Morning Update: 08/30/24

Morning Update: 08/30/24

August 30, 2024

Here we are at the beginning of Labor Day Weekend. Is anyone besides Kat still going to work today? I know this has long been one of those weekends where people often take off work on Friday to give themselves a four-day weekend, but with schools starting at the beginning of August now, and schools are definitely in session today, only those who are childless or have preschoolers will see any benefit from the extra day of vacation. Today is still hot, too. For the Midwest, rain is coming, and behind that dramatically cooler temps. Grilling out might be a comfortable option this weekend. The weekend’s football games should be fun as well.

Plumbers replaced the hot water heater yesterday. The company sent out a couple of twenty-something guys. They did a good job. I have no complaints there, but they definitely took their time doing it. I think they were hoping that by not finishing until 4:00 they might not be sent out on another call. The big test will come later this morning when I take a shower. Is the pressure high enough? What adjustments to the temperature have to be made at the faucet? There weren’t any leaks when they left, but several minutes of continued use will let us know for sure that the work is solid. I’ll definitely be glad to get back to a normal schedule around the house.

The few people who have been to our house in the past seven years know that we don’t use the front door. The reason we don’t use the front door is because five litter boxes are sitting in front of it. However, bringing a water heater in through the back wasn’t going to work. There’s not enough room. As a result, I had to move all the litter boxes and clean the floor around where they had been sitting so that we could use the front door.

The cats found the open front door curious. No one was surprised when Fat Guy, our eldest, tried slipping out. He’s always the one who wants to go explore. The one that caught us off guard was Gabby, a gray tabby about seven years old. She’s not been outside since she first came to us. Kat went out with her as she carefully, cautiously explored the yard. She was out for roughly twenty minutes and seemed to enjoy herself quite a bit. We’ll see if she continues to want to go out. Pinball was the only cat who had to be shut in a room by himself.

After all the adventure and commotion of this week, I’m hoping that we can play the weekend in chill fashion. I don’t think the kids will mind. They’re both pretty tired as it is. In fact, G thought he was lying down for a short nap and ended up sleeping all night. Tipper’s been on again/off again with her meds, so her sleep schedule is all messed up. I’m hoping that the weekend gives them both a chance to reset. I’m pretty sure I’ve been going on adrenaline all week. I’ve missed too many naps, stayed up late too many nights, and even missed some meals along the way. Getting back on a routine schedule is important. I might even sacrifice a football game for a good nap.

There’s really nothing in this morning’s news that warrants my comment. I didn’t watch last night’s interview with Kamala Harris. The reviews I’ve seen are mostly positive, so I’ll let that bit go for now. Israel and Hamas are on a three-day pause as the World Health Organization administers polio vaccines across Gaza. One case is all it took for medical officials to hit the panic button. The Orange Felon is still riling musicians around the world by using their music in his campaign. The fact that no one wants to be associated with him should be a clear signal as to how unfit he is. Most everything else is a continuation of existing stories.

No one is complaining that the world isn’t burning up as quickly as it normally does. A little bit of a cool-down is good for everyone. The biggest concern is probably whether local violence numbers will take a jump. Families getting together isn’t always a good thing, it seems. We hope that everyone leaves their weapons at home and focuses on having a good time.

Groceries are being delivered soon, so I’m gonna run. Have another cup of coffee. You deserve it.

Cancer Update / Current Issues / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Morning Update: 08/28/24

August 28, 2024

The colonoscopy is done. Everything looked fantastic. No polyps needed to be removed. Everything looked good. In fact, apparently, they had a cancellation because I was back in the surgery room well before my scheduled time. We were out of there a little after 10:00 and looking for cheap food. I don’t have to go back for another one for five years. The only potential concern I saw was that my weight had dropped 18 pounds since last month. In theory, that could signal another uptick in my white blood cell count. My weight isn’t too low, though, so I’m not going to worry about it at this point.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for our air conditioning. We noticed that it had stopped cooling during the night but assumed that it had just frozen up and would be fine after being turned off for a while. Wrong. So, we called Grandpa Bob. Bob called the people who installed the AC. They said their after-hours technician would be by after he finished the job he was currently on. We waited. And waited. The temperature inside the house went up to 89. The sun went down. We were still waiting. The kids went to bed, G choosing to sleep on the floor where it was cooler. Still waiting. Finally, around 10:00, my phone made noise, but Verizon’s spam filter cut it off before I had a chance to answer. Cue a couple of rounds of phone tag as it turns out the AC company’s numbers are all on Verizon’s spam list. Around 10:30, the technician arrived.

A burned-out capacitor was the problem. Some four-hundred-plus dollars later, the AC kicked back on. There are plans in the work to physically move the location of the AC as its proximity to the house may have contributed to the capacitor’s demise. I went to bed a little after 11:00, significantly later than my normal bedtime of 8:30.

Through it all, my biggest concern was the dogs and our mane coon hybrid, Jack-Jack (the kids are adaptive, though they complained constantly). Jack’s heavy fur makes him susceptible to heat. He stretched out on the tile floor in the living room and seemed to be okay. The dogs were having a more difficult time. They refused to not be in the same room as me. The Recovery Room is carpeted, so there’s a limit to how cool the floor gets. They lay there, stretched out as much as they could, panting heavily, and frequently getting up to drink water. I knew the AC had cooled the house significantly when they both finally jumped back onto the bed. Everyone seems to be fine this morning.

After all that, you’d think I’d be anxious for a rest day. That’s not going to happen. While Bob was here yesterday, he noticed that both of the outside water spigots were constantly dripping. So, he called the plumber and they will be here sometime this morning to replace both spigots. That’s going to mean turning off the water for an undetermined amount of time. That’s also going to mean shutting the dogs in the Recovery Room. A few years ago, we ran off one plumber from the same company because he was afraid the dogs were going to jump the gate between the living room and the kitchen (they can’t, they’re too fat). My biggest fear is that they’ll look at the 80-year-old pipes and declare that the whole mess has to be replaced. We’re crossing our fingers that the solution doesn’t involve thousands of dollars in new plumbing.

At least I get to eat.

With everything going on here at home, I’m not overly worried about the mundane aspects of this morning’s news. A few things are sticking in my craw, though.

Home improvement chain Lowe’s is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, joining the ranks of a few other companies who have altered their programs since the end of affirmative action in higher education and amid conservative backlash online. This kowtowing to right-wing nut jobs is infuriating. They’re letting the online trolls win. Mind you, the people who are making the most noise don’t know one end of a hammer from the other. They’re not actually shopping at any of the companies they target. Yet, they’re effectively killing jobs and making the US a more inhospitable and inequitable place to live.

Investigators are looking at whether UN World Food Program staff sought to hide the alleged role of Sudan’s army in obstructing aid. That anyone would block aid to starving people is unconscionable. That the people responsible for delivering that aid would cover up the crime is just as bad. Bad actors have no excuse and should be given no assistance in committing their crimes. People all across Sudan are dying because of the nonsense going on there. That the agencies we depend on and financially support are involved in the lies and deceit is inexcusable.

The US isn’t the only country with a far-right problem. Eastern Germany is finding that far-right factions there are both making hiring difficult for business and causing problems for renewable energy. The far-right is hoping to gain some ground in upcoming elections, so they’re flexing their muscle. Remember what happened the last time the far right came to power in Germany? The entire reason the country was divided between East and West after WWII was so that they couldn’t become a global threat again. The world hailed the reunification of the country as a sign of progress and peace, but now it would seem that the original concerns might have been more accurate than anyone cares to admit.

If you’re a Lego fan, as I know my older boys are, be prepared for a price jump on those building blocks. Lego has announced that they’re replacing the oil-based plastic with a biodegradable version. The problem with that is the price tag is considerably higher. The popular blocks we all played with as children, and many as collectors, have never been cheap, but no one is expecting Lego to eat the increased production costs, despite the fact that the company is outperforming the overall toy market in Europe and the US. No one is sure when that price jump will hit retail stores, but stocking up on those collectible kits might not be a bad idea.

The Mormon Church is going after transgender rights again. They’re now prohibiting anyone even considering transitioning from working with children and prohibiting those who have transitioned from being baptized. The percentage of Mormons who are trans isn’t necessarily high, and anyone who has looked critically at the faith largely considers them to be more cultish than a legitimate religion. Nonetheless, they are far too public an entity for this type of action to not have repercussions throughout the trans community. Feel free to shame them.

If you had any remaining concerns as to whether Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was a complete nut job, I think the case has just been sealed. According to his daughter, Kick Kennedy (seriously, that’s her name), the fool “chain-sawed the head off a dead whale on a beach in Hyannis Port, Mass., bungee-corded it to their vehicle’s roof, and drove it five hours to the family home in Mount Kisco, N.Y.” She first told the story in a 2012 interview in Town and Country magazine, but now the political arm of the Center for Biological Diversity, a progressive environmental organization, is screaming for an investigation.

Another youth football player has died from injuries sustained on the field. This season is getting off to an especially rocky start as the number of injuries overall appears to have increased. Of course, it’s too early for there to be any hard numbers behind that assumption, but there seems to be plenty of cause for concern. Not that I expect every parent to pay attention to those concerns. Why? Travis and Jason Kelce just signed a $100 million podcast deal with Amazon. That along with a litany of stories of NIT wealth at the college level, obsessed parents are pushing harder than ever to make sure their kids are the ones bringing home the bacon. As long as there’s money on the table, greedy parents are going to treat their kids dirty, health and safety be damned.

Speaking of sports, have you ever known a major-league player to play for both teams in a game? It happened Monday as catcher Danny Jantsen played for both the Red Sox and the Bluejays in the resumption of a rain-delayed game from two months ago. The issue is that Jantsen was playing for the Bluejays when the game was originally scheduled. During the interim, he was traded to the Red Sox. So, he appeared on both teams’ rosters. You know that has to make scoring the game a bit difficult.

On the upside, Dolly Parton is at it again, sending books to five-year-olds in 21 states and a growing international participation as well. In many states, her Imagination Library has the ability to reach every child with new books before they even start kindergarten. In a world full of greedy sons of bitches, the 78-year-old singer is a shining example of one using their privilege to help others.

That seems like a good place to stop this morning. We’re expecting heavy rain with a chance of severe weather across the Midwest this afternoon, but that’s not going to do anything to bring down the record-setting temps. That makes me all the more thankful that we have the AC back up and working.

I never have liked iced coffee, but if they hadn’t fixed the AC I’d be considering it.

Current Issues / Morning Update / News & Comment / Personal / Politics / Social Commentary

Morning Update: 08/19/24

August 19, 2024

Another Monday [2011 original with AI background]

Cats are flinging themselves at each other as I try to read this morning’s news updates. The noise from the laundry room sounds as if one of them may have fallen into the washing machine for a while. Don’t worry, they’ve done it before and they can get themselves out. This is the kind of chaos we can expect for today, though. Brace yourself because there are enough on-the-edge events that it feels as though anything could happen at any time. In fact, if I had a fraidy hole, I might just go ahead and jump in it to be safe.

With all the pop-up showers and brief downpours yesterday, we once again lost out on being able to do any yard work. That doesn’t mean the kids were satisfied with the downtime. Tipper decided that the dogs needed a bath. Outside. Oh, this was entertaining. She was especially concerned about Hamilton. Hamilton doesn’t like water on his skin. He refuses to stay in the tub if we try to bathe him inside, but the kids figured if they put a leash on him they might be able to get the job done with the hose. I stood under the tree and watched, knowing exactly what was about to happen. The instant water hit his back, Ham slipped out of the leash and shook hard, sending water everywhere. This went on, back and forth between the two dogs, for almost twenty minutes. By the time they gave up, I’m not sure who was wetter, the dogs or the kids. Of course, the dogs immediately went and rolled in the dirt.

We’re starting the fourth week of school and I need to make some adjustments to accommodate the kids’ changing schedules. What it boils down to is that most days neither of them will get home before 6:00 PM, and some days could be even later. This means they’ll be coming in exhausted, frequently in less-than-positive moods, and prioritizing sleep over eating. They will eat, eventually, but sometimes that may not be until after I’ve gone to bed. We’ve tried different things, but both inevitably go for what’s easiest. For G, that means Ramen, with zero nutritional value. Tipper usually chooses a fruit smoothie, which is better, but still not giving her all the nutrition they need. Neither of them will touch leftovers. I’m grasping at straws for the moment trying to find a reasonably healthy solution.

This was a rough weekend for Indianapolis. Take a look at these headlines:

Those last three hurt my soul because this isn’t the first weekend we’ve seen headlines like that. We’re not watching our little ones. We’re not protecting them and keeping them safely out of harm’s way. We’re being careless and there’s no way to police carelessness. Child Protective Services is already overwhelmed with the number of cases they have, to the point that they cannot be the solution for every kid who lives in danger. The solution is for adults to wake up to the problem, and help out overwhelmed and overstressed parents who are working two and three jobs to barely pay rent. No, it’s not convenient, but children’s lives are on the line.

There was some positive local news. Caitlin Clark broke the WNBA rookie assists record as the Fever beat the Storm 92-75 last night. The well-hyped rookie is living up to her reputation, but she’s facing a one-game suspension if she doesn’t get her temper under control. She was charged with her fifth technical of the season after punching the pads at the bottom of the goal post. Two more, and she gets to sit out a game. I’m wondering if the WNBA and NBA are possibly being a little over-reactive, though. Look at tennis. Portuguese tennis star Christiano Rinaldo has thrown so many tantrums on the court that the New York Times has ranked them by severity. Why is it okay to display such childish behavior in one sport but not another? Make it make sense.

Of course, all eyes are on the Democratic Convention opening today in Chicago. They’ll try to keep it light and lively so that they come out of it with a nice surge in the polls. History paints a different picture, though. Democratic conventions can be rough. Already, anti-war protesters have gathered and are making noise that won’t go unnoticed. Moderates be warned, 3 Women With Harrowing Pregnancy Stories Will Speak at the Convention. While the goal is unity, I think we can expect a lively exchange, though probably not to the extent of the 1968 riots.

Secretary of State Blinken is warning both Hamas and Israel that they may be looking at their last chance for peace. What bothers me, and likely bothers the Secretary, is the fact that there are too many people on both sides who are more than willing to keep on fighting. I don’t see how the people of Gaza can handle much more. They’ve already lost their homes, their families, access to food and clean water, and the constant bombardment of medical facilities. If a cease-fire isn’t reached, Iran is almost certainly going to enter the war, making a bad situation worse. I’m not sure the innocent people even stand a chance.

Like I said at the beginning, the day is made of chaos. There are so many potential eruption points around the world that it’s impossible to list them all or guess which one is going to explode next. What can we do?

Eat well. Stay safe.

Cancer Update / Current Issues / Morning Update / Personal / Status

Morning Update: 06/09/24

June 9, 2024

One of the fun things about having animals sleeping in bed with you is that they’re all warm and snuggly. Okay, so they get pet hair all over you. That’s a small price to pay for all the love and comfort they give through the night. Animals have bad nights too, though, and last night was one for Hamilton. This may have started because he was the last one to get on the bed. He always waits until I lie down so he can position himself as close to me as possible. That becomes difficult, though, when by the time I go to bed there is Belvedere and seven cats already there.

There are some physics to getting into a crowded bed. Understand first of all that the hound isn’t moving for anyone or anything. That’s roughly 58 pounds of dead weight, and he likes having his head on a pillow. The cats will move, but they do so in relationship to who else is on the bed. When Kat’s not here, Queen Bit tends to be on the bed and no one wants to piss her off. Like Belvedere, she doesn’t like to move. Unlike Belvedere, if you get close you’re getting the claws. So, I try to go back-to-back with B and make sure my legs are out of range of Bit. Everyone else adjusts.

When Hamilton adds his 70-something pounds to the bed, though, always after the lights are off, it’s rather like a tornado hitting in the middle of the night. He doesn’t seem to care where anyone else is, he just jumps onto the bed and starts turning in circles until he’s cleared out a space large enough for his body. Everything and everyone else goes flying. Sometimes the cats return, and sometimes they don’t. Last night, they all came right back and Ham was stuck at the foot of the bed because B, Bit, and Jack-Jack had the positions closest to me.

Ham was restless. He flipped and flopped during the night, causing cats to have to readjust every time he did. He really wanted to get up closer to me, but Bit would hiss and swing her claws at him every time he tried. Finally, he hopped down, opened the bedroom door (it’s rarely shut tight), and went to the living room. He was feeling rejected and he likes to sit in my recliner to pout. But G is in the middle of re-arranging the living room (one of those tasks that raises more questions than it answers) and my recliner is full of framed pictures. He managed to get up on the arm of the couch (a fact I know from how everything was scattered this morning) and look out the living room window. He woofed at something, pouted with his snout on the back of the couch for a while, then came back to the room.

By now, it’s almost 4:00. Jack-jack hops up in hopes that there’s still a snack in the food bowl (there wasn’t). For those just joining, Jack is our mane coone mix. He weighs just under 20 pounds. He doesn’t want to jump to the floor until he’s at the foot of the bed, and he’s also smart enough to know not to get within swatting reach of Bit. So, he trots his furry self right down the length of my body, disturbing Pinball and Gabby who were both lying on my legs.

Hamilton sees Jack’s absence as a possible opening for getting back on the bed. He gives it a try only to be swatted down by Bit because he barely missed her face as he jumped, which would scare the crap out of any cat. I tried to get him to come up from the foot of the bed, which would have been much safer, but he was afraid there were still cats there. He whines for a few minutes, then finally decides to spend the rest of the night on the floor, which is, for him, relative to being sentenced to purgatory.

When Jack came back around to wake me at 6:30 (because there still wasn’t any food in the bowl, Dad), Ham took advantage of all the cats rushing to get their breakfast and jumped up on the bed, curled up next to Belvedere, and slept for all of ten minutes before B decided that they needed to go outside. I had just made a cup of coffee. I pulled on my jeans and off we went.

Are we sure it’s June? Stepping outside wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt (which isn’t remotely as sexy as it sounds) would normally be a pleasant coolness at the start of the day. Instead, it was 58 degrees with a fair breeze. It felt more like April out there. I drank my coffee, which was cooling rapidly, as the dogs did the stuff that dogs do. By the time I reached the bottom of the cup, the dogs were staring off toward the North as if waiting for something exciting to pop out of the Sunday morning quietness. Nothing did. We went back inside. I fed the dogs, and now we’re all caught up.

This is how my life is now. Hamilton, Jack-jack, and Bit are back on the bed now. Belvedere is curled up in his favorite padded corner, which he arranged himself to his liking. The twins are looking for something to destroy. Pinball is curled up in Kat’s chair. Gabby is looking out the living room window. I’m not sure where the hell Fred Fredburger is, but he’ll be back in here shortly. Fat Guy and Lyndy are snuggled up with G.

Me? I’m just sitting here worrying about how I’m going to get to my doctor’s appointment in the morning if my check doesn’t show up. It’s supposed to be here by the 10th, even without the advance pay for which I’m allegedly signed up. As long as it hits on time, I can take an Uber, which is exactly what I’d planned. However, what do I do if it doesn’t? According to the Social Security office, it can technically hit anywhere between the 10th and 15th and still be considered “on time.” Just because it’s been there by the 10th in previous months does not guarantee that it will be there in the morning. What do I do?

My appointment is at 9:00 AM at Community Cancer Center North. Normally, I would say that I’d be done by 10:30, but this isn’t an oncology appointment. Tomorrow’s visit is with the endocrinologist to see if my glucose is heading back to where it should be. I’m thinking, based on this week’s numbers, that we should be okay and can continue with the current medicine regimen. In that case, I’m done by 9:30. If the doctor sees something different, though, then I go across the street to the hospital and they teach me how to give myself insulin. No telling how long that might take. I really need a solution that is flexible to the situation. I don’t suppose there’s anyone willing to be my last-minute backup.

Speaking of glucose, it’s time to check mine and then get busy with some other topics that are bugging me this morning. You never know what is coming up next.

Current Issues / Morning Update / Personal / Status

Morning Update: 04/26/24

April 26, 2024

Wild Dreams of a Smashed-face Wheezer Kitty [2024]

Fail. That’s the only way to describe yesterday’s attempt to look at rental properties. I looked at one that could have been workable were it not for a handful of issues that, particularly for me, made it a non-starter. The first would be location. I wasn’t expecting much, but it was worse than I’d imagined. I should have known when the bus driver waited, watched me cross the street, and started walking before continuing his route. I assume that he was considering if I knew where I was. Interestingly, the two blocks just south of 37th Street, especially along Park, are very nice, with million-dollar homes set high and off the street. You wouldn’t think that there’s a crime problem in the area at all. But finding three almost-identical apartment buildings that, from the outside, appear to be barely standing, surrounded by deserted and burned-out buildings at an intersection with a long history of crime was more unnerving than I expected. The distance between 37th Street and 38th, a major through street, is less than 50 yards. The noise level, just normal traffic for 38th Street, couldn’t be sufficiently muted by the buildings.

The wood floors and terrific natural light were wonderful. I might have applied based on that element alone. But neither the bathroom nor the kitchen were functional. They were both too narrow to be workable. ZERO counter space. Apartment-sized appliances, which are more expensive than standard appliances, would have to be purchased and even then one would have to step sideways to get through the kitchen.

Then came the matter of the cats. The ad very clearly states that pets are welcome and doesn’t list any fees. Guess again. A statement from the property management company revealed that each cat would have to be evaluated separately. A background check would be done on both of them before they would be approved, and then there would be a fee assigned for each animal. WHAT THE LIVING FUCK? I’ll ask both the twins, but I’m pretty sure neither of them has a police record, despite the fact that Solaris is guilty of stealing food directly off our plates. And yeah, in the right like I guess Frankie (pictured above) kinda looks like an evil mob boss, but he sleeps 98% of the day. How could he have time to get in trouble? And who the fuck is running these background checks?An outfit called PetScreening.com. The concept is that not all “bully breeds” are bad and deserve a chance. Okay, fine. What CATS are bully breeds? Who the fuck is keeping ANY records on cats other than their veterinarians? Aren’t animals entitled to doctor/patient confidentiality? The whole thing is a money-making scam that gives property managers an additional way to make revenue during the application process.

At the end of the day, with all the fees and having to purchase appliances, it would cost me in excess of $2,000 to move into this rat-hole of an apartment. And with the differences between the ad and the reality, I have to assume that the property managers are not to be trusted. Pet screening? Really? Anyone who would try to push that bullshit past you will also try to raise your rent mid-contract. So, nope. Not considering this property or any other managed by Wilmoth Group. I checked after the fact and Wilmoth Group isn’t even rated, at all, by PropertyManagement.com. I should have checked before responding to the ad. That’s on me.

I took the Red Line back to the Transit Center and walked from there to the salon. Along the way, under the shade of a 12-foot pine on a carefully manicured piece of right-of-way, a homeless woman was sleeping under a light blanket. The shade was dark enough that I almost didn’t see her, which I’m sure was what made the spot attractive. She didn’t appear to be very old. She obviously wasn’t in a very safe place. My heart sank.

By the time I made it to the salon, my body was done. I was shaking, stumbling, and having issues with the bumps in the sidewalk even with my cane. Kat got me something to eat and brought me home. That was the end of my day. I went to bed except for making cheese fries that no one ate. I was nauseous. My head was pounding. I was dizzy and partially incoherent. I can’t keep doing this. I have to find another way to search.

I don’t expect much to happen today. I’m still exhausted and my head is spinning even as I type. I feel safe being right next to the bed, carefully guarded by the pups and the twins. It saddens me that I can’t take the pups with me. They need a fenced yard, though. There’s no way my grip is strong enough to safely take them out on a leash. They have no clue that any change is coming.

There are thoughts on other issues as well, but my head will have to put pieces together better than it currently is for me to verbalize those.

There has to be a better way to live.

Current Issues / Morning Update / Natural Light / Personal / Status

Morning Update: 04/23/24

April 23, 2024

Life yesterday seemed rather easy until it wasn’t. The dogs and I were able to spend a little over an hour and a half, total, outside. The temperatures were perfect for them to run and romp around the yard chasing the squirrels. There wasn’t anything else pressing. I spent some time looking at apartments and such, but that needs to be a separate post.

I didn’t see Tipper when she came home from school. I was napping at the time, and by the time I was awake, she was asleep and didn’t wake up until everyone else was asleep. Even G took a long nap when he got home. Mondays seem to be exhausting for everyone.

My body decided it was done around 6:30. I stayed awake long enough for Kat to get home. I made myself dinner and then crashed. I’m fairly certain everyone was in bed by 8:30.

If I were to write another book, it would have to be titled, “How To Sleep With Eight Animals In Your Bed.” That was the total number I was working with last night. The dogs started on either side of me with the cats gathered at the foot of the bed. Then someone moved. Once one of them moved, all the others had to reposition themselves. This happened all night. One of the wanderers, Pinball and Gabby, would leave for a moment, which would initiate a shift, then come back fifteen minutes later, causing another shift. They’ll occasionally go an hour without anyone moving, and it is possible to sleep through their adjustments, but sleeping with that many animals has been an exercise in limiting my own movements while trying to ignore theirs. Having a firm mattress is definitely a plus.

I’m apparently losing my grip as well. We use sanitizing wipes in the bathroom for a number of reasons. During the night, we ran out. I got a new container and tried to open it. A plastic seal was keeping the wipes moist. There was a tab to remove the seal. I couldn’t grip it well enough to get the damn thing open. I had to wait until Kat was awake. This is yet another disappointing progression that eventually leads to needing someone else’s help for everything. I’m not happy.

Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon. We’re all thrilled [sarcasm]. I’d like to go back to bed but there are things to do, apartments to look for. Insanity to consider.

Maybe we’ll just go for the insanity and be done with it.

Current Issues / Long Read / Morning Update / Personal

Morning Update: 04/18/24

April 18, 2024

Dreaming Of A New Reality [2011 original with AI background]

Beware, before you invest your time in today’s update, that I’m emotional, have been awake since 2:00, haven’t had coffee yet, and probably shouldn’t be considered sane at this moment. Also, be aware that not everything yesterday went poorly. I did have a wonderful time sharing coffee with a friend. It was the first time I’d been outside the yard in a month, and I appreciated the company. There were plenty of opportunities for the day to go worse than it did.

The problem didn’t come until we were sitting down at dinner. Kat attempted to explain in reasonable terms that the situation here at the house would soon be untenable for me. There are a host of repairs that are going to start soon. There’s no question that the repairs are necessary; they have been for some time. But there is pressure for her to make those repairs now and that’s going to create an environment that is unhealthy for me.

Making matters more difficult is the fact that we can’t afford to pay contractors to do the work. She’s going to do it all herself with some help from friends. That includes replacing the bathroom plumbing that is literally crumbling in the walls. This means that for some span of time, there will have to be a portable toilet in the yard. There will be no shower until the work is done. Several walls, possibly including those in the Recovery Room, will have to be replaced. There will be dust and debris all over the place. This is definitely not the kind of environment where I can recuperate from all the chemo.

Do What I Say, Not What I Do [2011 original with AI background]

If contractors were handling the job with a full crew, it would probably take two-three months to complete. That’s not terribly long, but would still come with all the health challenges. It would be unreasonable to expect Kat to do the work herself anywhere nearly as quickly. Where this gets sticky, however, if that there are still projects started during the pandemic shutdown four years ago that haven’t been finished. Kat’s busy. It takes all her time just trying to make ends meet. She gets home and doesn’t have the energy to rip down drywall or replace the shower. I don’t doubt her ability to do the work, but can she even get the work done before it starts getting cold again next fall? There are reasons to be doubtful.

I’m not sure who is pushing her to get the work done now. I don’t know that it matters. Whoever it is has convinced her that the work has to be done. The condition the house currently is in could cause legal problems if the wrong people were called. That fear has been deeply instilled and the only way to address it is to fix the problems. Now. The momentary discomfort comes secondary to keeping her and the kids together.

But there are other issues. Zoning has to approve whatever is done. That means there have to be plans submitted and permits pulled. Who’s going to do that? How long is that approval going to take? The ultimate zoning hearing could open us up to criticism from the nosy neighbor who keeps reporting the status of our lawn each summer. Her contrarian voice could cause all manner of unforeseen trouble. Even putting building materials inside the fence could become a point of contention. There are troubles for even thinking about doing the work. Kat doesn’t need any more stress and that’s what this work is going to cause. A lot more stress than anyone needs.

Who wants a roommate? Me moving out resolves the problem of me surviving while the work is going on, not to mention the awkwardness of me taking yet another nap while everyone around me is working their ass off. There really is little choice but for me to be elsewhere. Of course, there are some big problems there are well, starting with the fact that I really can’t afford to go anywhere on my own.

I did a lot of looking at rental properties after dinner last night. At first, I thought that perhaps I could do a long-stay hotel somewhere nearby. HA! There’s nothing like that available for less than $1200 a month at the bottom end. Most come in around $3,500 to $4,800 a month. That’s more than four times the amount I get from Social Security. Definitely not an option.

The absolute cheapest amenities I could find come in between $400-$500 a month, which I might make work. However, their co-living arrangements in a house with roommates. While they offer my own bathroom and bedroom, everything is shared. That’s a problem while I’m on chemo. I don’t share anything because of the risk of toxins lingering on things such as plates and silverware. Not to mention the fact that one doesn’t get to choose their roommates in these situations. They could be not-so-very-nice people. They might even be Republicans. I’m too old to be living in a reboot of “Friends.” This isn’t going to work at all.

Meager Means [2011 original with AI background]

Kat would like for me to be in an assisted living facility. The upside would be a private room, cleaning services, prepared meals, planned activities, transportation to the doctor, and a 24/7 nursing staff in case something goes sideways. This sounds like a good idea until you start looking at all the details. We’ve actually been looking here for almost a year and the more I look, the more problems I find.

First is the cost. Oh my fucking god! We’re looking at $5,600 a month in the neighborhood and up for the median level of service. Again, way more than I make from social security. My current insurance won’t pay for it. They’ll pay for 100 in-home visits a year, which is realistically only a step away from not having any help at all. If I were on Medicaid, it would cover the costs at some facilities, but as of last week, even the nasty low-end facilities have a waiting list of 10+ people. I’m not going to get in before construction needs to start.

Then, let’s look at the reality of the social situation. I’d be the young person in the facility by 12-15 years. Several facilities won’t even consider anyone under 65. I’m accustomed to being around significantly younger people. I get my energy and ideas from young people. Younger people help me feel plugged into the world and everything happening. Assisted living facilities, no matter what they say, serve institutionalized food and we both know damn good and well that can barely be passable on many occasions. They rely on old people losing their sense of taste. Staff turnover is high because, despite the cost of a room, the workers don’t make enough money to live on, have to deal with the bad attitudes of people who don’t know where they are, and are often disregarded by management. Every few weeks you’re breaking in someone new. Public reports on some lower-end facilities, the ones most likely to take Medicaid, show high numbers of reports of abuse and a lack of appropriate care.

This is just barely a step above living in a tent outside. I’ll only go if the only other choice is homelessness.

Sleeping Alone [2012 with AI background]

The final option is a small studio or one-bedroom apartment with utilities included. I’ve spent a good bit of the night looking at these options since I wasn’t able to sleep. Prices run from right around $600 a month on up. The biggest difference in prices seems to have to do with the age of the facility and where it is located. Those with lower prices tend to be in more challenging neighborhoods where not only is crime more of an issue but the availability of amenities such as shopping, dining, and entertainment is likely to be further away.

On the plus side, these places offer a decent level of privacy, come with kitchen appliances, and avoid the issue of having to secure utilities and deal with their fluctuating prices. The typical size is between 650-750 square feet. Deposits on several are as low as $300. I could *possibly* have enough money to move in by the first of June or something close to that.

The downside is that my credit score requires a shovel to find it, which automatically makes the process difficult. Depending on the type of security and where the apartment is located, getting anything delivered can be challenging without the risk of it being stolen. Letting guests in can be challenging as well. I’ve seen some apartments where one has to physically let the guest through the locked door.

I’m not worried about going over the income caps that several places have. Even if my Social Security was increased to the allowable limit, I’d still be well under the income cap for a single person. In the year before I met Kat (2012), I stayed in some of these places and while their security measures might make some things a little inconvenient, they were pretty much decent places that were good for those on fixed incomes.

Considering an apartment comes with some unique concerns. One is having someone watch over me regularly. Here, we have to consider whether I can get back on Medicaid. That would provide a higher level of service than my current insurance. However, on my 65th birthday, I’d get dumped from Medicaid and put on Medicare which is a whole new mess of government red tape trying to make sure old people die and get out of the way.

One option worth considering is Amazon’s new emergency service through its Alexa system. The cost is only $6/month and renews automatically. In addition to calling 911, it can call other emergency contacts as well. Is this going to take longer than having someone in-house all the time? Depends on the size of the house. Nursing facilities typically have one nurse per 100 residents. If that nurse is already busy when you call, it can be several minutes before anyone gets to you. 911, on the other hand, does its best to get to you ASAP, preferably in under three minutes.

An apartment also comes with the challenge of not having furnishings. I have a bed. I had a recliner. I have a file cabinet. That’s it. The desk I’m using is Kat’s. The coffee pot and microwave are Kat’s. I have a couple of lamps and a turntable. I do have a bookshelf but it would depend on the apartment’s rules as to whether I could attach it to the wall. I’ve never been especially picky about things like sofas and coffee tables. As I get older, though, sitting on the floor or having to bend over constantly to use the computer becomes more of an issue. Of course, I have plenty of pictures for the walls.

Included among the list of things I need to do today is making a call to the Social Security office. They want to confirm my residence. What do I tell them? How much is it going to mess things up if I let them know I need to move within the next six weeks? The last thing I need is more paperwork on my desk or matters getting any more confusing than they already are. I could use help, but not the over-the-phone kind. I need someone who can be right next to me, making sure I’m filling things out correctly. I have a laptop. Come get me and we can do things over coffee.

By the way, the coffee shop has its spring drink menu out and it looks really good.

The final matter to worry about is the loneliness that is going to happen no matter how this plays out. There’s no taking the dogs anywhere they don’t have room to run. Cats come with pet fees and I don’t have money for that. What I am constantly reminded of is that loneliness is a worse killer than heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. While Kat’s promised that I’ll see her and the kids at least once a week, what about all the other times? If there’s nothing safe within walking distance, how will I pass the time I normally spend interacting with or watching over the kids? Will I just pathetically sit here and try to deal with the depression without blowing my brains out? I don’t have a lot of confidence in my ability to deal with the quiet and loneliness well. I need people in my life and I need them to be people that I like. I have no idea how to solve this problem anymore. It’s not like when I first moved here and could hit people up to take pictures. I have nothing that makes me attractive to anyone new. Nothing.

I’m open to reasonable suggestions. I’m also old and very set in my ways. I need to make a move within the next six weeks or things become difficult for all of us.

Just For Fun / Photography / PotD

Bella Comes To Play

January 31, 2017

charles i. letbetter - Bella comes to visit

Are you sure you can handle this much cuteness?

Bella’s checking her email

We don’t shoot a lot of pets. You know the rule: never work with children and animals. That’s generally a pretty good rule to follow.

However, Bella’s mommy, Melinda, brought her along to a shoot we were doing with Loren Hawk. Bella, a long-haired chihuahua, was so wonderfully well behaved and so adorably precious that we had no other choice than to include her in some of the pictures.

And who doesn’t need pictures of an adorable little puppy on a miserable Tuesday such as this?

Thanks to Kat for giving Melinda a touch of makeup and hair manipulation. Melinda didn’t come prepared to participate. Surprise!

Enjoy this break from all the worries of the world. Follow Bella’s example and just chill.

Trying to stay warm while the silly humans play in the snow

Ooh, is that snack for ME?

Mommy loves Bella soooo much!

Bella was alert but very well behaved

Bella! International pup of mystery and intrigue

Wait, you want me to kiss you ON CAMERA?

As pretty as Loren and Melinda are, Bella was still easily distracted by the cats roaming the room

Hanging around outside, staying close to mom

Everyone loves Bella!

Bella’s checking her email

Current Issues / Nature / PotD

Feeling The Heat

June 10, 2016

I don’t always wear underwear. When I’m in the heat, especially, I can’t wear it. Like, if I’m wearing a flower dress, why do I have to wear underwear? —Naomi Campbell

The heat is on. The argument for wearing clothes is strained. Caution is advised

My alarm went off, as always, at 4:00 AM this morning. I groaned quietly, kissed the back of Kat’s neck and got out of bed, dressing in the dark so as to not bother anyone.

The dog was waiting, as always. He hears the alarm, too, and is anxious for me to put on my shoes and snap the leash to his harness. He’s been here a month, but our morning walks are already a matter of ritual. He shakes himself and we’re ready to go.

I check the weather forecast, as always. 70 degrees. 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms after 7 this morning. Shit. I have 120 pounds of concrete mix sitting in the yard. I’ll have to move that when we get back.

We start our walk with Belvedere’s nose to the ground, as always. The neighbor’s security light pops on as we pass but the dog doesn’t flinch. He’s more interested in the scent of a feral cat that roams the area each night. The cat can’t be too big; we see its muddy paw prints on the car each morning. In the distant, lightening flashes. We probably won’t actually get any rain at our house. Most weather goes around us.

This is summer, and, as always, we’re beginning to feel the heat. 92 is the forecasted high today, and as someone who grew up in Oklahoma, my instinctive reaction is to think, “Aw, that ain’t nothing but good swimming weather.” But 92 when I was a kid wasn’t the same as 92 is now. The only air pollution we had to worry about then was the fragrance that came from the feedlot when the wind was out of the South. Heat and humidity were a thing, but rarely did they actually kill anyone.

Things are different now. Heat is the enemy. Now, the National Weather Service issues air quality warnings. I saw the orange band across the top of the forecast early and knew what it had to be. Here’s this morning’s statement (the caps are normal for NWS statements; they’re not actually shouting at you):

INZ047-110000-
MARION-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...INDIANAPOLIS
256 PM EDT THU JUN 9 2016

...A KNOZONE ACTION DAY HAS BEEN DECLARED...

THE OFFICIALS AT THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE CITY OF
INDIANAPOLIS HAVE CALLED FOR A KNOZONE ACTION DAY ON FRIDAY...JUNE
10...FOR THE FOLLOWING INDIANA COUNTIES...

MARION.

A KNOZONE ACTION DAY MEANS THAT A COMBINATION OF THE HIGH
TEMPERATURES...LIGHT WINDS AND OTHER FACTORS ARE EXPECTED TO
PRODUCE CONDITIONS WHERE HIGH LEVELS OF OZONE EMISSIONS MAY
EXCEED FEDERALLY MANDATED STANDARDS.

HERE ARE SOME RECOMMENDED ACTIONS THAT THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE TO REDUCE
OZONE FORMING EMISSIONS.

RIDE THE BUS INSTEAD OF TAKING YOUR CAR.
CAR-POOL WITH A FRIEND OR CO-WORKER.
REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT IN DRIVE THRU LANES.
POSTPONE FILLING OR TOPPING OFF YOUR GAS TANK UNTIL AFTER DARK.
PUT OFF MOWING YOUR LAWN UNTIL AFTER 600 PM.

All this because of a little heat. What wasn’t a big deal 40 or 50 years ago is monumental now. When we were kids, we could go out and play all day, every day, and the only time our parents worried about the weather affecting us adversely was when there were tornadoes in the area. Today, however, we’ll be taking specific action to protect the kids from harm: we’re leaving the county and heading for a quiet state park. They’ll be able to play outside without having to worry about breathing bad air.

Tomorrow is a different story, though. The anticipated high temperature for tomorrow is 96°F which means NWS will almost certainly release another air quality warning, but tomorrow is the annual Pride parade. We can’t miss that, for a number of reasons. That means we’ll have to make some adjustments to make sure the experience is safe and enjoyable for the kids. Come to think of it, you would probably do well to follow some of the same suggestions for yourself.

When feeling the heat, here are some do’s and don’ts for staying alive:

DO drink plenty of water. We’ll be carrying 8 oz bottles of the stuff to keep everyone hydrated. Hydration is always an issue in the heat, but under these conditions it is critical.
DON’T drink only soda, coffee or alcohol, all of which dehydrate the body. Sure, they’re tasty, but they’ll leave you panting along the side of the road.
DO wear clothing that is light textured if you’re in a place where clothing is required. This is a great time to show off your swimsuit.
DON’T forget the sunscreen. Please. Always. Skin cancer is no joke and incidents have risen dramatically in the past 20 years. The shine makes your body look good, anyway.
DO eat a lot of fresh fruit. Strawberries, peaches, apples, and bananas are what we’re having for breakfast.
DON’T eat a lot of processed sugars. That stuff is bad for you any day, but in the heat, they zap your strength and can make you violently ill. Stay away.
DO plan activities at either end of the day. Before 10 AM and after 6 PM are best.
DON’T expose you or anyone else (including pets) to extreme heat conditions any longer than absolutely necessary.
DO take your pets out for short, limited walks.
DON’T leave your pets tethered outside, even if they have shelter and water. The heat affects them even more than it does us.

I’m not one to jump on an alarmist bandwagon, but this heat is serious business. Already, the Best Protected Great Barrier Reef Corals Are Now Dead, and there’s a ’99 Percent Chance’ 2016 Will Be Hottest Year on record. The easy-going summers of the past, where we could just sit in the shade and drink lemonade without a care in the world are, unfortunately, non-existent for anyone who lives in a city of any size. I’m not sure those out in the country are as safe as they once were.

Summer is here. We’re going to feel some heat and, like it or not, we can’t just run around naked all over the place. Take some precautions. Use some common sense. There’s still plenty of fun to be had, we just have to be careful about when and how we do it.

Art / Current Issues / Experimental / Original Style / PotD

Naked Thoughts While Walking The Dog

June 5, 2016

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my goddamned friends, they’re the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights! —Warren G. Harding

Walking the dog of the morning gives some time for quiet contemplation before life is cluttered by the day

Random. Thoughts I have while walking the dog each morning are just that: random. Naked. I don’t look at any news or check any headlines before we head out the door. I do put on pants, just in case I’m not the only lunatic up at 4:00 in the morning (and I’m not), but other than that I’m unencumbered; just the dog and I out for a stroll. He’s interested in finding a fire hydrant where he can pee (he has a favorite). I’m interested in sorting through my dreams and the thoughts that linger from the previous day.

Sunday morning is a great time for that manner of contemplation. None of the thoughts are necessarily huge or impressive in any way. Just thoughts that are worth thinking for a moment, and then we let them slip back into the quiet places of our brain until we might actually need them in conversation. These are the moments where we work out for ourselves exactly how we feel about a topic, the hows and the whys and the justifications. Walking the dog is good for the brain that way.

Having a dog to walk is important, though. When people see someone, especially a man dressed in dark clothes, out walking by himself in the middle of the night they tend to make negative assumptions. One evening, a couple of weeks after I graduated from college, I was walking through my neighborhood at dusk and a man comes rushing out of his house wanting to know what I was stalking him and his wife. I wasn’t, of course. But to claim otherwise was apparently calling his wife a liar. I could have used a dog right then. No one questions what you’re doing when you are walking a dog.

One of the things that popped into my mind this morning was a couple of pictures posted by a friend who now lives in California. She grew up here in Indy, was quite a free spirit, and posed for me on a few occasions. The pictures were of her and her mate, a British chap, out frolicking about in the California forests completely naked. The pictures posted, of course, managed to meet social media requirements, covering up nipples and such. I’m sure there are more revealing photos, though. On one hand, I’m proud of the two of them for taking those pictures. They didn’t hide their faces or do anything to deny that it was them in the photos. They owned their nudity and were happy in a way I wish everyone could be happy. At the same time, I was a little jealous that I wasn’t the one taking those pictures. I couldn’t be. I’m not in California. There aren’t enough people in Indiana who feel that free. They’ve all moved out West, or so it seems.

We went to a wedding last night. We took the kids along. The couple was beautiful. The mix of religious cultures was beautiful. The ceremony appropriately reflected who they are. Just before the ceremony was about to start, though, it rained. Stormed, actually, and quite seriously at that. The ceremony was held under a tent and most guests had already taken their seats. The tents didn’t have sides. My seat was along the edge. I spent the evening with my right pants leg completely soaked by the rain. I find the experience amusing. The rest of me was quite dry and the dampness did not impede my ability to enjoy the ceremony. The storm helped keep the kids in check, too. There was just this awkward sloshing sound as I was walking across the lawn. It’s a uniqueness that will help me remember the event.

I miss the days when people would just randomly stop by for a few pictures. Maybe they had a new outfit. Maybe they were just bored. Maybe they were feeling adventurous and enjoyed getting naked in front of the camera. All of those were true at various times with different people. No one does that now, though. Speedway isn’t as popular as Broad Ripple. No one comes over here then stops and grabs a burger or pizza on their way home. No one can park at our house then walk down the street to meet friends and go out for the night. I’m not convenient anymore. But then, none of those friends who once dropped by do the Broad Ripple scene anymore. They’ve grown up. Some have kids. Several moved away. We get older and we stay home. We don’t drop by and visit anyone. We do Netflix and nap.

The lawn needs mowing again, but I won’t do it today. I’m not inclined to spend an hour walking back and forth across the yard. Maybe we’ll get started on the fence, though; get some holes dug.

The dog’s choices of places to pee is rather random. Sure, there’s the fire hydrant, but as his nose is sniffing along the ground there is apparently some randomly occurring fragrance that triggers his bladder, forcing him to stop and pee right now. Why does he choose to pee where he does? I suppose I could ask that same question about humans, though. I’ve actively avoided wading into that whole bathroom argument because I consider the very concept to be among the most ludicrous notions ever concocted. Talk about finding a solution for which there was no problem, North Carolina’s HB2 did just that. There wasn’t a problem. Now, everyone’s talking about where to go pee and that’s just about the most stupid waste of time I’ve ever seen. If you’re caught up in stopping people from peeing in certain places, you’re dumber than my hound dog.

However, I did discover this video last night. The music is incredible. My only problem is that I’ve never seen Harvey Fierstein without facial hair. I wasn’t prepared for that specific form of nakedness. His bare chin threw me for a loop. Mr. Fierstein wrote on his Facebook page:

So, you don’t like transgender people? Have the balls to honestly say it. Today’s bathroom controversy is fueled by the same bigots that sought to ban gay and lesbian teachers forty years ago. All these years later they’re still hiding behind the claim that they’re only protecting their children.

These discussions are great opportunities to educate and strengthen the bonds that make us all one human family. But when I see discussions on social media proposing a Men’s Room for adult males, a Ladies’ Room for adult females, a Little Girls’s Room for little girls, a little Boy’s Room for little boys and then another pair of bathrooms for Little Boys with a parent and Little Girls with a parent… Well, it’s time to take a step back and laugh at our own absurdity.

Hmmmm, is that Wayne Brady in drag as Lola? I’m never quite sure.

Enough walking for this morning. My legs hurt and the dog’s ready to eat. Enjoy your Sunday.

pop culture / PotD

The Final Countdown(s)

November 22, 2015

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.—Martin Luther King, Jr.

We’re hurtling toward the end of the year and that means we only have ten, count ’em, #POTD posts left before we take our December break. So, we’re going to spend these final few days with pictures that we weren’t able to make fit anywhere else and counting down a number of things we think are fun and important.

There’s no real cohesive point to the images. Some, like today’s, are quite old by digital standards. The Legends Football League’s Cynthing Schmidt was only 19 years old when we took this picture. Now, you’ll find her popping up in places like Sports Illustrated’s Lovely Lady of the Day feature. She seems to have done quite well for herself, but that has absolutely nothing to do with today’s list.

10 Things We Need To Do Before The End Of The Year

Kiss A Baby.
Chances are, unless you live in a cave with absolutely no interaction with anyone, you know someone who has a baby, or at least a toddler. Nothing is as calming and joyful as being slobbered upon by a six-month-old who thinks you taste good.

Spend five minutes doing nothing but petting an animal. Animals are wonderful givers of affection and are surprisingly effective at de-stressing humans. Just be selective about the animal. Lions and fish aren’t so cuddly.

Take an online class. Yep, there’s still time for you to actually accomplish something so that you’re not totally embarrassed while visiting with family over the holidays. Mashable has a good list here.

Donate some time to a charity. This time of year, charities who directly help the poor need more than just money, they need your time. Packing and distributing food take a lot of effort. If you have children, make it a family affair. The lesson in giving is invaluable.

Count your blessings. Seriously. Pen. Paper. Write. Do it the old-fashioned way so that it actually sticks in your head how fortunate you’ve been this year. Then, seal it in an envelope to open next year when you’re feeling blue.

Try the new Oreos® churros. Seriously. They’re real. Check here for details. The holidays are time for special treats, right? J&J Foods just gave us the best present ever. You know you want to try them. Go ahead. Give in. We won’t tell.

Read a book. You’ve been meaning to do that all year, but somehow the time just slips away. There are a lot of lists with great titles from which to choose. We rather like the choices at NPR Books, or just visit a bookstore and browse!

Join a sing-a-long. The world is full of timid singers that would never dare to sing in public on their own, but one of the joys of this time of year is that several groups sponsor community sing-a-longs, usually featuring holiday songs that everyone knows. Look around and find one near you.

Wrap something different in bacon. There is no going wrong with bacon. I’ve put it around food I otherwise detest and it totally changes my ability to down brussel sprouts. I’m thinking bacon wrapped sugar cookies sounds like a good idea.

Thank a service member. Holidays can be especially tough for those who are away from their families. Remember, the US military is comprised totally of volunteers. Show them some appreciation for their sacrifice.

This is your final chance to keep the year from totally sucking and should keep you busy for a moment or two. Should you become bored, don’t worry, we have more lists coming all week!

Morning Update: 08/30/24

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Bella Comes To Play

Are you sure you can handle this much cuteness?

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Feeling The Heat

I don’t always wear underwear. When I’m in the heat, especially, I can’t wear it. Like, if I’m wearing a flower dress, why do I have to wear underwear? —Naomi Campbell

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Naked Thoughts While Walking The Dog

I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my goddamned friends, they’re the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights! —Warren G. Harding

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Are you sure you can handle this much cuteness?

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I don’t always wear underwear. When I’m in the heat, especially, I can’t wear it. Like, if I’m wearing a flower dress, why do I have to wear underwear? —Naomi Campbell

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I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my goddamned friends, they’re the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights! —Warren G. Harding

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I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.—Martin Luther King, Jr.

10 Things We Need To Do Before The End Of The Year

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