Welcome back – and if you weren’t here last week because of holidays, there were fresh journals Wednesday through Friday, so take a peek – and I hope you had a great restful few days. We didn’t, but that was in the best way possible and I’ll tell you about it here tomorrow!
 
We haven’t seen any tangible evidence of the federal government shutdown here in the USA, with the exception of any plans to visit Joshua Tree National Park having been scuppered by the fact that people have vandalized and littered to such an extent that authorities have had to close it down. We’re lucky to have been so peripherally affected; when Rob’s sister Sue was with us over the holidays we’d already decided a drive and walk through gorgeous Thousand Palms in the Coachella Valley would be enough desert scenery for this trip.
 

 
Changing lanes, if you will, I have spotted a couple of vehicles whose messages are loud and clear. Like the one on this pickup truck for example.
 

 
I guess it’s obvious how the driver feels about the current administration. (Seriously? Threatening to declare a national emergency so that he can get funding from American taxpayers for a wall that he swore up and down, over and over, that Mexico would pay for?)
 
And then there’s this one. You know what the bumper sticker used to say. But look at what someone with a little creativity and a sharp knife made his or her sticker say.
 

 
We’ve puzzled over just what this person is wanting to say with the sticker. Like, “Improve my life, would you please, Mr. Trump?” or “Trump wants America to make HIM great (again)” or “I’m heavily into self-improvement?” Clearly, Rob and I have given this too much thought!
 
Please feel free to share your interpretation at my Facebook page – I’d love to know what you think they meant. Or maybe they just couldn’t peel the darned thing off and made the most of it. Perhaps – perhaps – they even had a change of heart after putting it on to start with!
 
Speaking of which, I haven’t seen one red MAGA hat yet. You know, the ones Trumpsters have been wearing to show their support? I had a little fantasy the other day about walking up to a guy wearing it and saying, “You are just the sexiest man I’ve ever seen!” and when he reacted I’d say, “Well, clearly you love being lied to, so I just thought I’d give it a try!”
 
Tongue in cheek, of course. I know people have guns! 
 
You take care, have a great day and I’ll share some pretty amazing adventures here tomorrow. Hint: they involve a certain: