@jeridansky@sfba.social cover
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

jeridansky

@[email protected]

Retired professional organizer (the clutter-clearing type); retired editor. Feminist. Cat owner. Jewish atheist. Pro-union. Pro-vaccination, masking and ventilation/filtration. Owner/moderator of my local freecycle group.

All photos by me unless otherwise noted. Daily flower photos are blooms seen at my local farmers market.

Header photo: A large black Maine Coon cat looks at a computer screen.
Avatar: My current cat, Tennessee

#nobridge

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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

I gave Tennessee some freeze-dried salmon treats for the first time in months, and he's overjoyed.

These treats, for any other cat owners who might be interested: https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=2993e982-fac9-414d-8aba-bdbdd89ac945

A medium-hair tuxedo cat, sitting on a cat mat on a desk, head bent over to take some treats from my outstretched hand.
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jeridansky OP ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@cafechatnoir Tennessee loves his Temptations, too. But he also adores these salmon treats.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

: Tierische Begegnungen
Photo Suggestion: Animal encounters

Me having an encounter, a long time ago.

A young red-haired woman, facing to our left, feeding a kangaroo with other kangaroos hanging around. Over to the right there's a goose.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Another dahlia day!

Dahlia blooms, white with lots of lavender at the tips, spreading inward.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

: Öffentliche Kunst
Photo Suggestion: Public Art

A Benny Bufano sculpture at Hillsdale Shopping Center, San Mateo, California — located near the Apple Store.

A large stone sculpture of a seated mama bear with two cubs nursing, their backs to the viewer. The sculpture is outdoors with greenery nearby and large commercial buildings in the near distance.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Sunflowers for Sunday!

One sunflower bloom surrounded by petals of others.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Time for more dahlias!

Dahlia blooms, yellow center and rest a rosy pink. They look glorious.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

We've had some pretty nice waves on our beaches here in Half Moon Bay recently, with more forecast for later this week.

A long line of waves breaking near a sandy beach, and throwing up a lot of spray. The sky is a cloudless blue.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

How about some yellow for your timeline — lots and lots of yellow?

A bunch of bright yellow ranunculus blooms, not yet open.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Tennessee spends a lot of time with me in my office, but sometimes he wants to cuddle in the bedroom — and he lets me know I need to join him there with some very demanding meows.

A medium-hair tuxedo cat on a bed, next to his toy mouse he likes to head-butt. He's going the camera a sultry look.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

I think your timeline could probable use a second photo of Tennessee on this .

A medium-hair tuxedo cat lying on his back on a cat mat on a desk. All four paws are up in the air, and his floofy white tummy is on display.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Something I did yesterday late afternoon seems to have accidentally startled Tennessee, and he spent a lot of the past 24 hours hiding out, not even tempted by treats. But we seem to be back to normal now, as he's returned to my desk and is purring his heart out.

And a bit earlier, on my bed, he was climbing on my chest and giving me head butts, but I can't get a photo of that.

A handsome medium-hair tuxedo cat, lying on a cat mat on a desk, one front paw extended, His head is turned to look into the camera.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

It's another dahlia day!

Dahlia blooms: sort of a butterscotch yellow with dark orange tips and underside,
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Let's start this week with some ranunculus.

Ranunculus blooms. The one that's up front and grabbing attention is yellow with lots of red markings. It's surrounded by the petals of other blooms.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Over the weekend, did you see the much-shared story on Reddit by a supposed whistleblower?

It started like this: "I’m a developer for a major food delivery app. The 'Priority Fee' and 'Driver Benefit Fee' go 100% to the company. The driver sees $0 of it. I’m posting this from a library Wi-Fi on a burner laptop because I am technically under a massive NDA. I don’t care anymore."

Well, it was a fake.
https://www.platformer.news/fake-uber-eats-whisleblower-hoax-debunked/

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Jour 5: Disque
Day 5: Disc

Not my shower! Rather, a shower from my travels somewhere in Europe.

A stall shower with tiles in shades of orange: plain orange squares, white squares with a darker orange discs, and dark orange squares with white discs.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Joining others in saying a heartfelt thank you to all you wonderful folks on Mastodon who provided me with a ray of sanity and joyfulness amidst all the horribleness surrounding us.

Thanks for the cats, dogs, birds, flowers, footpaths, cityscapes, windows, doors, waves, Silent Sundays and so much more. And for all the alt text!

Thanks to those who are comfortable doing so for sharing everyday pieces of your lives. Getting to know you through these posts has been a delight.

And thanks for sharing important news I might have missed, from around the world — and thoughtful commentary on the news, in words and memes.

Thanks for all the responses to my own posts. They mean a lot to me!

And a final thanks to all the many developers, admins and moderators who keep this place running.

Here's wishing all of you the best possible new year.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

US folks: If you missed this in November, as I did:
Good news for those of us 65 and older, as well as the immunocompromised: The CDC now recommends a second dose of the 2025-2026 Covid vaccine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/12/30/covid-vaccine-booster-updated-cdc-guidelines/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzY3MDcwODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzY4NDUzMTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NjcwNzA4MDAsImp0aSI6ImMyNmFmMTc2LWVhNzYtNDAyNS04MGQ5LWE5MWU3MDg0MTViNyIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9vcGluaW9ucy8yMDI1LzEyLzMwL2NvdmlkLXZhY2NpbmUtYm9vc3Rlci11cGRhdGVkLWNkYy1ndWlkZWxpbmVzLyJ9.1vH668nSHmjiAiNcDSaYg4_zh5dxdfJmNXO-Dj7maSg

The agency quietly updated its guidance in November to encourage adults 65 and older to receive two shots of this season’s vaccine, ideally six months apart to optimize protection. (People can get them as soon as two or three months after the first shot, depending on which vaccine they received.)

The same guidance applies to those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. … Importantly, individuals do not need documentation to prove immunocompromised status.

Recent studies have shown that protection gained from covid vaccines wanes substantially after four to six months.

Note: I’m no fan of Leana Wen, to put it mildly, but this specific column seems good.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

I think today calls for some calendula.

Yellow and orange calendula blooms, most fully open.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

The theme today is songs of empathy and kindness.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart — Dolly Parton covers Jackie De Shannon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVvcU1Qofbk

Lean On Me — Bill Withers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ-MySzAac&t=63s

With a Little Help From My Friends — The Beatles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C58ttB2-Qg

You’ve Got a Friend — Carole King
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR_Ff5A8Rk

Get Together — The Youngbloods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGxQXmu7Os
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Chinese food has arrived, with enough for tonight and tomorrow.

Now for the obligatory movie-watching. Since I don't go to theaters any more and I have no streaming services, I'll be renting something from Apple. I've got a nice big display to watch it on.

Last year I watched My Neighbor Totoro and loved it. Maybe Princess Mononoke or Howl’s Moving Castle this year? If so, which one?

Or does anyone want to recommend a favorite? I watch very few movies, so there's a good chance I haven't seen yours. The only recent movie I've seen was Barbie, which I enjoyed. Before that, Don't Look Up, which I also liked.

No Christmas movies, please. And no horror. Recent movies or older ones (even much older) both welcome.

jeridansky OP ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

OK, everyone who said I should watch Howl's Moving Castle was right! What a delight. Thank you all.

And I think I won't wait until next Christmas to watch my next Miyazaki film.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

RE: https://union.place/@propublicaguild/115736214313145243

Oh no! Assuming this is true, I guess I'll be ending my donations to ProPublica. And letting them know why.

jeridansky OP ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

I just sent an email to ProPublica noting that if this news is true, I won't be donating in the future — and expressing my horror. (I've donated the last few years.)

If you'd like to write to them, here's an email address: [email protected]

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Continuing a dahlia retrospective ...

Dahlia blooms: a base of creamy white with lavender tips and undersides. Stunning!
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Time for more calendula! And a whole lot of orange.

A whole bunch of orange calendula blooms.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

I just have to brag on Tennessee, who hit another milestone today. I had friends over who came to the doorway of my office where he was sitting by the window. They took a good long look — and he looked back and didn’t bolt. In fact, he seemed totally unperturbed.

My boy is getting braver at age 17!

Also, here are some more toe beans for .

A medium-hair tuxedo cat, curled up asleep. You can see his face as well as his pink toe beans on the leg that's sitting by his head.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Here, have some Monday marigolds!

A whole bunch of bright orange marigold blooms.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Time to celebrate with Tennessee!

A medium-hair tuxedo cat, lying on a cat mat, the pink toe beans on one rear paw on display.
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@BobHorowitz@sfba.social avatar BobHorowitz , to random

I heart you Giant Billboard, but you misspelled fuck.

8th and Brannan, 8:53 a.m.

A massive billboard sits atop a 5 story, white painted warehouse and merchant building (The Jewelry Exchange) South of Market in San Francisco. Shouting to people driving past on the 80 freeway, the billboard says "Shuck It." It is an advertisement for an oyster company or somesuch... but also a commentary on the state of the world.
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jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@BobHorowitz Actually an ad for Airbnb Experiences! (I found a picture of the full billboard elsewhere.) But I like it better as a commentary on the state of the world.

@czarbucks@vmst.io avatar czarbucks , to random

Stupid homeowner question for the FediMind here. We have a window blind that just broke, and I was looking for a replacement. It's a top down/bottom up cellular shade, with cords, which apparently one can no longer purchase.

When did this happen? I understand cords might be problematic for some, but I have cords all over the house. And the blind is too tall for the "cordless" style.

So, we're back to looking at the myriad options instead, but even normal blinds no longer have cords. Sigh. First world problems, but crap.

jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@BobHorowitz @czarbucks I knew nothing about the new law, either — so thanks for the info, Bob.

I've considered replacing the blinds in my bedroom, which are acting fussy in their old age. I'd actually like having them be cordless, since I don't have the too-high challenges @czarbucks has with her shades.

@jon@vivaldi.net avatar jon , to random

It seems like most every other browser is all in on AI. We have chosen a different path at @Vivaldi

If you would prefer AI not to be integrated into your browser, but still like a feature rich browser, I welcome you to try Vivaldi.

https://vivaldi.com/blog/keep-exploring/

jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@jon That''s why I have Vivaldi. Thank you!

@BobHorowitz@sfba.social avatar BobHorowitz , to random

The car that would rather be smashing imperialism.

A very red mid-1950s Ford Thunderbird convertible, with stylish chrome trim, smallish rear fins, and a giant spare tire compartment above the rear bumper. Photographed from the rear at a 45° angle behind the right tail light, the car is stunning. It stands there in full glory, shining in the sun, top down, on a dirt patch of ground facing the Pacific Ocean. The white wall tires are a nice, and necessary, touch. Note: there's a bumper sticker on the rear tire compartment that says, in large white letters, I'D RATHER BE SMASHING IMPERIALISM. We all would be, car. We all would be.
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jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@BobHorowitz Sure makes today’s cars look boring, doesn’t it?

@BobHorowitz@sfba.social avatar BobHorowitz , to random

Current location, today, 10:39 a.m.

Not shown: me, 2 minutes ago, sitting on the loveseat on the left, drinking coffee, listening to Ray Brown's delightful and awesome Jazz Cello album. I've been awake since 5:10 a.m., the precise time when our fucking smoke detector decided it wanted a new battery.

Anyway, the Christmas tree has been up for 4 days. It's a good tree this year... even if it only has 150 lights, way less than 2021 when the 1600 lights made the tree look absolutely fissile.

As we approach the last month of the year, may the rest of 2025 treat everyone well. Be safe, be happy, and be loved.

A 6 and a half foot tall Christmas tree with gold, silver, and purple balls sits in the bay window of 100-year-old craftsman house in San Francisco. The room is orange curry and brown hued, with plaster walls, dark hardwood floors and wood trim around the windows. There are two chairs and a loveseat with soft paisley fabric... a fireplace... and a bookcase where all the books are sorted by size and color. Warm light makes the room glow, as very white, filtered light enters the windows.
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jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@BobHorowitz You have the perfect spot for a Christmas tree!

I was just looking at the photo you posted in 2022 and it appears almost identical. Small differences: The 2022 version had a coffee mug on that coaster and orchids on the coffee table and the mantel. There was only one candle, not three, by the fireplace. (I like it with the three.)

Once you've got the perfect look, why mess with it?

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Current dilemma:

My brother is, as always, making a yummy Thanksgiving dinner. Unlike other years, he's invited a few other folks to join us, after checking that I was OK with that.

But my brother and sister-in-law have both backed off on their Covid precautions, and I don't know anything about what these other folks are doing. My brother has agreed they could all take Covid tests before we get together.

Now: Do I take off my mask, or do I leave it on and take my meal outside to their patio? It'll be warm enough that I could certainly do that, but it's likely to upset folks a bit.

But I've had Covid zero times, and I'd really like to keep it that way, if possible. And yes, I’m fully vaxxed.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

: Farbe: Schwarz-Weiss
Photo Suggestion: Color: Black-White

Black-white? That one is easy. This is my cat, Tennessee.

A medium-hair tuxedo cat lying on a bed, up against a white pillow.
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@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

Time for more calendula!

Yellow and orange calendula blooms with a bit of purple statice.
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@BobHorowitz@sfba.social avatar BobHorowitz , (edited ) to random

Hey remember a couple of weeks ago when I said my favorite exercise at the gym was the shoulder shrug? I was shrugging 240 lbs. Well last week I added another 90 lbs to the machine. Now I'm shrugging like a bodybuilder.

Still bothered by things though. This month in particular. Everything is fucked. The Democrats caved, Secretary Brainworm is destroying the CDC, Trump is under the spell of Putin, and now he's chopping down the trees, digging up the ground, and turning the White House into Isengard.

An overexposed, black and white picture of the trapezoid machine at the gym, with a ton of glare falling on the ground in the middle of the machine. Six 45 lb weights are mounted on the bars. Another two 45s will be added in a moment.
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jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@BobHorowitz "Everything is fucked" is, unfortunately, a good summation of where we're at.

@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

I wouldn't normally link to Bluesky, but this from Senator Chris Murphy is so right on:

The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. "HANG THEM", he posted.

If you're a person of influence in this country and you haven't picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a fucking side.

https://bsky.app/profile/chrismurphyct.bsky.social/post/3m6363k5nb22s

h/t @heidilifeldman

@Gargron@mastodon.social avatar Gargron , to random

Today I am stepping down from my role as the CEO of . Though this has been in the works for a while, I can't say I've fully processed how I feel about it. There is a bittersweet part to it, and I think I will miss it, but it also felt necessary. It feels like a goodbye, but it isn't—I intend to stay on and continue to advise the new leadership and contribute, because Mastodon—and the fediverse—is one of the very few beacons of hope for a better web.

https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2025/11/my-next-chapter-with-mastodon/

jeridansky ,
@jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

@Gargron Joining everyone else in saying, "Thank you for Mastodon." You created something very special, and I hope you're proud.

And I admire you for realizing it was time to step down (while still staying engaged), for your own mental health.

@kenSwinson@indieweb.social avatar kenSwinson , (edited ) to random

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    jeridansky ,
    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

    @kenSwinson Just placed my notecard order!

    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

    More calendula — yellow ones this time vs. the orange ones I shared a few days ago.

    Yellow calendula blooms, with a bit of blue statice interspersed.
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    @evacide@hachyderm.io avatar evacide , to random

    Brennan Lee Mulligan with Josh on Mythical Kitchen, eating his perfect last meal and being interviewed for more than an hour, is so wholesome and life-affirming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLVdWyNljP8

    jeridansky ,
    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

    @evacide I never heard of Brennan Lee Mulligan (I'm not into gaming) or Mythical Kitchen, but that was delightful.Thank you!

    @kenSwinson@indieweb.social avatar kenSwinson , to random

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    jeridansky ,
    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

    @kenSwinson And of course by the time I looked they were all sold out. You've got a lot of fans of your work!

    jeridansky ,
    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

    @kenSwinson No worries. With only three cups you would have sold out quickly, and no heads up would have changed that.

    While I can't get one, I'm thrilled your work is so widely appreciated so you can continue to make more of it! And I'm glad you're here on Mastodon so I can get a glimpse of all the lovely pieces you're creating.

    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

    Sign at my dentist's office yesterday, echoing the message on the door into the office. I'm thankful for the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara.

    A sign greeting people entering a dentist's office: ATTENTION! FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THIS FACILITY According to Public Health order issued March 24, 2023 by the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara: "Regardless of vaccination status, all persons in Patient Care Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities must wear a Face Mask during the period deemed the Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period by the Health Officer, except for the following: 1. Persons younger than two years old due to, inter alia, the risk of suffocation. 2. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance. 3. Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. 4. Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines." Questions? Visit covid19.sccgov.org/home Signage provided by the Santa Clara County Dental Society. sccds.org There's a drawing of a mask directly below the word attention. The detailed information about the public health order is in a smaller font than the rest.
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    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar jeridansky , to random

    Can your timeline use a dash of color?

    Bright red dahlia blooms, the type that is a compact globe. Buds are peeping out amongst the blooms.
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    @gbhnews@mastodon.social avatar gbhnews , (edited ) to random

    and now for the poll of the day

    November-related pie scheming:

    jeridansky ,
    @jeridansky@sfba.social avatar

    @gbhnews Apple!