We are in the Dog Days of Summer.

The sultry summer heat has descended upon North America.

Depending on where you live, it’s probably pretty hot, perhaps humid, and in general uncomfortable outside right now.

For some, August heralds the end of summer vacation and a new school year ahead.

Here in America, it’s became proverbial among farmers that a dry growing season through the dog days was preferable to the trouble of a wet one:

Dog days bright and clear
Indicate a good year;
But when accompanied by rain,
We hope for better times in vain.

Why the dog days of summer, you ask?

Simply put, the Romans decided the sultry part of the summer was supposed to occur during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun.

From July 3 to August 11, is traditionally reckoned to be a period marked by lethargy, inactivity, or indolence.

I’ve got all three covered.

It’s hotter than hell in Medford, Oregon right now. We’re looking at temperatures in the 100’s this week. For me, that means staying inside and not even trying to brave the scorching heat outside.

I sincerely pity those who have to work outside.

I think that the Dog Days of Summer should be a time when everyone takes off work.

I realize that could get messy, but maybe this country needs to kick back for awhile and just relax.

With all the fiery rhetoric coming out of Washington we could use a good cooling off period.

Molly, my pug, thinks it’s a good time to go surfing (see photo on top of page of pug surfing). Cowabunga dude!

As It Stands, wherever you choose to take your dog just remember, don’t leave them in the car!

 

The other day a friend asked my why so many billionaires are in Trump’s administration? It didn’t seem to make sense to him.

“It’s not the money” I explained. It’s naked ambition.

I gave him a recent example:

Citing “multiple sources,” The New York Post’s Page Six reported that Anthony Scaramucci’s (Trump’s new Communication director) wife, Deidre Ball, filed for divorce after three years of marriage because of Scaramucci’s efforts to get close to President Donald Trump.

Ball reportedly “despises” Trump, according to the Page Six report.

One source said “She is tired of his naked ambition, which is so enormous that it left her at her wits’ end.” 

All one has to do is look at Trump’s billionaire boys club masquerading as a presidential cabinet to see what’s going on. Naked ambition. They have the money. Now they get to satisfy their lust for power.

What better example of naked ambition than Trump?

All I know is that naked ambition usually ends up badly for someone. In this case Trump and the American people. There are exceptions.

Speaking of Naked Ambition, you should read Lisa Martinovic’s account about streaking in 1974, during her second quarter at UC Berkeley. Quick and fun read.

There’s a new thriller out called “Naked Ambition,” by Rick Pullen. Quick intro:

“When newspaper reporter Beck Rikki receives an unsolicited call from a high-ranking government official sending him off to investigate a candidate for President of the United States, he doesn’t realize he’s stumbled onto the story of a lifetime.”

Still one more book worth reading for a good laugh is “Naked Ambition: Corporate Animals Stripped Bare” by Lawrence Basapa. Quick intro:

“A tongue-in-cheek look at different personalities in the corporate world, Naked Ambition will keep you wondering what games are afoot where you work, and who’s doing you in, even as you read.”

Hmmmmm…almost sounds kinda familiar. Like what’s happening today.

As It Stands, Cris Jami said it best, “Find a purpose to serve, not a lifestyle to live.”

 

Now that Washington DC is the new home for World Wide Wrestling Federation, politics has never been so entertaining.

Gorgeous Donny Trump, resplendent in gold tights, has been wrestling with Jumping Jiminy Cricket Jeff Sessions in a royal smack-down that started days ago, and has no end in sight.

Alt-right fans have loved the action thus far. This is what they paid for when they voted for Trump.

The rest of the country is looking on with fear and loathing.

Trumpanzees love the colorful cast of characters. The new punk on the block;  Mooch the Mauler taking on Paranoid Reince Priebus, and pinning him with vulgar insults, lies, and the backing of Gorgeous Donny. It was a winner-take-all match and Paranoid Priebus was blindsided.

Just days before, in an unscheduled event, Gorgeous Donny tag-teamed with the Mooch the Mauler and body slammed Mean Sean Spicer through the ropes.

He was last seen staggering down the White House driveway with a bloody nose and a torn-up contract.

And who can forget Gorgeous Donny’s death match against Too Tall James Comey? It was billed as Russia vs the USA. Their first match was declared a tie. Check with HBO to see who is broadcasting any further matches between the two wrestlers.

Rumors have it that Women’s Wrestling in the White House is just around the corner. First match; Killer Kellyanne Conway vs Sarah “The Beast” Huckabee Sanders. Stay tuned.

As It Stands, who knew that Trump’s early days with the WWWF would qualify him to be the next president of the United States?

 

“Off with their heads!” the Queen of Hearts shouted.

“Putin & I discussed forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit so that election hacking, & many other negative things, will be guarded..” Trump tweeted.

Shades of Alice in Wonderland reflected in current Life in TrumpLand . 

Nothing is too absurd.

Trump appointed a guy to be in charge of the Department of U.S. Energy who wasn’t even aware that there was such a department. Rick Perry, past Texas Gov., and Dancing With The Stars partner, is our Secretary of Energy. His past experience – None. Absurd enough?

The height of absurdity is trusting Trump. No matter how much undying loyalty he demands from anyone near him, it’s a mean one-way street. Trump is only loyal to Trump. Period.

Ask Jeff Sessions.

LBGT folk who believed Trump’s campaign claims of equality for all people are probably feeling absurd if they voted for him. Here’s why

Perhaps one of the most absurd statements Trump has repeatedly made is the claim that Mexico is going to build his “yuge” wall on the border to keep it’s citizens from illegally coming into the USA.

The Mexicans laughed at that joke, and now Trump has become a favorite pinata to wack during parties.

Not so long ago; Trump’s Response to Comey is Frivolous and Absurd

On foreign relations:  Why Trump’s Attempt to pit Pittsburgh Against Paris is Absurd

New America Slogan: “Absurdity, Uncertainty, and Disharmony – Divided We Fall”

As It Stands, there’s nothing absurd in looking forward to the weekend!