Just now, I received a message about the death of a former neighbor about my own age, She lived on my same block back in Washington, DC, where I had lived for more than 50 years. I often saw her going outside with a family member.
Barbara: I am writing with a sad note to let you know that xxxxxxxx died on Tuesday May 26. Her death was quite sudden as you can understand. So far I do not know of any arrangements.
Now at age 88 myself, I know my own time is coming, as it will come eventually for us all. I have already lost younger family members, including a son and a foster son, so don't want any more to go before me. The ideal way for an older person like myself to die would be to just go to sleep one night and never wake up. That sounds quite peaceful, but do we have any control?
I suppose that if the opportunity presents itself, I might consider getting married again, though as we women age, fewer and fewer single men survive. A man who loses his wife is soon beseigned by women bringing homemade goodies and offering to spend the night. I would have to think long and hard about undertaking the care of a man my age or older. I have enough challenges now at age 88 just taking care of myself, of course, now with my dear son's help.
Google says: Marriage offers significant health benefits, including lower rates of cardiovascular disease, reduced risks of depression, and a longer life expectancy. These advantages largely stem from shared financial resources, mutual accountability for healthy lifestyle habits, and the robust emotional support system a committed partnership provides.
My paternal grandmother, Florence, the youngest of 12 children in a Canadian farming family, who raised 2 sons on her own after the death of her husband, finally married a wealthy California widower and spent her last years in relative financial comfort at long last.
A good friend back in DC simply dropped dead one afternoon after going out hiking with friends. He never mentioned health problems and seemed quite strong and fit. He used to take me to the airport for my trips to Honduras and never appeared to be suffering from any sort of ill health--it was only we, his friends, who suffered after his sudden, unexpected, and quite shocking death. My own time is coming, but I don't know how or when.
In a great shock to the Lebanese people,
Israel has seized an historic Lebanese castle, flying Israeli flags to show possession.
Trump
Reportedly Calls Netanyahu ‘Crazy,’ Pushes Israeli Leader to Back Down on Beirut Attack
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The Hill, As Trump ramps up deportations, remember we all benefit from immigration
Wash. Post, Judge orders Kennedy Center to remove Trump’s name from building
Trump Revisits Idea to Annex Canada and Make It the 51st State, Days After Carney Calls for New Partnership With U.S.
NY Times, Hegseth Strikes Female and Black Navy Officers From Promotion List
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States military strikes on alleged drug-carrying boats transiting in Latin America have killed more than 200 people since September, when the Trump administration began an operation it has justified as necessary to stem the flow of drugs. As the strikes continue, the administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narco-terrorists” against whom U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in an “armed conflict.” Critics have questioned the overall legality of the strikes as well as their effectiveness, in part because the fentanyl behind thousands of fatal overdoses is typically trafficked to the U.S. overland from Mexico.
Apologies, once again, for quirks in this posting. I try to do my best.
