NAME YOUR POISON

The summer is flying by. Personally, I look forward to the fall-both for the weather and more uplifting days. There's been very few lovely days, and so much rain and humidity. The weather has been insane with tornadoes, intense flooding, and extreme heat. Cars become stranded in the high waters, trees fall on wires causing power outages and significant damage to homes and cars. On the medical front: Between cyclosporine, the significant increase of measles cases, Legionaire's Disease, and now Salmonella-it's mind boggling. I'm drinking coffee and vodka, ingesting chocolate and popcorn, and staying away from all raw veggies, jalapeno's, meat and chicken! Due to the recent budget cuts, the CDC has been crippled. We no longer have the ability to track, trace, and contain historic outbreaks. All of you on Wegovy/Ozempic probably haven't even noticed these restrictions-haha! What happens when the next epidemic appears? We cannot depend on RFK JR. for any intelligent guidance. He's a wack a doo! He'll put road kill on the top of the food pyramid. Watching the villanization of Dr. Fauci last week was beyond horrendous. I was heartsick. Maybe he made mistakes, but he tried to save lives with actual scientific knowledge. He was and is a dedicated physician who tried his best to help the country during the Aids epidemic and the Covid epidemic. The wildfires in France and Spain have grown to the largest either country has seen in decades. Six years ago, California was forced to dump tens of thousands of contaminated grapes due to the fires. Now Bordeux is facing this very same issue due to the heat, drought, and intense fires. Now, Eighteen months after the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles County, billions in aid still remains frozen. Why? Because Trump doesn't want to help California or Gavin Newsom. Trump ran on "affordability" and no wars. Yet, now he insists "affordibility" is a "made-up word" and a "con job" invented by the Democrats. However, Gas is up 26.7%: Meat is up 19.9%, Coffee is up 22.6% and Electricity is up 8.3%. Just look at your current bills and imagine all the people who aren't capable of withstanding these increases. And, the Iran war has been going on for 6 months. We have lost the war, all legitamacy, and anything Trump does now is considered a surrender. Have we forgotten the poor Ukrainians? Is the U.S. ignoring Zelensky? Trump promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours. It's lasted four and a half years. Now, with Lyndsey Graham gone, I'm not sure the aid previously approved by Congress under the 2024 packages will ever be distributed. My friends wonder why I'm in a major state of depression. Could it be the ailing economy and soaring inflation? the ongoing wars? climate change and the weather? the horrible treatment and murders of innocent immigrants? OrTrump's irrational retribution against his enemies? Pick one. So what does one do to distract - what is your diversion of choice? Many turn to exercise or a sport. We go to the gym, take long walks, play golf, pickleball, or tennis. We go out to the movies, a show, or have a night of a great dinner and drink. We can also watch a show on Netflix. You might read or listen to a book, go to book club or listen to your favorite podcast. Play Canasta, Bridge, or Mah jong. Take a walk with your adorable pet. Finally, we may go on a fabulous vacation-travel somewhere exotic or just stay more local with your cherished and beautiful family. Most of these choices have one thing in common: it's the act of SHARING this time with good friends or family that you adore. It really has little to do with the game your choose, the show you go to, or the sport you play. Of course, that is a factor. You should pick an activity that you enjoy, but the main component is the friendship and love you have for those you choose to spend time with, during the activity. Friends and Family help us through irratic times by sharing our pain, and offering support. "The only people worthy to be in your life are the ones that help you through the hard times and Laugh with you after the hard times pass" (unknown) "Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." Marcel Proust

PET PEEVES AND A SIDE NOTE

As you can imagine, I have many pet peeves that I have formed over the years. Here they are! 1)The phrase "Welcome In". Hosts of restaurants and stores greet you with this annoying phrase. Why not just say WELCOME? 2)Double Dipping 3)Close talkers 4)The driver who speeds by you and then drives at a snail's pace in front of you 5)The person who talks loudly or uses the speaker on their phone while walking or in the office. Headphones!! 6)People picking their nose (anytime) but in their car. Your windows are clear-we see you! 7)Using the fast track cart in the grocery store to save time, but still having to call over the associate anyway-no longer a time saver 8)Several waitstaff standing around; restaurant is basically empty, and you're sitting there for 15 minutes until you finally request someone to acknowledge your presence 9)People who don't yield at the yield sign. Do you not know the definition of yield? 10)Resevation made at a restaurant but they have no intention of honoring the time you made it for 11)Using fingers at a buffet rather than the tongs 12)Charging for ice in a restaurant 13)Getting home from picking up takeout, and finding out your order is wrong 14) Raw onions, anchovies, liverwurst, sardines 15)Unmade beds 16)Cold soup (that's supposed to be hot) 17)Food that's supposed to be hot, but comes to your table cold 18)Not having water glasses and coffee cups refilled 19)The 30 minutes of trailers before the movie starts 20)Nicole Kidman wearing the same navy and silver pin-striped suit (for the last 10 years) in the trailer before the movie starts 21)Under done bacon/ Over cooked poached eggs 22)Loud chewers 23)Leaving the shopping cart in a parking space 24)USB plugs-why cant there by one universal size for everything? A SIDE NOTE: This weekend I will have the thrill of attending my niece's wedding. I am emotional, excited, and reflective as the day approaches. It also happens to be occuring at the venue where my husband and I got married 49 years ago (tomorrow). Watching my niece and her fiance, I am constantly aware that she, too, will be "marrying a JUD". Actually, Aaron is his real name, but I'm coining the new phrase "marrying a Jud". Aaron is a true gem-just like Jud. It is extremely rare to find a human who is special in so many ways. Both these men are sweet and kind, always have a smile (no matter what time of day/night), are hard working and ambitious, are loving and caring partners, exhibit confidence and brilliance, and are always thoughtful. Did I mention their love of golf? I would be remiss at not mentioning how lucky Aaron is to be marrying my spectacular, intelligent, and beautiful niece, Jennifer! Wishing you both a marriage that always makes you feel warm inside, brings you continual joy, and feeds your soul. I love you both. And, A Happy Anniversary to the "real Jud". Love you too! PEACE OUT-ONE B