NPR

 What an absolute loss to the country for the current administration and Congress to cut funds for public broadcasting, including NPR and PBS.   Filmmaker Ken Burns tells the nation we need public broadcasting. 

Ice Cream

 Cousins Jackson, Aimee and Jennaya at Birdsall's ice cream store in Mason City, Iowa.  Four generations of our family have enjoyed ice cream there. Birdsall's opened in 1931, 94 years ago. It has looked the same inside all these years. All the ice cream is home made on the premises. My favorite is a Hot Fudge Sundae.

Ice Raids

 ICE raids. ICE raids everywhere! And now people who protest the raids are in physical danger. 

ICE raids everywhere. Is no where safe? A crime to provide sanctuary? All of us need to be engaged. ICE raids, ICE raids everywhere!

family

 Family gathering in Mason City: Back row: Son Mark from Phoenix, Rachel and Joel with Dad Burton in between. Front row: Mark's daughter Aimee, Norma, and Joel and Rachel's daughter Jennaya

It's the children

 It's the children. We care about the children missing in the floods in Texas. We care about children who will be hurt by cutbacks to food stamps and health care and medicaid. We care about children across this nation hurt by cutbacks to the Department of Education, particularly children with disabilities. We care about children around the world who will die because of cutting USAID.  We are a global village called to care for all children.

No tax on tips rips people off.

No tax on tips?  Only if you make under $25,000 a year and itemize your deductions.  If you itemize your deductions you lose the $15,000 standardize deduction, which means you have been conned.

Disability Month

 July is Disability Pride Month in the United States. It is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, raise awareness about disability rights, and promote inclusion and accessibility. 

USAID

 USAID officially shuts down today.  Very sad.  Studies show 14 million lives could be lost.

Retention centers

 The Senate passes the "Big Beautiful Bill" which is ugly, harmful to so many people and terrible for this country. Meanwhile Trump trumps an "Alligator Alcatraz" retention center in Florida.  Trump says he would like to see more detention centers in more states.

Canada Day!

 HAPPY CANADA DAY. We love Canada and Canadians.