Did you learn something new at the G20? How was your steak dinner with the Chinese contingent? It's great that you agreed to hold off on increasing tariffs for the time being, and I hope that China will buy more soybeans. I was surprised to learn that a lot of the fentanyl sold on the streets of the US comes from China and hope that their promise to treat it as a controlled substance has the desired effect.
How's it going at the G20? Did you see how Vlad and MbS greeted each other? They looked like high school football players coming into math class. Thrilled to see each other with a bit of mischief on their minds on assuming all eyes are on them (which, in this case was true). I found it most disturbing.
So, what did you end up having for breakfast at La Casa Rosada this morning? As I recall you eschew breakfast, as do I, which always make breakfast meetings awkward. Sometimes I just order a Latte. Other times I get some eggs and eat as slowly as possible, which is hard for me.
What is your gut telling you about your trip to Buenos Aires for the G20? I was just reading in the Buenos Aires Times (English Edition) that folks are worried about security. Apparently this weekend a riot erupted when the bus of Boca Junior, a major soccer team, was attacked by the fans of the River Plate, their rival. The bus driver fainted and players got injured from broken glass.
I'm sure you are delighted that your friend Cindy Hyde-Smith won yesterday. I'm not, but I won't hold it against her. People can change, and I hope she learned to be more discerning about what she says to avoid embarrassment.
Don't you wish you had more time? I sure do! Today I am running low on time because my sleep schedule is off and I can't get up as early as I'd like. So, I missed out on a chance to do a couple of critical garden tasks. Hopefully I will be able to accomplish a lot at work today, but it always seems that there's something I didn't get to at the end of the day. I guess that's life.
It's back to work. At least it's a beautiful day as we launch into the intense time when we close out the fall quarter. Folks on campus will be more stressed than usual due to the backlog caused by the campus closing. The stress will be offset by the relief of having life get back to normal.
How was golf yesterday? Did you get a hole in one? I understand that you have had a few, including one in 1993 on the 12th hole of Pebble Beach at the Bing Crosby Pro Am Tournament. That must have been exciting!!! My sister-in-law wants to play at Pebble Beach but I understand that it's very hard to do so.
You aren't firing Steve Mnuchin, are you? You may be unhappy with him for recommending Jerome Powell for the job of setting interest rates, and I know that the economy is starting to look iffy with a narrowing gap between short and long term bond yields, slumping home prices, low oil prices and declines in global growth. You can't blame that on Steve or Jay.
I understand that you are thankful that you made "a tremendous difference" to the USA. I am not thankful for that. I am thankful that we remain at peace. I implore you to keep it that way.
Did you see the article about Donald Jr. in the WP today? I think it was complimentary. I was surprised to learn that he courted conservationists during the 2016 campaign.
11/21/2018
It's nice that you'll get to see your friends at the club. Is it true that club membership can lead to being appointed ambassador? Business Insider speculates that's the reason that Lana Marks has been nominated to serve as top diplomat in South Africa. It's great that she speaks Afrikaans and Xhosa, but are you sure that designing and selling handbags made from diamonds and exotic animal hides prepares one for diplomacy?
Are you ready to pardon Peas or Carrots? I understand that this year's Presidential turkeys hail from South Dakota and spent last night being pampered at the Willard Hotel so they could look beautiful for their photo op today.
I hope you get to meet Larry Smith who owns the farm. I'm sure he is psyched! He had to compete with growers from all over the USA to get the honor. He was named the winner at the National Christmas Tree Association’s annual meeting.
What do you think of Marcia Fudge from Ohio's 11th? She's been the chair of the Black Caucus and has some great ideas. She says she believe in bottom up governing and voters are telling her that they don't feel like the government is serving them. She's even willing to help you if your goals align. She thinks infrastructure would be a good place to start.