The Presidency

  I'm listening to Hillary wind up her speech.  I can imagine Donald Trump saying, "Oh, all right, let her have it."

Death by Ostrich

   Well, I wasn't killed, but could have been, by this very beast.  One summer day, we decided to take the kids and visit Safari Land, an area animal park open at the time. Local television personality David Allen used to advertise it. Somewhere north of Greenwich, maybe Gansvoort or some place.
   It was a drive-through nature preserve, several miles of roads through segmented areas, with a booth at the entrance of each fenced section, some of them staffed,  and a number of signs.
  We had a station wagon and the kids could see through the windows: "Look at that lion,"  in regard to a rather desultory looking animal lying near some rocks.  The sign over the road to that enclosure advised visitors not to get out of their cars and to leave the windows rolled up.
   Driving a distance down the winding road, we came to an enclosure saying visitors could leave their cars to walk among the animal life there.  Husband and kids were  not  inclined to do so, maybe because it was a hot day, or maybe they just didn't feel like it.  I, probably wanting to participate in the day's adventure by  doing more than just sitting in the car, got out.  I looked around, trying to see signs of animal life--the visitor-friendly type.  I spotted an ostrich, a distance away; "Look, kids."
     I don't know how fast an ostrich is capable of running, but it didn't take long for it to start closing the gap between it and me.  They really pound the ground when they hurry. Safety zone maybe, but I decided to get in the car, without a lot of time to spare either, and slammed the door shut.  That ostrich ran right up to our car, and started drilling its beak  against the roof of the car.  It made a lot of noise.  The roof of the car was not damaged, but I don't think I could have said the same for my head if it had been the target. At some point, someone took the picture posted above, through the closed window.

TMI

   For all it's worth, I don't want to watch any more videos or even see any pictures of any member of any species, human or animal,  giving birth.

Holy Lucifer!

  I know most politicians, celebrities, and talk show hosts use speech writers to some extent or another, but I'm pretty sure that Dr. Ben Jonson writes his own speeches.  Nothing he said tonight made any sense at all.

Tempus Doth Frickin' Fugit

    Drove past the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds today.  Grounds are completely cleared of Country Fest activity, and workers are changing the Signboard to the dates of the Schaghticoke Fair.

Anniversary of Sorts

  Two years ago today, second TKR.  Home from the hospital in less than 48 hours, back to "normal" in less than a week, and no pain at all, thanks, I suppose, to the wonders of nerve block.  All in all, as many have said, a remarkable recovery.
    Some years ago, my knees were causing me so much misery, affecting my ability to walk, not to mention even stand, that my sister encouraged me to have the replacement surgery that a doctor said would help. She said she would have similar surgery, but her medical condition ruled out the prospect.  I was in dread of surgery, anticipating  a long, drawn-out period of incapacity.  I told her I was waiting for her to get strong enough to help me through it. She said nothing in response, but  I can see her face, serious and thoughtful.  She, who'd always waded in to help, even before she was asked, had no resource left to offer.
   There was a time when I might have believed she did help, in what was, for me, an extraordinary recovery from major surgery, but I can't say I have that kind of true faith anymore. But still, sometimes, the thought enters my mind...