6/12/2025

 Thursday, June 12, 2025

D+197/130/1318

1942 Anne Frank received her diary as a birthday present in Amsterdam

1963 American civil rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated by white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith in Jackson, Mississippi

1965 South Vietnam Gen Nguyen Cao Ky succeeded Phan Huy Quat as premier

In Loving v. Virginia, the United States Supreme Court unanimously struck down laws against interracial marriages

1980 Ronald Reagan said he would submit to periodic medical tests

2017 Forbes released the Top 100 highest-paid entertainers list - Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs at No.1 with earnings of $130 million

In bed at 9 after nodding on and off during  The Royal Tenenbaums, awake and up at 4:42 with aching hips and right shoulder, hands and fingers stiff and achy.  58°, high of 65°, cloudy, AQI is 103    

A start

Kevzara, day 3/14; Trulicity, day 6/7; morning meds at 8 a.m.; Blink pill at 7:50 a.m.; Eye wipes at 5:10 a.m. and  p.m.; Eye mask at 6 a.m. and p.m.    I missed applying the eye ointment last night because I was half-asleep by the time I went to bed last night.  I dozed through most of The Royal Tenenbaums.  I'm sleeping more than I used to, but not sleeping well.  Hard to tell whether my lack of energy is due to sleep problems or just old age or perhaps some mild dejection from chronic pain.

LTMW at 7 a.m., I see neighbor Ghasson Majdalani and Athena stopping on their early morning to chat with another elderly neighbor.  I first saw Ghasson and Athena about 20 minutes ago, turning the corner onto County Line Road.  Athena seems to be familiar with the other neighbor because she is wagging her tail and seems to be excited to play with him.  I wonder whether he may be carrying some treats for her, or perhaps Ghasson has given him some to give to Athena.  In any event, seeing them interacting out there reminds me of the important role strolling and walking have in developing neighborliness, friendships, and a sense of community.  Geri knows and is known by a great many more neighbors than me, simply from being outside more.

"The Republicans have sold their souls to the devil."  Those were the words of Judge Luttig on a Substack podcast with Ryan Lizza that I watch early this morning.  In thinking about Trump himself but also his henchmen like the odious and irascible Stephen Miller and myrmidon Tom Homan, I think of Emily Dickinson's

A face devoid of love or grace,

A hateful, hard, successful face,

A face with which a stone

Would feel as thoroughly at ease

As were they old acquaintances —

First time together thrown.

VA visit with Dr. Chatt went well.  I'll get the results of the blood and  urine tests in a couple of days.

Beautiful Milwaukee.  I drove home along the lakefront today, through my old neighborhood on Newberry Boulevard, past Sendik's, past David's first apartment when he started at UW-M.  I get emotional during these drives, not only because they are so loaded with memories for me, so much a big part of my life, but also because I see so much breathtaking (for me) beauty all over the place, so many very attractive home and so much lushiousmgreenery - trees, flowers, landscaping.  It's like I developed this huge crush on Milwaukee, Shorewood, and the North Shore.  Beauty everywhere, and I always think of my sister, how I wish she were with me to enjoy how gorgeous this place is, how much I miss her, how fortunate I've been, so many deep emotions.

Geri is sick, with what I think may be bronchitis.