VOTERS FINALLY GOT NORMALCY IN VA

Most people who voted for Donald Trump in 2016 did so because they didn’t like Hillary Clinton. Then, they decided they really didn’t like Trump all that much so they voted for the only alternative—Biden. But neither president has had much appeal for ordinary people. Trump’s name calling, orange hair, frequent firings and bizarre phone calls didn’t look or sound very presidential. By the same token, Biden’s hair smelling, whispering, hiding in the basement, and breaking wind at the COP26 climate summit, don’t exactly make us proud. Finally, the voters got what they’ve been looking for in the VA gubernatorial race. A normal, middle aged guy. No pancake make up. No napping in public. No hair spray or fake smile. Youngkin came across as a down-to-earth person who calmly and clearly articulated the concerns of average men and women.

voters finally got normalcy in Virginia — VOTERS FINALLY GOT NORMALCY IN VA. They elected an ordinary middle aged man with common sense.

I’m really hoping this trend will continue. Trump accomplished a lot during his presidency, but then he messed up the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. In his defense, I’m not sure anyone else would have handled it any better, because no one had been through such a crisis. However, Trump continues to draw crowds and give speeches. He undoubtedly has a base, but as the saying goes, “every dog has its day.”. Why can’t he be content with that and go on with his very privileged life?

Everyone knows that Biden’s election was mostly due to a strong disapproval of Trump—especially among women voters. But honestly, I believe several of the Democratic contenders for the presidential nomination could have won. And it seems to me that someone like Amy Klobuchar would have done a better job with border security and handling of the pandemic, for starters. And I doubt she would fall asleep on television during important meetings.

Okay, it’s done. Our country will survive the current chaos in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the US government. We’ve been through worse. Time to move on and elect younger, smarter, common sense candidates who can unite and inspire us. And it won’t hurt at all if they don’t wear a shirt and tie when campaigning.

Voters finally got normalcy in Virginia. We have it here in Indiana with Governor Holcomb. Hope it’s a coming trend throughout the United States of America.

November 6, 2021November 7, 2021

CLOTH BAGS WON’T SAVE THE PLANET

Are you impressed when you see someone in the checkout line with reusable cloth bags? I am. It means the person is conscientious and thoughtful. They know that our oceans are clogged up with plastic, and it’s destroying the planet. My problem is forgetting to bring the numerous cloth bags in my trunk into the supermarket. The only time I have the foresight to bring them inside is when I shop at Aldi’s. And that’s because it’s the thing to do there. My brain is primed to remember cloth bags because I don’t want to have to pay for plastic ones at that store. But when I get home and look around my house, I wonder how much difference we’re really making. Plastic is everywhere. I’m afraid cloth bags won’t save the planet.

Those same people who remember to bring cloth bags to Kroger are probably serving on some charitable committee that furnishes needy moms with disposable diapers. Or their club organizes a free Christmas present giveaway, with piles of plastic toys for poor children. Or else they’re volunteering at a food bank, where bottles of milk, juice, condiments and other edibles are packed in plastic. They might volunteer at a soup kitchen which serves food on styrofoam dishes with plastic utensils. And last but not least, trash bags. I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t use plastic trash bags.

Back in the 60’s, we didn’t use much plastic for any of the above. The grocery store provided paper bags, which were then reused to carry out the trash. And the trash cans weren’t made of plastic. We provided our own metal trash cans, picked up by hand each week by the trash collector. In our house, we wrapped our wet garbage in newspapers. It was my brother’s chore to carry out the drippy garbage every night after dinner. If you got a baby doll for Christmas, it was a rubber dolly with no clothes. A more upscale doll would have a porcelain head and cloth body. Other toys were made of tin. . Many were wooden. . My first two children wore cloth diapers. I did a lot of laundry, but that was the only expense involved after the initial purchase. So we didn’t have to feel sorry for women who couldn’t afford disposable diapers lined with plastic, because no one had even heard of them.

Will cloth grocery bags save the planet? I don’t think so. But there’s hope on the horizon. Scientists have recently discovered a way to recycle plastics into diesel fuel.. That’s good news, because I don’t think we’re ever going to stop using plastic bags.

November 3, 2021November 3, 2021

ENJOY A FREE BOOK THIS WEEKEND

We’ve been hearing a lot about Elon Musk lately. He’s the guy who just sent William Shatner and a few other folks into outer space. Before that, he made lots of money on the electric vehicle, Tesla, so he’s just about one of the richest people on earth. Which is why it surprised me when he picked a near-ghost town in Texas to build his space ship. My husband and I had been walking the beaches near Boca Chica Village for many winters, and loved the fact that it was so remote and unspoiled. Glad we got there long before he did. Enjoy a free book this weekend that takes you to Boca Chica.

I found the place so fascinating that one of the most pivotal events in my second novel takes place in Boca Chica Village at the southern tip of Texas. If you’d like to know what it was like before Elon landed there, you will enjoy reading “Chasing Their Losses.” I’m giving away free copies of my Kindle Book starting today,

This free offer is good Wednesday November 3, through Sunday, November 7. Beat Inflation! Save Money! Download Chasing Their Losses at http://amzn.to/2cLBl0Y

Synopsis:

Will the haunting power of first love lead to Cara Mackenzie’s destruction? At 31, she’s back home from Miami, starting a new career as nutrition director of Sycamore Hospital. While in a blossoming romance with Dr. John Drakos, she runs into her former lover, the suave and sexy Tony Cabella. Soon, she’s drawn into a dangerous web of dirty secrets and lies.

When Tony’s stepson vanishes under her watch, Cara must fight for her life, her reputation, and her career.

The police think Dr. Drakos’ jealousy could have provided a motive for the kidnapping. But unanswered questions suggest a conspiracy. Who shot Tony when he and Cara met in secret, and why won’t he call the police?

At the heart of this novel are four damaged people: John and Cara, whose intense relationship is clouded by painful memories and fear of commitment; Tony and his second wife, Gail, who gave up everything for passion and desire, only to find disillusion and heartbreak.

As the tragic events spin out of control, the heart thumping suspense builds, with twists and turns that take you from the verdant farmland and sparkling waterfalls of Indiana to the vast, lawless sand dunes and nude beaches of Texas.

Order your free Kindle copy of Chasing Their Losses on Amazon today!

The offer is good Wednesday November 3, through Sunday, November. 7. Download it at http://amzn.to/2cLBl0Y

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021

BEWARE OF ONLINE BANKING PITFALLS

There’s nothing new about online banking. Most everyone has been payIng their bills online for decades—except me. First, because it seemed a little too complicated to set things up, and second, because I didn’t trust the procedure. Turns out those were both valid concerns. However, when my daughter asked me to wire birthday money to keep checks from getting lost, I got dragged into online banking, kicking and screaming. It went fairly smoothly for a few months. In fact, it was great not having to write checks, lick stamps, and run to the post office. But it turns out your money can get lost in cyberspace. Beware of online banking pitfalls.

Things got a little complicated because I have a small rental property. The agreement with the electric company is that when a tenant moves out, the bill goes back into my name until a new tenant moves in and puts the electricity in their own name. . this arrangement has worked smoothly for decades.

This summer, I had to do a lot of redecorating, so the apartment was empty for several months. When I received the electric bills, I utilized the bill pay function of online banking. It was so easy, and I paid that way for three months. My bank statement showed I had made the payments. However, I recently got a notice that I hadn’t paid the bill for months. When I called Customer Service, I was informed that the payments that showed on my bank statement had never been received by the electric company.. They advised me to check with my bank as to what had happened, and fax them proof of payment from the bank.

My brick and mortar bank advertises itself as “one of the best banks in America.” At the front desk, a young woman sat beside a computer screen and asked if she could help me. I showed her the bill, and she found a record of my payments deducted from the balance on my checking account. She faxed the information to the electric company, and I assumed that would take care of the matter. It didn’t. When I called them back, it took me several minutes to be connected to the “Misapplied Payments Department” They said they still had no record of receiving online payments. They told me to be patient—that because of Covid they were short staffed, and it might take a couple of days to get back to me.

Fast forward to a week later. Still hadn’t heard back. Finally got in touch with someone at electric company who advised me to go back to the bank and find the electronic transfer numbers on the payments. Young woman at bank said it wasn’t possible. Said there was nothing more the bank could do, except fax the same information again. “It’s between you and them,” she told me. “We don’t find lost payments.” Then she turned her back and started working at her computer. “You mean, “ I’ve simply lost that money?” I asked. She didn’t’ answer. “I want my money back,” I said. She didn’t look up.

Got online, and found that it is the bank’s responsibility to find lost payments. Called someone higher up at the bank, and she agreed . They’re “working on it” right now.

Would I have been treated differently by the woman at the front desk of that bank if I were a young businessman rather than a female octogenarian? Was this a sign of ageism in banking?

Beware of online banking pitfalls..