Bits and Pieces

Current Events: With the move out of the way, settling in is the main focus. The Super Bowl is now over but I didn’t watch it anyway. Now I can read about current events and write about them. Let me see, here are the ones most on my mind, yours too?

First, weather forecasts have touted snowfalls of 5 inches as huge; they are not. So far this season, we have little snow and what we have had has been most manageable. This week is filled with dire warnings of two major storms that will rake across our region; so far nothing appears to support that forecast. I could be wrong, but experience tells me not to panic.  NOTE: a day or so later, our first storm produced 2 to 3 inches; some areas got more, but mostly underproduced the forecast. This weekend's storm may be more eventful, but still, two to four inches is not much of a forecast!

Second, economic predictions by Trump and MAGA have been flat out wrong. They have painted a picture of a bad economy while it actually is the best in the world at this time. We have transitioned from COVID and normal change patterns and doing quite nicely. Those who lost their jobs because their industries have been replaced with other and better developments will find their new positions if they prepare and adjust. Meanwhile, supply chain issues will slam our economy as immigrants are forced out of the country. A bad mistake in my opinion but the newbies will learn their own lessons, just as I did.

Third, major changes to the federal government will cause huge headaches for millions of workers as major benefits of federal programs cease to exist as they are closed down. What people tend to believe about the government is plain wrong. Mistakes? Sure! But intentional fraud? No! More good than bad. Meanwhile, it appears MAGA efforts are creating the very fraud they complained about.

Settling In: Granddaughter Kira came to my rescue. She hooked up all components to my computers. She tackled the augmented sound system of the TV. Finally, she connected all components of the stereo system, and it now works flawlessly. How wonderful to have all that working without me crawling around on the floor and peeking behind gadgets and plugging tiny cords into even tinier holes! I couldn’t do any of that, anyway, let alone know what I was doing. It is done and I am back to normal electronically.

Value of Quiet: The new apartment is in the back of the building facing north. It snuggles into a short hill and is grassy with mature trees. The railroad is at the front of the building, and I don’t hear it at all, no horns, rumbles or roar of a passing freight train. Main street is also the route of most fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Sirens were a constant companion in the old apartment. Not here. Quiet reigns here. The only sounds are the ones I make or the nearly silent ones of the building. Of course, one wonders what makes which noises. Sleeping and napping here are wonderfully uninterrupted. I think more and relax more.

February 14, 2025

 

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