Daniel & Rufus
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danielrufus.bsky.social
Daniel & Rufus
@danielrufus.bsky.social
370 followers 170 following 710 posts
Retired Internist 🩺. Former microbiologist 🔬. Army veteran, medic '70s.

Grow veggies 🌱🍅🧄🫛, fruits 🍓🍎🍇, flowers🌸🥀🌻. Quilting🧵.

Sarcoma survivor.

Dogs are gifts from heaven 🐾

History autodidact 📚

#quilting #GIST #quiltsky #BattleGroundWA 🪷
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danielrufus.bsky.social
Started reading fascinating "American Midnight" by Adam Hochschild, on the Bookshop app. The history is remote. It seems there's a lot of "history rhyming" with today's culture / politics / events. Compelling writing. I will also need some lighter reading. #booksky #AmericanHistory #History
November 18, 2025 at 2:57 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
I just finished reading Randy Shilts' book "Conduct Unbecoming" on the Kobo app. Published 1993. Quite a difficult read, important. Heinous behavior by officials & leaders. Glad I read it but need to move on / read something lighter or more remote. #booksky #AmericanHistory #LGBT #veterans
Cover for the book "Conduct Unbecoming" by Randy Shilts, published in 1993
November 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
A mushroom growing in the yard, under a spruce tree. My guess is fly agaric, Amanita muscaria. Second photo is two days ago. First photo is today. I will not be tasting this one. #fungi #mushrooms #AliceInWonderland #NorthwestFungi
Large mushroom. My guess is, Amanita muscaria. This is the mushroom in the Alice in Wonderland illustrations. Same mushroom, a day younger.
November 18, 2025 at 12:53 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
There's a gigantic mushroom growing out of this dead poplar tree trunk! #fungi #mushrooms
November 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
From the old photo box, this time my own past. I have more photos of my grandfather's Army year than of my own 3 years. I was a medic. I believed, then, in what I was doing. Teenagers can have a clarity of purpose, unclouded by decades of living. I was very lucky. #ArmyService #soldier #1970s
March, 1975, somewhere in Texas, shortly after completing boot camp. They had assigned me to truck driving training, supposedly so I could drive emergency vehicles. I was not a good driver of these big trucks. I kept stalling them and got lost from the convoy. Oops! They gave up and transferred me into medic training, which was what I wanted and what I had enlisted for anyway. Also some time in Spring, 1975. I don't remember much. This was at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. October (I think) 1977. By then I had been in Turkey for longer than anyone else in my unit. This was considered a "hardship" tour of duty due to isolation, hazardous situations, and other reasons. I don't recall minding it too much. I had a sense of purpose, I knew what was expected of me, and most of my fellow soldiers could be trusted. Unlike civilian life. I had asked to complete my active duty enlistment there, rather than a transfer to Ft. Hood, TX. As I recall, this was at a ceremony for changing of the command.
November 18, 2025 at 12:45 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Today is Veterans Day. Originally meant to honor those who sacrificed in WWI, and later for all US military veterans.

The poem is by Wilfred Owen, who returned to the trenches and was killed there. It symbolizes the old sending the young to war. #VeteransDay #Veterans #War
Poem by Wilfred Owen, a battlefield poet of WWI. He rewrites the story of Abram and Isaac, which becomes a parable of betrayal of the son by the old father, sending his son to die in war. Owen returned to the war and was himself killed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilfred_Owen
November 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
From my local newspaper, the SNAP food situation is confusing. It looks like some states will cover the differences.

www.columbian.com/news/2025/no...

#SNAP
Food aid getting to SNAP recipients in some states
People in some U.S. states were able to buy groceries with federally funded SNAP benefits this weekend, while those elsewhere are still waiting for November food benefits delayed by a protracted legal
www.columbian.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
African Violet starts, mostly from last summer. Some are much better growers, than others. Starting from pups (suckers) seems faster than from a leaf, but both work even for a novice like me #AfricanViolets
Four African violet plants, started last summer from pups removed from larger plants. Front row, a Russian hybrid type. Left front about to start second flush of flowers. Right front blooming for first time. Back two are from grocery store generic dark blue variety. They have grown a lot. No flowers yet. More African Violet starts. Front left bought as a start from Etsy. Growing very slowly and irregular-looking. Front right, started from a broken leaf, last summer. Needs dividing. Vigorous growth. Back, a pup from same parent as right front, but taken two weeks ago. Leaf appearance is completely different.
November 9, 2025 at 7:14 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Last summer I sold some furniture and a sewing machine via the internet. I set aside the money for a treat. So now I spent some for another contribution to the county food bank. Mostly generic so the $ goes further. I hope it helps. #SNAP #Donation #RandomKindness #Kindness
Food items to donate to county food bank. All keep a long while without refrigeration. Mostly generic so more can be bought. Mostly canned beans, canned meats, dry milk, dry beans (go further for less $ than canned), plus some rice, tortillas, peanut butter, and some dog food.
November 9, 2025 at 7:04 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
This is as true as any words ever written. Siegfried Sassoon knew my soul, many decades before my birth. #dogsky
arealmofwonder.bsky.social Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder.bsky.social · Sep 27
One for all the canophiles 🐾

• Siegfried Sassoon •
November 6, 2025 at 12:04 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
I sometimes give garden produce to the county food bank. Never more than a few cars there.

Today I gave a load of groceries as noted in my prior post. Swamped! Parking lot was packed. Not a single empty space. Cars circling around.

Also a giver in front of me & one behind me. 🙏 #kindness #SNAP
Parking lot at county food bank. A car in every space, and some circling around. I have never seen it like that. It was nice to see that a woman was there giving some bags of groceries, and an older couple came in after me to do the same.
November 3, 2025 at 9:30 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
About the most moving thing I've read about war. Heart-rending.

bsky.app/profile/area...

#war ##soldiers #jingoism
arealmofwonder.bsky.social Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder.bsky.social · 16d
Siegfried Sassoon (1917)
November 3, 2025 at 9:08 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Today I loaded up on food items at Winco to give to the local food pantry. Mostly canned goods - chili, beans, chicken, tuna. & dry milk, a couple doz. eggs, some tortillas. about $100. Took to food pantry but they are closed till Mon. Will go then. #kindness

apnews.com/article/gove...
SNAP benefits cut off during shutdown, driving long lines at food pantries
Long lines have formed at food pantries across the U.S. as federal food benefits were cut off due to the government shutdown.
apnews.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:22 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
While at the grocery store, I noticed their boxes of tulip bulbs. Three bulbs per box, so not really cheap but not bad. I bought one of each type. Planted in a large container. 🌱 #Gardening
Four different packages of tulip bulbs.
November 1, 2025 at 10:13 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Collecting more tree leaves for #kitchengarden mulch.

Covering beds now, means almost weed-free through the winter.

Nice to think, I planted the trees that gifted their leaves, fifteen years ago.

These are linden. Also collecting maple persimmon, horse chestnut leaves. 🌱 #gardening
November 1, 2025 at 1:40 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Rufus sitting next to a big #mushroom. #dogsky #Rufus
Black poodle x labrador mix in various proportions, with some grey, a very cute nose, shiny brown eyes, and a big mushroom. I don't know the type of mushroom but my yard has lots of them.
November 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Seeds for next year's garden. I like to buy in fall. I didn't save any this year, unusual for me. This time I'll try hybrid, determinate, slicing tomatoes because my saved seed ones didn't do well at all. It looks like a lot of seeds but I am actually downsizing LOL. 🌱 #gardening #gardensky
A variety of garden seed selections. Several varieties each of squashes, beans, tomatoes, green beans, snow peas, plus some flowers and odd and ends.
October 31, 2025 at 1:32 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Today I made keto pumpkin pie, using cooked puree from a garden pumpkin. The main differences - crust is almond flour, egg, xanthan gum, butter. Filling used monkfruit instead of sugar, cream instead of condensed milk. Pretty good, a bit soft. We'll see if fridge firms it up. #keto #PumpkinPie
Keto pumpkin pie, using almond flour crust and monkfruit sweetener instead of sugar. The pumpkin I used for the pie. The variety is Galeux d'Eysines. Sliced and de-seeded pumpkin ready to cook for puree. I cooked one hour, 350F, on baking sheet, open side down. Let juices drain out. Scooped out flesh and pureed in food processor. 15oz went into pie filling. I froze the remainder.
October 30, 2025 at 2:53 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
It doesn't look like much, but I planted the last two rows of garlic in a raised bed, and covered the soil with old leaf mulch. The mulch helps tremendously keeping weeds from growing, and regulates soil moisture.

I wanted this done before Nov 1, so I think they will grow OK. 🌱 #gardening
Freshly planted with garlic, garden bed covered with old leaf mulch. Ready for winter.
October 30, 2025 at 1:43 AM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Postcard from the old photo box, dated 1908. Billie Sunday was a highly successful, major evangelist in his time. Caption states "Break away from the old crowd or go to hell". #vintagephotos
Image from 1908, evangelist Billie Sunday. Reverse of Billie Sunday postcard
October 29, 2025 at 6:46 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
I think about these words. I don't think one needs to belong to a particular faith tradition, sect, culture, or tribe for this to resonate. But if someone professes belief and acts in the opposite way, I don't believe they are sincere.

#kindness

bsky.app/profile/zand...
zandra-wpg.bsky.social Zandra @zandra-wpg.bsky.social · Apr 18
Another day of mourning this broken world.

It seems the right time to quote a man who was mocked and then executed by a corrupt empire and its so-called “righteous” supporters because of his uncomfortable position comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.
Matthew 25:34-45 New International Version 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 / needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me! 41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For 1 was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 | was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me! 44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
October 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
I don't know how many people know this. You can mute posts that contain selected words or names. Use the moderation tab in the settings.

I, like many, feel smothered by certain names or words in the news and on other media. I am plenty informed. I just don't want all that, 24/7.
Moderation of unwanted posts
October 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
The final rose of the year. I lost the name. I thought it was "American Classic" or might be "Red Masterpeice ". It's 25 years old. Highly vigorous. 🌱 #roses #gardening
The last red rose of the year.
October 28, 2025 at 11:02 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Postcard from the old photo box. A scene in Nagasaki, from my grandfather en route to the Philippine Islands in 1908. The Philippine-American war was of Americans most forgotten wars, and should not be. Sort of the Vietnam-American war's grandfather. See alt text. #VintagePostcard #Nagasaki
Postcard showing the Suwa shrine in Nagasaki, Japan. Date of postcard is 1908. Shrine was built in 1614, at a time when people were being forcibly converted to Christianity. Many local Shinto and Buddhist shrines had been destroyed. Later, Christians would be forced to renounce Christianity, under threat of death. The shrine would survive the atomic bombing in 1945 and was repaired and modernized in 1984. Some locals attributed the survival of this shrine, while the Catholic cathedral was destroyed, to vindication of their faith / condemnation of the foreign faith. Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suwa_Shrine_%28Nagasaki%29 Reverse of Nagasaki shrine postcard showing post date. He had nice handwriting.
October 28, 2025 at 9:27 PM
danielrufus.bsky.social
Along todays dog walk. #FallLeaves #AutumnColors #Fungi #Mushrooms more in alt text
Cottonwood trees in a row, leaves yellow, in fall. A row of mushrooms accidentally planted by gnomes. The spores had fallen from a leak in one of the gnomes' "sack-o-spores" as they were on their march into the garden. They are planning a protest to disassociate them from their rogue cousin, Krusty Gnome". Flaming red maples. And Washington is the "Evergreen State" LOL A ginkgo tree along the walk. If it's purchased, chances are it's a male. It's probably a similar age to my ginkgo tree, but with fuller growth.
October 28, 2025 at 9:02 PM