Like everybody else for the last year, I’ve been going through cycles. I’m not anywhere with serious problems out of my control, and I’ve had worse times in my life by far, but last week was not a good one for me.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
*************************
A former bar in Utrera, Spain, might be what’s left of a medieval synagogue known to have been in the particular neighborhood.
Well, it appears a shipment of frosted cereal headed from somewhere in South American to Hong Kong was frosted with cocaine.
Egyptian tomb paintings show extinct species of goose.
A before and after article on the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Miniatures at an archeological exhibit in Nara, Japan, are thought to be a child’s toys.
There is a court case involving descendents of Germany’s last royal family and compensation for items confiscated from them. It involves some complicated issues.
Problems with Canadian butter?
An article on the funding of democracies.
I like soups and stews.
Would you believe, quantum biology?
*************************
I spent several hours feeling sorry for myself last week. It boiled down to I miss my oldest-and-dearest horribly — he was the only person besides my mother who ever called me just to talk. I know quite a few people who will happily spend an hour or more on the phone if I call them, but unless they want me to do something, they don’t think of calling me. Yes, I remember yelling about hating early February. I’m none too fond of late February, either.
My Monday walk ended about ten feet outside my back door, when I realized it was raining. It wasn’t raining hard, but I was in no mood to get at all wet. Being a nativeborn Oregonian, I don’t generally mind the rain; but there may have been a cat or two in my ancestry, and when I’m feeling cranky, ….
Saw the question online: what do I miss from this time last year? Being able to go to the library and poke around the shelves — that’s what I miss. Half my social life was talking to total strangers about the books I was looking at.
My hip still hurts some, and pain does nothing to improve my disposition. Some of the most cheerful people I know are dealing with chronic pain, so I am well aware that it is just me being pissy over something I don’t usually have to deal with, but still I’m feeling crabby.
Somebody on Facebook posted the question: What’s something you refuse to buy the cheap version of? One of my high school classmates answered: I’m too poor to buy cheap crap.
All of the jokes about the new Martian rover have reminded me that lo! these many years ago, I bought my last boss a Marvin the Martian video for Christmas. He was a really nice guy, and I loved working for him, but there was the occasional earth-shattering kaboom.
*************************
Being among the first to file my taxes, I had the pleasant surprise of getting my federal refund last Tuesday. I believe I’ve mentioned having my tax deductions set up so that I tend to get a fairly large federal refund, which was certainly the case this time.
Since I seem to be acquainted, one way or another, however distantly, with an astounding number of people who live in Texas, I ended up donating rather more than I had been thinking.
Last Monday’s Cheers & Jeers had a link to an Act Blue page that listed seven different organizations in Texas that you could donate to individually, or donate a lump sum to be divided among them. I donated $100 to each, and could have done more, but I think I will wait and see what needs done most in the next month or so.
*************************
Love you guys!