The Florida Way of Life

I'm finally settling into my new normal here in Florida.  The 2600 mile drive from Idaho was the road trip of the decade and we saw more Bucees and Little Americas than I care to mention.  By the way, we stopped at one every chance we could for potty breaks, snacks or to browse the junk they had to offer.  The drive was interesting, and we noticed how different areas of the country tend to vary.  For instance, Wyoming is flat, very pretty and prone to rain and thunder storms.  Missouri and Tennessee on the other hand, are humid, with lots of hills and green trees.  I would have loved to stop in to visit with the Missouri cousins  but we were in a hurry and they seemed farther south than where we were driving.  We loved Nashville, everyone had that lovely Southern style one will only find south of the Mason-Dixon Line.  I want to visit Nashville again soon and explore the country bars and go to the Grand Ole Opry.  

I found out right away, Orlando is very different from Los Angeles, Seattle and Boise.  Florida is California on steroids weather-wise and to be honest I'm loving it.  Palm trees are in abundance, the greenery is fantastic and the sun shines bright.  I guess I should mention it's warm, very very warm.  The humidity is off the charts and it's only July but I'm okay with it.  By the way, two showers a day and plenty of perfume and  deodorant are a must, just saying...

I'm pleasantly if not wonderfully surprised as to how much I like it here.  I've been to areas close to my house that one could easily compare with Newport Beach or San Marino.  There are other areas where the old homes are fantastic, weeping willows and large horse properties are in abundance.  I forgot to mention there is a pond or lake everywhere.  I missed the greenery during my five years in Boise. 

Florida is the South,  I knew it would be geographically but wow, it's really the south.  Everyone is so nice, kind and very helpful.  Young and old alike call me ma'am and I like that to be honest and I don't feel like I'm an old crone or ready for a wheelchair.  The south has always been known for it's politeness and these are very polite people.  I love hearing the southern accents and being treated with the respect and kindness that was never in my west coast experience. People are friendly, want to talk and find out who and what you're all about.   I find this to be very satisfying.

Ice tea is a southern experience, so when one orders ice tea, always remember it's going to be sweet tea unless you specify it is to be unsweetened.  I am very careful with my sugar intake so overly sweetened ice tea is not my style.  Plus sweet tea is icky, and it's over kill if one happens upon a cookie or a piece of key lime pie.  Southern BBQ is in abundance and the potato salads are fantastic.  I've yet to try the ribs or southern fried anything but it's on my agenda along with southern style baked beans but no fried okra, yuck!

Now that I'm moved into my house, my porch sitting experience in behind the screens.  Sitting out in my lanai after dark is another Florida experience that is hard to explain.  My house backs up to a small jungle and the sounds coming out of it after 9:00 pm are hard to describe other than; I'll never venture over the fence and out into the hinterland of trees after dark.  Poor Toby is scared to be out there with me and Stuart braves the sounds as he feels the need to always be on guard.  The bugs are defiantly as big as cats here, and a wise friend told me straight out to get a screened in porch.  Thank goodness I listened as the first two weeks here, while I was living at the lake, I was chewed to bits by mosquitoes.  Now porch sitting is a comfortable, bug free experience although it's still hot at 9pm.

Every afternoon after the first of June, it tends to rain cats and dogs.  Please do not think I'm talking a simple sprinkle, or a Seattle rain storm.  This is a heavy downpour of Biblical proportions.  The wind will whip like crazy and the lightening and thunder is not for the faint of heart.  Recently the main water pipe from the street to my house was mangled.  It turns out it was a lightening strike!  Like I said, lightening is not for the faint of heart.  All this ex-Californian can say is;  what will a hurricane be like?!  Holy cow!

Publix seems to be the grocery store of choice.  I must admit, I miss Fred Meyer as I knew the layout of the store and all the products.  Publix is near the house and it's new, clean and it's very customer service oriented!  Some of the products in my Publix are very different than what is sold in the PNW.  I was strolling the aisles recently and found three or four different varieties of corn bread mix, fried chicken batters and even southern fried okra and grit mixes.  There are a lot of Caribbean foods that look interesting and I will try them out eventually.  With that said, I finally found my cast-iron pan and will need to re-learn how to cook fried chicken.

Wildlife is in abundance here in Central Florida.  The birds are gorgeous, and I saw my first gator in the large pond up the main road from my development.  He was floating in the water, giving a eerie presence.  I've been told some never see a gator and I saw one on week three, I'm definitely blessed! That being said however, never walk close to a body of water or walk a dog or two close either.  They don't pay much attention to outsiders unless you venture close to the edge so I'll keep my distance, thank you very much.

Driving here is the biggest challenge.  The roads are full of careless drivers who pay no attention to who or what is on any side of them.  I was told Florida is horrible place to drive and I believe it now that I'm here.  I'm very close to the Disney resort area so that's another breed of human drivers all together.  These are people who come from who knows where, have no clue as to how our streets and highways work and could care less.  It's scary and one takes their life in their own hands when they drive the streets near Disney!

Living in the eastern time zone has been a challenge. TV watching-wise, I've had to adjust my thinking to when The Five is actually on, Jesse Waters is not on during dinner nor is my favorite podcaster.  I'm now 3 hours ahead of my previous life and those 3 hours calls with my cousin now end at 1:00am.  Flights to London from Orlando are now only 7 hours, and I start my Words With Friends games earlier as everyone is still asleep on the west coast.  I'm used to it but I had to change my thought processes.  

Florida is most definitely a way of life.  I've been here a month and already have my tan back.  Outdoor exercising is something to do in the early morning or after dark during the summer months.  Tank tops, shorts and flip flops are most defiantly staples to any wardrobe and floppy hats seem to be the uniform of choice.  I'm not a hat wearer so I guess I'm out of style here.  Florida is casual, easy going and very friendly.  As glad as I am I made the original move out of the PNW, I'm more than happy with my choice of Central Florida.  My house is perfect, I'm completely unpacked and new location is awesome.  I've met several in this community and my new neighbors are all lovely.  Now that I'm a licensed driver and the car is registered, I can now call myself a Floridian but, I will NEVER EVER move again!  

This guy was fence sitting and enjoyed teasing the boys!

 

The Journey Begins

As Easter Sunday approaches, during this time of pray and contemplation, I've once again been thinking about my life.  I have many questions, thoughts and frankly some very real fears that keep popping into my mind as I plan for this journey southbound.  It's all starting to get real.  The house finally sold, movers set up, and even the boys have a mover taking them down to Sissy's house, ahead of my departure.  It's getting real folks, this 2800 mile road trip is my last big move.  The next one will be to be the the old age home but I'm not ready for that yet.  My plan is to live large for the next 20 plus years and enjoy every minute.

Moving again is not easy at almost 70.  I've enjoyed this house, but Boise simply didn't suit me.  The climate is too dry, too cold and the wild fire smoke every summer was horrible.  The little aches and pains are evident, and the thought processes are different this time.  I guess knowing this move is forever makes it even more daunting as there will never be a 40th, 50th or even 60th birthday.  80 is ten years from now, OMG!  My dad used to say that getting old is not for sissies!  No kidding, I'm starting to feel it.  

The worry and stress over the last few weeks have started to get to yours truly.  I'm doing this all by myself again, it's not as easy as it was 10 years ago when I moved from the Covington house to Kent, or even from Kent to Boise.  This time, I've been even more diligent in my planning, and I'm frankly extremely anal retentive.  The budget has been kept close to the penny and I've thought through every decision very carefully.  Money does not grow on trees so budgeting and careful planning have been my mantras.  I've needed a few things before I leave Boise as Florida living is different and these are necessities that need to arrive with me.  Ceiling fans I've been told are a big must, so three have been ordered and delivered as I want them to be installed immediately.  I got rid of a lot of furniture as I'm downsizing space wise in the new house.  I had a lot of stuff, some since college, it needed to be gone.  The beauty of this move is I'm going to buy some new furniture.  It's time to upgrade from my old used hand me downs, to new furniture that's more modern and durable.  I can't wait to furniture shop!

While purging and sorting, I came across some of my old books and even toys.  I found my Barbies and all her clothes.  If I wasn't so busy, I would have sorted the dresses and dressed up Barbie and Midge like I used to.  I found my Nancy Drew books, Stuart Little, the 8 Ball and a ballet bag from when I wanted to be a ballerina.  I never did get the dance lessons but 65 years later, I still have that shoe box!  I found cards and letters, sweet remembrances of my grandparents and friends from years past.  I found all my old record albums, school papers and a couple of dirty books I snuck in the house that my mother never found.  They all hold memories dear and without this move, they would have been tucked away forever.

Thank goodness Toni is taking this "road trip" with me again.  Driving to Orlando alone does not appeal to me.  It's going to be a long, three day journey but we will laugh, talk smack, stop for fast food and enjoy each other's company as we always have.  A better friend could not be found and I pray we see each other more than what we have over the last 5 years.  Hey, I'm four miles from Animal Kingdom and the beach is an hour east of me.  Disney is close and the new EPIC Universal is right next door.  

The resources and activities Florida has to offer are endless.  Cape Canaveral is close by and from what I've come to understand, the space launches can be seen from my back yard.  I do plan to drive over to see one up close and personal but it would be nice to watch from the comfort of my patio.  I want to see an alligator but not in my yard.  Manatees are abundant as are plenty of birds.  It's going to be humid, I'm prepared and I hope I'll be better preserved as I do not want to look like a dried up old prune in 10 years.  Hopefully the humidity will keep the wrinkles at bay.  Christmas in 80 degrees is starting to sound better and better!

All told, this is a positive move for it being my last one.  Who would have thought my forever home would be in Winter Garden, Florida! Hey, Florida is a solid Red State so I'll adjust quickly.  Therefore I'm getting excited, anxious and frankly a bit scared but it's going to be great.  Let's get this show on the road and let the journey begin!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  

~Proverbs 3:5-6

Happy Birthday In Heaven

As I type this blog, I'm thinking about my mother as today would have been her 100th birthday.  It's amazing to think about and as she always said; "you know what that makes you!"  She was 30 when I was born, so enough said.

Mom was a sweet loving soul.  She loved my dad without reservation and was always his biggest champion.  She spoiled him rotten; he loved it and I know he repaid her in kind.  Dinner was on the table every night by six, after of course a glass of wine or cocktail and discussion about his day.  He always said he'd never trade her in as it would be too hard to train a new model.  That would have been impossible as my mother was one of a kind.

Mom gave us 100%.  She was the best cook I knew of and still today, can't be beat on her chocolate cake, molasses cookies or Christmas treats.  She would bake tons of cookies at Christmas and would give boxes of them as gifts.  They were always enjoyed and never a crumb was left behind.  We always had plenty, always food on the table and a kiss good night, every night.  My mother was one of the most loving souls on the planet.

As they got older, they traveled extensively first in their RV, then driving trips by car and hotel stays along the way.  Finally, they traveled by train, through Canada, the east coast and back to Los Angeles.  When my dad lost his eyesight, Mom was in the driver's seat and happily drove them wherever their hearts would take them.  At 80, they followed the Mississippi down from St. Paul to New Orleans!   We would get postcards from their different destinations, and I still have them packed away as they are treasures that I could never let go of.  They loved their Hawaii visits to see the grandchildren who lived so far away.  I'd get a two-hour phone call when they returned, telling me of their adventures and how much the kids had grown since they'd last visited.  First, they'd visit the family on Lanai, then they would retreat to Molokai to recharge and enjoy the quiet of the island.  When they were about my age now, they rode the mules down to Father Damion's leper colony.  It's been closed for many years and at last check it's a museum at the bottom of a steep hill that only mules can access.  I cannot imagine that journey at my age and I'm fit and active.   Mom and Dad were exceptional.

Their last twelve years were spent close to us in Washington.  Mom was not going to let Kristina live too far away as she was bound and determined to be a part of her life.  I'm eternally grateful for this as they helped me out more than I could ever have imagined.  Kristina got to be close to one set of grandparents and loved them like I did my own.  Mom and Kristina had a special bond, and I know that Mom is watching over her, laughing and shaking her head at the same time.  She loved Kristina with all her heart just as she loved her other three.  My mother was one of the most devoted grandmothers I know of and I hope to emulate her someday with one of my own.  I know Nikki, Kelli, Richard and Kristina greatly miss them both and remember them with love in their hearts.

My dad left us in 2012.  Mom never did recover from his passing.  She was with me when John died, and for that alone, I can never thank her enough.  She held Kristina and I together and kept us sane.  I retired in early 2014 and was with her consistently until she passed in November 2014.  We spent a lot of time together in those last months. Since I was alone as well, we had each other for company.  We talked about the past, our lives and remembered the good times and some of the harder times.    My biggest regret is I never had a picture taken with her as an adult.  Why?  Who knows, but in my list of regrets, that's one of them. 

Therefore, as I end this tribute to my mother, I wish her a glorious happy 100th birthday in heaven.  I miss you mom, and wish you were here.  These last ten years since you left have been happy, and some of it very sad.  Somehow however, I know you know and probably have shed a few tears with me.  Happy Birthday Mommy, keep a place in heaven for me and tell those with you how much I love and miss them.  

 

Once Again One Door Closes

In the spring of 2020, I started this blog as therapy of sorts.  Covid was in full force, masking was the new fashion statement and I was trying to put my life in order so to speak.  I wrote my first blog titled, My Healing House and every word in that blog still rings true today.  72 blogs later, here I am, blessing my home in Idaho and making plans to begin again.  Over these last few months I have been in living in a whirlwind.  I went to Europe, turned 69 and found once again, doors closed forcing me to make life decisions and changes I would not have imagined a year ago.  

This house healed me in some ways and opened up new wounds to make me think that Idaho is no longer my home.  The one and only moved out, 2800 miles away to a new life. All kids need to do this in order to grow up, mature and start their lives independent from their parents.  Sadly however, this mom grew very lonely as we only saw each other once a year.  Yes, we talk every day but it's not like being in the same town.  It’s hard living somewhere where there is no family and friends are a revolving door.  Holidays spent alone or having to travel long distances is not fun.  I haven't had a Christmas tree in two years and decorating is minimal. Why, I won't be here anyway!

I found I really don't fit in, in Idaho.  My beliefs are very different than the beliefs that so many people here grew up with, and still hold dear.  Yes, politically I'm conservative but the rest of my thought process and ideas don't jell with many here.  I'm very independent, I don't need a lot of people around me and there are some who thought differently.   I love the outdoors but I'm not a hiker, biker, camping, or fishing kind of gal.  It's not me, I simply don't fit in.

Relationships changed here in Idaho.  I moved here sad and today the weights on my heart have lifted.  I keep telling myself I'm whole, perfect and complete, but I don't always feel that way.  I keep reassuring myself I'm more than enough, but my heart keeps telling me differently.  I'm finding with the winter drawing near, the seasonal depression is coming back.  I thought I left that behind in Seattle!  Therefore, I'm starting a new season, beginning again one more time.  Ecclesiastes 3 says, "for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."  I'll find that new purpose in this new season I'm embarking on.  

So, what's the next season I'm sure you're all asking yourselves?  After thinking, meditating and researching, I'm going to move down to Florida. I’ll be  close to the one and only, 30 minutes to be exact.  It's a bright red state, lots of sunshine, and 9 months out of the year it’s just lovely.  I've been assured that all the "new builds" are hurricane proof and alligators live near large bodies of water.  Yes there will be lizards in the grass and some sweltering days, but that's what air conditioning was invented for!  I have hope that my potted plants will grow for 12 months and I can nurse my flower garden without winterizing.  I’m excited to not have black ice or my sprinklers blown out so they won't freeze and crack. Down parkas will be stored in the back of the closet and boots will be a fashion item and not for warmth. Imagine wearing gym shorts and sandals year round and damn I can wear a dress in December!

Some say Florida is where retirees go to die. Not me, I’ve already got plans. Since I will be moving into a 55 and older community, they’ll be plenty of activities in store. I’ll be moving in the summer months, so I can get my house unpacked before Thanksgiving. I’ve booked a solo trip to Europe in late October and airfare to London is cheaper from Orlando than Boise.  I’m not a Disney girl but we will hear the fireworks every night and I can have my morning coffee on my patio in December. This is all starting to sound better and better as I type.

I plan to start doing volunteer work where my one and only works.  The residents go to mass on Thursdays, so I will accompany them along with volunteering for holiday events and their regular day trips.  My new community has plenty of outings and activities as well, so hopefully I'll blend into regular get togethers and I'm hoping for a water aerobics class!  It all sounds good, nothing like I've experienced here and hey, a weekend trip to the Keys sounds like a plan!

Therefore, here I go again, beginning again. The cracks in my heart will heal eventually with a new life that is in store for the next 25 years. I am imagining my 70th birthday in Florida with all the oldies and of course the one and only.  I’m going to miss Idaho, the friends I’ve made, my yard, and of course, my gym rat friends. But life is in a constant state of change and this is my time to make a change.  I'll keep this blog active as I move forward and check in regularly when I get settled in Orlando.  I'll have plenty to report between now and when I leave.  Right now, it's time to downsize and purge, out with the old, in with the new.  I keep reminding myself, when one door closes, a new one opens.  That's the flow of life. 

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted

A time to kill,

A time to heal

A time to break down,

And a time to build up:

A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance:

A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones

 Ecclesiastes 3: 1-5 NKJV

The New Meaning of Weird

Way back in 2021, I wrote a blog entitled Fellow Weirdos Unite!  I was poking fun at myself and others who all self identify as weird.   I know I'm a bit out with certain beliefs, and let's face it, society looks at me and my "creepy weirdo friends" as weird.  Those of us who are disclosure enthusiasts, UFO watchers and conspiracy theorists are all looked upon as "different."  The conspiracies I've bought into over the last 60 years have all been truth and more and more is starting to come out as to just how corrupt our world actually is.  The people I've met at these conferences are decent hard working individuals and are filled with God's light and love.  We all want the same thing, peace, security, freedom, and liberty.  We want our our children and grandchildren to grow up in a world where we don't have to look over our shoulders constantly in case some criminal is following us.    

Today, the word Weird has taken on a new meaning, a new tone and has become a new idea.  The immature, vapid and frankly nonsensical interpretation of weird by the left is actually hilarious but very dangerous.  What these lunatics deem as weird in the olden days, was decent, loving and normal.  Protecting our homes and families from invaders, protecting our children from child abusers and the like, is not weird.  Faith, family and a normal life style is now weird.  This applies to both traditional and gay marriages.  We are all raising our families with the same concerns and challenges.  Protecting our children needs to be our number one priority.

A push to normalize pedophilia has found it's way out of the cracks of hell!  Imagine, we are now weird because we do not approve of some pervert wanting to molest our children.  Years ago, the Man-Boy Love Association was deemed as disgusting and immoral and illegal.  In some quarters now, it's okay and this goes against everything I hold dear to my heart.  The children being trafficked by this horrible regime of Biden's, are all subject to rape and murder.  These sweet souls simply disappear.  There are those in government, who wholly and completely agree with it!  Open boarders has lead to a host of opportunities only the most deviant and immoral among us approve of.  This has to stop, and it must stop now!

We are living in a new normal of sorts.  What was once up is now down, wrong now right, lazy is now productive, and I could go on and on. This bizarro world of sorts, where we now find ourselves, is dangerous, immoral and evil reigns. We are living in the End Times, the fall of a civilization, akin to the Roman Empire. I remember back in 1967, sitting in Mrs. Kleinman’s social studies class at Huntington. She was teaching us about the fall of the Roman Empire. At that time, 57 years ago, she likened what the United States was going through to the Roman Empire's destruction. This was during the time of the Vietnam war, protest marches, and civil rights riots.  I asked my dad about it later, and I remember he clearly said, the United States will never go by way of the Roman Empire. Well, here we are folks we are in a freefall, and the landing is going to be deadly.  Dad in later years used to say, when this all happens, I hope I'm dead.  Well Daddy, it's happening and I'm truly glad you're not here to witness it.

I heard recently about a new phenomena of kids and adults for that matter, who self identify as an animal. They called them Furries.  These Furries are allowed to dress however they identify, and litter boxes are set up in the school bathrooms, so the Furry can freely use them and not feel as though they’re discriminated against. Now folks, I am all for live and let live.  I whole heartly support those who are different and embracing their individuality.  But, how far does society want to take this?  How much do the rest of us have to endure?  My friend’s, this is the new normal, and we are now the weird ones. 

All adults go through puberty.  It was horrible for me as I was picked on, bullied and called every name in the book.  Thank God I was somewhat normal thinking as I never expressed a thought of being a boy.  Some little boys like playing girl games, just like some little girls like playing with the boys.  Not one kid I knew of, wanted a sex change at 8 years of age.  Now however, the schools are just itching to put a kid in a program to go through a gender transition.  Child mutilation is now the new normal.  If I was starting over with my one and only, we'd be homeschooling or in a private school of some sort as the public school system in America sucks!  They're indoctrination centers as are the colleges and universities.  I know of several young adults, who left good homes with center to right values, and are now left leaning, radical lunatics! They were indoctrinated by lefty professors who want America to become a socialist/communist utopia.  

With all this stated above, the word Weird is simply a term to now describe those of us trying to save our great nation.  I'm proud to be Weird as I'm a patriot and I'm a proud American.  My family goes back to Bacon's Rebellion in 1676.  We have patriots who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWII and Korea.  My dad was a WWII and Korea veteran.  Cousin Tom Ontiveros was killed while piloting his plane after leaving Italian Airspace in WWII.  By the way, I wrote about Tom in my blog, "Our Family Hero" if anyone is up to reading about a true American hero. Again I state, thank God neither gentlemen are here to see the destruction of what they held so dear to their hearts.  I think about my grandparents, all of who worked hard, supported their families during the Depression and held close to their hearts, American values.  One set immigrated from England, both became citizens of America, both would be devastated with America and Britain today.   Thank God they missed the shit show.

My friends, as stated three years ago, Fellow Weirdos unite!  Pick up your sword and fight the good fight.  It's time to take a stand for good against evil, freedom and liberty against tyranny, and love against darkness.  I will continue to fight the good fight and will continue to voice my opinion.

I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH ~ 2 TIMOTHY 4:7

Time To Take A Stand

I haven't written a blog in a long time, and it's not because I've had nothing to say.  On the contrary, I've had plenty to say but have been suppressing my thoughts and feelings.  Life has been busy, traveling a bit and I've been planning our big trip in September.  However, that's not why I held off writing a blog.  I've held off because I've had so much angst and dismay over the last few months about the state of our country and world that I've been rendered speechless.  Now is the time my friends, for me to voice what so many of us have been thinking and feeling.  I can not keep silent any longer as I'm scared and I mean really, really scared as to what's at stake for us as a society if we continue down this path to a communist hell hole.  So here I go, unfriend, block or simply disappear from my life if we are at odds to what's happening in the world.  You will not like or appreciate what I have to say and neither of us will miss each other if you disagree with me.  Many people do agree and I count them as my "people."

The propaganda against what is right, true and normal is out of control.  What I see snippets of, when I'm watching my alternative blog casts would make Josef Goebbels blush.   The left is trying to normalize blatant communistic thoughts, ideas and their lack of values.  The left is spewing  hatred by lying about what the other side has expressed.  The left is the enemy of the "people" and I'm frightened as there are just plain idiots who believe this crap.  

This morning I was watching a British YouTube program.  I watch a lot of British TV as it's good to see and hear what the rest of the world is thinking about America.  They're astounded as to how far  America has fallen into the abyss of socialism.  Britain is already there and so many in the UK see what's happened.  They have so many of the same issues we have here, but are further along with the destruction.  The open boarders dilemma has plagued the UK for several years.  They've banned guns so now the new weapon of choice is knives.  It's hard to ban knives as we need them to cut our meat, oh wait, we're now supposed to like and want to eat bugs, according the Bill Gates.  We won't need knives to carve into our cockroach steak

The elimination of our second amendment concerns me folks, as an armed society is a safe society.  So many of these awful school shootings, mall rampages and neighborhood gang violence, could have been stopped with an armed citizenry taking care of business at the beginning of a murderous rampage.  I'm to the point it's time to buy a gun and get a conceal to carry permit.  Idaho is safe for the most part but some crazy with murder in "it's" heart could come after us at any point.  I want to defend myself and my home.  

The open boarders crisis is finally starting to affect Idahoans.  In my travels around town, I see many dubious characters roaming the major streets.  I'm all for people coming to America to get a start on life, but it must be a legal path to be here.  Those sneaking in with nothing but government issued phones and backpacks are not here to live la dolce Vida.  The boarder czar who is attempting a presidential run, has done nothing to secure our southern boarder and protect law abiding Americans.  Oh yeah, the talking heads are spewing she was never named the boarder czar.  There is documented proof in print and there's also video of our pathetic president naming her as such.  He probably has forgotten this fact by now, as how can one remember anything if he's all doped up on God knows what by his elder abusing spouse.  

The subject of the dictator of the USA leads me to another thought.  This idiot has never been the actual POTUS.  This fool and his VP have been the puppets of some Deep State group who are trying to destroy America.  Sorry folks but this is fact.  Barry, Big Mike, and the Clinton crime family have all been behind this disgusting overthrow.  It's fact, not fiction, that our porous boarders have allowed in characters that have no business being anywhere but in their own country's jail system.  I read the other day that Venezuela has emptied their violent gangs on to our American soil.  WTF!  

Venezuela is another topic I'm following with great interest.  They had an election on Sunday and the dictator Nicolas Maduro was voted out of office.  Instead of conceding to the new president, he refused to step down and the people have risen up!  Statues of the former president have been torn down, military commanders have told their troops to step aside and let the people take care of business.  If this has happened there, it will happen here again as it did in 2020.  The left in this country will pull out all their "weapons" to stop President Trump from being reelected.  Hell, the deep state tried to assassinate him a couple of weeks ago!  It's only by the grace of God he survived.  Google is trying to suppress the assassination topic but it's true, I watched it live.  Say what you want about Trump, but life was much better, safer and more prosperous when the Orange Man was president.  They know it and right thinking Americans know it.  He is the only link standing between good and evil, freedom and tyranny.  My feeling is if you don't like Trump, vote for Kennedy.  Kennedy is a good man and has been right about so many important issues, the jab being one of them.  He's seen the light, woke up and has a huge grass roots following.   Either way, a vote for the Boarder Czar is a vote to destroy our great country.  

The Boarder Czar did not break a glass ceiling, she got there on her knees, giving out favors to powerful men.  The Czar has done nothing to enhance the lives of black people in this country.  Sorry folks but this crazy loon can't talk anything but word salad, stupid phrases and giggle like a four year old school girl or a laughing hyena.  She's done nothing of value while in her tenure of office, and was one of the most radical senators in the senate.  By some accounts she's not eligible to be president anyway.  Read and study the Federalist Papers and it's written in there, in black and white.  I have zero respect for anyone who supports this whore and her ideas.  Sorry, not sorry, I had to say this.  If you're still reading this blog and are offended, stop reading and drop me.  Like I said above, we will not miss each other and will probably be happier no longer being friends.

Last but not least my friends, America is up shit's creek if we don't wake up now.  America is on her last legs, going along the path of the Roman Empire under Caligula.  I'm not super religious nor am I a right wing nut case.  I'm a right thinking, American who wants to live in freedom and prosperity.  I've said what I needed to say and I'm not ashamed of my words.  Someone else needs to stand up for America and someone else needs to support our basic ideas, values and lifestyle.  I can not sit idly by and watch the greatest country on the face of the earth be destroyed from within.  85% of Americans agree with me.  The other 15% are lunatics and want our children mutilated, our cities in shambles and our way of life destroyed so that we will become the Venezuela of last week.  If America goes by way of Venezuela, good and decent American's will rise up do the same.  We will have a revolution of sorts and I will be supporting the effort.  May God bless America, and may God bless the good and decent people of the world who stand up for what is right.  

The End of An Era

My Aunt Barbara passed away this morning at the age of 100.  I knew the time would come eventually, but I was still not prepared for it.  Who is ever prepared to receive the news of the passing of a loved one.  This text though was especially difficult because it represents the end of an era, my childhood is finally over but for the memories.  It's weird because now my sister, cousins and I are the family elders, the ones who will now carry the torch.

Aunt Barbara was a gracious, kind, loving lady.  I emphasize lady as she was a true lady, on the level of the queen.  My uncle her brother used to call her the queen and that she was.  She was the second child, the eldest of the three sisters and my mother's closest friend.  She was devoted to my grandmother until the end of her life, and I can still see them in my mind's eye pulling up in front of our house in San Marino, with Nannie in the front seat, head held high.

She spent the last 24 years as a widow, still living in the same house in Newport Beach.  That house holds so many memories for me personally.  I got married in the back yard of that house, played many a game back there growing up and enjoyed these later years sitting talking and enjoying memories.  

Barbara and I talked about anything and everything.  After my own mother passed away, she became my second mother.  I was able to tell her many secrets and ideas and to my knowledge she held them close to her heart.  When I found love again, she was my biggest supporter.  When I traveled, I always brought back a box of tea for her and planned to do so again this year when I'm in Greece or Italy.  I may still buy that box and enjoy my afternoon cuppa thinking of her.

The last time I actually saw her was in 2019.  I was in Newport waiting for my friend to arrive so we could drive out to Palm Springs.  We had a lively conversation and laughed as we always did over the little things in life.  I spoke to her last in 2022 as she had become too tired to sit and talk on the phone, so I wrote her a few letters and send a few cards over these last months.  Sadly, last year, I was unable to attend her 100th birthday party as I had made plans prior to knowing of the event or the date.  My heart was there with her and hopefully she knew that as well.

Therefore, I'll close with the thought and prayer of her safe arrival back to God and reuniting with her entire family unit and with my Uncle Jack.  Nannie: I fulfilled my promise to you 40 odd years ago and I'm have no regret.  Rest in peace my dear Aunt Barbara, until we meet again. 

May 2019