The Blue Bus Is On the King's Highway Bound for the Goldmine Tour

 Today's subject line if for the benefit of Mr. KH, not Mr. Kite.

No bike riding today. I remain committed to losing weight and exercise, but I think I got a lot today at work. Then I walked over to catch the 1:30 bus at Nichols Avenue. The ladies at work fitted me with food, I have enough to get me through the weekend. I am used to - or really comfortable - with such kindness.

There was no bike riding yesterday, either. I came home even more tired and footsore than I did today. All I really accomplished was talking to CC and working on places to submit my stories. CC said she might show up here. I did not expect her. She did not contradict my expectations.

Of the places I looked at last night, I think I am passing on CafeLit, but I suggest anyone reading this to heck it out. It looks interesting, I liked the writing I looked over, but it is not a place for my stuff.

I am listening to WPRB, have been for over an hour- Recherché with Readie Righteous. It feels like continuity.

I did think I had a story for Of Rust and Glass, but

Thank you for sharing this story. We are going to pass at this time, but please do not be shy in submitting again in the future.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Curtis Deeter

That is another rejection for "The Local Boy Who Made Good."

KH thinks I need try something like “Turncoat” or “The Quisling.” 

Earlier in the week, I got this not-yet rejection letter:

We’re writing to update you on the status of your submission to Old Pal. During our open reading period, we received several hundred more submissions than we initially expected. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to read this work, but the sheer volume of submissions has also set back our publishing schedule as our small crew works to give each submission the consideration it deserves.

We still plan to publish the issue this summer, but we’ll be publishing later in July rather than on June 21 as we initially planned. You will receive another email notifying you of our final decision on your submission as soon as possible.

Best,

The Editors
Old Pal Mag

Something still bothering me this week - Donald J. Trump and the inability of millions of Americans bot to see him as a petty bore interested only in himself and separating others from their money, so he can use it. He is not Teddy Roosevelt, who probably think Trump - a person very worried over his manliness - unmanly in talking loudly and carrying a small stick. What is that people see in him? Okay, they listen to Fox News like lotus eaters, which leaves them unprepared for reality, but have we so little critical thinking in America? I saw clips of his recent Fox interview. What I saw was an idiot windbag, talking faster than The Wizard of Oz and the typical carnival barker to escape anyone noticing his contradictions and general empty-headedness. Delusional also came to mind.

Then too I saw a poll where most people wanted a strong leader to make the economy more equal. Well, that it is not Trump - he will make the economy better for himself. And if anyone of those answering that poll voted for Republicans these past 40 years, then you are sniveling morons. You are getting the kind of economy promised decades ago by Ronald Reagan - except what you think is water, is not.

This evening, I read Snot-gobblers and Mighty Minions by Sandra Arnold. It has the simplicity of a fable, a style or tone I just cannot hit, but stick with it to the end (I almost gave up). It is a hoot. 

Also read: Elton John at Glastonbury: sun to go down on one of pop’s great performers. He's almost 80! Geez, we're getting old. And here is one reason that I think classic rock formats are BS and propaganda - not enough Elton John. He was everywhere in the 70s.

n+1 has online a Chinese short story, Brother. Brilliant.

Check out, Attica Locke: ‘Toni Morrison’s Beloved touched my soul’  from The Guardian.

Also from The Guardian:

 Texas governor signs bill rescinding water breaks as deadly heat grips state is Abbott nuts? Or the Texas legislature? Is this the future of the GOP?

Still, the Republican lawmakers pushing the new law have said it eliminates a “hodgepodge of onerous and burdensome regulations” that Texas businesses face. The effort aims to prevent cities and counties from enacting progressive policies that counter the state Republican supermajority’s aims.

“For too long, progressive municipal officials and agencies have made Texas small businesses jump through contradictory and confusing hoops,” said Republican state representative Dustin Burrows, who introduced the bill.

After the state’s second-hottest summer on record last year, Democratic legislators introduced bills that would have set heat illness guidelines for Texas businesses and required mandatory breaks for government contractors, but those efforts failed to advance.

US conservative group apologizes for using Hitler quote in newsletter - Indiana makes the news.

Late Wednesday, after the Indianapolis Star reported on the quote, the local Moms for Liberty chapter updated the newsletter to add a “context” section.

“The quote from a horrific leader should put parents on alert,” the updated version read. “If the government has control over our children today, they control our country’s future. We the people must be vigilant and protect children from an overreaching government.”

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Moms for Liberty has faced criticism for its activism against school inclusion, including trying to remove books related to race and gender identity from school libraries.

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Moms for Liberty has come under increasing national scrutiny as it has become a power player in Republican politics. Five presidential candidates plan to speak – and several grassroots groups plan to protest – at the group’s annual summit in Philadelphia next week.

Yep, the best that Indiana has to offer its students and the future. 

Russia investigates Wagner chief for ‘armed mutiny’ after call for attack on military - the beginning of the end? 1917 comes again?

Tomorrow morning, more searching through my bookmarks for publishers. One more thing left for tonight, an email from Charlie G. Then up around 5 AM.

The phone is out. I start next month's budget with a deficit.

sch 9:37