The Impeachment Hearings...

But we've made it through the hearings!

And if I NEVER have to hear Devin Nunes or see Jim Jordan's face again...it will STILL be too soon.

Here are all the testimony transcripts in case you missed it.

(in one place)

https://www.rev.com/blog/impeachment-hearing-day-5-transcript-fiona-hill-and-david-holmes-testimony

And, honestly, I had to take some time to decompress and digest this before starting this blog.

Having watched and/or read all the testimony (even that of the GOP witnesses called) that they have proved without a doubt that

1. Ukraine Aid and the new President's visit to the WH withheld pending the investigation into Burisma and the Bidens.

2. That (per the GOP's own witness) everybody was aware of it...and Sondland named names...Trump, Pence, Guiliani, Pompeo, Mulvaney, Rick Perry...and a few others.

3. That Donald Trump had asked the Ukraine to investigate his political rival.

4.  That the country and leader who benefited the most from our withdrawal was Russia and Putin.

(...now THERE's a surprise...said no one ever...)

5. That the White House instructed many subpoena'd members of the GOP to ignore the subpoenas...and they did.


In short...

Bribery or Extortion (Quid Pro Quo)

Abuse of Power

Obstruction of Justice

Trying to get a Foreign Power to Interfere with our Elections.

Trump will almost assuredly be Impeached by the House.

But the Senate Republicans have become absolute contortionists this week "standing by their man".

From:  We must have open hearings

To:  No...not televised public hearings...oh god...

(...be careful what you wish for...)

From: This is all Secondhand.

To:  Morrison is a NEVER TRUMPER (...really? Because she is Mike Pence's Aide) and trying to smear the name and reputation of a Purple Heart Recipient and Career Veteran with a perfect service record. 

        Both, incidentally, who were on the call with Sondland and were 1st hand witnesses.

But perhaps the most damning testimony came from one of their own witnesses

Gordan Sondland

The Actual Guy on the Call 

and the guy most likely to be played by

                                                          Vin Diesel

in the mini-series. 

(...and you will know there will be one...)

Look at the guy's face on the right corner of the picture with Sondland. He looks like he is thinking

"Oh dear god...don't let me be on his list."

~laughing~

This was a screenshot while he was in the midst of naming names of everyone who knew and were (his words)

"In the Loop" 

And these were some of the names he was naming.

Oh, and of course, THIS GUY.

Yeah...THAT'S going to leave a mark!

And these guys were a lot like this...instantly...which was pretty hilarious actually...

This is Nunes

"...and we would have got away with it too, if it weren't for those darned kids and their pesky dog"

Look.

Ruh-Roh

But did that stop them????

Surely you jest.

The hearings were concluded yesterday with Fiona Hill and David Holmes Testimonies.

Both were damning, and in agreement with all the testimony that had already been given.

The Republicans having nothing at this point...just decided to be openly rude...talking over witness testimony until I thought Shiff might wear out his little gavel...or use it on Jim Jordan.

And who could have blamed him??????

By the end of the day it was pretty apparent that the Senate Republicans will not Impeach or Remove him in the Senate Trial.

But the genie is out of the bottle.

The televised hearings went out all over The World 

(...thanks in no small part to the BBC...)

At this point the GOP's line seems to run along the lines of

"Who ya gonna believe?  Us or your lying eyes?"

And whereas we may just have to remove Trump at the ballot box ourselves...Twitter Resisters have already started amplifying the campaigns and raising funds for those running oppose the GOP candidates who are up for re-election in 2020

Sick of:

@Jim_Jordan

? Help

@ShannonFreshour

@EliseStefanik

? Help

@TedraCobb

@DanCrenshawTX

? Help

@ElisaCardnell

@DevinNunes

? Help

@PhilArballo2020

@LindseyGrahamSC

? Help

@harrisonjaime

@senatemajldr

? Help

@AmyMcGrathKY

@SenatorCollins

? Help

@SaraGideon

 Together we will fix this mess...


More anon...

Baby it's Cold Outside...Our November Getaway and Rehab Brunch...Gadget and Sofi

"Mom...are you in there??"
                                        ~Gadget

We pulled a stunt on Gadget this week when John put me on speaker-phone and let her listen.

"How the hell did you get her inside that thing???"
                                                                            ~Gadget

"Nice kid...but not real bright."

                                              ~Sofi


Actually, she is smarter than smart.

Remember how Gadget learned to fetch her mouse-toy. John would toss it downstairs and she would bring it back...then he would give her a treat?

Yeah...well she figured out how to cut out the middle man...

Sometimes she will get her mouse...run downstairs with it in her mouth...then back upstairs...bringing it and waiting by her treat dish for

you guessed it

A TREAT!

Now that's clever.

Fetching the mouse...no throwing required.

It got bitterly cold early this week...preempting the monthly trip with Diane and   Brenda (this time to Greenwood)

Since Diane's Birthday is the 19th...we rescheduled, and are going to just have her a Birthday Luncheon here next week!

Wednesday, John and I left for our November Getaway...and Rehab Brunch. 

When we left, it was still frigid (8 or 9 degrees)...but it slowly warmed up.

We plundered Edward's Drive-in on the Southside.

"Yeah....that's what I'm TALKING about!"

Which used to be "back in the day" a Dog 'N" Suds...and I went here (sans the indoor part) from maybe 5 or 6 until I was well into my 20's.

A fact I shared with the 20 something who waited on us...

Then came to the realization later it would have been over 50 years ago...ergo...she wouldn't even have been a glint in her father's eye back then...lol.

Damn, I've gotten old!

~laughing~

Not complaining...most days I still feel about 45...except for the occasional days when I wake up feeling 105...

Spent the night in luxury with

...pillows...pillows...pillows...

Soft like marshmallows...got to get me a couple of these!

The candle, a new find...Butterscotch Shortbread...as decadent as it sounds!

And US!

(....and is it just me...or does Love in the Age of Arthritis just seem to be getting better and better...who knew???)

Back together for well over 2 years now...and the last year and a half exclusively.

Getting more familiar with each other and our likes, dislikes, idiosyncrasies.

For instance, years of sleeping alone have made me the ultimate cover-hog. One good turn and I can get all the bed-clothing and be sleeping cocooned like a bag-worm...unaware.

He...on the other hand...even though he is tall and rather thinnish can sprawl and take up an entire KING-SIZED bed...the whole freaking bed...except the 12 inches that I am clinging to desperately trying to not go over "the cliff".

And we've learned to adapt pretty well.

"Give up the sheets!"

"Not until you move the hell over."

"I have chocolate."

"Well..............okay....."

(...damn...foiled by dark chocolate again...)

No Will-Power.

The Rehab Brunch was at

Loco's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina

Sounds like our bunch.

Authentic Mexican from the bright yellow outside of the building

(...if you have ever been to Tijuana you know what I am talking about...)

to the pages and pages of amazing  Mexican Cuisine.

Including Churros with Dipping Chocolate for Afters.

Which John had never tried before and enjoyed.

And THIS

Jarritos!

Haven't had one in almost 30 years!

John had never tried one.

Mexican Soda in a variety of flavors. We had the more subtle Lime...I have always loved the Tamarind.

Pronounced Har-itos, it has many flavors...isn't as carbonated as Coke or Sprite, has real cane sugar instead of corn syrup...and is utterly addictive.

Try one for yourself.

A great turnout (18+) and met a few of John's Tribe I hadn't yet...Bob and his son (a foodie like myself) Ernie and Susie, Kathy didn't make it...but got to see Charlcie and Jan again.  Wonderful...funny...REAL folks!

Charlcie in her Southern Drawl calls me "Doodlebug"

I refer to her, Jan and Kathy as

"The Usual Suspects"

Until at last warm, happy, laughing and stuffed with tamales, enchiladas, refried beans, queso and rice we left until next month...when we will reconvene at Bynum's Steak House, and also celebrate John's birthday early!

Our trek wasn't over though...and he introduced me to someplace I had never seen before

Never even heard of it.

Ollie's buys in bulk.

Good stuff.

Brand name stuff.

And the prices and quality are amazing!

We did some early Christmas browsing, and are definitely making a return trip before the holiday!

Came home to Sofi...who was very chatty and oh-you-brought-me-chicken!

And later Gadget...who curled up on his duffle.

"I'm so glad you came home, Dad!"

I had a wonderful time, guy...can't wait for you to join My Tribe for Our Thanksgiving soon!

The Book this Week

A novel whose idea was gleaned from a genuine article in The Register Chronicles 1797

 In a single short paragraph, it described what appeared to be some kind of scientific experiment, conducted by a Mr Powyss of Moreham in Lancashire. Some years earlier Mr Powyss had published an advertisement offering a reward of £50 a year for life to any man willing to live for seven years underground without seeing another human face. While the successful applicant would be required to “let his toe and fingernails grow during the whole of his confinement, together with his beard”, his conditions would be comfortable, even luxurious: his “commodious apartments” would include meals served from Mr Powyss’s own table, a bathtub with cold running water, a chamber-organ, and “as many books as the occupier should desire”. According to the Register, a labouring man with a large family had accepted the post. He was, by 1797, in the “fourth year of his probation”.
 

There were no other details.

From this tiny random bit of historical fact...Nathan constructed her characters and spun the tale.

Engaging, quick paced, intriguing...well worth the time.

One of the better books I have enjoyed this year.

The Movie

Some of Edward Norton's BEST WORK.

Several boys who grew up in an orphanage in New York. The movie is set in 1957. Norton's character is afflicted with Tourette's Syndrome and his performance is up there with Hoffman's in Rainman or Penn's in I am Sam.

I think what I loved best about this film was the cinematography. Everything was done in the muted reds, yellows and blues of the Pre-Kodak Era...just obvious enough to give you the feeling of old photographs hand touched with color.

Willis plays the older Gumshoe (detective) that takes Norton under his wing...while the rest of the office refers to him as Freakshow because of his verbal outbursts.

I love Norton...all of his films...his monologues reminiscent of Fight Club...

If you like his work...this is a must see.

This one might just be his Oscar Performance.

So...a Cinderella Day here.

Launder, scrub, polish, dust...and looking forward to a relaxing 
Zen Sunday.

  



















 

Politics...First of the Public Impeachment Hearings Tomorrow

Send in The Clowns...


And Dear God...has Trump been shitting himself the past few days, or what????

Seriously, Man...pull it together.

Even Nixon knew when it was OVER, and resigned.

Not our Tangerine-Twit. 

Yeah..my money is on having to pull him out of the Oval kicking and screaming.

(...preferably in handcuffs...)

And I'm okay with that part...the handcuffs...

But I digress...

No matter where you stand on the Impeachment Spectrum...you have got to admit that the last week or so has been a dumpster-fire of epic proportions.

Just Lindsey Graham alone has been worth the price of admission.

"He didn't do it."

"If they come up with evidence showing he did; I will reconsider my position."

(enter Taylor and a few other high profile, firsthand witnesses)

(enter Sondland who adds an addendum to his testimony after perjuring himself because HE is not going to go to jail for the Orange Dude...okay?) 

"No  I am not going to read the transcript of Sondland's amended testimony."

(fingers in ears...lah lah lah...)

"Okay...but he is too stupid to know it was Quid Pro Quo."

"Okay he did it. Trump just being Trump."

Seriously...

We are using the Trump is just being Trump DEFENSE now???

Explains a lot really~

And everybody and his brother (or son) publishing a book this week.

Anonymous...from the Times Letter now has out

"WARNING"

Which reportedly confirms what a huge stupid narcissistic man-child we have in the Oval...

(...cute...but I think we are way way past that point now..don't you?)

John "I am the Lorax...but not quite as child friendly" Bolton

"It is a 2 million dollar book deal with Simon and Schuster...reveals so much more...NOPE can't give you the title yet..."

Former Ambassador to the United Nations: Nikki Haley

"I've never heard Trump lie before."

(...poor girl...I had no idea she was deaf...who knew???)

and her book

With All Due Respect

and even Don Jr. got into the game with a jab at the liberals with his (ghost-written) book

"TRIGGERED"

The reviews even by conservative rags are harsh...but nothing like the book tour

Where Junior was heckled and eventually booed off stage by

wait

for

it


A group of MAGA supporters...when he couldn't answer questions about the book he supposedly wrote...lol

Guifoyle (...his paramour...and Gavin Newsom's ex-wife) wrapped in black leather

(...yeah...I know....)

Got angry eventually getting shriller and shriller and even threw an online dating insult at them.

'Let me tell you something,' she shouted as the chanting grew louder. 'I bet you engage and go on online dating. Because you're impressing no one here to get a date in person.'

(...how 2009 of her...)

And Don Jr. stalked off the stage...

One might say he was almost

"triggered"

LMAO!

(and I can only IMAGINE the reaction of his PUBLICIST over this particular engagement on the tour)

"They did fucking WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I'm betting there was a Come to Jesus Meeting over that fiasco!


So anyway...this week's line up includes

William Taylor  (Top Diplomat in Ukraine)

George Kent  (Deputy Secretary for European Affairs)

and

Marie Yovanovitch (Former US Ambassador to the Ukraine)


It will be interesting to see the Republican Reponse to this line up...

(...yeah...we got nothing...)

But it will be fun to see them try to twist and contort this away on LIVE TELEVISION...

And LIVE it will be with everyone but Santa Claus in on the broadcast

(...even the BBC for crum's sake...)

They asked for open door hearings.


Be careful what you ask for...



Excuse me now...got to go for popcorn before it all begins!


More as it comes!

This Week's End...Falling Leaves...and A Cold Front On the Way

Wild winds and rains...and suddenly Fall has Fell!

Fall on the Patio.

And in the house...

"Nope...not going back outside until Spring!"
                                                                  ~Sofi

Although, the candy is gone, and therefore Halloween is now officially over.

The crisp Autumn replaced by real COLD...and layering of quilts and clothing and such.

Next week promises 15 degree nights and accumulated snowfall.

REALLY...Indiana...Really????

So yeah...pretty much hibernating this weekend.

"Nope...not coming out and you can't make me..."

With November the end of the Alternating Day Fasting until January...yay!

Celebrated with a skillet of fried potatoes, mushrooms, onion and bacon!!!

Yes, I'll gain a bit over the next two months.

No, I don't care.

I'll settle up in January.

There are too many wonderful foods to enjoy in November and December.

Life is way too short.

Taking the next few days to work on some in-the-house projects that need done before winter.

And reading, painting and a movie or two.

Gadget (at John's) is doing well...totally hooked on TV.

"I even have my own channel, Mom!"

and nosing into everything...

"I've fixed that problem with the wiring, Dad!"

She has learned that if she fetches the toy mouse when it is thrown downstairs she gets a treat.

So now she brings the mouse back up several times...then goes and lays by her special treat plate.

So smart!

"I almost have him completely trained, Mom"
                                                            ~Gadget

This Week's Movie

A great adaption of King's 2013 novel...telling the story of  Danny Torrence after he has grown up. A sequel to The Shining...which was also outstanding.

The film is part the novel...some of Kubrick's Film with
Nicholson...a little liberty taken with the ending...but overall very very very good!

I love the character of Rose the Hat and was exactly like I had envisioned her from the earlier book.

The TRUE KNOT winding its way in a caravan of RV's  looking for children who "shine".  

As Torrence makes his way back to the Overlook on the same twisty narrow road the original score from the Shining score is playing.

Inside several visuals and memories are snippets from the original film.

Probably not suitable for anyone under 10 or 12.

The True Knot does kill children, after all.

Exceptional Film!

And This Week's Book

A non-fictional journey into what Shlain refers to  as Tech Shabbat.

Taking from Sunset on Friday night until Sunset on Saturday night Tech-Free.

An experiment embarked on by her entire family.

Although I do take a few days monthly, here and there, unplugged (and enjoy them immensely) the idea of making this a regular ritualistic thing sounds much less relaxing than anxiety-provoking....in short...no.

Not for me. 

But it was an interesting idea, and might work for you.

Well worth the read.

Getting ready to put a pot of soaked beans on to simmer away with bacon and butter and onion....and make an iron skillet of corn bread.

Embrace the winter headed this way...

Politics...and Yesterday's Elections...

The Impeachment Inquiry is humming along...and we'll get to that shortly...but before all that and the Roger Stone Circus...

About Last Night...

(...and Kentucky replacing Blevin with Beshear...and Virgina Senate and House going blue...and Joe Hogsett (Dem) winning a second term in Indiana...and various and sundry other elections going Blue by almost midnight...)

Yeah...it was a late and celebratory night last night.

Babies don't sleep this good.

(...caveat...it may have also had something to do with two shots of Kentucky Peach Bourbon, too...)

Today the GOP trying to put a positive spin on all of it.

Deep Down...they KNOW.

And they Know that WE KNOW.

And Mitch "The Turtle" McConnell had to have unceremoniously shat in his shell when Vox declared Beshear the winner.

Kentucky...a BLUE Governor...OMG!!!!

Of course THIS GUY

Former Gov. Blevin (...and man voted most likely to be arrested and removed by The Fashion Police...)

refuses to concede.

DEMANDS a recount.

of course he does...sigh...

Fine.  
Then we will all get to watch you LOSE again...

Works for me.

(...and they call US snowflakes!!!)

And the news just kept on coming last night.

This woman

Best known for flipping off Trump previously and  promptly losing her job because of the one finger salute-to-the-chief...

Got a new one last night when she won her election in Virginia last night winning her seat on the Loundon County board. 

"If you can't join them...Beat Them"

And we flipped the entire Senate and House of Virginia...

Yep...now BLUE!!!!

Meaning the ERA is sure to be ratified in my lifetime...which is nice.

I was 13 years old when it was proposed.

I am months away from 60, now.

That's patience.

Of course, Reeves got Mississippi

Their Motto:  "We've been voting against our own self-interest for 100 years. Why stop now?"

But even in deep-red MS...Hood snagged 46% of the vote...so the state and her people are beginning to evolve...there is hope.

And the GOP, there, have to see the writing on the wall.

A few upsets in our local elections.  Bainbridge threw out EVERY SINGLE INCUMBENT. 

Joe Hogsett (in Indy) got his second term.

Democrats took Mike Pence's hometown of Columbus Indiana.

Yes...the times they are a-changing!

The momentum was palpable last night.

When we all rise up and vote...we win.

And face it...WE- THE PEOPLE 

are FED UP!

And The Tangerine-Tinged Tyrant tweeted this today

....uh...right.

"What color is the sky in your world, Donnie?" 

In all fairness, this HASN'T exactly been Trump's best week...or month...or year...

The Impeachment Inquiry is heating up.

Several of his insiders have flipped.

Even Bolton is offering him up like an orange sacrificial goat.

And the rest of us are here like kids on a long car trip

"Are we there yet???????????????"

Seeing Mom Pelosi and Dad Schiff exasperated

"No...not yet."

And quid pro quo has sort of been replaced by the term EXTORTION with
a lot of top-ranking officials testifying that Trump is, indeed, guilty of it...

Word has it that they are going to try to get this thing neatly wrapped up and bowed by Christmas.

Dear Santa,

All I want is Impeachment and Removal.

Love,

AMERICA


Yeah...we'll see.

Meanwhile 

This guy

Remember Roger?

Is just getting his jury selected for his trial.

And day one has already been a circus.

One man fell into a seizure during the process.

Then later, Stone left for the bathroom with GI issues...for the remainder of the day.

In his defense...if I knew I was likely to spend the REST of my natural life in prison...I'd probably have vomiting & diarrhea, too...

A Roman poet once wrote about how the masses can be appeased with bread and circuses (games).

Sadly, The Republicans STILL believe that.

Let THE Games, begin....

  


 

Gadget...Halloween...November and Dia Los Muertos

Yeah...so Gadget has fully taken over John's place.

And amazingly the past week or so has shown me how much Sofi has been boycotting me since the kitten's arrival.

She has resumed playing FETCH which she has stopped altogether.

She has resumed napping and sleeping with me. She had stopped napping with me altogether and slept grudgingly at my feet while the kitten would climb purring and settle on top off me.

She has resumed taking her place by me or by the vent when I am using the computer.

and a new twist as she now sits in my lap....a lot...which is a nice change.

Gadget has not only found TV

(...and I'm hearing David Bowie singing China Girl)

And enjoyed The World Series (with chips)

...but also learned to play fetch (presumably from watching Sofi) and John can toss a toy mouse or crumpled paper ball down the stairs and she will bring it back up to him.

"AGAIN!!!"
              ~Gadget

Best of all is when we are having morning coffee online...this pops upon my screen...

She is growing like a weed...and is going to be a much bigger cat than Sofi.

And Sofi has once again taken her place as rightful Queen of The Manor and seems fairly happy about it!

So all is well!

Enjoyed a wonderful Halloween Night with James and Nicole, Chris and Tina and most of my Grands (Aiden, Brenden, Kaylee and Emma) for their

Annual Chili Supper and Scary Movie

Admiring the trick or treat black tree that Nicki had decorated with netting and spooky stuff and rubber skeletons of spiders and bats and birds and rats and human bones...including a grinning skull for a topper! Strung with orange and purple lights.

I did my Crazy Cat Lady with pink rollers, white face cream, a crazy cat lady sign, lap robe and this

"Yep...Fluffy hasn't shed in years!"


It was a lot of fun...

And there was freezing cold (24 degrees) and our first snowfall!

Little frozen vampires and skeletons and unicorns at the door.

Candy leftover for the first time ever!!!

The chili was WONDERFUL (as always)

The MOVIE of the night was the latest

ZOMBIELAND 2

and she had made coffee and iced pumpkin bread for afters!

The very best part for me was when we were all gathered in the living room watching the movie.

EVERYONE

Even Nacho (the one-eyed Pomeranian) and Franco (the newly acquired cat)
laughing at the antic  of Woody Harrelson, warm, full of chili and maybe chocolate...

FAMILY

and all was right with the world, for that moment.

A few hours sleep and suddenly it was

The bright colors of October gone...and laying in blown piles on the lawn.

The chipped pumpkin orange nail-polish now looking...well...just chipped...gaudy and orange.

I learned that wearing facial masque for 3 hours straight leaves your skin soft as a baby's butt...so there is THAT,

Nicole has been gifted Fluffy...to go along with her skeleton collection.

And I was pretty useless for the entire day.

Papa John's knew just what I needed!

Woke way too late (almost 11) this morning with Sofi standing on my chest

"Are you going to feed me..or WHAT???"

                                                           ~Sofi

And a slow start to

Dia Los Muertos

(...how nice...they seemed to have named a day for me...)

But while Mexicans everywhere are honoring their dead...I'm working on this house so people won't think I have...

Died, that is...

A Cinderella Day filled with dusting and scrubbing and laundry and dishes...stripping the bed and fresh sheets...and later a good bath!

Let the Holiday Season begin!

When Halloween Collides with Christmas at Walmart.


More Anon....