i look over our pic from the TOD_DC trip…i remember your almost reverent touching of the post on the railing of the soon to be home of our beloved President…and though some may laugh…i understand how you feel and felt….
You are so right. I was just thinking today with tears feeling like they were pooling up and ready to drop, that I love this place, all of you dear people, our founder Chips, our blog tyrants and resident geniuses one and all, and of course the people who inspire us, the prez and his team. Writing how much I care just brought the tears all the way out.
House Republicans led by Utah Mormon and greedy Republican Rob Bishop are waging a fierce battle to reject a monumental gift to the American people and obstruct any plan for a national monument or park, simply because it violates the Koch and Mormon law against public land owned by the U.S. government and by extension the American people.
The National Park Service (NPS) is set to receive a donation of 87,500 acres of pristine land in the Maine Woods from a non-profit organization started by the Quimby family (founders of Burt’s Bees) which will be designated as a new national monument and eventually, a new national park. Now, if the idea of handing over, free and clear, nearly 90 thousand acres to the American people is too generous offends greedy Republicans, they must be insane over the Quimby family also giving $40 million dollars to care for, develop, and maintain the national monument and national park.
Did that get uploaded to the picture website? I’ve been waiting for it! If anyone still needs help posting, let me know because I don’t think they are all there yet!
“Boston Dynamics, better known for the hulking robot brute known as ATLAS:
…has just revealed a considerably smaller creation that looks like a cross between a golden retriever and a baby giraffe. But forget about it just replacing your family pet: SpotMini looks like it can replace your housecleaner too. Weighing just 55 pounds on its own, or 65 pounds with its long articulated arm attached, SpotMini skips the hydraulics that Boston Dynamics’ other robots rely on, exclusively using electric motors to move around. On a full charge, it can quietly roam about your house for a full 90 minutes depending on what chores you have it doing.
It’s got a full suite of sensors on board for navigating almost any environment, and the robo-dog can tackle stairs better than most adults can. Among other things, the raptor-looking robot is shown running around outside, maneuvering around objects in a home, and climbing up some stairs. But perhaps the most interesting thing Spot Mini is shown doing is carefully picking up a wine glass and loading it into the dishwasher..cont”
Boston Dynamics unveils robots that can do dishes & grab beer among other amazing things👀 👀https://t.co/InetzyFKg1 https://t.co/b0rUuvRweQ
OMG! My God-daughter was just joking this morning about getting me a robotic housekeeper! Taking her to Pitt next weekend for their engineering open house!
That’s amazing LP. But… I agree with Betsy that it looks like a creepy weird science fiction creature of sort! LOL Also there was a GIF floating around in which the pet robot tripped on a banana peel and fell…
😀😀 Ya, if you clicked on the link I have that GIF of the banana peel (it is in the full youtube video too) but the point was to show the robot slip, fall and get up…in this case it gets on its four legs and proceeds to walk up a flight of stairs in a home!
Oh wow… I didn’t realize that it had gotten up and walked up steps after the fall, because the GIF I saw only showed the fall for some reason. I will watch the youtube video. Fascinating!
Click on the link (it is my blog) it goes into detail about this new robot and the new iteration of the ATLAS robot complete with video/gifs/ and maps from a DARPA competition held last year😎
I’m sure a lot, sjterrid! The technical proficiency needed to program and produce an algorithm for the hand/claw so it doesn’t crush a glass is something else….at then end of one of the videos the robot brings a beer to one of the engineers, but it sprays everywhere because it got all shook up
It is amazing what they programmed it to do. I did watch the end of the video , I didn’t realize it was shaken, I thought the robot put a hole in the bear can when the engineer was trying to take it.
you may be right….the best part was it looked like the bot turned on him though😀😀 ….a possible look at what will happen when our future AI overlords take over😎
GA everyone. Been away for a few days just catching up. I hate to bring some sad news but can you all send prayers to my 2nd cousin. Her husband passed away in his sleep last night. He was 35. I don’t know anything more, Amy & Paul had three kids. Amy’s Mom and I are as close as they come in the family. Breaks my heart. Sending love and prayers to them and will be talking to them later.😦
Thank you Nerdy, I love those two guys. They are the essence of what a true friendship and working partnership is all about and we will never see the like again in my life time.
NASA will keep the Hubble Space Telescope on an additional five years. The agency awarded a sole source contract extension June 23 to the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy for continued Hubble science operations support at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.
This action will extend the period of performance from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021. The contract value will increase by approximately $196.3 million for a total contract value of $2.03 billion.
This contract extension covers the work necessary to continue the science program of the Hubble mission by the Space Telescope Science Institute. The support includes the products and services required to execute science system engineering, science ground system development, science operations, science research, grants management and public outreach support for Hubble and data archive support for missions in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescope
The measure in the Senate bill, which passed with approval from the Armed Services Committee, would make the housing stipend cover only soldiers’ actual bills. (The committee did not respond to requests for comment about which members specifically backed the housing changes.) Soldiers would provide copies of their rents or mortgages and get reimbursed only for what they spent, up to a maximum payable limit. Soldiers sharing housing would have their allowances divided by the number of service members sharing the space. The changes would cost many soldiers hundreds of dollars of a month. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the move would save $2 billion over the next five years.
“This seems like a very odd thing to go after, just because it’s such a drop in the bucket in the overall big scheme of things,” says Dan Grazier, a fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, a government watchdog group. The Senate’s overall bill calls for $602 billion in Pentagon spending for the next fiscal year alone. A Pentagon report issued in March said it was “inappropriate to limit a member’s compensation by tying that compensation to actual expenses,” according to the Military Times.
Those housing allowances are a keep part of a service member’s compensation package. Rather than looking at the ridiculous costs of warfare and equipment that even the Pentagon says they don’t need, the GOP controlled decides instead to cut compensation for service members and their families. Really disgusting!
Once again the GOP waves the flag in one hand & stabs our #military service members in the back with the other. https://t.co/SYg3s0fWxq
— Dudette (@Dudette9t9) July 2, 2025
Congress Has a New Plan to Rein In Military Spending. Go after soldiers' housing benefits. https://t.co/zm8fsteItW via @motherjones
Oooh…so sweet pf58. And this reminds me…44 turns 55 on August 4th! We can do the hashtag like we did last year (#44turns54), only it will be #44turns55!
Thanks, Bob! Unfortunately, it’s ups and downs with Steve. He had some flu-like symptoms but they only lasted a day or so, but now has air in his chest again (following the last procedure) and had a CT Scan Friday, with a follow-up at the surgeon’s office this coming Wednesday. Surgeon says he has two other moves he can take next, so it’s wait-and-see until then. The good news is that the fistula - tear inside the chest - has shrunk profoundly. Thanks so much for asking and please continue to keep him in your thoughts! His two younger children are here for the summer, so they are keeping him going!!!
Sad, we are losing the great ones a lot lately. Thank you all for your prayers for my family. It was a shock. They have 2 children Tyler will be 12 in Nov, Macie will be 6 Sept 12 same day as her Dad’s birthday. They have been married 15 ears. Checked out some photo’s of their wedding. It was a lot of fun and a little wild. A Good time was had by most of the young ones, but I remember my Aunt Cyrilla, Amy’s Grandma, was not happy with the youngn’s. I will be waiting to hear any news. I have sent a condolence email to Terry, Amy’s Mom and a call to one of my other cousins in the area. This has been tough for all of us here at TOD and our concern for Chips and her family at this time also. A lot on our plate. And Thank you Nerdy for keeping us all sane. Love You all with all my heart. (((hugs)))
In the face of hate, we must love. In the face of cruelty, we must live with empathy and compassion. We must never be bystanders to injustice or indifferent to suffering. Just imagine the peace and justice that would be possible in our world if we all lived a little more like Elie Wiesel.
Statement by the President on the Death of E… https://t.co/f61WwJcQFS
White House.gov
YES!
Ohhhhhh Happy Dayssssssssss Gail….
how are you today….what is your weather like today….
Helloooooooo PF, I’m doing very well thank you & hope you are too! The weather is quite comfortable
that is wonderful…
i look over our pic from the TOD_DC trip…i remember your almost reverent touching of the post on the railing of the soon to be home of our beloved President…and though some may laugh…i understand how you feel and felt….
it was a magical moment
😀 it was as close as I could come to touching my beloved President & First Lady❤
Congrats GGail! 👑
Hi dudette!!!
I sent you an email (I think)
Hey there! Haven’t checked email in a bit. I’ll go look.
Congrats on first GGail! Can’t wait to hear about your DC trip tomorrow!
Betsy, looking forward to seeing you too. Just sent you an email 😘
These two inspired us at TOD to become FRIENDS too
Absolutely agree with you, GGail! Congratulations on opening this conversation.
Hi Judith, thanks!
You are so right. I was just thinking today with tears feeling like they were pooling up and ready to drop, that I love this place, all of you dear people, our founder Chips, our blog tyrants and resident geniuses one and all, and of course the people who inspire us, the prez and his team. Writing how much I care just brought the tears all the way out.
And a big thank you to our dear and reliable NW (mwah!)
I loved this….others should try to replicate:)
Love this. Thank you, pf. BRAVO to people who have big hearts and work on solutions.
There’s something similar in SF.
I know that this is not the larger solution to homelessness…but it spreads so much humanity around at a time we so need it..
Whammmm
Truth:)
http://washingtonmonthly.com/2016/07/02/america-is-going-to-miss-having-an-introvert-in-the-white-house/
Anyone else NOT hear about this?? WTH good is the MSM?
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/07/02/utah-mormon-attempts-block-monumental-gift-american-people.html
House Republicans led by Utah Mormon and greedy Republican Rob Bishop are waging a fierce battle to reject a monumental gift to the American people and obstruct any plan for a national monument or park, simply because it violates the Koch and Mormon law against public land owned by the U.S. government and by extension the American people.
The National Park Service (NPS) is set to receive a donation of 87,500 acres of pristine land in the Maine Woods from a non-profit organization started by the Quimby family (founders of Burt’s Bees) which will be designated as a new national monument and eventually, a new national park. Now, if the idea of handing over, free and clear, nearly 90 thousand acres to the American people is too generous offends greedy Republicans, they must be insane over the Quimby family also giving $40 million dollars to care for, develop, and maintain the national monument and national park.
this is their ideology on extremist rails…
SMH
Unbelievable - the nerve these people have! Ugh!
Perfect!
smilin big time….a lil wispy too
{{{{{awwww pf }}}}}
That was such a wonderful day!
The whole trip was wonderful {{{carolyn}}}
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
((huggs))
Thank you, pretty foot, for bringing this picture here.
i was happy to do so..😀 for the record i am the woman behind the “B”.. smilin
I’m the one on the holding up the “M” smiling in the back.
I’m the one holding up the “M”.
What a stunning looking group. We had so much fun. So special. I am the one holding the “I”.
That was such a marvelous weekend! I so enjoyed my TOD sisters and nephews; looking forward to the next one!
yes sirree….and i love your model-esque pose….yes i do… smilin
What difference does it make to anyone in Utah??
Did that get uploaded to the picture website? I’ve been waiting for it! If anyone still needs help posting, let me know because I don’t think they are all there yet!
i think so….
I haven’t sent mine in yet, because first I have to load it on to my computer, then I have to send them individually.
Sorry, I’m just eager to see all of them!
Aw! How sweet! So proud to be a part of this wonderful TOD family! 👏🏾🙌🏾💥
me too..
AAWWWW:) Fabulous!
That is a picture for the ages. Just beautiful.
You all look lovely! Thank you so much for sharing the pic.
yw
Thanks for posting this pf. It brings back lots of lovely memories of meeting all of you. What a phenomenal group of people. (I’m the “H”).
And thanks to PurpleshoesLA for creating the lovely “art work” for our sign.
I am so thankful for my friends on TOD. ❤️ {{{HUGS}}} ❤️
((huggs))
❤ carolmae
RIP Elie Wiesel
Yes, RIP Elie Wiesel. I remember reading Night and Dawn as a teen.
awww…LOL
❤️
“Boston Dynamics, better known for the hulking robot brute known as ATLAS:
…has just revealed a considerably smaller creation that looks like a cross between a golden retriever and a baby giraffe. But forget about it just replacing your family pet: SpotMini looks like it can replace your housecleaner too. Weighing just 55 pounds on its own, or 65 pounds with its long articulated arm attached, SpotMini skips the hydraulics that Boston Dynamics’ other robots rely on, exclusively using electric motors to move around. On a full charge, it can quietly roam about your house for a full 90 minutes depending on what chores you have it doing.
It’s got a full suite of sensors on board for navigating almost any environment, and the robo-dog can tackle stairs better than most adults can. Among other things, the raptor-looking robot is shown running around outside, maneuvering around objects in a home, and climbing up some stairs. But perhaps the most interesting thing Spot Mini is shown doing is carefully picking up a wine glass and loading it into the dishwasher..cont”
OMG! My God-daughter was just joking this morning about getting me a robotic housekeeper! Taking her to Pitt next weekend for their engineering open house!
That is not a joke anymore jazziz2. You could get one in a couple of years if you put your order in now.
These bots are freaking amazing!!! I posted a link showing them doing all kinds of crazy stuff😎
You taking her to Carnegie Mellon? https://twitter.com/CMUEngineering?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
That’s amazing LP. But… I agree with Betsy that it looks like a creepy weird science fiction creature of sort! LOL
Also there was a GIF floating around in which the pet robot tripped on a banana peel and fell… 
😀😀 Ya, if you clicked on the link I have that GIF of the banana peel (it is in the full youtube video too) but the point was to show the robot slip, fall and get up…in this case it gets on its four legs and proceeds to walk up a flight of stairs in a home!
Oh wow… I didn’t realize that it had gotten up and walked up steps after the fall, because the GIF I saw only showed the fall for some reason. I will watch the youtube video. Fascinating!
Click on the link (it is my blog) it goes into detail about this new robot and the new iteration of the ATLAS robot
complete with video/gifs/ and maps from a DARPA competition held last year😎
Thanks I saw it, and the other videos/GIFS, and plans…WOW…what will they think of next?!?!?
It looks like a gigantic cockroach. Not for me thanks.
LOL. Now I could never have one with that image in my head.
This is very cool! Thanks, LP! I wonder how many glasses broke before they filmed that one?
I’m sure a lot, sjterrid! The technical proficiency needed to program and produce an algorithm for the hand/claw so it doesn’t crush a glass is something else….at then end of one of the videos the robot brings a beer to one of the engineers, but it sprays everywhere because it got all shook up
It is amazing what they programmed it to do. I did watch the end of the video , I didn’t realize it was shaken, I thought the robot put a hole in the bear can when the engineer was trying to take it.
you may be right….the best part was it looked like the bot turned on him though😀😀 ….a possible look at what will happen when our future AI overlords take over😎
Too, funny!
GA everyone. Been away for a few days just catching up. I hate to bring some sad news but can you all send prayers to my 2nd cousin. Her husband passed away in his sleep last night. He was 35. I don’t know anything more, Amy & Paul had three kids. Amy’s Mom and I are as close as they come in the family. Breaks my heart. Sending love and prayers to them and will be talking to them later.😦
So sorry for your loss. This just sucks when they’re so young.
Oh, Roberta, so sorry for your loss. He was so young. My condolences to, and prayers for, your entire family.
So sorry for your loss, Roberta! My thoughts and prayers for you, and her family.
{{{Roberta}}}
My condolences to you and your family, Roberta.
May Amy’s husband rest in eternal peace and may the universe send her comfort in these times.
❤️ {{{HUGS}}} ❤️
Roberta, so, so sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your family. That is far too young.😦
My sincerest of sympathies for your family Roberta….May God Bless you
Oh no Roberta..35 is too young to go so suddenly! May he RIP, and wishing your cousin peace and strength to cope during this difficult period.
Oh my goodness! The whole family must be devastated at this sudden and shocking loss! I’m so sorry. Sending sincere condolences and love.
Oh, Roberta, just said a prayer for you and your family. How very sad for all of you. Hugs to you.
{{{{❤❤ ❤ }}}}
Thank you Nerdy, I love those two guys. They are the essence of what a true friendship and working partnership is all about and we will never see the like again in my life time.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2016/06/nasa-extends-hubble-space-telescope-science-operations-contract
NASA will keep the Hubble Space Telescope on an additional five years. The agency awarded a sole source contract extension June 23 to the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy for continued Hubble science operations support at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.
This action will extend the period of performance from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021. The contract value will increase by approximately $196.3 million for a total contract value of $2.03 billion.
This contract extension covers the work necessary to continue the science program of the Hubble mission by the Space Telescope Science Institute. The support includes the products and services required to execute science system engineering, science ground system development, science operations, science research, grants management and public outreach support for Hubble and data archive support for missions in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescope
Yay! 😄
While Republicans wave the flag an use military personnel as props…
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/congress-targeting-troops-housing-benefits
The measure in the Senate bill, which passed with approval from the Armed Services Committee, would make the housing stipend cover only soldiers’ actual bills. (The committee did not respond to requests for comment about which members specifically backed the housing changes.) Soldiers would provide copies of their rents or mortgages and get reimbursed only for what they spent, up to a maximum payable limit. Soldiers sharing housing would have their allowances divided by the number of service members sharing the space. The changes would cost many soldiers hundreds of dollars of a month. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the move would save $2 billion over the next five years.
“This seems like a very odd thing to go after, just because it’s such a drop in the bucket in the overall big scheme of things,” says Dan Grazier, a fellow at the Project on Government Oversight, a government watchdog group. The Senate’s overall bill calls for $602 billion in Pentagon spending for the next fiscal year alone. A Pentagon report issued in March said it was “inappropriate to limit a member’s compensation by tying that compensation to actual expenses,” according to the Military Times.
Those housing allowances are a keep part of a service member’s compensation package. Rather than looking at the ridiculous costs of warfare and equipment that even the Pentagon says they don’t need, the GOP controlled decides instead to cut compensation for service members and their families. Really disgusting!
can you consider sending this to the organization VoteVets?
I suspect that they probably already know but it would not hurt to give a reminder — in case they are busy with other stuff.
I know they can mobilize against this and get it scrapped. the gop is despicable!
Good idea! Thanks!
Many service men and women are on food stamps, so why not take away more housing benefits. GOP are sick people.
Sorry I meant “key” not “keep”
Ten years since the movie; i just want to use this on the donald. . .
http://www.saferstates.com/news/consensus
Heads Up!! Thank you, God, for sending Barack Obama!! Thank God he came to us!! ❤️🌹🙏🏻🌹❤️
Feeling nostalgic….
from BWD
the baby video that Sousa posted about yesterday
Oooh…so sweet pf58. And this reminds me…44 turns 55 on August 4th! We can do the hashtag like we did last year (#44turns54), only it will be #44turns55!
yessssss
Coulda been worse. Crocodile could been there waiting! 😱
What goes around ….
…. kicks your ass in the end ….
So true about that “goes around” part, Bob!
YUP!!
How is Steve? Keeping both of you in my thoughts!
Thanks, Bob! Unfortunately, it’s ups and downs with Steve. He had some flu-like symptoms but they only lasted a day or so, but now has air in his chest again (following the last procedure) and had a CT Scan Friday, with a follow-up at the surgeon’s office this coming Wednesday. Surgeon says he has two other moves he can take next, so it’s wait-and-see until then. The good news is that the fistula - tear inside the chest - has shrunk profoundly. Thanks so much for asking and please continue to keep him in your thoughts! His two younger children are here for the summer, so they are keeping him going!!!
Blessings to your family….Jackie O
Thanks, honey bunch!
Will certainly keep both of you in my thoughts and am delighted to know his two younger children are with him (and you). Take care!!
Thanks, sir!
May his soul rest in peace.
So very sorry to hear.
h/t BJ…. Wow. And no one said a word….
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/07/01/naked-don-a-cambridge-academics-protest-against-brexit/
Wow indeed!
Wow is right. She made her statement, for sure.
Sad, we are losing the great ones a lot lately. Thank you all for your prayers for my family. It was a shock. They have 2 children Tyler will be 12 in Nov, Macie will be 6 Sept 12 same day as her Dad’s birthday. They have been married 15 ears. Checked out some photo’s of their wedding. It was a lot of fun and a little wild. A Good time was had by most of the young ones, but I remember my Aunt Cyrilla, Amy’s Grandma, was not happy with the youngn’s. I will be waiting to hear any news. I have sent a condolence email to Terry, Amy’s Mom and a call to one of my other cousins in the area. This has been tough for all of us here at TOD and our concern for Chips and her family at this time also. A lot on our plate. And Thank you Nerdy for keeping us all sane. Love You all with all my heart. (((hugs)))
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻. My Dad would be 100 on 6 September this year. Light around you all and many blessings. ❤️
Forgive me, I did not read this clearly. Forgive me.
Tragic, Ironic …..
Yes, Education Matters ….
IRG misbehaving, dangerously ….
You can imagine how much they’d love for Trump to be elected ….
A little history ….
President Obama has brought me to my knees in his profound and heartfelt tribute to Elie Wiesel. ❤️🌹🙏🏻🌹❤️
Does anybody know if the book PBO and Elie Wiesel (mentioned in this article) was ever finished?
http://backchannel.al-monitor.com/index.php/2012/11/2955/president-obama-and-elie-wiesel-writing-book/
Who knows…found this
http://forward.com/news/breaking-news/165967/reports-of-obama-wiesel-book-deal-shot-down/
Aw! I remember the story when it came out originally and thought ” now that’s a book I’d love to read.”
In the face of hate, we must love. In the face of cruelty, we must live with empathy and compassion. We must never be bystanders to injustice or indifferent to suffering. Just imagine the peace and justice that would be possible in our world if we all lived a little more like Elie Wiesel.
https://t.co/eF1YqIP84l
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/07/02/the-president-remembers-elie-wiesel/