Is the U. S. hurting economically? Not for everyone. Except for groceries and fuel, few.

An example of the “prosperity” affecting America today, car financing sticks out. In 2024, more people than ever paid $1,000 a month for cars. Additionally, the typical borrower financed $42,113 of their new car purchase. The average payment hitting $754 a month.

Re those paying $1,000 or more per month, such was paid by 18.5 percent of borrowers. Nearly 1 in 5.

People bitching, but a goodly number apparently living well. I’m beginning to think Trump lies about things like the economy and eventually the lie sticks. It becomes truth.

FOX out of hand again. Spouting lies about the California wildfires.

The latest involves female fire fighting personnel. The top Fire Chief and two other leaders of the top 12 in the Los Angeles Fire Department are women. FOX has been falsely stating the whole leadership is female and inferring they are lesbians. Would you believe!

Let me say something. I have reached a point in life where I believe men have had their turn at running things for centuries. Time to give women a chance. They cannot do worse and probably will do better. Many women work full time, raise children, care for their homes, etc., all at one time. And they do a good job!

Let the ladies have a chance at running things!

One of the reasons the California fires are out of hand appears to be insufficient water. So says Trump among others. How much water does it take to control the raging blazes? Lots. These fires are unheard of in their violence and velocity. As to the water, remember nothing is without limit.

Carter’s Washington religious service was one of the finest I have viewed. Especially the speakers. The entire event was understated as it should have been for Carter. He was an understated man.

Michelle Obama was not in attendance. Her seat next to Barack was vacant. On the other side of the space sat Trump. I suspect Michelle did not want to be seated next to Trump. Later, it was claimed she had a scheduling conflict and was in Hawaii.

Trump gets sentenced today in New York. The hush money case sentencing. The case where he was found guilty of 34 criminal felonies. Good! About time he had to pay the “penalty.” No jail time. He will merely be a convicted felon. So designated when he gets sworn in on January 20.

The man gets away with everything. If it was you or I who were so convicted, we would do time.

I at some point would like to know what’s in Jack Smith’s January 6th Report. I cannot believe it was a love fest as Trump claims. I watched on TV.

Anita Bryant has died at age 84. She had it all at one time as a singer, model, actress, etc. Then she went anti-gay. Back in the 1960’s or 1970’s. And kept it up. Openly and harshly.

In her first full year as an avowed anti-gay, she lost 80 sponsors. Ended up going bankrupt and losing her husband as a result. Her bigotry was her undoing.

The weather is anticipated to improve slightly today in Key West. The high will be 72, the low 60.

To Key West residents, anything 74 or under is cold. Has to do with the blood of persons living in Key West year round. Their blood thins from the heat.

I am cold at the moment.

I close with  some grooming/etiquette activities from the past. Nowhere like what we do today.

Examples.

Body hair was a no no with Romans. From the top of their heads to their toes, body hair anywhere on the body was removed with tweezers. Each hair singularly plucked out. Painful! Slaves were used for the hair removal.

Bird dung was used to cure baldness. Stunk!

Ear wax was removed with metal prongs. Also used to clean fingernails. Doctors believed wax contributed to deafness and had to be removed.

Wigs were styled with animal fat. Stunk, also!

Milk baths were popular with aristocrats. Pale was the way to appear. Milk baths were believed to keep the skin pale. Sometimes perfumes and scented oils were added.

Enjoy your day!

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