Eisenhower was the last good, honorable Republican president, though I preferred Adlai Stevenson.

I was one week too young to vote in 1956, so my first presidential vote was for JFK.

Yes, Ford was a decent man, but unprepared for the Presidency, and appointed vice president when Spiro Agnew stepped down.

Eisenhower, being a military man was not as politically driven as most partisan Presidents.
He came from a climate of loyalty to the commander in chief, regardless of party.
He also, in retrospect, had a good command of the big picture of the common good for the country.

Our modern interstate road system was largely accomplished during his terms - a military man would see the tactical wisdom in the connectivity of transportation as vital for national defense.

Yes, Canada is important to the US as well, probably more than we realize, and I do like your Trudeau.

Thanks for asking.

Thanks, Warpy - that's reassuring.

Likely the heart failure will get me before the kidney problem, but I'm aiming to hang around a while still.
I think I'm as much amazed that my drs. don't come out and speak directly to me re these conditions.
They're considered fine practitioners but do drs. hate to give bad news to patients?
Do they think I can't take the news?
That's what really boggles my mind, as much as the diagnoses themselves.

Have been taking BP meds for years; may have to revise diet somewhat.

Read that colas are bad for kidneys - that's a tough one, as I love my daily diet coke.
Also bananas, avocados and oranges are not good - too much potassium. - That surprised me, as I always thought they were good for you.
I knew salt was not good - I never add salt to anything but do get whatever is in prepared food.
Dairy is problematic, so I can switch to almond or rice milk.
Apparently cheese is also not good - oh my. - the choices are narrowing.
Grapes, apples, blueberries are good, and cranberries.
Sausage meats,- no; no bacon. Oh my.
Whole wheat bread no preferred.

Many items I thought were good for people are no longer right for me....

My online medical chart tells me I have kidney failure stage 3a

Neither my general practitioner nor my cardiologist have mentioned this to me, though laboratory testing seems to verify.
I am a senior - mid-80's.

Heart failure as well. - This I already knew, though I also found out initially by reading my online chart.
Want to keep going in some manner to support emotionally my disabled daughter who is in a long-term care facility.

I mostly stay home; only out to church and drugstore as needed.

Yes, Fiona is a favorite, though she's much larger now, and

about to become a big sister.
She was born prematurely and carefully nursed until safely developed and growing.
Her mother Bebe, is about to give birth again.

We think alike!!

Vermont Country Store (online catalogue) has a great selection of cotton gowns, pajamas, etc.

and some are on sale now.
Top quality, free shipping if order is $65 or more. (I add in a few frivolities which then cost little or nothing.)
I'm a few yrs older than your lovely wife, and find items at Vermont Country Store that unavailable elsewhere.
Ex. foodstuffs, perfumes that we remember from back when, etc.


Good luck. She'll love whatever you choose.

I believe Biden's reputation will improve past his tenure, in the way that Harry Truman's

has and did.
Truman was expected to lose against the polished Tom Dewey, but Truman won, and went on to lead the nation through a very rough but important time period, postWWII.

Still he was thought of as the Little Guy from Missouri.
Only in retrospect did he gain the respect he earned for taking over, really quite unprepared, when our longtime and wartime leader FDR died so suddenly.

Going to Mass when I am feeling well enough Is a high point for me.

and, if you feel that way as well, and take the precautions mentioned, it will do wonders to lift your morale.

It takes you out of your inward self to a most familiar and secure place.

Place yourself away from others, but avail yourself of the opportunity to wave, smile and recognize others with whom you share this space and common bond of worship.