Writing Through the Storm

~ We are currently about to be hit by the second round of thunder and rain for the day - our first significant rain in weeks. Lawns and crops are brown, well levels are lowering, trees are changing colors already and it's not even September. ~ I say "Bring on the rain" just leave the thunder. It's too jarring in a world that is already on edge from the attacks on our way of life by the government, specifically the Trump administration. Every day brings a fresh assault - today is on our health. Limited authorizations for COVID vaccines, limited supplies, too, I imagine, because what manufacturer would produce enough for the entire population after hearing the government challenge the effectiveness. I know I am ready for my next jab, along with the flu shot. I do not want either of those illnesses to affect my ability to go about my daily life. I have even ordered some new N95 masks as protection until I can get the shots. ~ The sad saga of Mr. Abrego Garcia continues. He was FINALLY returned to the US from El Salvador, telling of all the cruel punishments he received there and was released from custody this week only to be snatched again at his first scheduled report with the immigration authorities. A judge mercifully ruled that the feds cannot deport him to a country he has no ties to after Trump and Bondi announced they would ship him off to Somalia. WTF???? And his attorneys have requested a gag order to prevent Bondi et all from maligning him, as they have been so quick to do in the past. It almost seems as if they have a personal vendetta against him. ~ National Guard troops have been installed in DC, reportedly to restore peace to the crime-ridden streets. However, the latest reports have guardsmen picking up trash and spreading mulch on the sites of national monuments, because the reduction of National Park Service employees has created a need. I'll bet the guardsmen and their families are sooooo happy to have them deployed away from home and family and jobs for those details. And there is talk of the next target of this treatment to be Chicago. Gov. Pritzker is adamant that there is no need, he has not asked or been asked if he wants these troops. All the announced target cities are in heavily Democrtic areas, of course, while the cities with the highest crime rates are all in Red states. Hmmmm. ~ A high profile resistance act has emerged from the left coast - Gavin Newsom has started trolling Trump, making posts on X that mirror Trump's deranged posts on Truth Social. And he's posted videos in the same vein. Dark Gavin is good! And needed. ~ In non-politcal news: The Brunswick show 2 weeks ago was again a success, equaling my $1K take. Great weather and just a few glitches: someone setting up in my space when I arrived (he was supposed to be across the aisle); and a parking space kerfluffle at the end of the day - I thought a couple would be leaving a prime spot but when I got my car they said they wanted to go to dinner so were not leaving. I must have looked desperate because they changed their minds and let me have to space so I was able to load up and be on my way in 15 muinutes with a little help from my neighbors. Next show is in 2 months so I have time to reload and recharge. ~ Given the effect the chaotic tariffs have had on the import economy, it's likely good timing on my part to shut down at the end of the year. Much of the fabric I use is manufactured or at least printed overseas so the price would likely rise. (In fact, I've noticed a steady increase in price the past 3-4 years.) I've tried to keep my prices reasonable but have made modest increases on a couple of things just to keep profits up a bit. I'm trying to use up some dribs and drabs so have a run of trivets ready to layer and quilt. I need to make more scented trivets and runners. I've dropped sachets from my show line up and will give away the few remaining, as I have started doing with the mug mats. And I have a couple of display things I can list on Marketplace before show season gets going for real. ~ Racing has ticked along all summer and this is the last weekend for Saratoga. I'll go out on a limb and say the Sovereignty will be the 3 Year old of the year and maybe horse of the year. Derby, Belmont, Jim Dandy and Travers. Training up to the Classic.

The madness Continues - Sign

~ More unqualified appointments, more lunatic proclamations, and still no release of the Epstein files. I hope he rots in Hell because of what is in them. Based on testimony in other trials, I would not be surprised to find that he savors the taste of sweet young flesh. Because men like him always think they can do what they want and get away with it. I hope I live long enough to see justice served in the matter of DJT. And that his spawn slink off in disgrace, never to be heard from again. ~ My next show is a week away. Brunswick has always been good for about a third of my yearly income. It's that popular a show, in a high-visibility location, with lots of promotion and a team of organizers who treat the artisans with respect. Free lunch, water a plenty, bathroom breaks, help with whatever. This year I will have Betty right next door to keep me sane and right now the weather looks good - 80 and partly sunny with moderate humidity. And I have everything made - just need to finish updating the inventory, refresh the scented trivets and organize everything. Then it's 9 weeks until my next show. ~ Have been slowly working on Freddy's quilt but keep getting stuck or sidetracked. I ran into a digesetive issue this week and resorted to chewable Pepto tablets which helped but led to a freak out when I suddenly was pooping black stuff (a noted side effect of Pepto apparently!). Wondered if there was something elso going on but apparently not as all is back to normal now. Whew! Did NOT need that a week before a show. ~ Finished a 6 week/12 session Tai Chi course this week. It's been about a decade since I did this and I was amazed at how much came back so easily. And, my balance improved so much over the 6 weeks! I'm ready to sign up for Part 2 starting in October and will practice Part 1 at home until then. Have heard that the Fall class will be more crowded - we had at most 6 in the Part 1 class - so might need to resort to a mask. ~ The garden raised bed is starting to produce - tomatos, lettuce, green beans and chard have been harvested with more to come. Not sure the beets and carrots will ever amount to anything - I suspect the soil is not quite right for them. The pumpkins (planted in the ground) are taking off and I noticed a wee small one starting to grow yesterday. Yay! If I get even just one it's a win as I love cooking my own for pie in the Fall. ~ The weather this week has been spectacular - 70s daytime, 50s nighttime and low humidity. Supposed to warm a bit over the weekend and then drop again the end of next week. Keep it up! Although it's been so much easier on the body and for sleeping with the heat pump this year. Best investment.