# broom (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover broom. Page: Feed: --- ## [HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/hope-springs-eternal.html) _2026-08-20 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Like in many places, there's been no rain and all is hot, yellow, and dry. I came acris the little tree today on an already fairly shaded sidewalk. There was another about 10 yards farther. I imagine this was a city initiative. Both were generously watered and I am making it my duty to water each one every day, and hope the rain comes soon. ## [HARD TO KICK THE HABIT](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/hard-to-kick-habit.html) _2026-08-19 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ This man was NOT smoking. I saw him extinguish his cigarette before he entered the bus, but old habits die hard. He was dry-puffing for two stops, then exited the bus. ## [After the Midterms, what happens to the dream of creating “The Surveillance State”.](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/after-the-midterms-what-happens-to) _2026-08-19 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ A tarot reading on ICE and Tangerine’s wet surveillance dream ## [BLACK AND BLUE LAUNDRY](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/black-and-blue-laundry.html) _2026-08-18 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Laundry day! ## [Scenes from around town](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/08/17/scenes-from-around-town/) _2026-08-18 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ From the sublime to the ridiculous and from the mundane to the special, scenes around Oaxaca frequently bring a smile. I miss this when I’m not here. ## [The Pea Under the Regime’s Mattress](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/the-pea-under-the-regimes-mattress) _2026-08-17 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ This week’s fairy-tale tarot forecast for Tangerine and Washington ## [REACHIING FOR THE SUN](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/reachiing-for-sun.html) _2026-08-17 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ This sunflower in the unkempt yard of an abandoned-doomed-for-demolition building makes one last stab at reaching for the sun. ## [Qué Calor!](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/que-calor.html) _2026-08-16 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ These two chihuahuas didn't seem to mind in the least being packed into this carry bag. Only breeds from hot countries can appreciate our upper to mid-nineties temperatures. ## [WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/watching-world-go-by.html) _2026-08-14 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ "Something's going on down there!" ## [Karoline Leavitt Is Leaving the Podium. These Cards Say She Knows Something Is Coming.](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/karoline-leavitt-is-leaving-the-podium) _2026-08-14 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ I think it's more than "I want more time with my family" nonsense! ## [Trade Smarter With IBKR (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/7AlTIFIXz3iD) _2026-08-14 · **Sponsored**_ Join Interactive Brokers through a referral and start investing with low-cost global access. ## [NIGHT BASKETBALL](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/night-basketball.html) _2026-08-13 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Too hot in the day for serious basketball, but evening temps make a game possible. (And yes, the ball went in the hoop.) ## [GANDHI WALKS](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/gandhi-walks.html) _2026-08-12 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I got my hair cut the other day and as I was walking with my walking stick and billowy dress, I noticed I resembled Gandhi! I've posted about India's spiritual leader before and even posted another Gandhi shadow, which you can see RIGHT HERE. ## [WORD GAMES](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/word-games.html) _2026-08-11 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Crossword puzzles! I don't do them on a daily basis, but when I have no book to read (or Internet, ha) I like to challenge myself. I do them in English and in French, but was reluctant to do them in Serbian. Over the past weekend, having neither a book or Internet, my granddaughter prodded me to try. Next day I bought my own magazine and it is with the English and French ones on my night table! ## [WAITING](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/waiting.html) _2026-08-11 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Came across this trio awaiting their owner/s outside a shop. I sometimes leave my dog tied in front of a store, but only where I can see her since she is of snatch-and-run size. ## [The Prince, the Sleeping Kingdom, and the Woman Who Finds Her Skin](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/the-prince-the-sleeping-kingdom-and) _2026-08-10 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ An Eclipse-Week Fairy Tale Tarot Forecast for Tangerine and His Regime ## [MELON TIME](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/melon-time.html) _2026-08-09 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ No surprise to tell you it has been darn hot here--high 90s, slipping into 100s from time to time. I indulge in melons, all kinds, from watermelon to canteloupe to this honeydew. When very cold, it temporarily soothes the heat. ## [HOT SUNSET](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/hot-sunset.html) _2026-08-08 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Last evening's beginning of the sunset. You can tell from the sky (I think) that it was a very hot day, and tomorrow's not going to be any better. ## [PRACTICAL OR DECORATIVE?](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/practical-or-decorative.html) _2026-08-06 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ This is the ceiling of a passage leading to a park under a building in my neighborhood. I have no idea at all why these oddly-arranged egg cartons are there. For decoration or do they serve a purpose? ## [NIKOLA TESLA FOUNTAIN](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/nikola-tesla-fountain.html) _2026-08-06 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ There is a small green space near a high rise in my neighborhood which is cared for by local residence. They've made one section into a toddler park, another for plants and little statues, and now this one with a small fountain in Nikola Tesla's honor (see the sign in the upper left). Nikola Tesla, the famous Serbian/American inventor did indeed design a decorative water fountain that you can READ… ## [Will the Senate Flip in the 2026 Midterms?](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/will-the-senate-flip-in-the-2026) _2026-08-05 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ Will it be a victory parade or anything remotely comfortable? ## [Snapshot Showdown on Google Play (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/S5bAUh9evos4) _2026-08-05 · **Sponsored**_ Available on Google Play for Android devices. ## [GREEN GRAPES](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/green-grapes.html) _2026-08-04 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I think these grapes will never be wine. They are part of a larger mass of grapevines that form a trellis for shade over an outdoor patio. They are edible now though, albeit a bit on the sour side. ## [NIKOLA TESLA TAKES A BREAK](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/nikola-tesla-takes-break.html) _2026-08-03 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I am sure NIKOLA TESLA tiij a wekk deserved break now and then. Wonder what book he's reading. Here he is on a mural. ## [This Week: Follow the Coins Into the Forest](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/this-week-follow-the-coins-into-the) _2026-08-03 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ This week’s fairy-tale Tarot predicts a protected family fortune, a lonely source of information, a money trail and one very inconvenient corpse getting back up ## [REFLECTION](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/reflection.html) _2026-08-02 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ The reflection cast from one of the new buildings on an equally new area of the city called Belgrade Waterfront sparkles on the Danube. Belgrade Waterfront is disliked by true Belgraders and long-time expats like I am, because it really clashes with the soul of the city. Visible in the foreground are the ruins of one of the many (now abandoned) floating bar restaurants, which were deemed too tacky… ## [CINDERELLA TREES](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/cinderella-trees.html) _2026-08-01 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I just had to take this photo of these three evergreens which looked to me like they're going to the ball. See photo I pinched below. Apologies to Walt Disney. ## [Let the festivities begin!](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/07/31/let-the-festivities-begin-4/) _2026-07-31 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ Where did July go? As the old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun and fun I certainly have been having! (Well, except for the root canal. But, I won’t go into that.) After having a blast with friends and neighbors rooting for Mexico in the World Cup, I headed to Teotitlán del \[ \] ## [THEME DAY AUGUST 2026--PURPLE](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/08/theme-day-august-2026-purple.html) _2026-07-31 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Purple is the theme for August 2026, and for a while I was avidly hunting something purple. Unfortunately, I found it, sort of. I have MISPLACED my purple Transcend external hard drive!!! Unthinkable. I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE where it could be. I have looked in all the logical places, the illogical ones, in the refrigerator, etc. and it is nowhere to be found. I truly believe it has found a… ## [SUMMER FASHION, THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/summer-fashion-long-and-short-of-it.html) _2026-07-31 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Two different takes on summer fashion. Me, I prefer loose, billowly cotton or linen dresses. ## [Elon Musk Is Going Back to the Casino](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/elon-musk-is-going-back-to-the-casino) _2026-07-30 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ A tarot reading on how America PAC may meddle in the midterms and why all his money still cannot tell the roulette ball where to land ## [Full Moon Vibes!](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/full-moon-vibes) _2026-07-30 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ A recording from The Broom Closet Briefing and Lawrence Winnerman's live video [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/209035368/8647a84a8ada78c1a2f2917690cc1500.mp3) ## [Privacy-first AI-native browser (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/6SsOcACEf6xo) _2026-07-30 · **Sponsored**_ No telemetry or ads — built on Ungoogled Chromium with a built-in AI sidebar and CLI. ## [WATCH YOUR BELONGINGS](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/watch-your-belongings.html) _2026-07-29 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ On a few local (Belgrade) Facebook groups, I have recently read a number of posts from persons who have been pickpocketed. Most claim they were careful, but we all know pickpockets are extremely skillful and usually work with a partner or two. There's no sense in making their 'job' any easier like this young woman did by leaving her purse behind her on the bench between us. Not once did she look… ## [THE FROZEN BIKER](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-frozen-biker.html) _2026-07-28 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Biker on the sidewalk along the Danube (Yes, this is Serbia....) who appears not to be moving, therefore frozen, despite the heat! ## [WALKING TEDDY](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/walking-teddy.html) _2026-07-28 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Mom and son are doing okay, but Teddy must have been tired. ## [The August Eclipses, the King, and the Locked Box](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/the-august-eclipses-the-king-and) _2026-07-27 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ Ancient astrologers were terrified when eclipses touched rulers. In August, Tangerine gets a total solar eclipse in the part of his chart associated with hidden trouble. ## [THE GAME GOES ON](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-game-goes-on.html) _2026-07-27 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ Two chess players meet downtown for a game of chess. It's still hot here..... ## [NEEDLEPOINT](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/needlepoint.html) _2026-07-25 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ This empty field across the street from me is a far cry from an art gallery. Nevertheless, my dog and I discovered a framed (albeit a damaged frame) needlepoint. Any takers? ## [WAITING FOR THE BUS](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/waiting-for-bus.html) _2026-07-23 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I was waiting for the bus, too, though I wasn't nearly as stylishly dressed. The photo behind her is of Hotel Moskva downtown, which I've shown you MANY TIMES BEFORE. ## ['THE NAME IS POPOV, DUSKO POPOV"](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-name-is-popov-dusko-popov.html) _2026-07-22 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ This may seem hard to believe, but it is true. Please read THIS LINK. You will learn that Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond books, was inspired by the flamboyant Serbian counterspy, Dušan "Duško" Popov. Popov came from a well-established Serbian family and this entire building at #5 Francuska Street belonged to them. If you'd like to read the book he wrote (and shell out big bucks since it is… ## [THE PAINTER](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/the-painter.html) _2026-07-21 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ There is a painter who lives in one of the long, concrete, drab Brutalist-style apartment buildings in New Belgrade. apartments near me. For years he's taken it upon himself to beautify the colorless walls separating the building's entrances. Here is an example. ## [NO PIROSHKY FOR ME](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/no-piroshky-for-me.html) _2026-07-20 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ I adore piroshky, but not in 90-degree weather. The little stand selling same is closed....wondering why, ha. ## [The Jester Knows Where the Chandelier Is](https://thebroomclosetbriefing.substack.com/p/the-jester-knows-where-the-chandelier) _2026-07-20 · The Broom Closet Briefing · The Broom Closet Briefing_ Barbault’s Basket arrives over a regime drunk on spectacle, and Poe’s cards predict surveillance, grief propaganda, a burst of sunlight, and one very combustible royal court. ## [OPEN YOUR MOMENT OF JOY](https://yankee-in-belgrade.blogspot.com/2026/07/open-your-moment-of-joy.html) _2026-07-20 · Pat · A Yankee-in-Belgrade_ The sign reads, "OPEN YOUR MOMENT OF JOY". Somebody should go and boy these girls a bottle of this juice. ## [World Cup fervor](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/06/25/world-cup-fervor/) _2026-06-26 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ Oaxaca and Oaxaqueñ@s have gone all in showing their support for El Tri, Mexico s World Cup team. The state government is providing covered outdoor viewing with live transmissions of all games on giant screens in Parque Primavera Oaxaqueña Cho ndobá, Parque El Llano, Plaza de la Danza, and the Alameda de León in the \[ \] ## [Back in Oaxaca!](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/06/15/back-in-oaxaca-3/) _2026-06-15 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ It’s been a typical, crazy, full-on Oaxaca, return. When my plane touched down three weeks ago, the main road leading to and from the airport was blockaded by Sección 22 of the teachers’ union, so it took 1-1/2 hours (usually 30-40 min) in bumper-to-bumper traffic over the back roads for my driver to drop me \[ \] ## [Here but soon there](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/05/12/here-but-soon-there/) _2026-05-12 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ As my regular readers may have noticed, the blog posts of late have been few and far between. I must admit, I ve found it really difficult to motivate writing about Oaxaca while I m having to spend so much time in El Norte though, goodness knows, photos and topics are definitely not in short supply. \[ \] ## [For the love of murals](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/02/14/for-the-love-of-murals/) _2026-02-14 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ On this Valentine s Day, I m celebrating with Oaxaca s walls that speak of things we love. In Mexico we say, ¡Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad! (Happy Day of Love and Friendship!) ## [Numbers in my neighborhood](https://casita-colibri.blog/2026/01/23/numbers-in-my-neighborhood/) _2026-01-24 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ In my Jalatlaco neighborhood, from contemporary to whimsical to traditional They are the numbers that you meet when you re walking down the street each day. (Yes, as I wrote, I was humming the Sesame Street song, The People In Your Neighborhood.) ## [Focusing on the joy](https://casita-colibri.blog/2025/12/31/focusing-on-the-joy/) _2025-12-31 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ As 2025 moves from the front windshield to the rear view mirror, instead of focusing on the (metaphoric) traffic nightmares of speed demons, red light runners, and auto wrecks that can lead to what Reading the Pictures refers to as carnage fatigue, I d like to follow their example and look back at those experiences and \[ \] ## [¡Feliz Nochebuena!](https://casita-colibri.blog/2025/12/24/feliz-nochebuena/) _2025-12-24 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ Twas the night before Christmas and I m again spending it with family and old friends in my childhood home in California. However, Oaxaca is never far from my thoughts. And, Navidad decorations were already in evidence before I flew north to California earlier this month. May Pancho Claus by Chicano music legend, Eduardo “Lalo” Guerrero, \[ \] ## [Food glorious food!](https://casita-colibri.blog/2025/12/04/food-glorious-food-3/) _2025-12-04 · spixl · View From Casita Colibrí_ From restaurants to street food to home cooks, for the last seven weeks I have been making up for eight months away from my favorite Oaxacan food. And then there was Barbacoa de Chivo at Adolfa s stall in the Tlacolula de Matamoros mercado. It smelled so good and I was so hungry, I forgot to \[ \]