What a wonderful day

I went in to DC (District of Columbia) to meet my new boss. 

It is all nice and good to meet outdoors unless it is 89 degrees F with mosquitos biting your arms. Then you put on your blazer. Then you really sweat. 

I am extremely optimistic. 

The first ship of Ukrainian grain sailed out of port today. There are 16 more vessels ready to go. 

Russia has lost over 5000 military vehicles since the beginning of its invasion based on photographic evidence (so the real number is probably higher). It is estimated that Russia has lost one-fourth of its available tanks. Ukraine says Russia's largest tank manufacturer, Uralvagonzavod, stopped production because of supply shortages of components supplied by foreign countries. Its assets in the UK were frozen and it was hit by EU sanctions. 

The US will provide more ammunition for the HIMARS we've given Ukraine. 

Russia said it destroyed two HIMARS. Of course, earlier they said they destroyed four and the US said they had not. "Russia said it destroyed two HIMARS. This has not been confirmed is likely wishful thinking, as the HIMARS are capable of operating beyond the range of Russian artillery, and Russia has no air superiority," Ville Cantell, director of the Finnish Foreign Ministry's Sustainable Development and Trade Communications unit, tweeted today. 

Sunflowers are Ukraine's national flower, a symbol of peace. There is a Ukrainian-American family in Indiana growing sunflowers. They have a height record-breaking sunflower.