Weather and Stuff in Washington

There was riding.  While we were at the lake, the park employees had removed some old algae encrusted buoys and were replacing them with new, pretty buoys.  This is a new pretty one they're putting in the Sheriff's boat.  The hand truck has the concrete block which will anchor the buoy in one place.

Last night we had an amazing thunderstorm.  Spokane doesn't do that very often.  There was lightning, the kind of thunder that makes the glasses rattle on a glass shelf and much wind.  A big tree has been downed up the street.  It fell between two houses, so that was good.  Power went out for 16,000 Avista customers.  It came back on about 90 minutes later, which was really good.  We had head lights and camping lanterns, and we also had enough AA batteries to power the lanterns.  I ordered more today.

Here is Jim and his Kindle in the dark.

The peonies are blooming.  They got pushed over pretty thoroughly in last night's wind.  The fried egg is having a good year.

The pink peony buds are still not fully open.  The flower on this stalk was too heavy to stand up.  Here is his picture so he can live on in our hearts and minds.  They really are pretty flowers.

This is from The Hill.  "The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) said in a yet-to-be-published proposed rule Friday that it’s drawing up plans to radically crack down on mail voting by sending ballots only to voters who are registered with the federal government.  The proposed rule, which will be formally published next week, is an alarming step toward implementing President Donald Trump’s sweeping attack on mail voting ahead of the 2026 midterm election. And it would represent a massive expansion of federal control over voting, without congressional authorization."  This is wrong on so many fronts.  States run their own elections, it says so in the Constitution.  This also counts as mail theft, if they're not sending me my ballot.  Washington and Oregon no longer have polling places.  Washington allows you to register when you get a driver's license.  Oregon registers you by default.  This will end up in court, and with any luck, the constitution will be upheld.

47 is planning to renegotiate existing trade agreements with Mexico and Canada.  Basically he wants what he wants, and plans on putting tariffs on everything.  Canada is moving on to new trade agreements, so the US may be left out in the cold.  Here is how the F35 is assembled.

47 is really pissed because Canada is buying the European Saab Global Eye and not the Boeing version.

From twitter we read the following.

I think it’s hilarious that the State Dept. told Iran to disregard what Trump puts out on social media.

Texas Radio Dude  
 

"To call Paxton 'ethically challenged' is to call Jeffrey Dahmer suffering from an eating disorder. He's gonna be an anchor on our caucus"
Tom Tillis (R) Senator South Carolina

 

James Talarico said “God is non-binary” in 2019 and that offended my Christian ears. Therefore, I will vote for the serial adulterer who steals from thy neighbor and who will most certainly abuse his power once in office.

Adam Mockler

For those of you not immersed in US politics, James Talarico is running against Paxton for US Senator.  He's not vegan (the republicans are telling lies again) and Ted Cruz is mocking his breakfast choices and calling him a "soy boy."  So mature.

There is more, but I need to go ride the spin bike since we didn't go to the lake today.