The Unofficial Start of Summer Edition
Nearly Memorial Day 2024
Memorial Day is for remembering those who gave their lives while serving our country. The holiday also serves as a kickoff to the summer season in the United States, versus when the actual meteorological solstice occurs.
I wonder why we call Memorial Day a “holiday”? What we are supposed to be commemorating on this occasion isn’t particularly joyous or festive. But I guess when we are living through a time when a recording of our national anthem sung by a chorus comprised of convicted insurrectionists is featured at a certain presidential candidate’s rallies — we’ve got to grab onto jubilant however we can.
I’ve got one self-deprecating essay to share here, along with the usual smattering of politics.
Don’t Needle Me (May 10, 2024)
I’m not a fan of needles; never have been and never will be. Here I explain the root of my phobia. Laughter abounds!
Sound the Trump-ettes (April 26, 2024)
As this edition of the newsletter goes to press (as in, press “Publish”), it appears we’ll have a verdict in Trump’s NY trial after the holiday weekend. (Will that be something to celebrate? I guess so, for one side or the other — depending on the jury’s decision.)
Dog Gone (May 3, 2024)
The pundits say Kristi also shot down her chances to be selected as Trump’s VP. We’ll see…
Off-Color Commentary (May 9, 2024)
There’s been a great deal of testimony in the current Trump trial that is commonly described as salacious (but this article says that’s not the correct term to use). In this verse, I’d describe my choice of words as “sordid.”
Going on the Lecter Circuit (May 15, 2024)
How did Hannibal Lecter get introduced into a presidential campaign? Repeatedly? And admiringly?
The Stark-Strangled Banner (May 17, 2024)
It was a few days after posting this that word of a *second* sketchy flag at another Alito residence hit the papers. You can furl me once, but you can’t furl me twice.
Slay What? (May 25, 2024)
After the Parkland, Florida high school shooting, you may recall Trump said, “I really believe I'd run in there even if I didn't have a weapon.” Before that, he claimed, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?” But when *he’s* he target — where’s the bravado?
[BTW: This one is a bonus! Wasn’t posted on Facebook, just shared with my handful of WordPress followers.]
Have I mentioned I’m on Threads? (I’m also on atorvastatin, but that elicits far fewer laughs than what I post online.)
And, of course, you remember my website!
I’ve cut back on social media over the last few months, at least what I was posting to stir interest in my humor-writing endeavors. I recently attended a workshop where one of the presenters said if you’re overwhelmed by *all* the various social media outlets, pick one and really focus on it. So, I picked Threads and am now baffled by only one platform vs. many different ones.
Wishing you a great summer, whenever you choose to kick it off.
(There are still copies of my latest, award-winning book available for purchase — no credit check required! Order from your local bookseller or this worthy online portal. And yes — also Amazon…)