Revelation

Will we ever be able to recover from what this man has done to our country? In our history there have been many mistakes and misjudgments. We have entered into wars that had no real goals sending many young men and women to be killed in vain.  We fought like hell to keep suppressing women only to have them emerge whole and in good stead.  We have a 400+ years of oppression of people of color still having prejudice in our hearts that crosses generations.  Even though this is a country of immigrants, ICE is now rounding them up to be detained and deported only wanting a better life for their families. Most did not travel a long and dangerous road for immoral purposes.  Yes, they broke laws to be here.  But can they be blamed for fleeing poverty and oppression?

When this abhorrent person is no longer in a leadership position, can we rebuild our nation to a moral country that knows right from wrong?  As my life is drawing to its final years, I may expire before it comes to pass.  I see some younger leaders coming up that can make a difference.  The old guard needs to step away and collect their pensions deserved or not.

I am addicted to screens, doom scrolling on my iPhone mostly.  Not proud of it and trying to see it for what it is, a bad, time wasting habit that actually puts me to sleep.  

We finally had had a good amount of rain last night after almost a month of drought.  The evenings have been cool so the tomatoes are still sitting green on the vine.  

 

Perhaps a lesson

I was at Katey's yesterday working on her lawn.  She injured her back and was behind on her yard work.  Finished up the cutting, edging and trimming and came upon an old adversary.  It was the remnants of a bush long dead, a stick coming up from the ground alone, wood hardened like it was petrified, big enough to trip over.   It's been bugging me for a while.  Located a saw and started in on removing it.  I was slowly laboring away when a long haired twentyish young man walked up the sidewalk.  Seeing I was not accomplishing much, we started chatting and he mentioned that he could do the job.  At first I refused but then relented.  Then with about 6 strokes of the saw, it was done.  I thanked him and he was off.

This was a small kindness that he probably has forgotten by now.  It stuck with me.  Small impactful events do sometimes stay with you.

Going to breakfast with Bill and Mike this morning to stay connected and solve the problems of the world.

Pickles

Had a nice outing with Kat yesterday (I will always call her Katey even though this is preferred moniker).

We attended the Blakes Orchard Pickle fest in Romeo Michigan.  This place is a working farm about 45 minutes northeast of us on a rolling hillside.   Both of us have a thing for pickles and this event was supposed to teach us how to make them.  My mom Dorothy could whip up a batch of bread and butter chips in nothing flat and they were always a favorite for out family.  

This was one of those family friendly events with generations of people attending.  Lots of vendors selling homemade goods, a couple of singers giving their renditions of country/rock classics and of course pickles

She and I  got a container and the vegetables to pickle, salt, spices and vinegar delivered from a large vat to fill up the container.  She and I have had a debate as to how long the ingredients should ferment.  Should be at least a few days.  Anyway a pretty good time.  

It was a glimpse into a simpler life in more space with no flashing lights or sirens or loud music.  No suburban lots with neat lawns and manicured yards.  The event was filled with unfancy people and their  kids.  I like to observe environments that are different than what I am accustomed to.

It saddened me to read this morning of the death of Hayden Panettiere.  I remember her mostly as the little daughter that knew football in "Remember the Titans" one of the best sports movies ever.  

Off to Planet Fitness and Trader Joes this morning still looking for some rain.
 

Overlords

 

Thoroughly disgusted with the way Google/Meta has disrupted my entries on Blogger.  Prior to the latest regime, I could create the entry with photos on Blogger and dump it into FB as an entry. All would appear as posted.  Now the overlords insert some entry to click on calling mine a foreign posting.  No one takes the extra step an my viewings and they go way down.  I am in my tenth year of using this service and have thousands of entries most of which could be categorized as my
personal observations on the world.  Also are tidbits about goings on with my family.   Also, have abandoned the beard, too bothersome and uncomfortable.

Still grappling with my friend the dentist and the death of his son, not knowing if there is any that can soften the damage caused by this, still thinking of him.  Saw him at his office and he was carrying on, probably trying to get by day by day  

We are still barraged by the political ads.   The rebubs are branding the Muslim candidate as a foreign extremist.  Their guy is putting shop class back into high schools.  Bear in mind that his primary residence is in Florida and he has s small  frame house in the county.

It had been a bumper tomato year this year with many different varieties, all reds, yellows and red/yellow.  I will pull out the little tags to discover the identities at the end of the season.  I put the big pile into a bowl shined to become sauce.  Still need some ingredients. 

The grand kids will soon be groaning themselves back to school as we all did. I was happy to return.

I have a love affair with pizza pie for nearly my whole life.  From the time I was 16 on a lonely Friday night with little Caesars and no date, to taking the kids out to countless birthday parties and school picnics.  Alway said that you could put tomato sauce and cheese on a tabletop, call it pizza, and I'd eat it.  

This week I tried to manage my time and funds to get a Green Lantern lunch special.  After fighting my way thru Telegraph traffic,  I finally scored my lunch. I breaks my heart to admit that my spirits were not lifted like they once were.  After about 60 years, I think the thrill is gone.

tomatoes

Rain...albeit short lived for today.  We really needed it.  Lawns are still so cooked that they will not come alive until next season. 

Personally, i need more balancing exercises.  On uneven surfaces I am unsteady and unsure.  If it's flat, I am fine.

Tomatoes are prolific and ripening.  Tried some different varieties this year in that I have located a better growing spot.  Flavors are still tomatoey but slightly stronger.

It's  a quiet Sunday and we are not moving too fast Harry is lounging on the sofa, contented.  I am munching on a bagel and cream cheese.  We will visit Shannon in the afternoon.  

Trying to deal wth my addiction to screens

and devices.  I doom scroll like a teenager, only pausing for a moment on each image and reading the headlines of each entry, then moving on over and over and over ultimately wasting hours of time gaining no satisfaction for my efforts.  

We have this cat Simon that shuttles between the two floors.  He is friendly to me in the morning when I am tying my shoes.  It is his focus to escape into the attached garage, always at the door ready to run out.  Today taking out the trash, I closed the door but left I ajar.  Out he pushed an under the vehicle in its spot.  I am not crawling under the car.  What he really wants is to climb onto the platform that was in the house.  He ripped it up and made an ongoing mess.  He was perched op there and did not want to leave.  Claws and teeth out,  he was not to be extricated.  Grabbed some gloves and fought him off his position; an exciting morning.

 

Transition

This has been a period of transition.  First, we were gifted a car by my lovely sister and her husband.  Our dentist lost his youngest son. I cannot get over how much that family's life has been altered.  We went to a lovely party in the neighborhood last Saturday. Yesterday we went to a celebration for a good friend from Oxford Towers given by the hospice organization in his behalf.  He is not dying, but slipping physically and mentally.  This was a proclamation of his humanity echoed by his family and friends in the yard of his daughter.  Judy and I with Mike and Bill along with his hospice team were present.  It was a warm, sunny day and truly quite pleasant.  Finally, we learned that our old friend Calvin Edwards also from Oxford passed on suddenly.  He was always of good humor and loved by many of the residents.  Changes can be difficult to handle.

Going to a HS graduation party for you great nephew Jack today,  Haven't seen this part of the family in a while.  I remember he and his older brothers when they were little boys.  His mom Kelly is my god daughter and his dad Scott is the guy that missed his Batchelor party to take Judy to the hospital when I was car jacked.  It was a tough day. That evening, Kelly's dad died. 

I can't stand talking about or even thinking about politics at this point, so disillusioned by the whole process.  The bashing ads in the media are mundane and boring and non stop.  Sick of it.

Sorry a little rambling today

 

Memorable week

 

We had a memorable week.  There was a death to be mourned, a gathering of friends and a visit with Shannon.  I cannot escape the thoughts that still resonate with me.  A man I know well lost a son, a best buddy and confidant.  This guy had a pretty good life from my estimation, loving family, grandchildren and pretty good health.  To see him weeping and crushed surrounded by his family and friends is uncharacteristic of his usual calm and engaging manner.  To have your youngest taken from you is such a bitter surprise.  My thoughts of him still stay.

I am reminded that life is a series of fleeting moments and tomorrows are not guaranteed.  This family will be forever changed but will carry on.  

Our wonderful neighbors threw their annual summer bash this year with a live band, lots of food and friendship.  I am so pleased to be invited.  Brought cookies and was told they were asked about.  Shannon came and had marvelous time will the eats and the music

Christopher, one of her housemates had a birthday party too.  We attended at the home of his mother.  Again more good eats and company.  I got to interact with folks and have a great time.  

Today having coffee with Rose and Janine at Mother Handsome.  It's been awhile.  Lots of catching up to do.  

Saw an inspiring film on Netflix last night.  From 2024, called Ordinary Angels. This is a true story  taking place in Louisville.  Worth a watch.  

(Judy and Shannon at Christopher's party)