Well, the link doesn't work - from what i can tell.

 Contact me at rmcornie@gmail.com, and I will send you the article.

Okay, I am getting political again

First, let me scream that I am not anti-semitic. It appears that Palestinians are semites. So, if I show some inkling of empathy for the plight of the Palestinian people, that does not make me a bigot. (Or atleast not anti-semetic.)

In 1948, some 75 odd years ago, the state of Isreal was created in the land that had been home for the Jewish people about 20 centuries before, with little respect for the people who had lived there for 2,000 years since.

Palestinians were understandably upset. As was the rest of the Arab world.

Eventually, after god knows how many wars, the Palestinian were relegated to the West Bank and Gaza.

We've all been exposed to what has happened in the area of the Gaza Strip. There is absolutely no defence for what Hamas did to more than 1,200 people in Isreal (murder and rape), nor for them taking atleast 200 hostages. It is unacceptable and must be condemned. Nor is there a valid excuse for the death of 13,000 Palestinians. (That number needs to be taken with a grain of salt, as it is supplied by Hamas.)

But we hear less about the West Bank. I am attaching a link to an article from the NewYork Times about life in the West Bank. It is a long (and at times difficult) read, but well worth the time.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/09/opinion/palestine-west-bank-war.htmlunlocked_article_code=1.Ek0.3HxD.JzAkaMjZjc-q&smid=url-share

A picture from Kathleen.

 

Hood River in snow. So beautiful.

Thank you, Kathleen.

Soth Dakota State 41, Mercer 0

 My favorites are failing me. Of the six games that are completed so far this championship weekend (that I cared who won, I am 1-5.

Thank you Jackrabbits!

You made my day.

Yesterday's post was unfortunate.

 I don't always think things through. I get emotional and think the worst. Change can be fearsome. Especially when there are new limitations.

But the truth is, there is little I can't do now that I could before, Save typing, of course. And I'm not sure about masterbating; that will be saved for later determination.

But psychologically there is a toll. You all know the limp-wristed faggot jokes. Well that is totally me now. And I remember in grade school "Spaz" was the put-down du jour. And now as I feel the spasm twitching through my hand, I regret ever using the term.

I am made more humble.

The harrowing tales of reality.

Reality is not my friend.

It is hard when something you loved is hard to do; physically and mentally.

I affear my depression is worsening. Not to worry, I am not suicidal or anything like that. I just have problems finding joy. I seldom read the comics anymore. They used to be a source of laughter. But the.

 laughter has quieted.

And physically, typing is now hunt and peck. I had an infection in my lungs. And the antibiotic they gave me came with a stern warning that tendonitis was a side effect.

I have lost all control of my right hand. It has been of minimal value for years, but now it is just a lump at the end of my arm.

What do I do now?

The death of the Pac12 or Pac 10 or even Pac 8

 It’s been known for a year that USC and UCLA bolted for the Big Ten.

Then Colorado left for the Big 12. Today, Oregon and Washington announced they were going to the Big Ten. Then Arizona, Arizona St. and Utah announced they were headed to the Big 12.

That leaves Oregon St., WSU, Cal-Berkeley and Stanford. There are some oddities here.

The Big Ten is known for academically top of the line institution of higher education. I think Washington, UCLA and USC easily meet that standard. Oregon, maybe. But Cal and Stanford go way above. And the Pac-12 is known as the conference of champions, much due to Stanford.

They say it is all about the money. I’m sure that is true, but you would think high quality universities in a super huge coverage area (Cal and Stanford) would have kicked Seattle and Eugene’s asses. There is more at play here that will never be known.

I will enjoy my final year of Pac 12 football.

GO DUCKS!!!!!!!!

The heat has arrived

The third or fourth consecutive day of 100˚ +  temperatures. And the ten-day forecast offers no respite.

Ain’t the Inland Empire glorious in the summer.

SEND ICE!

A question of ethics:

Let’s pretend you have this big, fluffy cat. An adorable cat that looks so huggable. She is almost irresistible. But you know she doesn’t like her body touched.

(Aside: I would never do this to Billie Jean. I know there would be bloodshed, paramedics summoned and blood transfusions in the ER.)

Is it morally reprehensible to request that in exchange for room and board, she show a modicum of compromise and snuggle?

And in keeping with the festivities

Today would have been Wayne Edward Peterson’s 69^th birthday. Some of you may better remember him as Knute.

Always a party animal! I think we should all join him in revelry today!

July 5, 1998-July 5, 2023

 Today would have been Richard and my 25^th Anniversary.

Wow, how time flies. I owe Richard for so much. He told me it was still okay to love Wayno. He even wrote it into his vows to me. He cajoled me into going to Europe in 2006. He taught me how to co-exist. He gave me unconditional love. He taught me about theatre. He made me a better person.

He even gave me some gossip on A-list stars. He knew people who knew people who had met Susan Sarandon. And, of course he worked with Tom Hanks for a couple of years.

I think he should be canonized (for putting up with me!)

Happy 91st Birthday, Donald Lewis Binder

 I wish I could find a picture, but hey... ya know.

Karla and I went out to dinner in his honor.

Voilà!

Twenty-five days later, it is finally complete. This one was a killer!

And Vincent Van Gogh was incredibly talented

 

A disappointing end to Pride

 The Supreme Court has decided it is okay to refuse me service, as long as you do it because your religious belief deems me inappropriate.

My understanding of the circumstances is that a web designer refused to do a site for a same sex wedding. SCOTUS deemed that the web designer’s right to religious freedom would overrides my right to services. Okay, this case, by substance, does not affect me. I don’t see needing someone to create a web page for my wedding in the near future.

But, lets take it to the next level: You call the Big Resort needing to modify a reservation. The hotel operator answers, “Thank you for calling the Big Resort. I need to ask before we go any further; are you gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered? And if ask me to use they/them pronouns, I am hanging up immediately.”

If he/she/they claim their religious belief does not allow her/him/them to provide me services, is it okey-dokey?

Stonewall

 

Riot like it's 1969!!!

Today is Helen Keller's 143rd Birthday

 

Anyone who isn't awed by Helen's story is just... well, not worth talking about. 

Happy Birthday, Ms. Keller!

Fodder for posts:

Yes, I do read to find things to talk about on my blog.

Checking for June 24^th, I found “American Revolutionary War: The Great Siege of Gibraltar Begins.”

I can’t make this shit up. I read it on the internet, so I know it’s true! During the 1770s or 80s we attacked Gibraltar. I’m sure it was because there were nests of terrorists harbored there.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think we ever attacked Gibraltar. Maybe in the Barbary Wars?

Happy Summer to All!

Oops, I missed the Summer Solstice. My bad.

But in my defense, have you checked the price of vestal virgins this go around. It is outrageous. When I was a child, they were a dime a dozen.

And on an alarming note, more and more volcanoes are refusing to participate in ritualistic sacrifices. Those damn liberal mountains. What is the world heading for!?!

Happy Juneteenth!

I’m glad it is our nation’s newest national holiday. It has a very true meaning for a reason to celebrate: the end of slavery in the United States. While the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery on paper, some two and a half years earlier, it didn’t immediately free any slaves. The Confederacy didn’t listen to Lincoln, and there were provisions for the slave states that stayed with the Union that gave them some wiggle room as to exactly when the slaves had to be freed. It sounds good in theory: give the states time to set up programs to help the former slaves adjust to life a free human-beings. Well, that ain’t exactly what happened, but that is fodder for another diatribe.

June 19^th was the date that the Union soldiers reached Galveston, TX. Galveston was the last place to hear the word. It was proclaimed that all Black people were free. Now that is something to celebrate.

My morning was brightened!

 

A couple of beautiful flowers in among the thorns!

Is it 1976 all over again

 

Terror all over again. 

TRANS LIVES MATTER!!!

My Latest Accomplishment

 

Ain't I something!

A heartfelt tribute:

 

One of my favorite entertainers, who I believe to be a good woman - a good person, has left this world.

She came from humble beginnings. I have been to her hometown, Nutbush, in rural Tennessee. I have traveled on the Tina Turner Highway. However, the Tina Turner Museum was more elusive, much like the castles of Germany. I never saw it up close, but I know I was near.

Tina's music uplifted me. Her life story was tough, but still she persevered. She should be an inspiration to everyone.

Hats off to Tina Turner. My favorite private dancer.

Can you spell Empress

 

Bring me some herring. And bring it now!

Je regrette

I’ve been listening to Édith Piaf, the chanteuse of France in the forties to the early sixties. If you’ve never heard her song “Non, je ne regrette rien”, listen to it on YouTube, or any number of channels. Her voice is amazing, you don’t have to understand the words.

Anyhow, the title basically translates to: “No, I regret nothing”. Wow, I wish I had nothing to regret. The mistakes I have made over my life would require writing day and night for a thousand years.

I’m going to share with you one of gravest mistakes. And there are many that achieve this dubious honor, but this one is hitting me tonight.

It was near Christmas 1984. I was the night manager at the Sheraton in the City of Industry, and was invited to the manager’s party at a chic restaurant in Beverly Hills. Doug and I were anticipating the experience. We were a couple at the time and had been for five or six years. Shortly before the event (maybe a week), I was informed that one of my co-managers would be ‘uncomfortable’ if Doug attended. His invitation was rescinded.

I knew at the time who it was. It was the woman who espoused right wing rhetoric. Just as a side note, her husband beat her regularly. Heavy make-up couldn’t always cover the bruises.

But I went anyway.

I am a fucking coward.

Someone is calendarically challenged

 

Meet Junior. His roots go way back to a plant that lived with my mom and dad.

I sat him down and tried to teach him how to read a calendar. It wasn’t successful. He glommed onto the 25^th bit and is happy as a clam.

It's Almost Earth Day

 Let's all do something radical: hug a tree, pick-up some litter, take the day off from driving, turn off an unused light. The possibilities are endless.

Me, I'm making ice to send to the poor, starving glaciers in Switzerland. I do what I can for the common good.

April 20th or 4-20

 Meet you out back behind the gym, as school as soon is over, say 4:20.

Got some good weed!

And another surprise bloomer

 

Meet Gloria, an Echevarria 'Elfstone'. How was I to know she blooms!

It's tax day!

 Well, kinda sorta. If you squint really hard it is tax day.

And, as I have been taught by my father, you wait until April 15th: you start preparing your taxes about 1PM and then at 11:00PM you drive to the post office at the airport to ensure they got postmarked on the 15th.

Well, that tradition ended for me; when my nearest airport was over an hour away. I took are more tolerant approach, and waited in line on the 15th to mail my taxes.

Now in this digital age, nothing is sacred. But I waited until the 15th of April to file my taxes. (Dad never taught me what to do if taxes weren't due on the 15th. That was not something he included in his lecture series.)

I am accomplished now.

A tumultuous two days:

It starts on Tuesday, if my memory is correct.

I awoke, made coffee, came back to my desk and sat down and turned on my computer. My normal morning routine.

 My computer popped up a message:

“Dear Mac,

 It has been an honor to be your computer for these many years. My manufacturer has asked me to let you know I am now unsupported. No more tech support; no more spare parts. Nada. Best wishes with your new computer.

Love,

(gasp…gasp)

I did what any sane person would do. I ran out and spent thousands of dollars on a new computer. I stretch the truth. I spent six hours on line, deciding what computer to buy. I spent less than a grand,

And then on Wednesday I find myself in the emergency room at Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

Hand infected like before

Old hat

Waiting for today’s adventure!

It's the Parker Brothers Birthday

 Happy Birthday Richard, Howard and Bob.

Somehow it isn't as much fun as it should be.

Bloomin' Aloes

 

Yes, Tia Maria has opted to flower her little heart out.

I am pleasantly surprised.

Darcelle has died.

 Or maybe it should read that Walter Cole, the performer who's iconic role as Darcelle has died. He was 92 years old. In 2016, Guinness crowned Darcelle the oldest performing drag queen. 

Mr. Cole was a noted member of the Portland business community, the LGBTQ+ community and a general do-gooder in the overall community.

He opened Darcelle XV in the 1970s and the nightclub has thrived in downtown Portland, with drag shows being the main draw. And Darcelle was the highlighted drag queen for many, many years.

(I'm not in Florida, so I can still type "drag queen" on the internet without fear of being tossed in the slammer.)

Lets all raise a glass for Mr. Cole and Darcelle!

I did something yesterday I haven't done in ages.

 I hit my finger with a damned sledge hammer.

OWWW

Doctor's fear they may have to amputate.

(Editor's note: it was actually a rubber mallet, and no doctors were summoned.)

Don't bother me with technicalities. It still hurt!

It’s Daylight Savings Time Eve Day

 Daylight Savings Time is a cause for partying throughout the civilized world; well almost. Some places are mad enough to either not go on DST or just stay there year-round. The underprivileged souls who reside in such backwoods areas are missing all the fun.

They don’t know the absolute joy of losing an hours sleep. They don’t know the pure ecstasy of not being sure what time it is: 6AM, 7AM or maybe it’s 8AM. They don’t know the heavenly bliss of bumbling around in a sleep deprived state for days. They don't know what it is like to be early/late for work. I feel sorry for the for those poor unfortunate souls.

Me, I shall embrace the time change. I shall find delight in changing all the clocks in the house. I don’t really care if I am an hour late (or early, as the case maybe) for any scheduled events. None of them are that important. I will revel in the perplexity of the day. It's like tripping without LSD.

Join me in celebrating the time change. We should all get together tomorrow morning and do a circle dance. Lets gather at 9AM time. At this point, time zones are inconsequential.

All I can say is that time seems to be too fluid to set your watch by it.

I feel a sib trip coming on

How about Reno. There is kinfolk to see/meet there. Wait until Tahoe is dug out, and there are many scenic areas. And casinos!

Maybe San Fransisco. Once again there is kinfolk to see/meet there. And SF has so many sights.

Would you contemplate Tucson? Heard it is cool. National Park on its edges. Plenty of time to do a jigsaw, or go to Nogales, Mexico.

What say Puerto Peňasco, Sonora, Mexico. 5 Hours (or so) from San Diego, on the northern end of the Gulf of California. It seems pretty cool

Speaking of San Diego… perfect climate, convenient.

Or let’s go off the edge and go to New Zealand!

GREAT NEWS!!!

 The South Dakota State Jackrabbits just punched their ticket to the NCAA's Women's Basketball tournament! 

It's getting be a habit.

GO JACKS!!!

Let's not even mention the Ducks this year. Better left unsaid.

The renovated and rejuvenated cactus garden.

 

I'm kind of fond of my cacti and succulents, but trust me, you don't want to cuddle with them.

Oh, and you don't want to stumble into the garden after one-too-many cocktails on a Saturday night. They are just waiting for you.

I know!

A Candle

 

For the estimated 40.1 million people who have died worldwide.

AIDS. It ain't over yet.

Ode to old home

 

Well, the weather outside is frightful

But my god, it’s so delightful

And since there is no need to go out

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

 

Californians are freaked, they’re alarmin’

They’re convinced Armageddon is a-comin’

But this is just like home for me

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

 

Cherry Hill Blvd is closed, it’s a bummer

But this could be a Parkdale in the summer

And I’ve no desire to go afar

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Umm…I meant, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.   

One year Later

 

Ukraine still stands tall!

Cleopatra in all her glory!

 

Protected by Augustus to keep the asps away!

Jimmy and Roslynn,

As I hear the news that Jimmy has opted for hospice, my heart aches and goes out to you this evening.

Jimmy, I support your decision to dictate how the remainder of your life is lead: Rosslyn, I can only try to guess what it is like to face this reality with your partner of 76 years.

You both have my admiration for your advocacy through The Carter Center. You have made the world a better place.

Really off the wall news flash:

 Havre de Grace is the "Decoy Capitol of the World."

Yeehaw, makes you wanna just jump in your pick-up and head off to Havre de Grace, don't it! I mean what could be more totally awesome.

Okay, the Havre de Grace Museum of Decoys does have the worlds largest collection of wooden duck decoys, most hand carved between 1930 and 1960. That sounds pretty cool.

Maybe an all-inclusive sib trip!!!

(Meaning everyone is welcome, whether a sib or not.)

In the deep throws of winter.

 I awoke this morning to what is (so far) our coldest morning of winter. It was (drum roll and cymbal crash) freakishly cold at 25°.

BRRRR!!!!

Us Southern Californians are not used to such incredibly frigid temperatures. I had to build a very temporary greenhouse for Cleopatra, my beloved papyrus plant, but the rest of my flora just had to cope with the extreme climate or die. I don’t think any of them were seriously impeded, but I will have to keep an eye on Minnie, my China Doll plant. I probably should have covered her to avoid any frost issues, but I didn’t.

It should be noted that I am usually careful to ensure that my plants are climate appropriate. My two exception are Cleo, who doesn’t like to drop below 40°, (okay papyrus is native to the Nile Delta, where it doesn’t drop below 40°) and my rhubarb plant, Rutger. Rhubarb has no business being in the Southern California desert during the summer. But oddly enough, he is surviving (yes, Rutger needs special attention all summer, but he loves the winters here).

Fare thee Well

 

David Crosby

A beautiful sunset in the IE

 

The Inland Empire often has a great sunset, it's just rarely I catch one.

And on a sad note, I had to light a candle for Barry Ternahan. A good friend of Richard and mine My thoughts are with his widow Carolyn and the family,

Notes on aging:

 #1 – Prepare to spend all your spare cash on reading glasses that wander off into the night.

#2 – Expect aches and pains in all sorts of parts of your body you didn’t even know existed.

#3 – Don’t expect GPS to help you find your way out of a parking lot. (You’ll just piss it off and it will stop working. Yes, this a life lesson I have learned the hard way.)

#4 – Sometimes the body just demands a day off. There is nothing you can do to stop it; a general strike has been called by the working forces. Go with the flow and take a nap.

#5 – Your coolness level has flatlined. You used to be at least semi-hip, but those days are long gone, and they ain’t coming back. Get over it.

#6 – Remember how you were taught to always respect your elder; “Sir” or "Ma’am” were the titles of choice. How many times have people referred to you by either of those two terms recently? And isn’t it annoying?

#7 - DO NOT LOOK IN THE MIRROR! Your glory days are over.

#8 – In reference to #1: by the time you spot the cheaters, you will have forgotten what you were looking for. You won’t have a clue what you wanted to do with whatever it was you were looking for. You will have wasted 30 minutes of your life. Then the next time you’re at the store you will by three more pairs and lose the bag they were in.

Happy Birthday, Louis Braille!

 

You made the world a better place for so many!

And I can't forget Utah!

Damn, they are both older than me!

Happy Birthday, Alaska

 

The 49th state turns 64. If my math is correct!

Kitty partied a little too hardy.

 

Only a cat can milk a hangover for two days!