Frank Caprio

Judge Frank Caprio of Providence RI died yesterday  after a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  Known as the kindest judge in America,  he meted out justice with compassion to those that appeared before him.  There was a local TV show, Caught in Providence, snippets of which found their way into my Facebook feed on a regular basis.  Some of his decisions and his compassion brought me to tears on more than one occasion.  The world is a poorer place without him in it.

These small views brought me happiness on dark days.  I felt compelled to mention him today.

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It is Difficult

 At times it is difficult to find the inspiration to put words on paper or on screen.  This is one of those days.  However, I am racked with fury over the gift Trump is about to give Putin.  The president of Ukraine is showing up a the White House today to probably be told to cede a portion of his country to Russia to stop the war that has been going on for over three years,  commencing with an unprovoked invasion of Russia on their sovereign territory.  Lest we forget this was an invasion seemingly due to the whim of Putin to recreate the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.  This now action completes the moral bankruptcy of our leader.  

Andrew made us a lovely dinner using produce from both of our gardens, including summer squash,  Bruschetta made from my tomatoes and wonderful homemade pasta. Needless to say, it was delicious.  Afterward, while he was cleaning up the dishes, we had a discussion.  I shared that I woke up most mornings filled with self loathing and a touch of anger at the world we have created.  He was comfortable stating that America has an end date that could be foreseen in actions of our so called leaders.  Everyone is mad almost all the time, only lightening up with there are smiling kids around laughing.  When they go home, we are back to anger again.  Occasionally there are pretty flowers or TOMATOES or the Tigers win or some sports hero gives back to the community.  But then, we are back to mad again. Drivers are being rude and impatient nearly causing accidents.  The phenomenon  seems to be cyclical.  We cannot be too happy too long. 

It still quiet here.  Finished up an egg breakfast.  Gonna go to Trader Joes for a few things this morning.  

Thats it.

Black Ferns

I was never an athlete.  With poor vision in my right eye, I couldn't hit a baseball to save my life, all due to the flood of oxygen into my incubator when I was a newborn.  Not big enough for football and too chubby to really be a track star, these couldn't be my pursuits.  None the less, I carried on. Boys had hero's like Al Kaline or Jim Bunning or Gordie Howe, or Bobby Layne.  I did too.  Detroit was and is great sports town and has been for decades.  

Those of us that post in and favor Meta's Facebook get short Reels that come up in the normal course of things. Our viewing history dictates the subject matters that show up.  Mine are mostly left leaning commentators and folks that are telling me how to cure Type 2 diabetes.  

Recently, however, film shorts on rugby matches are showing up.  I really don't know much about this sport only that is is rough and tumble, a version of football with no pads or headgear and a ball with rounded rather than pointed ends. At the beginning of play, there is a scrum, players locked shoulder to shoulder, to determine possession of the ball Once that is established, it is passed laterally from player to player to get to the goal. The recipients always seem to be ready to get the ball and move forward only to pass to a teammate moving toward the goal. Some of the defensive moves, mostly straight ams, would be illegal in the NFL.  If a player is injured, but not incapacitated, they are patched up and bandaged up then returned to the battle on the field.

Ilona Mahar is our American hero of the sport. She is part of the US team that earned a bronze medal in the last summer olympics.  She is living proof that big can be beautiful, last seen throwing around her little partner on Dancing with the Stars.  

But back to rugby. New Zealand has a national team called the Black Ferns.  There are female and male squads.  Before each match, the team performs a Haka, which has Maori origins and is a demonstration of strength and unity with loud voices and menacing facial expressions.  To a casual observer, it's pretty impressive.  These players are thick and strong and fast.  Female players with hair tied back, and legs churning, they present as no nonsense competitor.s

These are truly tough and strong women that support each other.  In terms of their strength and tenacity, I would put them up against any division one American football team if you removed their pads and their helmets.  Very impressive.  If you are interested, look them up.

No politics today.

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Reading again

 

Trying to start reading again.  Made a trip to the Southfield Public Library. with Judy yesterday.  What a great place, with all kinds of books and media and programs.  It's about 10 minutes away from home so there are no excuses.  Need to devote time to quietly read every day.  I think this will make me a better writer.  They have a big selection of Large Print books. I never thought I would need this, but it helps with my nearsightedness even with magnifiers.  I am not struggling to make out words, making the experience much more enjoyable.  And, I am not ashamed.  

I have decided that the true merit of a work is the emotions that it evokes.  Whether it be written, or a film. a piece of music or a picture that garnering of emotion is what makes the work worthwhile or not.  Trying this one out from the library trip.  Took me a couple of chapters to understand the characters, but now I am sucked in and want to jump back in at my earliest convenience.

We watched "the Penguin Lessons" staring Steve Coogan about a downtrodden teacher transported to revolution ridden Argentina in the 70's..  He rescues a tar drenched penguin and they become companions. Upon completion, I was moved to not being able to speak at the end.  Netflix, see this one. 

Was also sucked in by Dept. Q, a British crime series, not happy but worthwhile.  Quirky characters, not all admirable but interesting.  Also Netflix.

Judy is after me to try new places and routes.  I am not good a new things, only the tried and true easily putting me a rut of repeats.  Went to a new restaurant for breakfast this morning near the house, Good eats and wonderful service Martins Coney Island on 10 and Lahser is a good choice.  

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CPB

 Trump's team has ended the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  This sixty year old agency has funded "public" media.  Sesame Street, Mister Rogers, Masterpiece Theater and host of other programs will no longer receive support from the federal government through this organization.  This government has chosen to back oligarchs and dictators rather than spend a minuscule amount of their funding on worthwhile programing.  The public has had no say in this decision.  The lives of our children and grand children will be affected.  PBS will carry on with funding from other sources.  Ray Kroc's widow has funded NPR for the foreseeable future.  But the feds have now told the citizens they want no part in furthering public media, deeming it "woke".  It's another in a long list of whims of the Great Leader come to pass.

Had a wonderful coffee meeting with friends yesterday morning at Mother Handsome in Oak Park.  We sat outside in the modest temperatures discussing personal foibles and reviewing current TV programing.  These are folks from my college days at Wayne State in the 70's and the friendships extend past 55 years.  Vacations are discussed along with a litany of ailments.  I still have commonality with these people.  We share a storied history.  My only advice is to find your contemporaries,  It will do you all some good.

In my life I still have one remaining uncle that is my mother's youngest brother now 94,  I called him in the afternoon and we talked over 40 minutes about stuff and how our life partners endure our bad habits and choices. We got into a political discussion and he apologizes for his outburst saying "I HATE THAT GUY." referring to the White House occupant. His voice was strong even after a stroke a couple of years ago.  I am blessed to have him to talk to.  Judy is forcing us to do a lunch later this month.  I have no laid eyes on him since my mother's funeral.

It's 637am and my coffee is done.  Gonna make some eggs;

thats it