Author Archives: Jim deMaine

One of many reasons English is so weird

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to MaryLou P/

Posted in Communication, language | Comments Off on One of many reasons English is so weird

Election results: Voters say ‘No Kings’

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Jim deMaine

by David Horsey in the Seattle Times Here is a telling statistic: In Virginia and New Jersey, Democrats spent $18 million on campaign ads that mentioned President Donald Trump while Republicans spent just $1.3 million on ads that invoked the name of … Continue reading →

Posted in Government, Politics | Comments Off on Election results: Voters say ‘No Kings’

Barnes & Noble plans to return to downtown Seattle

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Jim deMaine

By Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Seattle Times business reporter Bookworms, rejoice: Barnes & Noble plans to return to downtown Seattle, according to recent city filings. The bookseller has leased a property, previously occupied by The North Face, at 520 Pike St. in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Business | Comments Off on Barnes & Noble plans to return to downtown Seattle

Joy from a parrot named Turtle

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks from Bob P. Meet Turtle — the sassy, 40-year-old parrot who rules her household with attitude and affection. Abandoned at a pet store, she found a family and never stopped making them laugh. A touching and funny story about … Continue reading →

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Fall Back

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R. (time to get out my Happy Light).

Posted in environment | Comments Off on Fall Back

After schools banned phones, students checked out more library books: ‘We’re reclaiming attention’

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P. In Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public School District, cell phone bans have made way for students to read for pleasure. The district is following a new state law that prohibits cell phone use during class and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, technology | Comments Off on After schools banned phones, students checked out more library books: ‘We’re reclaiming attention’

Amid ICE raids, Chicago cyclists buy out tamale carts and distribute food to people in need: ‘Go home and be safe’

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

From GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P. Most cyclists bike around their cities as a form of transit or exercise, but members of the Chicago, Illinois collective Cycling x Solidarity take their bike love to a whole new level.  As Immigration and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Food, Immigration, protests | Comments Off on Amid ICE raids, Chicago cyclists buy out tamale carts and distribute food to people in need: ‘Go home and be safe’

I Pledge Allegiance ….

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I Pledge Allegiance ….

Exactly 5 years ago!

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C.

Posted in Skyline Info | Comments Off on Exactly 5 years ago!

Quid pro quo

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Quid pro quo

Johnny Carson as Reagan, a “Who’s On First” spoof

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

When presidential humor used to be fun!

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Johnny Carson as Reagan, a “Who’s On First” spoof

A Sad Day

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A Sad Day

The Great Gaslight

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from Closer to the Edge (thanks to Pam P) You couldn’t script irony this sharp if you tried. On October 31, 2025, as the federal government collapsed under the weight of its own indifference, Donald Trump threw a Great Gatsby-themed … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Economics, Food, Government | Comments Off on The Great Gaslight

Listening to Music After 70 May Cut Dementia Risk by Nearly 40%

Posted on November 2, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Source: Monash University Listening to music when you are over 70 years of age has been linked to a 39 per cent reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a Monash University-led study of over 10,800 older people. The study, led … Continue reading →

Posted in Dementia, Music | Comments Off on Listening to Music After 70 May Cut Dementia Risk by Nearly 40%

Tamales and more at nearby Murano’s restaurant

Posted on November 1, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Worth noting! Thanks to Mike C.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Tamales and more at nearby Murano’s restaurant

Dancing with the orange pumpkin?

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Bob P.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Dancing with the orange pumpkin?

Happenings in Seattle

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from The Needle Now to Nov. 8 – Seattle Restaurant Week Oct. 31 HalloweenWorld Series Game 6 (Blue Jays could win it all)Nov. 1 – Day of the Dead Nov. 2 – Daylight Savings Ends Nov. 4 – Election Day … Continue reading →

Posted in In the Neighborhood | Comments Off on Happenings in Seattle

Message to the Wicked Witch

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Message to the Wicked Witch

SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1. This Portland coffee shop is serving free SNAP breakfast ‘until everyone’s benefits are reinstated, or we go broke doing it’

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

from GoodGoodGood – thanks to Pam P. As the government shutdown enters its 26th day, America’s most vulnerable households are bearing the cost.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 42 million Americans will lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Food, Government, protests | Comments Off on SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1. This Portland coffee shop is serving free SNAP breakfast ‘until everyone’s benefits are reinstated, or we go broke doing it’

Pardon coming?

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Pardon coming?

Nice to hear these days

Posted on October 29, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mary Jane F.

Posted in History, Remembrances | Comments Off on Nice to hear these days

Looking ahead!

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Looking ahead!

My Oh My!

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to John R.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on My Oh My!

The dumpster

Posted on October 26, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Janet M.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The dumpster

ICE, the East Wing, Mental Health and More ….

Posted on October 24, 2025 by Jim deMaine

Commentary by Heather Cox Richardson Julia Ainsley and Didi Martinez of NBC News reported today that Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s rush to get new recruits onto the street has meant they have pushed into their training program more than 200 … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Government, Law, Mental Health, Military, Morality | Comments Off on ICE, the East Wing, Mental Health and More ….