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You are here: Home / Archives for Nature & Respite / Respite

Respite

Taking a Break from the News

by WaterGirl|  July 1, 20254:21 pm| 23 Comments

This post is in: Respite, Serenity Pics

Want to take a break from the news?

Here are the sidebar images from June.

How can it be literally half a year since we started doing these?

Auto Draft 139

The pics below are in no particular order.  Click on any image below to see the full-size.

Image by BarcaChicago (6/30/25)
Image by BarcaChicago (6/28/25)
On The Road - way2blue - EAST 2 WEST, SAMOA—RESPITE EDITION—FEBRUARY 2025 ( third of five) 2
Image by way2blue (6/21/25)

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On The Road - way2blue - SINALEI, SAMOA—RESPITE EDITION—FEBRUARY 2025. (second of five) 6
Image by way2blue (6/25/25)
Taking a Break from the News 6
Image by WaterGirl (6/20/25)
On The Road - arrieve - Antarctica Part 2 5
Image by arrieve (6/23/25)
On The Road - dmkingto - SF Bay Area Scenes 3
Image by dmkingto (6/18/25)
On The Road - Deputinize America - Moorea 2024 7
Image by Deputinize America (6/27/25)
On The Road - beckya57 - Copper Canyon, Mexico, April 2025 6
Image by beckya57 (6/19/25)
Turquoise blue spring with trees on the far bank
Image by Betty Cracker (6/15/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Spring advances
Image by Albatrossity (6/5/25)
On The Road - robtrim - A terrace in France
Image by robtrim (6/1/25)
If This Doesn't Make You Feel Better, Then Nothing Will
Image by WG’s niece (6/16/25)
On The Road - BretH - On The Road - BretH - Australia! Melbourne and Sydney Part 4 9
Image by BretH (6/10/25)
On The Road - Winter Wren - North of Quebec City (part 2 of 3) - Cap Tourmente and on the way to Tadoussac 1
Image by Winter Wren (6/7/25)
On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 12b 3
Image by PaulB (6/4/25)
On The Road - Christopher Mathews - Iceland: Season's Fleeting 3
Image by Christopher Mathews (6/13/25)
On The Road - Christopher Mathews - Iceland: Season's Fleeting 6
Image by Christopher Mathews (6/29/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Serengeti Day 2, Round 3 9
Image by Albatrossity (6/12/25)
Proof of Life – Seattle Meetup on May 13, 2023 10
Image by DanB (6/2/25)
On The Road - way2blue - GLACIER ALLEY, CHILE 2/2 1
Image by way2blue (6/6/25)
On The Road - way2blue - GLACIER ALLEY, CHILE 2/2 6
Image by way2blue (6/8/25)
On The Road - way2blue - GLACIER ALLEY, CHILE 1/2
Image by way2blue (6/3/25)
On The Road - PaulB - Olympic National Park: Lake Quinault 6
Image by PaulB (6/9/25)
On The Road - frosty - 2020 Coronavirus Road Trip – Part 8: Birds 4
Image by frosty (6/22/25)
Taking a Break from the News 7
Image by ? (6/17/25)
Image by BillinGlendaleCA (6/24/25)
Taking a Break from the News 8
Image by BillinGlendale? (6/11/25)
Taking a Break from the News 9
Image by Albatrossity (6/14/25)
On The Road - mayim - Digging out Dad's work 2
Image by mayim (6/26/25)

Taking a Break from the NewsPost + Comments (23)

Does He Think He Can Fly?

by WaterGirl|  June 29, 202510:48 am| 63 Comments

This post is in: Mostly Open Thread, Nature & Respite, Respite

As Liminal Owl wrote when she sent this to me, no hookers, just blow.

As someone who woke up sobbing in the night, I can attest to at least the first part of this quote that was made famous by Robert Kennedy when Martin Luther King died.

“Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget
falls drop by drop upon the heart
until, in our own despair, against our will,
comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”

― Aeschylus

Still hoping for the wisdom.

In the meantime, this is about all I’ve got.


When Barney lifts his leg, does he think he’s flying?  Or is he imagining that he’s flying?

Discuss!

Okay, one more thing.  A picture of dust mop Henry from when he was a baby. trying to get Tucker to play with him.

This was from before Henry’s curly grown-up hair came in.

Mostly open thread.  By which I mean anything personal or respite-y of any sort is welcome, but politics is not.

Does He Think He Can Fly?Post + Comments (63)

You May Approach the Throne Respite Thread

by Rose Judson|  June 9, 202512:31 pm| 77 Comments

This post is in: Cat Blogging, Respite

Jesus God, I need a little break from everything in the news right now. Been in a doomscrolling loop.

In case you do, too, here is a respite thread, closely monitored by this cat The Child and I saw coming back from school this afternoon.

You May Approach the Throne Respite Thread

Talk about anything you want; try to avoid politics for an hour, lest Judge Ginger up there gives you a swat.

UPDATES: mali muso and family are about to adopt this Very Good Boy, and I thought you’d like to see the adoption center’s video for him. Meet Luke:

Also, commenter Joyce H mentions that the first book in her Regency Mage series, Mary Bennet and the Bingley Codex, is currently free to download and read on Kindle (device or via iOS app) until this coming Wednesday. If you love Jane Austen AND magic, this sounds like your ideal opportunity for escapism. This is the top UK review:

You May Approach the Throne Respite Thread 1

Support a fellow Jackal, stop thinking about The Horrors for a bit. Win-win.

You May Approach the Throne Respite ThreadPost + Comments (77)

Taking a Break from the News

by WaterGirl|  June 1, 202512:15 pm| 43 Comments

This post is in: Respite, Serenity Pics

In case anyone wants to take a break from the news, here are all the sidebar images from May.

In no particular order.  Click on any image below to see the full-size.

Just enjoy the beauty, or also chime in with thoughts about a daily image in the sidebar.

How can it be June already?

Image by GB in the HC (5/10)

 

Image by GB in the HC (5/23)

 

Salmon-pink sky edged in blue at the top. There's a tree line in the distance, and it and the sky above are reflected in the water.
Image by Betty Cracker (5/4/25)

 

On The Road - Winter Wren - North of Quebec City (part 3 - Tadoussac) 3
Image by Winter Wren (5/7/25)

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On The Road - Winter Wren - North of Quebec City (part 3 - Tadoussac) 5
Image by Winter Wren (5/8/25)

 

On The Road - Winter Wren - North of Quebec City (part 2 of 3) - Cap Tourmente and on the way to Tadoussac 2
Image by Winter Wren (5/13/25)

 

On The Road - Winter Wren - North of Quebec City (part 2 of 3) - Cap Tourmente and on the way to Tadoussac 4
Image by Winter Wren (5/16/25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 12a 7
Image by PaulB (5/5/25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 10 3
Image by PaulB (5/10.25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 9 9
Image by PaulB (5/10.25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - The Cascade Loop, Part 1 1
Image by PaulB (5/9/25)

 

Image by MomSense (5/27.25)

 

Image by MomSense (5/12.25)

 

Image by MomSense (5/21.25)

 

Image by MomSense (5/11/25)

 

On The Road - Albatrossity - Flyover Country Spring 2
Image by Albatrossity (5/18/25)

 

Happy Mother's Day, BJ Peeps! 3
Image by WaterGirl (5/25/25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - Olympic Peninsula: Lake Quinault Loop Drive 5
Image by PaulB (5/19/25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - Olympic National Park: Lake Quinault 1
Image by PaulB (5/17/25)

 

On The Road - PaulB - Olympic Peninsula: Salt Creek Recreation Area & Kalaloch Beach
Image by PaulB (5/15/25)

 

Respite Open Thread: Ducks and Danes
Image by TaMara (5/10/25)

 

What we should do right now
Image by Tim F. (5/12/25)

z

Mistakes Were Made and Advice Was Ignored
Image by John Cole (5/6/25)

 

Image by HinTN (5/22/25)

 

On The Road - PAM Dirac - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 1
Image by PAM Dirac (5/28/25)

 

On The Road - PAM Dirac - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge 3
Image by PAM Dirac (5/29/25)

 

On The Road - Mike in Oly - Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area
Image by Mike in Oly (5/24/25)

 

On The Road - Mike in Oly - Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area 1
Image by Mike in Oly (5/30/25)

 

On The Road - Mike in Oly - Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area 5
Image by Mike in Oly (5/31/25)

 

On The Road - Catherine D. - Just in my backyard 2
Image by WaterGirl (5/2/25)

 

On The Road - Hidalgo de Arizona - The Grand Canyon in Winter 2
Image by Hidalgo de Arizona (5/3/25)

 

On The Road - For Alain - Fly Away Home 7
Image by Mike in Oli (5/1/25)

 

 

Taking a Break from the NewsPost + Comments (43)

A Lot of Good People Out There, Here’s One of Them

by WaterGirl|  May 24, 20259:45 am| 17 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Pet Blogging, Respite

Stepping into TaMara’s lane for a moment – while she’s hard at work editing her book – here’s a feel good story shared by hitchhiker.

South Whidbey man runs old-age home for dogs

Story by Kate Poss

There’s a whole lotta four-legged good juju at Ron Kerrigan’s home, which is a former Langley parson’s dwelling that was moved to Clinton years ago.

He shares his home with old dogs whose owners can no longer care for them, boards them for Dogs on Deployment and houses them for friends who can’t keep dogs where they live.

During an interview on Kerrigan’s porch, Qehua, Loki, Qoqo and Fenrir warmed themselves in the sun and occasionally asked for ear scratches. Kerrigan currently has five dogs staying with him — he’s had up to 10 at times; one of the newest is Qehua.

Kerrigan has kept a book, called the “No More Dogs” chronicle, which details the 69 dogs he’s adopted, fostered, boarded through Dogs On Deployment and had as guests “when friends go to Hawaii and don’t think to take me along,” he wrote in an email. Dogs on Deployment is a nonprofit providing a network of volunteers who care for the dogs while their owners are away serving the country. The numbered dogs do not include all the fosters and guest dogs, who are indicated by alphabet letters – all 26 – and now he uses the Greek alphabet to document additional dogs.

Kerrigan’s long-time friend Ela winters in Maui and volunteers at the Maui Humane Society walking dogs. Late last year, Ela stopped by to walk a blind dog, only to discover the dog was being walked by a friend. But another dog waited for a walk. Ela took one look and felt it was the reincarnated spirit of her beloved dog Stella who was killed 30 years ago when she lived in Alaska.

Click the link above to read the whole thing.

So many good people out there.  I try to remember that, especially now with so much ugliness on display right now.

A Lot of Good People Out There, Here’s One of ThemPost + Comments (17)

How about some springtime respite?

by Major Major Major Major|  May 23, 20254:23 pm| 94 Comments

This post is in: Nature, Nature & Respite, Open Threads, Respite

Hello Juicers! Reporting in from fatherhood. Camille is four months this week…
…and doing great! She’s ahead on most of her benchmarks, starting teething, and still super chill, at least by baby standards. No complaints, 10/10.

Boy it sure is a disaster out there, though, isn’t it? Fortunately I’ve got a lot to keep me busy right here. Camille isn’t even the only baby in the neighborhood…

But they grow up so fast, don’t they? Ten days later…

They weren’t even there the last time I walked by. Flown the coop! I’m an empty-nester now. Oh, and the yard is coming along really well, too. Thanks to a big assist from TaMara a couple years ago, we now have these lovely and prolific irises, which gave us quite a show this year!

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Other than that, been reading, working on the video game (just about time for the demo and kickstarter!), playing video games… specifically Clair Obscur, Blue Prince, Lies of P, and The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy… Been trying to avoid Doing Politics Online, with mixed success. Not much point arguing about anything with anybody. Just gotta keep the house in order.

And of course we still have the cats.

So let’s call this a respite thread, for all your respitey needs. Playing? Reading? Watching? What’s up?

How about some springtime respite?Post + Comments (94)

Taking a Break from the News

by WaterGirl|  May 2, 202510:30 am| 39 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Respite, Serenity Pics

In case anyone wants to take a break from the news, here are all the sidebar images from April.

In no particular order.  Click on any image to see it in full-size.

Just enjoy the beauty, or chime in with thoughts about a daily image in the sidebar.

Open thread.

On The Road - Albatrossity - The Chiricahuas week 3 5
Image by Albatrossity (4/20/25)
4 Sidebar Photos – April 2025
Image by HinTN (4/2/25)
On The Road - lashoharangue - Botswana - Makgadikgadi Pans National Park 2
Image by lashoharangue (4/1/25)
First Night: Home Sweet Home!
Image by MomSense (4/3/25)

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On The Road - Munira - Sunrise, Sunset 5
Image by Munira (4/4/25)
On The Road - Munira - Sunrise, Sunset 7
Image by Munira (4/6/25)
On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [4 of 4] 4
Image by lashonharangue (4/5/25)
On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 8
Image by lashonharangue (4/8/25)
On The Road - Elma - Eclipse Trip 4
Image by Elma (4/9/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Spring migration begins 7
Image by Albatrossity (4/7/25)
On The Road - JAFD - Cherry Blossoms of Newark, part 3 4
Image by JAFD (4/12/25)
On The Road - JAFD - Cherry Blossoms of Newark, part 2 2
Image by JAFD (4/13/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Serengeti Day 2, Round 2 4
Image by Albatrossity (4/18/25)
On The Road - ema - City Blooms and Solidarity Ducks 2
Image by ema (4/10/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Serengeti - day 1 5
Image by Albatrossity (4/17/25)
On The Road - way2blue - Fjords of Tierra del Fuego March 2023 1
Image by way2blue (4/14/25)
On The Road - way2blue - Fjords of Tierra del Fuego March 2023 2
Image by way2blue (4/16/25)
On The Road - Munira - On the Haiku Road – The Natural Elements 7
Image by Munira (4/15/25)
On The Road - Dangerman - Point Sur Lighthouse (And Whale Watching, Wildflowers. and a Random Lighthouse Story) 9
Image by Dangerman (4/19/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Spring 2023 in Flyover Country - week 2 4
Image by Albatrossity (4/11/25)
Image by Raven (4/21/25)
On The Road - Albatrossity - Spring 2022 in Flyover Country - Week 2 4
Image by Albatrossity (4/27/25)
On The Road - JanieM - Home and Away - Maine #7
Image by JanieM (4/22/25)
On The Road - Mike S (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!) - Turneffe Flats Resort, Turneffe Atoll, Belize 2
Image by Mike S (4/23/25)
On The Road - Mike S (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!) - Turneffe Flats Resort, Turneffe Atoll, Belize 3
Image by Mike S (4/24/25)
On The Road - Mike S (Now with a Democratic Congressperson!) - Turneffe Flats Resort, Turneffe Atoll, Belize 4
Image by Mike S (4/25/25)
On The Road - ema - Water For WaterGirl
Image by ema (4/26/25)
On The Road - frosty - Channel Islands National Park
Image by frosty’s friend John (4/28/25)
On The Road - For Alain - Fly Away Home 34
Image by skybluepink (4/29/25)
On The Road - For Alain - Fly Away Home 6
Image by Frank West (4/30/25)

Taking a Break from the NewsPost + Comments (39)

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