PRIMARY WEEK (JULY 31)

Appliance update.  Though no luck on a repair person I absorbed the lesson and am grudgingly using the working dishwasher at least once a week.  The OH sensing an opportunity is presenting me with a dirty baseball cap in a holder to clean every time I do. Helps me reach a full load I guess.

SKELETON PARK & GOLF Have to give the devil his due. Apparently by burying his ex-wife on his golf course it makes the land a cemetery. According to New Jersey tax law, cemeteries are exempt from property tax, income tax and real tax. Wow. What a wonderfully charitable act, though inquiring minds want to know if the lady graces the front or back nine. Wonder how the penalty is assessed upon landing in the "cemetery". I guess it shows how "low" the undertaker will go. As one commentator pointed out (in reference to hosting the Saudi tournament) when given the choice between America and money he always takes the cash. The graft goes merrily on and no one's in jail. Time to utilize our backyards in a tax-winning strategy. Narcissism has its advantages.

TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL Continuing the theme of "people are always mad at the wrong thing/person", a couple of oil companies just reported "massive" profits for the second quarter in a row while claiming they can't increase production (too expensive?)...while the public suffers horrendous gas prices...and blames the president. More education of who we should be mad at...the same party who is celebrating (against the majority opinion of the citizens) banning abortion for any reason  has also voted against family medical leave, the child care credit, universal health care, and expanded benefits for veterans, etc. Still blaming the Administration?  Not to mention the hypocritical R representative voting against the Respect for Marriage Act and attending his gay son's wedding three days later (Thompson). Save me from party politics even when your own child is involved and insulted.

 Recession? No recession? This is probably the 3rd or 4th time we've gone through this since I've started investing regardless of who is in office. Guess what? It comes back! War, supply chain problems, too much dependence on China, companies making massive profits from government bailouts that they spent on buying back their own stock or rewarding investors...blame the President. The con job continues.

A gentleman we were talking with the other day said he was wondering which R to support in the Governor's race, but I wisely kept my own counsel. The choices are so superlative. First the disqualified candidates who falsified signatures on their petitions for candidacy (including a former Police Chief). One who is backed by trumpie dump and believes there are sex conspiracies in junior high and no exceptions for abortion, "young girls should be forced to go through a pregnancy after rape/incest"; the guy who brought long guns into the Capitol and celebrated at the January 6 soiree; the pig father of three daughters who gleefully states if rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it; the ex-pastor who wants the Bible as a textbook in schools; the one who wants to throw  the "3 witches" (Governor, Sec of State and Attorney General) in jail for bravely doing their jobs while being threatened and harrassed  even in their own homes. Most also claim the election was stolen regardless of their own party's exhaustive efforts to prove fraud with no success. Stinks when honorable people can't produce bogus results...

The Dems have their own record of pratfalls. Their biggest problem is the puppy-like eagerness to have everybody like them, thus not landing the blows when they need to.  Though this inept scenerio brought about the 40-hour work week, ended child labor, created social security and universal health care, workplace safety and health, environmental advances.  You know the things that are important to we, the taxpayers. Have to admire the R strategy of pushing the narrative that Social Security will not last so no one would be surprised if they ended it.  Even though many strategies exist including taxing ALL incomes (no maximum cap) that would keep the fund solvent. Again the majority of seniors rely on this program and are being conned into thinking it is unsustainable. Voting against veteran and senior interests does not seem to be a winning strategy-if anyone is paying attention.

WIN FOR A MINUTE Score one for the good guys. Under Governor Snyder's watch citizen petition drives were put together for the November ballot raising the minimum wage and guaranteeing paid sick leave. In a snarky move, the legislature quickly passed their watered down version of these ballot proposals before the election thus making them null and void.  However the citizens sued and recently prevailed as the judge ruled the legislature had no right to change the "wording or intent" of the proposals.  Again it ain't the dems that are continuing to strike at the people's ability to live and thrive. Though it would be incredible if both sides could grow up and work together. Helping the citizens in a fiscally responsible way-what a concept.

JOE TIME --  Enjoyed the grandson's company at the lake for a few days where he proceeded to clean the canal of any stray channel cats that fell for his tasty worms.  He did score some lake swim time although the wave action was pretty intense. Fortunately the bright orange shirt I insisted he wear and the snorkel he donned kept him in sight between all the white caps. He likes to pretend he is different fish species as he scopes the bottom of the lake. Usually a sand or lemon shark, but for some reason he said he was a blue-footed booby which is a bird with an impressive mating dance. I don't want to know... 

We stopped for ice cream after swimming where he asked for a small vanilla cone. He's not a big ice cream eater and they gave him way too much so he ended up dumping it into my dish and just ate the cone.  Obviously I didn't need any dinner. Later I asked him if he wanted corn on the cob for his dinner.  Any self-respecting 10 year old would state his displeasure with a "yuck, gross, I hate corn on the cob."  All Joe said was "not one of my favorites".  I swear there is a 40-year old diplomat living in that boy. Peace Out... 💛💙💛💙

APPLIANCE WARS (July 25)

MORE MECH FAILURES The latest (well not so latest-2 months) appliance rebellion occurred at the lake house when the dishwasher took a dive and refused to resurface (note the water reference?) Only four years old and deader than a school of carp initiating a suicide pact. I guess my strategy of buying "el cheapo" as I have a dishwasher sized opening in my lower cupboards was not well thought out. To be clear, though I own two houses and thus two dishwashers, which I never use. Seems wasteful to me (against all science) when 5-10 minutes cleans up the kitchen sink. So obviously in a fit of pique from being ignored the lakeside version decided to punish me.

No problem. The culprit is relatively new and slightly used so the store should set me up with repairs. Unlike the defunct LG "frig" that no one would touch with the proverbial 10 foot magic wand. Note to self:  do not buy LG appliances...ever.  Anyway store referred me to outside repair shops, hmmm not a great start if they do not service what they sell. First call was answered by a shrew-like person who growled about no appointments for four score and who knows. But also they immediately identified the problem as a controller and those are VERY expensive. If the job was to discourage further contact and forego any ongoing monetary interactions they were successful.  Though I would love to know the cost of the magic eight ball that diagnoses over the phone. I have a feeling the answers as you shook the ball would include "You're kidding right? Never heard of that brand. They don't make parts for that anymore (what the heck are chewing gum and twine for then); Ask again later when I don't have to answer the phone and, of course, Don't know, don't care but whatever it is, it's VERY expensive"

Second call was the national Sears Applicance line. You know it's national, or international, as the service folks are named Jim and Mitzi and have very strong accents. After much back and forth, we agreed on service and timing and then they wanted my credit card. Well that was fifteen minutes of my life I'll never get back..Needless to say I still don't have a fix for my stubborn little friend. Tried Thumbtack which is Angi's List's little brother I think. No problem! One repair person who got 4.9 stars, great reviews and worked my little lake town. Well that was a week ago  and no callback. Sigh. Well at least it looks nice- that dormant, smirking piece of stainless steel.

USUAL RANT My political rant for the day as I was following some of the January 6 Committee revelations. Our forefathers were extremely concerned that the country not fall under the spell of a meglomaniac who would refuse to give up power and rule as a king. Especially since they were going through a lot of effort, expense and frankly, death to get rid of the one they had. Thus they put in checks and balances but also said the country needed to rely on those of moral courage and integrity. Well we have heard from those folks and they are being trashed, maligned and threatened by those who, to use an old saying, are not "fit to shine their shoes". We will have to fight this battle again and again and thank you for those who spoke the truth against all odds. 

On a lighter note a Congress woman was debating or blocking (take your pick) legislation to codify the use of contraception. She believed contraception leads to more abortions, duh. The same folks who think educating the masses and college are a waste of time. Same group banning books that tell history, math and the truth.  Obviously many of us are electing our "peers". Same clowns who think Jewish lasers cause forest fires (taylor green), unattractive women shouldn't worry about rape (gaetz); smoking doesn't kill (pence), etc. 

Speaking of trees. No I was actually I was following a log hauler the other day. I have an acute fear of following a trailer with massive cut logs/trees on it.  I always envision a loud twang and logs rolling slowly off into my windshield and impaling all front seat passengers, etc.  Reminded me of the hassle we had at MIOSHA about the unloading of logs in the UP. Drivers argued to stay in the cab as the massive trees were unloaded to save time. We argued the possibility of eating bark (crushed) if the hook malfunctioned resulting in 1000's of pounds of wood obliterating all and sundry. We were worry warts and they were defending the economic reality which was dependent upon getting their logs to the mill as fast as they could to get paid. The older you get, the more you are confronted with the grays of life (as opposed to pure black and white).

Continuing the agricultural theme the first tomato picking was today. The grape and cherry are usually first with their scarlet paws in the air saying "pick me! pick me!"  But these are a little suspect based on their size. We have either been accidentally infused with nuclear material causing tremendous growth or they were mislabeled at the farm.  At any rate looks like a very good year.

                                                                                        

SUMMER WIND Invited the wine tasting group out for "Lunch on the Lake". Another note to self: Do not overbuy the entree if one is supplying wine and appetizers beforehand.  Discovered: 1) we all fit on the patio in the shade; 2) I have enough non-breakable wine glasses for 10; 3) everybody brings wine and food; 4) Eight bodies and a drink cooler are the correct ballast on the pontoon to provide perfect balance especially on a windy day; 5) nice paper plates work just fine when one does not have a working dishwasher. Peace out (except for the lying russian cowards) 💛💙

                                      

SCATTERED THOUGHTS (JULY 18)

Took a couple of weeks off to enjoy Joe time, reunions, birthday galas, etc.  By Sunday night, all creativity exhausted. So this will consist of some observations, memories and the inevitable political rant.

AT YOUR SERVICE, MAYBE I think many have reached the end of their prospective ropes regarding service no doubt due to short staffing, supply chain snafus, demanding customers. At a chain sit-down restaurant we were basically ignored for any addtional services, condiments or coffee refills (which considering what they charge for coffee, unforgiveable). When noting this to the cashier, the response was "why didn't you ask me?" Huh? Even the local pharmacy was snooty upon asking a very pertinent question with answer along the lines of  "I haven't had any problems" Again Huh? Wave of the future I am guessing. Upon receiving good (not even great) service I now tend to overtip.

This is the happy time of year when property taxes are due as well as ALL the insurances for everything (cars, houses, boats, umbrella) which no one explains is the down side of bundling your coverages. I was feeling financially smug about my savings strategies, which, of course, was an irresistable temptation to disaster. In quick succession refrigerator, television and garage door all decided this was the moment to "take a crap". Ah well.  I now have a new frig, TV and garage door-and my savings strategies held up.

Speaking of investments, one should not look at their investments right now.

WORK TALES I remember how the fire fighters loved their down time between chaos and mayhem (fires and emergencies) as that gave them more time to work on their portfolios. When we changed the guaranteed pension to an investment system, a bunch of would-be financial advisor hobbyists were born. Instead of one very savvy financial manager coordinating the money, everyone gets a shot at it. The FF's were just able to do it on work time. I left the job but kept the financial advisor they had hired to put the system in place. He also loves to coordinate money.

Which segues into contracts. With seven or was it nine, different unions at my workplace I sat on negotiations more than once and became the "go to" for interpreting the minutes on what we "really" meant during the meetings. Straight faced when going toe-to-toe and dissolving into consternation and hilarity with my team on breaks.Though we met in odd places, spending the night in the Wastewater Plant conference room dozing on the tables was definitely one for the books.  Nothing like using uncomfortable circumstances to come to consensus. Then being awakened by the BOSS wanting to know what the hold-up was and telling me to "just do it". Yes, Sir. Though I question whether a staff manager had more power than a line manager. Apparently we did.

INEVITABLE RANT Speaking of power shifts. Apparently the fear that "certain" white males embody has borne fruit with the reversal of Roe v Wade. Ever since they found a reliable and safe means of contraception women have been able to control their lives like any other American which meant "others" could not control or shut down their advancement. Which, apparently, infuriates the same group of nosies that opposes civil rights, contraception, etc. etc.  We are already hearing the horror stories of women suffering miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies (forming outside the uterus that will not survive and kill the Mother). Doctors and hospitals are afraid to treat because of the uncertainty of the new law which is leading to complications, infections and fear in patients. I myself suffered a miscarriage and had a procedure to remove tissue (and a piece of my heart if I'm honest). If that right had not been there for me, who knows? Yes, it's personal and, might I add no one's business. I know there are men out there who agree that women should have a choice and also want to be part of decisions to determine when and how large a family they want.  Let's hear from them too! 

Not to spread conspiracy theories, but why are there thousands of American children waiting to be adopted yet people are opting for European (read white) children. hmmm. Listening pro-birthers?

And news flash, if you're going to allow people to pray publicly, at schools and "coercing" others to join in then you better get ready to get out your prayer mat and yamaka. There is a separation of church and state that are the foundations of this country and I think it's time we stop letting one "group" tell everyone else what to do while they are shouting "freedom". Freedom from these folks please. 

GAMES  As discussed earlier my own furthering the advancement of women precipitated my insertion into the Men's golf league. Two of my male collegues made me a part of their team, because they felt the system was unfair, but mostly they would get week off every couple. Since one of them was named Larry and the other Darold it was inevitable that we were known as Larry, Darol and Darelle.  Looked nice on the last place trophy. See women don't have to win or get special favors; just a chance to be a part of the game. Attitude is just a bonus. 😃 Plus as I've said before it made it much easier to deal with these folks later at work as we had golf (played badly) in common. Kind of like a secret handshake thingee. Women unfettered-scarey. Beat same woman at golf-buds for life!

 The humming bird wars are in full forcce. The male (why is it always...) is very territorial and will not let the, actually larger, female have a drink too. Especially silly as there is enough sugar juice in the feeder to cause the whole flock diabetes believe me. Getting fed seemed important to the female so as the male hummer flashed back and forth screeching, she tucked herself deep in the rose bush, thorns and all, and waited... Eventually he blew himself out and she got lunch. Let that be a word to the wise; I have learned in certain circumstances to wait and let you blow yourself out. Peace out ....💛💜