For the Love of Books.

Barley the Van was the only “Homeless by Choice” RV equipped with book shelves. When I specced out my wandering  home, I insisted upon it. I required storage for my volumes. 

I knew enough about the lifestyle of living in a Van down by the river to understand there wouldn’t be TV or WIFI. So as an avid fan of non-fiction I would fill my downtime by reading. This wouldn’t be a hardship for me. When I’m not hiking, blogging, drinking coffee or IPAs, occasionally socializing , I read. 

When my book supply became dangerously low, (a handful of reads). I sought out “Friends of the Library” used book stores. 

Ahah! Not all Friends of the Libraries are created equal. There are Duds and Studs.

Losers ?

Snobsdale, AZ with their snippy volunteers lording over 70-100 books of marginal interest.

Telluride, CO  had a haphazard collection of books as disorganized  as the dreadlocks of the local White Rastafarians.

Winners?

McCall, ID where the 80 plus year old book selling woman attached a “Reading is Sexy” bumper sticker on her sedan. 

Others? Carbondale, Boulder and Fort Collins CO. Admirable book shops with a dedicated staff.

BUT! The Academy Award Winner is the Durango, CO “Friends of the Library.” Lela’s Book Store offers up oodles of great authors: Bill Bryson, Sebastian Junger, Timothy Egan, Hampton Sides, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Erik Larson and Tony Horwitz for name dropping purposes. The books are in fresh out of the wrapper condition. No dog ear pages, no coffee stains or scrawls in the margins. I found a community who treated the written word like priceless art. Once again, I felt like I was among “My People.” Upon settling down here, I knew I had to be a part of this book loving organization. But first, I had to see what I was getting into. From the website: 

Wow! After becoming a member, I had a one-on-one class with Maile (Volunteer Coordinator) on how to be a book seller. “The roll out bookshelves go here at this precise angle. At the end of a shift tally up the book sales. (Luckily there’s a calculator). And most of all, “Don’t Lose the Key to the Storeroom!” 

I passed the exam and worked a few substitute gigs. I loved it. 

I was ready to help with the BIGLY Book Sale. When Maile sought volunteers, I immediately signed on to be a  round trip book shlepper, (moving books from the storage unit to the Library and returning unsold books back to storage). I also scored a shift of cashiering.

Me being me, I arrived at the storage unit half hour before showtime. I was a slacker. Uber Volunteer Lynnette had already hauled 50 boxes of books to the curbside. Of course, Jewish Guilt kicked in, “Why didn’t you tell me you’d be here early? I was just drinking coffee and waiting to do something. I could’ve helped.” I assuaged my guilt by offering her a store bought blueberry muffin and a Cutie Orange. Others arrived along with a small truck. Before one could say, “For Whom the Bell Tolls” the truck was fully loaded.

At the Library, it took even less time to unload the word haul. Anxious volunteers were waiting there to help. Into the conference rooms the boxes went. Tables were already set up. Fiction over there, Non-Fiction on the other side and Children’s book over yonder. Maile and President Shelly were playing traffic cops by directing the book flow. I got out of the way before I got hurt.

It wasn’t long before the Durango Used Book Sale was ready for avid readers to appear the following day. 

All the volunteers were then rewarded with a sumptuous lunch buffet. I was gobsmacked. For Jews the offer of food is the ultimate show of appreciation and gratitude. I wish the world worked as well as the Durango Friends of the Library.

The book sale netted $4,561.31 for library programs. Plus! 150 pounds of books were donated to local non-profit organizations.

Alas, with the new norm of Covid, the Library and Lela’s book store have been shuttered since March 16th. 

I took this as a sign to fulfill a life long dream. I am now the Founder of the Parkside Terrace Mini-Library. The circulation desk is now open for loans and donations. It didn’t take long for our first customer to appear. The Friends of the Library donated generously to this project as well.

Last photo: I was able to attain a look in at what books will be on hand in the new Trump Presidential Library. 

Make America Read Again!

I’ve always been restless.

 If you need proof, check the name of this blog.

I drove cross country when I was just 17. I was footloose and on the road even before then. The one personal correlation I’ve noticed is this. The more stressed I am the more shpilkes (Yiddish for ants in the pants) I exhibit. 

By now some of you might be thinking, “Jeffy! What are you fretting over? You live in one of the most desirable towns in Picturesque Colorado. You’re in a community with kind and caring neighbors. You’re seemingly healthy. You live a minimalistic lifestyle with no real money issues. What’s your problem!”

I’m glad you asked. So, I’ll tell ya.

1)There’s the on-going worry of being a single senior in a couples world.

2)Of course there’s Covid in which the US is lacking in responsible Leadership. IE: President Virus Vector‘s announcement on February 26, 2020:

"This is a flu. This is like a flu," the president said in a briefing. "It's a little like a regular flu that we have flu shots for. And we'll essentially have a flu shot for this in a fairly quick manner."

More downplaying from the Tax Evading Blowhard. As of this posting, there’s over 214,000 Covid deaths in the US. New cases are soaring too. (Including Trump and his ilk) 

 This isn’t the seasonal flu.

3)Then there’s the impending election with a campaigning President threatening to once again, undermine the Constitution. On September 21st, Trump said: "We'll want to have — get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very — we'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There'll be a continuation." 

If Obama had eloquently uttered these same treasonous thoughts, Merican bred White Taliban Terrorists would be massing along 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. They would come dangerously armed and bearing lynching ropes

This is White Privilege. 

Then there’s the notable quote from the Jerry Springer show Presidential debate. “Stand back and Stand by.” We now have a President dropping napalm on the flames of angry p—-ed off militia groups like the Proud Boys. A President inciting a world of Mad Max anarchy. Shameful.

It’s correct to say, I’m fearful and stressed about current events. Since the Spring, I’ve slept more in my truck and pop-up camper than at home. Its my attempt to disconnect and getaway. 

Alas, I’m not the only one feeling angst. Campgrounds are full, yet quiet. There’s not much interaction  going on. A few friendly waves from socially acceptable distances is about it. It’s a tough time to cultivate relationships.

Despite the Covid and the Commander of Chaos, I’ve had a great spring, summer and fall. My new toy has enabled me to get to places, which were only dreamlike in my past. I’ve hiked to incredible destinations where people are visitors who don’t remain. I smiled more in my “No Service” campsites than I did in my WIFI friendly home. I slept better out there too.

Please check in on me after November 3rd or when a proven vaccine becomes available. Until then, I’ll probably have shpilkes.

BTW. My new truck and camper now have a name. It’s “Sanctuary Too.”

Stay safe, sane and healthy. Keep your head down and your mask on tight.

Jeff 

Please Vote to End...

the New Dark Ages. 

Shortly after Black Tuesday (Election Day 2016) I posted  my political prophesies for the next four years. Read it here: 

https://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2016/12/heres-virtual-toast.html

Looking back, I realize I wrote the Polly Anna of prophesies. What has transpired since January 2017, has been far worse than my active imagination could foresee. Who knew a Demagogue could achieve the highest office in the land with little or no knowledge of the US Constitution, the Rule of Law or US/World History. On top of this Witch’s Brew, the Orange Man wasn’t imbued with a milligram of decency, curiosity or a desire to learn. 

Shameful.

So...this post isn’t for his titanium solid supporters/followers. (I’ll leave out Kool-Aid drinkers). The Blowhard Billionaire is giving you what you crave and desire: Do whatever you want whenever you want Anarchy, no reasonable gun control measures and multiple loaves of Wonder Bread White Supremacy. We’re all now occupying Merica the Land of the Badass. 

Kosher Note: To the 19-24% of my fellow “Members of the Tribe.” who supported this Goyim Gonif. If his extreme supporters attain more power, your vote will not assure you a “Get Out of the Next Holocaust For Free Pass.” Remember Charlottesville, VA, August 2017 and those “very fine people,” who looked and shouted like Neo-Nazis. 

Neither is this post for us Libtards who would be OK with a Lady Gaga/Dwayne Johnson Democratic ticket. Anyone (within reason) would be preferable to President P—-y Grabber and VP Spineless Homophobic. 

This post Is for the left-sided Moderates and the Undecided. This post is geared toward the Bernie Sanders supporters who sat on the sidelines on Black Tuesday, 2016.

If Merica was a true Democracy without the tired vestige of Slavery, (AKA The Electoral College and the Three/Fifths Compromise) here’s what wouldn’t have happened since January 2017.

There would be an intact Bear Ears and Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monuments. Right now their attempted evisceration is tied up in the Courts. (Like everything else the Scammer in Chief touches.) 

Take a look at the acres of public land and waters protected by recent U.S Presidents as national monuments. Preservation of Wild Lands is what Makes America Great. 

❌ Donald Trump: -5,156,814 acres

✔️ Barack Obama: 553,500,000 acres

✔️ George W. Bush: 214,800,000 acres

✔️ Bill Clinton: 5,700,000 acres

❌ George H.W. Bush: 0 acres

❌ Ronald Reagan: 0 acres

✔️ Jimmy Carter: 54,000,000 acres

Rush Limbaugh (Spit!) wouldn’t have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

https://jeffsambur.blogspot.com/2020/02/when-i-heard-rush.html

There wouldn’t have been rollbacks in Environmental Protection Laws. 

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks.html?smid=fb-share

Merica wouldn’t have lost its privileged rank among our traditional Allies. Pipsqueak Putin and other dictators have replaced our former BFF’s. (Best Friends Forever). We are now a Rogue Nation. 

Wannabe GI Joe’s armed with assault weapons wouldn’t be intimidating ordinary citizens at the Michigan State Capital. I call these fellas The White Taliban.

Merica’s  budget deficit is soaring. (Remember back in the Good Ol’ Days when the Republican Party stood for fiscal responsibility?) There’s a reason the former slumlord filed for corporate bankruptcies six times.

https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-economy-budget/u-s-budget-deficit-tops-3-trillion-with-one-month-left-in-fiscal-2020-idUSKBN26304G

There wouldn’t be a dismantling of our Federal Government by placing people in charge of agencies who are either ignorant or adversarial to the stated goals of the organization. IE: Betsy Devos of the Department of Education. William Perry Pendley acting head of the Bureau of Land Management. Dr. Ben “poverty is a state of mind” Carson as head of Housing and Urban Development.  Good Government works best with good leadership. Read Micheal Lewis’ “Fifth Risk.” It’s far worse than you can believe.

The US Cabinet and Presidential Advisors wouldn’t be a “Who’s Who“ of White Nationalists.  (Isn’t  White Nationalist easier on the ears than White Supremacist?) IE: Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Jeff Sessions. Let’s not forget David Duke (the former Grand Wizard of the KKK) has given a Five White Star Approval Rating to the Make America White Again candidate.

Read “Rising Above the Hatred” about a Born Again Former White Nationalist.

There wouldn’t have been a “Muslim ban” on immigration. Approved by the SCOTUS in June 2018 (5-4 decision). 

Merica would still be a member of the Paris Climate Agreement. Greta Thunberg would’ve been invited to the White House instead of bullied by a Man Child on Twitter.

We wouldn’t have President America Last in paying taxes.

It’s 2020!  No conversation can last more than five minutes without mentioning Covid. Here we go:

Merica would still be a member of the World Health Organization. The US would be a Team Player on the World scene.

Merica would have had a Pandemic Response Team. The US would have been proactive instead of reactive in dealing with this mindless pathogen. The PRT was disbanded in a cost saving measure in 2018. Whoops! But on the bright side, we have a Great Wall of Racism ($11 Billion) and Space Farce (no typo) proposed 2021 budget of 15.4 billion. This makes me feel so proud. As of this posting, there’s close to 200,000 Americans dead from Covid. 

No one would have drank or injected Clorox or other disinfectants to kill Covid based on an really bad idea from a really bad man. https://www.statnews.com/2020/06/05/cdc-misusing-bleach-try-kill-coronavirus/

Merica wouldn’t have had a sitting President downplaying and fibbing about the deadly virus in order to avoid a pandemic panic. To me this claim would be hilarious if it weren’t for people getting sick and dying. Here’s the King of Crisis, Chaos and BS worried about causing an uproar. This Administration has been nothing more than fear and panic based. It’s the playbook of Demagogues. Keep ‘em scared, keep ‘em stupid. 

You get my drift. Now it’s time to remove the kid gloves. 

What transpired on Election Day 2016 was a blacklash. No typo. Too many Mericans couldn’t handle the reality of a Harvard Law School educated African-American occupying the WHITE House for eight years. What an “Audacity of Hope!” 

Unfortunately,  America’s old Civil War wounds are resistant to healing. BUT! The notion of White Makes Right isn’t limited to African Americans, although they bear the brunt of this malady.

Here’s a short list of glaring injustices produced in a Land where “all men are created equal.” 

1924: Native Americans finally granted citizenship, although some states wouldn’t allow these True Americans to vote until 1962.

https://www.history.com/news/native-american-voting-rights-citizenship

1882: Chinese Exclusion Act which outlawed the immigration of all Chinese laborers. It took until 1943 to get this turd off the books. https://www.history.com/topics/immigration/chinese-exclusion-act-1882

FDR’s Executive Order 9066. The forced relocation of Japanese-Americans and people of Japanese descent during WW II.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-signs-executive-order-9066

Here’s one more double espresso eye opener. In 1935, the Nazis issued the Nuremberg Laws. For the most part, these injustices made it illegal to be Jewish in Germany. Do you know what the Nuremberg Laws Nazi Committee used as a template for these dehumanizing discriminations? 

Merica’s many Jim Crow laws. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691172422/hitlers-american-model

I’ll let that sink in.

Left sided Moderates, Undecided and Bernie supporters, please do the right thing and vote.

Let’s  Make America Great and Un-Racist. 

Here’s a few chosen quotes from politicians. Separate the truth from the chaff.

RIP RBG. Your righteousness will be missed. 

From Trump’s “Art of the Deal.“