If I'm stopped

 

It I am stopped by an officer in my car no matter what town I am in, I would roll. down my window and greet the officer, asking what I did to achieve his/her attention.  These officers of the law have rules of engagement with the public they are sworn to protect.  For a guy like me, I probably rolled through a Stop Sign.  I would most likely get a ticket for the violation and the pleasant officer would drive off with a "drive safely" goodby.  They would not be masked and would have their name clearly posted with a badge number.

To be absolutely truthful,  all I know of the disruptions in Minneapolis is what is seen on the evening news.  It may or may not be the complete picture.  The last one I viewed (on a 60 Minutes segment) was a woman that said she was disabled and was trying to get to a doctors appointment. She was ordered by officers to exit her car.  The filming showed her trying to explain her situation to the masked officers to no avail.  She was dragged from her vehicle where she was subdued.  

My question is, is it lawful to forcibly extricate a driver from their vehicle without due cause or warrant.  Could any citizen be accosted by one of these officers for their appearance or speech pattern?  If a car is stolen or if the driver ie endangering themselves or the public, it makes perfect sense for a demand to leave the car.  

Federal officers are not there to enforce traffic laws.  It appears that their charge is to detain immigrants without any due process.  Now I know that media may have a skewed view of this reality.  It may be a one sided presentation.  

As we celebrate the birth of Martin Luther King today, I gives me pause wondering what his comments might be.

thats it

Jon Kocsis

 yesterday was my son Joh's 43 birthday.  He's a great husband, dad and all around nice guy.  I am very proud of him for all he has done and become.  He served our country for 9 years in the US Navy after high school.  He and his family moved around a bit and finally settled in the lovely little town of Middleville MI, near Grand Rapids.  I miss them due to the distance.  We had our party last week with a luncheon and cake. He is well and I hope continues to be.

On a positive note. 

National update

 So we went into a sovereign nation with planes and captured their president and his wife.  Let me say up front that this guy is a thug and a criminal and lost the last popular election but refused to leave office.  Still, this is a nation we were not at war with and we invaded to capture the guy. The congressional branch of government was not consulted and the president proceeded without any restraint..   Earlier, we commandeered two tankers filled with Venezuelan  oil with our military and became pirates on the high seas.  Prior to this action, we used unmanned drones and blew fishing boats out of the water claiming without evidence that they were transporting illegal drugs.  

And now, a 37 year old widow and mother has been shot in the face in her car watching ICE agents and their actions in Minneapolis.  She died from her injuries.  Words fail me. 

A new year reprise

 

It's now officially 2026.  Slept poorly last night; probably ate too late.  Katey came over and we watched the last two episodes of Stranger Things which were riveting.  Really enjoyed all the seasons of this program with the kids growing into teenagers and graduating from high school.  If you have the opportunity, watch it on Netflix.

This day will be a quiet one with some snow shoveling.  I pace myself better now with the effort and temperatures.

So, I made pasta sauce early in the day yesterday, tomato based.  Shared it with Katey last evening watching over spaghetti.  I ate late.  Glucose numbers (my measurement of health) were pretty good this morning.  Has to be due to mixing protein with carbohydrate.  This condition is always puzzling to me.

Our social security 2026 increase amounts to $2 a month after the Medicare/Medicaid cost increases for this year. What an annual raise.

It's the next day, still cold, still winter.  Watched a recent film called Boyhood. It took twelve years to film and showed the main character and his family in their evolution in actual years.  Basically it was a window into the lives of this family over that duration.  While it was a massive effort,  I missed some of the nuances and the subtleties.  I am always looking for an ending with summation.  I missed it here.  Lots of people loved this movie including my wife; me not so much.

Going back to the gym today to try to beat some life back into this body. 

A New Year

We are quickly approaching the new year and bemoaning the one we are leaving.  I for one, am glad it is over.  The ruling regime has damaged our republic in so many ways that will take decades to repair and maybe never will.  It is difficult to garner good feelings for the upcoming year on the political front

Personally, I am again going to have my head examined to check for cognitive declines and other fun features of aging.  Moving toward 76 this year and the 51st year of marriage still not knowing why she continues to put up with me.  Both boys have gray in their beards but still without blank spots on their skulls. Katey has masked whatever changes she may be going through.  Elijah will be driving this month and his sister has turned 15 earlier this month.  Paxton and Everett are well in Middleville.

If there is any resolution for me it is to eat less processed foods. I live off of sandwiches from deli meats and cheeses, snack foods and frozen pizzas and very little plant based foods. Most of this is out of convenience.  I know in the long and short term these are bad decisions.  I don't have to be a vegetarian but should consume more Whole Foods in their natural state.  Really need to come up with better lunch program.  

Will keep up my morning stretching routine and irregular gym visits. 

Need to reach out for more social interactions. Maybe we all do.  It's one of the few things I can control.

 

No shopping today

I need a few things from Trader Joes but won't go because it's nuts there on Sundays. All the label studiers and contemplators are out and filling the aisles pondering their decisions on steel cut or rolled oats.  This week its worse because of the holiday shopping.  Making lasagna and sausage and peppers for Christmas dinner this year.  All my ingredients are bought and ready to go.  It will be a simple, low keyed event this year, but should be enjoyable.

Our dear friend Anthony Taylor lost his sister and we attended the funeral yesterday.  He takes wonderful care of Shannon at her residence.  He and I operate on wheelchairs in their family room when needed, always getting them running.  This is a guy that always steps up when he is needed.  Anthony will be there, no excuses.  Their family started out with six kids and only two are left.  We felt badly for him and his relatives. 

The service was an outpouring of faith and grief, ultimately with an uplifting message for all to carry on in her memory.  I am sure she will be missed.

We completed "Playing Nice" a four episode mini series from BritBox yesterday. Its premise was disquieting but subtle like all the series from across the pond.  Two couples have premature infants that are switched at the hospital only to be discovered when the little boys are three.  The story that ensues bounces between the trauma for the parents and custody battles all taking place in Cornwall with the raging sea as the backdrop.  It's worth a look on Amazon Prime.

Still quiet here at nearly 8am with a few Christmas decorations up. 

Had to include these guys, slower but still kicking.

Our Iron Butterfly tree, somewhat indestructible

 

Nice Guy

Rob seemed like an incredibly nice guy, one you could have a beer with  Yeah I agreed with him politically and he was a rich guy moving with a bunch of people like him.  He and his wife desperately tried to save their son, from mental illness, from drug addiction and himself. In the end, all of it wasn't enough and they perished at his hand.  We have solved nothing in this country in this realm.  All the medications don't cure anything in mental illness.  These folks for all their success, had to watch the train wreck happen.  Until this kind of tragedy happens, no one wants to know of the family's suffering

We just celebrated being married for 50 years on Saturday.  We had a lovely luncheon with family and friends at Tavern on the Main, the site of many of our family's notable occasions.  I don't really remember that 25 year old guy from 1975.  He was taller (a little), brown haired and a bit rounder.  Judy still looks the same to me.  Longer hair (pandemic) but still the same beauty enhanced by her sparkling smile.  She still puts up with me for the most part and has stood by my side thru happy times and sad with dogged loyalty.  Still love her as much as 50 years ago.

New Gateways is having their holiday party today.  I am bringing roasted potatoes and an appetite. the staff there are the real holiday heroes with their caring attitudes.  We always feel that Shannon is safe there and well cared for.  

Giving my face a break from shaving for a while.  Don't know what will come of it.  We will see.

Some photos of the occasion.