Avocados, Raspberries, Mutts

July 31, 2024, at home

I like avocados.

July 31, 2024, at home

I like raspberries. (I am not such a fan of cake, although I do like frosting.)

July 31, 2024, at home

I like mutts.

Weird ???

July 30, 2024, at home

Kamala Harris and other Democrats are calling Donald J. Trump and other Republicans "weird." Weird is a neutral word. It is neither good nor bad. In this situation, unsuccessful people consider successful people to be weird because the unsuccessful people simply do NOT have the intellect to understand the successful people.

Fathers-In-Law & Cheesecakes

July 30, 2024, at home

Happy Father-in-Law Day to my father-in-law Bob (R.I.P.). He was not only down to earth but also larger than life. Here I am with Bob and my mother-in-law Lorna (R.I.P.) at our wedding reception when I married their daughter Aileen (Debbie) on February 4, 2006. Bob, you are sorely missed and forever in our thoughts and within our hearts. Of course, we also sorely miss Lorna.

July 30, 2024, at home

I do NOT like cheesecake all that much.

Today Is ...

July 29, 2024, at home

I prefer ravioli, stuffed shells, and manicotti to lasagna.

July 29, 2024, at home

I do not particularly like chicken wings.

July 29, 2024, at home

Tigers are not native to Africa, so lions and tigers don't hang with each other. Tigers are native to India. Lions and tigers were thrown together to make old jungle movies more exotic.

Answered Prayers

July 29, 2024, at home

Throughout my more than 63 years on Earth, ALL of my prayers have been answered. Unfortunately, God almost always said, "No."

Milk Chocolate Day

July 28, 2024, at home

I prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate.

Russell DQed

July 28, 2024, at home

WOW !!! This is absolutely AMAZING !!!

The winner of today's Belgian Grand Prix was disqualified because his car was underweight after the race concluded. His teammate, who finished second, was declared the winner.

I watched the race this morning on TV. Formula 1 auto racing is the only sport that I actively follow.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/breaking-russell-disqualified-from-belgian-grand-prix-for-underweight-car-as.2NIuo4cHgOl1LgplIkGG5D

Understand This !!!

July 28, 2024, at home

This is absolutely true. Why do many liberals not understand this concept? Every person (man, woman, boy, girl), all of them, automatically becomes a criminal at the moment he or she illegally crosses any border into the United States.

Belgian Grand Prix

July 28, 2024, at home

I am watching live coverage of the fourteenth race of the 2024 Formula 1 racing season. The Belgian Grand Prix is being broadcast on Sky Sports F1 (on a feed to ESPN). The race started at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. Eastern Time in the United States).

Below is a diagram of the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, informally referred to as Spa, in Francorchamps, Stavelot, Wallonia, Belgium. Each circuit (track) around the world has a different configuration, therefore a different dynamic, regarding turns and elevation fluctuations.

This season's 24-race schedule is as follows: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, China, Miami, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy (different circuit), Azerbaijan, Singapore, Austin, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

The end of the Belgian Grand Prix today marks the start of the Summer Break. The next race is in The Netherlands on August 25, 2024.

The first two races this season (in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia) were held on Saturdays due to the Islamic observance of Ramadan. All other races will be held on Sundays, as usual, except for the Las Vegas Grand Prix which will also be held on Saturday.

Before each race, there are two days of practice/qualifying. The races run every week or every other week from March into December.

In Formula 1 racing, there are 20 (male) drivers, with one driver from the United States. There are 10 teams (with two drivers on each team), so not only do drivers compete against their rivals, but they also compete against their teammates. There are two championships: one for the drivers and one for the constructor teams.

This season, as with last season, there are three races in the United States. In fairly recent years, there were no drivers from the United States and no races in the United States.

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. I have been a fan for decades. I watched my first F1 race decades ago on television at the home of one of my many Austrian cousins while on vacation in Austria.

No Interest In Olympics

July 27, 2024, at home

I never watch the summer Olympics. As for the winter Olympics, I only watch men's Alpine (downhill) skiing and men's biathlon.

MAGA Was Mainstream

July 27, 2024, at home

This is true. MAGA Republicans of which I am one are the same as mainstream Republicans from about 20 years ago. The Democrats have moved so far to the left that Republicans now look to them as if they are quite far to the right of them. In actuality, even the MAGA Republicans are no farther right than slightly right of centrist.

Today Is ...

July 27, 2024, at home

I sometimes like a Crème Brûlée.

July 27, 2024, at home

I lived in New Jersey (two residences) from around 1994 until 1998, when I moved to southeastern Florida. I moved to New Jersey from Long Island, New York.

July 27, 2024, at home

I do like the occasional scotch, but I prefer bourbon whiskey.

Today Is ...

July 26, 2024, at home

As for bagels, I prefer a straight Sesame bagel, but I must say that I prefer a plain bialy to any bagel, with plain butter or sometimes cream cheese.

July 26, 2024, at home

Well, yes. I do like Coffee milkshakes, but I prefer Black-and-White shakes (chocolate syrup with vanilla ice cream). I believe that I enjoy straight chocolate shakes best: chocolate syrup with chocolate ice cream. Well, no: Black-and-Whites are actually the best due to posterity.

July 26, 2024, at home

My heartfelt love goes to all of my many aunts and my many uncles out there. I love you all.

July 26, 2024, at home

My love goes to all of the disabled people out there, including myself.

Today Is ...

July 25, 2024, at home

I LOVE Hot Fudge Sundaes. When I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s, I often ordered them with the fudge on the bottom, so I could save the fudge for last, after I ate all of the ice cream. Almost all of the fudge normally ended up down there anyway.

July 25, 2024, at home

I am not such a fan of consuming wine and cheese together. I do like drinking a fruity red wine (Chianti) while eating pieces of very dark chocolate.

July 25, 2024, at home

I used to hand-sew a little, when I was a young boy in the mid-1960s, as taught by my paternal grandmother on the kitchen table of my grandparents house.

July 25, 2024, at home

I am not such a fan of the Merry-Go-Round ride.

Today Is ...

July 24, 2024, at home

I sometimes like slowly sipping on expensive smoky tequila. I also like pounding cheap shots of tequila with salt and lime wedges. I also enjoy tequila in a Tequila Sunrise and in a Frozen Margarita WITH a salted glass brim. (I like doing that, but I haven't lately.)

July 24, 2024, at home

Hello to all of my cousins. I love you all.

July 24, 2024, at home

I still require much more than self care these days due to extensive medical issues. Many thanks go to my wonderful wife and terrific mother for their help, plus to the many doctors and nurses whom I have recently encountered.

July 24, 2024, at home

Drive-thrus are definitely convenient.

Preferences

July 23, 2024, at home

I prefer chocolate ice cream to vanilla ice cream.

July 23, 2024, at home

I prefer limes to lemons.

One Year Ago Today

July 23, 2024, at home

Photo: Me, one year ago today, July 23, 2023, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Delray Medical Center

This strange "memory" amazes me because I barely remember it. One year ago today, I was in quite a bad way. I was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the nearby hospital with Pulmonary Vascular Congestion, which means that my lungs were unable to expel the proper amount of carbon dioxide from my body. Now, a year later, I am faring comparatively well, considering this medical episode, plus my six recent surgeries:

March 2022: heart (quadruple coronary artery bypass)

May 2022: 1st chest (opened chest to remove sternal plates due to loose screws and infection; chest left open for about one week)

May 2022: 2nd chest (closed chest about a week after 1st chest surgery)

September 2023: 1st spine (abscess/infection removed from disk)

October 2023: 2nd spine (installation of titanium rod to hold spine together due to bone infection)

April 2024: right ankle (bone biopsy, deburring, and draining of fluid)

The following is my original post from one year ago today. Considering my condition, I am surprised that I was able to write it and then post it onto Facebook. I'm not sure if that's a selfie.

July 23, 2023: I am in a very serious situation here in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Delray Medical Center in Delray Beach, Florida. Through the result of a chest X-ray (and obviously by observation of my body here at the hospital), it has been officially determined that I have Pulmonary Vascular Congestion (a "Blood Gap"), which means that my lungs are unable to expel the proper amount of carbon dioxide from my body. I should be better as the "Gap" narrows, but I am unable to eat or to drink anything until sometime tomorrow. I am already very thirsty from the ventilator. I am urinating through a Foley Catheter, with a fair amount pain. My heart is constantly being monitored with many electrodes from myself to my heart monitor. My blood pressure is often being monitored. I received an insulin injection, as per my usual diabetes. I received a dosage of intravenous steroid for my lungs (and my usual asthma symptoms). My lower back pain, which I now know from the result of a spinal X-ray and a spinal MRI, is from a herniated disk. Luckily, my pain hasn't been as severe as it was when I entered the emergency room of the hospital several days ago. Unfortunately, due to my dangerously low blood-pressure levels, I am not permitted to receive ANY pain medication. I am also dealing with fractures in the two bones (Tibia and Fibula) of my right foot due to two falls in April. Because of my propensity of developing cellulitis and my proximity to the MRI machines, my podiatrist wants me to have an MRI of my right ankle.

Mango & Penuche Fudge

July 22, 2024, at home

Mango is my second-favorite fruit, after lime and before cape gooseberry.

Happy Birthday !!!

July 22, 2024, at home

Happy Birthday to my wonderful wife. Thank you for all you do for me. I love you so very much. xoxoxo 🙂❤️

Junk Food & Ice Cream

July 21, 2024, at home

I shall reasonably indulge. (junk food)

Hungarian Grand Prix

July 21, 2024, at home

I am watching live coverage of the thirteenth race of the 2024 Formula 1 racing season. The Hungarian Grand Prix is being broadcast on Sky Sports F1 (on a feed to ESPN). The race started at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. Eastern Time in the United States).

Below is a diagram of the Hungaroring, the circuit in Mogyoród, Pest County, Hungary. Each circuit (track) around the world has a different configuration, therefore a different dynamic, regarding turns and elevation fluctuations.

This season's 24-race schedule is as follows: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, China, Miami, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Spain, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy (different circuit), Azerbaijan, Singapore, Austin, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

The first two races this season (in Bahrain and in Saudi Arabia) were held on Saturdays due to the Islamic observance of Ramadan. All other races will be held on Sundays, as usual, except for the Las Vegas Grand Prix which will also be held on Saturday.

Before each race, there are two days of practice/qualifying. The races run every week or every other week from March into December.

In Formula 1 racing, there are 20 (male) drivers, with one driver from the United States. There are 10 teams (with two drivers on each team), so not only do drivers compete against their rivals, but they also compete against their teammates. There are two championships: one for the drivers and one for the constructor teams.

This season, as with last season, there are three races in the United States. In fairly recent years, there were no drivers from the United States and no races in the United States.

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. I have been a fan for decades. I watched my first F1 race decades ago on television at the home of one of my many Austrian cousins while on vacation in Austria.

Today Is ...

July 20, 2024, at home

I graduated from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, in December 1984, with a bachelor of arts degree in communications with a minor in the French language. I spent my first 2-1/2 years in the pre-med program before changing my major.

My father graduated from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in the mid-50s with a bachelor of science degree in business.

July 20, 2024, at home

Makoto Hagiwara, the keeper of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, is often credited with inventing the fortune cookie. In 1914, Hagiwara is said to have put a thank you note inside a cookie to show his appreciation to friends who supported him during hard times, and began serving them regularly at the garden.

July 20, 2024, at home

I don't particularly like lollipops, except for Tootsie Pops.

Daiquiris & WWF

July 19, 2024, at home

Long ago, I enjoyed with friends frozen lime Daiquiris made in a blender with ice, rum, and Minute Maid frozen limeade concentrate. We called them Daiqs (pronounced "dahks").

July 19, 2024, at home

I used to play many games of Words With Friends on my phone with many people, known and unknown. These days, I only play WWF with my longtime friend Jenny.

A Coming Change

July 18, 2024, at home

While watching the final evening of the Republican National Convention on TV, I opened a fortune cookie to receive this prediction. I hope it's true. Trump 2024.