When I went to the hospital last June/July, the doctors and nurses weren’t sure I would survive! It seems that I had Covid 19, pneumonia, Leukemia, heart failure, and some other thing I don’t remember at the moment. I was in the right place. (I remember now. It was a shattered shoulder and a fractured humorous that I got from falling down).
They put me in 3 different rooms during my visit. I remember my time in the last room, somewhat clearly. It was the room with the negative air flow, (to keep my covid germs from escaping).
It was in the second room where they put a drain tube into my lung. It worked, and the nurses and doctors would empty the container each day. The guy that inserted the tube in my back removed it after I moved to the 3rd room. (It is hard to remember the dates and times because I have been in and out of hospitals for the last 3 years, thanks to long-covid.)
There were visiting nurses for a couple of months when I returned home. I amazed doctors, nurses, and myself by getting well again. So here I am at Phil’s Place once again. I have been rehearsing with part of my blues society band, and I feel good singing and playing again. The best is yet to come, I hope.
Now to figure out how I published in Phi’s Place before my brains were scrambled.
Be kind to your friends and family who have become part of the Trump Cult.
I hope you are scared to death of the Corona/Trump/ Virus. If you are not, you have been tuned to the wrong stations. If you are not watching news broadcasting from at least a dozen stations around the world, you are not well informed.
It is not my intention to shame you, or point out how limited your vision and choices for sources of information have been reduced to, but...
Do you recognize this?
Nope, not a molecule or virus, this is an exploding firework from the 4th of July display here in Redding, California. They have done everything they can to erase the existence of COVID-19 from our local propaganda outlet, (Redding Record Searchlight).
No matter what they feel will turn our heads from the approaching wall of virus, the news is not confined to the fascist Tea Party nitwits in charge of manipulating the population of our little pit-stop of a town. (Redding is known for its gas stations, fast food and full range of motels if you are tired of driving to someplace important.) This is a place that most people will stop for gas, food or sleep, on their way to somewhere more interesting.
This is one of the hopeful and not easily deterred avian fellas looking for a mate.
The president of Brazil has now become infected by coronavirus. Stephen Miller's wife is now infected. More people who have not been wearing masks are becoming the latest victims of this pandemic that could have been controlled if we had, had, intelligent leadership. (I blame the people who were stupid enough to believe FOX news).
Fireworks entertained people in Redding, as well as other locations in the USA. It is not that there were not some people trying to pretend we were not frogs boiling in the pot, but reality will usually slip through the most frighteningly expensive wall and let us know that wall's are a proven, stupid idea, and generally trap people within until they all die.
Peaches cling to the tree that grows and bears them.
And so we find ourselves trapped between those who live in the real world and those who watch Fox news. If you are surprised that Americans can be so frikkin' stupid, you had to have been enthralled by Fox TV and Talk radio at the time.
Under the leadership of Dick Cheney, our country pissed away more taxpayer money on failed military operations than any previous administration. It is no wonder that the Donald is oblivious to reality. He was a "reality" TV star. (Not a billionaire. Not a successful mover and shaker, but the bumbling, stumbling son of a racist slum lord.)
I really like your peaches, let me shake your tree.
So, if the virus don't kill us, it will be the lack of nutrition in our over processed food?
It is more likely, if you don't die of corona virus, you will die because of poisoned water, toxic air, or nutrition free food. You may not have noticed, but we have been destroying the very things that we need to stay alive.
More fireworks
We have become experts in blowing stuff up, but we are woefully unprepared to fix this planet we have made uninhabitable. Wherever we go, we will screw it up: Adam's last words of wisdom.
I made a video for my brother. He is that grandpa the forwards email from right wing propaganda sites, that was forwarded to him. He doesn't get it!
I worry that this, as well as all the other family members, will not wake him from his right wing dream of world domination by righteous white men like himself, but I can't stand by and do nothing.
Remember the stories about Howard Hughes wandering alone in his Stardust Hotel suite with long hair, bearded, and wearing tissue boxes instead of shoes? Well that would be me during this COVID-19 Pandemic, except I can't find tissues in the stores.
I would like to share with you a home video of a song I wrote in 1982 and recorded in my apartment last night, using my trusty 1970's Takamine white maple guitar;
Stay safe. Stay Healthy. Stay away from Fox news and Right Wing Weirdness.
During a conversation the other night, I wasn't sure about my point of view. But just to be sure, I searched and found what was troubling me;
Martial law Martial law is the imposition of direct military control of normal civilian functions by a government, especially in response to a temporary emergency such as invasion or major disaster, or in an occupied territory. Martial law can be used by governments to enforce their rule over the public, as seen in multiple countries listed below.Wikipedia
Marshall Plan The Marshall Plan was a U.S.-sponsored program implemented following World War II to aid European countries that had been destroyed as a result of the war. It was laid out by U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall during an address at Harvard University in 1947. The plan was authorized by Congress as the European Recovery Program (ERP).
Those are 2 different things, but they get mixed up in our minds sometimes.
"Some things that have happened for the first time, seem to be happening again"- This line from the Song Where or When is so apropos that even singing it seems like a redo.
I live in Redding, California. Home to boys who never grew up. For an example: What adult would ride around the block repetitively revving their gasoline wasting engines so we all can appreciate that they have removed the stock mufflers and replaced them with straight pipes? I think that they never out grew putting balloons on the frame of their bicycles as kids so it would sound like a motorboat.
Just an observation from an old guy who grew up riding bicycles with various noise makers attached so they would make sounds while rubbing against the spokes in the rear wheel. I moved up the ladder to anything on 2 wheels that had a motor and rode motorcycles as my primary choice of transportation for 50 some years.
In my 20's I learned to keep my, "Bikes", quiet so I could visit lady friends in the middle of the night without alerting neighbors. I don't think that is a concern for the all day all night Redding riders with straight pipes on their bikes and cars. If I sound like a cranky old man, it probably is true during this time of Social Distancing.
Here are a few things that I think a lot of people don't realize;
Airlines have never made a profit. They have been subsidized by our government since the very first "private" airline company was formed. There is no reason to further subsidize them during this time of people not flying to avoid spreading CVID-19.
Did I mention that I live in Redding? We have been asked to limit our social interactions to Video Chats and other forms of electronic interactions. Our favorite artists are posting videos and live streaming concerts. The latest movies are available through Vudu, IMDB, YouTube, HULU and other sources, so that we dod't put ourselves and others at risk of getting infected. These efforts at limiting exposure, work, (if we use them). All the Science Fiction stories I have read since 1952 seem to have melted together to become the realities of the 21st century, (for my republican friends, that means now). Songs I have written, and songs I have sung or listened to others sing, are the real life soundtrack collection of today.
Most of the people with whom I talk to and text, are telling me that they can't seem to shake the feeling of depression. I understand. I find myself on the bounce between depression and happy productivity daily, hourly and sometimes up and down at the same time. What a F.....d up reality we have created globally with our endless wars and dependence on profits. This Pandemic could help America undo the damages we have been doing to Earth, Air, Water and all life on this planet that our military/industrial juggernaut has been despoiling for profit and control. We are faced with certain COVI-19 infection if we attempt business as usual.
At least there are a few intelligent elected officials that are proposing solutions based on historical facts and science. Guaranteed Universal Income, Climate Change Remedies, No bail outs for Wall Street, Corporate CEO's, Banksters or Boards of Directors, but Universal Healthcare solutions for the poor, the working classes and the middle class. The emergency personnel who are keeping America running, deserve hero level wages.
All the programs that FDR envisioned and implemented are what we need to survive in these times of crises.
The Green New Deal is a method we can use to accomplish survival. We have to do this without subsidizing corporate profits if we hope to have a future for our planet and our children who will inherit it. If you have read this far, thank you for caring about life on planet earth. We can do this. We can have our elections by mail, as some states have been doing for years without fraud or racist foolishness, like Gerrymandering or Voter Suppression. If you want to know more about the COVID-19 Pandemic, The CDC and California Department of Public Health are excellent sources that just might save your life.
Here we all wonder if we are in steerage or on the deck, but two musicians have put it in perspective. Here is a video from the BBC;
Now I would not be me, if I didn't include a few bits of information regarding the COVID-19 Novel Virus. It is a novel virus because it is a combination of SARS and MERS that has become something else and continuous to mutate.
It is exceptionally contagious and more deadly than flu strains that have been around before. It is not common and is at least 10 times more deadly than previous viruses.
Because our republican government leadership chose to ignore the warnings and advice of the CDC, 2 months ago, we can expect at least twice as many Americans will die as a result of their anti-science, republican leadership.
The best guess, now that we are taking a few of the right steps to control the spread of this pandemic disease, we can hope that the worst will be over in about a year and a half. Stupidity is not an effective immunity.
Washing our hands and not touching our faces is not enough to stop the spread, anymore. Stronger methods of containment are required. We are woefully behind on testing our citizens, and we don't have enough equipment, response teams, beds or personnel.
Here in California, after our Governor realized the Federal government had its head up its greedy selfish ass, Governor Newsome announced a state of emergency and began doing the things that should have been done by the republican President.
We still have pockets of Fox news watching dimwits, (here in Redding for example), who think they need to buy all the paper towels, toilet paper and Kleenex in the stores, like the people in Florida do before a hurricane.
If you are reading this from another state, they have this information and more specific to your situation. If you aren't already getting your information directly from the CDC, you need to. There are many weirdos with rumors and misinformation that exist on the TV, internet and radio. If you saw the rumor about Martial Law, don't click on it. It is click bait. It is untrue. What we have in place is a state of emergency.
Ya'll come back a check my site now and then. I have a bunch of pictures, food suggestions, and new music videos that I will have produced and will be sharing, soon. Stay safe avoid spreading the virus, stay at home if you can.
I have been reading about Spectrum offering free WiFi to students and opening up their WiFi hotspots to everyone. Check with Spectrum. I will include more information as I get it.
Since you are at home, I will post a quick music video for you entertainment;
There are so many available sources for the truth that it amazes me to see people getting their information from Fox news. Facebook and TV news basically repeats the same misinformation that is broadcast on Fox.
Earth's ecosystem is on the brink of collapse and still there are people in power who feel the need to gain monetary profits by extracting and encouraging the burning every last drop of oil, chunk of coal and last tree. They are supported by people who are not willing to embrace a more nature friendly approach to life.
I recently read an article about Dr. Commoner's, "Closing Circle". Here is a look at what could have been introduced last century in a measured manner, but which must be our life's philosophy immediately, if we are to survive.
The Four Laws of Ecology:
“Everything is Connected to Everything Else.”
“Everything Must Go Somewhere.” (Also known as There is No Such Place as Away.)
Today is Music Monday, as usual. It is time for me to put together a playlist, run through the tunes, print the list and start preparing for the "Show". I may have mentioned this before, but I play guitar and sing for "old people". 😀
Mount Shasta, as seen from the parking lot behind where ShopKo used to be.
When people ask me, “What are you doing now that you're sort of retired?”, I tell them, “I sing and play music for old people”.
Funny thing is those ‘old people’ I sing and play for, look like me when I’m looking in a mirror. I don't think any of them feels like they’re an old person when they are feeling happy. I know I don’t.
That would be me playing one of my Kit-Casters
Maybe I will feel old when it’s all over?
Speaking of, “all over”,..My oldest brother David, who has lived with Alzheimer's and dementia for more than 20 years now, will be checking out of this joint, soon.
My other brother, Jerry, called to say our oldest brother was given Last Rights twice. So he's been given a first Last Rights and a last, Last Rights? I guess he has doubled the chances of maybe going to heaven?
Mount Lassen, as seen from where I live at the Tree House Senior Apartments
Now, there is an interesting concept;Heaven.
Has anybody actually contemplated spending eternity trapped with people that you don't really like? Nobody in their right mind would want to be stuck in a crowd of pious evangelists. (I have read that those religious crackpots are supporting the blithering fool who lurks and waders around in the White House.) They all watch Fox news, with religious fervor!
The full moon last week as seen with a little imagination
Obviously people who watch Fox have lost their minds. That's what those programs are designed to accomplish. They take viewers minds and there's nothing you or I can do about it.
If one of these people that they control is your dad, your son, your sibling, your wife or your husband, you're stuck. They no longer operate with reason and logic. They are angry, panicked and afraid that Democrats are coming to take away their guns and give black people equal rights.
I don't know how the hell anyone would fall for this, but MAGA people believe all the shit they hear on talk radio and other right wing media.
Robins decorate bare tree at the Tree House
2020. Who knew we’d live this long? I never thought I’d make it to 2025. I expected my expiration date to come up years ago. It did, and yet I am still here. (song)
So that's some stuff that's on my mind right now. By the way, if you watched the debate CNN put on the other night, you're probably extremely disappointed with moderators asking the same old right-wing gotcha questions. Foolish me tuned in to find out what the candidates have to say about climate change, inequality and how to dismantle the American military/industrial complex that became the scourge of planet earth.
Streaming Clouds over the Tree House
If we don't do something about burning oil and fossil fuels, we may as well just give it up. By 2025 it'll be too late. That’s why millions of kids are marching in the streets. We keep living our lifestyle that is destroying the planet and kids are telling us that they are the ones that have to live with our legacy of a lifeless, ruined planet.
On that happy note I like to wrap this up. Thanks for reading.
There is a reason I made this pic small and placed it left.
It has a lot to do with how Google coders dedicated their
time to Smart Phone formatting and didn't consider the long time
bloggers that were using Blogger before there were smart
phones.
There. That should do it. From this point, I should be able to post full sized images
without worrying about the information on the right becoming mixed into the post.
Okay, it took a few extra clicks and wiggles to get the text back over to where it belongs, but now it seems to be okay. We shall see when I publish this.
Now I am stuck with text centering its self. Whoopee.
My purpose in adding this post, is to see if, and what Google has done with this venerable blogging arena. It may be consigned to the dustbin so the phone app, (which no longer exists), is forgotten completely.
Much has happened since I last posted.
Nearly all the government agencies have been gutted and there are no more employees answering phones or showing up for jobs that no longer exist.
Steve Bannon and Robert Mercer have used their usual misinformation tactics to get Boris Johnson elected to the position of; "Donald Trump of the U.K."
Hey, it worked to make Brexit an actual thing before they used Facebook in the U.S. to get a narcissist serial liar squeezed into the White House.
I read an article today that blamed our problems on the Citizen United supreme court decision to let the rich manage our elections. They, as well as most of America, didn't realize that Citizens United is a Robert Mercer corporation that was founded during the Clinton administration to smear Hillary Clinton in the media.
We all know how that worked out after 2 generations of Hillary smearing and right wing extreme media, (like Fox news and Talk radio), turned members of your own families into spittle spewing, hate hollering, raging racists. "Joy", vanished from our world and we are left with the cold comfort of hope that what is left of our democracy will prevail after the next election.
This was the moon tonight as seen from the top of my Echo, once I parked in front of my Treehouse Apartment. The Winter Festivities have begun and I am almost ready to print my Christmas cards. Tomorrow morning might be clear, in which case I will take some pics of Mount Shasta, Lassen Park and the Sacramento river for those cards I forgot after printing the first batch.
Here is a video that may, or may not apply to today's post.
In 1967, I used to play in a bar located under the KFWB studios. They would call to complain that the bass was bouncing the needle on their turntables. It's a small world after all.
