DesertDweller
@agentmary.bsky.social
Wresting daily joys from the Coachella Valley desert beauty and the animals who inhabit my life.
Good question. I remember reading about influential Californians’ overt greed in Japanese-property acquisition and thought about that every time I passed the holdout strawberry field adjacent to Disneyland when I worked there in the ‘70s.
February 11, 2026 at 5:27 AM
Good question. I remember reading about influential Californians’ overt greed in Japanese-property acquisition and thought about that every time I passed the holdout strawberry field adjacent to Disneyland when I worked there in the ‘70s.
Please be cognizant of the excessive use of the filler word “like.” It mitigates the message and is invariably distracting. I had to make a long, concerted effort years ago to jettison “you know” and “it’s like” from my verbal lexicon.
I enjoy your political perspective and ability to live abroad.
I enjoy your political perspective and ability to live abroad.
February 7, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Please be cognizant of the excessive use of the filler word “like.” It mitigates the message and is invariably distracting. I had to make a long, concerted effort years ago to jettison “you know” and “it’s like” from my verbal lexicon.
I enjoy your political perspective and ability to live abroad.
I enjoy your political perspective and ability to live abroad.
C’est un bon mot!
January 28, 2026 at 8:27 PM
C’est un bon mot!
Cogent summation of my lament just this morning to my husband: why Renee Good’s murder didn’t quite ignite mass indignation like Pretti’s. Or the other six murdered this month by ICE.
January 28, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Cogent summation of my lament just this morning to my husband: why Renee Good’s murder didn’t quite ignite mass indignation like Pretti’s. Or the other six murdered this month by ICE.
Omg. I remember seeing that riveting play at Solvang Theatrefest back in the 70s—always superb open-air performances. Always worthy the drive over the pass from Santa Barbara. Thanks for the memory jog.
January 28, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Omg. I remember seeing that riveting play at Solvang Theatrefest back in the 70s—always superb open-air performances. Always worthy the drive over the pass from Santa Barbara. Thanks for the memory jog.
Trump’s free rein to his feckless party’s reign of terror provides daily consternation and despair.
January 23, 2026 at 5:22 AM
Trump’s free rein to his feckless party’s reign of terror provides daily consternation and despair.
A morass of morale-eroding morale crusaders.
January 20, 2026 at 2:27 AM
A morass of morale-eroding morale crusaders.
The Chronicles of Narnia was a riveting series of books 🙃
January 14, 2026 at 12:56 AM
The Chronicles of Narnia was a riveting series of books 🙃
I didn’t even realize you’d just opined on niggardly. It’s just the first raw word I thought of upon reading your comment.
January 14, 2026 at 12:45 AM
I didn’t even realize you’d just opined on niggardly. It’s just the first raw word I thought of upon reading your comment.
Folks don’t know the meaning of all three anymore so I stick with unscrupulous and miserly 🤓
January 14, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Folks don’t know the meaning of all three anymore so I stick with unscrupulous and miserly 🤓
To be scrupulously safe, I’ve jettisoned niggardly and shyster from my vocabulary.
January 14, 2026 at 12:37 AM
To be scrupulously safe, I’ve jettisoned niggardly and shyster from my vocabulary.
Thanks for your lovely Boxing Day note. Nice way to commence the post Xmas Day festivities.
December 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Thanks for your lovely Boxing Day note. Nice way to commence the post Xmas Day festivities.
Stunning imagery that should adorn a wall
December 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Stunning imagery that should adorn a wall
Visceral “joys” of animal husbandry!
December 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Visceral “joys” of animal husbandry!
David Soul! He of Here Come the Brides (can still sing the theme) and Starsky and Hutch (which enticed two pretty gals I knew into becoming ‘70s groupies and somehow getting themselves on the production lot many times!)
December 23, 2025 at 5:53 AM
David Soul! He of Here Come the Brides (can still sing the theme) and Starsky and Hutch (which enticed two pretty gals I knew into becoming ‘70s groupies and somehow getting themselves on the production lot many times!)
On Ms Austen’s 250th, I realized quite suddenly that you adroitly channel the vaunted author’s wit and perspicacity in chronicling humans’ foibles and strengths with knowing narratives.
Well done you.
Well done you.
December 18, 2025 at 10:19 PM
On Ms Austen’s 250th, I realized quite suddenly that you adroitly channel the vaunted author’s wit and perspicacity in chronicling humans’ foibles and strengths with knowing narratives.
Well done you.
Well done you.
Superbly written piece on the moral marine imbroglio. Tempted to cut it out and give to our retired Navy MAGA neighbor. (I’ll demur.)
December 4, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Superbly written piece on the moral marine imbroglio. Tempted to cut it out and give to our retired Navy MAGA neighbor. (I’ll demur.)
My sister met her once decades ago and, unlike her cinéaste sister, had no idea she was meeting Hollywood elegance.
November 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
My sister met her once decades ago and, unlike her cinéaste sister, had no idea she was meeting Hollywood elegance.
My husband and I rewatched All The President’s Men last night with its formidable cast of redoubtable players in the unbelievable political-deceit saga.The sea of typewriters in the WP newsroom reminded me of my own journalism journey while the paper’s fearless investigation seems sadly quaint.
November 27, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My husband and I rewatched All The President’s Men last night with its formidable cast of redoubtable players in the unbelievable political-deceit saga.The sea of typewriters in the WP newsroom reminded me of my own journalism journey while the paper’s fearless investigation seems sadly quaint.
No need to diagram the sentences. The meaning was clear to all.
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 AM
No need to diagram the sentences. The meaning was clear to all.
I find my stalwart avoidance of the Oxford Comma in my professional life now wavering in light of so many reputable adherents. I suppose clarity should always be the goal. 🧐
November 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
I find my stalwart avoidance of the Oxford Comma in my professional life now wavering in light of so many reputable adherents. I suppose clarity should always be the goal. 🧐
The Mueller Report—the ultimate anticlimactic report—could also be used. Only know two people who read it and I was one of them. 🤓
November 9, 2025 at 7:27 PM
The Mueller Report—the ultimate anticlimactic report—could also be used. Only know two people who read it and I was one of them. 🤓
Reminds me of first (and only) time viewing the Mona Lisa in 1977. Who was only behind red-velvet ropes. I remember thinking how small the oil in relation to the gargantuan next to it. Online images now depict 10-deep throngs jostling for a peek…most with cameras aloft for a snap.
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reminds me of first (and only) time viewing the Mona Lisa in 1977. Who was only behind red-velvet ropes. I remember thinking how small the oil in relation to the gargantuan next to it. Online images now depict 10-deep throngs jostling for a peek…most with cameras aloft for a snap.