I GOT STUPID WHEN I RETIRED

First the context:  This is not about whining.  I am always trying to avoid presuming to know what it means to be in someone else's shoes.  I would never presume to know what it means to be an African American man stopped by the police.  More to the point, I would not try to pretend that my life is like that of a traditional "housewife".  And yet there is this.  I am not asked to comment on the work a day world since I do not work and therefore must be clueless.  While I am an expert on laundry detergent, no one seems interested in my opinion about the "outside" the home world.  Perhaps if I was a volunteer, there might be some inquiries.  But in the absence of that, most folks are simply stumped when I tell them that I love being retired and love the unstructured routine of my life.  But in groups, or even one on ones, very few people think I have the wherewithal to render opinions about the "world".  In many ways, and without trying to put myself in other's shoes, it makes me feel like those traditional housewives many of us grew up knowing and seeing.  I frequently feel invisible as the conversation whirls around me.  Enough.

ENDS AND ODDS:

--My takeaway from the last Republican debate is that all the candidates are trying to scare the shit out of the electorate.  Some are worse than others--like the Donald.  But they are all playing to fear and it is pathetic.  What is worse is that it seems a lot of people are buying it.
--Speaking of the Donald, he just cannot help himself.  Hilary used the restroom--"its disgusting".  Like he never got caught in a line (actually maybe he never did).  She got "schlonged".  For those of you not conversant in Yiddish, he pretty much is saying she got fucked.  And people love it. I am in the camp that says if he is the nominee, it is great news.  But a close relative is very nervous.
--Last year when we had feet of snow, the ski resorts loved it since they could keep their stupid resorts open well into April.  Now, in the midst of a snow less stretch, we have to listen to their whining about the lack of snow.  Okay, if you open a business that is totally dependent on weather, you knew going in the risks and the rewards.  One more article about it and I might puke.
--The Globe, bless its heart, sent its Catholic reporter around the world to let us all know the status of Catholicism in various places.  Mind you, they do not send anyone to cover the immigration mess in Europe and rely on wire services; but it is important we know how the Church is doing in Kenya.
--On the other hand , the movie Spotlight was just terrific and was able to get me enraged yet again about the damage done by priests.  and of course the leader of that pack, Cardinal Law, got himself a nice promotion inside the Vatican.
--And then this week, they changed delivery service providers and screwed up the entire system.
--Elizabeth Kolbert is tough to read.  She writes about environmental issues in the New Yorker and won a Pulitzer last year.  She is tough because she is so depressingly accurate about how fucked we are in terms of climate change.  If any of you fine readers live in south Florida, you better get high rubberized boots and perhaps a boat because water is about two feet under you--and it is salt water not fresh water.  The Everglades is rapidly becoming brackish if not downright salty.  And the Republican leadership in the state does not believe in the science behind climate change.  You get what you deserve.
--In the big apple, we took a Uber to the train station and I ended up in the front seat with the driver.  He was a young Tajik who came here on his own--his siblings and parents still resided in Tajikistan.  And boy did he miss them.  He was working not to bring them here but to get his ass back there.  A great ride and a fun conversation.
--Very happy to actually have all my family in one room no matter how brief.
--Happy New Year to all of you.  I hope your Hanukkah or Christmas or whatever was pleasant and joyous.

SPORTS TALKS
So now the Miami game is big for the Pats since playing both playoff games at home is important.  They already have the bye which means their walking wounded should be ready.  But home games help.  I am enjoying the Celtics.  Not sure how good they really are but they are fun and I am betting Mr.  Ainge will pull a trade or two before this year is over.  The Bruins are yecch--cannot score and diminish the role of all the younger flashier players.

Adios