My World of Wonders, aka the Wednesday Ws Valentines Day 2024 edition

What made me go, Huhh? Nothing says I love you like a red baseball bat. No, I didn't buy one, I love my spouse, a lot.  

Who have I seen this week? Not much of anyone, my sweet bear, Susan, and passing strangers on my walks. 

Where have I been?  I took a long walk in Crystal City, the area nearest to National Airport, a walk in Dyke Marsh, a walk at Huntley Meadows, the Mall, the grocery store, Trader Joe's, and Target.  The gym, took my car in for it's annual safety inspection. 

Who did I reach out to this week? I sent four chatty emails;  electronic letters really and received three responses.  

Who deserves a slap this week? Congress, for a couple of reasons.  Underfunding the National Park Service to start with, part of the boardwalk at Dyke Marsh floated out of position in high water 6 weeks ago, and the Park Service has been unable to get people and machines in to put it back in-place. And for stopping immigration reform, that both sides agree is needed, and the only meaningful reform since Reagan was in office.  Five out of Five, only because 50 out of Five can't happen.  If I could take them over my knee, a couple of them would likely enjoy it too much.  

Who deserves a big Thank You this week?  The pension folks, I received the health insurance card this week, it includes a gym membership. I need to select a location and activate that as an alternative to the condo gym. 

What has happened? I helped a couple of academic friends with Medicare questions, I have started on a small consulting job that will take me to Cincinnati in early April, and will fund our attending a conference in Chicago in August.  I have been nominated for a seat on a board that will take me to a couple of national conferences a year for the next couple of years.  Next February is in Phoenix where I can have lunch with a couple bloggers.   

Where to next? New Haven, Connecticut. 

When? Thursday and Friday. 

Want to hear more about my past work? I was interviewed for a pod-cast. 

What surprised me? A guy I have known for about 25 years, from my senior legal aid days, is running for Congress from California.  He reached out to me wanting to know if there was anyway I could share the word.