…but first, a word from our sponsors; this from almost 25 years ago but all ya gotta do

is change a few names and it’s Deja Vu all over again. A fabulous way to kick off

2026* which will certainly bring unintended consequences** far beyond

the mere kidnapping of a Head of State but noetheless what exciting news to wake up to!

At least our weather remained pretty much the same…

with a hint of sun on the first afternoon,

flooding and

birds.

Friday was Vallejo for the carwash and a consultation about radiators with Matt Seret

then more evidence of the Wolf Moon‘s

King Tides

while Saturday, after dinner with and an overnight visit from a friend uneasy about driving

in the rain and despite Danger on Peaks,

allowed lunch out – the first in weeks –

and even higher tides.

Sunday,

with things worse yet on the hill, we drove in a downpour the likes of which never seen here

[more like something from southern Colorado] across the Carquinez and, clearing, to El Cerrito for our elegant annual holiday luncheon at John and Eva’s with Patsy and Jon, three bridges

views and volatile skies until it was time to venture into a slightly lesser downpour and home

for a last night of Christmas lights with the news from Donner still not so good…

Last lights, g’nights.

Happy New Year!

*“We live in a world, in the real world, Jake, that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world since the beginning of time. We set the terms and conditions. We have a complete embargo on all of their oil and their ability to do commerce. So, for them to do commerce, they need our permission. For them to be able to run an economy, they need our permission. So the United States is in charge. The United States is running the country.” – Steven Miller, Master of Everything***.

**Perhaps consequences not so unintended if one subscribes to the thought that OLD is just fulfilling the terms of his deal with Putin to dismantle the United States of America as quickly and efficiently as possible while simultaneously making as much of a mess of it as possible.

***”Do you think that there might be people in Venezuela who liked Maduro, and voted for him, who are unhappy that he was kidnapped? Do you think they might have an opinion about what happens to the oil in Venezuela that Donald Trump and Stephen Miller think is their right to take as Big Powerful People? Do you think that there might be some groups who plan to attack the complex system of oil pipelines that run through Venezuela to stop the U.S. from taking the oil?” – Lucien K. Truscott IV, 01-06-2026.