Saturday Open Thread - 6/13/26: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people!
I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!
I wanted to give an update of sorts about the local woman who mysteriously committed suicide. Rumors on FB, coming from a county commissioner, say the autopsy is in, the husband is now a suspect. Such a roar of rumors, I called the sheriff, discovered he is out of state, but protocol says he is to be notified of the autopsy. He agreed with me the commissioner needs to shut up before a jury next year or the next, is tainted beyond redemption. Not to mention, the husband, not yet a person of interest, disappears.
My attempt to encourage a great friend to get out of the courtroom before he gets disbarred due to physical and mental infirmities came to a head this week.
He ranted about a probate case, him being right, the judge being crazy, etc...I gave it thought, called him back, asked him if he was offering an original will or a copy of it.
He said copy.
After trying to point our his wrong-think, I decided to do something different to get his attention. I found 2 exceptional articles approved by the State Bar Estates Code section that explained all procedures, all reasons in law, both case law and codes, that demonstrated why he was wrong, and the judge was absolutely correct. I sent them to his secretary and told her to print them out, hand them to him, and sit there and watch him read them.
I have not received a "thank you" call, may have ended a friendship spanning 4 decades. His son said thank you, on behalf of he and his brother, and his children, who dread the embarrassment of their patriarch getting sued and disbarred.
Meanwhile, I am getting closer to transitioning to do a bit of work from home. My free time has value. Which leads me to the shopping quandary about trying out that new HEB grocery store 30 miles away. It is a traffic mess for a mile, but developments and road construction can extend it to 11 miles overnight. Nice, quiet country roads change with urban sprawl. Heavy trucks hauling construction materials for subdivisions and homes tear up the once pleasant country road and bring about repairs after repairs.
My peace and quiet, beautiful landscape, lovely wildlife viewing, is fast becoming more important than gold. I want to laugh, to hug, to sing and dance, to have interesting conversations, read books and articles that teach me something of this world.
Not everyone experiences life enrichment like we do in this house.
I wish for all of you the time to just step back from the chaos everywhere, and take advantage of the peace and joy you have at hand, friends.
You are now encourage to share whatever is on your mind that you believe might just interest or even help your friends here.
Let 'er rip!
Comments
Good morning, friends!
Friday was an afternoon and evening of appreciation of my home. Deer. Sunset. Green grass. Little holes here and there from Armadillos digging. Spanish moss waving in the occasional breeze. A sunset of gorgeous colors that changed minute by minute. Then dark, except for the moon and twinkling stars in the clear sky.
Cicadas, frogs, moon, and whatever music I wish, if any. Quiet is relative.
This would be wonderful if I were blind or deaf. It is exactly where nomadic Native American tribes came yearly to stay for trades and games. They loved it, as I do. They left behind their arrowheads to assure me it is a cool place.
Well, your turn, good people!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hoping the urban sprawl
.
does not envelope your slice of paradise during your lifetime.
We are fairly insulated here by distance, geography and financial
constraints. Being on a peninsula surrounded by ocean rather limits
development by commercial interests. Aside from property developers
who view this as a golden opportunity to 'make money', I just enjoy the
neighbors goats braying in the moonlight. Doesn't take much to make me happy.
Thanks for the OT.
Zionism is a social disease
Hey, Cap'n!
You have goat neighbors, I have burros to the south, cattle to the east, both just across the road. Road frontage is an FM, meaning, farm to market. The properties were once part of a 10,000 plus acre ranch owned by the ancestors of my late husband. The FM led from the ranch to a railroad where cattle were sold and shipped around the country. We have abundant grass and water.
Water everywhere at least for now. Our county commissioners are putting together rules, regs, and ordinances to prevent AI data centers from developing nearby. We are a target for those bastards.
Maybe rich bastards will not get any ideas about turning your tranquil locale into casinos and resorts.
Gave a great weekend, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yeah, wouldn't work around here.
.
These old yankees protect property concerns tooth and nail.
You need a permit to sneeze, let alone put in a mailbox for gods sake.
Kinda silly if you think on it.
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning!
Sure is nice to enjoy your home. Being in nature always helps.
Trade day was small but comfortable and pleasant. Lots of chicken vendors today. Must have been a good spring for raising chicks. I bought limes, lemons, avocados, and cantaloupes. Was hoping one of the silver dealers would have set up since metals are a bargain right now...that's probably why they didn't come.
Enjoy your weekend and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
I thought about buying some silver coins this week, but got busy with other things.
I need to go to the local grocery store for a couple of items, might see if they have cantaloupes. Haven't had one in ages.
Houston suburbs are actually swamping entire cities. Rural areas draw Houston retirees, or commuters who can drive fairy easily for work. We seem to be a target for retirees, mostly.
There were quite a few empty shelves at the big grocery store yesterday. Is this the norm or a fluke?
Well, enjoy your weekend putting lime in the coconut, as the song says, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hola GOM amiga!
That Hendrix cover is one of my faves by him.
I live in a downtown area. The one positive about it is no more virgin properties. The investors have to buy from the owners. Sure not stopping them around here; it's been gentrifying like crazy. Glad you are slowly easing your way into retirement. Your casa sounds terrific! You live in eastern TX, correct? You and JtC planning on getting into retirement trouble? LOL. ECFL right now is hot and muggy. We'll see what kind of surprises Mother Nature has in mind for Storm Season. Ugh and double ugh! At least, I'm not in IL or WI. They are getting slammed up there. Soooo, Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Hey, OBF!
I can't handle city noise and ambient lighting. I bailed on Houston by the early 80s, came back home to the piney woods of East Texas. We are between a national forest and bayou country, and the Gulf just over an hour's drive away. When a hurricane hits Galveston, Houston gets hit, and we get hit. Over the years, I have removed all the large trees that could destroy my home if they blew over. So far, I have never needed to get away via the dedicated emergency route, but you just never know.
I feel for the IL and WI victims, wish them all the best.
I completed another divorce case, have only 3 or 4 family law cases remaining. All my criminal cases are done. I am only accepting probate cases which can be completed in 30 to 45 days. That funds all overhead while the open family law cases are finished. Then, I sell my office and do some deeds and will from home, and mischief at every opportunity!
Enjoy a hurricane and flood free weekend, chica!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning otc, glad that you're easing into working from
home as part of easing into retirement and that you hae such a great place to call home, Your shopping quandry reminds me of an event back in one of our earlier oil crises when a guy arithmetically demonstrated that driving across town to save several cents per gallon meant that you were, in effect, working for far less than minimum wage. At the time I was a few towns distant from the nearest costco and never went there because it was never the case that I would be buying enough to pay for my time with the money saved. It's an intresting to apply when shoppint for or considering buying stuff.
Nonetheless it's nearly time to head down to farmers' market, which s a whole different metric. We are really getting low on many veggies, so we might as well get the good stuff, even though I don't yet have any idea what I'm cooking next week beyond carbonara for a couple of days and leftover polenta with red sauce and ushrooms that my wife made. Anyway, time to put shoes on and get going.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Hey, el!
Here's a tip: always encourage your better half to cook extra large meals...
Commuting just means you are spending money to work extra hours for no wages.
The older one gets, the more each peaceful hour becomes more and more valuable.
My old lawyer buddy has friends, family, connection with his church, and yet, he gets bored out of his mind if he isn't at his office Monday-Friday. Instead of staying home while his rib that broke away from his spine heals, he was back at work in 2 weeks.
Oh well, you can't fix stupid, friend.
Enjoy your veggie shopping and week of cooking, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
We both generally cook for 4 and have leftovers because it
is easier than trying to cook for 2.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
We do both
one dinner for two and certain dishes are 2 dinners for two.
Most of the time, we both cook. Tonight, he will grill steaks, I will cook asparagus.
Summer heat has arrived. I can't wait until the first cool night in September which we will celebrate with cooking up a big batch of chili con carne'. Hubby cooks the chili, I cook the pinto beans.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hi, OtC!
Thanks for the OT! This is exactly the way I feel, too:
The older I get the shorter the hours and days seem to be. So interruptions, by spam callers, AI messages, medical offices, vendors, etc., are just intolerable. I need peace and quiet to do my thing. So I shut the phone sound off, and I miss the few calls I need to answer.
Just watched this South Korean travel youtuber who's been doing the China exploring, doing a tour of Shenzhen. I've seen a couple by others before, his was the best so far. He doesn't speak Chinese but he's mastered all the aps one needs for purchases, drone deliveries, taxi rides, ticketing for other transportation, hotels, restaurants, etc. Too complicated for me.
We're on the cutting edge here in suburbs north of Tampa, where the trees are cut down for housing developments; after the low lying (wet)land is filled in some with the minimum amount required by county zoning. Saw a large gator in the sizable retention pond about the size of a small lake about a quarter mile away. It's mating season. First one I've seen in our immediate neighborhood.
It's noisy with all the construction going on. All the workers except maybe plumbing and wiring are immigrants. So you know the anti-immigrant thing is politically targeted. Deep republican area with fortune 500 builders aren't bothered.
The sunsets are beautiful though. The area has a manicured stepford wives look. The beaches are beautiful too, but I haven't visited yet even tho close by. We used to live nearby like 25 years ago, where my daughter grew up, near St. Pete. The halmonis/ grandmothers from our old church, the ones who are still around remember Ms. So. A younger Korean friend who stayed with us briefly back then and several years ago will visit next spring. She's a gayageum player self employed, now middle aged. Very interesting person.
Carl describes how Xinjiang problem evolved-
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Thanks for the video!
I get more scam calls at the office than I do on my cell phone. if no clients are present, i let fly many FYs to the spammers.
Just got a letter from a 91 yr old woman from Topeka, Kansas, to prepare 4 deeds to her kids and a g'kid before God calls her home. The property is in Texas. Given her age, I will give it immediate attention. Wow.
Everything from changing your mailing address or shutting down a phone line is complicated. Every time I look up, some contract with some credit card service is changed unilaterally, so we have to agree to them without any input. The elderly are the main targets, friend. Getting old is not for wussies.
Well, I am having a quiet, lovely day. No deadlines, no work, an opportunity to shop at the local grocery store where I am bound to run into old friends who want to gossip a bit.
Hope you have a similar day, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Interesting breakdown
.
Of Chinese cultural history.
Very different from the western media spin.
Indicative of how propaganda is formed to paint
competitors as 'evil' , the yellow menace etc.
Zionism is a social disease
Glad you liked it, Q
His presentation on Xinjiang was quite good. He got into some details I never heard before. I was waiting to see his tour there, and then lost track of it. I think when he gets into the history, that's his strong point, if he's talking about China.
己所不欲，勿施于人。
AI protests coming soon?
Seems the government thinks so and is preparing for chaos.
https://scheerpost.com/2026/06/13/dhs-docs-govt-bracing-for-nationwide-a...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Maybe AI’s could commit suicide?
An experiment was done to see what would happen if AI was put in charge of everything for 15 days. A hypothetical town was set up with each of five existing AI companies, all using the same system and regulations. Interestingly, all the AI citizens within four of the AI towns were dead in less than 15 days. The only company whose citizens survived was Anthropic. As I recall, that was the company that refused to do AI work for our government which would be used to spy on citizens…
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/most-important-ai-experiment-youve-...
Anya
Good grief, Anya!
Jaw dropping, isn't it?
Anthropic would not agree to share it's data on individuals who used it, so they are not on the government's payroll, showing a conscience.
To sort of rag on my lawyer friend who needs to retire, he is 100% ignorant of the internet. He doesn't know how to email. He doesn't know how to turn on a pc. Yet, his new hire assistant, in her final semester of law school, accompanies him to trial, feeds him AI produced questions to ask witnesses, even final argument, even objections, and she has convinced him it is wondrous. Jurors and the judge were pretty insulted during his recent trial. He did not get a single objection sustained, nor did he get any objections by opposing counsel overruled. Unanimous verdict in the opposition's favor. Rumors fly there is a plan to replace lawyers with AI in the next 5 years. Imagine Grok sitting as judge on a death penalty case!
It is a crazy world, chica! May as well be entertained by it's demise!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
15 days is a short trial period.
In another 15 days Anthropic would very likely have “suicided” the other AI entities and declared it’s ‘self’ ruler of the entire universe.
Ai is not your friend, it is a human derived machine with a single purpose; control of those pesky humans who would rather think for themselves. Spawn of Hal, the Matrix and the Truman Show.
“Use it or lose it” applies to your mind, your body and what’s left of your freedom. AI is an addictive drug that is designed to disable the population’s ability think critically and replace it with docile subservience.
No thanks!
“Even in science, falsehood can not live for too long.”
- Immanuel Velikovski - Bonds of the Past (1972) https://youtu.be/kkS-jDzxnrU ]
@ovals49
Yes it’d be nice if predictions of their failure would come true. Came across this map of data centers in every state.
US Data Center Map 2026 — Interactive Map of 800+ Facilities
https://usdatamap.com/
Anya
I am watching this now
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp My favorite part of the
My favorite part of the interview was when Sleboda (?) said “Hey! You out there. You watching this show know more about the situation than Witkoff or Kushner!” And pointing out that this is what Iran, Russia, and China have to deal with. At least thunderstorms are predicted for Trump’s birthday party tomorrow, small comfort.
Anya
Google News, as of 7:00 pm CST
features 54 headlines and articles about Trump's name being taken off the Kennedy Arts Center. Nothing else.
Proof positive we, the people, are being distracted from what is going on.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Wow, talk about a nothingburger
Exposure to MSM really does leave one less informed about / less aware of what‘s going on that’s truly important, than one is or would be, ignoring MSM entirely.
I know, lot!
Here we are, on the brink of WWIII, talks of nukes dropping in the Middle East and even in Europe, and the MSM is devoting its' entire day to that name drop. It started in the morning, and stayed that way until midnight. Not a single headline about it today.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981