The First 3

 Yesterday was pretty much a kitchen clean-up day.  A lot of attention is being paid to the floor which is vinyl planks over a subfloor of lauan (fiberboard).  Lauan doesn't handle water well.  For those who don't know, this is the same stuff they use in making laminate flooring which handles water quite poorly.  So far, there is no sign of swelling or warping.  Replacing it would be another pain in the ass, added expense.

Since the kitchen is already somewhat torn up, I'm going to ask the electrician how much it would cost to add a couple of outlets.  With coffee makers, and mixers, and toasters, and microwaves, a kitchen needs convenient outlets.  Mine has 2 and only one of those is counter level.

So, I watched the last episode of the Rings of Power last evening.  I was not really surprised by the revelations, but then a long time ago I read through the Silmarillion  upon which much of this series is based.  Things to keep in mind:  these first 8 episodes were only about the Elvan rings, the 5 for the Dwarven kings, and the 9 for man have yet to be forged as does the one to rule them all.  Also, Isildur has not been seen since episode 6 and Durin  was not seen in episode 8; both have major parts to play (that isn't really a spoiler).  Supposedly, season 2 will be out sooner rather than later.

The temps dropped down to 37 (F) last night, not freezing yet.  I managed to snap another pic of my dahlias. 

One of the things I find intriguing about the midterms is the large number of election deniers running for office.  Some of them, like Kari Lake, are relying on The Big Lie to get them as many votes as possible.  Even though it's been proven false over and over again, I wonder if these deniers truly believe it, or are merely using it as a tool to leverage MAGA voters.  The lengths to which some are going make me wonder if they have any idea of what might happen should they push it too far.  Take Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania with his 40 days of prayer.  This man sees nothing wrong with people dying for God, in fact his doctorate which has been deeply criticized for being based on falsehoods, states this is a good thing.  Does this guy really want a religious war in Pennsylvania?  There are so many out there who are fanning the flames without even considering what the terrible consequences would be if people start taking up arms.

Murphy's Law

 And Thursday arrives with a chilly temp of 478 (F) outside.  In case anyone is wondering, I did turn on my heat, setting it at 70 (F).  When we are deep in the coldest throes of winter and outside temps hover in the mid 30s (F), I will set it at 71.

This November, when we have our benefits sign-up at the large, orange retailer I work for, I'm going to end my Dental plan.  Honestly, I should have ended it when I went on Medicare, because it wasn't that expensive.  It's still not that expensive, but for someone whose dental needs are few and far between it's way too much.  I can go to the VA for $15 a visit, or a Blue Cross plan I have for $10s, with no premium.  

For those interested, I've well over 52,000 words done on the next book, The Body Under Ice.  There are 2 characters who have turned out to be a joy to write:  Louise and Clark, 2 barfly's at Hennepin's.  In their last interaction with Eli and Max, they were sitting at the bar watching Bowling for Beers.

The organization of my slides is proceeding slowly.  I threw out most of the 80 + slides I took of the San Diego zoo, though I saved a few, like the giraffes.  I also saved the concert pictures, though some are very blurry.  Back in 1972 concerts at the San Diego Sports Arena were all general admission, so people who wanted to be close to the stage got there early.  I saw some good concerts there, including The Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad.  The first band I saw there was The Moody Blues on their Every Good Body Deserves Favor tour.  I suspect some of you out there know what E, G, B, D, F stands for. These blurry pics are from that show.

And, what about Putin annexing regions from the Ukraine?  I don't think he has any idea this act will define him as one of the most impotent leaders in the world.  What is it?  Over 70,000 Russian soldiers dead?  Because he's started up the draft, many men are leaving the country.  That fact that he's no where close to winning make him a laughing stock.  He has proven to be a small man brittle with incompetence.

Doug Mastriano as started 40 days of Fasting and Prayer, hoping that will help him win the election.  This man's brain is awash in pure horseshit.

Finally, a bit about Ian.  I'm seeing predictions of hundreds of deaths.  There are many, many trailer parks in the path of the storm.  I shouldn't have been surprised when I saw a number of people were refusing to evacuate.  MAGA brains, no doubt. No masks.  No vaccines.  No evacuation.  And they were living in mobile homes not built to withstand 150 mile an hour winds, or any storm surge.  How stupid can you be?  And people staying in hotels were Tweeting videos of water rushing in through the front doors, and that was before Ian made landfall.  These people are the reason Murphy's Law exists.

Oh, sorry, one more Finally.  Marjorie Taylor Green is getting divorced.  In his court filing, her husband sand their marriage was irretrievably broken, or something to that effect.  Why am I not surprised?

Self Loathing Republicans

 Monday has arrived.  I get to work this afternoon.  Will we be busy?  Difficult to say.  It's only for 6.5 hours, but that means I will need to take a lunch.  I'm taking sausage.  Blame it on my PA Dutch heritage (German), but I do like my sausage.  As a toddler, I used to watch my grandmother (Mom's side of the family), make it.  Fresh.  Today's serving will be cooked in the electric fryer.

Most of the new floor is in.  My legs are, for the most part, fine.  Knee joints weren't any creakier.  I did find going down the stairs a bit stiff.  But then, I'm not 19 any more.  As for the floor itself?  Hhhmm.  I hate to tell you, but it's not as precise as I thought.  You click in the top edge, and then using a tapping block click in the side.  You can barely see a seam on the sides of the tiles.  The top edges, however, are a different matter.  On some tiles, you can barely see a seam, on others?  At least to my eyes there is a significant gap.  Of course, there are ways to fix this.  And, to be perfectly frank, I didn't splurge on the best tiles, but rather spent my money on something that is considered a lesser grade.  I couldn't see spending the extra money when there's going to be a washer and dryer sitting on top of them.

Evidently attendance at Trump's rally in Ohio was rather sparse.  And there was a moment when the audience demonstrated their subversion.

At a rally in Chambersburg, PA, Doug Mastriano had his audience do the same thing.  "Put your right hand in the air," the told the crowd, and they did as he wanted.  The only thing missing was for them to begin chanting 'heil, heil.'  Many pictures have been circulating of both rallies have been circulating.  The one above seems to have been getting the most press.  Amusingly, there are Trumpies out there who are claiming the media doesn't cover Trump's rallies.  They don't see anything wrong with this, which is why he's becoming a detriment.

Speaking of the Moral Degenerate, I understand he arrived back at Mar a Lago... during the night.  I'm betting the first thing he did was check to make sure his secret stash of documents was safe.

Finally, on the immigration issue, personally, I don't think the political stunts of sending refugees to places like Martha's Vineyard is having quite the effect  the Republicans had hoped.  True, they do make headlines, but the only gleeful outrage I'm seeing is from hard core conservatives.  Since the Republican party can no longer say, "shut up, we're in charge," they're giving America their 'screw you' attitude instead.  I am truly disappointed when I see Hispanics running for office celebrating these incidents.  So much self-loathing is amazing.

Lost in Cracker Jack Crazy Land

 Well, workday Thursday has arrived.  Yep.  Because I'm available to work on Thursdays, I normally do.  No problem.  After today, my Friday and Saturday are free.  And the temps are going to be steaming.  The high today is supposed to reach the lower 80s (F).  After that, we're to be in the scorching 90s (F), and you can be my Central Air will be cranking.

Yesterday was another uneventful, unproductive day.  Last week was so good when it came to getting things done, so far, this week a lot less has been accomplished.  That leaves me Friday and Saturday to add a bit of a shine to a lusterless 7 days.

The new keyboard arrived yesterday and has now been set up.  This is how I set up the colors.  Most of it is a lime/green-yellow.  I avoided reds.  Even though I like red, I find that at times the color can be distracting. 

And in case anyone is wondering, they're still counting the votes from Tuesday's primary, and yes, the Republicans are going to be relying on the mail-in ballots.  The Orange Anus is shrieking for Oz to declare victory just in case MacCormick happens to 'find' enough ballots to make him the winner.  Now, ain't that funny? Oz is ignoring him, which is no doubt pissing him off.  

One of the things I like to look at after a winner is declared, is the numbers.  Numbers say quite a lot.  Take the Mastriano winning the Republican nomination for Governor.  He desperately wants to be a Qanon King. (Big Laugh).  The GOP is not ecstatic. Nope. Not in the least.    So, what do the numbers say?  1.3 million Republicans voted on Tuesday.  Mastriano received 524,000 votes.  Almost 800,000 Republicans voted for someone else.  Now, that's an ouch from Hell.  I can also tell you that many of those voters who supported Doug, believe that every one of those 800,000, who voted for someone else, are going to throw their support behind Doug.  Well, that's not going to happen.  Mastriano is lost in Cracker Jack Crazy Land.  This is the reason so many Republicans are whispering that he is unelectable.  800,000 voters were not impressed with Trump's endorsement.  Many will either stay home come November rather than vote for Doug, and they sure as hell aren't voting for a Democrat.

Leaf Curl

 After a number of days of being very productive, I have to admit that yesterday was not.  There were a number of things on my agenda, but few were completed.  Mostly, I blame the candy.  I never buy candy, however yesterday morning, while at the store, I picked up 2 bags to take to the store.  Big mistake.  I was fine for about hour after getting home, but then temptation reared its ugly head and I ripped open the bag of Payday candy bars.  It was all downhill from there.  I ended up chowing down on candy bars, watching the news, and taking naps. I have not stepped on the scale this morning as I am certain it will break.  

I did discover what's wrong with my nectarine tree.  I have leaf curl. And it's not only on my nectarine tree, my peach tree is infected, too.  Leaf curl is a fungus.  Normally, it's dormant until you have long, drizzly days when the rain lasts for more than 10 hours.  Well, we've had that.  We had that last year, as well.  The only treatment is a copper spray which needs to be applied in late winter, before spring rains arrive.  Well...it's a bit too late for that one.  I did mark my calendar to buy some in late February.

And, of course, a number of states held their primaries.  A lot of people are cheering that Madison Cawthorn lost is primary.  Me?  I'm thinking maybe he should have squeaked out victory and then let a Democrat take him out in the General Election.  Now the Democrats of North Carolina will have to deal with a candidate who comes across as more normal.

In Pennsylvania?  We have big John Fetterman as the Democratic candidate to replace Pat Twomey.  The Republicans race is too close to call, and there is a good possibility it may force a recount, which is never good for a candidate since breeds hostility.  Barnette, who lost, has already told the press she will not support another candidate, so the bloodletting continues.  This is what happens when you build a party of selfish individuals who refuse to compromise.

For Governor, the Democrats have Shapiro, who has handily won every campaign he has waged.  He'll be running against the Cracker Jack Crazy Doug Mastriano.  Doug is a radical MAGA, to say the least.  He was in Washington on January 6 and has pushed The Big Lie extensively.  Many in the GOP are of the opinion is too much of an extremist to win.  An example:  Last evening he claimed that Jesus was behind his victory.  No separation of Church and State in his playbook.    

Candor

 My first weekend of the week begins today.  I'm pleased.  The sun is shining.  The temps are predicted to climb into the upper 70's with low humidity, so I'll be spending some time outside.  Thanks to the rain we've had my lawn needs a mowing which will happen either today or tomorrow.

I lost my temper at work yesterday with an associate.  Most of the time I can hold my tongue, but there are instances...  Me and another associate were discussing the million lives lost to Covid, when another part-time associate spoke up saying "well, they didn't need to die.  Doctors had all these modifications, vitamins and treatments that would have saved lives and the government wouldn't let them."  Is that statement enough to let you know she's a Fauci hating MAGA?  And, of course, I'm at the point where I've had it up to my earlobes with shit like this, so I let loose... sort of.  I said, "shut up you stupid, old bitch."  She didn't take that lightly and retorted.  "You probably voted for Biden."  She also said Covid wasn't that bad because she didn't get it.  Rather than resort to fisticuffs, we ended the conversation.  

Later, knowing I shouldn't have lost my temper, I approached her and said, "I apologize for my candor," knowing full well she had no idea of the definition.

Today is primary day in Pennsylvania.  Tra-la-la-la-la.  The Republican bloodletting is about to begin... or, since it is nearly 0800, has already begun.  Doug Mastriano, a state senator who marched in Washington on Jan 6, will probably be the Republican nominee for Governor.  There is a horse race for the Republican nominee to replace that loser, Pat Twomey.  Too Close to Call.  Barrnett has said that if she doesn't get it, she will not support the candidate that does.  Now, how is that for being a team player.  Both she and Mastriano are considered unelectable.  The GOP is beside themselves. Perhaps if their candidates had more candor, instead they proffer the public nothing more than lies and deceit.