Come On New Hampshire, America Needs a Win

Even if it is Nikki Hailey Well, it’s primary day in New Hampshire. Last night, the first six votes in the New Hampshire went to Nikki Hailey. I’m sure she was thrilled as were Democrats, anti-Trumpers, and just about anyone who doesn’t want to see a Trump/Biden rematch. Of course with Trump’s double digit lead in the polls, it will be a tough ask to think that Hailey can prevail. But ask I will. With this first primary the other odd thing is that Joe Biden isn’t on the ballot. In a political middle school fight among the Democrats, Joe couldn’t appear on the ballot and not upset South Carolina and the Democratic Party. So now his New Hampshire fate …

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Grand Night with Grandkids

Life is so much greater as a grandparent Last night was another magical visit from the grandchildren. You never know how much it means to be a grandparent until you are one. As for me, I love it. With them I am Papa, yet I am more like one of them than I am anything else. That and a giant play toy and entertainer extraordinaire. When they are around, it is not my job to babysit or discipline (unless utterly necessary). It is my job to let them be kids and to be one with them. It is the perfect combination. Last night’s short adventure was making a tent in the living room. Making a small complex marble run and …

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Breakfast in Bed for the Better Half

Menu idea and file available Every now and then I try to do something nice for my wife. Emphasis of the “every now and then” despite the fact she deserves it daily. Hourly, if I’m trying to make up for all the times I should have done it in the past. But that’s another story for another day. One of her favorites is breakfast in bed. Since she babysits our grandchildren at their place and she’s always busy, this is a rare treat I get to give her. Today, I decide to make and share a menu for anyone to use with a download button for the Word document to customize for yourself. The original template for the file came …

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Blessed by a Snow Bubble

Isolated from the World Catching Up Day 5 of almost total isolation from the world. The snow that blankets the Memphis area has led to the ice that covers much of its roads. I can hear the world still moving out on the major highway, but on my street it is quiet. Very few cars pass. No one comes to the door unannounced. The fireplace is roaring with a peaceful warmth although the heat works fine. Water comes from the faucet. My wife joins me in the quiet of the room. She reads. I work. I am now isolated from the world catching up. I am for now blessed by a snow bubble. Of course, I am also blessed in …

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Tigers Tame Themselves

Dishearted But Not Surrendering My beloved Memphis Tigers surrendered a twenty point lead to USF as my son and I exchanged WTF texts to each other. As a season ticker holder, it was a rare time when I watched them play on TV. Damn ice. Yet it was also a chance to verify what I thought I was seeing from the cheap seats in the FedEx Forum. And it was in Penny finally airing the team’s issues that made me realize that, yes, we have a problem. The fact that we have a problem in Memphis is not that hard to believe. It’s part of our makeup, no matter who is coaching. No matter what year it is. No matter …

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Congress Saves the Day – From Itself

Another Budget Kicks The Budget Can Down the Driveway Good morning, America. Today in honor of the heroic efforts of Congress, they have deservedly taken the day off. But after their less-than-ordinary show in leadership, Congress saves the day – from itself. And now these courageous patriots are fleeing the onslaught of snow and running home. Yet Americans can celebrate the fact that they have at least risen to this low bar. We can all breathe a sigh of relief. Another government shutdown has been averted. At least for a little over a month. But take heart, they have only fled DC and the snow. After all, it is Congress staying to do their jobs that maybe we should fear …

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Webbing Surrounds My Brain

Even coffee isn’t curing this morning’s brain fog Another morning, another day of brain fog to start. But today is different. Today I can tell that the tentacles of whatever now controls my brain has made some new in roads. It was a struggle to get out of the bed. Not for lack of physical strength or desire. It was just due to the inability to think as to how I will begin the day. Now up and moving, a cup of coffee next to me, I am hoping to salvage the day. It is almost 11:30 am and for an early riser, the best parts of the day have now passed. So it will be interesting to see what …

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In Iowa, Trump Wins

Or Did He? With single digit temperatures and below zero wind chills, the brave people of Iowa went bounding into the frozne tundra of politics to give Trump a big win. Yet was it as big a win as we all think it is? From my warm house with a nice fire, I can contemplate this a little more. In truth, I think the Iowa vote will show to be a harbringer of things not so great for the Chosen One. First, the barely 110,000 caucus goers is far from a strong showing of support. Although I have to admit, the fact that 110,000 people showed up is a great testimony to the heart of Iowans. Yet personally I know …

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On Frozen Pond

Freezing time in the Memphis In Memphis another day to take a day off. Of course, being retired, means I have every day off, or so everyone assumes. But since it’s now another snow day in the MidSouth, I’ll take it. The pond in my back yard has frozen over. It only took a few days of our artic blast to make it happen. It’s so beautiful and again so peaceful. I will spend a number of hours just looking out at the scene as the days go by and this old geezer hunkers down. I am sick again, so at least the peaceful snow will give me more comfort. There is no telling what this latest “cold-like” episode really …

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A Peaceful Cold Blanket

More Southern Snow It’s 6 am here. The sky is clear and the moon shines ever so softly on the five inches of pillowy soft blanket on my deck. It’s beauty hids the reality that it is twelve degrees with a windchill of five. But for me, I just sit here with a cup of coffee enjoy the silent peaceful blanket undisturbed by anything. The world for at least this moment is frozen in quiet bliss. My wife, the foundation of my life, sleeps in the next room. The ashes of last night’s fire await a renewal for the soft glow of its warmth to fill the room once again. The kitchen is clean and awaiting the smells of the …

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