Maintainers Weekly Chat: November 14 - November 20
It's been an emotional week watching the elections and its repercussions. Interesting times ahead. I look forward to that moment when "working together" begins to kick in.
Welcome to the new folks. As has been stated, we're always open to anyone trying to walk this path.
Trixie and I went "moon gazing" last night at the local park we frequent. Nature never disappoints - the "supermoon" was beautiful and still is this morning.
We will probably venture out again tonight. I don't go out at night much - DH usually does the evening walk - so it's always a bit exciting for me to see how Trixie responds.
We ate outside last night and witnessed the moon rise. Beautiful.
DH and I are going to try another subscription meal service this week--Freshly. This one is different as you don't have ANY prep work. Just put it in the microwave. We'll see how it goes.
I remembered what I'd forgotten, that when I am feeling alienated, I need to become part of a community.
That meant seeing a really good, thoughtful film this weekend, "Moonlight," about a young man struggling to survive and to keep his heart open. Art is a good, true thing that we still have to turn to.
And also, to watch Anna Deavere Smith on Sunday, who offered me a way forward out of my despair: Help out close to home, where you can. ("One child," she said.) Be kind yourself to those around you. Use your voice when you see social injustice.
Allison-- I keep seeing Freshly in my feed-- let me know your thoughts.
I saw the moon last night, but this morning we have fog, so no moon sighting. Will it still be around tonight? Obviously the moon will be around, but the super moon?!
Spent much of yesterday trying to figure out our November and December flights and travel plans. Oy. It gets complicated. And expensive. Both dd's are coming home for Thanksgiving-- one is flying in Saturday, the other next Wednesday. Then, we are all flying to Arizona in December for dd's graduation-- plus my inlaws-- trying to coordinate with them is uh....interesting....
Then, we are flying to Texas for Christmas but everyone is going at different times everywhere-- dh is staying in Arizona to help dd, then going early to Texas to help with other dd. So, some flights I'm solo, some I'm not. And trying to coordinate pet sitters, etc.
I've been in a "diet bet" that ended yesterday. I have to weigh in by tomorrow. I'm .5 pound over where I need to be to win. So.... today will be tons of walking, lots of water, light meals, and bikram. Hope I make it!
I have another author visit today at my school. Super excited. We got her with a grant so she is pretty big time (Newbery winner). Her name is Gennifer Choldenko. I'm always anxious when I have to coordinate something like this as I want to make sure it all goes well!
McDonald's is serving a "Nutella" burger in Italy. Why is that news and who would eat such a gross thing? To me Nutella seems like it's made of icing sugar, lard, and brown dye. Bleagh.
I've never liked Nutella. I know that puts me in a certain category--there are those who love it and those who hate it. I don't know of anyone who is meh about it.
Just an observation from last night: My therapist, who is Jewish, said the wake of the election is reminding him of his childhood growing up in a "fearful household," where anti-Semitism was always a concern and in fact prevented anyone in his family from ever traveling very far from NY, which they perceived as a safe zone. Also, that one of his Jewish patients now wants to buy a gun for personal safety. The recently reported swastika graffiti was a trigger for both, among other things.
It looks like rain here in the desert although they aren't predicting it. Just a low pressure system bringing slightly cooler temperatures. I still have not turned on my furnace this year and am still sleeping with the windows open. And global warming is a hoax...
Well, it happened. We turned on the central heat this morning due to a cold front moving through. Woke up to 60 degrees inside. That's too cold for my functioning!
Am I seeing a correlation between being a maintainer and being upset by the Trump victory? Interesting but not surprising. We are all reasonable people I am not a Trumpkin but remain hopeful that he will not blow up the world.
Just back from a week hiking the Arizona National Scenic Trail. We completed Passages 1, 2, and 3, from the Mexican border to the town of Patagonia, plus the first 7 miles of Passage 4. There are over 40 Passages, so plenty more to do! It was nice to have a vehicle at each end of the day's mileage and be able to camp in comfort without carrying everything with us. Very interesting talking to the ever-present Border Patrol. They are building new observation towers, using drones, and also have passive alert dogs. The only problem is, when migrants are apprehended only some of them are returned to Mexico. The rest are "processed", given a Notice to Appear, and released into the US never to be seen again. Wow.
Allison, we also turned on the heater this week. I thought of you as I was driving east on I-10 on my way to Arizona.
We have a new dog. She is a five month old puppy my husband found curled up sleeping next to the sheep water trough. She's probably a mix of border collie, pit bull, and ??? Very sweet and obedient. My husband is the one who wants to keep her, surprisingly. Her right rear leg is messed up and she carries it about a third of the time. Our vet was hopeful he could fix up the leg, but when he xrayed it under anaesthesia (while she was being spayed), he discovered it was more difficult than he had thought. We'll consult a specialist, but little Jackie might just have to live with it.
Welcome to the new people. I too find that maintenance isn't much different from losing. Diligence is key.
Maintainers Weekly Chat: November 14 - November 20
I am not a Trumpkin but remain hopeful that he will not blow up the world.
