I don't think this graffiti is making reference to anything specific. There's nothing dangerous near this bridge as far as I can see. Perhaps it's just someone's street name, their tag.
I'm still processing the election. It's rare that I get to experience such heady triumph, such joy, when reading the news. Usually I'm in a state of despair, or at best, a cautious equilibrium. It remains to be seen how Democrats will exercise their power under this majority and how well they'll be able to get around Trump and his promised vetos, but I'm glad to feel like I'm finally represented somehow in this government. (I live in the UK, but I'm still a US citizen and taxpayer!)
The gifts just keep on coming. No more Lauren Boebert! And the Mississippi senate race is crazy -- at one point yesterday I looked at the results and the candidates were about 40 votes apart. The gap is wider now, more like 1,100 votes, but still incredibly close, with the Democrat narrowly in the lead. In Mississippi!
I spent yesterday reading, starting a new book -- "Sharp Objects" by Gillian Flynn, which I literally picked up for free somewhere. Entertaining so far! And I did laundry and walked the dog. Her new harnesses have arrived, so I'm going to test those out starting today. Hopefully they'll be a little more snug (and escape-proof) than the one she has.
I also bought a new lead, but I'm a little scared to try it -- although it's advertised as strong, Bailey is very strong. What if it's a piece of junk? The last thing I need is Bailey rocketing across six lanes of traffic on Finchley Road. (Or rocketing toward someone's teacup poodle with fire in her eyes.) Maybe I'll stick to her old one until I get somewhere enclosed -- like the cemetery -- and then I'll test it there.
I was thinking this morning how I can’t get enough of the news. I go from one source to the next taking it all in. That hasn’t been the case in a very long time!
ReplyDeleteYeah, for once, news we WANT to read.
DeleteI read today that Congress can overrule a Presidential veto. True?
ReplyDeleteDon't a lot of black people live in Mississippi? Why would they vote for Republicans? More likely they don't vote, I guess, but perhaps did this time.
Oh yes, a strong lead for a strong dog. Your plan is wise.
DeleteYes, Congress can overrule a veto with a two-thirds majority, I believe. Democrats don't have that in either house, but it's not inconceivable that they might be joined by some Republicans. Depends on the issue.
DeleteNow there's a proverbial strong lead on The Orange Monster. A dog walker should try it out in Central Park. Don't want that ugly critter getting loose again. He was barking at the neighbours and pooping everywhere he went.
ReplyDeleteWorst-behaved mongrel I've ever seen.
DeleteIt sounds like a good idea to test out the new lead somewhere quite enclosed. Do you have dog parks in your area? We have one not far from us that you can actually hire out for 30 minutes for just your own dog if you need to let it run free away from other dogs or test out training ... or new leads etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't know of any I could book, though that's a great idea. I'll check!
DeleteYou certainly have your work cut out with that young strong Bailey! It will keep you fir I guess and I hope your arms can handle it.
ReplyDeleteThe midterms remind me of the day Clinton was elected for the first time after the older Bush years and so many of our US friends here were celebrating. The same friends were apologetic and sad when the younger Bush got in eight years later.
My schadenfreude is exclusively reserved for Musk.
Yes, it's delicious to think of all the millions Musk poured down the drain. Of course, it's petty cash to him.
DeleteYesterday we were in agreement, today we are far apart. I'm ambivalent about our new Congress. Like all congresses in my lifetime, I think they care more about furthering their career and party than they ever will about me. I have yet to feel represented. The only point of light for me is that there is a Veto to force legislation that is more moderate in nature. That is of course assuming that there will be attempts at some legislation. Already I see the war drums (tweets) beating for some good old retribution
ReplyDeleteHow about "justice" instead of retribution? There is a difference.
DeleteYeah, as Ms. Moon said, one person's retribution is another person's justice. I don't share the same negative viewpoint of Congress. I think they're capable of doing good when they aren't gridlocked. We shall see!
Deletenow is not the time for euphoria. Time for level heads and hard work, starting with the next two years
ReplyDeleteFirst euphoria after the agonies of fear and outrage we've lived through. Then some of us have restarted our activism.
DeleteI think a bit of euphoria is called for! But yes, there's lots to do.
DeleteIn January the real work begins.
ReplyDeleteThis is true! God knows what will happen in the next couple of months that we'll have to undo.
DeleteI hoped for a Blue Wave and we got a Blu-nami!
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of Florida, it was about as good as it could get.
DeleteIt is such good news. It gives me hope for humanity again:)
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteI once read a thriller by Gillian Flynn and it was unputdownable, I can tell you that. So enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHer most famous one was "Gone Girl" -- maybe it was that?
DeleteNo, it was Dark Places, had made a blog entry in 2014
Deletehttps://ritamentor.blogspot.com/2014/06/gillian-flynn-paha-paikka.html
I keep staying up too late happy scrolling. It's a heady time!
ReplyDeleteAnd how often do we get to "happy scroll"?!
DeleteIt has been a nice two days with encouraging news to read or hear instead of the name-calling and corruption and outrageous acts.
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoy the fall colors on various blogs right now. It's too soon for the trees to turn here.
There will be name-calling and corruption as the Republicans develop a response -- I'm already seeing accusations about stolen elections. But it's going to go nowhere because they're making it all up.
DeleteAmericn voices spoke loud and clear and we had the most beautiful Blue wave imaginable. Yes, I am happy! When Kansas, Mississippi and Texas all go Blue that's pretty remarkable.
ReplyDeleteA strong leash and a harness that does not loosen or slip off is important. Testing both out in a secure space is a good idea.
I am just astonished about Texas.
DeleteI'm so happy with the new people that will get to work for the Democrats now - really needed to get more energy, more ideas, and more variety in the people who represent us.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely -- and some younger people too. We've got to groom a new generation of leaders.
DeleteI am still having a very hard time digesting this news and accepting the truth and goodness of it, perhaps not unlike you trusting the strength of Bailey's new lead. In the case of the elections though, my logical brain keeps telling the part of my brain damaged by the last years of the Trump reign that I CAN trust. Perhaps soon I will truly believe.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what you mean. It would be just like them to twist this around somehow, and as I told Sharon above I'm already seeing accusations of stolen elections. But that's just noise and falsehood. It will go nowhere.
DeleteYesterday was such a joyful day and social media was all about the winning and the losing. and the losers were just totally insane...communism, hoards of illegals, transgender for everyone, America as we knew it is dead! After listening to these people call us libtards and spew the most ridiculous accusations I just wanted to tell them all, cry harder loser. Read somewhere this election happened because of the younger generations finally having enough of old white men. All I can say is it's about time.
ReplyDeleteI've read Sharp Objects. I enjoyed it.
Amen to getting younger & more diverse people involved. After all, this is going to be their world and they need to express their voices!
DeleteI'm still elated. We had friends for dinner to celebrate. Now the work begins -- they have a lot to live up to. But no Bobert! My friend in CO is over the moon on that one. FINALLY! Could you try Bailey on the new lead in your yard or is there a chance she could run into the street? The cemetery makes some good sense as long as the main gate is shut. Flynn is very good -- haven't read that one, but I'm sure it's solid!
ReplyDeleteThe yard's not really big enough to walk her on a lead. I think the cemetery will be fine, because it's enclosed, but it IS big so catching her might be a challenge! (I think it's unlikely the lead would fail anyway.)
DeleteGood book. I thought you had gotten British citizenship?
ReplyDeleteWe did, but we're dual citizens. We didn't give up American citizenship.
DeleteI got two unsolicited text messages from the MS Democratic candidate yesterday asking for a donation - and I don't even live in MS! I regularly got them throughout the campaign from Talarico.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful leaves. You know I enjoy all the fall color you share.
That's interesting. Maybe they think voters in neighboring states will be affected enough to want to participate?
DeleteAnd Mississippi has no recount! So, if the Dem stays ahead, he wins. I'm so happy that Boebert lost and am hoping for a win in Alaska as well. I'm especially glad that no one (to my knowledge) is claiming that the election was "stolen." The wins were much too decisive and broad for that. I don't like Gillian Flynn (hated Gone Girl) but she's a decent writer and has twisty plots.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I saw that about Mississippi. The "stolen" rumors are indeed circulating on right-wing news sites, but it's just sour grapes.
DeleteI have been so elated over the Democratic wins on Tuesday. It is refreshing reading the news and not getting depressed.
ReplyDeleteYes! Happy news! Who'd have thought it possible?!
DeleteI'm so happy I could scream.
ReplyDeleteDo it into your pillow so you don't alarm the neighbors. :)
DeleteI read somewhere that Congress has the power to negate a Veto, and with the Democrats now holding power in Congress there is more hope of common sense being used.
ReplyDeleteThe leaves are pretty. I suggest immediate concentrated training in heel, sit, stay, for walking towards places where Bailey can run freer on the long lead. Also "come" to get her back to you when necessary. Puppy training begins much earlier than the age Bailey is now.
Thank goodness she's housebroken! Congress can override a veto but it takes a two-thirds majority, which the Dems don't have. It could still happen if they win some Republicans to their side, which is not out of the question.
DeleteIt's a thrilling time to be in the USA now. I keep having to remember I don't have to be on high alert all the time. More and more good news everywhere. I've been getting kind messages from other countries thanking me for the tiny part I played. It's lovely. I lived to see it.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's nice -- I'm sure the whole world is breathing a sigh of relief, but not as big a sigh as they will in January 2029!
DeleteI just feel as if we have turned a corner. We are not out of the woods yet. As GZ pointed out, we have a lot of work to do.
ReplyDelete