Cool windy early summer day

the daily bee
the daily bee

Trying to do a couple of bug shots every day. I need practice. It is always windy here at the asylum. Part is geography – we are at the top of a tiny hill. And part is architecture, we are a tall building. Today – geography and architecture are not the problem. It is just plain windy. And wind is not a friend of close-up photography.

Can The Donald get any worse? I fear he can. Hillary might not be the most inspirational candidate ever – but, we must keep eyes on the prize… in this case – the prize is a Donald-Free White House.

jello 06

Today’s jello – red with added junk.

Garden #3

sun piercer.
sun piercer – this morning

Off to a great start to the day with the Washington Monument piercing the sun.

garden day 3
garden week 3.

The little garden box is happy.

jello 05
jello 05

Today’s “black” jello has red undertones. I still haven’t tried any of the jellos.

simple bee
simple bee

It was too windy for much good insect work. But, the wind is bringing in a nice cold front. Or maybe cool front is a better term.

But now, after much beer/wine/shrimp, icecream good conversation – it is time for a bath and bed.

Photo Day…

Monday AM
Monday AM

A lovely sunrise – well before 6AM today.

jello 04
jello 04

Then, at lunch today – the jello was back. The black jello looks blue today. Blueberry, I guess.

the ever popular magnolia
the ever popular magnolia

Snapped a picture of the fine magnolia while walking to work this morning. This magnolia tree is a old friend of mine. It has flowers that are low enough for easy photography.

tiny fly-like critter
tiny fly-like critter

Working with my newest macro lens. Trying to improve my technique.

ladybug nymph - saturday
ladybug nymph – saturday
becoming a ladybug - monday
becoming a ladybug – monday

And finally, ladybug… I went back to find the ladybug nymphs that I had photographed on Saturday – I wanted to do a better job. Well, the ladybug nymphs were busy transforming themselves into ladybugs.

back online

saturday rose and bee
saturday rose and bee

Yes, we have no jello. No jello yesterday or today. Maybe the chef de jello gets the weekends off.

Had a nice 47 internet free hours. I sort of “cheated”. I went to work this morning. But, I decided that since I do what I do for me – if I want to go in on Sunday – that is OK. Took Uber to the hospital. And walked home. There are 3 hills between the hospital and home.

Did some thinking during my downtime. I have been trying too hard to be a part of the asylum community. I am not a “community type” person. I am not going to stop being a member of the community. But, I am going to stop trying to immerse myself in the community. If I wouldn’t do a thing if I didn’t live here – why should I do it because I live here?

This does not mean that I don’t treasure my new friendships. I will continue to do things with asylum people. But, it does mean that I don’t have to go to the asylum exercise classes, or to the movies, or go on trips on the asylum bus. Maybe later. BUT NOT NOW.

And, it I want to eat my own cooking in my own apartment – I can do that too.

Friday

Jello 03
Jello 03

Today’s jello – black. Very scary.

Almost as scary as the upcoming presidential election.

Feeling a little mentally out of it. So, it is time for a technology holiday. Time to power down and get back in sync with the real world. I’ll try to stay off line until 8PM Sunday. That will be 48 hours. I can do this.

Thursday

Jellow 02
Jello 02

Today’s jello looks a lot like yesterday’s jello. I may get bored with the Jello Series real soon now. Maybe it comes in different colors? Maybe the inmates like bright orange? Stay tuned.

Thynnid Wasp
Thynnid Wasp – today’s asylum insect

Photographing wasps has that little element of adventure for me. I am not much concerned that bees will sting me – but wasps – I am not so sure.

Knocked out a couple of report programs this morning at the hospital. Who would have thought that after 50 years, I’ll still be slinging a little code from time to time. (Don’t worry, no one’s life depends on my coding skills. Just little reports. Not life support.)

Note to Carlton: I found 26 cents yesterday and 11 cents today. One of my widow friends says when she finds a toothpick on the floor she assumes it is just her hubby checking in to see how she is doing. I figure that sidewalk coins are you checking up on me. And for 26 cents – you must have been damn interested. I am doing fine. Thank you very much.

Dinner with new old friends here at the asylum this evening. Which is a good thing, because that way, I missed the evening news and the latest The Donald outrages. (Dinner was chicken, pretty good cornbread – the sweet northern variety, and lemon meringue pie.)

 

Garden #2

11 sq feet of dirt - after one week
11 square feet of dirt – after one week

I have done my part with the herb/butterfly garden. Now, it is all up to Momma Nature. And we all know that she is a bitch. Note to Mother Nature: I will add water from time to time.

Here in the Old Bat Cave we have Jello. Vats and more vats of the jiggly stuff.

The Jello Series 01
The Jello Series 01

I think I’ll do a little series on Jello. Wonder where it will go. Everyday – for a month or until it isn’t fun anymore – I’ll take a picture of the Jello. With Shamu the Phone. I have never actually eaten any of the Jello. My plate is a Jello Free Zone.

Sunrise at the OBC
Today’s Sunrise at the OBC

Now on to something more serious. I am having increasing bad feelings about the outcome of the 2016 Presidential Election. Maybe Hillary and Bernie could take one for the country and and between them figure out who – Hillary, Bernie or SOMEONE ELSE – would have the best chance of beating The Donald. And get that person to nominated.

Around the Asylum

Purple Lounge - Ethopian Cusine
Purple Lounge – Ethiopian Cuisine

Trying to explore the neighborhood. Mostly, I have been trying to escape the neighborhood. But, over the weekend – I started poking around. Figure I need find out what is within a two mile radius. That is within my round trip walking range. Went to the closest farm market on Sunday. It is a perfectly fine market. I bought some plants for my 11 square feet of dirt, some soap, and a jar of honey. I did not patronize any of the bakers. Or the ice cream maker.

Sometimes I hate it here…

A Long Corridor To Nowhere.
A Long Corridor To Nowhere.

Actually, it isn’t here that I hate. It is the life without Carlton that gets me down from time to time. Now is one of those times. In all honesty, life is simpler without Carlton. He wasn’t always easy to live with. But, he was never boring.

I finished planting my 11 square feet of dirt yesterday. All herbs and bee and butterfly friendly plants. I believe that it would be called a “Pollinator Garden” in today’s terminology. Will have to wait for a couple of months to see if I get any bees or butterflies.

The Sparrow Spa - US Botanical Garden
The Sparrow Spa – US Botanical Garden

 

Busy yesterday…

robert cazimero
robert cazimero
Hula Guys!
Hula Guys!

Went to the American Indian Museum to bid a final aloha to the Hokulea. It is impossible to underestimate the importance of the Hokulea to not only Hawai’i but all of Polynesia. NPR honored her with a super piece about her history and the current voyage. Check it out.

Had a great time. Talk story. Lots of hugs. Chickenskin singing Hawai’i Pono’i with the Kamehameha School alumni. Humbled to be called “honored kupuna”. Much aloha.

And then – Black and White Time at the Botanical Gardens.

Common Grackle
Common Grackle
Lily White
Lily White

Goodness, Gooses!

Sunrise today.
Sunrise today.
I ran into some geese on the walk to work this morning.
I was walking to work and so were these geese.
Today's Bee
Today’s Bee

Just a new normal day.

 

 

Thursday…

Sunrise from the Old Bat Cave
Sunrise this morning at the Old Bat Cave

I operated under the delusion that it was Friday until I got to work and the computer insisted that it was Thursday. But, it was fine and warm. And sunny. If I still lived in the old digs I would be anticipating the opening of the pool. I guess I could anticipate going to the indoor pool. But, it just isn’t the same.

Note to my overseas friends: I fear there is a chance that Donald Trump could win. I am afraid. Very afraid.

Now, today’s pictures.

damselfly
damselfly

Or maybe it is a dragon fly. It is very small. And very fast. And impossible for me to photograph.

clematis