I'm still here, shaking my head at what this country is becoming.  

The orange asshole told us what he was going to do, the country had evidence of what he was, and based on that, the US elected him to the office of President. And now we have him.

We had a saying, phrase really, back in my days in the military, circa '66-68. 'We are well and truly fucked'. And yep, we are now. 

We've elected someone who will, and it seems his goal, to fuck this country up to the maximum extent he can. 

I have no idea, and it seems irrelevant, if he is being led/controlled by someone else...musk, Putin..we are still going to be the recipient of a reaming this country has never seen. 

It's frustrating for me..my next birthday will make me in the octogenarian category, and some health issues keep me from taking to the streets, so to speak. So I sit and watch as we go down the tube. 

 As unimportant as they are, here's a few photos of life with me now. 

From the top, the youngest grandchild, wearing a sweater made by the oldest daughter..the hospital where I was born, torn down in 1966, making bread rolls wth the youngest grandkids, and after my wedding in 1968. 

Hope all are well. 

A short return visit

 Hello, hope all and sundry are well. I'm ok, just the usual travails of being 78.

Long time followers will remember 'The Adorable One'...I've posted about her since she was born 14 years ago, with a giant omphalocele, had then a 50/50 chance of survival. 

She's survived, prospered, grown, and is now entering high school in the fall. 

Here are some pics from her 8th grade graduation.  I added a couple of earlier photos for comparison. She remains adorable, and a fabulous young kid. 

Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish

 Through memories, seasons, travel and food, I've done this for 10+ years. Through my lacking interest and ability, and your lacking interest, it's time to go.

Prince Phillip has been quoted and saying , and I may not be totally accurate, "A good guest knows when it's time to leave."  

I bid you au revoir

The Adorable One

 For the long time followers of my blog, here's a recent picture of TAO. She's a teenager now, turned 13. Hard to believe.

Christmas 2022

 Happy Holidays to all. 

May everyone have a fine christmas and interesting new year. 

Happy Thanksgiving, 2022

Whatever food you have, enjoy. 

 

It's about the people.

The news, and insomnia

 Lately, I've been sleeping poorly, nothing really new. But I've gotten into a pattern of waking at 5am after a fitful night. I turn off the cpap, get up, turn on the radio to NPR and lay back down, hoping for an hour or so more sleep. 

The news doesn't help. 

Ukraine....the war, Putin's veiled threats to use tactical nuclear weapons. The war's effects on the world, food shortages, inflation, two bags of groceries for $100 here. Not conductive to sleep.

Britain... since brexit, they've imploded. 5 Prime Ministers in 6 years. Vieing for Italy in government changes per year. Our closest ally, near collapse. 

And here...this, our country. It's unrecognizable to me anymore. We have lost what it means to be a democracy, and a sizable part of the country does not want a democracy. Tens of millions want a minority ruled autocracy, where the minority views, right wing, are the rule of law. 

Here's what I wonder...now, I could turn off the radio, silence NPR. I could stop looking at the internet, FB, the NYTimes, etc. I could listen to music, watch movies. I could make myself believe the events of the world outside my door had nothing to do with me. 

I could keep up the illusion, try to ignore the prices of groceries, gas. Not talk to my daughters about their fears for themselves in the new America. 

How long? How long before it can't be ignored? How long before there is a knock on the door, and two men with a clipboard ask if it's true I voted democrat? Did I ever know anyone in this country illegally? Did I know anyone who's gotten an abortion?

You tell me.