tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:32:24 +0000life in generalState ParkbirdsholidaysmetasocietyOh Petalumain the newsparkBodega Baychronic illnesswetlandsCalifornia Historyeventspandemicself reflectiontide poolagingconservationFestivalSonoma County Parkbotanyinvasive speciesmarine animalsmarine mammalsmemoriesmuseumnaturewhale watchMarin CountyNational Parkanimal migrationmoveon the trailspoliticszooCinnamonGardenartbooksphotosroad tripscienceDr WhoNew MexicoSanta RosaSchulzabuseeducationfishhealthhistoric clothingmobility and accessibilitymulticulturalmusic videomy kidspovertyrelationshipsscience videowomenRadula: /ˈradjʊlə/ n. A rasping, flexible tongue-like organ in certain molluskshttp://theradula.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Kate)Blogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-1652184152861432129Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:57:00 +00002025-07-08T10:57:27.862-07:00memoriesmeta The internet is not forever.Today I recived notice from Wordpress that my Radula Archives (First Decade) was over limit on media storage.  I haven't added to that account in years, so it must be that they've changed the limit, and not grandfathered me in.  When I went to that blog, I found that many of the blogs had their photos scrambled and mixed up:  Photos of the Science http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/07/begin-operation-memory-rescue.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-8048987448721635394Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:55:00 +00002025-06-05T08:55:52.269-07:00agingchronic illnesslife in general Yesterday was rough for me. I'm really struggling with masking my current emotional state in social situations. I'm coming off as abrasive when I'm trying to be engaged. Part of me just wants alone time, but also recognizes that being alone right now sets me on a downward spiral. I don't like being vulnerable. I tend to be the person everyone looks toward to keep things together. Right http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/06/no-title.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-4396945581841228340Wed, 28 May 2025 16:09:00 +00002025-05-28T09:09:07.390-07:00birdsnatureOh Petalumaon the trailswetlands It's almost June, and I haven't posted since March.  I've  moved back to Petaluma.  I've been photographing the Farmers Market and Luchessi Park.  I've been getting my new apartment in order.  I've been struggling with the fallout of Trump's economy.  I've been going to protest marches.  I've been baking my own bread. I've been gearing up for a series of http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-walk-around-shollenberger-filling-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3933552548130265212Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:43:00 +00002025-03-12T13:43:58.258-07:00life in generalphotosThese days have been particularly challenging.  One problem is that back in the day, I read all that sci fi.  I mean the good stuff, stuff that looked at the social patterns we were developing, decades ago, patterns that are now pretty darn obvious to everyone with half a brain.It's scary, and I am even more frightened for our collective future.I think it's especially important now for http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/03/holding-on-to-what-i-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3807134213481252221Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:18:00 +00002025-02-26T07:18:15.223-08:00in the news I have a number of thoughts about the state of the nation, and just want to give my 5 bullet points on my thoughts this week.  Whether or not I send them to Elon Musk to justify my blog...Back when I was young, before perestroika, I recall the way the US would poke at Russia for their news coverage, and how Russian TV was just "The Russian Farm Report" and some exercise programs http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/02/5-bullet-points-of-parallels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-8059222036484636599Sun, 23 Feb 2025 16:19:00 +00002025-02-23T08:21:52.106-08:00art One of the things I've struggled with recently is the question of the materials I'm using in my art.  About a year ago I took an art course at a community college (zero credit hours) which I ended up dropping out of because it was more of a community studio than an actual class, and two things bothered me:  There was no new information being given, this was just a space to work onhttp://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/02/is-art-disposible.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-4055535168334362824Sun, 02 Feb 2025 22:56:00 +00002025-02-02T14:56:26.078-08:00eventsFestivalmulticultural Wednesday Cay and I took the train and busses into San Francisco to go to the Lunar New Year opening ceremony in Chinatown.  We'd missed the Flower Market, but plan to go to the street fair later this month.  This was a nice little event because it was fairly short, and not as crowded as other events. It was kinda rough on Cay, because of the amount of firecrackers going off.http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/02/lunar-new-year-chinatown-sf.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-8587366709104802717Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:13:00 +00002025-01-27T22:13:31.415-08:00animal migrationbirdsMarin Countymarine animalsmarine mammalsNational Parknature One of my favorite things to do at the end of December, beginning of January is to visit Pt Reyes National seashore I'll be heading back down again soon, but these photos were taken about two weeks ago on a trip with my daughter.  Go ahead and see it full size, if you want to see the new pup in the photo.  Unfortunately, they were pretty far off when I took this photo from http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/01/pupping-season-at-pt-reyes-national.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-345293119819416520Tue, 28 Jan 2025 05:37:00 +00002025-01-27T21:37:50.049-08:00metapoliticssocietyMy youngest daughter at a march last time he was in office.We won't stop. We march, we vote, we write.We do have limitations. Physical. Financial. We can't get to Washington. We struggle to keep food on the table, donations to important causes and candidates are slim. And we don't have some of the resources (personal skills or talents) to engage the same way some others do. We all have our http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/01/keep-on-keepin-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3381122458372345537Fri, 17 Jan 2025 22:56:00 +00002025-01-17T14:56:33.694-08:00politics The closer we get to Monday, the worse I feel.  I find myself posting more about senior homelessness, rising numbers of medical bankruptcies, and hate crimes.  I cannot pretend I'm alright with a felon standing on the podium surrounded by his rich, monopoly building oligarch buddies and taking the oath of office to become the leader of this nation.Yes, I am angry.  I am http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/01/monday-monday.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-7718262344221592792Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:11:00 +00002025-01-17T14:12:19.428-08:00memoriesroad trip Yeah, I just don't have the bandwidth to deal with a lot of explanation today.  We can revisit this later:I will say that once again, the photos are in reverse order   >:(http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/01/thanksgiving-in-nm-photo-dump-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3991893429748114103Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:58:00 +00002025-01-02T16:58:21.691-08:00eventsGardenholidaysNew Mexicozoo I have a couple months of trips and photos to blog, and a lot of photos I've already uploaded but not yet sorted through.  The first trip was for Thanksgiving to visit New Mexico and my youngest child as well as my newest grandchild (the later was only a couple weeks old!) I drove cross country with Cinnamon, and we stopped two nights each way to make for an easier drive.&http://theradula.blogspot.com/2025/01/thanksgiving-in-nm-photo-dump-part-one.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-5160307136716028007Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:13:00 +00002024-12-24T07:17:09.496-08:00holidayslife in generalpoliticsThis morning I woke up with a headache that had nothing to do with a hangover and everything to do with the kind of stress I face this time of year.  I tend to try to buy into the idea that this is a season of joy, and that it's all about families and parties, and wearing terrible sweaters for a laugh, but this is the last dying gasp of a year that I had pretty much figured out, before goinghttp://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/12/whats-under-your-tree.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3397389832502335339Mon, 23 Dec 2024 04:04:00 +00002024-12-22T20:04:06.654-08:00life in generalThis elephant seal photo, taken last year at Pt Reyes National Seashore, has nothing to do with this post, except that I'm looking forward to going down to Pt Reyes with my new camera in a couple weeks and taking new photos of elephant seals.I always try to keep something to look forward to in mind.  It's my version of a gratitude practice:  I can get through whatever it is when I know http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-gratuitous-picture-of-elephant-seal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-6061905491720681873Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:41:00 +00002024-12-10T09:41:49.706-08:00Cinnamonlife in general I am reminded of a line from a Dr Who Christmas episode that speaks to mid-December as being a universal celebration of being "halfway out of the dark".   I seldom give thought to the fact that this is strictly a northern hemisphere thing on Earth, and that on other worlds, this might not be a thing at all.Right now I am surprised that it's been so long since I posted here.  http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/12/halfway-out-of-dark.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-1171876015584822260Sun, 01 Sep 2024 15:46:00 +00002024-09-01T08:46:10.793-07:00chronic illness  I've been reading and viewing the opinions of people with chronic illness that hate the spoon theory. Reasons they give are:    1. The spoon theory doesn't account for the fact that one day an action may take more "spoons" than another.     2. Some people have the opinion that you can "borrow" spoons from the next day.      3. It's been http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-spoonie-speaks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-668325580924839659Mon, 19 Aug 2024 04:49:00 +00002024-08-18T21:49:38.165-07:00conservationnatureToday I've almost finished with my classes to become a naturalist at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve, which is part of Sonoma State University's Center for Environmental Inquiry. Since I couldn't go on the hike because of the condition of my ankle right now, I stayed around the Education and Research Center, took some photos, and read up on some of the fauna of the preserve, most notably the Black http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/08/fairfield-osborn-preserve.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-7046296506594159212Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:45:00 +00002024-08-16T09:45:51.006-07:00museumOh Petaluma Although I JUST posted the Textile Tour, I wanted to add a photo from the local history display, which heavily featured egg production.  I knew that Butter and Egg day was an old celebration here, but didn't know how far back it went (originally just Egg Day).  My very favorite thing in the Petaluma Museum was this:http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/08/free-trip-to-petaluma-museum-display.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-6468176569822690813Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:42:00 +00002024-08-16T09:42:08.603-07:00historic clothingmuseum Sunday I was in Petaluma for a Historic Textile Tour at the Petaluma Museum.  The museum, a former library, is pretty small, but the current display, which focused on women of the American Colonial period in California, was pretty interesting, with clothing, artifacts, and letters from the women who arrived in California in the mid 1800s to the early 1900s.There was more to read than http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/08/historic-textile-tour.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-6171610022955320609Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:55:00 +00002024-08-16T08:57:03.014-07:00artbirdsnature I haven't been idle.This photodump is horrifically out of order.  Thing is, I've been meaning to blog these places and events, but never really got around to it, which makes for gaping holes in my blog.  Hopefully this will help fill in some of those holes.  One of the best parts of this is that I have 2 new cameras: one with a tremendous zoom I've used for birds and whales, http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/08/photo-dump-may-july.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-2556082712660083197Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:20:00 +00002024-07-30T07:20:18.121-07:00birdsmarine animalsmarine mammalswhale watch On Saturday, Carlos, Ellen and I boarded a boat to the Farallones for a sanctuary exploration trip.  The idea was to view marine mammals and birds, and to learn a little about the marine sanctuary.  It's an all day trip, so I packed enough food and medical supplies to deal with the hours away from land.  I even had on my good Lands End storm coat. The day was the coldesthttp://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-trip-to-farallones.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-1865491188243933753Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:21:00 +00002024-07-26T08:21:00.777-07:00Cinnamon Cinnamon, Nov 2014I've been thinking a lot about my little dog, Cinnamon.  The photo above is from November of 2014, shortly after I adopted her.  She's been by my side now for for almost 10 years. You can read a little about how she joined my family on my archived post.She's a tripod, which has never really slowed her down.  As a young dog she'd run with the whippets at the http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-decade-of-love.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3191287276511707051Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:41:00 +00002024-07-16T08:41:54.215-07:00 I used to think blogging was dead.  Perhaps it is.  Who wants to read anything over 140 characters these days (I mean, besides myself?) or do anything but scroll through videos?  I've blogged before about FB, how I am more interested in marketplace, and the only reason I'm still plugged in to FB is to use messenger to contact family when I have no phone service (an issuehttp://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/07/used-to-think-blogging-was-dead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3279048207447266445Sat, 01 Jun 2024 14:39:00 +00002024-06-01T07:42:53.923-07:00music videoEvery now and then I come across a video I want to save. This is one of them. It's really hard to get an HD video of Kermit singing Rainbow Connection.http://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/06/rainbow-connection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365048268500140128.post-3959269316789996545Thu, 30 May 2024 05:00:00 +00002024-05-29T22:00:40.087-07:00life in generalmetaOh Petaluma Today I turned down an apartment in the complex I used to live in in Santa Fe, the one I'd always intended to go back to.  When I think of home, I think of New Mexico, even though I was born and raised in Western NY.  I've been struggling with the knowledge that it's better for me to be here, because I have full health coverage here and not there, and I'm not getting any younger.Ihttp://theradula.blogspot.com/2024/05/revelation-nm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Kate)0