Finally out of my slump and had a good day yesterday. I had moodily contemplated skipping the three-mile exercise, but decided to go. I should always remember that with my persona, purposeful activity is essential to feeling good.
After breakfast, peeled, cut, and put in the large crock pot, red cabbage and apples. Did the same for sweet potatoes and, along with cinnamon and orange mango juice, put them in the small one. Phone-chatted with my friend, Marge, then took off for Atlantic County.
I confess I'm hopelessly decadent and here's the proof: I prefer arugula to all other greens. However, it's not easy to find in this--let's face it, semi-rural backwater at the edge of the Jersey pines. They do have it at M & M Produce in Egg Harbor, so went there and got two bags. Stopped at Shop-Rite and got four mums--so beautiful and full, two deep purple, two white with yellow centers. Put the latter on Pat's grave and came home with the other two. This galvanized me to pull weeds, which I did for what seemed like several hours (maybe 45 minutes), stopping long enough to chat with Leslie and Barbara D. I put the little scarecrow girl next to the front tree and added the mums to the flower bed. Trimmed some of the other stuff and discarded the dead container flowers. Place looks pretty nice, if I say it myself.
Had the cabbage and salad with tuna for dinner, then jumped in the shower. Good, satisfying day and I know it was because I refused to stay still.
This morning, P. and N. called about 5:45, just as I finished dressing, and we had a nice chat. Discussed my plans for the February Asia trip and so on. Met Susan, of course, for our walk at 7:00 and as we completed it. neighbor Anne Mary called us over. She gave us each a nice group of different types of tomatoes--brown, purple, and red. With the arugula, they'll make a sumptuous salad--hey, I'm on a roll!

Rather than repeat the boring chronicle of my activities--I didn't do a whole hell of a lot yesterday--I'm going to devote this entry to some notable quotes. First, here's a snippet from Voters For Peace regarding the outrageous actions by the FBI in raiding the homes of peace activists:

"The escalation of wars abroad by the Obama administration is moving forward alongside an escalation against antiwar activists at home. The groups targeted in these raids, while Marxist in ideology, endorsed and supported the election of President Obama. Their Political Report noted 'Obama's election represents a rejection of the Bush administration policies and a desire amongst the people for a progressive agenda from the government.' Now we know that the Obama administration is moving forward with Bush-era policies that target anti-war political dissent at the same time that more Americans oppose Obama's wars."
(But who gives a rat's rear about the electorate?)

And here's a comment by Justin Raimondo re Bob Woodward's new book:
"...the President is portrayed as an empty shell, a political creature who cares not one whit about the moral and ideological aspects of the momentous decision he is about to make, but only about what kind of electoral advantage (or disadvantage) a given policy option promises. Here is a hollow man, without a moral or ideational core, an empty vessel waiting to be filled by others – who are more than ready to oblige."
(In other words, O. is just like any other politician who ever lived--but how we cling to our illusions.)

From Counterpunch, an article entitled "Why Doesn't The U.S. Talk to Iran?"
"The answer, in a nutshell, is that U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Middle East, is driven not so much by broad national interests as they are by narrow but powerful special interests—interests that seem to prefer war and militarism to peace and international understanding. These are the nefarious interests that are vested in military industries and related “security” businesses, notoriously known as the military-industrial complex. These beneficiaries of war dividends would not be able to justify their lion’s share of our tax dollars without 'external enemies' or 'threats to our national interests.'"
(And, of course, dutiful citizens swallow the lies, digest, then vomit them out.)

Finally, a few words from The Reclusive Leftist:
"Why do we still go through this pretense of voting? We should just hold auditions. The government is the same; the foreign policy is the same. The military-industrial complex trundles along as ever, forging the path of Empire. The only difference is who’s on TV."
(This gal sees the presidency as theatre--what a novel idea. And so true.)

On a dark and dreary day, drove over to Bob's Garden Center and got Hollytone to perk up the azaleas on Pat's grave. Applied it, then went to M & M for veggies. (That's in Northfield and is not to be confused with B &B in Little Egg.) It occurred to me that I rarely go to nearby Acme now. Buy fresh at produce places and at Shop-Rite for other things.
Continuing on my sad decline--just kidding, folks!--I went to the video store and picked up It's Complicated. Loved it. It's funny, plus it's set in Santa Barbara where my twin and niece live, plus it stars Meryl Streep and what's not to like about her? Watched it in the late afternoon when I should have been pulling weeds or something.
Received a call from the dentist's office to the effect that the lab promised my bridge will be in on the morning of October sixth. Made an appointment--I fervently hope, the last--for that afternoon.
Other than that, not much going on.
WIDER: Am continuing to read What Orwell Didn't Know, a collection of essays on the horrific surrender of mass media to corporate interests via corrupt politicians (oops, sorry, that's a redundancy).

After much fun on Friday and Saturday, yesterday was a dud. Did a wash, went to the cemetery, talked to sister Betty, ran a few errands, and that was about it for most of the day. Otherwise, read, did the crossword puzzle in The Press, and played "Word Slinger"--big whoops, as the kiddies used to say. High point was my weekly web cam call from daughter Ellen; we had a nice chat.
Other than that--Nada.

 

Terrific day. Arrived up north abut 9:30 and, after getting the two little ones, L. and L., to gather their belongings (they had stayed over), we left for the new trail nearby. This is in Monmouth County and had been a railroad track. Great idea--which has been done several times--of converting what's already there to a walking trail.
Actually, it's also for bicycles, horses, and leashed dogs, of which there were a few. It was very enjoyable. Coffee, bagels, grapes, and doughnuts were served and after a few boring politicians spoke, we walked about a half-mile down. Would have gone further, but the kids weren't anxious to continue.
After, we picked up Joelly and went to the Westampton (no "h") Day fair. Children bounced in the bouncy-ball thing, climbed the wall thing, and had ice cream. We went over the the National Weather Station across the street, and took the last tour of the day--very interesting, too.
Took L. and L. home, then stayed for dinner out on the deck--salmon, and luscious pasta with fresh veggies; left for home about 7:00. It was great to be there together on a hot and sunny day; much cooler this morning.

Well, I almost, but not quite, got the picture-on-blog thing out of my system. Actually, the only reason I blogged them is that I wnnted to put them on Facebook, but couldn't see how to do that directly.
Dentist visit was short and, I was assured, should be the penultimate one. Next time, will get the bridges, or whatever they're called, and that'll be it, I fervently hope.
Again stopped at the Columbus Farmers Market and picked up a cantalopue and Brussels sprouts. Got home about 4:00 in plenty of time to shower, dress, and go across the street to Susan's. Julie and little Sophia were there and also, Susan's son, Jeff, and his wife, Kim, whom I hadn't met before, along with their cute/ugly little pug, Muffin. Anne Mary came in later.
The dinner was delicious: pork tenderloin on the grill and root vegetables in the oven, and plenty of booze. I first had white wine, then actaully tried a martini. I liked it--hey, Mikey!--probably because it was made with superior Bombay Shapphire gin. Simutaneously, I drank chardonney, followed that with white zin, topped it off with Irish cream. Zowie, by the time I went home, I was pretty well--um, ready for bed, let's say, but I feel fine this morning.
Going up north today to hike the new trail in Cream Ridge.