Thoughts of a Common Man

Decades back we made a pact with Ukraine. As an ally. We would help them protect themselves against attack, and they would give up their pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Of course, Ukraine was worried mostly about being attacked by Russia, and the United States understood that threat. We promised, on the world stage, to be a friend to the Ukrainian citizens. Of course, in recent years, Ukraine has been treated less Yeah like an ally, and more like a foe. That was made official by this administration and Mad Mogul Mr. Musk. Russia was able to attack directly when Starkink was shut down. It wasn’t shut down by mistake, and it didn’t take long to figure out who HELPED Russia. It’s been 11 years since I posted that Pedo Pig was owned by Russia. I’m just a safety guy wandering around construction site, but I had enough information to declare: “He’s a Russian asset.” Robert Mueller confirmed as much in his report, but that poor man was ignored, verbally abused, and then bashed on the day he died...

Stopped by a hardware store to get a couple of keys made. It was an old-time hardware store and three people came to help me when I walked in the door. I like those kinds of places. As the chatty, happy woman made my keys, I wandered around the cluttered store a little, and my eyes fixed on a propane lantern. My mind shifted immediately to the summer nights at the Barking Lions campsite. I didn’t own a lantern and would have had zero chance of ever lighting it (probably still can’t) but I had a guy for that! Jeff - who coincidentally is celebrating his 63rd birthday today - was the man for the job. He’d light the lantern and then he’d work the pot belly stove. I looked at that lantern for a long time. It looked like the same model that we had back there some 40 years ago, back when we believed those long summer days would never end. And now, here we are. Old bastards now. I’m sure Jeff has a lantern… …and that he knows how to light it. Happy birthday, buddy. Thanks for taking care of u...

We were huge fans of ‘Breaking Bad’. Kathy and I watched it twice. I believe that Sam and Jake may have had 3 go-arounds. A terrific show, and when we visited Albuquerque, we hit all the tourist spots. Hearing the news that the actor who played Junior or Flynn as he wanted to be called, died at the age of 34, at his own hand, was heartbreaking. It’s a show, but when it’s well done, it makes you believe you know the actor a little bit. I’ve learned a lot about the man - RJ Mitte - since the news broke. He broke through as a disabled actor. His early life was tragic. He was adopted and one of his adoptive parents died young. His financial manager robbed him of his ‘Breaking Bad’ money, and he spent his adult life as a powerful advocate for healthcare that works for the disabled and all Americans. He was set to be married. And there are really recent interviews of him where he was cheerful and accommodating. And yet, he decided to end his life. I have complicated questions about suicide....

The Bills have a night game tonight against the Rams. I noticed that Kathy was getting dressed to go…. …somewhere. “Where you going?” “Me and Sam are going to go to Matt’s to watch the game. You wanna’ go?” I just looked at her. She knew the answer. “You can. We’re going to get pizza and wings.” “That’s exciting.” “I know, I know, but are you all right staying home alone for the game?” A couple of things about that. I’m not alone. Miller the cat is right beside me. Ollie got a new toy today, and we had three throwing sessions. And best of all, I have no intention on watching a football game. I’m watching baseball even though the Yankees aren’t involved. Which is even better because I can go to bed. Tomorrow I’ll be rested and it won’t ruin my mood if they lose. And some may be wondering how many catches Ollie is up to for the year… …he just went over 53,000..

 Sunday afternoon here. Let’s just take a few snapshots of what’s going on. 1). Hurricane season is upon us and the week ahead will be a challenge for a portion of the country. To make matters worse, no one can pronounce the name of the hurricane. 2). Watched White Sox batters strike out 21 times in Game 5 against Cleveland. They put the ball in play less than 10 times! They weren’t facing Koufax! They were trying to hit homers. 3): Golf season is winding down - I’ve truly been zeroing on an ace. I must’ve hit 6 balls within 8’ of the hole in the last few weeks. If I don’t get it in last few times out, I’ll have to start over from scratch in freaking May. 4). So, we are funding Russia’s war efforts now, huh? Sickening, isn’t it?  We handed the whole freaking thing over to a Russian asset, and he’s not even bothering to hide it. 5). I turn 62 a week from today. Hard to believe. When we were young we’d hear of someone who was 62 and think, ‘He’s an old man.’ Uh, yeah. 6). Speaki...

There are reporters out there who are willing to do the impossible… …talk to MAGA supporters and figure out what they stand for. “Why do you love him?” The reporter asked one woman who was dressed up like a MAGA ball girl. “Oh, he is always straight forward. He tells it like it is.” The reporter rifled off four straight instances where the lies are evident. “Well, he’s solving our problems.” “What problem has he solved?” “All of them.” “Give me one example,” the reporter said. “No trans people in sports, and that might be the biggest problem we have.” I shut it down. There are people out there who believe that the biggest problem they face as Americans are transgender athletes taking gold medals away from deserving women. And before you dismiss it as the ramblings of a crazy woman a question was posed to J.D. Vance. “How do you define socialism?” Now, mind you, this is the vice-president. “It’s immigrants taking jobs from Americans, and transgender playing in women sports.” Uh. That’s ...