Right As Usual

 In any political gathering, it's a fair assumption that in small groups, 2-3 of the participants will be infiltrators, whether from government agencies or from political opponents. Those from government will generally try to fit in. Those from political opponents will be the most passionately involved. Many of the "Conservatives" who quickly went "Anti-Trump" after the election are of the second type. At the Capitol on 1/6? Perhaps 1/2_dozen outside, another 1/2 dozen inside. They were well known by the leadership of the organizations present. There were others - taking pictures and videos, trying to catch even small offenses. But the guys directing and 'nudging' the action that swept up so many in legal trouble were few. Most of them completely escaped any charges, despite their ropes. Some, perhaps most, were informants to the FBI. Some were clearly under the direction of Leftists in Government, as was the "bomber" of the previous day - who ...

It's Thursday along The Great Lakes shoreline. There is a 74% chance of rain. The temperature is holding at 40 degrees. The barometric pressure is stable, so, at least, my joints are not screaming out in pain. I've been up since before 5 am. I go to bed earlier than my husband (I live the hours of an old-time farmer), so there was the usual detritus of the late-night spouse to clear up before I started tackling the day. This time alone is one of the LEAST stressful parts of my day. It occurs before the phone gets my attention, the seemingly endless task list takes control of my actions, and I have to begin putting out a lot of figurative fires. Our relative is still in the hospital, waiting for some tests and medical stabilization. He is MUCH improved in body and mind. After we get some updates today, we can start discussing his next steps, and where he might be able to go to complete healing, for now. Other than a few dark hours of worry, I wasn't concerned he was immediat...

 Fran was ruminating on the Meaning of Life, and What is Best in Life, and such. Ah, well, after the manic excitement of the years of your youth, comes the slog of Ordinary Life. Family, bills, home maintenance, dealing with difficult people. The list is endless and often tedious. Like children, many of us find ourselves LIVING for the celebrations, holidays, and long planned distractions. For many, the day to day is hard to bear. Some escape into fantasy - media, daydreams, hot text conversations that dance excitedly around the edges of infidelity. Some go harder into the escape - chemical release, nonstop complaints/spending, porn, and even the heavy thrill of walking away from the annoying and dull spouse. At least, they're all exciting until the bill comes due. Real Life seldom lives up to our modern fantasies. Few exotic sunsets, lifting champagne glasses from the comfort of a steamy hot club with wealthy semi-strangers. Few occasions when lavish dispersal of 'the Benjamin...

 You remember him. No, not THAT Linus. As any child after the first can tell you, being #2 is a tough job. Worse, for Linus, there are major theological arguments as to whether he should be considered the first, second, or third pope. Depends on the historian's bias, I think. But, no, I mean THIS Linus. The kid that illustrated the meaning of the term 'security blanket'. Who carried his blanket everywhere, unashamed and unafraid of ridicule. Well, this is his year. People, particularly of the female type, are keeping wholeheartedly into wearing blankets loosely disguised as clothing. Yes, that first one has a USB controlled heating element. I've been bombarded with ads for these over the last week or so. Yes, the temps have dropped considerably over the last few weeks. At first, it was just refreshing after a rather warm late summer. But for the last week, it's been cold enough to start dragging out the winter clothing and blankets.  In the Northern states, this isn...

From Knuckledragging My Life Away. in Take the time to go to the link - most days, Wirecutter has a lotta memes not found elsewhere. I haven't asked him where he found them. I assume quantum travel is involved. Oooh, this'll burn! Try the site where I found this - he only posts these memes on Mondays, but they are always worth seeing. __________________________________________________________________________________ As for my chaotic life, I've taken direct action to settle it down, including taking at least 1-2 days a week when any non-emergency calls for assistance are met with, "I can't do that today, I'll put you on the schedule for either tomorrow or the next day." That phrase alone kept me from my usual recent nutty running around over the weekend. I'm starting to act on the good advice, "Put the oxygen mask on yourself FIRST." Perhaps not coincidentally, my health issues have calmed down and are more manageable. My hair is comb-able, i...