Agnes by Tony Cochran for November 29, 2023

sounds like a good strategy to me…

Did Granny Aardvark get Agnes a birthday present—socks? After all, that’s what she gets every Christmas!!

Have fun while you’re young slowing down when you’re older is somtimes enforced by your doctor. I know. Had a close call, Vascular surgeon fixed me up, recommended a few changes in lifestyle.

Bologna on a donut ??

I still eat peanut butter and bologna sandwiches, occasionally.

Add some cheese and you got yourself a trailer park version of a Monte Cristo sandwich.

I’m more a cinnamon roll kind of guy, but I don’t want to slap bologna on one, messes up the taste of the bologna.

Happy birthday Agnes! Maybe granny will have a gift for you and make you a proper cake. Ahhh, what am I sayin…

By being poor and living in the US, Agnes’ life expectancy isn’t as long as in many other places.

The US has the lowest life expectancy of the ‘developed’ countries and that difference has been slowly increasing since 1980. Also, while the rest of the developed world has rebounded from the COVID pandemic, the US life expectancy continues to fall.

The reasons have been ascribed to:

- lack of universal healthcare

- expensive healthcare

- high maternal and infant mortality

- substance use disorder

- violent deaths in young folk

- lack of exercise, poor diet, and obesity

- smoking

And other causes, with all of the above magnified for the poor and people of color.

Unfortunately, Agnes and Trout are and will be affected by many of these factors.

A plain donut may be a little healthier, Trout.

So long as there is an internet.. you both will live.

Fine living, that’s the life for me,

What I am is just what you see,

Doughnuts and bologna for every meal,

I’d like to live better but that’s my deal.

Ok, I’m grossed out. Thanks Trout!

Excellent plan, now Pass the Mustard.

Happy Birthday, Agnes!