Having bitched my heart out about the punishing heat this summer, I owe a debt to the weather gods to salute the lovely days that have been with us since the last week in August. We can use some rain, but the nights are cool and the days are on the lower side of warm, and that’s a good thing. Most days, my hair looks the same at 3 p.m. as it did right after I blew it dry after my shower, which means my head isn’t schvitzing like a dockworker all the livelong day. So that’s good.
Right now, I’ve leaning against some pillows against the footboard of our bed, spread out an old down blanket, and Wendy is curled up at my feet, snoring a little, sometimes wagging her tail in a dream. The laundry’s done, the larder is full, I got in a little workout, I restocked at Costco. I’ll owe some money to the IRS in another week, but the wolf is far from the door. My local CVS has the new Covid vaccines, and I’ll get one soon. It’s a good day.
Wendy’s getting on in years — 13, as far as we know — and is showing it in ways large, small and sad. So I’m taking time to appreciate my little dog. We go on more, but shorter, walks. I changed her food from kibble to kibble-and-canned to be easier on her achy teeth. She’s still got that spark, but it’s more mellow, like the autumn sunshine. One reason we haven’t taken a big trip this year is Wendy. I don’t want to leave her with Kate (no fenced yard, cats) for three or four weeks anymore, and she’s so sensitive, that much time in a boarding kennel would kill her. But I don’t mind. She came with us to the U.P., and for our next trip — three nights in Fort Wayne next week — she’ll be fine with a babysitter.
Did I mention we are going to the Fort next week? We were invited — GOD KNOWS WHY — to one of those Chamber of Commerce “homecoming” events. Does your city do those? Detroit’s regional chamber did for a while. They invite notable expats back to town to see the shine they’ve put on it in the meantime. We’re staying at the Bradley, the boutique hotel built by the Vera Bradley people, and some friends will be in the group as well. The idea seems to be to invite potential investors (not our cohort) or opinion leaders (ditto) and spread the good word. Honestly, I have no idea why we’re included, but I’ll try to sparkle and not be too mean to the Republicans.
Speaking of which! What a last few days it’s been for the GOP, and once again, I’ve lost track of the current outrage. Is it Croaky going on the attack about vaccines? Or the Department of WAR-RAWR-WARRRRRR rebrand? There are days when I have to avert my gaze and just appreciate the weather for a moment. Although there are moments of grim, black humor, as here:
While the criticism of Kennedy slowly grows from different sides, I fear it’s too little, too late. Considerable damage has already been done to Americans’ trust in vaccines under false pretenses. A veterinarian recently told NBC News about people expressing their concerns to her about giving their pets vaccines out of fear that they will harm their pets, causing autism or other cognitive issues. When people are afraid of dog autism, it’s going to take a lot more than some harsh words at a little-watched Senate hearing to get us back on track.
Dog autism. Dogtism.
On Thursday, the day this little-watched hearing took place, I took some time to take myself out to lunch, and watched the live updates with analysis on the NYT site as I worked through my pizza and Diet Coke. Claim after claim by Croaky was batted down, and now I can’t find it on their website, although there are plenty of stories wrapping it up. What a psycho that guy turned out to be. Alan thinks he’ll be fired, but I’m putting my chips on the No Way square. Trump never admits a mistake, and he likes anyone who stands up to Elizabeth Warren. We’re stuck with him. As the Onion noted: Kennedy Curse Sure Taking its Sweet Time With RFK Jr.
And now I think I’ll take myself out in this lovely late-summer sun and maybe slowly amble my old dog around the block. The Lions play in half an hour. It’s a nice Sunday.
FDChief said on September 7, 2025 at 7:12 pm
I get the sense that Croaky’s role is Felony Fats’ giant finger to everyone and everything anti-MAGAt. It’s not so much a “mistake” as a huge fuck-you to non-cult America, not much different from his War on Woke. It’s all about hating Those People; that’s what his cult loves, so Tubby is fine with the crazy nonsense.
Meanwhile his pal Vladimir is showing Porky his whole ass in Ukraine, bombing the hell out of Kyiv. So much for ending the war on Day 1, eh, Littlefingers?
What’s depressing about all this is that 1) the wingnuts are all in on this stuff; they see this as the second Civil War and intend to overturn the 20th Century, and 2) if we actually fight back – really fight, using their own weapons to the extent we can – we risk breaking the republic.
The Congressional Dems are frustrating, but in a way I get it. If they respond in ways that reflect reality, that the GQP is insane, can’t be reasoned with, can’t be negotiated with?
The entire system explodes, and we’re in political and social open war.
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Cheez Whiz said on September 7, 2025 at 8:22 pm
All sounds good. Enjoy this day that’s here now. Tomorrow is always available for stress.
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Brandon said on September 7, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Who here is watching the MTV Video Music Awards? For the first time it is simultaneously broadcast on CBS.
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Mark P said on September 8, 2025 at 1:48 am
Having a dog can be one of the saddest experiences we can have. It’s like being a god on Olympus, watching a being go from newborn to old, gray, and cloudy-eyed, while we seem to stay the same. I have been through seven doggie lifetimes since my 30th birthday. Both of my current dogs are older. The big German Shepherd mix sometimes needs a boost to get up on the bed.
I was proud of Raphael Warnock in the RFT Jr hearing. He could be a dangerous opponent if he ran for President, despite being a Baptist minister.
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Julie Robinson said on September 8, 2025 at 9:29 am
Old dog stories are tearing me up. Little Chica is 15 and has had a very rough week. She was improving but can’t keep anything down now and will visit the vet again later today. Sarah’s been nursing her around the clock, how much longer it can go on I just don’t know. She’s single and this dog really is her baby.
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Dexter Friend said on September 8, 2025 at 2:17 pm
I drove the ancient Odyssey to rural Findlay to see the grands and great-grands and have a bowl of chili and sample a little of my daughter’s desserts she made. This entailed viewing the Lions on dvr. I have been depressed ever since. The hated Packers had to ruin the opener that I was patiently waiting for. But the Wolverines…uhhh, they got slaughtered out in Oklahoma by a team called The Sooners. And fucking fuck wads Ohio State won over The Little Sisters of the Poor, 70-0. It’s just sports, right? Yeah, I should pay even more attention to politics, as watching news all day ain’t enough. Fortuna’s wheel spun downward in my world this weekend, but the visit with family was good.
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Jeff Borden said on September 8, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Dexter,
Solace can be found wherever you look. The ups and downs of the Cubs this season have buoyed me a bit when I consider the down, down, downs of this fascist shitstorm of a government. Generally, I don’t follow college sports much, but the Illinois football team is fun to watch and its victory over snobby Duke was extremely entertaining. I fully expect to see the Bears gag in their usual Bears way tonight. But I won’t be thinking of that cancerous pig pus in the Oval Office or the eunuchs in the Senate who are abandoning their Constitutional duty or the corrupt SCOTUS that just approved of racial profiling. I’ll be hoping QB Caleb Williams, who seems like an outstanding young man, has a good season and silences his critics.
Dog people,
Johanna and I are still stricken by the loss of Cosmo, who missed his 15th birthday by three weeks. The house is empty and quiet. Even napping, the big lug had a presence. We’re seriously discussing adopting an adult dog, as at our age it’s quite possible a puppy would outlive us. Life is better with a dog.
I’m going to Walgreen’s tomorrow for a Covid shot. No appointment needed. No prescription needed. No money needed. God knows if they’ll be available next year.
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Brandon said on September 8, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Maybe you watched it or didn’t but ratings surged for the MTV Video Music Awards.
The audience for the MTV Video Music Awards, unsurprisingly, spiked with a move to CBS.
The broadcast network, airing the awards for the first time, fueled a 42 percent increase in viewers for the VMAs. Sunday’s show, which also aired on MTV and streamed on Paramount+, delivered 5.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen’s earliest-available numbers (that include out-of-home viewing). That’s the most for the show in six years.
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Mark P said on September 8, 2025 at 10:03 pm
Jeff Borden, I’m thinking of the day when my two dogs are gone. If I got another dog, assuming I outlive them, I think it would be a senior dog. At 75, I, too, can’t be sure of outliving a puppy.
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Julie Robinson said on September 8, 2025 at 10:13 pm
My mom is now on her third cat since she was too old to adopt another animal. You never know.
Another expensive vet visit and more meds, but Chica’s not eating. Too weak to walk today and she got fluids injected. I’ve been down this road and I know how it ends.
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alex said on September 9, 2025 at 7:55 am
I followed the Kennedy hearing last Thursday via the live updates in the NYT and shared my astonishment with my brother regarding the Republican medical doctors and their contorted way of bobbing and weaving, baring their fangs at Kennedy’s jugular while craning their own necks to kiss Trump’s ass. My brother thinks Kennedy was chosen for his role precisely because it’s a way for Trump to test loyalty and it’s a ploy right out of the Putin playbook: Tell a lie; those who voice their agreement will be rewarded, those who call it out will be punished and those who remain silent will be left alone.
I just blew $250+ on a nice tenderloin of beef which I’m preparing in celebration of my brother’s 62nd trip around the sun. I’m debating whether to sear or not to sear, whether to slather in garlic/rosemary/thyme like a prime rib or just season with salt/pepper/spices. Need to make up my mind soon before I head to the store for my side dish ingredients, also still up in the air as of this writing. I’m thinking just some simple roasted potatoes and a salad. I had the butcher peel the meat but I still have to truss it up; I’ve done it before with some help from the internet.
I’m soon to be 64 and my dad will be 98. My bucket list has become my fuck-it list and I’m resigned that there’s a whole lot of stuff that I’m just never going to get to do.
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basset said on September 9, 2025 at 9:42 am
You’re not alone there… Mrs.B and I are pretty much done with major travel. I just turned 70 and she’s about to.
That must be one remarkable tenderloin.
Meanwhile, some organization I never heard of says IU Bloomington, my alma mater, is the USA’s worst public university for free speech:
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2025/09/09/indiana-university-ranked-us-worst-public-college-free-speech/85991079007/
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Jeff Borden said on September 9, 2025 at 10:00 am
I really hate this Supreme Court. Welcome back, racial profiling. We really missed you! What’s next? Separate water fountains?
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diane said on September 9, 2025 at 10:28 am
Dexter, it could be worse. You could be the diehard Ravens fan that I am and had to watch the debacle Sunday night where they hand the game nicely in hand and stopped playing. They apparently thought football games only had three quarters or something. Or they forgot they were playing against Josh Allen.
Between that game and the Orioles on Saturday night, the lesson that it ain’t over until it’s over was truly learned in Baltimore sports this past weekend.
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Little Bird said on September 9, 2025 at 11:22 am
I got my Covid shot yesterday. Market Street (a different name for Albertsons) has a pharmacy that does all kinds of vaccines. It was covered by Medicaid, and they take a number of different insurance companies. So check the pharmacy in your local grocery store maybe if you’re looking for a place where you can just drop in.
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diane said on September 9, 2025 at 12:22 pm
Yes, Little Bird is right. I haven’t horrendously the current vaccine yet but last year my doctor’s office didn’t have any and I would have had to make an appointment for a couple weeks later. When I was at the grocery store (part of the Kroger chains), I stopped by the pharmacy and was able to get it then and there and it was covered by my insurance.
I know this year is different in many states but a grocery store pharmacy is definitely worth a try.
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Heather said on September 9, 2025 at 12:41 pm
I am a big fan of adopting senior pets, since they are less popular than puppies/kittens, etc., and shelters are so full now. My two cats are at least 7 years old–I figured there’s a good chance I’ll still be around in 10 years or so and I probably won’t be leaving Chicago until then, when I retire in Europe (fingers crossed). After that I might just foster or pick even older cats.
But yeah, you have to factor in that you’ll probably be paying expensive vet bills sooner rather than later.
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Dexter Friend said on September 9, 2025 at 1:55 pm
diane, that Orioles situation was a heartbreaker.
I just called Toledo V.A. Gotta wait 3 weeks then call again to see if the jab juice is in. This is the same deal as past years. One year I got the shot at the county health center and was charged like $45…re-filed it through Medicare and it was paid. For me, it’s just easier to drive the pleasant 58 mile freeway-mostly miles and take advantage of the socialized medicine deal some veterans like me get…no paperwork, no bill. I get antsy staying in Bryan , Ohio all the time anyway.
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Brandon said on September 9, 2025 at 4:12 pm
Oliver North marries Fawn Hall.
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Sherri said on September 9, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Healthcare is impossible, even apart from the Bobby Brain Worm destruction of public health.
I just spent the last half hour on the phone with my parents, unsuccessfully trying to get them registered on the patient portal for their primary care practice, after they had spent hours unsuccessfully trying themselves. They didn’t really care about the portal per se, they just wanted to see what the results of my mom’s latest bloodwork were, since the message they got from the office was that her white blood count was “low” and she needed to repeat the bloodwork in two weeks. This was after three weeks of trying to get them to call my dad and tell him the message instead of her because her hearing aids that pair with her phone are off at the factory, so she can’t hear well on the phone with the loaner hearing aids.
She’s further annoyed because six months ago, they sent her to a hematologist because of a low white blood count, and the hematologist told her she was fine, there wasn’t a problem, and he’d let them know not to send her back. She’s 86, manages significant hearing loss, macular degeneration, asthma, and atrial fibrillation, but is still active enough to mow the yard.
(Actually, I was able to get her registered in the patient portal, with a lot of work, only for the portal to claim there were no health records associated with her.)
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David C said on September 9, 2025 at 8:26 pm
I’ve been signing up for all the things you have to sign up for when you move. So, it’s been eighteen years since I’ve had to do most of that. Everything is worse than it was. It seems like you can’t do anything without having to go through a website, a chatbot, and a phone call or three.
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basset said on September 9, 2025 at 9:32 pm
No problem at all getting the old folks flu and Covid shots at a Publix grocery in Nashville today. Credit union was a different story though, over an hour trying to get a live human on the phone and never did.
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Julie Robinson said on September 9, 2025 at 9:52 pm
Yes, health care is impossible, even when you have insurance and the know how for dealing with portals and phone calls and referrals and pharmacies and something not being covered so with this drug we get the generic but this one will only cover brand name. And then when the state requires a prescription for a Covid shot? You have to move heaven and earth.
Chica lays in her bed refusing food and water and seems semi-comatose. Sarah is hoping she’ll go in her sleep tonight but if not the dreaded vet appointment is first thing tomorrow. Sarah always took her everywhere and put the word out if anyone wanted a last cuddle. People have been stopping by all afternoon and evening to say goodbye, and we all have to cry all over every time. Kinda like sitting shiva before the funeral, if I can say that without offense.
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Mark P said on September 9, 2025 at 11:56 pm
I have come to see the pain animal lovers feel when they lose a pet as paying a debt we owe for having them in our lives for a short time.
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Julie Robinson said on September 10, 2025 at 9:23 am
Chica preempted the vet by going to sleep in her Mama’s arms, the best way. I will forever see the two of them off on another adventure, Chica’s tail wagging and whole body bursting with excitement to go somewhere, anywhere, together.
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Dexter Friend said on September 10, 2025 at 9:28 am
One neighbor built it a crude shelter, the woman who wears long dresses across the street was seen feeding it a can of food, and it strolls up to me and quizzically meows…and I really really want to take it in, but dammit, I just can’t. This beautiful thin calico cat needs a home but it ain’t me babe, no no no.
All my life I have adopted these cats like the calico. Now I am too old to care properly for a cat.
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Icarus said on September 10, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Julie, I’m simultaneously happy and sad to hear that news.
A few posts ago, I mentioned we were doing a bathroom remodel, and many of you gave some good advice. couldn’t incorporate everything, but did what we could.
This project has taken longer than normal because there were delays getting the tile (my contractor blames me but I blame him for not having a designer to help us — the more expensive contractor we didn’t go with offered this service).
It took a while for the vanity to arrive and the faucet hardware had a pinhole leak, which means ordering two new faucets.
now we are waiting for the shower door which should have come Tuesday but is delayed until next week. My contractor just wants to get paid and be done with me but I refuse to accept more blame than the learning curve of doing this for the first time in my life.
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Sherri said on September 10, 2025 at 2:53 pm
I’m in the middle of installing a second HVAC system to serve upstairs in my house, because the existing systems have never worked to cool or heat the upstairs adequately. From what I can tell, it’s just common for builders to put inadequate ducting in multistory houses. This house was built in 1993, and I installed air conditioning in 2018, but that doesn’t keep my bedroom from being over 80 degrees on hot days.
So, since we have attic space, we’re doing the equivalent of a mini-split, only mounted in the attic with ceiling vents to the rooms upstairs.
Once I have adequate airflow upstairs, then I can think about the bathroom remodel that I need to do!
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alex said on September 10, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Sending my thoughts and prayers to Charlie Kirk. Wishing similar on the Orange Sociopath.
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Deborah said on September 10, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Lots going on in the nn.c neighborhood. Sorry for your daughter’s loss Julie, pets are so hard to say good bye when it’s time.
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Heather said on September 10, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Various outlets reporting Kirk is dead. He once said gun deaths were the price of liberty. Guessing he didn’t think the payment would be coming out of his personal account.
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