Hiking today was pretty successful. We'll do more tomorrow, at least with F and D, because it's educational. Still haven't seen a bear, but Drama Queen and Dallas saw an iconic white squirrel in Brevard.
Many thanks for all the well wishes yesterday. Things are better today, potential flooding not withstanding.
A funeral with young (and not so young) people with joyful, funny memories of a life very well lived is gift and a blessing. A jam session as part of shiva (sitting shiva? Not clear on the proper usage) lead by the youngest grandchild, a granddaughter, points brightly to life.
My husband hasn’t indicated if he feels well enough to come to the lake today. It’s just my bro and me until tomorrow when my daughters and their families arrive. He drinks….a lot. I’ve never been around him solo as an adult (we aren’t particularly close.) He’s a very progressive liberal and is convinced we could’ve beat Covid if everybody would’ve just worn masks. Mmmk, alrighty. Not too keen on getting into a fray with him on that, especially without the dr husband as backup. I asked him if he felt cheated he didn’t get to vote for his democratic presidential candidate. Nope, he’s content with Kamala. I said if this happened during Trump’s presidency and Pence got hoisted on me, I’d be PO’d. Anyhoo, we’re going kayaking today so no politics, just nature.
They could sell timber from the National Forests, but environmental NGOs are against it, even though lumbering can be the best option for forest health.
Good morning. The rail bike excursion was a lot of fun and pretty good exercise. The skies opened up on the return trip, but I had my rain jacket. It was neatly packed in my backpack in the basket at the rear of the bike where I couldn't reach it. You can't really stop during the ride (well, you can; there are brakes) as others are coming up behind you and can't go around you (the whole rail concept.). Needless to say, we got soaked. But we brought a change of clothes and shoes and the place had nice bathrooms in which to change. We went into Saratoga Springs and had an early dinner. All in all, an excellent birthday. Thanks for all the good wishes.
Probably didn't get any wetter than if you'd celebrated indoors and the sprinkler system went off when you lit the candles on your cake. Glad you had a good day. 🌦🌈
True. I know physics would probably say this is untrue, but I've felt since my running days that at a certain point you can't get any wetter so there's no sense in not enjoying the ride.
From the Mothership: The United Nations confirmed on Monday that nine male employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the agency responsible for distributing aid in Palestinian territories, were possibly involved in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.
So, the World Court will be prosecuting them in short order, right?
The international Criminal Court does not have jurisdiction over Gaza. That's actually a good thing, because the ICC would be more likely to go after Israelis, starting with Netanyahu, than anyone else.
Ideally, the workers involved would be tried in Israeli courts, or failing that, in their home countries (if not themselves Palestinians). But I doubt it.
No. Just wasn't 100% sure that question about the World Court was a case of */s* or the first sign of a case of reefer madness. (/s here, just in case...)
Yesterday, a small group - husband and me, B and F - went to the NC Arboretum. It had very nice mushrooms and many trees. We saw a doe browsing near the paths and a snake that was annoyed when I got in his sunbeams.
No bears have been sighted, but there are claw marks on the bear-proof trash bin.
Good morning. Another hot one today, with rain tonight.
The mothership is covering the difficulties the Trump campaign (that is, Donald Trump himself) are having adapting to campaigning against Kamala Harris, not “Sleepy Joe” BIden.
I’ve never thought of myself as a “never Trumper,” but I’ve always thought the GPO should be punished for nominating him. Maybe that punishment is finally coming.
While "never Trumper" was never a term that I was comfortable with, I was not going to vote for the man. And I've voted for every other GOP presidential candidate since Reagan.
Instead of "never Trumper," I think of myself as someone with minimum standards than just an R beside their name to get my vote.
I agree with you. I think many people who are not choosing to vote for Trump are not "NeverTrumpers"; I myself was on team Nikki, I really thought she was the best choice of those who ran (I wanted Mitch Daniels, but he wouldn't run). I think Trump will not be an effective president this time, that's why I am not voting for him.
And I will not criticize those who do vote for him.
One thing about Mitch Daniels: he went nuts at Purdue to keep costs down. They kept tuition below $10k his entire 7 years there. He combined his installation ceremony as president with some other existing ceremony to save money. But he didn't slash salaries or do stupid stuff. My colleagues at Purdue were horrified when he was selected, but speak highly of him now.
Something about the term strikes me as too self-important. Or maybe it’s the very idea of identifying oneself first and foremost in a term using the name of such a narcissist…
“Hi, I’m a Never Trumper.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m a Never Beelzebubber. Care to enter into a contract with me for your eternal soul?”
I'm exactly where you are Wilhelm (except I started with Ford).
The real "never Trumpers" are the people who hang out at places like The Bulwark, who talk up the Democrats (first Biden, now Harris) as though they were themselves Democrats. I could never do that.
I'm not a Democrat. I don't share their political views on most things -- although the parties are in a state of flux. So, I'm not saying NEVER. But it's not likely right this minute. (The Repugnant Party presidential nominee still seems capable of pissing me off enough to change my mind on that and vote for Harris-SomeGuy out of spite, though.)
But I am a man without a party. If I live long enough, this will shake itself out and I'll align with some group.
It's worth noting that all the former GOP presidents and presidential nominees seem to feel like us about Trump. And probably the VP nominees too, Palin excepted.
Good morning. We're in a cloud ☁️. There are small, bitey bugs that produce itchy welts: not mosquitoes, something else. I'll increase my consumption of garlic when I get home.
Hiking today was pretty successful. We'll do more tomorrow, at least with F and D, because it's educational. Still haven't seen a bear, but Drama Queen and Dallas saw an iconic white squirrel in Brevard.
Many thanks for all the well wishes yesterday. Things are better today, potential flooding not withstanding.
A funeral with young (and not so young) people with joyful, funny memories of a life very well lived is gift and a blessing. A jam session as part of shiva (sitting shiva? Not clear on the proper usage) lead by the youngest grandchild, a granddaughter, points brightly to life.
The debt could be wiped out if only The Wealthy Paid Their Fair Share™️.
My husband hasn’t indicated if he feels well enough to come to the lake today. It’s just my bro and me until tomorrow when my daughters and their families arrive. He drinks….a lot. I’ve never been around him solo as an adult (we aren’t particularly close.) He’s a very progressive liberal and is convinced we could’ve beat Covid if everybody would’ve just worn masks. Mmmk, alrighty. Not too keen on getting into a fray with him on that, especially without the dr husband as backup. I asked him if he felt cheated he didn’t get to vote for his democratic presidential candidate. Nope, he’s content with Kamala. I said if this happened during Trump’s presidency and Pence got hoisted on me, I’d be PO’d. Anyhoo, we’re going kayaking today so no politics, just nature.
Enjoy the water.
The government starts selling assets to raise money. Hell ya I’ll buy an acre of land in Yellowstone.
They could sell timber from the National Forests, but environmental NGOs are against it, even though lumbering can be the best option for forest health.
So imagine you're a 30-something hipster. You don't actually like marijuana, but you want that vibe anyway. What do you do? This, I reckon:
https://www.domesticdomestic.com/products/cannabis-eau-de-parfum?shopify_email_activity_id=155552743681&syclid=cqp1fnag57qs73am5f40&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_155552743681&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email
Can you also buy skunk scent?
Good morning. The rail bike excursion was a lot of fun and pretty good exercise. The skies opened up on the return trip, but I had my rain jacket. It was neatly packed in my backpack in the basket at the rear of the bike where I couldn't reach it. You can't really stop during the ride (well, you can; there are brakes) as others are coming up behind you and can't go around you (the whole rail concept.). Needless to say, we got soaked. But we brought a change of clothes and shoes and the place had nice bathrooms in which to change. We went into Saratoga Springs and had an early dinner. All in all, an excellent birthday. Thanks for all the good wishes.
Probably didn't get any wetter than if you'd celebrated indoors and the sprinkler system went off when you lit the candles on your cake. Glad you had a good day. 🌦🌈
True. I know physics would probably say this is untrue, but I've felt since my running days that at a certain point you can't get any wetter so there's no sense in not enjoying the ride.
Belated happy birthday!
Thanks!
From the Mothership: The United Nations confirmed on Monday that nine male employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), the agency responsible for distributing aid in Palestinian territories, were possibly involved in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel.
So, the World Court will be prosecuting them in short order, right?
The international Criminal Court does not have jurisdiction over Gaza. That's actually a good thing, because the ICC would be more likely to go after Israelis, starting with Netanyahu, than anyone else.
Ideally, the workers involved would be tried in Israeli courts, or failing that, in their home countries (if not themselves Palestinians). But I doubt it.
I think the last sentence covers it.
You been huffing that eau de dope you linked to above??
You say that like it's a bad thing.
No. Just wasn't 100% sure that question about the World Court was a case of */s* or the first sign of a case of reefer madness. (/s here, just in case...)
Like Ringo, No-no-no-no, I don't smoke it no more.
Although I have gummies in the medicine cabinet for nights when I need to get to sleep early.
Well, when it got "hard to find the door" you could have made it easier on yourself if you'd just gotten hold of Phil...
Not that kind of a 🚪
Haha, you're so humorous.
They wear funny wigs and stomp their feet when angry!
Yesterday, a small group - husband and me, B and F - went to the NC Arboretum. It had very nice mushrooms and many trees. We saw a doe browsing near the paths and a snake that was annoyed when I got in his sunbeams.
No bears have been sighted, but there are claw marks on the bear-proof trash bin.
Jack could not be reached for comment.
I wouldn't ask him to take the trash out.
Good morning. Another hot one today, with rain tonight.
The mothership is covering the difficulties the Trump campaign (that is, Donald Trump himself) are having adapting to campaigning against Kamala Harris, not “Sleepy Joe” BIden.
I’ve never thought of myself as a “never Trumper,” but I’ve always thought the GPO should be punished for nominating him. Maybe that punishment is finally coming.
IDK. But if you can figure out a way to get an entire political party into a pillory and a set of stocks, let me know...
While "never Trumper" was never a term that I was comfortable with, I was not going to vote for the man. And I've voted for every other GOP presidential candidate since Reagan.
Instead of "never Trumper," I think of myself as someone with minimum standards than just an R beside their name to get my vote.
I agree with you. I think many people who are not choosing to vote for Trump are not "NeverTrumpers"; I myself was on team Nikki, I really thought she was the best choice of those who ran (I wanted Mitch Daniels, but he wouldn't run). I think Trump will not be an effective president this time, that's why I am not voting for him.
And I will not criticize those who do vote for him.
One thing about Mitch Daniels: he went nuts at Purdue to keep costs down. They kept tuition below $10k his entire 7 years there. He combined his installation ceremony as president with some other existing ceremony to save money. But he didn't slash salaries or do stupid stuff. My colleagues at Purdue were horrified when he was selected, but speak highly of him now.
I've got a Nikki Haley flag I flew in front of the house for months. I'll put it away shortly.
I'm not sure Mitch Daniels isn't Calvin Coolidge reincarnated. And that's a good thang.
Too old.
And in CC's case, too dead. But as talkative as ever!
Something about the term strikes me as too self-important. Or maybe it’s the very idea of identifying oneself first and foremost in a term using the name of such a narcissist…
“Hi, I’m a Never Trumper.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m a Never Beelzebubber. Care to enter into a contract with me for your eternal soul?”
Yeah, I get your point. That's not quite it for me. But whatever it is, it makes me want to wash my hands an extra time.
I'm exactly where you are Wilhelm (except I started with Ford).
The real "never Trumpers" are the people who hang out at places like The Bulwark, who talk up the Democrats (first Biden, now Harris) as though they were themselves Democrats. I could never do that.
I'm not a Democrat. I don't share their political views on most things -- although the parties are in a state of flux. So, I'm not saying NEVER. But it's not likely right this minute. (The Repugnant Party presidential nominee still seems capable of pissing me off enough to change my mind on that and vote for Harris-SomeGuy out of spite, though.)
But I am a man without a party. If I live long enough, this will shake itself out and I'll align with some group.
It's worth noting that all the former GOP presidents and presidential nominees seem to feel like us about Trump. And probably the VP nominees too, Palin excepted.
(I missed the Ford vote by three months.)
Or maybe some group will align with you.
I'm already Party Chair for the Neo-Whigs.
Who wants to be a Vice Chair? They get to help me pick Official Party Vices!
Good morning. We're in a cloud ☁️. There are small, bitey bugs that produce itchy welts: not mosquitoes, something else. I'll increase my consumption of garlic when I get home.
Sounds like “no-see-ums”.
It seems like it.
Maybe a future "Today's Special Animal Pest"? Here's a description: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopogonidae
We definitely have the itchy lesions.
Morning. Are you thinking they’re vampire bats?
Many bitey things are deterred by garlic.
Some old boyfriends?
They would have to be quite old indeed.
woof!
My past is a mystery.
Inside an enigma?