesterday, intersected Shep and myself as we went on a morning walk. It was in the middle of the street and it just took me by surprise. Neither Shep nor I saw her until she was right there!  She was not afraid at all. And within five feet of us.

Shep was so surprised he didn't even bark. So we just hustled along and I sent 710 that pic. 

Fast forward a couple of hours and we pull into the drive after a big hike with Shep. The deer is at our window on the left front of the house. As we pull closer in, she has got a fawn with her. A very small one. 

We get stared down as we open the gate and drive in. Shep, oddly, is oblivious. 

I go in the house and see the mom and baby in our beds at the other end of the house. The baby can barely stand and walk. I'm guessing it is a day or two old - tops. Cute as fuck though.  It eventually lays down in the ground cover and is so small you can barely see the tips of its ears. 

Fast forward a few more hours. We take Shep for his evening walk. The deer are nowhere in our front yard, so we assumed they moved on. 

WRONG. 

We get to the end of the drive and onto our sidewalk and the mom shows up from around the far side of our house. And she is protective. Fiercely so. 

It's not enough we kept moving. She starts to follow us. 

It's not enough we cross the street and pick up the pace. So does she. 

We stop. She stops. But at too close a distance for my liking. She doesn't look big, but I'm guessing she weighs 710 and my poundage combined. And she can charge should she want. 

Just then we see a young woman (19 ish) walking  her dog on the other side of the street towards us, the side with our house and the baby. We yell out to her about a baby deer, and she sees "our" deer and goes "awwww".  I'm like, "no, she is protecting her baby".  

Just as I say that, the deer sets her sights on this woman and starts chasing her. Mind you, the woman never ever ever got off her phone. She's dragging the dog and running. Shep is all in arms, mostly at the other dog, and you'd think his ferocious bark would scare the deer.  Nope.  Not even a little. 

The three humans and two dogs make it to the end of the street, us going across the perpendicular street, the woman around the corner. Finally mom stops chasing and watches all of us. Then turns and runs fast as she can, turning back into our yard and to her kid. 

I can't say I'm thrilled about being stalked. But that said, I'm ok providing a place for this baby to get strong so they can move on. At least I hope they don't make it their permanent residence. 

I'm sure watching me wheel out the trash a little later was hilarious. I'm walking backwards when I can or looking over my shoulder the entire time. 

Later, as I was cooking dinner, 710 saw them in our next door neighbor's yard. 

She's gonna kill us. 

Song by: System of a Down

My Music Monday

This is a short-ish intro. I think I've posted the Fontaines DC a few times in the past - one in the fairly recent past. 

They have some decent songs, but only a few to which I come back. 

As many bands do these days, 6-8 months are releasing their album, they suddenly have a "deluxe" version available, usually with a handful of new songs to go with the original release. Often there is one good song in the new ones, if you're lucky.  And if you opt twice to basically purchase the same disk. 

I suppose this is why people use streaming services - to not pay for a new disk (assuming they even bothered paying for the first one). 

Anyhoo......they have a deluxe version of their last disk, and on it it has their one good song, "It's Amazing to Be Young". 

It might be one of the best songs the Psychedelic Furs didn't write or record. Meaning: it sounds an awful like them. Which, to me, is a good thing. 

I'm putting the audio on here, as with all the Fontaines videos, they build in a film with dialogue which completely interrupts the song to noticeable distraction. 

Something More Than Free

I love that BLOTUS is picking on Harvard. 

I mean, I'm not, but in a battle of wits, who do we think is going to prevail here? 

While it might be a long and painful road, but I'm picking the university. 

VonShitshisPantz gets so butt hurt at every little thing and it so retributive, I don't know how / when he has time to eat and sleep. 

I mean, he takes a dump right in his pants, so he's not wasting time with bathroom breaks, obvi. 

But fuck if I didn't go to Harvard's website to find the free courses - for you and for me. Honestly, we should all sign up. I'm sure it will put us on some list, but let's face it, half of us are already on 'some list' he and his cronies has drawn up.

• American Government: Constitutional Foundations
• U.S. Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policies
• Citizen Politics in America: Public Opinion, Elections, Interest Groups, and the Media
• U.S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy
• Lessons from Ebola: Preventing the Next Pandemic
• Prescription Drug Regulation, Cost, and Access: Current Controversies in Context
• Leadership: Creating Public Value
• Justice
• We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy

Granted, the 'Ebola' one might not be super applicable, but since Covid was on BLOTUS' watch, you know, it can't hurt. But some of the others are sure to get under his thin skin. 

Each course is hyperlinked so you can look at more detailed course descriptions. 

Just to reiterate:

All courses are FREE.  

All courses are on-line.  No needing to move to Cambridge, MA.  .....though I highly recommend hanging out on the banks of the Charles, watching the Bostonian men exercise shirtless up and down the river. 

The first and last classes alone seem worth it alone.

Song by: Jason Isbell

Saved by Zero

Saturday.  You know the drill. At least in theory. Who knows what will show up here. 

So. Much. Rain. 

The 216 certainly isn't in any trouble of being in a draught. Sometimes the rain just goes on for days and days at a time. That said, things are vividly green!

Meet Zero!

At first I thought Morty was involved with some kind of puppy trafficking, but it seems Dith has a new family member. No doubt he's nice and smart. I believe most poodles to be so.  I cannot wait to meet!!!

Pippa on her hind legs. Willow right behind her. 

My niece sent this my way. I'm not still watching them. 

Arthur, the gym dog. 

About once per week, someone who works at the gym stops in with Arthur. He looks like what would happen if you breed a golden retriever with a dachshund. 

He's very sweet, but still has razor sharp puppy teeth. 

Hounds doing Hound things on a grim and wet, cold walk. 

Zero and new brother Boche, meeting for the first time. All went well. 

Song by: the Fixx

I Guess It's Fuck Me

Just fuck me.

May as well.  They just fucked the country. Even more. 

How is it so many people have zero conscious?    Just fucking Evil. 

It is absolutely no wonder my med dosage just got upped again. 

Song by: Drake

Surface of the Sun

This (to your left) is the most detailed image of the sun's "surface". 

This wasn't even taken by Hubble or Webb telescopes, but the Daniel Inouye Solar Telescope in Hawai'i.

It looks like peanut brittle or popcorn. However it is turbulent plasma cells, each cell being roughy the size of Texas. 

Allegedly (since I'm not an astronomer or astrophysicist) these plasma cells illustrate the convective process that transports heat from the Sun's interior to the "surface". 

Surface is in quotes because, regardless of my oft used impression of the Unknown Comic doing his impression of the first man on the Sun, it's surface is not solid. 

Like me though, it is mostly hot gas. Mainly hydrogen and helium. The Sun. Not me. Well, maybe the hydrogen part. 

It's nice to know science still exists. I'm constantly wondering if this is the case anymore. At least in the U.S. 

Song by: Exene Cervenka

Site of the Month

The NYT Magazine had a quiz asking if one was happy.  

There are 10 or so simple questions that determine the outcome. 

I'm not sure this determines your happiness, just what makes (or would make?) you happy.  The quiz itself even says happiness might be "undefinable" 

I would agree with that part. 

Yes, researchers from Penn State and UC Irvine are in on this, so I'm sure it's all very scientific and academic, but I don't now it to be true. I don't know that a small, finite set of questions can pin point this for any one individual. 

I didn't screen capture every question, just one for an example. 

I'd agree that I tend to my most important relationships: 710 and my core group of longtime friends. 

I don't know that 'moments' of fun, excitement and calm make me well-balanced. There is something to be said for the pharmaceutical companies to assist with that. And even they're only doing a so-so job. 

If this is a way to get me to buy Jancee Dunn's work, they are barking up the wrong tree. 

However, if you'd like to play along, you can click here. 

You Just Haven't Earned it Yet, Baby

This last weekend was Cleveland Marathon weekend. 

Make no mistake, I did not do the marathon. I did sign up for one of their "challenge series", which is a combination of two races - mine being the 5K race on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday. 

More than one running friend thought I should be doing the 10K and Half, and while it's just another 3.1 miles, I found the prospect to be potentially problematic. I felt I was already tempting fate running a short race before the longer one. People think running is inexpensive - but I can tell you that is untrue. 

Cleveland city streets - especially the side ones - are just in horrible condition. Especially after a very harsh winter. On both runs I found myself looking at the ground in front of me constantly, as to not trip (again), twist anything, break anything or fall (again). 

While I knew a ton of people from both running groups participating in the weekend events, I ran with none of them. Part of it was they either weren't in my corral (which are separated by expected running times) or I couldn't find them in my corral. Saturday (the 5K), semi-frequent race running partner, Joe, was in my corral, but not at my pace. He fell behind me well before the first mile - and then I was just on my own. 

Sunday - it was just me for the full 13.1. I mean there were 4,027 others, but no one near me that I knew. No one in which I exchanged any words to over the two hours. 

Bonus for me - I got record times for both races. Nothing by a wide margin, but at this stage of my running, records will be achieved by seconds, not minutes.  

As I was in the last quarter of the Half, I passed a cheer squad from the Old Man's Running Group. Afterwards I got a text that said I was flying. I felt at that point, it was anything but.  The first half of the race was effortless. But I am horrible at any self awareness when I'm running. I under or over estimate my posture, gait, stride - you name it. I have little concept of how I actually run. 

I just know I'm getting a little faster. 

I realized two other things this run: 

1. I might not want to run marathons any more. 

Halves might be my wheelhouse. In my last two half marathons, I was almost buoyant that I didn't have another 13.1 to go. I *think* I can do it physically. I'm not sure sure I can do it mentally - which is a huge part of the run. I know I'll probably change my mind at some point - even soon. 

2. I'm a competitive guy - and not in a good or possibly healthy way. 

There are those in my running groups who are way better than myself (duh!). I like them, but I don't compare myself to them on any level. Technically, save for the start, I don't even run with them. And the ones I bond most with are at my ability. It's not that I want them to do badly, I just want them to worse than myself. 

I think that is different than saying I want to do better than them. I don't think I have enough faith in my own abilities to say that, so I just hope they aren't as good as I am, regardless of my ability level. It's fucked up, I know. 

On the plus (?) side, of those 4-6 people in mind, I beat them all this weekend, but I didn't relish in it. Or feel good about me "winning". So maybe my abhorrent thoughts aren't really so bad. 

It's easy to say you're only competing against yourself, I just don't know how true that actually is. To a degree - sure. 

Right now, I have no other races slated for the year. I do know that will change. I'm guessing there is a July 4th race in my future. I think. And someone is trying to get me to run inside the Guardian stadium like I did last year, but I've committed to nothing. 

Global Running Day is coming up first week in June. As there is no cost to that, plus a t-shirt, I will most likely sign up for that. 

For the next few months, no actual training - nothing formalized anyway. The weekdays will be on my own and Saturdays are back to the Old Man's Running Group. I'll enjoy those 4-8 mile runs. .....follwed by chocolate cherry muffins. 

Song by: the Smiths

this is the song that was playing as I crossed the finish line. And the title seemed apropos. 

My Music Monday

Still on a 'new music' kick here for MMM.

I'm not sure "Passion" by Milky Chance can be much newer - it was released yesterday. Well, the video was. The song a few days prior to radio, not for purchase until yesterday. 

I have featured the band a number of times over the last 2-3 years. I like their vibe. They're fun and sometimes frivolous in their music making. Sometimes that is just what you need. 

The band has a huge output of music, but not a lot of records. They just release songs when they want and how they want. It's unclear (to me) if "Passion" is a pre-release of something larger, or just a one-off. 

Granted, it is brand new, so I haven't listened to it a lot, but it's ok. It hasn't hit me in the way where I feel the need for multiple plays. Perhaps it will. 

The video? Well...........I'm guessing that with eating fruit this isn't the first on "film" to sexualize it. 

Oddly enough, I don't think either member is gay and they're def not a couple. 

the Grand Illusion

It is weird how age permeates so many conversations these days - at least for me and my ilk. 

Normally it will come up at some point in the weekly phone call with the besties. 710 and I pepper it into our own conversations, mostly as "jokes", but you know - there is always truth in humour. Or so it's said. 

I can only move so many ways without something cracking or creaking. It's all right in front of us.

I suppose it should stand to reason as one is at, or near, retirement age. You've (probably) lost your parents at this point. You see others around you age and silently go 'eek'. 

I like to think I don't look my age, but in reality I probably do. I mean, I don't think most of us - including all of you - look like Wilfred Brimley when he was 56 - and looked 76. 

But these are conversations we have in our heads, or in private...for the most part. But I have to say, I had a good laugh at a mailing 710 got last week, as it was at his expense. 

OUCH !!!

Statistically - yes. It's possible. Maybe even probable. Maybe even possible (but not probable) that he could have a college-aged grandchild.  But still...........OUCH. 

Of course, it's a ploy - if you will - to probs get him to leave part (or all) of his estate to the college. Pass on the legacy. 

Still, it makes assumptions. It's not like he ever got a "Parent's Day" invite. 

....and it is one thing to be called "daddy".  It's another to be called "grand pappy". 

Song by: Styx

Roll to Me

Another weekend. More animal pics. It's why you guys are here. 

We do have one of the rolliest dogs ever. He just loves a good lawn to scratch his back. 

Bailey - on a hard day of chasing geese. 

Pippa. She showed up for me again. 

I got hissed at again for trying to pet her. 

Bitey McBiterson. 

To be fair to Shep, I believe it was the runner's fault. It was a path that allowed for 1.5 people. We stepped to the side to avoid another hiker. Then a runner came from behind us silently and passed on my (and Shep's) right where there was almost no room. 

Shep lunged. I thought I pulled him back in time, but the runner kept going, but I saw him lift up his arm - so I think he at least got nipped. 

Olive!!!

WILLOW !!!!

I was just saying last week I wasn't sure I'd ever seen her. She showed up for me too. Granted, it was for wet food, and she kept her distance, but she's there - and she stayed. 

Shep's new portrait. He looks good. 

Song by:  Del Amitri

Lazy

To be honest, I'm not in the mood to post. Or worse: think of one. 

I could say the day got away from me, but that would be a lie. I'm just lazy today. Or yesterday, as the case may be. 

Of course, I can't rule it out as depression. But I got upticked on my med dosage, so that starts later this week. 

Song by: David Byrne

Ad of the Month

For whatever reason lottery ads pop up in my IG feed.

 

Someone at sometime must have said something out loud and some device picked up the words 'mega millions' and now it just peppers me with them, but oddly only when the jackpot is 10 digits or more. 

Silly bots, don't they know I can't live on only $110,000,000?  Honestly, I don't play unless it's half-a-bill at the very least. I'm not conned out of $2 that easily. 

Usually I scroll right past almost any and every ad. And I did this.....but something caught my eye and I actually scrolled back up. 

I gotta say, their marketing team made me laugh. 

Perhaps the images were intentional, perhaps not. 

This ad implies it's from the State of Ohio, but Mega Millions is (mostly) nationwide. I assume they tailor their marketing to each state. I honestly have no idea. 

Since Ohio is firmly in the 'red' now, I don't know if Mega Millions is trolling "us" now or not. I kind of hope they are. 

I believe the inference is: you need to play (win!) the lotto to afford eggs. 

And the people in Ohio probably buying the tickets the most?  Maga Million (not a typo) wannabes. 

They can't afford eggs, but a 1 in 290.47 million* chance of winning? They're on it!

*yes, I looked it up

Sending Postcards from a Plane Crash

What can I possibly say that every meme, tweet, thread and bluesky hasn't already covered?

JFC. 

I fucking love "we" are taking a new 747 (I thought those were discontinued, but.....whatevs.......) from a foreign nation. One that has deplorable human rights issues when it comes to LGBTQI populations. 

Mind you, the U.S. isn't so forward thinking in that regard either. 

As this plane is a "gift" to BLOTUS, and Air Force One is run by.....you know, the Air Force, does the military have any say in this matter? 

I ask only because of, oh.........tracking devices implanted in the plane. Or any number of security breach issues that could be monitored by Qatar. 

Of course, I also don't get Pam I'm a Cunt Bondi approving this transfer of goods. She's "Attorney General".  Yes, I'm using quotes. 

"Gifts" from other nations goes through the State Department, not the DOJ. And by the State Department's own rules go like this:

• Government Gifts: Gifts of $20 or less per occasion, not to exceed $50 in a year from one source.
• State Gifts:State and local officials and employees are prohibited from receiving a gift or gifts totaling more than $630 in a calendar year from certain sources.
• Protocol gifts: are gifts that are usually given in formal and official settings such as business meetings, protocol events, state visits, conference meetings, diplomatic events, etc. These gifts usually have a symbolic meaning and are intended to represent respect, friendship, cooperation and brand promotion.

I'm not sure which government rule BLOTUS & Co are skirting now, but we know they are. And NO ONE IS CALLING HIM ON IT. 

Oh, Nikki Haley is. Like she matters. But where is Congress? Democrat or Republican. 

Conflict of Interest. Corruption. Greed. Rules Don't Apply. The total disregard just stymies me. 

NOTHING sticks to this guy.  HOW IS THIS HAPPENING????

I'm really sorry it's not a Boeing 737-Max.  Chances of it crashing are much higher. 

Song by: Fall Out Boy

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 181st 12 of 12.

Normally it is 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day. All pictures taken with my iPhone. Click images to enlarge, if you choose.

Created by Chad Darnell and picked up from, what I can tell, any number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. Chad is no longer doing this, nor is successor coordinating the linking of other 12 of 12'ers anymore.  

05:24. Leaving for the gym. 

06:19. Doing my NYT games while on the recumbent bike for 40 minutes. 

06:56. Post core work. Post bicycle crunches. Ick. 

07:02. Eye candy. 

Great body, but he wears t-shirts that espouse violence and a band called Maggot Death. I think he'd qualify as 'rough trade'. 

10:02. Trash and Recycling Day. 

Putting the cans away after collection. 

10:27. Supervising the HVAC repairman from a distance. 

It's getting into the 80s this week. Had to make sure he AC was functioning correctly. 

10:36. Waiting for my shrink to join my telehealth visit. 

His name has been blocked by me. 

12:34. Shep - making himself comfortable in the new mulch. 

17:09. Draining tuna water. 

Prepping 710's lunch for tomorrow. 

18:05. Shep's Bowl Collection. 

He eats and drinks outside a lot from now until November. 

18:48. Dinner prep. 

Air fryer salmon. Perfect every time. 

21:09. Dessert. 

The last of 710's bday ice cream cake.