I am truly saddened at what is going on in my country, and the world these days. I mean to the point that it is affecting my mood immensely. Add to that the fact that we are still not working real jobs (meaning we are still essentially living off of our 401Ks), and that just exacerbates the gloomy, sometimes despondent, mood I find myself in lately.

My heart hurts for Brussels right now. I’ve read that ISIS has taken credit for this horrendous act of terrorism, and reports say an ISIS supporter boasted via social media that, “what will be coming is worse.”

On the home front, in the good ole USA – I have been watching the debates, and many of the town halls, and other appearances by the presidential candidates. It’s no wonder, I have this sick hopeless feeling in my gut I’m having a hard time shaking off . . .

If we don’t find a way for at least most of us to get along in some form or fashion, and have the capacity to have thoughtful, considerate, compassionate,  unifying conversations that may involve some compromise by all – we’re all screwed.

But this is what we have and our young people are watching this . . . and learning – good or bad . . .

What a horrible example Trump sets – and I realize as a journalist how sound bites can be manipulated, but his comments are just wrong in any context, as well as the fact that I actually watched him say most of the things in their entirety.

And this was one of my favorite, “Are you fucking kidding me?!?” moments. When asked who he consults on foreign policy issues, Trump stated – I shit you not! –

“I’m speaking with myself, number one. Because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.” 

AND that, my friend, is the front runner of the Republican Party. I’d call that the major ingredient in the beginning of WWIII and annihilation of life as we know it. Just saying . . .

I hope, in spite of all these nightmarish things going on around us, that this finds you all doing well in your part of the world.

On a final note, I’ve been busying myself making marmalades, lately. This was my first year to make them, and they’ve turned out quite tasty. I made ruby red grapefruit, orange and what I call Texas Sunshine, which is oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, pineapple, and cherries. Much of the citrus fruit came from the trees of family and friends, so that was really cool!  It’s also beautiful to look at 🙂 Like a little jar of sunshine!

Anyway, just some things I’ve been thinking about . . .