perhaps I spoke too soon

Somehow, 

Someway,

This has now turned into an in my own time sort of blog.

I've been reading the newspapers (online, of course), perusing social media, and ranting there (IYKYK). Trying to pull it together and focusing here has proven to be a bit more than I could handle.

Take this morning for instance, the MITM read an article (out loud) about the possible use of drones to protect school children. Ponder that concept for a moment. Schools now have a locked door policy and closed campus. Is it possible for shooter to get inside anyway? Sure! Not all schools have metal detectors at the entrance and not all schools are fenced in. Determined people will always find a way, so what is an approriate deterent?

Perhaps ballrooms on every campus?

Or maybe, just maybe we have a ban on assault weapons, as we do here in California. Guns are the issue and always have been. I'm not talking about those who hunt or skeet shoot or target practice. I'm talking about those guns that were designed specifically to kill human beings in wartime. Military grade weapons, not Daddy's old hunting rifle. Weapons that no civilian should ever have access to. I know that the US dominates the global arms industry and that their lobby is extremely persuasive when it comes to legislation regarding guns.

But all that aside, other countries have laws that truly protect people from gun violence. Why can't we? 

Thoughts and prayers will not bring back children slaughtered in their schools or people killed in their houses of worship or music lovers outside enjoying a concert.

Or a six month old baby killed by a bullet fired at a birthday celebration because someone was angry over a spilled beer.

People can be the problem, but guns are the weapon of choice.

**********

Next post will be about The Devil Wears Prada 2.

Yeah, I'm that person who will be revisiting the first one tonight,

and

I will go to an actual cinema tomorrow to see it and not wait for streaming!

This blog is becoming a weekly thing

 I'm starting to think I'm saving all my anger/anxiety/sadness, and seemingly, fleeting joy for the weekend! 

One thing that struck me this week was how lines from movies have become appropriate tags for the endless stream of lunacy coming from the current administration.

The line uttered by George Clooney in O Brother Where Art Thou? captures the GOP timeline for every fucking thing:

"Well, ain't this place a geographical oddity. Two weeks from everywhere!"

I thought of the line from The Hunt for Red October when Cankles (H/t Bob) threatened that "a whole civilization will die tonight."

"You arrogant ass. You've killed us!" 

Spoken in the Russian submarine right before its own torpedo blew it up. (Watch the movie, it's the best chick flick around IMHO)

The other thought that crossed my mind, after Pope Leo announced he would not visit the USA for the 4th of July celebration, was that this administration seems to have forgotten how strong the last guy from the Southside of Chicago was! And let us not forget, he is also a White Sox fan, just like 44 was. IYKYK

Anyway, sweetpeas, let's go into this weekend staying positive and remembering, as Greg on Instagram says, Find your Joy!

xoxo

Addendum:

Go see Maddie for weekend instructions

Saturday, 4th of April, 2026

 This has been an interesting week here in the USofA.

It's been monumental around the world, as well.

To say the least... 

I've been MIA for that reason, sweetpeas. At some point, I realised that my animosity towards the current administration had coloured my perception of the world writ large, and I'd lost my Pollyanna persona.

THEN, Artemis happened.

Thanks to a dear friend and blogger, Old Dive, I was reminded of the joy and wonder that space exploration brings. Through his words on that other social media site, I remembered the excitement I experienced with the first unmanned launch! I thought of Walter Cronkite and his measured tone, explaining the science involved in the space program and, for me, the first moon landing in 1969 with Apollo 11.

I follow NASA and have followed Artemis II on their page. The photos being sent back are stunning in their clarity. I do hope you'll click on the link and see for yourselves. Social media platforms have been great places for sharing those images.

************

I'm not Catholic, but I have to give a shout-out to Pope Leo XIV for speaking out against the current administration and those who support the current illegal, inhumane, and totally unnecessary incursion into Iran. I also support those military generals who've resigned rather than acquiesce to Kegseth's (I know what his name really is, but this is so much truer to the man) unfounded and irrational orders regarding promotions, weapon acquisitions, and battle objectives. These men who've resigned or been fired understood that this war is not a video game and that this administration is cosplaying at being fighters.

Again, I hope that every election, from the upcoming primaries to the next presidential election, people remember what has been and is being done in their name!

VOTE as if your life depended on it because it does!

March 22nd and here's the scoop

Y'all know that this month has been in the throes of the MITM's knee surgery recovery, so that's taken most of our time and energy. He's on the mend and continuing PT. But enough about him...

I've missed sharing a few events that happen every March in our family:

MARCH 8th! IYKYK

On our 57th!!! wedding anniversary, we did absolutely NOTHING celebratory. I spent the day in my PJs binge-watching The Pitt, which was fun for me. The MITM watched sports and groaned about his knee. Our celebration consisted of self-indulgence and was the best anniversary present we could give each other!

MARCH 12th was The Doc's birthday!

I called The Doc the day before his birthday and asked if he could drop by the next day to take care of a few things the MITM couldn't handle. The next day, being his birthday, we called and wished him a great day, and that we were looking forward to seeing him. I sent him a text that his Dad was going to buy some fresh oysters around noon, and would he like some? His response was, "Of course, I shall be there around then!" The MITM thought he'd say, "Hell yeah!" Anyway, there were no tasks for him to do, but to simply enjoy his oysters and surprise gift!

I almost forgot to take a picture, which is why the MITM is in the photo and not The Doc! We'd already eaten at least a dozen oysters, or so, when I remembered. There was a whole other tray and a bowl of shells that didn't make the photo either.

*************

Our friend, Mago, reminded me that I hadn't posted since the beginning of this month, so here's the update for the MITM:

It's been exactly 2 months today since his knee replacement surgery! 

(I just received a comment on the March 1st UPDATE from the ever-lovely First Nations, also inquiring about the MITM) 

He's doing Physical Therapy (PT) twice a week and doing 2 sets of exercises every day, unless he takes a short walk, inwhich case he'll only do one set. His PT guy told him that going to Costco (his favorite shopping experience, for real, the man takes a list and KNOWS the store layout) meant he was excused from PT at home because walking that store was like walking a football (not a pitch) field. Yes, First Nations, he is driving, but I'm still the primary chief cook and bottle washer around here. To his credit and stamina, he has been helping with cleanup prep work and has cooked a few meals, but still no cosmos for me, TYVM! 

There is still pain, but according to the orthopedist who performed the surgery, he's healing well. He's scheduled for his 2nd follow-up with the surgeon this Wednesday. Based on what his PT guy has said, I'm hoping Wednesday's visit will be positive and encouraging. He is strong enough now to walk without a cane, so we're all encouraged by his progress.

Y'all are now up to date on the happenings out here in Lalaland!

************

I'm trying to catch up on all y'all's blogs! Y'all have been busy writing! It's been hella hot out here with heat advisories posted daily. At least, with heat, it's possible to stay in and keep cool with the AC on. I hope all y'all who have to shovel snow are staying safe and warm. 

Actually, I hope everyone is staying safe because, regardless of the weather, we are in dark times across this country, and the impact of the grifter-in-charge around the world is making ALL of us less safe, no matter where you are.

March 1, 2026 addendum

 Just saw this on Facebook, and it is a perfect addition to my earlier post.

MARCH 1, 2026

 SWEETMARYSUNSHINE, my darlings! Where the hell to start?

The mad wannabe king has started a war to avoid having his depravity exposed, and his cabal of vulgarians is supporting him. We have a Congress that is beholden to him and afraid of consequences should they speak up. The few Republicans who are taking a stand against him have decided, to my mind, that being on the correct side of history is far more important than his approval. He's threatening to seize the midterms and has attempted to override the Constitution when it comes to voting rights nationwide. Y'all read or watch the news, so nothing here is a surprise or new to you. Fortunately, our friends around the world are documenting what's happening here and giving those of us under the pressures of censorship a clearer picture of the crimes committed in the past and currently happening. Watching the public exposure of figures outside of the USA for their relationship with Epstein has only magnified the criminality and cover-up of the current administration, and those members of the "elite" class here.

Yesterday, the MITM and I were talking about the latest attempt by TFG* to deflect from his own criminality and lies, by now calling the attack on Iran "regime change." Not only does this man not have any understanding of what the implications of his actions are, he has put this country right in the sights of lone wolf and/or organized agents for attack by groups seeking revenge for the destruction of their country. It's frightening because, at this point in time, an attack may not be like 9/11, but something larger and in someplace unexpected. How and what can this country do to protect itself when we have a mad man who has publicly said, and I paraphrase, some people may die, but that's expected? 

I'm sitting here writing and thinking about how many lies have been said by members of this administration under oath, and excuses made to protect pedophiles! It's becoming more and more obvious that action has to be taken to remove this cancerous and dangerous administration immediately!

We have the Rule of Law, we have a Constitution, we have the will of many to change this course of action, and we must regain the Liberty for All that this nation is supposed to guarantee, as we strive towards a more perfect Union. 

~~~~~~~

The chickens have come home to roost. Every misstep in foreign policy we've made in the past is becoming public in ways never imagined in the past. I remember a political cartoon from the Vietnam era that spoke to the concept of falling dominoes and our incursion into Asian countries, and thinking that we had no idea that our vision of our country as the center of the world would ultimately come back to bite us. Wars fought for ambiguous ideas with no idea of how to end them or what would happen after our participation ended have left wartorn countries floundering and subjected to warring groups fighting for supremacy. Democracy is not a given when outside intervention causes war within a country. It is a possibility, but only if that is the form of governing desired by the people. 

~~~~~~~~~~~

All of this rambling by me is my opinion, and at best, only a disjointed writing of my thoughts, feelings, and observations about what's happening around me. I had started out today wanting to write about good things, but...

* The Fat Git 

Some days or maybe it's just today

 I feel as if we're in an episode of a Gilded Age reboot. We have an administration that talks about spending billions (and already has) of taxpayer money on arming its own private militia under the guise of Immigration Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, while people are trying to figure out how to feed, house, and clothe their families. Prices of medications that had been reduced under the Affordable Care Act and during the Biden administration have risen, while Social Security benefits are being reduced. Some people can afford the increase, but for many, they will have to go back to either rationing their meds or, even worse, doing without.

How is any of this fair?

I'm at a loss.

It's hard not to feel defeated, but I know giving in and giving up is not the answer. But today, that feeling is surrounding me like a fog.

UPDATE on the MITM or WTF, dude this has been a really busy week!

 Let's get the update out of the way before I start complaining about EVERYTHING I've had to do!

It's been exactly one week since his knee replacement surgery. He's had 2 in-home physical therapy sessions. The PT on the second visit was pleasantly surprised by the MITM's progress and allowed him to switch from a walker to a cane. He's also able to go up and down the steps to the lounge and the front steps outside. Overall, he's recovering very well and is almost himself in terms of temperament. His post op visit with the surgeon is on February 11th. The PT thinks he can probably resume driving within the next 2-3 weeks.

So now you know, he's fine and really appreciated your words of encouragement and best wishes.

Now, let the kvetching begin...

I have been extremely remiss and have allowed the MITM to handle a majority of the domestic duties around here. Now that he has been sidelined, 

I'VE HAD TO DO IT ALL!!!!!

I've been waking up in the damndarkmorning to make sure he can safely get around. Cooking and cleaning every day (ok, the housekeeper does come every 2 weeks, so it's not like I was scrubbing floors or anything), making sure he was comfortable, and generally being the dogsbody (Thank You, British Royal Navy for that bit of slang) around here! This is not what I'm meant for! I mean, I have become used to indulgence, a life of ease, and the MITM taking care of ME!!! Holy Moley, sweetpeas, I've been dead tired at 7:30 at night!!! I'm ready to go to sleep at 8PM! I mean, even BKM stays up longer than me these days! 

To be fair, the Krewe has stepped in to pick up the slack. The Doc did hospital duty and was here the next day, helping out. Captain Chaos is here today helping out. Super Nana has been a star. She gave up her bedroom because it has an en suite and has been sleeping on a sofa in the lounge. Fortunately, the PT has given him the ok to return to our room. Things have returned to almost normal for HIM! 

Seriously, I hope y'all know that in the grand scheme of things, this past week has been only a small dip in the usual day-to-day around here. His surgery was not the result of a life-endangering situation. Anything I've had to do has been in the comfort of my home with no outside threats to our safety or well-being. Given the state of our country and the world, please know I am really not complaining or citing hardship!

I'm just whining because I'm an old ass cow like that!

Stay safe and warm wherever you are, sweetpeas! 

xoxo