Posts
Saturday, July 04, 2026
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Friday, July 03, 2026
1) They respect human beings as individuals and are therefore always tolerant, gentle, courteous and amenable ... They do not create scenes over a hammer or a mislaid eraser; they do not make you feel they are conferring a great benefit on you when they live with you, and they don't make a scandal when they leave. (...)
2) They have compassion for other people besides beggars and cats. Their hearts suffer the pain of what is hidden to the naked eye. (...)
3) They respect other people's property, and therefore pay their debts.
4) They are not devious, and they fear lies as they fear fire. They don't tell lies even in the most trivial matters. To lie to someone is to insult them, and the liar is diminished in the eyes of the person he lies to. Civilized people don't put on airs; they behave in the street as they would at home, they don't show off to impress their juniors. (...)
5) They don't run themselves down in order to provoke the sympathy of others. They don't play on other people's heartstrings to be sighed over and cosseted ... that sort of thing is just cheap striving for effects, it's vulgar, old hat and false. (...)
6) They are not vain. They don't waste time with the fake jewellery of hobnobbing with celebrities, being permitted to shake the hand of a drunken [judicial orator], the exaggerated bonhomie of the first person they meet at the Salon, being the life and soul of the bar ... They regard prases like 'I am a representative of the Press!!' -- the sort of thing one only hears from [very minor journalists] -- as absurd. If they have done a brass farthing's work they don't pass it off as if it were 100 roubles' by swanking about with their portfolios, and they don't boast of being able to gain admission to places other people aren't allowed in (...) True talent always sits in the shade, mingles with the crowd, avoids the limelight ... As Krylov said, the empty barrel makes more noise than the full one. (...)
7) If they do possess talent, they value it ... They take pride in it ... they know they have a responsibility to exert a civilizing influence on [others] rather than aimlessly hanging out with them. And they are fastidious in their habits. (...)
8) They work at developing their aesthetic sensibility ... Civilized people don't simply obey their baser instincts ... they require mens sana in corpore sano.
And so on. That's what civilized people are like ... Reading Pickwick and learning a speech from Faust by heart is not enough if your aim is to become a truly civilized person and not to sink below the level of your surroundings.
[From a letter to Nikolay Chekhov, March 1886]”
― A Life in Letters
“Why are we worn out? Why do we, who start out so passionate, brave, noble, believing, become totally bankrupt by the age of thirty or thirty-five? Why is it that one is extinguished by consumption, another puts a bullet in his head, a third seeks oblivion in vodka, cards, a fourth, in order to stifle fear and anguish, cynically tramples underfoot the portrait of his pure, beautiful youth? Why is it that, once fallen, we do not try to rise, and, having lost one thing, we do not seek another? Why?”
“You have lost your reason and taken the wrong path. You have taken lies for truth, and hideousness for beauty. You would marvel if, owing to strange events of some sorts, frogs and lizards suddenly grew on apple and orange trees instead of fruit, or if roses began to smell like a sweating horse; so I marvel at you who exchange heaven for earth. I don't want to understand you.” ― Anton Chekhov
When you describe the miserable and unfortunate, and want to make the reader feel pity, try to be somewhat colder–that seems to give a kind of background to another’s grief, against which it stands out more clearly. Whereas in your story the characters cry and you sigh. Yes, be more cold. The more objective you are, the stronger will be the impression you make.
ANTON CHEKHOV
Morsicatio Buccarum
Morsicatio Buccarum. My new stage name.
Morsicatio Buccarum is the name for cheek biting.
Chronic cheek biting is most commonly related to feelings of stress or anxiety.
In New England, the town of Rutland, Massachusetts completely canceled its parade, fireworks, and concert due to staffing and severe police/fire shortages. Several other communities, including Scituate, Massachusetts and Block Island, Rhode Island, were forced to postpone or alter some of their plans due to severe weather. Aside from Rutland, most traditional town parades and fireworks across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are proceeding as planned. However, oppressive, record-breaking heat and dangerous temperatures have prompted municipalities to either shorten parade routes, move outdoor activities indoors, or push back event start times to the evening. Because exact scheduling changes can vary heavily by municipality: Would you like to check if specific town parades in your area (near Bellingham or across New England) have been modified or delayed due to the heat? Tell me the town names, and I can help look up their status. Scituate and Block Island have postponed their fireworks ... Jul 1, 2026 — Scituate and Block Island have postponed their fireworks displays for weather-related reasons. See an updated list of local events... Facebook·WPRI 12 Two communities in Massachusetts have canceled their ... May 28, 2026 — Two communities in Massachusetts have canceled their Fourth of July festivities for reasons that include staffing shortages, offic... Related video thumbnail 1:55 Instagram·WBZ News | CBS News Boston Rhode Islanders and tourists alike will line the streets of Bristol to ... Jul 2, 2026 — Rhode Islanders and tourists alike will line the streets of Bristol to catch a glimpse of the town's 241st parade, which will step... Facebook·WPRI 12 Show more Finding freedom from the heat on July 4th will be a ... WCAX https://www.wcax.com › 2026/07/02 › finding-freedom... 18 hours ago — In Norristown, Pennsylvania, officials canceled a parade set for Saturday, citing the safety of residents, participants and first responders, Summer 2026 Traffic Advisory Boston.gov https://www.boston.gov › news › summer-2026-traffic-... Events such as parades, road races, and street fairs may require road closures to accommodate the activities. Missing: england | Show results with: england Scituate and Block Island have postponed their fireworks ... Facebook · WPRI 12 100+ reactions · 1 day ago Scituate and Block Island have postponed their fireworks displays for weather-related reasons. July 4 📍 Bristol – America's Oldest Parade, 10: ... Northeast US heat wave causes July 4th cancellations 95.5 WSB https://www.wsbradio.com › health › finding-freedom-heat 11 hours ago — In Norristown, Pennsylvania, officials canceled a parade set for Saturday, citing the safety of residents, participants and first responders, Parade Road Closures for July 3rd, 2026. Facebook · Jay Police Department 10+ reactions · 1 day ago Parade Road Closures for July 3rd, 2026. Perry Highway closed July 3rd. Congress Park – No Parking July 4th (6am -11pm) from New England Road ... Missing: cancellations | Show results with: cancellations Northeast US heat wave causes July 4th cancellations WFTV https://www.wftv.com › health › finding-freedom-heat 17 hours ago — In Philadelphia, officials shortened the route of a Thursday morning parade, canceled an afternoon all-American Block Party, and pushed back the ...
Gazpacho
I just put green olives and homemade sofrit, sauerkraut and dried plums and chopped roasted chicken in my gaspacho.
Thursday, July 02, 2026
Extreme Heat Deserves Extreme Caution
Air Quality Alert: Unhealthy Ozone for Sensitive Groups Expected Friday in Southern RI
Published on Thursday, July 02, 2026
PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) forecasts that air quality will reach UNHEALTHY levels for sensitive groups due to elevated ground-level ozone on Friday, July 3. The alert is being issued for southern parts of the state in Washington, Newport, and Kent Counties only.
Key Details:
- UNHEALHTY ozone levels for sensitive groups are expected in the southern parts of the state.
- Peak levels begin early afternoon, continuing into the evening.
- Fine particles are also expected to be elevated, reaching MODERATE.
Health Impacts: Unhealthy ozone levels may cause:
- Throat irritation, coughing, and chest pain.
- Shortness of breath and increased risk of respiratory infections.
- Worsening of asthma and other lung conditions- particularly for children, the elderly, and others with pre-existing respiratory issues.
Recommended Actions:
- Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
- Take frequent breaks and choose less strenuous activities.
- Monitor for symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.
- People with asthma or lung conditions should follow their action plans and carry quick-relief medications.
- Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone levels are lowest and typically GOOD on the Air Quality index.
Air quality can change throughout the day. To stay informed, download the AirNOW app or visit www.airnow.gov for real-time updates and forecasts.
Additional information is also available on DEM’s air quality forecast page at www.dem.ri.gov/airquality.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter/X (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates. Sign up here to receive the latest press releases, news, and events from DEM's Public Affairs Office to your inbox.
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: Governor's Office <communications-governor.ri.gov@shared1.ccsend.com>
To: emilylisker@juno.com
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: McKee Administration Reminds Rhode Islanders About Safety Precautions During Extreme Heat
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2026 12:38:58 -0400 (EDT)
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An unusual ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic is a warning sign for our future weather, researchers say
Recent studies are showing the weakening of a key Atlantic Ocean current system that helps regulate the planet’s climate.Recent studies are showing the weakening of a key Atlantic Ocean current system that helps regulate the planet’s climate.Bob Edme/Associated PressWhen most of us think about climate change, we picture rising temperatures and sea levels, stronger storms, and melting glaciers. But deep beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, another major climate story is unfolding — one that scientists say could have far-reaching consequences for weather patterns around the globe, including right here in New England.
The concern focuses on the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, better known as the AMOC, a vast system of ocean currents. Think of it as a massive ocean conveyor belt that transports warm, salty tropical water toward the North Atlantic. The water cools when it reaches the northern latitudes, becomes dense and sinks, eventually flowing back south at deeper depths. This process helps regulate climate on both sides of the Atlantic and plays a critical role in distributing heat around the planet.The AMOC is a system of ocean currents that overturns (cools and sinks) when reaching the ocean near Iceland and Greenland.NOAA
Scientists have known for years that the AMOC is weakening; this isn’t new. But new research suggests an earlier and more dramatic deceleration or slowdown of the system than many climate models had previously projected.
The authors of the study call it a “very concerning result,” noting that they feel more confident than ever that we may reach the tipping point for a shuttering AMOC maybe by the middle of the century, and a collapse or shutdown by 2100.
“The AMOC shutdown is not a low-probability event anymore,” said Stefan Rahmstorf, a physical oceanographer at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, who led the research team. During his 30-year career studying these critical ocean influences, Rahmstorf said he had always considered the “AMOC tipping risk” to be fairly low. And now? “It starts to look likely, maybe even very likely,” he said. By combining real-world ocean observations with climate simulations, researchers have found that the models showing the greatest decline are more accurate and significant.
“And even though a shutdown isn’t reached fully until after 2100 (according to the latest research), the impacts are already going to be felt pretty soon in the next few decades unless the (carbon) emissions are reduced very fast,” Rahmstorf noted. Models show a ”cooling starting in the late 2030s, 2040s," he said, “and that actually is a big concern.”
Another study published in April supports these findings, indicating a sharp AMOC decline (roughly 50 percent) by the end of the century.
The ‘cold blob’
One
clue that the AMOC is already weakening can be found in a curious patch
of ocean just south of Greenland and Iceland. While much of the world’s
oceans have been warming, this region has actually cooled over the last
century. Scientists often refer to this unusual swath of ocean as the
Atlantic “cold blob” or “warming hole.”=1440 240w" id="img-GBOEOOHWEFHQZKF5AMJH45QMZM-image" src="https://bostonglobe-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBOEOOHWEFHQZKF5AMJH45QMZM.png?auth=13669870148c12faf6e726519f3e0a2b0c57a104fef47ae911ab26b22b24301d&width=1440" />
This latest research suggests that this cooling is not simply the result of sea surface heat loss or changing winds or cloud patterns, but a declining or weakening AMOC. Climate change is the main driver, as warming seas, melting ice, and increased rainfall have disrupted the temperature and salt balance of the North Atlantic.
Other researchers have also explored the cold blob’s connection to the sweltering heat wave overtaking Europe, finding that it could alter atmospheric circulation and create conditions for heat domes. “That cold isn’t a kind of a get-out-of-jail-free card in terms of global warming. Some of the hot extremes can actually be exacerbated by this cold blob in the Atlantic,” Gerard McCarthy, an oceanographer at Ireland’s Maynooth University, told AFP.
But what does all this mean for the Northeast US?
First, it’s important to note that a weakening AMOC is not the same thing as a complete collapse. However, a continued slowdown could have major consequences.
Along the East Coast, a weaker AMOC will contribute to already rising sea levels. That is especially important for Boston and other coastal communities in New England, where even modest increases in sea level can worsen tidal flooding, coastal erosion, and storm surge impacts. In places like Boston and along the Maine coast, higher water levels can turn routine high tides into more frequent flooding.
There is another possible effect that may seem counterintuitive — cooler conditions. Because the AMOC helps transport warm water northward, a weaker current could mean less ocean heat reaching the North Atlantic. That could influence sea surface temperatures and, over time, help keep parts of New England cooler than they otherwise would be in a warming world. It would not cancel out climate change, but it could alter regional patterns in ways that affect marine ecosystems, fisheries, and even seasonal weather.
The AMOC remains one of the most important — and closely watched — components of Earth’s climate system. This latest research serves as another reminder that changes happening far out in the ocean can eventually ripple across the globe, reaching all the way to New England’s shores.
“The strong evidence for a weakening AMOC is a serious concern for society and policy,” Rahmstorf said, “...that requires urgent attention.”
Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.