Susan Brown

Got my flu and Covid vaccines today; am to go back in six months for a Covid booster.

My arm is a little sore but nothing serious.

Get your shots, my friends! (If you’re healthy enough—I understand not everyone can and thus depend on the rest of us getting them).

Took BabyGirl to the playground. Two teenagers being mildly obnoxious, then we ended up at the climbing structure when they were on it, talking loudly. Ugly conversation—no specifics but it involved animal abuse and anti-religion.

Told them to change the conversation around little kids; they did.

I was floored. The music was overt—the singer needing her savior to save her soul. I sent an email of complaint; waiting to hear back.

Just had such a strong olfactory flashback.

Went into the neighborhood Staples for something. Was VERY surprised to hear overtly Christian music being played as the store soundtrack.

Probably won’t go in again unless absolutely necessary as I resent tf out of the proselytizing.

Took the boys to see “Monster House” at the Crest Theatre today. They were all so cheerful and well behaved—we all had a wonderful time.

The Resident Retiree is planning a visit to his sister! No specific date yet but she’s in the Bay Area and I’ll get at least six hours in the house to myself when he goes down.

Making my plans now.

(Will have some things moved around that would annoy him if he were here at the time.)

Okay, this one made me laugh.

Our ballots arrived today.

At the carwash to have all evidence of grandchildren removed from the interior of my car; this is necessary periodically for my mental health.

I love them so much, but even with the eating restrictions in Grandma’s car, they manage to shed detritus every ride.

November 4th‼️
Vote YES on Prop 50

Cc: @governor.ca.gov

You know we’ve lost the Cold War, anyway.

From DaughtetTwo:

[GrandsonFive] asks, "why do you watch “The Office” every day? Is it because you want to learn something? Or do you just like it?"

He followed up with, “but you already know how to sit."

Many many sirens nearby; I hope all are well.

The Aftershock music festival is down the road—four days of remembering not to take that route to the freeway.

Couldn’t tell if the sirens were just on the freeway or heading to the festival.

Don’t ever forget those who took the blood money.

I just looked up Captain Barnes and found she became the first Black woman to command a Naval hospital when she took command of Great Lakes Naval Hospital in 1986.

And she took the time to be kind to me when I was 18 and spent two hours in her office waiting area, refusing to leave until I saw her.

I joined the Navy in 1979 and ended up at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, where the head of nursing was a Black woman, Captain Barnes. Her reputation was terrible among the enlisted staff.

I went to her once for help and found only kindness and support.

What she must have endured to get where she was.

Quote from GrandsonFive, via his mommy:

[GS5] just told me his tummy hurts. I asked if he needed to poop, and he said "No, it's right above where my poop sack is supposed to go."

This veteran agrees completely. Would NOT recommend anyone I know and love to join up now.

Met a dad at the playground this past Sunday. We got to chatting; I learned they were just arrived in the area and knew no one, and he learned I was a nanny, as well as doting grandma.

We’ve exchanged emails with information and references, and I’ll start next week as a date-night sitter and such.

What an amazing woman she was, and such an example to the world.

At the playground, had a funny conversation with a darling boy (4?):

What’s your name?

Susan. What’s yours?

Leo.

I had an uncle named Leo!

We have a Big Leo and Little Leo.

Are you Little Leo?

Yes.

I’m sure you’re a good Leo.

Hangs his head, “sometimes I’m mean to my sisters.”

JUST STARTED?!

(That is one fabulous frog.)

I’ve said it before and will keep saying it until I’m arrested for it: the USSR has won the Cold War. Loyal KGB officer Putin has played the long game, devoting his life to it and he has won.

America is like a chicken with its head cut off—the bird is dead, the body just doesn’t know it yet.

Glorious.

Saw a most excellent bumper sticker today:

“If cats could text you, they wouldn’t.”

A good drive with LittleGuy yesterday from his parent here to his parent there. No traffic issues and an audiobook while he played games on my phone (“Plants vs Zombies” is a favorite).

Will be a Legal Observer at the No Kings protest on the 18th.

OMFG.

He countered I’d said the day before that I would take them each day. (Nope, but good try.)

I repeated I hadn’t said that.

He thought, then said, “dream about it and maybe you will remember and then you can tell me.”

That darling boy only has one foot on this planet with the rest of us.

2/2

I had the little boys overnight. On the way to my house yesterday, we stopped at their favorite gas station to get snacks.

This morning, GrandsonFive said he wanted to go back to the gas station for more treats. I said no, that I’d bought them each two goodies the day before, one for each day.

1/