I did some minor prep work since my last post, but today I seriously buckled down and started to get ready for Fall classes. I managed three hours! Feel pretty accomplished.😀

I've been trying to stay away from sitting in my office working on my computer for hours everyday, and as a result the summer has been glorious, but I know I have to start doing something soon or I will have to do a mid-August marathon. 😭

I was 14 during the summer of 1976. It's a memorable year for me. I was not crazy about ninth grade in 1975-76 (mostly because my best friend moved away at the end of eighth grade). I started tenth grade and turned 15 in September 1976 and had a much better year in school. A brilliant nephew was born in November. And of course, it was the country's bicentennial. Flag themes, red,white and blue, colonial decor and minutemen statues were everywhere. It was all so exciting. 

Fast forward 50 years. I see no signs of patriotism or pride. Perhaps the cost of living has erased consumer's ability to buy luxuries like white petunias and red geranium hanging baskets? The garden centers seem overflowing, when they should be sold out. Bob purposely chose yellow flowers for our yard. The malevolent president, his vile administration and the incompetents in congress have crushed all enthusiasm. What a shame.

The Electric Chair (Draft) -- I really need to post this today even though it will be extensively revised and a photo added

By Gina Giuliano (2026)

My mother has been gradually shedding possessions since 2022, when my father died. Recently she moved from an apartment to assisted living. One beloved item that remains in her apartment is the electric chair. This sturdy chair was an important piece of furniture when she was a child, growing up at the Axinn Farm in West Shokan. Mimmie, my grandmother was always interested in True Crime. The biggest story in the 1930s was the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's baby. A man named Bruno Hauptmann was arrested and put on trial for the horrible crime. Mimmie never skipped listeneing to the case on the radio, and so my mother and her slightly younger brother Bud heard the details as well. In the evening they would act out the trial. Eventually, he was convicted and sentenced to die by electrocution. In the living room of their house at the Axinn Farm was a solid wooden chair, painted green in Mimmie fashion. My mother and Uncle Buddy would take turns sitting in the wooden chair, tying each other to it with a rope, dramatically pretending to be executed, while the jailer would pantomime pulling a big lever that sent juice through the body. The unfortunate imitation Hauptmann would jerk and flail while tied to the chair, eventually slumping forward, limp. Several years later my grandparents moved from that house where these antics took place and the electric chair was stored in my grandfather's sister’s barn. It stayed there over 60 years, long after my great aunt sold the little bungalow and barn, and incredibly, no-one disturbed it. One day many years later, Uncle Bud explored the old dilapidated barn and was surprised and delighted to discover the electric chair. Remarkably, it was not at all damaged by the leaking roof. On my mother's birthday, Uncle Bud visited her. He went inside and said, “I have something in my truck for you.” She followed him outside, wondering what it could be. He opened the back of his truck cap and there it was: the electric chair!

So I have finished all minor tasks and AY 2025-26 is totally done. Later in the summer, I will do a deep dive and extensively revise my foundations class. It really needs it! I had planned to wait a year but after this spring I am deeply aware it has to change.

 Except for a couple of minor tasks, the spring semester is over! Much to write but it will keep.

 May 1. One more class next week and then it's grading fun!

 Happy birthday Daddy. Today you would be 99.😭

There are 3.5 weeks of classes left and then two weeks for grading and Spring semester 2026 will be done. I am looking forward to late spring and summer.

I have a cold! 😑

Many things I want to write! They will keep, I guess.

I wish I could write. Not just here, though I'm happy to be doing something, anything. I mean really write. I wish I could pour it out and wonder where it came from afterwards. I know it would help me. I blame it on limited time, but that seems like a cop-out. If I wanted to write, wouldn't I make the time? The same thing is true of drawing cartoons. I have an idea, but don't get my pencils (Tyrant Racist Uneducated Misogynist Pedophile is the idea; I dream of creating a design and silk screening tee-shirts). 

I am feeling profoundly sad. I am mourning my mother, and she's still here. I am thinking of my father as Spring, Easter and his 99th birthday approach. I think of myself, and others perceive me, as above average in brain power. It's not as if I'm naive, I mean I've always known how life is...but still, I feel profoundly sad about my parents, about this cruel march of time. 

The horrible political leadership and the various immoral policies they are pushing don't help.

March 30 was the 5th anniversary of little Rosie's death. 😪 

 My mother is doing better than anyone could have imagined. She was kind of pissy the day after she got there, but since then, she's been in a very good mood.

Today my mother moved into assisted living. She seems to be doing OK. I'm a pretty stoic person, but I'd be lying if I said this is easy.

For the first time in my life, I am ashamed to be from the United States. This is a heartbreaking admission. Me, with my perennial pride for my geography, for my roots, for history. It was unthinkable until recently. But now that evil disgusting cretins run the show, there is no other option except shame.😭

So I saw a clip of Karen, I mean Karoline Leavitt whining that the media tries to make Trump look bad. Let me begin by stating that I don't seek out video clips of any member of the administration. Their lies, appearance and even the sounds of their voices can induce vomiting. Unfortunately, seeing clips is unavoidable because some idiot in the administration, especially Karen errr Karoline is running its (gasp) mouth on television constantly. Then, she can't be this obtuse. The media doesn't have to try to make him look bad. Everything he says, types and does is bad.

I don't want to let any more time pass before noting that March 1 was the eighth anniversary of Uncle Bud's death (hard to believe) and the 24th anniversary of the founding of Gully Brook Press.

So much to write about life in autocratic idiocracy and no time or I suppose, inclination. More important news, little Bindi hurt her leg 😭

In my prior post, I said I was going to write about something, included an article link, and then wrote nothing more. The article was about something in the news -- at that moment, the latest deplorable social media posting from our scumbag president. I know it's ridiculous to have expected to write more, because Trump says or does several disgusting things per day, then makes no apology or lies about it, and last week is ancient news. I don't care about the lack of apology because famous people are insincere, but the lies are psychotic. 

The dumb "Trump Derangement Syndrome" label demonstrates how pathetic he, his administration and their supporters are. My view of Trump was formed over 40 years ago, when I worked in NYC. It isn't that I followed his antics. I don't waste time on celebrities. Still, it was impossible to not know who he was because the media has always covered him with alternating praise and revulsion. I will never forget that moment in 1984 or '85, when I learned what a horrible person he is. Some buildings he had bought were being gentrified, either slated to be torn down or renovated. On the sidewalk in front of one of the brownstones, an elderly couple was sitting at a kitchen table. Their dog was curled up in a basket under the table. They had all been evicted. That heartbreaking image is seared into my mind.

 I am going to write about this soon!

I should be writing here more. I don't make the time, and recently Harry has been sick and that takes priority. He had surgery for a hernia last week and is doing very well. :-)

My classes started the day of Harry's surgery, and so far, so good.

Nationally, everyday is more outrageous than the day before. The fascist regime has a masked, armed gestapo trampling people's rights. Trampling is too mild a word. The regime and its enablers snivel and tell lies. Supporters dwindle, but those who remain are hardcore. Scary. Sick. Stupid.

How strange it is too live in a combination of 1984 and Idiocracy.

With so many contenders for the top prize (Leavitt; McMahon; Hegseth; Bondi; Miller; Vance and Trump himself, to name just a handful), it's hard to choose the winner, but Noem has to be at or close to at the top of most appalling, ridiculous and despicable creatures to ever walk the Earth. Being an animal abusing cretin says it all, but her phony appearance, pathetic costumes and Nazi rhetoric reveal a core that's more depraved than Dorian Gray. Ugh. Makes me want to puke. What a loser.

 When I was growing up in West Shokan, we got one television station: CBS from Hartford CT. It took a major roof antenna to bring it in. I was not a television addict, but did watch shows that my father chose, such as the news, 60 Minutes and All in the Family, on our B&W set in the living room. This led to a lifelong preference for the network, and shows like Murder She Wrote and Everybody Loves Raymond remain my all-time favorites.

We don't have cable TV. Instead we have online subscriptions and a digital antenna. I canceled my Paramount+ subscription the day after seeing Tony Docoupil's introduction as he prepared to take over the evening news. The gradual yet rapid transformation of the network into state propaganda is alarming to say the least. Farewell CBS. You will have to boot-lick the unethical fascist grifters without me. Next target for my advocacy will be your advertisers.

 Merry Christmas! The night before last, I got a special gift: A long dream featuring Howie & Penny! They were running around in a large fenced yard. What a treat!

 Hahaha. It's the Picture of Dorian Gray! Wait a few years to see more decay.

 My Fall classes are done! Switch to grading marathon.

This makes me ill. The only human garbage is Trump and his evil administration.

 December 1. One week of classes left! The semesters click by.

Not true. Insulting the reporter does not make him transparent, open or frank. It just means he's a rude bully. The press secretary should do some soul-searching and figure out why she is so morally bankrupt.

 The incompetence and absurdity of the current federal administrations renders me almost mute. Truly, I have so much to write but little time to share it.

Only three weeks left of the semester! Unreal. Grades are due 12/18. I've had pretty good classes and happily -- there was no reason for the summer apprehension I felt about teaching toleration after a hiatus of seven years.

 I love this.

 The news gets worse on a daily basis. A lot of the commenters on news sites are so ignorant. Happy Halloween.

Historic preservation is close to my heart; along with fighting animal abuse, it is an issues I consider most important. I take comfort, when outrageous things like this happen, (the destruction of the East Wing) by thinking of Penn Station's legacy. The demolition's impact is widely regarded as the most significant milestone in the preservation movement. People's attitudes changed afterwards. They realized it was a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, Donald Trump has managed to seduce, overpower and destroy "the better angels of our nature" (Lincoln, 1861) for over 40 years, but I look forward to a future time when he is a distant memory and historic preservation once again is a shared value. (Some of this language is recycled from earlier posts on this blog.)

 

I'm happy to report that advocacy worked!

 What nerve Nextstar has coming here with their shameful, ignorant fascist ways.

 

So yesterday was my birthday. I am 64 now! How can this be?

It is quite remarkable to be teaching a class after a seven-year hiatus and have nearly daily examples appear in the news! Earlier this week I was struggling with class material, and the question: At what point does tolerance become complicity? How do I convey such difficult philosophical content to the impressionable, anxious young people in my class? Hard as it is, I do feel honored to have been entrusted with leading this important class right now.

Those cartoons are coming once I catch up. 

It seems people who identify as transgender, people who are homeless and undocumented migrants in the US under this idiotic oppressive regime = people with mental disabilities, gypsies and Jewish people in Nazi Germany. 😭

 

 I want to write here so much! I have drawn two cartoons that I want to post as well, but *no time*. I will share this, though: I am fantasizing adding this as an email tagline - Indoctrinate them? Can you show me how? I can't even get them to follow assignment guidelines.

 I again had a dream with my father in it last night. It was brief. This time the setting was unfamiliar. I don't believe he was using a wheelchair, but he looked as he did five or ten years ago. He was talking about real estate. I know the reason for these dreams or perhaps they are ADCs, and it is something that makes me quite sad.

The semester started yesterday and I had my first class today. Harry barked for about the first 15 minutes. Otherwise, it was OK.

I have a slogan idea, inspired by this: IF I AM FAR LEFT, YOU MUST BE A FASCIST. 

I dreamed about my father a little over a week ago. It was very realistic and impactful. He was as he was five years ago, during the Summer of 2020, using a manual wheelchair, speaking well, very sharp. He was in the hallway of his house, talking to someone on the phone. He said he and my mother were moving.

I have my classes ready on Brightspace and the syllabi are in good shape. I am teaching Toleration after seven years of hiatus, so there is much to do in terms of reading and assignments updates. I got a new smartphone. After a decade (at least) I will miss my cute little mini, but it could not do so many things. I drew one panel of a cartoon. Not sure whether to share now or wait until the whole series is done.

 A couple nights ago, I had an anxiety dream. I have not had one in several years! My classes started and I was totally unprepared. No syllabi at all. I guess it is time to get busy!

 LOL. If you get a bruise from shaking hands, you are not in excellent health. What liars, and most media is complicit. Stay tuned! Nileston News is brewing.

 Amazing what a difference a day makes! Slight drop in humidity and I feel much better.

The weather has been making me feel shi**y. I've had allergies for a while, and they seem to be increasing with age. I always thought allergies caused symptoms like clogged sinuses, runny nose, itchy eyes, and that's what I've had in the past. But this year, all that is accompanied by clogged ears, dizziness, foggy head. A sensation sort of like swimming under water. My father had bad allergies, and I think I didn't "get it" until this year.

A few nights ago I had a dream about Sophie. It was so good to see her again!😍 

 As summer clicks by, I am beginning to think about getting ready to teach this Fall...

I thought this guy was sketchy when I saw the story of his alleged assault on the news, and apparently his friend is sketchy too! I'm being kind here; my fingers were itching to type sleazy instead. 

It's disconcerting, albeit not unexpected, that the response to fascism from the right is fascism from the left. Of course.

 

HAHAHAHA!! Now it is totally outrageous to deny someone a visa because they had this hilarious photoshopped image on their phone, but the photo is funny. Paranoid much? Threat to national security for LOL?

This is a tragic story. I can't help but notice an uncanny resemblance between the killer and the current VP. This is on many levels; here are three: menacing physical appearance, Tobacco Road background*, pure evil character. It's chilling. (*I am eternally grateful to Daddy for painting this evocative, unforgettable and apt description.)

JD

JF

She was my congressional representative for a brief time after redistricting a few years ago, and thankfully it was short-lived. I've been represented by a long list -- the elected official changes either due to losing, redistricting or retirement, but I have never felt the contempt for any of them the way I do for Stefanik. A commonality from every rep on both sides of the aisle has been routine communication -- in recent years, this has meant email. She never sent me anything -- no email, no mailer. She's too busy running congressional witch hunts. When she was first elected, I was pleased because a young woman won. She seemed impressive and appropriate for the district. After she developed a Trump obsession, she steadily devolved into the obnoxious creature she is now -- brittle, rude, hostile, soulless. I marvel at her ugly demeanor. How can someone be so angry all the time? She would have fit in perfectly with the other cretins in the administration, but I guess our current autocratic leader finds her unappealing as well. Maybe if she went for Botox, fillers and plastic surgery, she would suit him better, LOL. 

Father's Day is Sunday. I miss you so much Daddy! 😭 Here we are -- my father, sister and I -- at the Statue of Liberty in 1997 celebrating my 36th birthday and honoring his parents. We went to Ellis Island and to see the statue. My paternal grandparents were not citizens when my father was born. He was a better American, patriot and loved the United States more than Stefanik or any of the fools in the administration. He was just a higher quality person than any of them. I'm sure the same is true of many of the migrants ICE is persecuting. 

 

Tomorrow Pope Leo is having Mass, and I am psyched. And, there is the No Kings Protest (also psyched)! Hmm. Is something else going on?

 

 

Right on! This is the best monologue I've seen from anyone lately.

Oh really? But single party (or more aptly, single dictator) rule in DC is great? What a hypocrite she is. Even the most mediocre opponent could easily wipe the floor with her. Maybe she can become her cult leader's fourth spouse. She fits right in with the repulsive, lying, boot-licking thugs in the administration, such as Miller, Homan, Vance, Hegseth, Bondi, Leavitt and Noem (add animal abuser to the adjectives describing the last one and inarticulate to Homan). Bunch of fascist losers. "Say what you really mean Gina." (On the news last night, there was a story about the congress member sharing false information about a study guide. No surprise there.)

Yesterday Bob went to Long Island to attend his aunt's calling hours. In the afternoon, I received a phone call from a former co-worker of his. She said someone from the Thruway had called her, saying they had found his cell phone. I called the number she gave me, and spoke to a very nice woman. She asked me a bunch of questions -- where might he have stopped? What color was the phone? I listed off the rest stops...New Baltimore...Ulster...I think there is one between New Paltz and Newburgh (Bob later told me that rest stop is closed for renovations)...Ramapo. He stops a lot! I couldn't remember a lot about the phone, but did know it is black. Eventually she told me a black cell phone was found in Ulster. She had the State Trooper who had it call me. After speaking with him (he also was so nice), I called the funeral home, explained, and they had Bob call me back. He retrieved it on his way home from the trooper, who I think was supposed to leave at 7, but he stayed later so Bob could get it. This is just one simple example of why...

What a wimp! OMG. Don't settle, CBS.

My neighbor's house is for sale. They were living there when we bought our house 38 years ago. They have been perfectly fine neighbors (hope whomever buys it is OK), but one thing I will not miss is the constant lawn mowing. They moved out over the weekend and he's already back mowing again. In the scheme of things this is no big deal but the endless drone makes me insane.

In other news the administration continues its fascist anti-intellectual agenda. Our "leader" is such an embarrassment. He's a senile crazy person surrounded by the most unethical humans ever. How annoying to have these dimwits attempting to be dictators. To be clear, I have never thought this kind of stuff about any administration. I am a tolerant optimistic moderate. This pack of vile losers has radicalized me. I wish them nothing good.

The "Big B******* Bill" is very disturbing. There is a lot of criticism being raised, but most is focused in two areas: The massive increase in the deficit due to tax cuts and the decimation of social programs. Both of those things are alarming, to be sure, but what unnerves me is that it attempts to curtail the judiciary. It restricts enforcing court orders. It prohibits federal courts from using funds to enforce contempt citations against government officials. This violates the constitution's principle of separation of powers. The bill also retroactively invalidates court orders issued before the law's enactment. It removes the possibility of court challenges, eliminating a check on executive and legislative power and undermining the judiciary's role in upholding the rule of law.

They are trying to weaken the judiciary. The bill erodes the principle of checks and balances in the constitution. This is appalling. Every single one of those voting yes should be removed from office. The regime of corrupt authoritarians must be stopped.

Life in the Idiocracy + Back to the Future II dystopia is more alarming by the day. The "Big Bullshit Bill" passed the House...please let it fail in the Senate. In more personal news, the guys are here hooking up the new boiler. The Kitty is terrified. The Beagles are okay with it. I can't wait to take a shower.

Finished grades. Monday my wrist pain was terrible, but with less computer time, it is a lot better. We had our gas meter updated and they discovered carbon monoxide was not venting from the boiler and hot water heater, so tomorrow we are getting a new system. I'm pleased that it isn't the middle of winter, but we are in an unseasonably cold snap. This is the least of my worries, of course. What is disturbing? The actions of the alarmingly fascist regime and the idiots among us who are in oblivion (or, grudging admission, possibly cheering?).

Immersed in grading. I am having a carpal tunnel flare, which sucks. The news is more outrageous everyday. What a bunch of corrupt, racist idiots are running this administration. They are the least common denominator. It is embarrassing. However -- the new Pope gives me hope.

Recent absurdities mean I am itching to draw some rude satire. Alas, it will have to keep for a while longer. My last class for Spring 2025 semester was today and grades are due May 18. I've been having a flare in my right wrist. No fun. Hope it holds up OK.

Semester's end is rapidly approaching. Spring is here. In coming days, I will have time to write here. Yay.

Disgusting as it is, the administration's march toward fascist dictatorship is not a big surprise (although the speed is a surprise). What is a surprise, sort of, is the deep ignorance of the administration's supporters. They believe every word of right wing media and every lie told by the administration and its idiot cult members in Congress. It is so clear that educators have failed miserably in teaching civics. It's very disturbing to witness what is going on in this nation.

 Recently, I noticed two memes on Facebook that made me laugh (because otherwise, I'd cry): 

• My wife bought a garden gnome. I named it "Kristi" because it's hollow, artificial and my dog is terrified of it. 
• Witnessing this administration is like being tied to a chair and being forced to watch a toddler play with a loaded gun. 

The first bullet is really too nice to be about the evil dog murderer.

 I noticed something disturbing in one of my undergraduate classes before Spring break, and this week confirmed it. There is a chilly atmosphere. The students are afraid to share their thoughts. Participation and engagement are always challenging to generate in class, and this nasty and incompetent administration is stifling it even more. Jerks.

Resist. We will not be silenced. We will not be bullied. We will win because good always wins over evil, and because incompetent loser idiots cannot accomplish anything.

In other news, Spring break is over. Not that it matters; all I did was work.

 It's quite astonishing to discover that someone actually takes pride in being amoral scum.

And of course there is this self-righteous animal abusing dog murderer, who also celebrates being scum. 

What an administration full of losers!

 My disdain for the direction the USA is heading grows daily. What's happening is alarming. Those in charge are scum. I have so many things to write, but unfortunately, there is no time.

 Today is the 23rd anniversary of this blog and the seventh anniversary of Uncle Bud's death. Last night I had a dream with a "glimpse" of my father and Sam. I suspect the reason, which I won't share right now, or maybe ever.

 Everyday I want to write here, but I don't make the time. My classes are going really well, but otherwise -- especially nationally -- it is sh*t. Reading the comments on local television and newspaper sites is demoralizing. Who are these cretins? Scary.

 I am not surprised by the appalling behavior of the new / old administration, but it is still awful to contemplate. Idiocracy + authoritarianism is a terrible combination.

 I have had many ideas for things to write here, but have I? No. Semester started a week ago, and I am teaching Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. I am not crazy about that schedule, but I'll make it work. Classes are good so far.

 Well I have accomplished nothing personal over break, and I have only 12 days left! Bob turned 65 on Sunday. And...today is the third anniversary of my father's death. 😢😢😢

 I'm looking forward to doing three things during winter break: sleeping, reading, writing - in that order.

 I finished Fall grades at about 7 pm last night, then put in 2.5 more hours from 10:30 pm - 1 am uploading the breakdowns to Brightspace. It was a marathon and the Brightspace part was kind of glitchy, but it's done!

 I really want to write -- even if "just" here. But alas, no time 😞.

Feels like snow.

This story is heartbreaking.

It finally started raining yesterday. Snow in the Catskills. Hopefully this helps to extinguish the fires. Semester is winding down. I entered a Writer's Digest short fiction contest. I wanted to write something new (and I have an idea), but there wasn't enough time, so I tweaked an unpublished favorite. Notifications take place in February. I don't expect to win, but I need to get back on track with writing. Maybe because her birthday will be on Thanksgiving or one of the characters in the story is based on her or due to this story in the news (or all three), I have been thinking about Donna more than usual. I always feared she would suffer the same fate as that poor woman who was found in Troy, but somehow she managed to make it to 53 and die of natural causes  -- if addictions are "natural."

The word that best describes my election attitude: Indifferent. News embargo continues. Will I plug back in four years from now? IDK.

Wildfires rage. It's horrible.

Back to Standard time a couple weeks ago. YAY!

 Friday night I had a wonderful, fun dream featuring my father and pizza.😊

And in other news, pick your poison! Righty or lefty fascism!

I just had a class where a nontraditional student called a young man who was making a presentation "sweetie." In 2024!

November 1 was my ninth anniversary as a vegetarian.

Today, Bob got a mailing that said, "Remember, who you vote for is private, but whether or not you voted is public record." It listed years and it included that he had not voted in 2016. The organization sending it is called "The Center for Voter Information." How creepy and weird. It feels threatening and intimidating. Bob remarked that it seems like a fascist nation -- pick your poison. Fascism from the left or fascism from the right. I'm sure this movement and others like it justify such actions by claiming it's an effort to boost turn out and assert that's a good thing. News flash: Those who have routinely voted and then skip or stop have very good reasons! The candidates suck, the parties suck, the media coverage sucks. WAKE UP. In other political news, I've discovered that texting back "f*** you" is about as effective as "stop" (but far more satisfying).

 A week late, but October 18 was Gotcha Day #3 for Bailey (Hoo) and Bindi (the little one). It wasn't Harry's but this photo is so cute.

I have been intending to make a post every day this week but ran out of time. First, Election irritations: 1) the Molinaro/Riley ads are awful. I am so happy to not live in a so-called swing state. One nasty congressional race is too much; 2) I am inundated with texts from senate and house races in other states. LEAVE ME ALONE. Texting back "stop" doesn't work. Second, because we have unplugged from politics since being awakened and then disenfranchised, we have immersed ourselves in the '80s. We're currently watching "Highway to Heaven." I loved the show when it was on, and it has aged well! What a great show! Finally, last night I had a dream that had my father in it. It had something to do with food. It felt like a dream, a confusing medley, more than an ADC; regardless, it was good to see him.

I have noticed in recent years that "of course" has replaced "you're welcome." This has been true of servers in restaurants for a while. The other fay Bob told me that a man held the door for him and when Bob said "than you," the guy responded "of course." I googled it, and some of the links attributed it to millennials, while others said it was gen z. The sentiment ranged from claiming it's a less formal way of saying you're welcome, the action was expected and insignificant, to suggesting it's rude and implies entitlement. Discussion of an alternative, "no problem," surfaced in a few links. I started thinking about "of nothing," the translation for de nada. Language is interesting, nuanced and it evolves.

 Birthday flowers from Lark Street Flower Market.

Happy belated birthday to me! (It was two days ago.)

                                                                My latest advocacy!

 Also: Mimmie's 120th birthday today. She probably would not approve, but she lived in a different time.

Last night, I finished the book I have been reading (Knife). It was excellent overall and beautifully written. In my head, I have snippets from memorable books that I have read over the years; for example early in the book, when Francie responds to the librarian "she is eleven" in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. That evokes the image of the girl asking for a recommendation and anticipating the opportunity to reread a beloved novel that had been suggested many times before, as well as my own pleasure of reading a wonderful book. In the case of Knife, it came in the last chapter, when the author is preparing to revisit the scene of the attack after 13 months. He writes, “Maybe I was going to Chautauqua to face up to the unbearable knowledge, common to all human beings, that it would never be yesterday again.” What a poignant and exquisitely-crafted sentence.

Today little Bindi is seven years old.

 This is spot-on! Funny yes but sad.

 I am crushed. I will never vote or watch the news again.

 Bob put out signs today!

Lately I have been thinking about the model of community power structures (specifically school boards although it can also be applied to other organizations) by McCarty & Ramsey (1968): Dominated, Factional, Pluralistic, Inert. More later!

I have an answer to the question at the end of my last post. The two parties and the media are corrupt, motivated by greed and gaslighting is the tactic. The Times Union recently had a column (by Chris Churchill) and an editorial about RFK jr. and minor parties. The column argued that RFK jr. should be on the ballot because removing him disenfranchises voters (yay). Of course cheap name-calling was included ("kook") which diminished the piece considerably. The editorial had the laudable view that the 2020 change that made it harder for minor parties to get on (and keep) ballot lines needs reform. But the article ends with a slap at RFK jr. over the bear story. It's truly amazing how so-called journalists don't bother with actual policy. National Enquirer-type stories are more fun. Yes, I know both the column and the editorial are not news, but the TU (and most other legacy outlets) have never had an article about anything of substance that is part of his platform, such as corporate capture or the chronic disease epidemic or the excruciating national debt. Too scary to unplug from the matrix, I guess.

The upcoming semester is creating a lot of work for me, but I wanted to make a few quick notes here. First, two nights ago I had another dream with Daddy in it. This one was a brief glimpse, and it felt more like a dream than an ADC. The focus was money! Funny, because the farm will be on the market soon and I know he'd be thrilled by the price it will bring!

Second, July 25 was Harry's eleventh gotcha day, and August 10 will be the Kitty's third gotcha day. 😊

And finally, I am so disgusted with the ANC and UNC duopoly. 😩 (That's the autocratic national committee and the undemocratic national committee.) Ugh. How did we get into this dystopia?

I saw the most reprehensible hit piece on RFK jr. from CBS by Major Garret. I'm not sure whether his name is spelled correctly, but who cares. The promo and six minute excerpt were awful -- clearly displaying a biased agenda. It was an inaccurate summary of the full interview, deliberately misleading, outrageous editing, just plain misinformation. I watched the full interview before seeing the hit piece, and the full interview of over an hour was not bad. CBS and Major are unethical and should be ashamed -- afraid of losing corrupt corporate sponsors I guess.

A long time ago -- about 45 years or so, there were things I "knew" or at least suspected: Both idealistic things and cynical things. This drove my decision to be an independent, rather than a member of a major political party. I still knew these things 35 years ago and 25 years ago and 15 years ago, but gradually over time, the vibrancy of that idealism and cynicism faded. To quote Billy Joel's song Angry Young Man, "just surviving is a noble fight." So while I remain idealistic and I believe in advocacy, I have become complacent. Within the past year, again gradually but building up steam as weeks have past, I have become energized by Kennedy's campaign for president. I feel as if I have been unplugged from the Matrix. I know things again, more deeply than 45 years ago. More to come.

 I am not "childless." I am "childfree."

I'm having to put in a few hours every day for a week or so on administrative tasks associated with my job. It's a bit more than my routine daily email (which admittedly can be quite time-consuming). I get a small stipend to do it, and it isn't a big deal, but it is reminding me of the looming semester six weeks away! 😳😳😳

Many things to write about but they will keep for another day.

It is so hot!!! 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

 July already. I just finished reading Dead Wake, a 2015 book about the Lusitania. It was excellent. Next I am going to read Knife.