This is it!  In a nutshell.

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some kids we ran into

Sunday in the mountains.  8372 feet to Lago Chardonnet.  On the way up I felt like a 90 year old, 3 pack a day smoker.  On the way down my knees almost gave out.  Ain't aging grand?  xxoo me

FAKE NEWS!  Or maybe partial news.  Though I agree with almost nothing, (99.99 %), that Trump says, there is SOME truth to the fact that the media picks and chooses what they want to tell.  The news from Europe is that Italy turned away a ship of refugees from Africa.  Huge accusations of fascism, good Spaniards, bad Italians!  What the news failed to mention is that Italy only refused a shipload of refugees picked up by international NGOs.  Refugees picked up by Italian ships are still being accepted and in fact, the day after said "refused" ship of 600 and some, a ship holding 900 some refugees landed on our shores.  They also failed to mention that in these past few years of enormous immigration from Africa, Italy has only been surpassed by Germany in taking in refugees.  Both of these countries are light years ahead of other European nations.  The numbers look sort of like this:

Germany is way ahead with about 800,000
Italy about 300,000
France 200,000
Greece 120,000

All other countries are WAY down the list.  Including Spain with maybe 50,000.

And no children are taken from their parents by the way....  xxoo me

Oh it's been so long!  But alas, after six years things aren't as interesting as they first were.  I'm accustomed to the lunatic driving.  Only had my heart in my throat two times this week!  I've become immune to the moms at school with painted on bodysuits and hooker heels.  The 5 year olds with Gucci sneakers and Moncler jackets, an outfit that costs more than my first car, have ceased to astound me.  I can't possibly describe another hours-long, calorie laden meal.  There have been a few...  The unusual has become usual.   The insane family upstairs are still insane.  Not only does she still vacuum obsessively, she has bought one the those robotic vacuum cleaners so that when SHE isn't vacuuming, IT is.  The genius or idiot kid, (we've never figured out which but he's definitely at an extreme), is now in middle school and has become huge.  He's tall and overweight with piggy eyes and white, white skin.  Poor kid.  He's a bully's fantasy.  The dad continues to leave for work at 7 or 8 am and return as soon as mom and son have locked the door behind them.  For these long hours he's paid a handsome salary by the state as vice principle at an agricultural secondary school nearby.  Sadly, while two other condos in our complex sold quickly, theirs is still on the market.  They have just installed a new awning over their terrace so I'm thinking that's a bad sign.  They plan on staying a while.  I wonder if potential buyers walk in their apartment and are hit with a wave of hostility and cold.  (Like a haunted house!)  MIL has just had her last holiday at the sea.  For years she, and with my father-in-law before, has been joining a group organized by her parish to go to the sea spring and autumn.  When Aldo passed away a few years ago she gave up the autumn trips but continued to spend 10 days every June in Cattolica  on the Adriatic.  She enjoyed the days on the beach playing cards and chatting.  Sadly this year was too much for her.  She had a fall, often wasn't up to the walk to the beach and came home exhausted.  It's sad to see a person who has always been so energetic start to sputter.  So changes are a comin'.  Next year will be my last year at school.  I'm finding it more frustrating than enjoyable so it's time to find something new.  My new bosses, headmaster and lower school dean, are really pissing me off and I find myself bristling and arguing with them a lot.  I am NOT being a good subordinate.  I think they'll be glad to see the backside of me.  I'm hoping for more time in Maine.  Heading back in 10 days and can't wait!  xxoo me