SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Good afternoon.

Please forgive the grammatical errors. I started this blog last month. I've been busy looking at classes, exploring work options, working on my physical strength, enjoying summer... and as always being tested by God.  

Summertime in the desert means baby ants and other critters are on the hunt for food and water. There's ants in our bathroom and since my bedroom is directly next door a few wander in. I got an essential oil diffuser with peppermint oil, hoping it will encourage the ants to go elsewhere without having to kill them. Supposedly ants don't like the smell of peppermint, luckily I do. We'll see if it works. 

I've been sick for the past 7 to 8 days. It started with a sore throat. Then it went into my head with congestion, sore throat and sneezing. 7 days later I still have a ton of sneezing, light coughing, and a ton of congestion. Just took a Benadryl. I should be in bye-bye sleepy land aaany minute now.

The ants have disappeared but then waterbugs (big ones!) have recently been showing up. I rent a room in a house. Across the hall is another renter, a male in his late 20's or early 30's - he's black and could be in his 40's or 50's for all I know. I share a bathroom with him and he is the dirtiest person next my ex-husband I've ever had to share a bathroom with. FILTHY toilet and sink hygiene and lately the bathroom reeks of (well, it smells like) a combination of vinegar, rotting meat, and thirty years of B.O. I learned from the homeowner this guy's brother pays his rent. What little interaction I've had with this guy, the renter, the few times we crossed paths in the hallway he seems like a regular guy yet it's his brother that pays his rent. Curious. No idea what the back story is there. Although the other morning (in French) the brother came over and had a very loud fight with the renter at like 7:30 or 8am. What little the brother did say in English I got the impression he didn't want to pay the renter's rent anymore. It's around $1,100 a month and he didn't want to pay the renter's mailbox anymore most likely at a UPS store. If memory serves correctly a UPS mailbox is around $120 every three months. Whenever I'm home for the day the renter across the hall has the same routine: He wakes up around 4am when I wake up if I have to be somewhere, and if I'm home I hear him banging around in his room and bathroom until 3pm, I smell pot smoke during that time, and then by 4pm he seems to go back to sleep until 4am the next morning. When I have things to do, I leave the house around 7am. I get home between 7pm and 10pm and the renter is always here. Maybe he works remotely but if he works then why is his brother paying his rent. Maybe he doesn't have a credit card or bank account, but then how does he get paid? Paypal? But then why is his brother paying his rent. He's a young abled guy. Finding work should be easy for him. 

Back to the horrible bathroom hygiene, my ex-husband who's Swedish had god-awful bathroom hygiene also. Then again, he was a messy person all the way around. Same with this renter. I can't imagine what his bedroom looks and smells like if the bathroom is any indication. I imagine this is why his brother pays his rent for him to live elsewhere instead of with him. The homeowner has been away on holiday for the past 12 days and during this time is when the rotting meat smell in the bathroom showed up (and a rotting meat smell in laundry room) and it's when the bugs started showing up. The whole upstairs smells like B.O. and rotting meat. He leaves piles of little curly hair in the drain, on the floor, on the counter, and just yesterday there were smears of clear white/clear thick liquid across the 2 sink mirror and all over the portable shower head. Grossssss!! I told the homeowner I think he's doing it because she's gone but maybe he'll stop when she comes home. The homeowner said she won't renew his rent when his brother tries to extend the room. I mean, I feel bad for the guy. He could be mentally ill although he didn't appear to be mentally ill when we bumped into each other in the hallway. Then again, most people don't know I had a stroke when they meet me. They don't know how hard I struggle to maintain my motor skills especially while out in public. They don't know how hard it is for me to walk straight and move without looking like a marionette puppet. Maybe this guy suffers the same problems but psychologically instead of physically. Who knows. Still, I don't know how much more I can suffer sharing a bathroom with this guy. Cleaning up after him reminds me of being married. Not a good flashback, my friends. I had to Amazon a large box of rubber gloves & 3 large canisters of clorox bleach wipes. His brother keeps renewing this guy's rent literally hours before he's suppose to move out, like he's doing it reluctantly. For me, this renter is a test from God. Testing my patience. 

My dearly departed friend Sheldon was also a messy man but he had the good sense of a Billy-goat to hire a cleaning lady. Additionally when we lived together Sheldon and I had separate bathrooms thank goodness.  

Why are men so filthy especially in the bathroom? It's not "masculine" to have poor hygiene. It's bad health. It's also really terrible of anyone to assume other people will clean up after you when you're a fully functioning adult. Keep your domiciles clean, fellas. Use that toilet scrub brush with toilet cleaner! It's not aesthetics, it's about having good health. If you work long hours HIRE SOMEONE to clean your house! Ridiculous that grown men have to be told to keep their bathrooms clean. I'm so exhausted by men. Exhausted! This is why women choose the bear. Bears are smart enough to not bring their filthy bathroom habits back to the den. I'm not a fan of cleaning a cat box but at least a cat's poo is in one designated box. Cats are cleaner than men.

Moving on.

I've been trying to up my leg strength this summer. After my stroke my legs were rendered useless for a lengthy time. The doctors told me after a stroke you have three months to get as much mobility back as possible, after that what you have for motor skills is what you'll have for the rest of your life with no improvement. Even after all the hard work I put in during those three months, I still lost around 35% of my leg use. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be able to walk again but that 35% loss still puts me out of commission for so much of my life, especially work life. A friend my age just survived a heart attack. He survived thank God, but it's scary when things like this happen. We're considered too young still to be surviving these kinds of medical emergencies. Only those who survive the same medical emergencies truly understand what you're going through. Thankfully he has a loving supportive wife who will care for him but not all of us are so lucky. I literally had no one helping me get back on my feet after my stroke. And the men I did know lacked the maturity to help me. I used to think I picked the wrong men to have in my life when really... is there such a thing as having the "right men" in your life? Not to sound all 'Sex in the City' but I'm exhausted cleaning up after men. I'm exhausted trying to communicate with men on an adult level. I just let men ramble now. We're all going to be dead within twenty years. Why fuss now. Pick your battles. Perhaps that's why my grandma vibes are kicking in strong. I'm knitting blankets and hats with cute little patches for the kids for this winter donation. It's all about the kids this winter. 

And speaking of grandmas,  maybe that's why grandmas Louise never remarried when geandpa died, she was tired, exhausted, once was enough. I like to think grandma only ever wanted my grandpa or no one, but after being married for almost ten years myself I'm a cynic. 

Writing has been very difficult for me lately. After my stroke I have these spells where I have to work really hard to get my motor skills working even at 20%. On the days I feel good I push my physical limits with walking and just being a physically "normal" person in society. I'm dead to the world the next day or two but because it's now summer (100+ degrees every day) I can't go for my daily walks unless I tale the train to cooler weather. I push myself to make up for the days I can't get out. And before you say, "Move to where it's more livable" I live where it's more financially livable. I can go into the city where it's at least 10-15 degrees cooler to run my errands and get exercise but no way can I afford to live there anymore. $1,100 a month to live in the desert is $3,000 a month in the city.

The homeowner where I lived came home from her holiday in Canada and told the brother she would not extend his brother's stay. The brother didn't even ask why. He simply said he understood and tried to explain that his brother behaves the way he does because their mom spoiled him hand and foot until the day she kicked him out of the house at 30 years of age. Problem is, she did nothing to prepare him for the world. He never had to clean up after himself, or do his own laundry, or have a job, or pay bills, or even have a bank account. He has a beat up car he paid cash for but doesn't have a driver's license. His brother pays his rent, phone, and groceries, etc. He's going to be their dependent for the rest of his life. Why didn't his mother teach him to do anything? It's a mystery. The homeowner loudly swore in her native Tagalog the entire time cleaning his room. 

Anyway...

As for school, my dad went back to school when he retired from his office in his late 50's. And while he had his pensions and plenty of money saved to live off of, plus his wife was still working, he also went back to school to learn a new trade, a few new trades actually. He went to culinary school, took wine courses, and took computer courses. He knew more about computers than I did. I've been looking into computer coding/programming, or getting teaching credits to teach English. Goodness knows we're an electronic society like it or not. And at my age with this broken body, being (something like) a plumber and housekeeper is out of the question. The only thing that works on this broken body is my brain - most days.

I feel bad for the kids today. I really do. Sure, the 70's and 80's had their fair share of junk but nothing, and I mean nothing like kids have today. School shootings, military militias, ICE, and a president who wants them to starve and have no medical insurance whatsoever. Whatever we can do for the kids, that's what we need to do right now - food pantries, toys, winter knits, blankets, seasonal clothing, athletic gear, computers, whatever we had as children that we took for granted because it just came to us without asking, these kids NEED and its our duty to provide.

I absolutely love this clip: Share your talents. Share your gifts from God. Don't take your knowledge and skills to the grave without sharing them. 

It's all about the kids now. Trump's administration could not care less about children. They just could not care less. I don't know why this administration hates America and Americans so much but they do. And who are the fools who voted for him?! Those hateful voters surrendered their medical insurance and social security just so they could be openly racist. Was it worth it? Fools.

Whatever you can donate for America's children please do so. 

America 2025, scares off our nation's bird the bald eagle with nonsense fireworks to celebrate... what exactly? No health insurance, starving children, and Nazi military militias yanking innocent people off the streets. Wow. Happy 4th of July. (I guess.)

I cannot wait for all the nightmares of this administration to end. 

I'm being tested. We're all being tested. Just keeping fighting the good fights. Praise God. Amen. 

RIGHTEOUS

Good evening.

*Please forgive the grammatical errors.

On this day the Governor of California has earned his bones. When Newsom told the boarder czar, "Come and get me" after being threatened to be put in jail for defending his state, Newsom earned his presidential bones (chef's kiss) in pure GENX fashion. 

On this day I declare President Newsom. I wasn't certain before, I am now.

I am but a messenger. The voice of one. The voice of many. 

It's time for God to put the fear of Himself into this entire White House administration. It's time. We already know each and every one of them will have to answer to God for all the wounds they have inflicted upon Him. A strike upon any of God's children is a strike upon Him. An eternity is a long time to answer for your evil doings. An eternity in hell is where many of these MAGA people are going. An eternity suffering for their sins. And while I don't want anyone to suffer, there are consequences for your (repeated) actions. An eternity is a long time to atone for your sins but that's exactly what this administration is going to be doing. Atoning for all eternity. Trump and all the minions who bow before him will spend an eternity in hell atoning for their actions. They will be shackled by their throats in the flames of hell begging and pleading for their suffering to end... but it never will. Atonement. Do not feel bad for them. Their suffering for all eternity is the only way to restore peace for the kids coming into the world. These are the consequences of their actions.  

California, my beautiful home. How I love this state. It's my adult home. I love growing up in Minnesota. It's my childhood home. The house I grew up in was broken, but my friends, the beautiful state of Minnesota, and God healed so many of those wounds. I have lived and loved in God's mysterious light in Minnesota and California. I love both states for they are the blood in my veins.

The original start to this blog...

This morning's Uber driver said he was 72 years old. He simply offered up that piece of rando information. Yes, he was indeed an old man. An old man who kept looking in his review mirror at me instead of keeping his eyes on the road. He almost got us into a car accident several times because he was too busy lurking at me in the rearview mirror. Eyes on the road please! Furthermore, he kept missing turn after turn, and he would not stop talking. Ugh. God was testing my patience this morning. Not the worst Uber ride ever, but drivers who talk and talk and talk need to get work in customer service, they would drive the complainers away. He said, "I live near you. I see you walking down the street sometimes." Which is the most creepiest thing a man could say to a woman. Ugh. Why, God, why. He said he was married for 40 years. I replied, "That's awesome!" To which he replied, "No, I need a break from my marriage!" And then cackle laughed like he just told the best joke ever. (Dear Lord, it's even horrifying to write it.) Look buddy, you're 72 years old. Stay with your wife. If she put up with you for 40 years you should be grateful, planting flowers in the yard for her and kissing her feet. Men who think they're hot studs after 60 years of age are delusional thinking that's what women want from a 60+ year old man. Just as a woman over 40 years of age should not compete with 20-year-old gals, men over 40 years of age should not compete with 20-year-olds guys. It's embarrassing. Young, pretty and hopeful. Old, restrained and wise. Men who lurk women anywhere are gross. Women don't look beautiful for strange men, women want to look their best to boost their confidence, to feel good, and if they're a GEN X'er like me, we were raised to put on a little makeup before leaving the house regardless of what we're doing. Going to the dry cleaners, hide those sleepy eyes with some powder and mascara first. That's just how we were raised. None of it is for you fellas. Absolutely none of it.

The Uber driver taking me back to my rental was also chatty with me but at least he was my age. His accent was a little hard to understand sometimes but when he spoke to me I wasn't creeped out like I was with the first Uber driver, and the conversation we were having was relatable to our age. Men who are five years older, and five years younger are who I'm comfy around. Seriously bros, eyes on the road! 

Got the same Uber driver a second time. The old fella asked me if I usually take Uber in the morning. Look pops, I'm not interested. Took metro this morning. I wish Waymo was in the desert but it's not. 

I grew up in a time and place where once people got to my age they had long ago grown up. By the time they get to my age they long ago left all that youth fueled BDE angst for more sophisticated and mature loving relationships with A SPOUSE, with friends, and with a family. That's why divorce is so hard even if you're the one who wanted it. No one gets married hoping to get divorced. I got married because I fell madly in love. I was so in love I would have married my husband 100 times over. Love was instant. I fell in love with him an hour into our first date - which was to Disneyland. Madly in love. I never had interest going to Disneyland until my husband took me. My husband I went on our first date and were inseparable from that day on. I never wanted him to leave my side. Aside from work and running errands my husband and I were inseparable. He was my best friend. We did everything together. I never wanted to be apart from him. That's why divorce is so horrible. Aside from losing your mate, you lose your best friend. I've been legally divorced now since 2014 and I haven't come close to feeling the love I had for my husband with any other man, but I know if I'm meant to love again like that, God will put that man in my path and I will know him instantly as I had before. I think that's why God put my first husband in my path, the starter husband, so I would know that kind of love if/when my second husband comes along, and if my "second" husband asks me to, God, though I am not Catholic I will annul my first marriage and acknowledge my current husband as my only marriage. I would get the annulment too. My husband cheated on me and got another woman pregnant with twins while we were still married. I would be granted the annulment no problem.

I've been writing a story. It's written in the form of a play but there's a part of me who thinks I could turn this story into a series and in now learning how to AI animate, maybe a comic series. Goodness knows we need a new comic series.

Learning AI is so controversial among my creative circle. We're all hands on artists, pencil and paint mostly, even photography is shunned as art in my circle, but ever since computers and the internet pencil and paint are obsolete. I lament over the loss of demand for hands on art but what can we artists do other than keep up with the modern world or get left behind. I'm a one-woman show, folks. Why shouldn't I use all the tools at my fingertips to tell my story in the most cost effective way. No one is hiring me. Not at my age. Why shouldn't I use all the tools at my fingertips to better my creative/work life. "Because it takes away work from actual artists." Bro, I can't pay those artists. No one can anymore. 

As always when I need a break from humans there's Big Bear California's beloved eagles. When Sunny fledged from the nest, it was smooth like BTS Butter. When Gizmo fledged, it looked like it was completely on accident like she lost her footing. Her foot slipped off the branch and I legit heard Gizmo say on her way down, "OH SHI... OH DAM... HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE!... I'M COMING ELIZABETH!... OH MY LOR... HEEELP!... AAHH!..." Then Gizmo safely descended to a shorter tree, thank goodness. As the hours passed by momma eagle brought her baby Gizmo a fish to make sure she ate and in hopes of getting her eaglet to follow her back to the nest. Gizmo was freaked out that she "fledged" and it showed. She was traumatized. Eagle parents are awesome. I love them. They make certain their babies can be on their own before letting them go to be on their own. I'm rather certain mama Jackie saw Gizmo's flop fledge. When I woke up this morning both babies Sunny & Gizmo were back in the nest. Yay! Then later this morning Sunny & Gizmo took flight once more. Will they come back to the nest, maybe, maybe not. It's all so bitter sweet isn't it. But then winter comes and maybe they'll be more eggs from parents Jackie and Shadow. These eagles are more American than what's going on in America right now. 💯 

What Trump and his administration is doing is all so horrifying. The hypocrisy is out of control. I don't know what this WH administration has against immigrants. It's like they're all new to being alive in America or something. America is built on immigrants. We welcome immigrants. That's our thing. These MAGA people suffer from cult derangement disorders. Why are they so hostile against Hispanics or any dark skinned people. What's going on here? They'll all have to square the hate and violence they create, with God one day. They may never know where or when but they will have to answer to God for their treacherous behavior against Him. Look at all the children of God they've harmed. You better believe they will have to answer for it and God will come to collect. The strong foes will yield to Christ. They think they are safe under Satan's wings but he's always returned to hell and you better believe he's taking this administration with him. Look, I'm just a messenger. I've seen the best of people turn into the worst of people and their souls could not be saved. If you've ever thought you heard screams but no one's around you, you heard screams alright, just not among the living. 

For which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience.

--Colossians 3:6

God bless you. May you make the right decisions.

KIDS TODAY

Good morning!

*Please forgive the grammatical errors. 

How exciting, Sunny, the older Big Bear (CA) eaglet fledged on June 2, and then the next day she came back to the nest. Hunting your own food is hard, girl! I'm taking lessons from mom & dad eagles Jackie and Shadow. If grocery prices go up any more I'm buying a fishing rod to catch my own fish right along with these eagles. So yes, as bitter-sweet as it was seeing Sunny fly off, it was nice seeing her return. Sometimes eagles return to the nest after fledging, sometimes they don't. I've never been this invested in eagles before but you know, with all the unnecessary madness and chaos in the world brought on by men who won't fight their own battles especially in America, as an American I'm now emotionally invested in our country's bird. They give me hope. (No pressure!) 

I think back to my earliest memories (around three years old I guess) to when I was 20 years old (because after that I was a drug and alcohol fueled mess for about ten years) but during my former years I remember how life was easy enough where I grew up, small town Minnesota, that my friends and I would stay out from sunrise to sundown and hours beyond, on our own, zero supervision outside of school and church, fending for ourselves most of the time. If your finger falls off it's staying off. I used to hitchhike, climb trees, jump fences, hop on trains, and sleep in the woods with just a sleeping bag without a second thought, no never mind. I could be miles and miles from home with nothing to eat and no water, not giving it a second thought. If I wanted something I would simply get it, was my mentality. Nothing had hurt me or my friends at this time to give us a second thought about anything any adult today would deem a hazard. I wish kids today knew that kind of freedom. The only hazard in my childhood was my brothers' mom who suffered several undiagnosed mental illnesses and everyone just left her to be crazy, like the portrayal of (child) Helen Keller in 1962 film The Miracle Worker before Anne Sullivan arrived. Only, no help arrived for my brothers' mom. She actually died, alone, mentally ill in a hospital in 2023. Sad as that sounds, if you knew her for one minute you would understand how only a court order could help her. Still, the 70's and 80's, maybe parts of the 90's, were probably the last decades of childhood innocence. I wouldn't let any child of mine out of my sight for a second in 2025. 

Women like Senator Joni Ernst remind me of my brothers' mentally ill mother. These poor women live in their own la-la immature fairytale make-believe worlds. I suspect women who share her make-believe mentality are all still psychologically eight years old, not a thread of real world understanding in 2025. No grasp of reality with these types of women. It's a form of mental illness. Could be schizophrenia or any derealization disorder no matter how mild or severe. How else do you explain someone being so out of touch with reality. Add to that, to not have any empathy for other human beings is also a danger to society. She could have borderline personality disorder. I hope there aren't any clocktowers in her neighborhood. I 100% could see her climbing up there some day with an automatic and just take out people as they pass by. You know, I'm willing to bet, because Senator Joni Ernst says these crazy things in front of the camera so often, her husband and/or children could probably have her committed for a very long time if they wanted. In fact, EXAMPLE: My brothers and I spoke on our dad's behalf to get our dad's 20-something year marriage to his crazy first wife annulled when he converted to Catholicism. Even though that makes my brothers technically illegitimate now in the eyes of the church, we all nonetheless testified to the Catholic tribunal against my brothers' mom on our dad's behalf when he converted. It's not that hard to get the Catholic church to annul a marriage these days, especially when all three kids testified against the wife. Dad got his annulment. He wanted to remarry in the Catholic church to his second wife and in order to do that, his first marriage had to be annulled. And these politicians, God bless them, seemingly have no idea what cameras do, because they continue to represent themselves in such a horrible way in front of cameras, how could their sanity not come into question? I mean, how long has Joni Ernst said nutty things in front of the camera? Does anyone know what the heck Ernst was talking about when she rando filmed herself saying something totally weird about the tooth fairy? If she was some scatterbrained actress I wouldn't give Ernst a second thought but she's a politician. Oh dear. Children, don't be shy to 5150 your own mom. It could save her life someday, or yours. Seriously. 

Anyway,

 

Yesterday I went to visit Sheldon's grave finally. He's been gone two years now, not one (has it really been two years already) I miswrote that my brothers mom and Sheldon died last year, wow no, they died two years ago. He was buried on a beautiful hill. Gorgeous view. It was weird sitting on his gravesite. He was below me presumably twelve feet below me, a rotting corpse. Weird. I don't get the whole returning to the earth thing in full body form, in a casket. I'm pro-cremation, and then returned to the earth. But I got a chance to say goodbye to him. I should have gone sooner but the cemetery is high on a steep hill and not easy for a pedestrian to walk to, which I am, especially with my foot still healing. Luckily a nice security guard offered to drive me up the hill to Sheldon's grave. Walking down the hill was easy. My foot is still giving me a little grief although I was able to not use the boot yesterday. If I was going anywhere today I would use the boot. What I miss most about Sheldon is all the giggly fun we had together. We were besties from like 1992 or '93 until 2020. Over 25 years. Aside, from my husband he was my best friend. But then around 2017, after I moved to Las Vegas, he just got angry - again. The first time being when I met my husband and got married. My ex-husband and Sheldon did not get along, but I cannot not go on with my life because my friends don't want me to have a life outside of them, know what I'm saying. Still, Sheldon was super fun for an old man. We went to rock concerts, went out to eat everywhere, traveled together, we just had a lot of fun. If only he was my age we would have had more time together. This is why being with someone, especially a potential mate, your age is so important. You want someone who is going through the same things as you are when you are. Being 56 and changing careers is miserable enough starting from scratch, learning a new industry and all the technology that goes with it, imagine being with someone older than you by more than ten years and then they die before you even retire. Good grief. Going back out in the dating world at 60+ years of age is not something a woman looks forward to. Plus, I want to be with someone during my retirement time, not mourning someone in my final years. I miss when things were easier. I miss squandering my beautiful irresponsible youth. Alas, times were different then.

You know...

In the 70's and 80's women powdered the shine off their nose. In 2025 women add shine to the tip of their noses. I don't get it. Whatever. More concerning, in the 70's and 80's women wore date/prom/wedding dresses that coined the term "blushing bride". In 2025 women call these dresses "vintage" and "full coverage" and "modest" as dresses have become brazenly sexier showing a ton of flesh over time. In the 70's and 80's young men and women knew sowing their wild oats had an expiration date as marriage with someone their own age was the goal by the time they turned 29. In 2025 relationships are seemingly a free-for-all with no goals in sight resulting in less marriages and children. And look, it's not my generation's world anymore. It's their world now, the younger generations, and they have to survive in it with the consequences of their actions just like my generation had to do. Younger generations, like every generation since the dawn of man, must pave their own way good or bad. Old men and women screaming at the kids about how good we had it once does nothing but teach the kids to likewise scream about irrelevant things thus contributing nothing to their society. No one liked screamo's then, no one likes a screamo now. So to all the grumpy old men and women out there just please Sshhhh. Let them figure it out. We're only going to be alive for another 30 to 35 years at best and half of those years are going to be spent golfing or looking for our glasses and house keys. We contribute practically nothing to their world beyond what we already contribute in silence. How many millionaires did our generations make? Answer: NONE. Just those who were going to inherit anyway. The rest of us, NONE. And look how many millionaires the 20-somethings have. I mean, it's amazing. Computers and the internet are the best things to happen for these younger generations.   

I have a friend who is 72 years old and hearing him talk about women is like a time machine back to the misogynistic 70's. He says things like, "Women shouldn't shower for a week before seeing her gynecologist" and "Women should always go out in public by herself if she's looking to meet a man." Wow no. No on both. But he says these things in 2025 because he said he read a book published back in the 70's that advised women to do these things. My guy, that was back in the 70's! Literally everything published before 2025 regarding social construct between men and women are cover-to-cover books of nothing but nonsense words in today's world. Nothing written about social mingles between men and women published in the 70's 80's 90's or even last year for that matter, none of that applies now. His generation, especially his generation of men, understands 2025 even less than my GEN X generation of men, and many of those dudes are hopelessly lost. At least my generation bathes, and no woman should ever (not ever ever ever) go out socially by herself when looking to meet a man. It's not safe, ladies. There's too many predators and criminals out there for any woman to hang solo when out looking to meet a man. Bring a buddy, bring two, and tell people where you're going, always. If you came together, you leave together, just you guys, no one else, always. Safety first. 

I think America is on the brink of civil war. I really do. Taco's R'ICE agents are out of control. Why do they cover their faces if they think they're right every time destroying someone's life and the lives of their loved ones. If you think you're being righteous as a R'ICE agent, don't hide. Also, R'ICE agents need to start carrying warrants on them. Not everyone they push in the streets are "weak liberals." Crazy, is running the circus here, fellas. Crazy, is neither democrat or republican, and Crazy has the reigns. Crazy, walks around openly with fire bombs, neck bombs, and guns rando murdering people on the street on any given weekday. White Crazy, just murdered his three young daughters, but y'all after some dishwasher for being an undocumented brown Mexican? Is it worth it, R'ICE agents, just to deport someone? Y'all worried about immigration, when Crazy might be right behind you with an automatic assault weapon and some hand grenades. And I cannot help but wonder where all this Crazy came from. Do Russian soldiers really think the war with Ukraine is worth it. Is dying for Putin worth it. At some point in all our lives we have to ask ourselves are the actions and consequences of our actions worth me doing what I'm doin right now. How did we get to this. 

I pray Pope Leo XIV has it in him to reach the people. I pray he instills compassion into the hearts and minds of those who attend his mass and remind those people of the sacrifices others have died for in order for us to exist today. It's not just a holiday of remembrance, it's an every day remembrance. If People Leo can tap those Catholics, then hope of all hope the flock will spread the word of kindness, compassion, understanding, and reason.

There's something to be said for the wisdom of having a Pope who is young enough to get what's going on in the world yet old enough to sermon with wisdom. Pope Leo XIV is quite possibly the only older person people under 39 years of age will listen to. 

Sure, I can bicker with the younger social media priests who argue Catholics are Christians, but every protestant in will disagree. This is possibly the one subject all protestants of every denomination will agree on, that Catholics are Catholics and are no longer Christians. Catholics stopped being Christians when they stopped preaching the word of Christ centuries ago. Priests preach saints over Christ because it's in their best interest to do so. Only the Pope can confirm a saint, giving credence to the existence of priests, bishops, archbishops, deacons, and cardinals who go on to be Pope. Hmm, convenient. Protestants preach Christ, having a relationship with Christ, that's why we're Christians. Christ = Christians. You cannot be a Christian without Christ who lived as a man, the son of God, born from the purest of women. Christ started his church before he was crucified for it. Priests can put the crucified Christ on their crosses all they want while preaching the crucifixion and resurrection but if they're not preaching from the Bible, from the time God the Father created life, then what is the foundation of the Catholic church? I cannot stress enough the importance of a Bible based church. Look, be a Christian or not, but if you're going to be a Christian read the Bible and learn about Christ from day one before his birth. 

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved the face of the waters. 

--Genesis 1:1-2

    

As Martin Luther instructs, your relationship with the Father, son, and Christ/God should be a knowing one. It is up to you to educate yourself with the Bible from page one, Genesis 1. Make an educated decision. Read the Bible first. I was seven years old when I started reading the Bible. No priests. No ministers even. Just me and my Nana. My grandmother gave a small stack of children's Bibles to read after I made a religious inquiry to my parents, and then grandma asked what I thought about the books after I read them. From that point on I chose to be a Lutheran. I'm 56-years-old, back in the 70's protestants weren't even baptized until their 18th birthday because unlike the Catholic church, protestants believe Christ/God knows who we are (I mean, He made us), He knows where we are, loves us unconditionally, provides us with a path in life without wanting anything in return, that's what unconditional love is, but should you choose to follow His path you make that commitment with a baptismal. Makes sense, right. Unlike the Catholic church that baptizes you as an infant and then has expectations of you from that day after. An infant. Wow the pressure. Can we learn to walk first? 

Now... 

In 2025 things may have changed regarding baptismal. I'm old school protestant. I still read the Bible with the use of "thee" and "thy" because I grew up reading Shakespeare and those words make sense to me. And while I oppose any change of text in the Bible, your minister should be able to say "you", "I", and "we" without changing the structure of the passage (in a Bible based church).

Of course, protestant churches aren't immune to greed and scandal. In my soul I cannot, will not, condone any church (protestant or Catholic) that has million (billions?) of dollars invested in it. You know who I'm talking about. Church is a place for a community to gather and share faith. That's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Church does not require millions of dollars. Christ's church was wherever he walked. He is the church. If you're sitting in a park reading the Bible, or praying, or talking to God, you're in church. Christ is the church. Church is wherever you want or need church to be. Catholics love to believe only clergy like priests can contact God but that's simply not true. God is everywhere believe it or not, like it or not. If you're gathered in someone's living room reading the Bible, you're in church. That's why protestant churches are very simple, no frills, no fluff. It's a simple community gathering place. When priests say, "all the expensive art in Catholic churches are so the church can relate to the community" 1. No, we relate with faith, not art. And 2. There are gathering places like that called museums and art galleries. I encourage you to show your appreciation for art there. I would never walk up to someone in a museum and be all, "Have you considered making Jesus Christ you lord and savior?" I would get shut down immediately - rightfully so!

You don't attend church to look at art. And while I really like the gospel some preachers preach, if there's obvious big time money being poured in to that particular church by the preacher's congregants, I have to question what the true intent for his church is. Living a simple chaste life as I've chosen to live is not a requirement of protestants or the church's leaders for that matter, but greed is still a sin, a harm against God, which is the very reason we're protestants to begin with, we oppose a wealthy Catholic church and bowing down to any man before God. No church should have 35M dollars readily on hand. Like seriously, what? No church should have to pay off 35M dollar lawsuits... Anywayyy, you get the point.

If Pope Leo's Chicago mass is being livestreamed June 14th I'll watch it. I'm always interested in what the head of the Catholic church is preaching to his congregants. 

I could go on but I'll stop here. 😊 

Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee.

--1 Chronicles 17:2

God bless you. 

WHAT WE ARE MADE FOR

Good morning.

*Please forgive the grammatical errors. This blog was written over the course of two weeks.

The past two weeks has been centered around fixing my right foot. 

Of all the years hiking up hills, mountain, rocky terrain, it was a small rock the size of an acorn in the middle of the street as I was crossing it that twisted my foot out from under me. Unbelievable. My ankle went, "See ya!" Luckily I was only ten minutes from the house and the swelling had not started yet. I was able to hobble back to the house. That was on May 17th. I knew my ankle wasn't broken (thank goodness) because I could walk on it enough to get back to my room. I laid up in bed with my foot on a pillow and stayed there for five days. On the fifth day it seemed my foot was okay, a little sore, but okay enough to walk on it and so I went on a small hike on flat land, got some great landscape shots, and came back to the room. A few hours off my foot later, my ankle swelled up again, not as bad as it had originally but bad enough that it laid me up for another two days. I bought a cane off Amazon and let me tell you there is so much to learn regarding how to walking with a cane! It's my right ankle that has the sprain and so according to the good doctors on youtube, I'm supposed to hold the cane with my left hand and use the cane with every step taken with my injured right foot ("together"). Left foot, right foot with cane in left hand "together". Left foot, right foot with cane in left hand "together". Left foot, right foot with cane in left hand "together". It's harder then it sounds. Yesterday I saw a guy stepping with his left foot and using the cane in his left hand together - because that's what feels natural to do but it's not what all the docs on youtube tell you to do. Problem with the cane is, I'm short. Even on the shortest setting the cane is still too tall for me to use. I stayed off my foot for a few more days which was fine since I managed to catch a cold anyway, and then I got on my foot again for a couple of days, and now, a day later, my foot is in unbelievable pain again. Not just my foot though, also the tendon above the heel, and the inside ankle as well. I bought a boot to wear that I can also walk in, or so the instruction says, which arrives Saturday. I twisted my ankle twelve days ago and I think I'm actually in worse shape than I was when it happened. Then again, I'm old, and you know how it is, everything is connected to everything else, it's not just my ankle anymore. 

Where I'm currently staying, it's a 20 minute walk to the local metro station which is what I was doing when I sprained my ankle. I've been ubering around town since and getting delivery for dinner which I'm not a fan of. I looked up spaghetti on Ubereats and Home Depot popped up. I wish I was joking. Still, I have (most of) my health, I'm not (currently) in a war torn country, and for now I am able to still take care of myself. I'm grateful. 

I learned today that I've been taking one of my prescriptions against pharmacy recommendation. It's one of my prescriptions I 've been taking since my stroke in 2021. I downloaded my pharmacy app, checked on my prescriptions and saw in the instructions I'm supposed to take this med in the mornings. I've been taking it before I go to bed ever since it was prescribed to me, because that's what the neurologist who prescribed it told me to do on account of one of the side effects for this particular med is leg pain. The pharmacy however advises taking it in the mornings. Who do you listen to, the neurologist or the pharmacy? 

Hypothetical question - what's wrong with this country?   

People who voted for that inflatable orange tube taco are now "shocked" they're being deported, "shocked" they were used for votes, "shocked" his administration is cutting funding for education, cancer research, school lunches, what little healthcare, foreign and domestic aid against war and famine, and they're "shocked" the inflatable orange tube taco has thrown the constitution in the trash, all while this administration claims to be devout Christians. Spoiler alert, none of them are Christians.  

If there's one thing the American 1% love getting behind it's wealthy people fighting and complaining about high tariffs. *cough*Walmart*cough* I shop there because it's close to me and the prices are still cheaper than traditional grocery stores. I recently bought groceries online at a known grocery store chain, four items, $65 before tip. Four items! Chicken, mixed nuts, 1 20oz can of pineapple, and low fat yellow corn tortillas. $65 before tip. I try not complaining. I live in luxury compared to hundreds of thousands (millions?) of people around the world - but how utterly sad is that because I also live a life of poverty so what does that make them? Living an impoverished and chaste life gives me absolute clarity which is why religious/spiritual people do it, but none so clear as those suffering around the world in ruins because of old man greed and hatred - old men whose lives didn't turn out the way they wanted so they make other people suffer just to feel strong. It's pathetic.

Back in 1995 $65 would have bought my groceries for at least two weeks, not just three days. It's greed. Pure greed. This White House claiming to be Christian, is a lie. A flat out lie. They'll have to square that with God one day - and/or with true faith followers. It doesn't take religion to make a person kind and decent. It takes being kind and decent. I will always maintain, be a Christian, don't be a Christian, still a (somewhat) free country. It doesn't take knowing the ten commandments to be a good person, it takes following them. There's only ten! And while the commandments are associated with Christianity, if this White House bothered to read what those ten commandments are, they would realize they're just common sense things to live a simpler healthier life for the betterment of you and society - instead they live maybe two out of ten commandments - strong maybe. 

This White House is not Christian. They're just pretending to be Christians because they think they're part of "team Pope" like when a football team wins, the entire state thinks they had a hand in winning the game. Sure, the support is great but you're not the ones running the ball making touchdowns. 

I'm an old broody tragic romantic. I read Shakespeare, watch Jane Eyre flicks, my favorite Biblical passage is, "For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow" and because of this I was not prepared to see jumbotrons at the Vatican square (sigh). Jumbotrons. The Vatican, a wealth of history, art, and architecture... and... jumbotrons. I'm surprised there weren't teenagers playing XBOX on them.

JD Vance is playing pretend Catholic dress up again, and did he really just shake hands with Voldymyr Zelenskyy for a camera op like he didn't 6th grade bully Zelenskyy in the White House with that useless orange dongleberry not long ago - criticizing Zelenskyy even for not wearing a suit. Vance truly thinks he's going to be head of the Republican/MAGA ticket in 2028. Not for the MAGA party, dear. Not with that wife of yours. The good ol' gals will never accept her in their country club. And then he posed for another photo op shaking hands with Pope Leo XIV. Good grief.

The press can make a big deal news story about Pope Leo XIV hosting a mass in Chicago on the same day as Trump-o's 100M dollar hit parade to himself as the Pope trying to "upstage" Trump-o, but in reality it's more likely the Pope wants to draw Christians and Catholics back into the church. It's not so much an "upstaging" as it is using the situation to benefit his cause like the young priests do on Youtube. I grew up in church from the time I was seven years old until I was about seventeen years old, approx ten years, at least one to two times a week, and as an adult I am not a fan of sitting in church. Anytime Mass lasts longer than 40 minutes I get super twitchy. I'm not a total claustrophobic but I prefer live streaming service rather than going in person now that that's an option. Of all the places I have to force myself to go to so I remember how to be among other people, church is not a good place to steady my social anxiety. At least if I ever lose my cool on a train or a bus, not that I have (but the day's not over yet!), it's still kind of expected as a passenger. It's public transit after all, otherwise known as where homeless people go to use the bathroom. Sit on a bus seat at your own risk.

The medical boot for my foot arrives today, thankfully. After walking about for three days this week, the moment I got off it last night (sigh) my foot ached and swelled... again.

I'm curious, if President TACO pardons P. Diddy Combs, because Combs has a net worth of 400M dollars according to AI, which you know President TACO wants to get his greasy hands on, will he also pardon Ghislaine Maxwell, too? AI says her net worth is only 10-15M dollars comparatively speaking to Combs so maybe that's not enough money for President TACO to pardon her. 

Of course TACO pardoned Julie and Todd Chrisley, they're convicted swindlers, tax evaders, and white. Birds of a feather flock together. Those who live comfortably in Hellfire and Brimstone will raise their houses to the ground and set the world on fire. 

Last week there was an adorable little white dog running through the neighborhood. I tried catching it in hopes of finding a dog tag. The doggie finally ran into a yard and stayed there. I guessed that's where the dog lived. About two days later I walked past it's lifeless body in the middle of the street. The poor dog had been shot. Someone used the dog for target practice. 

Tell me, how do you smile and laugh in this day and age? How?

How do you smile and laugh knowing there is all this war, bloodshed, starvation, fear, corruption, cruelty, abuse, and hatred. How can you laugh?

For in much wisdom is much grief

And he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

--Ecclesiastes 1:18  

There has to be more to life than this. I believe it. I have to. It's the only way to continue surviving in all this chaos, madness, and sheer utter stupidity. I believe there will be a reckoning. I believe true Christians and Catholics will make certain of it. Even as a child growing up in a broken home created by a woman's mental madness, I believed even then there was more to life than this. I know Christ, and Christ knows me. I encourage Christians to read more Bible and to find shelter with Christ/God.

Your humble messenger,

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

--John 3:16

God bless us all. 

NEW DAY: LET US START AGAIN

Good morning.

*Please forgive the grammatical errors. 

How long until y'all stop referring to him as "The American Pope". Embarrassing. Just pop open some kegs and have a wild weekend block party at Walmart. Get it out of your system. We can film it and sell the documentary as 'American Pope Parking Lot'. 

Geez Louise. Pope Leo XIV is head of the Roman Catholic Church who happens to be American, although not sure how much weight that has anymore since JD Vance is declaring himself a Roman Catholic because, why not, it's just that easy now apparently, you can get 'er done without catechism training, baptism, confirmation, and communion from a Roman Catholic priest or higher, ooh lala, whatever, hey everyone's Roman Catholic now just by saying so on the internet, and if it's on the internet it must be true. Trust me, if JD Vance was going through legit motions of converting to Roman Catholic, he would be in the news every day promoting catechism, confession, communion by a Roman Catholic priest or higher, making daily tiktoks, something. I mean he's Vice President, he's got time on his hands. But nah, we all know it's a load of stinky Vance cow manure. 

I'm reading, thumbing through actually, pages of the Catholic Catechism, heck no not converting, just reading, and Article 7, The Sacrament of Matrimony, states the following: "The covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." Sooooo, has Usha Vance been baptized and raised by Christ our Lord? Because I thought she was Hindu... OH, that's right I forgot J.D. Vance told reporters they were her kids, not theirs, so maybe it doesn't count as a go against Catholic sacrament. Them be her kids. My bad. I forgot. 

I'm still reading Catholic catechism and in Marriage In The Lord, 1615, it says: "It is by following Christ, renouncing themselves, and taking up their crosses that spouses will be able to "receive" the original meaning and live it with the help of Christ. This grace of Christian marriage is a fruit of Christ's cross, the source of all Christian life."

Soooo who's gonna tell Usha Vance she needs to convert to make their marriage legit in the eyes of the Catholic church? For this reason my dad converted to Catholicism back around 1999 somewhere around there, so he and his second wife, a Catholic, who he originally married in Vegas back in 1989 could finally get remarried and renew their vows in a Catholic church. First however, they both had to annul their first marriages - because they were both married when they met and fell in love - and my dad was raised devout Mormon but chose to not continue practicing as an adult. My dad and his second wife worked together, which I believe was in part why women were not welcome in the work place to begin with, to prevent affairs and divorces. 

Cafeteria Catholics. Americans, as a whole, are the worst Catholics in the world, as in most don't follow scripture, at all. The ten commandments are so hard for Americans. Why is it so hard? If there was another religion based war, American Catholics would die alongside protestants in a hail fire from every other country, everywhere. American Catholics would greet these immigrant Catholics like, "Bro, we're on the same side! Why aren't you speaking English?! And why is your skin so brown?!" 

When the (I think he was a) Bishop started reading the Pope decree introduction thing-y in (I dunno) Latin or Italian with the new Pope's chosen name, you heard a round of "Oooohs" which I thought were "booooos" and I'm clearly not the only one because that Bishop guy stopped reading for a second and angry-momma-snap stared directly at the people making the "Oooooo" sounds. And I knew at that moment, though I don't speak Italian or Latin, the new Pope was def not Italian.

Just please stop saying "American Pope" is all's I'm asking. It's been a few days now. The shock has worn off. Trust me, I was more shook than y'all apparently. Pope Leo XIV is the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, not the Church of America. Give our dumpster fire president some time, he'll invent the Church of America and name himself the Holy Sack of Cornhole, or whatever he thinks religion is. 

Wow, Catholic catechism includes eunuchs in your wedding laws. You guys really jazz it up. Protestants aren't that fancy. I don't recall a single eunuch mentioned in our catechism. I'm going to add eunuchs in my Sunday school teachings should I decide to teach Sunday school one day. I could shorten down the unnecessary paragraph in the Catholic catechism to: "Eunuchs, he who is able to receive this, let him receive it."

Talk about a scare tactic for the kids. There's hellfire and brimstone, and then there's eunuchs. "By birth, God, or man" eunuchs. Yeah, that's right. Man can make eunuchs. Now go clean your room.

You guys go from eunuchs to virgins, no wonder your catechism is over 900 freaking pages long. One repeated message however is husband and wife both need to be baptized in the Catholic Church. And I wouldn't even be making this a thing except those two White House squaters conveniently go through the active motions be it a Roman Catholic, husband, father, or whatever, only whenever it's politically necessary.

PS. A 400M dollar presidential one-way "gift" is called a bribe. In street terms it's called "hood rat for life".

If I'm this offended, little ol' me, by the actions of this entire White House administration, I certainly hope Pope Leo XIV is as well. A man doesn't devote his life to serving God only for it to be dummied down and undermined by a bunch of MAGA stiffs with a camera acting all indignant, "Why didn't he say something in English? He's American. He should have said something in English. Why didn't he say something in English" Oh please, go plastic surgery something and leave the spiritual lifting for those of us with a conscience. 

By the way, for those of you reading this, you've most likely read more Catholic Catechism in this blog than the entire White House cabinet and it's free online. God bless.

There are people truly trying, truly struggling, they wake up every day making an effort to change their lives, live better, they reach out online for support, for a kind word, and I pray people give it to them. One good deed a day changes the world for the better. A minute of your time. That's all. It doesn't have to be anything more than giving a thumbs up on social media to someone living another day drug free and wanting to celebrate it with you. 

Patience. That's God's biggest test for me. Patience. I thought quitting drinking, drugs, smoking, surviving 1 and 1/2 strokes, were going to be the hardest things I do but no, it's patience, and not swearing, both are super hard for me. I F-bombed in a text yesterday and said it several times as my patience wore out - which was a lot - practically all day long. Today is a new day. I'm usually awake to greet the sun. I am a Rooster in the Chinese calendar after all if you believe in that kind of thing. We Roosters crow in the new day. Perhaps it's our duty to remind people today is a new day to begin again. Deep breaths.

As mentioned in the daily prayer:

This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of Heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 

-- Daniel 2:36-37 

I'm just a simple messenger. 

God bless.

HEY CHICAGO, DEEP DISH ISN'T PIZZA

Good morning. 

*Please forgive the grammatical errors.

Faith over politics, this is my number one worry with this new Pope, will he keep faith over politics. I already saw one Cardinal say he voted for (the now) Pope Leo XIV because he hoped this Pope would "build a bridge between the church and Trump", which is safe to assume he means that giant orange inflatable tube donkey currently sitting in the White House. For this reason among others, an American Pope is a huge mistake in my very humble opinion. If I were a gambling woman, which I'm not, but if I were, the only reason for these Cardinals to vote for an American Pope is to get the church to align with our dumpster fire president. And before anyone challenges my concerns I'll just remind you of all the "WOOoooo! The new Pope is American!" screams as if Pope Leo just won the Superbowl rather than being elected the Papacy. It don't get more Trump-y American than that unless the Pope also signs a sponsorship contract with McDonalds. As a protestant I'll never bow down to a Pope but I respected Pope Francis for not aligning himself with Trump-o. Being a protestant, this was my first time seeing and being spiritually invested in Conclave, and it was... Well, it was... I mean... are they all like this? All the cheering and flags felt like it was the world cup. 

There are automatic political stances I totally expect from the Vatican and all Popes as these are standard Catholic staples:

Anti-abortion

Anti-gay rights

Anti-divorce

Anti-birth control

Etc.

This is not going to change. It's been what Catholics believe and preach since day 1. However, Pope Francis also followed the doctrine of peace and love. That's not just some hippie saying, that's actually in the Bible, repeatedly. It's the teachings of Christ. Among the many other things that separates protestants from Catholics, following the teachings of the Bible and not solely the resurrection (which is self serving for Catholic clergy) is a biggie. I cannot stress enough the importance of a bible based church.  

AND LOOK

I'm pro gay rights and birth control. I don't like abortion but it's a necessary evil. Who's flipping the bill every time an unwanted child is born? Who's flipping the bill when all those unwanted children turn into unwanted homeless adults? 5K for women to give birth? Are you crazy? One million dollars to give birth is an incentive, though it goes completely against the church to have children unless you have first taken a marital vow before God, no out of wedlock children, which Rump-o would know if anyone in his administration were an actual Christian. When it comes to marriage I'm very conservative. Marriage is a vow before God to love, honor, and cherish each other until death do you part, or why do it all. Stay single if you can't hold a marital vow before God. It's still a (somewhat) free country. No one is forcing you to get married. Stay single if you can't keep a vow before God, tRump! I take vows very serious. I'm a firm believer that marriage is between two people, and two people only. None of this "open marriage" nonsense. I firmly believe if you're going to raise children one parent stays home while the other works, although in this day and age remote work is an option as long as the children aren't being neglected.

I got off track.

Regarding an American Pope, I just don't want to see the radicals (both left and right) get even more hysterically insane which, unfortunately, Popes have the power to fuel by their allegiances, and since this Pope is American I can't help but be concerned which allegiance he pledges to first, God or country. According to the constitution laws aren't supposed to be made based on religion yet here we are. Abortion is banned (according to Google) in 41 states, because of religion, and that orange dongleberry isn't even a Christian. I detest hypocrisy.  

Do we follow each other on social media? My twitter (X) page is 98% hiking/walking photos. I'm online pals with other nature enthusiasts. Hailing from land of "ice and snow from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow" well, not really, but back in the day my home state of Minnesota was nothing but actual legit 7 foot tall Scandinavian Vikings and brutal winters. Also explains why I married at 6 foot tall blonde hair, blue eyed Swede. I grew up with slingshots, archery, and snowshoes, but back in the 70's that was called survival training in -20 degree winters with -20 degree windchill. After my stroke/s in 2021, and I say "stroke/s" because while I was about to have a massive stroke on February 26, 2021, the ER neurologist came to my room explained to me while showing an x-ray of my brain, "This is the stroke you're having now. And this is the stroke you had within the last week. See how it's still lit up in your brain. We're going to try stopping the stroke you're having now." And they did stop the second stroke as it was happening which is why I only lost 30% of both leg use instead of being confined to a wheelchair. Medicine is amazing. God bless those who go into it! And so, as part of my ongoing recovery and mental health, I love sharing photos of my hikes and travels with fellow hikers and travelers. We all exchange travel info and photos and it helps keep us motivated. It's fun. Just recently however, one traveler, a gal in Montana, after a year of sharing photos online, rando blocked me from her page. I later learned it's because she's a tRump supporter and she read this blog where I'm constantly calling him a giant orange dongleberry, so she blocked me.  

LOOK

In the grand scheme of things, be a Christian, don't be a Christian, be a Republican, don't be a Republican, whatever, if we have something else in common besides politics and religion, like hiking and photography, then lets focus on that, but no, she didn't want to. Calling tRump the orange Don of Dongleberia hurt her feelings for some reason. She took it personal. Meh, what can you do. 

         

MOVING ON

I have been avoiding (film) Conclave but broke down and watched it, and that particular thing would never happen now. I don't recall the exact time I first read about it, but it is said the church has historic records of that very thing had actually happened in the Catholic Church, once, one time, though as you can imagine the church vehemently denies it. Not the first time the church has been in denial, eh? Regardless, Hollywood took artistic license when making this film and as annoying as it was that the movie went in this direction, people should always remember it's just a movie. Conservative media getting all up-in-arms over a film. Okay, whatever, Tipper!

BUT

Now that I've calmed down I'm going to give Pope Leo the XIV the benefit of the doubt. Just please do not align yourself with that heartless, Godless, useless orange pathetic excuse for a man. 

For people not understanding the Midwest social media joke about Pope Leo the XIV "Putting the ope in Pope", in the Midwest, because the Pope is from from Chicago, the Midwest "ope!" is an exclamation used for many things. Someone tosses you a pen and you miss catching it, "ope!" When your knees crack as you stand up after sitting for an hour, "ope!" If you miss the highway exit, "Ope!" Followed by "Dang it!" And if you miss the highway exit a second time, "Ope! Dang it! What the heck!" 

AND

That woman (whose name I won't say) the one that raised 750K for calling a little boy the N-word at a Minnesota park, the entitled woman who thinks her racism should earn her a 1M dollars, is reportedly being socially defended by the GiveSendGo CFO, Jacob Wells. Both this woman and Mr. Wells will have to square their actions with God one day and believe me God will come to collect. I will never understand how people throw their money away on others for their bad behavior. Pretty soon Jeff Besoz will have to go to a rando Starbucks and lose his mind on a (pick a minority) to keep up with the Joneses. 

I don't care how much of an entitled Karen you think you are, never assault a child. Never, never, ever. No excuse for it. You're an adult! You should know better. Commandment #8: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. (And then profit!) See, you would know and practice that commandment if you were an actual Christian. Anyyywayy... 

Ten Commandments, people. Not that hard. There's only ten.

Tomorrow I head back to my beloved desert. Even in the city at 4am I'm about to throw on the AC. "Don't say it, Lisa. Don't say it."

OH, I'm saying it!

Hot enough for you? Yeah, but it's a dry heat!

 I pray thee, from the inmost of my heart, to forgive me all my sins wherewith I have ever provoked thee, and to quicken my heart with thy spirit, that I may daily grow and increase in thy knowledge. Amen.

God bless.