We have spent the weekend with our Missouri kids. We have so enjoyed being around the great grands. This morning I asked Leo why he did not eat his last 4 pieces of pancake. His answer- There are not 4 pieces, only 3. He is only 3 and knows his numbers and letters. Cannot get much past that boy or his sister.
Amanda called Elise to ask her where an article of clothing was that was needed for her costume. She said it is either in the dress bin or the accessories bin on the left. Such precise directions from a 6 year old. Amazing kids!
We will be heading out in the morning for Carthage and plan to spend a day or two there before starting out on the next leg.
On another note. I am loving my phone! It is a Google Pixel. Charges in 15 minutes. A charge lasts 2-3 days. I have never had a phone before that was so trouble free from the beginning. The GPS on the way down was flawless! I am looking forward to a long and loving relationship with it.
Sunday, October 30
Catching up in Pictures
Thursday night was beggars night in Jefferson and this little man dressed in his Fareway employee's outfit caught my eye. Since he is sporting an apron I am guessing he works in the meat department. I think his sister is one of the Frozen sisters.
Keri sent a Pumpkin Cake Roll with us to share with our Missouri kids. It was super delicious and we are all ready for another one
Nana Susan had a hard day at work. She is always ready for a cuddle with her Grands though.
The view from my window in the Peculiar Park Place.
Friday, October 28
Two nights
Busy Busy
This week has been busy from the git-go. Yesterday was moving day. We must be getting better at this two times a year moving in and out business. Two nights sleeping in the motorhome is minimal. It gives us more than enough time to notice missing items. The day of most activity is still hectic. Now it is mostly done. This afternoon the city guys will come and remove the water meter. Butch has all the pipes blown out and RV antifreeze in all the drains. The cactus will once again spend its winter in the living room and I left water for Jason or other helpers to water it a couple of times. The big thermometer is in the kitchen window so the internal temperature of the house can be monitored. Some of you may wonder why we do not do the high-tech monitoring of our house through wifi. Two reasons-1. $65 a month for internet service throughout the winter would be needed to make that possible. 2. The last major hack of Netflix and other businesses was done through phones with home monitoring. We will be seeing more of that kind of thing in the future as more and more people jump on the home monitoring bandwagon.
Tuesday, October 25
Big Ass Adventure
It started Saturday. We decided to use GPS to find the funeral home in Lake City. It could not understand me. It was at Lampe Funeral Home. Would not recognize it. No way, No how. I have never had a problem with it before for GPS. So as we are headed for Texas that is a problem. Also, my letter cee on the keyboard does not work. Have you ever tried to type without the letter cee or any of the other 26? Not fun.
First thing Monday morning I called the Verizon place in Des Moines where I had been before and asked a few dozen questions. I talked to John and he suggested we go to Carroll as it is mutch closer (28 miles) and ask for Mitch. Be sure to ask for Mitch. We walked in and 4 men were in a group and I asked for Mitch and said we were supposed to ask Mitch to help us. Mitch stepped forward pointed to a woman and said, "She will get you started." He then continued his visit with the other 3 men. Butch told me later, they were talking about high school football. He blew me off!!! The lady he passed me off to was knowledgeable but was unable to help me get any kind of a deal. John had told me I could get up to a $300 trade-in on my phone. In Carroll, she told me I would have to request a box from Verizon, send it in, and they would determine how much of a discount I would get. I said I think that is a poor way of doing business and I am not happy about that. Also I wanted a Google Pixel and they did not have one. The Samsung Galaxy S7 was the next best choice and a hundred dollars higher in cost. I proceeded because I was feeling the push of time and wanted to get it done. Butch came over once in the process and asked if I was happy with what I heard and I said, "Not really." That was supposed to be my clue to get up and leave but I did not pick up on it. And we were too far into the process. So after one hell of a long time and too much money I walked out with my old phone and a new one.
While waiting we witnessed a female employee get her butt chewed from across the room by Mitch. A major jerk of a guy. He never once said another word to me the entire time I was in the store. I did tell the woman who helped me that I did not appreciate being blown off one tiny bit.
In the car Butch chewed my butt. Told me the TV was on Fox News in the store. Adding to the list of negative incidents. After talking it over we decided to drive to Des Moines and see if we would have fared any better. So we went to a corporate Verizon location in the Jordon Creek Mall. They listened to my tale and had all kinds of things they could have done for me but since my purchase was made at a 3rd party dealer I would have to return the new phone to them.
I was told I had 14 days to return the phone.
So as early as we could this morning, we returned the phone to Carroll and that was all A-OK.
Came back to Jefferson, I kept a doctor appointment at 11:30. Then we met up with Donn and Peggy at Tojo's in Jamaica Iowa for a tenderloin. They are famous for them. Yes, that is the same Donn and Peggy we spend the winter with in Texas. They were making a swing through Iowa to visit family on their way to Texas. We had a great visit!
So then we decided to tackle the phone issue and go to a corporate Verizon location in Ames. Closer than Des Moines. I told my story one more time. Was able to get a Google Pixel, and a $200 trade in on my phone, and they were offering an ASUS zenpad for $50. Butch's kindle has some serious age on it and this will make a nice replacement so we took the bait. My monthly fee is a few dollars less. I have the phone I wanted and we walked out happy.
Lessons learned? Only go to a corporate store. They are the only ones allowed to "deal" with you. So we have put a few miles on the car the past two days but we incorporated a stop at Costco and finished off an audio book. "The Life We Bury" It was worth the listen.
They tell me the camera on my new phone is "AWESOME" so look for some really cool pictures in the near future.
First thing Monday morning I called the Verizon place in Des Moines where I had been before and asked a few dozen questions. I talked to John and he suggested we go to Carroll as it is mutch closer (28 miles) and ask for Mitch. Be sure to ask for Mitch. We walked in and 4 men were in a group and I asked for Mitch and said we were supposed to ask Mitch to help us. Mitch stepped forward pointed to a woman and said, "She will get you started." He then continued his visit with the other 3 men. Butch told me later, they were talking about high school football. He blew me off!!! The lady he passed me off to was knowledgeable but was unable to help me get any kind of a deal. John had told me I could get up to a $300 trade-in on my phone. In Carroll, she told me I would have to request a box from Verizon, send it in, and they would determine how much of a discount I would get. I said I think that is a poor way of doing business and I am not happy about that. Also I wanted a Google Pixel and they did not have one. The Samsung Galaxy S7 was the next best choice and a hundred dollars higher in cost. I proceeded because I was feeling the push of time and wanted to get it done. Butch came over once in the process and asked if I was happy with what I heard and I said, "Not really." That was supposed to be my clue to get up and leave but I did not pick up on it. And we were too far into the process. So after one hell of a long time and too much money I walked out with my old phone and a new one.
While waiting we witnessed a female employee get her butt chewed from across the room by Mitch. A major jerk of a guy. He never once said another word to me the entire time I was in the store. I did tell the woman who helped me that I did not appreciate being blown off one tiny bit.
In the car Butch chewed my butt. Told me the TV was on Fox News in the store. Adding to the list of negative incidents. After talking it over we decided to drive to Des Moines and see if we would have fared any better. So we went to a corporate Verizon location in the Jordon Creek Mall. They listened to my tale and had all kinds of things they could have done for me but since my purchase was made at a 3rd party dealer I would have to return the new phone to them.
I was told I had 14 days to return the phone.
So as early as we could this morning, we returned the phone to Carroll and that was all A-OK.
Came back to Jefferson, I kept a doctor appointment at 11:30. Then we met up with Donn and Peggy at Tojo's in Jamaica Iowa for a tenderloin. They are famous for them. Yes, that is the same Donn and Peggy we spend the winter with in Texas. They were making a swing through Iowa to visit family on their way to Texas. We had a great visit!
So then we decided to tackle the phone issue and go to a corporate Verizon location in Ames. Closer than Des Moines. I told my story one more time. Was able to get a Google Pixel, and a $200 trade in on my phone, and they were offering an ASUS zenpad for $50. Butch's kindle has some serious age on it and this will make a nice replacement so we took the bait. My monthly fee is a few dollars less. I have the phone I wanted and we walked out happy.
Lessons learned? Only go to a corporate store. They are the only ones allowed to "deal" with you. So we have put a few miles on the car the past two days but we incorporated a stop at Costco and finished off an audio book. "The Life We Bury" It was worth the listen.
They tell me the camera on my new phone is "AWESOME" so look for some really cool pictures in the near future.
Saturday, October 22
Scott Acklins Funeral
Today Butch and I took my niece Karla, Grand-nephew Devon,and sister Theresa to Lake City for Scott's funeral. I have attended far too many funerals in my life but I have obtained a fair amount of maturity and feel that I handle it pretty well. For the most part, I am not a cryer. But my tiny little sister Myrla, who is about a 100 pounds and 4' 10" is sitting in the front row looking so vulnerable and lost. For the past 33 years, she has had Scott in her life every day. They laughed and talked each and every day. They depended on each other but did so with no regrets and a huge amount of love. They were good together. I was sitting beside her and the music started. "Will you remember me" and she broke into tears. I put my arm around her and cried with her. And I am beginning to tear up again telling you about it. It was hard.
I did see many of my cousins and Karla's sister Angie and her husband Jeff and we had not seen many of these people for a very long time. That was good.
And on a much lighter note, I have a bit of a story. When I dressed this morning I was looking for some black shoes. I would have worn flip flops but it was chilly so I went to the motorhome and retrieved a pair of black mesh shoes I had not worn for perhaps 20 years. I liked them because they expand with my feet. So we were at the church for lunch and I looked down to see what looked like mud underneath my chair. I discovered that my shoes were disintegrating before my eyes! The soles made of rubber/plastic were crumbling and leaving black crumbles everywhere! I did not wear socks and did not have a spare pair! Fortunately, Jason was there and had a spare pair of his in his car. Butch made me take off my crumbly ones and he threw them in the trash. When I got into the car I noticed black crumbles. And then when we got home there were black crumbles on my kitchen floor. If only I had noticed! It did give my cousins a hearty chuckle!
I did see many of my cousins and Karla's sister Angie and her husband Jeff and we had not seen many of these people for a very long time. That was good.
And on a much lighter note, I have a bit of a story. When I dressed this morning I was looking for some black shoes. I would have worn flip flops but it was chilly so I went to the motorhome and retrieved a pair of black mesh shoes I had not worn for perhaps 20 years. I liked them because they expand with my feet. So we were at the church for lunch and I looked down to see what looked like mud underneath my chair. I discovered that my shoes were disintegrating before my eyes! The soles made of rubber/plastic were crumbling and leaving black crumbles everywhere! I did not wear socks and did not have a spare pair! Fortunately, Jason was there and had a spare pair of his in his car. Butch made me take off my crumbly ones and he threw them in the trash. When I got into the car I noticed black crumbles. And then when we got home there were black crumbles on my kitchen floor. If only I had noticed! It did give my cousins a hearty chuckle!
Friday, October 21
Trivia and the trivial
I have spent too much time today trying to find out how old my computer is. It is beginning to act a bit funky. I know it has some age because the keys on my keyboard are missing in places...like the A and the E and S is getting a different shape as well. But what really burns my butt is when it stalls out when I am doing puzzles. I think I have it traced down to 6 or 7 years old. I plan to try and limp along a while yet.
We went to trivia night last night with one more trivia event before we leave for parts south. We came in second. It was not one of our shinier efforts. We had fun anyway, though.
My friend Colleen surprised me Wednesday. We had to wait for it to warm up but we did get one of our famous walks in. Just like old times. She was here for a memorial service for her friend Kathy Hankel who passed away recently and she will not be here long. It was a very pleasant surprise.
The weather has been perfect really for Iowa in late October. This morning it was 31 but that is the only time it has dipped that low and they say we will have a warm weekend. I certainly hope so because we plan to move into the motorhome and get settled in before take off next Friday. With all our home improvements this summer like the new floor and backsplash, it will feel like a different place.
Note to Kay S.: the new flooring and the backsplash, were easy peasy and we should be able to fix you right up when you are ready. At least we are full of good advice!
We went to trivia night last night with one more trivia event before we leave for parts south. We came in second. It was not one of our shinier efforts. We had fun anyway, though.
My friend Colleen surprised me Wednesday. We had to wait for it to warm up but we did get one of our famous walks in. Just like old times. She was here for a memorial service for her friend Kathy Hankel who passed away recently and she will not be here long. It was a very pleasant surprise.
The weather has been perfect really for Iowa in late October. This morning it was 31 but that is the only time it has dipped that low and they say we will have a warm weekend. I certainly hope so because we plan to move into the motorhome and get settled in before take off next Friday. With all our home improvements this summer like the new floor and backsplash, it will feel like a different place.
Note to Kay S.: the new flooring and the backsplash, were easy peasy and we should be able to fix you right up when you are ready. At least we are full of good advice!
Tuesday, October 18
Monday, October 17
Quick Update
Hey, I have to hurry because it is warm out there and going to reach 80's today, probably for the last time this year. So I must get that walk in. It has been the busiest of weeks! Something to go to, attend to, or see to every day this past week. Makes me tired just thinking about it.
Last night we had a going away party hosted by us at the casino for family. It was fun seeing everyone and having the time to sit and visit. Myrla joined us as she needed to do something to distract her from her grief. Due to her constant and loving care of Scott these past years family visits were many times too difficult for her to attend logistically so it was nice that she could this time.
So I will not bore you with the details of the rest of it...honestly, at this minute I am not remembering the rest of it! I will work on my memory while walking. Later...!
Last night we had a going away party hosted by us at the casino for family. It was fun seeing everyone and having the time to sit and visit. Myrla joined us as she needed to do something to distract her from her grief. Due to her constant and loving care of Scott these past years family visits were many times too difficult for her to attend logistically so it was nice that she could this time.
So I will not bore you with the details of the rest of it...honestly, at this minute I am not remembering the rest of it! I will work on my memory while walking. Later...!
Friday, October 14
Getting Ready
Butch was wandering around the yard yesterday trying to get things put up and away. I finally told him the cart is getting ahead of the horse as it is a full two weeks before we leave. Hitch-Itch has definitely taken hold.
Trivia Night
Thursday is trivia night at Hy-Vee. Our entire group was there last night and in fine form. We came in first! The guy who wins every time he is there was absent and we came through for the win. We have two more trivia nights before we leave and it is one outing I will miss -both the activity and the people.
Scott Acklin passes
My sister Myrla lost her long-time partner Scott yesterday. Myrla and Scott have been partners for nearly 30 years. Scott suffered a spinal injury while playing baseball on a lot with a hidden old well. He fell into the well. Due to the spinal injury, Scott has been impaired in various ways ever since. Myrla and Scott fell in love nearly 30 years ago and have been inseparable ever since. She has been his full-time caretaker as well for many years now. This is a very hard time for Myrla and I am feeling deeply for her.
Monday, October 10
Trip planning
I spend a bunch of time planning our trip since we are taking a route we have not done for several years. I like to have it all scoped out down to the gnats behind. Much easier with the GPS (Google Maps). So now that the route has been established, I break it down into 300 mile increments and find places to stay overnight. That is the toughest part really. When we were younger we would fly blind as they say and find some little nook or cranny along the way. To keep the stress down it is much better to know the destination. So this morning I started working on it and have spent the bulk of it on this chair in front of the computer.
Route established-Jefferson to Peculiar MO-Peculiar MO to Carthage. Here is the trouble spot Carthage MO to Palatios TX (approximate 750 miles)
But I am tired of working on it today so will set it aside.
To back up a bit we attended a gathering at Sue Luchts house to wish a good trip to Florida for Pete and Jerrilyn. We had a very good time. A really good time! We all enjoyed seeing Pat Limburg Rusnak who has been nursing a knee all summer and has not been spotted much. Very good to see her again and she is once again steady on her feet.
Saturday Jason and Laura had a new sidewalk poured from their house to garage.
Here are some photos of the project.
Today Butch is working on the motorhome getting it ready to roll. He started to do that Saturday but discovered we had batteries that need to be replaced so this morning he is back at it with new batteries. I can see he is not far from getting it fired up and running. It is always good to make sure all the kinks are worked out a week or two before take off. Those last minute snafu's can be disconcerting.
I will be getting my last Iowa haircut for the season today. So slowly the process is taking shape.
Route established-Jefferson to Peculiar MO-Peculiar MO to Carthage. Here is the trouble spot Carthage MO to Palatios TX (approximate 750 miles)
But I am tired of working on it today so will set it aside.
To back up a bit we attended a gathering at Sue Luchts house to wish a good trip to Florida for Pete and Jerrilyn. We had a very good time. A really good time! We all enjoyed seeing Pat Limburg Rusnak who has been nursing a knee all summer and has not been spotted much. Very good to see her again and she is once again steady on her feet.
Saturday Jason and Laura had a new sidewalk poured from their house to garage.
Here are some photos of the project.
Today Butch is working on the motorhome getting it ready to roll. He started to do that Saturday but discovered we had batteries that need to be replaced so this morning he is back at it with new batteries. I can see he is not far from getting it fired up and running. It is always good to make sure all the kinks are worked out a week or two before take off. Those last minute snafu's can be disconcerting.
I will be getting my last Iowa haircut for the season today. So slowly the process is taking shape.
Tuesday, October 4
This mornings walk ...
Abby takes her dog for a walk every morning. She carries him every step of the way. I do not know why but I do know she is very dedicated to her dog who is blind. She asked me if he smiled for his picture. Yes, she was joking!
One of my better pictures.
Sunday, October 2
Morning Fog
On weekend mornings Keri and I walk. We ride bikes if it is warm enough because bike riding in too cool weather is not all that pleasant. Today there was quite a bit of low-lying fog. Beautiful day
We have been taking small steps preparing for take-off in between our usual fun activities.
Thursday night was trivia night at Hy-Vee as usual. We came in the money in third place. We did not miss one question in the first half but completely fell off in the second. Still fun and I will miss it and the people we play with.
Friday night Mickey had us over for Taco soup and it was delicious. Mickey loves to cook and is good at it. I think it is in her genes. Her mother and her Aunt Mick were both very good cooks and were in the restaurant business a good deal of their lives.
Butch has started on the motorhome exterior. Original plan was to wash and wax. He has been working on it in between the Ryder Cup (golf tournament on TV) .
Between the two of us, we have 4 books going. In the car, we are listening to The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. Butch is reading Star Nomad by Lindsay Buroker. I am reading Apron Strings by Mary Morony and on the trail during weekdays I am listening to All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. You might wonder if we can keep track of the stories but it really isn't any different than watching different TV shows. Better, in fact.
Till next time...
We have been taking small steps preparing for take-off in between our usual fun activities.
Thursday night was trivia night at Hy-Vee as usual. We came in the money in third place. We did not miss one question in the first half but completely fell off in the second. Still fun and I will miss it and the people we play with.
Friday night Mickey had us over for Taco soup and it was delicious. Mickey loves to cook and is good at it. I think it is in her genes. Her mother and her Aunt Mick were both very good cooks and were in the restaurant business a good deal of their lives.
Butch has started on the motorhome exterior. Original plan was to wash and wax. He has been working on it in between the Ryder Cup (golf tournament on TV) .
Between the two of us, we have 4 books going. In the car, we are listening to The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. Butch is reading Star Nomad by Lindsay Buroker. I am reading Apron Strings by Mary Morony and on the trail during weekdays I am listening to All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. You might wonder if we can keep track of the stories but it really isn't any different than watching different TV shows. Better, in fact.
Till next time...
Thursday, September 29
Mistake-Changed template
I changed the template on the blog and then found the text difficult to read. We are all getting older as you know so want the text size a bit larger. I am still working on getting it right so bear with me.
Last Texas Carrot
This morning I prepared my last Texas carrot. Last March I bought a bag of carrots at the fruit market up the road a bit from Magnolia Park/Village. They were dry -no moisture visible in the bag. That is the way I want them. I wrapped each carrot in aluminum foil and put them in the vegetable bin of the fridge. This was LATE March and before we left. This morning in late September I removed the aluminum foil, peeled the carrot, and sliced it up in sticks. I plan to wrap more next March.
Here are today's pictures of each step. Why bother you might ask? They let these carrots mature so they are large and loaded with all the nutrients nature intended as well as being much easier to grate and are full of the best carrot flavor.
Here are today's pictures of each step. Why bother you might ask? They let these carrots mature so they are large and loaded with all the nutrients nature intended as well as being much easier to grate and are full of the best carrot flavor.
Wednesday, September 28
Prep time
We start getting ready to head south a good month ahead of time. It works this way on both ends of things. All the details that need tending take time and dedication. Some are just fun. Like last Sunday when we had 14 people for breakfast (Biscuits and Gravy). That was fun. I always say after an event that we should do it more often but usually, it doesn't work that way but I always think it should.
We accommodated those 14 people well in our little house. Everyone had a place at the table with enough elbow room for comfort. We would like to do this with family too before we head off for the winter.
There has been a chill in the air the past few days. I do not like a chill in the air. I know I would adjust if I were forced to but as it is, I go into avoidance mode. I missed a few days walking because of rain. Yesterday was sunny but started off cool so I waited. I did finally get it done however the layoff does not feel good at all the next time I venture out. Those kinks get harder and harder to shake out. So here I sit this morning knowing I should be out there putting one foot in front of another but I instead am sitting here having a one-sided visit with you.
Every now and then I get the idea no one reads this blog anymore...I wonder ...and then I run into someone who knows me quite well and it is mostly from reading my blogs. So I will carry on. In November I will be starting into my 15th year of blogging.
We accommodated those 14 people well in our little house. Everyone had a place at the table with enough elbow room for comfort. We would like to do this with family too before we head off for the winter.
There has been a chill in the air the past few days. I do not like a chill in the air. I know I would adjust if I were forced to but as it is, I go into avoidance mode. I missed a few days walking because of rain. Yesterday was sunny but started off cool so I waited. I did finally get it done however the layoff does not feel good at all the next time I venture out. Those kinks get harder and harder to shake out. So here I sit this morning knowing I should be out there putting one foot in front of another but I instead am sitting here having a one-sided visit with you.
Every now and then I get the idea no one reads this blog anymore...I wonder ...and then I run into someone who knows me quite well and it is mostly from reading my blogs. So I will carry on. In November I will be starting into my 15th year of blogging.
Tuesday, September 27
Proceed with caution...
This is my blog and thus I have the right to put anything I choose here within reason. I have not put much of anything controversial on it in the past. This one may be an exception. I am making it clear that I am doing this on my blog not yours and I do not need anyone thinking they can possibly change my mind. So please do not try. It is your choice to read this or not.
Colleen is a dear friend of mine and I think this column of hers is very important for many people, especially women, to see and at least contemplate. So read on or click out and get on with your day.
Best wishes always,
Barb
This election proves it’s a misogynist world
~a column by Colleen O’Brien
In an interview with Hillary at “Humans of New York,” she said this:
“I was taking a law school admissions test in a big classroom at Harvard.My friend and I were some of the only women in the room. I was feeling nervous.I was a senior in college. I wasn’t sure how well I’d do.
“And while we’re waiting for the exam to start, a group of men began toyell things like: ‘You don’t need to be here.’ And ‘There’s plenty else you can do.’It turned into a real ‘pile on.’ One of them even said: ‘If you take my spot, I’ll get drafted, and I’ll go to Vietnam, and I’ll die.’ And they weren’t kidding around. It was intense. It got very personal.
“But I couldn’t respond. I couldn’t afford to get distracted because I didn’twant to mess up the test. So I just kept looking down, hoping that the proctor would walk in the room.
“I know that I can be perceived as aloof or cold or unemotional. But I hadto learn as a young woman to control my emotions. And that’s a hard path to walk. Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you don’t want to seem ‘walled off.’ And sometimes I think I come across more in the ‘walled off’ arena. And if I create that perception, then I take responsibility. I don’t view myself as cold or unemotional. And neither do my friends. And neither does my family. But if that sometimes is the perception I create, then I can’t blame people for thinking that.”
There were many posted comments from women who are not on her side politically but read this statement and agreed with her. One of them said: “Remove her from the picture and every woman would admit to feeling this way and living similar experiences. Large or small scale, it’s the truth.”
It is a misogynist world out there, and if a mean rich guy like Donald Trump can get this far, we women better believe that the majority of people in the world prefer men of any stripe to strong smart women who speak up.
The media is stuck on “reporting” that Hillary is standoffish or cold. The big deal about that is what? That she isn’t an emotional train wreck like Donald Trump? It’s okay for him to stamp and steam and shout and incite physical attack but it’s not okay for Hillary to be calm and cool? We who love her do wish she’d just fess up at the moment — Got pneumonia? Just tell us. Got a mess-up with your emails? Admit it.
Not that Donald has ever fessed up to his taxes, his bankruptcies, his health.
But Hillary’s early training says to her, Protect myself by being circumspect and careful. Trump’s early training says, Protect myself by being the angriest voice in the room. These behaviors are neither ideal nor completely awful. They are human, they are actions two people have learned.
Our decision isn’t to vote for who is more likeable or promises more; our decision is to choose the one who knows the most and has a logical thought process. Our decision is to pick the one who will make the best leader . . . not the best haranguer/accuser/bombaster/hater, but the best leader.
I’m 72 years old, just a little older than Hillary, and not too long ago I was castigated for speaking up about our need to champion African American equality. A friend at the dinner party told me in so many words that I should have gauged my audience a little better, asked if I was drunk and then said I was naïve about blacks because I didn’t own a television.
I’ve been in about 9,000 situations where men do not think to — or care to — “gauge” the audience. I’ve been in about 10,000 situations where the guy was drunk and never shut up. And “naïve” because I don’t have a TV? Quite the telling comment — not about me but about my accuser.
I have been dumbfounded for some time how women would want to vote for a misogynist, triple-married, sexist, yelling, pounding, angry, not too well-versed in just about anything fourth grader. This is a man who has never “kept steady,” never learned to control his emotions, as Hillary has, as most all of us women have had to do over the years of our lives. You would think there are way too many women who can say, “Oh, I was married to a Trump! Why would I want one in the Oval Office?”
I’ve been part of the talking-head media myself for 35 years, and I still don’t get why it is so hard on Hillary Clinton. I try to imagine Hillary in the guise of a candidate who swears, hits, insults, backtracks, repeats “I promiseIpromiseIpromise” a dozen time in a speech, toadies up to African Americans, talks trash behind the backs of Hispanics and hates crying babies.
I can’t imagine ANY woman getting away with the things he has.
Who wants a President like that? Everyone from mothers to war heroes has been hurt by his intentional crassness. If misogyny — the distrust and dislike of women — gets him elected, what’s a female to do?
Last fall and into January of this year, friends said, “If he gets elected, I’m moving to Canada.” I thought they were nuts. This man is playing a joke, I said to them.
I’ve had to rethink. I heard that the Canadians may be building a wall themselves to keep us out if he gets elected, so I’m considering Reykjavik, a place Trump may not know exists.
Last Friday, a friend told me she has nightmares about his being elected President. I have my own dream, a daytime dream: Angry loser skulks off to Russia to live with Putin, leaving a slightly less misogynist world behind.
I’ve had to rethink. I heard that the Canadians may be building a wall themselves to keep us out if he gets elected, so I’m considering Reykjavik, a place Trump may not know exists.
Last Friday, a friend told me she has nightmares about his being elected President. I have my own dream, a daytime dream: Angry loser skulks off to Russia to live with Putin, leaving a slightly less misogynist world behind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)