SPREADING THE MARMALADE (November 18)

 

I KNOW This is the column no doubt you were looking for last week. I was not ready. I had to digest the rawness that the America I thought I lived in showed its true colors on November 5th. I had to get rid of the taste of bile in my mouth as I pondered the unreality of it all. If you voted to endorse hatred, violence and bigotry, the fires of hell will not be able to consume your black soul and may the jackals feed upon your flesh. If you believed the lies and were afraid, then perhaps you can be rehabilitated, if we survive. 

A lot of reasons, but one stands out if you've been looking. The pre-ponderance of right-leaning media has taken over. Doesn't matter if FOX had to pay a huge fine for lying. If you check the number of viewers for FOX, Breitbart, NewsMax they leave the traditional media in the dust. Those are what people are listening to which are owned and controlled by wealthy conservatives. They are not afraid to exploit silliness. Where do you think the hoopla about cat-eating Haitians came from, etc. etc. When I took a little journalism in college, we were cautioned to have two independent sources on facts and no speculating.  LOL - boy did that go out the window, but I do practice it when I give my opinion on the blog. 

And after only spending 200 million or so, Tesla's X boy bought himself a country or at least the dude running it as apparently the richest man in the world is taking over on critical phone calls and de-regulation for the pres-elect. One could expect nothing less from the guy "allegedly" sharing top secrets with the enemy. Guess the con-man got conned aye Donnie? Excuse me while I order the lifeboat supplies. Won't it be funny when he realizes the inefficiency and overspending is in the legislature- lol. 

Why is it easier to practice hate than love? They're both 4-letter words. Do I still think people will help a neighbor or support a charity - yes. However, we have been lied to and encouraged by "them" on issues that we have no impact on except "they" told us it was bad, and the other side was bad. Shame on "them". The joke of the election hinged on the price of eggs or gasoline, well gas was down, and eggs are high because thousands of birds have been destroyed to stem avian flu. See how "they" get us fired up. We need to stop letting "them" control our thoughts and fears. Shut off the ridiculous social media and biased news feeds. Check the facts for yourself. Live your life proudly and fearlessly. We can send "them" running for the hills as public opinion is what "they" fear the most. We are "them" and yes, we are our brother's keeper. If we do not speak up for injustice against others, there is no justice for any. Might as well snuff out the torch of that beautiful lady in the New York harbor.

HOWEVER On another front, deep red states voted for minimum wage, family leave and freedom of choice so I think we missed the boat on what was important to folks (hint the economy). Though why they think they will get that from a deeply red federal government is beyond me. That was promised in 2016 and surprise the spoils went to the rich and powerful, so they tried the lie again and it worked!

 Second, Kamala lost by 2% or less, several democratic candidates beat fanatic nazi magas and our buddy got less of the popular vote than several Presidential candidates before him. Third, if Garland and Smith release the report about the Trump cases (that Jack Smith owes the AG before he resigns) directly to the public before the end of the year we can avoid it being quashed and "spun" by those affected.... So, if we can survive and stay positive, all the missteps we are about to witness will cause a blue backlash in 2026. So do not let despair and disappointment rule your life. 

Another fun fact. Considering the only qualification to be a Cabinet member is undying fealty to orange marmalade, you may see some actual pushback. There is not an overwhelming mandate from the voters and congress and senate folks are aware of it. Rumpie  believes he has all kind of capital to spend, but these choices will burn through it pretty quickly.  A Russian advocate for national intelligence; an alleged sex offender for AG, a white supremist who paid off a woman he allegedly assaulted for Defense (where he is threatening to fire or court martial real officers), an oil executive for Environmental and a dude with a worm in his head for HHS. I can't wait to see what Cabinet position Trump offers Putin. Again, if these fly, they will impact the poor and uneducated the hardest. C'est la vie, it's Deja vu all over again. It's a proverbial middle finger to the public and this country in his lust for retribution.

                                                                

OTHER NEWS On the home front the OH is lining up for a hip stab from the pain doc this week. I got mine cold turkey because I am insane that way and love the challenge of how much pain I can take. Not sure if I should warn him, it really stings. I'll just have him pop a hydrocodone and hope for the best.  The issues seem to be spreading so I'm trying to keep him from doing any heavy lifting. Can you imagine I actually stood on my head and cleaned out the oven? It's not lighting, and I wanted to pretend I'm a little Sally trad wife keeping things clean before the repair guy comes to pass judgement on my housekeeping. I also need to wash some floors as apparently wet mopping by the highly paid housekeeper does not include soap. A little apron is probably pushing it though I suppose. 

Just posted a new podcast on MDOT (timely with 2 recent road worker deaths); interviewed two dudes about Conference awards and getting ready to interview Michigan Medical Security and Nursing staff on "Situational Awareness for Emergency Responders" (or make sure the patients don't have weapons). Shouldn't make fun of the last one, violence against medical personnel has escalated especially since the Pandemic. Violence, impatience and entitlement rules. Oops! There I go getting all negative again. I'm tired. 

At any rate in the good news column: I'm getting a free turkey at BJs (yes I do spend that much there); hosting first wine party for the year-during the day as we're old and day drinking and driving is better than night drinking and driving; I have most of my Christmas shopping done; JP's annual calendar is at the printer and Lions are kicking ass! Peace (and we really need it) out...💚  💙💛

A ROSE IS A ROSE (November 11)

 

Atlas' wife held up 50% of the world but his sheer noisy bulk (ego) covered up her contributions. 

 ONE LAST TIME Ok, let's get it out of the way. Picking a known felon, sex offender and all-around lousy businessman was apparently better than an experienced, educated female. Do I wish we had had a chance to go through primaries and choose our candidate rather than pulling someone in 3 months out? Of course, but....

Kind of how I feel after taking in the 5th. My birthday being around election time is always a mixed bag of good/bad news, but life goes on. Not this time...again.  Not to dwell on it, but I just feel so tired of always having to be better because of being female and I am also tired of apologizing for having an education. Blame Mom-she never differentiated between the boy and the girls. With that background in my first safety position, imagine my shock after educating myself and bringing the safety program to high levels and working alone for a year, I did not get the job. Not only did it go to a male with no experience, but I was also expected to maintain the high levels of the program because he did not know how to do it. He did apologize but still took the job. 

Reason given: "You're too passionate". Man speak for you don't back down and act all fluttery and feminine. Well in safety you sure as hell better not back down if you're right and someone's life is at stake. Oddly enough I was often accused of being cold by not talking about personal stuff (mine) but I could always get the story from those with whom I interacted. (I know my family will say-"you never shut up"). Dispassionately negotiating with and succeeding with the rank and file, upper management, politicians, doctors, lawyers and with judges in Court apparently did not prove I was good under pressure or get too stressed. Of course, my nephew has pointed out I don't bet in poker unless I have a good hand so not as poker-faced as I thought LOL. 

Fun fact-I moved on to a better and more responsible position somewhere else where I was the manager of the activity - though again working alone to create a credible safety and health program. That move got me accused of being disloyal by the previous employer, shocker. I am gratified they had to hire an entire department to replace me, however. The person who got hired after me quit after a couple of months because she told me later "they expected me to do all this extra stuff!" So, I guess I am an over-achiever. Being the facilitator and founding "Grandmother" of the MIOSHA Training Institute that has credibility throughout the entire State for Safety and Health, is a gratifying legacy, however. Apparently, that was finally enough as predictably they offered me a chance at a big promotion just before I retired (after bypassing me twice). Hopefully it will help the women who follow. 

MEDICAL UPDATE Well, the OH's pursuit of a cure continues with another appointment with a new specialist Monday. Although he said he was willing to live with the pain level he's at, that's not how I roll so we will continue our search for relief. Everyone needs a fearless (passionate) cheerleader. Besides I would not want to have to learn how to cook after all these years! I am mastering the microwave which means I have discovered there is a power level button-makes all the difference.

Saw the kids and grandson for a birthday dinner. Another fun fact my son-in-law loathes when they sing to you at a restaurant. Something to do with a traumatic experience when he had an early job waiting tables eons ago. So, he charmed the wait person, he's good at that. In fact, we were all friends by the end of dinner, and she quietly gave me my little birthday sundae on the down low. I always mention birthdays when we are celebrating at a restaurant in case there's any free stuff to be had. I can stand a little public humiliation for a freebie. Call me crazy/greedy.

FINAL THOUGHT When we notice that little glimmer of light under the door shining into our dark room, the hope is that it cannot, will not, be totally extinguished. I pray that I am right.                    Peace out ... 💚  💙💛

                                                                               

           

CAN'T WE JUST GET ALONG? (November 4)

CANDY IS DANDY BUT... I think we have the Halloween record for entertaining the oldest tricker treater.  A lady asked for an extra treat for her 93-year-old Mother. I was prepping to see a crone, a robot wheelchair or at a least garland-covered walker. No such luck. Apparently, the lady in question was elsewhere. As the kids did not look confused or loudly call out the mom of telling a whopper, I bought it. Told them to grab a handful of little treats. Surprising how big a 5-year old's hands can be.  I am also known to the parents as the house who offers adult treats. At times the eagerness of a group of parents almost elbowed the kids away from the candy bowl.  Although convivial I think the kids were more polite, but what the heck we all had fun.  Some of the parents were sporting beers so a shot and a beer added to their festive night. 

After nightfall there are long pauses until we get the occasional older straggler. Our street is pitch black with no streetlights and we were only house decorated with orange lights, an illuminated pumpkin milk can and a spinning lighthouse with a pumpkin head. From out of the darkness emerges an evil-looking scythe attached to a long black robe moving ponderously into the light. Freaked me out until I saw a very young feminine face peeping out. Apparently, Death travels alone in search of treats. 

A VOTIN' WE WILL GO A friend and I decided to try out the in person early voting for the first time. I have been voting from the comfort of my kitchen for years. Had to be reintroduced to the whole process again. I kept humming "Like a Virgin". Thank you, Madonna, for getting a chuckle out of the election crew when I mentioned it. Gratifying to see so many folks and so many of the younger persuasion all showing the gravity the situation called for. While I was waxing humorous of course. The lady overseeing the tabulation machine had the most anxiety as various voters kept coming up with glitches. You know the anxiety a "boomer" has when something "techie" goes wrong. What makes it even more interesting is she has to shield her eyes not to see your ballot. Which makes it hard to come over and see what's wrong. I kept hearing her say, "what does the machine say" lol. Ah well. People were patient and nobody got belligerent. You need to work elections sometime to see how honest and hard-working these people are, and the fail safes that have been built in.

In a related side note, we have a neighbor who has been flying a rumpie flag for four effing years, which he changes out every so often. Even when he compares him to God no one has "accidently" removed, hidden or stomped on the repulsive thing. Trust me we have many of a different persuasion in our neighborhood. Now if we had put an opposing flag up it would have been destroyed accompanied by a lawn burning. Ironically, he also posts a "Freedom" sign underneath. But apparently that only applies to one side from what I have observed. Just saying...

 OBSERVATIONS When you finally get an ad that is not political it's either for charity, ASPCA or fixin' feet.  What's up with all these people who apparently have been suffering for years but in the last year or so the solution has been found. Alleluia! Orthotics have been around forever. I myself had them prescribed by my chiro and I hate the damn things and hardly ever wear them. Very uncomfortable so maybe I should do an anti-happy feet ad. I just think the feet people finally met a smart marketer. Every ad shows various people touting the same theme, but the one where the guy cried before he got them and cried after he got them is really annoying. As he says I'm not an actor-no kidding. 

I heard someone call a Catholic Mass "Bells and Smells". Much as I admire the wit, I can explain the bells part. When they spoke in Latin (without a Microphone) people were clueless as to what was happening, and the bells woke them up to the big act (actually the point of the service) which is the consecration-bread and wine/body and blood. Otherwise, I think folks would continue snoozing, gossiping or eating. I think turning around the alter to face the people was probably a smart move to get people involved in the process or to note who's snoozing, gossiping, etc. 

The smells (incense burning) part is not really practiced that much and always announced ahead of time for the snowflakes in the congregation. I guess people passing out in the pews and children loudly asking "what is that stinky smell" provided bad optics for the church. Understand I am of the generation who saw the change to English, guitars around the altar, normal clothes for nuns and fun music. What we used to call a "happenin'".  Speaking of generational slang, I freaked my young grandson -Generation Alpha- when I asked him if he had a particular "pookie" at school which is a love interest. "How do you know that Nana?" I popped a few other words (while looking at the translation on my phone) and he was quite irritated with me.  Oh well. Far freakin'out, groovy and definitely stay calm this week. Peace Out....💚  💙💛

           

ONE SIP AT A TIME (October 28)

YOU RANG? Though my M.O. is to ignore any phone call that has no identity attached, one spammer or political pusher was truly ingenious the other day by managing to ring both my cell phone and the wireless house phone at the exact same moment.  One has to marvel at the AI involved in that feat to ring two different numbers at the same time. Of course, no message screams "BOGUS" so no harm no foul, just happy music playing in the background depending on which ring tone one chooses. I'm assuming it was my daily  ,la  check-in. Even with her busy schedule she texts and phones every day.

I've seen/heard several comments that  ,la  did nothing as Vice-President. Hello, do we need to drag out the old civics book outlining duties of the VP?  Which A #1 you are not in charge. Your ideas may be listened to, but you are not in charge. You have no power. You are the back-up. You are not in charge. This is the Pres's legacy not yours. You are not in charge. Pence was considered inconsequential collateral damage by the Prez when they stormed the castle on January 6 screaming for Mike's blood. Haven't you ever noticed (probably not) that VPs who get elected as Prez act totally differently than when they were VP? Surprise, not really. How many times have I second-guessed the boss and got my as-- handed to me or they take a different track. Or how many of my ideas became theirs.  I swear we lose all our common sensical genes when politics are involved. Oh yeah, one project (hot potato) she was handed was the border issue. When a bi-lateral partial solution was offered, it proceeded to be shat upon. So, there's that. 

HOUSE CALLS Hearing news reports on first-time home buyers in Lansing having different avenues to pursue in obtaining mortgages and down payment assistance I am reminded of an interesting program created in my time at the City. The Mayor charged the Finance Director and me to come up with a program to assist public safety employees (think fire/police) in purchasing homes in Lansing. The plan provided a $5,000 loan to purchase a house in the City of Lansing. We made it forgivable a thousand each year that they stayed in the home. More fire/police homeowners in Lansing with a stake in the city, empty houses going to folks with a stake in the city- Win Win. The City Attorney signed off and we were in business.  However, as I am not a real estate aficionado, I had to learn about liens the hard way. 

Do you know you have to file a lien against the property filed with the county clerk to assure you get your investment back? No, I didn't either. I was able to catch my mistake early on (don't remember how) and all was good. Except for one enterprising young man who managed to snag two more loans (liens) on the $5,000 property equity before I was able to place ours making the City third. I left for MIOSHA before I had to explain it, so I'm sure it all worked out. LOL. After that possible debacle I had them sign a lien agreement when they got their check which I immediately filed. Frightening, but back in the day you could just walk into the County Clerk's office and ask to see the property paperwork and just attach your lien agreement to it. I literally was given access to the file cabinet to perform the task. Wonder how that works now. Might be worth checking out....

Also, in another eye-opener doing research for a candidate I was supporting; I found out you can go to the County Court and have them pull a criminal file for you to peruse. They will even make copies for you. Isn't that nice? 

WINE DOWN Continuing my wine theme from last week, I am amazed at the number of "supposedly sophisticated" wine drinkers who will unilaterally claim "I don't drink Michigan wines". They try to excuse it with some mish mosh about too dry, too young, too Michigan. Actually, they have not even tried said wines from the 140 or so vineyards in Michigan. Of the three snobs I am thinking of, two are overseas travelers so they may have tasted a variety of different vintages in their home vineyards. Ah, that is the key for me. When I was in France, the local cheap home-brew grape was always delicious. I am of the opinion that personal taste is everything. And since the Traverse City area is on the same geographic parallel as wine country in France, maybe worth a try?

Now beer is different. I became a Miller advocate after tasting their product fresh off the rack so to speak. Never been the same taste away from their home base, however. Same with Guiness that I tasted for the first time in their brewery in Ireland-overlooking downtown Dublin from their sky tower I might add. Ambience and all that but have never had a good Guiness here actually. 

Every wine, every season, every vineyard is different. Yes, pinot noir in Oregon and cabernet sauvignon in Washington tasted better in California as it was my first time with either vintage. But to arbitrarily say I will only drink wine from a particular place closes the door to tasting adventures. Plus, every year is different based on weather, etc.  Personally, wine bum that I am, I will drink anybody's sauvignon blanc as long as it's properly chilled  

Apropos of nothing MONKEYS!  I could not resist this picture, but I had to lay a proper foundation and yes, they are actually real flowers.  Also, I always refer to the VP as  ,la as no one seems to know how to pronounce her name properly.

                                                         

    "Wine improves with age. I improve with wine"   Peace out.....💚   💙💛

LIKE A FINE WINE (October 21)

ROCKING WITH THE OLDIES Ok, Ok. We officially drifted into the old people's table at lunch the other day. We were covering family, current events, the cost of bongos in Mongolia when the first tease into doctor/malady world occurred. We strived to stay on point, but another comment trickled out until we were knee deep in how many doctors one has seen in the last month; how are the eyeball treatments going (multiple participants); finally morphing into recovery stories, number of preventative shots and their efficacy; latest weird symptoms.  Yep-it's the old people table. Damn. Resistance is futile. Still beats talking about HIM though...

FOOD FOR THOUGHT If Pres Obama had secret phone calls with one of our greatest enemies he would be tarred, feathered, run out on a rail and prosecuted as a traitor. But that was when we cared about such things.

Speaking of prison. One brother called his twin brother from prison "Hey remember when we were kids and used to finish each other's sentences?" Mic drop. And have you ever noticed people say, and write, two twins. I would call that rather redundant. Maybe if one does not have twins those who do, do not believe we know that. I have never heard anyone say three triplets or 4 quads. Twins must be a bridge too far for an assumption.

ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER DOC OH has been having a miserable time with knee pain leading to leg swelling leading to ankle swelling leading to hip pain leading to back leading to shoulders - well you know the song. Our doctor, throwing phrases out like, it's your life, you must have this test right away. Then we'll worry about the pain issue. Off to the health center for an ultrasound to rule out DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Thank goodness it was the same day as OH was basically at the point of "kill me now".  Oddly a good friend of ours called the same day to ask if we had thought anymore about buying funeral plots together. So our kids could visit us together.  As if. I originally thought she was kidding. As I relayed the conversation, again the OH was of the mindset it was good timing. 

Anyway, another old person reminder. Everyone in the Health Center (well 80%) were of a particular age punctuated by a variety of assistive devices. Watch your toes from the walker crushers and your head from the cane wielders. Not to mention the decibel level as some needed ear assistive devices. For those who could hear, we got blow-by-blow of everyone's malady when they signed in at reception.  I told OH to ask the technician not to tell him the sex of the baby, you know ultrasound and all. He later reported that he was not the first to make what we thought was an inspired remark. Good thing we don't break down physically at the same time. Though I told our Doctor we need to get him well as he's the cook or a I foresee a future of frozen pizza and take-out. 

NEXT COURSE If the insanity plea or, if god forbid, the 25th amendment have to be invoked the T-cell is making a good case for it. When asked how he would address inflation when the numbers have come down so much, he "rambled" about we would make donuts, we have the ovens. If I had not heard that with my own ears....on a Fox town meeting no less. Another gem from that meeting was the claim of being "Father of IVF". I think he believes it stands for Irresistible Voluptuous Flatulence. Due to his claim that he "weaves" his ramblings my take is that he's tying up the donut statement.

Has to be said. Forget about the economy for a hot minute and vote like the lives of the women in your life depend on it. My own experience miscarrying my second child and the requisite, and sad, painful procedure that followed would probably land me in jail if the fanatics get their way. 

FINAL RANDOM THOUGHTA lot of 4-way stops out by the lake. There is an "understanding" that whoever gets there first goes first-easy peasy. But one must take into account the aggressor factor these days and the size of the vehicle being challenged. And the excessive need to be in a hurry all the time. Though I sincerely believe "he who hesitates is last" I normally choose the better of part of survival. Making eye contact is essential as well. Being older and wiser has its advantages. Peace out 💚 💙💛

                                                    

22 DAYS (October 14)

Maybe it's too soon but...

The start of the NHL season for the Lightnings (Tampa Bay) and Hurricanes (Raleigh North Carolina) postponed by lightning and hurricanes. 

AD-LIBS Anybody in the room sick of the constant barrage of political cartoons, er er, ads?  Just raise your hands. Oh, that's pretty much everyone in the room. Considering many are taken out of context and selected sound bites, it results in some interesting accusations. Based on information presented, I am locking my cookie jar, and I wouldn't trust any of them to clean out the kitty litter box. Like a debate. If you spend all your time fact checking and defending against your opponent, you don't get to state your own ideas. Sigh. I actually won my one and only debate in high school as my opponent forgot what side she was defending and stated my arguments for the proposal. During my turn, I just agreed. Slam dunk for the A!

Does anyone actually do a little research after hearing the latest shocker? Oh, by the way, EV mandates will not eliminate gas-powered cars so folks can always buy them. Me, I'm investing in hydrogen which produces water vapor rather than environment choking exhaust or flammable lithium batteries. And, yes, this type of engine has been around for a while but for some reason there is a powerful lobby that keeps it under wraps. Hmm. 

NEWBIE ATTACKS I know hazing has got a bad reputation. From innocently performing valet duties for upper classmen, egging the chancellor's house or forcing serenades of nubile co-eds it has morphed into truly dangerous territory involving alcohol. Pledges have been injured and died due to such "antics" and fraternities are rightfully, losing their operational status on campus and being charged. However, no one can hold a torch to military rites of passage. In a fatigued state and at dusk I observed our local National Guard helicopters hovering with lines attached to log-shaped objects. For one wild instant I thought they were "baptizing" the new recruits and testing their bravery by suspending them from the helicopters. Now that's rough. It's the landing that is a problem. You've got to place that landing gear just right...My managerial hazing routine was scaring the hell out of new emps with a lot of direct eye contact and never smiling.

RECYCLE Driving by the extensive renovations occurring to the local wastewater plant reminded me of my days as the safety skate for the city. I had to LITERALLY train workers of what to do if one of the 500-pound sanitizing chlorine tanks sprung a leak! To any sane person the lethal cloud that would ensue only requires one to run like hell. Apparently, that was not an option. We had to go through how to plug the leak, I kid you not. Actually, as I recall the whole trick is turning the tank over and then plugging it as the gas is heavier than air. Why do I know these things? 

No one was more relieved than I when we were able to switch to ultraviolet light and get rid of the tanks. We won't talk about how much danger the north side was in with those tanks nearby. Actually, little happy bugs do most of the sanitizing of, shall we say, fecal material and the plant actually puts treated water into the river that is cleaner than the river. Talk about high-tech recycling before it was cool. 

FLOORED As of last Friday, we have re-floored every floor in the house. The only one not touched is the nice green carpet in K's old room. We dedicated that entire room in homage to MSU in hopes the daughter would take the hint. Took her a year or two in "other" institutions until she bit the bullet and graduated in that handsome green cap and gown. The last hold-out room was a spare that sported, wait for it, bright, crispy, orange shag carpet!  LOL. The installers word was "crispy", and they weren't kidding. I think there were puffs of orange shag all the way to their truck. Good luck getting those stubborn remnants out of the nooks and crannies. 

Sometimes I feel sorry for MATGR (Maggie Green) who must have a 24/7 QANON hootenanny going on up there in unreality world. Peace out....💚  💙💛

                                                         

FALL FOIBLES (October 7)

"What do you call a fish with no eyes?  FSH"

FISH STORY Posting from the lake as Grandpa (Big Joe) and Joe (JP) crammed in one last long fishing weekend. Catching two legal walleye and a bass was swoon-worthy by the younger Joe. He helped (watched) Grandpa clean and cut up his walleye fillets and was determined to have them for dinner. We're sending them home with him. JP was extremely impressed with the razor-sharp knife used in the process which is why he mostly watched. JP is still at the age where he is interested in everything and willing to help and learn. Knot tying needs some work, but he'll get there. I can monitor progress and successes as JP actually uses his phone, unlike Grandpa who never turns his on, to call me when they are coming in so I can get the pizza ordered.                                                                                                          

REALLY POINDEXTER? Though sounding sane and reasonable, JD Vance still could not tell the truth. He's just smoother at it. The biggest lie of course is January 6 was a "peaceful demonstration". But the most troubling was his inability to admit Rumpie lost, and he would do what Pence would not-throw out legally obtained and certified votes by "we the people".  Vote blue-don't care what you do down the ballot but the ex-prez has to be in our rearview mirror.

Worse still, though it seems hard to imagine it can get worse, is the horrible lie that the Biden administration is not helping the hurricane victims and the maga groupies are spreading it. FEMA is a dedicated/restricted fund. It cannot be used for other purposes, although Rumple did divert some of its sister funding for immigration suppression. Back in the day when he had the power, he refused to help those States he considered "blue" and not sufficiently loyal to his royal arse. This is more than an us vs. them issue. These are people's lives they are screwing with. Just ask the Governors and Congress people from the hurricane-devastated states. Even they say the Maggot leader is lying, probably because they are concerned we might snub them for being red states because isn't what they would do?? Sad. We are all Americans in need of help.  

RESEARCH As ex-pres Carter celebrates his 100th birthday one realizes he has been in hospice for almost two years. I find this interesting as it strikes close to home for me. In July 2015 after a serious bout with melanoma and the cancer spreading to his liver, small spots were found in Carter's brain. Fortunately, cancer research had progressed to where immune therapy was a viable option. In simple terms, it activates a person's immune system by harvesting T-cells, infusing them with specific antigens and infusing them back in the patient. Creating your own personal super-cells to fight your specific form of cancer. 

What a marvelous breakthrough considering all the time and money put into cancer research rather than supporting grants to determine whether clouds are male or female or why toads prefer a full moon to procreate (obviously being sarcastic). However, if you listen to Margorie Taylor Green (MATGR) apparently, the dems could control the weather if they wanted to and hurricanes would not be so destructive. I can only picture the blues, riding a donkey of course, lassoing errant storm clouds and sending them into space where they can meet up with those laser throwing Jewish meteorologists to neutralize the forest fires they cause. Whew. No doubt MATGR has personal intelligence as she Hoovers her way into the sky on her million-dollar broom limo. Which totally explains why the speaker of the house will not bring a FEMA funding request to Congress (who are adjourned to campaign) meant to help our citizens out of their current tragic circumstances, which they obviously caused themselves. Huh? Like one wag said "even cows know better than to elect the dumbest cow as the leader". 

Why President Carter's case is personal is because my father who died in February 2014 had melanoma and later developed small spots in his brain.  When he passed, we were literally told he died of old age. At almost 90, he was an active vital person who "died of old age". They never used the C word, but it makes you wonder. Was the therapy too new? Or didn't he have the right insurance or name? But perhaps we had another option. 

TRAVELING There has been much back and forthing due to laying up Madam Pontoon and taking Joe fishing, so lots of road time. Must be the season, but there are a lot of dead animals scattered across the highways and byways. Squirrels of course-little squish; right up to monster racoon and groundhog types. Always alone. I ponder the spouse, children, friends left behind. At what point do they notice the food gathering has taken a multiple percentage drop? The giant deer smears I attribute to the semis hauling food and supplies then inadvertently nailing those out for a dinner, ironically, or a little hanky panky.  

"I'm at the age where I appreciate a good handrail"...Peace out  💚  💙💛