Happy birthdays, anniversaries 2025

After being delayed by colds, we finally got to celebrate two birthdays and two anniversaries at Hyde Park Restaurant. Upper Arlington | Hours + Location | Hyde Park Restaurants | Steakhouse in the US

 

I'm wearing my new birthday jacket from my kids--navy and white

A day with the horses

One of the biggest sports events in Columbus is the Quarter Horse Congress. It's about a month long in September and October--attracting more than 500,000 people, and generating $429 million for the central Ohio economy. I think I went in 2000. I petted a lot of noses, and didn't buy any $400 boots, but did get a cook book. 

Although it's not as fancy, today at The Form we went to "Dreams on Horseback Ranch." It was a little chilly, so we dressed in layers. We didn't ride, but we were able to engage with the horses.  We got there about noon so we began with a box lunch right at the entrance to the barn area and near a lovely woods. We had a tour of the barn area and were introduced to the various horses and told what they did.  Some were leased and were residents until the owners needed them. One horse, the size of a pony, had just returned from visiting special needs children at a school. One horse performed some "art" for us.  Blobs of acrylic paint were placed on small canvases which were then covered with plastic wrap. A dollop of applesauce was placed on that and the horse licked it off, spreading the paint around.  We plan to matt and frame ours.

  

Needs sunglasses

  

Haflinger we groomed

Rate of falls in elderly increases

This is odd. Falls are a big risk for people my age--that's not news. But I wonder why the rate is so much higher now than when my grandparents were in their 80s (died in 1983). This author's opinion is the soaring use of prescription drugs. Fall risk drugs are called FRIDs. Mortality from falls has increased much more in the US than other high income countries. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2837039? 

"The surge in deaths from falls in the US reflects a new phenomenon. There is no reason to think that older adults today are much more likely to be physically frail, have dementia, have cluttered homes, or drink alcohol and use drugs than age-matched adults 30 years ago, and the percentage living alone has not changed much since 2000. On the other hand, there is plenty of reason to believe that the surge in fall deaths may be tied to the soaring use of certain prescription drugs,3 which is a risk factor that, unlike most other factors, clinicians can readily modify."

Dick Durbin, pro-choice Catholic Senator

Dick Durbin, Catholic Democrat, is not just pro-choice, he's super charged with killing the unborn. The pope knows that, knows he violates long held Catholic moral teaching, and he waffled on being questioned. I have no horse in this race, but we hear enough blather from politicians--no reason to have it from the pope who probably has no problem speaking out about climate or immigration on which there is no Catholic dogma.

Pro-choice politicians, Catholic teaching and the lessons we still can’t learn - America Magazine

I also dislike the so-called moral equivalency of comparing the failings of Communist/socialist ideals with failings of free market/patriotic ideals. Illegal immigration also involves drugs, rape and trafficking. That straw man is also rampant in non-Catholic Christian groups who then equate violence against someone with words they don't like.

"Senator Durbin’s track record of supporting the human dignity of immigrants is worth celebrating, but it cannot erase the moral failure of his support for abortion. We also ought to be equally concerned about the many Catholic elected officials on the right who may accept church teaching on abortion but are even now cheering on, to use the Holy Father’s language, “the inhuman treatment of immigrants.” " (the article)

Another change of address story

I went to a branch of the massive system where we only have a credit card to change my address (we get points to reduce the balance amount). I showed my DL which has the new address and current card. As it turned out I got a trainee, who seemed sort of bored. He spent some time bringing up the correct screen. I told him I also wanted to change my email, and he told me they don't have an email for me. "Then why do I get all these messages from you?" I said. "Must be a scam," he replied. In truth it alerts me to my balance and any specials available on the card for the month. I didn't argue with him--but I hope he's not in training for a bigger job. Then I said I wanted to be sure the phone number was correct, so he read back our old land line and one we have not had for 23 years, predating when we took out the credit card. So, I gave him my cell phone number. Then I asked if he could print out for me all the changes. He didn't know how to PRINT a page!!! He called his supervisor for help. The supervisor had probably 5-7 studs in his face, including little silver balls hanging out his nostrils. That's rather distracting for 86 year olds. Takes you back to your kids' runny noses. He advises him to "print screen" which I would have done if I could see his computer screen. By this time I really needed to sit down I'd been standing so long, but I escaped to the 85 degree weather.

The reason I went to that branch in person was another branch had not allowed my husband to make the changes for me, only himself.

Changing addresses and emails

One of the biggest frustrations in this move to the Forum (other than trying to shelve 70 photo albums and hang 100 paintings) is trying to make address/email changes for organizations, magazines, etc. I've yet to find a form that includes that information slot. I first have to unsubcribe then resubscribe. However, since my old email is no longer active, I don't have a form to use nor do I have the original mailing material so I can include an account number or even the form of my name. There's a big fail here, and I don't think it's mine. Someone in the career field for subscriptions/memberships form design never thought that a member/subscriber would both move AND change the email/password.  Today I was notified of lunch with retired librarians.  My request (I was notified) can't be processed because the listserv (whose owner is deceased) doesn't recognize my new email.

 
One interesting quirk is I think it was one of my doctors' offices did notify the board of elections, something I didn't do. I'm now properly registered.  If I'm not mistaken (will research) my husband worked in the firm that designed/built the school (Winterset in Columbus) where we'll now be voting.

DesMoines school superintendent to be deported

The superintendent of DesMoines schools has been arrested to be deported. I know the Left will go crazy, but the charges against Ian Andre Roberts are considerable and he was actually ordered for deportation under Biden, not Trump. (a rare catch?)  Roberts has existing weapon possession charges from February 5, 2020. Roberts entered the United States in 1999 on a student visa and was given a final order of removal by an immigration judge in May of 2024. What happened to all the security checks schools should be doing? What agencies are schools using to do those background checks, and how many other criminal aliens are paying to have fake credentials and authorities are relying on them. 

This is not new. I recall that in the fall of 1955 a sex offender was hired by the school board of Mt. Morris, the little town where I went to school. I think it was one of the moms of a football player who got suspicious and blew the whistle. Unfortunately, in those days, these characters were just dismissed and moved on to another school, or church, or business.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-criminal-alien-serving-des-moines-public-schools-superintendent-prior?

My elevator AP news feed

I know how much AP hates to announce anything positive about Trump, his economy, his tariffs, his supporters, his values, his patriotism or his family, so that's why I used the AP article. Our elevators at the Forum use a news feed from AP (left of center) and I just wait for it to switch to volleyball or pick up sticks tournaments. It's all in the verbs. https://apnews.com/article/economy-gdp-spending-trump-federal-reserve-rates-97346d37c4edaa00f519e45941f75264?

"An uptick in consumer spending helped the U.S. economy expand at a surprising 3.8% from April through June, the government reported in a dramatic upgrade of its previous estimate of second-quarter growth.

U.S. gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rebounded in the spring from a 0.6% first-quarter drop caused by fallout from President Donald Trump’s trade wars, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The department had previously estimated second-quarter growth at 3.3%, and forecasters had expected a repeat of that figure."

PBS--who should judge information for children

This is why PBS does not have my support. They fear "right wing" but not "left wing" influence on education. To them, right wing is telling the truth about the universality of slavery, or using the words of the founders. I've watched hundreds of Prager U videos and usually have learned more in 5 minutes than hours/years in the classroom. But this article itself is narrow, one sided and just ridiculous. My opinion is just as valid as the "actors" in this script. Unlike the author of the article, I've actually watched them. Leftists rule our culture from education to entertainment to the judicial system, from sea to shining sea. Name the critics. I'm not alarmed if children see a Prager Video. Who are these "critics" and what is their political affiliation? What is the writer's standard? The 1619 project?  As far as not being a "real" university, would that be the ones rioting and not allowing Jewish students in the classrooms and libraries while screaming Free Palestine?

      https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-critics-are-alarmed-about-the-influence-of-pragerus-educational-videos

https://www.prageru.com/videos/dennis-pragers-reaction-to-charlie-kirks-memorial?

Charlie Kirk's last interview

On Saturday I watched the final interview of Charlie Kirk which I think was the assassination day at a conference for entrepreneurs. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since he started his non-profit while a teen-ager, but he also has started businesses and mentored others. I didn't know any of this although I'd heard him on a number of different conservative podcasts and seen some of his videos. This was a business audience, so there was nothing particularly evangelistic about it, however, even if I'd known nothing about him or his fame, I would have known from watching this or attending that conference there was something different about him and how he treated people. Watch: Charlie Kirk's last interview right before the fatal event was all about entrepreneurship, Gen-Z, and Elon Musk - US News | The Financial Express

Friday's All-In podcast also was devoted to him--it's a group of 4 venture capitalists--also featured his life and story. Remarkable man, Charlie Kirk. Jason Calacanis, the so-called liberal of All-In, was shocked and respectful, but I doubt he understood the enormity of what our nation has lost. The other three do. Charlie Kirk Murder, Assassination Culture in America, Jimmy Kimmel Suspended, Ellison Media Empire

The aftermath of the Kirk memorial

Don Lemon, formerly of CNN, wasn't happy with the over 100,000 who turned out to memorialize Charlie Kirk, according to a brief clip I saw. He's desperately afraid of the First Amendment. You know, the one that guarantees him the right to sleep in on Sunday and talk smack all he wants. I wonder if he noticed millions were attending church that same day, and no one seemed to show alarm at that.

Joe Biden closed down our churches and schools (technically it was governors) and most haven't recovered. Did Lemon complain? Nearly all churches have returned to in-person worship since the lockdowns ended in addition to their online services. Yet most churches still have not returned to their pre-pandemic attendance rates. Maybe we'll see an uptick, maybe not. But it wouldn't be a bad thing for people to return to regular church attendance. Interestingly, 23% of pastors of small churches (fewer than 50 in attendance pre-pandemic) report being up to 90%-100% of pre-pandemic attendance rates! This is much higher than for larger churches. (Lifeway Research)

Yesterday, I watched the Kirk memorial prelims and then 7 hours of the memorial itself. I'm feeling grief and sorrow for the likes of AOC, the Squad, the View, Jimmy Kimmel, Tim Walz, Kamala Harris and all the "leaders" elected or not of the Democrats. They know so little and have missed so much. In a nation of winners, they are losers. In a nation of abundance of good will and honorable people, they are poverty stricken, they are beggars with empty cups. It's so sad.

Why history matters

Interview with Doris Kearns Goodwin for Echoes Magazine, July and August 2025, p. 34.  "Lincoln was worried as the Revolutionary generation was dying off, and it was a very tumultuous time. It was in the 1830s when there were abolitionists being killed and lynchings being done in the South.  And Lincoln was afraid that when those people died, we would forget the ideals of the Revolution.  He recommended that mothers read history to their children, that pastors talk about it from their pulpits, that we had to teach history in the schools--the history of the Revolution--so those ideals would remain strong in our countrymen's minds and hearts." 

Sunday at Central at the Forum

Although it isn't Sunday, today at the Forum we enjoyed the musicians from the "Sunday at Central" Symphonic Group playing Bach. Fantastic flutist/flautist. Description: "Sunday @ Central’s mission is to expand the audience for classical music through imaginative and interdisciplinary programming, and to promote the appreciation and enjoyment of music in the Central Ohio area by funding and presenting the highest quality musical events. Sunday at Central is positioned as a top-caliber nonprofit classical music organization that strives to be accessible and inspirational to all arts appreciators in the Central Ohio area." 

If you hustle over to Broad Street Presbyterian tomorrow at 3 pm (September 21) you might see the same program. There is a YouTube site you can subscribe to. 

https://sundayatcentral.org/event/6164963/727092495/bach-brandenburg?

Sunday At Central - YouTube

Remember Roseanne Barr's firing--they even killed off her character!

 

AOC slimes Charlie Kirk

AOC says Charlie Kirk disenfranchised millions of Americans. I think she should be required to prove that she lies. Lying got Kimmel fired.

 
AOC slimed Kirk: “...His rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant, uneducated, and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans, far from the 'working tirelessly to promote unity' asserted by the majority in this resolution.” AOC and other Kirk detractors love to call him "uneducated" because he didn't go to college. She did, and worked as a bartender.

How did Charlie Kirk keep millions of Americans from voting, or citizenship? He encouraged the highest values of citizenship--and that was definitely voting. Does AOC realize that Congress controls those laws? Not a preacher? What AOC means is that Charlie didn't suggest anyone vote for her. Perhaps she means Charlie said illegals shouldn't vote. But that wouldn't be disenfranchisement--that would simply be following the law.

Just to remind her. Before 1830 white men had to be property owners to vote. Black men got the franchise (to vote) in 1870. Democrats did all they could to stop that with Jim Crow local laws and the KKK terrorist groups. Women didn't get the franchise until 1920 and based on AOC's political acumen and support for a Communist for NYC mayor, that was perhaps a mistake.

Time to renew the DL?

Today I renewed my drivers license and changed my address and encountered a really nasty BMV employee. I almost cried. I almost told her she was nasty. I almost reminded her some day she would be old. I almost told her I'd call my daughter for back up. But, I didn't. Maybe she's a caregiver; maybe she's sick; or maybe she's a Democrat.

 
On a happier note, while I was waiting for my number to come up, I had a nice chat with a woman returning to the Philippines to build a home in her family compound. She's a US citizen so will need to return annually to keep her citizenship. We had a lovely chat.

On Golden Pond again

The movie at the Forum tonight was "On Golden Pond" (1981). I know I'd seen it several times in the last 44 years, but I'd forgotten most of it, especially the character Billy (Doug McKeon), the 13 year old who bonds with Norman (Henry Fonda) the emotionally distant father of Chelsea (Jane Fonda), the girlfriend of Billy's father. And goodness, I had no recall of Dabney Coleman, who I think has had some great comedic roles. Henry Fonda was really playing to type based on what I've read about his relationships with his own children--distant and remote. In real life he was married 5 times and not the loyal husband of the movie. He was actually 76 when he made this award winner, but now that I live with a lot of 80+ and 90+ year olds, I thought he was trying a bit hard to "act" 80 in the movie. It was well attended and I think we laughed and sighed in the right places.

Tonight I had dinner with a woman who moved in today, so we're becoming the experienced residents as I had the opportunity to give her some tips and introduce her to our table mates and the dining room manager.  But the main topic of conversation was her missing 19 year old cat, who has either gone into hiding or slipped out the door as the movers were arranging things.

In mid-afternoon four men performed on piano and brass with a lively sing-along and the theme of Oktoberfest music.  We have some really fine voices among the residents who thoroughly get into the singing of "Autumn Leaves," "Beer Barrel Polka," and Auf Widersehen," among others. The musical group played a lot of polkas, too.

I caught a cold on Thursday and Bob came down with it yesterday, so we've had most of our meals in the apartment and have enjoyed some quality time on the deck in the beautiful weather. Mine is clearing up as Bob's is settling in. 

Bye, bye Jimmy

So Jimmy Kimmel has been closed down. His numbers were appalling and even in a leftist industry like late night TV, the company answers to the investors. What's that saying? You dance with the one who brung ya. Now the Democrats discover the First Amendment. They shut down the country (except for powerful Democrats and people who could work by laptop), and allowed Twitter, Google, Instagram, etc. to control our speech, jobs, travel because private companies can do what the government can't--deny speech, assembly and religion. They so intimidated us that pastors closed churches and didn't stick up for us. Those who told the truth about life and sexuality were called hateful and totalitarian by politicians and government agencies. To this day Democrats named Pelosi, Harris, Clinton, Watters, Crockett, Pritzker, Walz and Omar call conservatives Nazis and fascists. Jazzy Crockett, a rich kid who went to private schools, all of a sudden speaks black English and acts like a pompous ass, yes m'am, that's free speech. That's free speech, and their reckless behavior gets people killed. However. When capitalists hire a skinny man to dress like a woman to sell beer, they get to lose their profits. When capitalists hire a one note political comedian who was nasty and not funny for years they were losing money for their non-coastal affiliates, they are allowed to say bye bye Jimmy.

The Nation magazine lied about Charlie Kirk

 JD Vance On Democrats & George Soros Paying Political Violence in America Full Speech #shownewtrend

The left continues to lie about the assassination and reputation of Charlie Kirk, and insult conservatives and put their lives in danger. There are not two sides to this issue because in this era, the violence is on the left. That is, Democrats, shame on you, for allowing these violent people to take control of your party.

Democrats are besmirching their reputation and history

 What the Left calls divisive, polarizing and hateful is saying that men can't be women and that no one needs to play the victim to be worthwhile. What the Left believes is hateful is proclaiming Jesus is Lord. There is no record of Kirk being a racist, saying racist things or being nasty to people. That's a myth passed along by the media or people who hate free speech they don't like. It's secondhand Trump hate.

https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/09/11/mainstream-liberal-media-covered-themselves-in-shame-after-kirks-assassination/?