insects

Not so fond of mosquitos. Mosquitos so fond of me. The new bulb in the mosquito lamp has not been sufficient. I'll be wearing lots of permethrin-soaked clothing this summer because I really enjoy my deck and garden now.

I don't feel at all gauche bragging about my garden because it is modest-sized and you know I'm mainly bragging about the incredible design of Kate's. Now, a $700 million superyacht I might be more circumspect. Of course, if I were the sort of person to have a $700 million superyacht...

I don't know what this flowering shrub is but it was in the woods and very pretty. I'm basically looking straight up in this shot so it is also tall. I would have taken a picture of the bee but it was too fast. 

The weather was fantastic. Tomorrow that ends and we'll have three super hot days in a row. I shaved poor Samuel so he could survive. He looked awfully raggedy before. Now he still looks raggedy. 

Some days the Facebook algorithm is so helpful with Ukrainian news that doesn't make you want to weep. The algorithm knows I'm particularly interested in stories about helping animals. 

The Lithuanian media channel that raised money to buy an armed drone reached its goal in less than four days. They'd been hoping to do it in three weeks. They will transfer the money to the Lithuanian Ministry fo Defense and representatives will travel to Turkey to sign the order form. Ukraine already has a lot of experience and success with this type of drone.

Patron, our favorite Jack Russell mine sniffing dog, is being honored at the Cannes Fim Festival. He has over 277k followers now. 

A Russian woman living in Semur-en-auxois, France, has been using an Irish Setter Facebook group to help Ukrainians. Humane Society International says that at least 30,000 cats and dogs have fled Ukraine, not including those rescued by charities. Macha Levitin saw a picture of a man and his dog trying to board a train out of the country. She began combing through the names of the members, looking for Russian and Ukrainian names. She found one and introduced herself and offered help. He and his wife and their Irish Setter and their cat live with her in France now. Levitin helped him set up an exhibit of his paintings in their new village tourism office. As soon as they got to France his dog, Rolly, got sick but the Humane Society's charity, Vets for Ukrainian Pets, paid for medical care and Rolly is fine now. Levitan also helped Vlada and her Irish Setter named Iris and her cat. She organized a bus from Warsaw to Paris and then picked them up. Now she has a job making high-end handbags. The three get together and go on walks. Only the animal connection helped her to trust a Russian. 

The winners of Eurovision, Kalush Orchestra, sold their trophy for $900,000 to raise money to buy .... drones!!! The band also appeared at a charity event at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to raise money for medical care and supplies.