Sounds like a recipe for disaster … that our tax dollars are paying for 😶
apple.news/AU3xOb1AvTFK3_GFMma5G_g
Just something I was thinking about …
Category Archives: Current Events
Extremely Stable Genius
Hey my Blog Buds . . . pretty much done with the house, but have to finish up the garage and the yard, but working it. Hurricane Harvey didn’t keep us down though it’s been a damn long haul back . . . and to say my husband and I are ~t~i~r~e~d~ is an understatement! 😐
I’ve been watching the news and all the shenanigans going on. I could spend all day writing about how bad this all is, but I just don’t have the time or the energy. I’ve been watching a lot of Rachel Maddow lately – I like the way she connects things that seem unconnected.
I’ve started watching CSPAN, too – live and in color! I watched the Brett Kavanaugh hearings — wow, that was a circus & Matt Damon’s SNL’s sketch was damn near spot on LOL 🙂 I watched the Barr hearings, too. I’ve got a date with the Mueller Report – though it’s not my job to read it, as I don’t serve the American public. BUT every Congressperson who has not read it is derelict in their duties.
But I had to comment on this . . .
Though I’ve heard him say those three words before, after his little performance making everyone uncomfortable, I couldn’t help but shake my head in utter disdain . . . this man truly needs help. His abandonment and self-esteem issues, are just so sad and disconcerting, besides the impression it makes and the message it sends to the rest of the world . . . but our late night hosts have plenty to work with.
Anyways, just something I was thinking about it . . . (and wanted to let you know Sadie’s still alive and kickin’ 🙂 I read a few of your blogs here & there, but it’s been far and few between for now.) Hope this finds you all doing well 🙂
A little piece of me died today . . .
A little piece of me died today . . .
What more can I say . . . All I can do now is pray . . .
Yes, I watched it (well most of it) – the inauguration . . .
Hard to swallow these feelings of consternation . . .
Just something I was thinking about . . .
RIP Leon
I saw Leon Russell twice – once in 1976 or 1977, The Leon & Mary Russell Wedding Tour and then again in June of 2013. He was one of my all time favorite singer songwriters. He really was a brilliant composer and pianist. I’m so grateful that even though he is gone, I will always be able to enjoy his music, and the memories it evokes ❤
RIP Mr. Russell . . . we have all been blessed by your gifts -)
Just something I was thinking about . . .
Never thought I’d see the day
Wow – I started my day by turning on the TV before I got out of bed, and then I saw it – Trump Is President-elect. I won’t lie to you, tears flowed. I was so depressed, it was hard to get out of my bed and go to work this morning. But, being as it’s a new job, I had to get up and face the day. AND that’s what you do – face adversity square in the face.
The least qualified person to ever run for president has won. What does that say about our country? The world now really seems so different, so upside down, so lost . . .
It was a hard day. Add that to the fact that my best friends’ mom is probably dying, and I was a hot mess, for sure. I had a teary morning at work, luckily by myself, and then I pulled it together.
Now, I just got home from a dinner of Mexican food and margaritas, to celebrate I don’t know what, maybe the beginning of the end, and I hear there are Trump anti-protests in several cities.
I have to admit, I blame the Democratic National Convention (DNC) for their misstep. Truth is, they cheated Bernie Sanders out of the nomination. They did everything they could to ensure he was not their nominee, even though Bernie WAS the predicted winner some time ago.
It was so bad, even I , who always thought I would relish a woman candidate for president in my lifetime, was stymied. It’s definitely been a tough bittersweet election cycle. Knowing Bernie got screwed made it hard to be loud and proud about our first modern female presidential candidate.
I hate to say it, but you get what you get. America wanted something new and different, and that’s what they got. The Democrats didn’t give them that option, but somehow the Republicans did. Being a praying person, all I can do is pray that God guides Trump to be the positive change America believes he is. That and wring my hands, just a little.
Oh and as an aside – I can’t wait to win so much that I get sick of winning and to become rich beyond my belief – we shall see (after the three and a half years I’ve been through) . . . but not holding my breath. (That was Trump’s promise!)
How are you feeling today? Sad, scared, hopeful?
Just something I was thinking about . . .
Sadie’s world these days
Hello my Blog Buds! I hope you have all been doing well, here so close to the end of May. The end of May already – I am amazed how quickly this year has flown by. I had so many goals for this year, and so far, I am no where near meeting any of them! I’m working on that, though some days are better than others.
I have been busy, back hot and heavy on the job hunt. I am always looking, but sometimes take a break from the all out full-time job of searching. I have a couple of really good leads, with people who know me well pulling for me – so I am quite hopeful. But, I was in this position in March, and nothing came of it, as another friend who is 10 years younger received the offer. (The interview had gone well, I had much more experience in the role than she did, and agreed to the lower salary they mentioned right up front. The person leaving that position, due to a promotion, even recommended me for the job.) I AM NOT GIVING UP, even if I’m not counted!!!
Today I made pineapple marmalade for the first time. It tastes great, but hope it gels properly, as marmalade usually takes a little time to set up. Fixing to make some more apple butter, and some blueberry jam, in the next week or so. Then I will have enough to rent a space again – this time at one of the farmers markets, as we have many around my area. [YEAH, I know . . . Fixing to, you know I’m from the south, though I smiled at how incorrect it was when I typed it. 😉 ]
Oh Lordy, the upcoming election . . . I am truly absolutely shocked and amazed and confused and frightened and apprehensive, and I could go on and on and on. Let’s be honest, NONE of the candidates from the beginning were the best choices – BUT no one else stepped up. And the issues and possible solutions are endless. Also, I can genuinely understand where some of these people are coming from, the depth of their discontent and disparity. I even get their differences of opinion. I also realize the sense of greed and lust and power and control others approach these matters with. What a dichotomy . . .
The government and others in power and control of our lives have let us down often. It seems much of their time and effort is spent furthering their own agendas, not the American peoples’. In doing so, “the powers that be” have eroded this country’s greatness and ability to be the best by eroding the basic security and self-esteem of so many that have worked so hard for it. We don’t all want to be rich, but we would like to make enough to survive and have a little extra, and to know that in our elderly years we won’t be homeless, or dependent on others. You know be reasonably comfortable.
I do know the world is different than it was when I was growing up – often to survive or succeed you talked tough and made few compromises. Once you kicked ass a few times and proved you could hold your own, you had it made and no one messed with you anymore. BUT, the world is smaller now, and larger all at the same time. Mindsets and tactics have changed, and everything is faster. Information about almost anything you want to know is available and on overload. Balances are delicate – you can’t bulldog your way through the china shop. We have to change the way we approach some things for this country to prosper and out-maneuver, or we’ll die – our democracy as we know it.
At this point, I’m just waiting to see what happens when the game of “52 Pick-Up” is over, and the last card falls to the floor. I will vote, and we’ll see what shakes out . . .
[That’s not to say I won’t write any other political thoughts, because I might!]
I doubt my backyard owls will return this year. The city has been doing sewage upgrades in my neighborhood, and they have been quite busy back in my little alcove, where one of the mains is located, even storing one of their small bobcat diggers back there for the last several weeks. All that noise and activity I’m sure will eliminate my little area as a suitable home. I’m pretty sad about that, as I enjoyed the little glimpses of them I was blessed to have.
After spending most of the day online looking for jobs, I have to take a break from the computer screen, so I have not been able to keep up with all of you lately; I am slowly, but surely, trying to visit you all! I miss you and what you share ❤ I’ll be coming around to visit soon. 🙂
Just some things I’ve been thinking about . . .
The Dems Debate and the Tax Man Cometh
The Democratic Debate was lively tonight. I think Bernie did a good job overall. I think Hillary is getting a bit nervous, with Bernie snapping at her heals.
The commentators stated after the debate that “Hillary cleaned Bernie’s clock,” on the gun control question. I mentioned to my husband that I agree with Bernie’s decision to vote against holding gun makers and dealers responsible, as long as they did the appropriate background checks. What no one has mentioned is WHO does these background checks? Using that thought process, shouldn’t they be held liable as well, if a background check came back approved on someone who later committed a crime?
I believe in Texas background checks are performed by the Texas Department of Public Safety, though I am not sure on that. For all I know, that work is contracted out to some third party, in my state, as well as others. The point is, it’s really no different than if a drunk driver kills someone and has a floorboard full of empty Budweiser bottles – it’s doubtful that Budweiser would be sued, or be held responsible. If someone stabs someone with a Buck knife, no one would try to sue the knife company.
You can still walk into any gun show in Texas and sell your weapons with no background check, or exchange of any paperwork, with anyone who is willing to pay the price you are asking. Anyone who happens to have paid the ticket price to get into the gun show and has cash in their pocket. And how many crimes are committed with stolen guns? (No, I have not had a chance to actually research the numbers on this.)
Anyway – it seems like the audience was giving Bernie some good feedback, from what I could tell.
Changing topics, about a month ago I had a job interview, in my industry, for a job I have a great reputation for doing sucessfully. The position was being vacated by an old friend and colleague, who gave me an excellent recommendation. The interview went really well. I found out, via FaceBook, that I did not get the position, but another friend and colleague was offered the job instead. She is about ten years my junior. Though I wasn’t super jazzed about going back to a place I feel sucked my soul out, and it was also for over a third less than I what I used to make doing the same job – I won’t lie, the snub hurt. I need the money, I need the benefits, I need something to do with my time – I am getting so unfocused, and feel that I am adrift. BUT, I will keep looking!
Last, but certainly not least, it’s tax time in the U.S. It’s no secret that my husband and I have been surviving on our 401K money for over the last two years. So, let me be a little more frank – after our standard deductions, our taxable income this year was $29, 252. My taxes, and penalties for keeping my bills paid – surviving on about a third of what we are used to making – was close to $10,000. Oh yes, I did the math, our tax rate was 32.8%.
I could be wrong, but I doubt any millionaire, or billionaire, paid 32.8% of their income in taxes – but I bet a shit ton of them paid as much as, or more than, I paid to their accountants to ensure they did not pay that high of a percentage in taxes due to all the loopholes the rich have at their disposal. To me, that is a crime . . .
On a side note – my dad’s 76th birthday is coming up, and he is a staunch Republican. I bought him a Feel the Bern coffee mug, so he could start his days thinking about his “bleeding heart Liberal” (in his opinion) daughter. And I can’t wait to wear my Bernie Sanders T-shirt 🙂
Just some things I’ve been thinking about . . .
Everything is Broken – One-Liner Wednesday
Everything seems broken . . .
In honor of Linda Hill’s One Liner Wednesday . . . no it’s not funny or inspirational – but it’s factual.
#1linerWeds badge by nearlywes.com
[NOTE: I really like Bob Dylan’s and especially Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s versions of these songs, but this version by Immaterial had that right touch of melancholy it seemed to deserve today.]
Just something I was thinking about . . .
Iowa – just a stepping stone
I just saw the late night poll results from the Iowa caucuses, and I had to share! The Donald did not come out on top, as he expected. Bernie and Hillary are running neck in neck, so close that even at 99% of the precincts reporting, it’s still too close to call.
So the numbers for the Republicans went like this:
Cruz took 28% with 51,649 votes,
Trump took 24% with 45,416 votes,
and
Rubio came in at 23%, with 43,132 votes.
Of course, these numbers don’t really mean anything, and it’s still anyone’s race. And I have to say, Iowa doesn’t exactly represent the rest of the nation. I can’t wait to see what happens in New Hampshire!
I heard somebody on TV say, “The eyes of the world are watching us tonight.” I believe that is probably true.
On a personal note – Way to go, Bernie!!
Just something I was thinking about . . .
Bernie & the DNC (JJIJ)
I find more things on Facebook these days. I realize you have to take about half of that with a grain of salt. But this, this seems right on the mark. Thanks AJ+.
Now, I know why I never knew when any of the Democratic debates were being held –
Just something I was thinking about . . .
[A proud participant of Just Jot It January, hosted by Linda G. Hill.]
Just something I was thinking about . . . 