A Rough Chronology of Events:

February 24, 2022: Vladimir Putin’s Russian military forces invade Ukraine. Putin predicts total surrender within days, or weeks at the most. He seriously underestimates Ukraine’s strength and the response of the international community.

Today: The war in Ukraine is still raging. Estimated casualties on both sides thus far: somewhere in the neighborhood of half a million, though exact figures are impossible to obtain due to Russia’s refusal to release accurate statistics.

In the Interim: Crippling sanctions have been placed on Russia and many of its top officials and oligarchs. The International Criminal Court has issued a worldwide warrant for the arrest of Vladimir Putin for war crimes involving the forcible removal of Ukrainian children from their homeland, thus isolating him and making it impossible for him to travel to all but a few countries throughout the world.

Putin has repeatedly said that he wishes to negotiate an end to the hostilities . . . though, of course, only on his terms, which include his keeping all Ukrainian territory he has thus far managed to occupy, as well as guarantees that Ukraine will never be allowed to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says, in effect, “When hell freezes over.”

November 13, 2024: Poland and the U.S. inaugurate a NATO missile defense base in Northern Poland, integrating it into NATO’s defenses. As expected, Russia’s Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, responds:

“. . . And, of course, this leads to the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure parity.”

November 15, 2024: Putin reaches out to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, expressing Russia’s readiness to look at energy deals if Berlin is also interested. This is widely viewed as a desire on Putin’s part to begin wriggling out of the aforementioned sanctions.

November 17, 2024 (Ukraine time): Russia launches one of its largest air strikes on Ukraine, principally on its energy infrastructure and other civilian sites in cities throughout the country. Is this blatant escalation of hostilities what the Kremlin deems to be “appropriate measures”?

In an understandable display of defensive readiness, neighboring Poland scrambles its fighter jets.

November 17, 2024 (U.S. Eastern time): American President Joe Biden gives the go-ahead for Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the U.S. to strike farther inside Russia — permission long sought by Ukraine but heretofore held back for fear of escalation.

*. *. *

It is now just past midnight on November 18th. This started two years and nearly nine months ago. It’s not likely to end overnight tonight, so I presume there will be follow-up later today. I can hardly wait.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/18/24

This week’s tribute to the hostages takes us to Berlin, Germany, where Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Alexei Navalny, along with former hostages Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, and about 2,000 Russian exiles and sympathizers marched to the Russian Embassy to protest the war against Ukraine, to demand the release of Russia’s political prisoners, and to urge the ouster of Vladimir Putin and his trial as a war criminal. [RFE/RL, November 17, 2024.]

Shouting “Russia without Putin” and “No to war,” the crowd marched peacefully behind the three opposition leaders from Potsdamer Platz to the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin. Addressing the crowd, Yashin said, “Putin is not Russia. Russia is us. And we are against the war.”

In a statement released prior to the march, the organizers told the world:

“The march aims to unite everyone who stands against Vladimir Putin’s aggressive war in Ukraine and political repressions in Russia.” [Id.]

Yet the protest had its detractors, including the Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany, Oleksiy Makeev, who said it was a “walk without dignity and without consequences,” and that it merely displayed the opposition group’s “weakness.” In the Zeit newspaper, he had also written that the three — Navalnaya, Kara-Murza and Yashin — were not doing enough to support Ukraine, and that they should be urging their fellow Russian citizens to protest in Russia.

Perhaps Ambassador Makeev has a point. But has he considered the futility and the dangers of staging even the smallest, most peaceful protest in Russia? It’s easy for him to speak from the safety of Berlin, but he should first recall the fate of Alexei Navalny and others who fought against the odds . . . and lost their lives.

I see today’s march as a tribute to those who have made that effort and are still paying for it. And to those non-Russians who sit beside them in prison as political pawns of Vladimir Putin, waiting for their turn to be traded and sent home.

Sometimes the fight against tyranny has to begin outside the palace walls . . . or, in this case, outside the country’s borders.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/17/24

For anyone who reads me with any amount of regularity, it should be obvious that the Dmitry of whom I speak is none other than Dmitry Sergeevich Peskov, Press Secretary / spokesman for the Moscow Kremlin, and thus also for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

And for those of you who don’t know, here he is:

He is a man with an obviously stressful job, which he has held for the past sixteen years. And that means he must be damned good at what he does — and he’d better be.

An East German government representative misspoke once in 1989; and in doing so, he unintentionally brought down — not only the Berlin Wall — but, as a domino-effect consequence, also the entire Soviet occupation of Eastern Europe and, just two years later, the Soviet Union itself.

So the person speaking for the Kremlin today would, at all costs, want to avoid making that sort of faux pas.

It is Dmitry’s unimaginable responsibility to know everything that is going on everywhere in the world at all times, how it affects Russia’s interests, what his boss (Putin) thinks about it, and how best to spin it to Russia’s advantage. Unfortunately, that often requires him to prevaricate, obfuscate, dissemble, equivocate . . . well, let’s face it: outright lie . . . with a perfectly straight face.

But let’s look at that face. It’s pleasant, intelligent, attractive, charming — evocative of a loving father or grandfather. His smile looks genuine, and there’s even a hint of a twinkle in the eyes. If you met him at a social gathering, you’d probably like him.

So it has for some time bothered me to think that he really, truly, honestly believes the bullshit he is required to spew at the world on a daily basis on behalf of the evil man he calls “boss.”

And because, in my mind, Dima — I have taken the liberty of addressing him by his nickname — Peskov does not appear to fit his professional image, I have tried to think of him as a normal person, and one with the sort of quirky sense of humor that invites teasing in return. And I’ve had fun with that.

Until today, when I Googled his name to check his patronymic (middle name) for this post, and stumbled across an item on the website of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) titled, “Faces of Kremlin Propaganda: Dmitri Peskov.”

Of course, I have always known, and not all that deep down inside, that Dima — the real Dima — could not have been faking it all these years and gotten away with it; and that he couldn’t have risen to his present position without sincerely believing in the guy who signs his paycheck. But seeing it in print, from an official source . . . well, it’s taken all the fun out of the teasing.

For example, the State Department says:

“In this capacity [as Putin’s spokesperson since 2008], he has played a key role in propaganda and disinformation campaigns to cover up the Kremlin’s links to the 2006 polonium poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Alexander Litvinenko, the 2018 Novichok poisoning of former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skirpal [sic] and his daughter Yulia, and the 2020 Novichok poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. In all these cases, official and independent sources have debunked the Kremlin’s disinformation and established the Kremlin’s direct responsibility. Serving Putin has been lucrative for Peskov, and despite being a civil servant for his entire career, he and his family are now multimillionaires.” [state.gov]

Well, it didn’t say he personally poisoned them; he was just an accessory after the fact. But still . . . Dima . . . how could you?

As for the “multimillionaires” reference, I followed the State Department’s link and learned that Dima, his wife and two adult children have been living the high life, far above his salary range, for many years, and are now among those sanctioned by the United States since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022. Under the circumstances, I think that’s fair; but I do hope they have enough left for rent, groceries, and a clothing allowance, because the little woman looks pretty high-maintenance to me.

*. *. *

And speaking of Ukraine . . . Oh, my God! This is what DOS has to say:

“Before Putin launched his unprovoked and brutal war of choice against Ukraine, Peskov repeatedly denied Russia had any intentions to invade its neighbor. He falsely asserted that Russia did not pose a threat to Ukraine, that Russia had never attacked any other nation, and that Russia would be the ‘last country in Europe’ to think about starting a war. Attempting to discredit Western media reports that exposed the Kremlin’s invasion preparations, Peskov called them ‘provocations,’ and ‘unfounded fomenting of tension,’ ‘Western hysteria,’ ‘irresponsible fakes,’ and ‘maniacal information insanity.’ Russia’s war in Ukraine validated the media reports and undermined Peskov’s credibility.” [state.gov]

Do you see what I mean about his sense of humor? “The last country in Europe to think about starting a war”??!!! Does he write his own material?

But reading on:

About the reports of atrocities committed by the Russian forces in Ukraine, Peskov repeated the Russian Defense Ministry’s statement that “not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions” under Russian occupation; said the accusations were ”groundless”; called the descriptions of the mass killings a “well-staged tragic show” and “a forgery in order to try to denigrate the Russian army”; and insisted that the killings were the “result of a staged falsification.” [state.gov]

By which time, I was no longer laughing, but was feeling pretty much like this:

*. *. *

Well, as you can imagine, Dmitry Sergeevich Peskov doesn’t seem so normal, or so likable, or so tease-able, any longer. He’s just another one of Putin’s henchmen, fully invested in the dictator’s mad ambition to take over the world by any means available. I’ve known it all along, of course — just not in such agonizing detail.

What’s really upsetting, though, is that now I have to find someone new and amusing to pick on . . . and in Putin’s inner circle, that’s not easy.

Sorry, Dima . . . I have to honor my country’s sanctions. But it’s been fun while it lasted.

See you in the news, kiddo.

До свидания,

Brendochka
11/17/24

(Footnote: I wonder what kind of sense of humor Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right rear, above) has. But wait . . . he’s been sanctioned too. Damn! Can’t have any fun with these freakin’ Russians anymore.)

Other than world peace, a clean environment, and cures for all sorts of terrible diseases, you mean?

The awful truth is . . . I haven’t the foggiest notion.

This is what happens when you get older, you no longer go to work every day, and your social life slows down to approximately the speed of one of those ancient Galapagos tortoises. You have more jewelry than you will ever again wear; those beautiful leather handbags you used to covet are now too heavy to lift, even empty; and your stack of “to-be-read” books has already toppled over onto the cat twice.

(She’s all right, but she still runs screaming from the room every time I pick up a book.)

I’ve been collecting art glass and Native American pieces for so many years, there is no bare space for any more. And I’m sick to death of dusting them anyway. Actually thinking of having a yard sale one of these days.

The same goes for kitchen stuff and small appliances. Besides, who cooks?

And if you’re thinking a nice fluffy robe or throw would be just the ticket for those cold winter nights, everybody else is way ahead of you — I’ve got so many, I’ll have to donate some to the local shelter.

Though some nice red wine (Merlot is perfect) would help me stay good and warm.

That fruit-of-the-month thing you sent a couple of years ago was lovely, but that was before my digestive system went all kerflooey, so probably not a good idea now. IBS is really a bitch.

And I still have enough of last birthday’s body lotion gift set left to de-wrinkle an elephant.

I am running out of toenail fungus cream, though.

And speaking of animals . . . no, I don’t need a puppy for company, thank you. You know I love them, but they have to be walked at all hours, and I can barely get myself to the bathroom on time these days.

I did used to love the day spa with the massage. But I caught a look at myself in the bathroom mirror the other day. Nobody sees me naked anymore. Understand? Nobody!

Anyway, I guess you’ve gotten the picture by now. There are a few basic necessities you might consider — not very sexy, but it would save the Amazon delivery people a couple of trips, and me a good bit of money. Things like toilet paper, vitamins, and laundry detergent (those cute little pods because the jugs of liquid are also too fuckin’ heavy to lift anymore).

Of course, there’s always a gift certificate from my therapist’s office. Medicare doesn’t cover everything, you know.

Well, I do hope this has been helpful. And thanks ever so much for thinking of me.

Brendochka

11/17/24

I’m sure it’s of little consolation to Nadezhda Buyanova, but she is not alone.

Dr. Buyanova is the 68-year-old Russian pediatrician who has been sentenced to 5-1/2 years in a penal colony for allegedly “publicly spreading deliberately false information” about the Russian armed forces . . . based only on the testimony of an angry woman and supported solely by the word of the woman’s seven-year-old son, whom defense counsel was not permitted to question.

Defense attorney Oskar Cherdzhiyev believes the accuser, Anastasia Akinshina — whose husband was killed fighting in Ukraine — acted out of malice due to Dr. Buyanova’s Ukrainian heritage. In a video, Akinshina expresses her anger thus:

“So the question is: where can I complain about this bitch now, so that she’ll be kicked out of the fucking country or sent to the devil in jail?” [Mark Trevelyan, Reuters, November 15, 2024.]

Nice.

*. *. *

Whether or not Dr. Buyanova made the comments of which Akinshina accuses her — comments alleged to be opposed to Russia’s war against Ukraine — there is an even greater issue involved than the single case against this one citizen and the destruction of her 40-year medical career and the remainder of her life.

And that issue is the fact that this is not just a single case. It is one of a growing number of denunciations being made by neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend . . . and even family member against family member. And these denunciations — so terrifyingly reminiscent of the Stalin-era purges of more than half a century ago — are resulting in criminal prosecutions that are strictly politically motivated. And all have arisen since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.

*. *. *

Since that time, according to Russian rights group OVD-Info, 21 such criminal cases have been brought based on unproven accusations by individuals. Eva Levenberg, a lawyer with OVD-Info residing in Germany, said that they knew of an additional 175 people facing lesser administrative charges for “discrediting” the Russian army — all based on the word of individual informants — 79 of which cases have resulted in substantial fines. [Id.]

(Note: Reuters reports that it has been unable to confirm the precise number of cases.)

The Russian Ministry of Justice has not responded to Reuters’ request for comment; and good old reliable Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said merely that “the Kremlin does not comment on court rulings.” [Id.]

But Russian President Vladimir Putin has had much to say, since the 2022 start of his “special military operation” in Ukraine, to encourage the Russian people to speak up against one another.

Declaring that Russia is in a “proxy war” with the West, he said that citizens need to help “root out internal enemies.” Just weeks after the invasion of Ukraine, he said that the Russian people:

“. . . will always be able to distinguish the true patriots from the scum and the traitors, and just spit them out like a gnat that accidentally flew into their mouths.” [Id.]

Well, there you are. If that isn’t an invitation to get busy snooping and accusing, then I don’t know what it is. It certainly is colorful.

And according to OVD-Info, since February of 2022 more than 20,000 people have been detained for making various anti-war statements or protests, with criminal cases filed against 1,094 of them. [Id.] Cases have even been noted of churchgoers denouncing priests, and students turning in their teachers.

It makes me wonder what has happened to the spirit of Putin’s “Year Of the Family,” and his declarations of the importance of “home, happiness and mutual support.”

Obviously, they were nothing but words. Empty, meaningless words.

As usual.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/17/24

Or so they would have us believe.

In today’s YouTube video, Arend Feenstra bursts forth with patriotic fervor as he shares with us a family project that he has been waiting to complete since they first arrived at their new farm in Russia. He calls it a “patriotic symbol of who we identify as.”

While watching him — with the help of a few of his children — digging a hole, mixing and pouring concrete, and settling an anchor into the snow-dusted (but not yet frozen) ground, it is quite obvious that what they are doing is putting up a flagpole. But not just any old flagpole. Guessing Arend to be about six feet tall, I estimate the flagpole at 15 to 18 feet high. That flag should be visible all the way to Moscow!

And there it is:

As they work, Arend Feenstra tells us how — since he first saw the Russian flag in the government offices there — “it said freedom” to him. How “thrilled,” and “excited,” and “thankful” he is to be “allowed” to be there, in the land of “economic opportunity,” where they can live “as traditional Christian people, raise a family, and be happy.”

And I’m thinking . . .

But he doesn’t stop there. Beyond his paean to Mother Russia, he feels compelled, as always, to tear down Canada, the country that brought him a beautiful family, a prosperous farm, and the freedom to make his own choices for the first 40-plus years of his life. We hear how traditional Christian values are under attack in the West; and that — though Russia, like every country, has its problems — they are not “those” problems.

I guess it never occurred to them to move to, say, an Amish community in Pennsylvania, where at least English is spoken and you won’t be thrown into prison for criticizing the government in Washington. But the Feenstras made their choice, and now they are trying to convince us that they themselves are convinced it was the right choice.

*. *. *

Well, I’m sorry, Arend and Anneesa Feenstra — but you’ll never convince me that your decision was the best one for you or, more importantly, for your eight children. (And by the way, I hope the ninth child — the young man who stayed behind in Canada — is doing well.)

Because there are things about your adopted country that you apparently didn’t know, or chose to disbelieve, before settling there . . . things that you are undoubtedly learning little by little, now that it’s too late to change your minds.

Now that you are under his watchful eye:

This is not your benevolent father figure, a leader who has the best interests of his country and its people at heart. This is, in reality, a man who rules with an iron fist;

. . . who stands in front of the world and declares 2024 to be Russia’s “Year of the Family” . . . while at the same time telling its citizens to report their friends, family and neighbors to the authorities for daring to speak against government policy or the war in Ukraine;

. . . who, without cause or justification, wages all-out war against a sovereign nation while unabashedly lying to the world about his intentions . . . all because of his territorial ambitions in the rest of Eastern Europe;

. . . who, when the number of casualties from that war becomes unsustainable, replaces them with young men from other countries whose governments are as corrupt as his own;

. . . who targets and imprisons Americans and other foreigners on wholly specious grounds, to be held hostage for future trade . . . in the meantime subjecting them to the worst kinds of abuse and outright torture;

. . . who, when faced with an opponent who won’t be silenced, simply has that opponent murdered;

. . . and who stifles the media in his country in order to cover up the lies and the corruption and the killing.

*. *. *

This, then, is the leader of the country you have chosen to provide you with the opportunity for the decent, honest life you desire for your family. I wish I had been able to tell you all of this before you made your decision, but I didn’t know you then.

Knowing you now, I can only say,

I’m sorry.

Good luck to all of you . . .

Brendochka
11/16/24

It’s reassuring to know — with countries like Hungary and Slovakia making friendly overtures to Moscow these days, and Belarus already in Putin’s pocket — that not everyone in Eastern Europe has lost their minds.

Poland — clearly recognizing the threat from the other side of its borders with Belarus, embattled Ukraine, and the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad — has taken steps beyond its membership in NATO to shore up its defenses against a possible incursion by Russia.

On Wednesday of this week, Polish and U.S. officials inaugurated a NATO missile defense base in northern Poland, integrating it into NATO’s defenses. While it had originally been planned during the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush as a protection against threats from Iran, Poland has always considered it as a defense in the event of Russian aggression as well. [Vanessa Gera, Associated Press, November 13, 2024.]

Polish President Andrzej Duda said: “The whole world will see clearly that this is not Russia’s sphere of interest anymore. From the Polish point of view, this is strategically the most important thing.” [Id.]

And Poland’s Defense Minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz called the base opening “an extraordinary event in the history of the security of Poland, the U.S. and NATO. The base in Redzikowo means the eternal presence of American and allied troops on the territory of the Republic of Poland and, strategically for Poland, it is one of the most important events in history after 1989.” [Id.]

Good news, indeed.

*. *. *

But along with the news of some positive action, there is, as usual, an equal and opposite reaction.

It goes without saying that Russia has opposed the U.S.-Poland plan from its inception. The Kremlin’s sweet-talking spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed concerns about the U.S. plans even during the Bush administration. In Peskov’s words:

“We then insisted that the Americans saying all these plans are aimed against the ephemeral Iranian threat are in fact a lie, that all these plans were drawn up from the very beginning as an attempt to militarily contain our potential.

”This is the advancement of American military infrastructure on European territory towards our borders. This is nothing other than an attempt to contain our potential. And, of course, this leads to the adoption of appropriate measures to ensure parity.” [Id.]

I particularly enjoyed his classification of an Iranian threat as “ephemeral.” I don’t think he’s been paying enough attention to events in the Middle East.

I’ve been asking myself for years . . . and find myself addressing the question to Dmitry Peskov today: Is this just another example of Russia grasping at any excuse to turn the truth upside-down in order to be able to threaten retaliation? Or is there actually such a thing as mass paranoia?

Because — and it hurts me to admit this, Dima — I’m beginning to worry about you.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/16/24

Unless someone wrote in his name on a ballot, the answer is: No one.

Has he been officially appointed to any office in the upcoming administration? Again, the answer is: No.

Then my next question logically follows: So what the hell is he doing?

Let me explain.

On November 15, 1977, then U.S. President Jimmy Carter publicly welcomed the Shah of Iran and his wife to Washington. Over the next two days, Carter met with the Shah in the White House, where they discussed possible means of further improving already friendly diplomatic relations between their two countries, as well as the Middle East political situation in general.

On Monday of this week, almost exactly 47 years later, Elon Musk — an unelected, unappointed friend of President-elect Donald Trump — secretly met with the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, for more than an hour, according to two Iranian officials cited by the New York Times. [Tara John, CNN, November 14, 2024.]

CNN reports that it has reached out to Trump’s transition team and to Musk for comment, and that Iran’s mission to the UN has declined to comment. A U.S. official did tell CNN that Biden administration officials at the UN were not notified that the meeting was to take place, and still had not received independent confirmation that it ever happened. [Id.]

Again, my question is: What is Musk doing? As far as has been made public, his future role in the Trump administration is to be as co-head (with Vivek Ramaswamy) of an as-yet-nonexistent “Department of Government Efficiency,” with a stated goal of streamlining government operations.

Not Secretary of State. Not Director of National Intelligence. Not White House Chief of Staff. Basically, a bean-counter . . . though, admittedly, of a very large pile of beans.

So why, I ask, is he seemingly everywhere that Trump is, even taking part in telephone conversations with foreign leaders and officials? Is he also to be some sort of foreign policy adviser? Or is it just Musk being his usual pushy, arrogant, take-charge self?

In short, just what is going on in Trump’s back rooms that we, the American people, have a need — and a right — to know?

Just askin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/16/24

Well, that only took a few hours.

Just after midnight today I reported on a decrease in medical payments to Russian military troops wounded in the fighting in Ukraine, which officially included a nearly $30,000 supplemental payment to those deemed “unfit for duty.” And I wondered how that determination was to be made, and by whom.

I still don’t have the answer to the “how” or “who” questions. But a brief news flash popped up this morning, giving a clear indication that those details are irrelevant in a military organization that sends its wounded back into battle, fit or not.

Telegram channel “Baza” has reported that more than a dozen wounded contract soldiers — who had traded criminal prosecution for the “opportunity” to be blown to smithereens in Ukraine — fled their military unit near Novosibirsk when they received word that they were being sent back into battle . . . despite their injuries. [RFE/RL, November 14, 2024.]

Way to save $30,000 a head, people!

Thus far, seven of the AWOL soldiers have been captured, with the remainder still at large. No indication has been given as to what their fate will be, though I can’t imagine it could be worse than being sent back into the meat grinder of battle.

The brief report also fails to clarify the extent of the men’s injuries, most likely because that information has not been provided by the Russian military. Presumably, if they were able to “flee,” they’re at least mobile; but that doesn’t necessarily make them fit to fight.

Clearly, more information is needed here. But the whole idea of being given a choice between prison and war — the ultimate “rock” and “hard place” — is beyond my comprehension.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/15/24

Quite a few years ago, I worked with a young man who went to Australia on a two-week vacation. When he came back, he quit his job, sold his condo, packed his bags, and returned to Australia for good. That’s how completely he fell in love with it. We would hear from him periodically, and he never regretted that move. Since that time, I have wanted to visit Down Under to see what attracted him so quickly and completely.

Unfortunately, that opportunity has eluded me. But I think I now know why Australia has always seemed so appealing to me . . . I mean, aside from its beautiful scenery, friendly people, magnificent Sydney Opera House, and a truly quirky jargon.

It’s the fauna.

Seriously, what could be cuter than . . .

Unless it’s this little fella:

And there are the wombat, the quokka, the platypus, and a whole slew of other oddly-named (and, to be fair, odd-looking) critters.

But if I were to come home to find a furry stranger hanging out in my bedroom, I would want it to be a relative of the one encountered by Brunno and Fran Rufino in their home in Adelaide on Wednesday:

Mrs. Rufino, who is originally from Brazil, posted about the event on Instagram, saying, “I was scared, happy and excited at the same time. I was so nervous that I forgot my English. Only in Australia.” [Isaac Yee and Chris Lau, CNN, November 14, 2024.]

The couple surmised that the sweet little fur baby had found its way into the house through the pet door, and then couldn’t locate the exit. So Mr. Rufino took a blanket and gently nudged the intruder toward a door, where it happily took off for its natural habitat. That, of course, was exactly the right thing to do . . . but I would have been hard put to let it go without first moving in for a big hug. From the koala, of course.

*. *. *

And then there’s the mysterious visitor — not from another planet, but from another continent — who waddled ashore earlier this month at Ocean Beach on Australia’s western coast. Definitely lost, and looking totally bewildered, it was a seriously underweight emperor penguin — the first ever recorded to have made the 2,000-mile swim from its Antarctic home. [Chris Oberholtz, Fox Weather, November 13, 2024.]

Even little Mumble of “Happy Feet” fame never dreamed of doing that!

The visitor to Australia was, of course, an adult, weighing only about half his normal weight. Government wildlife officials took charge and removed him to the care of a local seabird rehabilitator, Carol Biddulph, who said:

“Never in my wildest thoughts would I thought I’d ever have an emperor penguin to care for. It’s just amazing. It’s just such a privilege to be part of this bird’s journey.” [Id.]

The bird’s rehabilitation is being aided by veterinarians and wildlife experts from the University of Western Australia, and consideration is being given to the possibility of returning him to Antarctica. In the meantime, since the climate in that part of Australia is significantly warmer than in Antarctica (isn’t that true almost everywhere?), they’re helping him adjust by misting him regularly with chilled water.

The mystery of the emperor’s epic journey will probably never be solved, though it is believed that strong ocean currents most likely swept him off course. [Id.] Since penguins’ yearly rituals are so ingrained, I worry that he will be lonely and befuddled until they do get him home.

But I would so love to have been there to welcome him ashore.

*. *. *

Though the unscheduled appearance of an emperor penguin is undoubtedly a one-time event, the uniqueness of the occasion — and the odds against it ever happening at all — speak to the character of the continent itself. As Fran Rufino said about her koala adventure:

“Only in Australia.”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
11/15/24