Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Just a Note

Hi, All –

I’m taking a short break from writing the blog this week. Joe and I both came down with COVID—our first time catching it after all this time!

I think I’m past the worst of the symptoms, though I’m still dealing with fatigue, no appetite, and a lingering cough. Joe is having a tougher time and remains feverish, exhausted, and coughing. After virtual visits with our doctors today, we decided to stick with over-the-counter remedies for now.

We’ll rest, take care of each other, and be back to normal soon. In the meantime, we hope you all stay safe, healthy, and virus-free.

Beth

Monday, August 11, 2025

Feeling Better, More 47 Bull, and Jess Craven's List of Good News

I know none of my friends and family would think this. I just found this incredibly poignant.

Joe came down yesterday with the same crud I had, only his came with a fever. He had to stay home from work today, which made him sad, but honestly, he’s been so exhausted that the family room couch and a lineup of movies have been his companions all day. He did manage a short trip outside to pick vegetables, but that was the extent of his activity.

I’m on the mend now, just left with a lingering cough. The hardest part is missing my grandchildren, Megan, and Jeremy. I can’t risk giving them this bug!

Meanwhile, I’m feeling frustrated about 47 taking over the Washington, D.C. police department and sending in 800 National Guard troops. It’s a repeat of Los Angeles—meant to stir up fear. The bright spot was seeing several Substack writers I follow reporting right from the D.C. streets. It actually looked like a beautiful day there.

For those who are worried about crime in America (and I am—anywhere), I encourage you to look at the facts. This regime distorts crime statistics to serve its own interests, making people think the streets are unsafe, when in reality, crime in 2024 was down. My advice: question what you hear, no matter which side is talking.

We cannot bury our heads in the sand; however, we do need to see good news as well so I am sharing Jess Craven's list from yesterday (remember you can click on the red to go to the source and read more):

Celebrate This! 🎉

Texas Republicans were blocked from passing their new redistricting plan—at least for now—after dozens of Democrats left the state in protest.

In a huge victory for solar power, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state regulators were given undue deference in deciding to roll back rooftop solar credits for homeowners, reversing an appeals court ruling that upheld the regulators' decision.

The National Weather Service will hire back 450 meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians, months after being hit by DOGE-related staffing cuts.

A first-of-its-kind city-funded shelter for trans and gender non-conforming people experiencing homelessness has opened in New York City. Located in Long Island City, the shelter is managed by LGBTQIA+ non-profit Destination Tomorrow and is named Ace’s Place, in honor of the founder’s late mother.⁠

The Third District Court of Appeals in Miami, FL upheld an earlier ruling by a Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge declaring that the city of Miami had no legal authority to postpone its November election until 2026 without voter approval.

King County, WA passed a ballot measure to renew a fund that expands parks and wild spaces.

Rhode Island Democrat Stefano Famiglietti won a landslide victory in his Senate District 4 race, winning over 80% of the vote – a 56-point greater margin than the top of the ticket’s victory in this district in November 2024.

In Delaware Democrat Alonna Berry defeated GOP nominee Nikki Miller in a special election for a state house seat.

ICE officers are no longer allowed to identify themselves as local police or use deceptive tactics during home arrests in Southern California, following a court-approved settlement reached in a class action lawsuit.

A federal judge has thrown out a defamation lawsuit filed by Devin Nunes—former congressman and current CEO of Trump Media—against NBC Universal over a comment made by MSNBC host Rachel Maddow.

The House Oversight Committee has officially issued the Epstein files subpoena. The Trump DOJ must now release the files by August 19.

A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from reallocating $4 billion meant to help communities protect against natural disasters.

The Gates Foundation announced a new $2.5 billion commitment meant “to accelerate research and development focused exclusively on women’s health.”

A philanthropist gave 500 free bikes to youth in Milwaukee to help them bike to school and around their community.

Jen Pawol became the first woman to umpire in Major League Baseball this weekend when she worked games between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves.

A federal judge said the construction of “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida must stop for 14 days while she considers arguments that building and operating the immigration detention facility would harm the environment.

Global fur production has collapsed.

Overall crime in the U.S. declined last year, with both violent and property crimes reaching their lowest levels in years.

ICE released Purdue University student Yeonsoo Go, who was abruptly arrested after leaving her visa hearing last week and then detained in Louisiana.

A new law in Illinois will require all public schools to offer third- through 12th-grade students a free, optional mental health screening once a year.

Arrests by U.S. immigration agents dropped by nearly 20% in July.

Missouri is building a nearly 300-mile-long butterfly trail to attract monarchs and tourism.

The Long Beach Public Library is opening up its e-book library so teens from other states can read banned books.

The leading professional association for gynecologists is cutting financial ties with the federal government rather than adhere to Trump administration policies that it says prevent it from providing evidence-based guidance.

Volunteers in South Carolina are building and installing hundreds of manufactured reefs to restore Kiawah Island’s coastline. One of the area’s “most critical ecosystems,” the watershed marsh provides a buffer to storm surges and increased tides, a habitat for marine life, and water filtration.

Online bookselling platform Bookshop.org saw 65% growth in the first six months of 2025.

The U.S. Department of Defense said it will continue sharing key satellite data for hurricane forecasts, reversing its original plans to stop providing it by the end of July.

A new Gallup poll released this week finds more Americans identify as Democrats or independents who lean toward the Democratic Party (46%) than Republicans or Republican-leaners (43%). This is a 3 point increase since the beginning of the year.

DuPont and two other companies will settle environmental claims concerning PFAS, commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," and pay New Jersey up to $2 billion. It’s the largest settlement of its kind in the state’s history.

Immigration arrest rates in California are far below the rates of arrests in red states. The Los Angeles Times attributes this to sanctuary laws, community resistance, and rapid response networks. Obviously these rates are still way too high, but nice work keeping them lower than they would otherwise have been, CA!

As the Trump administration ends 988 crisis line support for LGBTQ+ individuals, members of a Michigan-based nonprofit are stepping in, offering support and resources to trans youth and their family members with a revamped hotline run by parents with trans children.

New research reveals that three East African fig tree species have the unusual ability to create and store calcium carbonate—sequestering carbon by essentially turning into stone in their branches, trunk, root systems, and even their leaves.

A new report has shown that local climate activism leads to ‘remarkable’ gains.

The Trump administration wants to eliminate the Energy Star program, but an “unlikely coalition” of bakers, builders, hot tub lobbyists, and chemical companies are trying to save it.

A new report shows that pediatric asthma ER visits dropped 40 percent after a coal processing plant near Pittsburgh closed down.

A federal judge ruled that Rhode Island’s gun permit system, which requires residents to show “a need” to openly carry a firearm throughout the state, does not violate the Second Amendment.

A judge has blocked a recent Arkansas law requiring a copy of the Ten Commandments be hung in all public schools and buildings.

After organizing by Faith in Action Bay Area, San Francisco will now allow homeless families extensions to remain in shelters after just 90 days – giving families more time to stabilize and rebuild.

Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to be placed on house arrest for the remainder of his ongoing trial.

Rep. Mike Flood faced a barrage of criticism at a packed town hall in Lincoln, Nebraska, Monday evening as audience members repeatedly confronted him over his support for Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” immigration policy and what they described as threats to democracy.

Penske Truck Rental released a statement condemning the Department of Homeland Security for using its trucks in Los Angeles immigration raids.

The Tucson city council voted unanimously against bringing the massive and water-devouring Project Blue data center — tied to tech giant Amazon — into city limits.

Geoff Duncan, who served as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia from 2019 to 2023 as a Republican, announced in an Op-Ed that he’s officially swapping sides to join the Democrats.

For the first time in the Culinary Union’s 90-year history, all major casinos on the Vegas Strip are now unionized. Backed by 60,000 members, most of them in Las Vegas, it is now the largest labor union in Nevada.

The Trump admin is restoring full funding for a CDC program that provides grants to reduce and track drug overdoses, including fentanyl.

A hospital system in Central Ohio is upgrading the cameras used during forensic exams for survivors of sexual assault. This new technology can make exams faster, more precise, and less invasive.

The city of San Francisco is fast-tracking an all-electric standard for major renovations.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was interrupted in the middle of a talk to the conservative Young America's Foundation by audio of someone calling her a "corrupt billionaire" and another clip of circus music.

“South Park” took on Trump’s immigration raids and poked fun at Kristi Noem’s “ICE Barbie” persona in the show’s second episode of the season.

Democrats in Texas, in blue governors’ seats, and even in DC are showing a renewed grit, spine, and fight. We are thrilled to see it!


Sunday, August 10, 2025

Why I Can't Look Away

These days, anyone paying attention knows that history and science are being rewritten by people with an agenda. In the name of wiping out “woke” and anything they view as DEI, the sycophants hired by the current regime are not only dismantling democracy, but also working to instill fear in the average citizen.

Some folks deal with this constant bombardment of bad news by tuning out altogether. I understand that. Sometimes, for mental health, stepping back is necessary. But as a grandmother with a cause—because I want my grandchildren, and everyone else’s, to have a chance at a better future—I can’t look away for long.

Some things still mystify me:

  • How can anyone with a science background support a regime that allows a climate report to be altered by a non-scientist who’s connected to the very industry that stands to profit from the change? (Guardian article)

  • How is it justifiable for the Secretary of Defense to change retirement policy so that transgender service members with 15–18 years of service lose early retirement benefits? If they’ve served honorably, why should they be treated differently? (AP News article)

  • Why is it acceptable for a high-ranking official to amplify the view that women should not have the right to vote? Pete Hegseth recently posted a clip of Christian Nationalist Doug Wilson making that argument, captioning it with: “All of Christ for All of Life.” (Guardian article)

Since January, this regime has also removed women, people of color, and LGBTQI+ individuals from federal websites. (NPR article) After public outcry, some pages were restored, but much has been lost. Thankfully, a group of librarians is working to preserve the deleted or altered information. Their progress is documented through American University’s data rescue project.

I know these examples are just a fraction of what’s happening, but they matter. Looking away might be easier, but history shows us that silence only helps those who seek to control the narrative. For my grandchildren’s sake—and for the sake of truth—I will keep paying attention.


 

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Meme Day

After resting all of yeaterday and most of today, I am feeling much better. A lingering cough and tired after making a casserole, I plan an early night. Leaving you with some of my favorite memes from Facebook this week.













So I can deal with a 'little' unhinged.




Friday, August 8, 2025

A Day for Healing

Normally, summer Fridays are movie day with the grandkids. But this morning I woke up with a headache, congestion, and body aches. After struggling just to sit upright and get dressed, Joe took pity on me and offered to take Caleb and Charlotte to see Sketch. I didn’t argue.

While they were gone, I sat in our dark bedroom (thank you, blackout curtains) and slept soundly until they returned two and a half hours later. Joe let me know they were home, and I promptly went back to sleep.

At 2:30 p.m., I finally made my way downstairs for something to eat. Now it’s 4:00 p.m., and I’m ready for a nap again.

Take care, friends.


Thursday, August 7, 2025

When Inspiration is on Vacation


Some days I wake up eager for my writing time. On rare occasions, I wake up and can’t muster even a tiny bit of enthusiasm for it. Today is one of those latter days. I just want to curl up with a good book, sip my cucumber and lemongrass water, and enjoy the quiet of our neighborhood.

Still, when I sit down to write, I can’t quite bring myself to declare a day off. It feels like cowardice—or at least laziness—not to put in some kind of effort. My sunroom is the perfect writing spot: the view, the climate control, the peaceful ambience. It usually inspires me to relax and let the words flow. My goal is always to write simply and authentically about whatever’s at the front of my mind. Sometimes that “whatever” is just a nap. And naps, in fairness, can clear the mind and let ideas flow.

Today, however, a nap did not clear my mind. So I decided it’s okay to write about the days when writing is a struggle. It’s either that or talk about the second thing on my mind: our cat, Alto.

We’ve been trying a probiotic for her. For years, Alto has thrown up—sometimes several times a day. A hairball now and then is fine, but we’re talking full-on food vomit. We’ve tried all kinds of foods, with no luck. But the probiotic is working! Over the past ten days, she’s produced only two hairballs and two small food incidents. She also seems calmer. As someone who has wrestled with GERD, I understand how a calmer stomach can make for a calmer mood.

The third thing on my mind today: lemon zucchini bread. I baked two loaves, and it turned out so good that I had to wrap and hide it after eating a third of a loaf for lunch. It wasn’t meant to be lunch, but after that much bread, there was no room for a sandwich or salad.

And of course, the fourth thing on my mind—the current presidential regime. Let’s just say that compared to politics, cat vomit is far less stressful.




Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Garden, Rest, and a Little Less News


This morning, I snapped a photo of part of our garden to send to my friend Jen in Connecticut. We had our monthly virtual visit today. Jen also gardens and loves plants, so it’s fun to share how things are growing here.

Aside from processing vegetables from the garden, I spent most of the day reading and napping—after my usual morning meditation and yoga. I did listen to a few short news podcasts but kept it light to give my brain a bit of a break.

Between the green surroundings, my daily self-care routines, and the naps, I’m feeling pretty well rested.


Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Saying Goodbye, Feeling Renewed

Bye-Bye Hair

Caity and Hunter left for home this morning. Joe and I really enjoyed having them here—we had great conversations about their work and interests. It was refreshing to have young, positive energy in the house these past few days. We’re already looking forward to their next visit.

I got up early to see them off and to make a call to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. We had received an email saying an electrical permit would expire on September 3, 2025, and we still needed a final inspection on the radon system work from last year.

Luckily, the inspector was able to come by around 10:15 a.m. and sign off on the project. The contractor should have arranged for that final inspection but forgot. I’m grateful the state notified us—otherwise, we wouldn’t have known it was still open.

On a totally different note, my hair had started driving me crazy a few weeks ago. When that happens, I know it’s time for a cut. I decided to try someone new this time—our neighbor’s daughter-in-law, Mary. Today was my appointment, and I absolutely loved both the haircut and Mary herself.

I’m either the easiest client or a hairdresser’s worst nightmare. I want something simple that I can brush and let air-dry. No blow-drying, curling irons, or anything fussy. I’ll use some product and give it a quick scrunch, but that’s about it. I honestly admire anyone who blow-dries their hair every morning—I just don’t have that kind of patience!

Mary was a delight. She asked questions about my family and was just as happy as I am that we live on Butternut Lane. She clearly loves her in-laws (as do we—they’re a fabulous family), and we had such a nice chat while she worked. She’s the mother of two little girls. Her first daughter, heartbreakingly, died just before birth and is now in heaven. Her second daughter will turn one in a few months. Mary is one of twelve siblings—number five, which she described as "the youngest of the older kids and the oldest of the younger ones." I loved learning a bit about her life.

She also tidied up my eyebrows and waxed my face, so I no longer look like I’m auditioning for the next Planet of the Apes sequel. I feel like a whole new me!

Mary has been cutting hair for four years and even manages the salon, according to the website. When I left, it felt like I’d known her forever. She radiates such warm, vibrant energy. Given the loss she’s experienced, I’m in awe of how grounded and joyful she is. I imagine her faith helps her find peace, trusting that her daughter is in heaven with loved ones who came before.

All in all, I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with Mary today—and grateful for a haircut I genuinely love.

The results: 



Monday, August 4, 2025

The Borowitz Report: How to Identify Fugitive Democrats

Tonight I’m sharing a piece by satirist Andy Borowitz. (Yes, Borowitz writes satire—but sometimes he feels spot on.) His latest article ties into the political drama currently unfolding in Texas.

For those not following the news closely: Democrats in the Texas legislature have left the state in an effort to block a vote on redistricting. By denying the legislature a quorum, they’ve temporarily halted a plan to create five new congressional districts favoring Republicans. This redistricting effort was ordered by House Bill 47 to help Republicans gain seats in future elections.

In retaliation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued civil arrest warrants for the absent Democrats, threatening to detain them if they didn’t return by 3:00 p.m. today. Governor Greg Abbott has also chimed in, saying he will expel and replace the “rogue” Democrats if necessary.

Despite the pressure, the Texas Democrats are holding their ground—at a personal cost of $500 per day for each representative.

And in case you’re wondering whether this is the first time lawmakers have fled to avoid a vote—nope! There’s some interesting historical company. Check out these past moments of political dodgeball: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/08/04/texas-democrats-when-lawmakers-fled-to-avoid-votes/85515204007/.


Sunday, August 3, 2025

Eyes on Hunter

August 3, 2025

Late post this evening—we’ve been enjoying a visit from our niece Caity and her husband Hunter, who arrived from Ohio Saturday evening. It’s been such a pleasure having them here.

Late this morning, Joe picked fresh basil and Italian parsley from the garden. We had enough basil to make 17 cups of pesto, and just enough parsley for two cups of chimichurri. My afternoon was spent in the kitchen blending and cleaning up.

Megan, Jeremy, and Oliver came by to visit with Caity and Hunter and ended up staying for dinner.

When Oliver was first introduced to Caity and Hunter, he stared at Caity for the longest time. Then he looked at Megan. Then back at Caity. He repeated this several times, as if trying to puzzle something out. It reminded me of a moment back in September 2019, when Megan and I were in Ohio for one of Caity’s niece’s birthday parties. One of the youngest girls, just a toddler, stared back and forth between Caity and Megan in that same curious way. I can see the family resemblance—but babies seem to see something even stronger.

Oliver’s reaction to Hunter was a little different. Usually, he’s the easiest-going little guy—smiling, content, and never fussy when someone new holds him. Tonight, though, he stared at Hunter with wide eyes. When Grandpa Joe brought him closer, Oliver burst into tears. All through dinner, he kept his eyes locked on Hunter.

After the meal, Caity sat next to Hunter with Oliver in her lap. Oliver braced his little arms against the table and gave Hunter the occasional side-eye, still unsure. Then, Caity stood a little closer to Hunter while holding Oliver. Oliver kept watching. Suddenly, Caity placed Oliver in Hunter’s arms—and just like that, he was fine. Cool as a cucumber. Smiling even. By the end of the night, Hunter and Oliver were having a nice little visit of their own.

Caity and Hunter spend a lot of time with their nieces and nephews back in Ohio, and it shows—they’re wonderful with children.

Oliver won’t remember tonight, but I’m glad he met them. It’s these small, sweet moments that weave our family stories together.


Saturday, August 2, 2025

What Does “Woke” Really Mean?

Lately, I’ve been thinking about writing a series on the term “woke.” It’s a word I hear thrown around by people on both the left and the right—but often in very different ways. And honestly, I’m not sure most of us really agree on what it even means anymore.

The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve come to believe that woke may not be a black-and-white label. In fact, I suspect people are “woke” in different ways, depending on the issue at hand.

For example, I have a cousin who often uses woke as what sounds like a put-down. But I also know she firmly believes that Native Americans have been treated unfairly by the U.S. government and by settlers throughout history. On that topic, she sees and acknowledges injustice. In that moment, I’d say she is woke—whether or not she would ever call herself that.

That got me wondering: Is woke something that exists on a spectrum? And if so, how many of us are somewhere on it—even if we don’t use the word or shy away from it?

In this blog post, I thought I’d start with some definitions and see where that takes us.

Wikipedia

While there is no single agreed-upon definition of the term, it came to be primarily associated with ideas that involve identity and race and which are promoted by progressives, such as the notion of white privilege or slavery reparations for African Americans.

AI Overview

In slang, "woke" generally means being aware of and actively attentive to social injustices and inequalities, particularly those related to race, gender, and LGBTQ+ issues. It originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and became more widely known in the 2010s, often associated with the Black Lives Matter movement. While initially used to express awareness, it has also been adopted, sometimes pejoratively, as a term for those perceived as politically liberal or left-leaning, particularly in matters of social justice.

Contemporary Use

Today, woke can refer to someone who is actively engaged in advocating for social change—or, depending on who’s saying it, to someone who is overly sensitive or politically correct.

Merriam-Webster

  1. Aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues, especially of racial and social injustice.

  2. Politically liberal (as in matters of racial and social justice), especially in a way that is considered extreme—used disapprovingly.

So which is it? A call to awareness and justice, or a modern insult?

Maybe in the end, we’ll find that woke has become a catch-all term, often misunderstood and sometimes misused. But maybe, just maybe, we’ll also find that we share more common ground than we think—especially when it comes to fairness, dignity, and how people ought to be treated.

Let’s see where this exploration takes us.


Just a Note

Hi, All – I’m taking a short break from writing the blog this week. Joe and I both came down with COVID—our first time catching it after all...