Attractive articles of little value or use: None of your woolen drapery, nor linen drapery, nor any of your frippery or trumpery. I hate ostentation.
Practices or beliefs that are superficially or visually appealing but have little real value or worth: he exposed their ideals as trumpery. adjective – Showy but worthless: trumpery jewelry. – Delusive or shallow: that trumpery hope which lets us dupe ourselves.
Now isn’t that a wonderful word? And no, I didn’t make it up. It’s real. I’m pretty sure we’ll all find more opportunities to use it than we’d like.
The Garnet that I purchased in Wrangell and the Wiccan’s Crystal.
0529am. Lots of people awake across the street. Probably the first day of school.
Still enjoying this stretch of lovely weather. It’s not supposed to be this nice until after Labor Day — but I’m not complaining.
Bee and Marigold.Skipper and Zinnia.
I think I’ve developed my phone/camera insect-shooting skills about as far as they’ll go. I’ll never capture a compound eye, but I can get enough detail — considering I’m using my telephone to take photographs.
Today’s good deed: I went to the liquor store for a friend. Such an easy mitzvah. And no, I didn’t buy myself a treat while I was in the ABC store. That was about all I accomplished today. Well, that and the fact that I didn’t kill anyone. Yet.
The older I get, the less I seem to get done. Wonder if that’s “normal.”
Never mind the autumnal equinox. In my head, summer ends on August 31. Then there’s an interregnum until Labor Day. Fall begins the Tuesday after Labor Day and lasts until November 30. Winter starts on December 1. Spring on March 1. And summer, of course, on June 1. That’s my personal take on the seasons.
More fun with the phone/camera this morning while doing my miles.
Still playing with the phone/camera today. As shot.Still playing with the phone/camera today. Crop it.Still playing with the phone/camera today. Crop a little more,
Now, of course, I am waiting to see how this year’s Pixel phone/camera performs in real life. Do love my toys.
A little before eleven this morning, I decided to go into DC and check on Democracy. She isn’t well.
The only National Guard I saw in DC today.
I did not see tanks rolling about. I only saw this small knot of troops. But I did not go where I thought I would find them. I just went to The Mall. Our nation’s front yard.
And here it is – the most useless building in DC. The US Capitol.OH, the National Archives. I wonder if the Declaration of Independence is still there?YES. It is still there.And with great reverence, people were looking at the founding documents.
In case you have forgotten, in early March, The Orange Leech wanted The Declaration of Independence moved to his office. I head off to inspect the White House. But first, check out the Archive’s Gift Shop.
Maybe I should get some new Halloween earrings? NOT!It’s not all seriousness.Not so much anymore.A small parade of True Believers came by. I was a little leery about photographing them.
Most of Lafayette Park was fenced off. There were very few people around.
The only sign of protest that I saw. (except for the antiwar guys who have been in Lafayette Park 24/7 for the last 20+ years)5 or 6 blocks of Pennsylvania Ave are completely closed. Several months ago, you could still walk up to the fence. I know. I did.
There wasn’t any overwhelming police/military presence. But there was something “off” about the Mall/White House area. There were nowhere near as many people as should have been out and about on the glorious late summer day.
Still, I’m rather fond of lens flare. Whatever happens is exactly what I planned.
I’m still puttering around with my phone/camera. And last evening, the light was just right for the Shrine in Northeast DC.
Now and again, you can get a good view of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
I’m still mulling over whether to go ahead with the crazy Tokyo trip the week before Christmas. I’ve reserved a room at my second-favorite Tokyo hotel. My first favorite is too outrageously expensive — especially when the second-favorite is literally across the street.
Most likely, as long as I’m physically able, I’ll make the trip. Because looking back, I have far more regrets of omission than regrets of commission.
A lot of looking back happens when you are somewhere between 80 and dead.
The Old Bat Cave – 21 August 2015The kitchen was very open plan!
Ten years ago today, I was preparing for the scariest move of my life. The move into The Asylum. An old folks’ home. And, I had to give them $171,516.00 for the privilege. I moved in late in September 2015.
But, it was the right thing to do. Never mind that I get annoyed with the place. I dislike the food. The list goes on. But. This is where I belong.
The Big White Orchid.
The Old Bat Cave is where the orchids live. The Asylum is where my friends live. It is home.
Little hints of blue sky today. Strange weather for August. Of course, everything feels strange these days.
Spied a shiny new piece of shit on my afternoon walk.I kissed it and turned it into a toad!
Near the toad-truck, I picked up a dime. Which, of course, reminded me of Carlton. I’m glad he missed the end of life on the planet as we knew it.
Carlton ended every talk he gave at Harpers Ferry Park by pulling a piece of paper from his pocket and reading—always with theatrical flair:
Charlestown, Virginia Dec 2, 1859
I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with blood. I had, as I now think vainly, flattered myself that without very much bloodshed it might be done.
(The note John Brown handed to a guard on the morning of his execution.)
There are small signs that real resistance is emerging. Or maybe I just want to see signs. In the spring, peaceful protests might have turned things around. But now—it feels like 1859.
Carlton in full oratory mode at Harpers Ferry in the early 90s. I didn’t shoot color then. So, this will be someone else’s image.
Still feeling old today. I can do everything I need to do. But there’s so much I want to do and can’t. ChatGPT told me: “You cannot feel like you did in your 40s. Your body just isn’t running the same software anymore.”
And yes—it’s still gray and muggy.
Gratitude
Very grateful for Zoom yoga. I wasn’t feeling up to making the trek to in-person class, but I was able to attend via Zoom. In fact, only one person besides the teacher showed up in person today. I felt much better after yoga. And I love that it’s the same class I’ve been taking for 10+ years.
Thinking about that crazy Christmas trip to Tokyo. Honestly, it’s the jet lag that worries me most.
And… pass the salt!
Salt and Pepper!
Small blessing: After more than a month, salt and pepper returned to our tables yesterday—along with sugar packets.
07:23 Not a very pleasant looking start to the day.
So, today, I feel old. And why shouldn’t I feel old? That’s what I am. I am not aging gracefully. Oh well. What can I do? It will be over sooner or later. Five people have died already this month at The Asylum.
Well, enough of that morbid shit. Ain’t dead yet.
Whatever happened to “my” music?
A crowd was gathering for yet another musical performance when I returned from my afternoon walk.
More signs of autumn, but the scariest thing is at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
What have I accomplished today? I made amends for a snide remark I made yesterday.
Gratitude
Grateful to AA for introducing me to the concept of making amends. Especially the prompt part. Thank you, Carlton.
Made a fine lunch for myself. And watched too many YouTube videos about my potential 20-hour plane ride from Honolulu to Tokyo on December 18.
The Island Hopper Route UA156.
That flight should be enough to scare anyone off. United staffs four pilots and a mechanic onboard. The mechanic even carries spare parts—including spare tires. And you’re not allowed to take pictures out the plane window at one of the stops.
Now doesn’t that sound like a great way to spend a day? And you have to continue on to Tokyo to get the really great price. Otherwise it’s stunningly expensive.
I’m pretty sure the plane will miss its Tokyo connection anyway. How can it possibly make a 45-minute transfer that includes customs? And how could a plane that makes 5 stops be on time? But it’s United’s ticket, and United’s problem.
My only problem will be my 81-year-old body. (No, I haven’t decided to actually do it. I just have a 14-day fare lock.)
Off to the farm market for fruit and veggies this morning.
Blazing hot today. But…
Also hit the grocery store. Not pumpkin spice. But a sign of impending autumn.
Signs of autumn. Coming. Not soon enough.
I’m working on getting my Halloween-to-Christmas-Eve trip mostly nailed down. I have lodging from October 31 until December 18. I’m not spending Christmas at The Asylum. I did that during COVID, and when I become frail or infirm, I may have to do it again—but not yet.
So, what to do with that extra week? And where? ChatGPT suggested Tokyo. I wasn’t taking that suggestion seriously until I found a cheap fare from Honolulu to Tokyo with six stops and one plane change. What’s not to love? You all know me: I’ll go to an island where the big attraction is dead whales and the little attraction is McKay’s Bunting. Of course I’d take that flight. You have to go all the way to Tokyo to get the cheap fare. I spent $16 for a 14-day fare lock—a sort of cooling-off period for the Old Bat.
Usually, shortly after Labor Day, I start getting antsy for fall. And, I go on a “fall quest”. Looking for red leaves and anything pumpkin spice. Pumpkin spice shows up first. But, today – red leaves. And it’s only half past August.
Messing around with my phone/camera while recovering from my “morning miles”. A downy woodpecker. I didn’t recognize it at the time. I thought it was a strange sparrow.
There is always something to fuss about here at The Asylum. My favorite is the food. Others care about the height of the toilets in the public areas.
Yes, we are measuring the height of the johns. This is the handicap one. it is 19 inches from floor to seat.
I got a reality check about the food yesterday. There is a gentleman who lives on my floor. His wife lives in a similar (but more costly) asylum in DC. They take turns sleeping over at each other’s apartments. Last night I asked the wife, “Which place has the best food?” With no hesitation, she said, “Here.” OK. Message received. Accept and Adapt.
8:15 AM. And the construction cranes are gone! But so is democracy.
What was I thinking—using my phone/camera in point-and-shoot mode? Point-and-shoot works fine for nearly everything. Except when it doesn’t. And since the phone/camera is now my only camera, I really need to do a better job.
(Right now, Big Orange Asshole is meeting with Putin in Alaska. I’m hoping a massive earthquake takes out both of them. There will be collateral damage—but there’s already intentional damage.)
An acceptable skipper.
This is better than the point-and-shoot butterfly from earlier this week. Not SLR-good, but better.
July 27, 2025 – Nashua, Montana. Yes, I could remove the bird. But why would I want to?
Lots of photos from my July trip need deleting. And the rest should be cataloged.
As I grow older, I sometimes wonder why I keep culling and cataloging photos. I guess I do it because I always have. Habit.
Speaking of old—I suspect I’ve been living my life in point-and-shoot mode lately. Time to get back to manual mode.
I’ve also been playing around with AI—mostly ChatGPT—trying to turn my antique iPad mini into a voice-activated AI “assistant.” Something like Alexa with half a brain. I’m not expecting it to replace Alexa for running the lights, and I’m certainly not expecting Amazon to get AI sorted anytime soon.
