Gateway to Summer - June 2021

Pictured above: From Irene's Garden

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Albuquerque Weather or Not

The Anatomy of a Hale Storm:

Hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upward by thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. Hailstones then grow by colliding with liquid water drops that freeze onto the hailstone’s surface. The hail falls when the thunderstorm's updraft can no longer support the weight of the hailstone, which can occur if the stone becomes large enough or the updraft weakens.

The largest hailstone recovered in the United States fell in Vivian, South Dakota, on June 23, 2010, with a diameter of 8 inches and a circumference of 18.62 inches. It weighed 1 lb 15 oz.

How large was the hail in your yard yesterday? Hail stone classifications:

• Pea = 1/4 inch diameter
• Mothball = 1/2 inch diameter
• Penny = 3/4 inch diameter
• Nickel = 7/8 inch
• Quarter = 1 inch — hail quarter size or larger is considered severe
• Ping-Pong Ball = 1 1/2 inch
• Golf Ball = 1 3/4 inches
• Tennis Ball = 2 1/2 inches
• Baseball = 2 3/4 inches
• Tea cup = 3 inches
• Softball = 4 inches
• Grapefruit = 4 1/2 inches

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The Great Divide

Politicizing The Vaccine - read article on the role of children in this ridiculous argument

Politicizing Our Democracy - Last week the Senate voted 54-35 to halt a 10-member, bipartisan commission to examine the fatal events that transpired on Jan. 6th. Viewed by many as a litmus test for bipartisanship that failed, can the filibuster be far behind?

Looming Worker Shortage or Has It Arrived? - The US Chamber of Commerce has announced the "America Works" initiative to address a crisis it considers the most critical  and widespread challenge facing US businesses. Could enacting a sensible immigration policy finally get some traction?

Savoring our State Debate - well? Red or Green?

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Speaking of debate, where are you on this?

If people can go to prison for lying to Congress, shouldn't members of Congress go to jail for lying to the People?

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The Month of June

6/1: 100^th Anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre

6/2: National Rotisserie Chicken Day 

6/6: D-Day

6/9: Natl Donald Duck Day 

6/14: Flag Day & National Bourbon Day

Bourbon Renewal 

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 oz fresh lemon juice

• .5 oz creme de cassis

• .5 oz simple syrup

• 1 dash Angostura bitters

1. Shake ingredients with ice until cold.

2. Strain over fresh ice into an old-fashioned glass.

3. Garnish with a lemon wedge, or if in season, fresh currants.

Recipe printed courtesy of jeffreymorgenthaler.com

6/16: Bloomsday

The story of Leopold Bloom is recognized as one of the most important works of modernist literature and has been largely considered a catalyst for the entire movement. Today, people in Ireland and James Joyce fans around the world celebrate with festivals, readings, dramatizations, pub crawls, and more to honor a man who changed literature forever. 

6/19: Juneteenth –

The freedom of African Americans from slavery in the U.S. in 1865 is celebrated on the holiday Juneteenth on June 19. Juneteenth is made up of the words ‘June’ and ‘nineteenth,’ and it is on this day that Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Texas more than 155 years ago to inform slaves that slavery had been abolished.

6/20: Father’s Day

6/21: Summer Solstice 

6/24 National Pralines Day

6/27: National PTSD Awareness Day 

6/28: Wimbledon Begins  (likely withoutNaomi Osaka – see news story )

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The i'S Have It

iHaven't - Tested the vino or tasted the tapas, but this might be worth exploring:

VARA WINERY & DISTILLERY - click here for website

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iWatched - dutifully following the recommendation of this review , I watched THE DISCIPLE on Netflix yesterday afternoon.

Photo from The Guardian review  (click here) - for me, honestly? A total bust. However, people whose film views I trust and admire gave it a thumbs up so maybe it was just a bad day for me and Indian Classical Music. The movie is 208 minutes of a young man's devotion to an art that doesn't return his love. And possibly much more. So, if you're feeling adventuresome, and want to slow down even more than you already have, it's available on Netflix and pulled in a 97% fan rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

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iRead

Currently, this trio of books is on the bedtable. This obviates, for the most part, my argument of not "being in the mood for that book right now." It also is a bit of bedtable memory care - kind of the literary equivalent of plate twirling or juggling. If any piques your interest, google it for more info and your favorite review source.

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iBinge

delicious - and it is. Available for free if you have amazon prime. Not taxing, nor particularly clever - a very light three course (or 3 Seasons) meal for food lovers, armchair travelers (set in Cornwall) and those who don't sleep well watching slasher films before bed. Quirky characters and familiar faces.

Sound too vapid? You might consider the PBS drama and Masterpiece Theatre offering:

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iFind

Not exactly Running With Wolves - but if you like a little whimsey behind closed shower curtains, this is a pretty cheap thrill. Available at etsy in pink - this gator is an IKEA alum (I bought out the remaining inventory at amazon).

...and 1 left at eBay - click here - you'll be glad you did.

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Do You Own a House Near the River?

Because if you do*, please vote - MRGCD is a vital part of our community.

MRGCD Board of Directors Election