Beth Hilgartner

And it won't *begin* to cover even a healthy American who suffers a catastrophic illness or accident involving surgery and a hospital stay. Don't these clowns understand how insurance works??

Just *imagine* what would have happened if a Democrat had said something like: "He was controversial and things happen" about Charlie Kirk's murder. The hypocrisy is staggering.

ALL my titles will be 25% off during Smashwords' End of the Year Sale (beginning Dec. 8 and running through the end of the year) -- even the latest one, The Ivory Mask, which came out in February. (Here's a link to that title.)

books2read.com/u/bMJ1MV

That or "you shouldn't eat eggs because you're just killing unborn chickens."

And (if I recall) there's something about not bearing false witness in the Big Ten, too.

I've been spending more time than I want to sorting, recycling, donating, and pitching stuff (papers in my office; clothes in my dresser and closet). I keep trying to convince myself it's just "indoor weeding," but it's just not as fun as being outside in the sun and dirt!

What, in your view, are the pros/cons of opting out? I'm inclined to accept the settlement because I don't have a lot of money for lawyers, and at least this way, I'll get *something* from them for the copyright infringements.

For those of you interested in my writing life, I've put an update on my website. Here's a link (there's more on the Cats and Flowers tab):

www.bethhilgartner.com/news-and-not...

Well, the gardening season is (almost) officially over for me. There are still a few annuals that have braved the light frosts, so once we have a serious one, I’ll have to pull them out, but everything else is put to bed — so… back to “indoor” projects! (Maybe I’ll organize my office. 😉)

If you’re a published author, be sure to check whether any of your works are included in the Anthropic Copyright Settlement. Their website has a searchable list. Be sure to check it out. I found five of my titles there. Here’s a link (use the works lookup tab): www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

I know! We’re so conditioned just to manage (hah!) on our own. One trick I’ve found helpful is to figure out which stuff on my current “to do” list I’m most actively procrastinating, and ask myself, “could someone else do this for me?”

I feel for you! It’s easy to *say* “set clear boundaries,” but it can be hard to do. Can you make a list of *actually* helpful stuff
she could do, before she arrives? Then you might be able to sit down with her and say that these are the things you would specifically like her help with.

Montpelier, Vermont · Mobilize **In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings.** Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Bo...

Find a protest near you! This is mine: Montpelier, VT.

Resist!

mobilize.us/s/TC0Djs

I’m going to a No Kings rally tomorrow — hope you all are, too!

One of my cats, Lewis, practicing his camouflage. (He needs to roll onto his tummy and tuck in those betraying paws, but he's still learning this trick...)

Flowers in my garden. I love summer!

Daylilies have begun their annual display!

All my e-books are on sale this month -- 25% off through July 31. Here's where you can find them:

www.smashwords.com/books/search...

Garden rose: one fully open and three buds. There are raindrops on the foliage.

Here's a garden picture: Rosa 'After All' strutting its stuff.

Sorry! I've been "off" social media (busy with other stuff, mostly). It's gardening season, and between that and my duties as a new city councilor, I'm feeling a bit stretched.

Had the first lettuce (red leaf and romaine) harvested from my garden in my lunch salad, today!

YouTube video by Brian Tyler Cohen 🚨 Republicans caught sneaking SHOCKING provision into budget

Pay attention! The MAGA GOP plans to gut the judiciary's ability to use criminal contempt to hold the executive branch accountable. Buckle up, buttercup -- Authoritarianism, full steam ahead!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPDI...

Busy day, which included a range of things, including working on a new initiative for improving my local community, baking (whole grain bread and chocolate chip cookies), and helping victims of a two vehicle accident at the intersection by my house. Time for bed!!

Also the Big, Bad, Brutal Budget Bill contains a provision that will hamstring the courts' ability to use criminal contempt to hold the executive branch accountable. Authoritarianism, here we come. Ugh.

And Secretary Noem's response that they "identify themselves verbally" is so nonsensical that it beggars belief. I can scream "FBI!" but it doesn't make me an agent.

So... for those of my BlueSky friends who are wondering... Barre City Election results are in; I won my race and am now one of the two City Councilors for Ward 1. I'm very excited to be able to serve my local community and neighbors in this way!

Pretty species tulip in a garden bed: gold anthers, pale cream interior, pink reverse, and green foliage.

Don't know if it qualifies as 'most dramatic,' but I'm extremely happy with my Tulipa cretica 'Hilda,' a small but lovely species tulip. Here's a pic:

Spring garden with daffodils, tulips, and blooming shrubs/trees.

Garden with red, salmon and yellow tulips, and white and orange daffodils.

I love Spring!

"Let them eat cake" for this modern age. Ugh.

Some flower pics from my Spring garden...