Whaddaya Gonna Say?

Trump-bump

-Trump pushed Coke to release a NEW Coke made with cane sugar instead of corn syrup.  Still makes you fat and contributes to diabetes; for the same price?  Time will tell.
- Bring back the Washington Redskins, he says.  How much is it going to cost to change all those sports team's names again, plus re-install Confederate statues?
-  Why are we investigating President Obama years later, when the THEN GOP Intelligence Community determined Russia was meddling with the election, but not with the voting machines? (Gabbi needs a ratings boost.)
- WHY are we paying attention to the BEHEMOTH in the Oval Office?

Because it's hard not to.  He controls our fates, now that Congress and the Supreme Court have capitulated before such a beast.  I used to say, "Putin's got photos," of Donald indelicato to explain Trump's fawning of the dictator during his first term.  I still believe it - that's the real reason Putin's been given carte blanche to pummel Ukraine for the next, how long, 40 days?  And then he's going to miraculously QUIT THE FIGHT...right.  He'll get another 40 nights.

But apparently JEFFREY had photos, too - why else would Dumbo be throwing all his mud against the wall to distract from his screw-ups (and cause Congress to flee early for vacation)?

- Whatever happened to that lost uranium?
- How are rural communities going to get early-warning alerts once their Public Broadcasing stations shut down?
- How's that Gaza Humanitarian Foundation going?  If your head's been in the sand, it's something the US and Israel quickly cooked up to provide aid rather than using traditional methods, like the UN.  We're way past the point of justifying everything by saying Hamas (which I don't support, don't throw that back at me; I'm making a point).  Between May 27 and July 21, 766 Gazans were shot around GHF's distribution points.  Who's surprised, especially after Trump wanted to shoot protestors the first go-around; probably still does?
- Will I be able to afford fresh fruits and veggies after my SNAP benefit's cut (not that I really can now); or will I be back to 'lips and toes' hotdogs towards the end of the month?

Stock Market Scarf

Trump and his bullionnaire-led teams are doing a bang-up job decimating government programs with nary a thought to the consequences on real people, particularly the poor.  My grocery bill hasn't gone down and neither is there affordable housing available; but those issues don't matter to our Head of State, I use that term loosely.

But Crypto investors are making a killing, and we did get a new flagpole.  How about spending some of those funds withdrawn from Harvard to bankroll research for MEN TO CARRY THE BABY, instead of laying all those woes on Women?  It's already OK for them to stay home and improve their cooking skills.  I'll bet that would be popular with at least half the population; but the halls of government in every state are still overwhelmingly men.  Ladies, why do we continually vote for these machistas?  Are we watching The Stepford Wives come to life?

By all means, let's focus on banning contraceptives, I predicted that in 2022.  In 2021, I predicted them making M and F the only identifiable sex, and that's already come true. So as a reader, if you think my views are way 'out there' with no chance of coming true, I'll point to my track record; this isn't the first time I've written, 'told you so.

She Sells Sea Shells

In conclusion, I'll make a plea to any Republicans reading:  please buy things on my Etsy shop so I can save up enough to leave the country, that's what you want in the end.  I've got some cool Seashells from Puerto Rico, Hummels from Germany, Scarves from Mom and other interesting items you won't find on Amazon.  Dem's are invited, too.  Thanks!

Red Velvet Blues

I regret not having any photographs from the tale I'm about to tell, but Amy was too busy throwing baking pans around the kitchen; noise which hopefully muffled any 4-letter words spewing from (our) spinning head like a busted fire hydrant in summertime.

So you'll have to visualize, just as I imagined my Red Velvet cake pops resembling this photo, blatently swiped from what I thought read 'Basics with Balls' - but it's actually 'Basics with Bails', here's Bailey's website to give full credit for her beautiful results.

Last fall I attempted, twice, to make Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls.  Cake Balls are simply crumbled up baked cake; mix in some frosting to bind; roll into balls; and coat with Almond Bark, Melting Wafers or Chocolate.  Simple, huh? The first time took me 6 hours and I made quite a mess, but they tasted really good and my co-workers enjoyed them.

The Spartan Way

I stared at this morning's headline about the ending of two programs providing assistance to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. I thought of the sweet couple who sold me my teardrop: he was deaf, she wasn't, but both worked as teachers for a school for the deaf, not far from Portland.  Why would anyone cancel funding for the deaf, blind, any so-called handicap members of our society?  I thought of the Gerard Butler movie, 300; and the idea of tossing unacceptable newborns into the sea, or whatever.  I couldn't read any more.

Did I hear correctly that the new quota for picking up illegals is going from 3,000 a day to 7,000?  If they're already swiping personnel from other decimated agencies to support ICE, who'll be left to protect the rest of us?  Home-grown crazies are just as dangerous and deadly as crazies smuggled in, look at most mass killings.  It's the Under-30's who seem to be particularly nuts, so let's just round them up until they turn 40.

But 7,000?  That now pertains to anyone here illegally (as were many of my generation's grandparents) and who may have been here for, what, up to 70 years, with nary a traffic ticket?    I've asked this question before:  Who is the Government going to detain when they're finished with the dangerous dark-skinned illegals?  Are they going to go after light-skinned nationalities, or will they get a pass?  I'm biased there because of late-husband Tino's illegal status, another story; but the whole thing reeks of Hitler's idea of the Master Race. Even just a smidgen of similarity should scare the bejesus out of you.

If Joe Biden had made one fraction of the decisions Trump has since January, Republicans would be screaming for daily cognitive testing.  Why are they letting Trump do whatever he wants, acting as the spoiled child he remains?  Vindictive, he is, slandering those who won't do his bidding.  We'll all be required to take loyalty tests to acquire something-or-other currently taken for granted but which will become preferential treatment, mark my words.  Passports, for instance.  Can't travel overseas unless...  Or,  Highly preferred interest rates for loyal subjects citizens only.  I'm no longer in that market, and I hope to be overseas before the Passports change - volunteering somewhere remote.

So whaddaya think of the new FLAGPOLE installed in front of the White House?  Takes away from the nice view of the stately building, but I'm guessing it gives Trump a rise each time he looks at it, so he doesn't care.  I'm hoping the next president with good taste moves it, why not next to the Washington Monument for scale; and gets rid of the Goldoval Office.  It's not one of Trump's casinos, although I take that back.  He's used to hosting high-rollers in the dark, surrounded by tacky glitz and barely-legal incentives.

When Did I Start Failing the 'Pencil Test'?

I just tried it with an eyebrow pencil I don't use.  Wait - suck in the stomach, that oughta  help.  Nope.  Other one, too?  DAMN!  Mentally I feel around 38, but physically - everything's dropping faster than my SNAP benefits. If I live long enough there'll be nothing left but a puddle on the ground.

This is my 'Month of Mourning;' I included that phrase in this year's calendar design.  The 7th would have been my 31st wedding anniversary with #3, Tino; I like to believe we'd have lasted this long.  Tomorrow is the 3rd anniversary of BC's passing, sniff sniff.  Ex-Man #1 passed away on the 13th; Ex-Man #2 on the 27th; my dear friend Mary would have been 70 on the 21st, if she hadn't passed 26 years ago; and the 22nd's The Captain's birthday, he's still vertical.

I don't view all those occasions on the same level of grief, of course; and there are too many other sad anniversaries throughout the year.  But I told myself that if I indulge in the sniffles over things long gone, I'll relegate it to July.

From this year onward, I'll include the sad occasion when Trump's Big Beautiful Bill was signed, wasn't that on the 4th; which will financially screw me but won't go into effect until after the 2026 elections so I won't know how bad for quite some time.  They he'll REALLY let (us) have it.

I've been asked more than once,"Will the bill affect (my) SNAP or Medicaid?"  Of course it will.  But if elected officials won't do anything about it and 78 million voted for the Originator, what sense in me getting upset?  I'm not in the mood to fight City Hall.  Besides, I've learned that things generally work out better than I plan, and I'm done worrying.

I recently read something they've been warning for years:  decreased Social Security benefits.  This time it's, "In 10 years, SS will only provide 80% of your benefits."  So regardless of any formulas or theories about how I'm looking at this the wrong way, I've decided to start NOW to live on 80% of my current SS; or more precisely $950.00 a month.  That doesn't include SNAP, which is currently $185 a month but I won't count on that for much longer.  And as for Medicaid?  Who knows, after the Feds stop helping and tell the States to take care of their own.  I'm just glad I'm not terribly unhealthy; and since I'm over 64 I won't have to work 80 hrs per month.  If I'm wrong (and don't touch a cent) I'll amass over $28,000.  Which won't be worth that amount, but it's better than nothing. 

Don't you love how they're constantly deflecting from serious issues, such as solving Ukraine and Gaza, by investigating Comey and grilling Biden's doctor?  Nobody seriously believed Trump's promise to end both wars his first day; but after 6 months what progress do you see?

Trade deals promised?  That's just Donnie's wet dream of achieving the Ultimate Dealmaker title. To hell with the consequences of his flip-flopping tarriff rates: businesses failing and prices rising...he's too busy opening his Etsy store in the White House.

What about the brouhaha over revealing, once and for all, the Kennedy Assasination File and the Epstein List?  As I recall there wasn't any Ah-ha moment about Kennedy; and after Pam Bondi told us in February that she was reviewing the actual 'Epstein list', the Justice Dept now says it doesn't exist?  (I think I got that wrong - they're just not telling.)  No sense being bothered over that - MAGA supporters are peeved enough.

And don't you love them pushing this one: that our Secretary of Defense, former talk show host Pete Hegseth, decided last week to withold aid to Ukraine all by himself?  And this week Trump reversed the decision, which he claims he knew nothing about?  How can people close their eyes to all the lying they're doing to us all?

I don't want an electric car, Trump said the other day.  He apparently forgot he bought a bright red Tesla not long ago in front of the nation, after Elon brought his showroom to the White House.  And they talk about Biden.  Don't believe a word he says, but follow every order without question.  I believe the correct term is Boob. 

Instead, Fox News and Republican Congressmen focus on anything BUT.  Chasing after political and personal foes of our vindictive President. Ignore the money being made hand-over-fist by the First Family and their billionnaire buddies pushing Bitcoins - I'm still not sure what that is and I know I'm not alone; but you know it's going to come back to bite us in the como-se-llama.  Just a few years ago Trump declared Bitcoins were a scam.  Wonder what happened within the past 3 years?

I'm guessing most of Trump's supporters are not paying attention to anything other the carrot he's been dangling about lowering prices and making America great again through new manufacturing plants, I'll believe it when I see one.  But tell me, who's going to want those manufacturing jobs?  No one interested in real work.

So if (you) don't care about what happens to people like me, why should I care about what happens to you, either through natural disasters or the disaster on Pennsylvania Ave?  Have we devolved to this extent?  It's disgusting.

P.S.  I've already donated to flood victims; how 'bout you?

Bad Ideas Often Lead to Good Times

(Final leg of a recent cross-country trip.)  I was out of Iowa in no time and into Nebraska, April 17th.  This was, indeed, the same route I'd taken with BC back in 2016; and where we were caught in a hellatious hail storm which cracked my front windshield.

When I travel I don't bother with GPS, Google Maps or anything else which might alert me of possible danger, except the FM radio.   So when I heard on the radio, "Strong thunderstorms with hail possibly the size of golf balls," I pressed the pedal to the metal to get the hell through the state. This map is fuzzy, but I was right in the middle of the orange area.  

So I raced across Nebraska to North Platt, where I chose an $80 motel not far from the Interstate.  It looked nicer than the others from the outside, but I was jaded.

Lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised the room was clean and had sheets.  I mentioned the approaching storm to the woman at the desk but she'd heard nothing; so I figured I'd gone far enough to prevent the possibility of my rental being pummeled by ice.

The Only King I Want Has a BURGER In It

Saturday's No Kings demonstration was my first, and I wasn't alone with that distinction.  Of course, we may have simply forgotten attending Vietnam protests during our youth; but if that's the case, at least we didn't lose our activism.

This protest was scheduled to meet at our town's Cultural Center, where we were politely asked not to hold up our signs on their property, but the sidewalk was fine.  They kindly allowed a small area for the Irish musicians; speakers; tables with Make-Your-Own-Sign materials; information about local events; and snacks and bottled water. 

Rosemary and I arrived quite early, so we wandered the art exhibits in the Center to kill time.   Co-worker Nellie met us there, and we procured standing spots next to the curb.  At first I thought we would be a couple dozen Seniors (and therefore dismissed as a force not to be rekoned with), but that soon changed.

By noon, the official starting time, the sidewalk was three layers deep; so organizers shepherded the 'overflow' down the sidewalk and safely across Hwy 101 to stand on the other side.  There were participants of all ages but it seemed most were over 50, I'd guess.  I saw one Palestinian and one Ukranian flag(s) which were largly ignored; not because those conflicts aren't worth consideration, but that wasn't the day's focus.

So we waved our signs with arthritic hands as people drove by, returning our enthusiasm with honking horns and lots of thumbs-up. Most of those who disagreed were at least civil and looked straight ahead while driving past; but there were others who made a point to roll down their windows, middle fingers raised, shouting profanities and telling us to Go Home - we weren't real Americans.  A few felt the need to speed close to the curb to give us a scare, which didn't work.  I just hoped no one would shove me into the street.

Cohorts in crime

A woman standing next to me was holding a good-size flagpole with a large American flag, which I feared draped dangerously into traffic.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, but your flag might become a target for some idiot to rip out of your hands as they drive by."

"I don't care, let them try.  I'm 80 years old and ready to go to jail. Not much frightens me anymore."  Gotta love her attitude.

We were advised that if there was any disruption by agitators we were to simply sit down.  And maybe sing, even if it's only "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall," do kids know that song?

I managed to snap a photo of the overwhelmingly favorite protestors (l); along with the best sign, we all agreed.  The ladies in red were adorable, walking single-file up one side of the street and down the other, the tiniest slowly bringing up the rear.

Oh, my, we were a rowdy bunch, with our wheelchairs and oxygen tanks...a truly threatening mob.  In all seriousness, it was a very peaceful demonstration.  We didn't shout horrible things about the President (they were left on the signs), and the one you see here may have been the most insulting.

I've heard much worse come out of our President's mouth.  As I said in the beginning, many of us were protesting for the first time, but we all felt strongly that we had to do SOMETHING.  What's going on in Washington is not right.  We value the rule of law, unlike #47.  We don't want storm troopers in our streets.  We believe in the Constitution, and don't want a self-proclaimed 'King,' who cherry-picks military personnel to stand in the background of one of his inflamatory speeches, shouting and booing our former President.  

That's not what the military is supposed to be about.  While I didn't actually SERVE in uniform I SERVED as an Army-wife for 14 years and through osmosis learned what behavior is permissible and what is not.  That's more time than Trump ever saw:  5 deferments during the Vietnam era, the last using 'bone spurs' as an excuse.

As a Civil Servant I was protected from indescriminate terminations by a new President.  I was only trying to help put food on our table.

But don't take my word.  If you are or were in uniform, you know for yourself; and shame on you if you're denying it.

Prior to the demonstration Rosemary asked about signs, but I was still focusing on what to wear.  It was only the morning-of that the words to MY sign popped into my head, and I quickly put it together in an hour.  I thought it was pretty tame.  There were about 500 of us, the news reported, and for a small town like Lincoln City, that's quite a showing.  

So for those networks who are discounting the thousands of small towns with thousands of participants, DON'T.  Sure, particularly in large cities, there are going to be people hell-bent on violence, but that wasn't the predominant response.  Take my word on THIS one, thanks.