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