Reaching Deep

Today's Tids Issue 3,630

For warmth:

While Professional golfers and high visibility NBA stars are dropping out of the Olympics, last night two true world super stars, Franklyn and Phelps drew upon every last ounce of energy in their battle tested bodies to make the USA Team. Their smiles and excitement lit up the Omaha night and then spread across the fruited plains. But let’s face it, for this old guy the Olympics were always for those individual human efforts that have and will continue to astound the world. So we lose a couple of golfers and basketball players – we still have the heroes. Go Missy. Go Michael.

Domestic violence has always been one of the most horrific of all human aggressions against one another. The dismay which grows into revulsion starts with the word “Domestic” as in safe home, spouse of my dreams, ‘for better or for worse, til death do us part”. In a flash, the violence, large or small, can shake the sanctity of human faith. And, nobody can believe it, most often the battered. How do you stop what you can’t see?

I’m still feeling the goose bumps from Missy Franklyn’s second place finish last night.

So, an Indian chief who had three pregnant wives was elated when they all gave birth within weeks of each other. The first was a boy and the chief built her a Tepee of deer hide. After giving birth to another boy, the second wife received a tepee of Antelope hide. The old chief kept secret the details of the third birth, but built a two story tepee of hippopotamus skin. He then asked his tribe to guess what occurred. All were wrong until one brave stood up and said “twin boys”, and explained how he knew, “It’s elementary: The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides.” Shoot me.

The Question:

Who are considered the all time best Hudson River Valley artists? Bonus: Who are Mary Surratt and Samuel Mudd?

The Headlines:

--WS Trying To Keep Brexit rally Alive; Futures Look Mixed.

--Brexit Backer Boris Johnson Will Not Seek To Be Prime Minister.

--US On High Terror Alert For 4^th Of July Weekend.

--Istanbul Terror Planner Is Chechen With Ties To Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

--30 Killed In Kabul Bombing.

--US Air Strikes Kill 250 ISIS Fighters.

--Mountain Biker Mauled, Killed By Grizzly In Glacier National Park

Based on what I am reading, it sounds to me that Brexit could do more to reign in Hedge Funds than Elizabeth Warren could ever dream about. A free, unsubsidized market place will always find its way back to rationality, just as dark forests cleanse their overgrowth.

Writing disjointed daily Tids titles can get you in trouble. Yesterday many were looking for a Seafood Chowder recipe in the morning mess, and were disappointed. Seafood chowder recipes can be as varied as the endless seas and all life within. But here in the Ocean State we have a sense what is best. In a double broiler pan melt 3 tbs butter and cook two cut-up pieces of bacon til crisp. Remove bacon and add to drippings one large deiced Vidalia onion and 4 diced celery ribs. Cook til Onion is translucent. Stir in 2 cloves s minced garlic, 1 tbs thyme, 1 tbs blk pepper, 1 tbs smoked paprika, I tbs seafood seasoning (like Old Bay). Sprinkle atop that 1 cp flour. Cook and stir 2 mins. Now add 2 cps diced new potatoes, 1 qt seafood stock and 2 bay leaves. Cook 20-30 mins til Pots are tender and liquid thickens. Now stir in 2 (12oz ) cans evaporated milk, 2 lbs chunked cod, 1 lb bay scallops, 1 lb chopped clam meat and 1 lb peeled shrimp. Return bacon simmer til blended and garnish with parsley. 

It’s the grandchildren. When caught in compromising positions Politicians seem to be turning to their grandchildren to bail them out. Hillary deleted emails about her grandchildren and now Loretta Lynch, who is investigating Mrs. Clinton, was caught meeting for a half an hour with Mr. Clinton, In  response to here embarrassment of appearances she said they talked mainly about grandchildren. In fact, she says they never mentioned Hillary. Mrs. Lynch has been an accomplished mis-speaker in the same vein as the Clintons. Yikes.

Breakthrough:

In Google searches last week, Brexit beat out Porn! Yikes. To many, Brexit is porn.

Too many anti-courtesy people in this world are being exalted.

We all started out with ancestors wearing animal skins. Humans slowly elevated their outerwear to the point when in the 17^th to 19^th centuries people were actually overdressed, over ornate. Then for a century we began to recede away from formality til today when women are wearing less and less, and men wearing shirts outside are but a era or two away from draping animal skins again. And this morning I read a note about a movement to “Save Suits”.

How sad is it that one of the biggest operations in the Olympics is testing urine!

Have you noticed late that more and more people from new generations are taking pride in not following? Following, as in keeping up with the Jones, can be expensive. Following can lead you into waters where you are unable to swim. In following you can use too much of your own energy trying to be who you aren’t. Wait a minute; the youth who aren’t following the old into taxi cabs...are all Uberized.

I read where cities are billing Trump for the high cost of his rallies. Why don’t they bill the DNC who have been the well documented instigators of the street aggression? Oh, excuse me, the cities are democrats. I get it.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 65 continues…

   Sitting in thc darkness, the threesome heard powerful engine slow and then rumble as if searching the island for a landing spot. To a stranger the island would appear unapproachable. But, Nancy was thinking that this is no average stranger. Her biggest concern was that they would see the small inlet that led to the larger cove where they remained hidden.

   “Shine that flash light over there,” came one of the shouts. Where was over there, wondered Nancy. There was a burst of sound from the rumbling engine, and it seemed to be heading away from their end of the island. Her heart and lungs began working again. All that tome while she was keeping silent, all she could hear was the raspy breathing of Fred. To her at that moment it sounded like the 4^th Of July celebration.

   The sound of the motor stopped, meaning they had probably found place to them at least that seemed accessible. She the entire shoreline would appear forbidding to the average person. But these people were on a mission.

  In the distance she heard a splash and some swearing. She knew now from the sounds that they picked a bad spot and didn’t have chance. That would only mean they would come back around to their spot again. The motor roared, then rumbled slowly until they were soon just outside their nest. She put a hand over Fred’s mouth. His eyes popped and she put her finger to her lips.

  Sue thought she heard a scrape of a fiberglass hull meeting a rock, hope fully the ugly one just at the entrance of the inlet. Then a roar as the boat must have reversed direction.

   “This can’t be the island, she hard a familiar voice say. She tensed. The engine powered up, and the sound seemed to fade into the distance. Did they leave, did they now decide they knew who to wait for on the Mainland.

The Answer:

It is generally considered that the lush paintings of Albert Bierstadt, a New Englander, are what people visualize most when thinking of Hudson River Valley School of artists. Next is J. Alden Weir, followed by George Caleb Bingham, Sanford Robinson Gifford, Mrtin Johnson Heade, Herman Herzog, Thomas Moran, Robert S. Duncanson, Frederic Edward Church and Thomas Cole at #10 (Note: Cole is regarded as Founder of the Hudson River School, so many place him 31 because for that.).  Bonus: Mary Surratt and Dr. Samuel Mudd were two of the six conspirators arrested and sentenced in the death of Abe Lincoln. Muss received lifem and the other five were executed.

Good-bye, June. I’ll miss ye.

Seafood chowder.

Todays Tids Issue 3,629

For questioning:

“Ronald MacDonald shot at Sonic restaurant in NC” Some days it’s hard to find an opener for the Tids. That just struck me as funny. But of course it isn’t at all. It’s sad, as are all of those daily murders from across the nation I seem to read about every day. Some are with guns and others are stabbings, but of course the method is irrelevant. What has made murders so prevalent? This growing, pervasive infection of US society is much more than the access to weapons, and that is a question where we need focus. Is it the liberalization of the First Amendment where responsibility has been successfully removed from what defines free speech as interpreted for the benefit of video games or sex and violence in movies among other cultural declines? Has it been the attacks against religion and church goers that has removed conscience from decision making? Questions, questions, questions. Opinions and counter opinions. Politicians and activists will argue red herrings. And tomorrow some other innocent will die because someone doesn’t understand right versus wrong, responsibility; sensible human boundaries.

Jeez, I didn’t want to start out that way.

In case you missed it, putting stuff on top of waffles is among the newer food trends.  Use your imagination.

I overinvested emotions in the Red Sox way too early. Now their magical beanstalk is falling down. But, even with heartaches and all, it feels good, like the old days. There’s not much lately that can bring you back there, when doors were unlocked and screen doors banged, when clothes smelled great after hanging outside. That’s why I love my Sox…they invariably bring me back good old fashioned midsummer agita.

The Question:

Who are the Ten Top world soccer players. Which one of these temperamental super kickers just suddenly retired after a loss?

The Headlines:

--Markets Open Higher, Dow Over 100 As Brexit Hysteria Fades; New Concerns Are On Flagging Global Economy.

--Latest Toll From Istanbul Airport Bombing Is 42 Dead and 239 Injured; Early Sign s Point To ISIS.

--Donadld Trump Sounding Lie Old fashioned Isolationist; Says he Will rip Up Or Not Renew Current Trade Deals.

--Zika Vaccine Proven 100% Successful In Mice.

--Hillary Says Benghazi Is Over; Repubs Say It Is Just Beginning.

--US Home Prices Grow In April As Inventory Falls.

Brexit will be long gone before Spell-Check figures it out.

It’s nice to still have grandchildren below the Nutrition Nazi age who still allow you to peacefully overindulge in Kentucky Fried Chicken and gravy, eleven secret spices and all.

If you’ve been watching the sports clothing and equipment world you must have wondered how Nike would hold up against Under Armor, which seems to have stolen the Trendsetter spotlight from the Jordan made Oregon super company. Well Nike hasn’t. UA, and Adidas, are making big gains while Nike is flat. Couple the marketing efforts of those two with the closing of premiere Nike outlets, Sports Authority, Bob’s and City Sports and you have the Oregon company wondering what foot to put before what foot, walking running or trying to catch up to the fickle public.

Me. Mr. Superficial Man, doesn’t wear either of these hot trending company’s sportswear, mainly because of ugly logos.

And if you think the sports clothing wars are interesting, wait til the big battle between Amazon and Wal-Mart.com. The Arkansas giant is using Amazon’s annual “Prime” Day to launch it’s expanded highly discounted eCommerce effort. W-M obviously doesn’t want to hand off their customer base to the Internet superstar. Hopefully W-M can persuade all of their regular customers, except the shoplifters, to join them in Cyber shopping.

In case you are wondering about the title of this Tids – “Seafood Chowder.” Like this Tids, it’s really hard to know what exactly is in it.

You have to wonder if the future’s wave of tourism will be ethereal where virtual touring includes shopping in cyber trinket shops. Then we could have the NYCscams.con where virtual tourists on Times Square try to avoid buying forged show tickets and other enticing things that don’t exist. Oops, your pocket has been picked. Go back to go.

If the US closed its docks and borders to incoming goods, the country would be too expensive to live in, even after middle America wages grew from more manufacturing jobs.

Women have always tried to join men’s clubs, especially those clubs where men don’t want them. But, I have never seen men clamoring to join women’s only clubs. Just one man’s cultural observation.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 65 Continues…

    Nancy had arranged all of the family’s valuable documents in such a way that in the event that a time like this would come, she could clean house fast. Everything was in waterproof, easy to handle containers that fit perfectly into the midsection of the boat. It took less than a half hour to remove the files and turn the rest of the hidden shelter into a simple fishing camp.

   Jared had just pushed the boat way from the island, while Nancy was using a paddle to maneuver the boat to the side of the island away from the view of the mainland, when the rumble of a powerful boat was heard. They both looked up, and saw signs of the sun brightening the early morning sky. The sound of the alien boat told them that it was flying and would be on them soon. And that they couldn’t out run it.

    Nancy felt safe starting her motor under the sound of the bigger one racing towards their spot. Their boat lurched forward and she made a quick turn towards a small shallow appearing inlet within ten yards of their location. She aimed the boat to the center, cut the engine, lifted the prop out of the water and the boat slid in easily. Nancy leaped forward to the bow and raised up branches revealing a small cove big enough for the boat. Once in, the branches were lowered.

   She sat and let out a deep breath, “I didn’t have time to instruct you on that maneuver.” She smiled. That’s all Jared needed. H just shook his head in awe, and listened to his heart banging away.

   She looked down. “Hi Fred, just be quiet”.

   “Don’t worry,” he answered. The sound of the engine grew louder

The Answer:

Argentinean Lionel Messi playing for Barcelona is consensus #1. Her eare the rest with Country, team. 2. Cristiano Renaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid) 3.Luis Suarez (Uruguay, Barcelona) 4. Neymar (Brazil, Barcelona) 5. Sergio Auero (Argentina, Manchester City)  6. Manual Neuer (Germany, Bayern Munich)  7. Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid)  8. Arjen Robben (Holland, Bayern Munich)  9. Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona)  10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain). Its good to know these names because they are bandied about in contemporary circles like everybody knows them. Messi is the superstar who just hung up is yellow short, util a a multimillion deal comes alone.

I think inside every person’s heart there is something good

But something is altering what any good heart should

What is holding back what strong resourceful bodies could

And we seem to be experiencing what tainted minds would.

Maybe someday, the precepts of right will be better understood.

Wow, that was awkward.

Have to run to the trash and hide the empty containers from KFC. What is this new world turning me into? Arghhhhhhhh!

“Taxation without representation!” And, the people rose.

Today's Tids Issue 3,627

Tids for Rebounding:

Brexit came along at just about the worst time ever. Wall Street gets spooked easily, and that is exactly what we investors did not need as we are on the cusp of 2^nd Q earnings reporting’s season. One of the major problems festering as busy execs try to report their best is what I call accounting exhaustion. There are no tricks left to bolster the appearance of lackluster earnings after months and even years of employing creative accounting to squeeze out acceptable bottom lines for mediocre performances. So with Brexit making us skitterish we have to hope that accounting geniuses have one more trick up their sleeve to get us thought the summer.  

Personally, I believe the Brexit factor will be short lived.

Hillary said: “If you are under investigation by the FBI you should not be able to buy a gun.” So, if you are under investigation by the FBI, does that also mean you should be barred from running for President?

Now we have to wonder how many sleazy politicians will skate using the SC reversal of the Former Va Gov Bob McDonnell bribery case. The esteemed judges may have been talking about justifiable evidence, but the average citizen employing the highly reliable “Walk like a duck, talk like a Duck” standard will throw the bums out every time. Creeps.

The Question:

What was the name of the airline that first gave us regular trans-Atlantic air travel? Bonus: Name the losing Dems and Repubs in the last 15 US Presidential races.

The Headlines:

--Futures Pointed To Strong Market Opening; Dow Up near 190 In Mid Morning.

--SC Strikes Down Texas Abortion Clinic Law 5-3.

--Pope Says Gays And Others Marginalized By Church Deserve Apology.

--Legendary Coach Pat Summit Dies; Outspoken, Defensive Genius Football Coach Buddy Ryan Dies – Was Dad Of NFL Coaches Rex And Rob.

--Kerry Says Putin’s Russia Harassing US Diplomats In Ever Increasing Frequency.

--Trump Dropping “Muslim” From Immigration Ban Strategy.

If you buy a new car and the clock is set to BST (Brexit Summer Time), does that mean it is destined to be a lemon?

I’ve decided two things: 1. To avoid committing to voting until after the conventions. 2. To concentrate on ways to be sure Repubs get the House and Senate. If the Hill sneaks in, Gridlock will be an absolute necessity to preserve the union.

Gary Johnson and Bill Weld are looking very good to me right about now.

I’d be a buyer in the British economy that no longer is forced to bail out Greece every couple of years.

If Hillary and Elizabeth Warren continue campaigning together, I may turn into a violent male chauvinist instead of my usual warm and cuddly self. And I think a lot of women would join me!

Every time the national scene seems bleak, somebody in your community steps to do something great; to which everybody can cheer and feel the local pride. Over here in RI we have Elizabeth Biesel, a really nice young woman, a swimmer who just made her third Olympics.

It seems that regularly I read that Tim Teebow is stepping up to do something for somebody else, or saving somebody from something.

Maybe Greece and Puerto Rico could merge. Greece likes islands. Banana Ouzo could be a big seller if they could find anybody to work in the factories.

Duh News Headline of the Week, Department:

“Democrat Benghazi Report Absolves Hillary.” Why would media report things like that, unless it’s a headline for The Onion.

Brexit reminds me of times being in a violent, life threatening storm while sailing, only to find it ending as fast as it arose, becoming a meteorological vacuum and entirely becalmed. Just put a bandade on the scratches and sip some scotch, and wait for a wind that will carry you home.

A reader reminds me that the “problem we have is that 47% of Americans who pay zero federal income tax are voting to on what to charge everybody else.”

In case you are interested, The EU has not been the reason for a peaceful Europe since 1945, The US Led NATO has.

The Parking Lot: Chapter 65.

   Nancy’s heart stopped after receiving the call from Jared about what Fred told the Howland’s giant discourager. The worst news was that he made a call to someone before he and Fred went outside to meet the waiting Jared.

   Nancy ran down the stairs of their Newport safe house two steps at a time, jumped in the car, started the motor which also ignited a blaring radio which had a local station frenetically reporting news of a violent beating in the “quiet” village of Sakonnet. It said the man was near death.

    It took her about 15 minutes shorter than normal to reach the edge of the lake in Northeast section of town. Jared was on the shore, her boat pulled out and ready to roar to that island containing everything about the Hicks family history and land ownership.

   She stood on the water’s edge alert to other noises coming from across the water. Nothing sounded threatening, just normal voices from camps on darkened coves. Morning would be coming shortly, and this pre dawn dark would serve them well. With her panic subsiding a little, she realized that the people Cliff the Monster talked to would probably not be able to react as fast as she and Jared. Until, maybe they heard news reports about their beaten man.

   She took a deep breath and got back to rational thinking. That was interrupted by the vision of Fred’s hopeless eyes staring up from the bottom of the boat. She reached down and grabbed his collar, lifteing him up with a serious jerk. ”I’m not going to hurt you Fred, I’m just going to kill you fast. But if you piss on my boat I’ll make it long and torturous.

   “Sorry, Nance,” came the feeble reply, “I couldn’t stand no more beatings again.” TheNacy realized fred had been through a lot for them.

The Answer:

Pan Am began regular Trans-Atlantic air service with a flight from NYC to Marseille France in 1939 (Note there were many airlines (TWA, Trans Canada, BOAC , Air France, Pan Am) vying for regular flights and many flew earlier on a test run basis, but this flight is acknowledged as signature moment for regular service. Bonus: The losing Presidential candidates in the last 20 races have been Romney, McCain, Kerry, Gore, Dole, GHW Bush, Dukakis, Mondale, Carter, Ford, McGovern, Humphrey, Goldwater, Nixon, Stephenson (2), Dewey (2), Wilkie and Landon.

It’s true, in the aftermath of recent events The Queen and fine English ladies everywhere are putting a little something extra in their afternoon tea. Yes, Iceland’s soccer win over UK has dwarfed the English angst over Brexit.

There’s always something.

I’m ready for a little rain.