HEADLINES, RANTS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

HEADLINES GOP fails to pass a bill to give more funding to Israel and Ukraine. Repubicans insist on linking the border battle to this bill. Biden is willing work with this request. However, Everyone has gone home for the holidays, and left these countries in chaos. Last night Trump parroted Adolf Hitler saying that "immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country." Our grandparents were immigrants who made this country a better place to live. He continually incites hate with his vitriol. Yes, We do need a balanced immigration policy, but it should not be tied to a bill providing funding to Ukraine and Israel. An impeachment inquiry has been initiated on President Biden. Lyndsay Grahm admitted this morning there is no smoking gun that shows Biden financially benefited from his son, Hunter's, business dealings. Let Hunter have a public (and not private) hearing. Trump should also have public (and not) private hearings. Honestly, Hunter is no saint, and he freely admits all his wrongdoings, while battling a major addiction. But, this literally has nothing to do with his father. And, for the record, let's have some empathy for someone who is battling an addiction-we all know or have known people that have or have had these issues. Say goodbye to Rudy-He was ordered to pay $148 million dollars to the mom and daughter election workers who were defamed by him. What is worrisome, is Giuliani's lack of money. Stephen Colbert recently quipped, " He can't even afford full length pants." These two women deserve every penny of that $148 million. Hoefully, they will get the money, but I'm not exactly sure how. Rudy should be in prison. Good Riddance! The Ivy League Gets a BIG FAT F. They failed miserably. The presidents of U.of Penn, M.I.T., and Harvard should be gone (Penn's McGill is-sort of). When questioned if genocide against Jews counted as harassment, NONE of them answered with a resounding YES. Their next day apologies were way too little and far too late. Shame on all of you. Ken Jennings selected as the sole host of Jeopardy. Mayim Bialik (Punky Brewster) is out. U.S. pushes Israel to scale back the war in Gaza. Casualties of both Israelis and Palestinians continue to mount. Lack of food, medicine, fuel, and water are periously low. The U.S. wants a cease fire and the release of all hostages, as well as a two state solution. Netanyahu must go! DeSantis says that Trump will declare the Iowa caucuses stolen if he loses. I don't agree with anything that DeSantis says, but I DO agree with this statement. He's 100% correct. Texas Supreme Court rules against woman who sought court-approved abortion. Next, the Supreme Court announced it would decide on the availability of a commonly used abortion pill. It should be a women's constitutional right to make choices about her body. No ifs, ands, or buts. End of conversation. We are going backwards and it is horrifying. Despite a clear majority of people complaining about high food prices and the increased cost of living, the economy has been thriving. Gas prices are down. The market closed to an almost all time high last week. 199,000 jobs were created in November. 14 million jobs have been created since Biden took office. Intetest rates fell from 5.1% to 4.6%. Americans have also ramped up their budgets for holiday gifts this year. The malls are booming and Amazon touts a record sales season! Paul Ryan calls Trump an "authoritarian narcissist". He goes on to say, "Whatever makes him feel good at any given moment, Trump will say and will do". Again, WAY TOO LATE, Mr. Ryan! We need more of his silent colleagues to speak up. Unlikely! FOOD Uncommon goods personalized shortbread cookies-they are delicious and you can write any message or name on them. 24 cookies for $39.00 and there's free shipping. Dan+Day's Burgers and Shakes-598 Valley Road. Upper Montclair. The owners of unstuffed grassfed burgers have a new venture In addition to burgers, there will be sandwiches, salads, fries, and veggie options. Jayce Baudry bakery-17 Church Street. Montclair. Formerly from Restaurant Daniel in NYC, his pastries are outstanding. Do not miss his Paris Montclair-a puffed choux dough filled with homemade hazelnut praline, crushed toasted hazlenuts and a creamy hazelnut mousse. Divine. Playa Taqueria-206 Bellevue Ave. Upper Montclair. Authentic corn tortillas, tacos, bowls, and burritos. TELEVISION Fellow Travelers-SHO. I'm really enjoying this series. Based on a fictional novel, the story is about two gay political staffers in love that must be discreet about their romance. Takes place from the 1950's through the 1980"s.. The series stars Matt Bomer (beyond handsome!) and Allison Williams. Excellent! Julia-HBO MAX. Fabulous Cast and brilliantly acted and written. Two seasons based on the life of chef, Julia Child. 5 stars. Love every second. The Crown-Netflix. The sixth season released some episodes on Nov. 16 and the final episodes were just released on Dec. 14. We all love this series-can't get enough. Archie-Britbox. A four part series about Cary Grant. I'm not sure how to watch it, but it appears that a free trial of Britbox is offered on Prime. Looks wonderful. He was so suave and debonnaire. MOVIE Maestro-In theaters now, but also coming to Netflix on Dec. 20th. Starring and directed by Bradley Cooper, who plays Leonard Bernstein. Carey Mulligan stars as Bernstein's wife. Lots of great actors-Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman, Jeremy Strong. Supposedly, the BEST movie of the year. The Color Purple-The new version staring Fantasia and Tariji P. Henson is being released on Christmas Day. This will be a blockbuster once again. I loved the original, and I'm sure this will be equally amazing. The Holdovers-This has been playing for quite a while in the theaters. Should be streaming soon. Stars Paul Giamatti. Dominic Sessa a newcomer gives an outstanding performance. The plot is about a curmudgeon of a professor, at a prep school, who must remain on campus for Christmas break with students who didn't go home. A story of lonliness and isolation ends up being uplifting. I cried from the beginning to the end. The actress who plays the Cafeteria chef steals the movie. She deserves an academy award. Da'Vine Joy Randolph-you heard it hear first. PODCASTS All There Is-Anderson Cooper's podcast on grief and its complexities. Not for the faint of heart, but how do we live on after a loss? He helps us figure it out. Smartless-I mention this everytime! It's a fun listen hosted by Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett. Their interviews are fabulous and the banter amongst the three hosts is hysterical. A very fun listen with diverse guests. Great while exercising. BOOKS ON MY NIGHTTABLE The Fraud-Zadie Smith Wellness-Nathan Hill My Name is Barbra-Barbra Streisand MUST HAVE PRODUCTS Dazzle Nail Polish-quick drying. long lasting (2 Weeks). No UV lights or gels. Buy the starting set on Amazon for $38. There's a prep coat, a base coat, the polish color, the top coat, and a revive coat. It's the best I've ever used. Expensive but worth it. Chantecaille Liquid Lumiere. I use "Sheen". This is an anti aging face illuminator that highlights and brightens. Available at Sephora, Ulta, Blue Mercury, and Amazon. $46.00. IGK Good Behavior-Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray. Use in between keratin treatments to keep your hair smooth, shiny, and not frizzy. Spray on wet hair and blow dry. It works! Available at Ulta and Amazon. $34.00. Trish McEnvoy Instant Eye Lift-shade 1 is the fair-medium. An undereye cream that takes away dark circles and brightens. It's very good-not cakey or heavy. Avaiable on Amazon. $46.00. WISHING EVERYONE A YEAR OF PEACE, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, FRIENDSHIP, AND LOVE. HAPPY NEW YEAR! PEACE OUT-ONE B