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

She said "I SAID I need a BACK DOCTOR."

A Chiropractor perhaps?

I haven't seen too many signs since our primary. Not sure if it will get insane(r) before the election or if a large percentage of people don't want to advertise on their lawn who they support.

She said "I SAID I need a BACK DOCTOR."

A Chiropractor perhaps?

I left that part out -- I also recommended a chiropractor, and she said "God no. A chiropractor is at the bottom of my list if nothing else works."

She's swell.

...and this is a friend? Or just a FB friend.

"God no. A chiropractor is at the bottom of my list if nothing else works."

Ah, so she wants drugs. Got it.

I have to promise myself to close FB and only go on there maybe once a day at lunch or something. I need to stay in safe places for a while. Too much crazy in the world.