6/21 - SUMMER HAS BEGUN! (OR CRAP 1/3 OF SUMMER GONE)

 Monday started off with a bang, or was it a whimper-both. Cause-trees on lines; effect no power all day. Of course occurring right after the OH left for golf  thus trapping myself and my car in the garage as he also absconded with my car keys. Plus he never turns his phone on. Sigh. Only a Zoom meeting this am and an in-person meeting with my next interviewee. Neighbor showed me the extremely simple task of pulling the red rip-cord and voila - garage becomes manual, duh. After scrambling through several sets of keys I located a bent house key and car key. The power mysteriously came on right before 11 am and just as mysteriously shut off again at noon right after my internet Zoom meeting-cue the spooky music. The in-person meet was at a restaurant so I was happy to avail myself of food and, ahem, facilities. 

Deck Update:  It has basically rained every day since Wednesday so progress slowed to an agonizing halt. With rain predicted for the next fortnight, I was predictably agitated. A few "friendly" messages to our contractor and offer to help (as his guys don't like to get wet - true story) he and crew miraculously decided to brave the weather and work is now in full forward mode. They brought their cooler for lunch, we provided soda and the garage when the inevitable rain storm hit today. Support completed and first pieces of pergola laid in - green and white of course.            

Chauvinism or prestige - you decide. Cultivating a new interviewee from a medical clinic to talk about Mary Jane in the workplace I mentioned to him an article I collaborated on for that very subject with the President of a world-wide Loss Control Company. I sent a copy to frame our conversation later this week and he said upon perusing it, my collaborator was "on point with the issues". I had to tell him that since he liked it between he, I and the proverbial fencepost my "collaborator" changed exactly two words of the presentation but I knew a prestigious male would get more attention Major LOL. My new interviewee pointed out that marijuana is here, legal and generates cash flow (told my finance guy that two years ago) and the "hippies" of the 60's are the lawmakers of today.  Should be a fun conversation.  UPDATE:  It was.

The Supreme Court decision today (case brought by the NCAA) requiring colleges to pay any expenses of student athetes (even if they don't play) that can be related to "education"  will lead to the inevitability of paying the student athletes. Need a 3 bedroom condo to "study". Why not. Entertainment center and party friends to help you relax - of course. A new car to get to practice-makes sense. Why don't we just admit it's not about education (though the majority do not make it in the majors and need the degree) but about big business, fund-raising, exhorbitant salaries and country club facilities. To call them amateurs is laughable. To deprive the brilliant or hard-working young person who may discover the cure for cancer of any support seems extremely short-sighted. 

The exciting progress on the deck came to a lightening stop (see how I used that in the negative) when actual lightening started snapping its fingers. Never saw anybody move so fast, buttoning up that is. Half a deck and four posts for the foreseeable future. Considering the weather report, I should probably take the rest of the wood and build an ark-may need it. Success however, as the 30 year lost little scissors were found.

In other news, Joint Chief of Staff General Mark Milley put "sex-trafficker (alleged)" in training Gaetz  in his place by talking like an adult and relaying the truth.  As you may recall the General was the one that stood up to "Orange Soda-Jerk" (who appointed him btw) when he wanted the military to go into Portland "and crack skulls".  Funny that same direction was not given about the "Constitutional-molesters (alleged)" that defaced our Capital. Gen Milley explained in simple words why and how discrimination occurs, and continues to occur in the military and frankly, life in general. However our modern day segretionists basically put their fingers in their ears while stomping their lily white feet in frustration. Hankers back to the "good ole' McCarthy days" when he wanted the military to arrest, well basically anyone, based on innuendo with folks basically throwing their friends under the bus to save themselves. If the despots ever actually get control of a private army....Also if the "right" wants to declare war on the military, I don't think the "people" are going to be ok with that. Just saying.

Interesting conversation with my grandson the other day. The best convos take place in the car I always think. Anyway he told me how he got into poison ivy looking for rocks. I told him I had a couple of brothers who worked in the Parks Department I had approved for preventative shots before warm weather set in. Those boys were so allergic when they got poison ivy, they got it .....everywhere.  Of course Joe latched onto the fact that everywhere included "boy parts" when he gleefully told his Mother about our conversation. She knows both of us well enough so no harm, no foul. 

Odd things I know about doing Safety and Workers' Comp. To me it was just another day in the ditches, but to another my investigating their groin injury proved uncomfortable-go figure (yes deliberate pun).  Another dude wanted me to replace his expensive safety glasses, but did not want to tell me why. Finally discovered he tipped over into an influent (waste water) tank and fishing around for his glasses while trying to extricate himself without swallowing any was detrimental to retrieval. I approved the replacement.

 As I've said before 98% of the time I pay the claims, but those that were a little suspicious I had my ways. I was a genius at finding "restricted" work. I remember one dude moved to Muskegon with his girlfriend thinking I would never find him work within his limitations. Wrong.

 I love my Unions but when I suggested we staff the desk inside the door of the Police Department with a restricted duty officer to answer questions, the Union pounced on it as a nice 8 to 5 sit-down job. Sigh. Fire depatment was a little easier as they undergo so much training, it made sense to schedule sit-down classes for them.  I was not well-liked in those two groups-go figure.

 But on the plus side I did successfully fight for PASS devices that alarm when a firefighter is not moving (before it became required) and individual mouthpieces for their SCBAs (I mean yuck) so they didn't always hate me. As for LPD I was an early, and unpopular, proponent of bullet-resistant vests (which are hot and heavy) but I did advocate for athletic shoes for those late-night delightful chases through the alleys of Lansing.

Fun evening. I go to the 4:30 Mass on Saturday and right smack in the middle tornado sirens began screeching. Our priest seemed a little out of his element and slow to provide spiritual or any other type of guidance. He was relying on those of us with cell phones still on to direct our actions. Some hollared for continuing. So he asks what are we being directed to do. S E E K  S H E L T E R.  Are we not all mid-westerners? This is not our first rodeo. So haul butt down to the basement where sound systems, altar, music and chairs were set up in record time. I don't know if the acoustics are more echoey down there or people were singing loudly in the face of adversity, but we never sounded better. As they were planning a reception after the service we even had coffee and cookies to go with our Communion wafers...

                                                                    

(6/14) THE PROVERBIAL "DECK" IS STACKED/DESTROYED/REBUILT?

 

Yay. Our deck project has commenced.  The beautiful and less-humid weather inspired our contractor to start the project. Unfortunately it meant the OH and his buddy would not have the equally pleasant weather fishing this week as the deck job must be "supervised". Though to be honest there were plenty of questions asked and decisions to be made as tear-out proceeded.  For sheer entertainment though, never under-estimate the lure of a construction job on little and big boys. My nine year old grandson was equally enthralled with the new "playground" below. And my daughter ended up looking for lost items of her youth in the newly revealed dirt. Apparently her little safety scissors have been lamented for 30 years and never forgotten (well I did).

 My first shock  (outside of the cost of the materials) was estimating the helper's age as 12 or at least teen age. Nope 27. Amazing how an advanced age makes everyone else much look much younger-got to quit looking in the mirror... Also after a long day of tear-down the "youthful" worker still had the energy to perform back flips across the back yard before he left.  

BEFORE PICTURE:  

Excitement this am as two reckless drivers (apparently armed) crashed into a house and commenced running. Lockdown downtown as 40 million cops descended on midtown Grand Ledge while reports of a shoeless dude talking to kids at a bus stop proliferated. I looked around very carefully as I left the Doctor's office at 8 for any lurkers - which we should all be doing anyway! Caught without incident apparently, except for the demise of 40 million donuts and schools shut down. Oh well just an end of the year extra day off. UPDATE: Apparently there were 5 or 6 involved and it was part of a ring of thieves hitting pharmacies operating out of Battle Creek or Kalamazoo - now all caught. Yay GL cops.

We're becoming regulars at Menards as each level of tear-down reveals another issue-resulting in more material, "nope can't save that" "oops, that needs to be replaced", "maybe we could.. no need more". They're starting to greet us by name and opening up our own lane. Well with a 40 year-old+ deck one must expect issues. But at least we have been able to buy a new grill with the rebates so far.

In the news Texas is finally living up to their hype as gunslinger heaven. Anyone can carry anything-no license, no training, no brains-it's all the same. But apparently they are not taking into account that ex-felons and crazy people will be indistinguishable from you'all protectors of the innocents with your pearl handled revolver and, note to self, they will be carrying 45's, semi-autos or better, etc.

How refreshing. The American President met with the Russia dictator, er, President, and only one side trashed America and called her a liar; unlike the orange predecessor. Though returning the keys to the Oval Office proved awkward. As with "he-who-shall-not-be-named" all the hype and America asking for the meeting it just gives Putin more ammo that he is legit and part of an equal playing field. Should have cancelled as their latest attacks against democracy and protection of cyber criminals came to light.

Democrats need to show more backbone. With Repubs openly creating pathways of cheating for the next elections, subjecting poll workers to tremendous fines for doing their job of not letting the "poll watchers" unprecedented access to everything including challenging every voter, we need to take the gloves off. With McConnell, again openly, telling each of the repub senators to vote No on voter reform and swearing Biden will not name a Supreme Court justice what the hell are we waiting for? More bullshit bi-partisinship? There's a bridge in Brooklyn I can sell you guys and gals. Get rid of the fillibuster, pass infrastructure (bringing high paying jobs to the middle class), forgive at least a portion of predator student loans, pass a minimum wage, support working families, prosecute Mar-a-lago's current resident and his cronies, tax the freakn' rich and get'er done! Since all of their proposals benefit THE PEOPLE, they will be very happy. Duh

And not to end a good rant I am struck anew by what folks do not understand about people not wanting to be exploited. It's not a question of not wanting to work - they can't survive on peanuts and no benefits. They, in many cases, are not even promised a regular shift so they can work two or three jobs which many of them try to do. Do the math. At $15/hour that is still only $31,200 a year if you are guaranteed 40 hour weeks, 52 weeks a year. Not that hard to understand the problem.

Booked 1 1/2 new interviews for podcast land.  Now if I could just get our "volunteer" editor to edit the darn things. The first two have been playing for awhile. I still have two already in the can waiting for his magic touch. arrghhh.  Anyway one is a lady who was head of security for GM in Lansing and traveled a similar path to mine in the "not being taken seriously by men" world.  But we thrived and prospered and have a plethora of stories from our experiences. We enjoyed a lot of laughs. I think we need to podcast a forum of "Women in the Workplace: Friend or Foe".  But I think I want representation from all sources:  female, male, white, black, luddites, progressives, etc.

Speaking of religion...I was reminded of a story today of  when I was teaching CPR. A Muslim gentleman in the class (it was required training) claimed that "it is Allah's will if a man lives or dies".  I gently supported his right to his beliefs and asked him to "basically" keep them to himself and we would proceed in our unenlightened way.  NOTE: One never knows if training does any good, but one of the students told me later she was able to save her child when he began choking based on what she learned in the class. That is how I think God works in man or woman-as an instrument to provide knowledge and support.

Unfortunately I had a further relationship with the Muslim gentleman as he became a workers' comp issue. In searching for him one day I called the number he had left for contact. They answered as the local Mosque. Upon asking for Mohammed I have no doubt this was the only place in Lansing where the response was "Mohammed who?"  He eventually left conventional employment and became a street vendor dealing in fine perfumes and lotions. I'm not kidding - he had quite a briefcase of samples and we all bought from him.  Happy ending....

WEATHER OR NOT (JUNE 6-13)

This is a weird weather week. Feeling similar to Florida, the day dawns but no cool early morning relief and the day ascends in both temperature and humdity from there. Where walking out to the mailbox feels like opening the door to a blast furnace. Birds are still a-winging and a-singing though one would think they would be hiding in a dark space somewhere. Then, if one's lucky the sky darkens around 4 or 5 and hope rises of a good soaking. Instead we get barely enough to wet a rose's tongue and we leave the flowers gasping and reduced to tapping on the window asking please, please water us. I know it just rained, but really we need more moisture than that little pouf of rain. And the weeds just go merrily on regardless of the rain or lack therof-apparently they thrive by stealing moisture from the plants we want to grow.  Or perhaps the ground moles, another pest, are trucking it in for their friends.

Our daughter stopped over to borrow our internet connection to be sure an important interview took place uninterrupted. She was seeking less interruptions of both technology and people as this was a promotional opportunity. Athough the interview did not last long, she was very positive. Helps when you are personally recruited by those interviewing and a recent reorganization removed a possible detractor. She said as there were not second interviews planned and they were going to make a decision this week, she thought it must be time to tell her current boss she had interviewed. She was not anticipating a happy outcome to that discussion.

 It reminded me of how hard it was to leave one of my employers. As a "boomer" leaving a job took a larger leap of faith than the generations following. Loyalty is no more in most situations by the employer. Thus moving on and up is the appropriate action for employees. I was totally frustrated in a nicely titled and well-paid position but my direct boss was a nightmare. Respect or even appreciation for my ability to pull the proverbial rabbit from the rear quarters at any moment was vastly under-rated. It became expected. Even my last day, just before my going-away party, I was directed to lower the boom on an employee as the boss did not want to do it. The glares I received from that emp kind of dampened the celebration.

DIGRESS:  One thing I am proud of is whenever I left a job my direct reports (except one-see above) were always sorry and appreciative of my leadership. Upper management be damned - like my Dad we were about getting the job done and taking care of our people.

It took a bit to leave that position as the boss would use flattery, begging and undermining remarks to keep me in line. I actually went to an employment agency and after a battery of tests the director of the agency who was moving out of State offered me her job- true story! But I stayed where I was and had another miserable year of rabbit-pulling until I finally took the plunge into MIOSHA.

That was a great move and better suited to my interests anyway. But in updated news my daughter has moved onward and upward after acing the interview. Like there was any doubt. She said one of the questions (a proverbial chestnut) was "how well do you handle stress" . She began her answer with "I have spent the last ten months living with my Mother-in-law since we sold our house". Didn't hear the rest of the answer, just laughter. I also did not hear how her discussion went with her current boss however who just lost her second direct report in a month. Ah well.

Media certainly has its problems. Although it's our main bulwark against total dictatorship and accountability their shiney faces are becoming more muddy with the forced 24/7 news cycle. Which gives us entertainment, opinions, half-baked stories, innuendo and even lies at times. Most of us don't take the time to determine the difference unfortunately. "If it bleeds it leads" they say though I think they often inflict the wounds themselves in the interest of ratings. 

Case in point. In an interview with Putin the jounalist (I use the term loosely) after stating that Mr. P has been called a killer and Trump didn't believe it but Biden does, he actually asks "are you a killer?" What an ass. When the former KGB boss and lifetime dictator adroitly handles such a silly question you have to wonder how stupid are people? "Of course. I am a dictator and I squash all negativity and competition through poison and prison". Duhh.

On the bright  and largely overlooked side by "the media" a $250 billion bi-partisan agreement was reached in the Senate this past week. The money is earmarked for scientific research (read technology innovations and improvemnts). Finally dawned on the majority including McConnell that China is the greatest threat to our, and the world's, economy. The bill also allows little or no tarriffs for poorer countries (read not beholden to China) and the ability to sanction countries for human rights violations (read not buy from China). China has been flexing her muscles by shutting down questions on covid from its trading partners (read Australia) and holding back desperately needed shipments of medical supplies to the US during the pandemic to name a couple of examples.  Surprise - global economy only works if everyone is on a level playing field.

Meanwhile coping with the messed-up parking lot at Meijers during their blacktop extravaganza on what turned out to be the hottest days of summer thus far triggered a memory. In my ongoing quest to experience every job assignment so I could understand and give proper safety guidance I had the pleasure of working with a blacktop crew in the middle of summer. The only way I can describe the experience of 400 degrees of hot asphalt under your butt is it must be like riding a fire-belching dragon after a hearty meal of burritos. All the water in the world ain't gonna quench that fire...

THE END OF MAY AND SUMMER IS NIGH

 As a Michigander, we are used to abupt changes in our weather patterns so we plan and carry on events regardless of the possibility of massive flooding, snow or desert heat (all which occurred this week). Memorial Day cruise on the lake was shivery jacket weather, while painting the pergola boards was occurring in ever-increasing heat and humidity later in the week. 

First opening of the boat canopy since she came out of dry dock revealed the heart-breaking answer to a mystery.  Upon arrival at the lake two "fledglings" had expired on the deck. Sibling rivalry? Too soon to fly? Mom and Dad absconded with the food? There is no tree anywhere near the make-shift bird cemetery so were they carried there by marauders who suddenly lost their taste for infant birds or blown by the wind? As the canopy unfurled, the fatal truth was revealed; a truly spectacular bird's nest which caused shrieks and scrambling as we at first did not understand what we were looking at. Ohh

                                               

On a further unhappier note I wish the media would end their unhealthy coverage of the "one who shall not be named -cheeser" hanging on his every utterance and insanity. That's what got us into this mess in the first place. A small hope the criminal investigation goes somewhere and his buddies start paying the price as well for his duplicity. I hear his appointees got hit with big tax bills to collect what they were not paying in payroll taxes. They were assured the issue would be resolved by Bobo. Surprise.   How there are still Americans who believe he gives a sh-- for anyone but himself is beyond me. Although he does stand for hatred of the marginal people that these folks believe stand in the way of their prosperity. Which explains why so many T signs are hanging from dilapidated trailers...

I realize I get a lot of junk mail - email spam - but why would I get both ads for ED medicine and ones promising to make my "love garden" even more attractive. In this "woke" world one must cover all bases I suppose. But speaking of "medicine" one has to question the motives of the drug companies begging us not to look behind the curtain of trying to negotiate less insane drug prices. They patriotically claim they developed and distributed covid vaccines when asked to save the world.  However....they were and are being paid handsomely for it. It's not like they just offered it out of their deep regard for humanity. Unlike the man who discovered insulin. He essentially gave it away because he found "it saves lives".  Now it's something like 1200% higher than it was around 2000. It's not as if they had to pay for the research and the development of insulin (they use that to justify the high price of drugs). With the rising number of diabetics around, I don't think demand is going to go away anytime soon.

Wedding bells this Saturday for our sweet and quiet "step-nephew". Second time is the charm as he is committing to a wonderful, warm and mature lady according to my sister. We all had odds on the first one not working out. As the original bride said to me the day after the wedding, "geez what a hassle, next time I'm getting married in Vegas". Well she gave it a day. I hope this time they can give it a lifetime-they both deserve it.

Wonderful wedding. The bride was Bosnian and they came here 20+ odd years ago as refugees when Bosnia was going through their armed hell which is the best way to describe the Serbs and Croats war. The innocents like her father were rounded up and imprisoned for a few years forcing her mother to flee to America with two children. Despite that inglorious beginning they embody the success story of many immigrants to this country which cheesers supporters do not want to acknowledge. Starting from scratch and working at anything they could; learning the language and paying their dues.  The bride's whole family was involved in the wedding and results were loving and charming. We were happy to be part of it all. The cake was to die for.

Sunday, not often we have two fun events in a row, we enjoyed the rededication of the "gang" for the first time since Covid destroyed everyone's lives. Fortunately we were all "mature" before so we didn't look a whole lot different after a year and  a half of isolation. No one got taller, but I swear we might have become shorter.  LOL. Our host Rickee, master griller, prepared a sumptuous feast along with his maiden crop of Sangria to our utter enjoyment. We sucked up all that fruity goodness and clamored for more. He directed his lady, Donna, to fetch another bottle of his home made "swill".  I immediately dubbed the vintage "Eau du Swill" not to be confused with "Eau du Douche" I labeled a really rancid wine I had one time. We managed to hang in there until 8ish. No doubt the dancing ensued later. Long and very pleasurable weekend.....

WEEK OF MAY 24 - BOARDS, PEOPLE, ANIMALS, PLANTS, BALLOONS,

 Another mash-up week of experiences and dealing with peoples...

First after much agonizing over a complicated recommendation (complete with background, justifications, evidence, stats and conclusion) and proudly sending it out for comment, I got nada, zero, zilch. Fortunately at my advanced age and experience, I do not really need the accolades of ego stroking on my masterful presentation,. It just means it's good to go and present it at the meeting. Also I hate stroking egos if any commentary had been made anyway heh heh heh. 

Having idly conceived the "oh why don't we think about redoing the deck" about a month ago it is in full swing several thousand dollars later. Decisions had to be made instantaneously as prices went up every week, actually every day. These are truly strange times. Literally $5 every few days.

As much of the material had arrived at the store, the debate about pickup vs delivery ensued. $90 for delivery or badger our contractor and the OH to do it themselves. The contractor owning a 16 foot trailer and, recently parting ways with his significant other, realized this allowed him a place to "store" it for awhile. A decision that he later regretted as it took a full 3 hours in maximum heat to complete the task. As we were shorted nine boards and two were damaged it turned out to be an even more brilliant decision by all involved as they were immediately reordered at the store's expense. Of course the pieces for the pergola that have to be painted are stuck under all the composite boards, so this will be an exercise in "just in time" frantic activity to meet deadlines for installation as the deck is constructed. 

Speaking of surprises, is anyone surprised our illustrious repub brothers and sisters decided they did not want an in-depth investigation of the January 6 insurrection? Complicit much? I cannot believe it is all about loyalty to the orange one. The Dems get accused of being all excited about the "voter suppression" rules being pushed saying "if you think the election was so honest what do you have to worry about".  Irony, got to love it. Of course the problem is the losers have already proven themeselves sore losers and believe "cheating" is the only way they will win and they are not terribly subtle about it.

Another perk about the retired folk is the ability to go a-whining in the middle of the day. We met two other couples at a local winery, one set whom we have not seen for a year, and made an afternoon of it. Gorgeous weather, great wine and cheese and the bon mot of the day teasing one with a particularly colorful hat "I don't think I would ever feel comfortable wearing a red ball cap anymore" (maga days). After laughing about the early bird specials the older contingency relishes we ended up at a restaurant at 5:00 for dinner LOL.  Great greek choices though and no crowd,...hmm I get it.

Seems that after a year in seclusion we grown-ups forgot how to act in public. Notwithstanding the local and ongoing altercations over mask-wearing and general garbage, recently avid fans mobbed golfer Phil Mickelson grabbing him around the neck and an attendee dumped popcorn over an injured basketball player. A flight attendant was attacked losing two teeth from a disgruntled passenger and the general shootings go merrily on without pause. The OH and I agree there is evil in the world and many are not trying to hide it anymore and the son-in-law chimed in with how the inconsiderate, flagrant and downright dangereous drivers are more prevalent than ever. This ME-first attitude is reaching a peak.

On that note, my second podcast is published entitled "Dealing with Difficult People"...

On a happier note, the OH and I engaged in a 50th anniversary picture-taking extravaganza with a local photographer that turned out to be quite an adventure in old people being silly. Katie is a lot of fun as a photographer and she had us posing in all kinds of ways similar to wedding shots like the "Superman" "Walking Away" "Into the Vinyard" "Admiring the Ring" "Fake Kisses" "Casual Lean on the Wall" and my personal favorite "give me the Raquel Welch vibe"-that one is hard to explain but I was actually trying to recreate my Ann Margaret look. At one point near a lily pad pool a bullfrog croaked really loudly and Katie almost did a header into the pool. That would have been hysterical. She apparently liked the proofs so much she asked us to sign a release to use some on her website. Hmm.

Oh yeah about the balloon. One was drifting down the canal at the lake house gliding into every nook and cranny scaring fish and fowl along the way in the tremendous winds of Saturday which ended with no dinner but lots of s'mores....

WEEK OF MAY 17 - MISCELLANOUS RAMBLINGS

Something different this week rather than the day by day as it gets so lonnnnggg.  Plus was without a 'puter at the lake for 4 days, not by design, however.

What is it about specialty coffees? I learned early, in college, to drink coffee black without enhancements as I did not want to forego my brew if I can't find my sweet and creamy whenever I was jonesing for caffeine .  That lack of a sweet disguise probably explains my affinity for full-bodied red wine and undiluted whiskey. Anyway I am always perplexed on what to order when someone proposes a meeting at a coffee shop. I cannot relate to their absolutely ruined day if they don't get their macchi oh oh, a caramel uh huh or veni vidi vici sized cup. I am so afraid to order wrongly, earning the derision of the barista, I just say plain black coffee which is usually kept in no-person's land in jugs at the end of the counter. I label it the $4 cup of sugar which is why I am assuming most specialty coffee quaffers don't order breakfast. All the calories you need to start the day resting cosy in a warm cup for the price of a McDonalds full breakfast.

Ever notice how much criticism womens' clothing gets? I do it myself I confess. Dressing professionally but not fussy as a Safety Rep was tricky at best. As stated before I sometimes managed a quick change in the car if I knew I knew things were going to get muddy, bloody or beery. Because of the curves, one must oversize outfits to be taken seriously. Men throw on a suit and they're good. Women get critiqued if their clothes are too tight, too loose too revealing, too fussy, wrong color, pants vs. dresses etc. The current hassle of not being able to try things on when shopping due to covideedee makes it especially tedious as women's clothing sizes are not the same - really. One can fit in an 8 and be squeezed in a 12. It is designer roulette. Taking home 17 similar items and bringing them back is not an option.

Silly political bruhaha this week. There are so many but this one was so transparently indicative of the repub strategy directed by the orange slusher. Heralding opposition to a Commission to investigate the insurrection of January 6 as being too partisan (more dems than repubs), the speaker changed the make-up of the Committee to be equally democrat and republican as requested - non-partisan.  So tactics changed and they oppose it again because, duh it was their supporters and, not a few, sitting congress people and their squishy leader who incited the whole attack on democracy in the first place. Which could very possibly come to light when you have more honest people running the executive office and Dept. of Justice. Mueller, you were shanghied. Might even dispel that Clyde statement it was just a tour group that got a little boisterous.

You know you are of a vintage age when you go shopping for techie stuff - even not so techie just updated lingo. Shopping for a cheapo TV for the lake I ask the young (important for context) sales associate where I would find the "rabbit ears". Blank look which repeating the phrase "rabbit ears" does not alleviate. Catching my personal faux pas I restate "external antenna-no cable".  OH. Did you know time has marched on? They have these nifty little HDTV multi-directional antenna that are sleek and compact that you just plug into the TV and hang on the wall. 

                                                  

I was also telling the man about what we get without cable like Antenna TV with all the old shows. He smiles and says like 2 and a Half Men-OUCH. That show's in the 2000's time frame. I was thinking more like Bewitched (1964-72), Chips (1977-83).  Sudden feeling I should be drooling and using a cane at this point. Oh well.

Enroute to a lunch meeting with our financial dude (he's buying so the restaurant is definitely upscale) I noticed a couple of men using weed whips around the restaurant I had originally picked for lunch. Again due to covidee dum they were not open until 4 - argghhh. But another high-scale eatery was basically acoss the street (Okemos you know) so we moved over. 

Anyway the men were wearing harnesses attached to the weed whip which made maneuvering much easier on the physique. The weed whipper snappers reminded me of my time back at the City where we employed numerous seasonal laborers working in the parks. Always a 3-person crew with one on a riding mower, one with a self-propelled regular mower and one poor soul wielding the whip. Of course the "senior" dude got to use the riding mower. When I suggested (after multiple strains and sprains) that ergonomically it would make sense to trade off every couple of hours, the seniority dude of course was not having it.  So a Parks supervisor and myself came up with a seat belt-type contraption to hold the weed whip and make it easier on the physique. Nice to see the rest of the world came to the same conclusion. Wonder if he ever patented the design.

The carp were a'courting this week at the lake. Tremendous splashes and equally tremendous fish were having their way with each other in the canal.  These babies were huge! Joe would have been in heaven fishing but I doubt they had food on their minds. The "smaller" males would kind of herd the ladies into a tight spot and attempt romance resulting in much splashing and, I would assume, giggling.

Also the OH completed his latest "green and white" project stringing lights all around the patio. "Not that anyone comes out here at night" he grumbled. But we are ready, willing and stocked with wine, beer and beds for the partiers. Always open and welcoming at the "Idle Ide's Little Venice" resort.

THE MICHIGAN SHUFFLE (MAY 10)

 Surreal week as I lost my blog for awhile. My need to scribe was compromised and it made me question my very existence. She writes, therefore she is (thanks for the shout out moment Descartes) Maybe it's Google's way of making me review my security or maybe they are just too security conscious. However when we see how easily hackers get into any system-government, corporations, or otherwise no one is really secure. As my daughter posted earlier this week-we put everything into the internet then think we're safe as we creep onboard in the comfort of our homes.  Full disclosure-wide open for any decent computer nerd to infiltrate.

Observations for the week are varied as a result beginning with the volatility of crypto currency.  Does anyone really know what it is? It is whatever the inventer says it is including its value. When the word of Elon Musk can destroy the value of the new Doge coin by calling it a hustle on Saturday Night Live and then devalue bitcoin by now refusing to accept it I imagine people would be begging for precious metal or government backed currency in the future. Or not.

Excitement of the week was watching the neighbor's Dad manipulate a bobcat in tearing down their backyard shed and prep the ground for the newer bigger one to come.  The OH was perched on a chair by the sliding glass doors watching the action but itching to get involved. I slipped on my flip-flops over socks (LOL) and headed outside so we could join  the party. The long suspected, by Burt, and disputed, by the county, drain was found in the corner after the bobcat blade ripped the drain cover from its mooring. A whole Jessica-type hole was uncovered (remember the little girl that fell down the well in Texas). The OH was vindicated. Though what to do now as debate raged about calling attention to it to government officials as we assumed it was a "private" attempt to stop the flooding back there. Cover replaced and life goes on.

Next drama was the haul-away of the old shed picked up precariously on 10 foot forks which resulted in its total collapse as it was flipped upside down outside the torn apart fence. The little 4-year old behind this house came out and saw the flipped over shed and innocently asked "was there a tornado?" Obviously a Wizard of Oz fan. 

Politics-wise the not-so-wise Repubs dumped their No. 3 leader Cheney due to her "once in her life" telling the truth about the big election lie and the big liar. Sad that to be a loyal member you have to be loyal to a narcissistic maniac and call the rioters on Janury 6 patriots. They don't even bother with ideas or platforms or anything constructive apparently, except maybe bemoaning the "wokeness" of Dr. Seuss books and de-genderizing of Mr/Ms Potato Head. 

After much agonizing and 3 weeks of indecision we decided to add a pergola with the new deck. Then reality sets in, with our hearts decided on cedar (no maintenance), we cannot get the, rather important, giant support beams for 94 days! Everyone seems to think these posts are somewhat vital to the whole shebang. As I am more of a get the project done once I decreed it a project, I was willing to compromise on a cheaper wood that must be painted occasionally.  OH is set on the cedar so now I may have to call around lumber yards to see if I can find these giant posts elsewhere sooner or trust an August 4 date which is dangerously close to our September 4 party date.

I was tossed back into old work memories when I drove by a road patching crew. They were doing work in the road pulling materials off one truck and another truck was behind the workers on sentry/protection duty. A concept I tried to talk the City workers into when they did road patching. Their logic was that someone would just hit the protective truck and drive it into them which apparently is more of a threat than being hit directly and with no warning. It was amazing how many times I engaged in arguments to make worker lives safer and, I don't know, go home in one piece. 

Did finally get to the Lake and do some grass cutting, weed pulling and planting. Enjoyed our first guests, Kathy and Mark and discovered a new restaurant for breakfast. Mask on, mask off. As of 9 am Saturday it was a crap shoot for us fully vaxed residents. We erred on the safe side and carried and donned masks as it seemed appropriate.  What was really eye-opening was seeing all the bare faces in church, including the priest. Since I attend the "older folks Mass", not really surprising that most of us were vaxed.

Back to today's title. The Michigan Shuffle is what we Michiganders do every Spring around the first of May. It's Spring dammit and I'm getting my plants now!!!  Garden centers are overrun with frantic growers and planters scooping up any green things they can find. Of course you can't really plant yet as the weather usually turns to cold, ice, up to and including snow on occasion right until Memorial Day. We know this, but we do it anyway. Lo to the soul that waits until true good weather sets in as their choices are limited to the frail and sickly little plants left behind. The "shuffle" is the nightly regimen of covering up our "too-soon planted" plants or placing them in a box and escorting their fragile little selves inside (often under a heat lamp) until the frost passes in the morning. Set to music it becomes the ever - popular Michigan Shuffle.