As usual, lots of "stuff" swirling through my noggin this summer Saturday morning. Let's take them as they waft in and out of my mind.
I sent an e-mail yesterday to the local Democratic neighborhood coordinator informing him that I'm opting out of being my neighborhood volunteer. Folks, I just don't have the energy to go looking for addresses and knocking on people's doors, bothering them with political "stuff." Besides, I just don't have the time. Working two days a week, taking care of Casa Tipton-Kelly, keeping up with my blog and friends, taking care of the backyard, and just resting. I'm going to fall back on the"I'm an old man now and I get tired." I tried folks but volunteering just isn't me.
Less than a month to go until my first big trip in decades. August 15th my co-worker Monica will stop by at Casa Tipton-Kelly in the wee morning hours of 3:30 AM or 4:00 AM to take the two plus hour trip to Philly International Airport for me to catch the 7:29 AM big bird to
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| "Where's my carry on bag?" |
Buffalo, New York. Pat, my host from Toronto will pick me up in Buffalo. Why Buffalo? I save $498 in plane fare. I'm comfortable folks, I can pay my bills but I'm not rich. Lots of very well off gay folks down here in Gayberry (from Washington D.C.) but I'm not one of them. I worked for private (banks) industry, not the government. My pension checks don't even come close to their inflation adjusted pension checks. Yes, I'm ranting. They're the only ones who can afford those overpriced Rehoboth la de day restaurants.
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| The Cultured Pearl, Rehoboth Beach, DE - out of my price range and besides…..Seafood….UGH! |
I'm about as ready for this trip as I can be. This week I will make a practice "stuff the luggage" drill. Pat's telling me I don't need to bring a lot of "stuff" with me. Me thinks he is right but a lifetime habit of bringing most of my clothes closet with me on vacation is hard to break. We.Will.See. I'm almost there Pat.
Bill's fine with me absent from the premises for two weeks. Just between you and me I think this will be a "vacation" for him too…..from me. I am high maintenance folks. Even I know that.
Our local summer veggie and fruit stand is open. This is the best time of year folks, fresh fruit and veggies! I love it! Corn on the cob, fresh zucchini and peaches that taste like real peaches, not those faux peaches that are for sole in Food Lion.
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| My local no name veggie market yesterday - all I know it's "the one on Route 16 outside Milton" - low overhead |
I note with distress and frustration that many in this world continue to kill each other thinking this is the way to "solve" their problems. Hamas in Gaza thinks lobbing a few missiles into Israel is going to get Israel to withdraw from Gaza. Ain't happening Muslim extremists.
The Ukraine Russian backed rebels shoot down a civilian airline killing all 298 souls aboard and now their main objective is covering up their horrible mistake. By the way, this country shouldn't be acting all holier than thou, remember when OUR Navy shot down an Iranian Airbus A300
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| The Navy ship that shot down the Iranian Airbus A300 Mistakes happen but when we do it, it's an "oops!" and promote the commander who ordered the kill |
over the Persian Gulf on July 3, 1988 killing all 290 people aboard including 66 children? Didn't hear too much about this incident did you? Of course you didn't because it was the United States that made this horrible mistake this time and our all too often complicent news media succeeding in downplaying our trigger happy Navy. In fact, the commander of the ship that shot down the Iranian Airbus got a promotion. That's how we here in the U.S. handle mistakes, we promote and reward in order to coverup. Oh now, we're no angels either. Mistakes happen folks, own up to them. Of course the Russians aren't going to own up to this mistake either. That's the way of governments. First they lie then they coverup. Fact of life. Always has been that way, always will. All in the name of "national security." Just try to stay out of their way or else they'll destroy you. Again, all in the name of "national security."
What I will never understand to my dying day is why so many civilized people think the answer to any disagreement is violence? The only answer I can think of is evil exists in this world.
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| Man's favorite pastime? Killing each other? |
I may have more than my share of shortcomings and deficiencies but one thing I am not is violent or evil. I'm not religious but I do thank whoever or whatever made me the person that I am that I am not one of those people who think killing is the answer…..to anything. Well, maybe a mosquito or a bothersome fly.
You know folks, I can walk out my door now and get into my car and drive into Lewes. What will I see? All manner of people, walking around, shopping, eating and restaurants, enjoying the fine weather of this summer day and the company of other folks. Why can't all the world be like this? I don't have an answer folks. All I an think of is evil. The desire of one tribe to eliminate another tribe because they don't think like they do. Evil.
So that's my Saturday morning rant folks. It's been stewing for awhile ever since I heard that Malaysian airline was shot down causing the death of 298 innocent souls including 88 children and three babies. This is the world we live in folks. Some things never change. Grab the happiness whenever and wherever you can because you never know when some testosterone ladened cretin with firepower will end your life because he (and it's almost always a "he") has decided you do not deserve to live any more. Life is a roll of the dice folks. Enjoy it while you can. I am.
