The Writer’s Section at Refuge Farm had been concerned with the President’s latest apparent impromptu declaration advocating the overthrow of the chief of the Russian government. That was the third in an interesting series of walk-backs from whoever is actually in charge of things at the White House. But violence was the topic of interest. Instead of the conflict in Ukraine, there apparently was some violence at the Oscar telecast. In more normal times we would know where such festivities are held, and just said “Hollywood.” But we stopped watching a few years ago, possibly around the same time we last ventured out to a “theater” to watch a “movie.”

Splash was quite knowledgeable about Will Smith’s marriage, at least regarding his act of apparent defense of his spouse over Mr. Rock’s joke. It involved Alopecia, a dread defoliation disease affecting hair loss from which Mrs. Smith apparently suffers. Media coverage this morning generated more social-media commentary on that medical matter than the President’s gaffes overseas. He has become legendary for rewriting U.S. foreign policy in off-the-cuff remarks, and we support such events that are often quite entertaining. But as Arrias pointed out this morning in his weekly commentary, even nine words can have a significant effect when dealing with a leader who has 4,000 nuclear weapons at his disposal.

Buck had an elaborate analysis of the Russian attempt to maintain a credible military threat with inadequate funding, but it alarmed even us.

There is an attendant stream of commentary regarding exactly who it is that issues walk-backs to Presidential remarks, delivered in historic speeches. Our watchdog Attorney, entrusted with keeping us on this side of Article 88 is reportedly coming back from a routine medical procedure specifically not regarding Alopecia shortly, and feel we should restrict potential remarks that could provoke adverse reaction. Instead, we talked about some of the aspects of Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s marital relationship noted in the local paper. It was unknown territory for most of us, and will continue to be so categorized.

Melissa specifically denied any knowledge of infidelity disclosed on media we do not read or watch. We are comfortable in defending our claims for deniability.

That led to a brief discussion about being unaware of any of the annual film productions containing artistic performances of note. No one had been off the property in at least two years to attend an event in a location filled with other potentially vaxxed or un-vaxxed citizens. Since each of the three categories in which people are binned could cause further discussion, and since The Farm’s satellite connectivity is inadequate for streaming, we decided to ignore the matter in its entirety, as we did the recent Olympics and most professional and collegiate sports since late 2020.

That is another matter of interest, which incorporates change. Generationally, the folks who lived before the Internet became ubiquitous have mostly passed from the scene. Those who still rely on something called “email” are likewise being left behind by a cadre whose attachment to mobile phones is now virtually complete. The phones have made them semi-bionic. We have experienced mild anxiety when communications outside our normal challenges is required for notification.

As our generation enters into the departure lane, Loma has been concerned that the warranty on his 2010 F150 may be expiring shortly. Rocket was informed twice in a single afternoon that an electric power company with whom he has no contractual relationship would be arriving shortly to disconnect him. He prepared himself with an imposing personal defense capability to do so before we managed to calm him down.

We have agreed, collectively, that all these events have a loose relationship to the possible use of weapons of mass destruction, even though no one has called us with an urgent message to press “1” for English, or “2” for Espaniole. We are ready to react though. We are just hoping it is email, since the phone we share is charging and we are not sure where.

It is sort of a rock-and-a-hard place on that, too. And lunch looms…

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