Post-Scotland musings (continued)

Biden decides to drop testing for inbound travelers to the United States. Thanks a lot, Joe. A week late and $200 intestine charges later, he opens up travel. Now what he needs to do is to admit that much of what he did was a gross over reaction. He could at least defend himself by saying he was willing to "err on the side of caution." He could also admit to specific acts and policies that while even if they "saved lives,' they made life much worse for the vast majority of people and contributed greatly to looming disasters in poor countries.

It's like trying to ease off on suspensions for misbehaving students in elementary and middle schools. While suspensions might not work well, and the suspension only compounds any failure of academic progress by the transgressor, leaving the transgressor in class has the potential for a high level of harm to his or her classmates. It's the old "One bad apple can point the whole bunch" concept, only in the classroom and not in the bare of apples.

In the past thirty days I have signed to spend over $80,000 for two new cars, using about $30,000 in equity from our two current cars. A new Highlander and a new RAV4 Limited. I feel comfortable with the decisions, given the current prices of new cars and the inflated value of used cars. The latter outweighs the former.

Troubling pains in my foot and my lower back, perhaps the result of my pronation and the wearing away of the soles of my walking shoes. Called Renard, the foot doctor, for him to take a look.

After experiencing midges in Scotland, I returned to our own annoying small gang-like creatures to accompany me when I walk at dawn or dusk, as happened this morning during my pre-Mass walk. They were worse near the retainer pond at the west end of Hoelzel, across the closed N (due to roundabout construction at N and Midway/Schmidt). Insect repellant did a reasonable job of apparently keeping them off me, but I will need to do better as the summer unfolds.

The nicer news is that I saw two well constructed flagpoles, with American flags at the opposite ends of Hoelzel. Initially they inspired me to build one of our own but I think that th existing two give me the useful patriotic feeling that I need.

To finish this week, I saw Dr Garcia about my back. He prescribed an oral steroid and a cream. He also referred me to a podiatrist fro my swollen feet; the podiatrist called and scheduled me for June 20. Best part was the end, where Brad of Ascension billing seems to have finally figured out how to get by colonoscopy billing cleared; give that another thirty days to get through the system.

Friday at 4:30. The start of the week end. Nothing on the agenda. Jane ready to apply for permanent MPI position. Gaby got her raise this week and celebrated with her fellow alums on a Manhattan cruise. Maybe a little gardening for me this week end.