Friday, July 11, 2025

Jurassic World Rebirth - When Life Imitates Art



Photo credit Universal Studios

Not a movie I would’ve picked for myself—but the grands had already seen it and chose to watch it again. So, off we went. This was actually the first PG-13 movie we’ve watched together.

The graphics were incredible. Truly impressive visuals. It’s available in 3D, but I’m glad we watched the standard version—no need to intensify the thrills. I was on the edge of my seat through most of it, while Caleb and Charlotte took it all in stride. I’m assuming that’s because it was their second viewing—not because they’re bloodthirsty little creatures. (Though the jury’s still out.)

After we got back this afternoon, I read a piece by Andy Borowitz: “Are We Thinking Too Much About Politics?” And instead of paraphrasing it (I couldn’t do it justice), I’ll just share the part that really hit home:

“We’re all faced with a tricky choice. If we bury our heads in the sand, the dictatorship wins. But if we’re in a constant state of panic, it also wins. It’s hard to mount an effective resistance if your hair’s on fire 24/7.”

“Maybe we should reframe the choice.”

“Well-informed concern and vigilance that lead to action? Good. Relentless doomscrolling and freakouts that induce catatonia? Bad.”

“Now, I’m not here to dispense New Age wisdom. (Full disclosure: I did live in California for 15 years.) But worrying nonstop about politics isn’t just bad for the resistance. It’s bad for your health.”

“When times are this dark, we need to find moments of light.”

Yes, we do.

Meanwhile, a follower of 47’s recently created a meme with him as Superman. MAGA is up in arms over the new Superman movie because—brace yourselves—Superman is portrayed as an immigrant. (You know, because he’s literally not from Earth.)

After watching Jurassic World Rebirth today, I’d say a more accurate comparison would be to the D-Rex—Distortus Rex—a genetically-engineered mutant based on T-Rex DNA. It’s about 26 feet tall, 47 feet long, and weighs 20,000 pounds. It eats people like breath mints.

Do you think D-Rex could outsmart the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey? Personally, I wouldn’t bet on it. But the chaos it causes feels... oddly familiar.

My moment of light today? Time with the grands—Caleb and Charlotte. That, at least, is real. And really good.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

After Retirement: A New Kind of Knowing

The drive home from Rockford to Saint Michael is a favorite of mine. I often just enjoy the sound of the tires on the road as I follow the winding path along the Crow River. In the winter, the bare trees make the river visible for most of the drive. During the rest of the year, I catch glimpses of it through the leafy green.

Other days, I’ll put on some John Denver music. And when my grandchildren are in the car, I mostly listen to the sound of their voices as they chatter away to each other. My hearing isn't what it used to be, so I rarely catch the actual words—but that’s okay. Their voices are music to me.

Yesterday, as I drove home from Rockford, I skipped the music and found myself entertained by a thought that came to me—seemingly out of the blue. The thought was this: “I used to know what to do in most situations. I’m not sure I do anymore.”

That idea stuck with me. I realized that during most of my time BR (Before Retirement), I lived in reaction mode. Life was a series of moments requiring me to listen, assess, and respond—especially in situations involving other people. I tried to be thoughtful in my responses, but much of it came down to reacting to what others needed or expected.

AR (After Retirement), the opportunities to make decisions are different. Most days now, I spend time with one or more family members—and they’re not particularly interested in having me make decisions for them! Even the grandkids, at nine and eleven, usually want to call their own shots. Like on our movie Fridays: they pick the film, and I provide transportation and snack money. And honestly? That arrangement suits me just fine.

The baby grandson is another story. At almost seven months, he’s not quite ready to make decisions, but he’s remarkably clear in communicating what he wants. He lets us know when tummy time is over, when he’s ready to eat, or if the book I picked isn’t to his liking. He also seems to know when he’d rather play with Grandpa Joe than me. My role is simply to keep him safe, read his body language, and tune into the kinds of noises he makes when he’s uncomfortable or wants something different.

Perhaps it’s those interactions with the baby that brought on the thought: “I used to know what to do in most situations. I’m not sure I do anymore.” After all, trying to interpret the wants and needs of someone who can’t use words yet is its own kind of challenge.

Still, as I wound along the Crow River yesterday, I realized something else: maybe it’s okay not to always know what to do. Life isn’t asking me to solve every problem or jump into action like it once did. These days, I get to observe more, listen more, and sometimes just be present—whether it's beside a chattering grandchild, a fussy baby, or a quiet river. Maybe that's the new kind of knowing: not having the answers, but showing up anyway, with love and snack money in hand.


Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Public Service Message (IC3.gov)

Today I learned that the FBI has a website called the Internet Crime Complaint Center — IC3.gov. While the site can’t help you recover lost money, you can report scams there. This helps the government track scams that are happening across the U.S.

A number of years ago, one of my bookkeeping clients fell victim to a scam. He was a sharp businessman, but at the time, he was going through intense radiation treatments for stage 4 cancer. During that vulnerable period, he received an email — followed by a phone call — claiming to be from the IRS. They told him he had a “problem” that he could fix by either giving them access to his bank account or providing a credit card number over the phone.

He had the good sense to say no to both options. But then they offered a third “solution”: buy one or more pre-paid VISA cards and give them the numbers. The catch? He had to do it within the hour. Under pressure, he went out, bought cards totaling $4,000, and gave them the information. When he tried to call them back later, the number was already disconnected. And only after the fact did he look closer at the email and realize it wasn’t from the IRS at all.

The FBI considers this type of scam a government impersonation crime.

The IC3.gov site includes resources and information, including annual reports that break down cybercrime by state and by type. Here’s the link to the 2024 report for California:
California Cybercrime Report – IC3.gov

Once there, you can select other states if you’re curious.

Joe and I both get scam texts and emails almost daily. Joe never opens them — he just forwards them to me! As we age, I think the Resources for Older Adults link on IC3.gov will come in handy for both of us.

Staying aware is half the battle — and sharing what we learn helps others stay a step ahead, too.




Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Searching for a Laugh - Meme Day

 

Definitely me! Since retirement though I've learned to just use okay the first time.

Me on the days I forgot to check my calendar!!


Important reminder to continue to look for joy.






Monday, July 7, 2025

Sixty-Nine Today: One Day at a Time


Even though turning sixty-nine years old is no big deal for me, I’m genuinely excited to have made it this far! Each year feels like a quiet victory—a chance to keep growing, learning, and appreciating the simple joys of life.

I often think about my family and how our lives have been shaped by both love and loss. My dad died from cancer when he was just fifty-three. His life had been tough, and after suffering a stroke during surgery, he spent his final years in a wheelchair. My sister passed away at fifty-nine from breast cancer. My mom, too, lost her battle with breast cancer at age seventy-seven after it had spread to other organs.

All three of them were smokers and had become more sedentary toward the end of their lives. After my dad died in 1989, I made the decision to quit smoking on January 1, 1991. I was thirty-five years old at the time. That choice, among others, has shaped the way I try to live now—with intention, care, and gratitude.

My goal is not just to live longer, but to live well. I want to make it to a ripe old age with my mind sharp and my body strong. Thankfully, I have relatives who lived into their mid-to-late nineties, so I know longevity is possible. I try to take care of myself—not out of fear, but out of respect for the time I've been given.

These days, I focus on what I can control: eating well MOST of the time (including limiting my alcohol intake), staying active, keeping my mind engaged, and surrounding myself with people I love. I don’t take any of it for granted.

Each birthday reminds me that life is a gift—unpredictable, sometimes heartbreaking, but also beautiful beyond words.

One day at a time.


Sunday, July 6, 2025

Forest Bathing the Minnesota Way


Megan and Oliver took me to brunch this morning. Afterwards we came back to our house and took a few photos on the patio. The above photo is the view from my comfy chair.

After Megan and Oliver left, Joe and I sat outside 'forest bathing' for an hour and a half. It was a beautiful day.

Happy 51st anniversary to our friends Ginger and Jim Burden!


Saturday, July 5, 2025

Don't Be Misled: The "Big Beautiful Bill" Doesn't Mean Your Social Security Is Tax-Free

  • On Thursday, I received an email—allegedly from the Social Security Administration (SSA)—celebrating the passage of what it called the One Big, Beautiful Bill, signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The tone was triumphant, describing the legislation as a landmark victory for seniors.

  • Here’s a quote from the email:

    "The Social Security Administration (SSA) is celebrating the passage of the One Big, Beautiful Bill, a landmark piece of legislation that delivers long-awaited tax relief to millions of older Americans..."

    It goes on to claim that “nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits”, and that the bill provides “meaningful and immediate relief.”

    Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, this message is misleading—and I want to help make sure no one gets caught off guard.


    Here’s the Reality: Your Social Security Could Still Be Taxable

    While the bill does provide tax relief, it does not eliminate the taxation of Social Security benefits for everyone. If you’re assuming your benefits are now automatically tax-free, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise next April.

    Let’s break it down:


    Who Actually Benefits?

    • Middle-income seniors who currently pay taxes on their Social Security benefits will see the largest relief.

    • Low-income seniors already don’t pay taxes on their benefits—so this bill changes little for them.

    • Higher-income seniors may not benefit at all, as their incomes exceed the thresholds where the deductions apply.


    Key Points to Know

    • Tax relief ≠ Tax elimination. The bill reduces the tax burden but does not eliminate taxes on Social Security for all retirees.

    • Temporary enhanced deduction. The legislation includes a temporary increase in the standard deduction for Americans aged 65 and older. This increase is meant to offset the taxable portion of Social Security benefits.

    • Set to expire. The enhanced deduction expires in 2028, at the end of President Trump’s current term. There’s no guarantee it will be renewed.


    Why This Matters

    Far too many people living on fixed incomes rely on every dollar. An unexpected tax bill—especially after being led to believe one wouldn’t arrive—can be devastating.

    So let this serve as a friendly public service announcement:

    Don’t assume your Social Security benefits are now tax-free. Stay informed, double-check your tax situation, and talk to a professional if you’re unsure.


    If this post helps even one person avoid a surprise tax bill in 2025, then it’s done its job. Please share with any friends or family members who rely on Social Security.



Friday, July 4, 2025

July 4th Reflections

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring the 13 colonies free from British rule. Though the Revolutionary War would carry on for seven more years, we mark this date as the birth of the United States. Next year will be the 250th anniversary.

I want to believe we’re still a nation worth celebrating.

Lately, though, it feels like we’ve taken more than a few steps backwards since January 20, 2025. We've distanced ourselves from longtime allies while cozying up to authoritarian leaders. Programs like USAID, public broadcasting, and Voice of America have been cut, while $45 billion has been earmarked for immigration detention—more than five times the current budget. That money covers everything from expanding ICE facilities to hiring more personnel and transporting detainees. If the estimates are correct, we could see detention capacity rise to at least 116,000 beds.

This doesn’t look like the America I grew up in.

It feels like we’re being reshaped to fit the worldview of a narrow group of Americans—people like Stephen Miller—who seem to believe this country was always meant to serve and be run by white men. It’s hard not to feel that these policies aren’t just about immigration. They seem designed to instill fear, even among those of us who were born and raised here.

And yet, I hope I’m wrong. Truly. I’ve never wanted to be so wrong about something in my life.

This morning, we spent the Fourth in a more hopeful way—with Caleb and Charlotte, our two oldest grandchildren, at Color City Pottery. We painted for hours. Joe didn’t paint—he appointed himself our technical supervisor, which mainly consisted of watching us and sneaking in a nap or two.

Caleb and his alligator!

Charlotte and Grandma Beth working on their pieces.

My turtle!

Grandpa Joe working on a final paint coat for Caleb's alligator.

Charlotte's first piece - she loves cats.

Charlotte's second piece - she said his name is Orange Fox.

Back in the early 70s, when Joe was in college, he took a pottery class. He liked making the pieces, but not painting them. A group of women in their sixties would have him throw the pots, and they’d take over from there. Today he didn’t make anything, but he helped Caleb put a third coat of underglaze on a bright green alligator. I’ll post pictures once we get the finished pieces back in two weeks.

After painting, we stopped at Applebee’s for a late lunch before dropping the kids back home.

It wasn’t a flashy celebration. But it was a good one. And maybe that’s what I’m holding onto today—the small, steady things that still feel like America to me.



Thursday, July 3, 2025

We Do Not Care Club

 


There’s a movement I’ve been following on Facebook called the “We Do Not Care” Club, started by Melani Sanders for women in perimenopause. You can connect with her here:

The screenshot above is from her Instagram.

The other day, she explained how she came out of Walmart, hit record, and vented about the things she stopped caring about. That video blew up overnight—and for good reason. Once you hit perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, there’s a lot you just don’t care about anymore .

Melani invites followers to post their own “we do not care” declarations. One of my favorites:

Or who has not wanted to say this to their family members:

or



I'm guessing her club has exploded beyond women — I’m guessing quite a few men have joined too.

I’m not a joiner by nature. But today, I’m officially declaring myself a member of the We Do Not Care Club, and this is my entry:

Republican Congress, we do not care if you lose the next election because you’re afraid of 47. Losing an election is a small price to pay for showing how little you care about the American people by passing the Big Bad Bill.

Yeah, that’s not meant to be funny.

Thank you, Melani Sanders, for being a bright light on a particularly dark day.


Wednesday, July 2, 2025

When Cruelty is Intentional

 



My only consolation is that karma is a bitch. It breaks my heart that any people are assimilating the cruelty of the current regime in our government and cheering it on. When people celebrate the founding of a concentration camp (a prison is where people convicted of a crime and have been sentenced are housed), those people are lacking a sense of morality.

As of mid-June 2025, ICE was detaining 56,397 individuals. A significant portion of those detained, 71.7%, had no criminal record. Many more had only minor offenses, like traffic violations. 

And if opening up this "tent city" in Florida is not cruel enough, folks can purchase 
Alligator Alley bling at the Florida GOP online storefront.


Some people have no shame. Some day they will be held accountable. I hope it is sooner rather than later.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

We Still Have Time to Protest the Big Bad Bill

The Senate, with a tie-breaking vote by J.D. Vance, passed the Big Beautiful Bill (aka: The Big Bad Bill for all but the wealthiest Americans) this morning. Here is a graphic with some of the worst items in the Bill plus the impact on the people in our country:
There are still things we can do to show opposition as the bill makes it back to the House of Representatives for approval. 

I am sharing Jess Cravin's Chop Wood, Carry Water article today to give people next steps to take and the language to use.

Jurassic World Rebirth - When Life Imitates Art

Photo credit Universal Studios Not a movie I would’ve picked for myself—but the grands had already seen it and chose to watch it again. So, ...