RenoVous

  Despite the ridiculousness in the White House right now and a strong desire to not celebrate these United States, this weekend is a pretty big deal. "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." -Mark Twain Open Thread since I'll be off tomorrow and Monday.  We're going down to Vegas - not for the 4th in particular, but other scheduled plans. For Science is Fun Fridays: Benjamin Franklin is widely considered the first American scientist, which was rooted in natural philosophy.  He founded the American Philosophical Society with the purpose of "promoting useful knowledge." Site

  We should be on the coast by now, Mattole Camp. I'm hoping for a chance to spot some whales!!  April-May is peak season as they migrate from the south into the Arctic. I'll pop in when I can and let you know! Feel free to post whatever crosses your mind or your screen this week.  :-)

  Be back tomorrow!

  "Just as the moon brings new phases, may this year bring you new hopes and dreams." It's not a new moon though, it's a waxing gibbous.  The first of 2026 will be January 18th. January 3rd will be the Super Wolf Moon, the first full moon of the year and the last in a series of supermoons. We'll be out camping under it.  ^_^ I wish you all the happiest New Year, and I thank you all for being here. See you next year!

  The poem is actually titled, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clark Moore. I hadn't read this for a long time, but my nephew has been asking for it lately.  I usually see him on Wednesdays and I read him a bedtime story before I leave.  I think he likes the rhythm of it, which I do too. Poetry Foundation Written and published anonymously in 1823, Moore took credit in 1837. It was put to music in 1942 by composer Ken Darby and recorded by Fred Waring. So I'm here today and gone tomorrow, back on Friday. Happy Christmas to all!!!!!

  However you choose to celebrate, I hope you enjoy yourself. We have the dinner obligations today, but tomorrow we're taking ourselves camping. We are thankful for public lands as well as those who respect and protect them. And I'm thankful for you, another year of us hanging out here together, learning and sharing. ❤️ Cheers, dears!!

 From Highway 395 overlooking Mono Lake. This year we're driving on past that to check out Mammoth Lakes and Bishop.  A few sites in the area I'd like to see, not to mention the lakes themselves and some hot springs. There's a fire in Yosemite, so we're hoping the winds keep the smoke to the west. I'll be back on the 18th! ❤️

  I'm off today and tomorrow, enjoying the lake and more time with my bestie. ^_^ Lake Life Vibes (Playlist)

  Sometimes you don't have to go far. And sometimes you drive all the way to Spokane! We leave tomorrow to visit my bestie and I'll be back next Tuesday.  ^_^

  From The Big Lebowski , released on this day in 1998, a sort of religion has been born. It's called "Dudeism," and is a kind of modern form of Taoism. A philosophy to take it easy and embrace simplicity, promoting a relaxed lifestyle. I'd like to add one: "This aggression will not stand, man." So yeah, a chill open thread as we'll be going camping tomorrow.  😎

 Love Bug sends love! I'll be off tomorrow - we were hoping to camp but it's currently snowing, so we'll see how it looks. The plan also involved a mobile DJ who said he'd set up for President's Day Weekend.  But again, this weather could change that...  This was from a previous attempt - he forgot his power source. We'll still make something of it though, you know that!

  I was born on a year ending in 5, and I met Hubby on a year ending in 5. So I'm aiming for good vibes this new year.  ^_^ I will be off tomorrow for the holiday and though I'll be back on Thursday, I'm off again on Friday for our first camp of the year, so we might just keep this running for the rest of the week. According to Google Photos, my 2024 was "Always outdoors - Covered in sand - Never growing up."  That's a way of life. On my Untappd app, I checked in 54 new beers this year. I don't do Spotify so I don't have that annual summary like so many do, but feel free to share one of your own recaps of the year! Cheers, all!  ❤️

From the Christmas Camper! We're not going anywhere this week though, just off tomorrow. Read-Along I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and I'll see you back on Thursday!

 A newer tradition developed from the horrors of certain families, or maybe just the stress of all the preparation, but Hubby and I are ditching all that this year - we're going camping. Perhaps some brandy to help keep us warm.... And I came across a yummy martini recipe: you'll need a pumpkin liquor (the particular one was a whiskey), vanilla vodka, and Irish cream.  Shake 'em up and then add a pinch of cinnamon and/or nutmeg. Be safe, be fed, be thankful. All my love.

 Some local artists put together a Haunted Mini Golf! My friend's fireplace. And the pumpkins we made at my sister's house. Of course, I also have to mention Nevada Day.  ^_^ Open Thread as I'll be off tomorrow!!

 Off we go! To the left - we're heading towards Utah and then down to Bryce Canyon. I'll pop in when I can so please share whatever you'd like throughout the week - music, news, some crazy fashion, or just a cool photo.  😊 I'll be back on the 23rd!

  It is my bestie's birthday!  This is her hibiscus up in Spokane. And I have some team meetings coming up, so yeah, open thread!

  I'm off tomorrow for a camping trip into Auburn. This is a shot from Thomas Creek, where I sat calmly listening to the water flowing by. This day wants you to hear nature around you, to really listen. But we can also expand that to appreciating music, paying attention to the people around you and what they're saying.  Especially in these days with our phones in our faces, it's nice to really engage with someone in a conversation. (Another Zelda reference for you). ^_^

I was inspired by the idea of a "Chemistree."   And as we head into the New Year's weekend, fireworks are on the agenda. Here's the short and sweet of it. Once again, I'll be off on Monday, so this will be an open thread! Have a wonderful waltz into 2024! (Because 123123, get it!?)

  It is sooo foggy this morning. Since I'll be off on Monday, I thought we'd touch on some science but mostly leave this for an open thread. The water vapor in fog comes from nearby sources, such as a large body of water or a moist ground.  Fog forms when water evaporates from a surface and is added to the air.  As the water vapor rises, it bonds with aerosols called condensation nuclei, (such as dust particles), to form water droplets, which then condense. Fog usually develops when humidity is near 100% and when the air temperature and dew point temperature are less than 4 degrees apart.  At this point, the air is saturated and cannot hold any more water vapor. From AccuWeather: In any case, it does make for a white Christmas! Happy Holidays everyone, enjoy your weekend!!