April 5

 What initially struck me at Saturday's "Hands Off" protest was the amount of old people participating, particularly, senior women.  These were women of no style that came to speak up about the state of our country under this regime.  They are the "what the fuck are you gonna do to me" crowd.  Have to be proud of these women.  I was inspired standing amongst them. 

I wrote to my cousin Bela in Debecen Hungary about the event and sent him so photos from the Ferndale rally.  He replied today.  This is what he said in reply:.

Hi Jerry, I’m proud of you! We’ve been living in this autocracy for a decade and nothing seems to be strong enough to stop it. Our PM owns the media, feeding undereducated people’s minds with propaganda. If you go to the streets, there’s a law created the following day to ban such demonstration. Freedom of assembly, freedom of speech are seriously confined. I hope you show other nations what democracy is about.

I felt compelled to talk about this today.  Hungary has been living under the oppressive thumb of Viktor Orban for some time.  He came into power after he moved the Russians out in the sixties.  Trump emulates this guy. We need to stand up and save our Republic. 

thats it

Good Trouble

When Cory says "Lets get into some good trouble". paraphrasing a quote from John Lewis, civil rights fighter, it is the heralding call for all of us to stand up to the tyranny that presents itself in this administration.  This statement was made in his 25+ hour speech on the Senate floor a few days ago.  He presented stories of citizens from his state of New Jersey on how they were affected by the policies of the president and of DOGE.  They were delivered in heart wrenching details about people that had committed their lives to public service and their personal devastation.  As the speech wore on, you could feel the emotion in his voice, the commitment in his words.  Wiping the sweat from his brow, he continued to present these very personal stories.  This is just a guy trying to tell the truth.

All that being said, our government needs to start working for us.  In its current state, it is not.  We are less protected and financially poorer.  I care not about the Gulf of America nor the acquisition of a sovereign nation in Greenland and wouldn't want to visit Windsor any more for Italian food.  Where is the dough from the salaries of the laid off and fired federal workers? 

The imposed tariffs are now coming into effect.  I am not buying a car or a house or new electronic equipment or even sneakers from Viet Nam.  But, we have to eat at our own kitchen tables, breakfasting on blueberries from Peru and strawberries from another country in South America.  These costs will rise.  Our Social Security income will not.  We have been paying into this fund for all of our lives.  Don't you dare call it an entitlement! 

What will be his next whim?  

thats it.

 

Observations

In two short months, America has gone from the beacon of hope and light to being a pariah.  Our closest neighbors despise us and the new prime minister of Canada has said the friendly relations we enjoyed are over.  Masked guards draped in black have abducted legal visitors to our nation and sent them far from their homes for speaking in opposition to their policies.   Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare are under attack by a guy that has been elected to no office, national, state, county or city.  And he is the wealthiest person on the planet.  

Every morning when I wake up to view my news feeds from the night before, I shudder to think of what might be revealed in his whims from the night before.  

Different subject......My son Andrew after studying numerous YouTube videos, decided to change the brakes on his car himself, in the garage, on jack stands.  In my wildest dreams, I would never attempt such a feat.  I went out there to offer my moral support (because that is all I have).  There are parts, bolts and tools strewn around on the floor.  Looking at all these parts, he could have been building a rocket ship because none of it made any sense to me.  Now this guy is a Registered Nurse for many years.  He knows lots about bodies, how to treat them and how to fix them.  We weren't an automotive family.  I am shocked how much I admire him for taking on this task.  One wheel with its brakes was done last night with one more to go.

Jonathan, my other son is accomplished at all things HVAC.  He's been at if for a number of years.  He has always been a low keyed, quiet guy good with his hands but playing his cards pretty close. Always up for trying something new, some months ago he tried his hand at standup comedy which is the antitheses of his subtle personality.  There's a place in Grand Rapids that acts as a testing ground for untried comics.  He recently had his second stint.  Undeterred, he is attending a workshop that teaches technique, timing and the craft in general. Still shocked, I am blown away with this new endeavor.

Paxton, his eldest son was in another youth play (performance yesterday).  He shined as always.  Theater is one of the places he belongs.  With no fear, or shyness and with a full voice, he delivers his lines flawlessly.  He is a remarkable kid.

thats it.

a touch of gratitude

I was looking at a small video made in  2024  when I was in the hospital recovering from a heart procedure.  We lived in senior housing and had made many friends there.  Judy had me create the film to answer the barrage of questions from friendly residents there.  With a raspy voice I described how I was doing and expressed my deepest gratitude to folks that had cared for me.  

We met up with friends yesterday at Mother Handsome in Oak Park yesterday.  One of my old pals brought her grand baby named Eleanor and husband to the outing.  At 18 months,  she was a real cutie running around in this place that had play area for kids of which there were  many.  The area was closed off to prevent escapees.  It was very fun to see these folks from my past but even more fun watching and listening to the clatter of the kids in the environment.  Our grand kids are now teens living here and school age youngsters living in Middleville.  So, no more toddlers; girls moving around carefully looking for grandmas approval and boys slamming around racing across the room.  

Amidst the disorder and chaos bringing more surprises each day, little gifts like these children give a lightness to the day.  Am grateful for them.

Going to dinner tonight with my wonderful sister Joan and husband John.  I don't see enough of her basically due to distance and different lives.  Trying to remedy that.  

I am not that guy in the video any longer, hopefully having gained some perspective on life's important moments.

flowers for upcoming spring.

thats it 

Teeth?

 Dentures sounds
  like grandma with teeth in the cup. There, I have scared you off.  This is a pretty revolting image when you reach this age.  Calling it a partial is much more palatable.  Never had really good teeth.  Mom too us to the dentist when she could and we just got thru.  This is. a pretty shitty opening for this writing today.  Always wanted to have a Pat Sajak gleaming smile.  I think he has lights lodged behind his molars.

Harry is peering at me from across the room looking for me to do something.  It is a quiet Tuesday morning.  Judy is getting the kids to schools having developed the most efficient path to get them there on time.

this is Frank the Tank, Katey's new dog and my new friend.  

Reluctantly, we are going to Planet Fitness after a long lapse of time having used up all the available excuses.  

Finished off the second season of Severance on AppleTV yesterday.  This is a downright weird show that sucks you in even thought  understanding the premise and the characters is very challenging.  If you are up to the task (yes task) watch it.  It is addicting if not entertaining.  

Hoping soon for warmer temps and some sunshine to brighten the day.

thats is