The Good thing about The Man's Recovery is that I'm relaxing more at Home too, so that I can take Care of him while he's Recovering. Scaling back on everything else gives me more Focus and when he's settled in and not needing my Attention, I can Focus on Household things that sometimes just get deferred as a lower Priority. Right now I'm steaming some Corn On The Cob and Plantains, which I'll also fry the Plantains later before eating, to accompany BARRO's Pizza Leftovers for everyone's Lunch. The Adult Kids have their Boyfriends and Girlfriends over for the Weekend and some other Friends, so they're all in he Pool right now splashing about and that will work up an Appetite. *Smiles* The Daughter made everyone a nice Breakfast earlier and held her Sunday Yard Sale. People aren't spending at Yard Sales much either tho'. I'm down to the Wire in our Household Account.
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So, any extra Income flowing in is Helpful, whatever the Source at End Of Month. Everything has increased in Cost, and with Tariff's it will continue to escalate, the impact likely being more evident and felt in the Fall. At some point making the Ends Meet is going to be challenging for all but the Wealthy. So, I'm waiting to see how Americans impacted, and the rest of the Countries impacted, will react in the long-term? Populations under pressure always react eventually when the pressure becomes too much for them to bear comfortably. When basic necessities become less affordable, there's not much you can really do to scale back enuf. There's a lot that people can do without, albeit with some discomfort if they got used to whatever it is, but, basic necessities aren't what anyone can do without long term. Food, Shelter, Utilities, Medications, Healthcare, these are things that can be absolutely necessary for Survival and thus must be affordable enough to obtain. Billionaires don't have to worry about what's affordable, they can afford anything anytime.
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I did a bit of Work in The RV Garage Mahal, but it's been 117 and like a Sauna in there, so, not sustainable to be in more than a few Minutes at a time. Not much Work will get done in there or in The She Shed until Fall. Then the Holiday Season also kicks off which delays things further coz I like to enjoy the Holidays, starting with Halloween and continuing thru Christmas. The Pre-Halloween kickoff in the Shops is evident so Thankfully the Tariff's didn't impede that too much, they probably Ordered all the Merch before this Administration took over and cocked up the Economy. His Extortion of America and the World is paying off some, to him and perhaps some Billionaires, but the Average Consumer and most Businesses being Extorted, won't Weather it so well. I'm enjoying what Halloween Merch is on Display thus far tho', I look forward to it being trotted out early Annually. And Christmas in July Merch on Display too.
If you're a Fan of Holidays and the whole Vibe of each, you don't mind the early Offerings being out there to take in. Even if you're not a Buyer, you appreciate the Visuals and Aesthetic of it all that gets you in the Mood for your Favorite Holidays. As scarcity happens closer to the actual Holidays, and it will, then people will be more desperate to get theirs while there's still some left. I'm counting on that in the Resale Market since I do Believe Tariff Wars will perhaps benefit us Resalers of Used Merch? We already have all our Inventory so don't need to Order it from Abroad or from Import Suppliers here who had to pay the Tariffs to get it or to make it, and will pass that additional Tariff Tax on to the Consumers. We don't make everything in America, even when something is allegedly "Made In America". I'm already seeing barer Shelves in even Big Companies that rely heavily on Imported Goods.
It's why I have my Pantries stockpiled with what we use most and most especially any Food items Imported that are Non-Perishables with some Shelf Life. My Family won't be going hungry even if we have situations like happened during Pandemic. And we all remember those Shortages and uncertainty. I feel Tariff impacts might be much worse, I am Hopeful they won't be and that I'm Wrong, but, I doubt it. Dropping them to mostly 15% is less Crazy than what insane levels they were before to Shake Down and Strongarm Countries and American Businesses to just agree to anything to get it lowered to something that wouldn't crash all Global Economies and Bankrupt far too many Businesses to recover from. Even IF it eventually works to some Favorability, do we really want to be reputed to be the World's most Successful Extortionists?
The Son wants to BBQ for Dinner and since he bought everything for a BBQ, including a new Tank of Propane, I'm not discouraging it even if I don't eat anything. My Appetite is still very suppressed with Ozempic, not only in the amount I eat, but what I eat and have any interest in eating. I don't mind, it may help me with managing the Diabetes and in losing the Weight I need and want to lose of the Insulin resistant Fat. Anyone with that Issue knows that Exercise and Diet don't always solve the problem no matter how vigilant you are. And as you Age you can't Exercise at the same levels as you might have as a Youngster, especially if you have other Health or Physical Age related problems. Nor does your Body process Fuel the same as when you were Younger. So, I'm exploring every option that may be Helpful in my endeavor to manage Diabetes and lose excess Weight. Which may eliminate the Disease altogether, in spite of the Hormonal Issue that caused it after a necessary Surgery, in my Case being a Hysterectomy.
I'm preferring Simple Soups that are light and mostly Vegetable Based, like this refreshing Gazpacho pictured. I Love all kinds of Gazpacho, especially in the Summertime. Some local Restaurants sometimes have it on their Summer Seasonal Menus. Sadly, "Gertrude's" Restaurant at the Desert Botanical Gardens Closed at the end of May, I wasn't aware until I saw the Social Media about it, they didn't notify Members. They'd recently Remodeled, so it was a complete Surprise, and I knew the Manager and in May she didn't elude to a Closing at all, so I wonder why it suddenly happened? Not sure I Believed the reasons given? They'd Partnered with The Gardens for the past 13 Years and I Loved their Staff and their Foods. I don't know if they'll replace the Space with another Restaurant or not? I sometimes went to the Gardens just to enjoy Lunch there first. For Garden Members, we're saddened to see it gone now, I would have liked to have been told so I could enjoy one last Meal there. I only found out it Closed by Googling whether they'd have Gazpacho on the Seasonal Summer Menu!
Listen, I'm getting more Concerned about the sheer numbers of great, very popular, long established Businesses suddenly Closing, it's unsettling. We're losing so many, we did during Pandemic, and now it seems to be escalating since this new Administration took Office and made the Economy feel quite unstable, uncertain, Criminalized and mercurially chaotic. I lament every lost Business that was a Favorite and I Supported for so many Years, too many to list and mention since even a little bit before Pandemic. So, yet another one bites the Dust and it hit me kinda hard, along with everything else, it's yet another thing that is no longer and a Negative instead of a Positive to have to just accept and Move On from now. I don't know what will happen to my Favorite People who Worked there, clearly, it means mass Unemployment they may not have been prepared for or have backup Plans to get thru from. I'll miss them all as much as I'll miss the Restaurant.
The Son's BBQ turned out really good and I ate one of the Gourmet Sausages he Grilled, without the Bun, so I didn't have Carbs, it was delicious. I had Corn On The Cob too but frying my Plantains didn't go as planned, so I'll probably have to spend more time on them to get them Golden and Sweeter, so I told everyone not to eat any yet 'til I fix it. I'd bought them overly Ripe, which I never have before, and perhaps that's why they're being stubborn, usually ripe ones get mushy but these were very firm once peeled. I may just have to throw them out if I can't make them taste the way I'm used to Fried Plantain tasting? I got them in the Bulk Markdown Bag at the Grocer for $1.99 for a lot of great perishable selections. You expect some may be past their prime of using. I blended overripe Mango and Peaches and made a nice Morning Juice blend with them. But Plantain would not make a Juice. *LOL*
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Today is when we'll be doing all The Man's Follow-Up for his Prescriptions that are new to him, his Primary VA Doctor, and his Cardiologist to Schedule when the next Surgery will be for his Heart. And the problem is, I got his Appointment with his Civilian Specialist right away, they know the sense of urgency since he requires another Surgery. But, the VA is notorious for not getting you in for Months and Months, and he must see his Primary or they won't Honor the Prescriptions the Specialist says he MUST be on so his Body doesn't reject the Stint, he has to be on these Three new Meds for 6 Months minimum, probably longer. So, he can't run out as he needs them daily so as NOT to have a serious complication. So, to get the VA to fast track him in to see Dr. Kline and get these Meds Blessed so the VA will fill them is iffy as fuck!? We already know this Administration has cut all Federal Staff by about 40% or more, especially for Veteran's Services, the IRS and Senior Services. So, getting in will be just that much more delayed or impossible now than it already was!!!
You best Believe the fucking Draft Dodger Criminal In Chief gets the highest quality of Care from our Federal Government, all on Taxpayer's Dime. So don't try to stiff my Loved One who EARNED his Benefits and actually Served his Country with Honor and much Sacrifice for almost Four Decades!!! I'll go fucking Postal every time on his behalf and the Devils will just have to Deal with it. *Winks* And, if they decide to Arrest me I Plan to be the most Expensive and Problematic Inmate they ever had, so it's a Pay now or Pay much more Later decision they'll have to make. It really bothers me how poorly our Veterans are treated by our Government, being used merely as Props for Political Theater and then discarded and neglected, especially the Disabled Veterans and Retirees. A mere trite "Thank You For Your Service" just doesn't cut it. Words are Cheap and don't Feed anyone's Family or provide Care.
Okay, so to diffuse my irritation and anger this Morning lets have a dose of Imagery of Two of our Great-Grandbabies shall we? *Smiles* The Granddaughter took them to a Water Park and it looks like they were having a Big Time there. Unlike my Kiddos, who were a bunch of Natural Nudists, I swear, coz you couldn't keep clothes on them most of the time at these Ages. {Wonder where they got THAT from, says the Old Hippie Woman who gave the brand new Pool Boy a Full Monty... ha ha ha}, These Great-Grands seem quite Modest by comparison! They're all covered up, the Wee One even has long Sleeves like she's Amish or something, tho' I don't know what The Amish even wear as Swimsuits??!!! *Bwahahahaha* Anyway, they sure don't look like the Great-Grandkids of an Uninhibited Old Hippie, that's what I'm saying. *Winks* But, they sho' do have that Cuteness Overload going on, even if they're not a Nature Boy and Nature Girl. *LOL*
Again, that seems like a lot of Clothes for The Beach... but... this Granddaughter's Crew seems Modest too, like her Younger Sister's Kiddos. *LOL* Ahhh, to have my Bare Feet in that Sand too! *Swooning* Here in Arizona we got lotsa 'Beach' and no 'Ocean' and The Sand gets too scorching Hot to have Bare Feet unless you're a Trained Fire Walker! *Le Sigh* Anyway, looks like Fun for all was had already this Summer and I'm glad The Granddaughters are both Pathological Picture Takers, the Two Older ones that have Kids. The Youngest one who doesn't have Kids isn't a Pathological Picture Taker, so I'd like more Pixs from her... she and The Young Prince are terrible about taking Photos and they're so much alike in every way that I'm not Surprised really. They're a Year apart in Age but could pass for having been Twins they're so alike, it's eerie!!!
Last candid shot I got of that Grandchild {Above} was in July of 2024!!! She didn't even look thrilled to be taking it for me!!! *Ha ha ha* As if, well, now that'll Hold her for another Year... *Bwahahahaha* So, I am Due for another one, No... being it's now End of July 2025!!! *LOL* The Young Prince is worse, he obliged the last time in April of 2024!!! *See Below* And Listen, I know these Kids all have great Cameras on their Phones, and are fabulously adept at taking good Selfies, so, no Excuses, Right? *Winks* I was Joking with The Young Prince that I don't even know what Color Hair they have now? Since, they change it almost as often as most of us change our Clothing!!! And keeps 3/4 of it Shaved Off on the Sides and Back, so all that Hair is just a Mohawk Strip of the ridiculous amount of Hair that Child was Blessed with!!! *Smiles* And as a small Child I never knew what to do with The Young Prince's thick unruly Puerto Rican Textured Hair except to keep it shaved short, or it looked Crazy! *Le Sigh* Baby Dreadlocks would have worked tho', pretty sure. *Smiles*
Speaking of Beach Envy tho', my Co-Worker Friend from the Antique Mall, Brigid, just took a Vacay to Florida and Shared Pixs like the one Below! OMG, now I'm having Plant Envy too!!! I just Love Live Plants, especially those that are Greenhouse Tropical Types, and those they have in Florida remind me of those I saw in Hawaii and are Off The Chain enormous when growing Wild in those Environments they Naturally grow in!!! If it wasn't for the high Humidity, big mutant sized Bugs, Catastrophic regular Hurricanes, it's Politics, and Donnie Two Dolls residing there, I think I might like Florida? *LOL* Anyway, it's on the Ole' Bucket List for at least a visit one day. Even tho' only one of my BFF's still lives there, in Miami. Recently another Best Male Friend that lived there Passed away, and he always encouraged me to come for a visit and I never made it out there to take him up on the Invitation, which I do regret now he's gone.
Brigid is a Tall Woman, Retired from Military Service and is a Combat Veteran, so you can only Imagine how large that Leaf really is then, it's Jurassic Park sized!!! She gets annoyed when anyone thinks she's a Military Dependent and she has to correct them by explaining she IS the Veteran. I think it should bother her all the more now that out of the 40 Women in the Military who had Earned and attained the Highest Rank in Leadership of our Armed Forces, all Forty of them have been Illegally Fired by this Administration just due to their Gender!!! Along with many Men of Color in High Ranks of Leadership of our Armed Forces, just due to their Race!!! I do Hope every single one of them Sues the Federal Government and gets huge Settlements for illegally Firing them based on Racism and Sexism, rather than on performance, and thus destroying their Careers and Honorable Service and Benefit to our National Security. Probably replacing them with less Qualified White Men. But, that's the direction our Country is regressing and devolving to, it's a slippery slope...
Troubled Times... will it ever End???
Dawn... The Bohemian
I'm just waiting to finish out July. And start the bill cycle again. So far we make all of the regular bills. But we have some medical ones and I'm making my monthly payment and little more.
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