Christmas week

Goodies at the food bar

I went looking for some goodies in my pictures and found this one, taken at the place we were staying while in Istanbul a decade ago. I can almost remember the taste of a few of them. They were definitely "Turkish delights" and exceedingly abundant and fattening. I was on vacation, though, and allowed myself some latitude in my food choices. Just for a little while, though: I can also remember how I felt afterwards: not good. My desire for sweets is modified by how they just don't agree with me, once they are out of my mouth and movenational national cent4er into my stomach.

I am devastatded by what is happening to my old place of employment, the National Center for Atmospheric Research. From AI overview:

The Trump administration plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, citing "climate alarmism" and "Green New Scam" research, intending to move vital functions like weather modeling and supercomputing elsewhere, sparking widespread scientific and political backlash over risks to weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate research. The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a restructuring, focusing on severe storms and space weather, while exploring transfers for its supercomputer and research aircraft, a move scientists warn will set back U.S. science. 

I worked there for thirty years and was a part of the most wonderful and exciting science that I could even imagine. I never thought this might happen, and yes I am incredibly saddened by much of what is happening in the world today. 

I was in Istanbul, along with scientists from all over the world, to examine how climate change is altering our environment. NCAR paid for us to be there, and all I can say is that I am glad I got to be there and experience the best and the brightest scientists in their natural settings. Soon it will be gone. It's simply heartbreaking.

💔💔💔💔💔