“Lucy look at this sun.”
“I know. Just goes to show you.”
“What?”
“What a difference a day makes.”
Hey Friday. Come on in. You sure are looking good today. We all could use a couple of days of rest. So here, have a margarita and take a load off.
This week has been a challenge for sure.
COVID cases are causing the cancellation of several events across the country. Garth Brooks and Stevie Nicks canceled five performances where COVID cases were the highest. The Texas governor tested positive but has no symptoms. He is a good example of the benefit of being fully vaccinated. I think there is going to be more news on cancellations. The President announced that Medicare funds to nursing homes that don’t have all providers vaccinated will be affected. Who boy can you imagine the forms that will need to be filled out on this one? The President is also going after those states that forbid local mandates on masking. It looks like the Supreme Court won’t have to worry about a lack of cases this year.
The Taliban took over the capital city of Kabal. Seems like the administration could have done a better job in executing the withdrawal from Afganistan. Funny how both sides of the political aisle blame the other for the mess. Cut the blame game, Mr. President, and get on with protecting our allies and those Americans still caught in-country. What’s done is done.
The CDC surprised us all by recommending a booster shot for those fully vaccinated. It was an original recommendation for those with compromised immune systems and those 65 and over. Now, bam, another mass rush for boosters. I have to wonder if anyone in Washington takes the time to plan anything ahead of the action. I, for one, have no idea of the guidelines for getting a booster. This announcement should have been held after some semblance of the process had been worked out.
The stock market is struggling due to uncertainty about what the Fed will do with its COVID stimulus program. The recovery from the original COVID business impact is again threatened by the Delta variant. Wall Street is afraid the Fed will cut back on the bond-buying stimulus, which is running at $120 Billion a month. Analysts believe the recovery is running into COVID and inflation bumps that were not predicted. Notes from the Fed meeting in July seem to point to a slowdown in bond-buying by the end of the year. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Today’s JohnKu talks about our nerves. I hope you have a great weekend and will try to forget all the bullshit flying around. Certainly, try not to be hit by any.
Nerves by John W. Howell © 2021
There’s the variant,
Prices going through the roof . . .
What will calm our nerves?
Fiction Favorites 
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael. 😊
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😊😊
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😊
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It is always a special pleasure to see the two of them so peacefully exploring the garden. 😉
Thanks John! What a week! The future will show the possible benefits. Have a beautiful Friday, and a great weekend! xx Michael
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You as well, Michael. 😁
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Thank you, John! :-))
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UK is going through similar issues regards Afghanistan and covid booster shots, John, sadly, our democratically elected governments are proving how incompetent they are, too much emphasis on party lines, not enough on what is good for our countries and allies ☹️
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I have to agree with you, Chris. Of course, other alternative types of governments have the same incompetence with less freedom for the citizens. I’ll stick with this devil which we know. 😁
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Agreed, John 🤔
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😊
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What Chris just said. There’s so much conflicting info being given out as well. I just want the facts reporting not the speculation too. We have another heavy, cloudy day, but we might get sun in about a week. 🤞 Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Great Haiku, John 💕🙂
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I hope yu get the sun, Harmony. Sounds like you can use it. 😁
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So, are the Friday posts become more political?
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You tell me. A discussion of the situation does not necessarily mean it’s political. When I think of political I think of someone putting forth an ideology. I don’t think that is happening here. There is a lot wrong about how things are being handled and I think pointing them out is not a bad thing. The way we stop discussions is to give them a label.
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The thing is that a lot of what’s presented by all sides tends to ignore various factors. For example, everyone is piling on Biden for Afghanistan as if he’s the sole screw up. The government isn’t really a one person or even one administration takes the blame thing. Yet, nobody wants to really admit that, so you get political tribalism. It isn’t like this situation would be any different under any other President. It was always going to end this way. The only question was which President was going to be sacrificed for the inevitable.
It’s also hard to discuss online because you’re missing all the nonverbal parts of communication. So, it becomes a guessing game in terms of intent of certain lines, which most turn towards what they already believe. You also have issues of location. A person in New York will see things differently than one on Texas. Yet, it’s no longer safe to discuss on a public forum. If the person you disagree with doesn’t get angry then someone else steps in to provoke a fight. I’ve been watching that and getting dragged into it all year. So, I personally don’t think public online discussions help people understand each other any more.
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All good reasons not to discuss current events. The left and right are never going to come together. My point on Afghanistan is let’s stop the blame game (Biden did his fair share) and get those folks out of there. There are executive actions that can be taken now to help the situation. It isn’t a matter of piling on it is a matter of asking the President to get control of the situation. He was, after all, the guy that pulled the trigger on getting out. I agree on people not understanding each other too.
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I actually disagree on him pulling trigger. At least alone. The process started under Trump and then Biden didn’t alter things as situations changed. So, I think both of them are responsible. That being said, I don’t even know what could be done. The issue was that the Afghanistan military and government folded before we could finish.
Interesting thing I read today was also about media manipulation. They love their wars. All the big ones have been going solely for commentators who criticize the pull out. They’re refusing to host those who want to defend it or explain what’s being done. Some of them even interview the person for an article and never use the information. So, there’s a lot of viewpoint manipulation going on here. Makes me wonder how much has happened on covid too.
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Good point on manipulation.
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Sign me, Still hunkering down in my house avoiding the flying bullshit . . . (After nearly a year and a half.)
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Me too, Liz. Still going to be a while until I think it is safe to venture out. Thanks. 😁
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I agree. Conditions are rife for the damn thing to mutate again.
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Lamda is sitting out there just waiting.
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Groan . . . 😦
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Another story might calm us John?
Hugs
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Another story might calm me too. Thanks, David. 😊
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Lucy is so wise.
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She is. Thanks, Jill. 😊
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I’ve been haunted by a comment made decades ago by a Japanese friend. He said, “You Americans are naive. You don’t see what is happening.” He was right. We were naive, we trusted — our elected officials, our medical spokespersons, our military leadership. And now we have awakened — some on the left side of the bed, some on the right side. But most of us are realizing it’s just ONE bed. “What will calm our nerves?” The only answer I have right now is found in nature – the song of a bird, the clouds rolling past, the wind through my hair…yes, nature is my comfort — and friends like you. 💗
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Thank you, Gwen. Yes, it is had to face the reality of life for sure. Thank goodness you can find relief in nature. There is always something comforting about finding that wind for the hair. I hope you have a nice weekend.
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I think the girls have the best idea – find a spot of sunshine and have a good nap. A good way to avoid everything going on right now. Have a great weekend, John!
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Sounds like the way to go, Teri. 😁
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I’d like to drop all of Congress into a giant escape room where they have to all work together to get out. I think that’s the last we’d see of them.
Have a great weekend, John. It’s time for me and the dog to have some toast.
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🤣 Waht a perfect solution, Dan. Enjoy the toast.
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It’s been a horrible week. Lucy and Twiggy have the right idea. Bask in the sunlight and try to enjoy the pleasures of the day where you can find them. Have a lovely weekend, John.
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You as well, Staci. Have a super weekend.
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It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find those quiet, calm spaces in the day, isn’t it? It think the girls have the right idea…focus on life’s small joys…the sun on your face, a breeze in the trees, a margarita shared with a good friend (ok, that’s for you and The Producer, not the girls). 😛 No shortage of things to cause distress these days, that is certain. Wishing you a peaceful weekend!
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Thank you, Lori. The key is to find relief where you can. Have a peaceful weekend as well. 😁
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I am so ashamed of what is happening in Afghanistan. We are on vacation next week so maybe I can forget about all this for a while! Hugs to the girls.
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Oh, I think you should just shed all of it and have a relaxing time. 🤗
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Happy Friday, John.
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Thank you, Tim. That pretty much boils it down to the important part. Happy Friday to you as well. 😊
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Sadly, I find myself retreating and hiding from all of it. That’s probably not the best course of action.
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I think you need to do what you need to do. I see nothing wrong with staying out of the way. I should probably do the same. 😁
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There is an old saying about what happens when good people do nothing. That’s my concern. I don’t have a lot of power here, and it’s not like anyone will listen to me.
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I would listen to you. 😊
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It has all gone to hell, lemme tell you. Here there have been more hospitalisations and, get this, lots who were doubly vaccinated. Bloody hell.
As for Afghanistan – let’s just say there might have been a better way of handling it. I think it’s right to pull the troops but the way it’s being done is what’s in question. All countries have military and other personnel there and we are all scrambling to get out now.
On a much better note, happy Friday to you and yours, John. I am counting down the hours to find myself on vacation for a week.. Woot!
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Vacation sounds like a good thing. Anywhere special?
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Going back to DE
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Have a great time for sure.
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I think I just might 🙂
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Excellent.
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You left out a couple of not so minor points. Like several Gulf state hospital systems on the brink of complete failure. Entire states where there is not an EMS vehicle available because they are all parked outside emergency rooms with nowhere to land the patient. And news reporters asking head of hospital doctors ‘just how bad is it ?’ as the second overflow emergency triage is set up in the parking garage. But hey we can circle back to that after the second or third round. Why is this discussion dredging up memories of MASH and Hawkeye and Trapper’s tent ?
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It gets worser and worser.
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A lot has been happening in the world, John. This Covid thing is never-ending. Have a good weekend.
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Thankyou, Guy. You as well
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So much is happening on a global scale, John. I think you answered your own question to the JohnKu earlier in the post – A Margarita. 🙂 Happy Friday!
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Yes I think I did. Thanks, Jan
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The world is a crazy place right now with no clear answers and guidelines for anything. Guess we just have to make the best decisions for ourselves. A little always calms my nerves. Cheers, John. Glad the girls found some sun.
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You are so right, Jo. Thaks for the comment and have a super weekend.
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It is all overwhelming all that us going on with no relief in sight. I have turned off the news and started watching old westerns 🙂
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There you go. A perfect solution. Thanks, Denise.
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Phew!! Better make that one stiff Margarita, John. We’re all going to need it!!
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I know right. Thanks, GP.
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I am all about enjoying the weekend and forgetting the bulls*t for a while. It will all still be there on Monday, so I’ll take that margarita. Have an awesome Fri-yay and an awesome weekend, John!
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Excellent Mae.I’ll serve them in quart mason jars.
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😀
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Things do seem messy right now, don’t they? Of course, I suppose you could’ve asked folks living in just about any other century, and they’d have said the same thing. We’re expecting a rainy Saturday, so I guess I’ll hunker down with my nose in a good book!
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I wonder. Thanks, Debbie.
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What a sunny joy at the Twiggy Resort, dear John! I have read a pretty quote about Friday: “On Friday be like Napoleon…after work”. 😁😁😁 Have a nice sunny week-end!
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From Biden to boosters, you are right on Sheriff. The Prez has to stop deflecting blame for his giddy yap out of town and start figuring out how to get our peeps out of there safely. And to expect Washington to be consistent or proactive? You might need a drink. I’ll pour it for you . . .
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He needs to do whatever he can to get everyone out even if it means sending in mote troops. For the life of me I can’t believe the administration is relying on the Taiiban to alow safe passage of our citizens and friends. That’s like letting a rat transport your cheese.
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Yeah that has to be one of the dumbest things I’ve heard this week. It’s bad enough these assholes are using all the resources we devoted to the Afghan forces over the past two decades. But if this turns into a hostage crisis, we’re looking down the barrel of more action, with China in the mix now.
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I can’t believe how messed up this became.
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In a hurry, which is what Biden was in when he decided it was time after twenty years.
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🙄
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I’m pretty middle of the road when it comes to politics. I usually can see both sides of most issues, though not with the refusal to get vaccinated. It’s so hard to get a straight dose of news anymore. CNN was actually hitting Biden pretty hard today, which was refreshing since Fox and CNN are both so slanted.
Have a pleasant weekend! A margarita sounds pretty good about right now.
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I woud say CNN hitting Biden is very unusual. Thanks, Pete. The Pres is not winning friends with his stubbornness.
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I’ll be trying to stay out of the smoke this week-end. I hope you have a lovely week-end, John.
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I hope you are successful, Deborah. 😊
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It’s enough to rattle the nerves.
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Big time. Thanks, Jennie.
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You’re welcome, John.
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The world is a crazy place, adding more stress to our minds and hearts, John. I think people are quick to point the finger and place blame when I wonder what they would’ve done differently. They have no problem blaming, but they rarely offer another solution or alternative. I’m saying this in general. It comes from both sides and from all different directions. 🙂 Sigh. I rely on nature, too, and some wine on the weekends. And that old mantra, “take one day at a time.” Have a good week!
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One day at a time is a necessary mechanism today. Thanks, Lauren.
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I hear you John. It’s never ending. Sometimes I find it helpful just to turn off the new for a bit.
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That is the best thing to do sometimes.
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