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Itzl Alert Network: Tuesday, 17th of June, 2025: Eating out with a Republican [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2025-06-16

I originally planned to post a diary this week about my hospital stay, which was from Monday, 19th of May, through Wednesday, the 28th of May.

I have a lot to write about that hospital stay.

But I just got back from eating out at a Denny’s, and I feel a need to simply write about that instead.

Maybe I will write about the hospital stay next week.

The little dog is named Itzl. As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at, to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off Daily Kos. If you're not here, or anywhere else on Daily Kos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care! IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news! This is our current schedule of regular IAN diary writers: Monday: Youffraita Tuesday: bigjacbigjacbigjac Wednesday: Pam from Calif Thursday: art ah zen Friday: FloridaSNMOM Saturday: FloridaSNDad Sunday: loggersbrat

My landlord, Martina, knowing I am lonely, suggested I might start a friendship with a neighbor named Rick.

I talked to Rick on Sunday afternoon, thinking we could go out to eat at Denny’s at that time, on Sunday.

(He told me he is a Republican.)

He said he was busy, and he wanted to do it on Monday, instead.

So, he picked me up at about 5:30 PM on Monday.

While I waited for him, I put in my pocket a copy of the Constitution, and two pictures of my first wife, Pam.

I already have Tonia’s driver’s license in my wallet.

I was getting ready to challenge him on the social safety net that Republicans do not like, but that was necessary for Pam and Tonia, and me as well.

After we got to Denny’s, I told him I was feeling afraid, essentially afraid of him, since I did not know him.

Not afraid he would hurt me, but just not feeling confident.

I think that helped me, to tell him that.

Then I told him about my Democratic friend at the senior center, Richard.

I told him about what happened when I offered to let Democratic Richard look at Tonia’s driver’s license.

Democratic Richard said he had not desire to see that, that Tonia is ancient history.

That hurt me.

I ended up showing Republican Rick, there at Denny’s, Tonia’s driver’s license, and two pictures of Pam.

(I did not bring up the social safety net.)

Overall, we had a nice friendly conversation.

Rick did bring up Covid conspiracy theories, and other Republican gripes.

But that did not dominate the conversation.

He asked me about the senior center, the location, and what we do there, the activities and the hot meal.

I asked him about his past relationships.

I got me a dessert, but mainly took it home, along with half of my baked lasagna.

He took half of his meal home as well.

He is not likely to ever vote for a Democrat.

And you know I will never vote Republican.

But we all need to reach over and make friends.

Folks often say that.

So, it seems that I did it.

Okay, maybe next week I will write about my hospital stay.

Hugs!

[END]
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