I've Been Busy for a Long Time

When I was talking to my sister yesterday, she noted that it had been some time since I posted here. That was due to an ungodly heavy set of life issues and responsibility.

Every morning, I appreciate the invigorating Nature of the Magic Bean more. Doesn't just add energy, it adds mental clarity.

I rehabbed my new knee very quickly; the second replacement responded fast. I'm still working on strength and ability to cover long distances without hitting the wall, but results are much better than last time, and overall pain is insignificant. 

Dr. Hardy did an amazing job!

Much of the spring and early summer was taken up by long neglected tasks, running around helping others handle mini-emergencies, and preparing for the annual Medicare recertification. Important, but time consuming.

By mid-summer, my own health issues, and my husband's, were paramount. His were eye and managing chronic conditions. 

I was going to appointments, as he sometimes needed a driver. For my, I was dragged down by immune issues: seasonal allergies, eczema, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis, which mostly affects hands and feet at this point. Mobility issues in my hands limited both physical work, and ability to use the computer other tablet.

I was worn out by fatigue.

Yesterday, I was returning from dropping my daughter off at the airport, and I suddenly was completely drained. I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to drive home.

I decided to stop at the walk-in clinic down the road. I was seen, and sent for a chest X-Ray. I also was prescribed a new inhaler for my asthma, and steroids to bring me back to normal functioning. 

The chest was fine, no pneumonia, which was a long shot, but possible. They did see some scarring on the lungs, not progressive, but evidence of prior damage from infections. 

I've had continuing issues from childhood, so that doesn't surprise me. I wasn't finally diagnosed with asthma until my mid-40s. I seldom wheeze, which is one common indicator. Still don't.

I already feel better today. Last night was the best sleep I've had in months.

Alive, But Definitely NOT Kicking!

I'm 10 days out from my knee surgery. It's generally been a easier recovery than the first. 

I decided to use the skilled nursing rehab option. My husband is still building up hand strength from his wrist surgery, and wasn't really up to the task.

The acute pain is gone. I developed a sharp pain near my hip while Reaching for something. Still very painful, so I'm icing it.

I should be home in a week or so - maybe sooner.

I'm Dragging

I had a tiring day yesterday - an exhausting medical test, involving much heavy breathing, and holding my breath to the point of lightheadedness and nearly passing out.

It was necessary as prep for my upcoming knee replacement. Yes, with 2 repaired knees, I will be bionic, but I don't yearn for $6M capabilities. I'll settle for fully mobile.

And today is the day we will be finalizing our taxes. My husband is taking the last of the paperwork to our preparer.

I left everything too late this year, so have to hustle - and I really don't feel up to the task.

That's how I feel about my financial records. AND the house.

I'm going to take a nap.

What - and Who - is Behind the Protests

Actual Communist Countries.

China. A Chinese resident, who is still an American citizen, Neville Roy Singham.

Singham is one of those tech multimillionaires. He uses his wealth to fund revolutions in the USA, including his wife's causes (Code Pink and others).

A Sri Lankan by heritage, Singham was born in the USA.

He is for "Human Rights" in America. Not for any kind of anti-government action in the Communist Paradise of Mainland China, where he lives. The repressive oligarchy that runs China is NOT to be criticized.

He is doing his work against America, and her values, with the eager assistance of one of our mortal enemies. This is NOT an organic manifestation of American protest, but a planned psyop by a foreign country.

Which is More Important - IQ or Character?

I come down on the side of Character, just about every time.

Steve Bannon interviewed Jeffrey Epstein at length, an excerpt is available  here. Steve's summing up of Epstein?

"Brilliant".

I don't believe anyone with common sense would call Trump brilliant. Good in business? Sure (Even in his bankruptcies, Trump came out solvent. He may have lost some money - the paper value might drop, but he was able to readjust and rebound.).

Good at getting his way in negotiations? Absolutely.

But Brilliant?

No.

That's true of many successful people. 

That may not be the most important quality ensuring success.

From Dennis Prager:

"People tend to be preoccupied with intelligence. But intelligence leads nowhere if you don't have common sense and clarity. In short, “brains” aren’t that important. Almost everyone is intelligent enough to handle life well."

I've been saying that for years. With my students, those with character - the ability to resist easy solutions for problems, diligence and willingness to work, and trustworthiness - are far more vital to success in life.

It's Nearing the End Game

Fortunately, Trump does understand games - very well, in fact.

What am I talking about? This.

It is NOT just about MN - most of us really don't care much about it's governance, considering the Progressive/Leftist history of that state, and the fact that Minnesotans did NOTHING to stop them before this point.

No, it's about losing a state, ending ANY enforcement of federal rules/laws, and opening the Leftists to embedding themselves into county and local government.

Once that's accomplished, we have NO ability to keep aliens from perverting the election process, representation in Congress, and stopping payments from the federal benefits to aliens.

It would be Game Over. Just waiting for the final call of Checkmate.

Powerline says it best:

"If/when the insurgents succeed in driving out the feds, they will next turn their attention to state and local authorities.

To be clear, the goal of the insurgents is not protecting illegal aliens from deportation. The goal is the overthrow of the existing civil authority."

The link is above.

Maybe THAT'S Why the Pretti Photo Was Altered

The BBC (The BEEB? - truly, the End Times have arrived, when even THEY are willing to commit actual journalism!) has verified the video of Alex Pretti spitting on ICE officers, yelling, and kicking the ICE vehicle with sufficient force to damage the taillight.

And, replacing that taillight will not be cheap - it can reach around $400 - $800. So, the idea that Pretti was just wandering around the attacks on ICE, minding his own business, and just HAPPENING to intervene, strictly out of humanitarianism, is completely horse hockey pucks.

Now, an odd aspect of this whole media frenzy is that there is another picture of Pretti that is circulating among the protester network and the media (but, I repeat myself).

The original photo was released by his employee union, showing him in his nursing scrubs (2nd photo) The altered picture is not just cosmetically changed, with a darker skin, but considerably altered - face length, nose length and shape, jaw angle altered, etc (1st photo).

Why?

It is SAID to be to make him 'better-looking' and a more appealing subject.

Uh-uh. Don't think so.

The extensive alternations to the photo, in the revelation of previous criminal activity, may be linked to efforts to keep his physical activist involvement hidden from the public. He has been portrayed as an 'innocent nurse, not doing anything wrong, targeted by BRUTAL ICE'.

Were the AI alterations intended to shield his reputation, and defeat facial recognition technology?