Many complications arise in the conduct of one’s daily ambitions. The least of them at this time of year may be, What to wear? The forecast today (Monday) is endless sunshine and glaring heat, up to 27°C and climbing progressively to Wednesday when it is anticipated to be 29°C under a cloudless iron hot sky. In fairness it dips thereafter to equal chance of sun and rain, 19°C for four days before regaining a medium expression.  For now however it is a subtropical aspect.  And I am dressed accordingly. I extracted from my universal XXL costumes a decidedly festive Hawaiian-style shirt meant to be worn untucked (an accommodation which I have always “fashioned” spares me ten pounds minimum). The inurement is naturally a deceit but the two combined speak comfort.

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Mr. Macko’s latest reply (which by the way causes me considerable suspicion though I cannot say exactly why). I have not pursued this line of conversation further as I do not see any profit in doing so.

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We dined this evening at the invitation of my erstwhile physician at this country estate in the Village of Ashton. Euphoria I know is a combination of many things not the least of which is psychotic ecstasy (itself a derivative of incalculable and often unconscious stimulants).  So while I cannot aver without protest that the sole resource of my euphoria this evening is gastronomy, it is nonetheless very close to being so. Our host is a reputed fine cook. As well I have the advantage of having come to table with that blunt additive, a sustainable trace of an appetite having eaten breakfast many hours earlier and only having had a small plate of fruit and cheese midday. All of which was punctuated by an exhausting 45 minutes on the tricycle in the garage this morning and a prolonged dip in the pool this afternoon.

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Those of us wet on the lips for the latest back and forth tailing Trump’s criminal conviction (and perhaps the fortunes of Republican Party) will be pleased to know there remains until the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November next (November 5, 2024) time to anticipate continued dialogue and repartée before the upshot of both the court case and the federal US election is fully discerned and the bets are off. Whether it means an end to the discussion is both fearful and exhilarating because either way it anticipates a change in America.

Quite by accident this afternoon I found myself unexpectedly engaged in an on-line conversation through the Substack platform I use to publish my own nonsense.  Until now I hadn’t known anything other about Substack than what I require to publish or read my own stuff.  The APP only has three choices, Inbox (empty), Chat (empty) and of course Home (my stuff and about a million or more Notes). From what I can tell the Notes are for use by the Substack writers to advertise themselves.  But the vulgar commercial nature of the Notes does not diminish their collective entertainment value. As a “social medium” it seems geared to an older audience than Twitter (X). In any event the Notes make for sometimes entertaining reading.

Immediately following the Trump conviction, the Notes were replete with references to the trial and its political overtones.  As I aimlessly and casually scrolled over the succession of Notes I occasionally paused to make a brief enquiry of the writer, never thinking I’d get a reply.  But this afternoon to my surprise, one did. Here it is.  I didn’t respond. I think you’ll agree that if the thinking of this writer reflects the “facts” which are constantly contradicted in this so-called dialogue, it will be a muddy road to the White House.

Lisa
Exactly. Not a fan of Trump, l am a fan of freedom and democracy. Look I think Trump is sleazy as hell, but this is total bullshit. All you people celebrating this, someday it could be you or someone you love being hauled in front of a judge and jury who were chosen based on hating your guts ***with no actual crime committed*** and this made it far more likely. Way to go, Trump Derangement Syndrome is what’s really killing democracy.

L. G. Wm. Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
Exactly how?

19h •••

Lisa
29min
Because if they can get him on (excuse pun) trumped up charges, just imagine what they can do to the rest of us.

L. G. Wm. Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
What is your education?

27min

Lisa
24min
I’ve got a BA, just like you. Didn’t realise I had to put it in my handle like some absolute twat.

L. G. Wm. Chapman, B.A., LL.B.
21min
I am attempting to understand precisely what knowledge or intelligence you have regarding the fault of the court case. So far it is just adjectives, no nouns; viz., slur not substance.

Lisa
5min
Perhaps you lead the charge and outline exactly what was right with it?

Conjoined with phrases such as “far right” are “nationalism” and “isolationism”; and, all of them have both cultural and economic definition. Apart from those who have been tirelessly bigoted for decades, the latest dilution of so-called liberal political policies has arisen following the flood of immigrants worldwide upon the map of the Western world. Pragmatically the immigration would appear to be a reasonable choice for those escaping their respective dominions; but, Western nations are increasingly abutting the morality of immigration with the more functional concerns of cost and transition, not to mention the reputed challenges to identity and religion. In the Western world the history of Islamophobia far precedes that of anti-Semitism (hence the popular support of Israel over Palestine); just as the Ukraine now trumps the Soviet Union (a prejudice which is now a staple in Brussels). Meanwhile in America the Republicans under Donald J. Trump perpetuate the utterly comical theme of communism and socialism in the face of now accepted entitlements to health and education as a governmental objective. As usual on the other side of the world the Chinese attempt to avoid what for them are superfluous issues by confining their allegiances putatively to business interests only (though the allure of autocracy is undeniable considering the inescapable uniformity of costumes worn by the citizens). There is also a good chance the Chinese are just watching the Western world dissolve as it (China) overtakes the planet (Africa and the Caribbean for starters). This looming adventure (frequently illustrated by nothing but hard work and quiet reserve) threatens the vulgar hedonism of the Western countries as a model for the Chinese.

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Frailty is a condition associated with ageing and it has been recognized for centuries. It is a marker of a more widespread syndrome of frailty, with associated weakness, slowing, decreased energy, lower activity, and, when severe, unintended weight loss. As a frequent clinical syndrome in the elderly, various health risks are linked to health deterioration and frailty in older age, such as falls, disability, hospitalization, and mortality. Generally, frailty refers to older adults who lose independence. It also links to the experiences of losing dignity due to social and emotional isolation risk. Frailty has been identified as a risk factor for the development of dementia.

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It isn’t often I receive such an ample response to my narratives as the one below written by Suzanne.  Quite apart from the delightful nature of her account, I am flabbergasted by her ability to perform with the combination of such memory and acuity at the age of 92 years. And when I say perform I don’t just mean writing.  On a computer. Hers is get-up-and-go! Physically too she is a wonder, slim, great posture, mobile. And, yes, she drives.

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There has been a media and internet gush of predictable words from Trump and everyone around him. Trump’s criminal conviction on May 30th, 2024 may even rank with the World Series for universality. The Democrats appear to be keeping their cards to their chest, avoiding gleefully responding to the case. Nor is the complacency entirely without motive; there lingers the threat that somehow Trump will miraculously translate this disgrace and indiscretion into a cause célèbre useful to his election as president of the United States of America. This makes me ask myself, “Am I the only one who sees this?”

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No matter where on earth one finds oneself It is an inexpressible delight to awaken in the morning to the start of a new sunshiny day. Of course we all know we need rain.  But a blue sky with puffs of white clouds are so immediately stimulating and encouraging. Trouble evaporates. Obligation too. The pleasure this morning was further augmented by having hit the hay last night at 11:00 pm which is early enough to allow the statutory 8-hours without threat of abusing the morning, late enough to encourage a prompt dormancy. And apparently I profited from both; namely, I fell asleep without any lingering or disruptive anxieties, and I awoke precisely as the grandfather clock clanged eight o’clock fully rested and ready to greet the day.

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Sir:

As a remote Canadian observer from Canada I am daily distressed by the acceleration of anger between Americans. It seems so vengeful, so calculated, so useless. Its repeated abrasion has succeeded only to dampen the pain of the injury. It has become akin a high school debate where winning alone is the imperative.  Unfortunately we’re not dealing with a simple resolution such as “Little Red Riding Hood is a sexual myth” wherein the winner of the debate is irrelevant. What’s missing in these unending lobbies from one side to the other is any attempt to clarify why exactly the Americans are arguing in the first place. Nor is it enough simply to blame billionaires.  They need a working economy and happy workers more than anyone. And of course Trump is a puppet. We all are, just different strings.

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