YES, WE'RE CRABBY (April 28/194)

What's all blue and sleeps in the front row? Our intrepid clown prince who eschews funeral black at a most solemn occasion showing the "best" of Amer-i-cer. Even his wife knew better.

 Apparently, much whining ensued to be seated where he could be seen so it is fitting that he was seen....sleeping. Stuck between Estonia and Finland must have been a real let-down. Meanwhile "Sleepy Joe" was doing just fine and managed to stay awake for the whole service. Again, marmalade's wife had to snarl (my word) at him to just shake Macron's hand during the peace sharing-what a tool. The idol of the evangelical-jellies, and creator of the bible (according to orange aid) it's amazingly obvious the dude's never been in church or at a funeral.

Not to cast aspersions (all biblical today with eschew and casting) but who was one of the last peeps to see the Pope? Why our own junior clown-in-waiting. Maybe looking into those soulless eyes was the proverbial last straw. I'm glad though that the venerable Francisco got to see those thousands of well -wishers and had a last ride through the crowd blessing babies. A much more fitting last day. Part of me wonders if we have seen the last of the good guys for a while... I am so over a bastard administration that deports babies.

MOVING ON Though still not firing on all cylinders this week I was able to get some work done with the podcasts. I'm hoping to get the whole summer's worth done in May. But lordie, I do hate nudging docs and attorneys on meeting deadlines. This is an all-volunteer operation, and this volunteer is getting tired.

Got to enjoy the last week of our non-teenage grandson. His transition into beast commences Friday as he turns 13. I understand it is instantaneous and inevitable, and we will now enjoy a vocabulary of grunts, sighs, surprising defiance and sudden deafness.  I will no doubt hear that plaintive "Nana" as I crash headlong over whatever embarrassing faux pas I have made on his behalf. It's going to be fun! But on the other hand, we are talking about JP who has never been at a loss for words since he enunciated his first "mama". Even before he could talk, we have video of him speaking klingon, blarney, space jam or something and waving his arms around as he follows something, someone we can't see engaged in an obviously heated discussion. 

PURPLE POISON The most anticipated purple ball made its appearance Thursday. He called early in the week to ascertain my activities on B-day. As if. But I made him work for it. So evil to watch your beloved boy twist in the wind as you feign ignorance about what has him all stoked. First shot, surprisingly, was a strike showing the versatility of a finger-tip ball curving a perfect arc into the sweet spot. He was beside himself. He proceeded to bowl four games and then another six on Saturday. He was itching for the trifecta Sunday, but his folks wanted him home for at least part of the weekend. The teenage face emerged, but he held his tongue. 

JUST CALL ME ARTHRITICA As I haven't had any medical drama for a while I thought I would try to address the issues I have with walking, sitting, stairs and bending over to put on my shoes. I have a recalcitrant (oh how I love big words that absolutely describe the situation) hip. I did not know how bad it was until I went to my first PT appointment. The therapist said "you don't bend that way, do you?" Apparently not. Takes an outsider I guess though I have been told I walk funny for a while. Why am I not laughing. I also found out that, like a crab, I walk kind of sideways bent over. The knee bone is connected to the backbone connected to the hip bone as my arthritis continues its inevitable course. My theory is my body only torments me one issue at a time before it coyly and playfully reveals the next surprise. At any rate I now have a series of tortuous stretching exercises to do twice a day for the next month and probably forever. Beats surgery. As I need to get up and walk now, Peace Out.....💚  💙💛

                                                                                        

WINING/WHINING (April 21/195)

What's your earliest memory? "I remember when I was born. I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half!" (compliments of Steve Martin)

"Grape and Cherry working together" sang JP. No, he was not creating a farmer joke. He was lauding the new bowling ball he is receiving for his birthday. Ok that takes some explanation. He has been fascinated that "Storm" creates bowling balls with different scents. Yeah, I don't get it either. However, for three years he has begged to go into the pro shop whenever we bowl to "sniff the balls". It has led to some odd looks from other patrons, but it's a Storm thing and he's cute. 

So, the big moment had arrived. He finally got his lesson from the resident pro who said he was ready for a heavier, fingertip ball. JP's dreams are about to come true! Rushing to the pro shop leaving his ailing Nana to pick up his abandoned ball and bag, the snif-a-thon now commences in earnest. Green ball is vanilla; purple is grape; red is cherry. Plus, a couple of other choices in the order book. Who will pass the sniff test and emerge triumphant. I'm not kidding this was an event that can only be described as the MOST IMPORTANT DECISION OF HIS LIFE! (there will be others) He savored the moment and sweated over making the wrong choice. Cherry is cool but the grape one is purple! Grandpa likes the green one..but purple! Should I mention that he was wearing a neon yellow shirt and lime green pants-the kid is not shy about standing out. Ok finally down to cherry-grape. Upon realizing his mom has a cherry ball, he can double his smell options if he goes with grape. PLUS-it's PURPLE! Hence, cherry and grape working together floats out from the backseat. ROFL from the front seat ensues. 

Thought I was feeling my age last week at the Safety Conference. On Tuesday I was practically laying my head down for a nap at the 7:30 pm mark of the banquet. Hiding yawns and trying to look attentive after only one small wine. Wednesday, I was just as exhausted. I was planning two interviews which meant listening to their programs, taking notes and then turning it into an interview on the fly. First day went fine. Second day consisted of many discussions, taking notes at the program, moderating another program and flying back downstairs for the 2nd interview which I really had to wing. I was so proud that I managed it until I reached over the turn the recording off at the end and got the death statement "Recording On". F---K to the 10th ever-loving degree! I never started recording! Oh well, it was a couple attorneys, and they probably would have wanted to "vette" it anyway plus I never mentioned their upcoming seminar they wanted mentioned so maybe it was for the best. Attorneys hate being rushed or handed surprise questions. We'll just do it over ZOOM with their questions laid out like civilized people. Damn.

McDonalds. When is a sundae not a sundae? When it's a bowl of ice cream in a sundae dish. When one asks for a sundae, one assumes more dressing up than plain vanilla ice cream. Odd they never asked me what flavor. End of a long weekend in Traverse City. Lots of family time with Sisters and B-I-L's and a baby shower with the OH's half. One event, a wine and cheese pairing was quite informative and alcoholic. It ended with a visit to the lower-level wine aging area which was accessed down a wooden staircase with each of us clutching a glass of wine - after sampling four with cheese. We all made it unscathed. We sampled several barrels in varying stages of "aging". They definitely needed a spit bucket down there. I of course cornered the host and pointed out some safety issues, cause that's my groove especially when I am imbibing. The OH knew the drill so he escaped the drill by going upstairs to order wayyy too much wine, and cheese of course. I am just relieved we only ended up with two cases from the four-day trip.

Not being sick for a long time, I didn't recognize the signs. The exhaustion was a harbinger of a kicking one's butt common cold. I have been hugging the couch and trying to slow the mucous trail. No sore throat, a little fever-with an Alice in Wonderland head three sizes too big and a hacky cough. JP kept checking my eyes and telling me how bad, or good, I looked. He worries when his significant others are under the weather. Though he did abandon me when the siren call of a new ball had him scurrying for the pro shop. Otherwise, he's such a sweetie.

Since I have been upright too long trying to avoid medicating too much, I'm going to go back to my couch cocoon and build a tent of kleenex.  Peace out......💚   💙💛

                                              

NEEDING TO GO, WITH STYLE (April 7/197)

OLDEN TIMES Now that we are in our 70's we're not sure whether we need to go into assisted living or politics. I can appreciate the younger woman running to be the next Senator from Michigan replacing Gary Peters. The ancient mariners fluffer-buffering their way around Congress need to move on down the road. Time to get in tune with the 21st century already a quarter century old.

Considering the age and degree of dementia in the presidency, we really need to make a change. Of course, one octogenarian had better advisors, so the economy was booming, employment was at a record high, wages were up, prices and inflation were steady or coming down and we had more power in the workplace than ever before. Then three THREE months later that is all in the toilet. Because a lot of people just couldn't stand the idea that "others" (black, brown, immigrants, women) were enjoying the economy as well.  They weren't duped-they voted for exactly what they wanted-a racist, misogynist felon who promised they could reign supreme again. Surprise- he didn't care about you folks either. How much aid is getting to the devastated south right now?  The dems need to stop making excuses or hoping maggats will come to their senses. They will stay loyal because even if they suffer all the "others" will suffer more. 

TARIFF LAND Meanwhile all the penguins and seals on Heard and McDonald Islands are fretting over their 10% tariff burden. Their economy of fish and ice will no doubt take a hit.  Though I bet they look pretty cute in their little fishing boats and caps as they are now expected to export something. Don't get me started on the folks living on British Indian Ocean Territory which consists entirely of US and UK military personnel. Are they exporting security and importing everything else? Who knew? Clown cabinet again fails to educate the chief buffoon on reality.  

LATEST JP The grandson leads a busy interesting life, so we can no longer just show up and expect him to drop all and hang out. Though he is still young enough to go along with it for now. Surprised him the other day after school with a bowling adventure. He asked for a moment and walked off to talk in his phone. Apparently, he had arranged with the "guys" to play some Minecraft that afternoon and the old folks showed up. Though I told him it was cool as we didn't check ahead of time, he said no problem. I also appreciate that he walked away to make his excuses to spare me.

Later, we got him a sub sandwich for dinner. I just handed him a twenty to handle the transaction himself reminding him we had drink and chips at home so just the sandwich. About five minutes later he comes back weighted down with sandwich, pop, chips and my change. Without my saying a word he goes "Wait, wait. I can explain". Apparently, the extra items were free, and he brought me fourteen dollars back on an eleven-dollar sandwich. Color me confused. He mentioned something about engaging in some small talk. I stand amazed at his abilities to make friends and influence as the saying goes. Better not to push for details. Did I mention it's usually a couple of high school girls on duty at the sub shop at that time.

Taking a small vacay to Traverse City this week followed by the Michigan Safety Conference next week so may not be posting on Sunday. If I get time, however, I may scribble about my fascination with TC vineyard bathrooms. They are each unique and I have threatened to write a pamphlet about their variety-usually themed-accompanied by pictures. I have scheduled two wine/cheese events in addition to our idle ramblings and possibly a quick wallet emptying sojourn at the local casino. Typical sedentary activities for seniors. Big Sis and B-I-L coming for a couple days, so looking forward to some down time. Two live interviews scheduled during the conference so back to "work". Hold tight and don't look at your 401 anytime soon. This too shall pass.  Peace out....💚   💙💛

                                         

                                                                                          

PS Thank you Cory Booker for a masterful performance and the amazing truth that you are standing there - a black senator- despite the 2nd longest speech by a man determined to destroy your ability to be a black senator. A beautiful spark of light in a mostly dark week showing the good guys win sometimes too.