Recursion #2

Quite a few years ago, I hit 50,000,000 AP in Ingress.  It was a worthy target, so I recursed... set myself back to Level 1.  

Today I hit precisely 100,000,000 AP and am in the process of recursion again.  

In other news, Eloise is a beautiful baby.  Ty and Nirankar are wonderful parents.  

Tree rescue for Karl R's bonsai collection was scheduled for tomorrow, but has been pushed back to Thursday for the team that can help on a weekday.  On Saturday we'll finish the job.

Tik Tok

Once again, it's that dreaded time of year when we switch from standard time to daylight saving time.  At least I remembered how to change both cars' clocks.  And I didn't kill myself up on a ladder for the 3 that are out of reach.  

 

Mid-term Phenology

NC, TX and AR held primaries today.  The starting pistol for the mid-term elections has fired.  In TX key Democratic counties experienced voting chaos as the GOP changed the rules at the last minute and probably disenfranchised hundreds, possibly thousands.  Still, turnout was high and the strongest Dem candidate is advancing to the general election.  

On the GOP side, a hugely flawed Paxton still managed to make it to a runoff against the incumbent.  What's wrong with people over there?  For a state that claims to be Christian conservative, they sure ignore the 10 Commandments.  

Oh well...

In the Botanic Garden this week, snow drops have given way to daffodils, Nanking cherries are breaking bud, creeping Phlox is blooming, and the Siberian Magnolia is in glorious display. 

Sandhill Cranes are heading north.  Pollen count through the roof.  War continues in Iran and throughout the Middle East.  FB friends who are in the region report having to shelter frequently.  One evacuated Abu Dhabi and drove to Muscat.  No idea how he'll get back to England, although reports are that the UK gov't is sending passenger planes for its citizens.  As for U.S. travelers in the area, they seem to be out of luck.  

Quote du jour is from First Dog On the Moon:  "If only there was a way to free people from oppression that didn't require killing them."

The Extinction of Taxonomists

I read a fascinating article in The Guardian today about how taxonomists are dying off and not being replaced.  The result is the extinction of entire realms of expertise about biodiversity, ecology, and our endangered ecosystems.  

In unrelated matters, there was a total lunar eclipse early this morning (~4:30).  As the son of an astronomer, I was up to view it.  

A Day to Remember

Not unexpectedly, my nephew's wife had their second child today.  Welcome to the world, Eloise Mae Horak.  Mother and child are doing well after a surprisingly fast labor... once things actually got past all the false labor episodes.  Meanwhile, big sister Victoria Molly is taking all this well.  

Highland Coos for the photo tax

Meanwhile, to make the day even more memorable, the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran today and, of course, Iran responded.  There's word that the Straits of Hormuz are closed.  Already the Democrats in Congress are demanding a War Powers vote.  Hide and watch.

Winter? What winter?

We're fast on track to be the warmest winter on record.  

Our snowpack is toast.  Expect a dry Rio for weeks later this summer.  Wildfire warnings are almost daily out on the eastern plains.  I'd better get my bug-out bag ready.  

Hoping to get a list of Lebanese plants for labels tomorrow (Wed.).  If we can get them printed by April, the new Lebanon and Beyond will be able to be properly labeled.  At least last fall I was able to get metal tags on many of the potted plants before they were moved into the Orangerie for the winter.  

In other news, I dusted off the bike and faced the spring breezes for a short ride up the ditch banks today.  The pollen really hammered me afterwards.  

And finally, I managed to avoid the State of the Union propaganda and lies tonight.  Instead, we watched The Curse of Oak Island, a Toozday evening favorite fantasy.  

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

Isn't it supposed to be March that roars in like a lion?  Today's forecast is for high winds, 40+ mph.  Already (10:00 a.m.) it's blowing outside.  With our on-going drought, low relative humidity, and unseasonably warm temperatures, much of NM is under a wildfire alert.  Out on the eastern plains, things are even worse.  

Sometime soon I'll have to get our small luggage out of storage so we can prep our bug-out bags.  When fires start in the spring with high winds behind them, there can be little time to evacuate and important items can be forgotten.  At least we don't have cats to worry about and I hope the turtles are far enough underground to be safe.  

Sunday's Gumbo Project

This afternoon I've got a City Nature Challenge Zoom conference call.  We'll see what nefarious plans the organizers have lain.