Saturday, March 15, 2025

Heavy lifting for Friday

 I'm filling in  NJ forms today and came across this interesting direction 

I wonder if there are penalties for failing to do so?

And if this next bit is tldr, scroll on. But for anyone trying to figure out the current drama in Congress, we're in the budget process. 

The GOP has presented a cr, continuing resolution, full of terrible ideas and threats. A cr is a temporary measure to keep the gummint running while the budget is worked out and passed.  

This has passed the House by a squeaker, because GOP majority is only a squeaker. Now it's before the Senate. If it passes, it goes into effect with all sorts of consequences. 

The idea of cloture is for a number of senators to determine to limit debate, go to a vote, and get it done.  That's that bit. It's like the opposite of a filibuster with endless debate.

What's in process now is a bipartisan stopgap cr with better terms, if the current cr fails. I know, it's very convoluted. The idea is that Democrats are trying for backstop position, which will also avoid a government shutdown.

We'll see where it comes out. Meanwhile Friday's activism was a call to Sen Schumer's office, minority leader, to ask him to vote no. He thinks a government shutdown could hand everything over to T***p, but I think is open to a bipartisan stopgap.  It's a terrible position, but I think a shutdown is less terrible than rolling over for this cr. 

Breaker, breaker: the Senate passed the cr to avert a shutdown. I tried.

On to less stressful topics. Right now I'm reading a great Andy Carpenter mystery, full of dogs and bad guys and Marcus, his scary protector, and Andy's sharpshooter wife and all his books are funny and I never guess the perp.



This dog, Hunter the pug, has attached himself to the resident Golden retriever and basset hound, while team Andy attempts to find evidence to exonerate a dog lover in jail on a murder charge.  A while back I was talking to a lady who insisted the term is doggy dog. No idea what that means.

I made a batch of blueberry muffins, possibly influenced by Carpenter finding them in the cafe at his hotel.

They look shaggy and artisanal, and they're crisp outside, tender inside and with little explosions of berries when you bite in. I just finished reading Meet me at the Cupcake Cafe, can you tell?

And for your Friday viewing pleasure, Mutts, mainly Earl the dog and Mooch the cat, and friends, take us down memory lane with a tribute strip. I'm a bit late with this, but it's timeless, so that's okay.


Happy day, everyone, we'll live to fight another day!!

  






26 comments:

  1. Deceased Applicants? Who signed off on that? Seriously! I think I’d be in heaven with those blueberry muffins.

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    1. After HP died, the bill for his home hospice care arrived, addressed to him and marked in big letters TO BE OPENED BY ADDRESSEE ONLY.
      The muffins are pretty good. Now for breakfast with coffee

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    2. I hope you forwarded that final bill.

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    3. Forgot to mention: When my mother died, we called to cancel her home insurance and were told, since it was in her name, she was the only one who could do it. We tried to reason with the person and finally said, “Fine, just send her the bill.”

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  2. Sorry about losing that battle. Keep on fighting.

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  3. Never a dull moment in the USA at present. I'm sure you all wish for some normality, but it seems to be all change every day. Europe watches, heart in mouth.

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    1. Yes, we would like a little peace and quiet.

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  4. The dynamics of American politics never fail to amaze me. You tried, Boud!

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    1. Me either. But I try to explain when asked. A lot of US citizens don't understand about cloture votes and crs either, never mind people from other countries. I really appreciate when people show an interest, though.

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  5. Hmmm - wonder if the 'deceased applicants' was written by a Republican!
    Thank you for trying to explain the latest thing that's going on. Being from another country means I don't always understand the ramifications or, often, even what it's all about. Our political systems are so radically different.

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    1. I have the advantage of growing up in a parliamentary system and living my adult life in this one, so it's easier to follow.

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  6. The "Dog Eat Dog" mystery sounds fun! Now THAT would make a great PBS Mystery Series, wouldn't it!

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    1. It would. Might be expensive to shoot, what with fights, special effects, etc. I'd watch.

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  7. I have my opinions about Schumer and they are not just recently formed. I made blueberry Ice cream!

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  8. Whah! I want a blueberry muffin now! I have fresh blueberries. The choice (all the same price at my local grocery yesterday $4.98/pint) from Mexico, Peru or Chile! I chose Chile, as they were smaller and heavier. No bigger is better in my mind for blueberries!

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    1. Heavier means juicier, to me that's good.

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  9. I was so disappointed in Schumer and the other nine who basically said--move along, nothing to see here. Felt like watching 10 democrats bend the knee. :(

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    1. It was more complex than I made it look, but I did think he could have got some breathing room.

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  10. Schumer is enduring a lot of flack over the CR, as I'm sure you've seen. I'm not sure what was right so I have no opinion. "Deceased applicants" IS a head-scratcher.

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    1. The cr situation is very complex, so many moving parts.

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  11. Deceased applicants- ghost writers? love The Beagles Tabby Road.

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  12. What business do the deceased have in applying? I'm sure there's a reason for this but on the surface, it does seem ridiculous.

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    1. They've got a nerve! I think their estate may be owed if they weren't dead all year. Or something.

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Please read the comments before yours and see if your question is already answered!