How am I doing?

Robbie from Tone Deaf recently asked how I was doing amidst the current U.S. regime? I'm tired of the meanness, and anxious about the future. 

It seems like nearly every day some bizarre order comes from above and changes something that makes things worse. I believe there is a "plan" that is moving forward like a construction roller to destroy this Democratic Republic. The plan is driven by wealth and greed not just inside the U.S., but from all corners of the globe. Women, people of color, LBGTQ people, the poor, and immigrants are under siege and losing freedoms. It will continue to get worse if not stopped by the Congressional elections in November. One wonders if there will even BE elections in November.

Our educational system has failed us, and the country is filled with ignorant sheep who gleefully admire tyranny. Hatred is the Mode au jour. Criminals rule.  

Our buffoonish leader "Pure Evil" spends our tax dollars on gauche vanity projects. He destroys and cheapens the sacred spaces of our government, wants to build massive gold encrusted monstrosities. He tries to "brand" our buildings and our currency with his hateful name. It's almost funny. If it was a movie I would laugh out loud. But this, my friends, is real life. 

Still I hold out hope. Remarkably, the Pope is currently more popular in the U.S.A. than that ruler of ours I like to refer to as "Pure Evil." I call him that because I am afraid to write his name. That's how bad things are.

Thinking about mathematics

I have so much time to think in my dotage. The thoughts I have delight me because one thing leads to another. Old memories are more fresh in my mind than what I had for dinner last night. Surely remembering is the best aspect of aging?  

Here's a thought: I wish I had taken more math in school.  I spent most of my work life using math for accounting and budgeting.  Not because that work was my heart's desire, but because it came my way and I was good at it.  Plus, it was fun. Consequently, I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  However, I never quite learned to think mathematically.  If I could go back in time, I would have paid more attention to those math story problems that seemed so boring.  I think I was just lazy.  

Here are two pictures of a pair of painted buntings visiting our feeder.  

I was texting with an old friend the other day. She and her husband have a number of ailments worthy of complaint, but that's not her style. Oh we did complain; yes, we did. But not about physical ailments. I'm the one who goes for the gold when complaining about aches and pains, not her.

We talked about our practical fears of dying before our spouse, how would they manage? And what if they die first, how will we manage? Order the largest garbage bin to our driveway and start chucking the precious junk in? Sell the house, move to a retirement community? Preferably one without a lawn to mow and an on-site handy person to fix things. Could it be community of oldsters filled with old women who want to drink pink cocktails and laugh? That would do. Yes, probably that's what I would choose if such a life exists. 

But what would he do? I'm afraid he's not as adaptable as I am. I don't want him to be sad and alone. We didn't speak of how sad and lonely we would be if we lost them. That's intensely private and we simply couldn't go there. Not yet.

Then there is all our "stuff." For the most part, younger people don't really want old things. They may as they age, but then it will be too late. Truthfully, I care less and less about my things. My family can sell everything, make some money, live their lives.  It is the things they will do that matter, not the things they have.  

We ended our long texting with vows to throw things away.  I filled one garbage bag with superfluous junk and then had a house dust related allergy attack and stopped.  

Some photos with happier subject matter: