Me: Happy anniversary, toots! (45)
Her: Yes. Happy anniversary.
Me: You're not working on your journal much today.
Her: Yeah.
[UPS delivers box]
Me: [Opens box] Huh. Did you order a quart &1/2 of glue? And 200 glue sticks? WTF?
Her: Well, I ran out of glue.
Me: OMG. Well enjoy journaling again, lol.

Another (see my last two posts) delightful diversion from politics, as requested. A truly charming and very pastoral story from Alphonse Daudet, the late 19th century French author:

The Stars

http://chimviet.free.fr/vanngoai/truchuy/stars_daudet.htm

And now for something completely different. . . .

Kahimi Karie, "Clip-Clap"
#CoSoMusic

https://youtu.be/SN5p1HQ0XUo

The Toy Dolls, "James Bond Lives Down Our Street"
#CoSoMusic

https://youtu.be/XDkw1dWVqSk

#Connections
Puzzle #424
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Just watched the Badminton men's doubles Gold final. Another amazing match! The Bronze final was great, too.

Incredibly entertaining sport.

The people who want to ban books don't generally read much. They certainly don't read the books they want banned. They rely on "experts" who present excerpts. There's no independent thought or critical thinking.

Their children aren't readers, either. They don't have bookshelves at home, much less libraries. They don't want children to be exposed to different thoughts, science, or anything that sparks imagination and a search for truths.

They want their reality to be the only reality.

Normally I'm a huge fan of surreality.

Wait - let's rephrase that, Normal & Surreal in same sentence? lol

I'm a huge fan of the surreal.

Wait - I'm 6'4" & 27 stone. Let's rephrase again.

I find surreality very entertaining and enjoyable. That said, I'm watching "Artistic Swimming" for the first time, and it's definitely surreal; but I hate it.

The worst part is the fake smiles, I think. It's certainly athletic, at least. I just can't appreciate the "artistry".

Just, wow. smh

[Buffs nails on chest]
#Connections
Puzzle #423
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Wife & I are two days out from our 45th anniversary; and today half our conversations confuse one or the other of us.

There's no acrimony, it's just odd that we're not thinking the same way. Usually we can finish each other's sentences.

It's like we're two different humans or something. 😅

Let's not celebrate too much, ok?

Trump still has Merrick Garland, the entirety of the congressional Republicans, and the "supreme" court on his side. Not to mention all the red state governors and legislators.

It's not over until the fat lady sings, and we don't even know who the fat lady is yet. [Snerk]

Seriously. Challenge people on their patriotism. Make sure everyone goes to https://vote.gov.

Got it. Whew!
#Connections
Puzzle #422
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟪🟨
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟪🟪🟪🟪

Just watched the men's archery finals. Amazing match. They don't get closer. Highly recommend.

Every day, someone, somewhere, puts on roller skates.
-Sylvie, 5

The wonderful vocalist Paul Rodgers fronting Bad Company, on a TV concert from 1974.
#CoSoMusic

https://youtu.be/IF6-nWOyOno

Oopsy.
#Connections
Puzzle #421
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟦🟪🟦🟦
🟦🟪🟦🟦
🟦🟪🟪🟦
🟪🟪🟦🟪

Go check to make sure you can vote. It's the most important step to preserve our Democracy. And it's so simple!

Tell everyone you know, and everyone you meet. Tell them to "Do it Now". And do it.

https://Vote.gov

Pink Floyd's Live recording of Atom Heart Mother, at KQED, April 19, 1970. Seminal progressive rock album, excellent video, too. A treasure.
#CoSoMusic

https://youtu.be/Zk4-KugqXcc