the breeze now cooling
hints of autumn this summer
clouds engulf the sun
Author: Carl Setzer
A blogger blogging from just north of Seattle.
On The Passing Of A Legend: Dolly Parton
Man, this is hard news to hear: Dolly Parton has died. A legend of American Culture. Growing up, she was present as a singer and as an actress. An immensely kind and generous person, she gave so freely.
Below is her family’s statement about her passing:
A few weeks ago, I made a post featuring a newer song she collaborated on with Galantis: Faith. I find its positive message something we need more of in our lives. Seems like a fitting tribute, no?
A Friday Haiku
as I look up
and notice new, red leaves
in the summer air
So, I noticed the colors on leaves starting to change. Reds, mostly. Autumn’s hearld, I guess.
Ah, Glorious Text Spam!
I wrote a couple of months back about the surge of text spam I’m getting from the MAGA wing of the Republican Party.
Well, it ebbed for a bit, but never dropped to zero. And has now picked back up with vigor. Today alone, before 9:00 am, I’d received 15, including one at 1-something this morning. I’m guessing they’re feeling monumentally desperate in the face of plummeting numbers.
My favorite from today, is this gem:
LOL! I get NO, ZERO, NADA texts from “the left”, not even from people I’d be ok with getting any from. But I get dozens a day from these folks who “get it”. They get it so well that they’ll send thousands of texts to someone who didn’t subscribe to them and has sent thousands of “stop” requests to them (I am also marking them as spam, fyi). “But wait”, you might say, “all you need to do is click on the link and update your profile”. Sweet baby Jesus, no! No, never, EVER click on a link from a spammer. I’ve had to clean up the mess from users doing that. NO! Yeah, I shouldn’t reply to them with “stop”, but it doesn’t seem to have harmed anything. I’m at annoyance parity. No uptick, no noticeable downtick.
Really, in the end, as I was back in May, I’m just puzzled at what they are trying to accomplish. If they want to convince me to join them, they’re failing MISERABLY. It seems like they think/expect I’m an ally. Pissing off your allies seems like a bad strategy to me. This just makes no sense to me. None. But no one asked me.
Today’s Haiku: August 4, 2026
morning hazy skies
eastern washington fires
their smoke drifts westward
Eastern Washington is afire, and their smoke is now drifting westward. Thus, our air quality sucks, and is only going to get worse over the week. High up in the skies right now, though it’s expected to drift earthward soon. My throat is already mildly irritated, and that’s sure to get worse. Yay for AC and air filters!
I hope this finds you well, ideally with fresh air to breathe.
A Wee Burst Of Positivity This Friday Morning
This song has been in my head since I woke up, giving me a nice boost. I hope it does the same for you in the time of madness, rage, and despair.
Tonight’s Haiku
while the sunlight wanes
passing through the Western clouds
the birds quieting
Today’s Far Side
One of my favorite Christmas Gifts this year is a Far Side calendar. This one is today’s.
What’s particularly amusing to me: I work at a church! So, it fits, thematically, I guess.
I hope all’s well with each of you!
This morning’s haiku: July 27, 2026
dawn drifts through clouds
the raindrops begin to glow
the birds awaken
So, we’re into the final stretch of July. Saturday we flip the calendar into August. I’ll enjoy these summer days, and the respite offered by clouds with rain.
Evening Haiku
as the sunlight fades
drifts over faded rose petals
the evening air cools