So I joined Post.news

I never signed up for Twitter (thanks, younger me!) but I have lurked around on several interesting Twitter feeds for years. Post is looking very friendly and intelligent and I'm excited to get into it. I thought I'd better post something here, since I put the link in my Post profile. If you came here from there, I should say I seldom post here any more but there's a signup thingy you can put your email address into and you'll get an email when I do post. I've been thinking recently I should pick up the ol' blog again, so maybe that will happen.

Stray thoughts about pens

A random comment on Ravelry about fountain pens evoked memories of the first one I ever used. It was a cheap (in 1964, 49⍧!) Schaeffer with the see-through plastic barrel - mine was I think blue, and I loved it. It used cartridges so I could have blue, black, or blue-black ink. Back then, in the Stone Age, we weren't allowed to use fountain pens until 7th grade - I can see the point, there'd be ink everywhere in grade school. I *adored* that pen! The other pen that stands out in my memory, also from 7th grade, was a purple Bic. I took all my class notes in purple, I just loved it. Useless, but delightful, memories taking up space in my brain.

Odd and trivial memory dept.

I picture these strange odd little memory resurfacings as though they're the chaff that fell through the filter of coffee beans. No idea they were there until they suddenly just appear. This time it was an IG post from my daughter-in-law showing her green fingernails.

And I recalled when, in 1972, my then-husband and I went to see Cabaret when it first came out. Afterwards, I ferreted all over Humboldt, Iowa until I found what must have been the only bottle of green fingernail polish in town. (Sally Bowles wore green fingernail polish). I was ecstatic! But all I got from everyone I came across were stern or sneering looks. I don't think I ever wore it again. But just look at us now! Free from those chains of cosmetic color conformity!

This is kind of a place-marker.

I lost my beloved O'Keefe cat August 13, and although I've always put a memorial page for my dear pets who have passed away, I haven't been able emotionally to do it yet. I will, but she meant so much to me that I am going to have to both grieve a little longer, and think long about what I want to say. She was my best friend for 15 years. How do you sum that up?

My odyssey

I've been knitting on a four sock long tube since June. Tonight I finally finished the tube! It's crazy. I wanted to see how it would work; won't know for sure until all the toes, heels, and cuffs are done. And, of course, the socks will be individually freed from their long (heh heh) ordeal.

My hands hurt. But I'm happy!

August 22, 2018 cancer checkup

I see I forgot to post that my third straight annual cancer checkup was A-OK. Yay!

I'm not on Twitter, but I can share this here. If you're on Twitter, post it (include the source): Today is #TransDayOfVisibility 5 ways to support trans people today: 💖 Post/tweet/instagram your support of trans people. 💙 Help make spaces encompassing for trans people. 💖 Challenge transphobia in all its forms. 💙 Educate yourself to understand. 💖 Share this post

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It's time to get ready for ALL HALLOW'S READ!

What's All Hallow's Read, you ask? It's giving away books along with the candy - or any number of other ways to celebrate reading along with Hallowe'en. Let Neil Gaiman explain it!

I've been doing this for 4 or 5 years now, and it's wonderful. The kids really love getting books - I think some of my veteran trick-or-treaters have been spreading the word because every year I get a few more than the previous year.

I get most of my AHR books from the Friends of the Omaha Public Library's book sale that goes on all year. I've written an Instructable on how to prep the books for The Big Night.

Celebrate All Hallow's Read! Scare your friends! 💀 👾 👽 🎃

Today's cancer checkup

Passed it with an "A" again! That's two years down. Next appt: August 2018!
😺

Heather Heyer is an American hero.

But she should never have had to be. I think a statue of that brave young woman should replace every goddamned Confederate statue in the country.

It occurs to me, for someone who claims to hate losers so much, The Orange Ass has certainly picked a couple of global-level historical losers to side with. 

The Liberal Redneck says it a lot better than I ever could.

*needle scratch*

Er, well, no. I decided against NaNoWriMo since the last post.

I find myself having a hard time committing to anything that's going to require that kind of dedication, these days.

So, No NaNo. The world will survive this loss.

I wish I could just get over you

Yeah, so, NaNoWriMo has hooked me again. Fortunately, they've adopted more flexible "rules" for Camp NaNoWriMo, in that I can go back to the most recent November novel attempt and work on that; it no longer has to be a brand-new work. So, That ol' 24 Spaces keeps bugging me like crazy, so here I go: July will be 31 days of Camp NaNoWriMo insanity. Well - not quite. This time I've pledged to work on the piece at least 1 hour per day, on average.

So I need to collect the sunscreen, s'mores ingredients, flip flops and lemonade, and get ready to CAMP!

It's been a long drought.

I haven't been doing much worth posting, and I'm still fighting the depression (and winning, but slowly), though the situation in American politics today has not helped that process. In fact I expend probably more energy than I realize fuming and worrying about that.

I just came across a terrific pick-me-up. Last year, Warren Buffett wrote a letter to Bill and Melinda Gates, urging them to publish a kind of update to their philanthropic activities. Read Mr. Buffett's letter, then read and view their response. Then come back here because I have a question.

Buffett's letter.

The Gates's response.

That's really something isn't it? Wow. Everybody should read/view it. Heartening!

Look at all they are doing, all the good and how it ramifies, multiplies, spreads geographically and through generations, benefit upon benefit, lifting entire societies out of poverty, disease, and ignorance. Providing the world with generations of healthy, educated young people who will continue lifting their families, communities, and countries even higher.

Now look at what Trump and the Republicans are doing. They've been rabid dogs, tearing down every good and humane thing that we have worked so hard and long to build. Health care, education, infrastructure, science, equality, international aid, diplomatic relationships - everything.

My question is, why haven't these assholes been charged with crimes against humanity? The impacts of their greed, viciousness, bigotry, sexism, racism, and hatred will also ramify through generations and geography across the world. People have already died, literally because of their actions and policies, and they have barely started. If that isn't crimes against humanity, what is?

I've just got one question:

WTF IS WRONG WITH "MATCHY-MATCHY"???

I don't understand why all the hate for clothes and accessories whose colors or patterns match or at least harmonize. 

Yep, you're right, I'm not into fashion. For decades I've figured if I can get an outfit together where my socks match or at least coordinate somehow with my shirt/sweater/pants/skirt, I'm home free! Some snotty chemistry tech (a male!) made a snide comment about how my socks always match my shirt - that was um. well. like. 1987? or so? So it's a venerable tradition of mine.

I think people should STFU about "matchy-matchy." It's just another way to be a snob and put other people down.

That's my fashion manifesto. I don't have a picture or anything to go with it. 

All of these inspire and move me but it's Malala that brings the tears. They tried to blow out her brains and look at her. 

Our enemies are stupid and small. They don't have a chance.

When a dolt provides his nemesis with a great campaign slogan

From Tumblr:

sashayed:

“She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

(via scarlettohairdye)

Interlude?

So the roof is re-shingled and it looks great. But there are several other projects the contractor is supposed to do, but I haven't heard a word since the roofers finished last Tuesday. I'm not worried. We're also waiting to find out if the insurance company is going to foot the bill for a LARGE project that became obviously necessary once they'd got the old shingles off - there were three layers instead of just the one.

So I wait. There is still some material, and a wheelbarrow and a ladder, here, so I assume they'll be back when all the ducks have got in line.

Mood-wise, the third antidepressant seems to be doing its job. I'm feeling more like me than I have for a year. And I'm resuming some of my grown-up habits I was secretly proud of developing before the black dog bit me. My spirits are much better, even though my country's agony under the putsch harrows me daily.  I do what I can to help resist. I wish I could do more. But my year's inactivity has taken its toll on my very body - I'm going to have to build up my muscle strength gradually because I'm weaker now, and have very little stamina. And there's an ever-growing list of home projects I need to address; so much piled up while I was depressed, I can't believe it. Ah well, I'll plug along and do the best I can.

I am so glad the black dog went away!