I'm sorry, Tep. I know how hard it is.

With me the closet Trumpidiot is my brother. We used to be able to talk about sports, but now he doesn't watch sports anymore because of the 'dishonoring of the flag'. So we can talk about the weather. I haven't seen him since February. He did text me on my birthday. We don't talk. His health is so precarious that it makes me feel bad, but I can't do it. Maybe after visits are safe again I can visit him and talk about grandkids or something. We are less than a year apart in age and it hurts, but really, it isn't my fault.

My husband discovered last week that his brother, who I certainly thought knew better, has somehow bought into all of the Trump shit. He lives abroad and has for many years, so I'm definitely hoping he doesn't vote.

Last time I talked to Dad he was probably not voting for President again this year. I'm not bringing it up because those discussions become so fraught and I just am not willing to deal with it right now. Which kind of feels cowardly but I can't deal with that emotionally right now.

So far this year my dad has had a recurrence of back pain, he had to have hernia surgery and now his shoulder is bothering him and it's his rotator cuff and he needs an MRI. I really really hope that he doesn't need surgery. But his MRI isn't for awhile now..a week or two I think.

I really miss seeing Dad. I wish I could get him to figure out how to video chat but he doesn't do that level of technology.

My in-laws are still doubling down for Trump, which is one of the reasons why I feel the need to socially distance from them because I can't trust their judgement right now.

One of my besties is getting married, and they decided to do a small ceremony now with family and chosen family and a big party later. We had a zoom about it last night and I asked lots of questions about Covid precautions, and made some suggestions (such as assigning pews in the church). Fiance (conservative Republican) doesnt want the "hassle" of organizing (I already volunteered). Which is fine for the church, because masks are required. They want to do a little post ceremony cupcake/champagne thing in a park and I am pretty sure that there will be a lot of people not wearing masks. I have also suggested social distancing visual cues (buttons/armbands with a red/yellow/green system for comfort with contact), but it's going to be a battle.

Burger place without fries? I see you that, but I raise you a fancy Vegan restaurant that doesn't have desserts.

I'm still irate.

My conservative BiL has been surprisingly good about not buying into Trumpness. I think he's hoping it's a momentary aberration on the Right. Which, yeah. Hope is free, I guess. We have biweekly Skype calls, and I get to watch my niece drag him leftward in real time. It's delightful. On the other hand, a cousin who I'd thought better of is posting Blue Lives Matter and Support the Police stuff on Facebook. Makes me tired. Or maybe that's the resurgent insomnia.

ETA:

I raise you a fancy Vegan restaurant that doesn't have desserts.

Boooo! If you can't have meat or dairy you've gotta have dessert. Otherwise you're just paying for someone to punish you via food.

I expect mainstream Republican elected folk will flee trump like the rats they are, but what happens to the foolish followers? How will their beloved talk show hosts spin all this? I fear the gun toting militia types, but the 'average man' follower is going to be without a rudder. I suppose until the next shyster comes along. Why do they believe these guys? It just baffles me. I am baffled.

Also, Skinner was sick all night and I have many piles to deal with after I coffee up. He must have really been sick because he even ran outside a couple times in pouring rain. Poor pup. I fear that the turkey skin I chopped up and put on his food (very little I swear) was too fatty for his delicate system.

On a brighter note, the super long lines in early voting just warm my heart. Trying to suppress the vote seems to be backfiring quite nicely. Stacey Abrams must be so pleased with the turnout in Georgia.

I saw an article that in California, someone is putting up fake ballot deposit boxes ... sigh ....

JenP, glad to hear that you've come through what sounds like a health nightmare. Steph, sorry to hear about your father ... I keep hearing people who don't seem to think women - or "females" - are actually human beings.

In real estate, DC prices still seem to be high. I don't even look at real estate prices; there was a whole movement of people from the suburbs into town, which drove up prices for both renting and buying. I moved this summer and am finally getting my boxes unpacked - I found my tea kettle! - but am still organizing. I like the new place - it's much better managed and maintained than the old one. And a recent op/ed piece by the man who owns the management company was about his father - back in the day - advocating for equal housing opportunity, which made me happy.