Wen Z

@wenz

Editor, sometimes. Avocational choral singer, weekly. Wannabe other things, usually. Fan of pets, wordplay, and diagramless crossword puzzles. Grew up in Chicagoland; now living in NYC. Banner pic: Pine Meadow Lake, Harriman State Park, NY. Ahhhhh.

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Wen Z@wenz· Jul 12

Now you'll see the page that shows your Wordle stats—which also comes up right when you finish a game. At the bottom of the page is the green "Share" button that Darice mentioned. Hitting that will copy your game (with colored boxes, but without letters) to your clipboard, to paste elsewhere. 3/3

Wen Z@wenz· Jul 12

You'll see your solved puzzle. Click "See results" at the bottom of the screen. 2/×

Wen Z@wenz· Jul 12

Darice speaks the truth. Gonna add some info, though, because going back to a previously solved puzzle will look different (again, assuming that the iPhone and Android apps work the same way). Upon revisiting, you'll see this; click on "Admire Puzzle." 1/x

Wen Z@wenz· Jul 12

@isamiscreant.bsky.social Perhaps someone has pointed this out already, but I found you in a New York Times game of "Connections" a couple of weeks ago. Not sure how "old-timey" you are, though. ...

The solution to a recent New York Times "Connections" puzzle:

Create four groups of four!

PARTS OF A SPEAKER:

CABINET, CONE, MAGNET, WOOFER.

OLD TIMEY TROUBLEMAKERS:

MISCREANT, ROGUE, RUFFIAN, SCOUNDREL.

CONSUME WITH GUSTO:

CRUSH, GUZZLE, INHALE, SNARF.

ENDING IN PARTS OF A TREE:

EMBARK, GROOT, NUDIBRANCH, STRUNK.

View Results.

Wen Z@wenz· Jul 9

I'm a bit surprised now: I remember being struck by "Belshazzar's Feast" when I saw it 40 years ago in London. Rembrandt's painting shows "the writing on the wall": "Mene mene tekel upharsin," or, "You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." I assume that those weighty words moved me.

"Belshazzar's Feast," at The National Gallery, London.

An excerpt from the website:

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/rembrandt-belshazzar-s-feast

"In his great dramatic painting, Rembrandt tells a story from the Old Testament (Daniel 5: 1–5, 25–8). The man in the gold cloak, enormous turban and tiny crown is Belshazzar, King of Babylon. His father had robbed the Temple of Jerusalem of all its sacred vessels. Using these to serve food at a feast, as Belshazzar does here, was seen as sacrilege.

"In the middle of the party, a clap of thunder came as a warning. God’s hand appeared from a cloud and wrote in Hebrew script: ‘You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.’ Within hours, Belshazzar was dead."

Wen Z@wenz· Jun 21

A Father's Day visit to my biggest online success, which was really my dad's: In March 2020, @gettymuseum.bsky.social invited a stir-crazy world to submit re-creations of works of art on Twitter. I thought that my father would enjoy this challenge — et voilà. I posted on his behalf. #FathersDay

Getty, @GettyMuseum, posted on March 25, 2020:

We challenge you to re-create a work of art with objects (and people) in your home.

— Choose your favorite artwork.

— Find three things lying around your
house.

— Re-create the artwork with those items.

— And share with us.

Wendy Zuckerman, @Fishkicker, replied to @GettyMuseum:

My father (who wanted to abide by the
three-item guideline) has re-created Winged Victory!

@ArtDecider

Getty, @GettyMuseum, commented:

Prize for most artistic use of a Subway receipt.

Art Or Not Art, @ArtDecider, commented:

Art.

The artwork: Winged Victory

Nike of Samothrace

Wen Z@wenz· Jun 20

If I were a betting woman, I might bet that these back-to-back replies to a @coolhand.bsky.social post could serve as a matched set for all occasions. 😁 (They happen to be about the Googly Eyes clock.)

Two consecutive replies to a post by @coolhand.bsky.social.

The first says, "Thanks, I hate it," with an emoji that's laughing so hard that it's crying.

The second says, "Thanks! I love it!"

Wen Z@wenz· Jun 19

Attn.: Barry, c/o @theherdhouse.bsky.social: Headwear twinsies!

Wen Z@wenz· Jun 11

Hahaha had to look up the fact that (or remind myself that) DID is dissociative identity disorder; my search also "helpfully" turned up this:

An example of a question related to my search, which Google has distorted in an amusing and/or confusing way by miscapitalizing and mispunctuating it.

People also ask:

Why is "did not" called MPD anymore?

Wen Z@wenz· Jun 8

Adding to the disruption for New Yorkers and Knicks fans as Trump comes to town for tonight's game, we *just* got notified about potential travel disruptions for ferry services. @marisakabas.bsky.social

Notify NYC

3:52 PM

NYC Ferry Disruptions - 6/8

Due to US Coast Guard security restrictions surrounding the Wall Street Heliport, expect potential disruptions and/or a temporary suspension of service between 6:20 PM-7:45 PM today, 6/8. These times are subject to unexpected changes at the discretion of the US Coast Guard. Consider alternate routes and allow for additional travel time.

For more information, please visit
https://www.ferry.nyc/service-alerts/

Wen Z@wenz· May 31

The thrush mention reminded me of "Come In" by Robert Frost. An evening dip into my tree-filled urban park can do the same. Full disclosure: I'm not a big Frost fan, and I think the last few lines of the poem are silly—but I'm fond of the song setting by Randall Thompson. youtu.be/DUyuy-jo-vI?...

Come In.

As I came to the edge of the woods,
Thrush music — hark!
Now if it was dusk outside,
Inside it was dark.

Too dark in the woods for a bird
By sleight of wing
To better its perch for the night,
Though it still could sing.

The last of the light of the sun
That had died in the west
Still lived for one song more
In a thrush's breast.

Far in the pillared dark
Thrush music went —
Almost like a call to come in
To the dark and lament.

But no, I was out for stars;
I would not come in.
I meant not even if asked;
And I hadn't been.

Robert Frost.

Wen Z@wenz· May 24

I once named a kitten Isannah, the long-loved name of a character in the novel "Johnny Tremain." Abner was rehomed to me as an adult; I kept his name. I would never name anyone Abner. If I did, it would be in honor of the only human Abner I know: Abner J. Mikva, my family's congressman years ago.

Isannah, a long-haired brown tabby cat. Her lower body is cradled in the top level of a cat tree, but her upper body and her head are draped over the side and pointed down, with her front legs stretched out and her white-mitted feet supported on the second-highest level of the tree.

Maine coon Isannah and her littermate Henry were given to me as kittens. Best gift ever!

Abner is a blue mitted Ragdoll, a long-haired cat with creamy, latte-colored, and gray fur. He's lying on his back in a recliner, with his white-socked back legs, his white-mitted front legs, and his tail in the air. Only one pale-blue eye is open, giving him a rather maniacal look.

Sometimes if I'm annoyed with him or trying to wheedlingly get his attention, I call him Abner J.

Wen Z@wenz· May 24

Currently "donating" the best sunset that I can easily and quickly find: a boulevard-less one from Mendocino Village, California (from a trip some years back for a big birthday, courtesy of my brother and my sister-in-law). At least it's from the right state! ☀️🚫🚦 #OperationSunsetBoulevard

A sunset over the Pacific Ocean. A bright yellow-and-orange glow, low on the horizon, lights up the underside of swirling white-edged gray clouds above. Below, dark-blue water, tinged in spots with orange light, stretches far into the distance. Close to shore, small waves lap at a number of irregular black rocks rising out of the sea.

Wen Z@wenz· May 10

Easy to grant this birthday wish. If it's a silly pet you want, here's a look at Abner the cat immediately after he dove onto the recliner.

A long-haired cat with cream- and latte-colored fur, gray face mask and ears, and pale blue eyes has just executed a diving roll onto a recliner. He's seated with his white back legs in the air in a V shape, and his front legs are nowhere in sight.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 29

Nice to have a poetry-minded mom. I wrote this parody of Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" when I was 16 or so; I re-created it from memory (guessing at a few words). A poetaster—pronounced like the writer plus the flower, with a hard "t"—is "an inferior poet," Merriam-Webster sez.

A parody by a youthful Wen Z of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Frost Bitten

Whose words these are I think I know.
They sound much less like poems, though,
Than poetasting, and, I fear,
Their simple tone hides naught below.

I cannot help but think it queer
That Frost would think we would revere
His ostentatious rustic sound
With maple syrup for veneer.

Poor, unimportant themes abound.
Frost’s observations aren’t profound.
His self-acknowledged wit is cheap,
His patronizing air, unsound.

His symbols are not very deep.
His rhythms make me fall asleep.
His rhyme’s as subtle as a jeep.
Ye Mighty, read his works—and weep.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 25

How many doodles can *I* fit on one sitting utensil? Probably about a zillion, 'cause this is the only kind of doodle that I have:

A hasty doodle of blue flowers with green vines and leaves, created by drawing with my index finger on my cellphone screen.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 21

This yellow magnolia tree leaned over the fence to say hi as I walked in between @brooklynbotanic.bsky.social and @brooklynmuseum.org, following last week's stroll with a friend at BBG. Always an enjoyable place to visit! #BloomScrolling

Abundant pale-yellow, fully open blossoms on a magnolia tree, whose branches are extending over a fence at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. There are pink flowers, both light and dark, on other trees that almost fill the background, leaving just a few patches of pale-blue sky peeking out among them.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 18

Here are a couple of my favorite yellow roses at @brooklynbotanic.bsky.social, in photos from recent years. On the left is the incense rose; it smells like baking spices! On the right is Canary Bird. (Hey, BBG: I miss the incense rosebush. ...)

Masses of pale-yellow flowers and green foliage. In person, the blooms smell of cinnamon and nutmeg and other such deliciousness.

The incense rose at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Abundant bright-yellow blossoms in front of green foliage.

The Canary Bird rose, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 17

😁 Everyone needs an octopus, I say! Here's Buster, my one-afternoon Seattle Aquarium crush some years ago:

Buster, a female, was once Seattle Aquarium's giant Pacific octopus in residence. She's shown in her tank, dressed in stripey, mottled pinkish red, with some of her arms elegantly twisting so that her white suckers are showing. Behind her is a greenish-brown rock or rock impersonator, bespangled with a few orange starfish.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 16

@theherdhouse.bsky.social cc: @ls1228.bsky.social Why, look what's on. ...

An image of a television's channel guide. The highlighted show is the movie "Angels in the Outfield," which is rated 2½ stars out of 4. The description reads, in part, "(1994.) The manager (Danny Glover) of the lowly California Angels puts his falth in a boy (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who can see an angel."

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 15

A cat without a grin: (I was trying to reply a little while ago, but my internet and Wi-Fi ... disappeared.)

A grinning emoji with the top half of the face erased.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 11

My picture of lilacs at @brooklynbotanic.bsky.social yesterday probably won't generate *quite* the same response, but I'll try:

Pinkish-purple lilac buds are starting to open at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The tree's branches, flowers, and foliage are set against a vivid blue sky, streaked with a few white clouds.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 5

Attn.: Liza Minnelli, c/o @theherdhouse.bsky.social: Tufty feet! Cat feet in my face (🎶 exchanging glances)

A close-up of the very tufty white hind feet and pink toe pads of a long-haired cat. His legs are raised, and his feet are propped up on his person's body and upper arm.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 4

The second in a two-post thread of my cats, "exercising" (but a third post will follow with alt text for the video, which doesn't seem to show up otherwise). Here's Ab, who's not working on his abs — or much of anything, really. 2/3

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 4

The first in a two-post thread of my cats, "exercising." Dear departed Lilah illustrates "The cat is on the mat." (Possibly getting better use out of the exercise/yoga mat than I ever have.) #Caturday #Cats #CatsOfBluesky 1/2

A gray tabby cat, seen from above, is sleeping on a purple yoga mat.

Her forelegs are stretched out in front of her — to viewers' left — and her chin is resting on them. Her tail is tucked close to her, but some stripes are nevertheless showing.

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 3

And here's a contemporary post about Scotch. 2/2

The photo in this Twitter/X post shows the shaggy face of an Airedale dog in a car. He's nuzzling the face of his escort/driver, a smiling man with a visor or cap, stubble, and sunglasses.

The text:

THE HERD HOUSE.

16 Mar 23.

#OperationHopScotch.

Scotch the Airedale is heading to CANADA!!! @jvonlemon is our 1st driver heading to Ontario, Oregon. One of his clients volunteered to take Scotch from Ontario to Portland to meet his new
family. With an overnight on a tiny farm with rescue boxers & horses!

**** Huge thanks to the other volunteers. This plan worked out best. Gotcha Day will be on Saturday the 18th. (Sunday for my ANZACFam.)

#A2ARESCUE #RescueDog #RescueRun

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 3

Sorry; delayed reaction from the research department. (And Twitter search is behaving oddly; surprise!) I remember Scotch, but only because you mentioned him. If anyone's still curious, here's the best available option on a Nacho post. @thegoldenratio4.bsky.social 1/2

A Twitter/X post shows a moment from a video in which a barely visible Golden Retriever is splashing into the ocean after jumping off a dock.

The text:

Gwen Filosa Media Key West. @GwenFilosaMedia.
Jun 12, 2022.

EXCLUSIVE: Nacho the rescue dog arrived at @TheGoldenRatio4 in the Florida Keys today after a 5-day road trip from his native Idaho. We captured his first time in the ocean and we think it's his first swim. Go, Nacho!

#nachodog #dogrescue #florida #GoldenRetrievers #adopteddog

Wen Z@wenz· Apr 2

Octopuses! Octopodes! How thoughtful. I may be a tad biased, having developed a hopeless crush on a giant Pacific octopus one afternoon at the Seattle Aquarium. Her name: Buster.

Wen Z@wenz· Mar 28

My sign is ready for its third go-round at the No Kings march in Manhattan tomorrow. #NoKings #NoKings3 #NoKingsDay #NoKingsNYC @hcrichardson.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social

All four kings from a deck of cards are mounted on a rectangular cardboard protest sign. The two black kings — the king of spades and the king of clubs — are crossed out with big X's made with a red marker. The two red kings — the king of hearts and the king of diamonds — are crossed out in black.

Below the kings is a small cloth replica of an American flag.

Wen Z@wenz· Mar 27