BUGS …. Germs
….. of some unknown variety, do play
havoc with our lives sometimes. Who
knows where they come from, or even what they are. They just do their nasty little thing
disrupting daily life for however long -- sometimes causing us to wonder if
they’re serious enough to call 911 for emergency transport to the hospital, or
if this is one more situation we can just tough out.
Well,
clearly I’m here, so guess I made the right decision remaining at home. Only a couple or so of those days had
instances of my pondering where it was best for me to be. I did
always keep my phone with me, just in case.
I managed to stay on my feet long
enough to get around for needed nourishment, to take care of business, to drink
plenty of water, and sleep as I could. The microwave and prepared soups I try to keep
on hand were real convenient.
I have to confess to not being as dedicated during
this time I’ve not posted as others who write.
I just laid around in bed some of those days this past week, didn’t
always dress, sometimes lounged in the recliner with eyes closed while allowing
the TV to babble on, and at least daily texted my children as they had long ago
requested I do in any such circumstance.
Then, I tested my endurance for a
few days with increasingly longer trips out on errands.
I could have
resumed writing here sooner, but I just couldn’t enthusiastically center my
thoughts on any one of a never-ending number of topics continuing to emerge in
our unsettled U.S. and world news – much less explore in writing some of life’s
other fascinations. However,
there are some matters which have caught my attention that are worth following
in future news as they could portend troublesome influences in the quality and
truthfulness of our news dissemination -- what is true and what is fake.
SOCIAL
NETWORKS
The digital
social networks are finally being revealed to be of concern as we’re officially
learning in Congressional Committee testimony given from Facebook, Twitter and
Google corporate representatives. Users of those free services are the product
being sold, in case anyone doesn’t recognize that fact. And purchasing their attention is what was done....by Russian bots…..who gifted them
with content designed to create division, foment violence with controversy and
lies, spread fake news -- the intent being to influence their readers, our elections and undermine the integrity of
our system of government.
Questions every
citizen should ask:
-- why has our current President been so willing
to accept a foreign nation’s interference in our election – that nation being
Russia, recognized by national security forces as an adversary at best?
-- why
has our current President been so reticent, even resistant, to investigating
Russia’s interference in our election –
he certainly hasn’t pressed that matter?
-- why doesn’t our current President regard
interference in our election process a threat to our nation’s security – this fundamental
basis for our form of government?
-- why doesn’t our current President who wants
to build a wall, restrict entry into our country by select peoples, and
increase our military might for protection not care enough to protect our form
of government from this “invasion”?
-- why
did our current President swear allegiance to the U.S. Constitution if he isn’t
dedicated to protecting the validity of our voting system?
The Presidential oath to which our current
President swore includes these words:
“…will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
BASEBALL
The 2017 World Series of Baseball final game will be played later tonight.
This has been an exciting series -- lots of action -- bases stolen -- base runners thrown out -- the most home runs in a World Series -- some great pitching and some less so -- an instance of bad behavior -- some players with hair to spare (think redhead) -- and what would baseball be without lots of chewing and spitting! (at least they've given up tobacco and snuff)
Emotional cords are pulling on fans heart strings for both the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
I can't be unhappy whoever wins, but will root for our California team.
Don't tell anyone, but I've been stuck with a soft spot in my heart for the Cleveland Indians ever since they last won a pennant in 1948.
I'm glad you're feeling better. I always fear that decision about whether or not you're serious enough to call 911.
ReplyDeleteThe president is the most selfish, self-centered person on earth. He cares more about protecting himself than the country. Unfortunately, those who were swayed by fake, bad-mouthing news about Hillary will never understand what happened or why because they've been brainwashed.
Hopefully, more people will think past the label of a political party ideology if information comes from sources without their own political views axes to grind.
DeleteI am so sorry you have been sick. I am not a fan of going to the hospital and prefer to tough it out at home as well. You must be getting better - good for that!
ReplyDeleteI've stopped listening/watching news. It had me so upset and raised my BP.
I don't watch baseball, but it seems to be an exciting series end for you. May the best team win.
I hope you are 100% soon. Take care.
Thanks — I think I’m as close to 100% as am likely to be. What constitutes as 100% changes for each individual throughout life I think.
DeleteI hear you and this stuff must be much harder to bear when you are ill. Glad you are up and about and I guess I have to be more careful about keeping food on hand when I do not feel like eating.
ReplyDeleteAs serious as I consider all the troubles described in our news, I typically do not experience a health-altering reaction as best I can tell. While the issues created with this administration surpass any others in my lifetime in terms of threatening our form of government, I guess we’ve survived and overcome enough other crises through the years I believe we’ll eventually do the same now. The only question is how much damage will be done to our nation’s psyche and how long will it take? Sooner, rather than later, as want many matters resolved within my lifetime.
DeleteSo glad you have made it to the well side of the fence--mostly. Know those "do I or don't I get help" moments.
ReplyDeleteThis series has been fun and your bringing up the Indians 48 season brought a warm smile. My mom and I stayed glued to the radio that year. We loved our Indians. Jim Hegan, Lou Boudreau, and Larry Doby were my favorites.
Oh yeah, I remember those names well and so many more — that team was my lifeline to my home state as we left to cross the country. Shortstop/Mgr. Lou Boudreaux, Ken Keltner, Don Lemon and how old was Satchel Paige that showman Bill Veeck brought in?
DeleteGlad you are doing better! I have been enjoying the World Series too. I think I am rooting for the Astro's because my old Detroit Tiger pitcher, Verlander, is pitching for them.
ReplyDeleteGame is ongoing as I write this with 5-0 for Houston, so work cut out for Dodgers in 4th inning.
DeleteHouston Astros have won their first ever World Series — the final game seven score 5-1 which residents of that hurricane-ravaged city must be celebrating wildly!
DeleteLos Angeles Dodgers and fans have had a heartbreaking loss. They must settle for that saying, “Wait until next year!”
Bless your heart for mentioning Our Dear Cleveland Indians! Some of the oldest diehards are now saying that their misfortune is due to the Rocky Colavito Curse, and that the only way to dispel it forever is to ditch Chief Wahoo once and for all.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you were so ill, and I hope you continue to regain strength and wellness.
As you know, I share your concerns with this current disastrous administration in Washington and am very active in the Resistance. The overarching stress is unhelpful to so many who are intelligent, concerned Americans. The rest--his base--remain clueless until it is too late.
Let's hope it doesn't get to that.
Whatever it takes — maybe retiring Chief Wahoo will do the trick for the Indians.
DeleteI’m doing fine now. Glad you’re keeping active in the Resistance — so many issues present a seemingly never ending challenge
It's been a good day to be from Houston, especially if you're a baseball fan. I think everyone's a fan at this point-- even people who don't know a bunt from a base runner. There's going to be a grand parade tomorrow afternoon; even the schools are closing so the kids can go.
ReplyDeleteI think I know which incident of bad behavior you were talking about. What surprised me is that I've never seen that gesture, and had no idea what it meant until someone explained it to me. Sometimes I wonder where I've been all my life. But, the two men clearly have worked it out, and the tipped hat as a sign of respect was a perfect touch.
As far as bad behavior after the game? The Houston police reported there were four arrests. Two people were arrested for trespassing after going over a fence in the stadium, and two celebrants who decided to dance on a police car got to see the inside of the car. Otherwise? Nothing but a little light drunkenness and a lot of partying. It was such a wonderful series.
Here's a great photo that juxtaposes the Series and the Flood. And ponder this: the official rain total for Houston during Harvey was 51 inches, and the Astros won game seven by a score of 5-l.
Thanks so much for sharing that photo with article link! I can feel the emotional significance a Houston Astros World Series win would have for residents — symbolizing so much more than a baseball game. Fascinating about the score and inches of rain that fell!
DeleteGlad the players resolved any issues relative to one’s thoughtless behavior. I had felt especially sensitive to the offensive gesture as years ago a dear friend’s adopted Asian daughter I had known since she was little, was a good friend of my daughter, family tragically broken then moved to Colo. when she was a teen, became hurtfully subjected to same and more I learned. Visiting me after the move, I asked her how she liked Colo. Springs. She responded “Oh, it’s okay...” but I could hear the reticence to say more in her voice. I pressed further and she said, “Oh, you know....” as her fingers moved to the corners of her eyes in that gesture. My heart broke a little at the pain to which I realized she had been and was subjected — something she had never known here in our So Cal Community — this sweet, loving, beautiful, young girl with a sparkiling personality, sharp sense of humor. But life goes on.
Houston’s Parade will be an exciting event I’m glad all will have to enjoy!
Sorry about your bug, Joared. Unfortunately, our multitudinous shots (I received another Zostavax and my annual Fluad shot a couple of days ago) don't protect us from everything. Happy to hear that you have recovered.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I understand, "why has our current President been so willing to accept a foreign nation’s interference in our election." I was deeply disappointed that the previous President was too chicken to tell the American public what he told Putin. Too little too late.
Cop Car
I had my flu shot about 3 weeks earlier — think these are only about 50% effective depending on what flu strains develop each year — though I’ve read if we do develop anything symptoms will be milder. Though it can be 4 weeks for shot to be effective I’m told, I don’t think that’s what it was— more to do with a couple factors including eustachion tube function and balance mechanism, maybe sinus, allergies — or not, says this self-diagnostician.
DeleteYes, I, too, wish the public had been told about Putin as has been a significant mistake in judgement to think not doing so would avoid accusations of trying to influence election, but they were so convinced HC would be elected.
Especially if any reasons to think DJT team associated with Putin’s efforts — I’ve wondered if security wanted to not reveal their hand to Russia for a while longer as they pursued sources, confident by the time HC in office they would have learned more & could then determine what more to do publically. Meanwhile, publically upsetting the integrity of our election process could have had profound effects freaking out some of our voters, DJT would have spread even more of his deliberately designed lies some continue to embrace which would have delighted Putin, too, are some of the matters I think about.
Trump doesn't deserve the word President as far as I can see. He literally has no idea what the Constitution is and he pushes the envelope way too much.
ReplyDeleteHe clearly has his own agenda which primarily is to further his and his families own self-interest, I think.
DeleteI'm dropping Facebook as of 11/30, and/but I've upped my liberal Twitter presence and network.
ReplyDeleteAnd I just can't even on all the ills of The Dotard and his ilk...
I hope all the social media platforms figure out how to manage their sites in a way that reflects better quality of what’s transmitted other than greedily accepting money from anybody regardless of source and content.
DeleteAs a Brit, I know nothing at all about baseball, and I certainly didn't know that lots of chewing and spitting is part of the baseball experience!
DeleteYes, Nick, seems frequently when TV takes a shot of the teams dugouts some of the waiting players are chewing away and/or spitting to relieve all the tension or to prevent teeth grinding, I think. Now it’s bubble gum as some blow bubbles. Years ago it was snuff, or you’d see a big pooch out in a player’s cheek — that was chewing tobacco. Recognition of tobacco causing oral cancer and discouragement of players modelling such use for many young people has resulted in the end of its use. Some players/managers spit without any substance it seems, so suspect nervousness with the game increases saliva in their mouth, so instead of swallowing they spit it out — some through their teeth. I’ve heard told at other than during games, spitting for distance competitions was known to occur.
DeleteI was checking on you
ReplyDeleteGlad you're coming back to life though being asleep until this nightmare evaporates might be a good thing.
You ask the good whys the rest of us speculate on. Up to his elbows in it.
XO
WWW
Doing okay — thanks for checking. Time flying by here faster than I realized. Will have to play catch-up.
Delete