today is my birthday

HUZZAH!! I passed the written test!!

Today was the absolute last day that I could renew my Drivers License, so I did! I missed only 2, so, unlike you-know-who (aka the MITM) I passed on my first try!

I had to share this tidbit because I passed on the very first try!!!

A funny thing happened while waiting to have my photo taken, the two younger women behind me were complaining because they had to take new pics and weren't wearing any make-up. I, on the other hand, not only wasn't wearing make-up, I had pulled my hair up into a curly ponytail (think Pebbles from the Flintstones) and was wearing dangly earrings! As I told the young women, at my age I really no longer cared how the photo looked! We all had a good laugh! And yes, when the DL arrives I'll share the pic with all y'all!

UPDATE: This is me at 19:17 today!

Today marks 3 days after Christmas and 3 days until my birthday!

...not that I'm counting.

But yes, instead of doing the "I'm counting down the entire month of December" this year, it's just days. OK, what actually happened is that Christmas was on Monday this year, and that threw me off completely in terms of what day of the week it was. If it weren't for my MAC and phone, I would have been lost regarding the actual day I was experiencing.

Also, hanging out with the Krewe is an ongoing event that transcends knowing where one exists in the continuum. (Or it could have been the liquid refreshments.)  So, here we are now, 3 in and 3 out with a NYE/Birthday party with a surprise theme because super nana can NOT have a party without a theme! There will be pictures. (of the cake, I'm sure.)

Now y'all are up to speed on the happenings around here! In about an hour, we'll be feasting on raw oysters accompanied by lemon wedges, hot sauce, crackers, and white wine! 

Huzzah, and see y'all soon! xoxo

Happy Christmas to all y'all...

 ...and a Happy Monday for all the Bah Humbug folks!

Today BGM woke us at 7AM singing her rendition of Last Christmas played on empty wrapping paper tubes! IF I'd been more awake I would have recorded it and shared the agony joyful sound of a kid wanting to open presents!

We had Super Nana's Christmas Coffee cake and massive amounts of coffee, then opened presents. The MITM made a mound of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and more coffee for those of us who absolutely still needed to wake up! 

Happy, Happy, and Merry, Merry to all, and enjoy whatever you do today!

We're off to the Captain and Stretch's place for Christmas dinner with all of the Krewe!

xoxox

Today was a California Lobster Boil!

 Hiding behind the paper towel roll is the MITM's assistant, BGM!

The two started this morning around 11:30 with BGM periodically opening the refrigerator to remind the lobsters that today was their last day alive! Red potatoes, fresh corn, mussels, clams, and, of course, the lobsters! The MITM made a neat pouch for the seasonings, a cup or so of white wine, and my sole responsibility the drawn butter completed the meal prep! Super Nana was the hostess with the mostest and the Dancing Lady shared the bounty with us. The rest of the Krewe were unavailable today, so more for us we missed them and toasted them frequently! 

It was beyond delicious!

Our Christmas Eve Eve luncheon was a success followed by an early Christmas present for me - a box of See's Bordeaux Chocolates!

Tomorrow is prep day for Super Nana's  Annual Christmas Breakfast  Spread! (are you noticing a theme around the holidays here?)  After presents and breakfast (and a nap) Christmas dinner will be with Captain Chaos, Stretch, BKC, The Kid and her Beau, Doc, and The Dancing Lady! Stretch's  Mom, Dad, her sister, and her Beau, and probably a bunch of friends will round out the party.

Of course, there will be pictures!

Before I go, here's a photo that BKM took earlier.

The MITM tending the pot!

Hey, Sweetpeas!

 Today is Christmas Eve, Eve, Eve according to BGM, so here I am! 

It's been rainy here in Lalaland, and also a bit colder than usual, so my reaction was to shut down, mentally and physically. I've missed all y'all and even seeing some of you on those other social media sites reminded me how much fun blogging can be. Also, how much work it can be to try and formulate/articulate all the random thoughts that float around in my head. And, sweetpea, it can get really busy in there.

So, there you go. Or rather, there I go.

I'm not sure where to start right now. Lots of things are happening, some that can't be shared just yet. Other things that I'm not even sure how to share. But that's life isn't it? 

Focus seems to be eluding me right now. Which is probably a sign to stop, go tobed, and try again tomorrow. So, I'll hit publish and see you tomorrow.

xoxo

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT, America?

 Disgraced former representative George Santos (if that's his real name) is now making money doing Cameo videos! Are we so insanely foolish that this is something worthwhile to not only pay for, but send to a friend?  George Santos tale of enrichment beggars belief. (The link will take you to the msnbc article.) SweetMarySunshine, folks, isn't it enough that we are still dealing with TFG* and his grift? Why are we PAYING a fucking narcissist grifter to continue his?

I seem to only be posting negative stuff right now but trust me, I have been self-censoring A LOT, friends, which is probably why I've been hit and miss commenting and posting here.

It's December and this year seems oddly depressing. Maybe it's my upcoming birthday or the end of the year or just the fact that 2024 is looming as the possible end of democracy. Am I overly pessimistic? Or just realistic? 

Somebody tell a joke. 

So, there you go. I am saddened by the continued inhumanity we are seeing in the world. The continued slaughter of innocents here and abroad. The death toll here in the USA continues to rise because the NRA holds far too many politicians in their grasp and sensible gun laws will not be passed. I am finding it more and more difficult to see the so-called light at the end of the tunnel. 

But then, a little face says to me, "Look at this!" And for a moment, I remember that there is hope and goodness in the world and I have to smile!

photo taken by BGM today after trimming the tree

Happy Holidays wherever you are and whatever you celebrate! I'll be back probably feeling slightly less low down and blue, my heart full of sorrow (a candy cane if you know what song that lyric is from)!

*The Fat Git

Vote Blue

 

Thanksgiving Break or BKC and BGM are home for a week!

 For the first time in a while, Big Kid Chaos and Big Girl Matrix have the same Thanksgiving break schedule. Thursday is Turkey Day, so that's pretty much the only total family-scheduled activity. 

The MITM and I are taking the two of them to lunch and some insanity that we'll figure out after lunch, but as the saying goes, it's the journey, not the destination that will be remembered. There's something that happens when the four of us are in a car without parental supervision that has already given rise to secret codes and inside jokes that aren't shared outside of the car. I know this time is fleeting and that at some point, we won't be as much fun to hang out with, but until then, we're reveling in being grandparents. 

According to the Krewe, we weren't this much fun when they were young, but I also know that my Mama and Miss Daisy indulged them all the time! Of course, we have no plans on changing how we indulge treat BKC or BGM while they still enjoy our company!

*******

It's been a strange week here, but compared to the rest of the world, I'm not complaining. I can only hope that peace will prevail. 

I'm also hoping that TFG* drops dead and I can wear a red dress to his funeral (metaphorically speaking about the dress and funeral part). 

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Here's to a better week ahead for all of us, sweetpeas! xoxo

*The Fat Git courtesy of Ms Scarlet

Today is his birthday!! Huzzah #1

Today we celebrate Captain Chaos on his 52nd rotation around the sun! He is not only our eldest, hence the honorific of #1, but he's also a husband to Stretch, father to The Kid (who's 22 now), and Dad to BKC! He's an artist, a crackerjack photographer, a way cool skateboarder, and also a very excellent cook! But most importantly, he is a good man, a good friend to all he knows, a faithful brother to his siblings, and a joy to us as his parents!

Join us in wishing him a grand and glorious day and year ahead!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CAPTAIN CHAOS!!

Two things that disturbed me today and 1 good thing

 First, to be clear, I was beyond disturbed, I was pissed off by two things that happened today.

Ok, so the first thing that happened was when the MITM  called about his health plan and wanting to change part of it (that's right, I'm being vague about those details because we should all be careful about personal info we share on the net), the fellow he spoke with was located overseas in a call center. Now, my pique is not with the fellow answering questions, but with the FUCKING GIANT HEALTH INSURANCE company that is raking in HUGE profits, causing small hospitals to close, driving up medical costs, and generally making the practice of medicine and overall healthcare an incredible clusterfuck! Why aren't they opening call centers here, because Lord knows they have the money to offer fair wages and compensation packages to American workers based on the profits they're sharing with their stockholders! It pisses me off that every aspect of our society is based only on what looks good on Wall St. and not what impacts Main St.! Before anyone comes for me about the nature of capitalism, there is no justification for the inequities in wealth and compensation we see in society today. 

The second thing that disturbed me was THIS COMMERCIAL:

This sort of commercial uses tropes that are offensive and demeaning to all seniors and only reinforce stereotypes of cranky, out-of-touch older women. I could go on, but my rant would only devolve into profanity and generalizations about the folks responsible for this crap.

The good thing is that BGM had her braces put on her lower teeth today and she's not complaining about having them on! 

November means my birthday isn't far off

Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a tiny bit, but once Thanksgiving is done, it's December and that means 

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!  

That's it. I'll probably not mention it again until December 1st, but it had to be said.

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super nana has recovered and thanks all y'all for your kind thoughts. We all tested negative for two days and wore masks whenever we were with her. Just being out of her bedroom and wandering around the rest of the house was a tonic for her spirit. 

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Today the MITM helped Mr Matrix and took all the Halloween decorations down and of course, the background music was Nat King Cole singing "The Party's Over." It truly isn't possible for the MITM to do anything without musical accompaniment. His playlist for the Halloween party was 64 songs long! Or maybe it was 64 hours long, but whatever, it carried the party all afternoon!

Here's to November and Bah Humbug to the end of Daylight Saving Time!

What next, lord? On second thought, don't answer that

 ON top of everything else happening in the world, 

right now,

right here in Lalaland, 

super nana has tested positive for COVID*!!!

Everyone else here has tested negative twice. Fortunately, she can isolate herself in the primary bedroom with an ensuite, so we're masking when we bring in food and whatever else she needs. Fortunately, she's started Paxlovid, so today is Day 2 of treatment and isolation is now 5 days.

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The MITM made a Costco run this morning for ONE THING (gluten-free tortillas) and somehow managed to come back with, let us say, quite a few more things that were too good to pass up, including a really, really good (and big) pumpkin pie! I begged off going because the 2 of us are too easily swayed by a too good to pass up  deal. He did bring back the large container of M&M's for BGM (and me, of course) so the trip was a win-win for all of us!

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So, how's y'all's weekend been so far? xoxo

*I am in no way diminishing the problems of the world right now nor comparing our inconvenience to real suffering. 

I wonder what comes next here in the USA

 The Republican majority in the House of Representatives is on the verge of electing a Speaker who was an active election denier and behind the scenes wrote amicus briefs in support of denying the lawful election of President Biden. If Johnson attains the Speakership he will be responsible for the certification of the 2024 presidential election in the House. I read some of his positions on legislation passed during the prior Congressional session under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi, and his rhetoric was beyond conservative, bordering (in my opinion) on authoritarian. The defense the Republicans are voicing for his election is that "they are tired of waiting" and they need to move on. My response to that is that I, and I would venture to guess, along with the majority of sentient Americans, are tired of the country being held hostage by dysfunctional, self-serving, thoughtless grifters who've put party over the needs and wishes of this Country! They have aligned themselves with TFG (The Fat Git, compliments of the very astute Ms. Scarlet) and have based their agenda on pleasing him!

I know that this rant probably should have stayed off the blog, but y'all know that I have a very difficult time keeping my political opinions to myself, especially when it comes to US politics.

As Trae Crowder always says, I love you like chicken!

xoxo

UPDATE: Rep. Mike Johnson was elected Speaker of the House. 

TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!!

 

Here's the Birthday Girl (aka super nana) as Lydia from Beetlejuice for our recent Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party! (There are no pics from that event because, as usual, we were too busy eating and laughing!) 

super nana has been celebrating all weekend and will be enjoying her birthday cake tonight! She's 45 today and proud of it! 

Join us in celebrating this day and our lovelygirl! xoxo

Friday and the damn House majority has taken off for the weekend!

 This is the insanity of the current GOP members of the House. I've been watching the lunacy since the removal of McCarthy as Speaker, so Gym Jordan giving up today was inevitable. Watching the members of the so-called Freedom Caucus has been akin to being at the circus and watching the clown car unload its cabal of clowns into the ring! I'm not going to rant much longer, but today has been a series of I knew it moments around here!

Enjoy your weekends, sweetpeas, because I am going to enjoy mine by not looking at the news until Monday! xoxox

We were on a BREAK!

 Not that kind of break, to be clear, just not blogging.

Anyway, a few things have happened since my last post. I had an outpatient procedure done on my knees. Not a replacement, just some injections done on both knees. I haven't been doing enough PT, so there's periodic pain, but that too shall pass because I've gotten a bit more serious. Other than that, it's been okay around here. I must catch up with all y'all's blogs, so I'll be around soon.

The world is still insane and causing many sleepless nights, but we can only hope that peace and good sense will prevail everywhere.

I love all y'all! xoxo

Hey! Taking a mini break

 Y'all are lovely friends and do worry when anyone is absent for any length of time (I know because I have received a few emails), so I'm letting you know I'm taking a little social media break, but only for a short time. Nothing is wrong, I just need to focus on some other things right now.

All of this starts tomorrow.

As Trae Crowder says, I love you like chicken!

Today is almost the BIG ONE!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR MATRIX

Today is his day! It's also his 49th turn around the sun. Hope y'all will join us in wishing him a joyous day. He's celebrating in true Krewe fashion by spreading the fun across the weekend! Party on, sweetpea!

Self-portrait 2022

It's a bit warm here and a few other things I've been thinking about

 Southern California is experiencing yet another heat wave! Compared to other parts of the southland, we're OK, but 76F (24C) at 0600hrs is a bit warmer than you want to wake up to. It's noonish right now and 86F (30C) here, but in the valley (the other side of the Santa Monica Mountains it's hella hotter. We're talking about 97F (36C), BUT according to the Weather Channel cooler days are ahead. We shall see.

Compared to the East Coast, we're looking damn good. If you're looking at the news, a hurricane is rapidly approaching Florida and will be moving up through Georgia and the Carolinas. This type of weather made me crazy because early projections can show you right in the path and then an hour later the path, and your vulnerability, can change. The anxiety was intense, not only for us, but for family living far away. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all our friends living in the storm's path.

For anyone who STILL feels that climate change is a hoax, I would suggest that you GO FUCK YOURSELF because the entire world is experiencing weather patterns right now that are beyond unusual! Across the globe, we're seeing the results of our over-dependence on fossil fuels and the greed of those who profit from the exploitation of our world. Our home. We don't have another refuge.

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The other attention grabbing headlines around here are, of course, the many indictments of The Fat Git (Oh, Scarlet I will forever love you for this explanation of TFG) and his cabal of mini-grifters! Every bit of "Breaking News" brings yet another new bit of hyperbole by TFG and his legal team or as Jeff Tiedrich so poetically said, "Little Donny Fuckface ace team of parking garage lawyers"  that commentators have had to suppress laughter in damn near every single interview they've conducted! I, along with damn near everyone I know, have been cackling and hollering "FAFO, ya big clowns!" It's been fascinating watching his lawyers underestimate DA Fani WIllis and her staff, and then being incredulous that Judge McAfee hasn't caved to all their demands. So,we have yet another we shall see situation!

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What else?As you may have read here the other day, Instagram decided that I was in violation of their crazy Community Standards. I was finally released from their arbitrary online incarceration late the same day. I'd asked here and also on Facebook about y'alls experiences and was pleased that so many of you said (essentially) the same thing which was "Fuck'em and you do you, Boo" to which I say, 

I LOVE ALL Y'ALL!

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I started this post earlier in the day and now it's 15:36 hrs and it's hot and I'm melting and I am done for today. I hope wherever y'all are, you're safe, comfortable, and outrageously content! xoxo

The Day I Got Kicked of Instagram

 Yep, it finally happened. It wasn't a political post, it was a comment in response to what has become commonly known as a "Karen acting out" video. Here it is:

Your comment was removed

Your comment goes against our Community Guidelines on harassment and bullying. Repeatedly breaking our rules can cause more account restrictions.

You have 179 days left to request a review.

Your comment goes against our guidelines on harassment and bullying

WTAF makes this woman think anyone owes her anything? Stay in your car, bitch.

Posted Aug 27, 2023

Our guidelines on harassment and bullying

We don’t allow people to threaten or harass others, or target them with content that shames or disrespects them.

Bullying and harassment can include things like:

•Sharing descriptions or photos to shame or degrade someone

•Sharing personal information to harass or blackmail someone

•Targeting someone with threats

How we made this decision

We use the same rules around the world for everyone.

Our technology found your content doesn't follow our Community Guidelines. As a result, our technology took action.

Our technology and teams work in many languages to make sure our rules are applied consistently.

Slow Saturday FINALLY!

 We have absolutely nothing on our calendar today and I can hardly believe it! I did serious housekeeping chores yesterday and right now, like the line from "Hair," I'm free now thanks to ole Master Lincoln, the emanci-fuckin-pator of the slaves!

*****

Today is National Dog Day, in case you were not aware. I'd love to have another dog again, but I know it would have to be a tiny dog because  I'm too lazy for all the work that comes with a big dog. The MITM wouldn't be happy with a little dog anyway, so to maintain marital bliss...

*******

In the background, as I write, the Navy vs. Notre Dame college (American) football game is on. He's watching only because the game is being played in Dublin, Ireland. He normally roots for Navy because we have familial ties to the Academy. I guess it's all things sport on the TV because he just flipped over to the Golf Tour Championship being held today in Atlanta. 

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Atlanta, the site of a multitude of happenings this past week! Probably every single adult (who cares about politics in America) is aware of The Fat Git* surrendering to the Fulton County Jail for his mugshot and fingerprints. We all know about his alleged height and weight aka the lies he tells himself. I think I'll leave any further discussion to the news and political pundits. I just want to share one meme.

OK, one more just because.

Have a great weekend, sweetpeas! xoxo

*Title courtesy of Scarlet

Monday or the day after a wild weekend!

 Thanks to Facebook, many of y'all already know that the MITM, our Krewe, and yours truly, weathered the storm without any issues. We did feel a slight tremor from the Ojai (85 miles from here) earthquake, but no damage. super nana thought it was one of her dogs under her bed when the quake was felt where she lives.

Thanks for all y'alls concern and kind words!

Lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My!! or it's raining, it's (possibly) pouring this weekend in Lalaland

 The City of Los Angeles has issued an advisory regarding the advancing storm that will hit the area late Sunday and all day Monday. Of course, this timeline is hit or miss (pardon the pun) because the storm's movement can change depending on whether it stays at sea or moves inland. The variables are part of that "unknown known" as in will the water be warm when the storm passes over it or will there be a depression moving down the coast? All we do know for sure is that September 1939 was the last time Los Angeles was in the path of a tropical storm! Having lived through far too many tropical storms and hurricanes in Savannah, we are not too worried. But then again, we live in the flats, not a hillside community. Mudslides and flash floods aren't an issue around here. BUT, all cell phones and computers will be charged, along with our flashlights. The freezers are full, there are easy to-eat foods available, and we have a gas stove for food that requires cooking. As the saying goes This ain't my first rodeo!

The major issue in any storm is wind damage that can cause downed trees and power lines. We'll see what happens, although I know we might be fine, others in our city might not be. 

Our fears are minor compared to what's happened in Maui, but this isn't a misery contest.  Maui is an example of the complicated issues of the climate crisis and the ongoing effects of colonialism in Hawaii. There will be information coming surrounding the fires and their impact on the people of Maui. This story is far from over.

********

This has been a news-heavy week for everyone, so I'll leave commentary about The Fat Git* to the journalists and pundits.

xoxox

*title courtesy of Scarlet

MIA for a reason or two (Plus an Update)

 It's  Saturday, August 12 (I know because my MAC says so) and since the last time I posted, the MITM and I have been dog-sitting while Mr Matrix, super nana, and BGM spent a few days at Disneyland for somebody's 11th birthday!

Yep, that baby is now 11 and getting ready for 6th grade (Middle School) at the same school super nana, Stretch, and a few other female relatives attended. School starts next week for BKC and BGM, so this weekend is the last hurrah for them both.

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The MITM made a fantastic Seafood Gumbo yesterday. I think there might be a picture, but who knows? We were all too busy eating. I think that pretty much sums up this past week for me, good eating and doing as little as possible. We did treat ourselves to lunch at Petite Trois. Check out the menu if you're interested. The chef is French and his restaurant is as close to being in a Paris Bistro as you can get out here, without spending a fortune. 

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I've been following the news (like every other woke person) and wondering how much longer TFG is going to be able to con his maggots into funding his legal defense fund? I mean, how many more indictments before they realize (rhetorical questions, friends) what we've all known, that their savior, their hero, their valiant protector is nothing but a grifting, venal, corrupt (I could go on, but I won't) dictator? I wonder if anyone in the running for the GOP presidential nomination, besides Chris Christie, will say ANYTHING against him? Yesterday, two Constitutional Law scholars of the GOP's beloved Federalist Society issued a statement saying that "Donald Trump cannot be president - cannot run for president, cannot become president, cannot hold office - unless two-thirds of Congress decides to grant him amnesty for his conduct on January 6th."

There are so many questions, but one puzzles me the most and that's when will Kevin McCarthy remember that he has sworn to put the Country over politics and his legacy will be tainted forever, unless he does?

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Yeah, it's been a very strange week for me and I've been using that other social media site to sort of blow off steam and vent via memes and sharing the righteous anger posts of others. I think the best thing and certainly the most vivid was the Montgomery dock showdown! I have a newfound love of folding chairs! I'm sure all y'all know what happened, and if you don't google Montgomery, Alabama brawl.

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That's all I've got for today, sweetpeas! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. 

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One last thing:

Watch Trae Crowder because I love you like Chicken, just like Trae does!

Ok, I love you, Bye!

UPDATE from Big Girl Matrix (BGM)

Here's the latest interior design on the Calico Critter house!

Thursday, August 3rd, 2023

 Today is, in my mind, one of those days that will be remembered as either the beginning of the end of democracy or the beginning of the salvation of this Republic.

I've grown increasingly angry as the day has progressed knowing that anyone else who was indicted for the third time on felony counts was going to 

1. Arrive at a Federal Court,

2. Be Arrested,

3. Plead NOT Guilty (as is their right),

4. and this is the most galling, TFG will be allowed to leave without being taken into custody only because of his former position! Any other person would have been taken into custody immediately. We have only to consider the most recent cases of those convicted because of their 1/6 involvement.

We are in a position, as a Country, that the Founding Fathers could never have anticipated happening. Reading this most recent indictment shows just how close we came to losing our Country as we know it because TFG* didn't want to lose his grip on the best grift/con he's ever had! Adding to this massive abuse of power by a president, we have the GOP whining about the Biden administration weaponizing the DOJ* against TFG and turning our Country into "a banana republic" which is exactly what TFG was attempting to do by refusing to honor the rightful and peaceful transfer of power by honoring the will of the people and their votes! 

I am tired.

I can only hope that the case against TFG is strong enough to convince the jury and those who continue to support him, to send this grifter, and ultimately all who actively supported his venality, to prison for the rest of his life.

Remember to VOTE BLUE in 2024 because every single vote matters and let us continue to strive to form a more perfect Union.

Addendum: After his reading this prior to publication, the MITM said, "Well, it's a bit preachy, but not angry. OK, you're angry right now, so yeah, publish it."

*The Former Guy aka trump

** Department of Justice

Friday with an 18:57 Update

 It's not a bad day here with regard to the weather, in fact, it's currently 84F (29C), but there is a slight breeze and low humidity. We're fortunate living where we are because just over the hills, it's in the 90s or low 100s and the humidity makes it feel even hotter. The topography of this part of Los Angeles means that we're close enough to catch ocean breezes and ocean fog. We can be overcast here and a few miles away it can be sunny and clear. Of course, like everyone else, we're inside and enjoying the slight breeze and ceiling fans.

Enough weather talk! It's OK here for now, but climate change is real and affecting all of humanity in different, but deadly ways.

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One of my favorite bloggers has come back to Blogger and that would be Scarlet! For some reason, I can't add her to my Blogroll and I'm not sure why not, but if you aren't following her, do yourself a favor and check out her blog! Speaking of favorites I can't seem to add, there's Bob. I think many of y'all read/follow him, but if you don't, you should! 

By the by, if anyone knows a secret to adding or removing blogs from your blogroll, please let me know.

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I think that's it for now.

Oh, wait! 

If you haven't seen the news or read the paper today, TFG is in even deeper stuff thanks to Special Counsel Jack Smith with the release of this Superseding Indictment! Yeah, this is a real FAFO  moment for TFG.

We shall see! 

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I came across this bit of information and thought it might be relevant or if nothing else, interesting reading. 

Espionage Act

Saturday (with a 13:46 update)

 It's all about sports (on tv) around here today.

Started with the FIFA Women's World Cup watching Team USA beat Vietnam, 3-0.

Followed by a recap of last night's Dodger-Rangers game that ended with a Dodger 11-5 victory.

Now, we're watching the British Open. 

Why you might ask are we watching sports and not outside doing something? 

Well, first, it's HOT outside, 

and second, I ain't stupid, it's HOT outside!

Also, the weather has made my asthma slightly uncomfortable and I know what comes next if I FAFO and I am not willing to tempt fate.

BUT, not to worry, I have meds that are keeping everything in check now.

UPDATE:

I just realized how out of it I am. Yep, I tried to watch Season 1 of And Just Like That. Five minutes in and not only did I quit watching, I turned the tv OFF just to cleanse the screen! *jesus wept*

As promised...

 Yesterday was a real downer around here! I promised a lighter tone today and I am here to deliver!

I just heard the best description of Thursday ever: "Baby Friday" and it made me laugh out loud. It's even better than "Friday Eve" to my mind because it's hopeful and conjures up an image of growth. Or am I grasping at straws here? I am clinging to my Pollyanna personality here and staying positive that there are good things happening and that they are happening to and for me and of course, all y'all!

It is only 12:30 PT here, so there's plenty of time for all of this to go south and land me in the Pit of Despair (kudos if you know where that line is from), so I think I'd better make some lunch ASAP to avoid becoming hangry and heading into the PoD.

I'll be back after lunch.

After lunch update:

Feeling much, much better, darlings! Lunch was a HUGE bowl of fresh strawberries and a mug of Earl Grey tea. It's hot outside, and all the neighbors are back inside. Earlier today, the block was a buzz with activity before the heat forced everyone back inside. The MITM and I are nice and cool now, thanks to an overhead fan and thoughtful Southern California architecture. Strategically placed open windows allow even the slightest breeze to move through the house on the warmest of days. It also helps that neither of us is in any way active right now, as in, I'm writing and he's listening to music! It helps.

Wherever you are right now, I hope you're safe and savoring the moment. xoxo

Almost a fortnight has passed...

 (I love that word fortnight. It is a shame that we here rarely use it.)

For some reason, maybe it was sampling those summer drinks, I've found it difficult to blog these past days. I did get around to visiting many of y'all today and realized just how remiss I've been! It hasn't been insanely hot here where we are, but we've still been taking it easy so as to not tempt fate. The MITM has been quoting a NOVA production about Mars and how we are probably beginning the end of Earth as we know it. Yeah, he's really a Debby-downer these days! It is difficult not to be worried about the state of the world when every weather report mentions that each passing day is hotter than the last ALL AROUND THE FUCKING GLOBE! The Doomsday Clock for climate change is frightening and also a reminder that we still have time to alter the course of our destiny. Perhaps we should have listened to former President Jimmy Carter and former VP Al Gore when they tried to change our dependence on fossil fuels. 

If the political climate here wasn't so frightening, I might really be depressed just thinking about what we're doing to our Big Blue Marble.*

Somebody tell a joke.

*Tomorrow's blog will be more uplifting, I promise.

It's summer drinks time!

 I've found recipes for some (besides the classic G&T) of my favorite summer tipples!

The Pimm's Cup has a variation I just found called Classic Pimm's and Lemonade which looks delish! I'll leave my review later.

I discovered this next drink in Spain a few years ago with The Dancing Lady and The Doc when they lived in  Madrid. This drink became a favorite with our Savannah friends. Hope y'all will try a Tinto de Verano soon!

A lazy day here, so drink accordingly!

xoxo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STRETCH!!

Captain Chaos took this photo a couple of years ago, but it's still one of my favorites! So join us today in celebrating Stretch on her birthday!!

 

Tuesday and I'm learning how to (drive myself crazy) crochet UPDATE: WE MADE A JUNETEENTH CAKE (a day late)

 One of the fun things about being a grandmother is indulging learning new things with your grands! This week BGM (aka Big Girl Matrix) has decided that she wants to learn how to crochet and make her own stuffies! So, her Mama (super nana) bought all the necessary items, including a couple of books, 3 different types of hooks, and the wrong yarn! Yesterday the Beginners Crochet Club (BCC) was established! YouTube is our friend and an unofficial member of the club.

The first order of business today was me returning the wrong yarn and finding the right yarn. I don't know about y'all's level of crochet awareness and/or skillset, but is a LOT one needs to know when selecting appropriate materials for this craft. Fortunately, I did pay attention to Bella Coco, our youtube expert instructor and unofficial member of BCC when she explained how to read yarn labels. 

I think I must have about a half mile of chain stitch right now. BGM is still working on holding her hook.

Tomorrow we will attempt to add a row to the chain or whatever the next step is called.

I'll keep you informed of our progress.

UPDATE

One of the topics of conversation on this day

 The MITM received Father's Day texts and calls today. An early (8AM!!) morning breakfast at a local restaurant didn't happen because everyone wanted to sleep in, including him, so it was Doughnuts for Dad at a much more reasonable hour. Hallmark holidays are not a big deal in this family.

He did decide to make chicken gumbo, so that was his fun and games for this day, but now he's done cooking. One of the things the does when he's cooking is listen to music. Today's playlist was music from the 40s and that's how the following conversation happened:

(Background music, Vera Lynn I'll Be Seeing You)

Him: I just don't get it, the fight was against fascism and the Nazis...

Me: Yep, and now...

Him: How the fuck can these people forget what happened? The Brits were in the middle of it and this song just sums it up

Me: I know, we...

Him: It's as if people here don't even remember WTF the war was about. If they fucking even remember we fought the Nazis...

Me: You're ...

Him: Jesus, you can hear the sadness. They didn't know if their people were coming back. (The White Cliffs of Dover comes on) Yeah, listen to that..."...and peace ever after, tomorrow when the world is free..." 

Me: 

Him: 

Then, the mood changed because dinner was ready, 

Billie Holiday came on, 

and we sat down together, 

raised a glass, 

 the anger gone.

For a little while.

Friday!! or she reappears 11 days later...

So, what's the haps, loverlies? 

I've been wandering around the periphery of Blogville lately, spending far too much time doom-scrolling, then sharing Cassandra-like memes and articles on those other social media sites. Why, you might ask (because I sure do) have I indulged in such a depressing activity? It's because every time I've started to blog, I've come up bereft of ideas and content! So, the solution was to take the easy way out. 

This short piece is to let y'all know that I'm around and also, that I think the impasse has been broken!

I'll be back.

Probably be later today.

Or tomorrow, for sure.

We'll see.

Or rather, y'all will see,

me.

maybe.

oh, no, have I jinxed myself?

Happy Birthday, MITM!

 This is one of my favorite photos! Here he is enjoying his most favored activities, cooking, eating, and savoring a good wine! I took this photo back in Savannah a few years ago and his smile is still the same, as are his favorite pastimes!

Happy Birthday, you darling man!

Out of the closet

 MY CAMERA is out of the closet and in my hands!

I used to take photos regularly when Kodak film was involved. Yeah, I took the shots, then took the film to be developed and waited to see how many were keepers. Fast forward to digital and here we are again. Yep, I'm using the Nikon DSRL the MITM purchased back in 2006 for stills to use in his documentary work. I did use it when we lived in SAV, but that tapered off as I started using my iPhone for quick pics. I decided to find/use the Nikon again when IDV suggested I start taking photos for the Infomaniac Garden Photo Extravaganza. 

So, there you go. Hopefully, unloading my photos will be more successful than my attempts at video uploads.

Wish me luck.

Strike!

 Whilst out today, we drove past EVERY.FUCKING.STUDIO here in Lalaland in support of the WGA (Writers Guild of America). Far too many people we know and love work in the entertainment business and are (or will be soon) affected by the inaction of the major studios. The WGA went on strike after repeated attempts to negotiate a fair contract that would protect writers. Once again, we have a situation where companies making HUGE profits are sharing those profits not with the people who are actually responsible for the content that generates those huge profits, but with their shareholders and CEOs, (who make salaries ridiculously higher than writers, below the line workers- camera, sound, prop, grips, actors, and directors!). 

The effects of an extended strike in this town will be felt by, again, all the ancillaries businesses, many of whom are still recovering from the pandemic lockdown, that are supported by entertainment industry folks. I'm talking about eateries near studios, catering businesses that work location shoots, dry cleaners, hair salons, and damn near every single business that depends on customers for their goods and services. The last strike here lasted 107 days and amounted to billions lost and had a profound effect on the economy of  Southern California.

Within the next few weeks, the Directors Guild (DGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) will begin negotiations over their respective contracts with the same group representing the studios and streaming services, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). At this point, folks far more knowledgeable than me, are saying that if the DGA and SAG-AFTRA join the DGA in striking, the entertainment industry will cease to function.  The Teamsters Union, Local 399, is already supporting the strike, as are members of IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees). The bottomline is if all the folks in front of the camera and behind the camera decide to stop working, then TV as we're currently used to will cease. All of the late-night talk shows ceased providing new content the day the strike was called and networks have been showing repeats nightly. Any series you've been watching are only showing content that were already completed. The impact of a prolonged strike will affect the upcoming new season which usually starts in September. There will also be an impact on film production also, but that is another issue.

I have no insight on the end result and I know this post is sort of my rambling rant today and will have absolutely no impact on AMPTP, but seeing all of those folks walking the line this morning touched my old radical rabble-rouser heart!*

* I have no idea why there's a white background on part of the post, but I can assure you it is all original content written by me.

Monday UPDATE

 The MITM passed his DMV test on the first try! His new license will be mailed at some point in the near future.

Failure is unacceptable, but it happened at the DMV!

 The MITM has a birthday coming up next month, so the California Department of Motor Vehicles mandates that because of his age, he must take a written test every 5 years in order to renew his driver's license. Well, that's what he tried to do yesterday and failed TWICE! Even the woman at the window, when he checked in, said she thought it was a ridiculous requirement and apologized to him that he had to take the test! There are groups here in California that are actively fighting for a change in this legislation, but that's a story for another post. 

Back to the test.

He had studied the handbook, but UNFORTUNATELY only studied the ACTUAL rules about sitting behind the wheel of a moving vehicle, and NOT what was on the test. Yeah, you know the rules about how often you can go to traffic school to have a moving violation not reported to your insurance company (once every 18 months) or what speed you should drive on compacted snow.* Oh, there were some really good ones, too, as in "What's the minimum age for a driver of a NEV** (wtf, right? aka Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)." At this point, I think it's important for me to say (in his defense) that the MITM has driven in more (developed and undeveloped) countries (and states) than most of the people who were in line at the DMV on that crazy Friday! But, because he erroneously thought that the test was about his actual comprehension of the rules of the road and not the finer points of the Department of Motor Vehicle law, so he failed twice! He was told he could take the test as many times as he wanted until he passed, but he had to stand in an ever-increasing line each time.

He's going back on Monday.

He's studying the handbook right now and will probably continue to do so all weekend.

I'll keep you informed.

*Half the speed at which you were traveling.

UPDATE:

**In California the legal age is 16 for a NEV which is NOT considered a golf cart. You have to be 13 or older to drive a golf cart, but you must have an adult with you.