This and that an' t'other

 

From the internet

She used to sell these fabulous strawberries at Ledford's Fresh fruits and vegetables store. But it was washed away by the Swannanoa River right behind it eight months ago. So Dede set up a table by US 70 where Ledford's used to be, and sold the strawberries anyway. Mr. Ledford said he's not going to reopen his store. Love Dede's interest in the environment and these mountains where she's lived all her life.

Another blogger posted this photo of a Gold Finch. I did a double take...our Gold Finches don't have all those colors on them. But she's right, this is a European  Gold Finch. American ones are quite different.

The Madleen departing Sicily for Gaza on June 1, 2025

See article on AntiWar.Blog: 

The Next 48-140 Hours Critical in Citizens Worldwide Demand that the Israeli Genocide of Gaza Must End 

by Col. Ann Wright (ret.) | Jun 7, 2025

Gaza Flotilla Sailboat Madleen

Yet, also within 48 hours, a small sailboat named Madleen, will arrive near Gaza. (Watch on the https://t.me/FFC_official_channel, follow on Flotilla instagram and watch progress on a map here or here.)

Within 48 hours, 12 brave souls in the Madleen, Flotilla Steering Committee members Thiago Avila – Brazil and Yasemin Acar – Germany;  Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament, Dr. Baptiste Andre – France, Omar Faiad – France; Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent, Pascal Maurieras – France, Reva Viard – France, Yanis Mhamdi – France;  Suayb Ordu – Turkiye; Sergio Toribio – Spain; Greta Thunberg – Swedish climate activist; Marco van Rennes – The Netherlands. will carry the solidarity of citizens of the world to those in Gaza and West Bank for the ending of the genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Within 48 hours, the 12 volunteers on the Madleen will most probably be stopped in international waters, arrested, taken against their wills, to a place they do not want to go, imprisoned and then deported… from Israel.

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Update:by Matthew Behrens

midnight

Israeli apartheid regime is illegally detaing the crew for trying to end the imposition of Auschwitz on Gaza

In a statement just released, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israel of “forcibly intercepting” the Madleen and acting with “total impunity”.

It says that at 3.02am CET, the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.”

“Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser.

These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.”

Meanwhile calls are being made to send other ships to break the blockade. Francesca Albanese wites: "While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.

#BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us."

SOURCE: Matthew Behrens

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Today's quote:

Ultimately, you are the one — the teacher who will guide you on your journey.