Post Election...Covid's not over...

So...It's the end of November. So far, we've survived Covid. Charlie hasn't gotten it...I haven't gotten it...Molly hasn't gotten it...Sam hasn't gotten it...Sarah hasn't gotten it...Nick hasn't gotten it... Liz got it! It's OK...because, she's OK. So... We're all good. A vaccine is on the horizon, and as soon as we can get it, we're getting it, by god! Anyway... a great Thanksgiving - Molly, Sam, Sarah - it was so much fun, I can't even express how fun it was. Christmas is next. We're hoping that Nick and Liz will fly up and join us for that one. Now, the real purpose of this post. What I'm thankful for with Covid... - It's suddenly OK to not leave your home. (Yeah, I know folks are bitching about not being able to go places, but, I'm OK with it!) - Streaming television shows...I've always loved veging out in front of a television, and suddenly, it's OK! - Drinking too much. (OK, maybe this hasn't been given the acceptance of other stuff - sweat pants, no make-up - but admit it - you've had too much to drink, too, the past eight months!) But, Joe Biden has been elected President! Kamala Harris is our next Vice President! I'm going out on a bike ride tomorrow (time to get back in shape because I'm certain my new President is going to ask something of me) and there's a new day dawning.

Halloween, 2020

It's Halloween, 2020. Weather - lovely in Portland, OR - relatively warm 47 degrees; full moon (Blue moon, to be exact); no rain. Do you know how rare it is to have no rain in Portland, OR on Halloween?!?... In a year of Covid-19, we had 5 - count them - 5 kids come Trick-or-Treating. Yeah, the CDC said trick or treating was not a good idea this year, but this is the event that folks decided that the CDC was right about? Masks? "Don't infringe on my rights! I shouldn't have to wear a mask!" Six feet apart? Again, don't infringe on my rights - I should be able to go wherever I want. But Halloween...little kids...collecting candy...at a safe distance...this is what people believe is the norm. OK, admittedly, I live in Portland, OR - damn liberal, antifa accepting Portland, OR ... Not the point. We're three days from the election...for history...please go vote...make this administration a one term administration. And, if you're feeling generous, turn the Senate blue, too... My liver is begging you....

Have you watched "The West Wing"?

It's October 13, 2020. Exactly three weeks from the election. I have decided to rewatch "The West Wing". It feels like a seminal moment. Donald Trump has, apparently, survived COVID-19. Good on him?!? I'm not certain that that's a good thing. Don't arrest me - I'm not advocating overthrowing the government. I digress.... Donald Trump has no idea how the government works. He's a genius - just ask him. If this country doesn't have the where-with-all to vote against him, I'm convinced that we're doomed. Go watch the entire collection of the "West Wing," - you'll find eerily familiar episodes...

Happy Anniversary!

I've been married to the love of my life today for 37 years! And, that said... The State of Oregon is on fire - literally, on fire. Jackson County is on fire (Charlie's dad has been evacuated twice in the past two days to Grants Pass). Clackamas County has evacuated 80% of the population because of two fires converging upon themselves. Lincoln County, where I have been privileged enough to spend much of my life vacationing at a dear friend/sister's cabin, is in danger of being subsumed by fire. This feels like the apocolypse! Tomorrow marks the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. I don't know what your "god" is - allah, god, whatever...we just need to get through another year. Don't forget to VOTE! Don't let the bastards win!

Are we really safe???

Let's be clear...Black Lives Matter...I'm worth it...and, I'm still really nervous about the outcome of this whole "Covid-19" thing. So...again, let's be clear... Black Lives Matter...we're going to be on the right side os history. I'm a senior (ok, I'm finally embracing the senior citizen thing - not happy about it, but I'm a senior citizen) and I stand with everyone who is marching out there with "Black Lives Matter"...with "Women Matter"... with everyone who matters... Covid-19 is again emerging as a real thing. I'm watching the 2020 BET Awards Show - and honestly (Charlie is saying, "If you have to say "honestly" you're probably lying!") there's nothing more honest than these...I don't even like awards shows...but who can deny Alicia Keys?..... Stay safe, my friends....

It's been a month...

So...it's been a month since I posted. Things have relaxed. Well, let's be clear. People have relaxed (read: dropped their guard) with regard to this whole Covid-19 thing. Wear a mask? "My constitutional rights say I don't have to!" Social distance? "I don't have to!" And, as a 64-year-old (on the cusp of being in the fragile population) I'm really torn. I really want to go do stuff, but I also know that that's stupid! People are dying - there's a second wave (but, to quote Dr. Fauci, "we haven't left the first wave, yet.") I've decided to go back to the only family (Pam is going to be really mad!) is the only contact I have with the outside world. I'm going to tell Sam and Sarah they can come over and, of course, Molly can come over, but I'm thinking we need to insulate to others for awhile. Oh, BTW, Mamacita Salsa? Excellent! Go buy some! On a different, yet same vein...if they get a vaccine (or need a guinea pig for one)... I'M IN!

I love books...

I love books...No, really... I love books! I read (ok, listen to audio books)probably, ten to fifteen books a month (well, the pandemic has caused me to listen to waaaay more books than I typically would). I have a book for you, though, that is what I like to call a "read with your eyes book." "The School of Essential Ingredients," by Erica Bauermeister is the very book. Now, I've read many reviews of this book - some that say, "where's the story?," to "it jumps around too much." But trust me on this one - treat yourself and get a physical copy of this book and read it! It's a love story. It's a story about a sorcerous (not really, but you'll come to believe that Lillian really is one!). It's sad, it's happy - if you're a reader, it's everything you want in a book. And, it's a really fast read! So, even if you hate it (which, you will not!), you won't lose more than about ten hours on it. Being married to a man who loves to cook, it made me think about what it means to prepare a meal for those you truly love.