LauraInAlabama

@laurainalabama

Mother, wife, sister, adventurous cook, into food preservation, avid reader - fiction and nonfiction, homemaker, former librarian, geeky woman, agnostic humanist. Science, not “belief”.

450 Folgt1.308 Follower2.598 Posts

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LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 15d

August 2021…

Ambulances lined up at a rural hospital during the pandemic in 2021

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 16d

It’s apparently a Midwest and Southern thang - pickled Brussels sprouts. I’m now obligated to make some after showing a picture of them to my husband.. 🤦‍♀️😂

A jar of pickled Brussels sprouts with a cute description that reads Pickled Frog Balls…

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 17d

Lower Alabama peeps (the other LA)… Hydrate. Protect your pets. Check on the elderly you know.

Excessive Heat Warning

Issued 7/28 at 12:57 PM
by NOAA

* WHAT...For the first Extreme Heat Warning, dangerously hot
conditions with heat index values up to 113 expected this afternoon. For the Wednesday, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 115 expected.

* WHERE...In Alabama, Baldwin Coastal and Mobile Coastal Counties. In Florida, Escambia Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal Counties.

*WHEN...For the first Extreme Heat Warning, until 9 PM CDT this evening. For the second Extreme Heat Warning, from 10 AM to 9 PM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 17d

Beshear is correct. I think too many people that are demanding Beshear “do something” either forgot or don’t know that in 2024, the Kentucky legislature changed the laws so that the Governor no longer appoints a Senator, specifically because they were worried McConnell would be incapacitated. 1/3

Under Kentucky law, a vacant U.S. Senate seat cannot be filled by a gubernatorial appointment. Enacted via House Bill 622 in 2024, state rules require the governor to call a special election to fill any vacancy during an unexpired term.

How the Special Election Process Works

No Temporary Appointee: The governor has no power to name a temporary replacement, meaning the seat remains empty until the special election concludes.

Timing Restrictions: If a vacancy happens close to a regularly scheduled general election (specifically within 56 days), there is not enough time to host an expedited special election, leaving the seat vacant until that regular election occurs.

National Context: Kentucky is one of only five U.S. states that mandate filling Senate vacancies strictly through an election rather than allowing an executive appointment.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 18d

Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't nirvana, soundgarden, pearl jam, or alice in chains. (I couldn’t decide between two)

Album cover of Shawn Mullins “Soul’s Core

Album cover of Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill”

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 23d

That’s very kind. Filters are quite bolstering! 😉😂 👇🏻 is me without filters.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 23d

Interesting that you just drove right past my post that says the image is NOT AI generated. Here’s another AI detection site that also says it’s not AI generated. Please let me know which AI detection site you used that stated that this image is AI generated. Thank you.

Not likely to be AI-generated or Deepfake
0%
GenAI
0%
Face manipulation
0%
Diffusion
Other
0%
Z-Image
0%
Wan
0%
Stable Diffusion
0%
Seedream
0%
Reve
0%
Recraft
0%
Qwen
0%
MidJourney
0%
Imagen / Nano Banana
0%
Kling
0%
Ideogram
0%
Higgsfield
0%
Grok
0%
GPT
0%
Flux
0%
Firefly
0%
Dall-E
0%
GAN
StyleGAN
0%
Other
Face manipulation
0%
Sightengine

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 24d

… meant to impart knowledge in an entertaining manner. I would understand your outrage if the post DIDN’T show a Flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis californiana), but it did, however generated.

Image of a Opisthoteuthis californiana, otherwise known as a Flapjack Octopus.

Probability AI-Generated
0.05%
Detailed analysis report
🦑 Natural Texture and Detail
The octopus's skin shows a natural, uneven texture with subtle variations in color and small bumps that are typical of real marine animals. The fine granularity and slight imperfections in the skin surface suggest a natural, non-AI-generated texture.
👁️ Eye Realism
The eyes have a realistic shape and shading, with natural reflections and slight asymmetry. The pupils and surrounding areas do not appear overly smooth or artificially perfect, supporting the authenticity of the image.
🌊 Background and Environment
The sandy seabed and surrounding elements have a complex, irregular texture with natural debris and small particles. The lighting and shadows on the ground appear consistent with underwater photography, showing natural light diffusion and no obvious signs of artificial generation.
Overall, the image exhibits strong natural characteristics typical of a real underwater photograph, with no clear indications of AI generation.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· 27d

The absolute bugnuttery of Trump in this social media post cannot be underestimated. WTAF does he expect Canada to do when there are wildfires that are a direct consequence of climate change? It’s so goddamned humiliating to have this person representing our country. Article in comments.

Truth Social post by Donald Trump reads:

We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable! I will call the Prime Minister during the day to find out what they are going to do about it. The cost is incalculable! Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal, knowing that such refusal will lead to exactly this result. This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Jul 14

Some of my husband’s figs are ripening, and I’m in fig heaven. I’m not sure how many varieties we have, but it’s north of 100… Fig growers are such an interesting subculture, swapping varieties and knowledge. Some of the figs pictured: LSU Gold Conadria Smith Khurtmani Celeste Grandpa’s fig

Partial listing of figs in picture, ranging in colors from green to deep purple

LSU Gold
Conadria
Smith
Khurtmani
Celeste
Grandpa’s fig (because it came from my father’s, and I don’t think he ever gave us its name..)

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Jun 12

The gilding of the statues The Arts of War and Sacrifice is just plain stupid and unbelievably gaudy, IMO. They weren’t designed to have a bright gold sheen, they were designed to have an artfully realistic look, which is why the sculptors chose bronze with a very light coating of… 1/2

Bronze statue that is part of The Art of War and Sacrifice statues, without gold gilding.

Bronze statue that is part of The Art of War and Sacrifice statues, that has complete gold gilding.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Jun 9

We’ve been gorging on our tomatoes for two weeks, and I’ve used more bread in those two weeks than the prior two months! Can’t beat a tomato sandwich!

Picture of home grown tie dye, Cherokee purple and yellow tomatoes.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Jun 6

DT and Co. brag about the $1,000 Trump Accounts, but they’re LITERALLY taking food out of the mouths of babies. These wretched hypocrites, who all extol their Christian faith, should have to live on the same budget as the constituents who are having food taken from their mouths.

Trump’s USDA chief, Brooke Rollins, has openly celebrated the large-scale loss of federal nutrition aid stemming from the Republican budget package that Trump signed into law last summer. That legislation included unprecedented cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), another highly effective food aid program.

The House vote to cut WIC broadly aligns with the Trump White House’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027—but doesn’t go as far as the president envisioned. The National WIC Association noted that the House bill “cuts WIC’s fruit and vegetable benefits by about 10%, a first step toward an up to 75% cut sought by the White House.”

“The House proposal fails WIC families when they need help most,” said Georgia Machell, president and CEO of the National WIC Association. “It would force WIC to turn away eligible families for the first time in 30 years, breaking Congress’ 30-year bipartisan commitment to full WIC funding. For the families who receive WIC, it chips away at their ability to buy the very fruits and vegetables that federal dietary guidelines say all Americans should eat more of.”

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Jun 5

Sightengine gave an 89% probability of it being AI… The vehicle in the lower right corner is a big tell.

Sightengine analysis of an image of northern lights, giving an 89% probability of it being AI generated.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 30

I believe this is his first step in testing the waters of a self pardon.. I also honestly think that THAT clause was the outcome that Trump primarily geared towards.. The Wall Street Journal had an excellent article on 20 May, explaining how broad this audit actually is..

“What does the tax agreement cover?
The deal ends any Trump audits, but it is broader than taxes. It purports to bar any government agencies from pursuing any claims against Trump that are pending or could be pending. It specifically blocks the government from actions related to previously filed tax returns.

That means any current or pending audits—or any audits that haven’t been started yet for recently filed returns—would end. On its face, the statement would also prohibit the government from prosecuting tax crimes in addition to civil audits.

The agreement reaches beyond Trump himself. It also includes his family and “related or affiliated individuals,” but it doesn’t attempt to define those terms”

Excerpt From
“What to Know About the Trump Administration Ending Tax Audits of Trump”
Richard Rubin
The Wall Street Journal
https://apple.news/AqXZcR1TBRmm2wYvM2I47Lg
This material may be protected by copyright.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 28

Trump supporters cannot profess to be Christians, as the vast majority of his followers do, and yet behave like the Pharisees that Jesus held in disdain.. I’m agnostic, but even *I* can see that hypocrisy. May they all experience what they earn according to THEIR beliefs… 3/3

End-time prophecies show that religious people—including professing Christians deceived into accepting a counterfeit Christianity—will oppose many of the teachings of Christ. In that real sense, even today, many professing Christians actually have been deceived by a spirit of antichrist.

The Bible does not reveal specifically who the Antichrist is, speaking instead of his corrupt teachings. In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul prophesied of a "man of sin," a liar and deceiver whose natural abilities Satan enhances by supernatural power in order to confuse people in the end time. In addition, Christ inspired John to write of a "false prophet" to come at the end time (Revelation 13:1-18; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20).

Finally, note how the prophecy describes a great religious leader of the end time: "He had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon" (Revelation 13:11). That is to say, he takes on the image of (or imitates) Jesus Christ (the Lamb of God), but is empowered by Satan. Historically, a counterfeit version of Christianity fulfills the types we read of in the prophecies of Revelation.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 26

It’s freaking hard to leverage yourself out of poverty when every. single. opportunity. requires wealth to begin with. Maybe we’ll see a proverbial defenestration of the billionaires… SOMETHING has to give, because this K economy isn’t tenable…

The Two Divergent PathsThe Upper Arm (The "Have-Nots" doing well): This upward-slanting line represents wealthy consumers, high-wage earners, and certain dominant industries (such as tech or finance). People in this group typically benefit from remote work, robust stock market portfolios, and rising real estate values. Their spending remains strong and confident.

The Lower Arm (The "Everyone Else" struggling): This downward-slanting line represents low-to-middle-income workers, lower-wage industries, and small businesses.

People in this category face the harsh realities of persistent inflation, skyrocketing housing costs, stagnant wages, and mounting credit card debt.

Why the Divide Matters

In a K-shaped economy, overall national economic data (such as GDP) may look healthy on paper, but the reality "on the ground" feels like a recession for a large portion of the population.

Because affluent households are responsible for a disproportionate share of consumer spending, they can keep certain sectors of the economy afloat, while lower-income Americans are forced to cut back, seek cheaper alternatives, or rely heavily on debt to pay for basic living expenses.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 26

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is NOT an indicator of the financial health of our country. It consists of 30 of the TOP performing, publicly traded companies, of which the wealthiest 10% of our country owns up to 93% of it… Pretending that the average American benefits from a high market is 🐂💩.

The wealthiest 10% of American households own roughly 87% to 93% of the U.S. stock market, with the top 1% alone accounting for approximately half of all outstanding shares.

This concentration of wealth has been consistently documented by Federal Reserve data and highlights a long-standing disparity in financial asset ownership.

A closer look at this ownership breakdown reveals:

The Top 1%: Owns roughly 50% of all corporate equities and mutual funds.

The Next 9% (Top 1-10%): Owns about 37% to 43% of the market.
The Bottom 90%: Hold the remaining 7% to 13% of the stock market.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 15

As I have a terrible (or charming 🤷🏼‍♀️) habit of anthropomorphizing many items throughout my day, this may actually work for me, as laundry is my bugaboo! 😂

‘Sometimes when I’m having a really hard day I’ll pretend my dishes or my laundry are sentient little creatures who are excited to see me. They also need my help because they’re scared or lost or dirty.

I give them their little baths and tell them that they’re brave and then tuck them back into their homes. They’re very thankful to me and excited to be back in their safe places all clean with their friends.

It helps motivate me to keep my apartment clean when I’m dealing with the apathy of chronic depression.’
-NoMove1288

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· May 10

This is so beautiful! I have to admit, though, that I prefer this picture…

TRUE NATURE
PROJECT
TRUE NATURE
MATERIALS
STEEL SUBFRAME, AND GFRC (GLASS FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE)
LOCATION
BOHEMIAN SQUARE, CANCÚN, MEXICO, 2023
HEIGHT
16 FEET
True Nature by Daniel Popper is a captivating sculpture where art converges with the natural elements in a striking fusion. A reinvention of a previous work, this piece was created in collaboration with the visionary Grupo Rosanegra, capturing the essence of human connection to the earth.

As one of Popper’s favorite quotes eloquently puts it, “Your true self is not something you need to find; it is something you need to remember.” This sculpture blends natural elements, architecture, and artistry, transforming public space into a destination for reflection and connection.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 30

I’m putting this out there because I felt it was an interesting juxtaposition of the company names. While I believe that AI has many attributes that can enhance and benefit humankind and our planet and ALL her denizens, teaching AI how to efficiently kill in conflict zones? …

Headline from Barron’s

Teradyne Stock Is Getting Hammered. This Is Why.
Teradyne delivered a strong quarter. The stock is plunging. What gives?

Key details about Cyberdyne in Terminator 2

The Goal: Miles Dyson creates a revolutionary, AI-based processor that leads to Skynet, which becomes self-aware on August 29, 1997.

Destruction: To prevent Judgment Day, Sarah Connor, John Connor, and a reprogrammed T-800, along with a reluctant Miles Dyson, destroy the Cyberdyne laboratory in a massive explosion.

The Name: The Terminator calls itself a "Cyberdyne Systems Model 101" because its chassis is designed by the company.

Real-World Location: The filming location for the Cyberdyne headquarters was a building in Fremont, California, specifically at 47131 Bayside Parkway.The company serves as the focal point of the "preemptive strike" plot, where the protagonists destroy the research and the original Terminator wreckage.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 26

I’m reading multiple news articles about the WHCD shooting last night, and “Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC’s Meet the Press that the alleged gunman appeared to be acting alone in targeting Trump administration officials.” 1/2

“The suspect, identified by authorities as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, Calif., is in custody and is expected to be charged on Monday. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC’s Meet the Press that the alleged gunman appeared to be acting alone in targeting Trump administration officials.
”

Excerpt From
“D.C. Gunman Was Likely Targeting Trump Officials, Acting AG Says”
The Wall Street Journal
https://apple.news/A3bwjRfr9S1q9-ByQnCGiJg
This material may be protected by copyright.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 20

… 😞❤️‍🩹

Bless the Beasts and Children
Song by Carpenters ‧ 1971

Lyrics
Bless the beasts and the children,
For in this world they have no voice,
They have no choice.
Bless the beasts and the children,
For the world can never be,
The world they see.
Light their way
When the darkness surrounds them;
Give them love, let it shine all around them.
Bless the beasts and the children;
Give them shelter from a storm;
Keep them safe;
Keep them warm.
Light their way
When the darkness surrounds them;
Give them love, let it shine all around them.
Bless the beasts and the children;
Give them shelter from a storm;
Keep them safe;
Keep them warm.
Bless the beasts and the children;
Give them shelter from a storm;
Keep them safe;
Keep them warm.

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Barry De Vorzon / Perry L Botkin

Bless the Beasts and Children lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 17

I don’t know if the administration can be compelled to release contractual documents to answer questions, but with this dingleberry slapping his name on so many federally owned buildings and organizations, I’d bet money it’s FOR the royalties. Grifters gonna grift, and we’ll pay him forever. 2/2

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law (HB 919) to rename Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) to President Donald J. Trump International Airport, effective July 1, 2026. The rebranding, which honors the President near his Mar-a-Lago estate, is expected to cost approximately
$5.5 million for new signage and logistical changes.

Key Details Regarding the Renaming
Legal Challenge: As of mid-April 2026, a Florida pilot filed a lawsuit to block the renaming, arguing it violates local home rule authority and poses unnecessary costs and safety risks, according to reports from.

Trademark Action: The Trump Organization filed to trademark "Donald J. Trump International Airport" for various goods, though they stated they would not receive royalties from the name change.

Approval Process: The renaming requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is tasked with updating navigational charts.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 16

Just as an aside… My son and I watched the Maria Bartiromo interview with Trump….

Excessive use of superlatives—words ending in "-est" or using "most/least"—diminishes credibility, reduces trust, and creates a "boy who cried wolf" effect, making communication less effective. Overusing words like "amazing," "best," and "incredible" suggests exaggeration, often acting as a lazy substitute for descriptive detail. To communicate with more impact, replace them with specific facts or moderate language.

Impact of Overusing Superlatives
Diminished Trust: Frequent, extreme praise leads audiences to suspect hyperbole or a hidden agenda, often causing them to dismiss statements altogether.

Reduced Variety: It makes language monotonous and robs communication of nuance.

Desensitization: When everything is the "best," nothing actually stands out, dulling the impact of genuinely exceptional things.

Cognitive Distortion: Constant exposure to extreme language can lead to a distorted, over-exaggerated perception of reality.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 14

BBC explaining that content that can be accessed is through X and Facebook, and has privacy implications.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 13

ICYMi, Trump deleted his “Truth” post depicting himself as Jesus. It was up long enough to jolt some of his Christian followers…

An AI self portrait of Trump posted on his Truth Social feed depicting himself as Christ healing the dying, surrounded by patriotic and religious symbols.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Apr 1

Blessed be to the astronauts preparing to slip the surly bonds of our beloved Earth.. May they return home safely…

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,-and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor ever eagle flew-
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God

John G. Magee

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Mar 26

Considering Graham’s horrible voting records on ANYTHING having to do with LGBTQ rights, his innuendos, his disdain for anything other than “traditional family values”, I am glad to see him hoisted on his own petard, as it were. In no way was this ad homophobic, but it’s damned sure Grahamaphobic.

Homophobia is a range of negative attitudes, feelings, or actions toward homosexuality or people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. It involves contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred, or irrational fear, often manifesting as discrimination, hostility, or violence based on non-heterosexual orientations.

Key aspects of homophobia include:
Attitudes and Feelings: Negative emotions such as fear, disgust, or antipathy.
Behavioral Expression: Discrimination, harassment, or violence.
Root Causes: Can be influenced by misconceptions, societal prejudice, or certain religious beliefs.
Scope: Targets individuals based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.

LauraInAlabama@laurainalabama· Mar 22

So, here’s the comment on this opinion piece that y’all refused to post on WaPo. It’s a helluva lot less inflammatory than damned near anything Trump posts…