The Karman Family Blog

Monday afternoon Trump ordered the flag back down in honor of John McCain’s death. The flag was raised to full mast as to protocol, then in the face of criticism Trump ordered it back until Sunday, when McCain will be interned. Before complaints Trump didn’t make any public statement about his death, although he tweeted his “deepest sympathy and respect” to the McCain family. A makeshift memorial has formed outside McCain’s former office in Phoenix. There will be memorial services commemorating the veteran, which Trump has been asked not to attend. Mike Pence, George W. Bush, and Obama are all invited to speak at the numerous services.

Ryan Niederschulte, 17, earned 138 merit badges. Ryan lives in Grain Valley, Mo. where he particapates in Boy Scouts. Only 21 badges are required for eagle, but Ryan “just wanted to keep going.” The 138 he earned includes one in computers not currently offered. Ryan earned all the other available badges.

Everybody had already gotten a piece of cake, and we were talking as we ate them. Then Reed pointed out the cake. The top layer had slid off! Everybody else laughed, but I didn’t. I remembered last year.

I sat on the dirty floor. Soon my friends came up. “Are you ok?” One asked. I don’t remember what I said, but I was upset. After a bunch of build-up, and telling my friends there was a surprise inside, it was ruined. Adi, my little sister, went to the kitchen to get the cake. “No!” I cried, rushing in to see it drop. As I stared at the crumbled cake, the product of hours of work, rolling, dying, and decorating. On the floor. I ran off angry at the stricken face of my sister, where my friends found me on the hard floor of the sunroom. When we got back to the kitchen dad cut off the bottom of the cake, and we ate some. After my double layer, I had an ice cream cake that got burnt and freezer burn, after which I declared I should try cupcakes!

Lupe Valdez, priorly a sheriff in Texas was interrogated about her service revolver. After leaving the police force to run for governor the police weren’t sure where her revolver was. Lupe recently was apologized to for “any distress and hardship” by the Dallas County sheriff’s office. The revolver was located during an inventory search. Lupe Valdez is no longer suspect.

Monday a protester was momentarily beaten and detained. Protesters are calling for the release of pop star Bobi Wine. Ugandan security used tear gas as well as firing bullets to break up the crowds. Bobi Wine, real name Kyagulany Ssentamu is a government critic as well as lawmaker and pop star. He has not been released.

Starting August 20th North and South Koreans start reuniting with family members. In a several day event held at Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea they will be allowed to speak with and embrace long absent family members. Most of the Southern particiapants are older, meeting with relatives they haven’t seen since the war. Lee Soo-nam, 76, will meet with his brother this week. Lee Soo-nam last saw his brother, now 86 with a wife and 50 year old son, when Lee was eight and his brother was 18, running from North Korean soldiers at the begining of the war. Lee thought him dead, and he is so happy his brother is alive. Many particapants believe this might be the last time they see relatives before they die.