We're in Santa Fe with the sons, the daugher-in-law, the two step grands and wife's sister. I'm doing a whole beef tenderloin this time, not a turkey. I'm not responsible for anything else! Here's sunset last night from the driveway. [image: 1764275363610-img_5965-resized.jpeg]

Joe, I can imagine it's easy for you! I don't get along with bike chains. Some people just lack mechanical aptitude. Also, I bought a tricycle. I put it inside to keep it from being stolen. One day I took it through the front door handlebars side first and down two concrete steps. Well, the back wheels were supposed to go first to keep control of it and keep the chain guard from grinding on the steps' ledges. So, I lost control of it and my mind said- grab the handlebars. So I did. The bike flipped me on a 360° path over the handlebars like an acrobat. The next thing I knew my body was parallel to the concrete patio about 3'- 4' above it and I could see the ground approaching fast. I had time to wrap my arms around myself so I didn't break them and tuck my head so I didn't get a head injury. I learned this from gymnastics training in middle school. This was the second time I had the same basic fall and was able to protect myself. There was blood all over the place and the wounds took a couple months to heal leaving one permanent scar about 4" long below my right knee. I sold the bike without even trying to ride it again. I'm going to stick to automobiles. Speaking of which, I've changed my mind about getting an older Camry, doubled my budget, and have decided on the last generation of Accent Hyundai sold in the US. My cousin recommended it, sent me an ad for one with about 35k miles, white, showroom condition, and after looking at the specifications for good measure, fell hard (sic) for it.

@AndyD said in About that White House ballroom and the East Wing: Corporate Trump I'm afraid. His taste appears to be extreme 'new money'. I guess you had to be there but in '80's New York there were a group of new money families who were venerated to the nth degree. Reagan came into office and the country was inundated with the myth of getting what you earned no matter who you were or how you started. And, likewise, being to blame for any lack of opportunity or misfortune you might suffer. None of these families lasted very long as others have in the past. Note Trump's multiple bankruptcies. Of course, Trump got nowhere on his own merits. He grew up in an upper-middle class neighborhood in Queens. You can hear his Queens accent, but any notion of class clearly went over his head.

@jon-nyc thank you!!

Act 2 of This American Life this week was reported by a Mexican woman living in Chicago (in Gage Park, if that means anything to our Chicago locals). While she has papers, one of her family members is undocumented. Well worth a listen. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/875/i-hate-mysteries/act-two-3

I like "Magtard", Jon.. It need to be widely applied.

Harry, Meghan, Archie, Lilibet, Eugenie, and Beatrice to lose their titles when William becomes King. You heard it here first. Or not.

Yes, but it wouldn't take many to resign for the Democrats to take the House, even before the election, according to some reporter or another. Maybe they are shocked, and offended. Maybe. They are human beings, of whatever description. Maybe they feel a little bit like many people feel today. Maybe.

Link to video I admire people who have this kind of sartorial skill! I have almost none. I had what I called- "my middle class uniform" in high school. Jeans, two-button polo shirts, and sneakers. I naturally happened on sartorial glory once in my life. I was 21 and wore 501 Levi's and white t-shirts (t-shirt optional except in class and at parties). I had the body for it. Someone said I had no style. One of my best friends retorted-he has the style of James Dean. And I did. I didn't plan it. It never happened before and will never happen again! Today I work on my wardrobe as a never ending project with the goal of having a functional one and one that is as nice as possible with a heavy emphasis on elementary skills, e.g... colors that match, colored t-shirts I only wear at home, a set of the same t-shirts washed carefully and put away for going out, etc. I bought a belt that was too big and don't own a single pair of long pants. That's on my list. I don't move up in price point (although I've figured out how) because I am constantly replacing clothes that wear out and adding basic necessities. It's like having a hobby. Maybe I'll get better at it. But my reaction to a tie let alone a corset would be- are trying to trying to strangle me and suffocate me to death?! This man is phenomenal. So are the men who dress in period costume 24/7. Not me but ultra-talented.

said in ‘Shit for fucking poor people’: There was also this recipe for a chicken dish that looked pretty good: https://www.campbells.com/recipes/one-skillet-greek-chicken-with-orzo/ Could whip up some homemade tomato soup and give it a try.... Made it for lunch. It was very good. I didn't use the Campbell's tomato soup, but instead used up some stewed tomatoes, pasta sauce, the last of our fresh homegrown tomatoes and a tablespoon of tomato powder (great stuff!) Also the last of a box of fresh spinach that needed to be used. Definitely cleaned out the refrigerator. It was delicious!

My humble opinion. The best outcome would be peace achieved by recognizing Russia is a great power whether we like it or not, and has been hegemonic in this region for centuries. It will not tolerate another NATO nation on its border, not to mention the agreements we have reneged on regarding Russia, the fact we withdrew from the nuclear weapons framework, and the fact the regime in Ukraine is a proxy, illegitimate and corrupt. Ceasefire. Treaty. Like any other war ever. This bloodbath is achieving continual death and suffering while a very small group of people reap huge profits. Enough.

No direct contact, but I do "see" him on Facebook fairly regularly

‘It’s terrifying.’ Wyoming leads country with highest jump in Obamacare costs For a 60-year-old Wyoming resident earning $63K a year, the average monthly ACA premium costs are increasing by 421%. https://wyofile.com/its-terrifying-wyoming-leads-country-with-highest-jump-in-obamacare-costs/

Very famous house. Nice to see that no one has messed with it.

It happen here too.

Why are we celebrating Christmas when it's not even Thanksgiving? It's irritating!