Category: More Topics

40 Reasons To Smile

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40 Reasons To Smile

40 Reasons To Smile

D. S. Mitchell

Relish Routine

Here at Calamity Politics, a Wednesday is pretty much the same as a Friday, or a Sunday.  I’m not complaining. In fact, I relish it. I am an individual that loves routine. Up at 5:00, in the pool @5:45, walk the dog at 7:30, coffee @8:30. @9:00 I start scanning the internet for breaking news on the Trump fiasco, going on in the White House. I turn on CNN or MSNBC to get their view of the situation. If it’s a big scandal, I’ll turn on FOX to get their spin. I usually leave the TV playing in the background. You get the idea.

Things That Make Me Smile

But, at least once a week, I stop, and consciously think about how blessed I am, and all the things in life that make me happy; those things that never fail to bring a smile to my face.  Here’s 40 Things That Made Me Smile Today:

  1.  Painting old furniture; giving something old a new life
  2.  Danish Brie and California Chardonnay
  3.  New shoes; makes me want to dance
  4.  Nap time
  5.  Visiting the Planetarium
  6.  Palladian style windows, a whisper of elegance
  7.  Flower baskets in bloom
  8.  The Celtic Cross
  9.  My dog, Lily
  10.  Whales and elephants
  11.  A box of old black and white photos, worth more than gold to see my daddy again
  12.  Taking a Community College class and pulling an A
  13.  Towel warmers in the bathroom
  14.   Reading my daily horoscope
  15.   The Bobble-Head toys in the back window of my friend’s car
  16.   The newspaper. A real newspaper, one that I touch, that I unfold, that I read over coffee
  17.   Street musicians
  18.   YSL Black Opium, perfume
  19.   Glass bowl filled with sun bleached shells
  20.   Three-day week-ends
  21.   My new iPhone
  22.   Wall size antique mirrors
  23.   The delicate beauty of Orchids
  24.   Travel magazines
  25.   Roller coasters
  26.   Drawstring sweat pants
  27.   Little boxes of Sunshine raisins
  28.   Hummingbirds feeding in my garden
  29.   Patsy Cline on my play list
  30.   The muted colors of Madras fabric
  31.   Holding a baby in my arms
  32.   Sharing a banana split with a calorie counting friend
  33.   A handmade greeting card
  34.   Author book signings
  35.   Reading scandal magazines at the grocery checkout stand
  36.   Having help with a big job, four hands are always better than two, if you have six, all the better
  37.   My kitchen junk drawer
  38.   Wrist corsage
  39.  Pagodas in the mist
  40.  Fog horns in the night

The  Protests Go On

I’m about to go watch the kids fly their kites. It is just about a perfect day for kite flying; clear sky, great breeze and a strangely lonely beach for this time of year.   Have a great week, and remember we always have time, to smile. I’m hoping that while you are grinning ear-to-ear you are busy planning for the July 17, 2025, “Good Trouble Lives On” protest. Make a new sign, The protest will be the fifth national day of protest against the Trump administration. The protest will also honor Civil Rights activist icon, congressman, John Lewis. Turn out; make your voices heard. No cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, VA benefits, SNAP or Child Tax Credits. Call your congressman/woman tell them to stop the Big Ugly Bill.

Join the New Resistance

Two Calls a Day

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Two Calls a Day

I've committed to making 2 calls a day to my representative in the U.S. House of Representatives

Two Calls a Day

By D.S. Mitchell

 

I have vowed to make calls to both my representative’s local and DC’s offices each weekday for the next month. I’m encouraging you all to do the same. Tell these guys we will not stand for a cut in the safety net services to benefit the oligarchs. If you don’t know who your rep is, or how to get hold of them, you can get all that information on the internet.

You won’t be able to talk to your rep, but one of his staffers will chat you up. So, be nice.

Tell your rep:

-No cuts to Medicaid

-No cuts to Medicare

-No cuts to Social Security

-No cuts to VA benefits & services

-No cuts to SNAP

-No cuts to Childcare Tax Credits

-No increase to defense spending

-No tax cuts for billionaires and corporations

 

 

More Woman of a Certain Age Wisdom, Vol 112

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More Woman of a Certain Age Wisdom, Vol 112

Woman of a Certain Age Wisdom, Vol 112

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1.   If you recall the opening of the first drive through in the area, you might just be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If Jean Nate, Youth Dew, Chanel Number Five, Sweet Honesty, Love’s Baby Soft, or Charlie are your favorite fragrances…
  3. If you have been to a drive-in movie on date night…
  4. If you know what a rumble seat is…
  5. If your date ever ran out of gas…or had a flat tire…
  6. If you know where Superman changed his clothes…
  7. If you ever used a pay phone…
  8. If you know what a toll call was…
  9. If you had a long distance calling plan…
  10. If you still have a landline…
  11. If you know what a landline is…or a party line…
  12. If you used Noxzema to wash your face, Sea Breeze to tone and Clearasil cream…
  13. If you ever pinched your cheeks in lieu of blusher…
  14. If you refer to blusher as rouge…
  15. If you have been using Maybelline Great Lash Mascara since you were a teenager…
  16. If you had an original Baby Alive or Susie Cute doll…
  17. If you had an original Barbie, Ken, Midge, or Alan doll…
  18. If your first car was a Mustang…
  19. If you attended the Barbizon or Powers School of Modeling and Finishing…
  20. If you know that a permanent wave is actually a perm…
  21. If you can sing and do the dance steps to the “Who wears short shorts, Nair for short shorts” jingle…
  22. If you still use cold cream or rose milk lotion…
  23. If you take Geritol vitamins…
  24. If you recall when hair mousse first came on the scene…
  25. If you call flip flops thongs…
  26. If you own a bathing cap, especially one with a rubber pink or orange flower…
  27. “Curlers in your hair, shame on you” – if you own curlers that don’t heat…
  28. If you ever made a jello mold…
  29. If you ever set your hair with flat beer…or rolled your hair on those super size cans…
  30. If you ever used a homemade egg white facial mask….

Let’s Get Off the Couch

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Let’s Get Off the Couch

Let’s Get Off the Couch

By D. S. Mitchell 

 

One to the Solar Plexus

Trump’s 2024 election victory hit me like a Mac truck. I wasn’t just physically devastated; I was psychologically traumatized. All those rallies, all those meetings, all those phone calls, all those yard signs, all those donations; all for nothing. Quite truthfully, that first week after the election I huddled on the couch with my Teddy, a soft blankie, and a fifth of Johnnie Walker within easy reach. What now? I worried.

BS and Bluster

I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. It’s clear, Trump’s solution to high meat and egg prices is to seize Greenland, annex Canada, institute tariffs on our two biggest trading partners Mexico and Canada, send American troops to secure the Panama Canal, from what we are not sure of, and then Trump’s desire to take over Gaza from Israel. With billions in investment capital and an army of bulldozers Trump states he will turn the rubble of Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. Of course the displacement of the 2.14 million Palestinians is illegal and Trump himself admits that  U.S. military intervention may be required. Before the uproar over that absurdity quieted down, Trump told Ukrainians that they needed to be ready to guarantee the supply of more rare earth metals in exchange for our continued support in their fight against Putin.

Google On

Until this week, lawmakers, even Democrats, have been telling us to please just relax, Trump won’t be able to do any of these things; it’s just the old guy hyping the unpredictable and outrageous to keep us all off balance and unsure of what to do in response to his reckless disregard for our laws and our institutions. Well, Google took him seriously, and so have the oligarchs in waiting. Google announced it will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. The richest people in the country are lining up to give financial support to the Orange One. Talk about bending the knee and kissing the ring. What I’d say, we have here is bending of the knee and kissing the ass. I don’t think we have time to sit back and wait, they are moving through the government departments with a wrecking ball.

Critical Action

Get up off the couch, drop the Teddy, put the bottle of Johnnie Walker down and start calling your friends and neighbors. It’s up to us to form an effective response to Trump’s lawless approach to government. Let’s get moving, we have a democracy to save.

Women of a Certain Age-January 2025

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Women of a Certain Age-January 2025

Women of a Certain Age – January 2025 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1.  If you call Lean Cuisine a TV dinner, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If you know who Papa Bauer is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  3. If you are no longer young but still restless, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  4. If you ever wore curlers under a scarf to the A&P, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  5. If you ever shopped at the A&P, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  6. If you ever wore a Peter Pan collar, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  7. If you know what a Peter Pan collar is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  8. If you ever wore Mary Janes and know that Mary Jane was Lucy’s sidekick, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  9. If your hair was ever as big as Texas, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  10. If you are a fan of Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  11. If you can name the tune that starts out “Hey, Hey”, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  12. If you ever carried a plastic rain bonnet in a small pouch in your purse, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  13. If you ever owned a collapsible drinking cup (mine was pink), you might be a woman of a certain age…
  14. If you feel undressed without a hat, pearls, and gloves, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  15. If you call fat-free milk, skim milk, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  16. If you still use a Day Runner and physical address book, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  17. If you ever baked a tunnel of fudge cake for the holidays, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  18. If you ever owned Sarah Coventry jewelry, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  19. If you know who Sarah Coventry is, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  20. If you call flight attendants, stewardesses, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  21. If you call administrative assistants, secretaries, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  22. If you know what razor company’s name says “Merry Christmas”, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  23. If you ever had a pet rock, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  24. If you ever did a Zoom do, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  25. If you ever received a Whitman Sampler for Valentine’s Day, you might be a woman of a certain age…

Re-Branding the World Map

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Re-Branding the World Map

Re-Branding the World Map

 

By D.S. Mitchell

I don’t know if it’s true but someone in the front office of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stated in a press release on Saturday that he  would be changing the name of the Atlantic Ocean. The PM proposed the following moniker for the Atlantic Ocean, “England’s great big fucking pond.” His other proposed name changes include changing the name of the Bering Sea to honor Elizabeth II. He thinks it makes sense to rename it  the Queen Elizabeth Sea. And while he’s at it the Prime Minister,  apparently has also decided to rename Niagara Falls. The new name will be King Charles’ Falls.

It wasn’t ten minutes later that I heard more news on the escalating battle of name changes. King Willem-Alexander, of the Netherlands, entered the fray declaring his intent to rename the City of America, Netherlands, population 2,200 to Juarez, Netherlands. Now these people aren’t just mocking Trump, they are mocking all of us for being dumb enough to give Trump a second chance to destroy the country.

Resolve to Resist the Trump Machine in 2025

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25 Ways I Resolve to Resist in 2025

Today's word is Resist

25 Ways I Resolve to Resist in 2025

Editor: I’ve been told that a majority of voters elected Trump in 2024, but that doesn’t mean I agree with the results; and I know there are millions more just like Cate and Calamity who will continue the Resistance campaign against Trump and the big money funding until this abomination to our constitution can be brought under control.  Fuck the oligarchs. Fuck Citizen’s United. Fuck the Project 2025 agenda.

By Cate Rees-Hessel

Resolute in Resolution

This year my New Year’s resolutions involve resisting the threat to our democracy because, “when we fight, we win.” We can still wish one another a happy New Year, despite the impending doom. I will not watch the inauguration – instead I will scrub my toilet and scoop my cat’s litter box. I pray a fervent prayer for peace and a miracle to occur to prevent “The Donald” from taking office. President Biden has promised to not pardon the orange-haired monster. Will VP Harris refuse to certify the convicted felon’s election because of January 6th? I hope so; but I know she will do what she is supposed to do, perform the ceremony.

Do the Right Thing, Not Right Wing…

First, starting from within, I resolve to eat more fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as exercise more often; I never make a resolution to lose weight. I will continue to be kind hearted but set boundaries. I resolve to adopt a resilient attitude and not let malicious words hurt me. I will keep a stiff upper lip while remaining compassionate. I resolve to practice forgiveness and hope to be forgiven in return. I will concentrate on my loved ones and furbabies, not those that I barely tolerate. I will strive to be a ray of sunshine, but I shall scream when faced with adversity because a good loud yell is sometimes the answer to challenges. I intend to pray even more and trust God’s promises.

Resolve to Resist

I resolve to prioritize self care in the coming months because self care is not selfish, it is imperative as we face the stressful and frightening times ahead with a second term of Trump. I have not forgot his first term and the problems that are still arising four years later due to his mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic and building of the border wall, just to name a couple of his horrific faux pas. We must move forward, soldier on, difficult though it may seem. Here are my resolutions for 2025:

  1. I resolve again to never call Donald Trump, “President”.
  2. I resolve again to never call Melania Trump, “First Lady” because she is no lady.
  3. I resolve to resist at every opportunity.
  4. I resolve to wear pearls daily, and Chucks for Kamala Harris often, not just on “Inauguration Day”.
  5. I resolve to take a stand for human rights, because, “when we fight, we win”…
  6. I resolve to stand against racism.
  7. I resolve to take a stand for women’s rights.
  8. I resolve to take a stand for LGBTQ rights.
  9. I resolve to take a stand for dreamers’ rights.
  10. I resolve to take a stand for immigrants rights, because, “when we fight, we win”…
  11. I resolve to take a stand for our democracy.
  12. I resolve to take a stand against dictators.
  13. I resolve to take a strong stand against Donald Trump and JD Vance.
  14. I resolve that I will post and write against the Republican extremist regime.
  15. I resolve to join in peaceful protests against Trump and his minions, because, “when we fight, we win”…
  16. I resolve to be a light in the darkness that threatens our freedom.
  17. I resolve to put my faith in God, not in an anti-Christ like Donald Trump.
  18. I resolve to stop doing business with those supporting MAGA conservatives.
  19. I resolve to resist Elon Musk and all the others that are pulling Trump’s strings.
  20. I resolve to continue to question the election results, because, “when we fight, we win”…
  21. I resolve to also continue to question the alleged “assassination” attempts on Donald Trump in Butler PA and the golf course.
  22. I resolve to vote for Democrats to take back the house and Senate in 2026.
  23. I resolve to say, “I told you so”, to those that voted for Trump when food prices don’t go down and tariffs make prices unaffordable.
  24. I resolve to take a stand against Putin and all the dictators worldwide.
  25. My new years resolutions for 2025 must include resisting Project 2025, because, “when we fight, we win”…

Stay Strong and Positive

Let’s face the coming days ahead with optimism, building each other up, not tearing each other down. I will face the year embracing self love and trusting my heavenly Father.

I dedicate this article to a true man of God and a sincere humanitarian, President Jimmy Carter.  I had the extreme pleasure of seeing him in person twice, and the humble honor of him being the first person I ever voted for. Rest in peace to a real servant of the people…

 

A Woman of a Certain Age: Political Edition

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A Woman of a Certain Age :

                      The Political Edition…

 

A Woman of a Certain Age:

                     The Political Edition…

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1. If you campaigned for Shirley Chisholm, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If you know who Shirley Chisholm is…
  3. If you brought a folding chair to the table…
  4. If you campaigned for Mondale/Ferrara…
  5. If you’re not going back…
  6. If you voted against Reaganomics…
  7. If you know what Reaganomics is,  just think “trickle down.”
  8. If you think President Biden is a hottie…
  9. If you think Donald Trump is a hottie, ewwwww – you actually need a comprehensive eye exam, at the very least…
  10. If you’re not going back…
  11. If you stood on street corners in the sun and rain to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, going to bat for girls in sports…
  12. If despite your aches and pains, you are still willing to stand on street corners in the sun and rain again to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, and girls/women in sports…
  13. If you can remember when women couldn’t get credit in their own names…
  14. If you voted for Jimmy Carter…
  15. If you’re not going back…
  16. If you subscribed to Ms. Magazine…
  17. If you know who Gloria Steinem is…
  18. If you’re old enough to be JD Vance‘s mother or grandmother, but glad you aren’t…
  19. If you thought we would finally see a women President after years of fighting for a female when Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris gave it their all…
  20. If you’re not going back…
  21. If you want your daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters to have equality and inclusion…
  22. If you quote Eleanor Roosevelt, Roslyn Carter, or Jackie Kennedy Onassis…
  23. If you think Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone…
  24. If you remember that awful day in Dallas when President John Kennedy was assassinated…
  25. If you’re not going back…
  26. If you were a founding member of NOW…
  27. If you remember Watergate…
  28. If ever wore a POW/MIA bracelet…
  29. If you are a “childless cat lady”…
  30. If you have ever been barefoot and pregnant, but your daughters and granddaughters are wearing shoes because you fought for freedom…
  31. If you ever declared, “we are young, good looking, we’ll be there”, and you’re empowered because you were there…
  32. If you’re not going back…
  33. If you attended Woodstock or Live Aid…
  34. If you participated in Hands Across America…
  35. If you never joined a protest in your youth but felt compelled to do so during Trump’s original term, please do so again…
  36. If you campaigned against the swimsuit competition in the Miss America pageant…
  37. If you’re not going back…
  38. If you supported Vanessa Williams when the scandal broke…
  39. If you thought Party Hearst might have possibly been not guilty…
  40. If you feel “Hell no, we won’t go” bubbling from your soul, because we are “NOT GOING BACK”…

Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town

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Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town 

Introducing Cosmos. The talkative crow from Oregon.

Cosmo, The Talking Crow Comes To Town

Editors Note: While I was scrounging around looking for a Thanksgiving story I came across the story of Cosmo the Talking Crow that I reported on back in 2021. Cosmo (or maybe it’s Connie) brought a smile to a lot of people’s faces. So here, once again, is Cosmo’s story of a bad Thanksgiving vacation.

 

Oregon State Police called in on a foul mouthed crow 

By D. S. Mitchell

Down State Noise
Normally, the goings on in Grant’s Pass, Oregon, never gain the attention of the big city folks of Portland, Seattle, or LA.   Last week however, we here on the west coast got a bit of a smile as we learned about the antics of a rogue, rough talking, four letter word tossing, crow.  You read that right.  A crow. As the story goes, out of the blue a friendly, albeit attention seeking crow, showed up in town.  According to reports the first place the crow was spotted was on top of the Planet Fitness building, where he would talk to people entering and exiting the facility. Drawing both laughter and a raised finger or two.
Moving On
Apparently dissatisfied with the Planet Fitness digs our talkative and colorfully articulate bird looked around for friendlier faces.  He seemed to find what he was looking for when he found the Allen Dale Elementary School in late November.  It didn’t take long before he was the resident mascot. The news became public when Naomi Imel, an assistant at the school called in the story to the Oregonian on 12/09/2021. Lizzie  Acker 503-221-8052, lacker@Oregonian.com was the featured reporter who followed up on the feathered friend story.

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