Woke up at 4 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. Frankly, I read too much about the antics of the GOP and OM. When will I learn my lesson?
This morning, the first thing Don and I said to each other was no more news except vote count updates. That’s it. And, of course, anything President-elect Biden has to say. That’s a given. OM is going to make the next 70 days as difficult as possible but we have won. And that can’t be changed, no matter how many silly lawsuits he files.
If you don’t follow her already, I suggest you follow Jessica Yellin on Instagram. She’s a former CNN reporter with years of experience and she deals in ‘News, not noise.’ She has an update this morning that puts everything in perspective and it calmed me down.
So, I’m taking back my life once again and tuning him out. The less air we give him, the sooner his detestable flame blows out.
Today, we have a phone call with an organization that is helping Screen Actors Guild members change their insurance to a different policy. They’ve changed things at SAG and the policy we had, which I loved, is too expensive. So they’re offering a variety of policies. It’s a pain in the ass, frankly. And I’m so sleep deprived that I hope I can take it all in.
We have some chores to do outside over the next few weeks, not the least of which is emptying out the shed and ruthlessly throwing things in the dumpster that is arriving on Thursday.
We’ve had an unusually long and sunny warm spell here but that will change in a couple of days. It’s been lovely, truly, but I miss cooler nights, so I’ll be glad when things get back to normal.
I forgot to mention Alex Trebek yesterday. We were so saddened to hear he’d passed away. We watch Jeopardy every night. I grew up watching Jeopardy, starting way back when Art Fleming was the host. It was a nightly ritual at our house. And it’s been a ritual ever since. I rarely miss it a show. Alex was a kind, gracious, and slyly humorous host and I could always tell he was that way in ‘real life’ as well. Such dignity and grace. He will be greatly missed. Both Don and I had to take a deep breath last night before we started watching the show; the first time we’ve watched with the knowledge that he’s no longer with us. Rest in Peace, Alex.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
One thing I love about cooler/winter weather is seeing the “bones” of the trees. I know this one has had a rough time of it, but it is still so stately and beautiful. I’ve noticed on the major stations and even seen it reported that detestable Fox News is not broadcasting or cutting off the GOP idiots, including Graham, Cruz, and McEnenany (McEnemy?) which is finally a responsible approach. I know shit will come down, but I no longer feel that I must know everything. I can go back to being a “normal” person. Stephen Colbert said it last night when he said during Obama’s presidency, he never thought about Obama all the time, as he has the OM. He talked about all the empty headspace that he now has. I feel that way-my brain/my emotions have room for more than disgust and anger. Big sigh. And like you, Alex Trebek has been a fixture for me (and before that Art Fleming–so glad you remember him too) and something that my husband and I could both enjoy (because he could read the answers) and not fight over. It was so surreal to see the show last night. I thought the producer’s announcement of the loss was elegant. Good luck with the cleaning out. I’m jealous!!! It seems to be a great time for cleaning out, tho, with 2021 and a new administration on the horizon. (And maybe a Covid vaccine). Hugs!
Actually, Neil Cavuto cut away from McEnenany’s press conference yesterday, when she was accusing Dems of all sorts of things that have never happened. He said that he couldn’t let that keep playing and that if she had some proof, he’d go back, but she didn’t, so it remained cut off. At least one person at FOX did the right thing.
Stay safe, Nora.
I want to ignore all of the bad also. Have quit reading blogs that bash what has happened as I wonder…just going to be in the present…so sad about Alex T. Brave man…have a good day and I won’t say what I think when working with insurance. Prayers as always and as always thanks.
Take care, Brenda.
Stay safe.
prayers for a better insurance plan that truly benefits you and don and countless other people who’ve brought joy, laughter, distractions and other good things to us over the years.
also for better sleep!
very sad about alex trebek. “jeopardy” has been a part of our family’s history for many, many years, too. one of the things i’d listen for and be impressed by was his pronunciation of words in non-english languages and accents (and i’m guesing that, given your work, claudia, you did, too). he was great at that. and he’s still great, up in heaven.
beautiful and moody photos today. i love a rainy day. :)
best wishes on cleaning out the shed. think how great you’ll feel when that’s done!! plus, you’re serving as inspiration for me to get the rest of my things in order. thanks for that.
happy tuesday.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
Shed cleaning delayed until Monday due to lots of rain headed our way and the insurance crap you can read about on today’s blog. It’s very upsetting.
Stay safe, Kathy.
I am troubled by what dirty tricks the GOP and OM may try too. I won’t breathe truly easy until Biden has been inaugurated. It’s going to be a rough couple months.
Add to that the covid surge, and it’s going to be a rough ride. Our local hospital recently merged an older hospital with a new enlarged one. The plan was to close that hospital and eventually tear it down. Now their covid floor is almost at capacity and they have quite a few staff out sick also. So, they want to move covid patients to the old hospital and are looking for “compensated volunteers” to staff it. The timing of this surge could certainly be at least partially due to the rally Trump had here.
Sean Connery and now Alex Trebeck…so sad.
I can’t imagine watching Jeopardy without him.
I wish I could come help you clean out your shed. I love to get rid of stuff, lol! It feels very freeing to me.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the covid surge wasn’t, in part, tied to that rally. He’s a superspreader.
Stay safe, Marilyn!
Thanks for pointing me towards Jessica Yellin. She sounds very knowledgeable and is reassuring with her explanations. Jan. 20th cannot come soon enough!
Alex Trebek was fabulous as the host of Jeopardy and will be missed. He did an amazing job as an example of dignity during his illness.
I just watched Jessica’s latest update and she always calms me down!
Stay safe, Ellen!
I keep sliding backwards as the Repubs pull their crap. The hate is all encompassing and I truly thought just a couple of days ago that it was over. He is about to do shameful things to our country and we still can’t seem to stop him as he does them. Except for a very few, their party insists nothing has changed and continue to believe and act as if they won. Barr should be hung from his nasty toenails. And blocking Biden from actually doing his job is beyond shameful. Again, what can be done? Sometimes I think the Dems are so damn nice, they get steamrolled.
And, yes, very sad about Jeopardy losing AT. He was such a gentleman.
And Covid ~ it is so bad here, and throughout the state, that one can’t speak to anyone without hearing of more acquaintances who have tested positive. It is so scary. I am definitely a Debbie Downer today, and just a couple of days ago that wasn’t the case. They are once again wearing me down. Ploy by ploy, lie by lie, and by piling up so much crap, we can’t see again. Help!!!!
Personally, I’m not going to be out of Debbi Downer territory til after Jan 20th at the very least. I can’t believe that the Wisconsin Republicans aka Robin Vos, seem to have a death wish regarding our health. No masks, no bar or restaurant limits, nothing…feel free to gather, and go about your daily life. And, the worst part, they are collecting a full salary and aren’t even working! What happened to our state? Legislators used to come together to dork out solutions for our state. Not any more! Grrrr.
*work out…although “dork” out didn’t sound that bad. Lol! ;)
I know it was an auto-correct, but “dork our” is exactly what they are doing. It is disgusting. I don’t understand how it is ok for the numbers to be so high, hospital beds not available, and they say just go forth and have fun. I think even art shou would agree!!!!!!
chris
Biden is handling it well. I’m sure you saw his news conference. He was calm and confident. He’s not taking the bait.
He actually sounded like an adult, something we’re not witnessing anywhere else in the GOP.
Stay safe, Chris. Don’t let them wear you down. Don’t give them any oxygen.
Claudia, the heading on my comment says “arr shou says”…….. it is me…. chris K in WI ????????
Bless you!
Good one!!!! thank you. And I do so hope that art shou is a kind and decent human.
I woke up at 6:34 this AM & thought: just re=type in your name in the box!!!!!! I think this whole cluster F of an election has me crazed. So sorry. Yesterday morning I woke up after dreaming that my husband had joined a Polo Club at the Evangelical church. How could THAT go through analysis?? I apologize for not being able to put two thoughts together!! ♡ Hopefully, when I press Post Comment this time, I am back to reality. (If only it was that easy!!)
I would have told you that sooner, but I had no time to answer comments yesterday. Yes, just retype your name in the box.
xo
You made some sort of typo. You can change it the next time you get ready to make a comment!
I am so ready for cooler weather. Its humid here today and it doesn’t help my head at all. Trying to avoid all OM news for sure. So sad about Alex Trebek and he will be missed. I loved his humor on the show and can’t imagine someone else doing the show. Still things change and so must we. I will take a look at Jessica Yellen since I need some news but not NEWS! Wishing you a good day and oh my insurance drives me nuts. Hugs!
You will like her, Linda. She has talked me down from the ledge more often than not!
Stay safe.
Yes, listening to the news just makes us crazy these days. Every now and then I wonder what is going on in the rest of the world!
Alex — I read his book this summer. It’s sort of a cream puff, nothing deep or in depth, and yet it is just charming and I think very sincere. You get the sense of the man through the vignettes of his life that he shares. I liked him before — he was like the fun family guy who pops in for a half hour every night after dinner and you feel sad when he goes. But after reading the book I wished he would stay a good deal longer and we’d have a lovely time.
I was crazy about him, as a person, as a host, as a daily presence in my life. I’ll miss him.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I overdosed on OM and the GOP, too yesterday….up at 4:20 a.m. My brain was too active to fall back asleep. Not doing that anymore. I’ve lost enough sleep over that man.
But…he’s still dangerous…like a cornered animal. And he’s trying to take the country down as he goes down. That’s what worries me. And the GOP is complicit again and again. It’s the never ending story. And I don’t think here’s anything we can do to stop him,
Thanks for the name of that Instagramer Jessica Yellin. She speaks common sense. And I needed to hear that. I think it’s time for me to take a nap. Stay safe! ;)
Take a nap. Stay away from the news except to get updates. Everything that’s happening is what we were warned about. He’ll do his best to make everything chaotic, but in the end, Joe Biden will be inaugurated on January 20th.
Stay safe, Donna.
I’d read somewhere that Jeopardy with AT will run thru Christmas 2020.
Your photos today are so ethereal; the misty-foggy feel with pops of autumn color in the gray.
Hope you get some good sleep soonest, and good luck with the purging (taking advantage of the dumpster; it’ll probably feel good to clear out some stuff but, have to tell ya, every time I do it, I’m always still missing something later that I’d wished I hadn’t pitched or given away or sold, which tells me something about the hoarder tendency I recognize in myself!).
Yes, they announced that at the beginning of Monday’s show.
I finally got some sleep last night. Still need more, but it’s a start.
Stay safe, Vicki.
These photos are beautiful.
Today is our last warm day. It’s been in the 70’s for a week and I absolutely love it. It makes me fantasize even more about living in California. I am dreading going back to the normal cold temps for November. I’m definitely a warm weather and sunshine gal.
I was heartbroken over Alex Trebek’s death, too. I’ve been watching Jeopardy just about every day for many years. I’ve always called myself a Jeopardy geek. It’s so strange to see him on TV, knowing he’s dead now. I can’t imagine the show with someone else. It’ll never be the same.
I will look for Jessica Yellin on IG – thanks for the suggestion.
Good luck on cleaning out the shed. Our basement is a mess and we keep chipping away at it but we have so much more to do.
California is lovely, but boy, is it overcrowded and expensive nowadays. I moved there in 1993 and it’s far more expensive today than it was then – and unbelievably crowded. But it can be lovely, of course!
Shed clearing will start next Monday, as we have 5 days of rain coming up which isn’t conducive to working outside!
Stay safe, Melanie.
That’s the main reason we don’t live there – we couldn’t afford to do so! Remember, our son lives there, so we’re well aware of the cost of living. He pays $900/mo just to rent a bedroom in a tiny 800 SF 2-bedroom townhouse. He can’t even afford a studio apartment – they start at $1500/mo. Insane.
San Diego rentals were quite affordable when I moved there, and my apartment and the house that Don and I rented, were great deals. But real estate kept rising and by the time we left in 2001, nearly 20 years ago, it was outrageous. It’s ridiculous that your son has to pay so much for a bedroom. Those are NYC prices!
Just checking in to say “Hello” and remind you, all of you, it’s chin-up time. Our country is on the mend! Healing takes time, and we are heading in the right direction!
Take care…
Kelly
Thank you for those words, Kelly!
Stay safe.