SPRING LIVES: Episode 2 of the series.

Here's week 2 in this year's edition. This picture is a slightly cropped version of my usual 'view from the back' deck photo to show that the shrubs are actually beginning to flower as they bud out. The color is a very vivid pink; it just doesn't show well in this photo (I should have cropped it more - my bad).

The next picture is another of the pond, taken from about midway down the stairs (about the location of the bench in the photo above).

The trees are beginning to show some signs of life here and there, but for the most part are still barren. But by the time summer fully arrives, the pond will be mostly obscured except for the dock area at the near side of the pond.

The last photo is of the house from the far side of the pond - that section we call the boat launch area even though I doubt a boat other than the pedal boat has ever been launched from there.

The house is clearly visible at the top of the hill, but again, by summer it will be totally obscured by the foliage. Till next week, then.

Last week's pictures are here.

NOTHING IS WORTH WATCHING MSNBC: It’s almost worth turning on MSNBC to see how they’re taking Sarah Sanders on the ‘complete exoneration’ of President Trump.

Well, the Second Coming of Christ ... maybe.

BECAUSE SHE'S A WHINING NANNY? Why some voters are having a hard time connecting with Warren.

I DIDN'T KNOW THAT: There is a difference between 'good' homophobia and 'bad' homophobia.

ADAM SCHITT SCHIFF (D[umb]-CA) ON THE MUELLER REPORT: It's not over until President Trump is impeached, convicted, removed from office, indicted, tried, convicted, and executed.

Until then the clown show goes on....

NOT IF YOU'RE A PROGRESSIVE: Does evidence matter?

IMPRIMIS: A short history of American medical insurance.

It's well past time to return to some form of traditional fee-for-service combined with catastrophic medical indemnification.

JOURNALISTS ARE IGNORANT AND SILLY but at least they're smug about it.

They live in a smug-filled bubble.

DON'T LIMIT IT TO AR-15's: Missouri lawmaker proposes mandatory ownership of an AR-15.

Charlie Martin of PJ Media has a better idea.

THE WAGES OF LIBERALISM: Recycling is a crock. Also, why recycle when you can ban outright.

NEWT GINGRICH on Betomania.

In the age of the Kardashians, O’Rourke may be the perfect candidate. He is in because he is in. He should lead because he likes to lead. We should applaud and watch in awe because that is our role.

Bingo!

DEAR DEMOCRATS: please go govern somewhere else. Your [lack of] knowledge is proof that you're too damn stupid to be trusted with any kind of authority.

KEEP AUSTIN WEIRD, but keep Austin surrounded.

By a wall. A glorious high wall. With no doors.

ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ'S approval rating drop is a result of racism, sexism ... and Fox News.

I knew Fox News was good, but ... that good?

OF COURSE NOT: Socialists don't really believe in socialism.

They believe in control, and the graft that comes with it.

THE DONKEY DOW: Movers in the Democrats' primary race for President.

Updates are weekly, on Mondays.

PUNCHING BACK TWICE AS HARD: Devin Nunes [R-CA] sues Twitter for over $250M alleging anti-conservative 'shadow bans' and smears.

Hit 'em where it hurts - in the pocketbook. And hit 'em hard!

DEMOCRATS, BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU ASK FOR: Clinton, Obama attorney Greg Craig snagged in Mueller probe.

You might get it.

RANDOM THOUGHT for the 'free stuff' crowd: Democrats want to pay you to be good; why can't you be good for nothing like the Democrats?

WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF PEOPLE TO INDOCTRINATE: Cornell and Harvard English departments drop the GRE (Graduate Record Exam).