Honey

 Today is supposed to be nice and sunny with temps climbing up into the mid 70s (F).  I work this afternoon, so I'll miss out.  Tomorrow our temps are predicted to top out in the mid 80s (F).  Yes, that's right, but sometime during the day payment will be charged and the rain will come in as a cold front passes through.  On Monday, our temps will be stuck in the 50s (F).  I may have to buy more sweat pants.

While working yesterday, I had a woman call to see if we still had a certain type of vinyl plank flooring for sale.  However, there was a slight problem.  She didn't know the name.  She said it was pale in color, but didn't know if it was wood plank or not. In fact, she wasn't certain it was our store.  She did take a picture that didn't give the name, but did include appliances standing in the background.  Yes, we do get calls like this.  She said it was on clearance, and we do have an area for clearance flooring, however nothing in the size (12" x 24") she wanted.  Dealing with uninformed customers can be so difficult at times.

So, the first word Howie is learning is "no."  For him, everything is a chew toy, including my arms, fingers, nose, and chin.  He's especial fond of my toes.  Certain things, especially my body parts, are off limits, other things include my sneakers and the new chair, which is covered with the same drop cloth I used on Biggie and Lily's sofa.  He is allowed to play around with my slippers; I ordered them a size to big so they're now a chew toy.

When our tour was over in Greece, we were all given a can of Grecian honey.  I eat a lot of honey.  It's quite healthy.  Since I had a large jar open already, I chose to finish that first.  I emptied the bottle yesterday.  I can't wait to taste deliciousness.

This presidential election is not the horserace so many media outlets want it to be, but than they're in it for the money, not Democracy.  I'm of the thought that many of them believe Trump is going to lose, so they might as well make their money while he's still campaigning.  Their choosing to not report his insanity has more to do with the idea that they might has well make their hay while the sun shines.  They are using him to line their bank accounts.  He is still going to remain profitable for them after he loses, but the amount of gold dropping into their tight little fists will go down.  Don't think this is unusual for them, profitability has always come before truth, though it's never been this obvious before.

As for the election:  Trump knows he's going to lose.  That's part of the plan... Putin's plan.  The fact that he's had at least 7 unofficial talks with Russia's dictator indicates there is a coordinated plan.  Trump's denial of giving Vlad those Covid testing machines and Moscow's admitting he did is part of the plan.  Trump's goal right now is to create as much chaos as possible.  He is going to create as much inner turmoil in the United States so that Americans focus totally on our own problems, leaving Putin to do as he wants.  Trump doesn't understand that when his usefulness is done, Putin will flush him away like an old turd that's been floating around in the toilet bowl for way too long.  Our job is to make Trump lose so badly his attempted chaos will fail.

Democrats Play the Republicans

 Yesterday, the weathermen lied.  We had a hot one: 98 (F), that's about 10 degrees warmer than they were predicting, and, silly me, I turned off the central air thinking it shouldn't be that warm in the house when I got home from work.  Wrong.  Not that it took that long to cool the place down, it was just such a shock walking through the front door into an oven.

And work was steady, not that a I got any measures.  The customers with the sample issue from Saturday came in, they'd gotten measured and were so pleased with the quote they're upgrading their carpet to something more expensive.  This is how Karma works, you go out of your way a little, and Karma balances that extra step.  They'll probably buy on Wednesday.  That's nice.  It's a $3500 sale.

Other than that my day was pretty much meh... 

Except for one little thing.

I got my first newsflash from The Guardian and the rest of Main Stream Media slowly followed.  As soon as I heard the first announcement a feeling of elation gathered around me like a bouquet of flowers.  I knew this decision was coming, I just didn't know when, just as I knew it was, and is roiling the Republican party to it's very core.  Their problem is that they are now stuck with a 78 year-old felon as their candidate, the oldest candidate in American history.  That problem is compounded by the fact that so many Americans simply can't stomach Donald Trump.  He is the Orange Anus... with hemorrhoids.  

When I had breakfast with my brother, we talked about Biden stepping down and he asked me if I thought this had been in the works since January.  I told him I didn't know.  I do believe that in spite of everything that's been talked about on the news we were never really told the what was actually going on.  The fact that Biden did so poorly at his the debate had me wondering, was that planned?  It was definitely a Kickstarter for what happened yesterday.  Did the Democrats play the Republicans?  I'd like to think so.

And the Republicans are shitting bricks, almost literally.  In their playbook, Biden was going to stay in the race and lose.  Now they're going to be dealing with someone younger, that's already a mark against them.  Trump has already said the next 2 debates are in jeopardy; he clearly doesn't want to go up against someone who might call him out.  I hope the Democrat's candidate is Harris.  I want her to force Trump to debate her, a black woman, and then humiliate him in public.  This is Karma, too.  If you've been paying attention to the Republican party for any length of time, you've realized that they are all voice and no spine.

Tailgate Party, anyone?

 The sun is out!  Well, on and off, so I suppose you'd say we have semi-partial sunshine.  There's also a lot of fog, thick, like you see in the movies when needs to hide in it.  Temps today are only going to climb into the low 50s (F), but the flood warnings will now end tomorrow rather than on Saturday.

And I did get water in my basement again.  Not much.  Not deep enough to float things, and it's pretty much all drained out, leaving large patches where the floor is now dry.  

I'd had a bag of very old grass seed that I spread across the bare patches in my lawn hoping it would grow.  Well, that didn't happen.  Too old.  So this morning I'll drive over to the store and pick up another bag, something that's dog friendly for when the next beastie arrives.  Don't ask me what breed yet, I haven't made up my mind (many are tossing out suggestions).  Boxers are out.  I don't have any luck with them.  Though the Von Trapp Family Boxers will remain in the books. 

My brother leaves for Scotland today.  He and his wife are very excited.  This will be their first adventure in Europe.  I told him not to drink too much Scotch.  Though, if he wants, he can bring me back a big hunk of smoked salmon; one of my favorites.

I'm sure most of you have heard about the picture the Moral Degenerate posted on his Truth Social account with Biden in the back the a pickup truck.  Well, Occupy Democrats have their own version.  I don't think they'd have much of a problem if this was copied and posted across social media.

One of things I do wish media outlets would stop doing is listing polls.  We all know their fake, yet we are bombarded daily with results that are derived from a small number of people who keep their beliefs and feelings as secret as the ballots we love in this country.  During this primary season, a better gauge as to how America feels about our presidential candidates is to look at the voting trends.  For example, if Biden wins 89% of the vote in a Red State, that's good.  However, Trump wins 56% in a Red State, and 20% of the registered Republican voters cast their ballots for Nikki Haley, that's not good for Trump.  I'm sure the fact that in these Red States DeSantis, Rammiswammy (sp), and Haley are all taking votes from the Orange Anus should be extremely troubling for the Republican party.  These are the essential voters they need.  Without them, there is no victory dance, not that there ever was going to be one.

Dense Fog

 We are under a dense fog warning!  Good thing the sun has risen, otherwise we'd be stuck in one of those good, old pea soup fogs, the type where you can't see the pavement beneath your feet.  I'm not planning on going anywhere, so my car will be one less that's not on the road.

Yesterday was fairly quiet around here.  There are two more small places sections of tile in the kitchen that still need to be grouted, one of them was done yesterday.  This morning I want to seal everything that's been done so far.  The curtain rod over the sink needs to be hung, that shouldn't take long.  I have to order the valance that's going to get hung there.  Really, these are nothing more than the finishing touches.  I like the end result.  It's a new kitchen, most of which I did myself.  As I tell people in the store, save money and do it yourself if possible.  Not only will you be rewarded with the buckos you didn't spend, but also the pride of you accomplishment.

I hit the treadmill yesterday.  1.67 miles.  Today I'll either be rowing or riding.  

The big fish tank was also cleaned yesterday, and the new Greek statuary added.  This is what it looks like now.  Oh, and there is sad note, the last of those Koi angel fish passed.  I really liked those angels.

And our 2024 presidential election is going to be a rematch between Joe Biden and the Spawn of Satan.  I don't know about you, but I find that rather amusing.  Personally, I think both candidates are too old to sit in the white house, unfortunately that is now a moot point.  There is not going to be a sudden entry in either party that going to dazzle America.  I'm not worried about the election, though I am concerned about what might happen after Trump loses a 2nd time; he's a terrible spoilsport and is a complete failure when it comes to handling losses.  Believe me, he would have no problem attempting to start a civil war just to save his orange ass.  In fact, one of the things we can count on is him growing more erratic as time passes.  You see in his addled brain the key to success is extremism, that's what his cult loves.  Unfortunately for Trump, America is very Centrist and his extremist shrieks and shouts will hurt him.  As someone said, he was extremely lucky back in 2016, people still believed polls.  In 2020, his cult was a full force and he lost.  Heading into 2024 he's lost about 30% of the Republican vote (something he desperately needs) because of the Insurrection, and because of his activist Supreme Court (think Roe v Wade).  Independent voters are not going to make up that difference, in fact that last point, Roe v Wade still has American women seething.  All Trump is going to end up doing is wander around in a dense fog of his own creation as his mind slowly slips away.

2024

 HAPPY NEW YEAR

There, that's out of the way.

For those interested, 2024 arrived in Central PA on the wings of rain showers.  Yep.  It's been drizzling on and off since midnight... or at least I think so, since I was in bed before the Ball Dropped.  Though, to be honest, it started a bit before, I know since I received a Happy New Year text at 11:53 PM and I could already hear the drip, drip, drip outside the window.

A new tradition has been started this year:  I'm throwing out my last year's calendar.  For what seems like forever, I've been saving them, for... I don't know, possibly posterity, and this morning I realized none of them had any memorable pictures that needed saving, so, they're going into the trash.  

When I stepped on my Withing's scale this morning, little black and white fireworks flashed across the screen before it let me know I'd gained .4 of a pound.  Now, isn't that a nice New Year's present?

I do get to work today.  There was a time when they would bring food in, however times have changed, we are not close to reaching our forecasted plan, so I'm taking my lunch.

And, I suppose I should post something a little festive since we're now in 2024.  How's this?

I know it's not fireworks, but everybody else is posting a picture of fireworks.  So, rather than be like everyone else, here's a inflatable Pikachu!

Be a Realist

 Okay, so it's New Year's Eve morning.  Can you sense my enthusiasm?  The skies are overcast and will remain so for most of the day.  The temps will climb into the mid 40s (F).

I have friends who will stay up until midnight in order to watch the "ball" drop in New York City.  Not me.  I came to the realization a long time ago that there's a lot of hype in celebrating the end of one year and the beginning of another.  Some like to think the New Year means their slate is wiped clean, that there's a new beginning.  Well, I hate to disappoint them, but that's not true.  They're going to wake up on January 1st with the same bills, the same work issues, and the same old, same old all around.  If you want to celebrate, then celebrate, but do it because you survived the last year... there millions who didn't.

My mom used to say I was cynical because I wasn't religious.  My response was always, "I'm not cynical, I'm a realist."  My advice to people?  Become more realistic.  If you want to be optimistic, be optimistic about the things you can change, not the things you expect will change simply because you want them to change.

And if you wake up with a hangover tomorrow morning, remember it was your choice to drink too much this evening.  In case you haven't realized it yet, there is a price to pay for everything, but sometimes the rewards are simply wonderful.

Realistically speaking, I'm thinking this is the year Trump goes to jail, and the Republican party get's crushed.  If that happens, then next year I'll tip a glass.

The Quickie Weekend

 Holy Crap!  Can you believe it!  I have another Weekend in a Day!  Were I a Cracker Jack Crazy I'd shriek "what a blessing!"  I am so glad I retain my sanity, an action that is rather easy since I'm neither a lemming, nor a fool, nor desperately trying to bend the light of reality round this little orb of humanity I call Me.  Clear headedness is quite common among those of us capable of comprehending that we are not little conservative robots, and while we might show allegiance to our duly elected government, we do not bow down to any man.

Oh, dear, can you tell I've had my coffee without cream this morning?  I'm fasting.  In a little over an hour they will be drawing blood for my annual physical.  Usually they take 5 vials, 4 for testing and 1 to observe the wonderment of my DNA...  At least that's what I like to tell myself.  And I will also pee in a little plastic cup, so they can smell the coffee without cream as they look for whatever secrets my urine might be hiding.

After that, I'll come home and eat an egg salad sandwich.

There's also a pepper plant which needs to be planted, as well as cucumber and cantaloupe seeds.  The last two are going in the ground this year.  Last year, I tried the cucumbers didn't do well in a big pot.

We're also supposed to have rain later in the day.  There's a 72% chance.  Oh, and I have flowers on my tomato plants.  

Yesterday, I read in The Hill that there are those who believe Loser #45 will run in 2024.  Personally, I think that all depends upon those states who are trying to change their voting laws in order to guarantee him a victory.  They're also predicting he's going to lose.  I don't think that he'll run.  He wants to be the power behind the dying Republican Party.  He'd rather put a puppethead in his place, rather then face a full frontal attack.  You have to remember, not only is he a lying sack of shit, he's a coward as well.  That way, when the loss occurs, he'll be able to blame someone else.  He likes calling other people losers.  Standing in front of a mirror and seeing that truth reflected back at him is too much for his tiny ego to bear.