The Only Thing I Know About The Future Is It Hasn't Happened Yet

 

Another Local Uplifting Lovebird Pix since this isn't such an Uplifting Post at all, so the Visuals might as well be.  *Le Sigh*  I'm having some Senior Insomnia, but in part becoz I did take that late Afternoon Nap and like Rumpelstiltskin, it was a brand new Day when I finally awoke from it, a 2:00 a.m. brand new Day.  *LOL and Le Sigh*  I was watching Shark Week Specials on TV, mostly Conservation of the Creatures, not a Horror Movie Shark Binge vilifying the Species.  A Shark is just being an apex Predator it was meant to be after all and just doing what they do to get a Meal, that's not so abhorrent as us Humans can be.  And they are quickly becoming an endangered Species becoz of US, not the other way around.  So, whose the real Villains and Scarier Predators?  Granted you'll never find me splashing around in any Ocean or open body of Water for that matter, looking like a Meal, just in case.   I can think of less Horrific ways to Die.  *Winks*

I didn't need to be up at 3:00 a.m. anymore tho', coz The Son and Mando did get his Car finally repaired, Yay!   No more being Uber Mom for him now, just Uber Gramma for Princess T by 6:30 a.m..  The Used Car Dealership tried to finally respond to me 3 Weeks later than I requested them to, so, I didn't even respond, no need to now anyway.  And, had flagged them as a Business not caring enuf about having a potential Customer to be worthy of our Business, ever.  Swipe Left.  I'm glad that The Son didn't have to try to come up with the Money for another Vehicle and that what he Invested in this one finally did pay off for him, he needed the break.  I must say Mando was relentless about getting it fixed and I've come to realize that Guy is so resourceful he can fix damned near anything!  He even jury rigged a self-made part for my broken Kitchen Drawer we couldn't find the Part for and fixed it!!!  I'm duly impressed.

The Daughter jokes with him asking if he's sure he's Mexican American and not a Mexican from Mexico, coz in Mexico, they're renown for being able to fix anything!  *LOL*   She learned to be that resourceful and creative while living there for a couple Decades, and can fix damned near anything too now... but the Drawer had her stumped and so she asked Mando to do it and she'd be his Minion during the Project.  They got er done and I couldn't be happier coz we have a Custom Kitchen and I was the one that broke that Drawer by loading it too heavy.  And it was bothering me more than just a little bit to have a broken Drawer just hanging there, unusable and making the Drawer below it unusable as well.   Taking it completely out just looked so Ghetto and worse, that I refused to do it.  So, it hung there, slightly askew, for Months and Months.  The Son works in a Custom Cabinet Making Business and even they couldn't get the part to fix it!!!  *Le Sigh*  In this Original Listing Pix it's the Middle Big Lower Drawer you see next to the Stove.

I Love my Cabinets, Countertops and Kitchen, so don't wanna change it in any way.  It was clearly an expensive Remodel when a previous Owner did it to Modernize this Vintage Home.  Apparently each Custom Cabinet Shop has their own Cabinet Part Patented and each is completely different than the rest, who knew?  Even The Son didn't know that until he brought the Parts necessary from their Shop and it was all completely different and wouldn't interface!  Mando looked at the unbroken Part on the other Drawers and just rigged one he Custom Made for it and whallah, fixed.  Now I'll be much more careful about babying my Drawers and Cabinets, not loading any of them too heavy with crap.  Besides, you can't get any Cabinet Company to come Repair just one Drawer, not worth their while, they want to do only whole expensive Kitchen Makeovers or they won't even return your calls.  I just needed one Middle Drawer fixed, not a whole Renovation or Kitchen Demo, so, nobody would ever call me back.  I became despondent it would ever get fixed.

Mando and The Daughter are doing well tho' in their Relationship now.  He's being mindful about how often he's here and asks beforehand if it's okay.  Plus, they now know if they have a disagreement or fight, they cannot have it here, go somewhere else.  *LOL*   Ergo, they haven't been even fussing with each other and so there's no more Trouble in Paradise with them both.  *Smiles*   Mando had noticed that The Man and I never argue or fight, ever, and The Daughter testified that even as a Child, they never Witnessed us ever arguing or fighting with one another.   The Man learned early on that I don't like to Fight or to Argue, becoz I know my own Self way too well to risk it, Dark Dawn should never be Invited Out to Play. *Winks*  I like Diplomacy instead, I'm Grown enuf to Communicate without an Escalation and to choose my Battles wisely.  I have never started any Fight or Argument in my Life in fact... but I sure as Hell have ended some in a flourish that someone else was foolish enuf to insist upon.  People annoy me who pick Fights all the time or are incessantly Argumentative.  But, I don't feel the Need to Engage with them.

I do feel I'm a Zen Old Hippie and that's my Essence and preferred State of Being.  If someone is the Argumentative Type and can't seem to Help themselves, I'd rather forfeit any Need to be Right and end it with them with Four simple Words: You could be Right.   Then just walk away, argument averted, how can they engage then or escalate with that simple neutral response?  I'm not saying they're Right, but I'm not saying they're Wrong, they COULD BE Right... and that's enuf for me to then disengage with whatever argument they initiated with me.  Mostly becoz, Guess What, I don't Care!   Nope, don't Care enuf about whatever it is you want to fuss about to enter into an argument about it.  I like to maintain my Calm and keep my Peace restored and intact too much to Care about your Opinion about anything actually or try to change it either.  You're entitled to Believe what you will, Right, Wrong or Indifferent... and I choose to be Indifferent about it.  *Winks*  Why should I Need to sway you anyway, I don't have Need of that.

As for Fighting, actual Fighting, be it Verbal or Physical, I know I'm absolutely vicious if provoked enuf that I can't avoid the Fight.  And I will try to avoid it every way I possibly can first.  I know I won't care if I Win or Lose, since, my intent will just be to do as much Damage as possible. But, becoz I don't want to go Mental on anyone, Black Out to where Rage consumes me and I may really hurt someone and not even recall, I'd rather not Go There at all, ever.   That's how I tend to Fight, and Fair is Rare, if I've got to throw down, then I'm going Balls to the Wall with it, whether Verbally or Physically.  And, when I'm really, really Angry, I have no Need for Words and have an eerie Calm and Quietness about my demeanor that scares even me... coz I know then, shit, I'm about to go Postal on this Fool.  Dialing it back takes a lot of Energy and Restraint I might not then have.  So, The Man and I have this Agreement to where when he really pisses me off, I Calmly and Quietly Warn him he's Going  There, so don't Take me There, just Stop.  Before I Snap.

He's not a Foolish Man and so he just Stops.   And if I piss him off I would rather he just Calmly tell me I have too.  Then I'll just Stop.  Becoz once I know I've pissed someone off, or been hurtful or offended them in any way, to anyone, I just need them to tell me I have.  They don't even need to give an explanation unless they want to, tho' it's Helpful to know what a person's Triggers are so you're informed and don't remain clueless.  I never with intent would try to piss off another person, be intentionally hurtful to them, or intentionally offensive, it's not necessary to and not in my Nature to either.   It's not who I want or choose to Be.  I think we can develop the ability and capacity to get along and play well with others if we make that our Goal and State of Being.   Even some very Unlovely folks have come around once I've responded in a way that was cordial and Kind.  In spite of however Unlovely they are or what Tortured Souls they seem to be that project Negativity outwards upon other people.  Hurting people tend to hurt other people, it's a vicious Cycle that can be broken.

That said, some folks are just fucking Evil, and I have a Zero Tolerance Policy for their ilk, they should be shown no Mercy coz they sure as Hell won't extend any to another living Soul.   When you're that damaged and your Essence is that corrupted, Evil and vile, Society is better off without you.  And I don't know folks who are inherently Evil have any Hope of Redemption?  It's what and who they just are, it's their Natural State of Being and it's abhorrent.  There are some folks whose presence on this Earth had such a Negative impact, it would have been better for everyone, had they never even been Born.  I personally want my presence in this Realm to be mostly a Positive impact in every way that I can manage to be for as long as I can be.   I think our Legacy is important, and we each should decide what we want that Legacy to be?  How will folks Remember us when we're Gone?  Do we really Need to be the Cause of anyone's Pain or Distress?  I think not.

Yeah, I got all Deep and Philosophical at Four in the Morning, didn't I?  *Bwahahahaha*   But, I do think Offenses are increasing these days and people are Taking the Offense so easily now and tend to be so Emotionally Raw, Unkind and Confrontational too.  So, I did have the Come To Jesus with all of the Kiddos about Harmony being a crucial Priority here at Forever Boheme' if they want to remain here in this Multigenerational Living Experiment we got going on by necessity.   Coz The Man and I need our Peace, Solitude and Tranquility at this Season of Life.   I don't mind Sharing the Home with other Generations, in fact, I find it preferable if you can make it Work.  It has it's distinct benefits and neither The Man or I can afford Long Term Care, and the Kiddos can't afford their own Places, so, it's mutually beneficial to us all to make it Work.   It's a lot of Personality coupled with a lot of Extreme Disability Sharing Space under One Roof tho', so, each Day can be a New Adventure.  Tho' most Days it's pretty uneventful and copacetic.  

 But a Bad Day can be a very Bad Day and go Sideways real fast, especially with Mental Health or Drinking compromising Judgment at times with some of the Usual Suspects.  As the Head Mediator and Moderator, everyone comes to me first to Resolve Issues before they Escalate.   I'm very Solutions Oriented... I Solve Problems, it's my Super Power.   And if you're Identified as The Problem on any given day, you will be Addressed as such and given a Choice.  Become NOT a Problem, or suffer the consequences of me Solving you as The Problem.  Becoz the matter will be Solved and Resolved, since, I'm the Ringmaster of this Circus and The Asylum cannot afford any of the Flying Monkeys to be going Haywire here and Out of Control.  This Show also cannot be taken on the Road.   So, this is where it has to just Be, permanently now.  Either you're All In or you're Out, your Choice, so Chose Wisely.  I don't want any Family Unhoused, but, I know they Survived that way before, so... they don't HAVE to be here if they can't Cope here and Share Space in Harmony.  No judgment, do what ya gotta just do once you're Grown.  And, they're all now Grown.  *Winks*

 Behavior tolerated is behavior accepted and if it's not acceptable, ya gotta Go.  Allen found that out the hard way when he could not Dial himself back sufficiently.  The Son has found it out the hard way at times too.  I'm rather Surprised that The Daughter has managed not to get herself Kicked out since she returned, tho' she's had a few Psychotic Episodes that were pretty Dramatic and she Threatened to leave.  I just told her she gotta do whatever she felt was Right.  *Winks*  That took the Wind outta her Sails fast, coz, she had no Plan B and could Calm Down enuf that time to recalibrate and not do something Bat Shit Crazy.  But, it could happen with any one of 'em, including me, and I know this.  And, whenever the Circus thinks they need to Vote in a New Ringmaster, just lemme know.  I got plenty of Vintage Luggage and I'll be packed and ready to Go at a Moment's fucking Notice, don't threaten me with a Good Time and absolute Freedom and an Escape from The Asylum.  That Vacancy won't be easily filled coz it don't come with no Check, it's an Unpaid Volunteer Basis.  Any takers?  No.  Well, didn't think so.  *Winks*

Well, the 6th largest Earthquake in History hit Russia, it was an 8.8.  The Tsunami Warnings went out to Japan, Hawaii, Alaska and the California Coast last Night.  Lots of Natural Disasters already raging across the U.S. including Fires, Tornadoes and Hurricanes.  We have a huge uncontained Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  Since it was started Naturally they made the bad decision not to contain and put it out immediately and everything is so dry it got out of hand now and is only 9% contained, it's burned over 100,000 Acres, which, a Fire that Big now Creates it's own Weather Pattern.  They did better containing the White Sage Fire also North of the State, but conditions are harsh, hot and very dry, so Fire Danger remains quite high.   The Monsoons aren't bringing the Rains they usually do either.  The North Rim is Closed for the remainder of the 2025 Season it's so bad.

I think the above Spoon Necklace Message is an appropriate one "Always Be Kinder Than You Feel".   I think we all can manage that if we just do it with Intent daily.  Some folks don't Intend to be Kind tho' and that really IS the bigger Problem, isn't it?   Riding the Cruelty Train has been the Point for far too many people lately, even Globally, not just distinctively more in America.  Tho' we got it going on pretty evident and bad, haven't we, as a National Collective of outright Cruelty exhibited since 2016 with a large swath of our Citizens!!!??  We've had questionable Leadership before, and Civil Unrest, Inequality, Discrimination, and American Atrocities play out thruout our History, before and after I've been Born, it's not "New".  I've lived long enuf to Witness far too much of it.  But this time Feels really different and far more ominous and more deeply disturbing to me.  There is definitely a Disturbance In The Force of America and who we are as a Nation.  We can't be and remain in Denial and pretend otherwise.  It is the Stuff that sometimes does keep me up at Night.

 And I keep coming back around to it as a Blog Topic becoz I do think it matters.   And the only Change that will Be is US, as a National Collective, each doing our Part to Be The Positive Change we want to see Manifested and Improve it all.   And we can't grow weary in doing Good, being Kind, doing the Right thing instead of the Easy thing.  Regardless of the resistance to it by those who can't seem to muster any of it, yet, if ever.  Since, we can't Change them, that's an Inside Job for them alone, so only our Reaction to their Behavior and way of Being is what we can do FOR the betterment of our Society and way of Life.  I simply refuse to lower myself to a Standard that is unacceptable to me and is contrary to my State of Being, just to match those who are the antithesis of it.  I suppose I could, but then I'd be no better than they are being.

 I just wish America would take the Temperature way down in this internal strife and Politically motivated Tribalistic nonsense going on.  They say us Independents don't like anyone, but I find every other Independent, like myself, finds the polarization of Americans vilifying one another and being so divisive due to Political Partisanship has just become ridiculously conflated.   Even when a side Wins there seems to be no desire then to work with anyone outside of their chosen 'Tribe' to do what's best for ALL Americans.  Since, any President Elected, I EXPECT to Represent us ALL, not just those who Voted for them.  I don't expect any President or their chosen Cabinet to treat the rest of us like we're an Enemy just becoz we don't align with their Political views and slap their Label upon ourselves.  I don't give a shit what you Label yourself, just be the BEST Person for the Job, that's what I have a high expectation for once you get Elected.  If you're not up to the Job, then I won't be Supportive and it won't have a Partisan Spin to it, since I loathe the whole Partisan Fixation people often have.

I liken it to folks who go Mental over their Sports Teams, with absurd devotion to a Team and a Negative Attitude if someone else likes another Team!  To me it's not something I understand the Fixation or Obsession about... I like a good competition as much as the next person, but I don't lose my Mind or my Civility over it.   If your devotion to a Political Party, a Team, a Religion, causes you to be Hateful and Violent towards anyone not of that Party, Team, or Religion, you have a Problem and it has transcended your Humanity towards other Human Beings.  But, for some, that devotion is so strong and so over-the-top that they really do lose their Minds about it in unlovely and sometimes alarming ways.  And once any devotion becomes quite Cultish then I really have concerns. Cults rarely End well and have the proclivity to become Extreme, manipulative and controlling of their Devotees, quite Brainwashed and potentially Dangerous.

I just Wish there were more Adults in the Room at our Highest Levels of Government, and more Sanity.   Things are so Off Rails that I can't Believe nobody has had the bandwidth to Stop it!   But, the only thing I know about the Future is that it hasn't happened yet.  So, we shall see what happens???   I've been feeling Emotionally Raw lately and just deeply sorrowful, it's not something I've been able to shake either.  I did get a Surprise Phone Call from The Young Prince's Dad, Bobby, who I hadn't heard from in a long time, so at first didn't recognize who was calling me!  *LOL*  He's heard, from his Son, that The Man had the Heart Surgery and wanted to know how it had gone, if he was okay, if there was anything he could do or that we needed?   That was thoughtful of him, I guess he and The Young Prince have been in touch once The Young Prince got his Phone fixed.  His Dad doesn't use Social Media anymore and I knew that, which is why I no longer had a point of Contact with him.  

He and Angie aren't together anymore, she still uses Social Media, and she kept the House they bought, when they broke up, and she has the Two Kids.   All I knew from my Grandson is that his Dad had an Apartment somewhere in Downtown Phoenix now and had gotten Married in early June to some Gal we didn't even know about!  He and Angie were together literally for over 12 Years and never got Married, tho' they were Engaged forever and had the Two Kids together.  He was together with our Daughter from High School thru about Age 20, and had The Young Prince when they were Teens but never Married.  So, it was just a Surprise he got Married at all, let alone so quickly to this Surprise person, who he didn't mention even once during our Call... also Odd.  I just mentioned that I knew he'd gotten Married and Congratulations.  He asked if he could come over sometime, he'd like us to be able to see the Kids when he has them and also to see Princess T and us.  Last time he was here with the Kids and Angie was for The Young Prince and Allen's Wedding, which he Officiated.

 

I told him he's Welcome any time, so are the Kids, and Angie as well, they are like Family to us.   I don't mind if he brings the New Wife tho' that might be awkward with The Daughter living here, which, he was Surprised she still is, but I thought he should know.  He and Angie got along good with The Daughter during the Wedding, but I don't know how the New Wife would respond, we know Angie, we don't know whoever this is.   I knew Angie would be gracious about a meeting with The Young Prince's Mom and I knew The Daughter would be fine with Angie, she liked her and how good she's always been with her Son and Daughter.  She appreciated that Bobby and Family always included Princess T and have been so good to her, tho' she's not Bobby's Child and is no Biological Connection.  They appreciated that we all included Bobby's Two Younger Children, since they're the Siblings of our Grandson, but, no Biological Connection to us... they ARE Family and considered so, we Care about them and refer to them as our Grandkids too.

The Grandson is 12 now and a Computer Whiz apparently, he's probably a Child Prodigy and Genius like his Older Brother, I wouldn't be Surprised, he is an Old Soul too and always has been.  So, I wasn't Surprised as he's nearing his Teens that he's showing signs of being quite Genius as well.   The Little Sister has Autism, but she's quite an accomplished Artist for her Age apparently.  Bobby is very Artistic and Creative, both in Drawing, Painting and in Music... his Son inherited all of that too and can play any Instrument.   Bobby has been in the local Music Scene for Decades, mostly Rap and Reggae with some local Jamaicans who also have a Radio Podcast that is locally known.  They have all been co-owners of some Clubs and Venues.  So, the Little One being Artsy like her Dad and Older Brother doesn't Surprise me either.  He said both Kiddos learned to Swim this Summer.  He talked a little bit about his Mom, so I know Lydia must be doing relatively okay, she's had a lot of serious Health and Mental Health Issues over the Years, so, I wasn't sure.  Glad to hear it, I like her and she's always been great with us, she Adores The Daughter... but she's Mad as a March Hare too, so they're very much alike.  *LOL*

He's planning on calling again next Week to talk to The Man.   Bobby is a Health Nut ever since he got Clean from Dangerous Drugs many Years ago, I think he's got over a Decade of being Clean from Heroin now.  So he kinda swung in a Health Nut direction with Diet, Exercise, Holistic Medicine and such, which has done him the world of good.  I know he'll be preaching all of that Eat Your Leafy Greens stuff that I do with The Man and which I told Bobby, you know he won't wanna Hear all that, Right?  *Bwahahahaha*   Bobby won't even let his Younger Kids have Soda or Candy, he's such a staunch Nature Boy now in how they Eat. And whenever The Young Prince was at his Dad's, The Young Prince couldn't sneak any of that into the House, but, he was Thankful his Dad was Clean Living now.   Tho' he does smoke Weed, but I'm not opposed to that and it's Legal in Arizona now, he even named his Daughter Indica.  *LOL*  The Daughter laughed and said that would have been as messed up as if she'd named one of her Daughter's Crystal!  *Bwahaha*

Anyway, Bobby did eventually talk candidly about The Young Prince's situation and it was an Eye Opener coz I know they have more contact than our Grandson has probably had with me lately.  Bobby doesn't have a Peace about his Son remaining in New Mexico or with Allen.  He also claims he offered to go get him, all expenses covered.  Interesting, since I didn't know that and thus had petitioned The Niece to go get him.  Now she's waffling about it, and so it's good to know Bobby would do it.  But, like I reminded Bobby, they're Grown now, so we can't force a decision, it has to be their own.   I also talked of the GED and College Pell Grant Opportunity that has been presented as a Resident of New Mexico that he might not qualify for in Arizona... and allegedly the catalyst to remain, at least for now, to explore that opportunity.  Anyway, Bobby nor any of us has a Peace about The Young Prince remaining in New Mexico and all feel he'd be better off here, but, we could be Wrong??? 

 And, I don't really NEED more Kiddos in the Household, and The Young Prince also knows that he's Welcome, but I got a Full Dance Card already.  He really never intended to add to it.  When his Dad was still Single, they had toyed with the notion they could share an Apartment, but now Bobby is Married, pretty sure his Son wouldn't be Game for that.   He says the New Stepmom seems Young... and Nice enuf... but, he doesn't Know her.   We don't either, I don't even know what she looks like given Bobby dropped off Social Media after his breakup with Angie and I heard that it wasn't exactly a smooth breakup.  They'd had their Issues relationally for Years, so, no Surprises there, I knew eventually she would move on and it would be best.   She Lost her Dad recently and her Mom is a 'Project', she has a very demanding Career and Two Kids, one of which is entering his Teens and the Younger one Autistic, so she's got a Full Dance Card too.   A little bit of Bobby can go a long way, it always has.  *LOL*   He and I have had our "Moments" over the Years, let us just say.  *Winks*

Yeah, this is my Friend Rachel from Work, who calls me Mom coz people always thought she was one of my Daughters and that Princess T was her Oldest Child.  *Bwahahahaha*   And Yeah, that's Alice Cooper with her too, since he drops by our Antique Mall on The Regular and Shops there, he used to even have a Space at our Downtown Phoenix Location.  He also Shops at and visits "Sweet Salvage" often too when they have their Monthly Events.  He was there this Month in fact and got some Pixs taken with some of my other Industry Friends.   I don't know what he bought this time tho', or at "The Brass Armadillo" this last time he and his Dear Wife were there?   They are a Lovely Couple tho'... he and Sheryl have been Married for nearly 50 Years now!!!   They Married in March of 1976, since they met in the Industry, she's a Performer too.  Which for Celebrity Couples, being Married only once and to each other that long, is a Big Deal.   Actually for any Couples these days it's a Big Deal!!!

She's been a part of his Shows since the 1970's when they met while she Danced and did other Production things on Set like Makeup, Wardrobe and the Choreography.   She was formally Trained in Ballet, but found it to be too pretentious, political and narrow minded, but she was once a self professed Classical Snob.  *LOL*   She's Beautiful still and just a tiny little Sprite and so Nice.  He's a Sweetheart too, anyone whose met him Adores him beyond just his Celebrity Status.  His Stage Facade belies that he's a devoted Family Man and such a gracious humble Human Being in Real Life, that Stardom hasn't altered his beautiful Essence and hasn't given him a big Ego at all.   He also does Local DJ Work and owns a Club in Phoenix.  They have Three Kiddos, Two Daughters and a Son, and their Oldest Two are in the Entertainment Industry, the Youngest chose not to be.   All their Kiddos are Married and they have Grandkids by their Two Youngest Kids.  He and Wife live in Paradise Valley, AZ, which is part of Phoenix Metro, Eastside.

Another Hawaiian BBQ Restaurant opened near the new "Sprouts" by us and is called "Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill", they just had their Grand Opening.  I got an assortment of their Chicken Meals and their Luau Pig Meal for everyone here to sample and share.   My critique is it was all good, but I like "Ono's" Restaurant's BBQ Chicken better coz they keep it in larger pieces so it stays moister and more tender than Cubed.  But, their Sauces were really good and their Luau Pig was excellent and had a nice Pineapple BBQ Sauce to put on it.   Their Honolulu Chicken was my favorite {Below}.   I'd definitely buy the Luau Pig again too.  But their Huli Huli Chicken wasn't as good at what "Ono" has for their Signature Hawaiian BBQ Chicken IMO.   

I didn't try their Two Spicy Chicken Meal versions, since several Family Members can't do Spicy, so the Molokai Chicken and the Kilauea Chicken might be good, but I can't say.  I know "Ono's" Island Fire Chicken is not good, it's too Hot, and I can take Heat, but it's inedible Hot IMO, I didn't like it.  I can't speak for the Pasta or Rice Carbs coz I didn't eat any of that due to my Dietary Restrictions.    But nobody complained about any of it so I'm thinking they enjoyed it all.  I'm going to have some Seconds of the Luau Pig after The Son gets Home and has at least first dibs on a Meal of any of it.

*******

Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian