For me courage begins with picking out the smallest positive step forward. And then taking it. And then celebrating it (wish I could dance).

They want to control all the sources of news.  It's part of the playbook.

Cape Verdean musica—tan bién.

So…  What's new? This is the world we live in now.

Oh, @kat2. HP sauce, mmm. 😎

Good...whatever it is where you are. It's around 10:30pm here. Still getting mild/warm and dry weather a fortnight before winter here. No traditional 'autumn break' with big rainfalls so far. The weekend ahead is looking a bit yucky though, with grey skies, scattered showers and temps in the low teens C (50's F). But next week is looking mild and dry again, in the 60's F. It's both lovely and worrisome.

I don't care whether I am geographically disconnected from Trump's hatred or not, because it still has an effect on me due to our local media's infatuation with him. Seems like they can't help but to give him oxygen, even though he thieves it.   I choose to deal with that effect by raising my middle finger to him.     I can understand your suspicion of anything published by AP because Trump banned them from the White House so they must be dodgy, right?      

Told spouse about consults, lanced boil.

How do you heal your mental or spiritual pain?

Had a lovely afternoon walk yesterday covered quite a few miles between our national parks, rounded off with a nice meal

You amaze me, Vicky, with all your talents, your advocacy, your knowledge, your wisdom....   You are one, truly, awesome woman!

Interesting.  I grew up Greek Orthodox, which is "top-down" similar to Catholics.  But my birth family was more of a "cultural Christianity" than really involved.  My husband grew up in a *very* conservative version of Lutheranism, which was similar to the structure you describe (no bishops, limited pastoral control).  His father was always a church elder and teacher, which explains why his parents have never quite adjusted to their son leaving that church, joining a different one, and having 4 wives (plus me).    My very existence is kind of scandalous, but at least his mother treats me better than she acts towards GF.  Somehow GF's Russian ethnicity is a greater issue than my androgynous appearance         And...its 2am.  I should be asleep, but I woke up as GF slipped out of our nest.  She said "I'll be right back" and that was 45 minutes ago.  I guess she had something to type that just couldn't possibly wait until morning.  This is becoming a habit.

Still think its because he has it in for California and wants CA to lose lose lose money that it has already spent on the Games' preliminary concerns. 

https://www.afslaw.com/perspectives/alerts/no-visas-foreign-transgender-or-male-athletes-competing-womens-sports     Carolyn Marie