Aptly put by Win McCormack, editor in chief of The New Republic on TNR: I think (Trump) aspires to reduce every aspect of excellence in the country to a level of mediocrity, which is to say, down to his very own level. 

Woke to a light covering of snow and then a flurry for a couple of hours. Street stayed clear.

Made a spinach and cheese quiche. Almost threw out a roll of goat cheese because it had spots and smelled weird until I noticed it contains truffles. I’ve never had them before and probably won’t eat them again. Also roasted squash with Sumac; disappointing.

Walmart messaged that they’d filled my script for Omeprazole. Took Jett for a ride, picked up the med along with a couple of inexpensive salad mixes. We had one for supper.

Ron was able to reattach the little shelf in the bedroom. It was a difficult job which is probably why the prior owner never got around to it.

My contribution to the family’s health and welfare was to vacuum the living room, boil eggs for lunch and make a hot meal for supper: a can of lentil and vegetable soup, potatoes, onions, peppers and a half a cup of farro. We finished it but were hungry afterwards.

It rained all day which was not pleasant but certainly safer travel without snow. Ron did a hardware and grocery shop and took Jett out for fetch a couple of times.

Someone said “The South Has Risen Again” and it reminded me of a time in a company meeting that I blurted out “The South will rise again.” It was a hope for change and now it’s happened. I want to get in touch with one of the people in the meeting who had the kindness to say that I didn’t really understand what that meant.

Decent yesterday for Memorial Day observations, raining this morning.

I’d worked on the frig for at least two days before I finished yesterday. It was a horrible mess.

The frig parts that are removable were too big for the kitchen sink, so I used the butler sink in the bathroom. It’s awkward and doesn’t have a sprayer. Misery.

Ron did some more raking but the transfer station was closed.

So Pete Hegseth found yet another way to disgrace himself by taking selfies and bringing a laughing moron to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – on Memorial Day.

Meanwhile, Trump used the opportunity to insult former presidents and brag about himself.

Installed the new shelf in the frig. It seemed to be narrower by a fraction but after fiddling, it works.

Cut down the Joe Pye and lilies.

Lunch and presentation by the Town’s new Communications Director at the Senior Center. Very friendly woman, enjoyed chatting with her as we gobbled down our pasta and garlic bread. More changes: Sarah is leaving the end of the month to take a job at the Adams Senior Center, close to home for her.

Visited the library to see Andi’s metal artwork. Hoped to visit the new Maker Space but it was not open.

Ron did more raking.

We seem to have lost one of the cheeses we bought at Cricket Creek Farm. Can’t figure out where it went.

Looks like rain and snow this Friday and Saturday, Nor’easter.

After I unplugged a space heater from the bathroom outlet, I noticed that the plug was hot. Messaged the electrician who did a ton of work for us a couple of years ago. He’s coming over to check it out on Monday. Will also fix the outlet in Ron’s “little room”.

There was a lot of activity across the street last week. I wondered if it was hospice.

Turns out our neighbor had passed away. He was the director of the senior center and very active in the town. It’ll be strange not to see him again.

Up since 6:30.

Tossed four mice into the woods this morning. Reset and rebated the traps under the sink and in the basement.

Did laundry, changed sheets. Wet mopped the kitchen floor, dusted the living room, did a little reading.

Ron worked on the little shelves in the bedroom. He got one firmly anchored and halfway to anchored on the other.

The new frig shelf arrived; it fits.

Got to the farm store in time for a pretty sunset, got home before dark.

Walmart delivery dropped off two meds and a few groceries.

Left shoulder is killing me. I did not sleep well last night. Thinking about setting up the bed in the office/spare room.

Saw a nice interview with Congressman-elect Wellman who is also a Meidas host. Great podcast with Michael Popok and Lisa Graves on the possibility of Lame Duck SCOTUS nominations or even Recess Appointments.

Lisa Graves thinks this would have to happen next week to meet the anticipated timeline for a review by the FBI unless they find a nominee who has been cleared recently.

I believe she said Coney Barrett was confirmed in 30 days. The average is 55 days. From November 9, that would be December 28. Congress is not in session for Thanksgiving week and is in recess on December 19. I believe the new Congress begins on January 3, 2027. In any event, this legislative session only has about 23 working days left not counting weekends.

We arrived late to the Second Congregational Brunch but were warmly greeted and enjoyed both conversation and the homemade dishes.

Afterwards we shopped at the Farmers Market, the last outdoor market of the year. Ron bought us a gigantic loaf of bread which I froze in pieces as well as pastries and raspberry jam.

Ron and Jett did a walk up the hill and several sessions of “fetch”. I did nothing but watch political videos for the rest of the day. A lot to assimilate: as Jen Psaki put it, “I’ve been mainlining election results.”

I’m waiting for the defeat of Lauren Boebert, Virginia “Shut Up” Foxx and Cindy Hyde-Smith to be official as well as the final results of the Alaska Senate race.

Ron raked and brought four bags of leaves to the transfer station. I removed daylily foliage, front and back, and attached the rose bush to the trellis. It’s been mild so I moved the plants from the sunroom to the deck so I could water them.

We both played fetch with the naughty dog who raided the wastebasket in our bedroom while we were out.

We had mac and cheese and salad for lunch at the Food Project then picked up two different bottles of California Syrah and after that my med at Walmart.

Leftovers for supper.

Watched more political news. Read a bit more of On Writing.

Ran into a problem with Chrome, a stupid popup window. Windows Defender claims it is working. Turned off Chrome messaging.

Can’t figure out when I bought Jett’s Seresto flea collar so not sure when to buy a new one. Might have been in June. Chewy package arrived today with Jett’s food.

Ron thinks he swallowed one of his crowns. Made appointment with the dentist next Wednesday.

Checked out a $700,000+ house in Williamstown on North Hoosac Road. Have been curious about it for weeks. Fabulous house but the driveway must be a nightmare in Winter.

A Democratic Senator in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Iowa, Maine, Kansas, North and South Carolina.

Seven flips.

Republicans lost the House and the Senate.

Redistricting failed.

The corruption message got through to voters.

After absorbing the news, we brought Jett to his 3-month grooming appointment. While he was there we enjoyed wine sampling at Balderdash Cellar. We were especially pleased with a Syrah from Edna Valley, California. Picked up subs at an Angelina’s on the way back.