I picked the right week to not watch the news

I stopped watching network news earlier this week and even with that small move, I was not untouched by the horrors that filled the screens around the country and probably the world. Between the rantings of Trumpito and his undisguised white supremacist views, there was, once again, the death of George Floyd, a black man, filmed and televised. There was the accusation by a white woman against Christian Cooper, a black man, once again filmed and shared over and over again. 

These are just two things that I know about that happened during my self imposed television withdrawal.

This morning I learned about the arrest of Omar Jimenez, a CNN reporter, and his crew by police in Minneapolis at a demonstration yesterday. This during a LIVE broadcast. You could hear the reporter and his crew cooperating with the police, in fact, asking what did the police want them to do. The reporter and his crew were all wearing CNN identification as journalists do when reporting on any demonstration. 

He is black.

A block away his white colleague was not arrested.

This is not just a black-white issue.

It's not minority communities versus white communities.

It's more than the top 1% versus the rest of us.

This is a moment in time when we as Americans decide what type of a society we are going to be going forward. 

I don't have the answer. But, I think together we can figure this out.

At least, I hope so.

***********

I haven't forgotten COVID-19. I don't think any of us can right now. For every day we have fewer deaths, we still have people succumbing to this new virus with variations appearing in different groups in our society. It seems that there is no longer a demographic that's safe or excluded.

I miss seeing the rest of the Krewe. We are incredibly fortunate that we're with the Cap't, Stretch, The Kid, and Big Boy Chaos! To be in the middle of all of this, to be in the same city, and yet apart would have been heartbreaking. As it is now, I miss the ability we had to just hop in a car and see super nana, Mr Matrix, and Big Girl Matrix. I miss seeing The Doc and The Dancing Lady!

I know, we all miss the way things were.

We'll find a new way.

I know it.

I love all y'all!

xoxo

Holy Moly! I just blogged yesterday and here I am today!

I think I might be on to something here, loverlies! Blogging instead of posting on that other social media site Our pal, FirstNations, has cut the cord (after getting jailed far too many times) and has resumed blogging! I have forgotten how to do hyperlinks, so check her site out from the sidebar (Steve. Because 'Steve' is almost as nice a name as 'Paul' was.) and delight in her words!

So, where am I? Yes, blogging again and reading al y'all and trying to form coherent comments. (I say this because I just had a conversation with the MITM and we were both astounded that I could not remember something he had done just a week ago. Make sense?) Anyway, enough about me (too late) what the hell are y'all up to now? Safer At Home guidelines are being lifted in some areas and not in others, so tell how it is where you are!

The MITM and I have decided (after listening to his scientist brother) that we aren't going anywhere unit there's a vaccine. Cap't Chaos and Stretch, along with the rest of our krewe are in agreement with that plan, so that's the plan here. I'm going slowly crazy, but so is everyone else, I guess.

Memorial Day 2020

The news has called today a Memorial Day unlike any other. 

Personally, if it weren't for the pall of COVID-19 hanging over all of us, it's very much the same as every year. The majority of people see today as the "unofficial beginning of summer" and not a day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It has long bothered me that Memorial Day is seen as a great hook for sales of every sort, from sheets to cars to blenders! How crass we've become. But then again, I am not surprised by anything since November of 2016 and sadly, we've come to expect vulgarity and crassness from people. 

So, it was with gratitude that I watched Joe Biden and Dr. Biden lay a wreath at the memorial in Delaware today. Not only were they both wearing masks as the CDC has recommended, their security detail and staff were also masked. It is a sign of concern for the health and safety of those around them which, unfortunately, too many people fail to understand is the whole purpose of wearing a mask in public.

I hope all of you stay safe, stay healthy, and stay hopeful.

I love all y'all.

xoxo

64 days as of today here in Los Angeles

I counted from March 13, 2020, up to today how long we've been under a mandatory Stay-At-Home order from Mayor Eric Garcetti. Capt Chaos and Stretch have been our designated shoppers, so the MITM and I have only been outside in the garden. Walks around the block, always wearing a mask, of course, have been the extent of physical exercise. Physical distancing is being practiced by people who understand why it's still important, but sadly, the news seems to focus on the moronic halfwits who don't give a rats ass about anyone other than themselves! 

I've found it so difficult to understand why people protesting are carrying weapons, waving nazi or confederate flags (or both at times), threatening folks who are masked is patriotic and supportive of America? By what stretch of the imagination is personal freedom defined by putting others at risk? I've heard from the Captain that even though there are fewer drivers on the road, far too often drivers are taking insane risks by speeding, blowing through stop signs, and other dumb moves! Sadly, here in Lalaland, the stats for car crashes under the Stay-At-Home order is the same as last year for the same 64 days! I can't think of a better time to be even more cautious than now!

On a happier note, we've been doing a lot of cooking and baking here! The Kid is making a Cuban style pork roast tonight, the MITM will be making another Chicken and Sausage gumbo soon, and I'm going to roast a leg of lamb this weekend. It's been quite a gastronomic adventure living with folks who love to cook during this pandemic! (Hey, I have to make a few lame jokes to keep from crying - which I seem to have been doing a bit of lately!) 

I've also been doing a lot of reading. I'm in the middle of Erik Lawson's book "The Splendid and the Vile" and have a stack that will keep me busy for a few weeks. What about y'all? What's keeping you busy?

So, there it is, my loverlies, my sort of weekly update from behind the COVID Curtain here in L.A.!

How y'all doing? 

aaaarrrraagggghhhh

i can't believe how irritable i am today.

I had to post that statement because it was just bubbling inside of me! Now that it's out, I'm feeling so much better! Is this happening to you? Even though I know we're staying "safe inside so that we can see all our friends later" the feeling of restlessness is present. I'm missing my other children, my granddaughter, my friends being in my space, not on a screen.

I know, so is everyone else, sweetpea! 

(This was much longer, but I decided to save it for another day.)

May 6th, 2020 (I think)

Well, in case you've been wondering WTF happened to me, here it is in a nutshell:

I killed yet another MAC! OK, maybe it really wasn't my fault this time, but I am without my own personal computer yet again! (I'm using an old one that belongs to Stretch right now) Mr Matrix had loaned me an old one of his, but it's now dead. Given the current restraints regarding our current pandemic budget I'm not buying a new MAC anytime soon. Dropping a few thousand dollars just seems to be the height of folly right now. Especially since I ain't working!

So, how y'all doing?

I expect there to be a ridiculous rise in COVID-19 cases soon given that so many folks have decided that it's their patriotic duty to go out without masks with no thought for anyone other than themselves. I can not understand how this thinking (or not thinking) works! But then again, I'm not going anywhere until there is a vaccine available and/or SCIENCE says it's safe again to be out and about, even if that means wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing! 

I don't know anymore WTF folks are rallying around conspiracy theories or still supporting Trumpito, but I no longer try to explain why I do what I do or what I believe.

(Sweet Mary Sunshine, this is turning into a modified rant which was not my original intent.)

I'm off to catch up with all y'all!

Stay safe, wear your mask, and wash your hands! xoxo