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.