Trump has experienced many Waterloos. I believe the Reflecting Pool is his most significant Waterloo. He’s off the wall about it! Without a certainty yet being established for its cause. Trump selected “vandals.” Factual basis remains uncertain, however. I read this morning that the claim is someone cut the blue liner some 200 feet plus. Who knows?

He claims vandals working with “knives” in the “dead of night” did it.

Cause and effect remains to be proven.

A TV news media yesterday suggested Trump and his Presidential motorcade might be the cause. Early on when the Pool was significantly empty, Trump and his motorcade drove down the dry side. Did such contribute to the problem?

There are a multitude of other problems which are receiving little or no attention. The Middle East and the Ukraine, sky high prices in grocery stores, gas stations and housing, a stagnant Congress, a failing tech industry, and more, Trump’s number one consideration continues to be the Reflecting Pool.

Some Trump officials foolishly are claiming the Pool is pristine They claim it is “clear” and “reflecting beautifully.”

The Reflecting Pool began having a fence erected around it yesterday. I doubt the Pool will not be ready for July 4.

The Pool must be fixed. Does anyone who is trying know what they are doing? Is Trump chairing in effect the remediation?

A question. If Trump is convinced vandals are responsible, why is the contractor trying to fix the pool under warranty?

Trump is calling New York City Democrats “Communists.” It has been many years since a politician has referred to another as such. Trump is opening a new door for abuse. Socialism is not Communism.

Many are referring to Trump as the “most corrupt” President in U.S. history. Think and decide for yourself. Though the answer appears obvious.

Trump dislikes Cuba. He seems to have a tendency to dislike weak countries.

Trump continues to hurt Cuba. This past Tuesday, the U.S. hit Cuban state companies with new sanctions that are expected to spook foreign investors and deepen an already steep economic crisis.

Moving on to other matters.

On this day in 1948, the U.S. began the Berlin Airlift.

Same sex marriage was made legal nationwide this day in 2015 with Obergefell v. Hodges.

World War I. Today in 1917, the first U.S. troops arrived in France.

A biggie! On this day in 1945, the U.N. Charter was signed.

A lot of earthquakes world wide recently. Is something significant in the works?

Key West traffic has been light recently. People wise and vehicle wise. That time of the year. Locals not unhappy. The season was good. Locals required a break.

I suspect the pattern will change beginning today. People will begin arriving for the July 4 holiday. 

Tomorrow Key West is hosting a celebration of the U.S.’ 250th Birthday. A big day. A huge parade and more!

Helen Keller was blind and deaf by the age of 2. Nevertheless, she graduated from Radcliffe College, wrote 14 books, and became an advocate for disability rights, labor causes and social justice.

In 1980 on the 100th anniversary of her birth, President Jimmy Carter proclaimed tomorrow, June 27, Helen Keller Day.

Another nurse visit today. Paige. I have not seen her in two years. I asked for her. 

Paige got me walking semi-normal two years ago. Then I lost her. I still walk half slouched. Want to get rid of it.

I am convinced she will be successful in completing the job. It will take several weeks. I will be patient, however.

Enjoy your day!

This is one of the most important blogs I have written. Be aware of its contents.

Chemotherapy drugs are in short supply. Orders are going unfilled. Patients needing the chemo drugs will soon first go to receiving less than normal and eventually none. Without the chemotherapy drugs, cancer deaths will be inevitable.

Why is this happening?

The shortage stems from manufacturing problems, shipping delays, and decisions from some companies to stop providing chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy drugs are challenging to make in sterile plants and command a very low price in the United States. Some companies soon may not be able to make certain chemotherapy medicines. The goal today at this moment is to ensue that not a drop of chemotherapy medication is wasted.

Some believe it is time for Washington to get involved. In order to ensure the U.S. has all the chemotherapy medicines its people need. Whatever, whoever, better move their asses. This is a SERIOUS problem, And if the U.S. cannot resolve it, no one can.

I am limiting today’s blog to this one issue. More important than the Reflecting Pool and Ballroom. More important than Trump’s lies. 

With so many of our people coming down with some form of cancer and soon may be without sufficient chemotherapy, the imposing shortage is one of the scariest things facing us.

Enjoy today best you can having been made aware of the problem.

For much of human history, humans ate with their hands. Over centuries, slowly changed from hands to hands and certain forms of utensils to what is today the fork, spoon and knife.

Spoons and knives came first. Spoons a chip of wood. Knives the weapon most carried daily on their bodies in Medieval Europe. Hands still the primary utensil, however. At one time stale bread became a utensil of sort. Food was placed by hand on the hard bread and eaten therefrom. 

The fork came last. It had its beginnings in ancient Greece and Rome. Primarily used as a cooking utensil. To cook hot foods. Eventually moved on to be used for actual eating purposes in lieu of the hand. 

The fork had a religious problem. Many believed God had provided the “natural fork.” Fingers.

The English were the last to use the fork. Forks were considered “unmanly” by them.

Use of the three primary utensils, to wit: the fork, spoon and knife, became common place as time wore on. Hands remained involved also during this time frame. Hands still used today for certain eating purposes. Eating pizza,  burgers, sandwiches, French fries and fried chicken.

New York City Mayor Mamdani turned out to be a kingmaker in yesterday’s New York City Democratic primaries. Socialist Democrats swept key races defeating incumbents. Mamdani proving to be a strong popular politician.

Sunbathing. A popular pass time. Something most of us have done at one time or another. Now comes a new somewhat similar pass time: Starbathing. Laying bare ass in the backyard or on a beach looking up at the sky. Even simply sitting clothed on the porch and looking up at the stars.

Star gazing experts claim three benefits arise from the activity. It calms the nervous system, provides a natural source of awe, and is free and accessible.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has to go. He has not abandoned his anti-vaccine agenda…..all to the detriment of old and young alike.

McDonald’s fried apple pie was a hit. It has returned and is not.

For some unknown reason, McDonald’s removed its popular apple pie from the menu in 1992. Decided now to return it. Getting mixed reviews. Too many negatives. Seems to have something to do with its sweetness. The new one has a strange sweetness to it. Some say it is the artificial sugar being used this time around.

The first Masonic Grand Lodge was formed in London this day in 1717.

Leonardo da Vinci: “You can have no dominion greater or less than that over yourself.”

A growing body of research now links a daily serving of prunes to a number of health benefits.

I recall as a young one my mother pumping prunes into me every day. She and other mothers even back then were aware of the natural benefits involved. Nothing new today. At best, a reminder.

Media claims gasoline prices have fallen for the sixth consecutive week below $4 a gallon. Not in Key West! We have not seen it yet. The best low $4.19 per gallon.

The Key West Firehouse Museum on Grinnell St. is soon to reflect history big time. The exhibit of a rare 13 star American Flag and a special Key West lime pie exhibit. The flag will be exciting to view. Pie pieces free as long as any is left. Once eaten and gone, no more.

The Fire House Festival will take place July 1 to July 5.

Local talent Ben Harrison at it again! This time a “delicious musical.” Titled Clouds On the Sunshine Inn. It will be shown July 14 to July 18 at the Fringe Theater, 600 White St.

All of Harrison’s work special. Don’t miss this one!

Query: Do mosquitos prefer a certain blood type? They may. Type O blood seems to be two times more popular an attraction than Type A. Amount of carbon dioxide exhaled an attraction, also.

A wife getting even with an abusive husband. What she did, baddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She took a kitchen knife and cut off his penis. Then took a ride in her car and at some point threw it out the window. The police found it. A 9 hour surgery reassembled it to his body.

Her name Lorena Bobbitt. The deed occurred 33 years ago.

Lorena was criminally charged. Acquitted on the grounds of temporary insanity. 

Some Trump. Very little. The reason being there is very little of merit to write involving him.

The Senate voted to block Trump from renewing the Iran War. Unfortunately, the vote does not have the force of law. Merely a feeling as to how the Senate feels.

The Reflection Pool has turned into a police zone.

I saw a photo of the algae being gushed into  simple law drain. Beware! The drain contents could contaminate something else. Would not surprise me!

The Reflection Pool is the “breakout hit of the Summer!” Who would have believed it would be so when planned and begun? 

Trump said six people have been arrested and seven others cited over allegedly causing damage to the Pool.

Me next.

I heard from the dermatologist’s office yesterday. I have two cancer infections on my left arm. Must be removed. I will get the dates later today. Since my left ankle which began as a small protrusion that I paid no attention to for three years and which ultimately took several months of treatment to get rid off, I am conscious of every mark on my body.

Last night The Grand for Happy Hour. Packed! More people than normal!

I enjoyed Cindy and Steve’s company. Matt the bartender his usual charming self.

I have a nurse visiting me at one o’clock. Nothing else scheduled.

Enjoy your day!

Trump claims the Reflection Pool problems are not his fault. If not his, who then? Nothing is ever his fault. He the man who screws everything up!

The Reflection Pool is a disaster. Appears to be getting worse by day. It would have been better had Trump left it alone in the first place. That which he tries to fix or change generally ends up a mess. The ballroom for example.

Trump wanted to change the color of the Pool. He has. Not from what he intended: American flag blue. Rather to algae green. With the blue newly painted on the bottom coming up and away from the bottom.

Trump claims vandals are causing the problems with the Pool. He has offered no evidence, merely the bald faced misrepresentation. He describes the vandals as “radical left lunatics.”

Hydrogen peroxide is being dumped into the water to hopefully eliminate the algae. The hydrogen peroxide is purportedly “a milder treatment than chlorine used in swimming pools.”

Back to the vandals. The White House claim is they are serious criminals doing destruction to a National Monument. Worthy of years in jail. Jeanine Pirro, D.C. Attorney, intends to prosecute with vigor.

The word is algae is common in the Washington, D.C. area this time of year. Sort of conflicts with the vandals theory.

I have a grave concern. I was an environmental attorney during my legal career. Clean air, clean water! The E.P.A. pushed both. The Pool water is obviously contaminated one way or another. This past week it was reported the algae green water was going into a drain to remove it from the Pool. Where is it going? What will it do? Will it contaminate another place?

There should be answers before action. These are important questions. I doubt they were raised or considered. As with many other things, do something, do it! What happens, happens. Not the way to handle these matters.

The E.P.A. should sit everyone down who has been involved in any fashion in a large conference room to answer the questions and others. That is how it was done in my day. We fought and argued around a huge conference table for days, sometimes weeks,  as to cause and responsibility under the careful professional eye of the E.P.A. 

Probably was not done in this case. I doubt there will be a correct answer until done. Done the way all significant dirty water cases are handled.

A bit more Donald.

Trump’s Iran war has hurt many. Actually all Americans one way or another. Several ways each has been affected.

The farmers took a big hit. Up to this point, supporters of Trump. I doubt they will be further. If the War does end, it comes too late to help the cash-strapped farmers.

Vance is trying to end the Iran War. He is having difficulty as he tries to navigate Trump’s whims while so doing.

Moving on. 

A new Tennessee law is cloaked in unAmericanism from my perspective. Americans are always concerned about children. Even those of parents not citizens. Tennessee has now made its caring of such children not their concern.

The law cuts off life saving care for the children of undocumented parents. The alternative were it to have continued being provided with no problems was/is to bring ICE into Tennessee big time.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “Its high noon in America: Does our story take us to High Ground, or do we drown in the muck of cynicism?”

On this day in 1992, John Gotti, the “Teflon Don,” was sentenced to life in prison.

I am preparing to sell some of my paintings. Most have been in storage for several years. I locked them up back when and never returned to view them. 

My mind has slowed down. I have recently considered I had 12-15. Turns out at least 100. Many worth a heavy dollar.

Grandson Robert helped me yesterday. Glad he did! We got through about one third of them. Dusted them, photographed them, measure them, noted where purchased, who the artist was, etc. 

Took a long time and was hard work. We still have two more visits at a minimum ahead of us. I could not have done the work without Robert. A terrific grandson!

Today Tuesday. Later Happy Hour at The Grand.

Enjoy your day!

To Fathers everywhere, A Happy Father’s Day!

Fathers are not such bad guys. They are generally there for there children all the time. There are instances however where the children fail to see or appreciate them.

In the U. S., Father’s Day is celebrated the third Sunday of every June. 

The first Father’s Day was celebrated in 1909.

The usual Father’s Day gift is a tie, a barbecue, etc. There was a time when it was flowers. Yes, flowers. And the traditional flowers given Dad were roses.

Some interesting statistics. There are an estimated 74 million Fathers in the U.S. Father’s Day is recognized in 111 countries.

The Washington Post has an article this morning re the “surprising ways” dandelions are good for us. I have always found them to be good for “us.”

Going back to my earliest youth. We ate dandelion greens constantly. We were poor and dandelions were free. When I was a kid, we went out as a family to pick them. The only admonition was not to pick where dogs had roamed.

On this day in 1788, New Hampshire ratified the Constitution of the United States, thereby making it the law of the land. New Hampshire the ninth and last State required to do so at the time.

Frida Kahlo: “There is nothing more precious than laughter – it is strength to laugh and lose oneself to be light.” Note that Frida Kahlo was the first Hispanic woman honored on a U.S. postage stamp (2001).

Mississippi ranks as the most religious State in the U.S. Interesting!

Why do Girl Scout cookies sell so well? I believe because they “taste good.” The poplar reason believed by most is because it is hard to say no to kids.

A simple yet correct statement. The brain cleans itself while we sleep. Too complicated to explain in detail.

We spend 33 percent of our time sleeping. For some such as myself, attempting to sleep.

This is a WOW! There are 400 miles of blood vessels in the brain.

A surprising detail. Bananas are radioactive. They become so as they decay.

The U.S. Mint was established in the U.S. in 1792. It produces 15 billion coins a year.

A penny can have real value. The original penny was sold many many years ago. It was placed for sale at auction in 2015. The auction price $1.2 million.

The age of a coin before it is too worn to be of further use is 30 years.

The human body has baby hairs. The actual number of body hairs is surprising. Five million. Hard to believe.

Things have gotten expensive. We all know! Lets go back to 1935. The average price of a restaurant meal was $1.35.

Donald’s turn.

The Reflection Pool. Ducks swim in it. Some are dying. Seen floating stomachs up.

First algae. Then the blue paint coming up from the pool to float on top. Now ducks dying.

And someone arrested for allegedly “vandalizing” the pool. Such is Trump’s latest excuse for the Pool screwup. Vandals!

Davey Harn is a former Olympian. When young, of course. Now 67 years old. He was riding his bicycle by the Reflecting Pool and saw a long strip of rubbery material which appeared to have been “delaminated” from the bottom of the pool. He removed his glove to touch the strip. Media does not report if his hand even made contact. He was arrested by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops for “destruction of government property.”

Trump should be arrested. He planned the entire debacle.

In any event, the scenario gives Trump a reason to now blame “vandals” for all the problems occurring with the Reflecting Pool.

In my many years, I have seen numerous photos of the White House lawn following an event.  Never any as bad as what was left and shown in photos following June 14. Fight fans apparently are slobs! Trump’s supporters.

Trump says the Peace Agreement ending the War with Iran was a “surrender.” Wants us to think Iran’s loss to the U.S. Wrong! The U.S.’ to Iran.   

Lying does not make things correct!

Enjoy your Sunday!

Screwworm cases are not to be taken lightly. Screwworms eat human flesh.

Their cases have taken hold in Texas and New Mexico. Many feel federal and state governments are not doing enough to counter the problem.

The screwworms have already traveled 1,100 miles between Texas and New Mexico.. More needs to be done to counter the danger. Otherwise two states will become several and then more.

The number 13 is considered unlucky in many Western Cultures. Many persons have a deep rooted fear of the number 13. It is called Triskaidekaphobia.

I would be afraid of anything with a name that large!

Eighty five percent of elevators do not have a 13th floor. Few airlines have a row 13. Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day by most. The Last Supper had 13 persons – the 12 Apostles plus Jesus Christ.

The fighter’s Michelle Obama comment: “Michelle is a man.” Her husband Barrack’s retort: She was “doing the right thing. Raising a family.”

Obama’s speech Thursday at the grand opening of his Presidential Center in Chicago was beautiful. Befitted the event. 

Kitchens 100 years ago included an “icebox,” not an electric refrigerator. A firm box with an enclosed space at the top for a block of ice to be left. The iceman came once a week with the ice block and put it in the “icebox” as the whole unit was called.

I remember distinctly the ice man coming up to our third floor apartment when I was young carrying the heavy block of ice which ended up in the ice box. It dripped cool water for a whole week to preserve whatever was inside.

Pancakes are older than you think. They were prepared and consumed by our prehistoric ancestors. Began with the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Bread is an extremely old food. Predates even agriculture. Goes back 14,400 years.

The movie “Jaws” was released in 1975. My family and I saw it while vacationing on Cape Cod. A scarry film!

Later while sleeping, I dreamed the shark was at my throat. I sat up with a start and grabbed at my throat. It was not Jaws. It was one of those large beach bugs. Fearful enough, however!

Trump time.

Trump said Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Mebri “begged” for a picture with him. An attractive lady. She said Trump’s story is “completely fabricated.”

Who do you believe? I believe the Prime Minister. A well respected woman and leader. Trump lies too much to be believed about anything.

The Reflecting Pool was painted blue. Now big time green. A major algae attack. Gallons of hydrogen peroxide are being dumped in the water to correct the problem.

Good job, Donald! You screwed up another job you thought was a piece of cake and you knew what you were doing.

Foul mouth Donald Trump. The name fits. He referred to Barack Obama as “a stupid son of a bitch” on live TV.

At one time, Trump mocked Obama’s Harvard law degree. Obama retorted: Education is a tool, prepares people to compete in a competitive world. Obama reflected that education unquestionably creates that opportunity to so compete. Obama received a standing ovation for his responsive comment.

It is possible that Israel may undermine the U.S./Iran Peace Agreement.

Trump arrived at one of the G7 meetings late. As he walked in, he said to the group: “I’m the Boss.” In his mind only. No more. He blew the position months ago.

A “coverup?” What is the Kennedy Center hiding behind those tarps? A disregard of a Supreme Court Order?

My yesterday involved visits by two different nurses. One for my butt which is still healing. The other a physio therapist. I am making progress with both. Getting better, though slowly. It has to be my age which makes recovery of any medical problem take forever.

I ordered a small air conditioner the other day. I need it! My present air conditioning is failing me from mid afternoon to early evening. The heat too much for it. Wish it would hurry and arrive!

Enjoy your day!

The Knicks Parade yesterday morning in New York City absolutely outstanding! I watched it from the comfort of my bed.

Thousands lined the Parade’s path. Perhaps a million or two. Everyone, whether a watchee or on one of the floats, having a good time. It was New York at its best!

Lets see if the Knicks can repeat next year. What a feat that would be!

Something noted from 2022 to 2024. Perhaps ongoing even today, but not exposed yet.

Epoch Times reported yesterday that the “Chinese Communist Party was running a secret police station in New York City” in 2022.The “police station” was located at 107 East Broadway. The FBI shut it down in the Fall of 2022. The two persons operating the facility were arrested. One was convicted in federal court of being an illegal agent of a foreign government.

A study in 2026 revealed China was operating at least 100 such facilities in 53 countries.

Smart people these Chinese!

How many more are in the U.S. today? I would assume many under one guise or another. It is one of the ways foreign governments spy on each other.

The U.S. has a feral hog problem. They are ravaging some parts of America. It is estimated there are 7 million in the U.S. today. Difficult to control. Takes time and money. Missouri took them on in 2016 and reduced the population by 84 percent.

Where did the feral hogs come from? The answer found in a trip back in history. The explorer De Soto brought them first. To be used as game for hunting. Other explorers continued to bring them over in the 1500s. More were released in the U.S. in the 1900s for hunting purposes. They are promiscuous by nature. Mated and grew. Not stopped. Knew how to care and protect themselves. 

The abolition of slavery was announced in Texas on this day in 1865 by Union soldiers. The Civil War was over. Slavery was abolished. The day is known in Texas as “Juneteenth.”

Everyone sat in peace talks with the Indians. On this day in 1868, a Father De Smet talked peace with Sitting Bull.

On this day in 1953, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed for espionage. The electric chair was utilized They had been convicted of conspiring to pass U.S. atomic secrets to the Soviets.

I was 18 years old at the time. I recall their case. The whole Nation followed it closely. There was no sympathy for the Rosenbergs.

One of America’s greatest actors died this day in 2013 at age 51. James Gandolfini, TV’s Tony Soprano.

Some Donald.

Trump had an interview on The Axios Show. Trump said two significant things. Neither correct.

One was that there were “no limits” to his power after the Iran War. The other that he struck the peace deal to avert a global economic depression. Note one he had already begun.

Both responses indicated Trump is crazy. He knows not that of which he speaks.

Hegseth lifted the flu vaccine requirement for the military. As a result, nearly 160 troops at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas came down with the flu within two months.

Good job Hegseth! 

At the end of March this year, Trump spoke at a forum in Miami which was attended by Saudi officials. Trump said: “The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia can kiss my ass.”

Typical Trump. A “class” statement. His mouth should be washed out with soap.

There are four nuclear powers in the world: The U.S., Russia, China and India. Russia, China and India should take Trump in tow. Tell him to shut his mouth and if he talks to remove the belligerencies. Trump would listen to them. He wants to be one of them, one “of the boys.”

In the meantime, Trump should take control of Netanyahu. The gent who conned him into the Iran War. Netanyahu is destroying the Middle East.

Is the Iran War over? I doubt it. Time will tell. A short time.

Moving on.

Key West plans a 250th Celebration of America on Saturday, June 27, at Truman Waterfront Park. An evening of music, food, drinks, and activities.

Dr. Norris back. I had an appointment with him yesterday afternoon re my throat. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to put the Miami surgery on hold. I was not excited about the surgery.

His wife Kathryn there. They had returned two days earlier from a two week family vacation to Rome, Santorini and Mykonos. Had a ball!

I am back to nurses. Have two visiting me today. One at 10:30, the other at noon. I am not complaining. At my age need to be sure everything is in good working order.

Enjoy your day!

“Luigi: The Musical” is a satirical musical comedy about three high profile jail inmates . One is “Luigi Mangione,” the top suspect in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year.

Fiction. About their experiences in prison. Turns out it may be a theatrical hit. 

I write about it because the perpetrator of the killing in the musical is named Luigi. Luigi is Italian for my name, Louis. In my youth and early school years I was often referred to as Luigi. Initially it was common to be called Luigi when I lived in the “Italian ghetto” in Utica. Later when we moved and I was attending school where there were few of Italian extraction, it was as an insult.

The earliest discovered plague goes back 5,000 years to Siberia. Called Yersinia Pestis Bacterium. Wiped out whole families. It was spread by coughing and sneezing.

Lincoln, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln once worked, had a local court house, two colleges, a bottle factory and a state prison. Today, all gone. The people of Lincoln have run out of major employers.

Trump signed the Peace Agreement with Iran. He bragged about the benefits of it and threatened force if it fails. 

Trump initially demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” He failed. Iran has beat up the world strongest military power using “economic chaos” as a weapon. 

Good job, Donald! The next Presidential election cannot come soon enough!

The American dream is failing. Will it come back? Fewer than half of Americans believe it will.

Who is to blame? First those who elected Trump as President two times. Then Trump himself.

We have to work hard to achieve a return of the U.S. that was. Especially for the young.

The little guys continue to beat the big guys. Again, look how Iran has handled us. Then there is the Ukraine. Defecate on them not! The Ukraine recently destroyed a Moscow refinery in a huge scale assault.

The Knicks ticker tape parade this morning. Watch in person, watch on TV. It will be New York City at its best.

The Obama Presidential Center will be unveiled in Chicago today. A star studded party. A big deal for the former President.

Four Presidents will attend the affair: Bush, Clinton, and Biden, as well as Obama himself.

Trump was not invited. He recently compared the Center to a “trash heap.”

A big deal for Obama’s adopted home of Chicago. The Center cost $850 million and sets on a 19 acre campus which provides goodies for the young and old in addition to the building itself.

Upstate New York is in for a tornado storm today. Albany, Schenectady and Troy will be involved. Albany is New York’s capital. I maintained an office in Albany. I also tried lawsuits in the three cities.

Key West weather continues to be horrible. The heat atrocious. High 80s and low 90s every day. Heavy humidity. Tough! I ordered another air conditioner yesterday. Need more cool! I sweat throughout the evening.

Query: Will  Trump ever pay for his “sins?” As Frank Bruni wrote in this morning’s New York Times, “Trump blusters about having returned America’s greatness – about our country being the ‘hottest’ in the world, whatever that means – while making it look smaller, sillier and stupider by the day.”

Algae continues in the Reflecting Pool. Trump claims he fixes everything perfectly. What happened with the pool? Why the algae?

The War of 1812 began this day in 1812.

Napoleon met his match this day in 1815 at Waterloo.

Two beauties who would be dead in five years met this day  in 1940. Hitler and Mussolini were at the height of their power. Five years later, both would be dead. Hitler by suicide, Mussolini killed by Italian patriots.

“Gas station heroin” on the rise. A highly addictive opioid sold across the U.S. in sweet fruity flavors. Screws everything up big time where ever it takes hold.

Dr. Norris back. I have an appointment with him at 2:30 this afternoon. Re my throat choking problem. He wants me to have the surgery and I do not. Reasons on both sides. Going to be an interesting discussion.

Enjoy your day!

Early Egyptian breakfasts consisted of bread and beer for the poor, bread and wine for the more affluent. Plus green onions for both groups. Egyptians believed green onions warded off evil spirits. Plus garlic for strength. 

Their breaths must have been horrendous!

At the start of the 1950s, gas cost $.27 per gallon. Wow! Never since! Never again!

Hurricanes were formally given names for the first time on September 9, 1950. The first storm given a name was Fox. Reason: F is the sixth letter of the alphabet and Fox was the sixth storm of that season.

It took Britain 14 years to end World War II food rationing. It did not end till July 4, 1954. The reason being World War II so devastated Britain’s economy that it took 14 years to restore.

Ellis Island closed its doors after processing 12 million immigrants. The first was on January 1, 1892. The last in November 1954. My grandfather Louis after who I am named arrived in 1912. 

The first McDonald’s franchise was opened on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois. By 1984, McDonald’s was the largest food chain in the world.

Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a law on July 30, 1956 establishing “In God We Trust” as America’s official motto.

Remember the hula hoop? I do. Even I hula hooped. It hit the market in 1958 and within the first two months sold 25 million. First year sales reached $45 million.

The Guggenheim Museum opened in New York City in 1959. Spectacular! I visited often. It was designed with a six story spiral ramp. Unusual.

Barbie was introduced on March 9, 1959. Three hundred thousand were sold the first year. I became the father of three girls in the early 1960s. Barbies were allover our home!

The White House ballroom expense was initially to have cost taxpayers nothing. So Trump told us. Financial benefactors were paying the whole thing which was estimated at $200,000 million. The cost as of March is up to $600,000 million. And taxpayers will pay for a good chunk of it.  

The cost will probably exceed $600,000 million.

Another Trump misrepresentation.

Will the Peace Agreement with Iran survive? Beware of Netanyahu.

Trump is constantly on Biden’s ass. Hillary Clinton has now joined the club. She claims his reelection bid was a “terrible mistake.”

It is years later since the election. Biden a sickly man. She should leave well enough alone.

Vance’s recent appearance on The View a disaster. He is not going anywhere if he thinks he will be the Republican Presidential candidate for 2028.

America’s first Pope is Leo XIV. America’s first Saint Mother Frances Cabrini. She was born in 1850 and died in 1917.

I am a product of a Catholic education. I recall clearly Cabrini becoming a Saint. She was discussed frequently in my schools and at home as I grew up.

Mother Cabrini was declared a Saint July 7, 1946.

A bit of the Donald.

Trump’s name was purportedly removed from the Kennedy Center early Saturday morning. The area where allegedly removed is covered. Trump’s people claim to help the removal area “recover.”

I ask whether it has been removed? If not, I would not want to be Trump when he has to face the wrath of the federal judge involved.

Trump could not have done well at the G7 meeting in Paris. Everyone dislikes him and trusts him not. 

Trump’s birthday party June 14 on the White House lawn a disgrace. A UFC fight? The photos of the attendees reminded me of those who attacked the Capital on January 6.

It appears to me Trump is making our Nation’s 250th Birthday about himself.

I visited a dermatologist yesterday. Biopsied two growths. Will find out in a week if anything serious.

Dr. Norris telephoned me yesterday afternoon. He and his family were finally home. He sounded exhausted. Was on his way to bed. The 7 hour delay in Rome between planes screwed everything up.

My back is out of whack this morning. Hurts big time. Robert was going to help me today at my storage facility. Going to call him and cancel. I can’t lift anything.

Enjoy your day!

The first roller coaster in the United States opened this day in 1884 at Coney Island in Brooklyn. It traveled 6 miles per hour and cost a nickel to ride.

In my youth, a very young one, I rode many times on the Coney Island roller coaster that existed in the late 1930s and early 1940s. My mother’s brother Gus lived in the Bronx. We visited him and my Aunt Louise many times. On Sundays, my uncle would drive us to Coney Island. He always “made me” ride on the roller coaster with him. Always in the front seat. Scared the living daylights out of me!

Time is generally scientifically controlled. A year is tied to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, a month is roughly one full cycle of moon phases, and a day is one rotation of Earth on its axis. 

Why is the length of a week seven days? The answer uncertain. Many reasons suggested. Suggested come from ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia, and ancient Rome. I believe that which I learned in Catholic grammar school: God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. The seventh became the Sabbath, a reoccurring day of rest. Thus the seven day week.

Ancient Romans were among history’s greatest engineers. Except for one item. Wiping their derrieres after defecating. They did not use toilet paper. Used instead a sponge brush. Referred to as a tersorium. Basically a sponge attached to the end of a stick.

Used on a common basis. The same stick/sponge by everyone. Shared. Washed in between with running water. Sometimes other items used. A scrap of cloth or a pottery shroud after the edges had been smoothed.

My opinion. We should be very grateful for toilet paper and bidets.

In 1858, Lincoln was not yet President. He was known to say even then that America was becoming a “house divided.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “From the Knicks to Trump’s UFC lawn party, last weekend showed us the best and worst of the wide world of sports.”

The UFC fights on the White House lawn were nothing more than human cockfights. Disgusting!

On this day in 1215, King John put his seal on the Magna Carta. One of history’s most important activities. The Magna Carta a cornerstone in the development of democratic England and influenced the U.S. Constitution.

“The President’s Men” was published on this day in 1974. It dealt with the Watergate Scandal.

On this day in 1946, Key West suffered a polio epidemic. Twenty cases, two deaths.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said Europe will build the New World Order and he also wrote about it.

Understandable. Trump has screwed up world order. However, I am not sure the power will move in due course to Europe. A massive responsibility to undertake. In my opinion, things will move slowly so the world can see in which direction our Congress goes and who our next President will be.

Little if any Trump today. We are all sick of hearing about him. Does not mean I will refrain from writing about him. Merely means a day off here and there does not hurt.

Yesterday throat treatment with a nurse specialist. Also, Dr. Norris and I communicated. He was in Athens preparing for the trip home. Plane screwed up. He and the family had to wait seven hours for the next flight. What a way to begin a lengthy trip home!

I see a dermatologist at noon. Small cancer growths becoming a common thing in my old age.

Tonight, The Grand’s Happy Hour. Makes me happy!

Enjoy your day!