Welcome August

I'm glad that July is over. 

Let's start with our nation's 250th birthday. It was bittersweet because Trump has been trying to undermine our  constitutional freedoms. 

July brought two heat waves with temperatures in the 100s. In one heat wave, we also had bad air days from Canadian wildfires (which Trump used as an excuse to impose new tariffs on Canada. Ugh.)

I had another bout of colitis. It lasted a few weeks; it's enervating, frustrating, and uncomfortable at best.

The worst of the month is that I was almost scammed. I was vulnerable because we had issues with our anti-virus protection on our computers. I don't want to write much about it; it's embarrassing and infuriating. I made mistakes and missed some red flags. The bottom line, I didn't send them any money, and they didn't gain access to my bank accounts or credit cards. 

On a more positive note, we got grab bars installed in our bathrooms and I got hearing aids. Annette took me up to Havre de Grace for an afternoon. We went on a perfect summer day, went to shops, an artist collective, and antique mall before we enjoyed lunch on the water. I hired a high school neighbor to walk Jace, so I didn't have to worry about him. It was relaxing and fun.

Lola's Anniversary, National Beagle Day, and Earth Day

All good holidays to celebrate. 

Ten years ago we picked up Lola from DAWS. It's hard to believe it's been that long. She was a good girl, and I'm happy we got to live with her, take care of her, and love her.

How appropriate was it to adopt a beagle on National Beagle Day? I doubt we knew that at the time. It was just just serendipity or synchronicity or something. 

As for Earth Day, I'm discouraged; surprised Trump didn't issue an executive order banning it. There has been so much damage to environmental initiatives and programs. It makes me sad. We have really fucked up.

Good News Everyone

(Said in Professor Farnsworth voice from Futurama.) On Friday the 7th, we got the news that Jeff was approved for Social Security disability benefits. The process took 14 months, when we were told it would take four to six months. There were several rounds of phone calls, and documents filled out online and on paper.

And waiting. During the waiting, we saw an episode on Last Week Tonight. Many potential recipients declare bankruptcy because the process takes so long. Luckily, we didn't have to worry about that. 

In the following week, we figured out his health insurance. Jeff's losing Cobra coverage at the end of the month. Luckily, the insurance broker I use for my medical supplemental insurance could help. I also got our paperwork to our accountant. Today the taxes are ready, and we're getting a refund. Funny, these were the two things that I didn't even put on my to do list.

Still lots more to do; I need to redo my to-do list 

The Day After

When I went to bed last night, the presidential race was undecided, although it didn't look good for Kamala Harris. I was texted a broken-heart emoji just before midnight. This morning, I was greeted with, "I am devastated."

I agree with both of those messages. I don't understand why anyone  would support Donald Trump. He's incompetent, has no empathy or compassion, or even interest in governmental policy. His whole agenda is based on revenge. The only time he is believable is when he talks about revenge and retribution.

Yet, he won the popular vote last night. I don't understand.

I heard a few theories today about why Kamala lost: she's too unknown, she's radical, she's an illegitimate candidate untested in the primaries, Trump was on TV all-the-time, the Democrats were out-of-touch on the economy and immigration, Americans hadn't seen a candidate like her.

Notice no one said the country is too racist and sexist (though perhaps the last idea touches on that.)

I don't have the answer. I'm tired, sad, angry, disheartened. Can I sleep through the next four years?

Election Day and Spike's Birthday

It's been a long, exhausting election season. I'm appalled at the money spent on ads--we probably could have fed the whole country on the amounts spent on primarily negative ads. After today, the most annoying ads will will focus on the Medicare enrollment period.

I'm avoiding news about the election until later tonight. Lucky for me, I have something else to think about.

Today is Spike's birthday. He was born in 2000 and lived with us from March 2002 until his death in December 2015. Spike was special--not just because he was our first dog, but also because he was such a great dog. 

We still love and miss him.

Dismantling Rights: Our Supreme Court in Action

Today's decision--overruling Roe v. Wade--was a first--taking away constitutional rights previously granted to Americans. Of course, it's only women's rights to bodily autonomy; denying women rights is in the current Republican Party's DNA.

I've read opinions and analyses that are more thoughtful than my reaction, which is to curse the justices. Five of them are reactionary: out of touch with the American people on cases about gun safety and women's health/rights. 

Between this Supreme Court and insurrection attempts by Trump and company, I'm afraid for/of my country.

Return of Pride in the Park

After a two year Covid absence, Pride in the Park returned to Mathews Park. It was a perfect late spring Saturday. There was a "beer garden" that should have been a lot nicer and larger. There were many food trucks, organizations, and companies, and drag performers. 

The performers' costumes were bright and colorful; the crowd was happy and cheering. I looked around and in all the happiness, I felt a little wistful. The same people who've worked so hard to get Roe v. Wade overruled will move against contraception and gay and trans rights next. 

A Year Ago Today...

...insurrectionists invaded the Capitol. I remember that day well. I didn't have the heart/stomach/whatever to watch the coverage on CNN this morning. Instead I watched Deep Space Nine. Ironically, it was about an attempted coup against the Bajoran government and its alliance with the Federation. At least these fictional insurrectionists recognized the truth when they saw it. Even Vedek Winn retreated when she saw the evidence. 

Truth is really stranger than fiction.

Rally for Abortion Justice

Last Saturday October 2, I participated in a rally for abortion justice. We met on a bridge heading into the main shopping area of Westport, CT. We waved our signs, chanted "My body, my choice," "Mister, Mister, keep your laws off my sister," and "We won't go back," and cheered as passing motorists beeped at us. We were most encouraged by truck and bus drivers beeping to show their support. 

At first, I was annoyed that the organizers expected us to bring banners. Then I figured out what would work for me. I played around with sizes and fonts on my pc and printed out two 8.5 x 11 pages: one read "Abortion is Healthcare," and the second read "Keep Abortion Legal." I glued them on 9 x 12 mixed media pages. Next I taped them to a yardstick, so I had a two sided sign. My sign (not me) made the local News 12 telecast.

Here are two of my favorite signs from the rally.  I cropped out the people because I don't have permission to use them in my blog.

                "When government controls decisions for her, she is being treated as 

           less than a fully adult human, responsible for her own choices."

Other favorites:

"Hey GOP I'm only three but I already know it's my body."

"Nevertheless, she persisted."

There were a few signs with coat hanger imagery, "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" (I had this on a bumper sticker on my last car) and "My body my choice." I think I was the only one with "Abortion is Healthcare."

I only saw three people in cars who gave us a thumbs down. Many cars just drove by, but many beeped in support or waved. 

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal showed up with a local candidate I didn't know (I don't live in Westport.)

I hope the politicians paid attention to us and all of the rallies across the nation.

Keep Abortion Legal.

Abortion is Healthcare. 

Unwanted Touching

I was surprised when I refreshed my computer the other day and read that Andrew Cuomo resigned as Governor of New York. Just a few hours earlier, I read that he was determined to fight the charges. Then I saw his attorney at a press briefing while I was at the gym.  She (of course, it was a she) was talking about the problems with the Attorney General's report: it had errors, the investigators didn't interview enough people, the investigators acted as prosecutors, judge and jury of Cuomo.

Regardless of the merits of the lawyer's arguments, the strategy was more effective than Cuomo's first attempt. It was a video of Cuomo hugging and kissing people. Its message seemed to be: I hug and kiss everyone, deal with it. 

About 15 years ago, Jeff, Spike, and I were on a patio at a Stamford bar for some kind of dog-related fundraising event when two local politicians stopped by. We chatted for a few minutes and told them we were from Norwalk and couldn't vote for them. One, a well-known local figure, put his hand on my shoulder for a minute. It wasn't sexual in any way; it was just weird and inappropriate. I know there is a tradition of glad handing in politics, but it's not necessarily the literal laying of the hands.  

George HW Bush was known to grope women when posing for photos. I previously thought this was only in his later years (he called himself David Cop-a-feel) but here's a description of an incident from 2003. I heard photo ops gropes were also part of Cuomo's MO. It's an easy way to keep well-mannered women and girls in line. Do they want to draw attention to themselves and ruin the photo? Do they really want to rock the boat over someone touching their butts?

Cuomo recently explained that he didn't think he had ever crossed the line but the line had been redrawn. That's bullshit. People--mostly women--are just a bit more willing to step up and say what happened to them and what's unacceptable. 

Here's one more personal story. About 25 years ago, I was in the copy room at the office. One of the admin assistants--Janet who is black--came into the room. Janet had some kind of scarf in her hair--and I cringe to write this--I said, "oh what's this?" and reached up to touch it. She shrunk away from me, a fake smile frozen on her face. Janet was clearly uncomfortable. I knew I had fucked up even though I didn't really understand why. I felt like an asshole and quickly left the room. 

Now, it doesn't matter that I didn't understand the issues concerning black women and hair and that I didn't mean to make Janet uncomfortable. What matters is the result. I never tried to touch anyone's hair again. Janet, I'm sorry and I'm sorry that my apology is 25 years after the fact. 

So Andrew Cuomo, Joe Biden, etc.: Just stop touching people. It's not that hard. Here's an assist from Jezebel. 

Hello Joe. Whatta You Know?

You're President, so here we go. (Apologies to Joltin' Joe DiMaggio.)

Inauguration Day 2021--our long national nightmare is over. I stole the line from Gerald Ford and used it in another post about the length of the presidential campaign.

Donald Trump is gone--at least from the White House. I read this article last night. I heartily agree that Trump is the worst President in US history. I learned a lot from the article about Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. I couldn't have told you anything about Pierce before; the only thing I knew about Buchanan was that he was the only bachelor president. (Bachelor President--sounds like a new dating show on Fox TV.) Thank you US high school education. 

Grievance President--that's how CNN's John King described Trump, who blames anyone and everyone else for his problems and failures.

Good riddance is too mild a term for my feelings.

Welcome Joe Biden, fellow Blue Hen. You will take the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting economic disaster seriously. Just by doing that, you will eclipse your predecessor. 

Impeachment Part Two

The House of Representatives impeached Donald Trump for the second time: the charge is incitement of insurrection. Nothing further can happen until at least January 19th when the Senate returns.

Ten House Republicans voted for impeachment. It's been reported that some members were afraid for their families' safety if they voted for impeachment. Other House Republicans presented ridiculous arguments in Trump's defense. 

January 20th can't come soon enough. 

Another Dream

My next fiction writing class starts Monday on Zoom. I dreamed about an in-person class. There were several of us in a large room. I had class access on my phone, but I wanted to get access on my laptop. Why I needed computer access for an in-person class, I don't know. I tried to log in and couldn't get the right web address. I asked Bette (a real classmate) what she used and tried that. No luck. The instructor told me I had missed half the class.

So what's it all mean? I reread this article on anxiety dreams. It didn't help me understand my dream. I call these types of dreams frustration dreams, more annoyance than anxiety.

Of course, it's normal to be anxious these days, to be frustrated, to be scared because of Covid-19 and armed insurrection at the US Capitol. Luckily, my writing class is a force against frustration, anxiety, and fear. It helps to keep me grounded. 

Insurrection in the Capitol

I was at Oyster Shell Park with Lola when it started. I heard the news on the drive home. Then I watched CNN for several hours. Watching rampaging terrorists invade the Capitol was horrific and surreal. These so-called patriots smashed windows, vandalized offices, and stole at least one laptop from Senator Jeff Merkley. Here are some images. Luckily they didn't destroy any artwork in the Rotunda. Pipe bombs and a suspicious vehicle were also found in the southeast corner of the Capitol.

Equally horrific was the response of the Capitol police. I wish I could say it was just incompetence--gross incompetence based on all of Trump's tweets inviting supporters to march to the Capitol to pressure Republicans to reject election results of Biden's win. As far back as December 19th, a tweet ended: "Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild."

It was worse than that. It's reported that police officers opened doors and gates for the rioters and posed for selfies with them. Obviously they did not treat this threat as they did potential Black Lives Matter protests.

In 1963 after the assassination of President John Kennedy, Malcom X famously said it was a a case of "chickens coming home to roost." Wednesday's riot with its ensuing injuries and deaths is another case of chickens coming home to roost. Even before Trump, Republicans have used fear mongering, racism, and hate as a key part of its message. Trump just inflamed and incited the mob to violence. 

This cannot stand. 

Thoughts about Leslie Van Houten

Today I read the news that California Governor Gavin Newsom has reversed parole for Leslie Van Houten. This is the fourth time a governor has blocked her release

It's strange that I read this just after I watched Charlie Says the other night, which focuses on Leslie. It's been a while since I read about the murders, but the movie seemed to downplay her role in the LaBianca murders. It appears that Leslie stabs Rosemary Labianca after she is already dead, although she does so with glee.

There's a scene in the movie when Charlie rebukes Leslie because she slept with a visiting biker without his permission. The biker later returns with a few friends to give Leslie a way out. She refuses to go, but later in prison imagines that she left with him. A poignant moment, but she stayed after all. 

Leslie Van Houten along with other members of the Manson Family was sentenced to death. Her sentence was overturned when California abolished the death penalty. I don't believe in the death penalty, but I believe in sentencing people to life without parole or life and a day. No one who had previously been sentenced to death should be able to get parole. 

I don't believe that Van Houten poses an unreasonable danger to society if she is released from prison, but I believe she should remain in prison for the rest of her life. I don't believe she will ever be granted parole and should just honor the victims' families by not making them relive the horror once again with every parole hearing.

The Week That Was

It was a long time between Tuesday and Saturday.  On Wednesday,  I knew it would happen, even when friends were scared. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris did it--they won the Presidency and the Vice-Presidency.  I watched their speeches Saturday night and cried. 

John King said something the other night: Math and Democracy. That's what we're talking about. 

Of course Trump is unwilling to accept the will of the people and do the right thing. We'll keep watching.

Election Hangover

 I went to bed last night around 11:40. I had fallen asleep on the couch again, and there wouldn't be any determination of the presidency any time soon. I went to bed earlier than I did four years ago, and it was less certain who would win last night. Four years ago, I woke up in the morning wishing that CNN would report that some horrible mistake had been made.  

This morning I woke up almost afraid to turn on the TV. As the day went on, things looked brighter for Biden.

I don't understand how any rational, reasonable person could have voted for Trump in 2016. This year it's even more incomprehensible given Trump's disregard for people, institutions, and the truth. Then there's Trump's criminally negligent response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

If we re-elect Trump, we deserve all the hell he'll unleash. 

Today's Voting

Jeff and I usually vote in the morning. We did so again today. The polls opened at 6; we arrived around 7:15. We had never seen a line outside the polling place until today. After we got in line, I walked over to Dunkin Donuts to get us some lattes while we waited. 

It was a chilly morning, but not too bad. I was glad it wasn't rainy and windy as it was earlier in the week, but it would have been nice to have temperatures in the mid-60's as forecast for later this week.  Oh well, I was glad to see the turnout. I live in a diverse voting district and I hope that we all voted for Joe Biden.

Watching the election results on CNN is tense. My shoulders are tight.

I can only hope.

Murky Morning; Dreary Day

Murky morning is how a WCBS--radio anchor described today. It's been a murky week or so. Many mornings have been both foggy and soggy. I wondered if we had suddenly been relocated to the Pacific Northwest or even London. Unfortunately, none of these soggy days gave us the rain we desperately need, but tomorrow and Friday may bring that.

I listened to the radio on my trip to the dentist (not like Veronica's.) It was my first visit in a year. I had postponed my six month checkup when I thought the Covid-19 shutdown would only last for a month. 

I've never talked politics with my dentist before, but today he said something like there was an agenda to shut down New York City. He turned on a video in which a doctor said kids needed to go to school without mitigating factors such as masks and social distancing. He didn't even start to look at my teeth. I told him I didn't want to watch the video. Later we had a more normal conversation for us about the Mets. 

It got me thinking about how murky the whole world is now. I can't understand how people can deny the Covid-19 virus. I don't like wearing masks, but can't understand how it violates someone's civil rights. 

It's one week until the election. I haven't voted because I had volunteered to be a poll worker. They don't need me, and I tossed my mail-in ballot. Oh well, we'll go early. One article suggested you should carry your own pen. Our polling place uses another kind of marker; I don't want to chance a pen. I can carry disinfectant wipes or wear gloves. That should work. 

RIP Ruth Bader Ginsburg

I was washing dishes when Jeff came into the kitchen and told me he had bad news: Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. I'm sorry to admit that the first thing I said was couldn't she have held on for a few months. Trump and McConnell will try to force a replacement through the Senate. I am afraid of the result.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg deserves more than the fear of who could replace her. Yet I can't help but be fearful.