MAKING SENSE OF IT (September 13/123 or not)

WHERE'S THE PARADE? Who would have the thought the best thing we saw on the Lansing Area Parade of Homes was the cute little bracelet/keychains supplied by the sponsoring credit union? They may have been worth the entry fee-to be sure, I took two. First clue was no posting of the houses featured on the website just ticket information. That meant no addresses even after you purchased tickets which turned into a game of drive around and look for the little green arrow signs that indicate you may be in parade home vicinity. Only upon a successful scavenger hunt was one awarded a much-slimmed down parade book with no map. As most of the offerings were new streets, surprise, the addresses did not show up on google. Back to the scavenging. We literally drove into surrounding townships and just played hide and seek looking for more signs. Did not realize we were engaging in a religious pilgrimage. Would you not think they WANT you to find the houses for sale?   

After being underwhelmed by the first offering I was eagerly approached by the realtor who enthusiastically asked, "so what do you think?" Reacting quickly, I replied, "Well, I see brown is back" and made my escape. We were looking for bathroom inspiration and am happy to say mine is prettier, though I do see some brave souls venturing into the greens for cabinet colors - I was first. They were pretty "meh" as the kids say so again happy with my own inspiration. The most intriguing and actually locatable house was ultra-modern and really cool except drapes/curtains are apparently not a thing anymore and there were really a lot of windows so owners need dress accordingly. Checked the open house next door to the modern one and I would hate the be the neighbor as you would constantly be compared and end up lacking. 

After driving around the proverbial hell's half acre for one of the last ones, we gave up and hit a sports bar for an early dinner and MSU football. Positive closing to our housing ramble. 

WE REMEMBER Not to sully the 9/11 remembrance but rumplethinskin sleeping through the memorial and offering an illegal $5,000 bribe for people to vote republican are his latest outrageous defecations on America. Such a contrast to what the world was like right after that horrible day coming together as a nation and the world mourning with us compared to what we are today.

I was at Eastern Michigan University evaluating a training program when we got the news. We were piled into the administration office glued to the television in sheer disbelief when the second plane hit and the news kept getting worse and worse. Sickened by what we watched and wondering if more was coming and if we were now at war. To make things more poignant, we were practicing fall protection harnesses in the ROTC building. I watched these young cadets, men and women, with fear yet resolve on their faces as they awaited what might come next. It was weeks before I could look towards Detroit and not wonder if another plane would appear. I wondered if this was how my parents must have felt when Pearl Harbor was attacked.  America had avoided so much of the devastation that war brings on our own soil. We now knew we were vulnerable. Never forget. 

ANOTHER WEEK IN THE WEEDS Needing to meet a repair person for a broken window at the lake Wednesday, we were loaded up early and were ready to move out when 1) we lost power in the two new bathrooms and living room lights and 2) our contractor texted that the painter would be here at 8:00 to finish painting the second bathroom. Say what? The no light thingee could wait until we got back, but the painter-no notice? People take one for granite or quartz or ceramic, I digress, when you're retired. Couldn't contact the glass doctor (literally) until 8 am to beg an afternoon appointment rather than "we'll call you when we're coming" which is what we were working with. Both tasks were accomplished and we were actually able to entertain some friends at the lake as planned. Meanwhile I am still drying my hair in the 1/2 bath downstairs until the elusive electrician shows up.

"Peace (if it's possible) Out/Stay (more than ever) Strong/Love (more than ever) Your Neighbor/Drive (it's only going up) Efficiently/More than Ever Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel (and khaki)/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be where You Find 'em

                                                                               

HOME IS WHERE YOU FIND IT (September 6/124 or not)

"Some people's two cents worth is why we got rid of pennies..." 

Since it's a holiday weekend, I am entitled to downtime and short blogging; also alcohol, sweet desserts and general flatulence. All and all a good weekend. Met the "kids" at the lake for a day and let them take the rest of the weekend and all the bedrooms. As was pointed out, working people have precious little downtime and retirees can go whenever. As we had plans, it worked out great! Fortunately (heh heh) the weather was so lousy Saturday, the S-I-L took on some chores electrical and otherwise to fight the boredom, so we are beyond happy.

JP NAILS IT! My grandson is more like me than I knew. His family went there Friday night as they have their own key, and we couldn't be there until Saturday so like, let the party begin sooner. And for the first time in forever I was not wearing my connected watch, and my phone was on silent. Upon retrieving said phone, I found six calls from my daughter! Who died? Who burned the house down? Who unhooked the boat? Are vandals sitting on my lawn furniture? Actually, they forgot their key and were wondering if I had one hidden in the garage as they have access to that. Not reaching me, they contacted our neighbor and unofficial caretaker and breached the premises. My daughter asked her son, "think like your grandparents-where would they hide a key?" As he is there much more often than they are, a reasonable possibility he would know. He suggested the refrigerator (we have one in the garage) which was scoffed at, and wrong. Later the next day she asked me where I would put a key and I said, no shitske-probably the refrigerator. General hilarity ensued. The boy and I did not collaborate on that answer, we just think alike. 

DRESS UP TIME Started the weekend with an anniversary dinner at the OH's favorite restaurant where he gets his massive prime rib (dog bags were involved) but I couldn't get a second glass of wine. (That's why you order the bottle, but then the police are extra involved holiday weekends, so it turns into a whole thing). Not sure why there was only one bartender on another floor who was apparently slammed. No biggie but they apologized with a free dessert. Well, I am not one to turn down luscious creme brulee obviously-winning! Since I have been wearing flat sandals all summer it was the first time wearing heels in three months going out to dinner. I could balance fine, but I walk so much without heels I was clomping around like a T-Rex. 

LABOR OF LOVE We also attended, I think, our 35th Labor Day bash with friends where everyone brings a dish to pass so we end up with all salads or all desserts with the hostess also filling in gaps with gay abundance and abandon! I compromise by bringing one of each. Since I use the OH's favorite cake recipe for cupcakes and there are always left-overs to take home-winning! One interesting comment. In recovering from my half-decade of surgeries by focusing on exercise and smarter eating I have gotten closer to my fighting weight of many years ago. However, nothing humbles you more than when your old man gets asked "has she been sick"? What you thought was youthful-looking is translated into-what deadly disease is she fighting to achieve that fashionable starving orphan look? They should have looked at my overly laden plate as I try every offering. Some items find themselves artfully disguised and discarded when I hit an ick factor. Word to the wise: do not ask what is in something. Was that chicken chunks in that salad, um no-go no further at that point. But there was an odd item on the dessert array that apparently was dried mushrooms-ok (dessert, salad, appetizer?). In some cultures....? Yeah, I tried one. I think it is what dust would taste like if you cleaned house with your tongue. 

PATHETIC POLITICS Both amusing and pathetic. Vance is calling Abdul a very, very evil man who is bringing background and religion into the campaign-no that would be your side. But then Dr. El-Sayed, an epidemiologist who chose public health and policy over private practice has spearheaded Wayne County's opioid crisis response as the county health director and championed removing lead from schools, assisted disadvantaged children obtain glasses among other programs only wants to talk about the issues. Evil indeed. Is that the best you got? 

Speaking of toads, toadstools, poison mushrooms, I have found a little fairy village wrapped around our tree that appears to be anticipating tiny little occupants. It's temporary housing that sprang up after the massive amount of moisture we've experienced lately, so hopefully it serves some forest creature food or shelter.   

                      

✌Peace Out/✊Stay Strong/💖Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish Be Where You Find Them    

WHAT'S IN A NAME? (August 30/125 or not)

SHAME! The new mnemonic device for our magnifico' Great Lakes. Totally apt for our current "what stupid, meaningless thing should I do today" calendar. Considering the name of each lake is a derivative of first nation peoples who populated the area and named the lakes wayyy before America or Canada were nary a gleam in their founder's eye. Oniatari:io meaning "lake of shining waters" or more simply "beautiful lake" which certainly does not describe the U.S. right now. 😂Which is another bone-y of contention. We are not America-we are the United States of America so calling anything, Gulf, Lake, Ocean American merely give homage to the entire set of countries west of Europe. Funny how that works. Another insult landing something south or north of its so-called target. Speaking of names, when marmie is talking about dems being, horror, communists, aren't his best buds communists (Russia, North Korea, China). Someone needs to 'splain these things in small words and easy sentences.

THEY'RE COMING! I am not a super movie buff. I have not sat through the Hobbit series or Star Wars or Fast & Furious or even Harry Potter. However, in movies I have seen where AI takes over mankind so it was pretty much a foregone conclusion, especially after seeing "I Robot", that mankind would eventually hoist their own petard through technology. So not terribly surprised that AI is running away from human control and the techies who created the monster are the ones warning us about it. As Skoobie Do was fond of saying, Ruh-oh. But at least I know one hero who will do their best to protect. All this build-up was to brag about my daughter as she starts a new position managing a team of system security, compliance and risk experts at the State of Michigan. The Wonder Woman cape is a given but optional. Now all she has to do is fight administration (read politicians) to support the inevitable crucial changes, and economics needed to protect us. Yes, piece of cake

PIVOT My hope with my monthly podcasts is that they sound spontaneous, off-the-cuff, nimble. But all that takes mucho prep-LOL. I usually pen my intro and closing before I even start the interview. The closing might change a bit, but since the whole thing is timed, I have to be able to control the narrative and general meandering to meet our 30–40-minute timeframe with no awkward (isn't there a city named that? oh yeah Auckland, NZ) um-um pauses wasting valuable time. Got to keep it clicking. Anybody watching the YouTube version can see me glancing at props out of sight of the camera. I recommend folks stick to the audio version. Did you know you can tell sight unseen if a person is smiling while they talk? It's kind of fascinating and I keep reminding myself if I'm not happy and excited about the topic neither will the listener. 

 Anyway, my interviewee decided to change my whole intro just before the interview. Yes, his version was more technical and explanatory, but my opening is more whimsical, trying to get you interested-in my own voice so to speak. No problem, I bow to your impressive resume and the ease of interviewing you. Then he kind of swayed into the answers to the questions before I asked them as we both knew the script, right? So, talk about the ability to be nimble as I rephrased things and said, "you mentioned, bla bla bla" and kept us on track. I was rewarded with him telling me I was a very good host with the ability to keep things on track. You think? But I took the compliment as I know he gets interviewed a lot. I try to emulate my favorite virtual interview mentor Stephen Colbert, who was excellent in getting his subjects to relax and spill except I try not to be the main voice you hear. On occasion Stephen got excited and cut them off sometimes making me say-stop, I want to hear their answer to that. So, I guess you can say I learned from his mistakes as well. But if I think of something that makes them say "that's a good question" meaning they hadn't thought of it that way, I'm happy.   "I'm so vain" which is my go-to song on the few occasions I have done karaoke-far away from home of course. I keep telling JP we need to do a karaoke sometime. But I digress. Anyway, another poddie in the can. 

BATH TIME The OH told the contractor we should put him on our Christmas card list as we've seen him more for the past 2 1/2 months than anyone else we know. 2nd bathroom was rolling along but we have a new floor to lay and painting before we can set the immortal throne and finish the rest of the plumbing. There are a couple of issues left on the "completed" bath and a missing part that we ordered and paid for. Although the part really isn't needed (robe hook) we paid $21 for it with a 30% restocking fee so that golden sucker is going to hang somewhere. Now I'm happily searching for green/gold accoutrements for the countertop. Did I mention that the mirror is so humongous that I don't even need to use the little close-up mirror attached to the door to be able to see every pore and eyelash when I put makeup on? Consequently, the mirror works, but like the warning in your rearview "objects probably are much bigger in real life". Looks so perfect and reasonably sized in the showroom set up exclusively for the best display. But I definitely achieved the spa experience except for cleaning those #@#$$ glass doors. Picture shown is reasonable facsimile of completed green room.

                                                                            

Per usual: Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish be Where You Find 'Em 💚  💙💛

GETTING WET (August 23/126 or not)

 

BATHROOM BLUES/GREENS. Well after finally being released from bathroom bondage we took 4 whole days off and went to the lake. JP had asked for an extended fishing trip and Grandpa was more than happy to oblige as it's tough to find fishing buddies. Especially when one goes out early and late. JP had no problem with the late nights; it was the early mornings that required several shake, rattle and rolls to get things moving. Grandpa made an elaborate breakfast the first morning for someone who barely had his eyes open and food was the last thing on his agenda. I just shove energy bars and muffins at him for when he's ready to break his fast. I stick to my raisin bran as nothing says regular but my dependable fiber cereals-so sue me. 

FISHING IS ELEMENTAL It hits dark around 9 pm so I am anxiously awaiting JPs call that they're back in the canal. As I wait on the patio, they soon herald their impending arrival with Joe striking a Statue of Liberty pose as he wields the high-wattage spotlight while they pick their way through our neighbors' anchored boats and docks. 'Cause if you're fishing at night the OH does not come back in until the last proverbial "hung is dog". He has GPS so he just follows the little red line. I just think they be crazy. I also think the two of them would have stayed out all night if they could have kept the bugs at bay. However, all the effort did not yield any trophies, so no fish pictures on Facebook. However, they did hook a sizeable bass which resulted in their patented quick catch and release. No not landing it, unhooking it and sliding it gently back in the water. No, the darn thing broke just before netting. Fish tales of the one who got away. They found my confusion hilarious. JP also swears that he hooked the biggest bass he's ever seen off our dock which also did the do-si-do on him but I'll have to take his word for it.

On their downtime we were watching TV when JP chortled as he brought my attention to an "old people commercial". That's anything from the heartbreak of psoriasis to dementia medicine. Ah the callousness of youth.  I had quite a relationship with commercials when I was a kid. I had a whole dance routine for Welch's grape juice; I could do a reasonably accurate rendition of the little girls who claimed, "Mother I can do it myself" and "It's Shake N Bake and I hepped". And I totally memorized the bit "Crest toothpaste has proven to be an effective dentifrice when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care .....bla bla bla." Mom would have me perform for company. 

Then JP can be the sweetest kid when he whispers, "do you need a chair Nana (I was sitting on a stool as we had company) I can bring one from my bedroom". He also helped Grandpa with the boats plural without being asked. I may be biased, but I think he's pretty cool. I was teasing him about not introducing himself to the second window man I had in for a quote. He immediately stuck his hand out and said, "I'm Joe, nice to meet you". Curses foiled again. 

BUZZING As the "r's" clutch their pearls and commiserate over them cheatin dems, and the orange one supports a graham cracker who claims publicly she knows nothing much about foreign policy -"I'll just trust the president but I want to be a senator" I have to ask one question. If we are so darned good at cheating how the heck did we lose the presidency and congress? I guess logic doesn't enter into it. Meanwhile the USPS is going to withhold mail-in ballots unless states follow the latest illegal marmie maneuver.

BACK TO WHAT PASSES FOR NORMAL Two doctor appointments this week, probably a start-up of bathroom number two, and a podcast recording with an interesting dude I've interviewed three times. The guy who I keep refusing a second interview is going to have kittens. I don't get paid, I don't have a contract and I can interview who I please. Meanwhile my talented daughter is taking a new job next week at DMB at a higher level and it sounds interesting as heck-something to do with IT and security, etc. and a pretty good-sized staff. You go girl.  They'll have to fit it in with Joe's new passion for drums meaning lessons and practices, not to mention our trying to turn him into a bowling maven. As always: Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect a Vet/Don't Plasticize Your Life/Fish be Where You Find' Em  💚  💙💛

OUT WITH AND IN WITH (August 16/127 or not)

LUXURY Well my fancy pants bathroom seems to be completed. Final crazies included the dreaded drywall to cover the original holes from "too tall Tim" as I like to call him. Both the storage cabinet and mirror were just a wee bit too high for my diminutive self. So new holes, new plaster, new clean-up, though he was relatively neater this time. Then the painter comes back to cover the holes and the finger marks and the gouges as they rehung things. In a month or so I probably will not notice the flaws. 

Asked the electrician to rehang the mirror rather than have "too tall" come back for a five-minute job. Though their boss agreed, do not ask one skilled trade to do another skilled trade's work. They are such prima donnas. They grudgingly moved the mirror down one inch though originally, they were asked to move the light down one inch and mirror down two, plus the gouge marks were theirs. Fortunately, the plumbing inspector just said do a video rather waiting for him to come back to be sure the faucets are aimed the right way or something.

With all the new lighting and see-through glass shower doors one feels like they are performing on stage in a porn movie. I see every eyelash when I do make-up and my wrinkles have never looked so amazing. I believe we could guide and possibly land a passenger jet on the house based on the wattage we're currently enjoying. Now the fun part of picking out accessories. The second bathroom should be  proverbial child's play after my spa extravaganza. Though I have under the table asked the painter if she could "sneak" back in and paint the second bathroom ceiling for a modest fee. I could do it, but there are ladders involved, I am very messy and she's amazing-probably a 10-minute job with nary a drip. 

But also, and especially important, we have de-plasticized our life. Well at least the bedroom. No longer the squishy squish across the room. Just the stairs and the landing until the 2nd bathroom is reimagined. I can live with that, well actually I don't really have a choice.

AIN'T IT THE TRUTH?  300 bank accounts closed by Capital One belonging to marmie on suspicion of money laundering, no really? Front page stuff anywhere except when you own the media. See how that bitch move works out for the orange one? 😏

BIRD WARS Must be the time of year, but the finches are fighting a never-ending turf war against the sparrows. The doves are too fat so they just sit on the ground and wait for droppings, of which there are many. At time there are more brown bodies up there than yellow, but the finch brigade regroups and dive bombs the intruders. Seed is for everyone, but the finches are prettier. Meanwhile hummer has decided these dudes have nothing to do with him so he has actually been feeding regardless of the patriot missiles and B-52 action going on next to him. Hard to think it's actually getting on in the season and everybody is filling up the tanks. 

LIFE WITH JP Church dinner week and JP played his designated waiter duties, taking orders and delivering food. He likes to give me the number in different languages-what a tool. He usually chit chats with everyone, not his fault, he's just so charming and they give him gifts like cookies, crocheted potholders and advice. A young Asian gentleman had attended church and heard about the dinner, so he stopped in for food and then insisted on helping. Which was a whole adventure as he did not know a ton of English. But he did whatever he could see needed doing and we tried our best to communicate. I tried to ascertain if he was Lutheran or Christian for that matter and we were not connecting so he finally had me speak into his translator on his phone. He did understand when I asked his name and gave me an Americanized version, sigh. JP was quite impressed that Nana tried to talk to him even though we weren't doing that great at it. But the young man did understand Thank you and You're welcome and we all learned to bow to each other. A lot of courage I think to put yourself out there when you don't know the language that well. 

We finally had some time off from remodel and JP's busy social life to schedule a few days at the lake to fish which he requested early in the summer. Then, of course, he was thrust into some other school projects so he can't come this week. I am sure it will get harder the older he gets, so a little bittersweet.

Just some small changes....

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life 💚💚  💙💛

BLUES & GREENS (August 9/128 or not)

                                                                        

LAPTOP LAPSING OH NO -- Again I lament the loss of IT support as a boomer retiree. My main laptop kept going into sleep mode which should have triggered some mild concern. Only when I was down to 30% power with the beast plugged in did I realize my dilemma. "She not be a'chargin". OMG my life is on that thing. Save to the cloud? What does that mean? Download to something? Back-up to what? S-I-L says the fading laptop will fight and die before giving up your files which seems to be the case whenever the bad/good guys access the perp's laptop after he's bounced it off a 3-story building while in flames. Amazing. However, I do not have that level of expertise.

Quick text to the afore mentioned S-I-L to see if he has an extra cord that might work as we both have Lenovo/Legions. Geek Squad cannot get to me until 4 pm and you need at least 30% power and download everything before you bring it in. I am now at 20% as I kept dinking around with the cord and the previously mentioned download issue. Mr. Pessimist has declared the port is busted so my hopes of a quick fix are doomed. SideNote: being married to a doom and gloomer has its points. I always know the absolute worst that can happen and I am never surprised. Some may find that depressing, but I believe it is liberating not wasting all that time and mental anguish imagining "what if". 

At any rate, my son from another mother came over at lunchtime and sacrificed his own power cord in hopes that was the problem. Worked perfectly and I frantically powered 'er up to 100%. He also "amazoned" me to find a new cord, which, though I loathe bozo they were able to deliver the cord I needed within a couple of hours. Knowing it was his work laptop I made a point of delivering his cord back to him that night...and I was jonesing for a blizzard at Dairy Queen. Now many who order blizzards are treated to the spoon suspended in the treat and the cup presented upside down to show its frozen state. We were in line one time at DQ watching the show in the car ahead when the server got a big surprise as the treat cascaded out of the cup onto the ground and we laughed and laughed. Apparently, they have changed that practice as my "small" was delivered with a cap on it, dripping all over my hand. I had to eat it with a straw. Blizzards are going downhill these days....literally. 

DUMB AND DUMBER - Fun in DC this week as they hold Dr. Fauci in contempt as he was not willing to let Congress dump their failings on him by answering the set-up questions. Led by the dude who says he's a medical doctor based on certification he gave himself from a group that he and his wife created. Oddly enough when repugs were called to testify, they just refused. Dems need to start being bigger bastards when they finally, hopefully, get the com. Second and dumber, the brain-dead senate confirms marmie's lawyer as head of the DOJ. Like he hasn't already proven multiple times he is          1) incompetent; 2) working as the orange one's agent and 3) dishonest. Dumber still are the senators who fell into line. 

Some hope, at least in Michigan. Crazy Perry doesn't move forward in the governor's race, a lot of people in the UP are ok with an American with an odd name moving forward in the Senate race and on a personal level two of my nieces have done their part to make a difference in this country. One niece Theresa Sweet is the Sweet (Sweet vs Devos) who brought the class action suit against the US Dept of Ed for delaying and ignoring repayments to students exploited by predatory colleges; the largest settlement in history at great personal cost to herself. A second niece Abbie Groff Blaszak just won the democratic primary for State Senate in the 29th district in West Michigan. Fingers crossed.  

B-ROOM UPDATE Last Monday was a bit chaotic as the carpenter, house cleaners and the OH's golf partner all had plans to show up at 8 am. All managed their assorted tasks, and no one died. Next was the shower doors being installed. Dude and his son. The old man greets me and says, I thought humorously, "is it downstairs?" No. "Of course," he says. Then he dragged his broken body up the stairs to check the locale and measurements. His son, who actually looked older, seemed to move ok. I know how that doggie feels having my own hip issues though I'm not hauling big ass glass doors. 

But the big news. The counter was installed late Friday-major TA DA. My vision is coming together. I have tried to photograph it, but the richness of the green just does not come through as it does in person. The little streaks of gold will be picked up with plumbing and any accessories I'm picking out.

 Now onto the final plumbing, mirror, lights, fixing the hole over the cabinet, plaster some slashes, etc. etc. Also, to make it fun, we are starting on the other bathroom this week. As so many subs are coming to the house I just tell them to "follow the yellow-brick road". The first thing the contractor did was to plasticize (is that a word?). We have plastic running from the front door up the stairs across the hall and the bedroom right to the bathroom door. Everybody gets it and no one gets lost. But I will be so thrilled when I can walk anywhere without that squish squish squish sound and feeling. 

 Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Don't Plasticize Your Life

                                        

                                                                    

DESTROY/BUILD/HOPE (August 2/129 or not )

RENO JOKE "An Elephant walks into a bar. Renovation ensues". Ta da boom

UPDATE We have floor, we have color, we have a new commode! No more schlepping down the hall tempting a sleepy plunge down the stairs. Accommodation is right across the room. Lit only by the trembling night light, obstacles avoided from a long history of muscle memory, a comforting oasis appears out of the gloom offering solace and comfort in the wee hours. (Oases are usually round). 

This week includes the shower doors being installed and by Friday the fancy cabinet is placed on its lily pad throne. So close....Of course, then we have to start on the second bathroom whose flaws only became apparent as we put it to regular use, sigh. The plumber wants to be sure we have one completely functioning bathroom before he starts working on the next. Vanity is an all-in-one unit, so no waiting for install. They will perform a rip and drop in one day.  

                                                                                                    

I also no longer have a child-proof medicine cabinet. Trim dude installed a massive cabinet over the toilet which is 3 feet tall. I had no idea how big that was really to going to be until I tried to reach the shelves. As I said child-proof, or small adult proof. Only the cyanide, strychnine or any of those skull and crossbones labels on the top shelves. When I asked the contractor if he was going to make a little stool for me to reach the cabinet, he wisely sent his trim dude back to lower it six inches. Which, surprise, revealed a small hole in the wall as he couldn't locate the stud. And gosh he was right there (ta da boom-his joke)!!

 So, a bit more wall repair is in somebody's future-not that any normal sized person could see it. Though anyone who reads this will try to find it if they happen to be in there.  Funny thing when one mentions  mistakes, sometimes that's all some people remember. Years ago, I mentioned our first kitchen redo at work and an unfortunate light placement. When people from the office came over for a party, that's the first thing this one lady looked for. Some folks get off on that, I guess. It wasn't noticeable if I hadn't mentioned it, but there I go again. 

EXHAUSTING Hard to only focus on one thing as the duck boy causes so many distracting crisis's every week. Couple of hits:

    -First Ukraine can make Patriot missiles, now they can't-Russia bombs the proverbial sh-- out of             them.     

    -Major bombing of Iran postponed as they're talking again - but not according to Iran who btw has         attacked an American tanker. Maybe if you hadn't fired everyone who knew anything about fighting     wars you might have the cojones to finish this fight. Now the whole middle east is exploding again.

    -His joke peace group gets Hamas to disarm and "naughty nahoo" bombs Gaza again.

    -The attorney general of choice is not going so well, so he is going to withdraw him, but then he             threatens to go ahead and take billions to pay his allies if Senate doesn't approve. So that agreement       that "mr b" said was withdrawn (not in writing) was really not, what one would call a lie. 

    -Then the persecution of the only man who held the country together in the midst of the worst                 pandemic in 100 years of whom mr. bleach could not rise high enough to polish the good doctor's            shoes. 

As if that wasn't enough, we also needed a swipe at the American people by taking away the Medicare drug subsidy which will raise millions of people's costs because they've supposedly made deals with big Pharma. I blame the media who reports every gas bubble this joker has rather than wait for real conclusive actions. He plays them like a fiddle. Except Kaitlan (just smile) Collins the warrior journalist. Or here's a thought, just report outcomes, results, consequences, not every burp in a midnight rant. 

So, for heaven's sake. Vote like your life depends upon it as it does. Funny how for 240 years we had fair and free elections until a serial liar told us they were rigged and people believed him. Wow. 

PCI I fear I was suffering from premature countertop installation last week thinking they were going to install last week which would have been a miracle. But this week's install is still miraculous according to our contractor. Then the final plumbing can be completed by our Plumber Philosopher. He and I were debating Hinduism and who was the stronger - Shiva or Shila-destroyer vs rebirth. He studied comparative religion in school before following in his father's wet footprints.

I'm always fascinated by people's stories. Though the OH said the plumber sure talks a lot instead of working -lol. My fault as that's how I operated at work as 1) I am truly fascinated by people's contrasts; and 2) worked well when I had to investigate boo-boos (technical term) as they knew I saw them as more than just a worker who screwed up.  My family is going oh yeah-Ms talks too much actually listens?  LOL. 

Helps in the podcasts too as I found out a very strict safety director for a dangerous manufacturing group likes to ice climb in his spare time-you know cheating death on a regular basis; or that a management trainer on leadership helps out the local high school in robot building; or the lithium battery guru is involved in a local fire apparatus museum; and another was instrumental in getting life preservers and "Stop the Bleed" kits at State parks. People are interesting and humble.

JP TIME Enjoyed a couple of days with the grandson last week. Bowling and an overnight where we glommed on popcorn watching Roadhouse 2. Then golf with Grandpa. He then courteously let me watch A League of Their Own. He's such a gentleman. I kind of hate action, violent movies as I feel like the whole world is that way right now. He is sensitive enough to know I need to escape. LOL.  

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/VOTE VOTE VOTE 💙     💚  💙💛

                           

                                                                      

DREAMS OF GREEN (July 26/130 or not)

 TA DA! - first fruits from the garden. They will be followed by increasingly larger offerings as they ripen and mature. I tried to make a clock out of them similar to what the nurse asked me to do at my cognitive testing as well as remembering boy, girl, camera, rat, pedophile, crook, etc. I usually draw a digital clock first for laughs. Not sure how the millennials are going to answer the "draw a clock" question. 

GREEN UPDATE Cabinets installed, countertop measured. This week floor laid and final painting. Now the, unfortunately lonnngggg wait for the countertop to be cut. There was some consternation as the "boys" sorted through the cabinet boxes in the garage as apparently, they can't tell the difference between oyster and a subtle lily pad green. Hence bringing in a piece of the wrong color first. I threw an appropriate fit and attacked their typical masculine brand of "color-blindness". Green, oyster, purple-all the same to them. I suppose I could have waited until they tried to match the wrong pieces to the drawings as obviously, we have time to install and reinstall. Also having to explain that, of course, the fancy matte black pulls and knobs go in the subtle green bath not the common nickel-geez. Good thing I'm here. 

Floor guy is here and again one of the biggest dudes to date. Odd that the plumber and floor guys are big and tall when their jobs require them to be closer to the ground and crawling around. Oh crap, he just asked me if I want the tiles to go long way or short way. Uh Uh,Uh, long. The OH will say he'd rather they went the other way but he's not here so too bad, so sad. I think it will make a small room look longer so all good. 

So much fun when you remodel as little issues pop up. First, it was the shape of the bathroom counter to fit the new larger shower requiring some creative blueprints, then the fan not being vented to the outside, the wall having to be straightened and the water pipes along the wall needing to be wrapped. Now the floor guy says the carpet people didn't put the carpet far enough into the bathroom to match the floor so he had to call his contact to come up with a threshold piece to cover the gap. Best to just not be here and let them figure it out. 

WHEN IS A WAR NOT A WAR? When you want to obfuscate the deaths of four young soldiers who were killed during a "supposed" ceasefire. Which again is another way of stating you are in a war. What an insult to their families that their children's sacrifices are smeared with this stupid attempt not to connect their death to a war. Not being military, even I think I can connect the dots that US bases in the middle east are being attacked and destroyed because a demented dictator and his henchman "had a feeling" and wanted to play with people's lives with an "undeclared" war. 

 

MORE VOTER FUN As if you needed a reason not to vote repub and Mike Rogers in Michigan. He has stated in his campaign if we elect him, he will stop any investigation of Elon Musk-you know the guy who destroyed the federal government, helped the prez cheat on the election and is a billionaire due to bribery, negotiated tax breaks and government contracts. Who the hell does that promise appeal to-Betsy DeVoss? Are we listening Michigan?

BIRD WARS My favorite hummers are still sneaking in when the finch feeder is empty to snatch their sugar water so it's a balancing act between the two species. Then insult to injury, we have a very aggressive male hummer who will not allow the female to drink her share and runs her off if he sees her. So, she makes several recon flights before she scoots in for her drink. She actually uses the perch hoping the male doesn't notice her there on the back of the feeder but is usually dislodged within 30 seconds. The finch-pigs on the other hand are getting more aggressive. If they go a day without seed, their leader bird flies in and hovers at the window. After a quick rest on the shepherd's crook, it then flies and hovers at the window several times in a row.  As soon as the feeder is refilled, the window attacks cease. You would think they were at the bird version of McDonalds and I'm operating drive-up window service. And no doubt as they are young, they are also bitching about the lack of an app for ordering requiring more physical effort to get their order filled. 

We're approaching a hiatus of sorts. If they can finish everything but the countertop, we may be able to finally get to the lake for a few days during the week. JP is wanting a couple of days to fish with Grandpa and we would like to do it before school starts again. Though he does have a busy social schedule.  At any rate, Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/ VOTE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT 💚 💙💛

AT HOME AND UNDER CONSTRUCTION (July 20/131 or not)

 

Ok. I didn't lie. I did see the cabinets last week in that beautiful subtle light green I chose. Only issue is they are in boxes in the garage! Wallboard, mudding and sanding took all freakn' week. Monday starts paint and trim and, fingers crossed, Friday for install. Then a lonnggg wait after measuring to get the countertops cut. I do apologize for those (you know who you are-Kristen, Marcie) for that shower you had to use in the other bathroom. That is one tight squeeze. Living through a remodel is much like living out of a suitcase for a couple of months. My clothes are scattered in several places, and I need to get underwear out of the bedroom bureau and be Shit-showered and shaved (well relatively) before 8:00 most mornings. Not a problem as I am usually up before 5 to walk. Then added to my morning ritual is encouraging my fledging grass patch with their own little gentle shower every morning. Meanwhile the rest of our lawn looks like a war was fought and lost resulting in that distinctive scorched earth motif.

VIVA THE DIFFERENCE Someone made a very astute comment. The difference between the two political parties is the dems threw out a popular, viable candidate who was "accused" of sexual assault; the repugs celebrate the guy who just paid 5 million to a woman of whom he was convicted of sexual assault. People either have integrity or they follow the orange king. That's all you need to know. 

Speaking of people getting their rewards. A woman I've known for many years in the construction business just got promoted to Deputy Director of MIOSHA. She came from outside MIOSHA similar to me, and took over as the Head of the CET Division a few years ago and has moved up the ladder. The MIOSHA Director has no qualms picking leaders regardless of gender, race or national origin. The same man who invited me to try out for the head of Construction Enforcement trying to keep me from retiring. How DEI of him-LOL. 

Makes you leery when you see the nutcases running for governor who think it can be run like a business. Snyder and Musk found out, but only after damaging the entire structure during their tenures. Does anybody else have a problem with multi-millionaires donning a vest and saying they're for the regular people? Nope, not buying it either. 

BIRD POWER When is a finch like a pig? When they empty the birdfeeder every other day. I was letting it ride for a day or so on empty when they started approaching the glass with little birdie pleas on their beaks whenever I sit at my laptop in front of the picture window. Geez. Meanwhile the lone hummer only shows up right before dark and takes several sips on the wing before settling down for the night. Apparently, the perch on my feeder is not big enough for their dainty little feet to rest and take their time. Or maybe all the yellow action on the feeder beside them freaks them out. Though I also wonder if the six trees that disappeared across the street affected their preferred habitat.

                                                     

Now I need to get back to the laundry and prepping for the podcast tomorrow morning. Hopefully, the painter doesn't drop any buckets, etc. while I'm recording. Things are so chaotic and there is so much plastic down on the walkway and stairs that I had to cancel the housekeeper meaning I had to wash the floors and am constantly dusting, bummer. It's work zone frenzy time for a while. So, Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel 💚  💙💛

MELLOW YELLOWING (July 12/132 or not)

AYE AYE CAP'N Learned a new nautical term this weekend. Apparently dropping anchor is relieving oneself and if you're already in the lake so be it.  With great anguish on my part, I chose to wait and drop anchor back at the lake house, properly. LOL.  Or maybe it's because I was wearing pink underwear which would have no way looked like the bikini bottom of a swimsuit and I didn't want to sit in a wet pair of shorts. Oh yes, I suffered. 

Wind was up so trying to anchor to swim proved an interesting challenge and the s-i-l had to push us out at one point as the waves kept pushing us back on shore. We ended up at a 30-foot-deep spot but only put out one anchor which of course kept the boat swirling a 360 every few minutes. All and all a perfect day weather and humidity-wise for our annual family party. JP also caught a decent-sized bass when he and Grandpa went out for a couple of hours Friday night. He had to bring it back in the live well so he could show me, of course, for the inevitable pictures of course. He named him Derrick, of course and he let him go, of course. 

WEATHERLY Speaking of weather, maybe firing half the NOA staff and dismantling all the weather balloons may have an impact on all the interesting weather, damage, flooding and injuries we've been experiencing as "surprise", another storm rolls in quicker than predicted, if predicted at all. Which was especially apparent in the open-air eggs-stravaganza planned by the orange one. CBS who had the exclusive is definitely run by idiots as they scrambled for content for two hours leaving their "folks on the scene" in a lightening-filled storm for two hours. Insult to injury they still had to cover marmie's 11:00 hate speech. Kids had given up on fireworks at that point and went to sleep.

This debacle was followed the next day with an environmental warning for folks to stay inside because no one realized setting off fireworks in 10 hot humid locations around Washington DC would fill the air with smoke for days. Not to mention the trash. Never get tired of winning right and who needs science? When you have a trillionaire who exists on tax breaks and government contracts and a top health dude who swims in sewage running things, what do you expect?

 CANNERY ROW Helping one's neighbor is alive and well. At least at the Grand Ledge Meijer. As we were wheeling our cart full of "a couple of things we actually needed" and everything else, I noticed a young woman with a lot of black plastic bags heading into the store. By gum she almost made it too. While adjusting one of the bags a mass of pop and beer cans and water bottles started pouring out like Niagara. It was fascinating as I kept thinking it'll stop. Nope-they kept coming and coming and coming. Then other bags joined in. Adding to the mass chaos of plastic/aluminum flooding was the fact that it was downhill towards the road from where the explosion occurred. I hesitated, looked at the OH and we both dropped our cart and started chasing the flotsam and jetsam rolling and blocking traffic in the parking lot. I mean it was overwhelming. She must have been collecting for years, ran a frat house or had the most awesome party ever seen. As the three of us were snagging returnable booty and laughing our as--es off, several other people stopped to help as well. Only lost one can as it rolled inevitably to the street. It was too hot and too far so we just wished it luck and waved it goodbye. After thanking everyone the lady made the immortal statement "I guess I should have tied the bags"   You think? 

UPDATE Not much to report. Drywall done, mudding taking three frickn'g days then painting starts this week. So, we may see the much-anticipated cabinets finally making an appearance. Meanwhile a broken window at the lake may require an entirely new window, not just a glass replacement as it is all one unit-sigh.

GARDEN GLORIES We have to admit, the fence "crows" did their job. The OH says there are so many tomatoes coming on we may have to open a roadside stand. Bumper crop this year so a lot of people will be getting little red gifts. He has been waiting for a year like this. Lanscaper came back and reseeded my crop of weeds at no charge, so fingers crossed it works this time. Then a little yellow miracle. I bought some Meijer tulips around Mother's Day, but they looked so crappy we ended up digging the bulbs up and planting them for next year. However, these long green shoots would not be denied. It couldn't be tulips they don't rebloom. So, either there was a stowaway in the tulip patch or it flew into our garden from parts unknown (no it's a bulb so it can't). At any rate I ended up getting the most beautiful yellow lily-like flowers. Sometimes accidents are happy surprises. 

                                                                  

As always:  Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel/Believe in Miracles

WINDOWS (July 5/133 or not)

Let me think. Comparing a very popular and generous singing star's wedding against a grumpy old man who forces people to listen to lies, complaints and cruelties in 105-degree heat. What gets my attention? Hmmm. A little MSG flavors the broth-perfect. Small crowds, few attractions, no air conditioning, arc coming apart and a thunderstorm warning to scatter everyone. If he who would be king was a religious man, he should wonder if he is having a good old-fashioned "smite-down".  LOL.

UPDATE Plumber doing his thing last week. 6'5" and the gentle personality that guys that big usually have if they're not a total douche. Not to mention what they can do to your WC and other piping. Considering how much crawling around in low places plumbers need to get into to perform their job he must be very agile. We exchanged a bit of toilet humor. He said if I could make him blush, he'd give me $20. Aha a challenge. We discovered a possible leak issue with our other upstairs toilet tank-not bad-but needs attention. As the saying goes when it rains it pours or leaks in this instance. Challenges of a 60's vintage house. Just add it to the bill....

Meanwhile work across the street goes on. Today, before our plumber arrived who is bringing a ton of stuff including the shower unit, they parked two trucks, an SUV, a woodchipper, an excavator and dropped a trailer (in front of the mailboxes). All of this of course taking up all the space in the street which makes me wonder how skillful our plumber will be backing a trailer up into our driveway. But he says he's a farm boy and will enjoy the Tetris-like challenge.

The forestry workers dropped a 30-foot tree today aimed directly at our house. Having a front row seat is not always desirable when the possibility of running for our lives is involved. Thank goodness most roads are 22-30 feet across. They actually dropped it precisely where they wanted with a couple of ropes and notching (plus a scattering of the workers below). Masterful. They asked our HVAC dude to move his truck as it was directly in the drop zone, and it WAS! I have never enjoyed watching a construction site in such comfort. Rather than sucking dust and weighted down with ppe we were relaxed seated in front of our picture window enjoying the AC while documenting the whole procedure in case we needed legal assistance later, just saying, but nope-they nailed it.  

                              The tree is actually a lot closer than it looks, just saying.

The HVAC dude was the opposite of the plumber being small and compact. He installed the new duct on our roof because in our last episode I revealed the old fan was never vented to the outside. However, I was worried about him on the roof as he asked if there was a gate he could get through with his ladder, the kicker being we DON'T have a fence. I don't think he was high, but possibly the beginnings of heat stroke as opposite of "Pigpen" from Peanuts a little puddle of sweat poured off him wherever he stood. His hair was so wet, I almost handed him some shampoo and a hair dryer. Baby it was hot last week!

SCATTER-GORIES Speaking of construction, there is a cockroach effect I experienced when I worked at MIOSHA. A couple of my consultants were construction specialists, and it never failed. Show up in a State vehicle with a big M plastered across your hardhat and vest and it is both cockroaches and crickets. Once a bustling worksite becomes the dusty street of an old deserted western town, complete with tumble weeds. No workers, nobody at risk. One of my folks was a substantial black woman, not fat just tall and well-built, an electrician by trade. Can you imagine the consternation when a little white chick with her too-big hard hat and this black goddess show up. They didn't know whether to run or stand in awe. Too funny. 

ANOTHER BALL IN THE AIR Also made a "relaxing" trip to the Lake this week to oversee a new patio door install. We have to plan our other activities between workers and permit people in Grand Ledge. Originally planned for Sunday, they had an opening Friday. Of course, the power went out Thursday night at midnight, so we all enjoyed 99% humidity while they did the job. Our generator runs everything but the AC so fans were frantically located. Consequently, the workers kept popping in to get out of the sun. Giving the generator a rest, we sneaked over to a local to grab some lunch as we heard they had power. However, they were on generator life support and as they are also an ice cream shop and bakery their cooling, understandably, went to the freezers rather than AC. As we were finishing our burgers, their generator went out. People kept coming in and getting sent away as they didn't dare open their freezers. They had a gold mine if only they could have kept the generators going. People don't carry cash anymore, so everyone had to write down all their credit card info to cash out. One could also judge our educational system as we watched the young employees trying to figure out bills and relying on their cell phone calculators to run the totals, taxes, credit fee. I think we made out as I paid cash. 

As if that wasn't enough, I was trying to find a window to open as we were giving the generator a rest (why I ask) and found a broken window in JP's room. Thank goodness we have heavy blinds, so no glass was on the bed, though when and how it got broken I have no idea. No blame attached at this point if someone was jumping on the bed. Unfortunately, this was after the "window" guys has left. Next appt next Sunday of course. 

Finally got power back about 4 pm Friday so sleeping was comfortable and I didn't have to sacrifice the rest of the ice cream for my dinner-I did anyway, I just didn't need to. This weekend family party - Yah. My usual mantra as follows:        Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/Respect Flannel  💚  💙💛

CIRCLE THAT (June 29/134 or not)

 

BIRD WARS You have to love summer where the endless sunshine exposes that animals are just as aggressive and selfish as their human counterparts. As usual there is enough delectable seed to feed entire families of finches, not to mention the myriads of options throughout the neighborhood gardens and flowers. However, one bird will commandeer the entire hoard and challenge any who approach. I will, however, advocate for finch feed for finches so I don't care what they do to the sneaky sparrows. I imagine the high-pitched chirps and burps are a version of trash talking accompanied by the wings flapped forward in a "can't touch this" mode. How they stay airborne in that position though I don't understand. Mostly blazing yellow coats and the females a little dimmer and grayer, the finches are easy to spot. A red-headed one showed up but he had equal disdain for the seed-robbing sparrows as his/her  more colorful brethren. Meanwhile the lone hummer swoops in and drinks quickly but doesn't perch. OH thinks the perch is too small for his itty-bitty feet. My goodness-hummers are no bigger than my thumb. 

APROPOS OF NOTHING (political "cartoons") Already creepy, that Perry dude (candidate for governor) tries to be a "regular guy" and keeps saying he'll save you $4747 in taxes if elected. Golly, you think that number was carefully researched or symbolically plucked out of the air. Apparently, he feels it will resound with some maggots. I suppose business will step up and cover the shortfall of no money or perhaps the massive layoffs (like federal) effectively eliminating all services will suffice or wait for it, we will all be saddled with an 8 or 9% sales tax (you know like tariffs). Note: The so-called cost saving federal layoffs have cost the government 11 billion in payoffs so far. Not to mention the mad scramble to rehire as sycophants do not magically translate to competent and qualified. Talk about your DEI. Shrewd planning there. Everyone wins?

BATHROOM UPDATE First, great recommendation Dave/Sue. Our contractor is thorough, efficient, thoughtful and a perfectionist. He makes sure all subs do their job and clean up after themselves. Outside of the massive crashes and bangs during demo accompanied by maniacal laughter (he loves demo), and odd times of noisy equipment usage, it's been amazingly easy to endure. Though the hunts for missing items and crawling over stored furniture to reach things I did not know I might need has proven challenging. I had all the medical supplies, potions and tinctures in a crate except for the one thing we needed yesterday. That's kind of an everyday thing. 

First "surprise" was when the HVAC dude came through the ceiling in the living room with a couple of cuts. Crap. Not huge but new plaster in our future. I of course cut him a new one and said I would come to his house and dump plaster on his furniture. He was horrified at his mistake but mentioned he has little kids so his furniture was kind of crappy anyway. I called off the dogs as he was so apologetic I felt like I was kicking a puppy. 

He was followed by Kurt and Kenny the family electrical company. But alas, no Kassandra. I know because I asked. They unfortunately discovered another issue. If you do not understand contingency money, you are in for a rude surprise. In our 44 years at this address, we never realized the bathroom fan, whose motor has been replaced at least once by us and was installed during an earlier remodel before we bought the house, was NEVER vented to the outside. It just makes a pretty noise, well relatively. The only thing that saved us, apparently, was the fact that we never remember to turn it on and our penchant for short showers. Major moisture builds up if you're an avid bather. Sigh. 

THE STRAITS OF OOZE To be fair, Obama also spent millions trying to clean up the reflecting pond with pretty much the same results. It is a shallow pool exposed to full sun. Though he didn't try to paint it or want to prosecute people for touching the little blue striplings. Nor did he drive his 15,000 lb limo "the beast" and his entourage down the concrete when it was drained and freshly painted. But it got everybody mad at each other, so that checks. 

PODWORLD Rehearsed with my young professional this week. He is enthusiastic, excitable and emotional. Those traits in a woman would not get you a promotion. At any rate, I think he's ready if I can just rein him in a bit and catch when he is done with an answer or just thinking. I think it's an engineer thing. When they are done, they crash and burn-no segue or clue that they are done with the thought. Hilarious side note. He wanted to know if there is video-yes. He wanted to know if there is editing-no (hence the rehearsal, one take). He said. "Well, he was spinning around in his chair when he was describing how he was trying to determine which direction a noise source was coming from in a vacuum tube area." I said "don't do that". He also, bless his heart, was afraid he was dominating the conversation. Sigh. I said that's right, you're the one being interviewed you know? I'm getting dizzy. 

As always. Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/                        Salute A Vet/Respect Flannel    💚  💙💛     

OFFICIALLY SUMMER: CAN'T YOU FEEL IT? (June 21/135 or not)

                 
BEEP BEEP, crunch, grind, whirr, crash. In case it is not evident, de-construction starts this week. You cannot imagine the amount of paraphernalia one accumulates in a bathroom. I thought I had a lot moved out over the last month or so but still took several hours to finish off the rest while trying to decide what we need to keep handy for absolutely necessary ablutions over the next few weeks. 

There was a mad scavenger hunt for the shaving razor this am, which I finally located in a little nightstand drawer (I have a whole tray of razors and blades in a plastic container) in JP's bedroom. I have utilized the linen closet and two other bedrooms to contain the flotsam and jetsam from two bathrooms. It will take weeks to re-locate everything. Theory being, if we don't look for it, we probably didn't need it in the first place. I eliminated a lot that way. It took portions of three closets and an under-the-bed container to address my one closet of clothes located in the primary bathroom. OH was mildly surprised at the need for so much space for one wardrobe. I have a big closet. He has no idea.

SPECTACLES IN DC A cool million of taxpayer money to re-sod the south lawn. Good thing they laid off so many government workers to pay for octogenarian's birthday bash. Though it's not so much the naked spectacle-some people like the sport. It's the graft so blatantly exposed by advertising trump crypto and his huge stock buy-ins to UFC and Paramount (a deal he engineered) It is so obvious and nobody says boo. And the unspeakable savage who insulted Michele Obama for a laugh. These are the people our president and highly placed people want to hang with. Pardon the visual, but I taste vomit in my mouth.

Then the 13 mill no bid contract to destroy the reflecting pool. marmie is hysterically blaming provocateurs for poisoning the pool with corrosive chemicals which would have taken dudes slashing the painted granite floor for 250 feet and truckloads of chemicals and several hours without the park police noticing? Now I know they are vigilant as they promptly arrested and charged a man for destruction of government property when he reached in and touched one of the floating blue paint chips attached to some aggressive algae. Hell, tourists are taking pieces home as souvenirs! Same charge as the January 6 felons-oh yeah, they got pardoned for attacking the Capitol. Do you suppose the "pool contractor" knew to apply resin first? Or whoever poured hydrogen peroxide in to combat algae might just compromise the integrity of the sealant/paint? That's what happens when you don't believe in science, just saying....Happy 250th Anniversary. 

"Bitterness, much like revenge, is the enemy of compassion" (side 6/21/26)

TOMATO WARS Anyone who has been around the OH knows his passion for vine-ripened tomatoes, specifically, his vines. He eagerly anticipates the time of year when he gets to select the choicest baby plants, spending what I consider, a surprising amount of time picking out just the right plant at just the right moment of gestation. I am forced to, without complaint mind you, spend the time wandering aimlessly through the greenhouse perusing rows and rows of identical little greenies-sigh. Hey, everybody has their kink-who am I to judge.  

Next comes an elaborate planting routine, which includes digging deep enough to encase the fledging roots in containers of water and an origami folding of wire around each precious plant. After a thorough watering the war of the deer commences. He does everything but saran wrap those suckers to keep hungry little meadow cows from nipping his tomato plants to near extinction. Yields have varied depending on the OH's success with different strategies. This year, after consultation with a successful gardener at church, he is trying a new weapon in the battle. Fence-crows! OMG-in the dark you would think you were being stalked by a platoon of "good old boys" fixing to tilt your outhouse. But, so far, the deer have been puzzled-fingers crossed. 😂😆😯

Now I need a strategy to keep the critters from devouring my pretty little day lilies immediately upon their bashful emergence. I get possibly one day of mellow yellow flowers before they are murdered in the night. Maybe the flannel patrol can do double duty. So, speaking from the row of  "flannel boys" it's Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet/          Respect Flannel  💚  💙💛

                                                  

CONTRACTOR FOLLIES (June 14/136 or not)

Not my original quote but too good not to pass on "You always know a toddler's birthday is coming up when you see the bounce house set up on the lawn". For all the adults who think they can handle the bounce house-think again...dementia and gladiator do not mix.                                                           

IF YOU SURVIVE THE STORMS Interesting week with Mother Nature taking care of my watering chores. Just enough rain in just the right spacing to cover my tender new garden children. I checked with our lawn care about his aerating service asking does it require a lot of watering? No, just 2 inches after they do the treatment then back to your usual 1 to 1 1/2 inches a week. Say wha? We have 3/4 quarters of an acre and a well, so we do not watere grass. (Except the new guys) What they get is what they get. So, the grass is brownish in some places but that's summer for you. Always looks nice in Fall and Spring so I'm good. We should all just let the lawns go natural.

 JP wanted to spend a couple days with us on the two hottest nights thus far. We had our room AC unit, but he had to gut it out in his room with two fans. He didn't even go upstairs the second night. Though he did sleep better on the couch.  We have central air, but when the house was built, they apparently took low bid on the HVAC expertise as the cold air registers were installed on the floors upstairs. You know the basics-hot air rises, cold air sinks which makes the floor very happy on a hot night. Normal inhabitants not so much. The dude that lived here originally was an engineer so you would have thought they covered that in class at some point. 

DOOR ME As I never have enough projects to juggle (always room for another chainsaw in the air) I thought I'd get some quotes on the lake house sliding doors. The gas between the panes has been blown since we bought the place and the screen door is hanging on by its proverbial fingers. I always thought the doors were shorter than normal, but that may have been a fig newton of my imagination. Anyway, the first contractor (a sweet young couple fastened at the hip) to pop at my ad, who would come on my schedule (like when we're out there) said no prob, standard door and really low amount to replace. However, they were not able to do anything until August. After five days I texted and said are you still interested as I did not receive the quote the same night as promised. Two days later I get the quote and its 700 dollars higher and no explanation besides - old door taken out, new door put in, cleanup and disposal. As I hate to wait and I've been ghosted by these laker handypeople before, I have already got two more companies coming to quote. So, I write the first one back and say can you give me a break-down of what your quote covers-cost of door, labor, etc. as I kind of thought I knew why it was higher, standard door my Aunt Fannie. Of course I have had nothing back yet.

Second dude shows up, hair coiffed and smelling strongly of after shave-maybe he thought he was meeting a merry widow as I only spring the OH on people when necessary. Amazing the snow jobs you get when unaccompanied. However, his house had been without power from the storm, and he was cutting a tree up in the front yard all morning so he might have thought he was a little funky from no shower. He gives me a quote even less than the first one. Hmmm.  Third dude shows up and gives a speech similar to Andersen window folks (half promo half expertise) and a price to match which is 5 or 6 times higher than the first two (even though the 1st two have not actually given a final quote). However, in our intentional chatting, getting to know you stuff he mentions they are booking out four months - which is actually a sign that the company is good and sought after. He also casually mentions that btw-those are not standard sized doors and custom costs two grand more. Finally, someone is actually knowledgeable or honest about the doors being shorter than standard as it's a modular home.

But bigger reveal as I say hell no on the cost, or words to that effect, he mentions a lot of people just get the glass fixed (I didn't know that was an option) and he could actually quote the glasswork and screen door for what these other two ?experts? were quoting for the whole job. Interesting n'est-ce pas? It would make sense to go with number 3 except....the quote he claims he sent as we stood there never showed up. Arrgghh. And I used to feel sorry for small businesses. 

FUSSY BIRDS I bought two new bird feeders-one for the hummers and one for the finches-of whom we had multitudes last year. Hummer floats in once in a while and doesn't stay long. Some large animal ate most of my finch food the first night, so I moved it and no one, including finches, have touched it since. Geez. I get feeders that are smaller and easier for me to clean and fill, and they turn their beaks up at them.

RANDOM THOUGHTS  1) If the Dems were that good at cheating, wouldn't they have picked the president and other pertinent posts? We were so clever, we even made 30 million stay home and not vote; and 2) At the lake Thursday night as the tornadoes were circling, we realized the only safe space we have is under the house where the water system is located. I told the OH considering that space is coffin-sized, only the thin will survive. We'll see how that goes in the future. Meanwhile, our aptly named CrocsAnn (JP's suggestion) says:                                                                                                Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet 💚  💙💛

                                                                                 

P.S.  Bathroom remodel may finally be moving forward as cabinets are due to be completed by the 17, so work may start shortly thereafter (subdued yay). Guess I should order those drawer and cupboard handles that I completely forgot about post-haste

                                                                                               

HODGE PODGE (June 7/137 or not)

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHERS We have been closely monitoring the happenings across the street. Hell, retired folks enjoy any change of routine-hence the binocs on the windowsill. Which reminds me, always be nice to the old fogies in the neighborhood. They are a better alarm system than your Doberman.  Two semi-truck sized trucks, one large trailer and two cars from across the street were loaded for the last time, we hope after 15 years of no activity. All headed north to Marquette at 5:00 pm. Hard to believe they were making that 5-6 hour trip in the wee hours though the bridge is less crowded at midnight I suppose. 

Equally fascinating is the roofing project over there. At this point it has been going on for ten days and no end in sight. On purpose? Or perhaps it's the geriatric roofers who tend to show up at about 9 and work until about 3 or so. Just guessing the age from the amount of snow of top of the two, sometimes three slow-moving workers. I know what it's like to slow down in the afternoon if I stop doing physical chores. After a couple days of power washing (mostly the OH, I just pitched when he needed a break) and painting at the lake and the usual Sunday housework, laundry, 8 to 9 miles of walking and my latest yoga session, I was done for the day at 3:30 myself. The fatal mistake is taking a break which then lasts well into the evening. At some point I will feel old enough not to feel guilty I suppose. As for the "mature" roofers I understand. I still believe I can climb the ladder to the roof, just not right now and that's ok. 

THE TRUTH So the judge says something like "So if he can bulldoze the Stature of Liberty before anyone files a suit he can get away with it. Is that your argument?" Which is pretty much what rumpiestilkin's lawyers admitted when they claimed the lawsuit filed against demolition of the east wing and rose garden and south lawn had no standing as it was already done. Like he needs any other stupid ideas. 

GARDEN KNOWNS As we water and burp the new landscaping, we are rewarded with budding roses and new grass growing in what can only be described as a typical male pattern baldness fashion. Little sprouts here and there in no particular order. My daily task is to ruthlessly pull any errant weeds that dare to sully my pristine mulch. Although the relentless chive forest is making some tentative forays into the backyard landscape. Some hiding under the prone drainpipe-crafty little buggers.  My lime marmalade (Heuchera) "lettuce" leaves are starting to grow into full heads. They looked so fragile but give them a little water and sun and a yellow explosion ensues. So red roses, pink salvia, merry little holly berries and my yellow limes are starting to look intentional. The backyard is finished with tomato plants thriving, deck washed and windchimes hung from the pergola with care. 

                                                                                            

                                                                

LATEST PODDIE I was able to get my July program recorded last week so all good. It was about violence in the workplace with a gentleman I have worked with for many years when at MIOSHA and the Safety Conference. He started this work in the '90's when the Dearborn Post Office massacre occurred and the phrase "going postal" was coined. We have all seen how that has escalated since then. I asked what the factors were, besides the shooter not getting the promotion he wanted. My brother worked there and mentioned the horrible working conditions and tone-deaf management. Management's M.O.  with Union complaints was to always escalate cases to arbitration which wiped out their budget pretty quickly-with no resolution but to give up. My brother was the "unknown" postal worker who was interviewed by the local news about their tactics. My interviewee explained that automation was becoming a big part of the USPS at the time and as usual, management was not great on explaining the impact. 

ON TRACK As if I don't have enough nagging in my life I wear one of those tracker watches. Every hour it recommends I get my ass in gear and take 100 to a million steps. This is a good thing for my bionic hip and gets me away from the laptop. Actually, I'm doing pretty good as I have just come from the eye doctor and my pupils are the size of saucers at the moment. We go through this routine every year where the Doc humorously gives me a prescription and then kills it by saying, "if I could see that well without contacts, I wouldn't bother either." Nailed it! Or was it a cognitive test? Which begs the question would one know if they had dementia if they had dementia?

Anyway, I had a point in the last paragraph when I started. When I get those move your butt messages sometimes, I am not in a position to jump and run-like on a plane, in a meeting, on the commode. The watch is so dumb any left arm movement will do so I start waving my arm like a windmill, demented bird or a spouting fountain. It doesn't know my feet ain't dancing at the same time so it is satisfied and shuts up. Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet 💚

 

IT'S MY PARTY (June 1/138 or not)

"Realized hostages are 2 big to replant. Any chance your boys could pick up and dump??"  Yes, I literally wrote that text. If Big Brother/Sister is monitoring my rebellious posts, that unintentional murder for hire plea probably got a "hey what?" I am actually talking about the below-damn autocorrect.

                                                              

SPRING FRENZY First it was the finch frenzy for food and then the people frenzy at the local gardening store on a Monday. Oceans of frantic gardeners grasping gargantuan green gaggles of grape tomato plants as well as other vegetable, fruit and flower variations in a steady stream. Memorial Day is the unofficial Michigan "maybe it won't freeze anymore and we can plant day". We thought we were safe on a weekday, but apparently everyone works from home with a variety of break times. 

Additionally, we "remodeled" the front forty so to speak so now I'm faithfully hosing down 30+ plants every morning. Nothing keeps you motivated like a huge landscaping bill. In a mad desire for clean lines I had them obliterate the chive forest growing over the back patio much to the OH's disappointment. But the ways these things propagate I am sure they will be back. Tomato plants are in for the 44th year in a row so he should be happy. It was amazing though how many inquiries we had for the massively overgrown hostas shown above. We learned how to divide them with an axe as these buggers' roots are tough. Should have done that years ago as they were too massive to replant. I will miss, not their massiveness take-over the garden persona, but the way they came back faithfully every year turning from tiny green shoots to full-blown plants in about two weeks. 

WASH DC RINSE, REPEAT Nothing says class like a giant cage rising above the white house on the south lawn so we can watch bare-chested fighters duke it out like slaves performing in the roman coliseum. Bread and circuses though we seem darn lacking in the bread, gas, cost of living arena. This is a shit show for one if you get my drift. Those who can't egg on those who will. This is the best we can do? Though it does kind of negate claims for that fancy "secure" billion-dollar ballroom if an open-air event can manage to keep marmie safe. Darn, I knew it wasn't about security.

Meanwhile...as Colbert used to say. While white house trashing continues and the great negotiator still hasn't got a deal from Iran, Putin and Xi are shaking hands, other departments of government are functioning on life support. Desperate measures are being sought to re-fund FEMA that got literally destroyed under what's her name as we enter hurricane season. Planes are crashing on a weekly basis, three plants have exploded, environmental fallout continues, a dearth of farm and factory workers is upending the economy, and the health department is looking for "volunteers" to help track and contain Ebola from incoming plane passengers. Just spit balling here but this is what happens when you eliminate qualified employees and scuttle regulations. But we got a cage match to look forward to and a lonnnngggg speech from he who would be king instead of real entertainment on our 250-birthday party. Yep, we be screwed. 

GIVE 'EM A BREAK The horrible accident that took the lives of two Michigan DOT makes me sad and angry. These folks are out there every day getting cursed at and dodging citizens who are upset about being inconvenienced. I had the same problem at the City and actually lost one in a car/street accident. Other near misses were only avoided by the "fleet of foot". Especially the pothole fillers. Move in and out in the breaks between cars to drop your asphalt and leap out of the way? My inspiration that they called impractical, was to create a square barricade that went around the workers attached to the truck that would move when they did. They said people won't notice until it's too late and the cars will just hit the barrier-ahh yeah exactly my thought....  At any rate, you know the drill.

Peace Out/Stay Strong/Love Your Neighbor/Eat More Cake/Drive Efficiently/Salute a Vet 💚  💙💛