Review of A Higher Loyalty

Truth, Lies and Leadership

by James Comey

Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations.

 – Henry David Thoreau

     Very seldom do I pick up a book to read and not want to put it down until I’ve finished but A Higher Loyalty kept me riveted to the pages. Not one word is extraneous and it is written in such a way that you know from the start that an important conclusion is around every bend in the breakneck narrative. If you’re expecting political fodder you may as well stay away from it but occasional humor throughout kept me hooked on what felt like a journey into the unknown. There is an educational tone to every part of Comey’s indictment on what has been and is currently going on at the White House and how these most current events are affecting all the branches of United States Government. Surprisingly, most of it is more about character, professional deportment, moral values and being ethical and truthful. It became obvious to me within the first hour of reading that the information contained in its pages were written with the welfare of American citizens in mind- specifically, people on a personal level. Comey also has lots of answers for United States citizens and is much more straightforward, honest and explanatory than anything you’re currently going to get from the Trump administration.

    

Two key chapters in the book, 9 and 10, covers classified data and misplacement of it concerning Ed Snowden (who I now consider to be a criminal and traitor to our country) and Hillary Clinton’s e-mails which were found to be low level classified and sent to people who had government clearance for said data and therefore deemed not prosecutable after two separate and thorough investigations by FBI agents under Comey’s direction. I didn’t understand much about classified information prior to reading this book but applaud James Comey for taking the time to put it all down in black and white. Now I know for certain what I only supposed or wondered about for a long time. By the time Hillary was interviewed about the e-mails, which was after the first investigation, it was ascertained that she told the truth about her handling of the e-mails and cleared herself of any more investigations prior to the election. Even though a second investigation was carried out after the interview it revealed nothing different than what had already been reviewed.

     Besides getting James Comey’s life story thus far, his book gives us a true window into the world of the FBI without giving away a trace of classified information. We get to see the shaping of a life into an FBI director’s world which Mr.Comey keeps bereft of political bias out of expected protocol and proper deportment of his own. He explained in detail how that affects and sometimes complicates the work of all FBI personnel who he recounts with full respect and appreciation. Not once does James Comey make cheap shots at anyone in connection to his work with the FBI, or previously as Assistant U.S. Attorney (New York and VA), deputy attorney general during Bush’s administration and after eight years working in the private sector, appointed as Director of the FBI midway into Obama’s administration.  He doesn’t dignify anything that has come out of the mouth of Trump since taking the White House by repeating a single word of his, on or off the record, except where he had to clarify dialogue that occurred between the two of them on several occasions. This was despite his numerous and required attempts at avoidance. He reiterated himself several times about this issue, first to Trump and then members of Trump’s staff, of the necessity of keeping the FBI protocol when once and done should have settled the question. (Whatever else has been said of Trump I will say that his ignorance is sticking out like a sore thumb. The man only knows how to fire people. Abruptly.)  

     A Higher Loyalty encompasses revealing information about the years prior to and after 9/11 and the past two years, specifically, for all Americans who voted (once) and stood on the sidelines waiting to see the outcome. I stopped reading the book, for the space of about a month, to think about this last election and the behavior I’m seeing from the so-called chief. (I hesitate to call him a president.)

     When questioned about elections it is often discovered that American people make their political and voting decisions based on inconsequential things instead of educating themselves about the issues and the reputation of the people running for office. In order for your vote to have its true value you must do more than scratch the surface on current events and issues. In an environment of haste, which our country and the economy suffers from, now more than ever, it is a recipe for disaster not to get as informed as you can- not just about the issues but the candidates who propose to do something about them. Indeed, the candidates must know what the real issues are and specifically if they will have the power and/or ideas to be able to implement solutions which make sense and work for every citizen. Additionally, the true character of a candidate is every bit as important as the issues, along with his/her qualifications and expertise because, in the long run, only impeccable character will be able to carry anything through. Confucius taught that no government can be better than the character of its rulers and further, if our politics are not based on agreed upon moral truths they will not stand.

    

I’ve read and heard too much banter about our system of government being broken when, in fact, that could only be proven if the system was being utilized the way it was originally set up to run. My feeling is that too many people have taken potshots at our government and policing and have never actually tried to follow the system. This is particularly true with the way we handle illegal immigration. Perhaps our implementers and policing is broken. Picture a crippled man trying to ride a bike that is in running condition and you’re closer to the truth of what is happening. No one who comes to the United States should ever be treated like they don’t belong here unless that person is a convicted fugitive already.

     That being said, when I picked the book back up and finished it I suddenly realized that Comey practically sent me a message personally. It’s personal for all of us who love our country because of the form of government our forefathers set up. We don’t live here simply because we were born here. We’re here because we’re guaranteed privileges, rights and freedoms that no other country offers and we can also contribute to them as well. All of that comes with a responsibility toward our highest moral goals, however. If we are Americans- free and proud then we’re going to have to show that we have something to be proud of, don’t we?

     Do I recommend this book? It should be required reading for every person currently residing in the U.S. It will give you a good reason to become literate in English. Welcome to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Summertime is Here !

   

  First off, I just want to say Congratulations to the Warriors for a spectacular performance and win of the championships tonight at Oracle and also to Kevin Durant for his second MVP Finals award. It is certainly deserving and I'm glad you received it this year, too ! I'm sure there are going to be many more in the future! Kudos also to all the Cavaliers who put up a valiant fight. You live up to your name for sure. I should know- I'm The Castle Lady ! What a great way to kick off summer in a big way ! !

     Every season, so far this year, has arrived early and it appears that summer is going to be no different. I’ve planted a brand new flower garden on the south side of my house this year so it’s going to be exciting to see what all comes up. Hopefully it will discourage all the weeds that have grown there in the past. Can one defeat weeds with seeds? Well, I’m certainly going to find out! I’ve zapped those weeds relentlessly for quite a number of years now and since I had some good bare ground for a change I decided on flowers rather than try to put in a lawn where no one will appreciate it. I even made a pretty path to go along with it of small flagstones (donated by my aunt Anne) and I may even put in a garden stool or small bench if there is enough space. For now, I’m watering, watering and watering and waiting. Some seedlings are coming up so it’s starting to take on some shape of an actual garden. It’s certainly making early June a little more interesting.

     You know it’s been many years since I actively have roller-skated anywhere because so many of Denver rinks have shut down over the years. My introduction to the sport was during one of my earliest summers where I just strapped some metal skates onto my shoes- with metal wheels, mind you!- which I got as a gift the previous Christmas. Talk about a take-off! I don’t remember a single fall with them on and they were my greatest toy for one summer. The ice cream man going by? Put the skates on quick! It was the only way to meet up with friends, find an empty parking lot or space somewhere and pretend we were at a skating rink. That was one summer.

     I never used them again. Many years later…after High School was over, after I’d gone to Opportunity School and was working as a professionally licensed nail tech I noticed that in California grown people were putting on professional-looking skates with new types of wheels made out of polyurethane. They were colorful and they dance skated in them so it really caught my attention. When I moved out to California I spent every weekend skating on the boardwalk at the beach in my own customized pair. I also went to roller rinks and roller disco parties in them. Roller-skating grew up for me in a very real way.

     When I moved back to Denver I kept skating at various different rinks and had gotten quite good at it. For a good twenty years I kept it as a very important and regular part of recreation in my spare time. The roller rinks began to shut down and even now there are almost none. When I heard that the rink which I had started roller-skating at as an adult was being revamped for its old purpose very recently I made a mental note. I haven’t actually gone through those doors yet because it’s been eighteen years since I last skated, I’ll bet! I’m going to challenge myself to go back to it because I’ll bet it’s like riding a bike. You know. You never forget, right?

     Well, I can’t think of anything better to get me away from everything- aside from going to see a movie which is also a rare thing for me to do.
Skating was the impetus of one summer many years ago, so I believe I’m going to let it be that one thing you just never want to give up doing. I could stick with the patterns I’ve let my life fall into or I can just go all the way back to one summer in the sixties and be myself once again. Summer time is HERE ! Here we go…

The Castle Lady

Barbie Does Basketball !

     We’ve reached the Finals of the NBA championships and watched last night’s Game 1 to see the usual struggle between LeBron’s vulnerable ego doing battle with the Warriors insistence on humbleness. The game alone is enough entertainment especially since Shaq and Barkley had their laugh about the Benny Hill antics that go on when chaos clashes with insistence on order. (Their take on the new basketball!) I don’t see why anyone would purposely miss these games because the entertainment value is high. If you’re not watching you’re really missing out- I just had to say that! However, I can’t stand it when someone really gets hurt. That’s what happened in the first quarter between Klay Thompson and J.R. Smith. Before anyone could stop it J.R. slipped (probably on someone’s pool of sweat), colliding with Klay who had just taken possession of the ball, tripping him and he twisted radically, slamming down sideways on his right hip. Thompson tried to get up and apparently was in such pain all he could do was slam his fists on the wood floor. AUGH!

     That mishap sent him out limping to the locker rooms for the remainder of the quarter but luckily returned by the second quarter to make a round of perfect shots in the basket for the remainder of the game. His resilience alone is commendable but it made me wonder just how much daily pain these athletes endure over the love of the game. Who says they don’t earn their money ?

     At any rate, I watched a real tug of war for hours with the scores reflecting the struggle quite well. The Cavaliers and Warriors were head to head throughout the entire game. Durant really shined in this game. I noticed that Dramond Green tried to give LeBron a facial when he was trying to do a slam dunk. One word of advice to Dramond: Try to stay as far away from LeBron as you can during the remainder of the finals.

    

When the game went into overtime a sudden burst of perfect shots put the Warriors way ahead of the Cavs and you could see shock registered on the faces of the Cavs. Meanwhile, the Warriors were clearly rejoicing. When two and half seconds were left on the extended clock LeBron and Steph Curry decided to have a chat which escalated into a fast fight between several of the Cavs and several of the Warriors. There was enough time for it, wasn’t there? This was all started because Tristan Thompson had just been ejected from the game for unnecessary roughness. The ref actually started the fight, in truth. How important was it to eject a player when by all rights and purposes the game was over, pal?

     I think the NBA needs to call all the refs down on the carpet and start laying down some rules for them. Often their calls are way off, especially on fouls. It’s so bad, in fact, that I’m beginning to wonder what constitutes a foul. Even commentators are bringing this issue up on a regular basis and it’s definitely high time they have a conference between the players, coaches and refs and get their wires uncrossed. Those rules are in place to protect players, basically, so they have every right to question bad calls. Often they are quite justified in doing so and they should be included in these talks. It’s time to have it out. Right?

www.nba.com

Just my two cents worth !

The Castle Lady

Keep Your Eyes on Summer

My title is not only the name of one of my most favorite Beach Boys songs but it’s very appropriate this summer. As a matter of fact, 2017 has seemed to be off schedule all year long! I can honestly say every month in Denver has been quite unusual in correspondence to its season and August has been no exception. Everyone’s talking like it’s autumn already and it’s not even close! The strong heat started right at the beginning of June for one, with no storms whatever. July was steadily hot and well above 90ْ, also, with few storms. August has been rainy at night and much cooler, overall, than June and July combined. That’s weird weather for August considering that it’s usually our hottest month.

    

Perhaps this total eclipse coming up has something to do with all of it. Denver is right in the path for an overhead viewing at 92% but I won’t be watching any of it. A partial total eclipse is a non-event in my estimation and its main claim to fame is that it will be really dark in the middle of the day for about an hour and a half. Yawn. Don’t be surprised if your dogs and cats decide to go to their backyard houses or favorite night time spot. They’re smarter than they seem. If by chance you insist on looking at what will be basically just darkness, be sure to take the ‘special glasses’ wearing to heart. Can’t get a hold of a pair? Then, please, at it don’t stare. (hee hee) Simple.

    

Remember when I vowed that I was not going to mow the lawn this year and that someone else was going to have to do it? Well, guess who got the so-called honors anyway? You guessed it. Who else but yours truly?  I’ve never felt so exhausted in my life! Avoiding the heat was impossible and you can’t mow at night. Let’s just say the latter isn’t a good idea. The other part of this is that it takes away from my writing time. Have you noticed West Somerset on my Word Press blog yet? Right. It isn’t there. It shouldn’t take me too much longer but it seems as if it’s taking me forever- face it! -but not because I haven’t put the effort in.

     As a matter of fact, I’ve written the thing nearly twice now. The first nearly completed final draft just suddenly disappeared from my computer without a trace in February after some extreme weirdness with my P.C. That is not the first time this has happened but I have vowed that it’s never going to happen again. What could be more frustrating than watching something that you’ve spent four months writing suddenly vanish? I honestly can’t think of anything worse right now and so I’m telling any type of malevolent miscreant or namby-pamby glitch that they better not touch this or something’s going to get hurt. Bad. When I show any signs of aggression in word, thought or deed you can be assured that you’ve pushed me over the edge of my good nature. You have been warned. 

     It may sound like summer has been a bummer but most of it has been much nicer than I expected. I’ve had a bit of a reprieve on extra duties around the house just simply because I’ve let some chores and extra work just go. You have to do that at times, you know. Most of my life I’ve been a live-for-the-moment type of person and this summer I let myself do just that. I’ve been catching up on the news and happenings and at my leisure rather than on the run. Here again, the heat may be partially responsible because when your body gets to a certain temperature you just have to sit down and do something that doesn’t involve movement of any kind. I’m getting good at it again. I’d almost forgotten what it’s like to stare off into space!

    

However, I would have you know that I’ve, in fact, been overflowing with ideas for writing projects for over a year and a half and getting overwhelmed with the amount of writing time I’ll have to do to get it all done. I thought my castles projects were overambitious! Whew! At one time my family thought I was going to become a hermit because I had a great place to hide and write all day. Those were the days! I need to get back to doing that and once I figure out how, I’m going to be unstoppable. Look out World!

    

At any rate, you can expect to see a fabulous version of West Somerset in the very near future. (Promise!) Along with all that you can expect to see quite a few sideline entries on all these ideas that have been fermenting, getting jotted down at odd moments and ultimately committed to a non-electronic apparatus which I’ll call the aide to my P.C. Hint: It’s called pen and paper! Yes, I still do that and this year it’s been done in the coolest place I can find- my basement! Bliss!

     Well, have a wonderful remainder of summer. It won’t be officially over until September 21^st- or thereabouts- and you may get to see a whole lot more of my writing on castles and much more for the remainder of this year than you’ve seen in quite some time. It’s proverbial. Life gets in the way of art but to be truthful there is just no comparison to the reflected life. Both are worth living but you have to learn to balance the two and take your bliss where you can get it.

The Castle Lady

Summer Struggle 2016

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-

a desire, a dream, a vision.

- Muhammad Ali

This is going to read a bit odd but getting through this summer has been one of my most difficult struggles ever and on a particular level I never would've expected. The reason why you haven't seen much on this blog until now hasn't been lack of subjects, boredom or writer's block or even writer's cramp. I've written more by handwriting this summer than I ever have in my life and my hands are fine except for sheer exhaustion. There. I said it. I'm exhausted from all the hard, physical labor I've been doing and it's been tripled and quadrupled this summer with extra work needing to be done around the house, more yard work, reorganization of just about everything in my house including moving furniture and equipment from downstairs to upstairs and vice versa all by myself. What I need is a house person. You know, like a house boy only politically correct. Here's the kicker: In the past I've been completely physically exhausted and then sat down to write and been just fine to think, edit and rewrite to my heart's content and completely in my element. 

     Now when I finally find time to sit down and write, I find that exhaustion is affecting my thinking. That's new and unwelcome. I've never known anything like this and I don't want to know it, either. This isn't happening because I don't like hard work or can't do it. I can do it and I don't mind hard work or at least I never have in the past. I'm digging in my heels because I don't want to be so exhausted that I can't think to write. That's where I draw the line. Here's the additional problem: quitting the heavy labor isn't an option.

     Not one to give up, I'm certain there's a solution and it would be something like this: Make a million dollars on my first castles book then hire someone to cook three square meals everyday and clean up after. Then, I would hire someone to make my yard look like a showcase home. I would have someone come every day to clean my house from top to bottom and do my laundry, fold it and/or hang it up and put it away. Having someone do all my shopping would be a bonus that would finally liberate me to sit down and just write for eight or more hours a day. Of course, I wouldn't give up my exercise in the morning which consists of yoga stretches followed by a swift walk up to the park, slam dunking 20 out of 30 basketball shots at the court and then coming home to write some more. That only takes about 45 minutes- tops.

     If there is any extra time after writing I could then take the time to rebuild a manicure/pedicure/nail clientele that doesn't exist for me anymore. Believe it or not, I really have enjoyed the profession I worked for three decades of my life before I watched my clientele dwindle away before my eyes. Either people don't care about the way their hands look, in the present day, or they don't have the money. No amount of discounting seems to work for these Asian discount salons. Most of them are empty, except for rows and rows of empty desks and two or three techs sitting around and watching TV. While I worked at storefront salons, including my own storefront, I don't think my client chair was ever empty. I worked ten hour days when I owned my storefront salon and never even thought about the amount of time I put in because I loved making women beautiful and helping them feel good about themselves. I guess that's out of vogue, too, but not for me. I can't go more than a week for manicuring my nails and I'd never give up the pedicures I do on myself at least once a month. If women have given this up even after years and years of being faithful clients then I can only think that they do not prioritize for themselves any longer and don't care what kind of details are in the look. Some hairstyles I've seen appear to have that philosophy!

     I will forge ahead with my dream of one day gallivanting the planet, doing site inspections any where castles can be found and writing about them and possibly showing them off on my own TV show. After that, putting them up on my web site will be done by my faithful and trusty web master who will turn my web site into a dream come true for myself and all my internet fans. You might even need an app to be able to buy my books at my web site! Bliss ! Another Cinderella dream achieved. Even though we both might be laughing now it will be followed with a sense of awe.

     I've always achieved everything that I've truly wanted to- believe it! I know I can achieve it. I've done that before. 

          

Some coincidences are not really coincidences...

" Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time."

     Has summer seemed too long to you? With high digit temperatures reigning throughout the land I'd understand if someone said they wished summer was over. I had a wonderful fan bite the dust last night and groaned because I knew it only meant one thing. Replacement. Interestingly, however, I've coped better with the heat today than usual and credit my willingness to do my high activity of the day when the temperature digits were still pretty low. I had practically forgotten what an early summer's day feels like and I think I'm going to like this business of going back to dealing with summer the way it is- not that I have a choice but at least I won't have to retreat to the basement as usual. Not yet, anyway.

     There's something about summer that is God's (and nature's) way of telling you to slow down. Have a glass of lemonade on the porch without the aim of fixing something or cleaning up, perhaps. If stopping and getting lost in thought is some kind of crime then life is going to get mighty miserable. I say, let's all take a break and stop expecting to keep up a pace that the world around us expects but no longer wants to continue themselves. Summer exists for a good reason and when I figure out what it all is I'll be certain to let you know. This morning's musical fare consisted of listening to Brian Wilson sing, "In My Room", which always made me think of what it is like to just sit somewhere, unobtrusive- and watch the world go by while trying to solve the energy crisis in my head. It's always for something. Try it sometime. I think you'll like it.

    

-

Last wee at the beginning John Lubbock

Once only imagined, now true...

What is now true was once only imagined.  - William Blake

Whatever may be said of dreamers and builders of the future we cannot refute that if those of the past had been discouraged from their obsessions and fervent or adamant quests this would be a truly impoverished world to live in at this point. We have never in history had such knowledge and expertise in technology readily available to us in common usage form as we do at the present time. We are truly blessed and those of us who are thankful or mindful of gratitude for these tools and devices are doubly so. However, technology is almost overwhelming for a certain demographic known as those who will not embrace the change or who stubbornly refuse to at least try to understand these advances. Ask anybody over the age of 80 who still say, "Huh?" when you ask them for their e-mail address. I have a certain amount of sympathy for them because I don't really embrace change readily- especially when I perceive that everything is fine as it is- and as long as it is working.

     It is wrong, however, not to recognize achievement and the desire of those who wish to improve this world in anyway they can. Indeed, such trailblazers as these should be commended, not discouraged or disparaged as though they meant to do harm. People will always pan those things they do not understand  or comprehend and so they must be encouraged toward understanding and not chided as if they just flubbed saying their ABCs. Nobody gets to the age of, say, 75 without having a few more bits of knowledge than the under 40 crowd who currently calculate their infallibility as quite high.

Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have faith in  people, that they're basically good and smart and if you give them tools they'll do wonderful things with them.

- Steve Jobs

     I believe my own fascination with technology started early but I haven't been one to charge ahead without reservations. For one, I remember my Computer Science major for a brother once telling me to wait to buy anything techno because in a few months nearly everything on it would be obsolete and I'd have to go through the trouble of trying to update something that would need to be replaced completely in the end. That type of advice sticks with you and besides I found him to be absolutely correct- so far!

     What's the answer then ? How do we reach the unreachable elders ?  I can't begin to answer that except with what William Blake said years ago. (See above.) If those who can use their imagination to bring us the world at our fingertips could find a way to urge humanity to forge ahead with this knowledge, then we will be on our way. I've always been a possibility thinker, however. I know that nothing is impossible to God but man needs a whole lot more encouragement than Tally ho ! Techno needs to get back into the realm of high touch so that those who drag their heels- for a good reason mind you!- can reach out and enjoy the miracle we're all experiencing. Maybe they'll stop saying, "Heck, no!" to techno.

Stay connected,

The Castle Lady

Summertime...

Is the living easy this year? Well, I wouldn't, as yet, put this period into the category of being exactly idyllic yet, especially since yesterday was, largely, one of the rainiest, gloomiest Sundays we've had yet for 2014. It was beautifully sunny real early and then...I'm not going to get negative here, though. (At least, I'll try not to, for sure.) Everything's green, blooming and getting all new again. You have to love that ! Instead of clearing off snow again, it's time to get that lawn mower out. There's no use trying to stop the effects of spring and impending summer. I'm sure I've already zapped about 200 weeds-easy ! My roses out front are a riot of lush blooms and that heavenly light rosy fragrance is permeating my front walk. Nice. Winter is OVER, whew !

I've been feeling more like my regular self for about two months now and I want to keep going with those feelings. I've been getting a lot of writing accomplished and am doing better than ever, overall, on my daily baskets. (Usually better than my average which is about two out of three!) Two turtle doves have taken up residence in the pine tree outside my office window and periodically they peer in at me like I'm invading their space! It just makes me giggle. Oh yeah, I've been giggling a lot more, too.

I've decided that I'm not doing much good burying myself in memories of days gone by- good though they may be. It's time to pick myself up, dust myself off, look around, see what needs to be done and just do it. As Obama said in the middle of his campaign, "It's better to light a candle than sit back and curse the darkness." Indeed. It's not so dark, though, and we all need to take a break from futility. Nothing is futile if you make a concerted effort toward goals and, incidentally, prayer changes a lot of things; More than you might think. I've been going over possessions and keepsakes with such buried thought that you'd think everything was priceless. I know better than that, of course, and you can't keep everything I keep telling myself. What I wanted to keep the most is now far away except in my dreams.

An estate sale is impending and I just need to find a couple of helpful volunteers to help me wrap things up, get things sorted and tagged and get it all out there where someone else can get a chance at some very nice stuff. All I've ever found myself deeply attached to is books and now that I've gone through and sorted about 10,000 of my own it's starting to look like audiobook city. There's nothing like getting your reading done while taking a walk, knitting or clearing up the dishes and straightening up a kitchen. I'm still looking for a change to come real soon. I can feel it in the air. Very soon no one will be able to hold me back and I'll be soaring the skies again and taking all kinds of calculated risks. It's good to be back with the human race.

 Racing with the stars...

The Castle Lady