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. ...

As I begin this posting, I look to my right and see.....a rainbow. Next, the Iran War: Yesterday, President Donald Trump warned Oman not to work with Iran to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz . Oman has been a close strategic partner of the U.S. for 50 years, and has been involved in peacemaking. That article hinted that Trump was confused, as he has been recently, and misspoke in even mentioning Oman. As you can see, Iran and Oman are the two countries through which the strait passes, so a cooperative agreement actually makes a lot of sense. The strait is only 21 miles wide at the choke point, and you can see Iran from Oman. Yesterday, again, the U.S. struck Iran's Bandar Abbas. However, today the news is that the the U.S. and Iran reached a tentative deal to extend the ceasefire .  What does this mean? First of all, this so-called deal is unofficial, as the agreement has no yet been approved by the leadership of either country.  And where is Israel, still actively striking...