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You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Yard Update

Yard Update

by John Cole|  May 1, 20198:42 pm| 179 Comments

This post is in: John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House"

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Everything is getting so green. Got a lot done today. Taylor mowed the grass and we cleaned out the raised beds, and I planted the early tomatoes, the butternut squash, the okra, and a bed of peas:

I don’t think we’re gonna get another frost, but these are early ones I bought at the garden center- my heirlooms are still in peat containers from starting off as seedlings. Might be too early for the squash and the okra, too, but they just grew so fast from seedlings that I kinda had to plant them. Also, LOOK HOW GOOD THAT SOIL IS. That is the same soil I have had for going on ten years now. Every year I add too it from the compost and a bag or organic soil, and I buy worms and put blood meal and you know the drill.

Yard is starting to finally get green. I have been scattering clover seeds starting late summer last year and this spring, and that is starting to come up, which is nice.

You can’t really see it in this picture, but my perennials are EXPLODING. I love it.

Finally, BEST DOG EVER:

Look how dingy the deck got in one year. Life in a rain forest.

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Reader Interactions

179Comments

  1. 1.

    donnah

    May 1, 2019 at 8:46 pm

    The yard looks great, but Lily looks better! I would welcome seeing her sweet face every day, and I know you do.

  2. 2.

    Jerzy Russian

    May 1, 2019 at 8:48 pm

    Did the dogs help dig holes for the plants? Lord knows Steve won’t help out.

  3. 3.

    randy khan

    May 1, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    That is great looking soil. Compost is awesome.

  4. 4.

    Joy in FL

    May 1, 2019 at 8:50 pm

    <3 Lily <3 is a treasure.
    Your yard looks great, too.

  5. 5.

    Mike in NC

    May 1, 2019 at 8:51 pm

    Reminds me of a new TV sitcom called “Bless This Mess” about a couple from NYC who inherit a farm in Nebraska and try to make a go of it. Not bad. Stars Lake Bell and Dax Sheppard.

  6. 6.

    SiubhanDuinne

    May 1, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    ❤️❤️?? {{{ LILY }}} ??❤️❤️

  7. 7.

    Mary G

    May 1, 2019 at 8:57 pm

    Lily is a queen. Garden looks great.

  8. 8.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 1, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    Wait… You brought soil from your old house? Are you actually a vampire?

  9. 9.

    John Cole

    May 1, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: god damned right I did we wheeled that shit down in wheelbarrows.

  10. 10.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 1, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    @John Cole: That is more dedication to gardening than I think I could ever muster.

  11. 11.

    Dan B

    May 1, 2019 at 9:04 pm

    Is that a Willow sneaking into the right of the frame? Thw willow will love living on a rainforest. Shed color looks great, congrats!

  12. 12.

    mkd

    May 1, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    The soil and the plants look fantastic, and hellz yeah you take good soil with you, that is nothing to sneeze at. Lily, a lover

  13. 13.

    raven

    May 1, 2019 at 9:11 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: So you are Norwegian too huh?

  14. 14.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 1, 2019 at 9:15 pm

    @raven: One of my grandfathers was half Norwegian and half Swedish. His dad was an immigrant from Sweden and his mom’s parents were immigrants from Norway.

  15. 15.

    Mai Naem mobile

    May 1, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    I am envious of your green plants and everything growing shit. We moved into a new house. I’ve been real careful about planting desert stuff and stuff that I pretty much know is going to succeed but I think I’ve lost a quarter of what I’ve planted. Jacaranda tree died. Pretty sure a lime tree I planted will not make it. Possibly a tangerine tree as well. Another orange shrub I planted was doing awesome until a windy storm knocked it over so it had to be trimmed back basically to a stalk. And,oh,yeah, I planted flowering shit in the courtyard but the trees and overhangs in the courtyard are providing too much shade for flowering. Shit I forgot this isn’t Anne Laurie’s Sunday Garden post. Also too, fuck the desert.

  16. 16.

    Patricia Kayden

    May 1, 2019 at 9:18 pm

    Wow, so many of you BJers have green thumbs. Lucky.

  17. 17.

    raven

    May 1, 2019 at 9:20 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: My peeps are from Stevangar.

  18. 18.

    raven

    May 1, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    @Mai Naem mobile: My stepmom sends me a big crate of grapefruit from the tree in Phoenix but, alas, no grapefruit with statins!

  19. 19.

    Duane

    May 1, 2019 at 9:25 pm

    Plants look real nice Cole.

  20. 20.

    NotMax

    May 1, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    When you moved into this house you packed up and brought along the soil from the former place?

  21. 21.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 1, 2019 at 9:36 pm

    @raven: Mine were from the Driva River valley about halfway between Bergen and Trondheim. The only town of any size in the area was Sunndalsora where the river empties into the fjord.

  22. 22.

    TS (the original)

    May 1, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    100% of topic

    First time I can access BJ in a week – no idea if the problem was BJ or my computer. Nice to catch up on what has been happening.

  23. 23.

    Mai Naem mobile

    May 1, 2019 at 9:41 pm

    @raven: I am just not a grapefruit person so I ddnt plant a grapefruit tree but I am sure a grapefruit tree would do great if I plant it because I don’t like grapefruits! I am going to try pomegranates next year. Also I bought a nice healthy rose bush from a nursery where the worker spoke only Spanish. I thought I was getting a Banks rose but no it’s a fricking red rose bush with the looser petals not the classic rose shape you buy for valentines day. Healthy bigtime flowering rose bush but I don’t like the roses. Did I mention most of my neighbors facing the right side of the street have these awesome huge pretty rose bushes.

  24. 24.

    debg

    May 1, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    Lily looks so good! Your yard is wonderful too, but Lily’s good health makes me happier.

  25. 25.

    NotMax

    May 1, 2019 at 9:51 pm

    @Mai Naem mobile

    Presume you’re aware the pomegranate plant sports major league thorns in abundance? The one in landlady’s yard apparently has aspirations to reach the Moon and needs frequent trimming. Cleaning up those cuttings is always a painful task. Can’t just scoop them up, have to gingerly handle them one at a time.

  26. 26.

    HeleninEire

    May 1, 2019 at 9:52 pm

    LILY!!!!

  27. 27.

    trollhattan

    May 1, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    @Jerzy Russian:
    Steve probably digs holes but leaves his own damn “plant.”

    Cats

    That is a very verdant landscape. He’s worried about one more frost while we’re wondering if we’ve seen the last rain until November.

  28. 28.

    MomSense

    May 1, 2019 at 9:59 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I remember that you used to play violin so I thought you might enjoy the violinist I saw last night. His name is Benjamin Beilman and he was one of the best I’ve heard. He played the Sibelius violin concerto in D Minor. Amazing. If he ever tours your way, go see him!!

  29. 29.

    NotMax

    May 1, 2019 at 10:06 pm

    For those not around earlier, shall sneak in another Happy Lei Day. (Same link as this morning. Notice: extreme cuteness inside.)

  30. 30.

    Omnes Omnibus

    May 1, 2019 at 10:20 pm

    @MomSense: It looks like he will be in Chicago in June. I’ll see what I can do.

  31. 31.

    Mai Naem mobile

    May 1, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    @NotMax:we had a pomegranate tree in the house in grew up in. Yup, lots of thorns. Of course we had an acre garden so trimming wasn’t an issue. We never got any pomegranates because the birds would get them first.

  32. 32.

    TomatoQueen

    May 1, 2019 at 10:40 pm

    @NotMax: My head exploded from the cuteness.

  33. 33.

    TomatoQueen

    May 1, 2019 at 10:41 pm

    Then I went back and looked at LILY, THE BEST DOG EVER. *obligatory Billy Crystal voice*: She looks mahvelous.

  34. 34.

    Ron

    May 1, 2019 at 10:48 pm

    Looks great, don’t pile up soil against the wood fencing and other wood items!

  35. 35.

    John Cole

    May 1, 2019 at 10:55 pm

    @Ron: It’s not wood.

  36. 36.

    MomSense

    May 1, 2019 at 10:58 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    You will love it. He played the Fritz Kreisler Recitativo for an encore – so good. He gave an interview on our local PBS station (I didn’t yell at my radio for once). https://www.mainepublic.org/post/violinist-benjamin-beilman

  37. 37.

    Amir Khalid

    May 1, 2019 at 11:42 pm

    When I saw the headline “Yard Update”, I confess my first thought was that John Cole would announce, “From now on, 37 inches.”

  38. 38.

    SpaceUnit

    June 3, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    Why is that willow tree so close to the house?

  39. 39.

    trollhattan

    June 3, 2022 at 4:16 pm

    Springtime in the Ozarks Adirondacks up in the holler is looking mighty fine.

  40. 40.

    WaterGirl

    June 3, 2022 at 4:17 pm

    Pictures fixed.

  41. 41.

    Baud

    June 3, 2022 at 4:21 pm

    Nice weed-free lawn. I am jealous.

  42. 42.

    David ☘The Establishment☘ Koch

    June 3, 2022 at 4:23 pm

    American Gothic

  43. 43.

    Old School

    June 3, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    But can you name any 21st Century music?

  44. 44.

    David ☘The Establishment☘ Koch

    June 3, 2022 at 4:25 pm

    @Baud: ​
      In Soviet Russia weeds cut you down

  45. 45.

    Old School

    June 3, 2022 at 4:26 pm

    @Baud:

    Nice weed-free lawn. I am jealous.

    My neighbors are more jealous.  They have to live next to my lawn.

  46. 46.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 4:26 pm

    THURSTON SIGHTING!!!!!!!!

  47. 47.

    Baud

    June 3, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    @Old School: 

    No one likes a lawn braggart.

  48. 48.

    Delk

    June 3, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    Trees look great! You need to put up some then and now comparison pics.

  49. 49.

    David ☘The Establishment☘ Koch

    June 3, 2022 at 4:28 pm

    @Old School: ​
      does “Sunrise” from Kubric’s “2001” count?

  50. 50.

    Baud

    June 3, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    @David ☘The Establishment☘ Koch:

    I thought that was from Fiddler on the Roof.

  51. 51.

    CaseyL

    June 3, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    The yard looks delightful. Have a nice nap!

  52. 52.

    raven

    June 3, 2022 at 4:42 pm

    Remember the house my friends bought in Morgantown? They sold it and moved back here. She saw little future at WVU.

  53. 53.

    chopper

    June 3, 2022 at 4:42 pm

    willow’s too close to the dog

  54. 54.

    Nice Marmot

    June 3, 2022 at 4:45 pm

    Say, any relationship building going on with the crows?

  55. 55.

    Danielx

    June 3, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    @Old School:

    Why yes – Edgar Winter’s tribute to his brother, Brother Johnny. It’s pretty (ahem) old school, but I’m pretty old myself so that’s okay with me.

  56. 56.

    Ann Marie

    June 3, 2022 at 4:47 pm

    I love your trees!  So much greenery!

  57. 57.

    burnspbesq

    June 3, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    I know plenty of 21st century music, but it’s mostly guitar-geek stuff: Julian Lage, Mary Halvorson, Bill Frisell, etc.

    On pop music, I am almost completely out of the loop. Except for Jason Isbell and Kacey Musgraves.

    Relax, Cole. You’re not alone.

  58. 58.

    Steeplejack

    June 3, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    @geg6:

    I love how Thurston is the “Where’s Waldo?” of all the yard pics. And the backyard looks great (despite the sinister looming willow). Haven’t seen  it in a while.

    ETA: Or maybe the Zelig of the yard pics.

  59. 59.

    Benw

    June 3, 2022 at 4:59 pm

    C’mon guys you’ve at least heard of the big names!

    Lil Naz’s Ex, Billie Eyelash, Kendrick Lamar Jackson, Charlie the XXX, Harry’s Tiles? Easy!

  60. 60.

    lowtechcyclist

    June 3, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    I know a fair amount of 21st century music, mostly alternative stuff.  I’m a big Cage The Elephant fan, and I’m still trying to decide whether “Ship to Wreck” by Florence + the Machine, or “Harmony Hall” by Vampire Weekend, was the best song of the 2010s.

    Drive time was my time for listening to new music, and I’ve been working from home since March 2020, so I’m getting out of touch with new music. I could use a Breyana to share some stuff with me.  (The kiddo has a Spotify account, but he doesn’t seem to want to talk music with his old man.)

  61. 61.

    OzarkHillbilly

    June 3, 2022 at 5:01 pm

    won’t embiggen when you click on them

    They do for me. Slow as hell to load but full screen picture.

    eta: Firefox.

  62. 62.

    WaterGirl

    June 3, 2022 at 5:05 pm

    @OzarkHillbilly: They work now because I fixed it so they would.

  63. 63.

    Old School

    June 3, 2022 at 5:08 pm

    @Baud:  I guess I was unclear. My lawn has more dandelions than my neighbors.

  64. 64.

    Baud

    June 3, 2022 at 5:09 pm

    @Old School: Ah, you meant jealous of Cole’s lawn, not yours.  Gotcha.

  65. 65.

    Alison Rose

    June 3, 2022 at 5:10 pm

    Breyana cracks me up.

    Any of our Ukrainian speakers able to translate this quick video from Zelenskyy?

  66. 66.

    WaterGirl

    June 3, 2022 at 5:12 pm

    @Old School: I knew what you meant!  I almost said something, but I thought maybe Baud made that comment knowing full well what you meant. :-)

  67. 67.

    Delk

    June 3, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    In honor of Pride here’s some 21st century music. Stay to the end.Indigo De Souza

  68. 68.

    stinger

    June 3, 2022 at 5:14 pm

    Beautiful. Homey and welcoming.

  69. 69.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    June 3, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    @Baud: What is this “lawn” you speak of?

  70. 70.

    OzarkHillbilly

    June 3, 2022 at 5:20 pm

    @WaterGirl: :-) Of course you did.

  71. 71.

    OzarkHillbilly

    June 3, 2022 at 5:22 pm

    @ BillinGlendaleCA: It’s a place people reserve in front of their house for weeds to grow and thrive in.

  72. 72.

    trollhattan

    June 3, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    @Alison Rose :

    The Beeb used a still from that video to head this article.

    As the 100th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine draws to a close, President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed the efforts of his military, who he said have rebuffed Moscow’s attack.

    Mr Zelensky was speaking outside the presidential palace in Kyiv, where he was flanked by key advisors, echoing a video message he posted at the onset of the war.

    He said Ukrainian troops have “done what seemed impossible” and stopped “the second army of the world”.

    Later, the Ukrainian leader wrote on Telegram that Russia has been “unable to achieve any strategic goal” and has instead tried to “shift its powerlessness to civilian infrastructure and people”.

    Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hit back, insisting “certain results have been achieved” and claiming the “liberation” of some regions from what he called the “pro-Nazi armed forces of Ukraine”.

    Several world leaders used the 100-day mark to praise Ukraine’s resistance, including EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who said the “bravery of Ukrainians commands our respect and our admiration”.

  73. 73.

    raven

    June 3, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    @Danielx: I saw Johnny and Janis Joplin together.

  74. 74.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    June 3, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    @OzarkHillbilly: Oh, I just have dirt.

  75. 75.

    realbtl

    June 3, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    I have 5 acres here in NW Montana. My “lawn” is about 1/2 acre of native grasses around the house for a fire break. Mow 4-5 times early summer and that’s it. The rest can do what it likes.

  76. 76.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 3, 2022 at 5:38 pm

    had some lunch

    Pictures of massive sandwiches (or whatever you two had) or it didn’t happen.

  77. 77.

    NotMax

    June 3, 2022 at 5:45 pm

    Howzabout a ringtone of da future?

    :)

  78. 78.

    Kattails

    June 3, 2022 at 5:49 pm

    If I drove by that house, I’d assume a really charming person lived there.

  79. 79.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    June 3, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    Holy cow

    "They intercepted me gettin' on the plane and then they put me in handcuffs, they bring me here. They put me in leg irons. They stick me in a cell."— Former Trump adviser Peter Navarro on being charged for contempt of Congress for defying a January 6th Committee subpoena. pic.twitter.com/GOee9R3GUB— The Recount (@therecount) June 3, 2022

  80. 80.

    prostratedragon

    June 3, 2022 at 5:55 pm

    The yards look inviting, dog and all.

    It dawns on me that most of the 21st century music I know was done by musicians who were already at it in the 20th, even some pretty young composers. Still give Breyana a break. It’ll be years before she realizes that she still hasn’t processed something she heard way back in 2022, and so might not have room for everything that’s current in 2040.

  81. 81.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: The best part was that it was John Hinckley’s cell, also.

    I have no idea what part was true, but MSNBC made the wise decision to cut away.

  82. 82.

    Formerly disgruntled in Oregon

    June 3, 2022 at 6:02 pm

    @lowtechcyclist: Cage The Elephant is great. I also love Twin Peaks (the band).

    But there’s so much great music from the past 20 years, so not even sure where to begin…

  83. 83.

    satby

    June 3, 2022 at 6:04 pm

    I miss the giant azalea blooming in front.Too bad they don’t last all summer, that looks glorious.

  84. 84.

    ant

    June 3, 2022 at 6:05 pm

    looks like your willow has found your fertilized garden beds with its roots.

    Yeeee Haaaa

  85. 85.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 6:05 pm

    The yard looks beautiful.

    I am on a train back from Philly, which Spawn the Youngest adorably pronounces “Pih-wee”. I ordered a yellow rose bush, and it arrived yesterday, so I want to plant it this weekend.

    Some unpleasantness on this train. I am in the business class car, and another passenger, a dude who appears to be drunk, came into the car and started screaming at one of the other women in this car. He was screaming and swearing at the top of his lungs that she took his seat, took his luggage and his medication, leaning over her in her seat. Turns out he’s so intoxicated that he didn’t realize he’s in the wrong car, and the conductors found all of his stuff in one of the coach cars. The conductors said they were going to keep him away from her and not let him back in this car, cut him off from alcohol, under threat of kicking him off the train at the next stop. But then he just came back in here, saying he’s looking for his friend. And my first thought is “what if this crazy fucker has a gun?” and I’m wondering if I should get off at the next stop instead.

  86. 86.

    Calouste

    June 3, 2022 at 6:11 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: 

    The FBI like arresting people when they’re about to get on the plane, because they’ve been through security and are thus very unlikely to have a gun on them, and it’s pretty hard to escape while you’re at an airport. Way easier than trying to arrest them at home. Also, they can’t destroy evidence at home while you arrest them at the airport.

  87. 87.

    Poe Larity

    June 3, 2022 at 6:12 pm

    @Steeplejack:  Thurston is very serious about his mustard caches.

  88. 88.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    June 3, 2022 at 6:16 pm

    @Calouste: The surprising thing to me is that he was getting on a plane. Where was he going?

  89. 89.

    Steeplejack

    June 3, 2022 at 6:19 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    He also claimed that it was John Hinckley’s cell!

  90. 90.

    Mai Naem mobile

    June 3, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: 
    For all the waiting we’ve had to do you would think we would get video of the perp walk and arrest. Navarro also needs some mental health. They all need cult interventions.

  91. 91.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: Nashville.   He was suppose to appear on Mike Huckabee’s show.

     

    I’m still confused about the John Hinckley cell.   Do they have a plaque that says this is where John Hinckley stayed.   Navarro has problems.   duh

  92. 92.

    HeleninEire

    June 3, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    You know what you forgot here, Cole? A picture of Breyana eating across the table from you at that cool, old diner where the plates are stacked mega high. Love those pics.

  93. 93.

    MisterForkbeard

    June 3, 2022 at 6:21 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:  I mean, the real scandal here is how affronted he is by it. He even claims he was a “distinguished public servant for four years” and “no one ever questioned his ethics”.

    Navarro was a terrible and unqualified appointee who constantly did terrible and stupid things and had quite a few people complaining about his behavior. He’s very angry that defying a lawful summons would result in any kind of consequences at all, let alone being treated like a commoner.

  94. 94.

    MisterForkbeard

    June 3, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: He’s doing campaign stuff for Trump, basically. So he travels around a lot doing media appearances and meeting with Trump supporters.

  95. 95.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    June 3, 2022 at 6:23 pm

    @Mai Naem mobile: I was just thinking that all those TFG guys sound mentally ill.

  96. 96.

    Mai Naem mobile

    June 3, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    @Suzanne: I can’t believe the Amtrak staff aren’t sticking around in your section. Its been a long time since I took Amtrak but when I did there were enough staff around to spare for something like this.

  97. 97.

    Alison Rose

    June 3, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    @trollhattan: Merci!

  98. 98.

    MisterForkbeard

    June 3, 2022 at 6:27 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: Mentally ill is a bridge too far. Maybe “living in an alternate dimension” is kinder. : )

  99. 99.

    Frank Wilhoit

    June 3, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    Quasi-OT (but with a 21st-century music tie-in), Slate called me y’day and interviewed me this morning.

  100. 100.

    Mai Naem mobile

    June 3, 2022 at 6:29 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: i feel like this country need something stronger than whatever they used in East Germany after the wall fell, to help with TFG’s cult. I have to believe that many East Germans had problems reconciling what they had been taught about West Germany and the reality.

  101. 101.

    Steeplejack

    June 3, 2022 at 6:33 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit:

    Congratulations! Credit where due.

  102. 102.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 6:34 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    BWAHAHAHAHA!  MAGA tears have never tasted so sweet.

  103. 103.

    Nelle

    June 3, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    OT:  Shortly on CBS Evening News in about 20 minutes, a report on an Afghanistan family now reunited in Lawrence, KS.  Their son came about five years ago and I contributed to the Go Fund Me to bring him here.  I think it will be interesting to see how things have developed.

  104. 104.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    June 3, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    I’m trying to fathom a mindset like Navarro’s. I guess it’s an extreme version of living in a bubble. It’s probably easier to bubble-wrap yourself if you’re rich and/or powerful. People hesitate to contradict you

  105. 105.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    @Mai Naem mobile: They’ve been hanging out in here more, though not the whole time. And they are getting this poor lady a cocktail and something to eat.

    ETA: And he just came back in here AGAIN.

  106. 106.

    Dan B

    June 3, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    Next year’s “Garden Update” will be 1. Front Yard, 2. Willow.

    It begins quietly then, with forceful suddenness:

    House front = front door plus Willow creeping over roof with Thurston fighting valiantly to wrest his foodish from its sinewy tendrils.

    Birbs take over house, rename it habitat, Steve decamps to sunnier shores.

    Breyana skillful machete chops rescue Cole from becoming one with the vegetable kingdom.

    They would all ride into the sunset except the Willow, in its genetic imperative, has swallowed the sun

    The end.

  107. 107.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    @Suzanne:  This might interest you and others

    BREAKING: Dave McCormick concedes to Mehmet Oz in PA Sen primary

  108. 108.

    Baud

    June 3, 2022 at 6:41 pm

    @JPL:

    Go Fetterman!

  109. 109.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    @JPL: Ugh gross.

    Though no matter who won, my reaction would have been “ugh gross”. The GOP really is a total fucking fail parade, top to bottom.

  110. 110.

    Michael Cain

    June 3, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    Locally 21st Century, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.

  111. 111.

    satby

    June 3, 2022 at 6:45 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit: Good article, and I’m looking forward to streaming your symphony later.

  112. 112.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 6:46 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit:

    How awesome!  I did not know about this kerfluffle and, since my undergrad major was political science, I was aware of Francis Wilhoit.  I thought your nym was a take on that, not your real name!  But you are highly accomplished yourself.  You are lovely and humble in that interview.

  113. 113.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    @JPL:

    And here we go!  Let’s go Fetterman!

  114. 114.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    @geg6: I was hoping that he would wait until the far right court decided for him.

     

    Plus Oz is going to say that this guy should not be running with the heart condition he has.  I do hope that Oz should not be running because his allegiance is to Turkey.

  115. 115.

    prostratedragon

    June 3, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    @Suzanne:  Apparently my mother used to call the town where they lived “Pitchbird.”

    I haven’t ridden coach on Amtrak in several years now. Hope your experience with the d&d passenger is as rare now as it was then. Just got back from a sleeper car trip earlier this week, and while the chance to stretch out at night was worth it, especially outbound, I did miss the interactions in coach, which in my experience are usually quite pleasant.

  116. 116.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 6:59 pm

    @JPL: Oz shouldn’t be running because he’s a mendacious opportunistic piece of shit. His nationality has nothing to do with it.

  117. 117.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    @prostratedragon: I have an hour left to go on this trip and I cannot wait for it to be over. He’s now caused three episodes of drama and I really don’t need to find out if he’s a violent drunk.

  118. 118.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:03 pm

    @Suzanne: True.   I was just envisioning nasty comebacks.   Snake salesman is not good enough for the maga crowd.

    so sorry about your trip

  119. 119.

    Another Scott

    June 3, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit: Really excellent conversation.  Thanks for sharing, and congratulations.

    Post more often.  :-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  120. 120.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    BREAKING: A militia member is suspected of having just shot and killed a former judge in Juneau County, WI. Sources say the suspect was carrying a hit list that includes other politically-motivated targets including Governor Evers.

    Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) / Twitter

  121. 121.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 3, 2022 at 7:12 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    sinister looming willow 

    Damn!  Trash talking the willow (that’s too close to the house)!

  122. 122.

    Another Scott

    June 3, 2022 at 7:13 pm

    @JPL: Erdogan changed Turkey’s name (to Türkiye), so old news – no problem.  Amirite??

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  123. 123.

    SamIAm

    June 3, 2022 at 7:15 pm

    @Calouste: 

    Also, they can’t destroy evidence at home while you arrest them at the airport.

    So destroy the evidence BEFORE leaving home for the airport. Got it, thanks!

  124. 124.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:16 pm

    @Another Scott:  I understand Suzanne’s point and that is not who we should be.  In order to win, I think we have to cross the line though

    shameful but true.

  125. 125.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 7:17 pm

    @Suzanne: 
    He shouldn’t be running because he has never actually lived in PA and he’s a fraud. But you’re not wrong.

  126. 126.

    trollhattan

    June 3, 2022 at 7:18 pm

    @Another Scott: Fuckin’ umlauts, man, this will not stand!

  127. 127.

    MisterForkbeard

    June 3, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    @JPL: The writing was on the wall after Alito intervened on behalf of Oz. Not surprised, he had to be getting a ton of pressure to drop out.

  128. 128.

    SamIAm

    June 3, 2022 at 7:25 pm

    @Suzanne: 

    Yes, he is an mendacious opportunistic piece of shit but his dual citizenship is a very good reason why he shouldn’t be running for office.

    Frankly, I thought US citizenship required disavowing citizenship of any other country.

     

    It should be for running and holding a Federal office.  The conflicts of interest would be enormous.

  129. 129.

    Another Scott

    June 3, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    @JPL: They, or some PACs, can just run ads of quotes from Republicans saying that Oz has divided loyalties.  But since it came up in the primary, it probably won’t have much impact (unless things somehow change).

    The main thing is that the GQP cannot get the Senate majority because Moscow Mitch – aka The Grim Reaper – would be able to block everything again.  Make the campaign about the GQP and how they want to destroy America, not about yet another vacuous TV personality.

    The GQP ran nationally against Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter for decades.  We need to give it back to them 10 times as hard.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  130. 130.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    @MisterForkbeard: Rep. Chris Jacobs has decided not to run, because of the backlash after he said he supported gun safety laws.  He represented Buffalo.

    We are going to be left with extremists who don’t believe in government.   I’m scared.

  131. 131.

    prostratedragon

    June 3, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    @Suzanne:  Oy! Get home safely and without blowing your own stack. (These folks can get it out of you.)

  132. 132.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    There is also someone about three rows behind me doing their level best to cough up a lung.

    People are so fucking gross.

  133. 133.

    trollhattan

    June 3, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    For the first time since perhaps Jim Ryun (who?) the mile has regained prestige long absent, as the unthinkable happened with not one but two high-schoolers breaking four minutes in the same race. Ryun performed his feat in 1965.

    Take a bow, Gary Martin and Conner Burns.

    Today, high schoolers generally run the 1600 meters and college runs the 1500m. The mile was once common–four laps of a 440-yard track.

  134. 134.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:29 pm

    @Another Scott: yup

  135. 135.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    @Suzanne:  ugh

  136. 136.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    WaterGirl might have to put up good news feeds all week-end and all week.   We are entering rockier times.

  137. 137.

    Suzanne

    June 3, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    @JPL: That wet, mucus-y cough is one of the grossest sounds ever, even before the damn plague.

  138. 138.

    Calouste

    June 3, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    @SamIAm: 

    Frankly, I thought US citizenship required disavowing citizenship of any other country.

    It a gray area. There’s no law that says so, and no court has ruled on it. Even though the oath of citizenship seems to suggest so. Of course, some people are born with dual citizenship, what are you going to do about them?

    It should be for running and holding a Federal office. The conflicts of interest would be enormous.

    Australia has such a law. It has resulted in a few MPs getting kicked out after their dual citizenship became public. For most of them the other nationality was British IIRC.

  139. 139.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:40 pm

    @Suzanne:  I’m glad they are behind you, but that is of little comfort.

  140. 140.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    @Calouste: Would he be able to get a security clearance?   Liebermann had dual citizenship, I believe with Israel, so I presume so.

    I’m not sure Liebermann voted in Israel though.

  141. 141.

    Frank Wilhoit

    June 3, 2022 at 7:44 pm

    @trollhattan: The number of feet in a mile is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, etc., but the 11 seems not to have been purposefully chosen as a divisor, but to be a historical accident.

  142. 142.

    SamIAm

    June 3, 2022 at 7:45 pm

    @Calouste: 

    I wasn’t really sure about naturalization because, as you pointed out, the oath does imply it.  And you’re right, people born with dual citizenship shouldn’t be required to relinquish their other citizenship.

    But I still not sure about holding political office like Senator, Rep, or the like because there’s a correlary to Murphy’s Law:

    Anything that CAN be abused WILL be abused

    TFG administration proved this.

  143. 143.

    Antonius

    June 3, 2022 at 7:45 pm

    @SamIAm: My understanding is that the USA doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, but other countries do.

  144. 144.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 7:48 pm

    @JPL: Mehmet Oz is U.S. born, a son of immigrant parents. I don’t think Oz’s dual nationality is neccesarily disqualifying. But as someone said, politics ain’t beanbag and I won’t kick if some third party PAC runs ads highlighting Oz’s dual citizenship. Republicans sure would, if the shoe were on the other foot.

    I’m just glad McCormick is not the nominee. Oz can’t reinvent himself, but McCormick had a blank canvas and plenty of money to fill it in as attractively as possible. That’s how foungkin Youngkin won in Virginia.

    And even though Oz had trump’s endorsement, two thirds of Pennsylvania voted for someone else. Oz has to win them over to even have a chance.

  145. 145.

    Ohio Mom

    June 3, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit: I did not know you were a fellow Buckeye. When we finally get the all-Ohio meet-up organized, you’ll have to come.

    Now that the site is back to functioning, I need to get with debbie and Sab, my co-conspirators.

    On another note, I’m going to hope someone at the airport recorded Peter Navarro’s arrest and that it will go viral enough for me to come across it.

  146. 146.

    Bex

    June 3, 2022 at 7:50 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: He claimed he was going to Nashville (TN I assume), but the question is where was he going from there.  Was there a a plane warming up to head to Dubai?

  147. 147.

    livewyre

    June 3, 2022 at 7:57 pm

    @SamIAm: As a counterexample, I don’t support banning anyone from the internet just for misusing it to transmit racism, no matter how tempting it might be. Sometimes the temptation is a reminder.

    ETA: In general, it’s unconscionable for anyone (let alone here) to “get tough” on perceived foreigners, no matter where from, just because of that – be it Oz, Yang, or Gabbard.

  148. 148.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    @Bex: He was booked on Mike Huckabee’s show.

  149. 149.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    @Geminid:  My concern has to do with Oz’s ability to define Fetterman unfit because of his heart condition. I assume Fetterman is ready for that though.

  150. 150.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    Maybe good news, maybe really bad news

    NYT obtains letter: “Based on the individual facts and circumstances of their alleged contempt, my office will not be initiating prosecutions for criminal contempt as requested in the referral against Messrs. Meadows and Scavino.”

     

    they could be cooperating

  151. 151.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 8:13 pm

    testing

  152. 152.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 8:21 pm

    @JPL: That will be an interesting dynamic. Oz has to tread carefully here. People have a love/hate attitude towards “experts.” Oz can create a lot of resentment if he pushes too hard on this question. If Fetterman’s recovery stays on course Oz could end up looking like a jerk.

  153. 153.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    @JPL: I’m pretty sure that Joe Lieberman did not have dual Anerican-Israeli citizenship.

  154. 154.

    sab

    June 3, 2022 at 8:28 pm

    @OzarkHillbilly: One person’s weed is another person’s perennial.

  155. 155.

    EmanG

    June 3, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    Man, you never miss the water till the well runs dry. So glad to have BJ back up and trivial. I’ve been watching the progress of your yard for years Cole and think it’s freaking lovely. I also think that willow is exactly close enough to the house. Thanks to you and Watergirl and everybody else who makes this place happen on the day to day.

  156. 156.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 8:32 pm

    @Geminid:  thanks.. I hope that I didn’t assume that from a rumor, but it’s possible. Normally I’m better than that

    At least I think so.

  157. 157.

    SamIAm

    June 3, 2022 at 8:38 pm

    @livewyre:

    I must have given the wrong impression.  I’m sorry if I came across as anti-immigrant. Or fuel doubts about people merely based on their origins.  That’s not what I intended to convey at all.

    But the distinction I’m making here is that dual citizenship puts that person in an ethical dilemma.  And it’s really easy to rationalize behavior that’s not true to your oath of office if you have divided loyalties.

    This is no different than politicians writing laws that affect the value of their investments.  Those laws are not likely to be in anyone’s interests other than their own.

  158. 158.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    June 3, 2022 at 8:42 pm

    Chris Hayes tells me Navarro plans to represent himself

  159. 159.

    JPL

    June 3, 2022 at 8:43 pm

    @SamIAm: Welcome to my world.  The same people that do this easily will accuse the opposite side as racist.   Tread lightly.

  160. 160.

    geg6

    June 3, 2022 at 8:45 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    Oh lordy.  Let’s not tell him.

  161. 161.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    When I hear people playing music around where I live it sounds like an angry poetry reading set to something resembling music. Sometimes has a nice beat. I like stuff that sounds like five mute musicians with great instrumental skills.

  162. 162.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:02 pm

    @Benw:

    That sounds like the cast in a 60s musical film in which none of the actors actually play or sing.

    And yes, I’m freaking old.

     

    Not that old, durn it.

  163. 163.

    Jay

    June 3, 2022 at 9:03 pm

    So, went in for my “meeting” today.

    My ass is grass. Apparently for swearing in public.

    Oh well.

  164. 164.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    @ BillinGlendaleCA:

    Even I have lawn.

    In front of my apartment, not a lot, some, just enough for someone to mow, on a loud ridding mower, every Monday at 8am.

  165. 165.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor: That has worked, occasionally. But Navarro is in pretty deep, and he needs good representation. His former boss could pay for some top criminal defense attorneys. Trump raised well over $100 million to “stop the steal,” but he is only looking out for himself and not the people who helped him and are facing prison time for that. Some are going to turn on him.

  166. 166.

    SamIAm

    June 3, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    Is anyone watching MSNBC Primetime right now?

    It’s about Peter Navarro’s origins, it’s jaw dropping.

  167. 167.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 9:14 pm

    @Jay: I’m sorry to hear that. From what I’ve seen you say about your work, you have come through for that outfit a lot. This is a very unjust outcome.

  168. 168.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:14 pm

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    I was just thinking that all those TFG guys sound mentally ill.

    That’s because they are.

    First, they think SFB is a great man. That’s straight jacket time.

    Second, they don’t understand why 80% of the US population don’t see what they see. That’s drug testing time. While wearing a straight jacket.

    Third, they are as loony as SFB, their brains are as fried as his and therefore they are as stupid as he is. OK yes, I’m not thinking that SFB drank/injected/swallowed his way to maximum stupid, he was born that way and brought up by someone as messed up as he is – dad.

  169. 169.

    Geminid

    June 3, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    @JPL: Well, the question was raised around 2010. I won’t give the details; if you look it up you’ll see why.

    But I’ve repeated many rumors myself, sometimes on this forum.

  170. 170.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit:

    Nice interview.

  171. 171.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:30 pm

    @Suzanne:

    You had me at mendacious. You made it better with opportunistic, but then you topped that with POS.

    I see that you must have had the misfortune of being within a thousand miles of him to do this that well.

  172. 172.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:40 pm

    @Ohio Mom:

    Twitter was alive with it earlier.

  173. 173.

    Ruckus

    June 3, 2022 at 9:44 pm

    @Geminid:

    Oz could end up looking like a jerk.

    It’s not just looks, he is a jerk. But of course that’s never stopped, or seemingly hurt a rethuglican.

    The people that would vote for him or anyone like him don’t care that he already is a jerk. He’s their guy, they like jerks and jackasses. And he’s qualified on both counts.

  174. 174.

    Seefleur

    June 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm

    @mrmoshpotato:  Sinister Looming Willow would be a great name for a band

  175. 175.

    dnfree

    June 3, 2022 at 10:30 pm

    @Frank Wilhoit:  That’s a fascinating interview!

  176. 176.

    Jay

    June 3, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    @Geminid: 

    Thanks, it is what it is. MGMT has “hated” me since day1. It was inevitable they would find an excuse that would get them past BC Labour Laws,

    Picked up my work boots, made sure they recycled my “Link”,, ( those are in short supply, Covid, Shanghai),

    Grabbed my glasses and Iphone charger from The Hood*, all under “escort”, tried not to laugh my ass off. The Hood, where tools get repaired was completely jammed up with broken tools, you could barely move around. My rule was always that only tools that are being worked on, are in The Hood.

    My DS, with 2 of the newer associates, was trying to clear a line up, by trying to link out to MGRs and the Pro Desk, for extra help,

    Also didn’t LMFAO, could have cleared that line in 10 minutes.

    Still, you don’t know what you have got till it’s gone. A Corporate mantra these days.

    Left at 4:30pm, already have 2 job offers.

  177. 177.

    Another Scott

    June 4, 2022 at 12:07 am

    @Jay:  “Living well is the best revenge.”

    Good luck!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  178. 178.

    livewyre

    June 4, 2022 at 1:40 am

    @JPL: Truth be told, I’m not sure whether that’s a world I’d want to visit. One where, presumably, racism and accusations of racism alike come from isolated workers of evil rather than every square inch of our social fabric, a rare and exotic horror rather than one of life’s grinding pressures. It does sound like a relief compared to ours, but I’m more inclined towards solving things as they are than blaming them on some malevolent force, wishing them away, and/or ignoring them. Especially when they land on my doorstep.

  179. 179.

    Denali

    June 4, 2022 at 10:48 am

    ‘@Suzanne,

    Hope you are safely home by now. I am surprised that the AMTRAK conductor did not throw the drunk off the train. They are supposed to be all powerful.

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