Summer arrived.

With blue skies and a temperature of 90 F, I think it is safe to say that summer has arrived in Poznan. Fortunately, the outside heat is not reflected inside because we have cross ventilation with windows facing north and south. I close the drapes facing south to prevent the heat from penetrating into the flat. It works well most of the time.

Needless to say, we didn't go anywhere today, and probably won't tomorrow when it's forecast to be hotter.

Talking with Carmelo today, we have a similar temperature to what he has in Spain. The main difference is that they always have a severe lack of rain. Many of their smaller rivers are now just empty water beds.

I did get some confirmation yesterday that Section 70302 is being removed from Trump's Reconciliation Act, waiting to be voted on by the Senate. Perhaps, the letter writing to our Senators by me and colleagues in different resistance groups I belong to had some small part to play in that. Anyway, that's what I would like to believe.

Joan spent the afternoon watching several of David Attenborough's documentaries about life in the forest for different animals. I'd rather have her watch those than the news or reruns of old TV series. It was her choice to continue watching them. I'm trying to let her make decisions on anything in question for as long as she can.

Park Gorczynski & Cake

A beautiful day is not to be wasted indoors. Our landlord was coming over at 12:00, so I planned to leave right after her visit. As it turned out, she didn't arrive until 2 PM. However, as usual, she brought food(beetroot soup), strawberries from her garden, lettuce, a birthday cake, and a nice bouquet of flowers for Joan. That was a great surprise.

Instead of visiting the usual places, I remember another park, Park Gorczynski. I used to have an adult  student whose business was right across from the park.

The park has an interesting history.

Górczyński Park, which was created in the 1950s, had been neglected in recent years. Damaged playground elements and devastated greenery did not encourage visitors.

The park is located in the area of the former Evangelical Cemetery of St. Lazarus. In general, when former German cemeteries in Poland were liquidated and converted into parks, the process typically removed, destroyed, or repurposed the tombstones. The ground was leveled to create a flat park surface. While not every grave was necessarily exhumed, there were often efforts to exhume remains, especially from more prominent graves or if families requested it. However, a complete and systematic exhumation of every single burial was not always feasible or carried out, and many remains may still lie beneath the park's surface.

The necropolis was established before 1911. The cemetery was established as a layout with a main central alley, several smaller ones branching off at right angles, and one in an oval shape. The transformation into a public park was carried out after World War II,  to provide the population of Górczyn with an appropriate recreational area (initially, in 1945, it was planned to create a stadium for the Admira sports club in the place of the necropolis.

In 2021, a bench dedicated to Wincenty Rozanski was unveiled in the park. He was a prominent Polish poet, often described as an "outsider" in the literary world. He was strongly associated with Poznań, where he spent most of his life and died.

Boze Cialo!

It was like a Sunday because it's Corpus Christi day in Poland. All the major stores and businesses are closed. 

We spent most of the day watching various documentaries about the Iberian Peninsula, a short video of Yo Yo Ma playing the Bach Cello Suites while sitting in a shallow stream in a forest, and then the movie, Happy Gilmore, that Joan did not remember seeing before.

So, it was a quiet, peaceful day. 

New treatment.

I found out a few days ago about a relatively new treatment for the progressive tremors I have. It is called Focused Ultrasound and is a noninvasive procedure. 76% of the patients who have had it say it is remarkable. Most saw improvement when the procedure was finished. You can only do one side of the body's limbs at a time. That caught my attention.

Two hospitals in Warsaw do it, and both with the same surgeon. I wrote to them for information yesterday about the total cost and received an answer today. 65,000 PLN($17,500). That put an end to my search. I will just have to deal with the tremors as they progress. I am not looking forward to that.

We completed the interview of "caregivers" for Joan to replace Gabriela when she leaves for three months. Joan made the final decision, and I made the call to tell her.

For me, it was a toss-up. I like both of the two applicants. The second one has been in 156 different countries as a missionary, and she and her Colombian husband are very interesting people. Plus, he has been a teacher of Spanish to many people. That would have been helpful for me. Alas, Joan chose the other woman. 

Outdoor Movies

Once again, Poznań residents will be able to spend summer evenings with good movies outdoors. The first screening of the #NaWolnym cinema will be held already on June 27. Subsequent ones - every Friday until the end of August. Admission to all of them is free.

The first screening will take place on June 27, at 9:30 p.m. in the Free Courtyard of the City Hall - Plac Kolegiacki 17 (all subsequent screenings will also take place there). Viewers will be able to see "Dune" . This is an American-Canadian science fiction film from 2021 directed by Denis Villeneuve, telling the story of the noble Atreides family, which comes to the titular planet. Dune is the only source of the most valuable substance in the universe, which not only prolongs life, but also allows interstellar travel and looking into the future. 

That is a nice. It;s just too late in the evening for Joan. 

Procrastination.

Normally, I'm not a procrastinator. However, I started completing my U.S. Tax forms two weeks ago using H&R Block's online services. It's usually fast to do, and I can e-file my forms instead of having to mail them in.

But, I got so involved with trying to help stop the tyranny of Donald J. Trump, I didn't complete them,

Tonight, about 11 PM, I remembered it was the last day to file them. Joan was still watching and so i told her I had to do it now.

Usually, it only takes me about 20 minutes to complete and file them. Unfortunately, I encountered a problem tonight, and at 11:45 PM, they were not being accepted. I filed for an extension only to find out you cannot use e-file to do that.

Only ten minutes to go until the deadline of midnight, and I had one part that still gave me a problem. It kept rejecting the name of the foreign country I was in, over and over. In desperation, with only 5 minutes to go, I just deleted the name completely and it cleared up the problem/

Three minutes before midnight, I e-filed and am now waiting for the verification of acceptance.

Over 1,800 Protests !!!!!

We will find out later tonight how the protests were in America today. I hope no one was injured or shot like at Kent State. However, when you have a Sheriff in Florida stating, "We will kill you" to any protestors, I am not too full of hope for non-violence from the police or government agents. The Revolutionary War was started by the British military shooting into a crowd of protestors. Police or govt. agents shooting protestors might be the start of Civil War II.

Here's the next segment of the driver's license renewal.

Fortunately, Gabriela accompanied us to the building where she did all of the talking. Now, the last time I checked, in November or December, it said anyone over 80 had to renew every 2 years and take a theory test. Based on that, I started taking practice driving tests 3 weeks ago. I didn't know that when I passed a test, it would take a month to receive the new license.

Gabriela talked with the director, and she said the only main requirement was a medical doctor's exam with approval to issue a renewal license. There was NO requirement for a theory test to be taken. That really ticked me off. IF I had known that, I could have started the process 3 weeks ago, and it would have arrived before my license expires on July 7th. 

Now, I had to make a new appointment to start the process, but there was no opening until July 2nd, Given that it will take a month to get the new license and mine expires on July 7th, I will be without the use of my car after the 7th until my new license is here. That is going to make my life much harder for those 4 weeks with food shopping or just taking Joan anywhere outside of the house.

Pissed>Angry

 YES, I WAS!!

I went to the driver's license building to set a time for my theory test. I arrived just before noon, went to the information desk to find out where to go, which area. i showed my application the the non-English speaking woman, she looked at it, gave me a numbered ticket(T021), and told me to go upstairs. At 12:00, I was there with four people waiting for their number to be called, allowing them to pass the closed glass doors..

During the next 15 minutes, 2 people went in, but 5 more arrived. By 12:45, of the 7 people, 4 had gone in, 3 more had arrived, and I was still waiting.

At 1 PM, I saw 3 more people go in. 2 more arriving. I was getting a little angry that my number hadn't been called, and so many who came much after me had already been taken care of.

At 1:15, I had had enough! I walked over to the glass doors and waited for an employee to either go in or come out.

A young woman came out, and I asked why I was still waiting after all that time. she went back in, came back out, and told me my number would be next. It wasn't. 3 more passed in and out.

The same woman came to go in, I followed her and asked again the same question. She said they had only 1 person who handled my request, and just then, my number was called.

I sat down in the right kiosk, told the woman what I needed, and gave her my papers. She began speaking in Polish, and I told her I didn't understand. However, she just kept talking. again, I said I couldn't understand, but she kept right on talking. Finally, after the 3rd time, she spoke in English. She said I had to wait so long because I was given the wrong ticket. I was furious but kept it inside. And then, she said she couldn't help me because I didn't bring my rental contract for the flat with me, and I would have to make a new appointment. I have NEVER had to do that before, but the rules have changed.

I was so pissed off I had to sit in my car for a few minutes to recover.

When I got home and told the story, Gabriela said she would go with me tomorrow for a new appointment. Thank God for Gabriela.

Wałęsa, Interviews.

Interestingly, Lech Wałęsa is conducting a lecture tour of the United States at this time. I'm not sure if he will be discussing only Polish history or if it's aimed at the current administration in the United States. I'm sure Donald J. Duck will have some comment about it if it is.

Today was a stay-at-home day with not much activity out of the ordinary household duties.

I did ask Gabriela to interview people who would like to replace her for the next three months. When she finds 3-5 who are acceptable, I will still do a video call with each of them to check their level of English. I'm sure they will have some initial questions, and Gabriela can fill them in on her experience.

Gabirela-Ukraine

 Gabriela informed ua that she took an internship in Warsaw starting in July. So, that means I have to find another person to sit with Joan. It's for 3 months, and she will return in October when university starts again. Not looking forward to finding yet another good person. Gabriela is excellent with Joan.

I went to the post office and paid for my theory test. Now I just have to find out when I can take it. I still need to study more. Only 56% of the people pass it the first time. 

I'm still keeping an eye on the happenings in the U.S., especially in LA. This deployment of the National Guard is horrendous. The last time I remember when that happened, it resulted in 4 dead students at Kent State University. Four dead in Ohio.

Meanwhile: Ukraine

Montenegro is just the latest of Kyiv’s allies to agree on the joint production of weapons to defend Ukraine from Russian aggression with the way being led by Germany, which has established ammunition and armored vehicle manufacturing and repair facilities both within Ukraine and neighboring countries. On May 28 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced an agreement to fund the production of long-range missiles in Ukraine.

Following the 28th Ukraine Defense Contact Group “Ramstein” meeting on Wednesday, June 4, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense said that some of Kyiv’s closest partners who have provided billions in military aid are ready to partner with Ukraine to manufacture weapons, all of which will be provided to support the needs of the Ukrainian military “for as long as the war continues.”

Sunday rest.

A peaceful day of rest, at last. We stayed at home. Joan watched a few programs while I finished putting out tax forms together for the IRS in the U.S. I would almost not pay any taxes into the current administration to pass on the their fellow billionaires.

In the evening I mad an avocado, blue cheese and pasta salad for dinner. Then we watch part of the series, "Survivors" because it had nice scenery of Tasmania.

Something happening here!

Given the abysmal coverage of yesterday’s Veterans March on Washington, D.C, it’s very likely it is going to be the same for the June 14th, “NO KINGS”, protest nationwide.

The major television and newspapers did a tremendous disservice to our Armed Forces Veterans. European newspapers did cover it. It says a lot when you have to read about it in a foreign newspaper because American papers are so afraid of being sued by the dictator or offending him. It may be acceptable in Russia, but it isn’t here.

This brings me to my point.

Everyone reading this has a local television station or newspaper. The only way we can achieve massive coverage of June 14th is if you call, write, or visit them and ask to cover your local protest. Of course, if you’re in a deep red state, that won’t work.

If you’re a leader of a group, contact your members and go together as a group to those places and ask for coverage. Do it early. Don’t wait until Friday. Call them every day until they agree to do it. Don’t be timid about it.

You know the dictator’s parade will have full coverage, maybe even live coverage during the hours it will take. It’s important for Americans to see the protests and foreign countries.

If you attend a protest, video it and put it on TikTok, Facebook, X, Bluesky, and every social media you can.

It was so disappointing not to see actual videos of the Veterans’ protest. We can’t let that happen again.

Wilda.

This 3-hour break, I went to the district of Wilda.

Earlier, we were there to visit the medical doctor who gave me the exam necessary to take the driver license theory test. I passed with no problems although he doesn't know the difference between Parkinson's Disease and Benign Essential Tremors which I have.

Gabriela came at 12:30, I took my camera and went to Wilda to take pictures of interesting older buildings. They have much more "character" than the new ones as you can see in the pictures posted.

I went to the center of Wilda where the church and daily outdoor market is.

The church was open so I went in to take pictures. I particularly like the blue stained-glass windows behind the altar. I also noticed a side door open that led to the second level so, of course, I had to go up the stairs. I was rewarded with some nice pictures.

Today is the veteran's protest march day in America. I hope everyone who could did their part, no matter what it was.

Haircuts.

We arrived on time for our haircuts and after a short wait, Joan had her hair washed and taken to Marcos to cut her hair. 

After about 40 minutes, it  was my turn for hair washing. I like the new person who did it because he wasn't timid about applying pressure and my head while doing the washing.

When we had our hair cut in the U.S., the main reason I kept going to the same salon was the elderly lady who washed my hair. She wasn't shy to use her fingernails while washing my hair and it felt great when she finally finished. I miss that type of hair washing. I do it my self when i shower and my head feels revitalized.

Finished at the salon, we stopped at Stary Browar to but some printing paper and in the underground parking lot sat this beautiful, yellow, Ferrari. It's not the color I would choose but it's definitely the car. Joan liked it also so I told her I would buy her one for our 50th anniversary this August "-). 

Support.

Support our Veterans! 

 

Drivers test

My license expires on July 7th. Because i am over 80 years old, I am require to renew it every 2-years. To renew it, first I have to have a medical exam. In my case, because I have B.E.T.(tremors), I need a document from my neurologist stating my ability to drive is not impaired by my tremors. Cost-250 PLN($68). Next is the medical exam. Cost-100 PLN($28). The theory test itself cost 50 PLN($14). Finally, the license issuance fee is 100 PLN($28). Total 500 PLN($138).

I bought the latest DVD practice tests last week and have been taking them several times each. So far, I have taken 28. I passed 4 and failed 24. Each time you fail a real test, you pay again the theory test cost.

When I took the test 2 years ago, I did the DVD tests first and by my 15-16th test I passe 11 out of 15. 

The new tests have at least 2 questions on them i have never seen before about bicycles. A few have also had some completely impossible to answer correctly. For example, you are driving to an intersection on a three lane highway. Ahead you have 3 signal lights one hanging over the road, and one on each side of the road. They are all RED. The question is, "Can you continue driving straight ahead at then intersection? I answered NO but the test answer was YES. Because of that I failed one practice test.

Another test asked a multiple-answer question A B C but the only possible answer buttons were YES and NO. There was NO way I could answer correctly and I failed.

I strongly believe these tests are set up for you to fail and keep paying for retakes. There are 32 questions in all BUT there is a pool of over 2,000 questions the test can choose from. C'mon, over 2,000 questions?

Bad & Good day.

 Not a good day for us. Joan had a serious problem related to her illness that took half a day to recover from. Now she is sleeping and I hope tomorrow will be better.

Meanwhile;

After days of Ukraine getting pounded by drones and missiles, a secret Ukrainian attack launched from Russian territory struck 4+ airfields part of a wider campaign of sabotage behind enemy lines. The drones were smuggled inside of Russia from to where the attack took place outside of Moscow. They destroyed 41 aircraft.