I want to introduce you to Steve. He’s 83. His wife died a few months ago and he comes to this lodge in Spring Mill, Indiana and draws. He taught art in Terre Haute, IN his whole life. He also did courtroom sketches in court cases. In the comments I’ll share some pics from his sketchbook. He was excited when I said I was going to share his sketches with the world.
USA. A Mexican restaurant. We had not yet ordered anything, and the food was already arriving.
Chips. Salsa. Unrequested. Free.
I stopped the waiter. "We have not earned these."
"They just come with the table, man."
They come with the TABLE. In my land, hospitality is a debt. Every gift creates an obligation, weighed carefully, returned in the proper season with interest of feeling. Here, the gift arrives before you have even proven you can pay for dinner.
This is not an appetizer. This is a declaration: we trust you. Eat.
I ate with the gravity the moment deserved. And then — I must report this calmly — the basket emptied, and a new one appeared.
"Did we…?"
"Refill," the waiter said. "It's bottomless."
Bottomless. They have wells of salsa. The supply lines of this nation are beyond anything my ancestors imagined.
My friend warned me. "Don't fill up on chips, dude."
Too late. I had accepted three baskets. Honor demanded each one be finished — an unfinished gift is an insult. By the time my actual food arrived, I was a ruined man.
I was not hungry. I was not comfortable. I had been defeated by a courtesy.
Generosity that arrives before the request cannot be repaid. It can only be survived.
I know the rule now. I have made my peace with the basket. One basket. Two at the most.
Who am I deceiving. There is no number of baskets I would refuse. The trust of a nation is in that salsa, and I intend to honor all of it.
You know what’s sad? It took a bunch of appreciative, curious foreign visitors exploring our incredible nation for some Americans to get it. They’ve become our new best friends sharing their newfound excitement.🔥
They’re out here wide-eyed, jaws dropped at the neon glow of Times Square, the soul-shaking majesty of the Grand Canyon blazing orange at sunset, the salty freedom breeze whipping through California redwoods, and the mouthwatering sizzle of a proper Texas BBQ under endless blue skies.
And Democrats bitch…
They’re snapping pics of NYC skylines piercing the clouds, cheering at Fourth of July fireworks lighting up the heavens like stars on steroids, and vibing to jazz in New Orleans streets and getting tours from sports teams.
And Democrats bitch…
Shoutout to every tourist who reminded us: America ain’t just a country, it’s a full-on vibe. A chaotic, beautiful, opportunity-packed fireworks show of a place.
Wake up, Democrats! Fall back in love with your own backyard. The world already sees the magic — now it’s your turn. ❤️💥
For the rest of you Americans, what’s YOUR favorite slice of this epic nation?
Freddy,
You've traveled across the U.S. for the World Cup. The least we can do is help you add one more match to the itinerary.
We're inviting you to a San Diego FC match, after your World Cup journey. Let us prove that San Diego belongs on your US tour. 👀🌊☀️
What do you say? @FreddyLA7
For those that don't know... I'm just a regular guy and a homeowner who did all the things. I worked my way through school and the financial crisis as a lifeguard to become a pretty decent multi-state licensed real estate & finance professional.
I grew tired of the squalor so I began cleaning up... as a precursor... to ultimately ask where our budgeted taxes were. I began getting things fixed and cleaned on my own... no thanks to any town councils or electeds.
That's when city hall outlawed cleaning and the media tucked tale and ran like the cowards they are. "Be careful cleaning out there!"🥴
Amy blocked me early on and then unblocked me as I gained popularity. She then asked me for fraud info and took it to Nick Shirley literally the next day. 🙄Aaaand didn't understand it. 🤗
Today, La Prensa attacked me for calling out voter fraud. 🥳
I am just a guy telling the truth which was banned on fb, IG, and Twitter until it became @x under @elonmusk
Everyone else seems intent on destroying their credibility.
We have designated 1B/OF Nick Castellanos for assignment and selected the contract of INF/OF Samad Taylor from Triple-A El Paso. Taylor will wear No. 0.
@goosewurkz@Grumpy_Tesla Mine is about 50 50with a sign saying residents to the right. If there is another car in front going straight to guest entrance it’ll follow along.