EARN A PITTANCE

Congratulate me! I have turned Mom into a Netflix binger! Although I had a bit of trouble settling her into The Crown she has been watching it, happily, for about six or seven hours. Now, The Crown has to be more edifying and challenging than Shark Tank or endless repeats of The Property Brothers and Fixer-Upper, right?

It seems as if I don't have a lot to show for the day. I did make it to the pool, make some actual progress in the re-reading of Moby Dick, cleaned the litter boxes, gave meds to Emmylou and Butterscotch, made pizza, emptied the trash, did some computer maintenance, and watched a few more episodes of Snowfall.


I really wanted to stay in bed, read, and drink coffee, but what is new about that? I must get my last swims in before the Palm Park Pool closes for at least three months. I haven't quite figured out what I am going to do for exercise. 

Yes, it was quite a week. In a fit of usefulness, I called to get another estimate on getting the jacaranda tree trimmed. The company showed up with a full crew, gave me a reasonable price and credit, so chaos ensued. They cut down rather more than we wanted. It was hella-noisy. I threw Emmylou into Mom's room for safekeeping, and then did not see her for a 14 or so hours.


In the spirit of fun (not), I went to the dentist the next morning only to find I need a molar pulled immediately and an estimated $7000.00 more work as soon as I can get that cash together. I was prepared for a bit of that work, but that was a shock and a bummer. I arranged for the extraction for next week so that I could get a couple of things done in case of being a mess.

My ex-pat cousin needed a body to get to the California Secretary of State for an apostille. I had never heard of such a thing, but it's a basically a notarization for international use. She needed it as quickly as possibly so that she could register her new baby, Leonardo, for citizenship. Hence, one reason no tooth extraction as I had already promised to do this. As payment for my service, I get an extra special bottle of grappa picked out by my bon vivant Italian cousin-in-law. Can't wait.

So, after the numbing news on the teeth, I returned home in something of a snit, to still no Emmylou. I walked the streets calling her to no avail. Standing in the doorway of my mother's room, I saw a dark blob inside the curtain. Sure enough, Emmylou was cowering there, head facing the wall. She was probably there all night. Now a vet visit ensued.

Do you think I might have been stressed?


At any rate, both Emmylou and Butterscotch have that upper respiratory virus that kitties get, particularly when there are a lot of them. So far, no one else is showing any signs. Oona is asleep at the foot of the bed and Idris is curled up on the floor. Oona won't like it when I get under the covers and disturb her.

I am continually abused by any news or even sight of anything relating to the Repugnant Congress or the Shitgibbon of Doom. The Doug Jones victory helped but they just doubled down on the tax bill, internet neutrality, and the Mueller investigation. I am still dumbfounded and agog that none of these elected asshats ... nay, they are criminalfuckturdwads cares about justice or fairness as I understand those concepts.

Watching the John Singleton show, Snowfall, on FX while reading The Hate U Give and thinking back to all the black history and literature I have read this past year. Not to mention that it was black voters in Alabama who stood up to the Shitgibbon and child molester. We have fucked up, a lot of us privileged white Americans. I am fine with stepping back and stepping down. 


Feeling pretty ghetto here today with some party in the 'hood where the bass is about to break my eardrums. Might not be any sleep in my future tonight. Then again, I was ready to go to sleep at 7:30.

Well, as I understand it, change is challenging and I am working at that change, constantly questioning myself about my choices (like snagging two need-fixing up Huffy Panama Jack bicycles today). Sigh.

In the midst of my travels,I picked up a Barnes and Noble edition of Emily Dickinson's Collected Poems. How strange and wonderful they are. 

SUPERIORITY TO FATE

Superiority to fate

Is difficult to learn.

'T is not conferred by any

But possible to earn

A pittance at a time,

Until to her surprise,

The soul with strict economy

Subsists till Paradise

REMORSE IS MEMORY AWAKE

Remorse is memory awake,

Her companies astir, 

A presence of departed acts

At window and a door.

Its past set down before the soul,

And lighted with a match,
Perusal to facilitate
Of its condensed despatch.

Remorse is cureless, — the disease
Not even God can heal;
For 't is his institution, —
The complement of hell.

And for those of you who have yet to delve into the mysteries and delights of Moby DIck, I offer:

Damn me, it's worth a fellow's while to be born into the world, if only to fall right asleep.


And so, we bid you good night.

Butterscotch has a new napping spot when she is feeling better.