Loved the Pieces today, Clarice! I remember the first time I realized how long it took my new dishwasher to complete a cycle. I typically turn it on at bedtime and never paid attention. One day, I needed things clean for a family event and turned it on in the middle of the day. I kept opening it and checking and it took *forever* to complete. I learned if I needed dishes I should just hand wash them. I've often wondered why Europeans locate their clothes washing machines in the kitchen? Maybe this is an answer. It takes so many hours for a single cycle that they need to do laundry, prepare food, and wash dishes simultaneously.

Anti-ICE protesters rip American flag off flag pole, raise Mexican flag at ICE facility in Aurora, Colorado Video at link: https://twitter.com/RealSaavedra/status/1150007832428761088

As I've read various points about the bickering here - it seems common to add, "If you don't like it just go talk about Keto!" or something similar. But I see the Keto discussion as relevant for a couple of reasons. Hasn't it been shown to produce mental clarity? Don't we all need that as we try to dissect what is fact/fiction on a daily basis? But, most importantly, it will lengthen our lives. We all need to stick around as long as possible to speak out, teach the younger generation, work for candidates and even vote! I am so grateful to Jane and anonamom and probably others who have discussed it and encouraged me to try it. Just my (hopefully non-controversial) 2 cents. Partly tongue-in-cheek but partly serious! :)

This is a crazy story I just have to share! My son told me something that happened at his girlfriend's condo. This is in north Atlanta (Roswell) for the Atl people - which is a nice area. They have 2 designated parking spots per household and then they have a larger area which is open parking for guests and additional cars per household. He had noticed that lately when he visited her, he had problems finding a spot in the open parking area. Another resident noticed that a great many cars had some sort of stickers on them with writing in a foreign language. It turned out a large Latino family (maybe 10 or 12 in a 3 bedroom unit) moved into one of the units and started running a car lot...out of the condominium parking lot!!! They were parking dozens of cars and selling them to people who called and stopped by. They saw nothing wrong with this. Needless to say, the homeowner's association has given then 24 hours to remove all of the cars.

I felt a surge of hope today just walking in and out of the gas station. As I walked to the door, I was several yards away and a young AA man with dreadlocks stood and held the door open until I got there. He looked me in the eye and smiled as I thanked him. As I left, another young guy who appeared to be perhaps Mexican also held the door, looked at me, and spoke politely. I thought, "It's good sometimes to close the computer and get out in the real world!"

In case you missed this jewel posted by MM yesterday: "Here's To The Deplorables!" https://twitter.com/realPowerTie/status/1149329030459658240/video/1?fbclid=IwAR2dGP9psDXIEqSGmAoWgBX--MW_0l8LY6Lh8IdnEZEKKeP4QCc70DuQhEs

The latest on the "Rainbow Rock" controversy: (the restaurant is closing) https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Izakaya-Sushi-Ran-closes-rainbow-rock-Castro-pride-14083122.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Desktop)&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

I'm getting this on Twitter:

By the time the female soccer players succeed in getting someone to cough up the same amount of $ as is spent on the men's World Cup players, won't most of the "women's" team be male anyway?

CH - When you have time, I'd love to hear more about what your daughter is doing in the greenhouses (?) there. I remember when I visited years ago the vegetables and flowers were quite amazing. The short growing season was well compensated by the longer days. We toured a garden and the cabbages were as big as beachballs! Enjoy your visit!

Oh, no, Jane - I'm sure we are around the same age. My parents are deceased. They were very conservative and picky about TV shows and I'm rather glad they didn't live to see the Bill Cosby mess. They thought of him as the smiling Jello Pudding man and the father figure on his show.

Jane - My first thought was the beautiful, elegant exterior of those homes that most would drive by and feel envious... but inside there were ugly, evil events occurring. I was, like you, very disappointed with the Bill Cosby incident. My parents loved his show and would even tape episodes. They liked his parenting style and down-to-earth life lessons he taught his on-air children.

Still catching up but did we know he lived across the street from Bill Cosby? The house also has a heated sidewalk, a luxurious provision that explains why, while snow blankets the rest of the Eastern Seaboard, the Wexner house (and Bill Cosby's house across the street) remains opulently snow-free. https://www.curbed.com/2015/1/9/10004040/jeffrey-epstein-property-real-estate-holdings

lyle - I am envious of your puppies! Poor Mozart can smell that puppy breath :)

Link to the Rapinoe memes that Lyle mentioned above. They are quite funny - my favorite is this one: @R_M_Huffman Follow Follow @R_M_Huffman More Megan Rapinoe is using FaceApp. She would like to use “Gender Swap” to see what she would look like if she were a man. Unfortunately, FaceApp recognizes her as a man and offers to show her what she would look like as a woman. Megan Rapinoe would like to speak to a manager. https://twitter.com/R_M_Huffman/status/1147940117065191426

I hope Hillsdale prevails!

Another inconvenience thanks to the nutty leftist kids! (Thankfully, I'm only eating Keto-friendly homemade ice cream this summer.)

I saw that the DC police were allowing protestors to wear masks. This is such a wrong-headed policy. It allows any clashes or illegal behavior to be impossible to prosecute. I was proud of my little college town when they firmly enforced the no-mask rule in 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04HxldSJnMA

I have sleep-walked twice in my life. Both times were as a child. I walked out of my parents' house and across the large yard to my grandparents' house around 3 a.m. It scared everyone to death. A few weeks later, I walked into a closet and my parents were awakened by my crying. I've never done it again. MM - Did you know that they make Fitbit type devices that monitor your sleep? It lets you know how long you've been in REM sleep and other things to help you determine if you are well rested (besides your feelings.) I've been considering a low-end fitbit - I don't need all the bells and whistles but might like to track my steps and sleep.

She's back!

Has this been posted? Compilation of the lies about the 4th by the MSM leading up to yesterdays beautiful tribute. https://www.mrctv.org/videos/video-all-tv-medias-false-doomsday-predictions-salute-america?fbclid=IwAR1kD4a5A-gx_tnWRxZZJdfNFFBZUK0s5uXKlv5xDTP-m5Q_mM4pwSzm8Gk

Gus - My friend did a similar thing. She had a knee replacement and a few days later fell injuring the opposite foot. They did not realize it was broken for several weeks. It's been quite a complicated recovery for her as many of the things they wanted her to do for her knee therapy were not possible with her foot. She's much better now and walking around Disney this weekend. I hope you are back up, out and about very soon! Let us know if you get "sprung" tomorrow. At least you can watch all of the festivities today.

CH - Emma and Darby go out first thing early in the morning. They do not like the heat either. The one thing that gets them to stay out a bit longer is when I'm using the vacuum cleaner. We only take walks before 9 am or after 8 pm. They love the AC!

John Adams on how we should remember Independence Day. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction.”

:)