daft apeth

New phrase - it was used in a Downton Abbey episode we just rewatched -  “daft 'apeth” (silly person) - term of endearment in Yorkshire"


For silly Saturday I present to you - lettuce! I planted seeds and actual lettuce plants for ..... the rabbit! Is the rabbit eating them? No! The rabbit is cutting three more of my daffodils and one of my grape hyacinths and broke off one of my bleeding heart branches. Harumph. 


I was exceptionally industrious including with icky, yucky tasks. I rewarded myself with an hour of playing in the garden. 


Chancellor Scholz said Germany could end Russian oil imports this year. Russian oil is 25% of German imports, down from 35% before the invasion. Reuters says gas imports have been cut to 40% from 55%. Russian coal imports are down to 25% from 50%. Germany wants to cut its share of Russian gas to 24% by this summer. There are some options to make things go as quickly as possible. 


Australia is sending $50million worth of military vehicles to Ukraine including 20 Bushmaster Armored Vehicles. "The vehicles have been fitted with radios, a global positioning system and additional bolt-on armor, along with protection against mines, artillery shrapnel and small arms fire." Zelensky apparently specifically asked for these vehicles because they are so amazing. 


There is a group of friends in the Ukrainian film and TV industry. One is a cinematographer who shot high-end commercials and now he is part of this group smuggling self-heating meals, rifle scopes, satellite communications kits, and drones to the front line.  People from all walks of life in Ukraine have mobilized, finding things they can do. A bunch of 200 IT professionals planted digital advertising on Russian social media faster than Russia could stop them. They placed ads in Europe for volunteers to join the military. After using up their own bank accounts they called on friends across Europe. 


Nonprofits that originally sent diapers and water and basic medical supplies are now sending non-basic medical supplies and specialized military equipment. 

The SpaceX satellites have been a fascinating collaboration between the private company and government assistance. USAID purchased 1,330 terminals from Space X to send to Ukraine, while the company donated nearly 3,670 terminals and the internet service. US and France paid to ship the 5,000 terminals.

There is an 11 year old Ukrainian Lego wizard named Andrii Sidorov who makes tons of intricate toys with Legos and has a YouTube channel and Instagram account. He began when he was 3. Now he is in Ireland and his dad knew he would cope better if he had Legos and made a social media plea. Within 24 hours, dozens of packages of new and lightly used Lego sets began pouring in. People from all around the world have shipped sets. He comes home from school and begins building. Hooray for Ireland for  taking them in.