Monday Morning Musings

So, John Bolton is trying to affect a regime change in Iran through the use of the sanctions that disrupt the economy, causing a financial crisis and spurring mass protests across the country that will topple the current rulers. (You can listen to a report about this on The Daily from The New York Times)

Is it working?

Not according to the latest report from Al Jazeera

Ali Vaez, director of the Iran project at the ICG, said Iran’s counterstrategy would be to “resist and survive”.

“Rather than trying to achieve the unattainable goal of Iran’s surrender, they should act to prevent another costly US war of choice,” he wrote in the Atlantic magazine.

“This would require stepping back from maximalist demands, and using sanctions as scalpel, not a chainsaw.”

To me the worst part of this strategy, beyond the increased world tensions that could lead to war, is how it affects the common man and woman in Iran. While those in power, and those with enough money to survive a failing economy, play this international game of who will blink first, many will suffer and die. And they are the ones who didn’t want to play the game in the first place.

This is a pattern that repeats itself again and again, and the current U.S. administration is not the first to employ the tactics of sanctions. I just wonder if there isn’t a better way to solve world problems.

Okay, off my soapbox and on to something much more pleasant.

After days and days of rain, the sun finally came out yesterday for a perfect setting to celebrate Mother’s Day here in Texas. Most of my kids were able to come and the guys worked on the deck, making me an area for tending to some of my plants. It’s still a work in progress, so no pictures yet.

About five o’clock the construction work was put on hold so we could all have pizza and sit around and visit for a bit. Take-and-bake was from That Chicago Place in Plano, TX, and the pizza was amazing. It had generous toppings, a scrumptious crust, and the tastiest red sauce.

Dessert was cherry pie with chocolate ice cream for most of us, with one hold out going for apple pie and no ice cream. He just doesn’t know what a good thing he missed. 🙂

Among the gifts and cards I received was this one from Anjanette. She said it reminded her of the field of flowers we painted on the fence a couple of weeks ago, and she’s right.

My son, Paul gave me this picture of a unicorn, along with a card that was a bit on the mushy side. We have a standing joke about him not wanting mushy cards, or sending them, as well as nothing fru-fru for his house.

I could have taken a better picture. LOL But isn’t this a unique looking unicorn? Most look more like they would fit in a fairy tale than on a pasture somewhere, but this one could be a cross between a Friesian horse and a unicorn.

My son David and his wife gave me the arrangement of succulents and the jade tree, and the clutch was a gift from my daughter, Dany and her husband.

 

I must say I am very blessed with my family, and I thank God every day that I have such great kids and grand kids.

That’s all for me for today folks. I have a lot on my to-do list and have barely made a dent in it and the morning is gone. I hope your week starts off well and you are happy and well.