What?? A high of only 82 degrees today? It’s almost cold out there! As of today, at least for this household, the heat wave has broken. Now we need rain and lots of it. No sign of that until next week.
It’s Friday and I haven’t posted a Blythe-related pic for a few days. I really do try to limit those posts, even though the girls bring me joy and a semblance of peace and I love to pose them.
Anyway, Lily is a little hard to dress because her arms and legs and feet are a little thicker than Blythe’s. She can wear only a couple of pair of shoes in my inventory. We (Lily and I) dug through all of the clothes the other day and found a couple of items that worked well on her.
She is so darned cute! (Don really is taken by her.)
That’s a Blythe dress. The pants and hat were made for her sister, Wren. The shoes came with one of my dolls.
Almost every morning, Don passes the girls on his way out of the den with a “Good morning, girls!” The other day, he automatically added, “Look alive!” There was a beat before we realized exactly what he said and we burst out laughing.
Let’s see: Trump took classified documents to Mar-a-lago (illegal) and, after a subpoena, refused to return them. Even more illegal. The FBI executed a search warrant (it wasn’t a raid) and took boxes of documents with them. Now we learn that some of said documents might concern nuclear weapons. Trump does nothing if it doesn’t bring him money and/or power – preferably both. He is a grifter of the highest order. He’s also a lifelong criminal. Jared got 2 billion dollars from the Saudi royal family. Trump just hosted a Saudi-backed golf tournament. There’s also his buddy Putin, and his friend Kim Jong-Un. The possibilities are endless, but if true – and we don’t know enough yet – that’s called espionage. The Rosenbergs were executed for doing the same.
Most of the time, I just never want to hear one more word about him again – other than he’s in prison for the rest of his life. But sometimes, the whole thing is better than any movie or television series. Get out your popcorn, we have a very interesting time ahead of us.
Okay. I have to try to wake up and get some more work done.
Happy Friday.
hooray for cooler weather … enjoy!
i read this morning about trump maybe having taken nuclear weapon information
with that other paperwork … very scary! and him saying his home was “broken into” and “raided”? ugh … more of his own “fake news” and also scary because many people will believe that and some will act out accordingly. popcorn, yes. prayers too.
slow start here. been keeping night owl hours lately, though i am much more of an early bird (and want to stay an early bird). glad it’s friday.
hope you all have a great day today and stay safe!
kathy
Some have already acted out – the guy who was killed yesterday. All because he believes the lies. So sad.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Oh my gosh so true about Trump.
Just thinking about this gives me the goosebumps.
Enough already!
I agree.
Stay safe, Linda.
First off, Lily is just so cute…love the outfit!
Nice about the cooler weather….so welcome I’m sure. We’re getting higher temps next week before a little cool off….but still no rain in sight…
All your comments about Trump are spot on! Let’s see if more transparency (Merrick Garland’s comments, as well as whether or not Trump unseals the warrant and inventory list) will make some of his followers think a bit differently.
Off to pop my popcorn!
My prediction (and I haven’t checked updates lately) is that Trump will okay the warrant being released, but his lawyers will fight it and then he’ll say, “See I was ready to have it released, but my lawyers said no!” Even though he has an actual copy of it.
Stay safe, Barrie.
I am completely hooked into the news. I am also thrilled that President Biden has accomplished so much in his short time in office to help all Americans (Trumpers) included. Glad they called trumps bluff and let’s see how the cultists will continue to spin this. Yes, Claudia they execute people for selling state secrets. Hillary was right on so many levels. Do you want this man to have access to nuclear codes? No not then; not ever. I am wondering who leaked…. maybe Melania. Oh well….it would seem to be a good way to get out of that transactional marriage. Okay….I am going to stop venting. Hope nobody takes offense. Just this is a good day for our country…. passage on important legislation and confiscating what belongs to our country from the twice impeached disgraced and many time under indictments insurrectionist. Have a great day…enjoy the fresh air.
Biden has done so much!
Frankly I don’t think Melania cares enough to leak it. I think it might have been someone in the Secret Service. Or Mark Meadows…
Stay safe, Maria.
First of all….so thankful for cooler weather! And we also had some rain last night. Actually, we have had quite a bit of rain in the last week or so. Also, I love seeing all your dolls. They are so very cute…..every last one of them.
And, we have lots of popcorn! We’ve been keeping it ready.
Today is sauerkraut making day…so messy but also so very delicious (in a few months).
I hope you and Don have a great day…. take care and stay safe.
Enjoy making sauerkraut, Lorinda. My dad (German mother) loved sauerkraut!
Stay safe.
My daughter in law makes several crocks
After a few months yummmm
dear Claudia/Don — so glad for your (and our) cooler temps — dare we hope fall is coming??? We have nearly given up re tRump jail time — could he have had plans to sell those classified documents ??? we think “nothing he would NOT do” if the price was right but of course, we have no knowledge of it. this much we do know — he is a total con artist/swindler, liar, cheat but he really “appeals” to so many (especially many of our relatives) — HOW can that be?? we(Mr& me) just don’t get it at all — we are waiting for the other shoe to fall (& or gavel) !! hope you all stay safe/healthy (covid is running rampant in these parts again)
I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit, being taken to prison.
Stay safe, Linda.
3 words: LOCK HIM UP!!!
Chanted over and over again at rallies.
Stay safe, Chris.
YES!!!
Hooray if the Houses passes today’s plan that allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices. As I type, I’m waiting for my doctor to send a new prescription for a ten-day round of the preferred-by-far antibiotic for the C-Diff I picked up after last week’s appendectomy. Antibiotics (check), hospitalization (check) and over 65 (check) are the prime risks. It turns out it’s not covered under my plan D (or most Medicare plans) and would cost me over $4-5000 out of pocket! I’m lucky that my RA drugs are covered, at least, but that’s only because I switched to an infusion in a doctor’s office, from the injections I used to give myself at home, which aren’t covered the same way. We are financially comfortable, but not THAT comfortable! Those not on Medicare are allowed to use coupons, the way these drug companies have been able to assuage the concerns of many, but those on Medicare are not able to use them.
As I think you noted yesterday, Republicans are going wacko on Twitter. How we can see things so differently?
I don’t know. I confess, I’ll never understand them.
Stay safe, Linda.
Hi Linda, Just an FYI. Our mother, who was in her ninties had hospital acquired c-diff. We had to go to a compounding pharmacy to purchase vancomycin , not covered by Medicare or supplemental insurance. After months, the poor thing still had it. My sister researched a fecal transplant.
It was a new procedure and some doctors were not willing to do it. My sister. contacted the infectious disease department at another local hospital and set up the procedure. My mother had it done on a Monday and by Wednesday, same week, it had cleared up. She had been on the useless antibiotics for months with no success. The transplant was a miracle. I no longer read this blog daily, but I’m glad I did today if this helps you.
Thanks, Barbara. Yes, those months in and out of the hospital are what I’m trying to avoid. Apparently the new med, fidaxomicin, is a game changer, but the drug company manufacturing it knows it and charges according to how badly it’s needed. I’m still waiting for Vancomycin script to even be sent to the pharmacy, after the doc impressed on me how important it was to get started. I admit to a few frustrated tears today. Thanks for your caring comment.
Hi Linda, for my mother, the vanco did nothing except she had to be woken up every several hours to take a terrible tasting drug. She was a real trooper and endured it. The day she had the fecal transplant there were five other patients there at about the same time. Bing, bang, boom, done. It didn’t cost anything bc it was considered an experimental treatment. After the treatment it never returned. This was 2011-12 ish, so hopefully the new med will work for you. Feel free to contact me if needed. Her whole procedure lasted about five minutes. The longest wait was for the bloodwork to come back.
I love your dolls! The more the merrier! And Don is funny. Glad your heat wave is gone. This summer has been a trial for me and lots of others. Two hot summers in a row. Don’t want to see three.
I don’t either. I hope next summer is much milder.
Stay safe, Tana.
Hi there, first and last time commenting because I thought I was going to read something about a problem with popcorn, but instead I read about politics, Trump!
Really ? Very disappointed because I’m here to relax.
As I’m sure you must know, this is my blog. My thoughts, my choice of subject matter. I have written about this frequently over the years, so you’re obviously new. Or you rarely read the blog.
It’s always interesting to me when people, either with blogs or Instagram, think they have the right to tell the person who owns and writes the blog or the person who writes that particular Instagram account what they should or shouldn’t say. You don’t have that right and you are welcome to move on. If you disagree with the subject matter, fine. Again, click off and move on.
I’ve been writing this blog for 14 1/2 years. I’m entirely comfortable with what I choose to write.
And, of course, I can’t let this go without saying you could have just clicked off the blog. But instead, your first comment ever was to tell me what I should write, per your personal guidelines.
Just keep doing what you do, Claudia! I enjoy your blog!
Thank you, Ellen!
Stay safe.
Living in a red state and having to keep pretty quiet about politics around most people including most relatives makes me especially appreciative of people who see the world as I see it. Reading your blog helps a lot. Of course, the other things you talk about are equally enjoyable. I never need a reminder email to read your blog. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Beverly.
Stay safe.
Well, Lily is just winsome; and I love her name. The hat is flattering for her sweet face.
Exactly (popcorn time). For the first time in about seven years, I went news-less for two weeks. I just turned it all OFF. Now, though? It’s something every day; something BIG. Staying tuned …
I haven’t been commenting because I wouldn’t be able to talk about anything other than weather, and everybody seems to be suffering with heat all over the nation. High 90s in my Southern Calif somewhat-coastal town, every single day, weeks on end. Mostly humid than not, too. We (husband, me, the dog) spent most of this past week with half days at the beach because even the house feels too warm. Getting NOTHING done; just moving around slowly and quietly, trying to stay cool. Easier just to leave and get to the water where there’s a cool Pacific Ocean breeze most always, especially of course in the early part of the mornings and at end of day. Will just have to work that much harder on home projects come later-Fall when the air feels better indoors and outdoors. Of course we’ve still got the hot-dry Santa Ana winds coming in the fall; and we’re tinder-crisp again for wildfire with the wind.
Because I think the power company got the you-know-what sued out of them for the horrible wildfires in my neck ‘o the woods five years ago (I’m no expert on the subject, but sparking power lines in areas they should have been monitoring, when we have such terrible drought and heat and are fire-prone), they are going bat-shit-crazy with culling out anything in the way of their power lines, or so I’m surmising, still asking questions, getting no answers. I’ve been watching them take down a long row of eucalyptus trees off and on for months now. We’ll think they’re thru, upset enough with it, and then they take us by surprise again. They finished them off the other day before anybody could blink an eye. I drove down the mile-long lane yesterday, which used to be so beautiful and quiet and shady and green; majestic; elegant; and I counted 64 stumps in what is now a barren landscape akin to a dull, ugly, colorless moonscape. The loss of the trees is heartbreaking.
If I knew how to count rings, I know the stumps would tell me they were at least 100-year-old eucalyptus trees (I think they’re older; I’ve done some research; I believe the trees have been there, planted specifically as a route to a place in my town, in the late 1800s before the town was incorporated); the trees are a haven for monarchs and birds. Now, we have urban blight in exchange for something which was beautiful and historical; this is just up the street from my house; I have to see it every day; I wince and have to turn my head. I’ve never been to a war zone, but it looks like how I’d perceive a war zone. It is a graveyard of stumps in what had been a ‘park’ of trees with a dedicated sort of sand-dusted asphalt curving path which ends at a bike trail with benches, having been a nice rest stop in shade, under the trees. Now, on those benches, all you gaze upon is the stumps and a dead landscape; no shade. It is a horrible, horrible sight; Letters to The Editor in the newspaper about it; nobody can get a straight answer and, of course, by the time it happens, you can’t exactly paste the tree back on to the stump. And they’ll never come back and clean it up; it’ll stay like this.
One resident, very fairly and articulately (you could feel the pain in his heart), wrote a Letter in the newspaper about how the area is home to people of color in low-income neighborhoods where there ARE no parks or greenspaces, but at least they’d had the path and the shady, lovely trees (nature; birds, squirrels; butterflies); now, they have nothing, and there’s the feeling no one cares. I agree with everything he said in his Letter, so eloquently and wistfully he wrote (and questioningly, with great sadness also for where goes the wildlife and birdlife and insectlife).
Yesterday, I couldn’t get past it; I was in tears all day. I couldn’t shake it off. Those trees have been there since when my first ancestors came to the town in 1917. It’s too much of a shock. And I am allowed to be sentimental about it. And worried, because trees create good oxygen; it takes so long to grow a tree and they are so incredibly beneficial. When we’re a concrete and asphalt ‘jungle’, we need trees to cool us down.
I do believe that when it all ends, the only groves of eucalyptus remaining in my town and county will be on private land where the rest of us can’t enjoy them. Some of the ranches HAVE kept the eucalyptus windbreaks for their citrus and avocado groves, which is still a big-enough crop here although too many of THOSE types of trees are getting replaced by row crops (and the farmers don’t want trees obscuring the sun for the growth of the veggies and herbs [those crops of course sit low and aren’t vulnerable to wind like a tree from which fruit hangs]). I know that some ranchers will fight to keep their windbreaks. I just pray there’ll be enough of the eucalyptus trees for future monarch habitat as the monarchs WILL try to roost in oak trees and sycamores, but it’s not their preference and not where they thrive; when of course they are dying out completely.
I’m sorry to rant on this but, Claudia, you’re a kindred spirit when it comes to your love of trees. I know you understand. I am heartsick. I can’t be consoled. It’s just too much change for me.
So, the beach escape, trying to get cool, trying to get calm: Malibu was gorgeous this morning; it looked like the Mediterranean; could just have easily been the south of France; I don’t know whenever I’ve seen the sea more beautiful here. The blue of the ocean was THAT blue; the blue-green in varying shades. I was spellbound by it. The sun sparkling on the water as if to be glittering diamonds; just stunning. Temporarily washes your worries away.
Found out that most of the anglers on shore are casting for small sea perch which are food for the seals; the fish hover near the piers but also the breaking surf, when it’s not too vigorous, because they’re feeding on sand crabs. My husband and I aren’t into fish or fishing, but we’d always wondered what these guys were going for; what kind of fish. It’s a black perch (whitefish) although there are three types of perch in our area; small, hold-in-your-hand fish, apparently very plentiful, like no more than 6″-8″ long. Just watch the shorebirds; wherever they’re hovering low over the water, it’s probably the perch. The lone fisherman stakes a place on the sand in early morning, done by mid-morning. Sometimes they come back at dinnertime/before sunset for the best-catch times.
Today, I couldn’t help but feel like I was seeing layers of ‘life’ on the water … congenial, wonderful and encouraging … ‘natural’ life at land’s end. Natural and not so natural. I know I can’t describe it like I want to; but a scene in my specific view of something more in unison, something better, all in one environment; pleasant, nice, enjoyable; existing together harmoniously and generously. ‘Way, ‘way off in the horizon, a slow-moving gigantic hulk of a container ship out in the channel. Then, still fairly far out, kayakers and boaters. Closer in, large schools of dolphin skimming the water, almost as if they’re playing than doing their own kind of ‘fishing’.
Co-habitating as in one and all together, with surfers and swimmers closer to shore; everybody getting along just fine, giving each other space in a friendly fashion, plenty of room for all, just enjoying life’s natural environment with all its gifts/bounty, which is what one could wish for all of humanity in any situation. No malice; no conspiracy theories or suspicion or doubts; no law-breaking; no reticence; just people being NORMAL; happy and smiling, feeling good; no tension. For a day at least, just give it up; wind it down; leave it up to the attentive lifeguards in their tower to be watchful or wary. Let sun and senses take you over in a state of bliss. A safe sort of feeling, at least in these moments. Away from TVs, the internet; phones. Kids and dogs, sunblock and beach towels instead. Although it was a lively scene, it was peaceful and I felt very relaxed, which almost never happens. And boy did I need it.
Just made me think about peaceful co-existence, and how vital it is to have it in the world. How you just want to wish it for everybody. How we and the world suffer without it. If we could just find more joy. Makes me keep thinking of Lennon/McCartney, “Let It Be”.
sorry for the loss of all those trees and everything they sheltered.
glad you found peace by the ocean this morning. may you always have peace. and a good weekend coming up.
kathy
Thank you always for your kindness, kathy in iowa; I hope you are enjoying a nice Saturday.
Really enjoyed reading your visit to the beach, Vicki – the description made me hanker for my old days of hanging out there, just breathing that air. I miss SoCal so much sometimes. It’s a 30 mile drive for me to glimpse the ocean and it might take an hour or more to drive it. Then it might be very cold and windy when I arrive. Santa Cruz or Monterey are better, of course. Apologies for whining. Can’t stop myself sometimes. But thanks, Vicki, is what I want to say.
Hi, Martha; thank you. I had to live out of state for three years due to my husband’s job, and I missed my coastal Southern California and its beaches SO, so much. As you’d remember, our southerly-beach climate is usually fairly mild all year long, so we get pretty spoiled! I love our Pacific O in every season.
You know what I sometimes hanker for, though, is Mendocino; all because of that movie Summer of ’42 which was filmed there, although the location of the story was supposed to be Cape Cod. But I just fell in love with the town/village of Mendocino, each time I was able to visit, and there’s just nothing like those tall bluffs overlooking the sea. Windy and cool, though; for sure; generally cool there in coastal Northern Calif year ’round. I wish I could be there RIGHT NOW because Mendocino’s August is enjoying temps in the high 60s which is my perfect weather anytime-anywhere.
I’m crazy about Monterey and Carmel, too; haven’t been there in FOREVER, though. Love the aquarium in Monterey; the whole Steinbeck feel of things. And Carmel with its whimsical, storybook homes; lovely little shops; dog-friendly, too.
I, for a few years, had an etching of Bodega Bay which belonged to an aunt; her adult daughter gave it to me; but then I decided to give it back to HER daughter when she died; anyway, I loved to look at that etching with its image of a sandy path, row of sunflowers against a weathered wood beach fence. (The artist often frequented Bodega Bay in the 1920s and 1930s, to stay and paint; do these etchings.) I’ve never been to Bodega Bay, but it’s also on the list, in the bucket. (Of course, Bodega Bay was the setting for Hitchcock’s scary film, The Birds.)
So many places to go and see!
You’re fortunate that you can get to the beach. It would take us several hours to get to the Atlantic Ocean, unfortunately.
Glad you had some relief and peace there.
Stay safe, Vicki.
I feel your pain. I would feel the same way, Vicki. I’m so very sorry.
Stay safe.
Thank you, Claudia, for your post yesterday (Popcorn) & for calling out the crone. Wonder how she stumbled upon you if she didn’t know before how you cover a variety of topics.
As you mentioned a number of days ago – yes, the email version last appeared 7/25. I had stopped being reliant upon it before then since the email hadn’t been arriving very early for quite awhile. Finally figured out my phone to bookmark it, too.
Not much into blessing people – something from my grandparents’ days – but bless you, dear Claudia & Don & all your girls.
Thank you so much, Martha.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Stay safe.
I was reminded of this poem by Brian Bilston … (followed by Lock Him Up!)
Send me a slow news day,
a quiet, subdued day,
in which nothing much happens of note,
just the passing of time,
the consumption of wine,
and a re-run of Murder, She Wrote.
Grant me a no news day,
a spare-me-your-views day,
in which nothing much happens at all –
a few hours together,
some regional weather,
a day we can barely recall.
Oh my goodness! This is perfect!
Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I yearn for this kind of day.
Stay safe, Wendy.
Glad you are getting a weather break. It’s high 60s here today. I’m craving warmth but that’s because we’ve had precious little. No happy mediums for any of us anywhere it seems.
I whooped when I heard that news. THinking MAYBE this time they’ll get something that sticks. I keep wondering who he’s going to throw under the bus this time. The warrant release/inventory receipt was interesting, even if (unsurprisingly) vague. It is the TV show that if someone wrote, no one would buy because who would believe it. I’m nervously waiting for the reaction from his “people.” I’m thinking it will hit around midterm time.
But we aren’t getting ANY rain. I’ve never seen our grass this brown – and it’s everywhere. The flowers are dying much too soon. It’s something I’ve never seen in our 17 years in this house.
I’m riveted to the news – actually Twitter. I do believe this is the beginning of the end for him. Also, our AG, Tish James, will indict him soon and take away his business. It’s all collapsing.
Stay safe, Jeanie.