What have you read lately?

11 May 20

07:30 hrs

     Hello Dear Readers, 

     Yes, the question for today is what have you read lately? Due to my working conditions of late I am able to monitor the contractors and read at the same time. My Better Half has tracked the titles of all the books she has read since completing her degree. She's gone through 190 books. As you know I'm an avid reader as well but I tend to read new books and then reread some of my old faves - I read Jaws when I was in Grade 7 - such the earlier Jack Ryan series by Tom Clancy. Recently my Lobster has set me onto Michael Connelly's Bosch series and Robert Crais novels. They take me about two or three days to read from cover to cover. If you were to look on my Facebook page you will find articles that I have shared from The Atlantic, The Washington Post and other notable literary sources. Take a look as you might enjoy them too.

     Chef Blaine has made a Jamaican jerk sauce and has applied it liberally to a spatchcocked chicken. Tomorrow it will be going onto the Flame Pit where it will he slow roasted and smoked. The Jr. Loin Fruit has asked if the sauce could be applied to his tofu. Sure thing son. Of course the Oma-nator took one look at the sauce and was very concerned that the entire chicken was coated with it. 

     "I don't want none of that stuff. Just give me a plain chicken leg,'" she moaned.

     Not to worry. Chef Blaine will wrangle up some plain old chicken parts and cook them so blandly that you will think you had died and gone to One Note Taste Bud  Heaven. 

     Has there been a rebellion by the Wayward Inn kitchen staff? Or more of a revolution? Or a bit of both?

     I want him to take some small scallops and thread them on a skewer before toasting them on the Flame Pit or turning an entire pork roast into some tasty char shui. Food with depth and flavour.

12 May 20

06:45 hrs

     Both my Lobster and I are off from work today. The Beer Flu has affected her schedule more than mine  but she is thinking that it won't be too long before she is back to the office five days a week. The one thing that both of us are looking for is the lifting of some of the restrictions so we can actually go out and do something. Anything. Anywhere. I'm sure all of you and your loved ones are in the same boat as we are. SQUIRREL!!

     At this point the three ring circus taking place south of the 49th Parallel in the Hugh-ess Capital is ramping up even higher. With more than 80K dead the Beer Flu has finally touched inside the Big House. I bet that gave the Tangerine Tyrant a time to pause at least for a moment before deflecting attention from his many failures.

     If things work out I'm going fishing with my Friend from Over the Hump. It will be an escape for the two of us. I'm sure that we don't care if we catch anything.  

     

The Cycle...

02 May 20

07:30 hrs

     Everything moves in cycles. Even cycles move in cycles. Have you noticed this at all Dear Readers? Let's go to the examples shall we...

     Everything that is animated on this solar orbiting orb has a cycle. The basic cycle is - BIRTH, EXISTENCE, DEATH. Of course this basic cycle can include the subset or tangent of PROPAGATION within the EXISTENCE portion of the loop. The death of some creatures are nearly part of the life cycle of another creature as in the hunted and hunter. Even the hunted plays a part in the cycle of the scavengers and whatever is left over goes back into nutrients for the plants benefit which in turn aids the hunted. And so on and so on. 

     People can get caught up in these cycles too. Remember when you were young or at least younger and you would hold back and toe the line all week until the weekend - or your shift days off - and then it was like monkeys escaping from the zoo. Party time! Over indulging in all the excess vices. Damn that felt good didn't it! As you drag your sorry ass back to work at the start of the following week. And as physically, mentally and possibly emotionally wrecked as you are the following weekend you'd be right back at it. Given'er till you dropped. 

     And some did. Come Monday ya look around at work and notice that Curtis or Mary didn't make it in to work. That's funny 'cause the last time you saw him/her it was when the party was just winding down...

     This Beer Flu has everyone operating in a new cycle and as maddening as it is - and trust me it is extremely maddening - and to quote Russel Buffalino, "It is what it is." Not in the context that he meant it, but you know what I mean. You have to protect yourself and those around you by following the advised protocols and you really have to really hope that your neighbours, your co-workers and all the people you come in contact with are doing the same. BE SAFE!

10:00 hrs

     It's raining here in The Valley, which is good as last month had been the driest in a dozen years. The rain is not needed for the lawns but for the forests.

03 May 20

06:45 hrs.

     Yesrerday, we bought some plants to brighten things up in the front and back of the Wayward Inn. Especially the front as the Oma-nator likes to sit out on the front stoop and watch the world go by. Knowing this my Lobster decided to put some splashes of colour out. Don't ask me what they are. They are plants that make the bees happy and the deer don't like to eat. A couple are viney climbing plants that are positioned to take advantage of the trellis I constructed last year. When it fills in it will shade the front stoop quite a bit.

     I just caught a bit on the news about some guy over in DimSum Land who has been jailed fifteen years for speaking critically about the Government on his blog. Wow! 

     Two quick points - 

     1) He should have known that he would be in trouble as ALL media platforms in that country are strictly monitored.

     2) Thankfully our government hasn't started hauling the critics in or I would be gone.

     Notice that I didn't say - I'm glad that our government is not monitoring our media platforms. I have no doubt that given just cause the duly elected democratic governments of the Western World can and do eavesdrop on our conversations. I would hope that's the case in the Great White North but have heard of long standing rumours that the National Snooping Agency in the Hugh-ess monitors all media traffic just like in some of the world's totalitarian countries. So, be careful of what you say about the asshole profiteers who are running your country because they may just be listening in.

11:00 hrs.

     Pah-puNK

     Pah-puNK 

     Pah-puNK 

     That is the sound the pop-o-matic makes when you are playing Trouble at the Wayward Inn. I lost the first game and kicked butt in the second game. Playing two games at a time is the norm unless I get my ass handed to me. Then, I just bail out. 

     The sun is out but more rain is expected today and tomorrow. The precipitation sure doesn't stop the construction of new hovels in the Valley. Since there has been no reason for any of us to cruise around town a lot of new builds have gone unnoticed. There appears to be four or five new multi-family units just on the edge of the downtown core. In another location a duplex has been built where a single family home went up in flames. Even on the site of a huge fire (suspected to be Jewish lightening) that took out a multi-million dollar home a new residence is now nearing completion. 

     Pah-puNK!

     

Old Sage's Day

22 Apr 20

05:30 hrs

     Today is the Old Sage's birthday. I'll give him a call after I get to work. 

     I've been up for about two hours already. The orange beast decided to hack up a hairball and after cleaning it up I couldn't go back to sleep. My ten hour work day will be a real bag drive. The only things I have to look forward to is rationing my coffee till the end of the day and my salmon sandwiches. And possibly some rain.

08:45 hrs

     It's raining pretty steadily. This the first precipitation that the Valley has had in many weeks and it will do wonders for all things growing. Yesterday, after I got home,  I looked out from the kitchen at the Wayward Inn and saw that my Saskatoon berry bushes were blooming. Outstanding! I'll have a small crop this year. At least enough for me. Now, if I had enough for a pie then I would share.

22:15 hrs

     Another day is done with only one more work day to go for this shift. Friday the Ram goes in to get the rubber turned and the anchors inspected. Then it will be off to the Big Box store for a supply run. Almost makes me feel like a Bin Rat. The Jr. Loin Fruit has his final exam tomorrow for his higher learning.  

24 Apr 20

06:00 hrs

     For those of you who follow the news coming from south of the 49th Parallel I sincerely hope that you caught the Tangerine Tyrant spouting off about his latest and completely unfounded notions for a cure for the Beer Flu. He says that if you shine UV light on or in the patients body or if you wipe or injecting the patient with household cleaners could be a possible cure.

     As this advice came from the current POTUS....DON'T DO IT!!

     Have you ever heard of something so ludicrous as this. Drinking draino. Well, that will cure you for sure because you'll be isolated six feet from the rest of the world underground in a pine box. I think that one of the reasons this Orange Buffoon spouts all of this bullshit is because he can. If he was a private citizen he could be liable for injuries or even deaths caused by his nonsensical clap trap. However, as the POTUS he can spew lies and sell snake oil until the shit pile is taller than the DC Obelisk and even if dozens of his fart catchers were to follow his directives, and they do, only to succumb to Darwinism, and they have, the surviving relatives cannot seek restitution because the POTUS cannot be personally sued.

      Well, enough of that shit. How's your belly for spots? Got any?

     The number of new orreplacement hovels being built here in the Valley is inspiring. It's always good to see new construction happening. To a point of course. Wouldn't want the city fathers to come to their senses and permit the construction of a building, any building taller than four storeys off the ground.

17:45 hrs

     I drove through downtown today and noticed a few business on the main drag have been emptied. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the Beer Flu keeping people at home. That may have been part of the reason. The other is the fact that the absentee owners keep jacking the rent each and every year. I'm amazed that anyone can afford to have a shop on the main drag. Then, add to the fact that the entire town closes its doors and rolls up the sidewalks at 17:00 on weekdays. So even if you wanted to go shopping after you get off work you can't because everything is shuttered.

      The Oma-nator has probably played about 8 million games of Trouble with us by this point. I'm starting to hear the pop-o-matic in my sleep. But, it's all good as the Couch Monkeys like to play as well.

21:00 hrs

     I just woke up from a three hour power nap. I must have been bagged because I slept right through the raucous Trouble game going on three feet beside my head. After supper I had hit the Lazy-Boy, Mr. Buttnuggets jumped into my lap and I was out like a light. 

     I learned that a former co-worker, Mean Jean, has sold her place here in the Valley. She and her Lobster had a Class A motorhome, it was a bus, that they used to migrate to a Hugh-ess snowbird desert community for half the year. In doing so the cost of putting their Class A on the Left Coast boats was probably the same as three months of mortgage payments. So, to lighten the load and still enjoy the trip south they sold the bus and bought a park model in situ, sold the house here in The Valley and moved to the mainland. This way they save the cost of taking the BC Navy twice a year and the fuel cost of taking the land yacht back and forth over the border. Surprisingly, they have purchased a new home in the same area as the Sage's. Small world.

A Blogging we will go...

11 Apr 20

14:45 hrs

     On this date, fifty-five years ago, the Oma-nator, her Better Half and the Voodoo Priestess of the Golden Horseshoe (she was but a wee babe then) arrived in the Great White North from across the pond. 

     Yesterday, while I was in the salt mine, my Lobster directed the two Couch Monkeys in doing a little yardwork at the Wayward Inn. As a result of their actions I now have series of divots that could swallow a cat and in case a horde of army ants swarms across the yard they will have to span the moats surrounding the the paving stones.

12 Apr 20

07:00 hrs

     The Wayward Inn is quiet. Except for the Oma-nator. I can hear her in her princess suite. She's still asleep but I can hear her. The Jr. Loin Fruit asked me yesterday if I had ever just sat and did nothing. I think it was another of his nonbinding social higher plane existential questions to which he already knows the prescribed answer. 

   

     "Sure. I've just sat and read a book. Or, people watched on a beach. Your mom and loved doing that on our vacation to Big Sugar Island."

     "Ah, but then you were not doing nothing. You were doing something. You were reading or people watching."

      What the hell does this kid want from me? Or is he trying to teach me something? Well, this old dog is too old to learn new tricks. It's not that I can't learn new tricks it's that I don't want to learn new tricks. Maybe he's trying to show me the path to better enlightenment to ease my conciousness. Hell, I'm closer to the graveside than the curbside and all I'm trying to do is milk as much enjoyment out of this plane of enlightenment as I possibly can before I'm gone.

     Yesterday Chef Blaine smoked another turkey. This was for Easter. Sous Irene made schwarties hashbrowns and carrot. Homemade savoury stuffing - sans onions for the Oma-nator - was also made. I'm going to ask Chef Blaine not to cook anymore smoked turkeys unless we have a full house. I want enough people at the table to have no leftover turkey. That doesn't mean I don't want him to use the smoker. Far from it. Eating supposedly carcinogenic foods is what I enjoy so I'll ask him to make some smoked brisket or maybe some char sui pork.

13 Apr 20

06:30 hrs

     Some late night messages coming from the Tangerine Tyrant indicates that he is growing increasingly frustrated that the Hugh-ess economy has tanked. Despite everyone's objections he wants to kick his country back to work and as usual he is thinking about punting out those who disagree with his unfounded statements (lies). His current target is none other than the infectious disease medical expert whose sound advice has saved lives while running directly opposite to the Tangerine Tyrant's. 

     This just in...a large number of seniors in a long term care facility in la Belle Provence have been found dead as the care workers walked away abandoning their charges. I would believe that would be murder, would it not? Round them up and get a rope.

     Some of my go to places for shopping places are no longer open for walk in service, Crappy Tire is one of them. Purchases can now be made on line or over the phone with self pickup or home delivery available. Looking at some items that I had my eye on, in case they went on sale, I see that they are no longer on the shelf. Some of these items could be considered to be tools for gathering sustenance in a quiet manner - as to not disturb your neighbours. If you think I'm wrong then take a look in the grocery stores. People are sticking with the basics and they are stocking up when they shouldn't have to. I would strongly suggest that if a person is going to acquire more foods than one can use immediately then that person should learn how to preserve the excess for long term storage - other than freezing - and that includes foods grown or harvested.

15 Apr 20

05:45 hrs

     Yesterday I braved the lineup at The Biggest Box Store for all the necessary bulk supplies. I got there at 09:30 hrs and the que was already wrapped around to the rear of the building by the dumpsters. At least it was in the shade. With only 125 customers being allowed in at a time it was about 45 minutes before I got through the doors. There were extra staff inside designated to monitor the physical distancing of the customers. Kinda reminded me of the Frat Police that separated boys and girls at school dances.

     My Lobster informed me that the Tangerine Tyrant has now pulled support from the WHO because...? Because, he's a fricken idiot, citing an inequality between what the Hugh-ess gives to the WHO and what they recieve from the WHO. I swear that he acts just like a little brat in a school yard kicking the sand box when he doesn't get his way. He needs a good slap upside the head. Don't spank him though because I heard he likes that kinda thing.

     The Great White North Broadcasting Corp. has revealed that privately owned senior care homes on Ontari-ari-ari-oh have had less government oversight (regulations and inspections) since Dougie the Hash Dealer came to power. The reduction was brought about by the industry lobby groups and owners who petitioned the government to remove the controls. One of these owner/board chairs is none other that former premier Harris who heads up the Chartwell group. The current provincial government has suddenly realized that this is not a good thing as a number of these facilities have seen Beer Flu deaths in the double digits. Are these deaths from the lack of lack of onsite cleaning/sterilization procedures or is it from the staff who have to work at multiple facilities just to earn a living wage. Maybe both. But since Dougie the Hash Dealer allowed the reduction in government oversight I lay alot of those nursing home deaths at his feet. 

     The question is this: a facility where you have a large number of residents - nee patients - who have a wide range of medical ailments and who are extremely susceptible to any kind of minor infection, which could quite easily be considered to be a hospital as it is a privately owned seniors care home, why would you allow the health maintenance standards to lax in the for profit facility? Simply that, to allow f profits to increase when costs are reduced. Except the costs now include the early deaths of those in your care.

     On that note I'll sign off.

It's going to get really scary really fast!

31 Mar 20

07:00 hrs

     All kidding aside Kidlettes, the projections about this Beer Flu is far worse than what had been expected. The egg heads who can figure this crap out have said that by August there could be 82,000 people dead in the Hugh-ess. This number may sound crazy but the dead is supposed to be piling up at a rate of 2,000 a day by mid April. The You-All Powers That Be are now beginning to be concerned about the security of their national food supply. Of course this is playing right into the hands of the preppers. 

     Now, I think that there are two kinds of preppers. You've got your Right-wing anti-government NRA hillbilly with enough guns, ammo and food buried in his underground vault and to survive the apocalypse the only thing he has yet to secure is a breeding population that is not on four legs. The other kind of prepper is the guy who may or may not own firearms but he knows how to use one. He knows how to build a fire, a shelter, can perform first aid, can procure food. He can look after his family and those who need assistance. (I'm using the term "he" but "she" can be substituted at any point.)

17:00 hrs

     The Oma-nator went for a walk today - with her walker of course - all by herself. She just announced that she was going for a walk, got dressed and headed out. I'm pretty proud of her. I'm also proud of my Jr. Loin Fruit who smelled something a bit odd coming from the drain in his sink. So, after asking for directions he dismantled the drain, cleaned and reassembled it all by himself. Hell, he's almost 20 years old. There maybe some hope for the world after all. Now, if he'll harvest and clean some small game for the larder then I'll really be impressed.

01 Apr 20

07:30 hrs

     Today is the 37th anniversary of the greatest April Fool's prank I ever committed. It was so well planned that a portion of my home town was rooked as well to the point that five years later people were still falling for it. Maybe, someday when you and I are sitting around a campfire having a beer I'll tell you about it.

     I'm just finishing watching a movie on Netflix called Taking Lives. It stars Angelina Jolie and is filmed in Montreal.. don't let the rating fool you its pretty damn good.

     Its Eggs Benny Day at the Wayward Inn and then Chef Blaine, with the assistance of Sous Irene, will make some curried lentils for supper. They're going to take some food over to the Onion who has been having a pretty rough go of it lately. It's the right thing to do.

     Yesterday, I had a call from a squatchin buddy of mine. Last year we had a bit of a falling out and he called to apologize for his actions. He said that our friendship was more important that petty differences of opinion. 

     We've been doing some spring cleaning at the Wayward Inn. I've pressure washed the front and back seating areas and the chairs have been put out. I noticed that my solar lights around the Flame Pit are not working so I may have to replace them too.

     Take care of yourself and others near you.  Stay home and stay safe.

Doing what's right!

29 Mar 20

06:35 hrs

     At about this time yesterday my Lobster and I headed off in the Ram. We were going south to Capital City to collect our Jr. Loin Fruit from university. Due to the Beer Flu the students were punted out. He was the last person in his dorm to leave and when we arrived he had his stuff all ready to go. The round trip of nearly 600 km took almost six hours and that included stopping for food and the time it took to load the Ram with his belongings.  Fuel used was 13.2 L/100 km. Again, not bad considering the fact I was moving at a buck twenty most of the way.

     Late last night I received a video call from a former Brother in Arms. I know that he has had a very rough go of it with three family members passing in just a couple of years. I'm telling ya this guy has been ripped apart. Seeing his pain, I told him that if he ever wanted to just shoot the breeze that I'd be there to listen. Sure enough he called me. Because of the late hour my Lobster sent me out to the garage to handle the call. It was great to see him - it was a video call - and we talked for nearly an hour. We didn't say much as he was a couple sheets to the wind and I was tired but now he knows that I am here for him.

     This brings up a point Dear Reader,  if you know of someone who has had a rough go or is struggling now because of the Beer Flu situation I would like to think that you will do the right thing! It may be checking in on an elderly friend to see if they need groceries - maybe you can pick up some frozen dinners or something - or a neighbour who needs their pet watched  or doing any little thing that can help someone without putting yourself at risk then bloody well do it!

A Quick Trip...

19 Mar 20

11:30 hrs

     I'm sitting the Valley's air terminal. This Beer Flu shit has everyone on edge. In The Old World, The Boot has recorded over 41k case of infection and the mortality rate is 8.3%. Now, that's some scary shit. In this province, the Redneck province next door and others the schools, from K to 12 and post-secondary, are now closed until next year. Restaurants are only doing take out or delivery. Store shelves are emptying as manufacturers have reduced staff or closed. In other words the shit on the shelf isn't there because its not being made.

     My flight was unexpectedly altered two days ago. I was scheduled to depart on the first flight which would have put me into the Nation's Capital at mid day. Nope, due to the lack of interest on the part of the flying public, I was moved to the noon departure arriving in the Nation's Capital after midnight and after a 4 hour delay in Cowtown. I hope a bar is open.

15:22 hrs

     There is an open bar at YYC. And they serve food too. Praise the Almighty!

     This Beer Flu has a lot of people walking thru the terminal with masks on. Me? Not as concerned but I coughed a couple of times on the plane and I swear they were going to toss me into baggage. I got three hours to burn here and the departure gate is at the other side of this section of the terminal. My Lobster had commented that flying on our favourite air carrier, the western one not the national one which happens to allow for a 25% of misplaced/lost luggage per flight, used to be great when coming into YYC one central hub with washrooms and a food court near by. But now the depature gates for this air carrier are spread all over Hell's Half Acre.

16:46 hrs

     Mmmm...shredded short rib with melted provolone on a crisp flatbread topped with fresh arugula, pickled onions and drizzled with thick balsamic vinegar. A quick feast washed down with an IPA. I board in an hour for the Nation's Capital. I have a sandwich in reserve as I'll need my strength when I arrive.

17:25 hrs 

     It should be noted that the prescribed self isolation is nothing new. Since the advent of the smart phone people of a walks and a shapes and sizes have been self isolating. Just turn on the phone. Plug in the bluetooth earbuds and then look about with a blank look on your face when anyone talks to you. Currently, there is a lady sitting across from me with a pair of gold running shoes on. That's right gold. Gold lace, tongue, eyelets, aglets, sides and toe. The only thing not gold is the sole of the shoe. I have never seen shoes like that and I stated, "Nice shoes." I know she saw my lips moving but with the Airbuds plugged into both sides of her head I might as well have been a fluttering chip bag. In fact,  she probably would have responded if I was.

22:00 hrs

     I'm in the air. I don't know where I am in relation to points on the ground. It's still just over an hour before we land so I figure we're probably over The 'Peg. If so well be banking to the right soon, over the Lakehead and down to the Nation's Capital. 

      The flight us about 3/4 full. I lucked in with an aisle seat that my Lobster selected with no one beside me. What I do have is a barking dog and two squawking kids who are being entertained two gloved and medically masked Amah's. Normally, I sleep on aircraft or anywhere else when I'm tired and decorum will not allow me to admonish them. I'm not saying that the little hat-box with legs shouldbe allowed on board. It is in it's soft sided crate but it should been fed a nyquil soaked milk bone. Night Night Fido. Same goes for the two contagion prepped Couch Monkeys. A couple of nyquil lollipops and the cabin when be quiet. So, instead of getting some well needed shut eye I'm blogging to you Dear Readers so you had better appreciate it.

     Another hour to go. We'll start descending soon from our current altitude of 35k feet. My barometric altimeter reads 2208 meters but that's just the cabin pressure. Its time for some Floyd. Or shall we dare ...some Hemispheres? 

20 Mar 20 

08:30 hrs

     Breakfast at the Oma-nator's apartment was a pair of hotdogs, avec mustard and onions, and a whole pot of espresso. I am good to go.

21 Mar 20

10:30 hrs

     Yesterday I repaired a leaky faucet to the best of my ability while my Better Half and  the Oma-nator finished tidying and, sorting and cleaning and tossing out crap. This is good because time is running out and a prospective buyer may be viewing the condo before it goes on the market. Wouldn't it be grand if it sold before we went back to the Left Coast? 

     It's clear and sunny out. Cold too. Yesterday the temperature reached 17C

 Today its -9C and windy.

     We were supposed to be seeing relatives for the long goodbyes because the vast majority of them will never be out to the Wayward  Inn because  they are either too elderly to travel or too wrapped up running on their big city hamster wheels. Oh, they'll still go on vacation to warm sandy beaches with catered meals. But, when offered the chance to dodge the chilly rat race it's a NO GO! So be it. The urban stress will eradicate them.

11:30 hrs

     We're hiding in the hunter blind that is the guest room on the Lobby floor. The Oma-nator and my Lobster have joined me. Mind you, I'm trying to nap. We're anticipating the arrival of the potential buyer. Fingers crossed that it's a go. One less anchor around our collective necks. 

     I took a look outside this morning and I realized that this, as with many cities in the Great White North,  is very ugly in the winter. Snow or no snow. Dirt and grime from sanding the streets covers almost everything. Disgusting. Local citizens shuffling, head down, no eye contact and no smiles. The place just sucks the life out of you.

12:45 hrs

     An offer has been proposed. I think it's a good offer. If there are no conditions I'd take it and run straight back.... to the Wayward Inn. It hasn't been presented yet as I'm sure the ink will still be drying on the paperwork. 

19:30 hrs

     The deal is struck. And it's a good offer with no conditions. As I said, take it and run all the way to the bank. In the meantime,  back in the home front,  it seems the Sr. Loin Fruit is having an issue with the self isolation guide lines that were strongly suggested as a response to the Beer Flu. Now, for someone who spends a lot of time online playing games having to physically keeping away from other hominids should not be an issue. The whole world will have learn to be alone for the next couple of months.It could be worse. In one Banana Republic if your house number ends in an odd number then one member is allowed to do errands on Tuesdays,  Thursdays and Saturday. If it's an even number its Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

22 Mar 20

21:00 hrs

     It seems that some people across the Great White North are not practicing social distancing which can and will lead to more people getting infected with the Beer Flu. As a result different measures are being employed to educate the morons. Parks  playgrounds, beaches and other free public spaces are being closed, fines are being levied and in some places people are faced with being jailed if they continue to congregate. 

    And it's not just the individual moronic citizens that at risk but all of the health care professionals who are even more at risk. They will burn out and get sick too. That's why retired medical professionals are being asked to step up and come back to help. Crazy times.

23 Mar 20 

06:45 hrs

     I see the Tangerine Tyrant is spewing his verbal diarrhea again. The other day he claimed that the malaria drug chloroquine is effective against the Beer Flu. Immediately the chief doctor who is driving the bus against the epidemic said "Oh, no it isn't!" But this didn't stop pharmacists in Nigeria to jack the prices of chloroquine while pushing the rhetoric as the truth. Three Nigerians overdosed on chloroquine. 

     The movers will be here soon and I need to get a coffee and some groceries down my neck. 

24 Mar 20

07:15 hrs

     Yesterday the movers came and went. My sister in law,  the Voodoo Priestess from the Golden Horseshoe,  and her Lobster arrived in the Nation's Capital to aid in the dissolution of the Oma-nator's residence. By 21:00 hrs last night we were all pretty much spent. My Lobster and my Bro In Law punted my butt out at the airport just over an hour ago. This will be a three stage journey. The Nation's Capital to the Golden Horseshoe, from the Golden Horseshoe to Cowtown and after a five hour layover I will head to the Rock.     

     My Lobster, her sister and my Bro In Law will finish packing the rented van with the Oma-nator's dispersed remnants before driving to the Golden Horseshoe. It will be a four hour + road trip. The Oma-nator and my Better Half will spend two days there before flying west to home at the Wayward Inn. 

09:00 hrs

     I'm at the terminal in the Golden Horseshoe. I gave my Lobster a quick call and the Oma-nator's condo is just about swept clean. They'll be hitting the road and I'll be headed to Cowtown at about the same time. I think I'll beat them.

19:30 hrs

     I am home at the Wayward Inn! The Sr. Couch Monkey picked me up at the terminal. All was good. Coming over the rocks I spotted a river valley that looked vaguely familiar. The sight was confirmed when I looked farther north and saw the lake that the Sages live beside. Thirty minutes later we were on approach to the Valley.

     Be it ever so humble there is no place like home.