$\"Reading$

Details

From My Mind to....

by JACE says Thank You!

Rated: GC · Book · Personal · #1503918

A blog of no uncertain musings. What goes on in my mind is often a source of wonder to me.

My mind and my life are wondrous things ... as are yours, I'm sure. I have more slips of paper and pages of notebooks with musings and thoughts than I really know what to do with. Someone, actually several someones, have suggested I start a blog ... or a journal as a means of focusing some of this mental energy.

To be honest, I don't even know what the difference between a 'journal' and 'blog' is--or if there even is a difference. Read on, my friends, and you can judge for yourself whether it even matters.

And so ....

Mee at my daughter's wedding.

I'm JACE. Yep ... that's me! And somewhere in all my writings my last name may be posted. But I'll just leave it at Jace for right now. I'm 71 years old and heading full tilt to 72. It's strange that while I'm going through some rather serious medical issues, I still consider myself to be in the prime of my life--pretty good shape physically AND mentally, though I don't run for competition anymore

. I love to ... dang, if I put this stuff here, I won't have anything for my blog.

Guess you just have to be patient until such stuff leaks out.

Perhaps 2026, having embraced my retirement, will see more participation in my journaling efforts.

Well, one can hope....

< 1 2 >

Comments ·

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Jellyfish -STOP THE WAR!✌️

about 5 hours ago
In response to "Another Day in the War"

Absolute Insanity - so, you want to win a Nobel Peace Prize and you START A WAR?? Um, is this a parallel Universe?!

And now the UK has been dragged in to it, despite Kier Starmer (for once) standing strong on his point because they are throwing drones are our base in Cyprus.

Nobody wants this war, and nothing good will come of it. Do we learn nothing. No wonder aliens don't want to be our friends,

#stopthewar

Winter Wonderin' Wanderin'

about 9 hours ago
In response to "Another Day in the War"

Good grief.

Elisa the Bunny Stik

Feb 26, 2026 at 2:35pm
In response to "The Political Future"

I think the last line also doesn't acknowledge how this kind of twisting of leadership has happened in the US before. I have found that reading The Edgy Optimist by Zach Karabell helps people in the US find parallels between the current state of affairs and past history. Seeing these parallels and recognizing we as a society have been able to deal with them in the past can ease any creeping sense of nihilism that the current administration find beneficial. Are things rough? They sure are. I still have aural hallucinations of helicopters flying over my condo building as a part of the surge. However, I know that keeping going is necessary and proper at a time like this. Doing our due diligence in the face of (potential) bleakness is a story repeated time and time again in our country's truly wild history. Sometimes we need reminders of that fact of life.

1 Like

JACE says Thank You!

Feb 26, 2026 at 12:52pm
In response to "The Political Future"

Davy Kraken

- I had tried to soften my statement by using 'rather'--not perhaps the smartest use of my words. All is NOT lost, in my opinion. I believe the Dems will take the mid-terms, but not before Republicans wreak havoc on the country in ways we might not see now. The Constitution is a document that has been bent before. I just hope it will not be broken under the Republicans.

The Democrats who attended the SOTU were in an impossible situation. My wife and I argued whether the Dems should have stood at that point. I said no--they had to stick to their principles. Frankly, I thought Greene yelling at Biden two years ago, and the two Dem women yelling at Trump this year were all out of order. The American public should expect more decorum from their elected representatives. That especially includes the President.

Jim

- Every president has had shortcomings within their administration. You can't please everyone. But, I thought I'd mention a few bills under Biden:

1. The American Relief Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID relief package passed in Mar 2021 designed to help every American.

2. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a $550 billion law designed to help all Americans by investing in roads, bridges, water systems, rail and broadband.

3. CHIPS and Science Act, authorized large federal subsidies and incentives for domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing.

There were other bills. My point is these bills were for the benefit of all citizens, not just the very wealthy. The Tax cuts in 2017 and in the 'Big Beautiful Bill' in 2025 arguably did little to help the average and lower income citizens.

I agree that both Trump and Biden added significantly to the National Debt during their administrations. That debt is already $2.2 trillion higher in Trump's first year of his second term.

2 Like

Davy Kraken

Feb 26, 2026 at 8:52am
In response to "The Political Future"

Jim

, when you state, “I can't say the Dems won any love from me by not standing last night,” you’re very likely referring to this line that Trump spoke, which is the one I’ve heard referenced the most in this regard:

“The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens.”

Now, there are many things that I will criticize the Democrats for, but not standing and giving thunderous applause for this statement is not one of them.

The first duty of the United States government is—or, at least, should be—to uphold the Constitution; protecting American citizens is simply something that naturally follows from doing that. But just because someone is not an American citizen—even if they’re not authorized to be in the country—doesn’t mean they don’t have basic rights, like due process, that shouldn’t be protected when they’re within the United States borders.

This is a false dichotomy, the notion that protecting American citizens and protecting “illegal aliens” are somehow at odds with each other. It strongly suggests that unauthorized migrants are consistently, uniquely dangerous individuals. Are there some who have committed violent crimes, including murdering US citizens? Yes, and Trump cherry picks many of those instances to suit his narrative. But this is a huge country, and you will find some criminals among any demographic; it’s just much easier to stigmatize groups with smaller numbers and/or political power. The vast majority of unauthorized migrants are peaceful, hardworking people who are otherwise law abiding, and who would be happy to enter the country “legally” if we didn’t have such a complex, restrictive, broken immigration system. Data actually shows that immigrants commit fewer crimes than those born in the US.

Even if Trump had spoken this line in his address last year (which was not technically considered a State of the Union speech), it may have received similar silence from the Democrats in the chamber, but the fact that we have had over a year of Trump’s second term to see so many in this country brutalized by “immigration enforcement,” up to and including being killed by the federal government—even legal immigrants and, yes, American citizens too—makes the claim of just wanting to protect US citizens all the more hollow.

So, while Trump’s declaration may seem like self-evident “common sense” at first glance, something that only a person who doesn’t love America wouldn’t cheer, it quickly falls apart, especially after considering all the context. As I said to Jace, this administration wants us divided and weak, and this is a perfect example of a statement that’s meant to divide “us” from “them,” whether by its subject of citizenship status or the way people react to it, forcing everyone to “pick a side” by design. Well, I’ve chosen my side, and it's the side of the Constitution.

3 Like

Davy Kraken

Feb 26, 2026 at 7:05am
In response to "The Political Future"

Frankly, the political future of the US looks rather bleak to me.

I’m inclined to disagree. The special elections that have been held so far in 2025 and 2026 have shown voters shifting massively away from the current iteration of the Republican Party. In one Texas state senate seat, for example, the Democrat won by 14 points in a district that voted for Donald Trump by 17 points in 2024. That’s a swing of more than 30 points.

That doesn’t mean that I believe things are going to be great in the immediate future, and that it’s not going to take some time to build back a lot of international goodwill that has been needlessly squandered. But I believe that we can come back from this, perhaps even better than before, as long as we don’t lose hope and give up, which is exactly this administration’s goal: they want us divided and weak. I realize you’re not exactly saying “all is lost” here, but that’s the conclusion that many have arrived at when following this line of thought.

There are a number of organizations and publications trying to counter this and keep people talking to one another, such as Braver Angels, Leaving MAGA, or Tangle; I’m a paid subscriber to Tangle myself. MAGA is often painted as a “cult,” in the sense that so many people who follow it are believed to be brainwashed. But even when people in that environment start thinking clearly and want to escape that mindset, then just like a cult that made you cut ties with with the rest of your life, or other abusive relationships, it can be extremely difficult to dislodge oneself when most if not all of someone’s social support system—family, friends, church, etc.—are still in its thrall. So we—especially those of us who have been least directly affected by this administration’s policies—need to offer a place to land.

1 Like

Jeff

Feb 25, 2026 at 2:15pm
In response to "The Political Future"

Last night's speech definitely veered into "who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?" territory. People see signs of the true state of the economy every day: when they buy groceries, or stop at the gas station, or get a bill from insurance for a medical visit. Historically speaking, presidents who tell people the economy is doing great when it doesn't feel that way lose popularity quickly. The last guy in the Oval Office made that mistake, and now Trump is making it too.

Jim

Feb 25, 2026 at 1:10pm
In response to "The Political Future"

JACE says Thank You!

I agree about the Political Future of the US. It's been looking bleak for over 20 years now (or longer), IMHO. Politicians no longer look to serve in office. They view being elected as a road to riches. I won't quote anything here, but look at the wealth of some politicians before being elected, and look at it now. Yes, I realize some is due to wise investing, but geez, when can you stop believing that their wealth has been gained thru wise investing, instead gained by other means?

I saw a cartoon yesterday and should have saved it. It was something the whole world (Except the US) calls bribes, bribes. In the US though, it's called Lobbying. I agree 100% on that one.

I don't like President Trump as a man, he exaggerates all the time, and is a consummate liar. But I'd rather have him in office than his predecessor. I still try and think of one good thing Joe Biden did for us while in office, and draw a blank every time. Maybe the best thing he did was to take over a year of Vacation while in office! Which makes me wonder, who really ran the country during his term? I don't believe it was him, he was nothing more than a Puppet. Just MHO in all this.

As far as Democrats or Republicans go, I don't know who to believe anymore. I can't say the Dems won any love from me by not standing last night. Everyone else did, except the Dems. It was toward the end, that's all I remember. I didn't watch it all though, Kathy did. We don't want to get her going though, she is a staunch Republican, I'm sort of on the fence. I guess you could say Libertarian since I'll vote for who I want. No party lines for me.

StephBee

Feb 23, 2026 at 10:25am
In response to "I Won a Quills Award"

Congrats Jace! Well earned! Ditto what Amethyst Angel ♡

said. Your presence here on the site has profound and felt.

1 Like

Amethyst Angel ♡

Feb 23, 2026 at 9:12am
In response to "I Won a Quills Award"

All honors to you, sir, and to the Quills Team for their excellent choice. You've been here far longer than most of us, and have shaped the course of the site in ways we don't even realize.

#187. Another Day in the War
ID #1109698 entered on March 3, 2026 at 9:42am

#186. The Political Future
ID #1109240 entered on February 25, 2026 at 11:40am

#185. I Won a Quills Award
ID #1109089 entered on February 23, 2026 at 9:03am

#184. Genre Settings Are Three
ID #1108778 entered on February 19, 2026 at 9:27am

#183. Rain, And Thoughts
ID #1108337 entered on February 14, 2026 at 10:14am

#182. Opinions
ID #1108025 entered on February 10, 2026 at 11:44am

#181. The Winter Olympics
ID #1107779 entered on February 7, 2026 at 8:35am

#180. The Port in a Storm
ID #1107638 entered on February 5, 2026 at 11:51am

#179. New Month
ID #1107261 entered on February 1, 2026 at 9:45am

#178. Blah
ID #1107073 entered on January 29, 2026 at 9:06am

#177. Night Urges
ID #1107013 entered on January 28, 2026 at 9:48am

#176. A Little Snow; A Lotta Cold
ID #1106765 entered on January 25, 2026 at 10:00am

#175. Reviewing Update
ID #1106592 entered on January 23, 2026 at 9:31am

#174. Today's Thoughts
ID #1106112 entered on January 16, 2026 at 9:46am

#173. NFL Playoffs--Round 1 Done
ID #1105898 entered on January 13, 2026 at 10:16am

#172. Genre Reviewing
ID #1105741 entered on January 11, 2026 at 9:34am

#171. Home Safe
ID #1105520 entered on January 9, 2026 at 12:09pm

#170. Traveling
ID #1105463 entered on January 8, 2026 at 8:10pm

#169. More Skiing; More Sightseeing
ID #1105279 entered on January 6, 2026 at 10:08am

#168. Vacation On ....
ID #1105198 entered on January 5, 2026 at 9:36am

#167. The Travel Begins ... Tomorrow
ID #1104934 entered on January 2, 2026 at 2:23pm

#166. End of the Year
ID #1104789 entered on December 31, 2025 at 11:11am

#165. Longer Days Now
ID #1104666 entered on December 29, 2025 at 10:48am

#164. A Not-Your-Usual Anniversary
ID #1104533 entered on December 27, 2025 at 10:21am

#163. A Different Reviewing Journey
ID #1104474 entered on December 26, 2025 at 11:12am

#162. The Gift
ID #1104428 entered on December 25, 2025 at 6:23pm

#161. A Silent Night
ID #1104338 entered on December 24, 2025 at 8:53am

#160. Just Some Stuff
ID #1104098 entered on December 21, 2025 at 9:31am

#159. When The Wife Decides ...
ID #1103516 entered on December 12, 2025 at 8:31am

#158. Scatterbrained
ID #1103366 entered on December 10, 2025 at 9:00am

#157. Two Months of Success
ID #1103234 entered on December 8, 2025 at 2:36pm

#156. Decorating For Christmas
ID #1103144 entered on December 7, 2025 at 12:14pm

#155. Starbucks
ID #1102932 entered on December 4, 2025 at 10:13am

#154. Issues and Solutions
ID #1102879 entered on December 3, 2025 at 12:13pm

#153. Snow Good; Ice Bad
ID #1102809 entered on December 2, 2025 at 9:51am

#152. No Snow Here Today
ID #1102755 entered on December 1, 2025 at 10:54am

#151. A Thanksgiving Anniversary
ID #1102508 entered on November 27, 2025 at 9:36am

#150. Veteran's Day
ID #1101278 entered on November 10, 2025 at 10:40am

#149. Death By Lightning
ID #1101048 entered on November 7, 2025 at 10:31am

#148. Finally ....
ID #1100921 entered on November 5, 2025 at 9:32am

#147. Goals, Goals, Goals
ID #1100613 entered on November 1, 2025 at 9:56am

#146. That Kind of Day
ID #1100395 entered on October 29, 2025 at 10:03am

#145. Wal-Mart Plus: Boon or Bust
ID #1100105 entered on October 25, 2025 at 11:16am

#144. Day 3
ID #1099928 entered on October 23, 2025 at 9:52am

#143. Meeting Jim
ID #1099783 entered on October 21, 2025 at 10:19am

#142. Day 2: Saguenay
ID #1099637 entered on October 19, 2025 at 11:16am

#141. This Date in History
ID #1099563 entered on October 18, 2025 at 11:27am

#140. Day 1: Quebec City
ID #1099475 entered on October 17, 2025 at 10:13am

#139. Final Stop: Portland, Maine
ID #1099412 entered on October 16, 2025 at 10:15am

#138. Checking In
ID #1099041 entered on October 10, 2025 at 12:22pm

#137. Welcome to October
ID #1098394 entered on October 1, 2025 at 10:48am

#136. Cool Cruising
ID #1098087 entered on September 26, 2025 at 10:21am

#135. Scan Update
ID #1097734 entered on September 20, 2025 at 11:23am

#134. Daily Small Victories
ID #1097471 entered on September 16, 2025 at 10:06am

#133. Thank You WDC
ID #1097211 entered on September 12, 2025 at 7:54am

#132. Scan Results
ID #1097114 entered on September 11, 2025 at 11:00am

#131. Fun & Worry
ID #1096938 entered on September 8, 2025 at 10:08am

#130. How I Got Here
ID #1096854 entered on September 7, 2025 at 10:10am

#129. Travel Bucket List
ID #1096603 entered on September 4, 2025 at 12:18pm

#128. How Does Your 'Garden' Grow?
ID #1096598 entered on September 4, 2025 at 11:08am

#127. Music of my Life
ID #1096472 entered on September 3, 2025 at 10:22am

#126. Doubling Up
ID #1096390 entered on September 2, 2025 at 11:47am

#125. Supportive Friends
ID #1096382 entered on September 2, 2025 at 9:26am

#124. WDC Wonderland, Day 1
ID #1096325 entered on September 1, 2025 at 9:53pm

#123. Airborne School: A Memoir Continues
ID #1096290 entered on September 1, 2025 at 8:57am

#122. Airborne School: A Memoir Continues
ID #1096223 entered on August 31, 2025 at 9:21am

#121. Airborne School: A Memoir
ID #1096169 entered on August 30, 2025 at 9:30am

#120. What To Write
ID #1096119 entered on August 29, 2025 at 10:28am

#119. Winter's Coming
ID #1095957 entered on August 26, 2025 at 9:48am

#118. Upgrade or Maintain?
ID #1095747 entered on August 22, 2025 at 10:09am

#117. When You're Awake, Get Up
ID #1095674 entered on August 21, 2025 at 7:29am

#116. Quality of Life
ID #1095336 entered on August 15, 2025 at 9:03am

#115. Turning 71 and Heading for More
ID #1095277 entered on August 14, 2025 at 9:12am

#114. Won't Be Doing This Again Soon
ID #1095024 entered on August 10, 2025 at 9:50am

#113. Tariffs Anyone?
ID #1094754 entered on August 6, 2025 at 9:36am

#112. Walking
ID #1094505 entered on August 1, 2025 at 9:39am

#111. Amazon Roulette
ID #1094375 entered on July 30, 2025 at 10:45am

#110. Fest, Fun and Family
ID #1094123 entered on July 26, 2025 at 10:32am

#109. Tracking My Progress
ID #1094072 entered on July 25, 2025 at 10:24am

#108. PT and Downtime
ID #1093958 entered on July 24, 2025 at 10:05am

#107. A Reviewing Experiment
ID #1093826 entered on July 21, 2025 at 11:36am

#106. What's Ahead?
ID #1093692 entered on July 19, 2025 at 10:16am

#105. Hail Sure Leaves a Dent
ID #1093540 entered on July 16, 2025 at 10:09am

#104. Starting Another Week
ID #1093348 entered on July 13, 2025 at 11:19am

#103. Floating Today
ID #1093281 entered on July 12, 2025 at 9:09am

#102. To Medicate, or Not to Medicate
ID #1093227 entered on July 11, 2025 at 12:10pm

#101. Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda
ID #1093095 entered on July 9, 2025 at 9:21am

#100. Have You Ever ....
ID #1093026 entered on July 8, 2025 at 10:20am

#99. Cooking Shows
ID #1092923 entered on July 6, 2025 at 8:41am

#98. Just Thinking
ID #1092779 entered on July 4, 2025 at 11:13am

#97. Medical Procedure Forthcoming? Ask Questions
ID #1092667 entered on July 2, 2025 at 10:30am

#96. Clinical Trial Consultation Results
ID #1092604 entered on July 1, 2025 at 11:54am

#95. Another Consultation
ID #1092492 entered on June 29, 2025 at 2:42pm

#94. Singo
ID #1092412 entered on June 28, 2025 at 1:02pm

#93. Setting the Stage
ID #1092348 entered on June 27, 2025 at 11:48am

#92. My SIL is a Genius
ID #1092212 entered on June 25, 2025 at 11:28am

#91. Life Marches On
ID #1092150 entered on June 24, 2025 at 12:07pm

#90. The Rest of That Story
ID #1092025 entered on June 22, 2025 at 12:16pm

#89. A Reviewing Experiment
ID #1091954 entered on June 21, 2025 at 7:35am

#88. Cats Really Aren't Domesticated
ID #1091880 entered on June 20, 2025 at 11:34am

< 1 2 >

© Copyright 2026 JACE says Thank You! (UN: sybaritescribe at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
JACE says Thank You! has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and its syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work.

◄ March ►
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31
Archive				RSS