We rowed and we saw a porpoise! It came up to breathe three times when we were rowing, so of course, as usual, the seals and other marine life we see all happen when we’re rowing and when I cannot film.
Tuesday Night Row with a Porpoise
Black “Glamor” with Cigars
I was very frustrated by these bumpers with the amazing Quinta Brunson from a recent Saturday Night Live episode. Then I received an email touting “Black excellence” with this third picture, which reminded me of an opinion letter I wrote back in 1996. I was still a law student and made sure to write articles about the tobacco industry for my law school newspaper regularly, but The National Jurist is a nationwide periodical that still exists today.
I include the picture I complained about on the cover. They published my complaint in a subsequent issue. Nothing has changed in thirty years! While I would have worded it differently, the targeting of the Black community, women, queers and other marginalized community by commercial tobacco is unending.
For anyone who thinks that my efforts to fight Big Tobacco stem from a more recent passion, this should be evidence that I have been consistent about it for decades.
Globe Moss
I had to move the Spanish Moss to my treasured fire-surviving globe. I will distribute it more evenly, but I like the way it looks, particularly when it rotates from the solar-powered spinner. For those who did not see the relevant earlier video, the thieving squirrels in this backyard were stealing a lot of it for nesting material. So far, they have not been able to reach the moss in this location. Meanwhile, Snoopy, Bonnie, and foster dog Penny are with me on a lovely, sunny morning.
First May 2025 Pool Day
Got some sun, and Snoopy and Bonnie had a relaxing day with a small group of us humans.
My blind dog Bonnie circled the pool that she’s very familiar with at least five times yesterday without incident. She’s been there countless times, but has only fallen in twice. Once she fell when I was right next to her in the pool. The other time she walked into it when the cover was on, and Steve grabbed her immediately. This was the second pool day of the year. It was very nice to relax after a long week with good friends, music, and good food.
Selfish Squirrel Stealing Spanish Moss
May 7 Update: Caught the squirrel trying to steal my Spanish Moss again today, so I decided to “go in another direction” with it and put it in a less accessible place. This globe was very close to ground zero in my house fire. I repainted it red, and now it is a sanctuary for the remaining Spanish Moss I have staged to return to my garden when I move back home. It’s hanging from a solar spinner, so much of the day it will rotate. I can hardly believe the boldness of the squirrel (there is video footage of the thief in the act below). I also have footage of my hand-feeding this squirrel old bread at this rental house, but give a crumb and he’ll take a mile of bedding, I suppose.
Shea took this footage of a squirrel stealing the Spanish Moss I put on old CD racks outside. I staged the moss in this mostly shaded part of the backyard here so I could take it back to my garden in the house under renovation. This moss was gifted by Wendell and Manny on Mare Island, but this SELFISH squirrel wants it for his nest! What is this neighborhood coming to?!?!?
Foster Updates
So there’s an update on the foster situation at our household. The puppies were a full-time job and full of love, but I could not work and take care of my own two dogs with everything they required. Shea worked very hard to keep up with their laundry needs, but we have too much going on for a young puppy schedule. They are back at the shelter, but other Board members and staff and I are working on better ways to get the puppies outdoor time that does not put them at any risk for Parvo while they await a second vaccination. The other good news is that someone is fostering their two brothers. I got to see them today, and they seemed to remember me. They are just as joyous as ever. If anyone has the time to foster ANY animals at the shelter, remember that HSNB will pay their medical bills, provide food and supplies, and there is no obligation if the animals don’t ultimately fit with your schedule or family.
Since I was at the shelter giving a tour to a prospective new board member of HSNB today anyway, I inquired about fostering any adult small dog that was not thriving. After a little time together, I brought home this little shy girl, Penny, who is super fond of Jake. I thought she looked uncannily like my Snoopy, at least until they were standing next to each other. She is opening up at her own pace, but was extremely nervous, kennelled with the other dogs at the shelter. I think she’ll do much better in a home situation again since she was surrendered. To my pleasant surprise, she jumped up on my lap within minutes of arriving at the house and stayed in place for at least a half hour. Hopefully Jake will come visit her soon, which I’m sure will thrill her as she adjusts.
Joseph Room
At the JFK Library here in Vallejo, when meeting fellow activists on commercial tobacco control issues, I saw a couple of signs I couldn’t resist taking selfies with. I’ve been to meetings at this room before, but never quite captured the appropriate signage. They must have known I was moving here when they named this years ago.
Double Tuesday Night Row
Afternoon Tea with United Democrats of Solano County
Bryce and Clark
We made it through the first night with our fosters. Here are more pictures and video of Bryce (brown) and Clark (gray) enjoying the lovely weather. Their two brothers, who remain in the shelter, are Denali and Bryce. The naming convention comes from national parks!
