Donald Trump’s betrayal of America’s allies — Canada, Europe, and now Ukraine — has obviously been weighing heavily on my mind. I find it impossible to understand how it could have happened, and difficult to find the words to express how I feel about it.
As so often happens, I found those words in the writings of my old friend, the Bard of Avon. He wrote that, at Julius Caesar’s funeral, Mark Antony expressed his anger at his friend’s slaying, his dismay at the betrayal by Caesar’s supposed allies, and apparently at the state of the world in general:
“O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason.”
– William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act III, Scene 2
Then he made a deal with the devil — in the guise of Vladimir Putin — to buy diesel fuel from Russia, thereby siphoning billions of dollars into Russia’s treasury to help finance the war against Ukraine.
Next he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he should stop targeting Russia’s oil refineries and web service providers . . . and, by the way, he should also schedule new presidential elections, contrary to the provisions of Ukraine’s constitution. (But then, when did a constitution ever mean anything to Donald Trump?)
And now Elon Musk’s SpaceX has severely restricted Ukraine’s use of its Starlink internet service in defending against Russian missile and drone attacks. When questioned, Musk placed the responsibility squarely on Donald Trump’s shoulders, saying that the military version of Starlink, known as Starshield, is owned and controlled by the U.S. government.
According to Musk, “Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately POTUS.” [Abigail Williams, et al., NBC News, October 14, 2026.]
Way to pass the buck, Elon.
“It’s not personal . . . it’s business.”
Zelensky has complained that they have not been receiving the usual advance warnings from Washington that had been allowing them to repel many of Russia’s attacks. Trump, of course, denies this, saying:
“We are helping them and we are sharing intel. We want the war to end.” [Alex Raufoglu, RFE/RL, October 14, 2026.]
Of course he wants it to end. But in whose favor?
Meanwhile, on October 13th, Russian forces launched 39 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and Kharkiv, targeting, among other things, a thermal power plant and a high-rise apartment building in which at least three people were killed. [Id.]
“Once again, no advance warning from our partners,” was Zelensky’s comment on social media. [Id.]
Taken together, these actions add up to more than the betrayal of an ally; they point directly to overt support for the enemy. And if that isn’t treason . . .
The word is out, as it is every October, of next year’s so-called cost-of-living increase in Social Security payments. (Note that I don’t call them “benefits,” because they’re not . . . it’s our money, paid in over a lifetime, invested by the government for its own profit, with not a cent in interest paid to us.)
Anyway, this year’s increase is to be 3.6% of our current amount. But the Medicare premiums will also increase, by $6.60 per month . . . which doesn’t sound like a lot, unless you’re already in one of the lower brackets due to having earned less over your working lifetime.
But you’re probably thinking: “Hey, an increase is an increase. Not everyone gets a guaranteed annual raise.” Right?
Well, yes . . . and no. Because a second news item today reported that the rate of inflation increased last month to 3.7%. And there is no sign of its decreasing in the foreseeable future. [AP News Alerts, October 14, 2026.]
From personal experience, I can tell you that my grocery budget buys a little bit less each month . . . not to mention the skyrocketing cost of bulk purchases of essentials like toilet paper and laundry detergent, which simply get flushed down the drain . . . literally. And did I mention the inevitable rent increase, which in my case happens to fall in the middle of the year — just as I’ve gotten used to having those few extra dollars each month.
Throughout the decades of my working life, my increases in income kept up with inflation, and I was able to live within my means — not wealthy, for sure, but comfortable and happy. Families were able to plan ahead, buy houses, raise children, pay for college, take vacations, and maybe save a little for their old age. And many did it on a single salary.
Today, we’re lucky if those kids we put through college are able to earn enough to support themselves, much less look after us when our retirement savings run out. But as long as the oligarchs are raking in their billions, we’re supposed to believe the country is in good shape.
Harry Truman was probably the least likely person to think of becoming President of the United States. But when Franklin Roosevelt died in office in 1945, Truman, then Vice President, inherited the job.
And in 1948, when he ran for reelection against Thomas E. Dewey, the odds-makers were so sure he would lose, the Chicago Daily Tribune predicted his defeat in advance:
Surprise!
But Truman proved the “experts” wrong many times over. He had a quiet courage and a moral compass that enabled him to carry the country through the post-war period and the early years of the Cold War.
Perhaps his most frequently quoted comment was one that he had made into a sign that sat on his desk in the Oval Office: “The buck stops here.” But he also had words that resonate today, perhaps even more strongly than they did 80 years ago:
“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”
We could use another quiet, determined man like Harry Truman today. Unfortunately, those who may be out there haven’t been running for office in recent years.
Perhaps I’m wrong; but it seems beyond coincidental that, just as Russia is feeling the effects of Vladimir Putin’s endless war against Ukraine, and Putin himself is losing credibility and support from his own people, the Feenstra family should release a video of how wonderful life is on the farm in Nizhny Novgorod, and how grateful they are for the bounty they have received in the time they have been there.
Arriving in Nizhny Novgorod – 2024
The timing is particularly strange, in view of recent events on the farm: Arend Feenstra’s admitted concerns about the possibility of being drafted into the military; questions about the family’s progression toward permanent residency and ultimate citizenship; and their tenants, the Pulley family, being refused residency and having to return to their native Australia.
The video, posted yesterday on YouTube, was not narrated by Arend Feenstra as usual, but (I believe) by eldest daughter Cora. It was unclear who produced the video, but it seemed to be professionally filmed and scripted, and appeared to have been visually AI-enhhanced.
It was a composite of shots from earlier videos of the family’s journey, beginning with their arrival in Russia (though omitting the bureaucratic problems they initially encountered), through the construction of their home and other buildings on the acreage they were able to acquire, up to the present time . . . although some of the views were not familiar to me and may not have been included in the earlier postings. Or I might just have missed them.
A Bare Field
Building a Home
A Place for the Harvest
Beginning the Second Project
There is no question that the Feenstras have created their own miracle in two and a half years, starting with a bare piece of land and turning it into a working farm. Cora speaks of the vision they had when they arrived — of creating, not just a home, but a working farm and a business that would sustain their family in the future.
She speaks of the long hours, the tremendous expenses, and the occasional difficulties they had to work through. And she repeatedly mentions their vision, and how “a dream really can become a reality if you’re willing to work for it.”
In conclusion, she says that, looking back at what they’ve accomplished, “We really couldn’t be more proud.”
And so they should be.
But it’s the timing of this release that seems odd. It could be that, with no interesting news to report at the moment, this was their way of keeping in contact with their viewers. Or, in light of the current political uncertainties, it might be their way of currying favor with the government.
Finally — and I fear this may be the most likely scenario — it could just be more Russian propaganda, produced on orders from Moscow.
It would be unrealistic to think that the upheaval caused by Putin’s war wouldn’t have had an effect on Russia’s emigre families along with the native population. And who better to help spread the fantasy that all is well than Russia’s favorite internet stars?
The First Crops
The First Livestock
The Dream Realized: A Working Farmstead
Milking the Cows
*. *. *
The world is going through very difficult times right now, and one could reasonably argue that the Feenstras’ problems — which, after all, are the result of their own choice of Russia as their new home — are not nearly as dire as, say, the war victims of Ukraine and Gaza. But I have chosen to follow their story because of its uniqueness, because of the political implications, and because it is a cautionary tale for others who might be considering a similar move.
Full disclosure: I am not Catholic. But Pope Leo XIV is the most worldly, outspoken, and widely relatable Pope of my lifetime . . . a man whom I have come to admire greatly for his grace, humility, and generosity of spirit. So it was with great distress that I learned that his surgery today had disclosed the presence of a malignant growth in one of his lungs.
Bad things should not happen to good people. But they do. And the good news today is that his prognosis is excellent due to early detection and treatment, and his general good health.
His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV
One of the things I find most endearing about Pope Leo is his sense of humor, which doesn’t seem to fail him in even the most trying of times. He has been quoted as having prayed, during a time in 1985 when he was suffering from typhoid fever and hooked up to an IV in a hospital in Peru:
“If this is your sense of humor, Lord, I think you could do a little better.”
– Elise Ann Allen, “Pope Leo XIV: The Biography” (2025)
Now, along with much of the world, I wish him a speedy and complete recovery, and urge him not to undertake too much too soon. The world needs his wisdom and guidance for many more years to come.
Donald Trump has outdone himself once more in the “most quotable quote” category, this time while speaking to — and glaring at — reporters on the White House lawn yesterday.
At the White House – October 12, 2026
Despite the lack of confirmation by either Volodymyr Zelensky or Vladimir Putin, and the continuation of energy strikes on Ukraine by Russia on Monday, Trump insisted that a temporary energy cease-fire is in place between Kyiv and Moscow. When asked by a reporter whether the two sides had indeed agreed to the cease-fire, he responded:
“They agreed. You know why? Because I said, ‘You agree’ — that’s why. They agreed because I said they agreed, and that thing has to get settled.”
[Alex Raufoglu,, RFE/RL, October 13, 2026 CET]
The arrogance — or is it a complete detachment from reality? — is simply mind-boggling. And the anger, frustration, and hatred on that face are terrifying. That he hasn’t yet literally exploded defies belief.
While most of the world’s focus has been on Russia/Ukraine and Israel/Gaza lately, China’s President Xi Jinping has been almost preternaturally quiet. And when one of the world’s most autocratic leaders fades into the background, even for a short time, I get nervous . . . like when there is no sound coming from your children’s room while they’re entertaining friends. You just know they’re up to something.
The one bit of news out of China in the last couple of days has to do with live-fire drills being held this week in five maritime areas, making Taiwan understandably nervous. These include the Bohai Sea from Monday to Friday, the northern Yellow Sea on Monday, the South China Sea from Monday to Friday, the southern Yellow Sea from Friday to Saturday, and the East China Sea from Tuesday to Thursday. [Taiwan News, October 12, 2026.]
Coastal China
Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo stated his opposition to the drills, condemning what he referred to as the “repeated exercises and military activities” across the Indo-Pacific area and saying they create insecurity in the region. He added that Taiwan’s military would be closely monitoring the situation. . . hardly surprising in light of China’s stated intention of taking possession of the island nation.
Interestingly, next Monday, October 19th, marks the beginning of ten days of scheduled joint drills, held biennially, between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, during which the U.S. plans to deploy anti-ship missiles to Japan’s Yonaguni Island, near Taiwan. [Id.]
Yonaguni Island: small, but strategically located
Beijing only gave notice of this week’s drills five days in advance, on October 8th. Are they indeed routine exercises? Or are they intended to send a message in advance of the Japan-U.S. events? In either case — even in the absence of any specific threat being made — their proximity to Taiwan is understandably concerning.
And clearly, America’s deployment of missiles to Yonaguni Island is likewise not without significance.
The last thing the world needs right now — or ever — is another area of, shall we say, instability. Let’s hope the next two weeks remain peaceful . . . off the China coast at least. We’ll be watching.
Truth, unlike beauty, is not in the eye of the beholder; it is real, tangible, verifiable, and absolute.
But how does one determine what is true when there are multiple versions of a story? Case in point: Yesterday’s news about an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine as allegedly agreed to by Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.
Here are the three versions:
Donald Trump: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” [Freddie Clayton, NBC News, October 11, 2026.]
(Note that he offered no proof or details.)
“I did good!”
Volodymyr Zelensky: “[This] was news to me.” [Id.]
(He later said that if Putin agreed to it, he was ready to do the same)
“What ceasefire?”
Vladimir Putin: “ . . . ”
(As of October 11th, there was no comment from the Kremlin.)
“Uh . . . ”
In today’s upside-down, looking-glass world, I’ve decided it’s best to believe no one, and to wait and see what shakes out. At least then I’m not disappointed.
On Saturday afternoon I went to my friendly neighborhood pharmacist for my annual flu and COVID vaccinations. Contrary to what Bobby Kennedy Jr. would have you believe, I survived. Two little pinpricks, one drop of blood on the Bandaid, and the only reaction I had was what I have every year — about 24 hours of feeling really, really tired and sluggish.
That’s it. No pain, no aches, no nausea, no headache. And — while I hope I’m not jinxing myself by saying this — I’ve gotten my flu shots every year for about 50 years, and I haven’t had the flu since somewhere in the early 1970s. That was the year I was so sick I was afraid I might not die.
Luckily, my bathroom at that time had the sink situated directly next to the toilet, so I was able to . . . well, never mind. But when I finally headed back to bed after one late-night session, I got three steps from the bathroom before I passed out cold. I woke to my son, then about 6 or 7 years old, kneeling beside me on the floor, trying to revive me and crying, “Mommy, Mommy, please get up!”
That was the year I got smart, admitted I wasn’t superhuman, and began getting annual flu shots.
When COVID came along, and a vaccine was created, I signed right up for those too. Gratefully, they’ve worked as well.
So what I have to say to RFK Jr. is this:
“I have lived with this body for a long, long time. No one knows it better than I do. And no one else has the right to tell me what to do with it.
When I was a little girl, I suffered through mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough, and German measles, because there were no vaccines yet. It was through sheer luck — and my mother’s keeping my sister and me away from crowds all summer — that we escaped the polio epidemics. And when the vaccine for that was developed, again I was first in line.
So when it was my turn to be the mom with two children to protect, I made sure they got the full range of vaccines. And they grew up healthy, without all the childhood miseries I had lived through.
All the diseases that have been virtually wiped out since I was a child — smallpox, diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, mumps, polio, etc. — were conquered until you came along and decided the vaccines, and not the diseases, were inherently dangerous. And that would be okay if you were only talking to yourself, and if you weren’t in charge of the health of every single person in this country.
In short, I think you, sir, are an idiot. An ignorant, incompetent, worm-brained dummkopf whom your own family has openly disavowed . . . and they are one close-knit clan, so it must take a lot for them to turn their backs on one of their own. But you could redeem yourself, at least to some extent, by resigning before you’re fired or impeached, and let our country return to the days when we were able to obtain — and afford — good health care.
And in the meantime, don’t tell me what I may or may not do to myself. I haven’t gotten this far by being stupid.”
