The news is hilarious right now, because there's a private fundraising event with Trump before the rally -- and NO ONE will admit they're going.

I mentioned it elsewhere, but in our 4th of July parade, the county Republican contingent had signs for everyone BUT Trump. Colorado is still pretty purple with the Right very vocally upset about the shift. I just found it completely humorous that while they were stumping for every possible Republican candidate, there wasn't a shirt, sign, or button for the presumed presidential candidate.

Middle Brother will wake up, hopefully tonight when he tries to pack up Dad.

It's unreasonable. Literally, lacking reason.

It definitely seems to be true that this basis of what he wants is not reason-based, so I guess it must be emotional. Like he wants his dad to go for some greater purpose that has to do with the emotions of the situation.

Given that, any reasons you give aren't going to convince him, but trying to figure out what's the emotion at the bottom of whatever this is might be more successful?

Like, does he want his father there because he feels like this is the last family vacation that Dad might be able to participate in? Instead of forcing the poor man to go to North Carolina, is there a way he can participate in the vacation without going? Like skype? Periscope? Facetime?

trying to figure out what's the emotion at the bottom of whatever this is might be more successful?

Well, we have to get their dad into assisted living ideally within the next 6 months. I think Middle Brother is just really fixated on the idea that this would be One Last Trip To The Beach Like Always (never mind the fact that people in assisted living take vacations all the time, and if he were in assisted living, he might be able to avail himself of physical therapy and/or exercise classes so he would be steadier on his feet and much more able to go to the beach, say, NEXT year).

Tim's family is super non-confrontational, so no one will actually SAY "Middle Brother, what's happening with Dad is sad, but you need to let this crusade go, for the following reasons..."

Basically, I'm just holding on to the idea that Tim's dad is exceptionally stubborn and won't go. (I actually think that when Middle Brother shows up today and cheerfully announces "I'm going to pack your suitcase!", their dad will tell him to GTFO.)

Instead of forcing the poor man to go to North Carolina, is there a way he can participate in the vacation without going? Like skype? Periscope? Facetime?

We even arranged at least one Skype session, because Oldest Brother can't go, but all his kids and grandkids will be there, so Oldest Brother wants to Skype with his kids and grandkids at the beach. And Oldest Brother is more than happy to take his laptop to their dad's house so he can be in on the Skype session.

NONE of this is making a dent in Middle Brother's obsession with getting their dad to the beach. (His wife is a no-nonsense straight shooter who never ever hesitates to call people on their bullshit, so I'm assuming she told him that she thinks this is ridiculous and he still decided that this is the hill he's going to die on.)

Today is being hilarious with misunderstandings. A friend on FB asked for a recommendation of a "back doctor." I said my surgeon was fantastic. She said "I don't want surgery, I just need to know what's wrong with my back!" I said, okay, that's more of a primary care doctor issue if you don't want to see a spinal specialist. She said "I SAID I need a BACK DOCTOR." (All caps are hers.)

I replied, "I just recommended one to you. He is a spinal specialist. There's no other category of 'back doctor'."

She replied "I don't want surgery."

I gave up and stopped replying.

I mentioned it elsewhere, but in our 4th of July parade, the county Republican contingent had signs for everyone BUT Trump.

I see a fair number of Trump signs or bumper stickers where I live. I also see a fair number of Ben Carson bumper stickers too. Where I work, it's all Bernie.

I did not report that he was REALLY GOOD this weekend. There were smiles and he allowed hugs and he acted very human like, I was very happy and heaped him with praise.

I just wanted to see that again!

Oh Teppy, how frustrating. Tim making sure dad understands the stair situation is important. I hope that Middle Brother can be happy with skype sessions from the beach.

Jesse, that's funny because FB reminded me that a year ago I was at a hotel in St. Louis that was ha I g a convention of Little people! I wonder if it's the same one.

I bet it is!

Like, does he want his father there because he feels like this is the last family vacation that Dad might be able to participate in?

That's what I was thinking. Worse, like realizing in retrospect that last year was The Last Family Vacation With Dad.

In SUPER good news, Awesome Doctor's office just called, and the prescription Humana denied has now been approved!

SUCK IT HUMANA