A ROYALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

As Tolstoy once wrote,” happy families are all alike; unhappy families are unhappy in their own way. ” Witnessing the funeral ceremonies after the death of Queen Elizabeth, we saw many signs of a royally dysfunctional family. For example:

King Charles’ facial redness suggests some type of medical problem. The most common cause of ruddiness is rosacea which can be triggered by sun exposure, heat, stress, alcohol, or medicines prescribed for blood pressure. Hopefully, it’s nothing more serious, but he doesn’t present a picture of vibrant health. .

Queen Consort Camilla’s face is wrinkled as a Slovenian peasant. Most 70 year old women who’ve led a cushy city life have smoother skin. Does she smoke too much? Go to sun tan parlors? It’s a puzzle. Maybe it’s stress. If her husband is a billionaire, seems like she could easily afford some type of facial treatment like dermabrasion or retinol. If she lives as long as Queen Elizabeth, she’s going look like a scary old hag unless she gets some help. Hopefully, by then, she’ll have ditched the brassy yellow hair.

A ROYALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY WAS on full display during the Queen's funeral. — A ROYALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY WAS ON FULL DISHPLAY DURING THE QUEEN’S FUNERAL.

Princess Anne wearing a military uniform when she’s never actually served in the military. The media raved that she looked like a powerful woman in her uniform.. Personally, I thought she resembled a World War II comic book character . Let’s face it, pulchritude is not her long suit. Dressing like a man didn’t do much for her looks..

Prince Andrew, accused sex addict and friend of notorious sex offender Epstein. His Mom spent 16 million dollars settling a lawsuit claiming he solicited the services of an underage woman. He’s pretty well toast right now as far as the public is concerned, and from the expression on his face, I think he knows it. . Maybe he ought to start his own business, or head off to America..

Prince Harry looking totally disgusted the entire time.. First , he had to wear a morning coat like his disgraced uncle Andrew,. Then, His Dad maybe had a few Scotch whiskies that night and decided, hey, we’ll let Harry wear his uniform after all. Then, the next day, they changed their mind, and once again had him back in a dark suit . And Harry wouldn’t even sing “God Save The King.” He was probably thinking his Mom would be alive today if she hadn’t been messed over by the old man.

The ongoing feud between brothers, William and Harry. They kept their distance from one another, and you didn’t see much eye contact. Doesn’t look like they’ll get together over the holidays.

Young Prince George pinching his royal sister, hard enough to make her cry. Aggressive behavior in a 9 year old calls for some serious counseling. Why is little George so hostile? Kate and William better get this straightened out before he reaches puberty.

The turnout for the Queen’s funeral procession was impressive. You have to give her credit for putting up with a lot over the years, and keeping a stiff upper lip. I guess that’s what the English are known for. Now that she’s gone, you wonder how long the monarchy will last.

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021

WELCOME TO AMERICA, HARRY

One of the interesting things about getting our DNA results from Ancestry.com was discovering that we are about half English. This, in spite of the fact that both my husband and I had German surnames. My mother was a genealogy freak, so I knew there were some English ancestors. But my husband grew up around so many German aunts, uncles and grandparents that he assumed he was mostly German. He isn’t. In fact, he’s got some Scottish, Swedish and Irish genes . At any rate, after seeing Oprah’s Meghan-Harry interview on CBS, we’re both glad our ancestors left England . Welcome to America, Harry.

My husband’s English blood came from his mother’s family. The first Frost left England about 1635 to escape some kind of religious persecution. He must have thrived here, because there are some illustrious folks named Frost all over the USA.

My English blood came from my Grandfather White. It’s such a common name that I can’t claim a family connection to anyone with the same surname. James White sailed over to Virginia about 300 years ago.. Although uneducated, he managed to move his family of 12 sons up to Indiana, and acquired 5,000 acres of farmland. Someone must have married well, because my mother was able to join the DAR by proving that one of her ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence.

What would have happened if Edmund Frost and James White had stayed in England? My husband and I would be citizens of a monarchy. Descending from commoners, we might not be living very well. Maybe on the dole. And part of our taxes would be going to support the most antiquated political system that can possibly be imagined. What would happen if the monarchy collapsed? Who would care if the British Commonwealth no longer had a King or Queen?

We’re glad our ancestors left England, and I would imagine that the descendants of the prince will be grateful that he did, too.

Welcome to America, Harry. The land of the free, and the home of the brave.

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

….Robert Frost

November 8, 2019November 9, 2019

WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER

Public hearings in the U. S. House of Representatives impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump will begin next week. But I won’t be tuning in. I know it’s going to be upsetting and revealing and all that awful stuff, and I’m just not up for it. We’re the greatest country in the world, and we should be proud of our politicians. Instead, we’ve been subjected to three years of nasty, vicious politics and infighting. I’m glad it’s finally coming to a head, but I don’t want to see or hear the gory details. Wake me when it’s over, please.

Public impeachment hearings are an embarrassment to our natiion — Public hearings in the impeachment inquiry of Trump begin next week.

Maybe the British have it right, after all. I’ve always wondered why they support the monarchy, but I’m beginning to understand. The monarchy doesn’t change. The royals represent everything that’s good about England: Dignity, Class, Courage, and Grace under Pressure. They may have a Donald Trump clone for a prime minister, but it doesn’t matter. No one outside England pays him much attention.

When we think of England, we visualize the magnificent Queen Elizabeth. She’s always the same. Regal, restrained, and strong. Charles blew it with Diana, but the queen got everything back in control. And now we have the future king and queen, Kate & Will, who always do their duty and look glamorous while they’re at it. Poor Meghan doesn’t understand the importance of a stiff upper lip, but perhaps she’ll come around.

Once upon a time, people felt passionate about the candidates they voted for. Presidents like Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, stirred our souls and warmed our hearts. But now, most of us vote for the candidate whom we dislike the least.

Whatever happens, Congress needs to act swiftly. As a nation, we’re anxious, depressed and tired of it all. Worse yet, we’re ashamed of our country.

Wake me up when the national nightmare is over.