Freedom was something I enjoyed when Presidents Obama and Biden were in office. I knew our country was in good hands and my president was working for all of the people he served. Each day was peaceful and without fear of who might suffer and be kidnapped off the streets.

Monty Zooma spent time at the vet's yesterday and today. He's home now but exhausted. Hoping and praying all of this is behind him now, and he's on the road to recovery.

For some reason, my brain refuses to read this app as "blue sky," but instead, a little voice says "bloo-skee" every time.

I had a Colombian student once. She and her husband had fled that country. She wrote of death, of being threatened, raids. It was horrific. She was a sweet and gentle woman. I've never forgotten her. I pray she is safe. I hope she is safe.

She was begging him to be merciful, but he isn't good at self reflection. Her tone was gentle, and she never raised her voice. I hope against hope that he was at least made a little uncomfortable--enough that perhaps he'll hesitate and maybe temper a future action.

Word of the day is ‘catch-fart’ (17th century: an obsequious individual who will always follow the political wind.

Sorry. Heifer International.

It does feel like living another life each night. I had another dream (fuzzy details now) that involved passports and high anxiety.

Katie Lynn summing up how I feel about returning to work today after a 3-day weekend.

New anxiety dream: My 8th grade science teacher informs me I need to pair all the short stories in my thesis with a science paper that relates to story content. Reality: Thesis currently in library storage (probably). Where does my brain get this stuff?

A Real Pain (2024) ⭐ 7.2 | Comedy, Drama 1h 30m | R

m.imdb.com/title/tt2182...
Just watched this film on Hulu. I knew it had won awards, but I didn't know more than that. Sometimes stars align. I was so moved. The lessons of the past made relevant for our challenging present.

Made donations to Hiefer International and to Doctors Without Borders today in honor of MLK Day and as a representation of what I think America is about. Here's a pic of one of the many birds that visit our yard.

My favorite lunch.

Love that kitty face!

Stay warm. Curl up and be fluffy.

Comfort lunch: grilled cheese and cream of tomato. Wind chill below zero here today.

There were 8 people let go in my division yesterday. All of them were valued employees of many years, holding corporate memories & knowledge that are now lost. A grim day. Today isn't much better. Just a matter of time . . .

But, my kids. They are my very favorite people. I would make the effort to see them, regardless of how uncomfortable that journey made me. I like having this connection with my dad, who is also a great mystery in my life. I like sharing this trait with him.

It took me a long time to recognize that I was an introvert. The pandemic and WFH have solidified that realization. I can go a LONG time without even stepping foot outside my front door. And I'm fine with that. People are just hard.

I recall Mom saying that Daddy was just more comfortable at home.
I understand now. One would like to see someone, but the actual interaction and being somewhere other than home is so stressful that you can bear it for no longer than just a short while.

What I best remember about these visits is that they rarely lasted very long. Daddy would always say something like, "Well, I guess we better head home." So, after getting ready, driving to my sibling's home, making this effort, we'd be there no longer than 10-15 minutes.

My parents had four of their adult children living nearby when I was growing up: Raymie, Danny, Jimmy, & Betty. Every so often, Mom and Daddy would decide to go visit one of them. I don't know what might have been the impetus for these visits. I was always brought with them.

a man in a suit and tie stands next to a woman in a suit ALT: a man in a suit and tie stands next to a woman in a suit

I'm rewatching The X-Files. Feels like the right time. Maybe it will be a little therapeutic. The truth is out there.

Hon, I can't watch the news. I read Heather Cox Richardson's post each day, and that summary has to suffice, because I don't trust most of the news channels now.

Love this.