SHEsaysWITHaSMILE.blogspot.com

CANADA GEESE (ours!) overhead right now...

the challenge is this: my camera is slow. i must have it nearby and click "on" at the first honk of geese in the distance. unfortunately by the time it's ready for me to snap the picture; the geese are gone "leave it in on position" you say. that would be great if not for the advanced auto-off feature, which never fails to show itself off at the first honk of geese in the distance /anyway ~ i love these geese ~ i want so much to capture their variety of flying formations: those noisy, isolated perfect V's, with a clear leader and such an organized marching/flying band. every flap of their wings in perfect unison, every mystical honk in key and then the noisy, chaotic, disorganized geese: working towards a V pattern... maybe once there was a V pattern, maybe they will eventually achieve a V pattern, but the spectrum of age and stamina creates a kind of ... crooked L ... a slanted H.. a kindergartners W, a left-handed Z. sometimes i imagine them as rebels; natures flock of flying non-conformists. other times i think they just lack a strong leader. it's hard to tell. and then there are the lower-case/upper case hybrid v formations. long on one side, short on the other. here i imagine a few teens playing hookie.. see if any of the elders notice and then, precious, precious... the parents and little offspring: little v's mixed with big V's: noisy, noisy, noisy. but then, every once in a while: the Canadian Yoga Geese a massive spread of geese in the most perfect V formation possible for wild life. -flying over head in total silence; all wings out in soar position; barely a flap is seen. they glide with economic precision, in peace, with an unquestionable destination, and stunning, confident beauty. exceeding their full potential in glorious flight... it is such an inspiration! my favorite, favorite, favorite, though, is when they take up the whole sky above me: one V next to another V next another V, for as far and wide as the eye can see. V's with some 30/40 geese each. and then those few stragglers .. that either stopped to eat or ask for directions but you just know somehow they'll find their way. and i take great comfort in that. ** and now isn't this funny. i gave up trying to capture a picture of the geese. hand drew on three 8 1/2 x 11 pieces of paper with a sharpie the variety of formations; what they look like to me was gonna take a picture of my drawings instead. but the battery died. it's in the re-charger now. and so am i.

posted by SHE @ 10:22 AM 7 comments

Public "Thank You!" to (karl! & valerie!) #NOTonNOBLE

we spotted a new cutie pie at the penitencia perc ponds..   and i text the pix to valerie who helped us identify this new comer:   american wigeon.    darling! light blue beak, sweet face shape; and not another one like her in the whole area

havent seen her since..  but!  the text earned us an invitation to go bird watching

and what a beautiful day...   gorgeous landscape(s)...   future bike riding trail! they introduced us to

and, my phone camera isnt equipped to take good photos of everything we saw, at such a distance.. but, 

i do believe, we saw mallards, northern pintails, cormorants, avocets, long billed curlews, godwits, ruddy ducks, canada geese, great egrets, black-crowned night heron      

and the distance, sun, shadows..   do add elements of optical illusion:   a duck could at first appear all one color, and then..  a turn in the water, and beam from the sun,  "... just a mallard..."

and we all agreed, we should not use the word 'just' when it comes to mallards.   cutest couples ever!  and the males with that emerald green..  white chokers..  the creams and sweep of darker brown..  the purpley~blue patch..    

but as they are more common, and part of the fun is in spotting the rare..    but we did learn from karl, that, apparently, mallards will mate with anything...  so, 

when we did see a slightly unusual duck...    he explained there are many hybrid versions of the mallard. 

all n all a wonderful time!   and it brought us to areas of palo alto we had not visited ever before; to a way charming restaurant called rositas, where we drank coronas and enjoyed mexican food under a chandelier, outdoors..       and i was so taken by how this restaurant and its decor, co-exists write next to giant, PG&E, transmitter towers; and seem to block them out, as if they aren't really there.   -and then we headed to the alviso, which i have been wanting to see for the longest time..   a future kayaking day trip

and included in our daily "thank you!" prayers are karl n valerie..   neighbor friends God has blessed us with..     we have been star gazing, bird watching..  take turns treating each other to wonderful home-cooked dinners with long visits, and stimulating conversations..

love getting to know you even better, "cheers!"  & "amen!"

 

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:34 AM 0 comments

speaking of imaginary points... (me!) ~writeousmom

***

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 12:36 PM 0 comments

on to more beautiful topics by (me!) ~tops

 when sexy and i were deciding what tree to plant in our front yard..    i immediately suggested what i personally found to be the single most beautiful tree at alden lane nursery

now, of course, competition is fierce..  i mean, the 300, 400 year old valley oaks throughout the nursery..  gorgeous!

but, it was when i was walking, specifically, through the rows, and rows of different trees.. getting a closer look at their leaves, learning for the first (and only) time, really, the names of trees..  common names, botanical/scientific..  

and, i did not memorize or lock in the names of so many trees.. just enjoyed reading a little, looking..

but, 

when my eyes landed on the row of ginkgos:    FULL STOP.

and i had, HAD! to feel several of their leaves with my hands..   the texture!  they look so pretty, dainty, feminine, if you will..   but, when you actually feel a ginkgo leaf..    very sturdy!  and all pin-strippy..

in that beautiful fan shape.  and how they group together..    and the depth of the green..  

even write now, when i go to water our ginkgo.. i look at it with such admiration..   and i've already written about how fascinated i am with its history..    as a living fossil.

and as has happened with many different trees now..  (mimosa, for example)  after i become intimately acquainted with one..  and learn its name..  i have this feeling that it is all happening for the very first time, but then..

oh! i've been surrounded by that tree my entire life!  on campuses, in different neighborhoods and parks.. along freeways..   along hike/bike/walking trails

but i'm just now getting to really notice and see and enjoy and appreciate..

and the other tree that falls in that category..  and came very close to being our front yard tree:

the chinese pistache, or..   pistacia chinensis, if you want sound all fancy 

the reason we ultimately decided on the ginkgo, is because so many chinese pistache already populate our neighborhood

and what a glory that is!

when i asked at alden lane, which tree changes color the most dramatically

"chinese pistache."

and it is this very time of year..   the leaves are in transition..    and we may see one tree with just the tiniest hint of yellow..     another with more yellow, and some bright red..    another with dark, light green and golden..    and some with their entire canopy on fire!

the contrast itself..  the beauty of the transition process;  we cannot, i don't think, quantify the benefits; how much internal pleasure it provides to us during our walks, drives, biking, hiking

but, if we could...

it would be a pretty big number.

just staring at a chinese pistache, getting a closer look, taking a picture or 12...

i am happier.  my immune system strengthened.   my mood elevated.   my curiosity peaked.  my gratitude increases.  my attitude improves.  my spiritual connection deepens.  i am all write with the world

it might also increase my I.Q., E.Q., G.Q, -help me exercise and make better decisions..  it might cure cancer..   prevent any number of diseases...  the list goes on..

you get my point.

"Thank You! God    -for trees."     hallelujah & amen.

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 6:11 AM 0 comments

Speaking of Corrections.. by (me!) sandra, tvgp #juryduty

 

"How much does it cost annually to keep Richard Allen Davis on death row in San Quentin?" And I would be very interested to learn how much it cost tax payers each year, from 1993 to 2021, as I know it is more expensive today, than it was in 1993."

The CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is unable to respond to the portion of your request specific to expenses incurred for medical reasons because CDCR does not exercise control over the records you are requesting. The records you seek may be in the possession of the California Correctional Health Care Services. Please forward a copy of your request directly to California Correctional Health Care Services by email at CCHCSHealthPRAs@cdcr.ca.gov or by mail to the following address:

California Correctional Health Care Services
Attention: PRA Coordinator Building C
P.O. Box 588500
Elk Grove, CA 95758

If you have any questions or need additional information, you can manage your request through the CDCR PUBLIC RECORDS PORTAL.

Sincerely,

Eryn Cervantes
Litigation Coordinator
CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 12:38 PM 0 comments

Intro to the digital art world for (me!) ~tops

 as i explained to my more knowledgeable son,   -i'm in preschool when it comes to understanding.. vocabulary..    the entire scene, is like visiting a foreign country

but i did find this very fun & exciting:   rarible.com    The Drops Collection

it is next level creativity!   but as for the value?  NFT's...      like, why would you pay for something you can look at, at will, via your phone or computer, at any time?

and he provided an analogy, about owning a mansion vs. just taking a picture of someone else's mansion..

my current understanding is:

there is premium value being placed on ownership of originals; ownership and originals.

           much easier to distinguish an original of a physical art piece vs. digital; unless, you have this technology; programming; coding..

but, i'm attracted to both:  physical art and digital art.    what is unique and wonderful about physical art.. is the 'physical' process..   using the hands to move, to sculpt, to lift, to move, to paint, to stick, to mold..holding an actual object in your hand; paintbrush, pen, sculpting tool

our yard art is a very physical creative hobby..    we are moving bark, placing bark, walking back and forth, lifting..  painting..  carrying... raking..    and that is very much part of the pleasure..  being outdoors, in the sunshine, visiting with neighbors as they walk by..  playing in the yard; creating..

but, we have all the natural laws of gravity, energy, space, time, etc.

in the digital world..         anything goes!  as with cartoons, and cartoon characters..  no physical laws, no laws of gravity, space or time to hinder or restrict you:    a character can be stretched so their legs reach to the moon, and then shrunk back down to earth

anything a creator/animator can imagine; can ultimately be drawn in the digital sphere.   so, there is an analogy somewhere in there..

how our imaginations (digital) within our (physical) brains can be used to create

"anything!"

but both are always necessary   -no imagination without a brain (w/o a human host); and no brain without an imagination

your imagination then; is a portal into...

and your computer is a portal into the digital world..      [digital world is to _______  as imagination is to human mind.]    natural world?

anyway..     WOW! to how much creativity is taking place in the digital art world

and, in a physical, brick n' mortar art gallery, you are restricted by the amount of space; and amount of walls you can display on..

no such restriction exists in the digital art world...   the infinite space gallery!

so, mathematically speaking..    the amount of art being created vs. the amount of people who will serve as an audience, appreciator or collector...

what do those numbers look like?

as is true with both, physical or digital..   arent us artists, creators, the luckiest ones!   -because we enjoy the process of creating...     [and with the drop collection.. you see an artist's self imposed creative restriction (shape) and then infinite creations within the confines of....   just awesome!]

and now you can create...  and create some more!  and just live your whole life enjoying the process of creating...

    /oh.   wait..     there's that whole making a living thing we have to do...   food and shelter and all that nonsense

i'll have to write a poem about that...

amen.

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 10:42 AM 0 comments

The Heart Seen! -fresh batch of the most delightful contributions! (squidmann! & spike!)

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:49 AM 0 comments

 

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:37 AM 0 comments

Due Season Continues! "Thank You Jesus! Family & Friends!"

 

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:36 AM 0 comments

What I Read, What I Think, What I Know -about rape (me!) sandra, tvgp

 my goodness, you can see why i don't watch or read the news.  -i would spend so much time processing, responding, thinking, writing, debating

i'd miss out on this amazing life of love i currently enjoy.    

so

i am highly selective

and i have selected to read and respond to this:  

Riders held up phones as woman was raped on SEPTA train in Philadelphia, Police Say

***

What I read:

   -a woman was raped  -on a public transit train.

                        stop:   on?   not in the parking lot...    not behind a building...   not pulled into a dark, hidden area

                                  -on a public transit train.     

                        with others in the same car

   'people were holding their phones in the direction of the woman being attacked'

officials are investigating whether some bystanders recorded the attack

                            whether..  as in whether or not...   we still don't know; all assumption..

A suspect, Fiston Ngoy, 35, was arrested on rape and assault charges. Ngoy, who listed his last address as a homeless shelter, remains in custody on $180,000 bail. It's not clear whether he has an attorney or a public defender.

            no calls to 911 were made in Philadelphia

            still investigating whether 911 calls were made to Delaware County  (trains last two stops)

The attack wasn't reported until a SEPTA employee saw what was happening. Officials said at the news conference that officers responded within three minutes of the employee's report.

"What we want everyone to be is angry, disgusted  (oh trust me, i am very angry and highly disgusted!)  and join us in being resolute to continue to make the system safe. We need help from the public to notify us when they see incidents that are occurring that are unusual," Nestel said.

Ngoy and the victim got on the train at the same stop in North Philadelphia, police said. An arrest affidavit says Ngoy sat next to the woman about a minute after he boarded, shortly after 9:15 p.m., and harassed her for about 40 minutes as she repeatedly pushed him away.

Security video shows the man ripping the woman's pants down just before 10 p.m., the affidavit says.

After the transit employee reported the attack, an officer waiting at the next station boarded the train, "saw what he believed was a criminal act occurring, ripped that man off of her and pulled him out onto the platform," Nestel said.

SEPTA said that the incident was a "horrendous criminal act" and that riders should contact police by calling 911 or pressing the emergency button on trains.

"There were other people on the train who witnessed this horrific act, and it may have been stopped sooner if a rider called 911," it said.

****

What I think:

                  Evil criminals of all kinds, are overall, more empowered in today's society than ever in my whole life.   The abundance of cameras; the abundance of eye-witnesses; the public with phones, cameras, video..  such specific evidence should

SHOULD serve as an extra deterrent for any criminal activity    -write?

once upon a time, criminals/predators did not want to be seen.. did not want to get caught..  they used to wait for darkness..    look for places no one would catch them.

this evil predator (and unfortunately he represents a larger population of evil predators)  -felt empowered, emboldened enough to harrass a woman, not only in full view of people; but in full view of people with phones/cameras and..  no doubt security cameras on the train itself.

none of this deterred or stopped his attacks on an innocent woman (?)

he became more and more empowered; until the attacks escalated into rape.

           and, still being investigated, but..   no one pressed the emergency button? no one silently called 911?

so, we really, REALLY, really, need to better educate the general public about how quickly, easily, quietly they can contact police without putting themselves in harms way.    -or press an emergency button..

and really, REALLY, really need to thank anyone/everyone who did point their phones toward the woman being attacked so they could video the predators face;

                not the rape..  but the bullying/attacking taking place before it escalated to rape; the predators face..   anything and everything anyone did to help identify, with 100% accuracy, who the predator was

"thank you!"

since, according to what i read, a transit employee saw the criminal activity, and ripped the man off the woman, and pulled him out on to the platform  ("thank you!")

             there is no doubt, no guessing    -we have the evil predator; he has been arrested.  (thank God!)

HUGE CELEBRATION in my heart, mind and soul.   

no hunting for...    no dna test to prove...   no, mixed eye-witness testimony, maybe this guy, maybe that..    no 5 years worth of court dates...

The evil, barbaric predator has been arrested and is off the streets.    hallelujah!

***

What I Know:

When we KNOW we have a rapist in custody   -said predator should get streamlined through the process; skipping many unnecessary and costly steps, and be put straight on death row.     -no matter what the long, sad, story might be, as to the why..

straight to death row.  and actually executed within one year.

when you rape a human being; you forfeit your right to share the planet with the rest of us.

it is that severe of a crime against a human.

                        i will skip here, it is already well documented.. how much i have had to contemplate, consider, research, think about, see all 12 sides of..   revisit..   reconsider..     the topic of rape.

i have landed concretely here:  the sentence for rape should be the death penalty. period.

     -not when we are not sure who the predator is; but when we do know, as in this case

what a danger to society!  eliminate this evil!  eliminate this cruel, barbaric, brutal, atrocious behavior.  

do not reward it with free shelter, 3 free meals a day, laundry, recreation, health and dental care.   

but please..  PLEASE! do factor in how much IT WOULD HAVE COST.. to keep this evil predator in prison or on death row for 25+ years

and take the savings..    and give it to the innocent victim and to organizations, programs who are helping victims of violent crimes.

we have got to turn things around!

criminals, bullies, thieves, predators..    they are not deterred by all these cameras everywhere..      very empowered these days; broad day light abuses, with the public as audience

we need leaders who are tough on crime; who make the safety of law abiding citizens number one.

***

   -all my love, all my prayers, to the woman who was attacked and raped.  i feel your pain..

wish i could help expedite the long and hard healing process that is ahead for you.

and wish i could personally, legally, execute the rapist.

in Jesus, rescuing & restoring, very holy name      -amen.

***

addendums:   depending which article you read..   without fact checking; without knowing credibility of each journalism source

   also reading..  rapist is here illegally; has prior sex-assault related charges; released from jail, and never deported

also reading:   victim reports being drunk prior to getting on train and doesn't remember anything...

also reading:   people who recorded it on their phones  -there may be criminal charges (?)                -what a deterrent to having them share very valuable evidence

***

and the story will continue to unfold..  be retold..   context will change..   

i am personally done reading about it.    it is enfolded in my prayers.  giving it to God, letting it go..   

getting on with my own life.               cast cares/Jesus yoke is light/not preoccupied with evildoers...

pray, pray, pray.    amen.

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:33 PM 0 comments

SMI to the NFT by (me!) ~tops

 we are non-stop,  sexy and i..

our minds

on any given day, running errands, hanging out, watching tv, playing in the yard

his dialogue will inevitably include ways things can be improved.   he sees it..   everywhere we go.  how if you put a sign here, or moved this from there to over here, or made that more visible, or removed that..

     -and, he is like, always write!    i mean, so often, things are being done in a less efficient, less productive, less safe, less customer friendly way than they could be.

he sees it.   but does not take action.  it's just conversation...   he just shares out loud what he is thinking.

and i learn a ton...   

***

i tend to only say, a portion of what i'm thinking out loud..

"look at that tree!  wouldn't that make a great neighborhood Christmas tree!"    but the rest of the associated/inspired thoughts are internal, and i'm walking quietly but thinking..

          that one tree could light up this entire neighborhood...   wouldn't it be awesome if someone collected a portion of money from each neighbor, to pay professionals to come out with their trucks and ladders and deck-orate the halls out of this tree...

and i can see it.   how beautiful it would look.   but im not going to take action...

***

filed under inventory of our thought life.    amen.

***

speaking of     -my son and daughter got us thinking about cryptocurrency...  web 3...   NFT's...  bitcoin..        very minor research...    bored ape yacht club..   and then something about 

digital wallets..   and on BAYC...   bathrooms?  members only...    place to draw, scrawl or write expletives...  (?)       "we're pretty sure it's going to be full of dicks"    /pix of toilet..

/not my cup of  -pee.     laughing face emoji here.

and so, 

zero interest.      -moving on...

paragraph here, paragraph there regarding NFT's..    got the basic idea..  value/authentication of an original piece of digital art    -which we know can be copied, and visually the same as the original, but there is really and truly only one, first, original..

and some crazy money is being exchanged...   /for original tweets?

but, upon further reading, i realize..  it is all the same pattern/formula for art in the physical world.  you still have an artist..    a gallery owner...   a process for making it into the gallery..    critics...   value of art as arbitrary..   celebrity still factoring/dictating..  12 people taking a % of the art the artist made;  collector/investors with exclusively monetary goals, and true art appreciators..   true artists and then just savvy creatives..     and the same highly subjective criteria for even determining what qualifies as 'art' 

    and as with youtube, as with rockstars, as with models, as with actors, as with influencers, as with professional athletes in any sphere

a few wildly successfulls are blown up, showcased, featured, hyper-publicized (B)million-dollar mascots; who serve to recruit the ma$$es of hopeful$. 

all the same; shift platform from physical to digital.   -i am most impressed as i read though, for the technology that allows programmers/ coders to authenticate an original vs. copy..     or technology that prevents copies from being made without permission..

and we do want to learn more about cryptocurrency.  we are both convinced our future grandchildren will be earning/saving/spending via this way   -that cash, as we know it, and our current banking system are slowly subsiding..

                  .... non-fungible tokens...   blockchain technology...   big digital bucks for original art....

converting original physical art

into NFT's....    -digital wallets....                  

***

what is the digital equivalent of an archaeologist?  if we jump forward..   the study of human history through the excavation of (web) sites; analysis of non-fungiblefacts..  and other email remains...

***

cusp of the new more digital.. less physical world

amen.

 

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 4:19 PM 0 comments

"Most Successful Surprise of 2021!" .. the envelope please....

 one of the extra special blessings of living in san jose now, is our proximity to the san jose airport.  essentially, if anyone is coming from or going to, it is an open invitation to stop by our place for a visit, a meal, a drink before you go.. or to welcome you back

and we seem to get some extra visits in as a result..   all blessing!

and so, 

my daughter, she called earlier in the day  "dropping my friend off at the airport, will you be home for me to stop by after?"

and, that's a big fat YES...     and, the timing meant we could also include dinner..

"sexy..   taryn will be here between 4 and 4:30..."

and, we excitedly made plans for pot roast, rice, gravy..   

and, we were in the front yard..    re-doing our halloween yard art, because 50mph winds, [and a local fire] had destroyed and scattered the roof tiles of our haunted mansion        /roof tiles = door mats from the dollar store..

anyway..  and little touch up gardening...   pruning...   watering..

and, before we knew it, taryn's car pulled up

    -and, our family..  we are huggers..  and so, greeted taryn with big hugs, and were excited to hear all about her recent trip to austin for the music festival

"i want you to see something i picked out for my room"   taryn said, and started walking me toward her car, toward her trunk

"...   some decor...  artisan made?  you find something you liked in austin?"   and my mind, literally, started seeing her at an art faire..   lighting up at a booth for a piece of art that matches her room..

and so she opened her trunk, and 

and instead of seeing a piece of art, or home decor...    my son!?!?

        yes!    jack-in-the-trunk.

talk about a full, 100%, genuine, had absolutely no idea whatsoever...

and, my immediate reaction was WTF...   but, my mind was racing..    i said,  "OOOHHHHH! 

   Holy F......   Holy

    fffff....

fa...

HOLY FAITH!  HOLY FAITH... !      Oh my goodness saKES  aLIve!..."  and worked at processing and catching my breath..  re-regulating my heart beat.

   /tech difficulties, but video from jack's perspective here.  [     ]

****

and, we give imaginary points in our family...   comedy points, boyfriend points, girlfriend points, mom points, children points, gift giving, card-picking-out points, ... etc.,    ~ a way of saying 'great job!' 

and, in this case..

i'm giving taryn and jack, 100 thousand utter successful surprise points!

    /gonna be hard to top that..  but ~tops will.

"Thank You! Jesus!"     -awesome surprise, visit...    hallelujah & amen.

posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 9:02 AM 0 comments