First of all, I did want to give your that Robert Reich link, Ten Reasons for Modest Optimism. It is easy to get overwhelmed and hopeless feeling, but we really cannot do that.
He is dropping in the polls, and we all know how the man loves his numbers. I'm sure that he's not thrilled about the fact that 83% of Americans think that he did the wrong thing when he pardoned the J6 group. 62% of Americans feel that he's not doing anything to reduce prices. 69% feel that tariffs are only going to make things worse. He's one month in, and losing ground.
Something that interests me is that Tim has always been a quiet guy. He's not much on making public statements, but he's been watching the news. For a quiet guy, he's been getting pissed. Last night, he suddenly said, "I want a Ukraine hat." He found his hat. Now he's looking for a Canada hat. He may be a quiet guy, but he wants everyone to know he's got opinions, strong ones. He's going to wear his hats, and God help anyone who mentions them. They'll likely get a snoot full.
Good on Tim. Visible support is especially good for Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI understand what it is like to not be able to read because you are too distracted, which is a pity because getting lost in a book would be helpful.
It would. It really would be wonderful. It is so aggravating. On the plus side, I've been keeping busy, and that's not a bad thing either.
DeleteThis cheered me up some, thank you Deb. Good on Tim and I never comment on your home construction projects, but the flooring does look awesome.
ReplyDeleteDoug, you've got so much on your plate with your long covid, which is bound to bring anyone's spirits down, let alone what is happening in politics right now. Don't be hard on yourself. I'm sure stress doesn't make your face feel any better.
DeleteThe floors look so nice, I love the color in them. Do you have an about move in date?
ReplyDeleteRight now, the work is all based on the weather. We've been working on the new house during this awful cold snap because it is better heated that the rehab. It will be warm next week, up in the 40s. We'll head back to the rehab to work. I tell you true, I'll be grateful to see this work done.
DeleteBut...no firm move in date.
the people who have to get their butts in gear, speak out clearly are the many politicians who say nothing.
ReplyDeleteBernie Sanders was lecturing the GOP about beginning to stand up to what is happening. Ukraine has been a breaking point for some Republicans, and they have begun to speak out. Hopefully, just hopefully, this is a beginning.
DeleteI'm married to a hat guy, too. We went to a medical clinic in October and there were two men in red hats. As soon as we got home, he had me order 2 Kamala hats for him to wear the next visit. He isn't as rowdy as I am, but he is making his statements.
ReplyDeleteThose floors look awesome!!!! Wow - you guys must be so proud. Job well done!!! Enjoy those crock pot meals and soup.
That's hilarious. Long live the hat guys!
DeleteThat floor is lovely!! I can just imagine walking barefoot....
ReplyDeleteHave a look at Another Angry Voice....on fb but each post is originally on Substack.
Not just about USA.
Another Angry Voice has a blog. He is an excellent resource and I have added him to my blog roll. Thank you for calling him to my attention.
DeleteThe floors look beautiful. It will be so wonderful when you finally get to enjoy all that loveliness every day.
ReplyDeleteIt will be an amazing thing, Jaycee. I cannot imagine.
DeleteThanks for sharing the article. I know what you mean about being unable to read at the moment. I am the same.
ReplyDeleteI did get all the way through the first chapter, and I believe that I could have read more. I felt guilty keeping the reading light on. Tim was trying to sleep next to me. But that was a promising sign. It's been a while. I've started many a book and set them aside.
DeleteLovely floors! Who is gonna spill the first splat on those new floors? Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteLOL. Don't think that hasn't occurred to us!
DeleteWow, that floor— the house is really coming into its own and has such a cozy and welcoming vibe.
ReplyDeleteReich’s article is just what we need to give us the heart to keep going, and here’s a link to Heather’s latest which is long but probably the best thing you’ll read today:
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/february-21-2025?r=53ldq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Heather Cox Richardson is a great source, and she offers a sign up for a daily news letter that comes straight in with your morning e-mails.
DeleteI read the Heather Cox Richardson post today.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that my brined in Sky father (one of the many regrets that I have about Mum's dementia is she isn't able to guide his information sources) actually now gets that Trump is most definitely not the Messiah and in fact the Ukraine situation has him seeing that he might even be a loose cannon.
Wow. That's an impressive change. I hope that it is mirrored here in my own country.
DeleteWow. Those floors look fantastic. Well done to you both. Enjoy your time with your sister.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to a quiet visit.
DeleteI was going to say that it shouldn't be hard to find Canada caps, but if you don't do Amazon, it may very well be difficult down there. Good luck. Have a good visit with sister.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of sources for that sort of thing. Tim has picked a hat. It says 'Canada' over a Canadian flag. Beneath the flag reads 'is not for sale'. He likes that one.
DeleteLed By Donkeys is a campaign group here in the UK which tries to highlight injustice through large visual campaigns.
ReplyDeleteThey recently painted the road outside the Russian Embassy here in blue and yellow, an enormous Ukraine flag right on their doorstep.
it'll come up on YouTube as Giant Ukrainian flag painted by protesters.
The London daily paper The Standard was delighted to report that 4 were arrested.
The Standard is owned by a Russian oligarch.
I am surprised that The Standard even has a readership at this point. Also...being arrested for something like that? I'd be proud as heck. Curiously, I cannot find out what their sentence was. Do you know?
DeleteThe Standard is now a free newspaper which could account for most of its readership but even free its too right wing for me.
DeleteThe Russian owner was given a "gong" by Boris Johnson.
For a paper to be operating, even as a free paper, it has to be receiving an influx of money from somewhere. Advertisers here would shy away from a publication.
DeleteWhat happened to the protesters? Do you know? I looked and could find nothing.
DeleteSo far I don't know, they've been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and obstructing the highway.
Unfortunately such activities can nowadays result in a jail sentence but so far as I know they haven't been sentenced yet.
When you said Tim found a hat, I thought, "I'll bet I could find a T-shirt." I did, and ordered it on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteHa! Good for you. When the quiet people start speaking up, it's time to listen, don't you think? In my town, we have a local business who is devoted to serving Ukraine. She has been back and forth many times and sells things in her shop that will goes back to Ukraine to assist. It would be a nice thing if we could start a list of links and connections. I know that Piper will have some good ones. I'm going to talk to her. If you want to send your link once you receive that shirt, send it along.
DeleteGood for Tim! And those floors are just beautiful. What a great job you've done. Do you have a tentative moving in date?
ReplyDeleteBecause we are working on two properties simultaneously, no. The weather dictates where we are working. This week is supposed to be warm, above freezing for the first time in what seems like months. We'll be back to working on the rehab. Step by step. I'm concerned because we really do need to get as much as possible done before my knee replacement. I'll be off heavy work for a month. That's the time that I plan to be really pouring attention on my brand new raised bed garden, but it will surely slow Tim down on the houses.
DeleteI've always liked Robert Reich, he seems so calm and wise. I've had trouble reading books for a long time now, I keep trying. Light cozy mysteries are all I can manage and sometimes not. I don't recognize myself as the lifelong avid reader I've always been. Floors are gorgeous and good for Tim!
ReplyDeleteI am glad it is not just me. I have always loved to read.
DeleteThe floors look really, really good. Nice work! Good on Tim for the hats, I'm considering another tattoo, a Maple Leaf sounds good! We too are keeping ourselves busy with projects here. Current one is likely going to be the removal of several of our Bougainvilleas, they're old & ratty and we're not sure even a brutal pruning will help. One may survive the massacre, but we'll see.
ReplyDeleteYour house is quite a work in progress. Are you headed back to Washington for the summer?
DeleteYeah it is, mainly the yard, house itself is fine, it was built in 1999, and many of the plantings date from that time. Some are fine, the palm tree, Texas Sage, the Saguaro and other cacti are all well. The Bougainvilleas not so much, old and ratty. We took out 2 of the 3 yesterday, decision still coming on the remaining three. Yes, we'll head back to WA in early April
DeleteLast night they fired C.Q. Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They're dragging a three star general out of retirement, they'll have to get him back to active status and then pin another star on him. He has more background and combat experience than Hegseth. This is just tragic. The also fired all the chief of the US Navy and the vice chief of the Air Force. Trump is very excited about Brown's replacement, since he looks like he came from central casting. We're losing a lot of experience and wisdom here.
ReplyDeleteAnd.......... congratulations of the progress of your beautiful floor.
DeleteI wonder where this will all end...or if it will.
DeleteI think we all need to resist and make a public Statement as best we can, each and every one of us. To say or do nothing would seem complicit and too much is at stake. Your Floor is sublime, good job!!! And a nice Pot of Chili is some excellent Comfort Food, we've been eating it a lot lately too.
ReplyDeleteWe had an excellent supper tonight. My sister made bread. We played scrabble. It felt normal.
DeleteYour flooring looks awesome! I'm seriously amazed at all you guys are doing.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... What's this about CPAC pushing for a 3rd term for Trump. Seriously?
I had not heard this. Not surprised.
DeleteHooray for Tim, wearing his opinion. I saw a short the other day advocating rainbow hats saying Make America Gay Again. Love your meme.
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me that he suddenly feels the need to speak up. Today, he bought a bumpersticker for his car.
DeleteThat floor is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. We are pleased.
DeleteThank you for the Robert Reich link. I feel a little better. My son said this to me about dump and his minions: "I will die standing on my feet fighting fascism, I will not live on my knees." He works for a contractor to the department of defense, filled with some "Christian" right-wingers. Normally, he is a live and let live kind of guy, minding his own business and just doing his work. He now has an LGBTQIA+ pin in his hat that he wears to work - his way to say NOT on my watch, you morons. If questioned, he WILL state his beliefs, and not quietly. He is actively looking for a different job.
ReplyDeleteYou must be so proud of your son! I'm proud of him and I don't even know him. We need more men like him!
DeleteWe all need to follow that example. I sent an e-mail to John Fetterman reminding him of his oath of office. I have to say that I'm quite disappointed in him. I think he's been power-blinded. Today, I need to sit down and write another e-mail to Glenn Thompson to push for town halls. The people need to be heard.
DeleteGood for Tim! I like the idea of his hats. I love Robert Reich, and read him regularly along with Heather Cox Richardson. Hopefully soon enough will be enough and there will be a huge outcry against the things going on in this country.
ReplyDeleteThat floor is beautiful, just beautiful. You and Tim do such nice work!
It was something that we took our time on. After Tim's stutter start, once he put the lazer line away, we really went to town on it.
DeleteIt's definitely a good time to savor small pleasures! Tim's Ukraine hat reminds me of my Gulf of Mexico shirt. :)
ReplyDeleteThe floors look amazing! What a relief to have them done, I'm sure.
I will admit to secretly coveting a Denali shirt.
DeleteI follow Robert Reich and frequently read his commentary. He is knowledgeable and wise; I hope the people who need to listen are doing so. Some days I have my doubts. I'm having trouble getting into my reading too. I can't concentrate very well. I admire Tim for taking a stand!
ReplyDeleteI am kind of surprised at him. The Canada stuff aggravated him but the outright lying and blaming game in Ukraine has tripped his trigger so to speak.
Delete