But first, a few news developments: Chance for peace in Iran? About that Hamas disarm matter, Israel bombed the Gaza Strip yesterday. Before you get too optimistic about that possible ceasefire development in Ukraine, here is a Wikipedia article about past efforts. Yes, there is another Heat Dome over Western North American: Las Vegas reached 115 F yesterdsay, Phoenix, Arizona will hit 116 F and El Centro, California 118 F today. Even Montana is expecting 104 F today. Parts of Mexico will get up to 120 F, and Canada will be 22 F to 43 F ABOVE NORMAL . Hot, but not as bad as the Heat Dome last month .  Now, on to Pearl's Ashes ceremonies #10 and #11, in Africa. Some background info: When Pearl grew up in Hilo, Mauna Kea could be seen from her home.  The volcano was especially awesome during the winter months when covered with snow.  If there was anywhere Pearl wanted to visit, but I did not, it was Africa, with Mount Kilimanjaro being her link to Mauna Kea. ...

Enough of wars, Trump, Blanche, and bad news.  Well, one, as awful as Europe is having with high temperatures, the largest heat dome is now in the USA. Coming Monday, we leave for Iceland, and our cruise ship from there will have several stops in Greenland.  According to Google AI: High temperatures today reach about 59°F (15°C) in parts of Iceland and 54°F (12°C) in parts of Greenland .   AccuWeather +2 Ship arrives in Montreal, which has a high of 81 F today, then we go on to Vancouver, up to 79 F today.  Of course, this trip is to bask in the cool of a total eclipse of the sun, on 12August2026. Another bit of good news is that Hurricane Fausto passed north of the Hawaiian Islands without causing any effect here.  Yesterday morning, from where I sit at my computer, no clouds. And rainbows. The other East Pacific ocean storm, Genevieve, which was a super hurricane four days ago, is now a tropical storm, and headed north, away from Hawaii.  Were you awa...

Things are not going well for the USA: We got booted out of the FIFA World Cup. The war with Iran has returned, and petroleum prices have jumped up. President Donald Trump alienated our allies in the NATO Summit held in Turkey.   The New York Times indicated, perhaps now, Kharg Island could be invaded: Speaking at the NATO summit in Turkey yesterday, President Trump threatened major new combat operations against Iran, including the seizure of Kharg Island, where Iran stages its oil for world markets, and attacks on the country’s infrastructure and desalination plants. On March 14, about 2 weeks into this war with Iran , I indicated that his compelling invasion was inevitable. Graham Platner withdrew from his U.S. Senate race against incumbent Susan Collins. This action is an okay thing, but there is no Democrat in Maine with any kind of drawing power to beat an incumbent, except, maybe, current Governor Janet Mills.   However, Mills is 78 years old and dropped out o...