November 10

 Well the snow has stopped--for now--though west of here the lake effect snow is still falling. We still have a Winter Weather Warning so more might be coming. We aren't going anywhere. (Update: it's about 12:30 and the new wave of snow is coming down heavily.) I put a big pot of beef/vegetable soup on the stove. It will provide at least two days supper and some left over. I used a lot of our left overs and cleaned out the fridge. I don't use a recipe because I simply dump what ever is on hand into the mix. The best thing is I won't have to cook til at least Wednesday. I have said before that cooking for two is a pain in the butt. It is far easier to cook how I have always done and freeze leftovers--which provides quick meals later.

I tried a couple of crochet patterns with my worsted weight yarns but wasn't too enthusiastic about it so I pulled the stitches out and rewound the balls. I am in that mood where nothing catches fire with the needlework. That is good for finishing projects but lousy for starting something new.

Well, the Senate is working on a plan which might (MIGHT) end the shutdown. The Speaker of the House is optimistic enough to call the Republicans back for a possible vote. The Democrats have been in D.C. for the entire shutdown. The debate on the news/commentary shows this morning revolves around exactly what the gridlock achieved. The bill being drafted is supposed to fund SNAP for the next year, but no movement on the increase in ACA premiums. Unfortunately, the measure would only last until the end of January. My evaluation: 1) both sides really need to review the meaning of the term "Pyrrhic victory." I think, so far, this has been a lose-lose or zero-sum game. Neither side won much for all the damage done and both may have lost more than they realize; 2) we had best buckle up for a repeat performance early next year.

Overnight the Supreme Court refused to agree to revisit Obergefell decision which upheld same sex marriage. They didn't explain why they denied the appeal which brought the issue to the Court again. I am glad. I know same sex couples, including a relative, who married as soon after the decision as they could. After a decade of legal marriage, disallowing it now would be an absolute and total mess.

I am not going to comment on Trump's latest group of pardons. I am trying to curtail my tendency to swear a blue streak at such stories.