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September 7, 2022

In bed at 10, up at 5:30, 3 pss, 1 small cognac, back questionable but seemingly OK.

Squirrel cage thoughts this pre-dawn:

 1. Trump like Robert E. Lee, is seen as a traitor, evil, slaveholding treacher by many, seen as a savior, and fighter to preserve traditional values (MAGA) by others.   

2. Blog a sad effort to continue the practice of writing, communicating daily with my sister  

3.  My neck is increasingly 'encumbered:' my two metal 57-year-old dog tags from Vietnam, one deep red medical tag, my new black MedAlert device in case of fall, etc., and my brown leather Apple AirPods holder when I wear it.

4. My charging station like a WE substation: iPhone, iPod, iPad, AirPods, MacBook Air, MedAlert.

5. Judge Aileen M. Cannon, bought and paid for, the 'homer,' Federalist Society success story, Michigan Law School alum magna cum laude,  shortlist material for the next GOP president.  She knew what she was doing, shameless and proud, expecting promotion 'come the revolution.'

6.  Today being Wednesday, I inject myself with Trulicity for my diabetes, average retail cost more than $1250/month and ingest my Jardiance pill, $750/month.  Cost to the government through the VA is much less.  Diabetes presumably resulting from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, maybe yes, maybe no, who knows?  American medical/health system is more broken than Jackson, MS waterworks.

7.  Wondering whether my eyesight is declining faster than the rest of my body, or simply going downhill apace.

. . . . . . .

Took my 2014 Volvo to Fields Volvo-Jaguar-Land Rover, the one and only Volvo dealership in southeast Wisconsin, 27 miles and at least 40 minutes with no freeway delays from my home.  The other 2 dealerships in Wisconsin are in Madison (80 miles away) and in Appleton (100 miles away.)  Time for "regular maintenance."  "Regular maintenance" cost over $800 BUT that included the oil change, normal filters replaced, and brake fluid ($253) and a FREE complimentary multi-point vehicle inspection, "A $69.00 value!  The big cost item was the 5 year maintenance service described only as "19 CPVM  $521.50"  Unexplained "shop supplies" cost me $25.32 and the required contribution to Wisconsin annual revenue was $40.01, for a total of $840.05.  I would feel bad about all this if it weren't for that FREE complimentary multi-point vehicle inspection which reminded me that I hadn't merely spent the better part of $1,000, but had actually SAVED $69.00.  On the other hand, I am wondering whether I should be glad or sad that there was nothing about the car that required fixing or replacing, i.e., the car was in great shape at 41,477 miles, only needing 'regular maintenance', an oil change, and fresh brake fluid.  💭💭💭

. . . . . . . 

Made some progress on the Calder knockoff.