New

And so we begin a new administration.  I saw on Facebook that one of Biden's top aides said that the Trump administration left a bigger mess than they anticipated.  I think the translation to that is that the Democrats will need more than 4 years to fix everything.  

I'm not sure how I feel about that.   In 2016, I was one of the people who were saying we didn't need another politician in office--we needed a business person who would move away from status quo and lean toward monetary equality through Wall Street.  Well, that didn't seem to work out.   But, I don't think it's the political party who makes the country "great again."  I think it's how the administration inspires the people of America to be great.  

We can't let Covid be our "new normal."  We have to fix it.  We can't work in silo's--we have to work together.  We can't ask for someone's voter registration card before we decide to be friendly or not.  We have to have faith that we will have more in common with people than ideas that will keep us apart.  

That won't be easy.  I, for one, can hold a grudge until hell freezes over, but that has not translated to good things in my life for me.  If anything, it has made me have to work harder to maintain and grow relationships.  

I have faith in this administration, in part, because of the diversity in cabinet selections.  Some people equate the word, "diversity," to mean, "different from me."  And, they translate that into reasons why they are being shorted, financially or in terms of opportunity.  But I think it could mean that different people will bring different experiences and will have a voice to say, "hey, wait....you're not making things fair for all."   At least, I hope so.

I give credit to all political parties who have people willing to put themselves out there to get a job done.  My life could not take the scrutiny of examination required for these jobs.  

I hope that the days ahead bring peace to all and help us find our way through disease,  unrest and division.  I hope the new administration is strong on many fronts and peaceful when it needs to be. 

Riots

 

I have been reading about the Capitol riots for days now.  It happened, it was covered on the news, people were shocked, rioters went home and now people are being arrested.  

I have seen on Facebook that people on both sides are outraged and each are pointing fingers at the other.  

I have seen people comparing the riots to the BLM marches and insisting that the marches were worse than the riots.  

The latest is that the guy I call, "Horned Guy," has been arrested but won't eat jail food because he has certain food restrictions.  His mother appealed to the judge that heard his case that he needs to be fed the type of foods he eats.  This is not medical stuff, this is preference.  

I have read all of this stuff and I still feel that those who died in this mess have been lost in the media frenzy.  A policeman was beaten to death with a fire extinguisher.  A demonstrator was shot.  What will it take to make people stop?  To make people say, this is not worth it?  What will it take to make people pause and say, "really, this is how I was raised by my mother?"  

And now there is talk of assassinations at the inauguration.   Why?  Do the people who are rioting think that if President elect Biden is killed as well as the Democratic Vice President,  that Trump will be put back in office?  You can't kill democracy.  Maybe they have tried, but you can't.

Grow up.  Stand down.  Be proud in another way.  Stop the madness. 

I feel like things are getting back to some level of normalcy.  We are getting requests from people who want to come down visit us (Covid permitting) and so our calendar preparations begin.   

Donna and Bob arrive tomorrow for their 2 month stay so we will kick off the activities with the Brown/Steelers game.  Can't wait.  Go Baker!!

The past few days have been mild, but rainy.     We took down the Christmas decorations yesterday and finished up today.  It was a good opportunity to go through my desk and toss away lots of old stuff. I used to pride myself on begin organized, but now I'm finding that I'm saving silly things that I won't ever use but have a nice memory attached to it.  I guess it's one of the downfalls of being retired. 

Dixie's birthday is coming up next week.  No party plans so far, but I'm guessing she'll be getting plenty of extra treats.  New Years Day, I found her laying half in and half out of her bed.  It looked like she had one of her paws across her eyes, shielding them from the light.  I know we didn't give her any Asti, but I wondered if she was out partying after we went to bed. 

Dixie continues to be a source of joy for us.  I heard through Facebook that one of my friends just lost her dog.  It took me back to when we lost Jack.  The house was so empty when he died.  I hope my friend finds peace in the memories that her dog, Shelly, gave her. 

It's time to sit on the lanai and go over the events of the day with Tony so I will close this blog until another day. 

Happy New Year to all. 

 Here's Tony opening up the Asti!~