FOOL'S PARADISE

The jokes on us

Given Sunday was Easter and April first, it
was something of a non-event. Somehow

merging a religious celebration, bunnies,

white lies, and practical jokes didn't work.

Therefore most assumed we'd dodged this

year's April Fool's bullets. Yesterday we

here in Central Montana received about
a foot of freshly fallen snow. Thus it was
confirmed that in fact the joke was on us.
The prior two months worth of snow had

almost evaporated just last week Only to be

replaced by a new shroud of the white stuff.

Hence our dreams of redemption must wait.

Deep freeze

It's times like these that one can't help but feel

that the rug has been pulled out from under us.

That just when we thought we were moving to

a happier place, Mother Nature reminds us that

SHE is in control. It's been said that there are

two inescapable phenomena - death and taxes.

However within the context of our political

arena it seems that nothing can be expected

beyond pandemonium. Thus for many folks

has been yet another winter of our discontent.

As the temperature chills in much of America
Washington D.C. is "chilling" in a political
deep freeze. A solid mass of political inertia.

Punch drunk

At least for me - said numbing inaction has

taken all the fun out of life. If nothing else a

somewhat innocent bystander - I'm amazed

at the turmoil, conflict, and confusion that

reigns within our highest halls. Yet that's
the least of my worries. What most concerns

me is that somehow I've become impervious

to such foolishness. Numbed to a jaded point

of apathy - I'm tired to a point of no return.

And suddenly, I can no longer laugh it off.

Instead I fear that in the end we'll ALL be

blindsided by some horrific joke wrought

upon us. Which will be anything but funny.

Bait and switch 

Growing up April Fool's Day was the biggest

of annual events. While quite well mannered

the rest of the year - my Mother love to wreak

havoc upon all near her for one day with wild

abandon. Hence most within her target range

approached said twenty four hours with great

caution. Knowing that if possible - Ethel was

going to "get" them. Sugar bowls were filled

with salt. Empty milk bottle interiors swathed

with white paint lay waiting in the fridge. And

somebody's bed was certain to be short sheeted.

Thus Mother made hay while the rest of us hid

and waited for our day of torture to finally end.

He who laughs last...

Which is exactly how most Americans feel

at this point of the Trump presidency. Once

deemed mildly entertaining the never ending

churn of this perpetual reality show episode

has become tiresome at best. Especially when

at least on the surface it seems that nothing of

consequence has been achieved. However the

end result of being constantly pummeled by

buffoonery is that we've been surreptitiously

fooled. Meanwhile behind the scenes the rich

have gained a competitive edge. Our judiciary

steered further right. So in the end who may

have the last laugh? Just think about that...