Nine inches of heavy snow atop freezing rain in Minneapolis makes for lots of icicles and snow shelves.

“Remove trust and the ecosystems start to collapse,” writes Thomas Friedman in yesterday’s NYT. Seems so true of many areas of our world. From WordPress turning on it’s community to trade wars between partnering countries. We are losing our grasp on Sustainability, where we need to focus.

Commercial book publishing is such a tight industry, nice to see a little change. Blurbing on the backs of books is “an incestuous and unmeritocratic literary ecosystem that often rewards connections over talent.” So says Simon & Schuster publisher Sean Manning.[^1]: Publishers Weekly

Drupal 11 was an easy install on Cloudways. Will play in the demo app for a while, then eventually load the new CMS on top. Been a while since using Drupal. Hoping for the ideal UXs for both admin & users. Could be a sweet off-ramp from WordPress drama.

THE WORDPRESS MORPH

The WordPress Morph is a WordPress Advisory 2025 for my consulting clients. WordPress enters 2025 disrupting the global ecosystem powering 42% of the web. Users need options for safe and continuing web services. Word & Image explores options: wordimage.com/blog/wordpress-advisory/

Just saying No to #WPdrama and yes to #DrupalCMS ‘cause FLOSS & AX both really matter.

After being sick much of November, putting an old cat to rest, getting stomach flu from Thanksgiving, and worrying about where Health Care is headed in this country, hoping to get back to some normal business this month.

RIP Chloe circa 2008—2024 She was a shelter cat with history, but a fun companion with lotsa spunk. Let the hole in my heart fill with sweet memories. Chloe’s Adoption Note

Attending “The Chicago Manual of Style Principal Reviser” talk at Open Book in Minneapolis today. CMOS 18 approves of Singular They. About Time! 40 years ago my work partner was finishing a Phd with studies of common use of the gender-neutral form, including text. Common practice for me.

Yea, voted early at a Popup in Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Making a day of it for a personal holiday! Democracy, Art, and ending with Jazz & small plates at Berlin club downtown listening to Brandon Wozniak and Bryan Nichols. Vote & Celebrate Peeps!!!

Was putting The Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon in my Little Free Library, then noticed the back cover Promo: HE WANTED POWER. SHE WANTED REVENGE. Now I need to read this Presidential Campaign Thriller as it echoes current headlines.

So enjoyed visiting Sterling Vineyards up a gondola ride for gorgeous views of Napa Valley in Calistoga CA. Oh, excellent wines too.

Hibiscus flower is blooming. Short-lived gigantic flowers that look like satellite dishes to fetch the bees. To celebrate made a batch of Hibiscus sun tea for summer punch.

Thrilled for St. Paul author Naomi Kritzer winning 2024 Hugo Awards for both Short Story & Novelette. 2016 Hugo Best Short Story “Cat Pictures Please” is my all-time fave sci-fi story. In Twin Cities, find signed copies of her books at Uncle Hugo’s or Dreamhaven. Quite the writing community here!

After Sinusitis for a week, I woke with crusty eyelids & pink eye yesterday. Jackson Browne’s Doctor My Eyes came to mind; listening to the song, I did cry—not just for my own sorry state, but our sick old world today. Waiting now for the Doc to prescribe for me, but what about our world?

Here’s Berrien Public Beach near Union Pier, Michigan, on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan, where the beach goes on forever…

Deconstructed Shrimp Kebab on the Barbi.

The common Minnesota Prairie Spiderwort can pop up anywhere, like my urban alleyway. Tradescantia Occidentalis

Nice Spring weather & blooms here in Minnesota. Our Red Maple has burst out over past 3 weeks. Leaves 5x6 inches, smooth as finest silk.

First Dandelion of Spring 🌼 in March?!

Been a year since Barber Bob closed the MGEX Barbershop 💈 and fun to see the Media blitz we got. But mothballing the site to the old WordPress morgue on anniversary tomorrow.

Vernal Equinox sunset over East Lake Street, Minneapolis.

Tulips sprouting almost a month early this year.

Michele’s Avocado Toast

Month old carnations in the window