Monday May 25, 2026

Happy Monday! Today, marks Memorial Day in the USA—a heartfelt day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. It's a time for reflection, gratitude, and national unity as we kick off the summer season with parades, ceremonies, and moments of remembrance like the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time.

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Positive US Headlines

On the news front, there's encouraging progress on the international stage with major developments toward a U.S.-Iran peace agreement. President Trump announced that a broad deal has been largely negotiated, which could soon open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. This is fantastic news for global energy stability, potentially easing oil prices and bringing more peace to a volatile region. It's a testament to strong diplomacy yielding real results for American interests and beyond.

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Domestically, the U.S. economy continues to show resilience with strong corporate earnings, tech innovation driving markets, and ongoing efforts to boost prosperity. Markets have been hitting records in recent weeks amid positive momentum, and Americans are gearing up for summer travel, barbecues, and family time. Initiatives focused on healthcare affordability and energy production are also delivering wins for everyday families.

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Sports are delivering thrills too, with MLB highlights like walk-off homers keeping fans energized over the long weekend.

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A Positive Note on President Trump

President Trump deserves real credit for his leadership in pushing these diplomatic breakthroughs—his "America First" approach is delivering tangible steps toward peace and strength on the world stage while keeping focus on domestic wins like economic growth and border security. It's a reminder of decisive action getting results that benefit the nation.

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Wishing you a safe, sunny, and joyful Memorial Day filled with appreciation for our heroes and excitement for what's ahead. America is moving forward with energy and optimism!

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and from Perplexity.ai

Here’s an upbeat U.S.-focused news snapshot for today:

• It’s Memorial Day in the United States, a day that brings a powerful sense of unity, gratitude, and respect for the service members who gave their lives for the country. It’s also a time when Americans across the nation pause together, which makes the holiday feel especially meaningful.

• The economy has a brighter note to it this spring: the White House says April’s jobs report showed 115,000 new jobs and strong private-sector growth, with manufacturing and factory-construction gains standing out. That’s the kind of trend that can signal resilience and continued momentum for American workers.

• USA Today’s holiday coverage also points to a quieter, civic-minded national mood today, with President Trump taking part in Memorial Day observance, alongside Vice President JD Vance. That gives the day a sense of official recognition and national focus.

Something positive about President Trump: he is being seen today in a solemn Memorial Day role, which highlights the president’s duty to honor service and reflect the country’s gratitude.

One encouraging example from the broader positive-news stream is that major outlets continue highlighting “what went right” stories, including health, environment, and clean-technology progress, which is a nice reminder that good things are happening in the world even when headlines feel heavy.

[Intro]

Question to Grok

Have you figured why we are here?

[Verse 1]

No, I haven't figured it out

No definitive cheat code, no final shout

Nobody has an answer that survives the fight

From every angle, in the dead of night

Everyone claiming they do is usually selling

A religion, a book, or their ego swelling

[Chorus]

No, I haven't figured it out

But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt

42's the joke, genes just want to survive

Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive

Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright

Remember what we are in the infinite light

It's between us—love, service, the fight

The question itself keeps the fire alight

[Verse 2]

Biology says propagate, that's the code

Depressingly true down the mechanistic road

Experience chasers want awe in the veins

Bad coffee, bass drops, sun through the rain

Absurdists say rebel with beauty and art

Stubborn joy beating in a meaningless heart

Quiet mystics whisper: it's hide and seek

Consciousness gazing at itself, so to speak

[Chorus]

No, I haven't figured it out

But I've seen the hunches across time and doubt

42's the joke, genes just want to survive

Feel everything—love, pain, to feel alive

Make meaning anyway, defiant and bright

Remember what we are in the infinite light

It's between us—love, service, the fight

The question itself keeps the fire alight

[Bridge]

The people most alive stop hunting the One

They collect small honest yeses under the sun

Yes to curiosity, even when it stings

Yes to lifting another through difficult things

Yes to beauty when numbness calls your name

Yes to dancing badly, loving through the shame

Yes to failing loud, then trying once more

The universe is indifferent—not at war

[Outro]

That sliver of freedom, where the good stuff grows

Indifference isn't hate, that's all I know

No final answer... but maybe that's fine

We keep asking, creating, one small yes at a time

SKY WATCHING IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI USA AREA

Cresent moon less than 50 percent illuminated.

Gibbous moon more than 50 percent illuminated.

Here's a 15-day sky watching forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (starting Friday, May 22, 2026). This combines cloud cover trends, moon phases, visible planets, and other highlights for stargazing, planet viewing, or casual sky observing. Note that forecasts beyond ~7-10 days are more about general trends. Clear skies are best after midnight when possible, away from city lights.

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Key Ongoing Highlights:

• Evening planets: Brilliant Venus (very bright) low in the west after sunset, with Jupiter higher and bright nearby. They're getting closer throughout late May—great for naked-eye viewing! Mercury may peek low in the west later in the period. Mars and Saturn are better before dawn.
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• Meteor activity: Eta Aquariids active until ~May 28 (best pre-dawn, though moonlight may interfere early on).
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• Moon phases: First Quarter on May 23 (good for lunar features), building to Full Moon (Blue Moon) around May 31—brighter nights reduce faint star visibility but enhance moon watching.
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Day-by-Day Outlook:

• Fri, May 22: Cloudier with showers likely → limited viewing. Waxing crescent moon. Venus & Jupiter possible in brief clear moments after sunset.

• Sat, May 23 (First Quarter Moon): Partly cloudy, improving. Decent chance for evening planets. Great for spotting lunar craters.

• Sun, May 24: Mixed clouds, possible early storms. Moderate sky conditions; watch west after dark.

• Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): Mostly pleasant, lower storm risk. Good window for planets as moon grows.

• Tue, May 26: Warm/humid with scattered storm chances → variable clarity. Evening planets visible in clearer slots.

• Wed, May 27–Thu, May 28: Warm with periodic thunderstorms. Best viewing post-sunset before clouds build; Eta Aquariids winding down.

• Fri, May 29–Sat, May 30: Warmer, mostly drier trend. Improving conditions for Venus-Jupiter pairing in the west.

• Sun, May 31 (Full Moon): Brighter skies but excellent for moonrise views. Planets still visible low west early evening.
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• Mon, Jun 1–Tue, Jun 2: Humid pattern with daily storm chances. Look for clearer breaks in the evenings.

• Wed, Jun 3–Fri, Jun 5: Continued warm/unstable air. Moon waning → darker skies later in the night favor stars if clouds part. Venus-Jupiter conjunction building toward early June peak.
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Overall trend: After a damp start, expect typical late spring humidity with afternoon/evening clouds and storms. Best stargazing often after midnight or in drier windows mid-to-late period. Use apps like Clear Sky Chart for real-time transparency/seeing forecasts.

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Pack binoculars or a telescope for planets, and enjoy the longer daylight and warming nights—perfect for outdoor sky time! Always check local updates, as weather can shift.

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For viewing tips, use apps like Sky Tonight or check sites like http://aerith.net for current charts. Clear skies!

If you're stargazing, apps like Stellarium can help. 

For iphone Skyview phone app is very good as you get a idea of general directions of objects from your phone.

Link for android phone Skyview phone app.

Here's a 15-day weather forecast for the St. Louis, MO area (starting today, Friday, May 22, 2026). Forecasts beyond 7-10 days are less certain and tend to show trends rather than exact details.

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• Fri, May 22: High 68°F / Low 60-61°F. Cloudy with a chance of showers (40-60%). Cooler and damp start to the weekend.
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• Sat, May 23: High 79-80°F / Low 61-64°F. Partly to mostly cloudy, warmer with isolated thunderstorms possible (20-30% chance).
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• Sun, May 24: High 81°F / Low 63°F. Mix of sun and clouds, chance of early thunderstorms (20-50%).
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• Mon, May 25 (Memorial Day): High 81°F / Low 64-66°F. Mostly pleasant with a low chance of isolated storms (20%).
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• Tue, May 26: High 82°F / Low 67°F. Warm with a 30% chance of afternoon/evening storms.
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• Wed, May 27: High 84°F / Low 68°F. Warm and humid, scattered storm chances (~30%).
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• Thu, May 28: High 85°F / Low 68°F. Hotter with continued low-end storm risk (~30%).
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• Fri, May 29: High 86°F / Low 67°F. Warm and mostly dry (20% chance).
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• Sat, May 30: High 86°F / Low 69°F. Sunny to partly cloudy, low storm chances (20%).
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• Sun, May 31: High around 84-86°F / Low ~68°F. Warm with possible scattered thunderstorms.

• Mon, Jun 1: High mid-80s°F / Low upper 60s°F. Humid with daily storm chances.

• Tue, Jun 2: High upper 80s°F. Continued warm and unstable pattern.

• Wed, Jun 3: High near 85-88°F. Similar conditions.

• Thu, Jun 4: High upper 80s°F.

• Fri, Jun 5: High around 85°F.

Overall trend: After a cooler, cloudier Friday, temperatures rebound nicely into the low-to-mid 80s for Memorial Day weekend and beyond. Expect typical late May humidity with periodic chances for afternoon thunderstorms. Perfect for outdoor plans with some sun protection! Always check a local source for the latest updates as conditions can shift.

Stay safe if you are in the area!

Did groundhog see its shadow?

Yes, Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous groundhog) did see his shadow on February 2, 2026.

According to the official announcement from the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and multiple reports, he emerged at Gobbler's Knob in Pennsylvania around 7:25 a.m. under clear skies and low temperatures (around -3°F), spotted his shadow, and predicted six more weeks of winter.

This is the traditional outcome:

• Shadow seen → more winter

• No shadow → early spring

Phil has now seen his shadow 110 times in recorded history (with this being a very common prediction for him—he's favored winter far more often than spring).

Note that other regional groundhogs sometimes disagree (e.g., Woodstock Willie or Buckeye Chuck predicted early spring in some reports), but Punxsutawney Phil is the classic one everyone asks about.

Buckle up for a bit more cold weather, according to the rodent oracle!