I need a bit of a break from our weekly kindness posts. I’m looking down the path at end-of-the-year craziness at work, and my latest novel is coming back from the editor this week. It will need final tweaks before heading to publishing. I really need to focus on that, along with a bunch of holiday plans that will take up a lot of my time (happily) for the remainder of the month.
I have been promising this post since early in the week, and it’s now Saturday; you can see, I am having trouble finding the time to put posts together.
I want to update on my attempt at being a “normie,” it has been great. I have found tuning in to Maddow on Mondays, a quick hit of Twitter, and stopping by here gives me enough to stay informed without obsessing over every little thing. I’m sure my heart and blood pressure are grateful. I highly recommend it if you need a break.
Speaking of Twitter – I tried to clean out my bookmarks in case things sink like the Titanic in the near future. If you sent me the Twitter link, identify yourself in the comments. And thank you!
Last night, after HUGH JACKMAN finished his performance in THE MUSIC MAN on Broadway…
…he held a charity auction for his hat.
A surprise bidder offered $100k…
…it was NICOLE KIDMAN. pic.twitter.com/NCuC4TUzP1
— James Leighton (@JamesL1927) November 28, 2022
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This is such a great story.
In the documentary I Know That Voice, Kevin Conroy tells this unforgettable story about working at a food relief station in Manhattan in the days after 9/11. It’s one of my favorite stories he told about the power of his talents. Rest In Peace Mr. Conroy pic.twitter.com/CVb6vLQlEb
— Henry Gilbert (@hEnereyG) November 11, 2022
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They do more than deliver mail:
Colorado Springs Branch 204 member Kimberly “Smitty” Smith was delivering at an apartment building when the leasing manager frantically approached him and asked if he knew CPR. Smitty sprang into action and administered life-saving CPR to a teenage girl. https://t.co/5xk6I2SDtM pic.twitter.com/cd4QAa6ULZ
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) November 13, 2022
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Rosie Taylor of Houston, TX Br. 283 was on her route when she heard a frantic woman holding a baby. The baby wasn’t breathing, so Rosie called 911. They followed the dispatcher's instructions and the baby, who is thriving today, started breathing again. https://t.co/5xk6I3aMHU pic.twitter.com/ohjAjyQ66w
— Letter Carriers (@NALC_National) November 15, 2022
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Honda Designed Tiny Electric Car to Bring Joy to Hospitalized Kids as They Drive Themselves to Treatments https://t.co/g1zRzTSz2e
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) November 3, 2022
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Mike S. (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!) sent me some interesting links on Yellowstone wolf data. Of interest here as we have voted to allow wolves in the state. And can I just say the audacity of that statement – fuck the idea that we should have any say in where wolves roam. Tons of research on how they improve the environment. But I digress. Here’s what Mike sent:
“Using a predictive model based on empirical Yellowstone wolf data, we were able to determine that fitness is greatest when wolves mate ‘disassortatively’ [mating between a black and a gray wolf] in the presence of disease outbreaks at least once every five years,” said Brandell.
Excitingly, said the researchers, the predictions from their model closely matched the observations that black wolves are more likely to pair with gray wolves in areas where CDV outbreaks are common. This competitive advantage is lost in areas where CDV outbreaks do not occur.”
It’s a fascinating read. Along with this study, he sent: Parasitic infection increases risk-taking in a social, intermediate host carnivore (Gray Wolves)
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The Dodo usually cross-posts these to YouTube, but I could only find this one on FB. From Alison Rose:
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SiubhanDuinne sent me this, and I had to laugh as it hits a little close to home:
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And finally, I attempted a little bit of holiday spirit today.
Crazy one-year-old kitten
Crazy one-year-old Great Dane
Bull-in-a-China-shop rescue Dane
And yet, I did manage to get the tree up. So far, no one has bothered it. But I also only put up the cheap ornaments and nothing that couldn’t easily be replaced. I’m crazy, not stupid. LOL
I love that skinny little tree. I can fit it in the corner and out of the way of the lumbering mooses. A friend had one, and I searched high and low until I found a similar one. Perfect for my little doll house.
Trixie had her spay Thursday, and she’s doing fine. My only issue today was reminding her that she was in recovery and bouncing was not allowed. But I will have my hands full all week, keeping her quiet.
Okay, that’s enough for tonight. I will return, maybe once before the holidays (no promises) and for sure at the beginning of next year when hopefully things will be a little quieter here.
Remember to be kind to yourself during this crazy season. Celebrate the small wins. And add any kindness links in the comments.
Jackie
Jose Trevino surprises Uvalde Little League team
This is amazing! Jose Trevino surprised the Uvalde Little League team with a stretch limo and then rented out Six Flags for all the kids.
https://fb.watch/hbMOTQDlvk/?mibextid=v7YzmG
Another Scott
Thanks for all you do for us TaMara. Best of luck with the book, the pooches, and the tree!
Cheers,
Scott.
geg6
I, too, have embraced the normie life. It is wonderful. No cable news at all, only local news. No WaPo, FTFNYT or Apple News. A few old school blogs, like BJ, GOS and TPM and that’s it. I’m much calmer and less full of anxiety. It’s truly lovely.
middlelee
Thrilled to hear about your book. I’ve been waiting ever so long for #3. 🙂
Delk
This World Cup fan lives down the street from me. X out the pop up!
Omnes Omnibus
The black wolf is cool.
dc
@geg6:
What blog is GOS?
mrmoshpotato
@Delk:
Haha! Excellent!
Steeplejack
@dc:
“Great Orange Satan,” Daily Kos.
Ohio Mom
@dc: I believe that is the Great Orange Satan, the nickname for Daily Kos. As I recall, the header was orange?
I never got into that place, couldn’t figure out how it was structured. But I know it’s been tremendously influential.
Gravie
Animal rescue videos are my addiction. I can’t ever pass them up, and this one is great. Bless that guy.
Dan B
Thanks for this post. I’ve got a cold with an ugly cough and gnarly nose. This was a first rate distraction
Best wishes for your book.
eclare
Thank you so much for these links! That guy who rescued the turtle is a strong swimmer.
Best of luck on the book!
eclare
@Delk: That is awesome!
Jay
a short vid to make you smile from someone who rarely posts vids to make you smile,
Major Major Major Major
Nothing wrong with laying low! Hope the book is as non-painful as possible to finish!
HumboldtBlue
Mom dances and son records and reacts.
TaMara
@Jay:
@HumboldtBlue:
OMG, one made me LOL, the other made me tear up. Pure joy
TaMara
For you guys who love rescue videos, this one is … unexpected. I’m off to put the ducks to bed.
Major Major Major Major
@TaMara: night ducks!
oh, we’re hopefully closing on the house soon so you and I will be co-staters soon.
Poe Larity
I get all my news from the BBC One Minute News:
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/10462520
eclare
@HumboldtBlue: So cute!
eclare
@Major Major Major Major: You’re moving to CO?
RaflW
We got our small tree up this year, yesterday. Lots of travel this holiday season, so the 9 footer that needs like 60+ (or gosh knows how many!) ornaments was not happening. I’m really quite happy with the compact model. Did it up with mostly Scandihovian straw ornaments this time (and, like 25 or so make it look just fine). It’s sitting on a built in bench by the fireplace so that it doesn’t feel too tiny with the high ceiling (hence the 9′ for Xmasses when we’re home more). And that’s really about it for decor.
BF had a rehearsal with his little band of fellow amateur musicians mid-day today for the performance they’re doing at a Senior mid-rise apt. building on Wednesday (two fiddles, piano and Irish tin whistle). I’m just delighted that they’re going to go offer some cheer. And I got to hear ’em, and they’ll be great. That was the motive to get the tree up last night. :) They brought donuts. Mmmm.
Eric S.
@Delk: I was over that way today. Watched the USA game at the Green Post.
Jackie
Great/funny article by WaPo Alexandre Petri:
https://wapo.st/3izY3MO
Major Major Major Major
@eclare: Denver yeah. Want to be closer to family and the other option is San Jose (cannot afford/do not want)
eclare
@Major Major Major Major: Good luck with the new house and the move!
NotMax
@RaflW
Let’s be careful out there.
CaseyL
Lovely kindness stories, Tamara; thanks so much!
Tonight I went to the Ortho & Sports Medicine Department Holiday Party, our first since Covid hit. The Department Chair gave a simple, but very moving speech, thanking everyone for their/our dedication to our patients and to one another over the past 3 years. The party was fantastic – our event planner is second to none – and it was a perfectly fine way to spend the evening.
rikyrah
@HumboldtBlue:
🤗🤗😍😍😪😪😪
Major Major Major Major
@eclare: Thanks!
moonbat
Thank you, Tamara! Every post is a pleasure whenever it arrives. Best of luck with the book! I hope your puppy heals quickly.
Kayla Rudbek
My new Christmas tree is up, although I may need to check the old Christmas tree box to find the good timer for the outlet/lights.
I’ve been slowly getting some of the crafting books in from Amazon that were in their 3-for-2 sale over Black Friday-Cyber Monday. Unfortunately both the Crayola Create It Yourself and the Knights books look a bit too advanced for my godson (word from my sibling was that Mommy and Daddy would have to do all the work with the first book, and the Knights book has instructions on how to make a bow and arrow set and a shoebox catapult. So I’m sure that one will get vetoed tomorrow morning as well.)
I have another nephew who’s slightly older than my godson so he may be getting more books than I had initially planned :) Although then his mom may start griping about his aunt being a bad influence…
frosty
@geg6: I’m a political junkie* and my sources are the same as yours, other than a couple of WaPo columnists, and swap out GOS for Wonkette. I can’t believe I’m a normie!
*Hell, I had a subscription to Washington Monthly in the 70s when I lived on the Left Coast, about as far as possible from DC. No, I’m not a normie. Sad to say you might not be one either.
RaflW
@NotMax: Lol. The fireplace is a 1982 glassed in fake log gas-burner that, frankly, sucks. It’s on our long-term, lower priority list. And the tree is 6 feet away.
Geminid
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