tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-326556272024-03-13T08:14:32.617-04:00Moon StumppWhat a retired artist does in the Galveston Bay area.... Drink Coffee. Read Books. Pet Cats. Sketch a lot. Live by the Sea. Make Waves. Be Zen as Fuck. Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comBlogger1106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-25732204132206625292022-02-04T21:18:00.004-05:002022-02-04T21:18:43.073-05:00Illustration Friday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga9OetHj416oj94pVg0560rK7Emw-kAfOoIALBomcRYZuBwrtvMKjU0L9vOqyTXMxaEHuiwf403TM6wldtk9J6aVYLSHeqZqYyosvzYII3wKGLRDCL42deX_8kSzO4Q9LeD38ashWuGtikYq0fRazWF-35CpsISRZ_IDVqF2WiUMmUzBmOVdk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga9OetHj416oj94pVg0560rK7Emw-kAfOoIALBomcRYZuBwrtvMKjU0L9vOqyTXMxaEHuiwf403TM6wldtk9J6aVYLSHeqZqYyosvzYII3wKGLRDCL42deX_8kSzO4Q9LeD38ashWuGtikYq0fRazWF-35CpsISRZ_IDVqF2WiUMmUzBmOVdk=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br />Have a great day!!!<p></p><p>~Moon </p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-43750110441566540502022-01-24T08:09:00.003-05:002022-01-24T08:09:55.187-05:00Character Designs...Children's Illustrations...the beginning. <p>A couple of weeks ago, I came up with this idea that I wanted to illustrate a Prince Eddie Asshat book. Yeah, I know...what every cat Mom wants to do, tell the story of their cat. It's an old story but it's during a pandemic and at this point, I really don't have much else to do. We have cooties here and the weather sucks. That's an entire story in it self, plus it's rather depressing, so don't get me started. </p><p>Drawing and creating cute critter illustrations are not my thing. I also never realized just how hard they are to create. I looked at them and thought, yeah, I can do this. Nope, it's a lot easier said than making it happen in reality. </p><p>I had to start somewhere so I was off to <a href="https://www.skillshare.com/" target="_blank">SkillShare</a>. It's my go to place if I want to learn about something. I started out with some<a href="https://www.lisaglanz.com/" target="_blank"> Lisa Glanz</a> videos and then moved to <a href="https://www.ninarycroft.com/" target="_blank">Nina Rycroft</a>. Both are impressive and creative illustrators. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoWQqU7FV89vcSQ9C_HS0kGGjxrLOqPymABzYdof52jBku9Qo4mfwqNJCvcgntQKjR9uLHbs-TS00pfBSlbXwryA0-ueM5pEVvPjTodMqwhqBlGP33Bp54ic75NPn11pmnvRRRP4k4qc_kqYl5LZ7-qGTPi9Jn20bDyKbWGNhpALftjHp0jco=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1920" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoWQqU7FV89vcSQ9C_HS0kGGjxrLOqPymABzYdof52jBku9Qo4mfwqNJCvcgntQKjR9uLHbs-TS00pfBSlbXwryA0-ueM5pEVvPjTodMqwhqBlGP33Bp54ic75NPn11pmnvRRRP4k4qc_kqYl5LZ7-qGTPi9Jn20bDyKbWGNhpALftjHp0jco=w400-h274" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It all starts with an idea and a sketch. I decided on a cute bear. I looked at some reference photos then played on my iPad. The iPad has changed digital art and that's another post in it's self. </p><p>The below is my 2nd step, painting a digital bear. Ok, Mx. Bear does look a bit surprised but I was happy I got the general shape and shading down. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5x5HoHCWJs5Q99XOfPaBmdHAegEdeK0EkV5UsxlTdR6kHEyD1EAGF6k2UGStTTcYbwJVc7V7MMQu47DeeIeq3u4YQUrnZc65Z8Nffx_7sN-iEl-AGtH8iyfFBcrvAOmaIUoBcEcn6xPl3mx-EwLQJEVYOir7DjFqUGBbnVRWK2iqJWRQQLu8=s1064" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="851" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5x5HoHCWJs5Q99XOfPaBmdHAegEdeK0EkV5UsxlTdR6kHEyD1EAGF6k2UGStTTcYbwJVc7V7MMQu47DeeIeq3u4YQUrnZc65Z8Nffx_7sN-iEl-AGtH8iyfFBcrvAOmaIUoBcEcn6xPl3mx-EwLQJEVYOir7DjFqUGBbnVRWK2iqJWRQQLu8=w320-h400" width="320" /></a></div>My 3rd step is below. Still not what I was aiming for but progress was made. I'm good with that. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM0qxVI_P0oVCkLom7aMG6Sgr4h9F9Fo570PjKDA9TWAYPzCe50vHvSdgLxQsAaILStVdEtYXrvEguTBgO2plnee7RMY93gKEOfx3-Z2dHSFIQwbTjgLT8NFuHbA-4xS93qt3dA3rU_HTh37bIfooOy9Kh-wDJbkgn4hqOhPaEm7rvx-BSBPw=s851" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="851" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhM0qxVI_P0oVCkLom7aMG6Sgr4h9F9Fo570PjKDA9TWAYPzCe50vHvSdgLxQsAaILStVdEtYXrvEguTBgO2plnee7RMY93gKEOfx3-Z2dHSFIQwbTjgLT8NFuHbA-4xS93qt3dA3rU_HTh37bIfooOy9Kh-wDJbkgn4hqOhPaEm7rvx-BSBPw=w400-h320" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Am I going to grow up to be a children's book illustrator, no. I do like the challenge and maybe I'll turn the designs into cards or upload to a POD site. For right now, I'm enjoying the creation and hopefully I'll come up with a Prince Eddie Asshat character for a book of Eddie quotes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Laters,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Moon</div>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-55234554879198877092022-01-17T17:02:00.000-05:002022-01-17T17:02:09.256-05:00“No celebration without legislation.” MLK Day<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">“No celebration without
legislation.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. </span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_0nhPDuz4lTNEuQ5xe2AgaPAw3ZiZV40v6vACMy7fn_Fzu_4yC431BOxZkfEGDXsIYb1jFHON0_khVK1tWSl6b7jdRRIM5ywzQO92fsr8-M8-u2Z0iiS1Tp574E2E_g_nLctfmiDYFPTEK5mq6qWi4wJt7MsSZgMaE81DiWXhHvqveW4M8JU=s722" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="653" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_0nhPDuz4lTNEuQ5xe2AgaPAw3ZiZV40v6vACMy7fn_Fzu_4yC431BOxZkfEGDXsIYb1jFHON0_khVK1tWSl6b7jdRRIM5ywzQO92fsr8-M8-u2Z0iiS1Tp574E2E_g_nLctfmiDYFPTEK5mq6qWi4wJt7MsSZgMaE81DiWXhHvqveW4M8JU=w578-h640" width="578" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There, I fixed it. I may not like it but it's honest of what is happening in Texas today. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Laters,</div><div style="text-align: left;">~Moon </div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-27601083145148994132022-01-12T10:24:00.000-05:002022-01-12T10:24:01.448-05:00Wordless Wednesday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syHIlrn9nPs/Yd7xh5IDwqI/AAAAAAAAKU0/tFXVmzoCsxIqxUKxucm7XrfwYKYtsna5gCNcBGAsYHQ/daynight%2Bcopy%2Bcrop%2Bfinal%2Bbanner%2BFB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="851" height="360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syHIlrn9nPs/Yd7xh5IDwqI/AAAAAAAAKU0/tFXVmzoCsxIqxUKxucm7XrfwYKYtsna5gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/daynight%2Bcopy%2Bcrop%2Bfinal%2Bbanner%2BFB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Laters,<p></p><p>~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-17142322434320405842022-01-06T14:01:00.005-05:002022-01-06T14:16:58.285-05:00Jan 6, 2021 to Jan 6, 2022...Justice promised, hopes and expectations...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirptRiVcDr8LSZwywiit8dc_7gtSOfFe-L-6J6SmiqB4K-k8UALW9MD6An5rwG3YLV29VKzcYUbTxgsZn0I4-QiSnKsAk28AACrz5BsIxka7pZEaGAZBpAcyfAJd6aolVmfPvbRc4zho6Ra5M8rgm8UhpRyIL7wXYxa5ycu7PArSqJA8deePo=s851" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirptRiVcDr8LSZwywiit8dc_7gtSOfFe-L-6J6SmiqB4K-k8UALW9MD6An5rwG3YLV29VKzcYUbTxgsZn0I4-QiSnKsAk28AACrz5BsIxka7pZEaGAZBpAcyfAJd6aolVmfPvbRc4zho6Ra5M8rgm8UhpRyIL7wXYxa5ycu7PArSqJA8deePo=s851" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="851" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirptRiVcDr8LSZwywiit8dc_7gtSOfFe-L-6J6SmiqB4K-k8UALW9MD6An5rwG3YLV29VKzcYUbTxgsZn0I4-QiSnKsAk28AACrz5BsIxka7pZEaGAZBpAcyfAJd6aolVmfPvbRc4zho6Ra5M8rgm8UhpRyIL7wXYxa5ycu7PArSqJA8deePo=s600" width="600" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday, AG Garland said, "The Justice Department remains
committed to holding all Jan 6 perpetrators, at any level, accountable under
law, whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally
responsible for the assault on our democracy.
We will follow the facts wherever they lead.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Garland gave some numbers on the
scope of the DOJ Jan 6 investigation:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- issued 5k+ subpoenas and search
warrants<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- seized 2k devices<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- reviewed 20k hours of video footage<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- received over 300k+ tips from
"ordinary citizens"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- arrested & charged 725
defendants<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm still expecting more...low-lying fruit doesn't touch the planners and plotters. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m trying to stay very positive about Jan 6<sup>th</sup>…it’s
just that many of the plotters and planners are so high profile, that if
anything touched them, the media would report it. I also keep going back to the
Mueller Report and how close we are to the expiration dates for the statute of
limitations. If I would have heard this
speech 6 months ago, I would have been impressed. I hadn't anticipated the
pivot to voting rights.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This morning, Biden and Harris took to the podium. He was on fire. Harris also did a great job. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Biden's speech was what the American people needed to hear. It laid the groundwork to
support indictments of Jan 6<sup>th</sup> too. It also reminded me that the Department
of Justice is in the executive branch, not the judiciary. After listening to Biden’s
speech this morning, I know I’m having a much better day than trump.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I understand situations like trump for his Jan 2nd call to Georgia Sec. of State Raffensperger, it was on tape and had witnesses…it could be included in the Jan 6th event. Those do take time and it's been a year.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f0f2f5; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now the Mueller investigation that took 2.5 years and is packaged, no I don’t understand. Nor the inauguration fraud, the Comey obstruction, the Stormy Daniels payoff (case is now closed), or the Ukraine quid pro quo.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">So now we wait for things to happen, there is hope in the air. I'm hoping that expectations aren't too high. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">Laters,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;">~Moon</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></div>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-54660238116536518512022-01-05T17:03:00.004-05:002022-01-05T17:03:39.676-05:00Wordless Wednesday...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbH2Y6tEpTg/YdYViJ7mzYI/AAAAAAAAKUk/V_tBashFOTQZAkncg-B94QgexOhRG3CtwCNcBGAsYHQ/61bb7a33f340b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="678" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbH2Y6tEpTg/YdYViJ7mzYI/AAAAAAAAKUk/V_tBashFOTQZAkncg-B94QgexOhRG3CtwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/61bb7a33f340b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Laters,</div><div>~Moon</div>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-70791514754510286052022-01-04T17:00:00.004-05:002022-01-04T20:22:23.015-05:00All in this together...Covid Rant<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4XKGEvjy--A/YdS-oXxA-bI/AAAAAAAAKT8/UDXINtLYqXwm3elAsg9ZlaPdW12z09A3gCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1080" height="450" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4XKGEvjy--A/YdS-oXxA-bI/AAAAAAAAKT8/UDXINtLYqXwm3elAsg9ZlaPdW12z09A3gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h450/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are all in this together and we share the same air. Covid is an airborne pathogen that is looking for a host. That's what a virus does. This isn't rocket science. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I just watched the Biden
presser today. Vaccine, booster, mask (not what type of mask), plus a new Pfizer
treatment for high risk by the end of this month...was the main theme. If we do this, things will be fine. Plus the
administration and Congress gave money to the states for them to prepare and to
mitigate Covid. This was the summary of the presser. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We’re seeing Covid-19
cases among vaccinated workplaces across America—including here at the White
House—but if you’re vaccinated and boosted, you are highly protected,”</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is nice but that
doesn’t solve the issues with people not getting vaccinated or masking up. I’ve
done what I was supposed to do but I’m still at the mercy of the nonvaxxed and
nonmaskers. It most likely will keep me out of the hospital but I’m still sick
and longcovid is still a possibility. I understand that the vaccine is doing it's job, I get that. I also get that my </span>likelihood<span style="font-family: inherit;"> would be less if less people contract Covid. That's the math. More exposure to the virus, the higher the loading dose of the virus, the sicker I can become. That's the math. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don’t get me started the lack of
messaging regarding that Covid may be an airborne pathogen but it's a vascular
disease that can attack other organs and brain.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am fucking pissed off at
Biden for leaving Covid management up to the states. That’s what trump did. There’s
no central messaging or a place to go to get questions answered about Covid
locally. The CDC is a political hack and lost it’s creds. Me, yeah, I have lots
of options and know how to use both my phone and computer, but many people don’t
have a clue of what to do. Most of the family docs here don’t touch Covid, that’s
an ER visit. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Covid is also going to be a huge election issue in Texas. Texas now leads the US in child Covid hospitalizations, we have a positivity rate of 33%, and no mandates of any kind. The impression I have from both the GOP and our </span>Governor<span style="font-family: inherit;"> is that if Biden fails to control Covid, they can win the Oval Office and Abbott will take a win over Beto. It's possible, I don't know but the cost will be painful. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><rant over></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll still take Biden over trump or any Republican. On the flipside, I think we can do better and much quicker. SCOTUS will be hearing <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">oral arguments on Jan 7th, regarding the legality of two federal Covid vaccine mandates issued under the Biden administration.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">The vaccine mandate EO came out Sept 9th, 2021 and Nov 4th, 2021. Instead waiting for people to do the right thing, Jan 2021 would of been much better. The Administration needs to read the room instead of being disconnected with polarization. Reality doesn't exist as a Democrat or Republican concept, it stands alone as reality. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Laters, </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">~Moon </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-22474098252028423542022-01-01T18:01:00.001-05:002022-01-01T18:01:29.567-05:00Are we doing resolutions this year or skipping? I'm winging it until Covid is under control. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO-Zf37oMiHvH5ciW969ZNmPB17lqLw55Zrcn5LHlmuqUSvFnixCpLyJi0bhjUxwE3kiRLHRefehYCWcWoo2_VCh4snm0g_bwRAMg6VPpRchAezqhVIxEKu9_b4MKZFep5363zoj0GxvNfa_P2IX8vByzxEDXQaFFxTkGGD8UMT1QuR3TWjzk=s851" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgO-Zf37oMiHvH5ciW969ZNmPB17lqLw55Zrcn5LHlmuqUSvFnixCpLyJi0bhjUxwE3kiRLHRefehYCWcWoo2_VCh4snm0g_bwRAMg6VPpRchAezqhVIxEKu9_b4MKZFep5363zoj0GxvNfa_P2IX8vByzxEDXQaFFxTkGGD8UMT1QuR3TWjzk=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">My 2020 words were Exhaustion, Chaos, Death, Asshat, Social
Distancing, Misinformation, Racism, and I Can’t Breathe.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">My 2021 words were Towanda, Sanity, Vaccine, Hugs, Messy
Soul, Feed my Focus, and Never Again trump.<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Words really didn’t help much the last two years, I’m going
to assume it was because of the Pandemic. 2022 I’m moving to a mantra…”I’m an
old lady that was raised by wolves and homeschooled by feral cats while living
in Mordor. Today is my day.”<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXyYL2mt8GJYiY6WZX_Ptcn-UB3AZuJqLWtQ8En4QlBbxZ3d_vGww-5WcYMR1PH39Rgloa8s1wggWstKZH4wJRCDJAPN7Olo0SkLviICTz3OAXoUzTFE3n4ROLMIw4LH3U20jP7NhB5l4X81PeKYT6dz9bMtB12T7h2qmDQuCjLYjiA3_BLDk=s1284" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1284" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXyYL2mt8GJYiY6WZX_Ptcn-UB3AZuJqLWtQ8En4QlBbxZ3d_vGww-5WcYMR1PH39Rgloa8s1wggWstKZH4wJRCDJAPN7Olo0SkLviICTz3OAXoUzTFE3n4ROLMIw4LH3U20jP7NhB5l4X81PeKYT6dz9bMtB12T7h2qmDQuCjLYjiA3_BLDk=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Damn, Galveston County Texas has cooties. We only have a
2.7% breakthrough. This is like being part of the Jerry Springer show audience.
Most likely this isn’t a good time for an island vacation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Jan 1st 2022, we have 720 new cases of Covid...Dec 1st 2021,
we had 22 new cases of Covid.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">No matter how it's sliced and diced, that's a lot of sick
people. It's the highest number of new cases yet. I'm triple vaxxed and upgraded my masks to
N95s. If people what to do the same, fine. If they don't, fine. I figure each
person is an adult. Am I engaging with these anti-vaxxers on social media, not
really. Mostly because I think it's a waste of time. Have I looked at social
media of friends and family, yeah. Am I engaging, no. I also don’t trust many
of them either. The underlying issue is they aren’t reading the room and/or
they are selfish asshats. I’m been done for a while, some of these actions just
reinforces that decision. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhh7Ep3X8ARDkqcUMaz0Opsr5zMWid4ExGIWoK-HDDzxEAHIaJRCPCVMfzyfaQT19rbwRv2oCMFjZXzbRVs3MDZmRGK7FvPnFuP6JL5mb1mKM11Bv7phAizmDtb3a-QeOcZ3_LXinfr-Ie-1aVj_7MZ_bz7Fs-mcjbDb-6Ul9t1W741To9U7Y=s1730" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1730" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhh7Ep3X8ARDkqcUMaz0Opsr5zMWid4ExGIWoK-HDDzxEAHIaJRCPCVMfzyfaQT19rbwRv2oCMFjZXzbRVs3MDZmRGK7FvPnFuP6JL5mb1mKM11Bv7phAizmDtb3a-QeOcZ3_LXinfr-Ie-1aVj_7MZ_bz7Fs-mcjbDb-6Ul9t1W741To9U7Y=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">There’s people talking about false positives, masks not working, that the numbers are off, that the breakthrough numbers are wrong, and the best, we need to stop talking about Covid. I'm glad that the Galveston County Health Department puts out the numbers, that reminds me when the Covid numbers are up, the nicer and more patient I am with businesses. Most likely they have people out sick. We are not learning to live with Covid so mostly I’m at home. Not only do I not want to contract Covid, I have a huge insurance deductible and I do not have the time to be sick.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal">I was curious about breakthrough cases, so I Googled “Vaccine breakthrough cases (VBT)”. Found that NY state is running about 3.4% of fully vaccinated are contacting Covid (that are 12 and older) as of Dec 28<sup>th</sup>. Virginia is running about 1.5% as of Dec 25<sup>th</sup>. South Carolina is running about 1% as of Dec 14<sup>th</sup>. So Omicron really hasn’t hit parts of the US. Galveston county is running about 2.7%. So the worse is coming. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I really had to think about the following. Am I just the radical left or scared whatever? No...not really. I'm more of the logical, I'll do the math type person. So lets see if my prediction holds. School starts next week and our healthcare system is still holding it's own today. So people aren't going to listen to the warning bells that other locations such as Houston is putting out. They did the holidays, didn't bother to upgrade their masks to either KN95s or N95s. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I give this two weeks until the local general public starts feeling uneasy. By the third or fourth week, I'm betting either our educational system or our healthcare system will crash but it will pick itself back up quickly. It's an election year. The <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">latest modeling from health experts show that Texas will see its omicron spike sometime in mid- to late-January</span> Locally, we typically are in a better spot than Houston but I'm betting that the number of sick people are going to make business run either very slow or cut hours. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-pChlgCsD9iZ4ifRUctofvj42gYuBHA7vUeY5BcF5AWZHL8wR4mu4zq3CrrCNyEmFj4A-ILNc3oj-7XvcMzh5EsHRYxssFkGNpm20ja1YfWbhHG_NQ5S0wDGKyjt2hfqC9hH2KhNpvfGHqESrWbt61fq692ngxEhYczOJLa_5tquah3oqLig=s1920" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-pChlgCsD9iZ4ifRUctofvj42gYuBHA7vUeY5BcF5AWZHL8wR4mu4zq3CrrCNyEmFj4A-ILNc3oj-7XvcMzh5EsHRYxssFkGNpm20ja1YfWbhHG_NQ5S0wDGKyjt2hfqC9hH2KhNpvfGHqESrWbt61fq692ngxEhYczOJLa_5tquah3oqLig=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Galveston County and the state of Texas is running about 60% for double vaccinations for over the age of 5. But...but...it's only running about 12% for the boosted. So we stayed home for New Year Eve. <div><br /></div><div>That's OK...well until the fireworks started at 5:30pm. Some of my neighbors are asshats. On our HOA's closed group, a person has the guts to complain about the fireworks. Whoa, she got treated like slime. It made me realize that most my neighbors are rude assholes. <div><br /></div><div> <span style="background-color: #373c40; color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;">May 2022 be the year they deserve.</span><div><br /></div><div><p>Ok now....this is turning into a bitch session. On second thought, this is just reality. That's OK too. I figure that 2022 is the year that anything goes. </p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div></div></div>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-41243816077190684482021-12-31T16:35:00.000-05:002021-12-31T16:35:03.362-05:00Rest in Power...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NF58w7x4VZY/Yc92tPRGkPI/AAAAAAAAKS8/3qFHAHhQJFEtKvVXsynyLvWEk0YdH0OrgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="571" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NF58w7x4VZY/Yc92tPRGkPI/AAAAAAAAKS8/3qFHAHhQJFEtKvVXsynyLvWEk0YdH0OrgCNcBGAsYHQ/w539-h640/image.png" width="539" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><long sigh> 2021 was a hard year on a lot of people. I was going to write my typical last day of the year post but I'll do that tomorrow. Today, I'm going to snack and watch a movie or play on my iPad or do something that makes me smile. </p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-41704867056657280272021-12-29T11:55:00.004-05:002021-12-29T11:55:32.988-05:00Wordless Wednesday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VSAbQeweDdY/YcySq5fFEkI/AAAAAAAAKS0/TxL77n9AhzQogDJQQPzWt-F7E_NV-FQqACNcBGAsYHQ/DSC_1336%2Bcopy%2BFB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VSAbQeweDdY/YcySq5fFEkI/AAAAAAAAKS0/TxL77n9AhzQogDJQQPzWt-F7E_NV-FQqACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC_1336%2Bcopy%2BFB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>We do have other birds than herons, egrets, and seagulls. </p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-91958665658725517612021-12-27T13:19:00.003-05:002021-12-27T13:19:45.261-05:00I love my iPad...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7TiSY9wGEocnC0rKthmpKgRs1TZVPRJjQeK4VCkZL3YuY1HpH4uFnURdaT7DFHsnkXcTxeuUUNd7JcJS_kGDV3G3HtGDB2mMBRqXW7GZfgPQzQUlq8TGhX0tb2b1ojYP2ZykthVtOqI51vy3kyREkb7INSpB2cEc89Yy9vNTDdg03iW_br70=s851" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="851" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7TiSY9wGEocnC0rKthmpKgRs1TZVPRJjQeK4VCkZL3YuY1HpH4uFnURdaT7DFHsnkXcTxeuUUNd7JcJS_kGDV3G3HtGDB2mMBRqXW7GZfgPQzQUlq8TGhX0tb2b1ojYP2ZykthVtOqI51vy3kyREkb7INSpB2cEc89Yy9vNTDdg03iW_br70=w640-h504" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my favorite from 2021. I took out my frustrations
of the day and painted on my iPad. It has the instant gratification of throwing
paint without the mess. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This more my current painting style but I want to change it again. 2022 most likely be the year of experimentation and finding my 'voice'/style. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhloljaxzdoMtu9v6lEjIPLN2iYaE6yke1kwgawQD9awTcy_nvDBndshxSs9rGl0556G_mCkZztPDIaHFhxSX9gej7w0bOO9jan977N5CHNiqk60TaE_oYE86jQkkSqnZpWU-LnlZ7uP_jSBp60cvEoqgr9POPURU-7W31IHA2qJWFgQlV8ZPY=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="960" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhloljaxzdoMtu9v6lEjIPLN2iYaE6yke1kwgawQD9awTcy_nvDBndshxSs9rGl0556G_mCkZztPDIaHFhxSX9gej7w0bOO9jan977N5CHNiqk60TaE_oYE86jQkkSqnZpWU-LnlZ7uP_jSBp60cvEoqgr9POPURU-7W31IHA2qJWFgQlV8ZPY=w640-h512" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've been in the process
of reworking and/or revisiting some of my early digital work. The above is a
rework and I'm much happier with the final result. It doesn't look much
different than before until it's enlarged. I had to add more detail so that if
it's printed larger, it doesn't look like a typical low res bad print job.</span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Laters,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">~Moon</p><br /><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-18210351663173701182021-12-26T11:52:00.004-05:002021-12-26T11:52:26.346-05:00Time to move on...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5nz-KysKBvrlJq-yku8TFHT-GWt0A0kEILFbkCHepCEh50-NnFepck9mKBSBWqN-7hQ_kbWNyvXg-hX362ynf5Th72Y-QLej0MWHaCj2NJbl3UXhHUUf7pLw09Wv6K1vjpPu7XRq2OvnHNRyAz9aSftezuj9YsIu9IMzQxTYakZodCvxmwjw=s1362" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5nz-KysKBvrlJq-yku8TFHT-GWt0A0kEILFbkCHepCEh50-NnFepck9mKBSBWqN-7hQ_kbWNyvXg-hX362ynf5Th72Y-QLej0MWHaCj2NJbl3UXhHUUf7pLw09Wv6K1vjpPu7XRq2OvnHNRyAz9aSftezuj9YsIu9IMzQxTYakZodCvxmwjw=w400-h640" width="400" /></a></div><br />I have learned recently that Christmas isn't such a happy time for many people. There were many missing people during celebrations this year. Myself, I'm more Christmas neutral. This year we did not put up any decorations and I am thrilled today not looking at the prospect of having to put all of it away. <p></p><p>The above is one of my favorite memes. I know, it's kinda juvenile but I can't help it. It's that green fuzzy hand. Also just done with the entire Christmas season by now. The season started before Halloween here. My neighbors have been playing Christmas songs before Thanksgiving. </p><p>Maybe it's just too much of a good thing. </p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon </p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-65575509961988345502021-12-24T13:54:00.003-05:002021-12-24T13:54:54.160-05:00Merry everything and happy always to you and yours!!!!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vbGQWHb2N6Q/YcYOaB1bjTI/AAAAAAAAKSM/K4Pr00CgK_QBpK7QLdx1CKzN5oGnW4JnACNcBGAsYHQ/christmas%2Bcoastal%2B2021jpg%2BFB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vbGQWHb2N6Q/YcYOaB1bjTI/AAAAAAAAKSM/K4Pr00CgK_QBpK7QLdx1CKzN5oGnW4JnACNcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/christmas%2Bcoastal%2B2021jpg%2BFB.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />I'm still not Christmassy, it's the weather. It is beautiful outside, sunshine and mid 70's. I don't know what this is but I'll take it. This must be what folks from Australia feel like during Christmas. <p></p><p>I might not feel that Christmas spirit or whatever, I'm still eating turkey for dinner and eating Christmas cookies. I'm also sitting on my patio, with some of my flowers still blooming, playing with my iPad. That is if the wind will die down a bit. </p><p>Laters...enjoy your day!!!</p><p>~Moon </p><p><br /></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-55000557348952555952021-12-23T12:42:00.002-05:002021-12-23T12:42:26.875-05:00One reason why we live on the Texas coast...count your blessings...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6CMBjQ_YrTA/YcSvcBoUc6I/AAAAAAAAKSE/2vINoxwrAX0tWZFpYjnF6apOdjVOVWegwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="721" height="434" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6CMBjQ_YrTA/YcSvcBoUc6I/AAAAAAAAKSE/2vINoxwrAX0tWZFpYjnF6apOdjVOVWegwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h434/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This is one of the reasons why we live on the Texas coast. It's the weather. It's sure not some of the people. Yeah, we have cooties and a weird Governor, plus Cruz but the weather is nice.</p><p>Have a great day,</p><p>~Moon </p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-39437406523246960362021-12-22T19:36:00.005-05:002021-12-22T19:36:44.528-05:00Wordless Wednesday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v3muAD2oYxc/YcPEWpttpJI/AAAAAAAAKR8/w8bamb1uHDUXXNPxv9AD45YGCG-wJ5W9ACNcBGAsYHQ/DSC_1376%2Bcopy%2BFB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="851" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v3muAD2oYxc/YcPEWpttpJI/AAAAAAAAKR8/w8bamb1uHDUXXNPxv9AD45YGCG-wJ5W9ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/DSC_1376%2Bcopy%2BFB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-42449106595308516902021-12-21T13:47:00.005-05:002021-12-21T13:47:43.774-05:00Happy Solstice<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitBvHpOd2i0ccvwjUrgyRSI4Dp9FruVZAq4hifL5uGwk2_E6UgIrKHPWvEHYBNluw-9xK6IsG6xJ_3V8ho7pg4-7z8HFPiOg5uK1xl2DQhQlc_zm9apUmUfW1w79Chz8gGywyNZ--4nGei3F5ViDX1j36heB3QIx6Cn19IyFzgJH_o8enI-h0=s1203" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="851" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitBvHpOd2i0ccvwjUrgyRSI4Dp9FruVZAq4hifL5uGwk2_E6UgIrKHPWvEHYBNluw-9xK6IsG6xJ_3V8ho7pg4-7z8HFPiOg5uK1xl2DQhQlc_zm9apUmUfW1w79Chz8gGywyNZ--4nGei3F5ViDX1j36heB3QIx6Cn19IyFzgJH_o8enI-h0=w283-h400" width="283" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Bright Blessings to you and yours!!!</p><p style="text-align: center;">~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-25551797724488186862021-12-19T11:41:00.001-05:002021-12-19T15:48:22.964-05:00My wish...Texas reality...Omicron<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's a wish, not a forecast...I haven't read the 2022 fineprint yet. I'll read that closer to Dec 31th. Until then, I'm just closing my eyes, mostly, and pretending I'm not part of a </span>sci-fi dystopian novel. I'm joking but there's some truth in that latter statement. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAb62KK4KH6oa15NIEuhhEwOssYdwWaDBRQHtymbLQujHWD2hqMa7fQQrCAZTzQeEmIB6DryD86vVC18vENLxZjOVDQccLGbCtuseo90iPiLsyl05g4YVAMPzvzQgcIvqXPyZZlXnAOZz7ptsgug-U8M7CgBgdtwYpW6L4gxNGBMAptokG_DU=s851" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="851" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAb62KK4KH6oa15NIEuhhEwOssYdwWaDBRQHtymbLQujHWD2hqMa7fQQrCAZTzQeEmIB6DryD86vVC18vENLxZjOVDQccLGbCtuseo90iPiLsyl05g4YVAMPzvzQgcIvqXPyZZlXnAOZz7ptsgug-U8M7CgBgdtwYpW6L4gxNGBMAptokG_DU=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reality of Texas 2021…the
deadly winter storm, 2 quorum breaks, redistricting, CRT, carrying handguns
w/no license, the six-week abortion ban, Dan Patrick, book banning, Texas House
Dems took off to DC and caught Covid, Abbott weirdness, Paxton at the
insurrection and under FBI investigation, the pandemic, mask bans, Dowd, Musk,
McConaughey, Gohmert’s involvement with the insurrection, South Texas turned
into a military state, increased suicide risk for LGBTQ kids, Cruz running off
at the mouth and to Cancun, Abbott gatekeeping federal infrastructure
funding, etc, etc, etc. </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So what's next for Texas and the rest of the US. I don't know but I won't say that it can get worse. I said that once, I fucked up. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I'm betting next up with be Omicron. This Covid variant has unfinished business with the US and the entire planet. There's been a lot of media chatter that Omicron will be more Omicold. The <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/232698/modelling-suggests-rapid-spread-omicron-england/?fbclid=IwAR2MJwAypCUX1zP5MD3hzn_9AwYODYbcXJOA9z4RRTeY4bOKZ9bXTRDYb1Y" target="_blank">Imperial College of London put out a study that states otherwise. </a> Still, there's not enough data. That's ok, I'm still hedging my bets and slamming on KN95s instead of cloth masks. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I get that but considering my area is only about 60% vaccinated and around 15% of those people have been boosted. I'm thinking that it's going to be a hard winter for our healthcare workers. Folks around here aren't wearing masks either, even in some doctors' office. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">My hubby had his yearly appointment with our family doc this week. None of the office staff was wearing masks. Yes, he complained not only to the staff and doc but seriously, I'm having some major trust issues with that office. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">We have sunshine today and I'm off to enjoy it...</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Laters,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">~Moon </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-74487060515690483362021-12-18T13:25:00.000-05:002021-12-18T13:25:04.568-05:00Happy Catmas<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I just don’t feel
Christmassy this year. Normally I do a new card each year but not this year. Here's last year's. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-979AWMJOmnE/Yb3_RDGV4pI/AAAAAAAAKRk/q5ReO1It3v83KrFS_UVXVtQXef2VtC3bACNcBGAsYHQ/PEACE%2BON%2BEARTH.jpg%2Bfb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="851" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-979AWMJOmnE/Yb3_RDGV4pI/AAAAAAAAKRk/q5ReO1It3v83KrFS_UVXVtQXef2VtC3bACNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/PEACE%2BON%2BEARTH.jpg%2Bfb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year, I’m sooooo not
in the Christmas Spirit. It’s not only the commercialism but it’s also the
weather. It was 80 degrees yesterday and we still have the AC on. It’s also
that we haven’t seen our families for a while because of Covid. Again, we cancelled travel plans. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not all gloom and doom, not in the least. Christmas has never been that big of a deal to me, even when I was a kid. Then after I got out of college, I worked in a hospital. The majority of that time, I was working in the largest ER and Trauma Center in the state. The holidays showed just how hard the season could be on people. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our house will do something special for Yule, we always do. This time of year is renewing. It's the time of year that I go though my tea stash and spend a lot of time with my Kindle, hangout with the cats, and take things at a slower pace.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Laters,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">~Moon </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-84298902254108553142021-12-16T11:13:00.003-05:002021-12-16T13:33:38.927-05:00Climate Change thoughts...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_M0g5o4uCH8/YbtabArcuJI/AAAAAAAAKRM/q6jCsaZz-zoapKF4EpVoLGamaEkue_WDwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_M0g5o4uCH8/YbtabArcuJI/AAAAAAAAKRM/q6jCsaZz-zoapKF4EpVoLGamaEkue_WDwCNcBGAsYHQ/w432-h640/image.png" width="432" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I saw this meme on my Facebook news feed this morning. Yes,
I know that climate change exists. I live less than 10 miles from the Gulf of
Mexico. Still, this was a sobering reminder after reading the weather reports
across the US. Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska got nailed last night with high
winds and tornados in December. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last week, December 10-11<sup>th</sup>, there was another
storm such as this that hit Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky.
It was a historic tornado storm with a 227-mile path with a high death toll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mayfield Kentucky was pretty much wiped off
the map. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The weather this year, starting with the Texas freeze and power
crisis, has been extreme. Our power grid failed, and people died. It wasn’t as
bad in my area because of the Gulf somewhat keeps the area from freezing. We had
rolling blackouts for days. That means water boiling but without any way to
heat the water. We were lucky because we still had water from hurricane season
that we hadn’t used. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we prepared for both winter storms and hurricane season.
Not only are there global issues, we have Texas government issues. So we
decided on a whole house generator after the rolling blackouts and contacted
several companies for quotes. </p><p class="MsoNormal">To make a long story short, we were not the only
ones that decided this. It took 6 months to have one installed and almost 15K
to have it done. Generators don't costs that much, it was the installation. Retro fitting a home is pricey. If it done with the house was built, it would of been less than 5K. The quote was typical for this area. It's expensive to live on the coast. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Currently it’s 75 degrees here and it’s only 9am. We have
the AC on in December. My plants on my patio think it’s spring. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m taking advantage of the weather today…it won’t last. <o:p></o:p></p>~Moon<p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-81828589367436295432021-12-15T14:06:00.004-05:002021-12-15T16:33:46.919-05:00Jan 6th...It happened almost a year ago. Sleepwalking. <p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtypJPOtpl8/YbpewArkVTI/AAAAAAAAKRE/DVNQy1MGATIEPCuRlN8Ee2vPj0cGNexwQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="945" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtypJPOtpl8/YbpewArkVTI/AAAAAAAAKRE/DVNQy1MGATIEPCuRlN8Ee2vPj0cGNexwQCNcBGAsYHQ/w382-h400/image.png" width="382" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CJuAkruHZuC/" target="_blank">Artwork by Veefurgalfox</a></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">This is a combo of a politics and life post. I cannot think
of any facet of American life that politics and technology doesn't touch. </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Just because
a person may avoid politics, politics and its repercussions still effect your
life. It took me a long time to figure that out. Politics touches everything
from our water, air, and our quality of life.</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">There’s a lot of data the pushes the point that our social
media and news creates an echo chamber. Just as people choose their social
network. Which is all true in my opinion but we as adults have made that
choice. I don’t blame social media for example, it’s a personal choice. The
person is getting what they wanted, or they wouldn't be there. Same with the news
they read or watch. It’s easy just to take it pre-digested and not think. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of the big takeaways that I’m seeing on my social media platforms
is people pretending. Pretending that if they don’t pay attention to all the
politics that it will just go away and get better. It’s not going to. This is
how we got here in the first place. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">This attitude also makes me bit frustrated, angry, and resentful
at the same time. Our system moves forward because of a small percentage of
people that volunteer time, effort, and money. I know that I am tired and so are
several people that I know. <o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">Sleepwalking is apathy. </p><p>This is what I wrote on Facebook today...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nifwpMGOetg/Ybo1kbZ6R2I/AAAAAAAAKQc/uD3_J0YE9cM5iFDhU0aCbfSFVRfikbgaQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="694" height="126" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nifwpMGOetg/Ybo1kbZ6R2I/AAAAAAAAKQc/uD3_J0YE9cM5iFDhU0aCbfSFVRfikbgaQCNcBGAsYHQ/w200-h126/image.png" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I’ve been told many times
that it’s time we all come together and talk out our differences. Ok…sure…but
this is the litmus test. At this point, the Jan 6th is a dividing line. There
isn’t a compromise over something like this…this was a failed coup.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">BTW I also don’t see any
compromise over human rights, either we are all Americans with the same rights
or we are not. Deep structure, that’s what this attempted coup was about.</span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">I'm looking around me,
most people are sleeping walking because there's lots of hard questions that
need to be asked and most people don't want to hear the answers. It's the old
cliché of 'Sometimes the stories we want to hear the least are the ones we need
to hear the most.'</span></p><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Thank you for attending my
Ted Talk…</span></p><p></p></blockquote><p>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do I think that conversations like this will make a difference? A strong maybe. A lot depends on who reads it and if they decide to do something like send an email or make a call. Americans have a habit of burying their heads in the sand while thinking it will all work out in the end. No, it's just not going to all work out in the end. Either those responsible for Jan 6th will be held accountable or they won't. If they aren't, most likely it will happen again. </span></p><p>Either way, there will still be division and that division has to be figured out, then resolved one way or another. If not, we become dysfunctional as a nation and as a society, much like dysfunctional families that keep producing dysfunctional family members. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivT0Nhatwiw4tPcdHPpL13dhhwqhyWppNpXxhL7uLr0lg7E0lx8aDG5fSbfTuz_dt0nRObA1iXnZh2LVIRYmgU0yUbovc8j0kjSDi8rEgI4jRfJYhYgK6DlcfRWDkpcz6CXNHVPtARXQHVr5bT-2XdPyOkOH8MPRgvz-JNa6n22JI8Si2Oqfs=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivT0Nhatwiw4tPcdHPpL13dhhwqhyWppNpXxhL7uLr0lg7E0lx8aDG5fSbfTuz_dt0nRObA1iXnZh2LVIRYmgU0yUbovc8j0kjSDi8rEgI4jRfJYhYgK6DlcfRWDkpcz6CXNHVPtARXQHVr5bT-2XdPyOkOH8MPRgvz-JNa6n22JI8Si2Oqfs=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't think most folks realized just how close we came to losing our democracy or now close we still are. One way a democracy turns
into a dictatorship (which has many forms) is though political polarization
teamed with social desperation and/or unhappy elites. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just food for thought. </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GmEM7pmNctY/YbpPVpWDeuI/AAAAAAAAKQk/yfT-wbZ9uPEdSYEB4deiKEj-pKK1rfHKgCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="711" height="328" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GmEM7pmNctY/YbpPVpWDeuI/AAAAAAAAKQk/yfT-wbZ9uPEdSYEB4deiKEj-pKK1rfHKgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h328/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm gonna go make myself feel better by making those calls, texts, emails, and sending a couple fax. </span></p><p>~Moon </p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-10376593906722641992021-12-06T15:14:00.006-05:002021-12-06T15:23:48.306-05:00New iPad experiments...Procreate App...Watercolor Abstracts<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Oh no, a blog post that's not about cats, complaints, or politics. I do other things than read the papers, clean cat boxes, and bitch...but...you wouldn't know that if you looked at my social media or my blog. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I got a new iPad recently and have been trying to get used to the new pencil so I've been doing this little round samplers.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqH4ZSgPB3Z73A3mA8IbQH721bnhBEVRNqctG_MQNFOhHbaBj8aduxJFY90cfE6CM6ujsXS5YtXn6AsBQfnm41FTL1KsUjNXA3z9EMEAoHFxct0b3UOiaTqD___FKflK7HRvl4imqBk3-XJ8x3C9zmgiS_9zHLnVYryDrRkFjG9lJ3uKvuFk8=s1064" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="851" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqH4ZSgPB3Z73A3mA8IbQH721bnhBEVRNqctG_MQNFOhHbaBj8aduxJFY90cfE6CM6ujsXS5YtXn6AsBQfnm41FTL1KsUjNXA3z9EMEAoHFxct0b3UOiaTqD___FKflK7HRvl4imqBk3-XJ8x3C9zmgiS_9zHLnVYryDrRkFjG9lJ3uKvuFk8=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p>I found that I like working in the round too. Anyway, they are a useful experiment. It's taking me a while to get used to that new pencil. I've been using the old one since 2015. </p><p>It's a rainy day here, so I'm gonna play on my iPad, drink some lemonade, and listen to an audiobook. The weather currently is warm enough that we still have the AC on. There's a cold front moving in so tomorrow I might get to wear a sweater. </p><p>Laters, </p><p>~Moon</p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-85690698296644056712021-12-05T12:23:00.001-05:002021-12-05T13:48:36.408-05:00Moments of Clarity and Selective Procrastination<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtM2gBBJ_IA/YazwsqlPZpI/AAAAAAAAKQM/D6F-s1bBu3crIFsbN0JBhGHbRmI_8z1hwCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="297" data-original-width="515" height="231" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtM2gBBJ_IA/YazwsqlPZpI/AAAAAAAAKQM/D6F-s1bBu3crIFsbN0JBhGHbRmI_8z1hwCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h231/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone has those moments
in life that will stick with them forever. Some of those are life milestones
but for me, it’s the odd times that the light bulb goes off or when the pieces
of the puzzle come together. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That moment of clarity and many times it is an ‘aww
fuck’ moment. Like today...Rock, Paper, Scissors games of politics and social engagements. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is this moment of clarity going to ruin my day, nope. Somethings are bigger than me. I'm taking the 'aww fuck' moment and racking it up to experience. Also how I read the room...in other words, look at who benefits from the inaction of any situation and why. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today is going to be an unbothered, staying in
my lane sort of day. I got a new iPad Pro and am still trying to get used to the new pencil. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What I am not doing is cleaning up my email box today. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have literately thousands of emails that I need to clean up. I'm going to selectively procrastinate. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laters, </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Moon</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span></p><br /><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-69017188705273371192021-12-04T15:29:00.000-05:002021-12-04T15:29:31.209-05:00I’m tired, I need me some normal...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dkjbeqYvaM8/Yauv-RIN3NI/AAAAAAAAKQE/FnLlsZOXLsMAh8rfrpgyuW_TcSbpQ6r0gCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dkjbeqYvaM8/Yauv-RIN3NI/AAAAAAAAKQE/FnLlsZOXLsMAh8rfrpgyuW_TcSbpQ6r0gCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="296" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I want my life back...it was a good life before Covid. Being retired really has it's perks but since Covid is a virus and doing what a virus does, I've had to depend on people doing the right thing. Well, that's not gonna happen. More so since I live in Texas. </p><p>I can go on a rant here about the various reasons but why. Does know the reasons make me any less pissed, nope. Am I ever going to forgive family, ex-friends, and locals for not masking up and getting vaccinated? No, I'm not and I'm honest with myself to realize that. It's partly a trust issue and partly an asshat issue. People have choices and choices have consequences. </p><p>Is it all doom and gloom here, nope. It's just part of my day, small part of what is in the back of my mind but it's something I want to remember and not give it a pass. </p><p>I feel like I've been punished for doing the right thing and for being a responsible person. Am I panicked or doom scrolling, no. Am I frustrated, yes. This is my hubby's birthday, he decided it wasn't worth going out to celebrate. I can't say much, I felt the same way in September. It was during a Covid spike locally. </p><p>We have also changed over the last 18 or so months. Neither one of us wants to deal with the noise of a lot of people. Same with sitting in an overpacked restaurant with a bunch of kids that parents don't watch. A lot of it is we weren't found of it before, now it's a hard pass. </p><p>Now that the omicron variant is out during the holiday season, the odds are is that it's going to be more of the same repeating cycle. I just read that the omicron variant has picked up genetic material from the common cold. This suggests it will have a greater transmissibility but lower virulence than the other variants. In some ways, that sounds great but I'm not so sure. It can also be more resistant to vaccines sooner or later. Viruses want to live, that is their entire focus. It can also mutate again and again unless people get the vaccine. Same ol'tired cliché but it depends on people. </p><p>To me it's looking like another perfect storm to overwhelm hospitals and create even more staff shortage. Too many healthcare workers here will not and don't have to be vaccinated. That's another trust issue for me. Geez, healthcare workers that don't believe in science. Then there's those that are using religious reasons, which doesn't make sense in why they would be in healthcare in the first place. </p><p>Maybe my mood is the result of pandemic burnout...or maybe I'm just tired of asshats in general...or maybe I just want to plan a vacation and not worry I have to cancel again which is a huge pain in the ass. </p><p>The bright side is that I'm taking the time out to read more. There's a lot of bright sides but I'm focused on reading because that's next on my agenda. </p><p>Laters,</p><p>~Moon </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 20px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-29361310234550316172021-12-03T11:47:00.002-05:002021-12-03T12:08:34.268-05:00Thoughts over morning coffee...change...New Texas Law, medical abortion meds<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-16txoo1kaEU/YapEG53U0pI/AAAAAAAAKP4/51GHJ602vD06jYPhHXdDflDxJHhyPmt4QCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-16txoo1kaEU/YapEG53U0pI/AAAAAAAAKP4/51GHJ602vD06jYPhHXdDflDxJHhyPmt4QCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Congress or any elected
politician won’t do their jobs until the American people tell them to do it.
Until that happens, we will see more of the same of what we are currently see.
We will see more gun violence, removal of human rights, lack of good
healthcare, lack of clean water, etc, etc, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So when the American
people have had enough, hopefully they will start making their voices heard.
Until that happens, I expect things to continue the same. Hell, people don't
even care enough to vote, I can't see them contacting an elected politician.
LoL Do I sound jaded, yeah I am.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bottomline is that we
either make a lot of noise in mass or we accept what is handled to us. The
American people, even smaller sections like professions (the concept of unions
for example), have a tremendous amount of power when they make the choice to
use it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No, I am not an advocate
of violence, not ever. I’m really not a
supporter of protests unless it also includes other actions of communication
with politician by way of calling, emails, and fax. Protests don’t make the impact like they used
to. Unless they are huge, the type that include shutdowns. Those might only be a one trick pony in this day in age.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is the reason for my
personal Ted Talk? As of yesterday,
Texas now restricts the use of abortion-inducing medication. Here’s the info
from the <a href="https://www.texastribune.org/2021/12/02/texas-ban-medical-abortion/?fbclid=IwAR2ly7gFvsbcP9io2m_gkLNcPUDBGsa05qXylxGCiyQVGHD4zmaqJKFDkOc" target="_blank">Texas Tribune</a> if you are interested. Medical abortion is the most common kind of abortion and now it's a felony to provide medically prescribed drugs used after 7 weeks. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wouldn't be surprised, pissed but not surprised, that morning after pills and birth control restriction legislation is introduced. Do I sound like a '</span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">hysterical</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">' woman? LoL No, not really. My opinion is based on the past couple of decades that the endgame is to promote a 'religious' concept of life begins at conception. Read the room.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last couple of days, I've been writing about more political issues. Maybe I'm just frustrated over what is currently happening. I doubt I that this blog is going to turn into a daily political rant but it does make me think deeper in regards to that vein of thought. No, most likely it will include daily fun stuff like photos and my artsy endeavors. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">End of my cup of coffee...time to get a few things done. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Laters,</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">~Moon</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32655627.post-79363542652598788782021-12-02T14:42:00.000-05:002021-12-02T14:42:23.171-05:00Today, I’m saying I told you so.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uP5aimkWu6c/YakMteKpZ4I/AAAAAAAAKPo/dhO8-dCbDwEpT4SK2lE6tII0m1-UH3C1gCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="843" height="395" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uP5aimkWu6c/YakMteKpZ4I/AAAAAAAAKPo/dhO8-dCbDwEpT4SK2lE6tII0m1-UH3C1gCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h395/image.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;">Quote by Hillary Clinton. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A person asked me today if Democrats
on the Hill would do something about nuking the filibuster so that Women's Health Protection Act, Freedom to Vote
Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act could pass. Or to protect Roe?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">My answer was:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Only if there is a lot of
noise/pressure in doing so. If not, the push will be for another Blue Wave by
Dem voters and fundraising by Dem politicians. My iPhone has been going bonkers with fundraising texts, I'm afraid to look at my email box. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">All while the Independents, the
people that actually win elections, throw their hands in the air and ask
themselves why did they even bother to vote. I'm not seeing a lot of noise even
on social media so I doubt there will be a lot of calls or emails sent to make
that noise possible. As of today, I have been seeing some on Twitter and some on TikTok. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It boils down to if Roe or
voting rights are gutted, Dems will unlikely protect those rights but they will
run on them in 2022. So the cycle repeats and Roe becomes a zombie. I sure like
to be wrong about this one.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So where does the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">reasonability</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> lie in this issue? In my opinion, it’s mostly a party leadership issue, mainly it falls on Biden and Schumer then. Pelosi has done a pretty good
job of keeping House Dems on point and trying to give me a better life. I thank her for standing her ground on the vaccine mandate issue. I want my life back and this is one of the first steps for that, since I live in Texas.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UpHcsq1dQ0/YakhLoXhvII/AAAAAAAAKPw/K74-ijJYr18yaKS_lO3OuRppyi4jt-laQCNcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="291" data-original-width="713" height="262" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4UpHcsq1dQ0/YakhLoXhvII/AAAAAAAAKPw/K74-ijJYr18yaKS_lO3OuRppyi4jt-laQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h262/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The American people also have a say in this and a responsibility. Their choices at this point is either get noisy or be willing to take what is handed down to them. I have no doubt that it will be very painful to many people in the future if there isn't a lot of noise. It's not like people haven't been warned, all they have to do is read the news.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">I remember being told in
2016 that I was crazy and being a drama queen about this very issue. I remember about being gutted when RBG passed away and was told I was overacting. Today, I’m saying I told you so. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After the arguments yesterday, I'm betting that Obergefell is toast and
Lawrence is probably done as well. Time will tell. A lot can happen because there's still a possibility for change. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started getting involved in 1976, my freshman year of college. I have lost track of the amount of money in donations, the number of emails, the phone calls, texts, office visits, the protests, the number of doors I've knocked on, etc, etc, etc...that's 45 years of doing and yesterday finally wore me out. I've taken time off during those 45 years and I'm wondering if it's time to take another break. There's part of me that says just cut back and give a little time to Beto's Gov run. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not even sure people read blogs any more, I don't care either. This is for me so that I remember just how sad I am over yesterday and so I don't normalized the day. The days of WTFs seem to be running together. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Laters,</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Moon</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p></div><p></p>Moon Stumpphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12602832349273762785noreply@blogger.com