Christmas Past, Present, and Future

 The holidays are loaded with emotions, aren't they?  Family and childhood emotional hurts come bubbling to the surface like hot lava spewing from the deep bowels of a volcano that was almost thought dormant.  Well, there's a reason suicides and domestic violence peak in December along with the consumption of drugs and alcohol.  

I digress.

Here's one thing I give credit for this Christmas.  

We had a houseful....and I mean a HOUSEFUL.  It was just like Christmas Past with little kids running around, dads putting together toys on the living room floor, and grandpa making gin fizzes at the bar while auntie makes Danish aebleskivvers on the stove.  It was glorious and loud chaos with the sounds of Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians singing the sounds of Christmas in the background on Amazon music

Wait.  Minnesota is part of Canada, right?  Wait. The incoming president of the US thinks Canada is the 51st state?  There are several provinces in Canada that will want their own identity much like our states.  Oopsie!!!  I am OFF TRACK.  That is for another rant.  LOL

Again, I digress. Back to Christmas 2024 in Sonoma County, California.

The past 5-6 years or so have been tainted with the rumor one family member has been having an affair with another (not a blood relative, so get the banjo out of your butt) and battle lines were drawn with camps on both sides.  My household was of the camp of, "It's none of our business as to whom is allegedly getting naked with whom, and quite frankly, we don't have the time nor energy to judge."

The other camp was of, "Well.....how DARE they have a deep and meaningful relationship" as there is no actual proof of any sexual escapades, only phone calls and text messages where two people were lost and bewildered in the family dynamics and they were trying to console themselves and each other.  

How phone calls and text messages took the leap to sexual interactions is a mystery to us.  And again, I don't have time to dissect and judge.  Life is complicated.  I have a hard time keeping track of my own life let alone anybody else's.  

Bottom line:  The "victim" of this alleged tryst is now dead, and the trumpeter of the so-called scandalous news of the phone calls and texts to the family announcing the illicit allegations is now barred from the family as she has shown her true colors in other forms as to how manipulative and poisonous she really is.  

Karma works.  

Christmas present was delightful without the added drama of the "trumpeter" who only wants to stir the pot.  Christmas future promises the return of family and friends who just want to have a good time.  I'm honored that it is standing room only at my house on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  It's a compliment.  Mind you, our house is *not* on the cover of any magazine.  Martha Stewart does NOT live at my house....and I will remind you of that upon entering.  If you want pretty perfection, turn right around and leave because you will be sorely disappointed. 

Merry Christmas :)

p.s. Even if the "affair" is true, if any guy can get a boner at age 83 with a menopausal woman aged 79 to have passionate sex more power to the both of them ;)  No judgement from this corner. 

Boss Beggars

 I'm getting rather tired of people trying to raid my pocketbook whether is is professionally or personally for (fill in the wonderful and indispensable cause here).  I am a generous person.  However, I'm tired of "repeat customers" thinking that because I have donated in the past X amount that I will continue to do so indefinitely -- as if my resources are indefinite - for which they are NOT -- and that my past donations are somehow stamped into their next years budget going forward as an automatic "gimmee."  

I got the email today begging for money.  What makes it weird is that the solicitor is my treasurer's wife.  She is all wound up in this organization that is supposed to help kids aging out of foster care.  The cause sounds all good and what not, but here is the raw truth.   The organization is being sued for having one of their take-ins murder their social worker (yes, the murderer had a track record of violence that was overlooked).  

Sorry, not feeling it this year.  We have donated $10-$15 thousand each year for the past 10 years or so.  I wish we got an accounting for our donations.  We don't.  The cause sounds all legit and all..... helping homeless kids who are aging out of foster care find their way.  We were totally into helping.....until we are not.  We feel like chumps and being taken advantage of.  

All we get is a dog and pony show at their annual beg-a-thon dinner held in their wine country vineyard where they try to rape their donors even more and guilt them into donating even more money for which we have no clue as to where it actually goes.

I feel sorry for the kids.  They are pawns in this money grab.  

I keep going back to the basics.  I housed kids on the verge of being homeless.  I still do to some extent.  I was not associated with any charity nor did I receive donations.   I fed them and housed them on my own dime.  I did not need to set up a "non profit" to help kids out and try to make a tax-exempt salary for myself.  

Bottom Line:  Take in a couple of struggling kids.  They will eventually get it together and the love will pay it forward tenfold.  Trust me. 

 

Luigi Mangione: United Health Care Murder of Brian Thompson

 The Santa Rosa Press Democrat had an article today stating that suspect Luigi Mangione had been apprehended for the murder of United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson.  The main stream media has gone on to state that murder was not an acceptable form of protest for the high insurance rates and frustration of the multi-layered, inhuman bureaucracy that drives countless Americans into bankruptcy or death due to deny, delay, and depose due to tactics to avoid paying for treatments that could save lives.

Wait.  Murder was not an acceptable form of protest?  I disagree.  The insurance industry murders thousands upon thousands each year due to their byzantine practices and impossible to decipher policies written in incomprehensible legal gobble-de-gook that makes sense to none, but of course, is ALWAYS turns out in favor of the insurance company. 

Sorry, I'm NOT crying for Brian Thompson earning over $10 million annually while people who are suffering from a multitude of illnesses get DELAYED, DENIED, DEPOSE....and die before their authorizations come through.  

Who needs $10 million annually?  Really?  I'm so glad (not) that denying a cancer treatment drug to one of my loved ones helped you pay for your effing yacht, mansion,  and private school tuition for your spoiled brat offspring.  I'm sooooo glad you PROFITED off our illness and suffering.  FUKR!.

Sorry....no mercy from this corner.  

Brian Thompson:  I hope upon death the first thing your spirit guide asked you for was for "prior authorization" to enter heaven as you have not gone through the proper channels to enter and you will be denied entry.  Burn in hell....and take the rest of the health insurance rapists with you.