We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave

With apologies to Irving Berlin.

Yesterday 3/17/12, we smashed, destroyed, obliterated the temperature high record in the

Twin Towns. 80 degrees. Holy Moley. Painted the fence, cleaned up the garden, went on poop patrol (the dog's, not mine).

Just incredible. Got the fans out & blowing by afternoon. The dog, all of 13 years & counting was running around outside like she was 5 years old. Wearing shorts (me, not the dog).

On days like that, it's why we stay through the winters in Minnesota.

More warmth headed our way this week. I know it all evens out in the end. But for now, let us revel in it. No agenda, no rants, no opinions, no ennui, just enjoying the thrill of an early Spring.

Going to keep this short coz I'm going out in a few hours to work on my tan. Bye, bye & buy Bonds.

You've gotta a lot of balls.... for now

Problem:

Under the guise of protecting American freedom & keeping the big government from interfering with the lives of all freedom loving Americans, the Republican Party, unilaterally

has started their WAR ON WOMEN.

From attempting to deny statutory rape victims access to Medicaid funded abortions.

Passing laws declaring a fertilized egg as a legal person.

Cutting off access to all forms of birth control for women.

Slashing funds for Planned Parenthood.

Forcing women to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. ( The updated definition of rape put forth by the FBI earlier this year is as follows: “The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”)

You get the general idea.

Solution:

To prevent the need for contraceptive birth control, abortions & all the other periferally related

issues, I propose implementing the immediate neutering of all males, regardless of age etc.

Not only will this eliminate all need for contraceptives, in the long run, it will stop politicians from breeding.

Eventually, the human race will die out. This is not a bad thing, as we sure have screwed the pooch with regards to the home planet.

The real danger is the Fascist intrusive desire to take control of the most sacred right we, as freedom loving Americans hold most dear. Stay the fuck out of our lives & the bedroom.

It's a long & winding road

Last night (3/3/12), I took the first step to some semblance of normalcy since Karen died in November. I began to socialize outside my everyday sphere. I went out to Famous Dave's Blues Club in Mpls. to see some old friends perform a reunion concert. The band was & is

"THE LITTER." I have known, hung out with & followed these guys for 40+ years.

I recently reconnected with a two of the remaining original members (Denny & Zippy). For those unenlightened about the group, go to Wikipedia. In their time, they had the makings of one of the legendary rock bands in the Midwest, with an almost cult like following.

The gig was pretty damn good. Sure, the voices were a little rough due to decades of overindulgence. The instrumentation was sloppy at times, but by nights end, feeding off the crowds' energy & euphoria, they were spot on.

A splendid time was had by all.

It was so nice seeing fans of the band after all these decades. Hello to Marilyn, Kathy, Marge,

Gary, et al.

Kudos to Kenny & the lovely Beth for their continued friendship & the transportation.

A special shout out to the best "gal pal" from high school & beyond, Maureen.

Thank you all for giving me an enjoyable evening & making me feel human once more.

May we all "Rock On" together again.

It has been a little over a month since my wife passed away.

For the first time in over 40 years , I am alone.

Whether it was roommates, the usual assortment of girlfriends

or a wife sharing my life, living together, I've always had someone.

Sometimes the sudden loneliness is almost to much to bear.

The grieving, continues. This is the time when, I suppose,

I should "man up", "grow a pair" etc. The personal loss is more devastating

than I could possibly imagine. I still have a difficult time talking about Karen's death,

especially with the strangers I have to deal with while trying to settle her estate.

It is easy to understand why the suicide rates skyrocket during the Christmas season.

Lest anyone reads more into this then what was intended, don't worry. I'm too selfish,

too egotistical to contemplate ending what is a very strange journey. I still believe that

there is a lot that I can do to make people smile.

Despite my travails, I would like to wish to my family & friends, a very Merry Christmas.

Let there be peace on earth & within every one of you.

It's Personal

This blog will be silenced for a while.

My wife, my partner, my friend died last night.

She had been ill for the past few years.

Her spirit kept fighting,but her body had to give in.

I need some quiet time to spend with family.

In these difficult times, we the American people are faced with extraordinary choices to deal with extraordinary problems.

The difference between the Democratic political party & the Republican political party are very simple. It comes down to one thing.

When in power or out of power, the Dems. sit back, spend their time & ponder & try to see what they can accomplish to make the world a better place for all to live in. When forced to deal with an issue that they perceive restricts the freedom of individuals, they wring their hands and react to that particular situation. The Reps. on the other hand run like a constant machine that, while preaching smaller Government with less restrictions, they continually assault the basic rights of the individual. They continually plot. Under the guise of too much regulations on people, industry, banks etc., all the time these bastards try to take away the woman's right to choose what to to with her own body. They try to restrict the right of people to vote. Laws introduced that require a photo ID. Students cannot vote where they attend college, they must return to their hometown to vote. No same day registration at the polling place etc. This happens daily on the local, state & national level. No regulations on industry, there goes any hope of safety standards for workers. There goes any hope of a cleaner environment. Tax cut for corporations. No regulations on the banks. That worked out real well. Remember the housing crash. No rules to restrict greed & unsavory practices that cause financial hardship for the people or the country. As long as they get theirs... fuck the rest.

Now the Dems. work under the cloud of of political naivety. They still believe in the inherent

quality of the good in people. Wake the fuck up. I believed in that quality once myself. Forty fucking years ago when I was in my twenties & stoned all the time.

If the working middle class who vote for the Reps. because they cannot wait to take over, & think that things will change for the better, don't worry. Even if these asswipes get everything they want, the voters who mistakenly think that they, the people will now run the country & put things right, forget it. You'll be sold put as soon as the big money boys start to pull the political & purse strings.

Vince Flynn, a best selling right wing author of spy novels, who occasionally has a good thought wrote in his first book titled "Term Limits" the plot line of eliminating members of Congress who violate the trust of voters & who are corrupt. By eliminate, think "with extreme prejudice. " That is a work of fiction. As is this the belief that the Reps. are working for the good of the people & the country. Sic semper tyrannis.

Thank you for smoking

I smoke cigarettes. I have smoked for decades. I enjoy smoking. As the saying goes, "too old to care & to addicted to quit." I smoke in my house, my car, my back yard, my front yard, anywhere that if it is legal to smoke, I smoke.
I try not to smoke around non smokers in public. i.e. the streets or outdoor events. If I do smoke at these events, I find a open area & I do not blow smoke in the direction of nonsmokers. This is done out of a sense of civility, not out of concern for the supposed effects of "second hand smoke." I am smoking now, even as I type this blog. It is so tasty. That said, on with the show

I stream via Netflex. Lately, I have been watching British cop shows such as "A touch of Frost", "Inspector Lewis" & my personal favorite, "Midsomer Murders." If you're unfamiliar with "Midsomer Murders", look it up on Wikipedia. 13 seasons & counting. It offers a great cast, plot lines & is intelligently written.
Recently, while watching an episode of season 11, I noticed that on a dark & chilly night, while a murder was about to be committed, a barmaid, witnessed the two antagonist (one was brandishing a firearm) having a heated argument.
These two people then walked off to a semi secluded space. A gun shot was heard off camera & one of the two ran off & was seen by another woman standing on the street corner. The commonality of the witnesses is that they were both outside, enjoying a cigarette. Both witnesses provided essential information & were instrumental in helping the "coppers" solve the crime.

My hypothesis, is the logical assumption that smokers have now become crime fighters. You can have your "Batman" your "Kojack" your "Dick Tracy"
& the countless others involved in crime solving. Without us, the average
smoker, outside in all kinds of weather, crime would be running rampant.
So the next time all you nonsmokers see us enjoying our addiction, don't condemn us. Lighten up & light up. The next crime solved could involve you. Smokers unite & ignite. Lets help keep the world a safer place.