New View Askew

  Dear Prudence 2013 - New puppy in the house You might remember that we lost our puppy a few months ago.  Most people who own a pet, and especially dog owners, can vouch for the pain of losing them. It truly sucks. Time has passed and the pain, while still lurking, has lessened enough that I thought I might offer a eulogy of sorts for our  special girl  and perhaps an ode to pets in general. It seems the least I can do.  We have lost other dogs before Prudence and it is always painful. It’s just that we had her for much longer and had many more adventures with her so this doubly hurt. Never owned a cat, never owned a gerbil, never owned fish; never owned anything but a dog. I assume there is some connection with those pets as well but I can only say that if that connection is anything like the one with a dog well then, I feel sorry for those owner’s loss too. Prudie and her niece Lucy Pru, like her little predecessor Penny Lane, was a Cavalier King Charles Sp...

  War By Any Other Name One of 157 Military Cemeteries in the Country Since 1868, Memorial Day has been reserved for us to take time out from our busy lives to recognize and remember all those who have faithfully served their country, especially those who paid the ultimate price. We fly our flags, attend ceremonies in cemeteries across the country and many dedicate the day to family gatherings. These are great traditions and are appreciated by all and especially those who have served. Sadly, after a brief hiatus, it is yet another Memorial Day with the nation at war. Make that a “Military Conflict.” As with every other military action since WWII, we are told this is not a war.  Also, as with every other conflict since WWII, tell that to the parents of the dead and injured GI’s; such distinctions mean very little. Since WWII we have had several major “conflicts" starting with Korea and then Vietnam - but that is far from all the combat actions that have put US personnel ...

  100% You may have noticed recently that the US has managed to grow our national debt to 38.9 TRILLION dollars. So what, you may ask. Well, for the first time in over 80 years our debt is greater than our annual GDP. Yup, not since WWII have we managed to do that. Again, you may ask so what. Well, for one thing our annual interest payment is now over one trillion dollars per year (and unlike your mortgage payment there ain’t no principle in there.) Well, how did that happen?  You tell me. Social Security costs 1.5 trillion per year (yeah, I know, there’s allegedly a trust fund somewhere that you paid into but that it is just an accounting trick now.) Medicare, another “fund” you paid into, costs 1.1 Trillion per year. (Your contributions are peanuts in relation to our pitiful healthcare system.) Medicaid? Another 600 billion. Don’t forget that our Dept of Defense , er, War also costs one trillion per year – and if our cracker jack administration gets their way it will go to...

  Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that were, and ask - what the hell happened?! A few months ago, I wrote about "things I think" and enjoyed it so much that I thought I would do some more thinking. And there is a lot to think about - but don't worry, not politics. (Okay, maybe just a little.)  There is just so much going on that is either great, frightening, or curious. Mostly, I have been thinking about "progress" or what passes for it today. Define Progress (and if it's Good)   I think about progress a lot and wonder how we know when we are making it - or maybe if it's going the other way. "Progress refers to forward movement, development, or  improvement  toward a higher state, goal, or completion." It's easy enough to identify progress in some things and if they are good e.g. healthcare, renewable energy, nicer homes, better cars, labor laws - streaming? But there are  others things , important human beha...

I always have things I want to write about, that’s not the problem. But sometimes the things I want to write about seem  too philosophical,  too serious - or gloomy? - and I don't wish to inflict it on other folks at this time of the year. When this happens, I will occasionally go back in my "vast catalog" to find things that I have written about before that shook me out of a dreary place. I am in such a place and I have gone back and found something from 5 years ago this month that might do. In fact, given what is going on in the country today it's perfect! (Although admittedly the music is 5 yrs older.) Back then we were finally coming out of the pandemic but life still seemed to be beating  up on  us a little and apparently this idea popped into my feverish brain. I re-share now with the hope that you find it at least a little bit of an upper as it did – and does now – for us.    March 2021 Mrs Dear Leader and I each have a friend who is in hospice, frie...