Friday Morning Update: 11/29/24

Friday Morning Update: 11/29/24

November 29, 2024

Breathe. Cough. Chilled air jolts our lungs back to the reality that plagued us before and haunts us again. We realize that past follies were of little pleasure. Bank accounts are tighter. Confidence is narrow. Shortages loom on the horizon—brows furrow. A deep sigh breaks the silence while the children are nestled, all snug in their beds. Uncertain visions dance in our heads.

Ours is not a new experience. Science uncovers today the remnants of someone’s yesterday. We know nothing about what they had, what they wanted, whether they were happy. We only know that they were. Our existence is the same. Who can tell if we got along, gave the best presents, or cooked the most food when we are laid in graves? Does not one set of bones look like another?

Governments flex their power, anxious to send someone else’s children to war. Why should we listen? If governments can replace a house with a crater, then can we not also replace them with a void? Do not forget the power of your own will. You control the path on which your feet walk. The bad intentions of others are not the pavement on which you are obligated to trod.

From ancient realms of infinity, we did not request life. Breath was not our pursuit. Once it was ours, however, all others lost control. Should I decide I am happy, there are no flames in hell that can wrest what I have placed in my soul. Should I find for myself contentment, no angels from your heaven can force my immigration. My heart is not governed by anything outside of my chest.

Now is the time to pour wine. Soon enough this body becomes the clay that forms the cup from which another drinks. Do not waste time saying prayers for there is no mosque, temple, or cathedral that is more than a fairy tale. Instead, give yourself fully to love. Let your desire for peace be the force behind your steps. Scream ‘I LOVE YOU!’ in the face of hate and see if it is not consumed by its own rage.

Do not ignore those who would befriend you. Can another heart control where you place your love? Enemies dissolve before us when we take their hands with compassion. Those who step with you soon enough crush the army that marches against you. A lover’s sigh of happiness topples towers of hate.

The path from fear to love is but a single breath.

Holidays / Morning Update / Personal / Social Commentary

Wednesday Morning Update: 11/27/24

November 27, 2024

Without the wind, the morning doesn’t feel quite so cold. My gloves stay in my pocket. The dogs feel no rush to get back inside. The whine of jets carrying holiday passengers sounds as though we live at the airport. Without the wind, 36 degrees doesn’t chill the bones. Wearing my heaviest coat seems excessive. Leaves look as though they’re glued to the ground. No one else is moving around. The world seems to be on vacation, without the wind.

“Snow coming,” warns the alert at the bottom of my monitor.

Do you believe in cease-fires? Toys from Santa may be the safer bet. As families gather under the guise of giving thanks, one wonders who will be the first to fill their mouths with unkind words rather than turkey and mashed potatoes. Some families require signing contracts before admission is given. One spouse threatens the other not to disturb the peace. The air is tense as conversation struggles. Football unites us better than familial bonds.

“You’re not invited,” sounds too much like “No one wants you.”

Simple drinks work the best. Can there be too many pies? What do you mean you don’t like leftovers? Fragrances carried on warm air from a hot oven stir automatic responses in our brains. There aren’t enough chairs for the table that doesn’t exist. Sit in the shadows. Chew quietly. Did we think this year would be any different? Don’t give your table scraps to the dog. Clean your plate and no one asks any questions.

“I need a nap” is holiday code for “I’m tired of dealing with these people.”

We’ll celebrate today so that others can celebrate tomorrow. Take out yesterday’s trash so that there’s room for today’s. Are we being thankful for the abundance or showing off our excess? Don’t wash the turkey. Wear gloves when handling the food. The meal will be ready around 4:00. Try to be awake.

It’s only Wednesday.

Current Issues / Holidays / Morning Update / Personal / Social Commentary

Tuesday Morning Update: 11/26/24

November 26, 2024

Wind from the North fuels my anxiety about changing weather patterns that will leave us cold and dampen the holiday’s pleasures. Are we prepared to shiver and shake as we prepare our turkey and the desserts that we bake? Do we need a feast at all? As a nation, we’ve become so obese that paying for weight loss is now in the country’s best interest. The turkey is fine, but the potatoes and casseroles are not. Already, we plan for excess, making sure to mend our ‘fat pants’ after sutures burst at their last outing.

Perhaps we would do well to honor the day with less. Such suggestions are treated as though they are treason. Today, I plan for more pies than we need, more food than we can consume, and more dishes than anyone wants to wash. Tomorrow, we cook for one feast is not enough. There will be two, though not everyone participates in the second. We’ll stream the parades and the football between bites of stuffing and yams. Then, we’ll sleep.

First, we must have the party before the feast. The child who does not like having his picture taken turns 16 today. The wild little boy who liked to play on the roof of the house has become the young man who plays the violin, creates new worlds for his friends, and sings in Japanese while playing a game. His math skills are exemplary. He would find a better way to organize the air if asked. There are no leftovers when he cooks. For all the days he tested our patience, he has repaid us with smiles and sarcasm, compassion and comedy, thoughtfulness and thoroughness. We may not be giving him a perfect world, but he is determined to bend this world to his will. Happy Birthday, G!

I’ve looked all around me, the news and the headlines, and found nothing that necessarily inspires me to be inspiring. Too many people are busy being disappointing. There are no genuinely new revelations here. Companies run by old white people who inherited their wealth still behave like slave owners. No one is surprised and their profits continue unhindered. The best thing we do is reduce the number of children introduced into this mess we have created. Those who spare innocent lives by not creating them in the first place may be those who have the most gratefulness in their lives.

When war yields diseases that we do not understand and are unable to cure, perhaps it’s time we just stop everything. No more bombing, no more feasts, no more domination, no more parties. No one has any excuse. Those who only exist so that they may hate others have no reason to celebrate. Why would we include them in our revelry? Those whose religion gives them a reason to hate have no prayer of achieving forgiveness. What are we expecting?

If this country was indeed founded on the sinful smugness of spiritual superiority then what is the basis for our thanks? Are we thankful for the genocide we inflicted on indigenous peoples? Are we thankful that our economy continues to keep people enslaved? Are we thankful that we’ve given hate a political party all its own?

Perhaps, when all is done, we should be thankful that history is not likely to remember us at all. This time, this age exists as nothing more than an embarrassment to humanity, a bad story that those ten generations removed will have no reason to remember.

Our only hope is to replace hate with love.

One turkey dinner is not enough.

Cancer Update / Current Issues / Health / Morning Update / Personal / Social Commentary

Monday Morning Update: 11/25/24

November 25, 2024

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words… Words will cause fear, incite panic, fuel anger, spread divisiveness, and create a breeding ground for disease that consumes one’s own body. Guns may cause some to freeze, others to seek shelter, but words… Words cause us to hide inside ourselves where no one can find us. Words cause us to retreat from life, pull away from friends and family, take remote jobs, and turn off all external communications. Words cause us to become stranded within ourselves at the very time the world needs us the most.

Over the weekend, I passed the second anniversary of filling my body with this radioactive poison called chemotherapy. Three months and fifteen days of this “treatment” remain. Every morning, I have taken these four monstrous pills. Every day, they seek to save my life by ruining it. I am a recluse within my recovery.

The warning on the bottle requires gloves to be worn. The poison can be spread. I remain for all intents and purposes, radioactive. With time, my body has adapted to this condition. So now, as we contemplate a life without poison, we wonder how my body will respond. Will I return to my previous activities or will my body long for a return of the poison? So many people chose the poison this month.

With no children going to school this week, there was no reason for anyone to set an alarm. Pets, accustomed to a specific schedule, do not understand the concept of ‘sleeping in.’ I woke to find dog shit in front of my door, a clear message that I had failed to meet their most basic needs in a timely manner. A chorus arose from the cats demanding to be fed and given fresh water. Their communication skills are considered primitive by some, but yet, do they not ensure that they get what they want? I fold my arms in front of me and Solaris immediately fills them with his presence, quite sure that my intention was to stop typing and hold him. Hamilton also requests to join the cuddle, but his size exceeds my lap space.

The beginning of the holiday season beckons millions to leave their homes and spend time with loved ones. Perils await. Not all airports are welcoming. A denial of service on the part of some may result in the loss of service to others. Inhospitable weather still looms large for much of the nation. Getting where one wants to go may be easier than leaving. More than emotions may cause one to stay. Cheaters are not welcome, though there are always those who try. Travel makes us weary, uncooperative, and stubborn. Making sure one packs plenty of grace in their carry-on eases the pain.

While some plan for great revelry, there are many others who struggle with how to buy groceries for less than $100, and others who sit alone, unknown, thankful for a bowl of instant soup. Not everyone is welcome at the table. Not everyone who has a seat deserves it. Many seats are empty this year. Many chairs are filled with new faces. Food may not feel welcome for the one who has never seen such outlandish displays. Compassion is the appetizer to giving thanks.

Still, there are words that pursue us. We don’t need to hear the consonants to feel their sting. We know they exist on the lips of those who deny our humanity, who have labeled us ‘sinners,’ and dare to pray for our souls while selling their own. They hope that we’ll feel small, that we’ll hide away in some corner, or perhaps leave and pretend we are not all one people, one bond, one personhood.

“Bless your little pea-pickin’ heart,” is the response I choose to combat hatred this season. Words needn’t be combative. What comes out of your mouth is as important as what goes into your ears. We needn’t apologize for being, but neither should we be so quick to point out the inhumanity of others. Leave the faults of others to eat away at their own souls. Pass the rolls with fervor for bread does well at filling the mouths of those who should not speak. Justice is a desert that fills everyone’s plate equally.

Words dance merrily through my head wearing spiked high heels so that I feel every stomp of their jig. I fear the day that the words stop, that I no longer hear nor speak, that my eyes cease to see the pictures, for that is the day I can no longer tell you that I love you.

Or that I need more coffee.

This Sunday is Charles’ birthday. Venmo: @C_I_Letbetter CashApp: $ciletbetter

Current Issues / Morning Update / Personal / Social Commentary

Sunday Morning Update: 11/24/24

November 24, 2024

The words of a long-dead Persian poet, one who disliked growing Islam as much as you might dislike growing Evangelicalism, reads today with all the poignancy of a morning newspaper. “Your hand can seize today, but not tomorrow; and thoughts of your tomorrow are nothing but desire. Don’t waste this breath, if your heart isn’t crazy, since “the rest of your life” won’t last forever.” Omar Khayyám wrote in quatrains long before any Brit picked up a pen. Yet, his writings are not taught in high school, when they might do the most good. They distrust both religion and government. They embrace math and science. One might think that the agenda would change over the course of 1,500 years or so, yet, here we are having the same conversations.

Jeneen Interlandi wrote earlier this week “We tire very quickly of being told that everything is on fire.” Those who are not dodging bullets care less about senseless wars as stupidity has trouble finding an ending point. Sick people are more likely to trust a life-saving vaccine while the well debate its efficacy. Those with the least grow angry at those with the most.

This is the week that launches many into a flurry of holiday activities. Over the next 35 days, more than 300 celebrations fueled by faith and tradition occur. Does this bring us joy? The chance for snow on Thanksgiving Day is increasing for Indiana. Washing your Thanksgiving turkey could spread germs. Using black plastic kitchen tools exposes you to toxins. Science shows giving thanks has been part of human survival. Yet, many already dread conversations that no one has started.

Can one ‘seize the day’ and still ‘pick your battles?’ If we choose the actions for today that make a difference for today, do we not keep ourselves in a perpetual fervor? Have we only succeeded on days where we managed to put out the fires that threatened… someone, somewhere? Why do we think that wishing a happy birthday to a growing child is any less important than the cost of hosting their party?

Alice is gone. Her restaurant closed long ago. Chuck is gone. His ‘love connections’ were often fantasies. Do we mourn their passing or do we express outrage at the fact that, in this day and age, women are still being burned for the accusation of witchcraft? Exactly which part of the day is it we’re supposed to seize?

Drink your coffee. There are those who claim that instant coffee has gotten a lot better. Don’t believe them. Instant gratification can never match the flavor we earn by grinding the beans and savoring each temperature-controlled drip. If only the rest of the day was as easy to grasp as the handle on a coffee mug; perhaps then seizing days might bring us more joy.

But we’d rather worry about tomorrow because those concerns only involve words, not actions. Seizing the day requires us to do something. Sure, some may be seen as gathering kindling, but we cannot fight a blaze that has not yet been lit. A poorly planned fire may well put itself out before we’ve unfurled a hose. Our fears give credit to the undeserving for actions they’ve yet to take.

Fear and trembling seize nothing but rob us of the joy found in what is happening right now. Let the at-risk person know you love them, invite them to your dinner, and give them space to feel welcome in your house and among your company. Grandiose speeches are not what save lives. We must take people by the hand and lead them to safety when it matters. It is the steps we take more than the words we say that change the world.

There are times when we best seize the day by staying in bed and giving ourselves rest.

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Saturday Morning Update: 11/23/24

November 23, 2024

Where do we go from here? One of the struggles we all face is that we don’t always get to determine what happens next. We are more frequently pushed across thresholds than we are carried across joyfully. Even when an invitation seems like a good idea at the time, once we’re involved we discover that we’re trapped, unable to go back. Neither do we all share identical experiences through the same time portal. One shuts down an office while another prepares for new life. We may look through the same window yet see different pictures. Is what happens to us next a good thing or will another 350,831 of us die?

Who am I to judge the guilt or innocence of another? Someone must, for there can be no justice without judgment. Am I impartial enough to hold another’s fate in my hands? We may never know, for once again, my service has been declined. What I do know is that justice, no matter how measured, is a highly opinionated beast. Are courts best suited to determine when one begins thinking and acting like an adult? Are schools best suited for religious indoctrination? A country run by criminals has little care for justice.

I look across the bed at the dogs sprawled out, sleeping; they are warm and well-fed. They are not aware of changes until they happen. A differently flavored treat is still a treat. Water outside apparently tastes the same as water inside. They are not bothered by incongruities or worried by idle threats. They do not care what I might cook next week nor how many presents I give next month. Neither do they look at my dwindling account balance and worry whether they’ll be fed. Their food has already been purchased. The dogs sleep blissfully unaware of my angst.

We have transitioned into being a country that champions criminals more than heroes. Perhaps that explains the election outcome. Our desire to see an underdog win outstrips our need for justice. We care less for the number of bodies left in their wake when we have already convinced ourselves that, on one level or another, they deserved to die. Knowing that the wizard has no real power does not keep him from being revered in Oz.

Stubbornly, I dig in my heels. There are thresholds I do not want to cross. Yet, how can I hold your hand if we do not step together? I cannot help those in danger if I’m left standing behind a closed door. I walk into the future not because I care for my own but because I care for those around me. The adventures we face are different than those behind us, but together, we both survive.

I have met my minimum word count. There’s coffee on the other side of the door. This threshold I walk through without hesitation.

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Friday Morning Update: 11/22/24

November 22, 2024

Rain washes away the snow, leaving only a hint of the momentary wonderland that existed across the yard. An old song suggests, “Forget your troubles, come on, get happy; You better chase all your cares away.” But there is no rain that washes away the pain of cancer or removes the struggle to breathe. No river removes the stain of poor decisions. We struggle to find words, any words, that might communicate the density of the cloud over our mind. None of the pictures I’ve ever taken portray such chaos as that which consumes my being. Temptation urges me to give up, go to bed, and sleep until the world is better, but the world only declines the invitation to improve.

Drama capped Tipper’s trip to Purdue. The bus driver was ready to leave at one time, the guides were expecting to leave later, and their final departure was too late to return to school on time. Waiting parents were upset. Students were frustrated by the apparent incompetency of adults. Who will tell them that too many of the issues they face in high school continue to plague them into adulthood? Is this all they will remember of the trip? No one was left behind. No child was endangered. Everyone returned home. The lesson is to acknowledge the mistakes and move forward.

Trouble makes for an interesting conversation. Anger pushes passion into our speech. We use our words to make trivial issues matter. In the blizzard of emotion, we lose sight of reality. I am not dying today. Control over tomorrow is still mine. Whatever complicates my life is but a nuisance to my existence. Politicians make imaginary threats to pique my fears, but can I choose not to be afraid?

Words fall empty when there is no genuine power behind them. I fuel my own life, such as it may be. Attempts to diminish my existence are folly. The feet in my boots are still mine; I control my path and the steps I take. If I need assistance I request it, but the denial of that request does not keep me from moving forward. When I cannot walk, I will crawl. The day I can no longer crawl, I will employ a mobility device. Frequent naps do not hinder my progress. I choose to move forward, and the world will adjust accordingly.

Warrants may be issued. Threats can be made. Weapons might be aimed. Still, when darkness falls at the end of the day, do we not ask ourselves what has changed? I might question whether I could make a difference, but when I cannot, I accept no blame for the outcome. I am not required to follow a leader I did not choose and do not trust. My loyalty lies not with those who do not know my name, but with those I love, those whose care and existence matter to my sense of humanity. I can protect what matters without ceding an ounce of power to any despot.

Sixty-one years ago, a president was assassinated. Who shot who matters little. The consequences of those actions cannot be changed. Lives taken, no matter where, are not returned. We cannot change what someone else chooses to do after the act is done. A moment that has passed immediately becomes part of a history from which we are obligated to learn. We must answer the questions of how we might stop the bombs from falling and the bullets from being fired. Yet, we cannot change the conscience of those whose minds are committed to evil.

Our choice is to follow paths that magnify our own power. M.I.T. offers free tuition to help a new generation stand on their feet. In California, a 17-year-old woman became the youngest person to pass that state’s bar exam. US overdose deaths have dropped, even though no one is exactly sure why. Better paths exist, though perhaps not lit by neon signs. We choose to find those paths. We choose to make our world better.

The fogginess that clouds my mind and leaves me staring at this page does not prevent me from refilling my coffee cup, giving belly rubs to a dog, or cuddling a cat. My bank account may be empty, but there is enough food to feed the family. Each step may be taken with trepidation, yet do I not still walk? I will eat the food that I prepare. I will take the medicines and endure the poison. My day will continue. Naps shall be my fortress of solitude.

Forward is the path I choose.

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Cancer Update / Current Issues / Health / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Social Commentary / Status

Thursday Morning Update: 11/21/24

November 21, 2024

A Hint of Reality [2006 colorized from black and white]

Watch the snowfall, the glimmer of tiny flakes reflected in the street lights and headlights of passing cars. Shiver as a northerly wind caresses the one tract of skin left bare while the rest of your body attempts to snuggle deeper inside a heavy coat. Even the dogs do not linger here. This first hint of the coming winter reveals how accustomed we’ve become to our planet’s warming temperatures. Like the proverbial frogs in slowly-heated water, we prefer that which leads to our demise. A snow shovel sits ready and waiting; it will see no action today, possibly not all season.

Tipper “borrowed” her mom’s heavy coat as she slipped out the back door. On a school excursion, she would visit Purdue University for her first glimpse of college life. Her mind goes back and forth in an argument with herself over whether she needs post-secondary education. Already tired of classrooms, she ponders a possible life as an artist. Surely, one doesn’t need a diploma to sell a banana for $6.2 million. But then, how long might the market for bananas taped to walls remain so bullish?

G does not harbor such fantasies. His mind struggles with the various choices that take advantage of his creativity and genius. Last night he bemoaned the imagined frustrations of a fashion designer interrupted. Today, he takes on the media world in a video interview. Perhaps tomorrow he’ll be nominated for a cabinet position. He is as well qualified as any of the others awaiting confirmation. Nothing is outside his grasp. Yet, so many choices create a different problem for his ADHD mind. He feels no rush in making a decision. There is still time to explore.

Kat struggles still with the limitations imposed by diminished breathing ability. She does not want the kids burdened with the knowledge of how close she came to no longer being present in this world. She powers on through the exhaustion. Her sleep does not last long. Both cold and hot, her body struggles to regulate temperature. Cats long to snuggle but their weight diminishes her breathing capability even more. G asked whether her lungs would ever recover their full capabilities. She had no certain answer to give him, only that time would move slowly as she inches back to her normal routine.

More poison arrives today. Only three more deliveries remain. Who knows my future after chemo? Will my energy return? Will my mind clear? Will I stand without falling? I sit here struggling to grasp at words that slip through my mind like water through a sieve. What were we discussing? Did I have anything important to say? Minutes pass into hours and I don’t recall my last thought. My coffee grows cold as it sits in the mug; I forget the most routine part of my day.

Kat asked last night if I am planning to visit the boys over the holidays. Her question caught me by surprise. No doubt, seeing the boys would be a wonderful treat. Two years have passed since I last saw Zach, Meg, and Ren. Three years without seeing Ben. Yet, I struggle to cover expenses until the end of every month. The lowest round-trip airfare is $542 plus taxes and fees. Lodging would be another $50 per night. Factor a reasonable amount for additional expenses and the total exceeds more than an entire month’s budget. My body cannot handle a long road trip; even from here to Chicago is too much. Train service to Chattanooga doesn’t exist. There is no choo-choo there. The idea has been planted, however, and a dream has begun to sprout. I fear that disappointment is the only yield.

I cannot tell if snow is still falling. With daylight, the delicate flakes become almost invisible. The thermometer warns of conditions below freezing. The dogs wait for me to return to bed.

Meanwhile, the universe asks, what is Google without Chrome? Does Jaguar still make cars? Does Campbell’s still make soup? What’s to become of MSNBC without NBC? What is rhetoric without meaning?

Solaris gently places his paws on my chest. He, too, wants me to return to bed. Still, there is food that must be eaten and meds that must be swallowed.

Will I remember to drink my coffee?

Health / Morning Update / Mythology / Original Style / Personal / Social Commentary

Wednesday Morning Update: 11/20/24

November 20, 2024

What, then, shall we make of today if it comes to us bearing nothing but trouble, sacks full of heartache, luggage with nothing but wrinkled misery? Do we confine ourselves to the pinhole vision of old men and bitter women teetering on the cusp of death, or do we dig for them their graves so that we might gleefully push them in and cover their decay with dirt? Is there any good found while cowering in fear? Rather, let us take to the feeble a battle they are unable to fight; for the noise they make is the sound of broken swords, clanging meaninglessly in scabbards fastened loosely around protruding waists.

I’m finding little use this morning in attempting to recount for yet another day the perils of my health conditions. Rain is in the offing for this morning and colder temperatures follow behind that. Even if I weren’t on chemo and my head wasn’t screaming this would still not be a day likely to etch itself into my memories for any good or pleasurable reason. Brief respite is given by those familiars who look on silently, rubbing a nuzzle against my hand, not conscious of the aid they provide. My shirt, pulled fresh from my closet this morning, is already covered with hair that is not mine, making me a walking allergen.

G came home from school excited about a D&D campaign he is planning for his friends to enjoy come January. His dreams are lofty and to achieve them I’ve recommended the works of Huxley and Asimov so that he needn’t reinvent what has already been so beautifully created. Alas, those volumes that were once on my shelves are no more. I am continually mystified at how pages filled with ink can disappear into some special ether that consumes nothing but that which I most urgently desire to read.

Tipper gleefully announced her intention to spend Black Friday in the company of her boyfriend. Their intent is to visit a Hot Topic at one of the remaining malls in the area. They are employing a strategy that assumes waiting until the afternoon when more eager shoppers have exhausted themselves, will provide them with greater access. He has promised to buy her whatever it is that she desires. I am hopeful that what she desires is on sale.

Familial lives change around me without my interference. I am of little use to any of them except as a source to share their syncopated excitements. As they grow into their own experiences I am freed to spend my time on other goals if only my body would consummate the intentions of my mind.

Perhaps the news of the day should worry me more. Does a television doctor threaten the health and wellness of my future? Will one steeped in the art of frivolous deception steer education into a mythological abyss? Can the assemblage of a privileged few threaten the humanity of those our ancestors embraced? Malfeasance has a short life and its demise is hastened with the raising of our voices. Are the streets not ours? The wind carries our objections and determination in gigabyte packages to audiences whose faces we never see. Political pyramids topple from the vibrations of marching feet today as surely as did the mythical walls of Jericho yield to the stomping and shouting of homeless nomads in antiquity. Even under perceived threat, our lives, your lives, are more powerful than the heated words of a company whose foundation is pretense.

All prayers are meaningless when there is no deity to hear them. No deity ever conceived gives an ear to the desires of hate. My love for you is infinitely stronger than imagined characters formed by willful ignorance. Your love for each other, open and unapologetic, demolishes the fear-fueled diatribes of those who clutch pearls in the shadow of a temple, a mosque, or a cross. Stand up. Clothe yourselves in flags of your own making. Set foot to the demolition of abhorrent attitudes and loathsome schemes.

Who can stop a nation whose will is to love as one loves without boundary or exclusion? One cannot make a mortar of hate. What is formed of execration crumbles like dust. Stand up. Blow your horns and stomp your feet with pride and defiance. The graves waiting to be filled will not hold you but the corpses of those whose faces turn orange as they scream into the winter wind.

Stand the fuck up. No one has put your feet in cement. The visions of threats are nothing more than a mirage. Your voice cannot be silenced. Your humanity cannot be defeated. If love does conquer all then all shall fall before you. Stand. Move. Yell. Scream. Defeat.

And do not bother to lay a wreath at the grave of hate.

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Tuesday Morning Update: 11/19/24

November 19, 2024

Funny how I can sit down at the desk first thing of the morning and think of all the things I’m going to get done, but by the time I’ve read through the news, my brain switches to, “We need to lie back down.” Anything that needs to be done outside needs to happen today, while the temperatures are near 70. Thursday’s high is 38, which will feel even colder if it snows. Seasonal temps are upon us for the rest of the week. It’s time to get ready.

Hopefully, today will be better than yesterday. I struggled to stay upright for as little as an hour and ended up spending most of the day in bed. At one point, I thought I was hearing voices again, but it turned out to just be the program that Kat was watching. I did finally get through to the neurologist’s office but the soonest they can get me in is January 29. I’m on a waiting list should a cancellation open a spot before then. The insurance company, however, still hasn’t called back. I’m not surprised.

The big news for this week, month, and year is that my oldest, Zach, finally got around to asking his girlfriend, Meg, to marry him! We knew this moment was coming, we just didn’t know when. Of course, she said yes! This brings about an exciting new season in all of our lives. No, they’ve not set a date yet, but I expect that to be coming soon. I stop now and remember that precious little tow-headed boy I once carried on my shoulders. I couldn’t be more excited!

By the way, I still have two more adult boys living with their mom. Please, feel free to take them off her hands. They’re nice guys, and perhaps that’s part of the problem. Nice guys still have a problem getting noticed because, as much as anything, they don’t want to bother anyone. Well, that and they spend an inordinate amount of time playing video games. Blame their grandparents for that. I never wanted them to get started.

Kat was finally able to see her PCP yesterday. The news is cautious. He told her that she would likely have difficulty breathing for months. That means everyone is going to have to be patient with her. Even with a schedule of only taking two clients a day, she comes home thoroughly exhausted and often falls asleep before she’s had time to eat dinner. Stress over the cumulative holidays and birthdays doesn’t help, either. She discovered yesterday that she and the kids will be doing two Thanksgivings. We’ll have ours early, probably Wednesday depending on how she and I feel next week. I think we have everything we need from a food perspective.

Paying the bills coming due is another matter. Everything hits all at once here at the end of the month and I don’t know when my check will arrive. Kat’s still waiting for a check she deposited last week to clear. I know I have nearly $200 in bills coming out before the first of the month. The way holidays hit the calendar this year, I may not get paid until December 2 or 3. We greatly appreciate the help we’ve had so far. If anyone else wants to contribute, my Venmo is @C_I_Letbetter and CashApp is $ciletbetter.

Today would have been my father’s 95th birthday. I’ve mentioned in previous years how disappointed he would be in world events. As I was combing through local news this morning, I saw this headline: ‘I have fallen short’ | Indiana Sen. Taylor addresses sexual harassment allegations. I was reminded of Poppa’s response to a tearful Jimmy Swaggart apologizing for a cheating scandal. “You can fool people all you want, but you can’t fool God.” I miss his balanced wisdom. In his honor, there will be ice cream today.

With winter rapidly approaching, it’s not surprising to see escalations rising in Russia and Ukraine. In the short time since I sat down here, Ukraine has apparently fired six US-made missiles into Russia. On Russia’s side, Putin has signed a new nuclear doctrine, lowering the bar for the conditions allowing the use of nuclear weapons. What might be more terrifying, though, is that Russia has increased production of radiation-resistant mobile bomb shelters. Why would they do that if they weren’t planning on needing them? Winters are notoriously difficult in both countries, so don’t be surprised to see them making aggressive maneuvers before the end of the year.

Lebanon and Hezbollah have approved the draft of a cease-fire agreement, but it’s unclear yet whether Israel will go along. So far, Netanyahu has been ferociously against such moves, firmly stating that there would be no rest until their goals are met. Knowing that he has staunch allies in the coming Republican administration is likely to bolster the Prime Minister’s defiance. Meanwhile, aid has been stripped from 100 trucks carrying food into Gaza. Looters are to blame. This is further proof that war brings out the worst of humanity. They are like cockroaches crawling out from under cracks in the molding.

There is so much more we could discuss, but I’m feeling the pressure from this damn headache closing in quickly. Among things worth noting, a Judge struck down Wyoming abortion laws, including an explicit ban on pills to end pregnancy while Orders for Morning-After Pills and Abortion Pills Rose After Trump’s Election. The NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a music video in the church was further stripped of duties. Oh, and part of the roof at AT&T Stadium collapsed last night, foreshadowing another Cowboys loss.

I apologize for not having more stamina. The persistence of this headache has worn me down.

If only more coffee could be enough to solve all the problems.

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Monday Morning Update: 11/18/24

November 18, 2024

Another Blearing Day [2017 original with AI background]

We are running on fumes and coffee grounds this morning as I’m trying to keep my eyes open after what might have been two hours of sleep last night if it’s all stitched together. Kat didn’t fare much better. Making matters all the more frustrating were the animals that woke us 30 minutes earlier than normal. I took the dogs outside and even the neighbor’s rooster was being annoyingly loud. I might say that I’m looking forward to going back to sleep, but I can’t. I have to try to get an appointment with the neurologist and wait for the insurance company to call back. I’m relatively certain that neither of those things will happen on a schedule I find satisfactory.

Should I buy milk or pay the bills? I can do one or the other but not both. If you feel inclined to help, my Venmo is @C_I_Letbetter, and CashApp is $ciletbetter. No obligation. I know this is a tight time of the year for everyone’s budget.

Spirit Airlines filed for bankruptcy this morning. I know how they feel.

The Russia/Ukraine war is about to get nastier. After 1,000 days of this mess, people on both sides of the ever-moving lines are sick and tired of the whole thing.

45 pro-democracy activists face sentencing in Hong Kong. When having a different political opinion becomes a crime, is anyone safe?

Trump’s Pentagon pick paid woman after sex assault allegation but denies wrongdoing. No third-party vetting was done. Standard FBI background checks were skipped. Were you expecting anything different from a racist, rapist felon?

Air pollution in Delhi is fifty times the safe limit. Meanwhile, the US looks to gut clean air laws. Please, make it all make sense.

One cruise line is offering a four-year escape for those who want it. I suppose that’s fine for those who have the cash to pay for four years of living in advance. Most of us are just trying to pay for our next meal.

Today is the anniversary of the 1978 Jonestown Massacre, and now we can understand why. Remember, Jim Jones got his start right here in Indy.

Hurricane season isn’t over. Why would it be with such an abundance of hot air over Florida?

Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ people are getting threatening texts again. Don’t expect it to stop. This is a new reality and we’ve no choice but to stand up to this racism. Neo-Nazis marched on Columbus, OH over the weekend as well. Sure, “officials” condemned the action, but who the fuck approved that permit? When are we going to put these idiots in the ground? Are we going to wait and let them shoot first? Bad idea.

Tickets for European sex parties are on the rise by as much as 500 percent. Disclaimer, we’re members of one of the organizing entities mentioned in the article. Politics isn’t the only reason these events are popular.

The NY Times says social media is veering to the right. This is a fixable problem. Be loud. Be proud. Ban the trolls.

We’ve got rain moving in overnight and a decent chance of snow by Thursday. If you thought you were miserable this morning, just wait, it gets worse.

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Wednesday Morning Update: 11/13/24

November 13, 2024

There is a lot to consider this morning. I chose Willie Nelson’s ‘Stardust’ album to serenade me this morning, and the words of “September Song” seem all too fitting, “Oh, it’s a long long while/From May to December/But the days grow short/When you reach September/When the autumn weather/Turns leaves to flame/One hasn’t got time/For the waiting game/Oh, the days dwindle down/To a precious few
September, November/And these few precious days/I’ll spend with you.”

I’m not sure where to start. Kat had yesterday off and spent it resting up at Brandon’s, away from the cats. I miss having her here, but again, she’s doing what’s best for her. We don’t talk about how close we came to losing her. She has to put herself first. That’s not going to change in the foreseeable future. Her clients have been understanding and supportive. She’s off again today, the only “appointment” being taking G to violin lessons this afternoon. I’ll make potato soup for dinner, which I hope at least feels good going down. The time with her is precious.

G came home from school yesterday determined to be impressive, and he was. Without a pattern, he made an absolutely lovely scarf for a friend, using a soft fabric with a Southwestern design. He measured carefully, sewed magnificently, and finished it off beautifully. I never thought of G as a fashion designer until recently, but if he wants I’m sure he could pull it off with fantastic results.

On the other hand, Tipper came in from school, ate a bowl of cereal, and then retreated to her room, leaving only to use the bathroom. Something is going wrong, but she’s not talking. That is, she’s not talking to me. I have a feeling she’s talking to someone, I’m just not sure that person is giving her the best advice. I have no idea what the appropriate response should be. Each morning, as she leaves early for the bus stop, I tell her that we love her. I wonder on mornings like this if those words fall on deaf ears.

The tightness in my chest won’t go away. Don’t worry, it’s just anxiety. There’s no immediate danger. The pill I take for anxiety is huge, so I doubt that I should ask for anything stronger; it might leave me comatose. There’s little comfort, though. My bones ache terribly. The chemo and changes in the weather work together to make sure the pain never goes away. The fog in my head seems particularly strong this morning.

I have to contact the insurance company today. When I sent them a message last Wednesday, I was told that a case manager would call me within 48 hours. That call never came. I gave them some grace since it was a “holiday” weekend for some. Still, no call. I need to be in an Assisted Living facility so that Kat can address structural issues in the house. I also think that having a nurse handy 24/7 isn’t a bad thing. I’m afraid to take a shower because there’s no one here to even call for help if I fall. I find it interesting that United Healthcare, which is the insurance to which I’m assigned, is trying to buy Amedisys, a large home health company. The Justice Department and four states’ Attorneys General filed an antitrust lawsuit against the insurance giant yesterday in an attempt to stop the deal. How the fuck am I supposed to trust a company knowing full well that they’re far more interested in controlling healthcare and taking the profit than they are concerned over my or anyone else’s legitimate health needs?

I just went to the kitchen to refill my coffee mug, and friends, I don’t feel well. Sitting back down helps, but I’m struggling to stay conscious. Alerts from the bank are constantly reminding me how broke I am. I look at G’s birthday on the 26th and Thanksgiving the day after and wonder how in the world I’m supposed to pull off a major birthday celebration one day and the whole turkey, dressing, and pie thing the next. I’m not asking Kat for help. All we need from her is for her to stay alive. That’s it. I have to do everything else myself. I don’t mind doing it, either, I just don’t know at this juncture how I’m going to do it. I don’t know how I’m going to fix lunch, either. I’m trying to get it together, but my body is fighting back pretty damn hard.

Looking at the news this morning is not helping. A fucking Faux News anchor is the felon’s choice for Defense Secretary. That’s right, let’s put a complete novice in charge of the world’s most powerful military. Please, someone fucking explain to me how that makes a lick of sense. The Pentagon’s most senior officials are right to be concerned. For that matter, every country in the world should be concerned.

Then, the felon went and nominated South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. This is the same bitch that put down her dog for no good reason. South Dakota’s indigenous tribes won’t let her even set foot on any of their lands. Noem’s daughter got preferential treatment while applying for her Real Estate license, an application that was initially turned down. There is so much corruption following this bitch that it’s going to take an extra moving van just to transport all her conspiracies to D.C.

The nomination that simultaneously scares me and makes my blood boil is Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Isreal. Why? The former Arkansas governor has long called himself a Zionist, but he’s really a pre-millennialist Southern Baptist convinced that a war with Isreal at the forefront will bring about Armageddon and the mythical Rapture of believers. Ambassadors normally don’t have all that much influence. In fact, it’s generally considered a cushy do-nothing job. Huckabee won’t be content to just sit in some office, though. He’ll be in Netanyahu’s ear, putting money in Israel’s pocket, and pushing for greater war. This idiot cannot be trusted.

Finally, there’s the appointment of fucking Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new “advisory” Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While this new agency is not an actual government agency with any authority, their whole purpose is to dismantle everything these two idiots consider “Bureaucracy.” Say goodbye to safety regulations, environmental controls, OSHA, and all the things that the government does to protect us from the ruthless and careless greed of corporations. How will this work? Easy. DOGE advises Congress to make changes. The felon’s stooges, Mike Johnson as speaker, and Rick Scott as the Senate’s GOP leader, then turn that advice into legislation that the Republican-controlled Congress passes without question, and the felon then signs it into law. Just that quickly, all our protections are gone.

What can be done to stop this madness? On one hand, Democratic Governors are banding together to stop the felon’s changes from taking effect. Don’t dismiss this effort. Since most of the changes the felon wants to make are implemented at the state level, Governors have the power to “just say no.” The ACLU and other organizations are gearing up to file lawsuits against offending laws as well.

However, Trans people are experiencing a mental health crisis, overwhelming call centers, as they fear that the felon will make good on his threat to roll back protections for the Trans community. We don’t know the extent to which this unhinged administration might attack the broader LGBTQIA+ community as well. No one feels safe.

Justice will take a hit as Jack Smith plans to step down from the Special Counsel’s office before the inauguration. The felon complained all through the second half of his first administration that he didn’t think the Special Counsel’s office was legitimate. Don’t be surprised when he attempts to completely eliminate the office, making it damn near impossible to investigate any government official over any wrongdoing.

To everyone who has said that our fears about the felon’s second administration were premature and unfounded, fuck you. The felon isn’t even trying to hide what he’s planning. He’s proud of his efforts to destroy the country. This is pure Fascism 2025. 52% of you have learned absolutely nothing over the past 90 years. Don’t expect me to cry for you when you are affected by this nonsense just as much as the rest of us.

Meanwhile, John Krasinski was named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive, Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng has an official song released in 4 languages, and the escaped monkeys apparently like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Oh, don’t forget that Robotaxis are now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles. I can’t think of a more terrifying city to have cars zipping around without a driver. Also, you’re spending too much time on the toilet.

I’ve listened to both sides of four albums while typing this update. Okay, I did stop a few times to sing along. The dogs don’t seem to mind. Barry Manilow is pushing us toward the end. I feel worse now than I did when I started. I need to force some food down my throat and take my meds.

If my coffee cup is empty, you’ll know I died.

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Tuesday Morning Update: 11/12/24

November 12, 2024

This Tuesday morning starts with a pretty decent frost outside. When I took the dogs out at 5:45, the air temperature was 36 degrees (Fahrenheit), cold enough to don gloves and remind myself that a hat is never a bad idea. Some of the neighbors’ trees are completely bare while ours still stubbornly holds on, waiting for a sub-freezing frost. This is the type of November I remember, the kind that makes me comfortable as the heater kicks on, reminding me of how privileged I am to not be out chopping wood. I’m not good at chopping wood. We would surely freeze to death if we relied on such.

Neither child said anything about school yesterday beyond, “It was okay.” We all remember those days when it seemed as though we weren’t learning anything, don’t we? Yet, at least for some of us, more information leaked into our brains than we realized. I’m assuming the same still happens on even the most boring of days.

Being a Girl Dad is still baffling me, though. Tipper came in, barely spoke, and then disappeared for the rest of the day. I didn’t see her again until this morning. She was dressed and on her way out the door, fifteen minutes earlier than necessary, when I stopped her and reminded her that we love her. The result was an eye roll and a half-hearted, “Love you, too,” as she headed for the door. I worry that there’s an eating disorder at play, but I have no way yet of proving it. The fridge is full of leftovers so the kids were free to choose whatever they wanted for dinner. I’m not sure Tipper ever came out of her room. Everything I read tells me this is a difficult and tumultuous time for teenage girls, but I’m not getting any usable advice. I love this child more than she can imagine. And I worry.

Kat did go to the salon for a little while. She took clients that weren’t especially difficult, and even that proved taxing. By the time she got back home, everything about her demeanor showed complete exhaustion. She’ll take today off, thankfully. I worry about Kat more than I do Tipper. She pushes herself too hard. She’s done that since she was 16. I don’t think she knows how to exist without pushing herself hard. I’m trusting that she’s listening more carefully to her body right now,

Fuck. An alert from my bank just informed me that an annual renewal I’d forgotten just came out. $104, gone, just like that, leaving a deficit of -$28. I can probably move things around and cover this one, but there are still $96 and $45 bills that can’t be avoided coming up before my check hits. Fortunately, the fridge and freezer are full of food. We’re doing okay there. The utilities are caught up. G’s birthday is this month, though, and the holidays are looking quite lean. Something else to worry about.

There’s a guest opinion piece in this morning’s New York Times with the title, “If You’re Sure How the Next Four Years Will Play Out, I Promise: You’re Wrong.” The author’s primary thesis is that we cannot predict the future with all its twists and turns. We all have to admit that he’s correct in such a statement. However, the issue I would take is that there are markers that indicate what is most likely to happen next. Those markers are what fuel our worries about the future. We’re not just guessing in the dark.

What are some of those markers? Let’s start with California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of the week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies. Gov. Newsom remembers the issues California faced the last time this felon was president. He’s rushing to see if there is any protection to be found in federal law. The problem is that any “help” the state receives now is most likely to be rolled back quickly by the new administration. They did this last time and there’s no reason to believe that it won’t happen again.

Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico. Relationships with our Southern neighbor didn’t go well under the first administration. This time around, however, Mexico has a new leftist president, The felon doesn’t have a good record when it comes to dealing with people who are too progressive for his taste. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has proven to be a tough, stand-your-ground stalwart, especially as she moved to completely upset that country’s court system. With the felon’s promise of mass deportations, the two leaders are likely to bump heads early and the outcome is not likely to be pretty.

Next up: Economics. A headline in this morning’s Times reads Europe Braces for Trump: ‘Worst Economic Nightmare Has Come True’. Think this is just fear-mongering? Already this morning, Global shares mostly declined, shrugging off Wall Street’s rally. Don’t trust what you see happening on Wall Street at the moment. The increases there are fueled by promises of tax breaks for the rich. The rest of the world, however, is not so enthused. The felon’s promises of severe tariffs, for which US citizens ultimately pay, thus setting off another round of inflation, have the rest of the world concerned about a global financial meltdown, similar to what we saw in 2008, thanks to Bush’s failed economic policies. Again, this could happen quite quickly once numbnuts is in office. Economies are global.

Then, there’s the immigration issue. Again, referencing this morning’s Times, which seems to have a better handle on domestic issues than other sources at the moment, Michelle Goldberg warns “If You Thought Trump Wasn’t Serious, Look at His First Appointments.” She points toward the same issues brought up in another article, “Trump Hires Show His Intent To Carry Out Immigration Crackdown.” What it all comes down to is Tom Holman and Stephen Miller, both of whom have a deep-seated hatred for immigrants. Holman has already said that “No one’s off the table in the next administration,” and yesterday confirmed that workplace raids would resume. Miller has said that Trump would cancel the temporary protected status of thousands of Afghans who fled here after the Taliban’s takeover. This is also the jackass who is in favor of using the National Guard to arrest migrants en masse. Want to see our national economy crumble? Take away all immigrants. The effect will be immediate.

With markers like that, how can we not worry? And to make matters worse, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is warning that the presidential transition team “is already breaking the law.” Sen. Warren would know because she wrote the applicable law! If there were any sign of the incoming corruption, this is it, written in neon and flashing brightly against a dark sky.

So, while we may not be able to accurately predict the exact events of the coming administration, we can predict the effects of those events and it is not going to be good. Even the people who voted for him, many thinking that his campaign rhetoric was hyperbole, are going to suffer. There’s no escaping the negative results of his plans. Our only hope is that the idiot suffers a heart attack or stroke that renders him ‘unable to fulfill the duties of his office.’ Perhaps a President Vance would gut current appointments and replace them with a more moderate selection. Or not. Again, we can’t see the future.

Not everything in the world is negative. I’m thrilled to report that 13 monkeys are still on the loose in South Carolina. Researchers have only been able to capture the majority because they were still in groups. The remaining escapees are more likely to be venturing out on their own. I wish them (the monkeys) the best.

Beyoncé and her legacy will be the subject of a new course at Yale. Of course, to take the class you have to actually be admitted as a student to Yale. Good luck with that. Still, the fact that the class exists is enough to rile right-wing nut jobs and that makes me happy.

Oh, this is fun: The UK has a deer problem. The current estimated deer population now tops two million. That’s a problem for a relatively small island nation. Complicating matters is that gun ownership in the country is extremely rare and difficult to obtain. While the government’s “solution” is to try and convince the people who eat the most bland food in the world that venison is good, no one has said who’s going to actually hunt down all those deer. Trust me, once a few are killed, the rest will go into hiding.

Oh, the big news locally is the conviction of Richard Allen on all counts related to the murders of two teenage girls. This conviction has taken forever as both the prosecution and defense have fucked around with evidence and judges for too many years before ever going to trial. Will there be an appeal? Oh yeah. Allen’s wife was heard saying on her way out of the courthouse, “This is far from over.” With all the pre-trial stupidity that went on, there’s plenty of likely ground for it to be overturned, and if that happens the prosecution is almost certain to appeal the appeal. I’ll probably be dead before a final verdict is ever reached.

Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday light display in Manhattan is changing up this season. One of the seasonal thrills of living in New York this time of year, besides the big tree at Rockefeller Center, is “window shopping” the holidays at Manhattan’s biggest stores. Saks is celebrating its 100th anniversary by lighting the whole building, not just the windows. Unfortunately, my broke ass can’t be there to take pictures. Perhaps someone (looking at you, Joe Lombardo), can slip over and take some photos for us. I’m sure it is a marvelous sight to behold.

Is that enough to distract us from the horrors that are about to unfold? Momentarily, perhaps, but reality still lingers in the back of our minds no matter how much colorful joy we try to put upfront. For now, I’ll eat breakfast and take my meds like a good boy, then probably take a nap because that’s what I do best now. I slept from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM yesterday. I even missed my 2:00 alarm. I don’t enjoy this cancerous existence at all.

But hey, the coffee’s hot.

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Monday Morning Update: 11/11/24

November 11, 2024

Sunday wasn’t a bad day, as things go. I felt decent enough to finally finish Tony’s pictures. It only took me three weeks, which isn’t a record but is still embarrassing. I’d say I can relax now, but there are still pictures from my last trip with Jen that I’ve not yet touched. This puts me in the position of having to ask myself if I’m as ready for a comeback as I thought I was. The answer, most likely, is no. I may never be ready for a complete comeback, which makes me incredibly sad.

Fortunately, G was here to keep my spirits up. He was in a fantastic mood yesterday, joking around, actually being nice to his sister, and talking up a storm. His frequent visits to my room kept me on my toes as his conversations always require me to completely stop what I’m doing and listen carefully to what he is saying. If he can get a zinger in about how old I am, he doesn’t miss it. At the same time, he’ll swing on a tree branch and laugh just like he did when he was six. It’s impossible to be down when you’ve got someone who can consistently make you laugh.

Kat came home and spent the night. As far as I can tell, she seems to have slept well. Her difficulty breathing is still obvious, though. I don’t know what her plans are for today, but I hope they include plenty of time for her to sit or lie down and recover. Kat tends to push herself; something she’s always had to do. Breaking that habit, and giving herself the space and time to fully recover is not easy for her. She wants to be up, taking care of things, moving around, and working. Right now, though, she needs to not do any of those things.

I tried watching the Colts game but turned it off and took a nap after Flacco threw two interceptions in the first quarter. That was enough to tell me that they were going to lose. I have a difficult time believing that there’s not a better QB sitting around somewhere in the NFL universe. And while Coach Stenchen is apologetic, I think Kenny Moore II, who caught an interception in the second half, is more in touch with what’s actually happening with the team. This is what he said in the locker room after the game:

“I don’t think everybody is working as hard as possible, and obviously it’s showing. I’m not the type to sugarcoat it, honestly. I don’t think the urgency is there. I don’t think the details are there. I don’t think the effort is there, and I don’t see everything correlating from meetings to practice to the games, and it shows. We have to look ourselves in the mirror and ask ourselves how bad we want it.”

“The thing that’s frustrating is we’re letting things leak into another week. To go out and make the same mistakes over and over—that’s what drives me insane as a player and individually. We are in November and I don’t see us making that jump from September to November. I’m seeing the same things. We just have to start addressing it and not sugarcoat or beat around the bush. I think that’s what we are lacking and year-to-year it’s the same thing.”

Holy shit. I hope Stenchen ponders on Moore’s words a bit this morning. I understand that there was some booing going on during yesterday’s game. We can’t let that get started here. Chicago fans are booing the Bears. Jets fans are being merciless when the team plays at home. We don’t need to be like them, but the Colts need to step the fuck up and show us they’re worth those million-dollar salaries.

There were some other really tight games yesterday. The Chiefs, in all honesty, should have lost yesterday’s game against the Broncos. Blocking that last-minute field goal saved their ass, but the fact remains that Kansas City played a lousy game. The same applies to the Lions as kicker Jake Bates made a 52-yard field goal at the last second to win the game against the Texans. Again, they should have lost. QB Jared Goff threw five interceptions! You don’t deserve to win when you’re playing that sloppily. Russell Wilson’s TD pass to Mike Williams lifted the Steelers over the Commanders 28-27, but the young Commanders were arguably the better team. This time next year, I expect it to be Washington who’s running roughshod over the division.

I’m not seeing a lot of news this morning that’s worth talking about. 25 of the Escaped Monkeys of 43 were Captured in South Carolina. And, somewhat hilariously, Mattel Mistakenly Listed A Porn Site on the Packaging for ‘Wicked’ Dolls. Oops!

What’s important is that today is Armistice/Veterans Day, one of the most increasingly forgotten holidays on the calendar. I came across an opinion piece by Vietnam vet Frank Lennon in the Providence Journal. The article is behind a paywall that’s difficult for anyone outside of Rhode Island to justify. So, let me quote a significant portion of that article for you here.

While looking up the 1924 Armistice Day information, I came across another event from that year that was pivotal in the history of how we treated our veterans. It was the passage of legislation providing Bonuses to WWI veterans.

After the euphoria of our victory in World War I died down, many veterans went through hard times. Most were disillusioned, because our government, and society at large, left them to fend for themselves. Adequate health care was beyond the reach of many, especially for “shell shock” – what we call PTSD today. Others found it difficult to find a job.

These problems were exacerbated by the Great Depression at the end of the 1920s. The already high unemployment rates among veterans increased. Vets competed for the few available jobs with civilian workers – many of whom had done very well during the way – while “our boys” got by on the pittance that Uncle Same paid them.

In 1924, Congress tried to redress some of this disparity through the World War Adjusted Compensation Act. It gave bonuses to all enlisted personnel who had served during wartime, with the amount based on each individual’s service time. There was an additional payment for overseas service.

The catch was that these bonuses were paid in the form of certificates, not cash. They functioned like insurance policies, and although they did accrue interest, veterans could not redeem them until 1945.

Rendered desperate by the Depression, veterans asked Congress to modify the law to allow the certificates to be cashed out immediately, when the need was most dire.

In May 1932, WWI veterans organized a march on Washington. At least 20,000 (and perhaps as many as 40,000) veterans, their families and supporters set up camps and occupied buildings in various locations in Washington. The largest camp was a shantytown on the Anacostia Flats across from the Navy Yard. They called themselves the BEF – “Bonus Expeditionary Forces,” a play on AEF, the banner under which most of them had fought during the war.

On July 28, 1932, the attorney general ordered their eviction. Washington police fired at the protesters, killing two veterans. President Herbert Hoover then ordered the Army to clear the campsites and move the protesters across the Anacostia River.

The troops advanced with Tanks, fixed bayonets and tear gas.

You might be surprised to know that Gen. Douglas MacArthur led the troops in this confrontation, along with his aide, Maj. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The commander of the tank contingent was Maj. George S. Patton.

Despite specific orders from Hoover not to cross the bridge, MacArthur pressed on to the camp on the far side. (Perhaps a harbinger of things to come?)

The camp still held about 10,000 people. Tanks and tear gas drove out the Bonus Amer marchers, their wives and their children. Their shelters and belongings were burned. Injured civilians overwhelmed D.C.’s hospitals.

Chillingly, the Army deemed the exercise to be a success. The Bonus Army was gone.

The press saw it differently. The Washington Daily News called it “a pitiful spectacle” to see “the mightiest government in the world chasing unarmed men, women, and children with Army tanks. If the Army must be called out to make war on unarmed citizens, this is no longer America.”

And we thought being spit upon was as bad as it could get?

Throughout the 1930s, the strength of our military reached frighteningly low levels, and little if any emphasis was placed on veterans issues.

Then Pearl Harbor happened, and all of a sudden the military became important again. After the war ended, we could not do enough for our veterans. The GI Bill ensured that post-WWI problems would not be repeated. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, respect for veterans reached an all-time high.

Unfortunately, it took another all-in world war to make that happen.

…

About 25 years ago, Ge. Bernard Rogers, former Army chief of staff, made a very interesting point about the unique nature of military service in our society.

“A doctor contributes to his patients; a priest to the members of his parish; a lawyer contributes to his clients; a politician to his constituents. But those privileged to wear our nation’s uniforms belong to a profession in which every member, every day, makes a contribution – no matter how small – to every citizen of this great land.”

Those are words we should take to heart on this Veterans Day.

I concur. And as I consider how the president-elect is setting up his administration, with emphasis on “rounding up” immigrants and “making the country great,” I fear we will see repeats of Hoover’s disastrous orders. If MacArthur, Eisenhower, and Patton weren’t strong enough to stand up to illegal presidential orders, do we dare think that anyone in today’s Pentagon would respond any differently?

This is why I worry. This is why I am committed to being a safe person, a reliable resource, for anyone being assaulted by any portion of our government or the ridiculous laws it may pass.

Pass me that coffee pot. I need a refill.

Current Issues / Health / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Sunday Morning Update: 11/10/24

November 10, 2024

Sunday Morning Chill. [2012 original with AI background]

Please read quietly this morning. The kids are still asleep, and after all the activity they had yesterday, I’m sure they need it. I enjoyed listening to them interact with each other without fighting. Their conversations with friends were frequently hilarious. Neither teen has any filter when talking to their friends. Try cheating in a game? You’re gonna get called out. Heaven forbid you do something wrong while playing on their team! Curses are going to fly, especially if you’re playing with Tipper. There were times when it was difficult to pay attention to the football games because the kids were being too entertaining.

G has taken on the heavy task of helping me get my heavy leather duster back in shape for this winter. I’ve not worn it in several years. There are tears in the lining, one on the left shoulder, and all the buttons are missing. The shell was also pretty dirty. I took care of removing all the cat vomit from the shell and he went to work. I gave him a specific set of leather tools and thread to work with. His hand-stitching is absolutely remarkable! The replacement buttons came early this morning. There is still one place that needs a full leather patch, but I don’t have the funds for that at the moment. Fortunately, we still have a while before the snow starts to fly. But seriously, what G is doing with his sewing is seriously impressive!

Kat spent the day chilling and I’m sure she’ll do the same today. Don’t expect that to change too much. She hasn’t said yet whether she will try taking a couple of clients tomorrow. Please, don’t push. We all would much rather she take her time and come back healthy. Pulmonary embolism isn’t something from which one just bounces back. Please, give her space to heal.

You already know what I was doing yesterday. I’m going to miss college football when the season’s over. Yeah, the playoff games sort of extend the season, and then, there are all the bowl games that don’t mean a helluva lot anymore. I don’t have much faith in the playoff committee, though, in selecting the best teams, and there are so many bowl games scattered from mid-December to mid-January that one has to ask the question: why?

IU faced its biggest test yet, defeating Michigan 20-15. Everything the team does from this point forward sets a new record for the program. They still have a couple of rough games to go, and that final game against Purdue is always unpredictable, despite how much Purdue has been disappointing this season. By the way, Purdue embarrassed themselves again, losing at Ohio State, 0-45.

The Florida Gators should have just stayed home. They’re down to starting their third-string QB and it seems that much of the rest of their starters are out with injuries. As a result, Texas ran all over them, 49-17. That score fails to tell just how dominant Texas was. The score was 35-0 at halftime. The entire second-string squad played the second half. Arch Manning was able to run up the score easily, getting in some good play time that will help next year. This Texas program will be one to fear for several seasons.

There were a couple of significant upsets this week. Georgia got caught with their eyes shut and lost to Ole Miss, 28-17. Will that be enough to pull Georgia from playoff contention? Possibly, but there’s another opening on the playoff sheet as Miami lost to Georgia Tech, 28-23. That almost certainly pulls Miami from the playoff brackets. With three weeks left in the season, everything comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes and keeps their starters healthy.

You know that myth about deaths happening in threes? It’s not true, but deaths do often happen in multiples. This morning’s list includes:

I suppose one could make the argument that there are two sets of three, but c’mon, anyone who’s been around the industry will tell you that myth is false.

There are a few other tidbits of news. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrived in New York City, pushing the holiday season on everyone whether they want it or not. If you’re even slightly at risk of stroke, you’ll want to know that there are new guidelines for preventing them. Be sure I’m paying extra close attention to that one. There’s also 8 Factors That Can Raise Your Heart Disease Risk. Don’t let these stories slide. Your life could depend on them.

The kids are both awake now, but still being quiet. The dogs have been out, all the animals are fed, and most everyone has settled back down for a morning nap. The rain that moved in overnight is supposed to continue through mid-afternoon. I’ll eat breakfast, take meds, and then probably pass out.

As Sundays go, this one almost feels normal. We know it isn’t, though. Behind the scenes, there are people planning mass immigrant deportations and the elimination of funding for offshore wind energy, among other things. The threats that we’ve talked about all week are still there. We just never know when they might be put into action. My level of trust in anyone is extremely low at this point.

As long as there’s coffee, we’ll survive. If that ever runs out, just go ahead and shoot me.

Health / Morning Update / Mythology / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Friday Morning Update: 11/08/24

November 8, 2024

A Morning Call to Mourning [2011 original with AI modifications]

A solid night’s sleep hasn’t been possible since Tuesday and I’m sure I’m not alone. Regardless of what time I go to bed, or what tools I use to help me sleep, I wake up from dystopian dreams somewhere between 12 and 12:30. I’m usually able to go back to sleep after getting my bearings and realizing where I am. But then, I wake up somewhere around 3:00, again from disturbing visions of the future, and that’s it. I’m awake for the morning. Too many of you are right there with me. Too many of you aren’t sleeping at all.

Kat worked at the salon for a while yesterday. She only took two clients, finishing up around 8:00 PM. She was exhausted and couldn’t get to bed fast enough. G has a business shadow day this morning after which he’ll go to the salon and help out his mom with some of the details around the shop. I’m still concerned that she’s moving too quickly, though I understand why she’s pushing herself. She feels the weight of the world is on her shoulders. She always has. She desperately needs some of that weight removed without threatening the health and safety of everyone in the family.

I did make a mistake last night. In the throws of exhaustion, I had dinner delivered. A part of that dinner included street corn and I have no idea what flavoring and/or spices were used in its preparation. The result was a colon cleanse so thorough that I could have had a colonoscopy this morning, no problem. The kids didn’t seem to have any problem with their food, so I assume the corn was the only issue.

Getting less sleep at night means I’m napping more during the day which means I’m getting less done. My head is already spinning as I type. I can’t go back to bed yet, though, as I’m having milk and cat food delivered this morning. I still have a handful of Tony’s pictures to finish as well. Maybe I’m not as ready for a comeback as I thought I was. Even when I took the dogs out yesterday, I had to sit in a chair the entire time instead of walking around the yard with them.

Like many of you, I worry that matters are going to get worse before they get better. Here are some of the stories I’m reading this morning:

Hold on, I’m not done yet. I’ve had plenty of time to read this morning.

Even the animals are upset. 43 monkeys escape from a South Carolina medical lab. The young female monkeys, all too young to have any disease, left after a door was suspiciously left open. While “There is almost no danger to the public,” according to officials, residents of the nearby town are still cautious, and not all the monkeys have been found. Something tells me the Rhesus macaque primates heard how bad healthcare for women is in the United States and are trying to ‘go back where they came from.’

Llamas in Utah are apparently trying to catch a train going anywhere but Utah. No one seems to know where they came from, where they’re going, or whether they’ve been captured. The domesticated animals obviously got news of the election results, though, and decided to make a break for it. When the animals start leaving, you have to wonder why so many humans are staying.

Midst all the fear on the part of friends and family, I am mystified why some progressives are still quoting “love one another” Bible verses on social media. Stop it. You’re not helping. You had a fucking year to use your comic book scripture to affect the election. What was the result? 8 in 10 of white evangelicals VOTED FOR THE RAPIST! Obviously, there’s no power at all in your Bible verses. Put the damn book back on the shelf and leave it alone. I can find quotes about other ancient mythologies that are more appropriate. Try this one on for size:

“But suddenly the world turned sideways. I realized I’d been played with. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades had been set at each other’s throats by someone else…”

Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

Not good enough? Hmmmm, what else can I find quickly…

“When an impious band madly raged to extinguish the Roman name in the blood of Cæsar, the human race was astonished with sudden terror at ruin so universal, and the whole earth shook with horror.”

Ovid, Metamorphoses

And I haven’t even opened any of the volumes by Homer yet. Philosopher Northrop Frye wrote, “The disinterested imaginative core of mythology is what develops into literature, science, philosophy. Religion is applied mythology.” All the scripture verses in the world fail to capture any meaning because they are all, every last one of them, based on myth and a lack of understanding of modern science. Quoting them changes nothing and this election has certainly proven that to be true.

I also oppose the basic philosophy that love is a cure for the hate that fueled this election and its consequences. When the fuck has that ever worked? There were people who had the same ideas in Germany. By the way, today is the anniversary of Hitler’s failed 1923 ‘Beer Hall Putsch.” So, why didn’t love stop the bad man’s war then? Where was the love that could have stopped the murder of not only Jews but millions of others, including gays and anyone that we would now consider neurodivergent? Love doesn’t stop shit. The apologetics that comes with a “love everyone” attitude merely opens a door for hate and terror to come marching on in.

What I can promise you is that I will not be silent. When have I ever been quiet? I am gathering up all my energy to roar as loudly as this chemo-tortured body is able. Sure, at best we only have around 100 readers a day, and the greater majority of those are Facebook friends and acquaintances. Still, this is my voice and I will use it.

I can also promise to do my best to keep safe all those around me. So help me, if someone tells my daughter, “Your body, my choice,” I’m taking their fucking head off. If someone tells Kat that, be certain that she will take their head off. That statement is a blatant and intentional threat. I have zero tolerance for such threats. I will not hesitate to commit acts of violence if it will save the life and humanity of someone I care about. I may be small, but I have my mother’s temper and she managed to keep rowdy classes of fourth graders quiet. You don’t want to mess with that energy.

No, I don’t think we’re going to see any jackbooted thugs coming down our street. Instead, we’re going to see laws passed that quietly repeal one right after another. The Constitution will be gutted and the Supreme Court will be complicit. There will be no safe corner in the United States where we can peacefully live. We either fight or we die.

Which is it going to be?

Cancer Update / Current Issues / Health / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Monday Morning Update: 11/04/24

November 4, 2024

Dance Like Your Rights Depend On It [2010]

I am not okay. You may want to take anything I say with a grain of salt and double-check my sources. I’ve already had to delete a post and a couple of Facebook messages this morning. I apologize if anyone was offended. Yes, I’m sober. I’ve had a headache for the past four days, though, and have moments where I completely lose track of reality. Yes, I sent a message to my doctor this morning. No, I don’t expect it to help. The best thing for me to do is keep to myself and not post anything stupid.

Kat will be back at the house this afternoon. She misses the kids (maybe me). The cats are still going to be an issue, though. She was shaving yesterday and accidentally brushed her finger across the blade. The resulting cut, though small, took an hour to stop bleeding. In my opinion, she needs to be wrapped in soft foam. Bubble wrap is useless because the cats like to play with that. She’s still planning on trying to take a couple of clients on Thursday and possibly Friday. If she sees someone on Friday afternoon, G will be there in case there’s a problem. I don’t know about Thursday, though.

Tipper spent the weekend with friends. I’m amazed that they’re willing to travel an hour to pick her up. She says she had “the best fucking time ever.” I told her to watch her language. They’re all furries, and, as a group, walked through their small town while wearing furry heads. No one bothered them and one person even stopped them to show off their pictures of a furry convention. She also came back with a robotic skeleton on her right arm. It’s a good thing she goes to a school that doesn’t mind. I’m sure that one day in the future she’s going to walk in with a full sleeve done. The trip was exhausting apparently. She came home and crashed. I didn’t see her again until this morning.

G is headed to the Purdue University campus at Ft. Wayne this morning for a field trip. I’m rather curious as to why they would consider Ft. Wayne when there are closer options. He has a set of questions to ask and is looking forward to trying out the food. He’s growing up fast and I fear I’m going to blink and he’ll be off to college. He spent much of yesterday playing with his new sewing machine. I’m now the proud owner of two small pouches. make of felt. He’s not pleased with them, but I think they’re rather impressive. No, I have no idea what this kid is going to do with his life. I’m pretty sure it will be impressive, though.

There have been some server issues with the website overnight. I woke up to go to the restroom a little after 3:00 and discovered multiple messages about the site not being accessible. When I sat down and tried to troubleshoot the problem, I got no response. That always makes me so happy [sarcasm]. After trying a couple of things, I finally bit the bullet and opened a support ticket. I hate doing that. Problems are usually small and something I could have fixed on my end. I feel stupid when that happens. This time, though, it was an issue that required technicians to fix. Everything should be up and running now.

The crushing news this morning is the death of long-time music producer Quincy Jones. This hurts in ways I can’t express. As long as I’ve been alive, Quincy Jones has been making music. I was still in grade school when I first heard his name. I’ve spent hours studying the music he produced, finding the special, subtle touches that made his records exceptional. As he’s become less active in recent years, I firmly believe his absence is a significant part of why contemporary music doesn’t have the hold of music he produced in the 60s-90s. The music industry can never be the same without him.

Tornadoes were a problem in Oklahoma over the weekend. Storms hit the greater Oklahoma City area, encompassing everything from the University of Oklahoma campus at Norman to pretty much everything eastward along I-40. The town of Choctaw took a pretty good hit and I’m told the tiny town of Hannah (pop. 102) was pretty much blown off the map. Miraculously, as of this morning, there are no deaths reported. While tornadoes can occur at any time of the year, we mostly associate them with spring weather patterns. A November storm this strong is still rare, but we’ve seen more of them in the last few years. Climate change, anyone?

To ensure accuracy, I’m going to lift this next part directly from the Associated Press: “The trial of eight people in Paris on terrorism charges started on Monday over the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty, who was killed by an Islamic extremist after showing caricatures of Islam’s prophet to his middle school students for a lesson on freedom of expression.

Paty’s shocking death left an imprint on France, and several schools are now named after him. Paty was killed outside his school near Paris on Oct. 16, 2020, by an 18-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, who was shot to death by police.”

This is what happens when religion is out of control. This is why making sure we DO NOT elect Christian Nationalists is important. Don’t think for a second that these extremists wouldn’t do similar things here. They’re dangers to all of society and need to be stopped.

The New York Times is following conversations on the Telegram app where right-wing groups are already beginning to organize as they plan to take action in response to tomorrow’s election. Fueling this danger is the Republican nominee himself who now says he ‘shouldn’t have left’ the White House. His rhetoric over the past week has grown dark and brooding. There’s trouble brewing and law enforcement is largely helpless to try and stop it. This could get very nasty over the next few days.

As you look around the various news sites today, you’re going to see a number of variously-angled articles on what to watch during tomorrow’s election. Let me give you my own list:

Senate Races. The US Senate has been as close as possible with only one seat separating the majority, often resulting in deadlock. As prescribed, a third of the seats are up for grabs. I’m especially concerned that Indiana nut job Jim Banks is running for the seat Mike Braun vacates in his run for Governor. As bad a senator as Braun was, Banks would be 1000 times worse, putting education, women’s rights, and LGBTQIA+ rights on the chopping block. ONE VOTE could change the entire course of the US.
House Races. The margin of majority in the House has been pretty slim for quite a while. All of these fuckers are up for re-election. Think of the deadlock that has kept anything from happening over the past four years. No, it’s not the President’s fault. These jackasses can’t manage to get a bill to his desk! Expect to see a number of seats change butts, but watch…
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. While he’s up for re-election, no one seems to think that his seat is in any danger. Here’s the rub: the Speaker has a lot of power during an election. If he sees that the vote count isn’t favoring Republicans, he can open investigations, demand recounts, and threaten state officials with lawsuits. Do we trust this idiot? Not one bit. Pay attention if you see his ugly mug pop up on your television. It won’t be good news.
Poll watchers. Both parties have them, but right-wing extremists are the ones most likely to cause a disruption at the polls. This is an intimidation tactic often deployed in underdeveloped countries in support of dictators.
An early and unsubstantiated claim of victory. There have been numerous reports that the Orange Felon may declare victory shortly after the polls close in Arizona. Such an inappropriate claim is designed to give him support among followers should the actual count show him losing. This is all it will take to fuel violence. If it happens, take cover.

For perhaps the first time in my life, I’m not looking forward to voting tomorrow. I will, but I won’t feel good about it. The weather forecast predicts rain. The lines will be long. I’ll have to stand the entire time. I worry whether my vote will be counted, or if it will matter. I’m a Blue voter in a historically Red state. I’m used to being disappointed, but this time the consequences could be a matter of life or death for too many people I care about. The ACLU of Indiana has published this notice:

For help at the polls, or if you believe your rights have been violated, the quickest way to get help is by calling the non-partisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (Spanish: 1-888-839-8682), or texting MYVOTE to 866-687-8683.

If you witness what you feel is voter intimidation, which is highly possible this year, the ACLU has the following recommendations:

Your rights

It’s illegal to intimidate voters and a federal crime to “intimidate, threaten, [or] coerce … any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] other person to vote or to vote as he may choose.”

Examples of voter intimidation

Aggressively questioning voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote.
Falsely representing oneself as an elections official.
Displaying false or misleading signs about voter fraud and related criminal penalties.
Other forms of harassment, particularly harassment targeting non-English speakers and voters of color.
Spreading false information about voter requirements.
- You do not need to speak English to vote.
- You do not need to pass a test to vote.

What to do if you experience voter intimidation

Report intimidation to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en español).
Report intimidation to your local election officials. Their offices will be open on Election Day.

I don’t see how I can make the matter any more clear. This could be the vote of your life. This vote could save your life. YOU HAVE TO VOTE. Staying home or voting for a third party guarantees an outcome you will not like, and yes, this time there will be consequences that affect you.

My head is hurting so badly now I quite literally can’t see straight. I’m eating breakfast, taking my meds, turning off the lights, and going to bed. Don’t @ me. Don’t call me. Don’t text me.

Just fucking vote!

Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Social Commentary

Sunday Morning Update

November 3, 2024

The One With All The Frills

Sunday, I so wasn’t ready for you yet. Yeah, technically I’m starting an hour later than normal, but what I wanted was something more like two or three hours of extra sleep and that just didn’t happen. No, you woke me up early, notified the cats, and there was no going back after that. We fed all the animals, refreshed the water supply, and made fresh coffee because I’m going to need a lot of it if I keep a civil head about me today. There are some interesting things to talk about, even if you don’t follow football. But first, you need to see this:

Look, I’m never going to be as exciting as a Taylor Swift concert or a Travis Kelce spotting (yeah, he was here; the Chiefs don’t play until Monday night). Still, I think we put things together in a unique way that engages people in a manner that most communication outlets can’t. Namely, we talk about our family. You won’t find that on CNN. Not yet, anyway.

Yesterday was rather quiet around the house, though. Kat left and headed North around 9 and Tipper left with her friends a couple of hours later. G played online games with his friends and I did my best to interrupt as often as possible. I took a nap and then settled in to watch football games. Even the dogs seemed bored with the day, keeping their outside time to a minimum. How do I know the dogs are bored? When they ask to go inside before I’m ready.

While the games we watched were entertaining, some of the more interesting moments were off the field. Jason Kelce smashed a Penn State fan’s phone after the fan called Travis a homophobic slur for dating Ms. Swift. The elder brother’s reaction was quick and severe. Obviously, the Penn State student has never watched the Kelce’s podcast or else he would have known how fiercely the brothers protect each other.

Next, there’s the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) offensive line coach who is likely going to lose his job after having a complete meltdown on the sidelines. Yeah, ULM was losing their game to Marshall (final score 28-23) and yeah, his o-line was playing poorly. Still, that’s absolutely no excuse for his behavior, especially with one of the players. The university is saying they’ll take “disciplinary action,” but the chances of this dude still being employed are slim.

THEN, there was Friday night’s cold-shoulder handshake between the University of Southern Florida’s (USF) Alex Golesh and Florida Atlantic’s Tom Herman. Normally, coaches at least tell each other, “good game,” or something similar. Not this time. FAU had just rolled over USF, 44-21. Golesh didn’t take the defeat well. He barely touched Herman as he passed and kept on walking. Maybe he felt that FAU had unnecessarily run up the score. Maybe it was because this is the second year in a row that USF has lost this game. He’s not saying. Still, someone throw a flag for post-game unsportsmanlike conduct.

All the excitement wasn’t limited to NCAA men’s football, though. The NBA is investigating after the Philadephia Sixers’ Joel Embiid yelled at and then shoved Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes. The Sixers had just lost to the Grizzlies and Hayes had questioned Embiid’s professionalism in a recent article. So, yeah, he was a bit emotional. Is that justification for his action? Nope. He can most likely expect an example-setting fine from the NBA.

Back to football, though. OU finally won a game! Granted, it was against an undersized and underclassed Maine team that, outside of the touchdown on their opening drive, spent most of the rest of the game carrying injured players off the field. I mean, OU was physically bigger which allowed them to steamroll over Maine. This was the first time the two teams have ever met and after this performance, I wouldn’t expect to see a repeat any time soon.

I was deeply concerned about Georgia possibly losing to Florida, though. They were behind by 7 at the half and the rivalry between the two schools is legendary. This is one of those cross-the-border games where one can normally throw out the record books, and for a while, it looked as though this might be the case again this year. UGA came back strong in the second half and ended up winning, 34-20. Still, this wasn’t a pretty game on either side. Looking in the stands, I think there were almost as many Georgia fans in the Jacksonville stadium as there were Florida fans.

The SEC was pretty hot yesterday, overall. Tennessee held off Kentucky, 28-18. South Carolina surprised Texas A&M, 44-20. Ole Miss absolutely ran the fuck over Arkansas, 63-31. And Vanderbilt again showed that it’s no milquetoast, beating Auburn 17-7.

13th-ranked IU still isn’t getting the respect it deserves. They beat Michigan State, 47-10, giving the team its first 9-0 start in the program’s history. Where’s the love? Why the hell is 6-2 Clemson ranked above them, especially after they lost to Lousiville, of all teams, 33-21? Sure, IU hasn’t had the roughest schedule, but look at how they’ve dominated in every game they’ve played! Bring on Ohio State or someone. I’m pretty sure IU can handle them. [We’ll find out November 23]

In fact, I find it rather disingenuous that Notre Dame is getting all the love and support for possibly making the College Football Playoff after that early season loss to Northern Illinois. The two teams haven’t met since 1991, and they’ve never played at Bloomington. All the games between the two teams have been in South Bend. Come on, guys! This is a game that IU needs! This is a game that Indiana needs! I suppose there’s always the chance they could meet in a bowl game or a CFP game, but this should have been a regular-season matchup.

Oklahoma State and Purdue both lost and, at this point, their seasons are effectively over. They’re neither one ending on the positive side of 500.

A couple of teams are likely looking at fines from the NCAA for student behavior. Clemson fans were throwing water bottles onto the field. That’s a HUGE no-no and the students should already know better by this point in the season. South Carolina already knows that they’ll owe Texas A&M $250,000 after their students rushed the field yesterday. Bad behavior seems to be a thing in the SEC and the conference needs to apply more pressure to the schools to get it to stop before serious injury occurs.

Meanwhile, you’ve got to see this to believe it:

Colorado State scores TD … on its own kickoff?! – ESPN Video
Colorado State recovers their kickoff in the end zone for a touchdown to pad its lead in the third quarter.

That’s NOT supposed to happen, but it sure as hell did! It’s these types of things that make college football fun!

There is some non-football news. Today is the New York City Marathon. I know of at least one person from Indy who is among the 50,000 people running. Good luck and stay safe!

The entire New York Times Magazine is worth reading today. Fortunately, they posted some of the articles yesterday or I wouldn’t be done with it yet.

I suppose there’s other stuff, but none of it is going to make your day any better. You’re better off relaxing and enjoying the day with your family, or a good book, or perhaps a favorite movie.

Personally, I’m going to need to take a fistful of meds. The pain this morning is severe and it’s been a struggle trying to type when my body doesn’t want to participate in anything at all. You’d think I’d be accustomed to this by now. Sorry, that doesn’t seem to be happening.

Maybe I’ll make mashed potatoes for dinner or something.

Current Issues / Health / Holidays / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Morning Update: 11/01/24

November 1, 2024

Welcome to November! There’s no question that this month is going to be history-making, one way or the other. The question now is what are we going to have to do to survive it? The prospects of a peaceful holiday season look bleak. Gatherings of any type are likely to be fraught with danger as different perspectives, misinformation, and outright lies color our conversations, turning them from casual to caustic. I’m not looking forward to the next week, no matter how the election goes. This could be traumatic.

The good news is that Kat is coming home today. She’s still not feeling great, obviously, but she misses the kids and wants to see how things go with the cats. Small things like walking and eating still tax her. We will be taking extreme care to ensure her safety while she is here. We greatly appreciate all the thoughts and support coming from our friends during this challenge.

Both kids had fun yesterday. One of G’s friends gave him $5 for wearing his heels to school. Unfortunately, one heel broke when he stumbled over something. He “fixed” it with a glue stick and went on with his day. Tipper enjoyed going out with her friends, but they had a difficult time finding anything exciting. She was disappointed in the haunted house they went to, and few people were participating in the trick-or-treat tradition in any of the neighborhoods they went to. The amount of candy she came back with was too small to bother poaching.

We are extremely thankful to the friend who sent an electrician to fix our problem. It turns out that the problem was a mix of old wiring and a space heater that was pulling too much power. One of the lead wires in the breaker box was quite literally melting and showed signs of having been in that condition for quite some time. We are back to normal activity, minus the space heater in G’s room. Hopefully, I’ll be able to finish editing all the photos from the past two weeks before anything else distracts us.

There are plenty of other little petty annoyances, of course, but who doesn’t have those in their life? I thought I was buying sugar-free caramels. They weren’t. The cats escaped out the back door. We got them all back. As frustrating as those things can be in the moment, I think they’re part of what colors our existence. They are problems we can generally resolve and even when we can’t, they’re not matters that dramatically impact our lives. We’re entering a period where we could face some dramatic challenges. If we’re to survive, we need to keep the minor things in perspective. Yes, I’m preaching to myself. I’m horrible at this.

You know the world is going nuts when the 2-5 Jets beat the division-leading Texans, 21-13. I watched most of the game. The first half was full of errors, penalties, and blunders. The second half was better with the Jets pulling off some amazing catches. Does this mean the Jets are getting better? Maybe, but I wouldn’t start betting on them just yet. The Texans have a number of key players out due to injury. They had to rely on their third-string left tackle for most of the game, and that inexperience allowed Jets linemen to get into the backfield too easily. A healthy Houston team would have likely run all over their opponents. So, we’ll have to see how the Jets do next week.

More insanity occurred off the basketball court as Charlotte Hornets point guard, LaMelo Ball, knocked the head off an animatronic clown. The clown was slightly hidden as Ball entered the Spectrum Center for practice. The 23-year-old’s reaction has his teammates laughing and poking fun. Yes, there’s video.

The election dominates most of the other headlines. I won’t bother going over all of them, but there are a few things that bother me. One is the degree to which gender has become a critical issue. The felon says that he will “protect women.” Harris shoots back, “Women can think for themselves, thank you.” At the same time, the felon makes anti-trans attacks central to his campaign’s closing argument. The entire GOP has ramped up the anti-trans vitriol. Should Republicans win on any level, the lives of millions of women and transgender people could be in danger.

At the same time, the felon’s fraud claims revive fears he may again seek to overturn election results. This is especially concerning since he has an ally as Speaker of the House. Mike Johnson has been actively campaigning for the felon and he is in a position to prevent the House of Representatives from certifying the election. Johnson could also, in theory, refuse to seat new members of Congress should Democrats make significant gains. So much of what happens after the election is out of the hands of citizens, making protests and lawsuits inevitable.

Yes, this is going to affect your holiday gatherings. There is almost no chance that rhetoric will calm down by Thanksgiving and the winter holidays are at risk. Family gatherings, and conversations around the table, are going to be perilous. One has to think: do I want my children to witness adults behaving worse than toddlers? Maybe this is the year that we diffuse the danger by making our holiday celebrations smaller and more intimate, limiting participation to immediate family members only. Let the arguments, if there are any, be over things like who got the last roll or who spilled the gravy on great-grandma’s tablecloth. We have to begin planning now to create environments that respect boundaries, put differences of opinion aside, and focus on family rather than the snakes in the grass that would tear us apart.

As I said at the beginning, what happens this month will be historical regardless of the outcome. Nothing about this month is business as usual. We’ve selected people to run for office who have no business even managing a small fast-food outlet in the middle of the desert. While I do find VP Harris dramatically preferable over the felon, it is ridiculous to think that her administration wouldn’t be filled with gaffes, mistakes, and errors in judgment. To create real change we need to take over local political parties, replacing power brokers who push incompetent people onto the ballot. From there, we can move up the ladder, replacing party leaders at both the state and federal levels. Only then will there be any genuine change.

Perhaps, if we focus on pumpkin pie recipes and creative ways of working with leftover stuffing, we can avoid letting politics ruin what should be happy moments over the rest of the year. Shut the door on nonsense that you can’t control. Give the system a chance to work, and if it fails, address those matters after the first of the year. They’ll still be there, waiting to ruin people’s lives.

For now, go grab a cup of coffee. Make sure the garbage is out by the curb. Don’t forget to let people know that you love them. Make your weekend pleasurable.

Health / Holidays / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary / Status

Moaning Update: 10/31/24

October 31, 2024

Welcome, fiends, to this All Hallows Eve edition of the Moaning Update. As storms roll across the Midwest this morning, the lightning brings to life the deceased body of our creator who fell into that eternal slumber after caring too much about what he cannot control. Now, as he attempts to walk among us, it is his own mortal flesh that is uncontrollable. Beware, for this is not the genial soul of days gone by. This is a monster who would feed you cookies for dinner and then deny you a drink of milk. The blood of his enemies has stained his white whiskers. You are wise to run away in fear.

The good news is that Kat was dismissed from the hospital yesterday afternoon without needing any surgical procedures. They have her on blood thinners and pain meds for the time being. She has been warned that the recovery is slow and frequently takes as much as a year before she begins feeling completely normal again. When chatting with her last night, she admitted that taking only a few steps was enough to wear her out. The Salon has closed her books at least until the end of next week. They will do their best to reschedule everyone, but please understand that Kat will not be able to return to the heavy schedule she was accustomed to working.

The kids are participating in the day’s festivities. Tipper is going out with some of her Furry friends after school. G is… wearing heels. Apparently, his classmates were strongly encouraging this act. I’m encouraging him to pack his sneakers as a backup. He says he would have worn eyeliner as an accent if we had any, but neither Kat nor Tipper wears makeup that often, so there’s none in the house. Kat keeps hers at work or at Brandon’s. I’m not sure if he was truly disappointed or happy to have an excuse.

We thought we had the breaker issue resolved. Devon came yesterday morning and replaced the breaker with the one we’d purchased. He also kindly replaced the bulbs on our porch lights. Unfortunately, the instant G tried turning on his computer, everything went down again and stayed that way. No recovery. At least not until shortly after 6:00 this morning, when everything popped back on. I’ve no idea what is happening at this point. So, we’re expecting an electrician to come out late this afternoon and take a look at the situation. Will we have power in the bedrooms by nightfall? There’s a joke to be made there, but I’ll leave it alone.

There’s so much going on this morning, that I’m tempted to stop here. We’ve already had two Amazon deliveries this morning. There are more coming before 11:00. Ultimately, this is a good thing. We’ll have food and such for most of the month. I can miss my morning nap to accommodate that, can’t I?

Hmmmm … Let’s see, the Dodgers won the World Series last night, four games to one. This is the eighth championship in the history of the team. I didn’t watch the game, but apparently, the Yankees blew a five-run lead with an abundance of errors. Expect to see some players traded after that debacle.

Damn, the power in the bedrooms just went back out.

Want to know what’s scary? Get a load of some of these headlines:

I mean, every news source I look at this morning is full of scary stories! This is just nuts! I think what all this tells us is that the entire world is wildly out of control. The election is only aggravating problems that were already there. There is a divide across the world between progress and authoritarianism that fuels violence and anger across the globe. People everywhere are scared and not just by Halloween stories. Although, AP has a bunch of fun stories if you need them.

Do we live in perilous times? Yes. Will the decisions we make in this election affect the entire world? Yes. Even your state and local elections can have a reverberating effect on other countries. How you vote, whether you vote, matters more now than it has in over a century.

As I’m typing, I’m hearing sirens yet again in the neighborhood. There are people everywhere who are making poor choices, perhaps out of ignorance, but also out of fear. I think fear is driving a lot more actions than we think. People are afraid of losing critical rights. People are afraid of losing important values. People are concerned that they may be hunted down and killed because of their sexual orientation. All those fears are valid. That’s why this is such a critical time to vote. Your vote, especially down-ballot, carries more weight and more power than it ever has.

Look, I’m old. I’m worried more about how our actions affect Kat and the kids than myself. If I die, it matters little. I’ve lived a life that’s had love and adventure. But the Kat, the boys, G and Tipper, are all still young. I don’t want them to suffer through the hate and violence of a GOP win. I don’t want them to have to worry about how they dress, what they say, who they are, or where they go. I don’t want them to be targeted because of who they love, where they live, or how they vote. I want them all to live happy and fulfilled lives that are not dominated by fear.

Talking with Kat this morning, she’s concerned about being around the cats. Even the smallest scratch could cause problems for her. The blood pressure cuff bruises her arm and causes her to have to put pressure on the IV wounds to prevent them from bleeding. I think she needs to stay put in Fishers, but she had also agreed to take care of her boss’s dog while they’re gone. And it’s going to rain.

I don’t have the answers I feel I need to have. I’m worried about everyone. I’m worried about all of humanity. Not being able to fix the world is a failure that weighs heavily on me. I want more for you. All of you.

Maybe we just need more coffee.

Current Issues / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Social Commentary

Morning Update: 10/29/24

October 29, 2024

Welcome to the 95th anniversary of the Black Tuesday stock market crash. Are we any better off than our Grandparents and Great-Grandparents were? Technologically, sure, but is our quality of life any better? Certainly not for everyone.

I’m going to be short this morning because I’m typing in the dark. The breaker finally went completely out during the Steelers/Giants game last night. We’ll get it fixed later today.

Kat’s home and trying to rest when the cats will let her. She still has a low-grade fever and feels like crap. Tipper has her PSAT today. Gabe has the day off.

I had an exciting day with Jen yesterday. We took pictures of the new Chevy Colorado as they made a mess of the North 40 and then went to a nature preserve in Wabash. I have pictures, but they’re on the PC. You’ll just have to wait.

Newswise, here’s the headlines that matter:

If you make it through that mess, you have more time on your hands than most people.

Life is short. Find something today that makes you smile.

More coffee usually does it for me.

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Morning Update: 10/28/24

October 28, 2024

Sunday ended up being anything but a day of rest. In fact, I’m typing part of this update Sunday evening because I have no idea what situation I’ll wake up to in the morning. Let’s take the day in somewhat chronological order. We were going quietly through the morning when the power started flickering. At first, it would blink for a second then come right back on. About an hour later, it happened again. Our first reaction was to blame the wind for causing wires to cross somewhere. We really didn’t think it would become a huge problem.

Then, Solaris decided to be destructive and threw my fan off the lamp table, causing it to break. G tried his best to fix it because he was sure that he could, but the fan refused to respond to his life support. I’m going to have to try to sleep listening to all the other sounds tonight.

When the power blinked again, near 1:00, I decided to go ahead and take another nap. I couldn’t watch the Colts game or the Bengals, so I might as well rest. I figured I’d wake up in time for the Washington/Chicago game.

Wrong again. A little after 3:00, I heard sirens, which isn’t unusual. Then, I heard them enter our subdivision, which doesn’t happen as often but does happen. I checked to make sure there was nothing going on in front of the house again, then came back to the room. The dogs wouldn’t leave me alone, though. They knew something outside was wrong. Finally, they convinced me to go outside. Still, I don’t see anything out front. Then, the dogs started barking at the Northeast corner of the fence, on the opposite side of the house. That’s usually a sign that something is happening down the street from us.

As I came around the corner of the house, it was obvious what had the dogs’ attention: six police cars gathered two blocks to our East. Other neighbors were starting to come outside and look, too. I finally got the dogs (mostly Hamilton) to quiet down and it was then that I heard the bullhorn of the SWAT commander telling someone to put down their gun and come out with their hands up. I think the entire neighborhood was holding its breath as we waited. We could see a sniper on a roof and other officers with their rifles trained and ready. An ambulance came in and waited out of range in front of our house. After several tense minutes, the situation was resolved. The ambulance moved in, the cops moved out, and all the neighbors remarked about what a shithole the city has become.

I came back inside and the power was out again. By now, it was staying off long enough that the clocks on the appliances were all blinking. When it came back on, I started my computer back up. Then G started his computer as well. The power immediately went back down. When the power came back, the same thing happened. Then, we noticed that it was only the bedrooms being affected. The washer and dryer were still going. The living room light was still on. That was the heads-up to check the breakers.

I went to check and none of the breakers had flipped. I started turning them off and back on, one at a time, because nothing was marked. After flipping the third one-off, the power came back to the bedrooms. But when G tried powering up his PC, it went back down again.

Bottom line, we have a breaker issue. But, we have questions because this is the original breaker box in a house that’s roughly 80 years old. We have no idea when the breakers or any other wiring might have been updated. There’s no record.

I messaged Kat. Her fever was back up and she was debating going back to the ER. I filled her in and told her to stay in Fishers and not worry about things here. For the moment, she needs to focus on herself, not things here at the house.

I looked at the breaker panel. Do individual breakers have fuses? All that’s visible are the breaker switches. Is there a way to know exactly what I need without turning all the power off to remove the panel cover? I’m going to try to catch our next-door neighbor in the morning. His house is wired similarly to ours and I know he’s completely replaced his breaker box twice. I’m hoping he can give me some answers. I just don’t want the matter to end up on Kat’s plate. She has more than enough right now.

I thought for sure that Chicago had beaten Washington with a last-minute touchdown, and I think they thought the same, but it was not to be. With 25 seconds on the clock, the Commanders’ rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, heaved a 53-yard pass that seemed absolutely impossible. Noah Brown caught it and took it to the end zone. Commanders win, 18-15. I’m going to say it again: Jayden Daniels is the future of the NFL. The kid is amazing. And Chicago? Better luck next week.

Now it’s Monday morning. Everything appears to be okay, at least for the moment. I’m still not turning on my PC until after the kids leave for school. I found a black screen white noise video on YouTube and let that serenade me to sleep, but the cats kept stopping it when they’d jump on the desk. I think I need a better option.

Both kids have PSAT tests this week. G’s is today. He seems relatively ready. Tipper’s is tomorrow. I’m not sure she has a clue what to expect. It will be interesting to see if G’s score differs much from last year. He tests relatively well as long as he is in a quiet room, not being disturbed. Tipper finds tests more of a challenge. In this case, I’m not sure she appreciates what the test is trying to accomplish.

The three primary news sources I check each morning, the Associated Press, Reuters, and the New York Times are all in agreement with their headlines this morning. The Orange Felon’s rally at Madison Square Garden was vile, racist, and misogynistic. Are we surprised or shocked? Of course not. What bothers me is that so many people are comfortable with the rhetoric. With all the emphasis in society on doing away with bullying, why the fuck would we ever consider electing one as president?

Anita Hill has an interesting OpEd in today’s Times, The Smearing of Kamala Harris. Dr. Hill knows a smear job when she sees one. It was her name that was dragged through the mud during the Clarence Thomas Senate hearings all those years ago. As time has passed, we see that she was right to blow the whistle on one of the worst characters to ever sit on the Supreme Court. We should have listened then. Will we listen now?

This morning’s AP-NORC poll shows that US voters are concerned about post-election violence and efforts to overturn the results. I know I’m concerned. I look at how things are going in the Georgian (the country) elections and fear that we are every bit as bad, if not possibly worse, than them. Similar things are happening with elections in Lithuania and Uruguay. The world is a dangerous place and we, citizens of presumably the strongest nation in the world, are doing more to make things worse than better. Foreign threats to the US election are on the rise, and officials are moving faster to expose them, but will that be enough? ‘Take our lives seriously,’ Michelle Obama pleads as she rallies for Kamala Harris in Michigan, but is anyone listening?

Global economy chiefs fret over a Trump return as US election draws closer. The Commercial real estate industry worries over higher taxes as election looms. The GOP is going in heavy on immigrants and trans people, but it’s a South African immigrant who worked in the US illegally who’s leading their charge. None of this makes a damn lick of sense, but one thing is for sure: Your vote does not merely affect the course of the country but of the world. Everyone is going to be looking in our direction for the next two weeks and if we blow it, if we elect a fascist or allow them to commit acts of chaos and destruction, it is democracy as a global ideal, not a national one, that takes the hit. Remember, we set the example. Other countries followed. Are we going to kill the dream we started?

Oh, and if you think the election is the reason gas prices are down, guess again. Oil prices plunged 5% after a limited Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran. There are a number of places where the price at the pump has dropped below $3 a gallon. Don’t give any politician the credit for something they didn’t do.

A Florida woman was found guilty of murder for leaving her boyfriend to die in a suitcase. Ladies, don’t tell me you haven’t at least thought about doing this to an abusive person in your life.

A Lebanese family was holding a Sunday gathering when an Israeli strike toppled their building. There’s no question that the strike illustrates Israel’s willingness to kill significant numbers of civilians in pursuit of a single target. More than 70 people died. Innocent people getting together as a family. And we’re supporting this.

But hey, McDonald’s Quarter Pounder is back on the menu after testing rules out beef patties as an E. coli source. That’s what’s important, isn’t it? What ever would we do without our overpriced fat sources?

Even the weather isn’t cooperating this week. After a beautifully cool autumnal weekend, winds begin picking up tonight, and into tomorrow and we’ll see highs back in the 80s on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Then, just in time for all that Trick-or-Treating, it’s going to rain on Thursday. I know Tipper’s planning on going to haunted houses with furry friends.

Ugh. I need to get dressed and get the dogs outside. They’ve been calm and quiet so far this morning. They’re about the only thing calm in my universe. Best to try and keep them that way.

And more coffee. I definitely need more coffee.

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Morning Update: 10/25/24

October 25, 2024

Winning becomes difficult when losing is the dominant experience. Yesterday, we were dealt another setback as Kat was diagnosed with pneumonia, likely a leftover symptom from having COVID-19 a couple of weeks ago. Kat’s chest had been hurting the entire time, but she assumed that she had pulled a muscle or something with all the coughing. Then, she coughed up blood yesterday. To the ER she went. They did multiple EKGs and X-rays before coming to the conclusion that she had pneumonia. This means she won’t be at work until at least Monday, and possibly beyond that if her condition doesn’t improve sufficiently. This hits at a time when her books are so full that she had clients scheduled six days out of the next seven, and well past that.

The kids are rather busy at the moment as well. Tipper is going to a friend’s Halloween party after school today. G is adding an entrepreneurship track and a media emphasis to his already packed schedule. We’re at that stage where even when they’re home we hardly see them. As long as they’re doing well and are happy, we’re supportive of everything they’ve got going on.

Meanwhile, cancer sucks. I’m blaming the fact that my leg bones are screaming on the weather. We’re not going to get a lot of rain, but the change in pressure is enough to make life a bit more miserable than it was. For me, the challenge is how to take care of Kat without walking any more than necessary. Some things can be farmed out or delivered, but we need to visit two different pharmacies to pick up meds for both of us. Getting out isn’t something we’re likely to find invigorating.

Against this backdrop, I’m finding it difficult to be sympathetic toward any news that doesn’t immediately affect our lives. McDonald’s says onions from California-based produce company linked to deadly E. coli outbreak and more fast-food chains are dropping onions from their menus as a result. Okay. We have plenty of healthy onions at home and weren’t planning on eating fast food this week in the first place. Can we be done with this story?

King Charles acknowledges ‘painful’ slavery past as calls for reparations intensify and at the same time, President Biden’s trip to Arizona will be the first time a U.S. president has apologized for the abuses that happened at the schools over a period of 150 years. When politicians apologize for sins committed by other people in a different century, what really changes? Yes, the acknowledgment is nice, but the government isn’t a person. The apology doesn’t mean crimes against other marginalized people groups are suddenly going to end. Neither does it mean that the families of those affected by those crimes are going to get their loved ones, or their loved ones’ potential offspring, back. When we can’t punish the people who were directly responsible, are the political speeches anything more than empty words?

Election polls are pretty much tied at 48% for each party. This is going to get ugly because people on both sides think that democracy hinges on them winning. But then, we’ve never been a united people. Never. Ever. Why should we expect such now? This isn’t even the worst it’s ever been. There is not a political system in the world that is fool-proof. There are just too many fools.

An alert just popped up on my monitor that there is lightning nearby. If it cares to linger, I have a list of targets for it to hit.

At least it’s Friday, which in itself is rather meaningless, but it means there’s football tomorrow. Although, the Rams beat the Vikings, 30-20 last night. The game was an offensive battle as people are starting to return from the injured list. That could be a precursor to what we see this weekend.

Or maybe I’ll just curl up and sleep through the whole thing.

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Morning Update: 10/24/24

October 24, 2024

In case you’ve not been paying attention, we have nine cats. They’re all rescues of one kind or another. Each has a very unique personality and plays a specific role in this family of ours. So, when Kat woke up a little before 3:00 this morning and saw a window screen lying on top of Jack-Jack, our mane coon, she quickly jumped up and started taking inventory. One of the front windows was wide open, so the odds that there had been an escape were pretty high.

Seven of the cats were found quickly enough, especially once I was up and moving at 4:00. The cats associate my morning habits with filling their food bowls, so they came running. All but one. Kronk, aka Pinball, was still missing. Kronk doesn’t miss breakfast so that was a sure sign that he was still outside… somewhere. I put on shoes and a coat and started looking, but came up empty. The air was a chilly 40 degrees. I assumed that he was curled up somewhere trying to stay warm. I came back inside.

Now, the dogs were awake and wanted to go outside. Fine. They’re pretty good at rousing any beast of any kind that might be wandering the yard. We went back outside and let them have a look around. Still, nothing. We came back inside, gave them treats, and I started a pot of coffee. There was no point trying to go back to bed when I knew our little guy had to be outside in the cold.

Kat and I were chatting when we heard a noise at the window. She jumped up to look and saw Kronk scamper away. Back outside I went. I saw him for a brief moment, but he darted under a large, bush-like tree and disappeared. Kat soon joined me, barefoot, and we continued trying to coax the little guy out. Finally, he came around the corner of the shed and Kat was quick to scoop him up. He’s now safe, curled up in the middle of my bed, sound asleep.

In the middle of all this, I started getting text messages from Tipper. Her leg hurt. Her arm was numb. She didn’t want to go to school. Her attempts to get out of school are becoming problematic, enough that I’m wondering what’s really going on. Why does she want to avoid school? I’m not getting an answer to that question. We went back and forth while I was looking for Kronk. I’m not letting her stay home today. I’m a mean ol’ Dad, I’m sure.

Kat’s finally back asleep, but I’m wired for the time being. Even on a good day, it takes my body some time to recover from being out in the cold. I’m sure I’ll crash after the kids have gone to school. Fat Guy is reminding me that it’s now the normal time for them to be fed. We have a schedule, you know, and we’re forced to keep it.

The headlines this morning are infuriating. The first set to assault my eyes were:
Israeli strike kills Lebanese troops as France hosts aid conference
Israeli strikes kill 42 in Gaza as tanks tighten siege of north
Attackers kill 5, injure 22 at Turkish aviation site
Election officials are fighting a tsunami of voting conspiracy theories
Hurricane Kristy strengthens into a Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean
Seoul vows response as North Korean troops head to Ukraine
Macron says France will provide a 100 million-euro aid package to support Lebanon
Boeing Workers Resoundingly Reject Contract and Vote to Extend Strike

If that’s not enough to give one a headache, there are all the follow-up stories:
John Kelly Warns Donald Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator
At Town Hall Event, Harris Agrees That Trump Is a Fascist
World Opens to the Taliban Despite Their Shredding of Women’s Rights
Seth Meyers Isn’t as Nice as You Think He Is
Study on Puberty Blockers Goes Unpublished Because of Politics, Doctor Says
Los Angeles Times editor resigns after newspaper withholds presidential endorsement
Nearly 25 million votes have already been cast as Harris, Trump hit battleground states
Indonesia says its coast guard drove away a Chinese ship that interrupted survey in disputed sea
Should elephants have the same rights as people? (Yes, that’s a serious headline)
People 50 and older should get pneumococcal vaccine, U.S. health officials recommend
More frozen waffles and pancakes recalled over possible listeria contamination

Dizzying, isn’t it? I’ve had plenty of reading time this morning so now I’m thoroughly depressed about the state of the world. With this comes the inevitable question of ‘what can I do about any of it?’ Answers to that question don’t come easily.

One thing we’ve done for the first time is put campaign signs in our yard. Kat came home yesterday with both a Harris/Walz and McCormick for Governor sign. We’ve been cautious about making such statements in the past. Putting signs in our yard, making any kind of political statement in this neighborhood, potentially makes our house a target. We both agreed that should we see anyone in the yard we’ll let the dogs out to wreak their havoc and terror. Hamilton’s been extra high-strung of late anyway and he’s fast for a fat dog.

What else is there? I don’t believe memes change anyone’s mind about anything, and quite honestly, I question the authenticity and origin of most of what I see online. Misinformation is so rampant this year that I hesitate to share anything that doesn’t come from one of the few sources I trust. If anything, I think it might defuse some of the tension if we saw fewer memes on social media.

But then, there’s this headline this morning: One Tech Tip: How to prepare your online accounts in case you die. That’s an above-the-fold headline. What it inevitably says, though its intent is otherwise, is that the world is going to hell without the luxury of a handbasket and you need to have your shit in order just in case we all become victims. In conversations with a friend earlier this week I admitted that I’m not making any plans of any kind beyond November 5 because I don’t trust what might happen. There are too many people who think they need to take back something that never existed. They won’t be happy until the US is covered in chaos and disorder.

Even religious gatherings aren’t safe anymore. I’m seeing an increase in the number of people stating that Christianity in the US is acting more like a political party than a religion. No, I’m not linking to any of those articles because, again, I don’t trust the sources. The simple fact that I’ve seen more than five related pieces, though, should be alarming. People shouldn’t have reason to ask such a question of their faith.

There is no crystal ball capable of predicting what happens next. Don’t trust the polls. Don’t trust the talking heads on television. If elephants have the same rights as people, does that mean they get to vote? At this point, there’s not much that surprises me.

Both kids are headed to school. Tipper didn’t bother coming in and talking to me as she got ready. We’ll see how the day goes. Life is hard for everyone. While I’m largely sympathetic, Frankie, the smashed-face wheezer kitty, reminds me that we have to overcome obstacles and keep our fur clean. No one thrives when their lives become a matted mess.

I’m still unreasonably wired. I’m going to eat something, take my meds, and hopefully catch a few Zs.

Stay safe. Drink more coffee.

Current Issues / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / science / Social Commentary

Morning Update: 10/18/24

October 18, 2024

Welcome to Friday and all the cheer and joy that it brings! Yes, I’m being quite facetious. Friday is trash day around here, both literally and figuratively. For whatever reason, the dogs and I woke up early. I took a shower, attempted to dry this graying hair, gathered the trash and set it by the curb, then took the dogs out while chatting with Tipper. She was angling to stay home, saying her stomach hurt, but I didn’t give in and sent her on her way. I think what she’s experiencing is more anxiety than illness. Yes, anxiety is real and its effects are nothing to laugh about, but if she stayed home every time she felt a bit anxious, she’d rarely go to school!

Kat’s the one who’s ill. She ended up having to go to emergency care yesterday and was found to have an ear infection in both ears! She has meds and is still sleeping this morning. The question is whether she’ll be able to stand without getting light-headed. No one needs a dizzy stylist.

I finally got a text from G last night, after I’d gone to bed. Yes, he’s seen “a few” alligators. Yes, he’s having fun. That’s all the info he gave me. Can you tell he’s a teenager?

Tipper is still trying to get out of school. She’s texting me that a constant air horn noise on the bus is giving her a headache. I won’t be surprised if she’s home early today.

If anyone was thinking that the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar might mean a cooling of tensions in the Gaza war, think again. Netanyahu is saying that the war will go on. No peace. That should tell you everything you need to know about the man who is bankrupting Israel, starving Gazans, and murdering civilians. Why the fuck is the US still supporting him?

Meanwhile, a Reuters investigation shows that the UN’s World Food Program allowed donated grain to go to all the wrong people. As a result, Ethiopians are starving. There’s only so much NGOs can do to take up the slack when corruption is at the core of the government.

AP’s deep dive takes aim at the increasing number of military veterans who are advocating violence against their own country. This goes well beyond the Jan. 6 debacle of 2021. These folks are advocating and prepping for civil war, and the outcome of the election either way may not slow them down. These are your neighbors, maybe your friends. They need to be stopped.

Then, there’s this:

Tennessee judges say doctors can’t be disciplined for providing emergency abortions
A three-judge panel has ruled that Tennessee cannot discipline doctors who provide emergency abortions to protect the life of the mother while a lawsuit challenging the state’s sweeping abortion ban continues.

Don’t be fooled into think that this is a major win for women. The ridiculous anti-abortion laws in Tennessee and elsewhere still exist and this ruling will be appealed. All it means is that doctors might breathe a little easier when trying to determine what procedures can be used to save a woman’s life. Maybe.

Here’s a fun one for your Friday: Scientists show how sperm and egg come together like a key in a lock. I bet you thought you already knew how babies are made, didn’t you? This brings to mind the 1971 by the artist Melanie that sings, “I’ve got a pair of brand new roller skates, you got a brand new key. Why don’t we get together and try them out to see…” Roller skates are an interesting euphemism, aren’t they?

The entire world is watching sleepy little Delphi, Indiana as the trial of a man charged with killing two teenage girls in 2017 finally begins today. This is way overdue. The judge has changed. Attorneys have changed. The whole thing is a mess where comma placement and scientific details are manipulated in attempts to either convict and prove the innocence of the person on trial. At this point, one has to question whether there is any remaining chance of actually getting to the truth.

Ya’ know what stinks? Thousands in North Carolina can’t flush their toilets amid hurricane damage. As if things weren’t already bad enough.

NOAA released its winter outlook yesterday. Remember, they’re focused on climate, not the daily weather. What we’re looking at is a 60% chance of a change in the jet stream that is likely to lead to a wetter but warmer winter here in Indiana, and a significantly drier winter for the South and Southwest. The drier, warmer weather along the Southeast coast may actually help hurricane-ravaged areas in their attempt to recover from back-to-back hurrricanes. Around here, it means we’ll probably have more snow than we did last year.

Okay, that should get your Friday kick started. Don’t expect much, if anything, to change over the weekend. You should be able to get out and enjoy the fall leaves, pick some apples, drink some cider, and all those fun things. I’ll be right here, snuggling with sleepy pups, worrying about everyone. Some of ya’ll need to wrap yourselves in bubble wrap.

More coffee.

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