we honor Husbando

 Annabelle and I sang Happy Birthday Dear Bill this morning after lighting a candle. Then we watched our embarrassing president as he addressed the European leaders in Switzerland. Dear Bill would be infuriated by this jerk who loves Putin and Hitler. Lordy...

back to 1987

 I rented 84 Charing Cross Road on Prime TV the other night because the story is a favorite of Virginia Evans, the author of The Correspondent, which I recently finished. I have a couple of friends who prefer old movies, but I like the new stuff so I don't do this very often. It is a sweet movie, tender. Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins were excellent choices here, in my opinion.

Civil Rights Day

 A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way. -Martin Luther King Jr., civil-rights leader (15 Jan 1929-1968)

belated birthday celebration

 The Blogmaid wanted to see the Manet and Morisot exhibit out at the Legion for her 17-day-late bday commemoration so off we went to join a few thousand other people yesterday. But first a yummy lunch down at MY cafe and some good catch-up conversation. So nice of her to drive ~ a lovely day all around and a warm memory glow this morning.

Punjab? Pho?

 I've walked by this restaurant up on 24th Street a million times but yesterday the pho sign beckoned me. Punjab is large and eclectic with Chinese, Vietnamese and no Indian food, to my knowledge. The pho was hearty and reasonably priced and the service everso nice. Punjab has been in my nabe forever and I'm glad I belatedly discovered it yesterday on my walk. I will return.

almost hooked

 I watched one episode of Seven Dials last night and found it just pretty good. Helena Bonham Carter (not pictured) has never looked better, in my opinion. I will try again tonight. Beats watching ICE goons.

from the howl where we begin

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Amanda Gorman

@TheAmandaGorman

For Renee Nicole Good Killed by I.C.E. on January 7, 2026 by Amanda Gorman They say she is no more, That there her absence roars, Blood-blown like a rose. Iced wheels flinched & froze. Now, bare riot of candles, Dark fury of flowers, Pure howling of hymns. If for us she arose, Somewhere, in the pitched deep of our grief, Crouches our power, The howl where we begin, Straining upon the edge of the crooked crater Of the worst of what we’ve been. Change is only possible, & all the greater, When the labour & bitter anger of our neighbors Is moved by the love  & better angels of our nature. What they call death & void, We know is breath & voice;  In the end, gorgeously,  Endures our enormity.  You could believe departed to be the dawn When the blank night has so long stood. But our bright-fled angels will never be fully gone, When they forever are so fiercely Good.