...and the livin' probably won't be easy.


Good Morning.

You might be aware that 2026 will mark 30 years of wedded bliss here in the Trisec Compound.

We have planned a trip to Florida in July for two reasons - my annual trip south to check in with my aging aunt and our holdings in South Florida, and of course to hang out with Mickey and the Gang for a little bit to celebrate.

I am musing this morning, "at what point can we no longer afford to go??".

Despite my lifetime love affair with winged things, we have pretty much given up on flying anywhere. Given the TSA situation with no end in sight - our local news is advising folks get to Logan Airport at least 2-3 hours ahead of any flight.

Our daily road budget right now is $125/day. That's enough for all gas, snacks, and dining for four days on the road. I've got $500 cash on hand for that right now. (Lodging is in another 'bucket' and accounted separately.)

In any case, long ago (three weeks), mid-grade gas was about $3.25 a gallon around here. Yesterday, I filled up the van I drive at work at $4.59. Both premium and diesel are up over $5.00, and are continuing to rise, sometimes hour-by-hour during the day.

Not long ago, I wrote about Javi and Molly putting some of their future thoughts on hold because neither one of them can afford to move out and get an apartment right now. Now I am wondering if our own admittedly smaller plans will have to be put on-hold as well.

Trump is not just the worst president of all time, ever - he remains a growing incurable cancer on not only these United States, but the rest of the world as well.

I am starting to be annoyed by some out on Bluesky that advocate "forgiveness" and "acceptance" of those who were MAGA but have returned to the light.

When you have cancer - YOU REMOVE IT ALL. If any is left in the body, even one cell, it will land somewhere, multiply, regrow, and try to kill you again.

A house divided against itself cannot stand, as we all learned in history class. We cannot possibly be any more divided than we are now, except for one thing.

Our forebears had the courage and the wherewithal to do it.

It's apparent that we do not.