Monday, July 20, 2020

My day as we start a new week

The coffee shop threesome this morning
I know I put a picture up last week of John and I in our new hangout place in front of the coffee shop, but when Gene joined us this morning, we got the attention of the barista, who took this picture of us as we drank our coffee and chatted. It doesn't look like the coffee shop will open to indoor customers any time soon, but we don't let that stop us from getting together. It's nice to have friends who are willing to get up early and venture out.

I just finished Mary Trump's book, the tell-all about her family and her Uncle Donald and how he became the person he is. It's not a long book, and it simply tells the story of a dysfunctional family unit that has lots of money, most of it from Fred Trump's dirty dealings long ago. After having read the book, I now understand why Trump doesn't want his tax returns to become public: they probably show that he owes millions in back taxes.

It also helps me to understand why Trump is so psychologically damaged. It was mostly his father's cruelty, something that came about when he was unloved and abandoned as a toddler. I don't know if that actually excuses his own cruelty, but it explains it. Mary does not seem to have much of a sense of humor herself and I found her no-nonsense account to be a little annoying at times. I'm glad I read it, but I'm not sure I would give it another read. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know, just from watching the news and having read other people's experiences about dealing with Trump. I think I learned more from Tony Schwartz's description of having ghostwritten "The Art of the Deal" with him.
Garden bounty
On a more positive note, our community garden is producing wonderful goodies. Now that our dry season has begun, I am going to be watering the garden every morning. It's so wonderful to see all the good food at my fingertips. To be honest, I have just about had my fill of zucchini, but I am now snatching up the cucumbers. Lots of delicious possibilities. I'll be showing more as they begin to ripen.
:-)

16 comments:

  1. Hooray for community gardens. I totally understand being zuchinnied out though.
    I understand that Trump's upbringing was less than stellar, but at some stage we have to decide who we want to be. Even from afar I don't like his choices.

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  2. I surmised that,about Trump/taxes and didn't have,to,read the book. Lol

    Love your time together for coffee.

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  3. Good that you 3 can get together... and that you are being cautious. My SIL has just been diagnosed with Covid.

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  4. I thought she was a good writer, but what a horrible story to tell. Made me happy I didn't grow up with money -- it seems so many wealthy families just use it to bully and manipulate their so-called loved ones.

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  5. I can only go so much zucchini. I don’t grow it but buy some for pickles most years.

    Way to go Coffee Shop Trio! Enjoy every minute.

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  6. I know you aren't a cook, and neither am I, but when a neighbor gifted us with SO MUCH zucchini The Husband sliced it up, dredged it in Panko crumbs, baked it and whipped up some sort of dip and it's amazingly good as a healthy little snack with very little calories. But yes, if they give us anymore zucchini, I have a feeling we will tire of it quickly.

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  7. So good to see the fabulous three back together again. Been too long.
    I guess it is good to know Donald didn't pop out a miserable person that he was shaped that way by his father. Can't quite seem to feel sorry for him though.

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  8. No one writes about the good things he has done...just the bad and that is sad.

    Zucchini season has not begun here...my Father in Law liked it sliced breaded and fried...around here we lock our car door in Zucchini season:)

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  9. I don't think we'll ever fully understand Trump's behavior. It's irrational and the irrational doesn't make sense.

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  10. Those are two hoary beards. At almost 73 I am still two-toned and the gray is not that um white.

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  11. What will happen to him when he has to pay his taxes? He will have to sell all his real estate.

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  12. I can't see myself growing my beard ever that long.

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  13. You and your guys are quite the threesome. No zucchini ready here yet, but soon, and then we'll have it often in several various ways. It's a summer thing.
    Thanks for sharing about the Trump book. I decided I don't need to know why he is the way he is when what he is is so constantly awful. He never fails to be true to his despicable narcissistic self. I am always baffled by those who refer to all the good he has done. What????

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  14. I'd think it would be hard to wear a mask with a big bushy beard -- as impressive as it is!

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  15. Dear DJan, you mentioned in a comment on my blog that you were reading the book. Thanks for giving us your take on it. We've had four years to watch his actions and hear his words as well as the campaign year and so I suspect that most of us who are dismayed by his presidency see him as the narcissist he is. An adolescent with himself the center of the universe. But, oh, I do suspect that he was bullied as a child. He is a case study for what can happen when someone is not loved during the first few years of their life. I feel and have felt sorry for him. But I so wish he hadn't been elected because of what has happened to our democracy. Peace.

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  16. I’ve heard so much about the book online and from interviews that I haven’t had a desire to read it. I’m just so tired of him actually. I just read that Mitt Romney thinks Trump will win because the people who hate him don’t vote.

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