I just watched a woman who gave 35 years of her life to the State of Florida.
Her badge # read 100.
She wasn’t a DEI hire. She wasn’t pushed in by politics or quotas.
She was hired because she was competent… disciplined… and built for the job.
And after 35 years, she was able to retire with honor in a Republican-controlled state.
A state that still values law enforcement… a state that rewards service instead of punishing it.
Tallahassee may lean Democrat as a city, but the Highway Patrol she served under operates in a Republican-led state that protects order, merit, and courage.
Lieutenant Thompson, I salute you. Thank you for your service and your unwavering dedication.
Can we all give this woman a thank you, an amen, or a salute?
🫡
Did you notice the breast cancer survivor ribbon? @GovRonDeSantis@realDonaldTrump@FOP_FHP
#SilentMajoritySpeaks #AStoneGroove
#endoftour
'This is going to be absolutely extraordinary.'
BREAKING: Polls have now shut in the Caerphilly by-election. GB News Political Editor @ChristopherHope explains the significance of tonight's vote in Wales and what it could signal if Labour lose to Reform UK or Plaid Cymru.
Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻
In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.
Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.
*****
"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.
My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.
At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.
At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.
At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.
At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.
Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.
I’m writing this to tell you something simple:
Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.
Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.
You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.
You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.
With love and gentleness,
Patricia Routledge
*****
Once more, rest in peace. 🤍
Mayor of London @SadiqKhan is called out & asked to apologize to the thousands of UK citizens he labeled Far-Right, while he remained silent on the hundreds of serious crimes perpetrated by people at the Notting Hill Carnival & the Palestine Action Protests. #SadiqKhan#UK#UTK
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn’t Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! 🙏🏻