Jimmy Buffett sang about “Havana Daydreamin’”; and Pete Seeger rhapsodized about “Guantanamera” — his Cuban woman.

I’m old enough to remember when Cuba was a popular vacation destination for Americans in search of the world’s best rum and cigars, and a rip-roaring good time. Then came the revolution.

And after that, there was the alliance with this guy:

It was, of course, all downhill from there. And today, Cuba is in dire straits, in no small part exacerbated by Donald Trump’s sanctions, his oil blockade, and his designation of the island nation as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism” — all designed to ease the way to realizing his ultimate goal: the addition of Cuba to his growing list of Mergers and Acquisitions.

And this week — as Trump was winging his way to China with a few members of his administration, a couple of family hangers-on, and a slew of billionaires looking for their next fortunes — CIA Director John Ratcliffe and his delegation headed to Havana to meet with Cuban government officials. A statement from the Cuban government read as follows:

“Following the request submitted by the US government that a delegation presided over by the CIA Director John Ratcliffe be received in Havana, the Revolutionary Directorate approved the realization of this visit and the meeting with its counterpart from the Ministry of the Interior.” [Patrick Oppmann, Hira Humayun and Michael Rios, CNN, May 14, 2026.]

A couple of days earlier, Trump had hinted that his administration was preparing to talk with Cuba, which he called a “failed country” seeking help in solving its economic crisis. He posted on Truth Social:

“Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk!!! In the meantime, I’m off to China!” [Id.]

The State Department has said that the U.S. would offer Cuba $100 million in aid . . . to carry out “meaningful reforms to Cuba’s communist system.” [Id.]

(Is it my imagination, or does that sound eerily like Trump’s demands for regime change in Venezuela and Iran?)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded on X that, while Cuba would be open to receiving aid from the United States, “lifting or easing the blockade” would be preferable. [Id.]

What Trump is ultimately up to is obvious: control of yet another country . . . and this time, one situated just 93 miles from the coast of Florida. But why send in the CIA? Why not the State Department, or that shrewd negotiating team of Witkoff and Kushner?

Or almost anyone else?

Those of my generation remember all too well what happened when the CIA stuck its nose into Cuba 65 years ago. Maybe they’ve learned from their earlier mistakes . . . but this still makes me nervous.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/15/26

This is just too funny.

In a stunning military innovation, Ukraine has begun using robots to approach Russian troops in battle zones, in order to keep Ukraine’s soldiers safe from possible up-close attacks. In and of itself, a great idea . . . but also one that has proven to have had a surprising effect on Russia’s mighty army.

It seems that a number of the Russian invaders have been caught on video surrendering to the mighty metal midgets.

In a masterpiece of understatement, Oleg Fedoryshyn — director of research and development at DevDroid, a company that makes combat robots and other armaments — had this reaction:

“Of course, I was a little bit surprised.” [Sinead Baker, Business Insider, May 11, 2026.]

I should think so. The original purpose of the unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) was to protect Ukrainian soldiers from possible grenade or other attacks by approaching Russian soldiers claiming to be surrendering. Instead, some Russians have opted to surrender to the bots themselves. In one case, there is footage of three Russian soldiers being captured by a Ukrainian TW-7.62 system, in which the men walk toward it with their arms raised and then lie down on the ground. [Id.]

As Fedoryshyn said, this is “what modern warfare looks like.” [Id.]

Just as I was wondering how the UGVs then physically interact with their prisoners, the article said that, while full details are not shared by Ukraine’s military, Fedoryshyn assumes there were likely to have been living, breathing Ukrainian soldiers nearby, as well as possible additional support from aerial drones.

I should hope so. I can’t imagine walking up to a fully-armed likeness of Artoo Detoo and saying, “Take me to your leader” . . . then meekly following it back to enemy headquarters. I don’t know how you would ever live that down.

It is an interesting concept, though.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/14/26

Following Moscow’s Victory Day Parade on Saturday, Vladimir Putin commented to reporters concerning the war in Ukraine:

“I think that the matter is coming to an end.” [Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters, May 10, 2026.]

And I joined the world’s leaders, the media, and every other Russia-watcher in speculating what he meant by that. Was he actually ready to compromise; was it just another stall; or did he have something new up his sleeve?

Based on other indicators, I said that I thought it would most likely turn out to be option #2 or #3 — but not capitulation. And then, as though someone had heard me, I saw this headline:

“Putin says Russia test launches ‘most powerful missile in the world.’” [CBS/AP, May 12, 2026.]

The report went on to say that on Tuesday Russia had test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which was being touted by Putin just days after his enigmatic statement about ending the conflict. In his announcement, Putin said that the nuclear-armed missile, known as Sarmat, would be ready to enter combat service at the end of this year, replacing the older Soviet-era Voyevoda. Claiming that the combined power of the Sarmat’s individually-targeted warheads is more than four times higher than that of any Western counterpart, Putin boasted:

“This is the most powerful missile in the world.” [Id.]

He also said that the Sarmat, along with other new weapons, would render any prospective U.S. missile defenses useless. It is said to be capable of suborbital flight, giving it a range of more than 21,700 miles and the ability to penetrate any such missile defenses. [Id.]

*. *. *

And there it is: first the hint at something coming, and then the unveiling of his newest nuclear threat. Could this be what he meant? Did he expect Ukraine to surrender, cowering in fear?

But conversely, there were other reports of his having told his own inner circle:

“We cannot continue. This is leading us to catastrophe.” [World News Europe, May 11, 2026.]

And there has been talk of discussions about withdrawing troops from Ukraine, and seeking diplomatic channels for the start of negotiations.

But where is the confirmation of any of this? How do we ever know which conflicting statements coming from Moscow are true . . . or, for that matter, if any of them are?

At the end of the day, the mystery continues, as it has for centuries. As Winston Churchill famously said way back in 1939: Russia is “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

I doubt that Churchill would be surprised to see that it hasn’t changed a bit in the last 87 years.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/14/26

We might be tempted to think (or hope) that — amidst all of the hullabaloo surrounding Iran, Ukraine, China, the Vatican, the economy, the upcoming midterm elections, and that accursed ballroom — Donald Trump would have forgotten all about his mad desire to lay claim to Greenland. After all, he hasn’t mentioned it in a while.

But we would be wrong.

As it happens, officials with knowledge of the matter say that the U.S. has been involved in regular negotiations with Denmark to expand U.S. military presence in Greenland, with the talks progressing in recent months. American representatives are said to be seeking to open three new bases in the southern part of the island, while simultaneously attempting to resolve the diplomatic damage done by Trump when he threatened to take the territory by force. [Daniel Bush, BBC, May 12, 2026.]

The talks, described as “delicate,” have been clothed in secrecy, and are said to involve a small working group on each side. A White House official told the BBC that the administration is very optimistic that the talks are “headed in the right direction.” And Denmark’s Foreign Ministry would say only that “There is an ongoing diplomatic track with the United States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not go into further detail at this time.” [Id.]

While there has been no indication of a formal agreement as yet, word from one official is that the U.S. has suggested an arrangement whereby the new military bases “would be formally designated as US sovereign territory.” [Id.]

“What did he say??!!!”

And that is when I really sat up and paid attention. Because the parallel is inescapable. It is exactly what Russia — having gained a military foothold in the Donbas, Crimea, and other regions of Ukraine — continues to demand as its right: a designation of those regions as Russian sovereign territory. And once that happens (if it does), there will be no stopping a future advance.

Could the same possibly take place in Greenland?

I hope someone can prove to me that I am overthinking the situation. But unless and until I’m proven wrong, I have this word of caution for the Danish officials:

“Be sure to read the fine print!”

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/13/26

NO! Not that light!

Right … that’s the one.

Believe it or not, I’m talking to this guy:

Because on Monday he apparently — after more than four years — did see the light. And he seems to have admitted, albeit somewhat obliquely, that his “special military operation” in Ukraine is not going to end the way he hoped and expected it would.

What he reportedly said, in a closed-door meeting, was this:

“We cannot continue. This is leading us to catastrophe.” [World News Europe, May 11, 2026.]

Say WHAT??!!!

According to the same report, the Kremlin has allegedly begun the following urgent preparations for ending the war:

> The General Staff has reportedly been instructed to start developing a mechanism for withdrawing troops from Ukraine.

> Diplomatic channels (through Turkey, China, and intermediaries) have already been activated to launch a negotiation process.

> Witnesses claim Putin looked pale, nervous, and for the first time in many months appeared genuinely broken. [Id.]

Following Saturday’s Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Putin told reporters:

“I think that the matter is coming to an end.” [Al Jazeera Staff, AFP and Reuters, May 10, 2026.]

He also said that he was ready to hold direct talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow or in a neutral country.

Has Putin finally seen the folly of his attempt to steal an entire country? After more than four years of his originally-planned two-week war, perhaps he has at last acknowledged that he has only succeeded in racking up more than a million Russian casualties; that he’s running out of replacements for those troops lost or injured on the battlefield; and that his aggression, rather than beating Ukraine into submission as expected, actually inspired them to become a world-class fighting force and a drone superpower, having already decimated a number of Russia’s oil refineries and shown their capability of reaching as far as Moscow itself. Not to mention positioning Russia as a pariah in most of the rest of the world, and severely devastating his own economy.

It would be nice if this did turn out to be a sudden awakening on his part. But let’s not get carried away just yet.

“There’s more?”

Yes, there is more. Because Putin’s comments must be taken in the context of his other statements. For example, before telling the press that he thinks the war may be coming to an end, he also spoke of Russia’s “just cause [against] an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. Victory has always been and will be ours.” [Id.]

Only then did he add that the end of the war might be near . . . without explaining precisely what sort of conclusion he envisions.

He also qualified his offer to meet with Zelensky, saying:

“A meeting in a third country is also possible, but only after a peace treaty aimed at a long-term historic perspective is finalised. This should be a final deal, not the negotiations.” [Id.]

That’s just a repeat of what he’s been saying all along. And when asked whether he would be willing to engage in talks with European leaders, he responded:

“For me personally, the former chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. [Gerhard] Schroder, is preferable.” [Id.]

Well, of course he would be . . . though it wasn’t clear whether he was suggesting that Schroder act as negotiator on behalf of the EU nations, or that he would prefer to have Schroder represent Russia in talks with the others. And perversely, either one is conceivable.

Because Schroder — who served as German Chancellor from 1998 to 2005 between the administrations of Helmut Kohl and Angela Merkel — has long shared interests with Putin’s Russia. He has served as Chairman of the Border at Nord Stream AG — a joint Russian-German pipeline undertaking — as well as Russian oil giant Rosneft, where he remains a member of the Board. There had been consideration of his joining the Board of Russian state-run gas company Gazprom, though that apparently has not materialized.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Schroder was widely criticized for his pro-Russia stance, his work for Russian state-owned companies, and his lobbying on behalf of Russia. In 2022, as a result of those associations, proceedings were instituted by the Public Prosecutor General, accusing Schroder of complicity in Russia’s crimes against humanity.

So yes, it would certainly suit Putin to deal with Schroder. Other than Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who could possibly be better suited to his purposes?

If I sound skeptical — even cynical — it’s because I am. Vladimir Putin may be getting old and tired; but he has not shed his innate character, or his ambition to remain “Tsar for Life.” He is, always has been, and always will be diabolically clever.

My instincts tell me that he may indeed have seen a light . . . but it is most likely to have been a bright idea for ending the war on his chosen terms, with a minimum of compromise on his part. Or it’s simply another stalling tactic. Either way, I wouldn’t advise the Ukrainian military to pack up the ammo just yet.

But that’s only my humble opinion.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/13/26

This quote is from one of my favorite author/humorist/empaths, Erma Bombeck. And I chose it today as the result of a Haagen-Dazs crisis at my local supermarket, in which I momentarily contemplated going cold turkey and giving it up entirely for the sake of my waistline. Thankfully, the problem was solved, and my sanity has been restored. I have ice cream in the freezer, and I’ll just have to avoid looking at the bathroom scale for a while longer.

Anyway, Erma always understood what we women go through on a daily basis, and managed to find just the right words of encouragement . . . or at least rationalization . . . to get us through our problems du jour.

In this case, the original quotation is somewhat longer; but I have chosen my favorite bits to share today:

“Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.

My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.

If I had my life to live over again I would have waxed less and listened more.

. . .

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have burnt the pink candle that was sculptured like a rose before it melted while being stored.

I would have sat cross-legged on the lawn with my children and never worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television . . . and more while watching real life.

I would have eaten less cottage cheese and more ice cream.

. . .

There would have been more I love yous . . . more I’m sorrys . . . more I’m listenings . . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute of it . . . look at it and really see it . . . try it on . . . live it . . . exhaust it . . . and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it.”

– Erma Bombeck, “Eat Less Cottage Cheese and More Ice Cream: Thoughts On Life From Erma Bombeck”

*. *. *

Haagen-Dazs crisis: AVERTED. Thank you, Erma.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/12/26

Don’t ask me to pronounce it. I only know that it used to be called Barrow, and was renamed in 2016 to its traditional Inupiaq (Alaskan Inuit) name; and that, according to the sign in the picture below, it is just 250 miles from the North Pole . . . so probably first on Santa’s delivery route.

With a population of slightly under 5,000, Utqiagvik is the largest Inupiaq settlement in Alaska. It is also the northernmost city in the United States, situated some 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle. So the winters tend to be a bit on the chilly side, averaging from a low of -7 F. to a high of -19 F. in February.

But it is now summertime — or what passes for summer — in . . . oh, let’s just call it Barrow, simply because it’s easier for me to spell. However, there probably won’t be a lot of sunbathing or gardening happening, with average low and high temperatures in mid-July hovering around +35 F. to +47 F. Luckily, their main industries are fishing and whaling, and not pineapple-growing or tourism.

And summer also means that as of today, the residents can look forward to 84 consecutive days — and nights — of daylight, or Midnight Sun. So close to the North Pole, it will never be completely dark until August 2nd. And that has to be totally disorienting.

I have never been quite that far north. But I did spend a few days in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the summer of 1993, in the midst of the White Nights, when the sun didn’t “set” until around 10:00 p.m., and “dark” was what we normally refer to as dusk. And it was decidedly strange.

Each day, my body would begin to tell me it was time to sleep while my mind kept saying, “But it’s still light outside! Let’s go shopping.” On the plus side, you could have a long business meeting and a late dinner and still get home before dark, because “dark” was weeks away. And blackout curtains helped.

So if you have difficulty adjusting between Standard and Daylight Saving Times twice a year, just imagine what the White Nights, or the Midnight Sun, must do to your body clock. It is a unique experience for those of us who have always lived far below the Arctic Circle.

*. *. *

And then, by September or October in Utqiagvik-Barrow, it’s back to this:

And from mid-November to late January, there is — you probably guessed it — Polar Night, when the sun doesn’t make an appearance at all. I can’t even imagine what that must be like, nor do I want to.

I will say this for the good people of far northern Alaska: they are surely the hardiest of souls — not merely surviving, but building their lives in some of Mother Nature’s harshest conditions. I’m not sure whether, even in my best years, I could have done it.

But I did find out that, even there — 250 miles from the North Pole — Amazon delivers. It just takes a little longer. So, on second thought, I might be able to make it after all.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/12/26

Today I mailed yet another birthday card to one of my oldest friends, who has been in my life since 10th grade . . . and that is a very long time indeed. And I marveled, not for the first time, at the longevity of my relationships with just a handful of people, and how lucky I feel that we found each other.

People come and go throughout our lives, and it’s hard to pinpoint what makes some so special that they never leave, even when life carries us in different directions. Some of my favorite people are those with whom I seemed at first to have nothing in common; yet when we met, something just clicked, filling a void that I didn’t even know existed. And I am forever grateful that it did.

I like this explanation of the phenomenon we call “friendship,” written by novelist, screenwriter, editor and columnist Jay McInerney:

“The capacity for friendship is God’s way of apologizing for our families.”

– Jay McInerney, “The Last of the Savages”

I can relate to that.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/11/26

Last night was one of those stare-at-the-ceiling-until-dawn nights, when my mind went wandering in 100 different directions and I dozed fitfully until the sun came up and I was finally able to sleep soundly for a few hours.

Yes, I know . . . I’m probably part bat. Or maybe just a little batty. But tell it to my body clock.

In any event, one of the weird thoughts that cycled through my so-called brain — or perhaps it was a dream during one of the brief periods of sleep — had to do with Jeffrey Epstein’s Island, known as Little Saint James, and what has happened to it since his death.

It is described as a 70- to 78-acre private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands southeast of St. Thomas. It is said to feature a main compound, multiple villas, a private dock, a helipad, a library, and some sort of “striped temple-like structure,” according to Google’s AI Overview. And it seems to be sitting there, waiting to be brought back to life . . . hopefully as something lovely and legal, and not a reincarnation of its former self.

In fact, Epstein’s compound consisted of two islands. And in May of 2023, billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff purchased both of them for a total of about $60 million for the announced purpose of developing them as a 25-room “world-class destination” luxury resort.

But, as of a few months ago, it was reported that permitting delays have stalled development. So I had an idea.

What if Donald Trump, who will be out of work in about 32 months at the outside (but who’s counting?), were to make Deckoff an offer he couldn’t refuse — say, $240 million, or a nice 300% profit — for the properties to be turned into . . .

HIS OWN COUNTRY!

Picture it: He could name it Trumplandia, or whatever he wanted to. It would have its own flag, emblazoned with the Trump Family crest; its own currency, with his face on it; its own laws; the biggest, most beautiful palace with the biggest, most beautiful ballroom in the whole world; and all of the tacky golden statues he could find space for.

His word would be law. There would be no bothersome constitution, no legislature, no courts, and no “fake news” media. He could declare polygamy legal, and immigration verboten.

He could populate Trumplandia exclusively with White, Christian, conservative billionaires . . . except, of course, for the servants, who would live in dormitories on the second island, receive minimum wage, and be required to shop in the overpriced Trump-Lutnick Market and pay for their own medical care at the Trump-Kennedy Walk-In Clinic and Mortuary.

And he could have himself crowned King for Life, and awarded the First Annual Trump Peace Prize.

Truly a malignant narcissist’s wet dream come true.

Then, when Trumplandia had been recognized by the world as a sovereign nation, all of the other nations would join together, declare war on it, and form the world’s biggest, most beautiful blockade around the islands, rendering them inaccessible by air or sea . . . along with a total communications blackout. Only humanitarian aid — essential food, water and medicines dropped from helicopters — would be allowed in; and any attempts at escape would be treated as suspected drug runners and blown out of the water.

And Donald Trump, and all of his minions — just like all of the ogres in all of the fairy tales ever written — would never be heard from again.

And the rest of the world would live happily ever after.

THE END

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/11/26

Vladimir Putin’s somewhat diminished Victory Day Parade went off without a hitch yesterday . . . though the promised ceasefire may not have been a complete success.

Ukraine’s military reported that Russian forces had launched a missile and dozens of drones overnight; and Moscow claimed that Kyiv had broken the agreement, though without any reports of incidents affecting the parade. We’ll see if the three-day ceasefire proposed by Putin continues to hold.

In the meantime, Putin had his opportunity to tout the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II — forgetting, as always, to mention the contributions and sacrifices of Western Europe and the United States. And, in what appeared to be another memory lapse, he attempted to tie that defensive war to the current Russian offensive in Ukraine, which he himself started in 2022, offering this paean to Russian valor:

“The great feat of the generation of victors inspires the soldiers carrying out the goals of the special military operation today. They are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc. And despite this, our heroes move forward . . . I firmly believe that our cause is just.” [RFE/RL, May 9, 2026.]

When you’re out of excuses for failure, it seems most convenient just to blame your victim. Delusional . . . but convenient.

Putin also spoke with reporters concerning the Ukraine conflict, unexpectedly saying, “I think that the matter is coming to an end.” Yet he stressed that he would not meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky until a final peace deal has been agreed. [Id.]

He added that, while he believes that the United States is “sincere” in its efforts to stop the war in Ukraine, it is “above all, a matter for Russia and Ukraine.” [Id.]

That statement followed remarks earlier in the day by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said on state television:

“It is understandable that the American side is in a hurry. But the issue of a Ukrainian settlement is far too complex, and reaching a peace agreement is a very long way with complex details.” [Id.]

So much for Donald Trump’s repeated assurances that Putin really, honestly wants peace. Perhaps if he had enlisted serious, experienced negotiators instead of playing into Putin’s hands by sending his son-in-law and that other real estate guy . . .

Or maybe that was the whole point.

At any rate, with no indication on Putin’s part of a willingness to compromise, his refusal to meet directly with Zelensky, and an indication that U.S. intervention is less than helpful, it looks as though Ukraine is facing another long, hot summer of fighting, suffering, and deaths in a conflict that already has lasted longer than the Soviet Union’s involvement in World War II.

What a waste!

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/10/26