Fried Day

In a few minutes Jen and I will head into Mass Eye and Ear for a check up on that wonk ass eye of mine. With luck Doc Jacobs will pronounce me cured or, at least, well enough to go back to wearing my cornea protecting, sight saving PROSE lens. Fingers crossed and shit.

On the way home we'll stop at the Dairy Freeze for our customary cup 'o' soft serve. Why? All sensitive eye appointments must be capped by a spirit buoying guilty pleasure. DUH!

Just a reminder – get ready, make your plan to VOTE. This election is not your average run of the mill business. We are fighting for our lives, for truth over horror show fiction, for sanity, for decency in our government. Don't let the greedheaded, sadistic motherfuckers win and kill us all with their power and bucko mad, predatory gluttony.

VOTE!

Fun with Aging

Apparently, I’m getting better – my recovery is now progressing rather nicely. How do I know this? Despite NOT doomsurfing (OK, truth? Totally limited surf action – HONEST!) last night, I could NOT manage to breach the walls of Lullaby Land.

Apparently, I need less slumber time and am returning to my usual abby-normal sleep habits.

I’m truckin' farther down On-the-Mend Road. That’s the good news.

I had a ripping yarn to pass my slumber-free hours and Coco was purring on my chest. It’s the second (and, sadly, last) in Sharyn McCrumb’s Jay Omega series – Zombies of the Gene Pool. No, it has nothing to do with actual zombies OR tanks of genetic material

In the 1950s, eight young men, dreaming of literary immortality, buried a time capsule with their science fiction stories and cultural relics from the time. Now the capsule is being dredged up… (source)

Here’s the only irksome bit – the eight young men are now in their early 60s. Of the five who haven’t given it up to the Grim Reaper already, two are depicted as ancient, frail and decidedly rickety. One is in the early stages of, presumably, Alzheimer’s. Another is still terribly weak from a heart attack suffered two years before.

Only a third of this crew is alive, hale and hearty at this not-THAT-old point in their lives.

I’M in my damn early 60s and, if not for January’s bean surgery and August’s spine slice-a-rama, I wouldn’t be this weak and fragile. Also too, my current condition, as noted above, improves with each passing day. I doubt I’ll ever be able to benchpress my own weight again but, PHFFFT, why would I want to?

I remember going with my father to his 50th high school class reunion. He and his classmates were all 68-ish years old. Daddy was in relatively good shape then – not the Olympic form of his youth but he was doing fine and dandy. One of his classmates was in a wheelchair and, to my ignorant early 40s eyes, looked more like a decrepit, near death 90. I asked the old man “he’s the same age as you? How can that be?”

His answer – “we all age differently.”

Me and Pop in our (much) younger days

Truth!

A vibrant, energetic woman from my high school class died at the age of 58 from frontotemporal dementia  – an uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behaviour and language.

I couldn’t, until my strange and difficult recovery from January’s noodle surgerizing, imagine what it must’ve been like for Connie to lose words, names, memory; to find herself behaving oddly/differently.

Now I can. Mentally, I’m back to being as on the ball as ever – quite possibly more so. Physically – my strength WILL increase. I just gotta keep working it.

Back to McCrumb’s Zombie book though – she was somewhere in her early 40s when she wrote it. In the US, that’s a little past life's, average, halfway point.

Does 60+ years of age look so fragile, brittle and bleak to everyone 40 and under? Sure, getting older is a daunting and sometimes exhausting endeavor but, fer fuck’s sake, it beats the alternative.

Mood Indigo

I woke in an alta kaka kind of a mood.

Or is that spelled alte kaker or alter kaker or alta kaker or…well, you get the idea. What’s that mean? According to the Jewish English Lexicon site this is an elderly person, old-timer [literally "old shitter"] "A crotchety, fussy, ineffectual old man."

In my case "A crotchety, fussy old broad.” I take issue with that ineffectual bullshit. I think I’m effectual as all hell. Just yesterday, fer fuck’s sake, I took TWO walks, ellipticalled twice and did a couple of my physical therapy exercises. Yes, none of these activities came anywhere near RBG’s famed workout regimen BUT this was way more than I could do the day before so YEA me and shit.

One thing Ten and I did yesterday was hit Fratelli’s. Why? As you well know, CAKE is an antidepressant (TRUTH!) and, in these times, that’s a necessity. Sure, Ten would’ve made the cake trek for me – he knew just what I HAD to have but I wanted a ride in the car and to peruse the baked goods and deli options for myself. I wanted a sense of normalcy…dammit!

Two probs with my big idea.
1) Bix has virtually NO suspension so my poor spine felt EVERY bump, pothole and pebble that we drove over.
        An aside: What IS suspension? Beats the fuck outta me but, I’m told, it’s what Bix doesn’t have.

2) The good hearted, previously thought of as intelligent, counter folk at Fratelli’s do NOT understand the concept of masks. One clerk kept taking her mask off and putting it back on. The other one wore hers BELOW her nose! I was horrified and would’ve walked out BUT I needed CAKE like a motherfucker. Also, they were behind the display cases so, at least, six feet away. I was probably safe but won’t be going back there until a SAFE (versus 45 pushed) vaccine is out and in wide circulation.

As of yesterday 200,731 Americans have died from the Trump Plague. While his obscene levels of larcenous greed, outrageous lies and spectacular incompetence are responsible for the extreme number of dead Americans, the portion of our population who fall under the Less-Than-Bright column is significant. Yes, even here in blue, blue Massachusetts.

We’re in better shape than Florida, which, over the past seven days, averaged 90 deaths and 2,723 new cases per day. Texas too – they’ve averaged 4,214 fresh cases and 94 deaths per day. Yes, both are far more populous than the Bay State but looka here:

Florida – 89 new cases per 100,000
Texas – 164 new cases per 100,000
Massachusetts – 37 new cases per 100,000 

(all stats from the New York Times COVID page)

37 per 100K isn’t a brag point by any means. We’re paused in the first part of Phase 3 reopening because cases and deaths have risen and continue to do so.

Why?

• Idiots like Jen’s boss and his golf buddies who thought New Hampshire was “safe,” had a maskless, no distancing indoor party after their tour of the links. ALL but two of these dimbulbed and delusional fucks came down with Plague45 and went on to infect their coworkers, families and friends. The Board of Health has begun an investigation because, apparently, hundreds of new cases have been traced to this outing. Good. I hope every last one of those piles of rich, useless trash are fined into penury.
• Careless and not ultra bright individuals such as the counter help at Fratelli’s.
• That imbecilic and obtuse night nurse at MGH.
  

Thoughtless fools are EVERYWHERE. MASK UP!

Mood Indigo – Duke Ellington

A Few Things

In an interview on WBAY news in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, with Joe Biden, the anchor/reporter asked:
Wisconsin just surpassed 100,000 COVID-19 cases in the state, what’s not working and what needs to be done? 

He replied:

“What’s not working is the president has turned all of this over to governors without all the resources. He says I don’t have any responsibility. Look, this is a man who did an interview with Bob Woodward on tape, said he knew how fatally dangerous he knew this virus was and he didn’t say a word. If he had let people know that, it would have changed things, I believe, drastically.… we’re in a situation now where it’s estimated to be somewhere between 178,000 and 200,000 more deaths between now and January.

What’s he doing? He’s holding rallies with thousands of people, cheek to jaw without masks on… So this, this is a charade. It’s about, for him, whether or not acknowledging the extent of the crisis ends up having an impact on the stock market, which is what he sees. He sees everything from Park Avenue and I see it from Scranton, Pennsylvania, where ordinary people live, where I was raised. They’re the ones who are getting hurt very badly because of his total lack of leadership”

~~~snip~~~

“…number one, I would make sure that we are in a position that we provide for real testing so you can test and get results back in two hours… I’d make sure that everybody had the PPE, the masks and other vital needs they have, to protect themselves as first responders. I would make sure we were in a position that we provided the wherewithal that schools would be able to open, by having more teachers, more funding for schools to sanitize the schools… he’s done none of this. In the meantime, he has withheld the money from the states.”

Same interview, on the subject of expanding the Supreme Court (should Prez Weasel Fucker and his Fascist party succeed in appointing another right wing, whack job toady).

“It’s a legitimate question, but let me tell you why I’m not going answer that question. Because it will shift the focus, that’s what he wants, he never wants to talk about the issue at hand & he always tries to change the subject.”

~~~snip~~~

“Let’s say I answer that question, then the whole debate's gonna be about what Biden said or didn’t say, Biden said he would or wouldn’t. The discussion should be about why he is moving in a direction that’s totally inconsistent with what founders wanted,” Biden says.

YES – THIS!!!

Then there’s this piece from the New Yorker – RFK's grandson Max was on Jar-Jar’s COVID task force and becomes a whistle-blower. Read the, article – it’s stunningly horrifying.

“The Administration’s coronavirus response, he said, “was like a family office meets organized crime, melded with ‘Lord of the Flies.’ It was a government of chaos.” (source)

More damning criminality from that vilely incompetent, egomaniacal shit for brain’s administration:

A $1 billion fund Congress gave the Pentagon in March to build up the country’s supplies of medical equipment has instead been mostly funneled to defense contractors and used for making things such as jet engine parts, body armor and dress uniforms. (source)

Healthcare angels who’ve been working their asses off, trying to keep us alive, have had to resort to garbage bags and used masks while defense contractors have been reeling in the bucks.

As of this past Wednesday, September 16th, over 1,198 nurses, doctors, paramedics, nursing home works and support staff have died from Trump’s Plague. It didn't need to be like this.

Are you registered to vote? Check here.

This site shows the voter registration deadlines in each state

And here, you’ll find in which states you may register and vote on the same day.

The Dookie and the Fine

It’s too damn easy to become completely overwhelmed by the constant crimes, corruption and 10 story high diseased weasel shit from the hateful, half-wit Con Artist in Chief, his scam-ass family, Murder Turtle (AKA Moscow Mitch) and the rest of those fascist fucks of the GOP (which stands for Grifter’s Own Party, of course).

We will fight.  Flipping the Senate and holding the House are key for saving this beleaguered republic.

A Supreme Court Justice can be impeached but only for offenses such as perjury, fraud, or conflicts of interest. Clarence Thomas, at the VERY least, qualifies for that last bit. His conflicts of interest should’ve been addressed LONG ago. Also, there’s got to be a few hundred more nasty skeletons in Rapey Boy Kavenaugh’s closet.

This Scheiße on top of my annoyingly bothersome, ongoing health struggles AND Plague45 which prevents me from going down to Pennsylvania to see Daddy.

But look, it’s Monday. There’s got to be SOME bright spots in all the doom. I hear you, you’re thinking OH NO, she’s gonna go all Pollyanna on us today! No, but I really do need to find glimmers of hope so I don’t dissolve into a fetid swamp of despair.

While the West Coast continues to burn, air quality is less heinous in most, NOT all, areas. A friend who lives in a rural spot, north of Portland, Oregon, posted pics of a BLUE sky yesterday.

Ten w/his gorgeous long hair back in a braid

Here in Valhalla, the sun is out, the air is clear and temps will mebbe reach a lovely 60º later. Sweater weather, my favorite!

Jen and I spent most of yesterday in Mass Eye and Ear’s ER, having my flaming scarlet left eye looked at. I was, naturally, in a panic state, fearing the loss of my sight. This is the third flair up since coming home from August’s spine surgery. I now know what’s up and have been given a solid plan (and meds) to clear up the irritated eye smog. My vision will be fine, this is not (since caught, evaluated and treated in time) the end of the world (or my eye).

My back hurts a little less each day. I’m able to move about with greater ease/less struggle. I’ve even, FINALLY, been able to begin formal physical therapy exercises (instead of just counting ALL movement as such).

My fierce jungle warrior kitten has been making sure I don’t overdo. She reminds me to rest, flat on my back, by sitting on my chest, refusing to move.(Coco – not a paper weight but a Donna weight). 

Ten made cinnamon French toast for brekkie this morning.

Oni’s his usual awesome self.

And, later today, Jen and I will write postcards.

I am beyond happy that I get to live on the water here in ultra liberal Massachusetts, surrounded by my mega wonderful family and friends.

Also, here is (below) my favorite election sign to date:

Action!

My fabulous friend, Michal, posted the words and office addresses of four Republican senators who, in 2016, publicly, vocally backed that fart lozenge, Moscow Mitch, when he blocked Obama from appointing a Supreme Court justice NINE months before the end of his term.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a Friday night statement that President Donald Trump's  nominee to replace Ginsburg will get a vote in the Senate. Doing so would be a complete reversal of his position in 2016, when the GOP-led Senate refused to hold a hearing or vote on then-President Barack Obama's nominee, saying it was too close to the election. (source)

We are now a mere 44 days out from the November 3rd election and 121 days until that corrupt, incompetent, heinously coiffed and diseased ratfucker, his taint fungus admin AND fam are kicked to the curb. OH, but the chinless wonder thinks his bullshit made up rules only apply to Democrats.

What can we, even still physically weak and limited me, do? 

 
Call or write your senators. Weigh in. AND you can send a postcard to each of these four senators who VERY publicly stated their “belief” that it wasn’t right/fair to the American people for Obama to appoint a Justice in the year before an election.

Buy one of those Post Office 10 packs ($3.90) of pre-stamped postcards and write out the short, simple, senator specific messages  below.

Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah)
361A Russel Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

You said in 2016: "We think that the American people need a chance to weigh in on this issue, on who will fill that seat. They’ll have that chance this November and they oughta have that chance." It's 2020, and the shoe still fits. Please don't be a hypocrite – do the right thing by delaying SCOTUS nomination hearings until 2021.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
290 Russel Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

You in 2018: "If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump's term, and the primary process has started, We'll wait to the next election." Those are your words, sir. Keep your word. SCOTUS nomination hearings should not start until 2021.

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
284 Russel Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

You said in 2016: “I don’t think we should be moving forward on a nominee in the last year of this president’s term. I would say that if it were a Republican President.” It’s 2020 and we’re in the same circumstances. So, SAY IT AGAIN: We shouldn’t be moving forward on a nominee in the last year of this president’s term. Please prove you are a man of your word. Don’t be a hypocrite.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
328 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

In 2016, you wrote: “In a very unique moment in time, eight months before an election where the American public will decide the direction of the country, why not let the American people decide the direction of the Supreme Court...Let the American people decide.” It's 2020 and the shoe still fits, only it 44 days until the election, not 8 months. Please do the right thing, and hold the SCOTUS nomination hearings until 2021. Please, don't be a hypocrite.

You’ve written out your four cards and have six left in the pack? Give them to an intelligent (AKA NON Trumper) neighbor or friend so they can join in.

Do it Monday. Tomorrow. Let’s FIGHT this fascist court packing bullshit!

Also too:

The Notorious RBG

Ruth Bader Ginsberg

 March 15, 1933  – September 18, 2020

I have no words this morning – just trying not to panic.

The following words are from our next President, Joe Biden:

Tonight our nation mourns an American hero, a giant of legal doctrine, and a relentless voice in the pursuit of that highest American ideal: Equal Justice Under Law.

 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg stood for all of us. She fought for all of us. As a young attorney, she persisted through every challenge that an unequal system placed in her way to change the laws of our land and lead the legal charge to advance equal rights for women. It was my honor to preside over her confirmation hearings, and to strongly support her accession to the Supreme Court. In the decades since, she was consistently and reliably the voice that pierced to the heart of every issue, protected the constitutional rights of every American, and never failed in the fierce and unflinching defense of liberty and freedom. Her opinions, and her dissents, will continue to shape the basis of our law for future generations. May her memory be a blessing to all people who cherish our Constitution and its promise.



Tonight, and in the coming days, we should be focused on the loss of Justice Ginsburg and her enduring legacy. But just so there is no doubt, let me be clear: The voters should pick a President, and that President should select a successor to Justice Ginsburg. This was the position that the Republican Senate took in 2016, when there were nearly nine months before the election. That is the position the United States Senate must take now, when the election is less than two months away. We are talking about the Constitution and the Supreme Court. That institution should not be subject to politics.



Joseph R. Biden Jr.

VOTE! Our lives depend on it, more now than ever before.

Smoke on the Water

The smoke from the West Coast fires reached Valhalla, making sunrise interesting, beautiful and sad – desperately sad.

“The air outside right now is at historically polluted levels,” Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington said. (source)

All our radically unstable, mentally banjaxed, outhouse of a president could say was:

“It’ll start getting cooler,” Mr. Trump said. “You just watch.”
Wade Crowfoot, the secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, told Mr. Trump that he hoped the weather would, indeed, cool.
“I wish science agreed with you,” Mr. Crowfoot said. (source)

Preznint Hideous Fairy Tale Brain thinks, just like COVID-19, everything will be magically ALLLLLLLL better in no time at all. “You just watch.”

His willful, obstinate ignorance and 500 fathoms deep stupidity isn’t shocking by any means but, that anyone who’s not 1%er rich (and in on the grift), continues to support him and believe his puerile platitudes does.

This douchebaggian cretin blames California for not “raking the forests” while making sure the state’s Forest Service is underfunded. Why? Betsy probably needs an eleventh yacht and a third helicopter, Mnuchin’s wife probably needs new clothes  and old Wilbur Ross needs another pair of custom made $600 bedroom slippers to wear while he naps through his Dear Leader’s mangled, bloviating, word salad speeches.

Back to the burning though, check out this informative NPR column: West Coast Fires: Climate, Forest Management, Lax Rules, Plenty Of Blame To Go Around. 

I can just imagine how much more damage this has wreaked on the lungs of Plague45 survivors. A friend in San Jose told me, late Wednesday, that their air quality was "healthy" (on that day anyway). GOOD.