Chaos

You'd think for a holiday week, there'd be more picture of dogs and cats and things. 

You'd be wrong. 

I'm a bit under the weather, so it's an uninspired selection. 

Shep: contemplating life

Simon: contemplating chaos. 

For all the parks and trails that we've taken Mr. Shep to over the years, it's nice to find a new one. 

We only tackled a portion of it, so it is one to which we can return. Summer there should be great. 

Kitchen Repose. 

Post-Thanksgiving Squirrel Hunt. 

Shep had lots of passers-by smiling and pointing at his tenacity. 

Song by: the Doors

Record of the Month

I figured I'd do a monthly 'what I'm listening to' kind of thing. This could be viewed as a lame placeholder kind of post. And probably it is. But it's my blog! So there!   

I don't think it surpising in the least that I'm reviewing the album my the Cure. 

I featured it's initial song release a month or so back. I mentioned a new disk was coming. And well....if A = B.......then you know the rest of the theorem.  Perhaps. 

Songs of a Lost World came out the first of this month, in theory, giving me plenty of time to listen to it and rate it accordingly. 

Not to keep dredging up Election 2024, but my mind got diverted and opted not to listen to the disk in such a negative head space. The Cure usually has a lot of minor key music - which Spinal Tap will tell you that D minor is the saddest of all the keys - and not so happy lyric much of the time. Why add on to my mood? 

That said, 710 played it on repeat for two days while sitting in his home office - whenever he wasn't on a work call.  ....and it was still cheerier than the election results!!!

Anyhooo......Songs of a Lost World goes nowhere fast, but it's not to say it doesn't go anywhere. For those who like the up-tempo songs of the group, look elsewhere. 

The album is about aging, mortality and impermanence which is natural for artists 45 years into their career, and fits into their somberness, but this time (maybe all times) with purpose. 

"And Nothing Is Forever", Robert Smith sings, "you'll hold me for the last time"......and "if you promise you'll be with me in the end" and it somehow might be his most romantic lyric ever.  In the first single, "Alone", Smith sings, "this is the end of every song that we sing", again, the cessation of life is implied. 

The albums sounds new, but has elements of so much of what they have done, it's new and yet it is still safe ("Warsong" is a perfect example of this). "I Can Never Say Goodbye" is about the passing of Smith's brother. So yes, more regarding the theme of ending. 

That all said, it is all good. 

It is quite amazing that Smith's vocals are really no different than 4+ decades ago.  

Songs of a Lost World is a very worthy disk for the band. There are only eight songs, but they make them all work, and well at that. 

Jive Turkey

Nothing says Thanksgiving more than a picture with the casts who once resided in or near Hooterville. 

I am sure if I dug deep enough I'd find things for which to give thanks this year, but saying other than 'my friends and husband' would seem disingenuous. 

Of course I'm thankful you all stop by here. I mean, why else would I keep doing this?

Well, I mean, besides OCD? 

2024 has been trying at just about every turn - physically, mentally and emotionally. 

Yes, I'm getting better on all those fronts - at least I think I am. But that sounds like a thankful thing for 2025. Maybe. 

2024 is a wash at this point. 

We had plans withy my sister and her family, but they had some outside issues that impeded on today. That is actually fine. We'll try to get together over the weekend. 

As is such, we didn't really plan for dinner at home - at least not a traditional t-giving meal, but that is fine with both of us. Whatever we do won't take all day to make, and it'll all still be gone in 20 minutes - though clean-up will be less. 

Didn't mean for this to be a downer.  I am grateful you all come to read this blog thingy. 

I do hope you all have a great day and surround yourselves with the people you choose. And eat whatever you want. I don't believe anyone truly overdoes it - and even if so, it's one out 365. 

Happy T-giving. 

Song by: Ohio Players

Winter Winds

My therapist and I were discussing my on-going anger issues yesterday. 

While I have not fully divested from social media, I have cut WAY back. News, as little as I would see, is now almost non-existent. 

My anger is just coming out in other ways. 

Yesterday was also the last day of our city leaf pick-up. Our taxes are substantial, so at least they collect our leaves every year. Always twice, sometimes thrice. But they put out a notice that there will be no third time this year. Budgets, I'm assuming. 

We also have a yard service. They are ok and they are to do four leaf cleanings per fall, but we were unsure if they had done three or four already.  Last week, I raked and used the leaf blower because the last leaf collection was to be last week. They never showed and then changed the date to yesterday. 

So yesterday morning, late enough not to be a huge asshole, I fired up the blower again to do the last remaining leaves. 

You know, when the lawn service does the work, I don't care (or notice) that there are stray leafs here and there. When I do it......ugggggh.  The O in OCD really shines. It is not pretty.  And it's horribly time consuming. 

The blower was no match for Mother Nature. I had to get the detritus to the west side of the property. The winds were brisk and constant and coming directly from the west. 

It was a one step forward two fifteen steps back scenario.  The leaves would just come back into my face.  ....and I was fighting the clock too, before the city came to get the debris. I ran out gas twice trying to get it all done. 

I was so irrationally angry.....................at the wind. 

Not about it - at it. 

Yeah. I know. 

My poor neighbor Andy, putting up this Charlie Brown-ish xmas lights, heard me say, "MOTHERFUCK!" well more than once - and over the drone of the leaf blower, and from across the street. I should apologize at some point. 

Perhaps my anger / frustration was just redirected at the weather; something else I cannot control (like news and politics), which then makes it more frustrating, creating that so-called vicious cycle everyone talks about. At least that was the discussion with my shrink. 

Irony #1 - as I was having my therapy session, right after I "completed" the leaves, the yard service showed up to do their final clean.  710 stopped them, saying we didn't know they'd be back and it was completed. 710 said they high-5'd each other going back to the truck. 

Irony #2 - the city never came to collect the leaves. 

Song by: Mumford & Sons

Right or Wrong

I truly ran for the first time since August. 

Yes, a few weeks ago I took did a small, slow run / walk with the running group, but that was it. This was a race. 

Again, the running group sponsors and runs the race. I volunteered and all, but a while back and plunked down my $$$ to run the 5k. 

I knew, even then, I couldn't do the half, that worst case is I could walk 3.1 miles if needed.  And I can't state this enough, I didn't want to do the half. 

This actual event is now my most-oft race. Thrice I've run it in one iteration or another. As it was my first race ever, it holds a sentimental place in my heart - should I have one. But now that I'm part of 'the club', I feel the need to support it. That said, only six of us ran. Many others volunteered on race day.

Technically, I was not cleared by PT to start running, let alone racing. Right or not, I went. 710 wasn't that supportive, as he (probably)  knew I would not adhere to my race day plan. 

My plan really was to do it nice and slow. It wasn't about winning my age group (I mean, I'm never winning winning), just completing the 3.1. 

The problem with races is the energy and excitement that goes with it. It is difficult not get swept up in that fervor (urban, if you will). 

So, I ran. 

My problem with running in groups like this is I never truly can feel how fast (or slow) I'm running, at least until my watch tells me. The first mile didn't seem fast and in non-injured terms, it wasn't. But for my rehab and goal it was too fast.  The second mile, I ended up almost 50 seconds faster.  Good for my ego, not necessarily my body.

At this point, I now just wanted to finish, as I wasn't feeling bad or in any pain. My breathing was a bit labored, but hey, it'd been almost 13 weeks. 

While it was 39 degrees, I was hot, even in shorts. I took off my hat and gloves. The gloves did not stay in my pocket and fell out - twice. I would have abandoned them, but two different runners stopped their run to pick them up.  I thanked them and apologized for making their time slower.  And mine. Ironically, I'd lose one of the gloves later while getting food at the pavilion. 

My race time was decent. My slowest 5K for sure, but not by much.....like 30 seconds, which was my first race. 

Now, overall, my race photos are fairly pathetic. The ones I post here are carefully curated. But never - and I mean NEVER - in the history of my short running career have finishing line photos looked so bad.  So terribly bad. ....which is why you're getting a starting line image. 

Forget injury. The threat of bad pics alone might keep me from ever running again. 

 

Song by: Rosanne Cash

My Music Monday

I wasn't 100% sure what to do with today's song, but the one I selected is long - in title and length. 

Father John Misty has a new disk out. This is a stage name, and he is not a man of the cloth, but a singer-songwriter mostly in the Americana genre. 

His real last name is Tillman, and he has a great song called "Mr. Tillman". 

But today's song is "I Guess Time Just Makes Fools of Us All".  ....and it's 8:37 long. 

I don't know if you'll listen to it all or not. It's a good song, and it might work for you as some background music.  To me, there is a hypnotic / mesmerizing hook to it. It's not an overly exciting song, but it is not boring. Yeah, there is an unfortunate sax solo, but what are you gonna do? 

Volunteer

Since it's been almost a year since I've joined the Old Man's Running Group, I haven't really volunteered for anything. 

They coordinate a few races per year, and one is today. 

Volunteering can take a few forms - pre race and race day. As I was planning on "walking" the 5k (this was my first ever race two years ago), I opted to work for four hours yesterday doing packet pick-up. 

This is where registered runners pick up their bib and would-be swag. There are two days (four hours each) where this can happen - and then again on race day. As I've picked up a number of bibs / swag in my "career", I've never been on the opposite side of table. 

It was what I expected. Rushes and lulls. Chill folks with a handful of Karens and Chads. And then the non-planners or don't give a fuck folks.

Mostly, I handed out the shirts. Easy enough.......you'd think. Until the 15 Large they had ran out and, oh - the rest must be out in the truck.  Lord.  As they are unisex shirts, it was the Karens that complained about not a stylish fit.  ......and could I see if they had others that were cut differently. 

They didn't take kindly to "no" - or "all the shirts are designed the same way, just in different sizes".  .....which, btw, they had to pick at time of registration. 

This would be a good time to mention that not only was the event sold out, but that swag had sold out before the event. So switching sizes could only happen after the race, IF there were any extras. You can imagine how that went over. 

Or the guy who asked if the National Anthem was being played before the race. If not, he was going to cancel. 

Seriously.  ....and went on to say how he'd never race if it was not played.  I'll just assume I know which way he voted a few weeks back. I'm surprised he didn't request to see signed permission slips from the male head of the household okaying women to be running. 

Then there was the woman who really wanted '69' as her bib number. And the guy who really wanted '420'.  69 was long gone before she got there. He got his '420'.  I dunno - if you're personality is all about being tagged to pot I just kind of feel sad for you. 

But we ended at 15:00. And packed up.  So people showing up at 15:20 and irked they couldn't get their shit amused me. They were old they could get it race day and hey were just livid. For weeks - through social medial, our website and individual emails to all registrants - had the hours of operation. 

Disappointment, I'd get. Apologetic, I'd understand. Entitlement?  I have zero empathy.  Though that is true most of the time these days.  

All said, I liked giving back and being in the running community in this aspect. It's really made me not want to be a race coordinator.  g-d love 'em, but no. 

Let's see how today goes. 

Song by: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

My Baby Thinks He's a Train

We are edging into Winter - even though we are still a month away from that official date. It happened suddenly, and felt most unwelcome.  The snow we had is gone, but I'd rather have 30 and snow than 36 and cold pouring rain. 

I got most pics in before the weather turned. 

Now and again, Shep hops on the Recycle Express. 

I called out Siggie's name and I got a stare.  For about 0.001 seconds. 

Simon. Semi-relaxed for one second in time. 

Lord only knows what was in that pile that he wanted. 

Ummmmmmm.........

Siggie outside of daycare. 

I had run into my cousin there, though he had tea a few days earlier. It's never enough David time. 

The day the weather changed. 

He's so stand-off-ish with pictures. But I send 710 one everytime I pick Shep up from daycare. 

Sometimes he lets me get close.

Song by: Rosanne Cash

X Offender

Well Well Well. 

I am a bit surprised that I am a bit surprised at Matt Gaetz withdrawing his name for Attorney General. 

I am also surprised I'm writing about politics. I have been trying so hard to stay away from any of it. All of it. I can't say avoiding it makes me happier, but it might keep me from self harm. You just never know. 

Blobby assumed Gaetz would have gladly taken the job to squash not just any report on his "activity" of which he has been accused, but anyone who actually submitted those reports. You know, the House Ethics Committee report that has been locked up and unreleased thanks to his overlords - the GOP. 

I can guarantee you, if a Dem had those exact same allegations, a GOP led House would hand deliver those Ethics reports to each and every one of us. With a bow. 

This is the same group who protected George Santos for almost two years. And I think we can agree, with a sex offender as a president, a serial cheater has nominee for Health and Human Services, and Gaetz for AG, "ethics" isn't really the GOPs strong suit. I'm not even sure it's a word with which they're familiar. 

That said, it sounds like (and I say that, because I only hear tidbits from my sister-in-law) that someone might be leaking said Ethics report to CNN and other news outlets. 

Oh......the shame. 

If I'm piecing this all together ("If I'm piecing this"), he dropped out as a second minor was mentioned in that report. 

This is where I get surprised:  TWO people had sex with this guy? 

As Ralph Wiggum would say.....

And young women, at that. 

To be honest, this doesn't look like a man who could get a girl, underaged or not. Teen girls are fairly savvy.....and brutal. How in the world would they not rip him to shred? And this guy looks like he would bruise like a peach. 

And if I'm being truly honest - he reads as Queer.  Nasty Queer at that. So self-hating that he goes out of his way to make other lives more miserable to feel better about himself and to throw people off of knowing he likes cock. 

With all the leaks, the House is still (as is my understanding) blocking the release of the report. To what end?  This is not a political body that are going to expel him from Congress......though they would if he were a democrat. 

I guess the question will be, if he stays in the House, will he still stand on his high horse and ruffle feathers or will this - and hopefully further revelations - neuter him. 

His comrades in arms - fucks her trainer while married, MTG and beats off some rando on a first date in a public theater, Bobart, haven't seemed to had any fallback on their indiscretions. 

While I should be glad for his slight downfall (so far), it just worries me how much worse will the new AG selection be? 

Song by: Blondie

Ad of the Month

I'm not quite sure what to think about this one. 

Or maybe I do. 

Nothing

I've been not so diligently thinking of what to write for today's post. 

Nothing has arisen.  The Muses, should they exist at all, have vanished. 

Dr. Oz?   Je think not. My blood still boils and my new med dosage is still a week or two from kicking in. I cannot write about cabinet selections. 

So, I truly haven't had a non-post in months. I start off a few of what I say are going to be non-posts and then write a tome. Not today. 

It's Wednesday.

Hump away.

Song by: Depeche Mode

Trying

I don't think I'll have this problem with my therapist. 

I mean, he's decent looking and all, but he's no Jeremy Allen White. Who is?  I mean, besides Jeremy himself. 

Forget the Bear, his Lip on Shameless was just fucking awesome. And I'm forgetting in advance his portrayal of Bruce Springsteen in an upcoming bio-pic. No one needs to see that. 

My shrink and I are trying to get my medication adjustment right. Or better. It was ok. But then you know, Election 2024 really fucked everything up - in so many ways. 

I'm not at square one with meds, but I'm not where I should, or need to, be. 

One thing somewhat helping me is running.

I'm on week 12 of not, and it is fricking frustrating. 

Last Saturday, I went out with the Old Man's Running Group. I dressed to run instead of in my walking clothes. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but I figured I could always walk in running gear, but it doesn't work the other way. 

....and I ran. Slowly but deliberately. And only 3.12 miles. I was the first one back. Everyone else ran 5 or more. Even most of the walkers did at least 3. And then I proceeded to do all my PT exercises right there in the park on top of a pic-a-nic table. Maybe I looked foolish. Didn't care. 

At the bakery, everyone asked how I felt. I said to check back in 6-8 hours, as that would be the test. But I didn't feel bad. Sore, but not hip sore. More like 61 year old who hasn't run in 12 weeks and just ran a 5k sore. 

As I left for 'the run' before anyone in the house was awake no one saw how I dressed. I kind of got a mild riot act read to me from 710.  "Did they SAY you could run?".  I'm sure I was antagonistic when my reply was, "well, they didn't say not to......". 

Yeah. I'm a dick. I get it. 

That all said, I felt great all day. Mentally. It freed me up somewhat. It wasn't super long lasting or anything, but it shows - at least for me - how much physicality helps with mental and emotional health. 

I'm sure my shrink and PT will both have some words about me running - I mean, should I tell them. I have a few days to make that decision. 

Song by: Ella Fitzgerald

My Music Monday

I'm doing music roulette......but the only bullet is the 'play' button. 

When I don't have a song in mind, or cannot wrap my head around selecting one, I just do 'shuffle' and pick the 10th song that comes up..........assuming I have not already posted that one. 

Should I, then, like Nigel Tufnel, I just go to 11. 

Today I landed on the group Cry Cry Cry and their cover of Ron Sexsmith's "Speaking with the Angel". 

Cry Cry Cry, whom I know I've posted before, are a collaboration of three folk artists - Dar Williams (who I discovered decades ago from NPR), Lucy Kapalansky (who came to me via Shawn Colvin) and Richard Shindell (who was completely unfamiliar to me at this time). 

Music publications would call this a 'supergroup'. In various folk circles, perhaps. But that's about it. It's a tough one to call it a supergroup when 99.99999% of the population hasn't heard of any - let alone all - of the three musicians. 

Cry x3 had one album, 24 years ago. It's a very good disk. It's folk-ish music, with a bunch of acoustic instruments and three part harmony, so you kind of have to like that stuff. I just happen to. 

I don't know the logistics of why no follow-up disks. They reunited and toured briefly in 2017 and 2018, but no new music. 

Nazi Punks Fuck Off

I'm trying to make a blog connection between Nazi's and marriage. 

I am not sure I can connect those dots. 

Yesterday, in my secondary city of Columbus, wannabe Nazis roamed the streets. For what purpose - who the fuck knows. 

One can assume it was to exert their pretend dominance after the 2024 election. I mean, it isn't out of the question, since the majority of the country voted for a Hitler loving and Hitler inspired "president". 

Morty sent us the video. My first reaction was "fuck". 710's was "cowards". 

He is not incorrect. 

I always have a problem with the mask wearing 4th Reich. Besides being the same group who would have fought against wearing masks during Covid, they also don't have the courage of their "convictions". Or someone else's convictions of which they're trying to emulate. 

The reality of it is: they don't want their neighbors, in-laws and yes employers, to know they are fucking fascists. Jew hating, Homo hating, Black hating, Women hating men. Probably more incels than one can shake the 3" ruler with which they used to measure their almost cocks. 

Of course, someone's credit card has a charge for swastika flags. You gotta figure that's a little awkward and gonna come back to bite you in the ass. I've seen enough Law & Orders. 

This isn't Columbus' first go-round with Nazis. They showed up at a drag-queen / library event. With these pussies, it's all about intimidation and no action. At least not until January 20th, I suppose. 

Our anniversary is the day after the inauguration. I'm not sure how much we will want to celebrate at that point. I suppose we should take every opportunity, because honestly, who knows. 

Our actual marriage anniversary is today.  #14. 

......and that's how you get from Nazis to marriage. 

You're welcome!

Song by: Dead Kennedys

the View Between Villages

It was a so-so week for pics. 

Oh, I no longer need the cane, so Simon doesn't run off as quickly these last two days. I suppose that is a plus. 

Planting himself in the kitchen. 

Shep, 710 and myself went to a new hiking spot. It's fairly limited in scope, but has a very high view of the Cuyahoga River. 

I don't get it. Simon likes to intrude on Shep's b'fast time. 

It always ends with one stern bark and a lot of plaintive mews from a cat claiming abuse. 

I forgot to get this fellow's name. A standard poodle where 710 was getting his car fixed. 

He was a nice guy. Standards usually are - in my experience anyways. 

This dude is never turning down a treat - unless it's a fruit or veg. 

Simon has learned the wonders of tuna water. 

Song by: Noah Kahan

Frustrated

Physical Therapy has begun. 

Maybe I should be thrilled. Right now, I'm not. 

The start wasn't great. I'll set the scene. 

I had a 06:45 time. It was 36°F and pouring rain. 

Not one of the staff was on-site. None. When I finally got in, it was news news news news news in the lobby and I can't turn off their tv and the shit about Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. 

JFC. I just about lost it the evening before when 710 told me that Gaetz tidbit. By the time I got back to my actual therapy evaluation, I just felt defeated before we even started. And it's always fun to check the boxes on your medical history form about depression and anxiety. Honestly, I doubt they even look at them, and if so, how would that even alter my PT?

I was frustrated before this was even scheduled. I know enough and my doc knows enough that PT was on the horizon. I didn't ask. He didn't say.............until I was on my cane. Then he said I should schedule it. That took almost five weeks to get in anywhere. Had it been told when I went on crutches, I could have scheduled it five weeks out, when I came off them.  So, I feel I'm already behind by almost a month.

Anyhooo...... at this appointment we talked about my injury. Clearly, the the-rapist didn't read ahead, so had no idea what I was doing there, why, or when anything occurred.  

"Where exactly is the fracture?".  Exactly?  How the fuck would I know??  I showed her the general area and told her she could look at the image on my electronic record for specifics. A patient should not have to direct a caregiver's work. 

All the exercises she gave me - six in all - I already had been doing prior to the injury. Granted, they had been too painful to do for a while, but I can get back to them. Since I never stopped doing them during my training, this does not give me confidence in the possibility of recurrence. 

We barely talked about running. She asked if I ever had a gait analysis. 

I did tell her no, but also that it was part of the referral from my ortho doc for PT to give me one. I just saw her blink several times with zero verbal response. 

As this was the eval process, I felt it unwise and unnecessary to ask when I could start running - though I am signed up for two races - even if I walk. 

PT is so busy. This practice was my FIFTH choice. The others couldn't get me in until December of after. Even at weekly sessions, I only see this therapist twice. The rest will be with others, which might suit me better. She did not wow me. I was not waiting weeks between sessions to just see her. That is not worth my while. 

While I know it is the road to recovery, I'm frustrated by not running and I'm frustrated by this seemingly shoddy endeavour. 

Short story:  I'm frustrated. 

Song by: the Knack

Join the Gang

As you saw in my 12 of 12 (well, assuming you actually saw it or read it), I went to a business meeting for the Old Man's Running Group. 

I'm interested in doing more with the group that isn't just running, hence me going to the meeting, which is open to all 300 members. 

300. 

Kind of. 

I'd say there are a core of 50 (and I'm being generous), the others pay their dues, get their t-shirts and that's about it. And the tees are mailed to them, so they don't even bother to come in person. Anyhoo....I think there were 10 at the meeting, including moi. 

The group puts on three runs per year, which isn't little, though it sounds it. These are decent sized races, and you figure 5-10 other run clubs are also doing the same amount. There are a LOT of races in Cleveburgh. And as we are non-profit, we donate some of those funds to various organizations or charities. 

And yes, the group has a very social element to it, unlike a training group, which might not. BUT, to me, business is business and a business meeting should be run as such. Roberts Rules of Order should apply. 

Yes, I'm a stickler. 

Starting on time is a must. But no......it didn't happen. The few I've zoomed into have not either. I'm not talking by a minute or two. I mean by 20. This in person one was a little better.  10. 

It was held at a brewery, which is fine. We have our yearly banquet there. But now they do their own catering and part of the meeting was to try their food. And they have menu food and catering food, but the menus do not synch up. The club president really wanted us to try the tacos, so that was a lot of what was served........but it's not on the catering menu. 

BLERG!

We wasted time and money sampling food we couldn't order at a group event. Oh, and the president knew it. And what I saw of the catering menu will have me eating before or after the banquet.  Pierogi and sauerkraut? Kielbasa? Pretzels?  What the fuck is this - Oktoberfest ?

The food was barely passable, not that it mattered. The food service was horrid. The bartender forgot my order - twice! - from taking it to turning around to the taps. 

I got shot down when I said we should go with another vendor. "Let's give them the chance - they're new to this".  Exactly the reason NOT to do give it to them. Let them work out their deficiencies with other folks. At least I spoke up. 

But the business meeting. UGGGGGGH. 

I get it is good to really plan about the 2025 races. But people started bringing up every case scenario, almost to the: "what about the left handers who have A- blood and are in blended families?" cases. 

Ok, that might be a little extreme, but not by much. 

How about figuring out how to not serve unripened frozen bananas at the race in November, because last year it it was awful. I wasn't a part of this group yet, but ran their race. I didn't eat their chili last year, but my understanding that it was frozen too. 

Officer elections are next month. I have zero desire to be president - though I'd get to work with Jay in the above picture. A true runner and planner, but one who wears shorts even when it is in the 30s. Blondes aren't even my thing, but he was cute.  ..and married with like 3 kids. 

But I would be on board with handling the social media. It lacks - and I'm being kind. We are always talking about getting more people involved - younger ones too, as even in this group I skew young-ish - and part is clearly how things are out there, or not. 

I'm happy to help where I can otherwise, but if I take a true role, I'd rather it be with their social media and email group. I'll know in a month. 

Song by: David Bowie

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 175th 12 of 12.

Normally it is 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day. All pictures taken with my iPhone. Click images to enlarge, if you choose.

Created by Chad Darnell and picked up from, what I can tell, any number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. Chad is no longer doing this, nor is successor coordinating the linking of other 12 of 12'ers anymore. 

Well look at this. 12 of 12 gives you a break from the whirlwind of my meltdown. Yay you.  Actually, Yay Me. 

05:10. Wow. Slept through the entire night. That almost never happens. 

05:58. Looking a little Wilford Brimley-ish. Taking care of that post-haste. 

06:04. Making mush. 

06:56. Trash day. It was delayed due to Veteran's Day. 

07:18. Gym time. I'm pretty much still only doing bike and some stretching. 

08:12. Cleaning and redressing my knife wound from a week ago. 

It still bleeds daily. It turns out, thumbs are important!

12:13. The 216. 

Crossing the bridge I ran over during the Cleveland Marathon. Still have PTSD from that. 

13:58. Gassing up. 

710 needs my car tomorrow (today), so don't want to leave him with a semi-full tank. 

16:34. Logs. No ants. 

18:00. Going out. After Dark. During the week !!!!

18:45. Attending a business meeting of the Old Man's Running Group. 

Technically, it's a non-profit group, so there are monthly operational meetings. 

21:40. Dessert. 

Only an Expert

Yes, I know it's another Laurie Anderson post. 

I'd apologize, but I would't truly be sorry. 

This time it is not music or performance art. It is Ms. Anderson reading an essay (of sorts) off her phone by American writer, historian and activist Rebecca Solnit in regards to the 2024 election. 

We are a week in and my anger - yes, grief is long gone - still has a tight grip on me. This has been a discussion with my therapist and myself. I honestly don't know if it will go away, or as I told him, I'm not sure it want it to. Or if it can. Or should. 

Part of me really wants to be able to let this go, or at least somehow compartmentalize it. I'm not sure how, even if I truly wanted it to happen. 

I hear Ms. Solnit's words here. I don't disagree with them and Anderson's voice makes everything sound not just better, but rational......but once the reading is done, my core feelings of distain rise back to the top. 

I get it. I'm a broken record. I just about fucking flipped when Stephen Miller was named as Deputy Chief of Staff for the new administration. Evil embodied. And that's saying something in this administration. 

I post the below for some of you who are struggling, but probably in a better place than I. Here's hoping I get there. 

Song by: Laurie Anderson

My Music Monday

Since reviewing Laurie Anderson's new disk a few weeks back, I have been going back and listening to some of her earlier works. 

A week after 9/11 she had a series of performances at Town Hall in New York. It's a nice space and one that was emulated in Christopher Guest's A Mighty Wind. 

I've been to Town Hall for a few performances in the past, but oh how I'd have loved to see Anderson there - or anywhere. 

That she continued with the performances after the WTC attacks still kind of amazes me, as so many things just shut down or were cancelled. But naturally, I purchased the disk when it came out. 

Again, this is one of mostly spoken word pieces with her unique musical stylings behind them. And I do love her speaking voice. 

I've chosen "Wildebeests" - which is almost five minuets long. I urge you to listen to it. I'd like to think that it draws you in. 

She repeats part of the piece from her "One Beautiful Evening" from Life on a String, as though she were still workshopping it.  The Life album came out about a month prior to this performance taking place. 

I won't lie, part of this resonates with me for the times we've just experienced. This song is about the survivors. I like to think of that as us. I say "us", as if I have any BLOTUS supporters reading me, following me, they have yet to speak up. 

You're Gonna Get What's Coming

My first non-meme Sunday post in a long time. Honestly, I was at a loss as to what I would write, but then opportunity presented itself. 

Unsurprisingly, yet continually disappointed, the number of harassing on-line posts, post election, have greatly increased. Many, if not most, about / towards women. 

But please GOPers, tell me how this wasn't an election about hate.  I'm waiting. 

There are hundreds or thousands of men / boys with their oh so clever, "Your Body, MY Choice" tweets, tik toks, whatever else they use posts.  

You'd think it is just bravado, but when some of these are getting over a millions views and "likes", it really is fucking troublesome. 

There's already a sexual offender on the Supreme Court. And if they are white boys, like Brock Turner*, clearly judges look the other way (he completed only 3 months of ONLY a 6 month sentence).  Oh - and a sex offender about to occupy the White House for a second time.  ....and he embarrassingly doesn't have the technique to fellate a microphone.

Still - while the judicial system might not punish these human garbage dumps, there are enough people (with knowhow) in society who will.  And are. 

I am in awe of these women. Simply in awe. 

I am still so angry these days, I have ZERO remorse or loss on conscience if they ruin his life. TOTALLY ruin it.  Family. Friends. School. Work.  

I don't care if he did it as a "joke". That is now on him. 

He doesn't have to be physically harmed. But I don't want him walking into his office, or a Starbucks, without having to face the women who are in those places - and hopefully the males who are allies. And here's fucking hoping his boss is female. 

This feels like the first win of this week. I want the women of the web (and the men) to keep calling out these shitheads. RUIN THEM. 

*I am committed to keeping Brock Turner's name out there, in about one post per year, for all search engines to keep snagging that name so everyone knows BROCK TURNER IS A RAPIST!

Song by: Robert Palmer

Reflections

It's been a tough week. 

For me, it still is. There seems to be no letting go of the depression and anger that went along with this election of hate and soon-to-be destruction. I am truly amazed at those who can let it go (though that worries me in other ways) or can compartmentalize it all.  Clearly, I cannot. 

....and lord knows, I can hold a grudge like no one's business. 

Yeah Yeah - animals make it better, but they're not wiping out my funk. I have moments with all these guys that still make me smile. 

Shep checking on me in the liberry. 

710: Driving Mr. Shep. 

I don't know who this "guy" is. "He" blocked every other dog wanting pets. 

So he got all my pets. He was so nice and SO cute. 

The evil cane lurks far enough away that Simon stopped by. I wasn't even making tuna. 

Shep and myself on election day. When I still smiled more readily. 

But ugh - am I always this egg-headed? 

Cousin meet-up. 

Honestly, an almost two mile hike and they literally ignored each other the entire time. Not even a courtesy sniff. 

Simon being Simon. 

Shep isn't intimidated. 

One of my bestest pics of him ever. 

Song by: Diana Ross & the Supremes