Lefties & More
This is the first I heard of this, from an article at newsmax.com by John Rossomando, in my own words: On 12/13 there was a border clash between China and India. More fodder for those who believe WWIII has begun.
NM headline: “US to Become Net Exporter of Crude Oil in 2023.” According to the unaccredited article, the biggest factor is the boycotting of Russian products. This is great news the Biden administration may have to pretend to condemn to mollify environmental paranoiacs. If it helps turn the economy, it will go a long way toward Dems holding power.
Also from NM: “Report Estimates 260M Packages Stolen in 2022.” An increase of 210 million from last year. Are you kidding me? Is it another sign of the decline of civilization or is it my alarmist nature rearing its silly head?
Love this headline from foxnews.com: “Green energy nightmare before Christmas: Coal is now world’s top energy source.”
Sometimes the death of notables flies under the radar. Such was the case with Curt Simmons, 93, who had a 20-year MLB career, pitching for four teams. He passed awat a week ago. Born in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, his pro career began at 18. His first 14 seasons were with the Phillies. He was 17–8 on the pennant-winning squad of 1950, but missed the World Series, which the Yankees swept, when called to active duty in the Korean War. He was 18–9 for the World Champion Cardinals in 1964. He made two starts in the World Series, going 0–1, allowing four runs in 14.1 innings. The three-time All-Star’s overall record was 193–183, ERA 3.54. Hank Aaron and Stan Musial named him the toughest pitcher they ever faced. He was a father of three. Well done, sir. Photo from Google Images:
RIP Tom Browning, 63. Born in Wyoming, he had a twelve-year MLB run, eleven with the Reds. He won 20 games in his first full season, 1985, and was named The Sporting News’ NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He had double digit win totals in seven straight seasons. In 1988 he pitched a perfect game vs. the Dodgers. He almost had another in ’89, allowing a leadoff double in the ninth inning. He won 15 games in 1990 and beat the mighty A’s in Game Three of the World Series, setting up the sweep that shocked the baseball world. He was an All-Star in ’91. In July 1993 he pulled one of baseball’s all-time pranks, sneaking out of Wrigley Field during the game and spending one-half inning with fans on the rooftop of 3643 North Sheffield Avenue — in full uniform! He was fined $500. He struggled with injuries his last few seasons. He finished 123–90, ERA 3.94. He was a dad of three. Well done, sir. Photo from Google GI:
I had some interesting conversations with old friends recently. Andrew is living in Chicago, working for a huge financial institution. I asked if things are as bad in the Windy City as portrayed in the press. They are… Dave is a realtor. He had us laughing describing two illegal transactions he observed. A Russian gentleman came to a closing with a duffel bag filled with $450,000 cash. An Asian woman had help from her kids hauling bags filled with two million dollars. Dave asked if my old house, where my eldest niece is holding the fort alone, is two apartments. It’s four. “It’s worth one point eight million,” he said, despite the extensive renovation it needs. We’ll see. It should soon be on the market.
I was leery taking the floating book shop on the road again, given yesterday’s goose egg, but things worked out nicely. My thanks to the kind folks who made purchases, especially the young man and Bay 37th alum Lorraine, who overcompensated for theirs. Here’s what sold: a bunch of books in Russian, including translations of Nora Roberts and Harlequin romances; Something Blue by Emily Giffin; Tales of Brooklyn by Stan Fischler, The Maven; Driving Blind, stories by Ray Bradbury; The Nazi Doctors: Medical Killing and the Psychology of Genocide by Robert Jay Lifton; Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious by Sigmund Freud. I am blessed.
My Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Fortezza/e/B002M4NLJE
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Vic-Fortezza-Author-118397641564801/?fref=ts
Read Vic’s Stories, free: http://fictionaut.com/users/vic-fortezza
