CJ and the Dude

No brainer

The Grand Teton mountains in GT National Park as the sun sets behind them. Sun streaks reach above the peaks as night begins to settle in.

A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved - Kurt Vonnegut

Pic of the day
#photography

Ah. . .of course

My take from that as well

Read it last week and I agree. Beautiful writing. Compelling reading. (Also made me both grateful and nostalgic for my coming of age when I exchanged letters with friends and lovers. So much delicious anticipation and delightful surprise.)

Plus, Christmas cap!

Interesting that they redact so many names of email correspondents and leave other’s — like Peggy’s here — in.

Truth. . .

YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Audio)

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Stay free

Yes! Thank you Minneapolis for showing us how Solidarity is done! We love and support you!

For Alex Jeffrey Pretti Murdered by I.C.E January 24, 2026 by Amanda Gorman We wake with no words, just woe & wound. Our own country shoot ing us in the back is not just brutal ity; it's jarring betrayal; not enforcement, but execution. A message: Love your people e you will die. Yet our greatest threat isn't the outsiders among us, but those among us who never look within. Fear not the those without papers, but those without conscience. Know that to care intensively, united, is to carry both pain-dark horror for today & a profound, daring hope for tomorrow. We can feel we have nothing to give, & still belove this world wait ing, trembling to change. If we cannot find words, may we find the will; if we ever lose hope, may we never lose our humanity. The only undying thing is mercy, the courage to open ourselves like doors, hug our neighbor, & save one more bright, impossible life.

The heartbreakingly beauty of Amanda Gorman’s words for humanity. Be the light. Save a soul.

Aloka the dog who walked with the Buddhist monks, being honored when he arrived in Raleigh, NC. And he’s damn proud of it. 👌

#smallpoemsunday
@tomsnarsky.bsky.social

I’m in Virginia. Called and left a message for Sen. Mark Warner. Tried Sen. Tim Kaine’s number. His recording tells you to call back during office hours (it’s his voice, but come on. . .)

Your single sentence made me lose my breath.

Don’t think apartness breaks what hearts have made.
The sun will span all space to warm the stone,
So too does love traverse each distant shade,
For I am with you when you are alone.

#vss365

1/5

Here in Virginia, this feels like a breath of fresh air . . . albeit in the midst of the raging dumpster fire that is our federal government. But, hey, I'll take all the air I can get.

Happy Birthday, James. Looking good up there, my friend.

And a very good boy, too, I am sure. 😊

What an unusual and beautiful coat!

This Nittany Lion concurs!

Written not to shame, but to speak; carrying anger that is measured, thoughtful, & deliberately restrained

It addresses directly this indefensible act of ego fuelled vandalism, but also carries judgement on our own selfish, fleeting acts that have ecological consequences

#poetry
#poemoftheday

About the only things uplifting in this cruel world now are the venerable monks and their beloved canine, Aloka. 😭 #WalkForPeace 💙

Honoring the Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, who are undertaking a 2,300 mile pilgrimage of Walk for Peace. The monks and their loyal dog Aloka are traveling through 10 states en route to Washington, D.C. #walkforpeace

Artist: Carol Carter

It certainly seems to linger. Still have a residual cough from flu that morphed into pneumonia. Hear a lot of anecdotes about the same thing happening to so many. Take exquisite care of yourself and your loved ones, James. . . this flu season is a beast.

Sick over the holidays but all are better now. Take care and stay safe.

And they are evergreen. Nature managing to be both delicate and sturdy at the same time . . . I hope you and yours are well, James.

A magnolia bloom from May 2024 — better times. . .

Folk music has always been about resistance.

The series gets better and better . . .just finished his most recent “The Impossible Fortune.” Thoroughly enjoyed it.