Elections in America and Ireland

 

The United States is going through the most bizarre election cycle in my lifetime and most likely in its history. A convicted felon who is a fascist and wants to be a dictator against a female prosecutor who wants to be the country's mamala. You couldn't have more extreme opponents. And it's so frustrating because half the population actually supports him. It is the closest polling election ever. There are only 10 days to go now, and every celebrity is out there stomping to their own themes.

Donald Trump knows he has to win or he's going to jail for the rest of his life. Stupid Elon Musk knows Trump has to win or Elon will be taxed to eternity. 

Kamala Harris knows she has to win to save America from Trump. And all of Trump's colleagues from the last administration are saying she has to win for the same reason. 

Meanwhile, JD Vance is just waiting to invoke Article 25 of the Constitution to declare Trump unfit for office: 

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

I'm sure Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is ready to step in as VP and assist in implementing Project 2025. It's a scary time in America. 

I'm so glad we live in Ireland where the biggest threat is Fianna Fáil trying to position itself to win more votes than Fine Gael, but they are actually closely aligned. I don't think it's the best government we could have but at least it's civil. Amen to that. 

Storm Ashley

 On Sunday, the first named storm of the winter season took its toll on Ireland. Hitting on a weekend of astronomically high tides, the flooding potential was significant. Thankfully, Storm Ashley, with winds gusting up to 79.9 knots (92 mph), did only minor damage. We lost a piece of a shingle off our roof. Other than the house and vineyard being coated with salt, limbs of trees down, and seaweed on the driveway, we came away unscathed. And our BYD Seal keep the refrigerators and freezers, mobiles and led lights  going for the 36 hours that we were without power. Bi-directional charging is here and we love it. 

Polytunnel unscathed

Indian Summer in Ireland

A high-pressure ridge is parked over Ireland this week and we are experiencing summer, finally! It is warm and sunny, dry and calm. I hope the sun will help raise the sugar content of the grapes for this will be the latest harvest by far. 

I picked rowan and elder berries and made a jelly to have with meats in winter. The tomatoes are plentiful finally and the raspberries and blackberries have been a delight. Late but appreciated.

Cousins visiting

 

My cousin Maria, aka Mishka, visited last month with two of her daughters and one son-in-law. We had just been to the youngest daughter's wedding in Florida in November. Mishka and I were closest in age among the cousins growing up in Philly and we were pretty close. She was my favourite cousin and her daughters became my favourite second cousins: the 'Mishky', Ara, Lesia and Talia, but Lesia couldn't come. It was great fun showing them around, but at only two nights and one full day, a whirlwind!

Mishka was born en route, the daughter of my father's brother. She spent her early years in Australia before they joined us in the US. She worked at the UN translating Spanish to English in her early career. She married a Ukrainian-Venezuelan doctor and move south where the girls were born. They escaped there when the dictatorship took over, leaving everything behind and starting over in Florida. 

It was really lovely having them stay with us. A Ukrainian multinational family. Lots of love!

Our one day of summer

And our first (and probably only) picnic on Inishoo in 2024. We caught two mackerel and no lobster, but the burgers and potatoes were a treat. 

A new era

So much change this week. Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. We have a more normal weather pattern, with sunshine alternating with showers. We've gotten out on the Bay again. The earth is breathing a sigh of relief. The grapes are growing. The donkeys are settling in. The Olympics are on in gay Paris. Life is good. And no one believes that I am 70.