THE RAISED EYEBROW A blog by Rachel Patron
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I retired in 2014 after 50 years as a journalist, writing Opinion Columns in several national newspapers. Yes, newspapers. Print journalism—already on the decline in 2014. Since then I published a memoir "Sunflower in the Snow," to great acclaim, but lesser popularity. A monumental oeuvre followed; "Politically Incorrect Bible Stories—Is Sex Good for the Jews?" No acclaim—but greater popularity. So, I have been writing a diary, but not conscientiously. Let me explain: I'm 90 years old. Ninety! The Bible calls 80 the Age of Heroes. So maybe 90 is Heroes on Steroids. I know gerantologists refer my age by other complimentary names—but I'll stick with mine. That's why my diary isn't filling up. Not much happening. Some action required. What? First thing that comes to mind is to move near my kids and grandkids. Splendid! Folks, this is a tremendous move, like crossing the Delaware, storming the Bastille, or discovering DNA. I flew down from Florida, warm and cuddly state where I had lived for a long time— to Maryland. Today is January 29, 2026, 16 degrees outside, where only little kids and frisky dogs are rolling in the snow. Since I live in my own apartment, I am making this entry in my long neglected diary: A black SUV under my window is stuck in the ice, Has been for five days. First thing I do each morning is run to the window and check. Still there! That's action! Had I moved in with my kids, they would bother me no end. So I must remain independent. EXCEPT... (stay tuned.)
It has been widely reported that when President Trump announces some new plan or initiative, he does not ask: Is it a good plan? or some such version. Instead he asks: How does it play? Well, let's look at the week gone by: There was SUMMIT OF THE BOYS IN BEIJING. A luminous Xi Ji Ping, the Chinese leader, meeting with Kim Jon Un of North Korea, reclusive no more, and with Vlodimir Putin of Russia, isolated no more. They hugged and smiled a great deal. THEY WERE PLAYING ON THE WORLD STAGE. Meanwhile, the American President, Donald Trump, WAS PLAYING ON THE FLEA MARKET CIRCUIT. For example: America's mighty forces raided the South Korean automobile factory Hainday in Georgia, and arrested some 450 South Korean workers. Shocking! Who could have imagined that South Koreans would work in a South Korean factory? The Boys in Beijing basked in the biggest military parade staged anywhere in many decades: What looked like thousands upon thousands of goose-stepping humanoids menacingly eyeing their unseen enemies: the USA and the West. They were followed by missiles and every kind of military ordinance, while planes made screeching circles above. Meanwhile in the FLEA MARKET, American air power attacked a Venezuelan boat in the Caribbean, claiming that it might have carried drugs. 11 people on board were killed. In the victory lap we said that it serves Venezuelan President Maduro right for trying to dominate the world! The BOYS IN BEIJING were so giddy with their prominence that they decided to live forever. Or at least as long as Metussella. AND NOT TELL DONALD TRUMP THE SECRET OF THEIR LONGEVITY!
