COMMERCIALLY SPEAKING (June 1/190)

MEMORY DAYS Took the holiday off last week. Busy weekend and time with the grandson so Nana went dark on the blogging. Took him to a band concert and though skeptical, he perked up when they did a Billy Joel medley. When JP he isn't talking, he's singing, so hopefully he gets into Choir next school year. After much stealthy stalking, he nailed a 14-inch bass 8 feet from the dock with a 7-foot pole. Ecstasy and chest thumping ensues.  Funny watching the changes. One minute he is all up in a man-type response and then he morphs into the funny kid again. Those moments of change are lightning fast. I think when we are parents, we may not always notice the changes quite as sharply. 

Those folks who enjoy the "Simpsons" know Bart's third grade teacher as Miss Cropopple but I think it's just a subtle joke spelling of Crabapple and it gets pronounced differently. We live near a street called Crabapple and it always makes me chuckle. I'm just weird like that.

YESTERDAY'S NEWS   Rather than allowing the distraction about the plane (which we now find he asked for, it wasn't spontaneously gifted), we should be focusing on the 2 billion in bitcoin to the frumpie family he managed to finagle on his Mideast trip. On top of the "dinner at the white house" for people who contributed to the cause at home. Guardrails are off, no pretenses as the white house has now become the whore house as one wag put it. 

Following the rules set by the felon in charge, tulsi washboard just had employees change the report to make deportees criminals when staff found no wrong-doing or connections with gangs. I think the employee also earned a kick out the door of the department as well for being honest. Do you think there are people still trying to do the right thing? Surely the boss will see the truth and back down... LOL.

Got to love Bondi-belle declaring it's illegal to call yourself boss unless you're in charge of the country. OMG-this crap would not play on a soap opera. At any rate a hell of lot of us are up for charges on this one

Ok. Let's talk big, beautiful bill. Who writes these titles - third graders? ASIDE: I refuse to be governed by intellectual inferiors. Though the scariest is stripping judges of enforcement power, said bill will cost at least $1000 more a year for the really poor and $700 for the middle class with a big savings of $690,000 for the rich. Plus adding trillions to the national debt. Explain things to me like I'm five years old why don't you? My personal math deficient rep to congress says the BBB will put money back in the taxpayer's pocket. You mean the kickback (they call them campaign contributions) you folks got for selling us down the proverbial river?

Shame on that damn Biden for covering up his health issues while delivering a booming economy, infrastructure repairs and amazing off-the-chart stock market numbers. Bite me. Speaking of health. Cutting Medicaid and demanding proof of work for life basically, 64% of Medicaid recipients work but HAVE NO BENEFITS. Most of the rest are either caregivers or disabled. Which studies indicate leaves approximately 7% of Medicaid recipients who are non-working adults. But let's gut it by 800 billion-what's the harm. One red congress person was informed at a town meeting that "people are going to die". Their heartfelt response "we're all going to die". And the band played on....

COMMERCIALS Anybody else sick of these all-body spray commercials? Though I imagine most of us are probably sweating a bit more than usual with the antics in Washington. I am less than enthralled with seeing people gaily spraying their pits, privates and feet and claiming 72 hours of happy smells. Yuck. Apparently, they have never heard of a shower.

And the shingles commercial. Shingles doesn't care and neither do I. Just walk around the rock pile doofus! Or if you can't be sure to hand those front row tickets to the people smart enough to walk around the rock pile. Though I kind of enjoy the Jardiance song/dance routines or as my b-i-l calls them "Diabetes: The Musical".  The blue/yellow color scheme; the perfect timing on stunts; depicting normal sized people who just may need the medication. What's not to love? On the other hand, the Ozempic marching citizens routine is very boring. We seem to have a recurring health issue in this country, hmmm. Supposedly these silly methods of pitching meds are more popular in a TikTok mode than some dr/scientist extolling their virtues. We must be entertained (while Rome burns...).

Although in the old days, we had our moments. "It's shake n bake and I hepped". "Please Mother, I'd rather do it myself!" My Mother would have me recreate that one for guests as my portrayal was stunning apparently. "That's a spicey meatball" "He likes it. Hey Mikey!"  "Where's the beef?" How many remember the Xerox commercial where a monk takes the hand-written sheets and makes copies rather than pains-takingly writing each page over and over. And who can forget Doctors advertising cigarettes and Crown Royal though I might have made the booze reference up. They did ban those two on Television, however. 

Interviewed an interesting lady on generational differences in communication in the workplace. Quite a lively discussion. She asked me what stuck out to me as I was growing up. I said "Motown" "Viet Nam" "Civil Rights" "Women's Rights" For her (millennial) it was 9/11 and covid. She said youth needs to listen to experience and "experience" needs to be open to new ideas and change. Change is inevitable boomers "here you are in your 70's doing video podcasts". Got me there I guess LOL. I said I believed it was every generation's duty to "shake up" the establishment (which is why we got to get these old war horses out of Congress!)

If all else fails, celebrate summer this week with 80+ degree weather. The OH's beloved tomato plants are planted so some normality and optimism return.  Peace out......💚  💙💛

                                                                                      

DARK TIMES (MAY 19/192)

DARK HUMOR When there is a power outage everyone becomes an instant expert at candlelight dinners. Ok, what's in the fridge? Everything that needs to be eaten right away. Who needs a knife? In the dark-nobody. Let's just pop some popcorn, oh shoot no microwave and no jiffy pop for the gas stove...in the dark, umm no. Guess I'll just grab a shower, oh yeah, no pump no potty. What is this strange phenomenon I just discovered called outside and natural light. Let me just charge up my phone, oh yeah. We gave up and just went out to dinner. Obviously, we got hit with a blackout at the lake.  

No problems in Grand Ledge except a branch down, but Hastings was another issue. Total blackout. First we went to set up our neighbor's generator as he just had surgery. So, these two wounded warriors were hauling a generator over the grass, moving refrigerators, etc. (he wasn't allowed to do much). Then the OH had to work out our friend's massive cord circus. Surprised the house hasn't gone up in smoke long ago. 

We didn't mind helping out as we just plug ours into the house connection, push the button (no pull cord yah) and turn on the generator at the panel. Merrily plugging the power cord into the generator posed the first problem. We've used it before, and this is a brand-new generator. Looking closely, we realized it's little tab on the plug was facing the wrong direction. WTF - aren't these things universal? Off to Ace (where the helpful hardware dude says "hey, it's backwards" tell me something I don't know)
 to find a new plug which meant another 45 minutes removing old plug and rewiring new plug and starting Ms Gennie up. As it chugged along, I realized "ruh roh" we had no power going to the house. Where was it all going? Amps and watts running hither and yon though firing up an 8000 rpm Generac to charge my phone seemed a bit of overkill. Went over every inch of the machine; perused the handbook and troubleshooting online, contemplated finding an electrician (yeah right); talked to service at Generac and I knew more than she did. Asked if there was some switch we were missing, she kept insisting it was the plug. So, we tore the plug apart to check the wiring. As I considered diving into the melting ice cream with wine and beer chasers (about all I have in the frig) the OH found a switch marked "30 amp". You don't suppose....SUCCESS! Thank God, I can use the bathroom. I was almost ready to pay an electrician 100 bucks to push a switch LOL. 

Since old faithful was chugging along and using little gas, we closed up for the night. Leaving the gennie at the door to the outside we shut the overhead garage door. A short time later, gennie kicked off. Shitake mushrooms-now what? Apparently, a wee bit of CO2 was making its presence known and as a good little safety feature, she shut 'er down. As we were manipulating the generator further outside, actually building a ramp, and trying to avoid the monsoon winds that were blowing the exhaust back into the garage, the frickin' power came back on! Not complaining. Just seemed a fitting end to a rather frustrating day. 

                                                                                       

IT'S A BIRD IT'S A PLANE IT'S IDIOTIC Wow when I worked in Government you couldn't accept diddly squat from anyone unless you could consume it on the spot I think was the caveat. But a whole effing $400 million plane would make me, or possibly any normal person, to think twice maybe? It is embarrassing that the prez of the United States is going around accepting/soliciting "gifts" from terrorist-supporting countries who actually hate us for our interferences. We used to be a leader. I heard he even bitched when UAE only gave him a vial containing a drop of the most expensive oil in the world because it was so small. Again, what a low-class buffoon representing what used to be one of the greatest countries in the world. Camel salutes and lying to his face make marmalade think "people like me", "people respect what a big shot I am". Pathetic. When he whines just give him a golden binkie. The new mantra "Make America Grovel Apparently."

HUH? Now my own low-class humor. Received a begging letter from the Alzheimer's Association. On the envelope it read OPEN IMMEDIATELY! I immediately mentally added "before you forget". I know, I know mean. Cutting it short, still sore from Friday and Saturday.  Peace out.....💚  💙💛

CUE THE FLOWERS (May 12/193)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all my favorite mothers and those who have passed on. Memories of my Mother with our marathon monopoly games and Euchre weekends with whoever we brought home. It was always more fun when Mom quit being Mom instead turning into "no prisoners, winner take all" mentality. She was competitive and damn good at anything she played. No home-baked bread and cookies, more political debate and stimulating conversation. I suppose that's why we are all so mouthy, AND opiniated. Not having to hide intellect or actually being able to debate is so refreshing. I imagine Mom and Aunt Kathleen are sipping martinis and spilling the tea wherever their energies landed them in the afterlife.                                                                                              

PERSONAL RANT OF THE WEEK Landscaper "where art thou?" Why, why, why do small independent businesses fail to communicate? One third down for a deposit and no show on promised day until I check. Next date no show until I check. Then 3rd time's the charm and they come as promised and do a bang-up job with profuse apologies for not communicating a little better. The down-payment was expensive enough that I did not want to take a stand and cancel. At any rate, perhaps I have educated a hard-working entrepreneur on a good customer service practice. 

DISH SECTION Ok - busy week for marmalade and his cultists. Evil seems to be able to work much faster than doing the right thing, I guess. First the same people that were sooo offended by the Paris Last Supper parody (or was it) last summer think mocking the catholic church with marmie as pope should just be laughed off. Hypocrisy, thy name is maggot.

Second Ok - our new stance on no immigration and deporting everyone will, aha, affect economic growth! Remember the birth rate is down and our young people ain't interested in the jobs that so many newcomers were willing to do to be part of this country. Oops. 

Third Ok - Did it ever occur that defunding all scientific research and tossing the scientists will halt America's reign as the world leader in innovations and new discoveries? Oops. We already see the fallout of firing all the air traffic controllers due to the scaredy cat white men thinking every woman or person of color is incompetent. Double Oops. 

Fourth OK (strictly for laughs) With two non-medical people heading up our health departments we will get advice attributed to RFK like "menthol cigarettes are ok to smoke and will cure polio" compliments of comedian Don Novello, i.e., Father Guido Sarducci. He also claimed a Conclave in the 1700's  couldn't decide on a new pope and they finally voted one in as they were tired of the food. As one cardinal had a fly fall into his soup, they took it as a sign of the Holy Spirit and elected him. Next time around, a cardinal brought his own fly.  (for those who don't watch Stephen Colbert). And sadly funny RFK says autism is not genetic, it's environmental and he will prove it by September. My point-lies are truth these days. 

OUT ON THE STREETS Borrowing from one of my favorite columnists (Celia Rivenbark) the charge that all the protesters in all 50 states are being paid is "a whole extra slathering of crazy on an imbecile sandwich". Like for twenty bucks an hour we will stand in the sun/wind/rain, get harassed, hosed and arrested. Though I wouldn't say no if I was already there anyway. Magots think it's weak to protest for a principle for free rather than to get paid or screw somebody to achieve success - it's just not in their playbook. Meanwhile their hero is charging big bucks for wealthy folks to attend white house dinners so they can buy trumpie bitcoin. He's also accepting an uber expensive jet from Qatar (which is not a bribe 😄) to be Air Force One and his sons are trading off the Presidency for new ventures in other countries.  For the 12th time today, "if a democrat tried any of this shit, they would have been run out on the proverbial rail with slaps to the head in mock horror".

Let them eat cake or, modern translation, have less dolls and pencils. Funny how the rich are always telling us to sacrifice and endure being broke a bit longer while they eat more cake than they can manage. Last time that happened I believe people lost their heads over it...just saying.

In more good news for the red states (read magots) the temporary head of FEMA was immediately discharged when he said to Congress FEMA's work is vital to America. Dumped him quicker than a dam giving way in North Carolina. Still have any doubts about who is benefitting from the Administration? Even fax news is calling foul, gently, of course. And also, a prize for the poorer states, the administration can cancel Head Start but spend ninety million for a military/birthday parade. "It will be so worth it" he crows. To whom?

I'm heading out to my deck chair with a mindless romance novel and a couple of pretzel sticks and taking in Spring.  Peace out.....💚   💙💛

DAYS OF WINE (& CHEESE & CHOCOLATE) (May 5/194)

HABITUAL We are creatures of habit.

 Church. I normally sit in a particular spot in church: on the aisle (claustrophobic); single chair with arms (in case I need help rising); middle of the church (incognito). I missed my row by one and didn't realize it until midway through the service when I found I was not lounging on my comfy arm rest. However, when I looked around the lady that always sits at the end of my row was right there and the usual two people that sit behind me were right behind me -Major LOL! What do they do when I am not there? (I'm not a fanatic about attending) Do they wander aimlessly and lost with a vague feeling that something is not quite right. That is more responsibility than I really need or want. 

Habits and rituals like laundry. Always three loads in a specific order. Why? It makes no difference to the machine. Or ironing. Collar, back, front, collar again. Dishwashing. Sharp knives, delicate items, plates, containers, silverware, pots and pans. If I have sufficient hot water, soap and pre-rinse it should make no difference. I also feel like I have to do X number of chores before I can start playing on the laptop or chilling with a book. Again why? Walking. Always the same route and same guilt if I don't knock a couple 1000 steps every couple of hours. Oh hell, a glass of wine fixes everything.

ECON 101 Marmalade thinks we should be ok with being poor as he mentioned it at least five times last week. It's the economy stupid-what happened to that? But never fear, those dirty, hard, non-union low paying factory jobs are on the horizon. Along with the $5,000 baby prize to offset the 300 grand it takes to raise a child. Just tighten your belts though many are running out of belt holes. Just buy two dolls instead of thirty he says and pay a few bucks more for Christmas (which if it's Chinese means a couple hundred bucks more). Wonder what Christmas was like at his house? Me, me, me-all the presents are for me. So, I guess I understand why he thinks less is more. Meanwhile he is ordering a 400-million-dollar jet with a winding staircase and bedroom suites: promoting a 90-million-dollar military parade in honor of his birthday, etc etc. Typical king/dictator behavior. Glad we can be supportive by just enduring a little economic pain like good little serfs. 

With all the Doge savings:  three trillion, well maybe 2 trillion, well maybe 200 billion or was it basically a couple of bucks after we factor in the amount it cost us to "find" these savings. Another savings! Cut all funds to NPR and PBS the only source of emergency information and entertainment to media deserts out there which again impacts his base in the red states.  I guess giving people helpful info after a natural disaster is too "woke". Let them find out FEMA is gone on their own.  Meanwhile after firing DEI traffic controllers the rest walked out and hey, anybody want to take a plane trip?  Yep, just can't stand all the winning especially when contrasted with January 19 when we had healthy 401's, no signs of a recession, low inflation and no extra costs for punishing tarrifs. Win-win to lose-lose in a heartbeat. Great first 100 days bozo. 

NOT SO CASUAL FRIDAY PT appointment at 7 am. I know, I be crazy so only got 5000 steps before leaving. That we sign up and agree, when we are already in pain, to a vigorous routine of elliptical, stretches and giant ball exercises in the name of health improvement seems rather bizarre. Plus, all the therapists are buff and flat stomached which is another assault to our fragile, rickety egos. I followed up the day with a podcast recording but fortunately my hair-do held up (thank you hairspray) to keep me camera ready. The exercises just imparted that healthy glow. 

GRAPE TIMES Tried to recreate our luscious wine and cheese experience from Traverse at home with a few friends. As usual, we pay attention to the first description and then it dissolves into our usual chaotic, everyone talking at once funfest with wine. Auxerrois (white), Pinot Noir and a fancy Reisling paired with two pungent aged dutch cheeses yummm. And we still had room for german chocolate cake and brownies because you know chocolate goes with everything. I may have to do it again with the rest of the gang because we over bought the main ingredients as usual.  Funny how several wine samples encourage an open wallet, but all good. We are blessed to have a great group of friends who are fun, literate and interesting. Sure, we talk about ailments and grandkids, but mostly we laugh at the constantly changing lunacy of life. 

We also finally settled one of those great mysteries of wine. Why are some bottles corked, and some screw capped? Cost? Nope we were told if the bottle is corked you can store it for a time while screw-on cap libations are meant to be devoured quickly. Usually not a problem when we have guests. I may have to start having wine with dinner every night to make a dent, however on our latest collection.

                                                     

Oh yes. For the right-wingers who think we should lighten up and smile about marmie's mocking photo dressed as the pope, try making fun of the orange one and wait for ICE to break down your door in the night. Funny how that works. Lighten up all you magot culters, as there is so much to mock with your glorious leader.   Peace out....💚    💙💛

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                                                                        

WINING/WHINING (April 21/195)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                              

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                         

                                                                                          

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