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Man, are these scary times in this old U.S. of A. Every day the outrages dreamed up by the right keep compounding and getting ever more shocking and dangerous. All my life I’ve been naïve in my delusion that this couldn’t happen here. I’m stunned. I remain grateful to Ellen D. for  introducing me to the historical perspective and insight of Heather Cox Richardson.

On the radiantly bright side, Ember and Jesse finally got their first vaccines last week! They were excited and were troopers.

I love this excerpt from the 11/9 ruling by Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of the U.S. District Court (on the former president’s claim to “residual secrecy powers” over his role in the coup attempt): 

“[Drumpf’s] position that he may override the express will of the executive branch appears to be premised on the notion that his executive power ‘exists in perpetuity,’” Judge Chutkan wrote. “But presidents are not kings, and plaintiff is not president.”

Here’s a handful of other worthy quotations, these of the word-fun variety:

“DeAnne is probably one of the most excitable, enthusiastic people I’ve ever met. It’s pulpable. You can feel it through your computer screen.”

Interviewee in video documentary LuLaRich

“Just you saying that is putting hairs on my back.”

A football player [found by Eleni]

Two words meant to describe human characteristics, but applied instead to inanimate objects:

“The Malibu of Nina’s youth had been more rural than urbane, the rolling hills filled with dirt paths…” [such debonair topography]

The novel Malibu Rising [I nearly stopped reading after that line]

“[The cheese] has an unctuous, buttery flavor…” [beware obsequious dairy products]

Good Eggs website

Actually, that’s the second time I’ve heard “unctuous” used for a food texture. Maybe it’s a thing in the gastronomic world now. If so, it’s a pity and a shame.

Last one: I just called Kaiser with a question. The agent told me to hang on a minute, saying, “You’ll hear some silence while I research that.” Sadly, I heard nothing at all.

I finally switched to a new Berkeley doctor. Her profile looked promising on KP’s site—though she might be a little too plant-based for me—and Lulu found some good reviews for her. She’s already submitted a referral to the department I need to visit before even being considered for an audience with a spine surgeon.

Looking at my Google calendar last Sunday, I went, “Whoa, I’m way too busy this week!”—and then was struck by the absurdity of that thought. Twenty years ago “busy” was multiple obligations daily, all in different locations, in addition to work… no big deal. This overwhelming week? Three days with a single, one-hour commitment. My calendar brings to light two disturbing facts about my life: the dearth of productive activities and my strong resistance to leaving the house for any reason.

It’s always a challenge to keep myself entertained at home. To this end I started a new knitting project. Look how complicated the instructions are for every row.

But I do get out some. In two days, Lulu and I are going to the Jackson (Sierra foothills) area for the weekend. In preparation, I drove to Costco (the only place I know where gas is under $5 a gallon) to fill up. Wow: there were at least 30 or 40 cars ahead of me. I haven’t seen a line like that since the shortage in the 70s. Luckily it moved pretty quickly. Because I’m me, I’m already fully packed, with clothes for day of departure neatly draped over the back of a bedroom chair.