Eighty-five Percenter

 

I've never really understood Lindsey Graham's turn from being one of the "three Amigos" (Graham, McCain, & Lieberman) to MAGA Republican. How could someone count McCain as a personal friend and, at the same time, maintain close relations with someone like Trump? 

In this chapter of Baker and Glasser's "The Divider", the authors explain how Graham's switch was the result of his desire to--in a word--remain "relevant".

Still, Trump has never believed Graham is entirely on his side, hence his use of the term "Eighty-five Percenter".

Lady Beetle

 

Uhm, who knew that entomologists prefer the names ladybird beetles or just lady beetles to avoid confusion with true bugs? Apparently, there's a difference! And here I've been calling them ladybugs for as long as I can remember.

Spring Trios

 

With so many signs of spring approaching, I decided it was time once again to return to the swamp to see what might be happening there. I didn't see much that had changed. The trees, most of them, still stood bare against the sky. Leaves were still lay gray on the forest floor. A hawk suddenly left its perch on a branch high above and somehow miraculously navigated its way through the woods on its way, I suppose, to better hunting grounds elsewhere.

No, what changes were occurring could better be heard than seen. Spring peepers were already singing. I've read that they often congregate near water and sing in trios, with the deepest-voiced frog starting the song. Imagine! Peeper choirs, everywhere, singing their little hearts out to attract their mates. Just the thought makes me smile.

The Divider

 

I'm about a third of my way through "The Divider." I'm sure that not everyone will be as enthusiastic about reading yet another book about Trump's presidency as I am, but there really is more that can be learned about those years, especially from journalists who tracked that news as closely and as professionally as Baker and Glasser. 

What have I learned that's new? Well, first, that Trump's White House was even more chaotic than others have already said it was. Personal animosities between staffers ran deep and not everyone was necessarily as supportive of Trump's initiatives as others. This was especially true when John Kelly came onboard as Trump's chief of staff. Wow! Talk about personality clashes! Eagle Scout meets the by then not nearly so Dapper Don!