IAN'S JOTTINGS -- TONE DEAF -- JAN. 6 -- SCOTUS

UPDATE:   United States Select House Committee on January 6th .......

                           Hearing Tuesday June 28th  1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT)

There are a couple new-to-me blogs of interest I've discovered which you may appreciate, too.  Coincidentally, both of these gentlemen bloggers live across the pond from the U.S.  Take a dip, you may enjoy reading them as much as I have.

The first blog that came to my attention is written by a man with an interesting blogosphere history I learned about in a recent comment in case you missed reading it.  Ian Bertram has started a new blog, "Ian's Jottings", featuring an intriguing variety of topics.  You can visit Ian's blog HERE. 

Ian's no stranger to the blogosphere since Ronni Bennett at "Time Goes By" (TGB) first introduced his "Panchromatica" blog years ago.   Some of what she wrote included:

"He's a serious man with passion for world peace and human rights, but he also has a wicked sense of the absurd as demonstrated by ...  this link I took from his site."

You can read what Ronni wrote May 4, 2004 HERE.  (note: some links there may no longer be active.)  She had been visiting Ian's site before starting her blog.  Ian had discovered Ronni's early blogging efforts and they both regularly posted photos on "fotolog".  

When Ronni concluded she needed to give up her beloved longtime Greenwich Village brownstone apartment on Bleecker Street making her first move to Portland, Maine, Ian responded to her request to be a TGB guest blogger during her moving days.   

I've visited the new blog, "Ian's Jottings", and suggest you read his  June 16th "welcome" post  to gain information about his other blogs, art site, intended "jottings".  Based on his writing I've read,  I look forward to a variety of appealing subjects including his memoir, music featuring talented artists and much more.  The alternate history topic such as "Dunkirk" is entertainingly thought provoking as is considering his unusual idea that is revealed in "Green Earth", given our world today.

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The second blog, "Tone Deaf",  I discovered later which I sought after reading Roderick Robinson's comment on Sabine's blog "Interim Arrangements".  When I visited Roderick's blog I learned he had written several books.  I was fascinated when I read what he wrote about in one of his books, Opening Bars:  "Everyone has a voice so why not sing -- but at eighty?"  That's right, he became a singer at the ripe age of 80 years.

Exploring some of Roderick's blog writings I discovered he dabbles a bit in political commentary occasionally enhanced with a bit of poetry, has had a lifelong interest in aviation, is adapting to some significant medical issues and most recently has explored writing about everyday happiness.   He asks a pertinent question about the life he's lived that we all might ask about our own life you can read HERE.

Roderick's humor emerges with a light-hearted touch in his writings to also blend into one blog discussion about bellybuttons.   Subsequently, there's a description of perfection and then there is the account of his being insulted.

His novels are enticing especially since I note one is set in Arizona.  His appealing self-assessment:  "In my novels all women are heroines."  Hm-m-m!

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SUMMERTIME

Norah Jones with pianist Marian McPartland.  Tanglewood Jazz Festival 8/30/2003

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United States Select House Committee on January 6th -- more hearings in July

"Donald Trump and his supporters are a clear and present danger to democracy."  

      Preserve our constitutional capitalistic democratic republic when you vote.

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SCOTUS recent warped political interpretations of our constitution defy common sense with serious ramifications:

Separation of church and state is now compromised based on a recent case ruling.

Regulations in numerous states to restrict gun proliferation have been invalidated per a ruling.

Women's rights retracted including making decisions affecting the health of her own body.                             (Women no longer equal with men who are permitted to  make health decisions about their body.)  

POTPOURRI -- SPACE TO EARTH

A potpourri of topics from space to earth have my attention .....

Get your tickets!

Who will be the first passenger on Luknar BFR Mission? 

Find out by clicking HERE ..... revealed  Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at 6 P.M.

* * *
(Unfortunately, I just discovered the Diana Krall video I had up here until 9/18, which is still on YouTube, has been withdrawn for play here. )  

Here's Julie London singing "Fly Me To The Moon"

* * *

On earth in the U.S. -– we’re all painfully aware of the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence – destruction, flooding and tragically, deaths.   Tropical Storm level continues to wreck havoc.

Our governments post-storm response must offer more meaningful support and compassion than that given to Puerto Rico last year.  

If the rest of us are ever similarly in need, what will be the concrete efforts our erstwhile leader will see are put forth at the federal level to assist us – or will we just hear a lot of rhetoric and falsehoods, much as he persists in extolling even today on matters, despite facts to the contrary?

Why don’t the current dominating Congressional legislators in the majority -- if they truly care about their constituents -- resist their governing leader – who fails to act and behave like a responsible leader?  Do they share his values, unethical behaviors and lack of morality?

* * *

In California -- Gov. Brown is promoting our state “...as a global leader in combating climate change.”  He recently signed “...16 new environmental laws aimed at easing global warming.”

“The bills he signed into law aim to increase the number of zero-emission vehicles and charging stations and reduce the number of heavily polluting cars and trucks.

The effort is key to California’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions because pollution from vehicles has risen even as emissions from other sources drop.”

We’ve experienced improvement in our inland air quality compared to when we moved here over forty years ago thanks to environmental protection efforts made. 

We really need to do more to reduce the extraction of fossil fuels including resistance to offshore drilling. 

Support to protect the environment is lacking from this current federal administration and, in fact, their philosophy undermines our efforts regardless of States’ rights.     

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Caring about the security of the American people in terms of our health has been a pretty low priority by our leader, if not virtually non-existent at the federal level currently.  That seems to be the case where women are concerned -- years ago our administration with legislators gave us Clarence Thomas as a Judge on the Supreme Court.  Now they’re rushing to get nominee Brett Kavanaugh appointed whose attitude toward women's rights is highly questionable.

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Locally -- an update on our first “Thriving in Place” group meeting -- 18 present, began by getting acquainted, establishing some pretty standard “rules of the road” -- including that everyone has an opportunity to civilly speak.  Humor will be an important element.  As my previous post explains, our group will be exploring: Thriving in the process of living as we age.

Exploring the different living choices for our older years will be the focus of our next month’s meeting – traditional settings and some of the more unusual, rare and unique ones.  Ultimately, reality will prevail with choice determined by financial considerations, issues associated with family and friends relationships, and where we can feel contented and reasonably happy.

* * *.

Would you like to take a trip around the moon, or take any flights into space?

DROUGHT, BLOOMS, $$$, ATHLETICS, TAX WOMEN

DROUGHT IN CALIFORNIA 

The good news here in So Cal, eastern Los Angeles County, is that El Nino’s rain has found us again and snow is falling in the mountains from two storms coming through.   Northern California had mountain snow melt much of the past month reducing what had been a promising accumulation toward decreasing our drought effects.   We still will need even more rain and snow.   

SUPER BLOOM IN DEATH VALLEY

Death Valley actually received more rain than normal and the previously barren dry cracked earth is now asea with a rare Super Bloom of wild flowers - see outtakes you can view.  

I'm reminded of suddenly seeing just such a glorious colorful sight in the Arizona desert outside Scottsdale one spring in what had always been a barren area we had driven through periodically for several years.

LANDSCAPING $$$ SHOCK

Local city efforts to increase our environmentally green status to the max prompted seeking new bids with the current contract due to expire according to our local weekly newspaper, The Claremont Courier.    They reported our City Council is in a state of shock at the increased cost from $657,068 annually to $3 million. 

Bids from other landscapers were luke warm using the new parameters—no chemicals, no leaf blowers and no weeds and an increase of mulch use in planters.  

The previous contract was based on limited use of chemicals, the use of battery or electric blowers and varying degrees of weed tolerance.  

Moderation of some expectations has temporarily been made with a short term current contract extension to allow city officials to study the matter further.   What kind of increased costs will we individual home owners incur? 

WATER RATE $$$ EXCESSIVE

Our city continues to seek ownership of our water company through eminent domain legal procedures since the current owner refuses to sell.   Golden State Water Company, considered a public utility, is a wholly owned subsidiary of American States Water Company.  City officials and residents have been unhappy since long before the drought with the pricing mechanisms Golden State Water has used and the repetitive rate increases an impotent state Public Utilities Commission keeps approving.  

A concise article with this link to Capitol Weekly notes:  “Claremont had the highest rates of 10 surrounding communities surveyed, and that rates doubled between 2008 and 2013, with another rate hike sought in 2014.”   We reportedly pay $50 more than our next door neighbor city La Verne for the same amount of water. “La Verne is used for comparison because of its similar size, population, and water sources. Claremont has more wells producing less costly water than La Verne but surprisingly La Verne water rates are lower.”   

HEALTH PRODUCT $$$ DISCRIMINATORY TAX ON WOMEN

 California AB 1561 – read the announcement for more facts.  

“Assembly members Garcia and Chang are working to end a longstanding tax on women in California.  Across the world, countries as well as select  states in the U.S. are organizing to repeal the sales tax on feminine hygiene products which are necessary health products for women.  From Canada, to the UK, to Malaysia, political leaders have repealed, reduced, or are under pressure from activists to jettison the “tampon tax.”...  To date, only five states in the United States & Canada have taken this action and eliminated taxation on tampons and sanitary napkins.”   See map.

                   
CNN’S Jackie Wattles reports five New York women have filed a lawsuit against New York’s tax department and its commissioner. “Their demand: Stop imposing a 4% ‘luxury tax’ on feminine hygiene products.”  Legislation has not been making significant gains toward enactment.  "Similar bills have been proposed in states including California, Utah and Virginia.”
                                    
                   
ATHLETICISM FOR OLDSTERS


My city of Claremont, California is a little over 14 square miles in size with a population of approximately 35,000.  The amenities in addition to the universities here include several retirement communities where I've also had the pleasure of providing Speech-Language Pathology services as well as in various other health services settings and hospitals in the surrounding area.   Pilgrim Place, one I have served, is:  “A senior community for those serving in religious or charitable organizations.” 

Our newspaper this week reported a special screening would be held there of Emmy-winning filmmaker Eric Goldfarb’s inspiring documentary on Senior Athleticism entitled “Impossible Dreamers,” featuring legendary golfer Gary Player.   Many other senior athletes appear including the Pilgrim-Pacers.  Their activity is integrated through six short segments beginning at about 19 minutes in and scattered throughout the hour and a quarter of the vimeo.  Pilgrim Place residents are very active in our city, also producing a a renowned annual festival attracting visitors from around Southern California and elsewhere.   

You can determine for yourself whether or not you might want to engage in any of these athletic activities and just how competitive you feel with some of these 60+ to 90+ years oldsters.   As for me, I need to walk more – just regular walking.