Don Ray

Spanish learner and teacher (97.3% retired). Gardener. Don of all trades. I live in SW Iowa, USA, with my wife and our cat. #OriginalMusic <> #DonRaySongs  #Iowa #Guitar #Garden #Spanish #Español #Prairie #SongWriter #Spain #Valencia #España Avatar: 2-D Red Fox logo superimposed on a circular map of the Earth.  Header Image: Late April sunrise with clouds.

Blog: Don Ray's World: https://donraysworld.org
Original Music: https://dray3.webnode.page/don-ray-songs/
30 Year Farm Project: https://dray30yearfarm.webnode.page/
Ukulele Website: https://mrrayukulele.webnode.page/

Public Key

npub1aacm8ze78tzp8z8jtd8fdrs5e7n0r7nn60rfx728uxauqgyqasssx878ru

NIP-05 Address

donray_at_mastodon.online@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsw7udn3vlr43qn3re9kn5k3c2vlfh3lfea835n09r7rw7qyzqwcggpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0ds0xtul9

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1aacm8ze78tzp8z8jtd8fdrs5e7n0r7nn60rfx728uxauqgyqasssx878ru

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Published at

2026-08-13T06:21:17Z

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Event JSON

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Last Notes

2026-04-20 14:10:38 UTC

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Ironically, she’s now using her fame to support tRump, Turning Point USA, and Republicans in general — the very people who have rigid, regressive ideas about how women should live: trad wife with hyper-femininity.

2026-04-19 20:56:41 UTC

#Gardening #Iowa
I’ve been a-tilling…
The nearby part will be planted to oats for a cover crop. The back area is for this year’s vegetables. The divider is a planting of garlic.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/433/351/353/445/897/original/89855647d82d3cd3.jpeg

2026-04-15 11:43:27 UTC

#cats #gatos #CatsOfMastodon
#WhiskersWednesday
Professional napping technique (not suitable for beginners).
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/408/502/427/584/853/original/1754fb1940ebed69.jpeg

2026-04-13 17:15:28 UTC

#Birds #Hummingbirds #BackyardBirds
With the purple martins showing up today, I am reminded that the hummingbirds are also on the way.
The map shows that ruby-throated hummingbirds have been seen 120 miles (190 km) south of me. So, they could be here soon!
(Link is for the tracker map.)
https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer?mid=12DBca5jCQAbGUWrDOpgefEzHs51NAN0&hl=en-US
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/398/510/484/388/890/original/529e0ed0e196b3de.jpeg

2026-04-08 13:39:53 UTC

#Colombia #SingerSongwriter #Spanish
For #MusicWomenWednesday here's the first single, "Duelo," by Juana Tobón, a young artist from Colombia (who is the sister of @npub1e4e…r8yv 🙂).
"Duelo" could be a duel, but also grief or mourning, and there are images of all those meanings in the song.
The chorus:
Armas cargadas (Weapons loaded)
Mirada el frente (Gaze straight ahead)
No digas nada (Don't say anything)
En blanco la mente (The mind blank)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I-JefHc2Jw

2026-04-07 20:58:34 UTC

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Eggplants must have the knack of developing emergency (adventitious) buds. I had a transplant in the garden last year that got nipped by a rabbit so that there was just a small stem sticking out the ground. That plant found a way to form new leaves.

2026-04-07 01:07:46 UTC

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Free rocks! Someone must have had a bumper crop

2026-04-05 20:08:57 UTC

#Flowers #Pollinators #Butterfly #Iowa
I passed by the same Wild Plum from a few days ago on today's #DailyWalk. It's at peak bloom now, and there were lots of pollinators -- including this Spring Azure Butterfly.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/353/874/838/097/662/original/67a8c86bc8496ea5.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/353/875/896/914/842/original/c87731692232d65f.jpeg

2026-03-30 16:24:07 UTC

#Birds #BackyardBirds #Iowa #Spring
I like the combination of a bird with the redbud flowers. So far, the redbud tree is just barely getting started.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/319/035/280/764/325/original/1ad324fa40c2fa82.jpeg

2026-03-29 12:04:58 UTC

#SilentSunday #Wildlife #Squirrel
Contemplative Squirrel
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/312/352/421/437/346/original/04df4780002a2cd6.jpeg

2026-03-28 15:31:11 UTC

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The water looks choppy. Must be windy.

2026-03-26 23:13:34 UTC

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Una palabra de Chile que sí he aprendido y que tiene buen sonido :
Pololo/Polola

2026-03-24 12:43:56 UTC

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Algo de este estilo?
(Es lo que se me ocurrió al leer tu descripción. Además, la imagen va bien con tu apodo “Elena Rocks.”)
Pd. Acabo de pensar que es buen momento para poner
@npub1gjm…f2gd
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/284/185/863/622/302/original/4c62d307a166fc5b.jpeg

2026-03-22 22:51:04 UTC

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Todo bien????
🤔🤞

2026-03-17 23:56:39 UTC

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Dang. No peanut butter. I hope suet will help me avoid a fine.

2026-03-17 23:45:35 UTC

#Birds #BackyardBirds #Woodpecker #Iowa #Fedipajareo
Snow flurries this afternoon (but sunshine and 63 F / 17 C tomorrow...)
Red-bellied Woodpecker on the redbud tree -- with a few snowflakes in the air.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/247/157/816/552/521/original/a3c6e113bc072624.jpeg

2026-03-12 13:02:34 UTC

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Bien. Parece que va bastante bien. Cómo va con dibujos — comics de estilo no realista?
Por ejemplo:
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/216/334/769/771/582/original/7abbae9040888b12.jpeg

2026-03-12 12:49:12 UTC

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Ha dado buena descripción.

2026-03-12 00:47:01 UTC

#Cats #Gatos #CatsOfMastodon
At dusk on #WhiskersWednesday:
Kitty balance beam.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/213/407/143/442/554/original/fee60a2176b01f13.jpeg

2026-03-09 20:39:28 UTC

#Gardening #Fruit #Iowa #Trees
Transplanting on very warm day (76° F / 24° C) in early March.
A year ago, I dug up a sucker from beside an aging, ailing Juneberry. The little plant stayed alive in a nursery row in my garden. Today, I moved it to a permanent location.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/201/097/316/165/830/original/0ff3b723091accd8.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/201/098/128/727/039/original/e8c2df3e894f9424.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/201/100/718/053/866/original/3b534bf3951d2116.jpeg

2026-03-04 00:51:07 UTC

#MarshMadness #Pond #Iowa
On the #DailyWalk on a very overcast day…
I startled a half-dozen wild turkeys in the woods. The water in the pond had a greenish cast, especially in the reflections of the willows.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/168/143/896/899/499/original/7d37b8635a045e3c.jpeg

2026-02-26 13:26:59 UTC

#Cats #CatsOfMastodon #Gatos
You’ve heard of Owls in Towels?
Well, here comes Meowls in Towels!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/137/147/457/999/616/original/2050091b3f0996de.jpeg

2026-02-19 00:20:54 UTC

#Sunset #Atardecer #Iowa
Psychedelic sunset (or psunset, if you prefer).
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/094/423/368/119/194/original/a532cc0c83660fcd.jpeg

2026-02-15 14:21:44 UTC

#SilentSunday #Fog #Sunrise #amanecer
Warm (for February)and foggy this morning. But here comes the sun!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/075/073/961/063/052/original/c86154895f0d2c19.jpeg

2026-02-14 22:59:10 UTC

#dogs #perros #DogsOfMastodon
It’s another #Saturdog night!
This little guy is the greeter at the Amish farm where I stopped to buy eggs.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/071/448/135/952/761/original/19f73c8a7a001f96.jpeg

2026-02-08 17:26:46 UTC

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Good luck! Hope it's in a nice city.

2026-02-08 17:17:48 UTC

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If your paper is accepted, do you then go to the conference to make a presentation?

2026-02-07 18:46:52 UTC

#Immigrants #Iowa #ACLU #refugees
Each year, the ACLU of Iowa recognizes a student for activism in support of civil liberties.
This year’s winner is a refugee from South Sudan who lives in the Des Moines area.
https://www.aclu-ia.org/news/meet-the-award-winning-student-who-raised-15000-for-immigrant-and-refugee-peers/

2026-02-03 12:56:13 UTC

#TextureTuesday
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/116/006/789/783/634/138/original/4031418eaa7c38cc.jpeg

2026-02-01 15:19:52 UTC

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Wow. That’s some cold cold for Georgia. 🥶

2026-01-30 01:37:47 UTC

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Reminds me of that old song:
"Buffalo gourds won't you come out tonight
come out tonight
come out tonight
Buffalo gourds won't you come out tonight
And dance by the light of the moon."

2026-01-27 02:56:20 UTC

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I was thinking… a bunch of people with loon call whistles could make quite an impact at a protest.

2026-01-24 14:34:32 UTC

#Cats #Gatos #CatsOfMastodon
On this frigid #Caturday, I looked back for an image that would evoke #WarmThoughts. (Photo from August 2022)
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/950/555/489/670/415/original/3d014ca87ef0ea10.jpeg

2026-01-18 14:20:49 UTC

#SilentSunday #Iowa #Pond
thawing
freezing
January
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/916/524/478/833/715/original/0f7cbda2f9fcb217.jpeg

2026-01-18 00:33:39 UTC

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Wow. Someone should make a movie.
Also, the article mentioned that the US initially helped South Africa with their nuclear program. I need to double check that, but WTF!

2026-01-17 13:29:54 UTC

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#Cats #CatsOfMastodon #Gatos #Caturday
I’m trying to figure out how the box’s corner got torn up.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/910/667/610/553/670/original/d57fbbd7f5d93235.jpeg

2026-01-14 22:47:21 UTC

#Cats #CatsOfMastodon #Gatos
It’s #WhiskersWednesday!
I found the kitty in her super secret hidey spot.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/895/873/949/444/287/original/2b79e00983ba946f.jpeg

2026-01-12 12:25:48 UTC

#Dogs #DogsOfMastodon #perros
Happy #Mondog! The former neighbor dog wandered back for a visit over the weekend.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/882/102/422/239/151/original/af0a5e9cb7c65797.jpeg

2026-01-04 17:05:16 UTC

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The photo of the stream flowing through the woods is very nice.

2025-12-27 14:37:31 UTC

#Sunrise #Fog #Iowa
Lavender Fog
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/792/001/103/876/521/original/1134493877bae738.jpeg

2025-12-23 14:37:45 UTC

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The way things are going, with all the obvious coverups by powerful men, I’m guessing that conspiracy theories about the jail and jailers will be ramp up.
On the face of it, it would seem unlikely that someone DIDN’T arrange for Epstein to be silenced. There had to be many powerful people who were scared to pieces about what would be revealed in a trial.

2025-12-21 13:49:44 UTC

#SilentSunday #River #Iowa
A Blue Ice River
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/757/852/615/448/049/original/11a2d61478139376.jpeg

2025-12-19 15:35:56 UTC

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Reminds me of the Marshall Fire in December 2021 — a high wind event in about the same area.

2025-12-18 14:59:02 UTC

For #ThrowbackThursday, here’s a 3-legged plant stand that was made by my grandfather in the 1920s from an old barn door (#doorsday eligible?).
At the time, my mom was a young child, and the family was living on a small farm in central Minnesota. Although my grandfather liked farming, I think carpentry was where his heart was.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/741/140/732/650/697/original/0962dbe327bad8d9.jpeg

2025-12-16 16:42:28 UTC

#birds #BackyardBirds #Iowa #Nuthatch #Goldfinch
Fluffed up little friends. The red-breasted nuthatch and the American goldfinch are about the same size -- quite a bit smaller than a house sparrow.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/730/216/828/702/483/original/18d30c3df555c460.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/730/217/705/898/340/original/456833da436b4e4b.jpeg

2025-12-13 14:43:11 UTC

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Dipping into Spanish:
Un cielo encendido (a sky on fire)
🔥

2025-12-05 14:56:37 UTC

#Birds #BackyardBirds #Woodpecker #Iowa
Thermo-fluff™️ activated!
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/667/530/651/282/000/original/99356c00fca24064.jpeg

2025-11-23 13:04:39 UTC

#SilentSunday #River #Fall #Iowa
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/599/125/903/574/814/original/793726a761638786.jpeg

2025-11-22 03:08:51 UTC

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Sounds good. But if I’m reading the text correctly, you owe your wife $400.

2025-11-13 22:42:32 UTC

#fall #Autumn #Iowa
Autumn is a bittersweet season.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/544/787/821/197/388/original/60629a01f1a837a8.jpeg

2025-11-12 00:54:06 UTC

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I’ve eaten a lot of Ritz crackers, but I didn’t know they were something paired with soup. Now I’m remembering that my mom (from Minnesota) used to put out saltines with soup. I didn’t maintain the tradition.

2025-11-12 00:42:18 UTC

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Ha ha ha! Guilty! I had already judged the crackers before I read the alt text. Soup looks great.

2025-11-07 00:36:05 UTC

#CatsOfMastodon #Cats #Gatos
True friends: Hugs and scritches.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/505/588/075/881/132/original/405e0925fb041118.jpeg

2025-10-28 17:43:04 UTC

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Does Chicago have a portal for reporting abuses by federal agents?
This is the one for NewYork set up by Attorney General Letitia James.
https://ag.ny.gov/federal-actions-form

2025-10-25 13:15:45 UTC

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Algún día, #arandelas será más grande que # Caturday!

2025-10-24 18:58:10 UTC

#FungiFriday #Fungi #Iowa #Mushroom
Bug’s eye view:
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/430/659/706/146/650/original/9cd994170fb70057.jpeg

2025-10-23 14:49:33 UTC

#Gardening #Pumpkin #Fall #Iowa
The frost was on the pumpkin…
Widespread, but still very light frost this morning. It looks like the tomatoes survived under their blankets.
🙂🍅
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/424/021/102/816/369/original/5c5959c6dffb86b3.jpeg

2025-10-19 12:17:04 UTC

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I only see fox squirrels around here in SW Iowa. The ones near me look just like the one in your photo, but there is a population of black morph fox squirrels just 35 miles west in Clarinda. (I need to take my camera next time I go that way.)

2025-10-18 20:31:19 UTC

#Bloomscrolling #Flowers #lilac #iowa #flores
Weird Weather White Lilac. My purple lilacs had several out-of-season flower clusters a few weeks ago. But nothing like this October-blooming white lilac. 🤔
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/397/039/549/448/790/original/6491f956190cb6e3.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/397/040/983/923/418/original/8fadb11aa6d33f0b.jpeg

2025-10-16 22:54:21 UTC

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#Flowers #Gardening
I’ve been depending on finding 10 or 12 Mexican Sunflower volunteers for the last few years. This year was almost a complete wipeout, except for one plant that I discovered on July 21st.
Photos:
—Today (Butterfly day!)
—July 21 this year (Discovery day)
—July 27 last year (Typical summer plant)
—July 27 last year (Mexican Sunflower glamour shot)
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/269/476/587/795/original/0a576df226c71b48.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/277/963/748/050/original/75c6479f47f2570a.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/280/183/229/800/original/8786afacd8305070.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/281/778/553/582/original/bb11fa5f947d2ca4.jpeg

2025-10-16 22:39:03 UTC

#Butterfly #Fall #Iowa #flower
Exciting day today! The lone Mexican Sunflower plant (a volunteer that started very late) had 2 Monarch Butterfly visitors today. The plant flowered too late for the hummingbirds and probably too late (so I thought) for the Monarchs.
I think both of these photos are of the same individual. (More about the flower in a comment.)
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/224/946/099/694/original/fb37e4c60e03b8c6.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/386/225/946/979/437/original/552fefd717c417ab.jpeg

2025-10-12 12:34:31 UTC

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#dawn #amanecer #Sunrise #clouds #Iowa #SilentSunday
Rosy-fingered Dawn is outdoing herself this week. Yesterday (thread), it was the southern sky. Today, the sky to the northeast is aglow.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/361/198/425/182/391/original/1cc2f09531fa3568.jpeg

2025-10-11 12:39:40 UTC

#Sunrise #dawn #amanecer #Iowa
This morning’s pre-dawn rosy glow was completely out of hand. This is the way it looked not in the east, but in the south.
(Edit: typo…)
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/355/558/261/582/403/original/0330dae2b7dbe280.jpeg

2025-10-10 14:30:52 UTC

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#Gardening #Iowa
Fall cover crop update: The oats are leaping out of the ground! Just half a day later, there’s a lot more green showing.
After an entire season of tending plants, weeding, and harvesting, it’s fun to return to planting seeds and watching them grow.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/350/330/511/125/284/original/acf742a83119cddf.jpeg

2025-10-09 23:40:10 UTC

#gardening #fall #iowa #cats #CatsOfMastodon.#gatos
Cover crop of oats on the fallow half of the garden.
Friday: planted the oats
Sunday: 2.2 inches / 56 mm of rain
Today (Thursday): Oats emerging
Note: Cat added for tail — I mean, scale.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/346/823/150/421/261/original/e1b5f5c1bda59370.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/346/824/080/733/951/original/f5afbfe62424835b.jpeg

2025-10-06 23:54:08 UTC

#Gardening #Peppers #chiles #Iowa
Got these picked yesterday before the rainy weather arrived.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/329/904/580/625/994/original/62697a18205ff710.jpeg

2025-10-06 16:14:58 UTC

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The Chicago Police Department is huge.
“As of 2023 CPD had 11,703 sworn officers on duty…”
(from Wikipedia with footnoted source: 2023 Chicago PD Annual Report)

2025-10-04 19:58:34 UTC

#BadBunny #PuertoRico #NFL
I’m seeing a lot of posts about the MAGA freakout over Bad Bunny performing at the #SuperBowl.
If you’d like an introduction to Bad Bunny, I’d recommend his Tiny Desk Concert from earlier this year.
You will hear #Spanish! You’ll see and hear some great musicians. You’ll hear some anecdotes and some joking around.
If you jump to the 17:45 mark, you’ll hear the end of a story, and then a bit if English.
Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouuPSxE1hK4

2025-09-27 00:14:21 UTC

#Hummingbirds #Birds
Folks, the hummingbirds have gone away. Very sad. They were here yesterday, but today not a hum to be heard.
I’m hoping they are just on a practice run (the way barn swallows do) for conditioning and to teach the youngsters how to fly in formation, use their gps devices, and find truck stops with decent coffee. (Just kidding about the coffee. Everybody knows that hummingbirds prefer energy drinks.).
Oh well. Safe travels, you crazy little diamonds!

2025-09-26 15:13:56 UTC

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Mountain Lion Trail seems like an “exciting” option.

2025-09-21 11:13:28 UTC

#SilentSunday #Gardening #Iowa #Fall
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/241/975/669/168/806/original/b711807c0bbebe9b.jpeg

2025-09-20 13:25:43 UTC

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It’s an example of “the early bird gets the tranquility.” 🙂🐦‍⬛

2025-09-20 13:21:14 UTC

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It seems very quiet there. I’m guessing that more people show up later in the day (?).

2025-09-14 17:05:14 UTC

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This is a Spanish-language source, but it has lots of clips that show what was happening in Madrid.
https://www.noticiascaracol.com/golcaracol/ciclismo/caos-en-la-vuelta-a-espana-violentas-protestas-obligaron-a-neutralizar-la-etapa-21-rg10

2025-09-14 17:01:14 UTC

#Gaza #Palestine #Spain #LaVuelta #Vuelta #Cycling
Today in Madrid, thousands of demonstrators against the participation of an Israel-connected team have caused the final stage of the Vuelta bicycle race to end far from the finish line.
Of course, there are commentators who are outraged that this event should be halted for something “unrelated.”
But the demonstrators are saying that it’s not OK for a genocidal entity to participate and “sportswash” their image.
(Continued)

2025-09-13 11:55:26 UTC

#CatsOfMastodon #Cats #Gatos #Caturday
Fuzzy tummy.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/196/839/905/908/362/original/ba2e4328fd0595bb.jpeg

2025-09-13 00:52:18 UTC

#sunset #clouds #Iowa
Sunset sky
beyond and above
the cottonwood.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/194/235/442/172/683/original/6d9db7031789c330.jpeg

2025-09-11 12:34:38 UTC

#Chile #FolkMusic
September 11. The day that a US-aided coup upended the democratically elected socialist government of Chile. In 1973.
This man, Victor Jara, was rounded up and, on about September 16, his bullet-ridden body was dumped in the street.
His crime was being part of a government that wanted to remake the world so that poor kids (like Luchín in the song) could escape poverty.
Here, a year before the coup, Jara describes the boy before he sings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQd5mdBEorU

2025-09-10 14:21:29 UTC

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I wonder if you should possibly add a geographical preference, since some servers are focused (somewhat, anyway) on a particular region.

2025-08-31 12:10:24 UTC

#SilentSunday #Sunrise #Amanecer #Iowa
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/123/285/540/286/221/original/fdf3b2edf820dd03.jpeg

2025-08-30 12:46:44 UTC

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Wise change of plan. Looks peaceful at the lake.

2025-08-30 12:09:52 UTC

#cats #CatsOfMastodon #Gardening #Caturday
The amazing Watermelon Cat™️ (1) inspects each watermelon and (2) indicates the one that’s ripe and ready to be picked.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/117/615/652/584/076/original/5cfad528e00e346c.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/117/617/880/982/184/original/9d9677cffe1ee767.jpeg

2025-08-29 00:56:29 UTC

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#Mexico is also joining that group.
“Mexico’s government said its postal service, Correos de Mexico, will temporarily suspend package deliveries to the U.S., starting Wednesday.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/28/mexico-suspends-postal-shipments-to-united-states-over-tariff-confusion-00533242

2025-08-26 21:31:35 UTC

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Maybe you can visit Plummer’s Ledge someday. It’s near Wentworth, #NewHampshire.

2025-08-26 18:50:20 UTC

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Full disclosure: i had a pretty good idea because the Plummer’s Ledge Natural Area with several large glacial potholes is across the road from the former Ray family farm (where my dad grew up). As a youngster, I visited the farm and the potholes several times during family trips.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plummer%27s_Ledge_Natural_Area

2025-08-26 18:41:04 UTC

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Maybe a pothole? The kind made by small rocks being whirled around by flowing water.

2025-08-25 22:12:51 UTC

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Regarding Caterpillar:
“The fund's ethics watchdog, called the Council on Ethics, said that "in the council's assessment, there is no doubt that Caterpillar's products are being used to commit extensive and systematic violations of international humanitarian law".”
Information about Israel’s armored bulldozers:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IDF_Caterpillar_D9

2025-08-23 12:37:24 UTC

#CatsOfMastodon #Cats #Gatos
Happy #Caturday! Looks like Ronronia is ready for a LONG nap.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/078/101/092/344/672/original/fb1eddd74b3c841f.jpeg

2025-08-19 19:24:23 UTC

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Some (most? all?) powerpoint type applications have a “speaker notes” feature for text that the audience doesn’t need to see.
I had my Spanish students put what they intended to say (in Spanish) in the speaker notes. When they presented their slideshow, they just had to stand their with the image (no text) on the screen and describe the image (no speaker notes).
The written and spoken parts were graded with different rubrics.

2025-08-19 12:37:11 UTC

#Railway #Trains #abandoned #Iowa
For a no #TrainTrackTuesday, the last vestiges of the railway that passed through Benton, Iowa.
The Chicago Great Western Railroad tracks were laid in the 1880s and removed in the 1980s.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/055/397/221/634/675/original/f6121ca8b021d197.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/055/424/740/423/787/original/6f6271863fa6082f.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/055/442/648/519/372/original/6e62423d6206c4f9.jpeg

2025-08-18 23:33:31 UTC

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Water is vital. The nearest natural source of water to my house is the pond (1/4 mile)
There are some hanging waterers that are just for drinking, so it would not have birds pooping in it (seems more sanitary 🙂). I’m guessing your waterer would be the cleanest in the neighborhood.

2025-08-18 23:12:35 UTC

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I agree with Riek. Probably not your fault. I’m sure the birds will still love you and come to visit you — with so many flowers and insects in your yard.
I never have fed the birds except in winter. Nevertheless, some of the regulars at the feeder have chosen to nest in the yard (cardinals and blue jays, for example). I do provide water, which might be problematic. I would guess there are waterers that help minimize the risk.

2025-08-17 23:07:49 UTC

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It’s definitely clear. I like seeing the wings forward like that.

2025-08-17 13:51:47 UTC

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Really nice photos!

2025-08-17 12:20:32 UTC

#SilentSunday #Butterfly #Flowers #Iowa
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/115/044/044/253/557/999/original/972fb91cbd252f08.jpeg

2025-08-16 19:01:26 UTC

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At first I thought this apology related to the peanut thievin’ squirrel on the porch roof… but I guess it has more to do with the Air Canada strike.

2025-08-14 22:16:14 UTC

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Impressive.

2025-08-08 15:02:36 UTC

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It’s often said that the countries who didn’t contribute much to global warming will unjustly suffer the worst consequences. Probably still true, but the smoke drifting down to the US is at least a measure of justice.
I agree that the Republicans are the rapid pro-petroleum party, but many Democrats are themselves very wishy-washy about combatting climate change.

2025-08-08 12:25:02 UTC

#FensterFreitag #WindowFriday #Abandoned #Iowa
Seen better days.
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/993/111/105/883/905/original/06a46d6f0f197e18.jpeg

2025-08-04 16:53:17 UTC

#Pollinators #Butterflies #Iowa #Weevils
On a Brown-eyed Susan, a Variegated Fritillary -- photo bombed by a pale green weevil (just below the butterfly).
https://files.mastodon.online/media_attachments/files/114/971/521/461/056/322/original/fd239c587e7080ba.jpeg