What a difference 100 days makes

Something to celebrate
One hundred days into office President Biden

spoke to our elected represenatives. Laying out

his many accomplishments to date and plans

for the future. All of which projected an aura

of success, confidence, and depending on one's

political ilk - arrogance. Yet looking back on

the past one hundred days one thing is clear.

And that is we live in a much calmer country.

An odd sensation given the recent raft of mass

shootings, police murders, protests, trials, covid

deaths, and partisan legislation limiting voter

access. So why do I feel such a sense of peace?

What is the difference one hundred days later?

Rotten to the core
As claimed prior, long ago I wasn't political".

That changed when a scalawag named Trump

came to the fore. You see I knew him for the

man he truly was. Having watched him lie,

cheat, and schmooze his way to the bottom

feeder layer of New York real estate. Nobody

who was anybody in Manhattan respected,

liked, or socialized with him. All because

of his record of deceit, fraud, and aggressive

behavior. Yet for some reason, those who he

had no respect for decided he was their hero.

An outsider ready to fight for them. When it

was obviously all about him. And no one else.

Gone and soon forgotten
The end result being five years of sheer torture.

During which Mr. Trump relished, leveraged,

and maximized his time in the sun. The result

being an endless swirl of controversy, dissent,

and violence. All of which ended with his final

one-way flight on Air Force 1 to Palm Beach.

One day later he was out of the picture. Just a

washed up blonde. One who almost destroyed

this country. Along with deeply wounding the

Republican Party. Hence the biggest change in

past 100 days is that Trump is GONE. And that

President Joe Biden has risen to the occasion.

BRAVO! Now let's focus on what's important!

REASON TO CELEBRATE

All clear
Last night we did something unusual. Post

over twelve months of isolation we went to

a cocktail party. Where we drank, nibbled,

and schmoozed sans masks all night. With

friends and neighbors of like minds. Now

don't assume that we've crossed over to the

other side. Joining those freedom fighters

who are hell bent on breathing free. Rather

our fellow imbibers were fully vaccinated

like us. Hence our ability to throw caution

to the wind, reconnect, and return to normal.

The end result being one of the most pleasant

evenings we've had in a long time. 

Too little, too soon
It's hard to believe how much our lives have

changed during the Coronavirus crisis. And

while some of us are safe - others are NOT.

My eldest lives in Michigan. Where the two

alternative strains are wreaking havoc To

a point where she has personal connections

with three people currently on respirators.

Thus while some of us were sipping martinis

others continue to fight for their lives. Hence

even as the CDC relaxes it's guidelines for

those vaccinated we cannot assume this crisis

is over. Especially given many seem reluctant

to give the vaccine a shot. And save their lives.

Truth or consequences
Rumors aside we did not spent the past year

battling a hoax. As of now five hundred and

seventy four Americans have succumbed to

Covid 19. That's a daunting number. Higher

than all deaths in our last three major wars -

World War II, Korea, Viet Nam combined. 

Yet many continue to cry"fake news." Using

any excuse not to protect themselves or others.

Including claims that vaccines will make you

sick, gay, or are worse. All of which at least

to me seems terribly un-American. We each

have a responsibility to do our part. So why

not give it a shot? I'll drink to that!

Knock, knock, who's there?

Caught red handed?
Inevitably karma comes calling for all of us.

Hence I must admit that I enjoyed the news

that Federal Agents were searching Rudy

Giuliani's apartment for evidence. Ultimately

perception foretells reality. So something is

up. Post years of blatant abuse of legality,

propriety, and honesty it couldn't happen to

a badder guy. Proof that even the worst of

us must suffer our consequences. And that

nobody is above the law. Especially if your

sugar daddy is out of office. Along with any

chance of a pardon. So to quote Mr. Trump

"it is what it is." And Rudy is screwed.

Trial and error
Why does it seem that justice is rarely served?

Most of the time bad guys never get caught.

Let alone convicted. Rather the end result is

that most of them get elected. Historically in

Washington D.C. pushing the envelope has

been part of our legislative process. However

stepping over the line between good and evil

now seems business as usual for many within

our political fray. After all we just completed

four years of lies ending with insurrection.

Assuming what goes around comes around -

when will Mr. Trump meet his comeuppance?

Or better yet an orange jumpsuit all his own?

Our day will come
Or... maybe he already has. Rumor has it that

Donald Trump spends his day's golfing. Or

watching TV in the comfort of his office in

Mar-a-Lago's formal bridal suite. Could his

extended state of suspended animation be his

worst punishment? Set aside, far away from

it all, with nothing to do but stew. One has to

wonder if he worried that the law might come

knocking on his door? With all of his pending

lawsuits, state and federal investigations there

is a strong chance he'll be taken to task. Thus

it could be just a matter of time before Donald

and Rudy are finally reunited... in jail. 

RED TIDE HITS MONTANA?

Red alert?
The completed final 2020 census results have

awarded Montana a second congressional seat.

Splitting our population between the current

Republican Congressman - Matt Rosendale

and a soon to be elected second. Montana is

a RED state. We just elected a scoundrel and

former Red Congressman Greg Gianforte as

our Governor. Our state house is also red den

of iniquity. Which post a lengthy blue reign is

currently reversing a plethora of prior decision.

Resulting in what must be deemed the political

equivalent of a virulent red tide. One that will

if nothing else sets us back to the dark ages.

Blue heaven?
Hence most national media has been assuming

that said second seat will automatically add yet

another red acolyte to the Republican side. But

the majority of Montana's population  growth

occurred in two blue pockets - Missoula and

Bozeman. Plus one red stronghold - Kallispell.

Which sits within Flathead County. Their 2020

voting results showing several blue strongholds.

Hence depending on how the Republican held

state house allocates the new district - could

mean theres a slight chance Montana's number

two representative could be blue. Or at least

a lovely shade of purple.

Purple reign?
As one evaluates the impact of the 2020 census

results one thing is clear. Which is that the shift

of growth - even within southern regions has

been fueled by large urban metropolitan cities.

Not country folk. However what is obvious is

that said tail wags most red dogs. Motivation

enough for blue and purple folks to step up to

engage in our next electoral process. Somehow

I'm optimistic. In that all of these newcomers

relocating from blue prior enclaves may have

changed their location but not... politics. Thus

there is ample opportunity to leverage growth

towards a fair balance. It's called democracy...

MY LAST MEAL

Steak holder's meeting
Last night I hosted my funeral. Said dream

was held where else but a steak house. An

spectral amalgam of all the joints I've loved

throughout life. Obviously about to end it

all - I was wheeled up to the end of a long

table. There laying before was my last meal.

A Manhattan. Raw oysters. Wedge salad.

RARE filet. Creamed spinach. And vanilla

ice cream. Around me all sorts of folks made

sure things went smoothly. An endless line

of people jockeyed for my attention. As I

worried I might miss seeing someone very

special to me before I was literally finished.

The more the merrier
Said night vision was a long, drawn out affair.

With all of the convoluted contradictions that

dreams are made of. However one thing was

clear. Each and every person at said soiree

needs to be there. Many of whom my nearest

and dearest had never met. Nor had any idea

of their importance. Yet those folks were who

I truly appreciated seeing. All because minor

connections and relationships are what make

life worth living. Random yet intimate gifts of

candor, humor, and compassion. Which at the

time seem unimportant. When in fact they make

you better for the rest of your life.

Golden opportunity
Ultimately I awoke with a smile on my face and

in my heart. Happy to be alive. And even more

thankful for the message of said vision. Which

is to live by the golden rule and hence reap its

rewards. Obviously in the end some folks will

celebrate my demise. Angry or bitter over errors

in judgement, omissions, or just plain stupidity.

However my hope is that my dream comes true.

And that all of you who've made my life better

realize just that. Knowing your kindness, love,

and generosity made a difference. For which

I am eternally grateful. So much thanks and

remember that you're on my final dinner list!

7th Day Surprise: Biggest Loser?

THE GOLD STANDARD?

Tonight is the

NINETY THIRD

Academy Awards ceremony.

Yet who cares?

Who has even seen the movies nominated?

Will Oscar survive his bout with Covid 19? 

And the envelope goes to...