Blood Donation today

Had a really good three day stint with Marie and Eli this week.  They were reasonably happy in the morning and liked the dinners I prepared.  We got to schools on time and Marie to her safety post.  This cannot continue.  I believe that rain and snow and grumpy kids will follow in our next cycle.  My homemade pizza and the simple chicken soup I constructed were a hit.  I am always thrilled when my food is enjoyed.  Whether I want to admit it or not, I am a people pleaser.  This is a photo of Simon I too yesterday, saying "get up!" or "you looking at me?"  The animals I deal with are always happy to see me, even Simon.

Going to the Troy Community Center today to donate blood.  It is one of the more positive things I do.  Yes it is uncomfortable but the help it can provide to a sick or injured person cannot be measured.  If you are not fearful of needles and can lie still for about 30 minutes, do this.  Your day will be brighter knowing you maybe saved someone.  This is my pitch for today.

Day 2

Finished up breakfast and getting ready for the day.  Had a 6 mile walking day yesterday and it felt good after an inactive few.  I need to continue this. We went to Renshaw's after my donation yesterday for a midday lunch.  All was well and our favorite waitress was tending to us. Food was good as always.  Then some half loaded guy in his sixties came up to our booth and started talking about himself and how he grew up in Clawson but did not know anyone in town, kind of out of the blue. He was friendly enough so we let him go on about his life and finally he departed out the door. We looked at each other and said "what the f*ck was that?"  I concluded that he saw my pretty smiling wife and started his story, probably too drunk to notice me.

Completed "Wild Bill", a BritBox series of 6 episodes starring Rob Lowe as a transplanted American police officer installed as Chief Constable in a small district in the UK.  Its a good series with wonderfully understated British cast and worth watching.  Lowe shows himself as a journeyman actor portrays a father of a teenage daughter realistically confused.  

Have you ever watched a presentation that left you devastated?  Where it appears all hope is lost?  "Dopesick" is such a presentation about opiod addiction and the Sackler family that ran Purdue Pharma.  The company made massive profits selling and promoting a drug that was killing people even taking it at prescribed doses.  They are bigger drug pushers than El Chapo and killing more citizens. 

This is a real story that unfolded in the early 2000's with numerous lawsuits and maneuvering. The FDA and some members of Congress have culpability.  I have not researched the story enough to see if literary license was take on some of the plot.  I do know that the no member of the Sackler family can be held accountable civilly in any future action  as shown in the most recent ruling.  This is another case where money wins over all.  

In the latest development, the company was dissolved Into bankruptcy as of September 1st 2021 and he family was ordered to pay 4.5 billion dollars to victims.  Most of the Sackler money is parked in offshore accounts which frustrated the ruling judge. President Richard Sackler admits to no wrongdoing. 

I usually don't get this real in my comments.  My stories are mostly about hiking in the park and leaves falling from the trees.  Being holed up in the apartment does not serve my creative impulses well with nothing but the walls, the tv, and planning  my next meal to occupy my thoughts.  Moving outside really helps. The morning and early afternoon were resplendent in breezes and sunshine, I need to learn not to waste them.

all for now

stay safe