One
For the past four weeks, I haven’t been writing much. My family was traveling for the first two and a half then I was blessed with my first bought of Covid-19. I’ve just about recovered from Covid, still have a slight cough, but I’ve not tested positive in almost a week. Covid is now a fact of our lives but it’s NOT the flu. It’s a serious illness that’s killed millions and will continue to leave some permanently afflicted. Long Covid is no joke. Now we have Monkeypox to deal with as well. ADHD does not like it when we change up our schedules like I have, and I’m still trying to get my balance back.
Two
Before our trip to Ireland and Scotland, I was in a great place. Mentally, I was in better shape that I’ve been in for years, maybe decades. I was also on my way to better physical health. The dark clouds of depression are skirting the horizon, but I still feel good on both accounts. I’m so fortunate that I have a plan. I can go back to my dTMS clinic and get a “touch-up” treatment. I may just do that before school starts. I’ve still got a couple of weeks of summer left…
Three
About that trip… it was amazing! The Wife and I travel with our boys, we always have. When I was growing up, my parents traveled but never took my brothers and me unless it was family vacation or camping. I didn’t board a plane until I was in my 30s. The first time I went to Mexico was the first time my boys went as well. My parenting philosophy has always been to avoid the things my parents did that left bad memories, but when The Wife and I started planning our first international trip over 15 years ago, I had to be persuaded that we needed to take the boys and my mother-in-law as well. The Wife was correct, as usual, and I’ve never regretted traveling with family. My boys have grown into excellent travelers with many adventures already under their belts. Here are some random pics!
four
While in Ireland, I spent quite a bit of time in pubs, shocking but true. The Irish are very outgoing and friendly. I’d go as far as to call them gregarious. We were invited to have dinner at the home of some dear friends of my youngest son and had a wonderful time. It was like we’d known them for years, even though we’d just met. There were lots of questions about American politics, Jan 6th, and of course, guns. In fact, just about everyone I talked to in the pubs I visited asked me these types of questions.
“Is it really as bad as it seems in The States?”
“Yes,” I’d answer, “it’s very scary to see the United States sliding into Christian nationalism.”
“Are you worried about shootings?”
“Yes, ,” I’m respond, “I worry every time I’m out in public and I worry about everyone I know as well.”
“Do you own guns?”
“Yes,” I’d have to admit, “but only black powder weapons.”
There were other questions, but those seemed to be on most folks’ minds. People wanted to know if my family had plans to leave in case things got more violent. But the consensus was that the United States was not a great place to live. This view is widespread outside of the US. Our healthcare system, gun violence, the increasingly unstable political situation, crumbling education system and infrastructure, are all problems that are well documented outside of the United States. The world is just waiting to see if we are going to implode. This isn’t the first time things have looked dark for the States, but it’s growing darker by the day.
Five
The pile of evidence of criminal misconduct by the Trump administration and the GOP is growing by the day. Only those who are blind to the truth or stand to gain or maintain their power, wealth, privilege, or positions deny that there was a widespread conspiracy to undermine the last election. The fact is, this goes much deeper. It goes back to the rise of ALEC, The Federalist Society, the growth of the evangelical movement as a political force. It goes back to the GOP plan to take control of the states and ensure control of government at all levels. I’m not paranoid. This is not a conspiracy theory. This is happening in real time out in the open, for all to see.
Six (Bonus Edition)
Alex Jones is a scum sucking grifter who deserves everything he has headed his way. I hope he rots in jail.