Then we live there.
A lot has happened during my month long (it was really 5 weeks but who’s counting?) hiatus, and we have some catching up to do. So let’s get to it.
Jon Stewart is leaving The Daily Show (he never consulted me) and he and his wife, Tracey, are purchasing a large farm in New Jersey and turning it into an animal sanctuary where rescue animals can live out their lives in comfort and peace. Have I told you how much I love this man? Seriously, we need more people like this guy.
The Trumpster threw his hat into the Presidential ring. Things were going well for him, but then he opened his mouth. Aside from his comments being reprehensible, by dissing the Hispanic community he signed his electoral death warrant. Hispanics carry the vote. If you don’t believe that, just ask President Obama. I also find it uber ironic how he is hot and heavy on the China bashing, but has built his clothing empire on the backs of Chinese workers (very likely many of them child laborers). Some people have more money than brains. Macy’s and PGA have washed their hands of him. I think the voters will too. Donald, just take a seat and count your money!
The Supreme Court decided to uphold same sex marriage throughout our great nation. I have to say, I didn’t see that coming. Generally speaking, common sense and kindness of heart don’t enter into judicial matters. I’m happy beyond words that this time around, they did. I know this offends many, but let me just say that love is love. The world needs more of it. As Betty White so eloquently put it, “I don’t know how people can get so anti-something. Mind your own business, take care of your own affairs, and don’t worry about other people so much”. Amen, Betty. AMEN!
There are currently 14 republicans running for president and 5 democrats. It all makes my head spin. It’s only going to get worse as we get closer to 2016. Get that mute button on the remote ready!
Greece has 5 days to settle their debt crisis or face disaster. It’s been said that what happens to Greece happens to Europe. And what happens to Europe happens to the rest of us. Didn’t we just climb out of our recession? Come on, Greece, get your act together pronto. Opa!
Brian Williams has not been asked back to anchor the NBC Nightly News (funny how we miss him less than we thought we would), the Kardashians are still here (face palm), and Bill Cosby admitted to his crimes in a 2005 deposition (oh Dr. Huxtable, what the hell have you done?). Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
The Iran nuclear deal hangs in the balance. I’m not feeling warm and fuzzy about this. Not one little bit. My gut tells me (and hours of reading) that this is a bum deal. Run, Forrest, run!
All of this stuff and much more has happened in the last 5 weeks that we’ve been apart. I’ve missed talking (bitching) with you about it all.
On the personal news front (because I know you want to know), we have settled into our new home in the desert. It’s so beautiful here but with the triple digit temps and high humidity, it does feel a bit like what hell might feel like. Fingers crossed I will never find out for sure.
I have been delegated to wearing some strange mouth piece at night to keep me from grinding my teeth (clearly from the stress of moving). Hard to keep the sexy notion in my head when I am speaking with a lisp. Ugh.
Sadly, I’ve just purchased my first pair of elastic waistband pants and feel as if I am losing the will to live. It won’t be long before I will be just like Aunt Bee from the Andy Griffith Show. Next thing you know I’ll be buying floral dresses and wearing pearls. Just shoot me.
And for the topper, the entire neighborhood has seen me naked. Several times. Not awesome. Waiting for July 17th when the shutters get installed. I’m sure no one will be happier about that than the neighbors. *pitiful sigh*
I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that everything is moving so fast these days. It helps to share our thoughts. Thank you for allowing me to do that with you.
That’s a wrap. See you next week for the regular dose of schmooze.
I promise to keep my clothes on.
Rael Hall - Embrace your yoga pants and watch them simplify your life!
Kim Tackett - Thanks for the catch up. I read the opening Trump sentence as “he threw his HAIR into the ring”. HA! Stay cool.
Kathleen O'Donnell - I said the exact same thing about elastic pants and their relevance in my will to live. But, bought them I did. Bah, menopause!
Trump. P.T. Barnum running for President. Not much different than any other politician. I’m a cynic. He says he will change his hairdo if he wins. So even he must know he isn’t going to win!
Anne Louise Bannon - Welcome back! Yep, there’s lots going on. Thanks for helping us to laugh about it.
Judith Cooper Eton - My husband and I moved to palm Desert in May of 2013 and back to LA in June of 2014. I know exactly how you feel, give the place a chance. Lots of grist for your blog, I did not want to ruffle any feathers, so I was afraid my neighbors would read my blog, and be hurt. You should “just go for it”, chronically everything you see. Good Luck!
Haralee Weintraub - Weather in triple digits dismisses any questionable actions or wardrobe choices! Glad you are back!
Tammy - Thanks, Anne Louise. If we don’t laugh, we’ll die crying!
Tammy - I didn’t know Trump said that, Kathleen. Pretty funny stuff. Losing my will to live has been my catch phrase for the last couple of years. Seems to say what my moment feels. Ugh. Am also feeling a ridiculous kindred to Aunt Bee these days. God help me. By the way…loving the pants!
Tammy - I’ve heard this kind of story before. Summers here can be killer. Hoping I survive my first one without too much whining. I sure do love the rest of the year here. The people here are awesome. Yup, lots of grist for my blog. Fortunately for me, I don’t give a damn who I might offend. Love it or leave it … a motto I live by. So happy for the read and the comment Judith. Thanks!
Tammy - I like YOUR version better, Kim!
Tammy - I SO agree, Haralee! Thanks for the validation. Happy to be back!
Shirlene Marquis Vitale - Hey Tammy, My friends moved from Parker to Joshua tree? about 8 years ago and they loved it. Why? I just don’t think I would love it so much. Different kind of beautiful there for sure. Wear your sunscreen and hats, clothing may be optional or minimal in that heat… Love ya sis. Mike and I may have to come and visit on our next trip to California…..
Laura Lee Carter - Ah yes, isn’t moving glorious in our 50s and 60s? We finally move into our foothills home the end of this month, and that will be the last move for us ever! Hurray!
LOL about the elastic waistband pants! I’ve been wearing them for a while now…yes my waistline changes that often and that fast lately. I’m hoping settling down in our new home will help me with my new and improved diet! Yeah right!
Natine - Totally enjoyed reading your re-entry! National news not so uplifting, but your take on personal issues entertained me, and entertaining me is one of my top priorities. Don’t feel bad about the elastic-waisted pants; yoga pants are just old lady pants passing themselves off as trendy athletic-wear. 😉
Cheryl Nicholl - You’re the only thing I wanted to hear about! Now for the Mathematics of Hell 1) Heat & Humidity = bad hair (though your new cut is adorbs 2) teeth grinding + night guard = Life 3) Elastic waistband + comfort = yoga pants 4) floral mumu’s + pearls= good look! 5) seeing you naked = the neighbors LOVE you! Loved this post!
Barbara Hammond - Glad you are settled and back to blogging. I know I couldn’t take that heat, but if you can I’m happy for you. I think Trump will provide more people with more laughs than any *ahem* politician in history!
b
Carol Cassara - The great thing is that it doesn’t matter how long we are off the grid, shit happens and we have even more when we get back. Congrats on settling in!
Sheryl - Hot in the desert without shutters, giving your neighbors a thrill? Surely better than all the depressing news these days.
Lisa at GrandmasBriefs - Blech on the desert. Too hot! Colorado beckons!
Trumpster… chumpster! Another BLECH!
I have no doubt you’re rocking the mouthpiece. Good luck with the grinding!
Glad to have you back in the blogging world.
Joan Cooper - Two things……
1. I would like to hear if the Hispanic community has an organization that helps its’ own illegals ? Why hang all that on the American people who can hardly hold their own in this ever more expensive world.
2. I have one objection to ‘same sex’ people. They like to MOCK. The idea to take an ancient word like ‘marriage’ which means man and woman for better or worse, instead of calling their lifestyle something else. That’s all…..no one cares what they do, but we do care what pot all are lumped in. Also it is really not a matter for courts. It is a social issue. Too bad they had to rub everyones’ nose in their ideas. How tolerant.
Joan
Doreen McGettigan - Welcome Home! I am so happy to hear you are settling in but yikes those temps. My husband lived in Arizona and said don’t believe what you hear about the dry heat. triple digit temperatures are hot.
I hope your blinds get there sooner than later.
Tammy - Hi Shirlene, sunscreen and hats are a big part of my everyday now. Good tips! Moving sucks no matter where you go or how far. All I can say is that the next time I move I won’t be lifting a finger. Not. A. Finger! Done with that! Be sure to let me know when you are in SoCal!
Lois Alter Mark - Glad to hear you’re settling in, and hope the temperature goes down soon! So much going on, my head is spinning!
Tammy - Hi Laura Lee, if there is a new and improved diet, you be sure to share it with me. I feel like if I ever moved again (this one made my 13th) it would be a decade too soon. Beyond exhausted. About my new elastic waistband pants …. I secretly love them! Good luck in your move. So excited for you!
Tammy - Hi Natine, so happy I was able to entertain you. My daughter would always tell me that I’m a party all by myself. I always thought it was a compliment (probably not so much). Haa! I’m loving my old lady pants but still can’t get over the stigma of it all. Meanwhile I’m thinking about going back and buying another pair. Good God!
Tammy - Hi Cheryl, I’ve missed you. One day we really MUST meet IRL. Thanks for the validation, I needed that! I’m still not sure any amount of jewelry (am I really saying this out loud?) could enhance a floral mumu. As for the pants … I’m secretly loving them.
Tammy - Hi Barbara, happy birthday! I’m not sure yet if I can take it either, but I’m giving it all I’ve got. I love this place to pieces 8-9 months out of the year. Summers are rough, and I’m a pansy. A wilting pansy. As for Trump, I foresee good blog fodder. Silver linings!
Tammy - Hi Carol, boy, does it ever! Happy to be back and happier still to be unpacked!
Tammy - That’s one way to look at it, Sheryl. I’m still laughing! I guess it’s all pretty funny … in a pathetic kind of way. so happy to have you here!
Tammy - Lisa, happy to be back! I miss Lone Tree every single day. Except maybe those days I’m watching the news and it’s having the blizzard from hell. Because I’m now a SoCal pansy. Trump is a sideshow. The real problem is, he doesn’t even know it. It’s always something!
Tammy - I tend to agree with your husband, Doreen. Until lasts week when the temps were high but the humidity higher. Thought. I. Was. Going. To. Die! It truly makes a difference. But he is right…heat is heat! I’m hoping our shutters get here fast. I’m sure my neighbors hope so too. *embarrassed*
Tammy - Hi Joan, I’m sure there are many Hispanic organizations that offer legal aid. I think we have to agree to disagree on the same sex issue. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it should be illegal. Equal rights run across the board. We cannot be a country that withholds rights against someone because of their skin color or sexual preferences. In my humble opinion it is absolutely a court matter. If we left it to society, we’d still have lynching’s. Fairness is a train we all need to ride. Happy to hear from you. Hope all is well in your world.
Joan Cooper - We disagree. Same sex whatever has never been a legal matter – it has always been a social matter. Their desire to join the word marriage to their world is to mock – nothing less.
They could have come up with another term and obtained legal rights such as inheritance etc, just as well and no fuss. Instead they overstepped and the liberal majority of the court upheld them. So sad.
I am too revolutionary for your polite blog.
I would love to hear what the Latino community is doing for its’ own.
We need to forget “politically correct” and see behind the motives. We are experiencing these days, the effect of the Civil War which was NOT to free slaves. The government left them to starve. If the government caught them walking over the Mason/Dixon line in Kentucky, the government took them back to slavery ??? The Civil War was a giant step by politicians to break down States’ rights and nationalize a rich nation.
Joan C
Joan Cooper - And why legalize someones’ sexual preferences ??? What does that have to do with governing?
Who cares what they prefer. They just love to “mock”, Tammy.
Haven’t you ever seen their parades ?
I really do not want to know anyones’ sexual preferences….anyones – that is their business. Who cares ?
Joan C
Carolann - Yep! You’ve highlighted all the high points of the news with one or two exceptions. It’s overall pretty depressing, but the news generally is. As for elastic waisted pants…well…I gave into those a while ago and I must say I’m pleasantly surprised at how much I love them! Not my jeans though…I won’t dare go there! Not yet anyway lol
Yvonne Jasinski - I hate watching news mostly because of how it is delivered. Too much show not enough substance. I prefer your style!
Rosalind Warren - What a fabulous read. From now on, I’m getting all my news on your blog. I somehow missed the fact that Jon Stewart was starting an animal sanctuary. WHAT A GUY!
Carmen - Hi Tammy,
Missed you!
Extremely proud and happy that my MEXICAN GRANDMOTHERS, both paternal and maternal had the courage to travel from Mexico to the United States of America during the Pancho Villa times.
Thru their courage, my family and I would not have such a wonderful life.
And furthermore, Mexicans are not the only IMMIGRANTS! And neither are they all criminals, etc. etc.
If this is the way Mr. Trump feels re: Mexicans, obviously he is a discriminating individual. And the rest of the immigrants (from all over the world) take note…this man would like to be the next President of this marvelous, wonderful country of ours.
Thank you Tammy.
Shelley Zurek - Nice recap, sometimes I forget all that goes on (or maybe I am just ignoring it all). I truly DREAD the election period, I feel like it’s “57 Channels and nothing on”…like Bruce says.
Tammy - So well said, Carmen. Immigrants helped to make this country great. There is no one who can deny that. Trump showed his bigotry, but worse than that…he showed tremendous ignorance. No worries, the American people are too smart to vote him in. The more he talks the better it is for the country. How else would the people know what he stands for? Papa would always tell me that if I wanted a job well done, hire a Mexican laborer. Their work ethic is amazing, they show up rain or shine and they get the job done without complaint. So far….he was right on the money. The funny thing is, if we take the time to look back into our history, most of us would find that we too came from an immigrant family. I too and proud and happy that your grandmother ventured into the unknown. My life has been richer for it.
Tammy - Thanks, Rosalind. I think I love you!
Tammy - Haaa, I think I prefer yours as well, Yvonne. Stop by any time and we can dish to the dirt together.
Tammy - I’m SO happy to know that so many of my peers have purchased elastic waistband pants! THRILLED. I thought I was the only one. It felt so much like a “sell out” but I do love wearing them. I fell like I’m walking around in my jammies. So I’m now wondering…do they come in any other color. Funny how quickly comfort takes precedence. for the record … if I found elastic waistband jeans, I’d be all over that like white on rice!
Tammy - Joan, I don’t believe for a moment that gays wish to mock us. It’s NOT about legalizing sexual preferences. It’s about equal rights. It’s not up to states, businesses or individuals to determine what rights they will lend to someone who is different from them. That is called BIGOTRY. An ugly, ugly word. It’s clear that you feel very strongly in your beliefs. I leave that to you. But know this, America was built on the idea that all men are created equal and should be given equal rights when it comes to all legal aspects. Period. No where does it say “unless you happen to love the same sex”. I know many wonderful gay people who contribute a great deal to our society and our world. I wish for them to share in the equal rights that marriage offers. I stand with them in celebrating this landmark decision. This country is stronger for it. My opinion, and I’m entitled to it.
Carolann - I had to pop back in and reply to your reply about the jeans with elastic waistband…if you ever find a great pair..be sure to let me know too! LOL
Tammy - That’s a deal, Carolann!
Jeffrey Davidson - Welcome back!
Yes a lot has happened during the last 5 weeks. Hopefully you will adjust to your new residence and get past the worst weather portion in style.
As always, you have a fun and interesting manner in the way you approach various topics.
Don’t look forward to the florals and pearls. It doesn’t have to happen.
Don’t worry about the shutters. If your neighbors can’t enjoy the view then let them look the other way.
Trump, another story. He looks intelligent, but then the speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. Once he opens his mouth you hear why he is not as intelligent as he looks.
Your feelings of tolerance are to be applauded. Even though I agree with you, equal rights is equal rights. What is to say that if your religious beliefs are different then you shouldn’t be allowed to express them? My minor disagreement is that it should not have to be “gay rights,” but just equal rights for everyone. The word “marriage” may have been a traditional one but traditions and times change and evolve.
I try, and hopefully succeed, to judge people as individuals based on their character, honesty, trustworthiness, etc. If you are the same, color, religion etc. as I am but are dishonest, insensitive, etc. then I choose not to associate with you.
I don’t like or dislikes groups of people based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. but rather, I like you because of your character and what you as an individual represent.
As always, keep writing the way you do and don’t change it, unless your are evolving!
Tammy - You are SO right, Jeff! It shouldn’t have to be considered “gay” rights. It should just be “rights” equal for all. In a perfect world. We can only hope and strive for it. I’ve come across my share of homophobes (hate that word) who justify their beliefs on the “traditional” phrasing. Bunk. It’s not the phrasing that offends them. It’s the same sex orientation. Not everyone has an open mind or an open heart. Acceptance of that fact is necessary in order to deal with it. I agree, traditions evolve. Thank God for small favors! I’m with you…I judge people based on their character and how they treat me and others. Life becomes pretty simply that way. And pretty honest too. Laughing at your take at my neighbors. Thanks for that!
Joan Cooper - Good point, Jeff. I don’t entirely agree that they only care about equal, but let it go. WWW does not like dispute so I bow out.
Tammy – take me off the mailing list. Being barred from answering on WWW about a topic is censorship. I don’t want to be a part of that.
Joan C
Tammy - Hi Joan, dispute is always welcome. It livens things up around here. I have NEVER barred anyone from saying anything and I resent the implication. It is simply untrue. All comments are uncensored and live. I will happily honor your request and remove you from our mailing list. Have a good week ahead.
Karen D. Austin - Well, I am glad to see that you didn’t forget to pack your sense of humor in the move and glad to see your wit wasn’t damaged at all in the process. All my best to you as you get to know the neighbors without or with blinds.
Ruth Curran - I don’t think you will ever turn into Aunt Bea!!!! My favorite new saying (thanks to you and this piece)? Uber ironic! Just love it!!! Looking forward to next week’s installment!
Cynthia Greene Jordan - YAY! You’re back! I’ve missed reading your blogs….and as usual, you are right on target. I’m very happy that our country is acknowledging and respecting equal rights for all. I have a wonderful sister in law that has just given us another sister in law to love!
Tammy - Hi Cynthia, SOOOO happy to see you here. It’s been ages. Congratulations on the new family addition. It takes on a whole new meaning now. Nice to know that our country is moving forward despite ancient prejudices. Miss you!