Wrecked

We finally have some Spring weather on tap for today.  The high is expected to be in the mid 60s (F).  Same thing for tomorrow.  Monday, our high is expected to be in the low 70s (F).  This is how a transitional season works, slowly raising the temps.  Going from winter to summer in three short weeks as we did last year is not good.

And yesterday was a pretty good day.  Things were done.  A ride was done on the bike.  I had been planning on doing a short strength training session, but because the weather was so nice, did lawn work instead.  There is a lot that has to be done and the temps are warm enough to do it.  I will do my raised container garden again.  Hopefully things will work out better than last year.  I think I got about 6 tomatoes and one cucumber in total.  I'm going to be planting sunflower seeds this year, too.  That'll keep the squirrels happy, and squirrels running through the yard makes Howie happy.  

I do get to go into work today.  My measure goal for this week is 3, I'm fairly certain that's not going to happen.  Inflation has ticked up.  Smart people think about that before purchasing large expense installations.  The money to pay over $4 for a gallon of gas has to come from somewhere.  While there are some out there who would rather walk on new expensive flooring rather than eat a decent meal, they are few and far between.

And, of course, this happened yesterday.  This takes me back to my childhood and watching capsule's splash down on a black and white TV.  This would have been news that rocked the world, if it weren't for the asshole in the White House.

The only way his ego could have given this any decent amount of praise would have been if his orange ass had been in the capsule.  Thought, let's be honest here, if that had been the case, the astronauts would have kicked his ass out the door on the far side of the moon.

So, there's this little meeting going on in Islamabad.  It's about giving the Middle East some semblance of peace.  That's going to be difficult.  Bibi, the War Criminal, is, like the Orange Anus, going to do anything and everything to keep his ass out of jail.  He doesn't care how many civilians he has to murder.  In his mind, his ass is more important than their lives.  He is truly a wrecked human being.

The Iranians demanded Vance be involved instead of the real estate guy and Orangie's son-in-law, who are only interested in making a deal that benefits their bank accounts.  This doesn't mean that Vance is even close to being a skilled negotiator.  However, the Iranians know that if the dangle the right couch in front of him, he'll agree to every one of their demands.

And I don't know if this happened or not, and if it did happen, when it happened, but I got a notification letting me know Fox Entertainment quickly cut away from the Orange Anus just as he was saying the Iranian army has been defeated.  They're one of the main groups responsible for this mess.  Don't think it means they're going to put a cork in it.  Nope.  They're just going to be much more careful about the propaganda they put out.

How Can This Be

 Well, its 8 in the morning and the outside temps is 49 (F), and we have drizzles.  Showers, if wish to call them that.  Steady and persistent is the weather pattern in store for us today as temperatures continue to fall.  By Wednesday, our overnight low is predicted to be in the upper 20s (F).

I worked yesterday, so not much was accomplished around the house.  No workouts were finished.  No chores accomplished.  I don't know if it was because I realized I had to work, or if it was the weather, which was damp and drizzly all day.  This is, unfortunately what Spring is like, a transitional period filled with occasional partial sunshine, and mostly overcast rainy days.  These are the days, however, that do make the garden grow.

There is something wrong with the keyboard I'm using, which is not the one on the laptop.  The keyboard I use is in the top desk draw and pulls out when I'm writing.  It keeps dropping ds, so I might have to switch it out.  I have several alternative wireless keyboards; I'll have to pick through them and change the bad one out.

I worked yesterday.  It was slow.  Not that I didn't talk to customers, it's just that no one was buying.  I suspect that this is a bad trend that's going to continue.

Of course, this happened yesterday.  This is Hands Off in Harrisburg, PA.

The rough estimate, prior to the rallies held in the western states, was that over 5 million people were protesting.  That's a big bunch of angry people.  This is the type of movement that Conservatives have always avoided thinking about, it's a condition that happens when you're born with out a spine.  You see, for Project 2025 to work the masses need to be complacent.  Disagreement leads to a disruption of their agenda.  They are going to get very angry when things don't go their way.  They will run around shrieking "How Can this Be?!"  In their delusional minds the masses should bow their heads ready for subjugation, except that ain't happenin'.  Prepare yourselves, for they will become distraught and will ramble and rant, gagging out the bitter pieces of the incomprehensible word salad they spit up and all because their simple brains never took anything other than their own desire for power into consideration.  

Or course, the Orange Anus is helping them any.  Word leaking out from his administration is that he's a bitter, angry man who no longer gives a fuck what happens.  The world is not kissing his ass, and for that he's going to make the world pay.

The Fire Grows

 Because we're not in the park, and it certainly isn't the 4th of July, I'd have to say that this is just another Saturday, a day when I'm always scheduled to work.  Outside temps are in the upper 30s (F) with the probability of climbing into the low 50s (F).  Buds are popping out all over the place.  

Much was done yesterday!  The big aquarium was cleaned.  The cleanings are happening frequently in order to eliminate the black algae.  Salads were made for lunch and dinner today: a Greek cucumber salad for lunch and a bean salad for dinner.  This means today is going to be meatless.  I do them every now and then.  There are two boneless ribs in the little crockpot on their way to becoming pulled pork for tomorrow.

I also managed to get in 2 workouts, a 15 minute row in the morning and a good upper body dumbbell workout in the afternoon. 

Of course, there was more to the day than that.  I had to listen to my neighbors having a argument... that sounds better than saying they were fighting again,  If they go an entire week without screaming at each other at least once, I count it as a good week.  This has not been a good week.  He sorts mail for the post office in Lancaster, probably not one of the most secure jobs right now.

This is happening.

The image is old.  It was very popular a number of years back, and its popularity is surging.  AOC and Bernie Sanders held a rally in Denver, CO, and 34,000 people showed up.  The terrible truth for Conservatives is that it take more than being in charge, for them, that belief has been set in stone for decades.  "Shut up, we're in charge," was their creed.  Except for that to happen a large swath of the population needs to say, "okay."  That ain't happening.  Not at all.  And Republicans simply don't understand.  Harriet Hageman doesn't realize her constituent's are going to tar and feather her, and then run her out of town on a rail.  

AOC and Bernie Sanders are doing a 30 city townhall tour against the Oligarchs, NBC reported Friday's event in Las Vegas, The Guardian reported on yesterday's event in Denver.  CNN reported on the march 20 townhall in Las Vegas as well, but nothing about Denver.  There's a saying, "a day late, and a dollar short."  Is it any wonder more and more Americans are tuning out the MSM and turning to Social Media for their news?  Choose your news sources wisely.

And finally, Harold Lutnick, the billionaire Secretary of Commerce only fraudsters would complain if they didn't receive their Social Security check.  The blowback on Social Media was instantaneous.  These billionaires have no idea what kind of fire they are playing with.  People talk about the Orange Anus getting lava angry, this anger would make lava look like a popsicle.

Trump, the Certifiable...

Well, it's Saturday and I don't have to work, and it's truly weird.  The temps are predicted to climb up into the low 40s (F), which means Howie's backyard presents are going to thaw, and yard work will need to be done.  And the temps?  They're going to continue climbing until they hit the mid 50s (F) by Wednesday.  Then, as we should all expect, they're going to sink back down into the more seasonable 40s (F).

Yesterday was a good day.  The big aquarium was cleaned, the old filter was thrown out, and the new filter installed.  More work will be needed until it's ready, but that's okay.  Yesterday was a very good start.  I am concerned that the heater might be going, so I hung a small thermometer on the side so I can get a decent temp reading.  For some odd reason, I don't seem to have a lot of luck with heaters as they need to be replaced every year or so.  I also threw out a UV filter which was supposed to help limit algae.  It didn't.

I got a nice upper body workout done.  That's 3 days in a row and I don't doubt for an instant its the result of spring taking aim at our weather patters.  The sun doesn't set until after 6 PM, and the additional hours of daylight are simply invigorating.  Once the days are warm enough, I'll be taking Howie up to Adams-Ricci for walks.  Being the bundle of energy he is, that should be exciting.

Dinner was a stuffed pepper (homemade).  In total, 5 were made.  2 will be lunch/dinner tomorrow, and 2 will be lunch/dinner on Monday.

I posted this on Facebook because... well, for the compassionate soul out there it speaks volumes.

Who is this going to devastate?  Seniors, for one, but in truth anyone who lives in rural America who relies on Teledoc for their healthcare advice.  Think of all those people who live in a small town that doesn't have a doctor.  The ones who need to drive over 30 miles to get to the nearest clinic.  You know?  The same people who voted for the Orange Anus because they believed illegal immigrants were going to move into town and steal their jobs.  People will end up dying, and smug conservatives will throw out thoughts and prayers before claiming that it's not their fault these rural Americans, and Seniors, didn't make appropriate plans.  

While I don't know what Fox is reporting, most of the major media outlets I checked on this morning are talking about the anger that's begin to seethe within the hearts of America.  Constituents don't want their elected officials bowing down and kissing Orangie's ass and they are becoming extremely vocal.  As a result, Orangie favored Truth Service with a long meltdown because he hates this.   He hates it that, as one woman in Georgia shouted, Americans are calling him a megalomaniac.  He hates the fact that Elonia is now one of the most despised men in the world.  You see, every time someone writes about this, or talks about one of these instances, it's a sucker punch to his face.  Each one is like a neon headline screaming "you're a damn idiot," and, as everyone should know, Orangie is a certifiable... 

A Plague of Locusts

 It's 42 (F) outside.  The early morning skies are somewhat overcast.  If the weather forecasters are correct, they will give way to partial sunshine and the temps will zoom up into the high 70s (F).  That would make for a really nice day, how sad that I have to work. 

Luckily I'll be sitting at the flooring desk, rather than outside loading mulch in people's cars.  And yes, mulch season has arrived.  That time of year when customers line up to buy bags of (mostly) organic material to spread around their flower beds in order to gain optimal curb appeal.  I can only remember using it one time, and that time it ended up getting spread far beyond the the flower beds by squirrels who can never remember just where it they've buried their nuts.

And for those of you who don't know, there is a plague of locusts coming our way... well, that's not precisely correct.  This summer, two groups of cicadas are going to be hatching.  From what they're saying, they being those who know about cicadas, the numbers will be in the billions.  Two different brood groups will be making their appearance at the same time.  There will, literally, be a plague of locusts.  This summer is going to be special... but not for everybody.  When I first heard about this insect event, I thought it was going to be all over since we have locusts here in Central PA.  Wrong.  It seems that most of this pseudo-religious event will be happening in none other than the Red conservatives states.  I honestly had to laugh when I saw which states are going to be effected the most.

And barely an hour goes by with out the Orange Anus  spitting out something vile on his Truth Social account.  Everybody does know what Truth Social is, don't they?  That Trump owned Social Media platform that went public, so people could invest in Donald?  Of course, it's failing because everything Trump touches dies.  Truth Social was supposed to earn him billions.  (Can you hear me laughing?)  The stock was way overpriced, initially at $70 a share, though the bottom fell out fairly fast and it's now trading at around $29 a share.  Ouch.  A lot of cultists are losing money.  Good.  Everything about this man is a lie.  The "Art of the Deal," was a lie.  Truth Social is anything but true.  The cultists will never understand.  For that to happen they would have to not only think, but reason as well.

Katie Britt Lied

 Hello to later hours!  For the next... oh, so many months, the sun will not set in the evening until I am home from work.  I like that.  As we age, driving at night can be a bit of a bother, especially in drenching rainstorm like we had last evening.  Wowza!  Did we get rain!  Well over an inch fell soaking in and nourishing the roots of all my bulbs, and tubers,  and bushes.  I have tulips sprouting out all over the place, and after this week they're going to pop even more because start on Tuesday, our daily temps are going to be hitting the low 70s (F).  Will summer be a scorcher?

Retail was slow because of the constant rain, which occasionally reached deluge status.  You know it's heavy when you can hear it pounding on the roof of the brick and mortar, orange home improvement retailer I work for on weekends.  Yesterday, you could hear it pounding!

Because I do work today there will be no rowing, slow running, or cycling today.  Not only the times change, the Oscars are tonight, at a new time.  7 P.M. rather than their normal 8 P.M.  On Sunday, I work 10:30 - 7:00, so a change was necessary.  Last Monday, I asked if I could come in early in order to leave early, and got the approval.  So, I'll be leaving the house at 0930 this morning, or perhaps a little earlier.  Sometimes, we gotta do what we gotta do.  

As expected, I will be watching the Oscars this evening, the only award show I watch.  I know who'd I'd like to see win, and who will probably win.  Ryan Gosling, for example, without his performance Barbie would have been just another comedy, however I think the Oscar will go to Robert Downey, Jr..  I don't think Oppenheimer will walk away with everything, there were just too many very good films this year.  I can see costumes and set design going to Poor Things.  Joy Da'Vine probably has a lock on the Best Supporting Actress for The Holdovers.  Adapted Screenplay is anybody's guess, it could go to either Oppenheimer, Poor Things, or Barbie.  Tonight should be very entertaining.

And, to no one's surprise, it turns out that Katie Britt lied about the sex trafficking victim.  She didn't have a chat with the victim, Katie met her when Katie was part of a 3 senator round table 2 years ago.  And that sex trafficking?  That happened while George W was president, down in Mexico City.  Conservatives have zero ethics, they will lie about anything and everything to try and stay in power.  Her spokesperson admitted this, but, as was expected, said Biden was to blame because.... Republicans need to blame him for something.

They Look Away

 It's Saturday, and I'm not in a park, and it's definitely not the 4th of July.  Outside, there is rain.  This is what we call a soaker.  A slow steady drizzle that's going to hang around most of the day.  This is Spring weather.  They used to say "April showers bring May flowers, however last year we had showers throughout March, April, and May with the sun finally putting a regular appearance in June.  I can't wait to see how it plays out this year.

Yesterday was pretty meh.  I did get a nice fast walk in on the treadmill.  

My neighbors were loud most of the day.  She warned 3 times after they moved in that they were loud, and since there is no insulation in the wall separating our 2 houses, I hear them.  Sadly, they don't like it when I'm a little loud, and this past Thursday evening I watched Halo and while the dialog is quiet, the action sequences are loud.  They will just have to deal with that the same way I deal with her playing the radio loud when she cleans, or them yelling at each other.  This is how life works.

As I go through The Body in the Tower to prep the manuscript for audio, I find that I'm editing it once again.  Some of the changes are small, words get changed to give a more precise meaning, and some things are being excised because they just aren't needed.  Once this is done, I will republish the updated version; ebook in Barnes & Noble and Amazon, paperback in Amazon.

And I saw this and thought it very appropriate.

One of the things that does piss me off is the way the media picks up on every slip of the tongue that Biden makes, while ignoring the incoherent word salad spilling from Trump's mouth.  The Guardian reported that Biden confused Gaza with the Ukraine, that was one of their headlines, yet they totally ignored Trump spewing out about languages coming into this country.  He does this quite often, sputtering out nonsensical gibberish because his mind has lost focus.  Trump does this frequently, and too often the media looks away, especially the print media.  There seems to be a terrible lack of responsibility in their reporting.  A day doesn't go by when they aren't publishing some sort of poll and the sad thing is that many Americans still believe polls. The New York Times is having big problems with this, thinking that headlines regarding Biden's age are going to generate subscriber interest.  They don't.  Almost everyday I go into Threads and see that someone has cancelled their subscription.  If they don't stop looking away, and Trump manages to get elected, it will too, too late for them.

Separation of Church and State

 Well, we've started one of those weekends that everybody is working for...  Of course, that doesn't include everybody that I know, many of whom are retired, or else they work from home and pretty much set their own hours.  Also, I do need to point out that being retired does not mean that you're going to sit back and wait for death to come calling.  I have a very few friends that are waiting for this.  I don't understand what's going through their heads when they tell me "they've worked their entire lives, and they're not going to work anymore."  It just might be a form of laziness.

The weather's going to be fine today.  Temps in the low 40s (F), chilling out overnight.  Tomorrow starts a warming trend, not that we haven't been warm so far this winter, that will take us up into the 60s (F).  By the end of the week we'll be in March.  Spring is in the air, I can smell it.

Another third of the kitchen floor was finished yesterday.  I'm working on it again today.  It's not time consuming, except when it comes to cutting the tiles.  Supposedly, you should be able to cut it by scoring it a few times with a box cutter, and then snapping it.  That, however, doesn't always give you a smooth break, so I'm down in the basement with a hand saw every time I need to cut a tile.

My daffodils are pushing their way up through last years leaves.

And CPAC is happening.  There was a time when this gathering of conservative crazies actually represented something other than... well... a gathering of Christian crazies.  The Orange Anus spoke zombie-speak.  One thing the media picked up on was his racist characterization of black people, the one where he said that black people like him because of his mugshot.  

If I'm remembering correctly, it was a CPAC that they rolled out the golden Trump idol.  That's when Christians should have kicked their concern into high gear.  They didn't.  They were too unabashedly delighted that the evil one was going to give them what they wanted.  So happy were they, they told themselves he had to have been sent by God.  Stupid people.  They shriek and moan about all types of sins without understanding how evil actually works.  It gave them what they were praying for, and they helped to spread the evil in return.  Ouch!  This is the reason our founding fathers decreed there was going to be a separation of Church and State.

Not your Standard Bush

 Temps today are supposed to break into the mid 70s (F).  I'm hoping the forecast is accurate since the past few days it has been what I call unseasonably cool.  Now, I understand we're right in the middle of the season, but warmer temps would be nice.  I'm anxious to get into my summer wardrobe of shorts and Tl-shirts and not much else.

I did get myself a pair of flipflops.  I don't do the sandal thing but flipflops are alright.  I also ordered a new belt, which arrives today, because my pants keep falling down and I'm too old to be a sagger.

Biggie came home yesterday.  Rather than put him up in the cupboard with Gertie, I took both urns downstairs and put them on the lower shelf of the sideboard.  Gertie's urn is much nicer, a small cedar chest; Biggie's was made in China, I think that's all that needs to be said.  I may buy him something nicer.

And, as I've said, my roses are coming in full.  I have a bush (es) out front that is two in one: a yellow climber and a red rose that is your standard bush.  I have no idea how the two have become intertwined, but they have, the result is both yellow and red roses that look as though they are the same rose bush.

If you live in Florida, you got some disheartening news yesterday.  Disney is not going to build a planned billion dollar complex in the state, but has chosen instead to keep it in California.  That's a big blow to the state's economy.  Ronnie D, in his whiny best, said their decision was political.  Now tell me, isn't that a laugh?  Especially since he was the one who initiated this fight solely for political reasons.  Little Ronnie seems to think he should be called Teflon Ron, but that ain't going to happen.  

And Nikki Haley welcomed Ronnie D into the fray, not doubt because she thinks that if she makes a good enough showing he'll offer her a spot VP spot on the ticket.  She's a dumb as he is, but then we've all known that for some time.

Here come the roses

 And Wednesday has arrived.  Ours will be cool and breezy with the high climbing to the low temp of around 69 (F).  That's not bad, mind you, as we are less than a month into spring.  Long range forecasts have our temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 70s (F).  That would be nice, however I doubt if it's a realistic forecast.  Weather patterns change to easily, sometimes on a whim of Mother Nature.  

My new schedule has me continuing in an old pattern, working Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and then having the rest of the week off.  That's fine with me.  I don't mind having those 4 days in a row to do whatever I want.  I wouldn't mind of it stayed this way for the rest of my tenure at the big, orange retailer.

I have yet to hear from Companions of Peace about picking up Biggie's ashes, so I will give them a call later this morning.  

There are a few peaches in my peach tree; I wasn't expecting many this year since I cut it back so hard.  there are many shoots coming up around the base one of which will form the new trunk.

And my roses are really beginning to come into their own.

Yesterday was election day.  Republicans did not fare too well.  Jacksonville, Florida, in a major upset, now has a Democratic mayor.   In fact, Ronnie D's endorsements didn't do well in the state he wants to turn fascist.  

In Pennsylvania, Democrats held the House of Representatives.  This is frustrating the Hell out of the Republicans; their message is not getting through to the masses.  It is only in rural Pennsylvania where they have a strong foothold.  That will never change.

Sold Their Souls to the NRA

 Hello Sunday Morning.  I'd like to say the skies are clear and blue, though I can't because they are overcast... somewhat, meaning that there are breaks in them with the sun shines through.  Today and tomorrow are supposed to be nice, but showers are in the forecast for Tuesday.  

I checked the results of my bloodwork last evening, though didn't print them off.  My glucose is a bit high, but then it's always a bit high.  Everything else is ducky.  This means my doctor is going to tell me I'm borderline diabetic, after which I'll remind him that I'm borderline everything, so why not through diabetes into the mix.  

Lunch today is going to be salmon.  While I truly like the cheesy scalloped potatoes with ham, it is the sort of solid meal some people still enjoy.  For me to eat it 3 days in a row would be rather extreme.  I'd feel as though I had a spare tire hanging around my gut.  

Business was slow yesterday, except for the garden department.  We talking about our fiscal plan in flooring, wondering if there was a human being behind the process or if they simply left everything up to computers.  I suspect there's some peon who's told to press the button to initiate the process in order for blame to flow down hill.  

Here's a pic of my Itoh peony bushes.  This is the first year for the one to bloom.  It the one in the foreground of the picture.  I can't wait to take pictures of the yellow blooms.

And, of course, the coronation was yesterday.  I paid no attention, though this morning both the New York Times and The Washington Post, published several videos showing King Charles III looking very poufy in his white ermine cap and purply, jewel studded crown.  I, for one, would have no problem if the monarchy faded away entirely.

There was another mass shooting in Texas again.  Ten people dead, including the gunman.  The Guardian made a point on saying there have 198 mass shootings since the beginning of the year.  I don't know where they've all occurred, but I'm betting that a majority of them have been in Red States because the NRA pays Red State Republicans beaucoup buckos to vote pro-gun.  The shootings are only going to get worse.  For Republicans to change course on gun-control would mean they'd have to admit they'd sold their souls to the NRA.  That will never happen. 

The Duffer of all Duffers

 It looks as though the warm weather we've been having for the past several days is going to come to a thundery crash this afternoon as storms roll through the Central PA, though to be perfectly honest, I don't believe storms roll at all.  Anyway, the temps are supposed to drop into the mid 60s (F), which still isn't bad.

I'd like to say that yesterday, being the 4th day off this week was filled with exciting adventure... well, it wasn't.  More yardwork was accomplished.  I mowed the lawn.  More English ivy was pulled up by the roots.  I did get out that week killer and sprayed the ivy in the front hedge (that isn't mine) because it's constantly trying to spread over into my lawn.  I have a Burning Bush at the front of my porch that's going to be cut out.  They are a predatory plant, just like the wisteria I've been getting rid of for what seems to be years.  

I did watch the last few episodes of Picard.  I had heard that Jeri Ryan might be getting a spin-off show and the series finale sort of enforced those rumors.  In fact, that whole segment with her and Jack Crusher was a set up for a new show more than anything else.  Let's be honest, if Paramount believes they can make money on a new series there will be a new series.  Seven of Nine was so popular they made her a regular, and she was just as popular in Picard.  And, of course, many fans would like to see a lot more of Jack (Ed Speleers) Crusher.

It turns out that when Elon shot off his pocket rocket, he damaged his launching pad, now, tell me, doesn't that sound painful?  Some damage is always done whenever a rocket gets launched, but this was no ordinary rocket (Elon needed to go big).  As Kris pointed out in yesterday's blog, there are videos with pieces of the pad hitting vehicles that were parked a "safe" distance away.  There are also videos of of large chunks hitting the Gulf of Mexico, and those had to be very large chunks to be seen making a splash from so great a distance.  How bad was the destruction?  One thing that is being reported is that the road up to the pad is closed.  Reporters who had remote cameras have not been allowed to go their equipment.  Supposedly they will be allowed in today.  I don't think any of this should surprise you.  We are dealing with the duffer of all duffers, Elon Musk.

In Truth

 My weekend started last evening.  I don't see a lot of exciting things happening in the next 2 days.  The weather is supposed to continue warming up.  Thursday, my day back at work, the high temp is predicted to be up in the 70s (F). 

And I do have to apologize for being remiss.  For some reason I thought Spring started today, on the 21st.  I was quite surprised when one of my customers told that yesterday was in fact the vernal equinox.  Had I known better there might have been a smidgen of a celebration.

The retail world was a mite busier yesterday.  I had some whoppingly nice sales (almost $6000) in blinds, and 3 measures.  You did read that correctly.  My bank account would have to be overflowing with greenbacks before I'd even consider spending that much money on faux wood blinds.

Before leaving work yesterday, I picked up a bifold door to go between the bathroom and the laundry room.  Later this morning it will be installed.  I chose solid rather than louvered because it's easier to paint.  Besides, I think solid door look better.

And today is Tuesday.  For those who don't know, today is the day Donald Trump told the world he was going to be arrested.  Well, the NYC District Attorney is going to disappoint him, probably on purpose because he deserves to be disappointed.  He deserves much more.  Don't worry.  The gates of Hell have begun to open.  

Many in Trump's MAGA base were complaining that Florida's Ronnie D wasn't spitting out enough pro-Trump rhetoric.  How galling it must be for Ronnie D. to be put in this position.  He wants to be our first duly elected fascist president, and he he is, sort of defending the man he wants to trample at the polls.  

And Republicans, themselves, are pulling out all of the stops of absurdity in order to try and discredit the approaching indictment.  Jesse Watters, of Fox, went so far as to say that Trump couldn't have had sex with Stormy Daniels because there was no baby.  Take a moment to let that sink in.  Take more than a few seconds.  Is he saying that every time Trump has sex with a woman she get's pregnant?  If that's true, then his sex life must have been pretty lonely.  Now, I want you to clear those thoughts from your mind, dwelling on them too long will lead to stomach cramps and nausea. 

The White Trash Republican Party

 Well, it's Friday and the temp outside is 51 (F).  According to the forecast, we'll get a few degrees warmer.  We are in February.  Normally this past week would have been called a 'winter thaw,' but we've been too warm for anything to really freeze.  When the temps are cold, we count down the days until Spring, this year I suspect we will simply slide into our next season.

Yesterday, I used my drying rack for the first time.  The only thing I didn't like was the sock clips, though they're not really clips, so I just laid them out on the middle rack.  It worked well.  In fact, I was surprised at how quickly everything dried.  

I had to laugh when I heard that James Carville said that the Republican party is White Trash.  I don't know about you, but I realized that a long time ago.   The trashing of the party began with the Tea Party, and Newt Gingrich scooted it into the fast track.  Prior to that the party catered to intelligence, but then they realized there was an untapped source of votes in those who barely finished high school.  Power to the people, the party yelled and those people turned out to be easily manipulated.  They preferred red meat and didn't care if it had been rotting in the sun for quite some time.  And then John McCain chose Sarah Palin to be his running mate.  It's been downhill for the party ever since.

Of course, George Santos is being investigated by the Ethics committee the Republicans gutted.  This is a waste of time.  McCarthy needs Santos' vote, so he will stay.  Even though Santos makes the party look desperate, he will stay.  Santos is trash, and he is the face of the Republican party.

The same is true of Marjorie Taylor Greene.  If you watch her face as she's calling Biden a liar during his State of the Union speech, it's obvious she's having a grand old time.  She was enjoying herself.  White trash doesn't understand there is a time and place.  White trash simply doesn't care. 

Retaliation

 Friday has arrived, as if you didn't know.  Being that it is Friday, I'm not working.  I did tweak my availability yesterday.  Monday and Thursdays will be the only days I can work a full 8-hour shift, while on Saturday and Sunday I can't be scheduled before noon.  This is good, since they're starting up Children's Workshop again.  For those who say, "how wonderful you hold a workshop for kids," remember, this generosity has more to do with merchandising and marketing than providing a 'fun' diy moment for kids.  

I got up early yesterday for my bloodwork, and as a result, went to be early last evening.  So... this morning I got up early because...  And I still got almost 7 hours of good sleep.  What can I say?  I like getting up early.  

Right now, the sun is shining.  Temps are supposed to go up to 70 (F) today and tomorrow they're supposed to climb higher.  Then, as has been the case for several weeks now, they're going to drop back into the 50's (F).  An associate at work was complaining "we're not going to have a spring; we're going to go right into summer."  I didn't point out that this is exactly what spring is, moderating temperatures, some days warm, some days cool.

And, as expected, Florida's Republican legislature handed Disney what they think is going to be some Payback yesterday.  They took away Disney's self-governing status.  As a result, Disney will have to pay taxes.  DeSantis thinks they're going to cave as a result.  He believes they're going to blink and bow down to him.  Disney will probably write-off those taxes when it files its federal taxes, thanks to the tax bill passed by the Republicans in the United States Senate.  Who will pay through the nose?  The constituents who put the Florida Republicans in power. 

For those of you who don't understand, this sort of thing that happens under authoritarian governments led by dictators.  It's the sort of thing that happens in Russia.  Obviously, DeSantis aims to be the American version of Putin.  Next thing you know, he's going to be riding around on a horse with his shirt off. 

Speaking of Putin, what about those French Elections.  So many were upset by Macron and his Covid rules, well, now they can go to the polls and vote for a Russian sympathizer, Marine Le Pen.  It's taken a lot of Russian money to get her this close to the presidency.  Think of her as Trump in a skirt.  Be careful what you wish for.  What you get may be far worse than you dreamed possible. 

Smack

 Well, here it is Monday morning, the temps are a chilly 24 (F) and  even though today is supposed to be sunny, we're only supposed to top off at around 31 (F).  If you cup your hand tightly around you ear, you'll be able to hear conservatives shrieking how this proves there's no such thing as global warming...  If you're near one when he does this, point to California, where temps are approaching the slow broil.  Don't worry, that warm weather is coming east.

Lasagna?  What lasagna.  They ordered one large pan.  They also ordered large pans of Chicken Alfredo, and baked ziti.  Everyone ate the lasagna.  By the time my lunch break rolled around, the lasagna was gone and there a spoonful of the chicken alfredo remaining   and a the pan of baked ziti.  This means that on one of my days off this week I'm going to need to bake myself a pan of lasagna.

Oh, and for those of you who didn't know, the Oscar ceremony was last night.  I watched some of the show, about an hour.  I liked that they got rid of the proscenium stage.  Everything became much more personal including...  They brought the hosts back... that was a mistake.  Hosts were fine for a long time, then they became unnecessary.   Wanda Sykes is a very funny woman, however her walk through the new Academy museum was painful to watch, the humor, like the hosts, was dated.  I did like that they did a production number for "We Don't Talk About Bruno." How nice of them to recognize the most popular song which wasn't nominated for an award.  And I wondered, as Rachel Ziegler came onstage to present an award, if she realizes she is now  branded as difficult to work with?  Relevance was packed away when they had Tommy Hawk (?), Shawn White (?), and some other sports figure introduce a series of Bond clips.  Having 3 surviving Bond girls would have been a lot more interesting.  Someone needs to tell Timothy Chalmette if he wants to wear a coat without a shirt, he needs to have a chest to go with it.  And then, of course there was the SMACK,  or the PUNCH, you know?  The moment when Will Smith walked up on stage and hit Chris Rock.  I missed that, having gone to bed.  Let's be honest, though, so many, many of us want to hit Chris Rock.  His jokes have always seemed bitter and angry.  Rather than leave you with a video of that slap, I'll leave with a moment when the producers understand what entertainment is supposed to be.

Omnipotence

 Well, Biggie just had his last carprofen tablet.  He's been only getting one a day for the past 3 days.  This is what happens when his meds don't ship on time.  To be honest, I don't know how much they help.  The gabapentin seems to be doing a much better.  He has less problems going down the back steps.  Before he rarely stood, always sat down, he also has much less difficulty in stand up.  Gabapentin takes 1 - 2 weeks to hit full efficacy.  One of our cashiers takes it for neuropathy and she says it works wonders, it just takes so long before it takes effect.

Today is also the first day of Spring! So man plants are poking their first leaves up through the ground.  I hope this year will be really colorful!  Right now the temps are in the mid 40's (F).  They're predicted to climb into the mid 50's with some clouds.  And, as far as long range forecasts go... well, we all know how inaccurate they are; forecasters can barely get the days right let alone 2 weeks in advance.

So, I've been thinking about the Cracker Jack Crazies and their desperate belief that God sent Trump to give them a Conservative Supreme Court.  I use the word desperate because... well, one of these mornings at 0300, get your butt out of bed and go outside and look up.  If you are not too close to a metropolitan area, you will see the Universe.  You will see stars light years away, as well as galaxies so very, very far away.  The Cracker Jack Crazies will tell you God created the universe: all those stars, all those galaxies, so far away we don't even know where it actually ends.  Seeing this immensity, all of this power, I wonder why is it He can only give them an American president by flipping the Electoral College.  That seems like... well, the tip of a little finger move for something they say is omnipotent.  Maybe He has to use the Electoral College because their numbers are not as great as they think.  And this last election?  2020? The one they said was chosen to give them what they want lost, and attempted a coup, and then started The Big Lie because he believed the Supreme Court he packed was going to throw the election.  Hell, this does not say much for omnipotence does it?  That their deity would need to resort to such deceit?  Perhaps if they weren't so stinking desperate.

Not the End of Days

 Well, say hello to a sunny and cold Sunday morning.  We're an hour later because of Daylight Saving time.  We lost an hour.  Personally, I think we should stop changing the clocks twice a year.  More sun later in the day works so much better for so many people.  Let's stop the change.

Weather wise, we ended up with about 4 inches of snow and a lot of gusty winds.  I have a lot of mini-drifts around the house, nothing worth taking a picture of though.  The temps today are suppose to climb into the very high 30's (F).  Tomorrow up into the high 50's (F).  By Thursday they're supposed to hit the 70's (F).  That's a little too warm for this time of the year.  Of course, no one's thinking about that.

So, I'm reading Lost in Space 2 and while there are lots of publicity photos and behind the scenes photos, there are also bits and pieces that are quite interesting:  Bill Mumy lived close enough to 20th Century Fox Studios he rode his bicycle to work.  Another fun fact: the change from the drama and scifi of the first season to the absurdity of the final season was initiated by CBS because the show aired at 7:30 PM on Wednesdays, which was 'family hour' and they didn't want anything too intense for the little kiddies.

The heating pad I bought for Biggie might work if he laid on it.  He doesn't.  In fact, he'll lay down beside it.  I'm planning on calling the Vet tomorrow and seeing about putting him on the Gabapentin.  

And one of the things that caught my eye was the fact that there are a number of Evangelical pastors attempting to link what is happening in the Ukraine to the End of Days.  Holy Shit. Literally!  A lot of the Cracker Jack Crazies are getting desperate.  Many of them believe God sent DOA Trump to give them 3 conservative Supreme Court justices in order to overturn Roe v Wade.  One can only wonder why He would do that if we're in the End of Days.  It wouldn't really make any difference, would it?  However, many of us know DOA Trump had nothing to do with those Supreme Court justices; it was all Mitch McConnell, which means they really got that wrong.  Keep in mind, this is a very desperate bunch of people.  They've been waiting 2200 years (give or take century or two) for the End of Days and it hasn't happened.  Desperate people will believe anything.  The truth is their extremism is only going to leave them with a flat tire.

Great News!

Hold onto your seats, this is stunning great news!  The temps here in Central PA are going to top themselves off today at 59 (F) give or take a degree.  Full sunshine!  The hints of spring are definitely in the air.  And on my roses, tiny leaves are beginning to curl their way into the chilly sunlight!

On the practical side, all the dog poop has finally thawed and I can finish cleaning up the yard.

The Body in Repose has gone to the 2nd reader / editor.  I'm thinking of chronicling The Body Under Ice with little vids as the work proceeds, documenting how things work.  Blogger's odd about posting videos - many are too long, unless they're on YouTube.  Let's see what happens with the GoPro.

Speaking of temps,  the heater for the big tank is failing so I've got to run out this morning and buy another one.  This is the 2nd heater to go in that tank.

My Stryd is full charged so sometime, probably early afternoon, I'll take it for a slow jog on the treadmill to see how it works.  Whereas my Fenix Pro calculates cadence through the movement of your arm, this actually tracks your foot hitting the ground, or the treadmill.

And here's a funny for you:  the deputy Attorney General from Virginia, Monique Miglia, has resigned because... not only did she post lies to her Facebook account in regard to January 6, she claimed it was a coup by Joe Biden.   What makes this funny is that she's a black woman who is whining that the only reason there was any uproar about her posts is because... she's a conservative black woman.  Someone needs to sit her down and explain to her that it was her lies which pissed people off.  She needs to understand that by now most people in this country view Conservatives as lying sacks of shit.  People don't want a lying sack of shit as a deputy attorney general.

 

Cherry Blossoms and Belly Dancers

Yesterday was nice and sunny.  Temps rose all the way up to 70 (F) here. They were supposed to reach that high today, now, however, the forecast has changed.  We're only supposed to reach the upper 60's (F), which is still fine.  Tomorrow, when I go back to work, we expecting rain... and on Thursday as well.  Remember, we are in spring and April, with it's showers, is approaching.

I took a picture of the Spring Tree yesterday, even though I'm still waiting fora few more glass beaded ornamental birds.  It's kind of pretty with garlands of cherry blossoms and birds, and bees, and butterflies.  Some of the birds are foam with real feathers and need to be higher then Biggie's mouth.    

 I watched this yesterday in between cleaning out my peonies and uncovering my hostas and, since I'm just in the preliminary stages of The Body in Repose, thought a bearded, belly dancer might make an interesting suspect.

While I realize the Biden administration is still in fledgling status, I do think we need to see Harris having a more public persona.  I do know she was down in Florida talking about the need to get vaccinated, however she needs to be seen as more than simply a PR representative.  There are a lot of white men in the country who need to see her as a viable candidate for the white house and we can't wait until Biden's third year in office for this to happen.  Start early and finish strong.  This is not the time to find ourselves in a position where we need to play catch up since the Cracker Jack Crazies are not going to let up.  We need to blunt their wedge now.