Well, I get to go back to work today... ho... hum.

Yesterday I drove down to That Fish Place.  After reading Jennifer's blog about the difficulties Greg was having setting up the school aquarium, I should have been better prepared for all of the holes on their shelves... and empty fish tanks.  They, too, were Essential, I was told "and everybody decided lockdown was a good time to start a new hobby."   As a result, my tank looks a bit sparse.  I only picked up 3 plants.  There had a tank with a small number of small Discus, but $50 a piece was a bit pricey.  I opted for 4 teeny, weeny Koi Angelfish, each about the size of a quarter.  Believe me, that's about all they had in freshwater fish.  

I also rode 19 miles up the coastline of Corsica yesterday.  My legs were a bit achy, but otherwise I was fine.  I'm doing the Trek Challenge again this year.  I need to ride 100 miles in July.  So far I've got 61 under my belt.  One guy taking part in the challenge has already ridden over 1300 miles... yeah, that's right, over 1300 miles.  And it's only July 9.  Can we talk obsessive / compulsive ?

Betsy DeVos has decided all children must go back to school this fall.  This is coming from a woman who's children have gone to prestigious private schools.  She is nothing more than a wealthy bitch.  A woman who believes her buckos in the bank make her an authority needs to be removed from power.  One thing the Idiot Jerk's administration had proven time and time again, most wealthy people are cold, ruthless, and dumb as bricks.

And, of course, there are Covid 19 spikes all over the place.  In Tulsa, for example.  Can you imagine that?  City officials are saying their spike is due to the protests and the rally, in that order.  For some reason, protests have not led to major spikes.  This is interesting, since there have been some very major protests.  However, in Tulsa they're claiming their spike was due to the protests first... and then the rally.  Republicans... always needing to blame somebody else.

For those who are interested, this is what the tank looks like so far.

More will be added.

The Eruption

Golly, today's my 3rd and final day off.  I get to go back to work tomorrow.  Do you think that's a good enough reason to put on my high button shoes?  Nah.

Pronto plumbing ran a camera down my pipes yesterday and I'm clean as a whistle.  The dogs were all barky barky while the guy was here.  They wanted him to pet them and give them biscuits and I wanted him to leave.

Today I want to mow the lawn.  The temps are not supposed to get as high as they did yesterday.

We had thunderstorms last evening... well, that's not exactly correct, the thunder and lightening passed by to the east, all we got here in Enola was the rain.  Rain is good.  We're heading into summer which means unless a tropical depression moves up from the south, all we get are spits and spats from thunderstorms.

I baked an apple, cranberry desert thing yesterday.  It's tasty, but it needs ice cream so I'll be heading off to my neighbor hood Giant this morning.  I'm also going to pick up a chicken for roasting.  I have a rotisserie, so maybe I'll rotisserate the sucker.

The Idiot Jerk in the White House has proclaimed he's going to sign another Executive Order on immigration.  He's planning on visiting Arizona, where the infection rate is rising, so he can stand next to the boarder wall Americans are paying for... yep, it's another photo op, sans Bible this time.  It's his 2016 playbook, you know?  Not an original thought rattling around in that puny little brain of his.

Biden has agreed to 3 debates.  The Idiot Jerk wanted 4.  He thinks he's going to be popping home runs out of the park.  Dumb shit.  He doesn't understand that all Biden has to do is stand there and look presidential.  Oh, and maybe occasionally... politely say "that's a damn lie."  

I don't believe the Idiot Jerk in the White House understand his bad Karma is just getting started.  That faux rally was a catastrophic failure.  Very shortly, the Supreme Court is most likely going to rule that the State of New York can have access to his tax returns and Vesuvius will erupt in his head.

6200

Monday - this is my mini-hump day off...  Wednesday I will have to go back to work.  Ain't that a bite in the butt?

I'm getting a courtesy visit from my plumbers today.  They're going to run a camera down my pipe to make sure everything's clear, sort of like a sewage pipe colonoscopy.  Yep, I even get pictures.  My appointment is for 0800.  After that, my day is free.

Either today or tomorrow I want to mow my lawn.  The temp is scheduled to hit 90 (F) today.  That's stinky winky hot, ain't it?  When the temps are this warm, the Central Air runs and I keep the dogs inside.

6200 - that's the number of attendees being bandied about at the Idiot Jerk's rally in Tulsa.  At least, that's the number the Tulsa Fire Department is releasing.  The Idiot Jerk's team is saying... nothing.  Well, not quite, they're claiming over 3 million watched some sort of pre-rally virtual event.  Of course, who can possibly believe their numbers.  As for data mining, his campaign got a a lot of info from people named 'Eat Shit.'

I don't know if this is true or not, but I got a news flash from CNN that John Bolton has said he's voting for Joe Biden.  He is a bit scrofulous and his prose style tends to be meandering and self-centered, but he is a right wing hawk who appeals to a certain brand of Conservative.  Now, I'm not saying they're all going to vote for Biden, but my money's saying many of them will stay home from the polls this November.

Finally, I thought I'd share a picture of me when I was really young, just a lad in his sailor suit home from the seas.  That's my grandma, too.  I have a lot of respect for her.  My boxer, Gerty, was named for her.  When my cousin and I were both 12, my Grandma took us by train down to Philadelphia to the zoo.  Those memories are pivotal.

In case you're wondering, I'm 19 (and not 12) in that picture.

The Un-Rally

It's Sunday, the first of 3 days off in a row for me... and I slept in.  This is becoming a bit of a habit on my first day off.  Not a bad habit, mind you, one that can be enjoyable... sleeping in, you know?

And what about the Idiot Jerk in the White House?  He chose to hold a rally an nobody came... well, some brain dead white supremacists and racists showed up, but the crowd he had been anticipating.  I'd post a picture or two of the half empty BOK Arena, but they're all over the place.  All those tickets his campaign gave out?  Snatched up by people, many of whom were teenagers, who wanted to ruin his night.  They succeeded quite stunningly.  Imagine throwing a big party, getting a lot of RSVP's, and then having nobody show up...  I mean, that's who showed up... the nobodies.  What a smack to his ego that must have been.  And there are lots of pictures so he can't lie.  Well... almost.  He said "bad things were happening outside, really bad things," and that's why the crowd was so small.  The Tulsa police reported a few minor protests, nothing more.  This is not how you get re-elected, by throwing an un-rally.  It is, however, how you look like Idiot Jerk.

I did run out this morning and take a picture of one of my roses, since we should all get to see something pretty today.

Fever Pitch

For those who don't know, today is the longest day of the year.  Summer officially begins... or began... a few hours ago.... or maybe it's later this morning.  I'm not that precise when it comes to either equinoxes or solstices.  I'm sure if I wanted one, I could purchase a watch which linked to some atomic clock somewhere, and chimed the instant the summer started.  Personally, I think that would be going a little overboard.

Yesterday was Juneteenth.  One of the most striking things I read was that the Idiot Jerk in the White House was unusually quiet on Twitter.  I was always told that if you can't say anything nice, or good, don't say anything at all.  His silence in no means indicates he has finally achieved some level of common sense.  Most likely he was practicing some herky jerky moves for his Ding Dong Rally this evening.

I think it's rather amusing.  He is defining the Republican Part for the world to see.  Now we know they don't care about human life as long as they can get their hair or nails done.  They have no problem separating children from their parents.  They have no problem blackmailing others to keep themselves in power.  They lie a lot... daily.  They don't like people with dark skin.  I know I'm missing many things because their disassociation from America is so totally overwhelming.  They are in their own separate, little world... and, not surprisingly, they don't understand they are a minority group.  They like to call themselves the party of Lincoln, yet they would vote stridently against the Emancipation Proclamation were it to be written today. True, their party is old, but it is no longer grand and has not been for quite some time.

Anyway, their Idiot Jerk is going to have his Ding Dong Rally tonight in Tulsa because his ego demands human sacrifice.  For you and I, having to sign a waver promising not to sue, would give us reason to question the wisdom of attending.  Not to his base.  They see it as a joke.  An inconvenience at best.  Temperatures are supposed to be taken.  Realistically now, does anybody think they're going to stop anyone from entering that arena because they're running a fever?  They will chalk it up to an Adrenalin rush, anticipation of the fever pitch initiated by the Idiot Jerk shrieking from center stage.  Prepare yourselves, he will go off topic... a lot.  He has miles of bile to spew.  He is a bitter, bitter man who is beginning to understand how much he's hated.  He is going to be fired by the American People.  He deserves everything he gets.

And finally, for those who are interested.  I have peaches!

They were early last year, too.  I don't mind.

The Butterfly

It's Friday, June 18.  Juneteenth.  Thanks to our racist president who originally decided to hold a racist rally in Tulsa, the site of what's considered the worst racist massacre of black people by whites, now everybody knows what Juneteenth is... except his supporters.  They just don't care.  They never will.  And they do love to wear their little red hats.

Yesterday was fairly busy at the Flooring Desk.  Not only is Harrisburg the capital of Pennsylvania, Mechnicsburg is also home to one of the largest Naval Distribution Centers on the East Coast.  Recessions or depressions rarely effect us.  Because of this, many of the stimulus checks the government sent out were banked.  As things begin to open up, people are itching to spend that little bonus.  What the hell is wrong with people.  I banked mine.  Just because you have a little extra cash doesn't mean you need to run out and fritz it away.  There is the possibility things might get worse before they get better.  Money in the bank is a very good thing.

In case you didn't see it, the Supreme Court handed the Idiot Jerk and Conservative racist hacks another turdcicle yesterday.  They did not like the flavor: Rejection.  Little Stevie Miller must be beside himself.  That wasn't the only major disappointment he had to deal with yesterday.  Facebook shut down a lot of re-election ads because they used a hate symbol, a cute little design Nazi's used to designate political prisoners.  The Nazi's a number of little markings to identify their hate.  You can bet Stevie Miller knows them all.

And they're lining up outside the BOK Arena in Tulsa already.  I guess this means the tickets were General Admission only.  Unless you happen to be a particularly powerful racist, or a bottle blonde with perky, little tits, then you get to stand behind the Idiot Jerk as he shrieks out his hatred.  This is going to be amazing.  They do not understand.  Against the background of the Pandemic and the Protests, every little racist second is going to be amplified and sent around the world.  This is not only how they isolate themselves, but wrap themselves in failure.  Independent voters are going to get to see a real shit show.

Finally, when I got home from work yesterday, I saw something colorful landing on the gravel in front of my car: a pretty butterfly.  I have no idea what kind of butterfly it is, but I did take a picture.  I was a bit amazed since we usually don't see butterflies like this around here.

Heading towards the Cliff.... notes

Oh, my, isn't this week just flying by?

It's the 18th of June and in just 2 days we'll be hitting Summer Solstice.  After that we begin our slow slide into the doldrums of winter.  I looked at the calendar and thought "Holy Crap!  where has the time gone!"  Of course, we're not legally into summer yet, so I probably shouldn't be complaining. 

Criticism is mounting on the Republican governors of Arizona, Florida, and Texas as their infections rates soar.  In fact, it's climbing in all of the Sunbelt states.  No one should be surprised to find out this is the land of MAGA heads, those people with springs for necks.  Oklahoma is one of those states.  The Mayor of Tulsa says it's an honor to host the first Mega Spread of Covid 19.  I wonder if people have started leaving yet.   That's what they did up in New York, tried to move somewhere safe.  Of course, these governors and mayors listened to the Idiot Jerk in the White House without understanding he is the Destructor of their political party.

And what about John Bolton's book?  Personally, I'd have picked a better title.  "The Room Where It Happened," comes across as a little too pretentious, I think.  "Shit that Happened" is much more apropos.  The reviews I'm seeing say this tome is rather droll reading, except for the juicy bits, the ones causing the Republican Party to do flaming back flips.  Most of us have known for some time that the Idiot Jerk loves his dictators and gives them preferential treatment.  He gives them favors, the way a suitor does to a romantic interest.  For the Idiot Jerk, it's all 'tit for tat.'  He doesn't mind scratching the back of a Kim Jung Dumb if Kimmy cools it on the nuclear holocaust threats.  Remember, the Idiot Jerk said Kimmy was a good guy who had to make some difficult decisions when he was younger.  Of course, Kimmy now realizes the Idiot Jerk was just full of shit, a used car dealer who offered him a Cadillac and then sold him a Corvair.

In case you're wondering, the only way I'll buy the book is if it comes out in Cliff Notes.

There are some Democrats who are upset that Bolton didn't testify during the impeachment process... true, these revelations would have been jaw dropping.  Even so, the Republican held Senate was never going to convict the Idiot Jerk, a man of their own ilk party.  His book coming out 4.5 months out from the election is going to have far more repercussions.  And there are more revelations on the way.  My money says the Idiot Jerk is not saying ouchy! ouchy!  Nope, I think he's far past that stage.  In fact, I'm fairly certain he's past the boiling hot lava stage.  I can't even imagine the hate he's going to spew this Saturday in Tulsa, and every word coming out of his mouth is going to stab him in the back.

Mask This

Monday!  the start of a work week for many, now that restrictions are now being lifted.  Be Safe.  Be Careful.  Because of inept management by the administration of the Idiot Jerk in the White House, that responsibility is now up to you.

I did end up riding 80.1 miles last week.  In fact, yesterday I rode part 1 of the San Remo route and averaged 18.2 miles an hour.  My legs are getting stronger.  This is good.  As I've said many times before, your legs are the engines of your body.  They contain the largest muscle groups.  Use them.

Yesterday I also wacked my weeds, and started a little project for the backyard.  Once it's finished I'll post pictures.  That should be in a day or so.  I have a small list of things I need to pick up at the store today, after I punch out.

For those of you preparing to attend the rally in Tulsa, Larry Kudlow recommends you wear a mask.  But... wait a minute, why would he say that if this whole thing is a hoax?  Golly Gee!  You don't think the Idiot Jerk is concerned about his base getting sick and dying off, do you?  My money's saying that arena is going to stink so badly of disinfectant attendees will need to be wearing the M5 gas masks just to breath.

I had the joy of wearing one of these when I was in the Navy.  They're great at keeping out Tear Gas.  Covid 19... not so good.

Of course, reports of infections rates skyrocketing in Republican states are becoming more and more prevalent.  Arizona, Florida, and Texas.  In Florida, they're up to 2000 new cases a day.  But then this is to be expected when you relax all constraints.  Shit!  There goes their tourist trade.  No one wants to buy a T-shirt that reads "I went to Florida, and all I got was Covid 19."  There, I gave some smart entrepreneur an idea for a novelty item... can I get some royalties please?

I was talking to my friend Betsy last evening and we both remarked at how bad the Idiot Jerk looks, sullen, and whiny, and cranky as all get out.  We decided he is a very, very angry man because for the first time in his life he finds 'truth' assaulting his ego with almost every breath he takes.  Anybody got a spare M5?