@mrtoads.bsky.social
Grouchy old fart, enjoys books, birds, baroque music, alliteration and, of course, spiders (but then, who doesn’t?). Semi-skilled at a number of unimportant things like game-playing, computer surgery and natural history story-telling. Lazy.
I finally watched Wall-E.
Amazing and very touching.
And full of Easter eggs!
Amazing and very touching.
And full of Easter eggs!
January 6, 2026 at 12:26 AM
I finally watched Wall-E.
Amazing and very touching.
And full of Easter eggs!
Amazing and very touching.
And full of Easter eggs!
Transparently bullshit justifications (arrest the interviewee, but not the interviewers?) show who the police are.
Note: _not_ the GeStaPo: there’s nothing Geheime about them.
I think it’s safe to assume that Grand Rapids is now ruled by the Nazi Party as well.
Note: _not_ the GeStaPo: there’s nothing Geheime about them.
I think it’s safe to assume that Grand Rapids is now ruled by the Nazi Party as well.
What in the Gestapo is going on in Grand Rapids?
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
Watch this activist get arrested *mid-interview* for speaking out against U.S. action in Venezuela.
January 5, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Transparently bullshit justifications (arrest the interviewee, but not the interviewers?) show who the police are.
Note: _not_ the GeStaPo: there’s nothing Geheime about them.
I think it’s safe to assume that Grand Rapids is now ruled by the Nazi Party as well.
Note: _not_ the GeStaPo: there’s nothing Geheime about them.
I think it’s safe to assume that Grand Rapids is now ruled by the Nazi Party as well.
Going through the mountains from the Shenandoah Valley, we like to stop at Fancy Gap, where the Blue Ridge Parkway goes through. It’s nice to be an off-season tourist and get great food. Also had a Raven flyover, which is always nice!
January 2, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Going through the mountains from the Shenandoah Valley, we like to stop at Fancy Gap, where the Blue Ridge Parkway goes through. It’s nice to be an off-season tourist and get great food. Also had a Raven flyover, which is always nice!
I’d like to thank Mark Hamill for taking time from his busy schedule to make a short appearance in my dream last night. He was relentlessly decent and pleasant despite some provocation. Even in my dreams I can be kind of an asshole..
January 2, 2026 at 12:14 PM
I’d like to thank Mark Hamill for taking time from his busy schedule to make a short appearance in my dream last night. He was relentlessly decent and pleasant despite some provocation. Even in my dreams I can be kind of an asshole..
It’s been my understanding that once they got no pushback from “accidentally” arresting citizens, they just went ahead and made it part of the protocol. That was, iirc, months ago.
Confirmed: ICE Is Arresting American Citizens—and Lying About It
A government that flouts the Fourth Amendment and then lies about it to courts and the people has crossed a moral and legal frontier.
newrepublic.com/article/2026...
A government that flouts the Fourth Amendment and then lies about it to courts and the people has crossed a moral and legal frontier.
newrepublic.com/article/2026...
Confirmed: ICE Is Arresting American Citizens—and Lying About It
A government that flouts the Fourth Amendment and then lies about it to courts and the people has crossed a moral and legal frontier.
newrepublic.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:42 AM
It’s been my understanding that once they got no pushback from “accidentally” arresting citizens, they just went ahead and made it part of the protocol. That was, iirc, months ago.
But, of course, the entire GOP went into this knowing they were selling out America to their Russian paymasters and controllers. What’s a little more treason added to the massive pile?
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
― Theodore Roosevelt
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
But, of course, the entire GOP went into this knowing they were selling out America to their Russian paymasters and controllers. What’s a little more treason added to the massive pile?
So, my wonderful wife made a dozen cranberry nut muffins yesterday. I just casually noticed that there are two left. Feeling slightly responsible for the carnage, I thought that while she was out, I might hastily retrieve the situation.
I’ve put on Messiah to help them rise. Fingers crossed!
I’ve put on Messiah to help them rise. Fingers crossed!
December 28, 2025 at 3:45 PM
So, my wonderful wife made a dozen cranberry nut muffins yesterday. I just casually noticed that there are two left. Feeling slightly responsible for the carnage, I thought that while she was out, I might hastily retrieve the situation.
I’ve put on Messiah to help them rise. Fingers crossed!
I’ve put on Messiah to help them rise. Fingers crossed!
Home again from Christmas visiting, and mostly ahead of the winter nasties!
The pre-storm egg carton clouds are pretty cool!
The pre-storm egg carton clouds are pretty cool!
December 26, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Home again from Christmas visiting, and mostly ahead of the winter nasties!
The pre-storm egg carton clouds are pretty cool!
The pre-storm egg carton clouds are pretty cool!
I never knew there was a minigolf course in Franklin Square!
December 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
I never knew there was a minigolf course in Franklin Square!
ICE is ramping up the „he hit me in the boot with his head“ actions to include shootings now. „She tried to run me over“ is a traditional justification for deadly force, probably because it often works (hence bodycams). Naturally, ICE doesn’t use bodycams.
December 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
ICE is ramping up the „he hit me in the boot with his head“ actions to include shootings now. „She tried to run me over“ is a traditional justification for deadly force, probably because it often works (hence bodycams). Naturally, ICE doesn’t use bodycams.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
December 20, 2025 at 2:17 AM
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
In this Christmas season, I think it’s important to remember that for some of us, it’s not enough to have what other people don’t - the real enjoyment comes when everyone else is envious.
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
December 18, 2025 at 3:33 PM
In this Christmas season, I think it’s important to remember that for some of us, it’s not enough to have what other people don’t - the real enjoyment comes when everyone else is envious.
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
Please remember to publicly complain when your betters have things that you can’t have - it gives them pleasure!
How long before the GOP dictates who we are allowed to marry?
The US Administration has banned Americans from *adopting babies* from much of the African continent.
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
Adopting.
Babies.
What trait do those babies have that, when they grow up as fully American adults, would make them a threat to our country in any form?
On that last post: I genuinely cannot think of any good-faith reason to bar international adoptions from those 39 countries. Under this new ban, consulates will refuse adoption visas for any baby from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, or any of the 39 other countries.
December 17, 2025 at 5:25 AM
How long before the GOP dictates who we are allowed to marry?
We’ve watched quite a lot of Doctor Whos over the past couple of years, and are now well along in the Fourth Doctor. My wife, though, struggles to follow the often convoluted plots.
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
December 17, 2025 at 4:09 AM
We’ve watched quite a lot of Doctor Whos over the past couple of years, and are now well along in the Fourth Doctor. My wife, though, struggles to follow the often convoluted plots.
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
Until now - Douglas Adams does it right; she’s riveted to the screen!
So, I got my annual Social Security notice. This one says I get a 2.8% increase and says the new amount. Out of curiosity, I checked the new amount against the amount I’m presently getting.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
December 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
So, I got my annual Social Security notice. This one says I get a 2.8% increase and says the new amount. Out of curiosity, I checked the new amount against the amount I’m presently getting.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
Yup, after the 2.8% increase, I will be getting $15 per month _ less_.
I’m lucky, at that: it could be gone.
I was already happy that I fired up the feeder area on a limited basis this week, but especially now. The dozen juncos and resident Song Sparrow and Cardinals are having a quiet morning with the bark butter before the Mockingbird, House Sparrows and squirrels finally roll out of bed!
December 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I was already happy that I fired up the feeder area on a limited basis this week, but especially now. The dozen juncos and resident Song Sparrow and Cardinals are having a quiet morning with the bark butter before the Mockingbird, House Sparrows and squirrels finally roll out of bed!
I just finished watching Wake Up Dead Man. Very entertaining. Very good cast. Very well done. Very topical.
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
December 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
I just finished watching Wake Up Dead Man. Very entertaining. Very good cast. Very well done. Very topical.
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
The Lord works in mysterious ways indeed. I hope it is widely watched. Bet the Pope loves it!
In preparation for the release of Benoit Blanc 3, I rewatched Glass Onion the other night. I’d forgotten how nicely they skewered Elon Musk in that movie. Not that the rest of the characters showed up all that well either, but at least it had a fittingly Bondian ending. Also had Hugh Grant.
December 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
In preparation for the release of Benoit Blanc 3, I rewatched Glass Onion the other night. I’d forgotten how nicely they skewered Elon Musk in that movie. Not that the rest of the characters showed up all that well either, but at least it had a fittingly Bondian ending. Also had Hugh Grant.
Abu Ghraib, as expected, came home to us.
I’ve heard from immigration attorneys that clients say ICE guards lay out the WRAP device (essentially a full-body straitjacket) on the tarmac as a threat — “do what we say or you’re getting the WRAP on the whole flight.”
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
And here’s proof, from Seattle livestream today via @lalabote.bsky.social.
December 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Abu Ghraib, as expected, came home to us.
Today I put on one of my old work shirts as a break from my normal Aloha retirement wear, and discovered that the GOP-spurred equivalent of the “freshman 40” had a significant (p<0.02) effect over the past year.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
December 8, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Today I put on one of my old work shirts as a break from my normal Aloha retirement wear, and discovered that the GOP-spurred equivalent of the “freshman 40” had a significant (p<0.02) effect over the past year.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
I don’t need to iron my shirts now.
When I put them on, the wrinkles just stretch away.
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
December 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
I have always found that comforting because my motives have always been ulterior, and my intentions bad.
Laces out, Butker!
December 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Laces out, Butker!
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
December 8, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
A bit esoteric, but reminds me of grad schl
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
December 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Nature book challenge. A book per day in no particular order, until you’ve shared ALL of the best nature books in your personal library. No explanations, no reviews,
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
#Books #Nature #Naturewriting
#naturebooks #conservation #naturebookchallenge #booksky
Im getting my pancake hand back! This is the first of the batch; the „pan‘s cake“ is usually for the cook, since it’s crap, but this one looks ok!
December 5, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Im getting my pancake hand back! This is the first of the batch; the „pan‘s cake“ is usually for the cook, since it’s crap, but this one looks ok!