I think the papa skunk came by yesterday morning, just as the air was settling and before the first light slipped out from behind the ridge. His tail is black and his markings so dark that at first glance he looked almost like a badger wandering across the grass. I like to imagine he is the father of the babies I saw earlier this week, circling close, checking that the ground is still safe for them.

He moved slowly, as if he belonged here, lingering only a little before vanishing into the trees again. It feels like a continuation of the same story, these small visits layered together, the family returning in turns. Each sighting could stand on its own, yet when I think back, they begin to form a gentle rhythm.

#skunk
#roanokeva #backyardzoo
3 videos

I won’t ever be one to mourn the death of an active fascist and nazi. His political leanings and actions contribute to so much harm. But I do understand the gravity and consequences of this event. We’re essentially watching a timeline of events that I don’t think we can depart from. And rightfully it should turn our stomachs. But a man who said that a certain number of gun deaths are to be assumed and absorbed in order for business to continue as usual—in his words—to protect the 2nd amendment, this is a logical and fitting death for this man.

I’m not sad for his passing. I’m sad for the magnitude of violence we are not prepared to face as a nation. And I’m scared for all of us.

Runes Drawn:
1. Algiz (reversed) – Blocked or inverted: Protection, higher self
2. Uruz – Strength, health
3. Ansuz – Communication, insight

I Ching Hexagram (bottom to top):
– Young Yang (7)
– Young Yang (7)
– Young Yin (8)
– Young Yang (7)
– Young Yin (8)
– Old Yin (6) – changing to Yang

Hexagram #54: Marrying Maiden

A chipmunk crossed my path today, quick and precise, as if it had somewhere important to be. The little fellow paused at the edge of the porch, cheeks already bulging with the spoils of early September. Seeds, maybe acorns, some small cache of treasure tucked away for the coming cold. He sat upright like a tiny sentinel, whiskers twitching, tail flicking in rhythm with the breeze.

The air has just started to carry the faintest hints of autumn – not quite crisp, but leaning in that direction. The trees are still green, though you can sense they’re gathering themselves for the slow cascade of color to come. Watching the chipmunk felt like seeing the season in miniature: urgency without panic, preparation without fuss.

He studied me for the briefest moment, eyes bright and unblinking, then darted back under the hedge, gone as quickly as he appeared. Just a heartbeat-long reminder that even the smallest neighbors are busy setting their houses in order.

I’ll take it as a gentle nudge to do the same.

#chipmunk #roanokeva #backyardzoo #autumniscoming

Day 20671 Skunk Family in the Porchlight

Last night brought unexpected guests. A skunk mother and her four kits padded up to the porch as we finished grilling veggie burgers and hot dogs inside. We watched through the window as they explored with gentle boldness, the little procession lit by porchlight like a traveling family of night wanderers. It was a quiet visitation, more wonder than worry, leaving only the memory of their small procession in the dark.

Today I stayed close to home, catching up with chores and making ready for the week ahead. The washer and dryer hummed through multiple loads, baskets of laundry finally caught up. Out in the garage, I set about some overdue organizing, shifting boxes and reclaiming a little order from the clutter.

Current music: acoustic guitar gently circling

Current mood: touched by the quiet magic of skunk visitors

Out of the pre-dawn came not one skunk, but a mother and her four tiny shadows. Each striped in miniature, each step a little wobbly, but all tumbling faithfully after her. They followed like a living ribbon across the yard, pausing to nose at the grass, stumbling and righting themselves, learning the art of being wild.

She waited for them with patience, a guardian cloaked in black and white. Watching their procession felt like catching a secret whispered across generations – the knowledge of how to move, how to belong, passed down in soft steps and stripes.

#skunk #wildlife #backyardmagic #nightvisitors #smallwonders #naturemoments

Missing my little Newton.  It’s been a couple of years since he passed, but my heart still breaks sometimes. He was my best friend for so many years.

Met Larry Bly today, from Cookin’ Cheap. He was sweet and kind, took the time to talk with us for a bit, his words carrying that same gentle humor that once spilled from the TV kitchen. Standing there, it felt less like meeting a celebrity and more like catching up with an old friend who had simply stepped out of the screen.

The air around us seemed brighter, time bending in on itself, bringing echoes of that cluttered set and easy laughter. He spoke with warmth, as if he’d known us longer than a passing moment, and for a while it felt like we were part of his show, tucked into the rhythm of his stories.

A small-world magic, brief but golden, like memory and daylight stirred together.

#cookincheap #larrybly #sweetmoments #smallworldmagic

Cookin’ Cheap is a nationally syndicated cooking show, originally hosted by Larry Bly and Earl “Laban” Johnson, Jr. Cookin’ Cheap was taped in the studios of Blue Ridge Public Television in Roanoke, Virginia. It began its national distribution through the PBS system in 1981, and more recently did a syndication run on the GoodLife TV Network.

This afternoon we returned to Nakhon Thai, and the owner’s eyes lit with that curious recognition – as though we had not simply come back, but had been expected. The gray sky hung heavy, and the neon sign glowed brighter against it, like a beacon for travelers between worlds.

We sat outside in the front space, on the concrete stage where little metal tables and chairs waited, their thin frames trembling at the touch. Around us the air carried the smell of basil and garlic, and in the distance, the traffic rose and fell like a restless river. If you listened long enough, the engines almost became voices, carrying old songs and warnings down the valley.

The meal arrived in pieces, each one an offering: chive dumplings soft and green as spring shoots; spring rolls breaking open with hidden warmth; shrimp bound in golden noodle threads, fragile and shining like charms meant to keep away ill luck. Drunken noodles with tofu came tangled, wide ribbons breathing fire and sweetness together, and the pad prik kring brought a red heat, sharp enough to wake even the cloudiest day.

Our server moved quietly, almost like a figure from a folktale – someone who appears at the edge of the story to guide you forward, and then slips back into the mist. Behind us the restaurant windows fogged, blurring the decor and the tables, while in front of us the road stretched on, carrying its endless chorus of tires and horns like the chant of unseen spirits.

When we finally rose, the concrete felt different underfoot, as if we had stepped back across a threshold. The scent of basil and chili clung to us, following close, and the roar of traffic no longer seemed like noise but like the low murmur of something vast, still speaking to us long after we had gone.

#NakhonThai #drunkennoodles #goodvegetarianfood

Morning Cat and Willow Tree Wander

Woke later than planned, greeted by the cat who has been all affectionate these days. She had her bowls filled, wet and dry, and I toasted up a bagel for myself. The new litter box seems to suit her, no complaints from either of us. My partner appeared with a chai tea from 7brew, spicy and sweet, and it brightened the morning.

Later we pulled the gang together for a visit to Willow Tree Antiques. The shelves had already turned toward Halloween, full of neat offerings, though many pieces bore the mark of reproduction drop shipper stock. Still, there was a small charm in browsing, and I spotted some Fallout metal signs. Cute enough to notice, but not the sort I would want to hang on my walls.

Current music: acoustic guitar gently circling Current mood: slow to rise, warm with company

Here’s your stacked mood chart by year 📊:

Green = Positive

Gray = Neutral

Red = Negative


This lets you see the balance of moods shift year to year:

Early years: heavier positive/neutral balance.

Mid 2000s–2010s: strong neutral dominance (lots of logs/links).

Late 2010s–2020s: negative share grows, especially around 2019 and again in 2024–25.

Here’s what the yearly mood trend shows:

📈 Early 2000s–2018: Mostly slightly positive on average. Big neutral stretches (lots of logging + links) diluted but didn’t overwhelm bursts of joy (pets, birthdays).

📉 2019: A big dip — very few posts, but negative-leaning.

⚖️ 2020–2023: Back to neutral-to-positive averages, though volume shrinks dramatically.

🌑 2024–2025: Noticeable downturn — fewer posts, with many leaning negative.


So across decades, the blog starts whimsical and balanced, dips around 2019, rebounds slightly during 2020–23, and shifts more negative in the last two years.

Day 20668 — Misfit Trim and Autumn Errands

Morning air was soft in Roanoke, carrying the first golden turn of September light. Scissors at Misfit felt less like a cut and more like a quiet ritual of renewal. Outside, a few crows traced lazy arcs over the rooftops, and the faint smell of damp earth lingered from last night’s rain. I brought the meds and pumpkin spice latte home to my sweetheart. Her smile made the errand feel more like a small joy.

The Y called next, a short return to movement, body remembering itself. Home again, the laundry’s hum filled the rooms, spin and tumble counting minutes. Evening edged closer with the promise of family dinner, plates and voices gathering in the soft glow of the room. A squirrel paused atop the fence outside, twitching its nose as the last leaves of summer clung to branches.

Later, the smell of roasted vegetables drifted from the kitchen, a brief hum of music from a neighbor’s open window blending with the autumn breeze. A single leaf twirled down the sidewalk, catching the last light of day.

Current music: Rainy Day Lo-fi with Vinyl Crackle | Soft, Warm Ambience
Current mood: trimmed, light, leaning toward the warmth of the table

A quiet moment reminded me that ordinary days can hold small gifts if I pay attention.