Progress of a Sort

Surprisingly busy day (and week) of work, and we ended discussing the election and how the UM consumer confidence index came out (before the election it was taken) and it was surprisingly positive.  I said that each side was confident of victory, so the next one... more seriously, I am not sure that is what we should be watching, nor the stock market.  If anything, retail sales -- especially of big-ticket items -- might be a better indicator.  If people are spending, and more, that tells me more than anything.  The Fed cut rates by a quarter, and I think there will be a few more.  I did get a kick out of the whole asking Powell if Trump can fire him, which he answered "No."  And, of course, it is exactly that.  I realize we are dealing with reporters here, but even for them, it was... none too bright.  

Due to an unanticipated need to return a library book, I rushed through one (The Restless Kings, about the English kings of the Angevin empire) today, bringing me to 40 for the year.  This is good -- I need to read more -- but I was struck by two things.  One, many of the things they created still last today; a series of regional courts, the exchequer/treasurer position, the need to delegate and regionalize the King's authority; hell, the Magna Carta was created to explain the limits of power by each side.  Two... these guys really couldn't help themselves in going to war, not only with France, but with each other.  One wonders if the Holy Land could have been retaken, or if the English kings could have taken France, if they had concentrated on just the one goal.

Bought four more bags of quikrete today -- Lowe's is a couple of bucks cheaper than Home Depot, which I found odd -- and it was most amusing.  Not the purchase, but I am wearing some old and slightly beat up gym pants.  I put my change in the back pocket, and I had immense difficulty getting the zipper open.  Next, on the way to the truck, I trapped my keys in the torn zipper, and had to literally run my key ring down the zipper to untrap it.  At that point I decided that 1) I should probably throw these things away; 2) I have other pairs, so maybe this is not a big deal, and 3) I can afford to buy a replacement pair, or two, even if I do not get any for Xmas (I always ask for track pants with zippers), so...I guess some days I am a bit ridiculous.

Pelosi says Biden should have dropped out earlier so there could be a primary: 'It would have been different' | Fox News
Is it me, or is this too cute by half?  It's somewhat disingenuous across the board, and while I do not mind it, I guess I am a bit surprised that no one is calling her BS on this.  But not that surprised!