Mary Francis

My friend Barnabas is a priest with a very Catholic sense of humour …

A business executive was in a quandary - he’d been invited to an audience with the Pope on the same day he had a meeting with DJT
He asked his PA for advice, “I’d go see the Pope -he’ll only expect you to kiss his hand.”

Vulture capitalism is destroying lives - and the planet - but you have to suck it up because otherwise you’ll be like Sweden!

YouTube video by POTP The Power of the Pound

You can indeed, wait another 50 years for the “benefits” of Reaganomics to trickle down your way, if you want to, or you can listen to different voice. Spoiler: Our governments aren’t on the gold standard, are the only source of currency, and can always pay their debts. ⬇️

youtu.be/IHxloLkMXeU?...

I’ve watched in disbelief as you youngsters have been persuaded that comprehensive housing, education and healthcare services cannot be afforded, when billionaires, endless wars and the profligate destruction of our planet can. You are being suckered.

As the headteacher of a village school I read my predecessors accounts of waves of childhood diseases striking the pupils, diptheria, polio, measles, chicken pox, resulting in some disabilities and the occasional death.

Wisdom may not come with age, but experience does.

The benifits were never free of course, they were funded by National Insurance and a fair taxation system. Back in the day, we had good services and high taxes, now we just have high taxes.
2. When I was a child my friend Gary died of polio. Which I didn’t, get because I was vaccinated.

I’m approaching my 75th birthday, and here are life lessons, I’m giving away for free …
1. Democratic Socialism provided me with affordable housing: I bought a house in 1975, in London aged 27; a decent free education through to college graduation; and benefitted from accessible health care
care.

Does Johnson look like a guy who’s sold his soul to the devil, because he has?

Support our campaign to oppose MAGA extremists

AOC is fighting for: Medicare for all, housing as a human right, a peace economy, justice for workers & small businesses, Green New Deal, & reproductive and LGBTQIA+ rights. She is not beholden to corporations/lobbyists.

DEMAND LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY.

Attacking a synagogue on Yom Kippur. Absolute depths of depravity. All my love to my Jewish friends and the entire Jewish community

I am horrified by the news of multiple stabbings at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur.

My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims of this heinous antisemitic attack.

We must defend a society where people of all faiths can practice their religion in safety and peace

YouTube video by Ohh that's RICH This single quote from the #Nexstar CEO is everything that is broken in #media #journalism #news

youtube.com/shorts/KxDrf...

It’s understandable. There are two things you can do. 1. Accept this madness has to run its course, and limit your exposure. 2. Resist. Every act of forgiveness, of generosity, of love and truth-telling IS resistance. Every kind word and deed tears down a stronghold. Have courage. Keep the faith. ❤️

Ode to Joy

I haven’t the energy to engage with hate-mongers these days. I have decided to bombard them with Beethoven instead! Just listen to this version. The lyrics are wonderful.(And in English)

open.spotify.com/track/1SArtz...

House Finch, chestnut-backed Chickadee, Bushtit, Black-capped Chickadee, Northern Flicker, Belted Kingfisher

American Crow, Anna’s Hummingbird, Song Sparrow, Bewick’s Wren

I’m birdwatching in my friend’s garden in Redmond WA. Amazing! Photos courtesy of Cornell Lab that recorded these birds and named them for me! (I’m a seasonal migrant from the UK. How would I
know what I was hearing?) 👍

Measles in the Brain Can Kill Years after Infection, Child’s Death Shows A child in Los Angeles County has died from a rare but always fatal brain disorder that develops years after a measles infection. Experts underscore the need for vaccination to protect the most vulner...

40 years ago, a student in my school began by not recognising the end of a page and writing past her exercise book onto the desk. Then she would be found undressing in the toilet. These were the first symptoms of this rare desease that killed her.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/meas...

MAGA has a second martyr . (Thoughts and prayers.) Their first martyr was democracy.

God bless America!

I’m visiting friends in Redmond, Washington. Flew in yesterday from London, which is why I’m posting at 4:44 am …

Fabulous!

Welcome all new followers. Looked up at the moon last night, and thought, “That’s odd I swear it was bigger yesterday …”

YouTube video by ZOE Boost energy and reduce cravings with these hacks | Glucose Goddess Jessie Inchauspé & Tim Spector

Watching “Zoe”. Here’s a vital video for people approaching Type 2 diabetes, or unable to conceive, or wanting to remain healthy in old age. (Spoiler: interview with the Glucose Goddess and Tim Spector.)

youtu.be/sewTQZXnZtg?...

House Sparrow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Dunnock, Magpie

Magpie, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Chaffinch, Raven?, Collared Dove

Coolish, beautiful morning in an English country garden, replete with birds, though the raven is probably a bit of a stretch…
#birds

I asked Alfie, aged 6 what he wants to be when he grows up:

“God. Or a hacker.”

Eurasian Blackbird, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Common Redstart

Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian BlueTit, Stock Dove, Eurasian Jackdaw, Rock Dove

Today’s birds:

As I just said on CNN, my father's parents were Nakba survivors. I don't want Israeli children to live in fear and I don't want Palestinian children to starve to death. There is nothing anyone could do to make me put nationalistic talking points above basic human rights.

CopOut28

I didn’t see it coming,

The FINAL Advent.
The End of Days.

I can't name my foreboding-

Don't ask me to. it's too deep.

So terrible that no-one dares play sad music

On the wireless.

The world is coming to an end, you see,
And no-one must know.

June 30th. I was in holiday in Herefordshire. Sunday morning. I awoke to the dawn chorus for the final time this year. Now it’s just pigeons, crows and sparrows.

App Logo for Butterfly Conservation Big Butterfly Count

Butterfly Count for 7/7/25 Large White 2 Small White 16 Gatekeeper 2 Ringlet 9 Speckled Wood 5 Comma 2 Holly Blue 2

Seven days into The Big Butterfly Count: Peacock Brook, Newent, Gloucestershire

House Sparrow and Common Woodpigeon

If I were still concerned about politics, I’d be furious all the time.

Meanwhile: