December 31

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to ME!!!

and

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF US!!!

much love to all y'all

from

Savvy, the MITM and the Krewe

xoxoxoxo

It's that time of the year

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

WHATEVER Y'ALL CELEBRATE

MAY JOY AND HAPPINESS

BE YOURS!

XOXOX

from

Savvy, the MITM, and the Krewe

I'm free now thanks to Ole Master Paxlovid!

 Thank you to all y'all who wished me (and the MITM) goodwill and negative results on our tests!! We've now both tested negative TWICE, so it seems the curse has been lifted!

There's a party here tomorrow, but we're wearing masks because I am so not going through isolation again!! 

(although it was sort of nice to be able to watch whatever I wanted whenever I wanted and also to sleep in the MIDDLE of our bed!)

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN and if you haven't yet go get your vaccinations and boosters TODAY! 

And don't forget your flu shot.

And wear your mask.

And wash your hands.

I love all y'all! xoxox

Today, December 13th, 2022

 I tested positive today.

The only good thing is that I have already passed the 10 days after the initial positive test. I am continuing to wear a mask around everyone and will do so until I test negative.

This shit sucks.

Monday and I'm feeling, well, you know how the song goes, but I'm not really feeling it

I tested negative, but evidently, I still need to test negative two more times before I'm back among the living uninfected. Unfortunately, I'm still experiencing tiredness and body aches. The MITM is on Day 3 of Paxlovid and said he feels better today than yesterday. Go figure. The grandchildren are fine, so that's a very good thing! None of the Krewe was infected, so another good thing!

Thank you all for your kind words and concern! Y'all truly made me feel better. xoxo

Friday and I still feel like **** (contains MITM update just added)

BGM has tested negative.

BKC is feeling better.

The MITM tested negative but has a cold. JUST TESTED POSITIVE!! Call just made to our Doctor for meds. (Jesus wept)

I feel pathetic and it's day 4 of treatment.

On top of all of this, we both have some sort of malware on our MACs and our tv is having issues with some of the streaming services. Neither of us feels like doing anything about trying to solve these issues.

Yes, I know these are not serious issues in the "grand scheme" of things (can we say, Hershel Walker in a runoff for a Senate seat? WTF Georgia?), but here it's a beeg deal.

xoxo

UPDATE on WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT

 So, as I posted the other day, I've started the Paxlovid treatment for COVID and its fucked up variants. The MITM is still testing negative, but BKC* and BGM* both have tested positive which makes me so sad! super nana doesn't have COVID, but it was discovered that the chest congestion was bronchitis! She's home and miserable, BGM is home and bored, and BKC is home and sleeping. I'm tired, cranky, achy, and experiencing brain fog! I couldn't remember yesterday's date without looking at the calendar, and just a minute ago I had to ask the MITM if I'd had a second cup of coffee this morning!

I'm not sure if I'll post another update because it's hurting my brain to think about what's happened.

xoxo

*BKC - Big Kid Chaos 

*BGM - Big Girl Matrix

(I had to come back and add the explanations because I forgot I needed to explain the meanings for new folks.)

I'm whining now, I'll stop. I love all y'all.

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT

 Don't ask me how.

Don't ask me when.

But I have fucking tested positive for COVID-19!!!

I've taken all of the required vaccines and have the ocular proof of the same.

This is one of the worst days in my recent history.

DAMMIT TO HELL!

Ok, now that that rant is out of the way. IF you feel like you have a cold, take a test, mask up until you get the results, and self-isolate ASAP! I have contacted my primary care doctor, and am scheduled for a PCR test on Monday. The window for medication is 5 days after the first symptoms, so I'm within the time frame.

I have diligently worn my mask, so I genuinely have no idea how this happened, but it has. So, while the pandemic may be over COVID is still around!

Be careful and stay diligent, sweetpeas.

I found it!! It bloomed last March!

 

Happy Birthday to this guy!!

 

You might have missed this the other day, but this video is classic Captain Chaos! 

Today is his 50something birthday, so join us in celebrating our #1 son!

UPDATE from Captain Chaos This is Halloween!

Don't forget to click on the link, sweetpeas!

Happy Halloween! 

Living For The City for Jon and The Mistress because it's Saturday

Stevie Wonder will take us into the weekend!

Golden Girls Party for super nana, Part 2

 I forgot the cake and the cheesecake!! I'll post them as soon as I find them! Super Nana made her very first Chicken Gumbo (with sausage and shrimp), the flowers were from Mr Matrix, the decorations by me and the MITM, Jack-O-Lantern courtesy of BGM, and lastly, the first Old Fashioned of the (many) cocktails I consumed last night.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, super nana!

The Golden Girls Happy Birthday for Super Nana!! Yesterday was the party, but today's the DAY!

The pictures are all from last night, but TODAY is her birthday! 

Food pictures later or tomorrow! I'm still moving slower than the breeze, sweetpeas! xoxo

Just so y'all know...

Tomorrow we will be celebrating super nana's Birthday and Annual Halloween Pumpkin Carving! Be prepared for pictures of decorations, pictures of food, and perhaps a video of cookie decorating, of course, there will be pictures of the birthday cake and the cheesecake! This is a themed birthday party, but I can't tell y'all what it is because you-know-who reads the blog and it's supposed to be a surprise for her!

Party is in the afternoon lalaland time, so plan accordingly!

xoxoxo

Note to self: Remember to check spam folder (second post today)

 Just found out that there were over a dozen legit comments from y'all that somehow ended up in the spam folder! Don't know how, but they've been posted on the various posts where y'all left them! Sorry about that, sweetpeas!!  xoxo

I could "literally" hear the facts zooming over her head!

This morning was one of those times that reminded me why I need to stay away from that other social media site. I routinely scroll on by rather than engaging with a person who has totally missed the point of a post and has decided to point out the perceived errors present (by pontificating). Today it felt as if explaining the meaning of the word indigenous would be the beginning of an argument that would have resulted in a much deeper conversation about systemic racism, the lack of historical understanding, and the unrecognized, and usually the lack of awareness of the person's own sense of superiority. I use the word argument because usually, the poster assumes they are being attacked for their comment and not simply asked/questioned about their statement.  These are the types of conversations that are impossible to have online. When we engage in a real conversation face to face there is the opportunity to visually comprehend the questioning and the intent of the questioner. 

Maybe, I'm overthinking this. 

Or maybe I'm just too cynical this morning to really care.

Or maybe it's just too damn early (late night, even later morning, don't ask) to even care.

This post may disappear at some point today, but if you comment, I'll read it and love you all the more for it.

This song

 

Not sure what's happening, but this song has been on my mind recently. Winter is coming and so is my birthday.

UPDATE on My People

 

👻

The Capt'n and Stretch have finally tested NEGATIVE for COVID and things are almost normal again. 

I mean, seriously, did y'all normal from my family?

Some people!

 Thanks to some HIGHLY inconsiderate people, Captain Chaos and Stretch now have COVID! Yeah, after 2.5 years of being scrupulously careful, some folks they don't even know went to a wedding knowing that they had The Rona, passed it along to attendees they do know who then, unknowingly, passed it on to the Captain, and Stretch! Fortunately, the symptoms they're experiencing are not severe, just fucking bothersome after all the precautions they've taken.

So, to anyone who thinks that this pandemic is OVER, let me forcefully remind you that it ain't over, so wear your damn mask, and wash your hands!

Stay safe, sweetpeas, this shit ain't over!

xoxo

A little late, but here's the occular proof

 SHARK* PARTY 

for

MR. MATRIX!!

The shark cake was an ice cream cake and it was delicious! Shark plates and napkins, plus shark streamers over the bar!! It was fun and we all had a great time. Dinner was mushroom or beef enchiladas (or both if you were so inclined) served with rice and a mixed green salad tossed with a mustard vinaigrette. 

*No sharks were harmed during this event, but they were watched on numerous documentaries.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Matrix!

 Mr. Matrix did this self-portrait using one of his computer painting programs. He's one of the most talented people I know and the MITM and I are happy to call him our son-in-law! He's a great Dad, a fantastic husband to super nana, and a cherished member of our family! 

I hope all y'all will join us in wishing him a very 

Happy Birthday, Mr. Matrix!

There's going to be a shark-themed party on Friday to celebrate. Why sharks you might ask? To be honest, I have no idea, but I'll let you know on Saturday! 

It's hot!

 I know, it's pretty much hot EVERYWHERE, but I just wanted to share my two cents about the weather with all y'all. We're in our third year of a drought in California, massive fires are commonplace now, idiots in cars are causing horrible accidents while trying to escape the police, and we have a mall developer running for mayor here who's calling himself a "political outsider" but has been on city commissions for years. I could go on, but it's too hot to get worked up.

I need a cold drink.

Stay safe and cool, sweetpeas!

xoxo

I lost someone!

 I've lost a follower!

I have no idea who decided I wasn't interesting enough or funny enough or whatever it was that I wasn't for them.

I mean, I will get over it...

eventually.

*******

Mondays are strange when you no longer have a 9-5 or in my case, a job that had hours based on overseas time zones. That was then and this is now and I am not complaining. The MITM hasn't stopped, he's just changed professions. Fortunately, it means he's no longer in deepestdarkestafrica or figuring out how to find a way out of other places. Another thing I won't complain about. Back to Mondays (Lordy, I just had to look at the date on my MAC to make sure it WAS Monday), the start of the week, I guess, although when I was employed, it always seemed as if Sunday began my week thanks to time zone differences. I commiserate with everyone who's still punching a clock. (I do miss the paycheck.)

***********

I got nothin' else right now, sweetpeas. I think it might be dinner time.

Sunday not in Savannah

 Today started off with a request for coffee that was IGNORED which, of course, set me on a downward spiral. OK, that is a bit overly dramatic, it just meant I had to get up and get my own. Anyway, after I got over my hissy fit pique and had settled in to read the paper and sip my coffee, life became far more palatable (and I became far more human).

The MITM had the foresight to purchase some really lovely breakfast cookies for breakfast, so I had to indulge in some really delicious oatmeal cranberry dunkers with white chocolate drizzle from Trader Joe's. They're called dunkers because they're made for dunking in your coffee without breaking apart. A small thing you might say, but at 8:00 in the morning with your first cup, it makes a HUGE difference. Sundays around here are either a big breakfast spread or a catch-what-you-can-and-be-happy-there's-something-to-eat sort of thing.

I'm sharing this because it's Sunday and I want to get back in the habit of blogging with more frequency because I miss hearing from all y'all!

*******

Here's a first day of school pic of Big Girl Matrix!

Big Kid Chaos asked me not to take a photo this year because BKC is 10 1/2 and has set boundaries that I will honor.

Maybe there'll be a photo at another time, but for now, know that BKC is happy and enjoying 5th Grade.

Here's what the MITM did to pass the time while it's Hella hot outside.

 Barack posted his Summer Playlist on Spotify, so the MITM decided HE should make one! It's over 50 songs and he calls it his Summer Cookout Playlist.

I'm not linking to his Spotify account (because I don't know how), but here's the list:

SUMMER COOKOUT JAMS

• California Love – 2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre
• Love and Happiness – Al Green
• Is This Love – Bob Marley
• 24K Magic – Bruno Mars
• Chunky – Bruno Mars
• I Like It – Cardi B, Bad Bunny
• This is America – Childish Gambino
• Brick House – Commodores
• Cupid Shuffle – Cupid
• The Humpty Dance – Digital Underground
• September – Earth, Wind & Fire
• Can’t Hide Love – Earth, Wind & Fire
• Shining Star – Earth, Wind & Fire
• Da Butt – E.U.
• Doing it To Death – Fred Wesley & the J.B.’s
• You Know How We Do It – Ice Cube
• Cave Bitch – Ice Cube
• It Was a Good Day – Ice Cube
• Summer Breeze – The Isley Brothers
• For the Love of You – The Isley Brothers
• Night Train – James Brown
• Out of Sight – James Brown
• Cold Sweat – James Brown
• Make it Funky – James Brown
• I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
• Alright – Kendrick Lamar
• Celebration – Kool & The Gang
• I Blame You  - Ledisi
• All Night Long – Lionel Ritchie
• Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
• Got To Give It Up – Marvin Gaye
• Family Affair – Mary J. Blige
• Real Love – Mary J. Blige
• Before I let Go – Maze, Frankie Beverly
• Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill
• Love Rollercoaster – Ohio Players
• Fire – Ohio Players
• The Way You Move – Outkast
• Flash Light – Parliament
• Kiss – Prince
• Shoop – Salt N Peppa
• Down for My City – Soul Rebels
• Sweet Dreams are Made of This – Soul Rebels
• All I Do – Stevie Wonder
• Do I Do – Stevie Wonder
• Master Blaster – Stevie Wonder
• That Girl – Stevie Wonder
• I Wish – Stevie Wonder
• Superstition – Stevie Wonder
• Get it Up – The Time
• Wobble – V.I.C.
• Rock Steady – The Whispers

Somehow during his studious musical compilation, he stumbled across a youtube video he had to share with me and I absolutely must share it with all y'all!

I'm hoping that as it cools off, things will sort of go back to some form of normalcy...

but I ain't holding my breath!

Tuesday and the day after gumbo

 On Sunday, the MITM decided that he would make a sort-of-seafood-but-with-hot-sausage gumbo, which was delicious! We had a sort of let's drive across L.A. to pick up ingredients morning, but with a tight timeline because we had pick-up duty from the first day of school before 12:30. If you know anything about drive times in Lalaland and the variability of freeway driving conditions, you'll understand how even with getting an early start, we weren't sure how much we'd get done before we had to pick up Big Kid Chaos aka BKC (who no longer wants to be called BigBoyChaos). I must admit that trying to do this after only having a SINGLE CUP OF COFFEE was, to say the least, pretty damn stupid. After getting the hot sausage (20-minute drive) and getting back on the freeway to go across town (literally another city near the beach) to the absolute best seafood store in L.A. county (it is great, but it's one of many really good places, just the closest to where we needed to be by 12:30. I mean, this is Los Angeles and damn near everything and anything a cook might need is available). The ever-thoughtful MITM happened to see some lovely chocolate chip cookies for sale, so he bought some for me because he knew if I didn't have something to eat ASAP he would be in HELL for the rest of the drive. The final stop was a grocery store where he could get additional fresh ingredients for the gumbo. In and out because I stayed in the car, so there was no additional shopping going on. (Hey, I had cookies and my phone, so I was more than happy.)

We did get everything picked up and arrived at REDACTED to pick- up BKC just a bit too early, so we ended up having to get out of the pick-up line (pick-ups are tightly scheduled because the school is on a residential street and it's insanely narrow) and drive around a couple of blocks to kill some time. I'll spare y'all my own observations about some of the parental antics we witnessed, but 

SWEET MARY SUNSHINE

some of the parents at REDACTED need to read the Parents Handbook about pick-up procedures and protocols regarding the neighborhood. (I know, the next thing I'll be saying is "Get off of my lawn!") We finally found BKC in the "big kids pick-up area" a bit further down the block. The final stop was a spur-of-the-moment one at Trader Joe's for baguettes for hot sausage sandwiches for lunch!

I should probably include his recipe, but he'll have to write it out because his is slightly different from mine and this post is all about HIS sort-of-seafood gumbo. If you like the idea of shrimp, oysters, and Louisianna Hot Sausage, you'll like his gumbo. If you aren't ready to do a LOT of prep work, you might want to try another recipe! 

You've been warned about the work, but trust me on this one thing, it is so worth the time and effort! Plus, it's a good excuse for either a beer or a glass of wine while you cook! And, of course, more while you eat!

xoxo

Happy Birthday, Liz!

 August 13, 1926, was the day my Mama was born in New York.

She was 62, just a few months short of her 63rd birthday when she died on June 20, 1989.

Our eldest son graduated from high school and I turned 40 that same year.

Today.

As a good friend said to me earlier, (grief) Hits us differently on each anniversary or birthday.

Today I know that's true.

I love all y'all!

Happy Birthday, Big Girl Matrix!!

 TODAY SHE'S 10!

10 days later or things that happen when you're not looking

 Since we last spoke...

Cap't Chaos, Stretch, The Kid, and BBC went on vacation to Mexico. super nana, Mr Matrix, and BGM took a road trip up to Northern California and the MITM and I did dogsitting at the two houses. I had the easy gig because Ghost is old and no longer needs a walk to relieve himself,  it's just open the door, and out he goes. He basically knocks on the door and says, I'm done, lady, let me the hell in so I can go back to bed! The MITM had a much tougher duty at the other house because while Moxie and Tommy can go in and out of the house via the door dog during the day, they LITERALLY demand a walk after dinner! BGM left a detailed list regarding How To Take Care of Tommy. super nana and her Krewe are back at home, so the MITM has joined me as we take care of Ghost aka Ghost Face Killah!

Aside from dealing with dogs, nothing much has happened here except, of course, watching the January 6th Select Committee Hearings and wondering why TFG is still walking around free! I'll just leave that here because I figure we all have our own ideas/theories about what transpired leading up to the events of January 6th.

I've been going to physical therapy in preparation for knee surgery before the end of the year. How exciting is my life? There are a few steps (no pun intended) that have to happen before then, but we'll take them one at a time. 

How the heck are all y'all doing these days? I'll try and get to all the blogs ASAP, but right now, I have some housekeeping to tend to!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STRETCH!!

TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!!

I don't have a recent pic of Strech, but I'll get one and post it later today! But, with or without a picture here, she's a fantastic daughter-in-law, a fantastic Mom, and a fantastic wife to Cap't Chaos!

Join us in celebrating her day! xoxo

July 3rd or the day before the last 4th of July in America

 I have tried to stay positive and hopeful, but it seems as if I'm tilting into the wind. Unless the other two branches of our government, the Executive and the Congress, do something we are looking at the ever-increasing destruction of our democratic Republic. We have watched the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the suggestion by a Justice that other rights to privacy need to be reconsidered, and before that the attempted insurrection by a mob encouraged by a sitting president. We've seen a president impeached TWICE but not convicted by the Senate. His grift was exposed by federal and state investigations, yet TFG is still free and has not, to this date, been indicted, charged, arrested, or tried. 

I can only hope that the January 6th Select Committee Hearings will give the Department of Justice enough to proceed with charges against him and his nefarious cabal of fellow grifters.

Tomorrow is a day of sadness around here. Perhaps next year we will be able to celebrate America's Independence Day.

UPDATE from Maria Shriver's newsletter "Sunday Paper" that I want to share to remind myself and all ya'll, that we are not the minority in this country!

As for me, I want to live in a United States of America. I view myself first and foremost as an American. I may live in California, but I also live in America and I’m an American. I live in a country that so many desperately want to live in because of its promise for a better life. But its promise is in danger of being broken unless we, the People, uphold it. Unless we, the People, look within and see that our country is bigger than any one state or political party. That’s what a young woman named Cassidy Hutchinson did this week when she took an oath and stood up to tell the truth about her time in Trump’s White House. She did it at great personal risk to herself, but she did it for her country.

 

My fellow Americans, we have got to pull ourselves together and put our country first. Not our state first. Not our political party first. Our country first. Otherwise, we won’t have one to hand over to our children.

 

In a speech this week at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Congresswoman Liz Cheney cautioned her fellow Republicans: “We have to choose, because Republicans cannot both be loyal to Donald Trump and loyal to the Constitution.”

 

Whilst watching CNN's coverage of the January 6th Hearings...

 During a break, while watching this morning's surprise hearings, I looked at Cookie's blog and if you didn't already read it, go NOW and read today's post!

Bottomline, VOTE in every election because it is really true all politics is local. Councils, mayors, county supervisors, school boards, sheriffs, and yeah, the damn dog catchers, VOTE because if you don't the repercussions will come back and bite you in the ass!

DIY will make you forget Friday and the day before that, and probably an entire political party

 At least, that's my thinking today.

Yeah, before super nana and Mr Matrix bought this house, I had told her not to toss a glass top table and that I would spray paint the aluminum legs and base whatever color she wanted.

Soooooo, that's my chore for today. They're going for a Morrocan theme outdoors, so a gorgeous cobalt blues color is being sprayed on. Since I'm the designated DIYer, I'm taking full advantage of the between coat drying time and watching Monty Don on the outdoor TV whilst sitting on the sofa with the overhead fan cooling my dumb ass! Oh, it helps that the MITM is providing me with cold Chardonnay and keeping my glass topped off!

Sometimes, a break from doomscrolling is an absolute must!

Now that I've finished lunch, it's back to "work" for me because somebody has to watch that TV and keep the citronella candle lit!

xoxo

June 24, 2022

 

Remember what happened today when you cast your ballot in November! 

Happy Juneteenth or Happy Father's Day or Happy Sunday

 Whatever you're celebrating or enjoying today, make it the best damn day ever!

We're never guaranteed tomorrow, sweetpeas. Hell, not even the next minute, so be present in the moment. 

I love all y'all! xoxo

Someone you should know! Introducing The Rockmother!

Here's a great link to a FABULOUS woman I know! I met her via her blog ages ago, and have happily followed her ever since. A little backstory, Astrid was one of the folks I contacted once when the MITM was ill in London and needed assistance. She responded immediately, for which we will always be grateful knowing we will always have a friend and contact in London. (Since then, we've made many more pals across The Pond! You know who you are.) The concierge at the hotel found medical assistance before things got really serious!

I'm not sure which blogger I found first, but I do know I'm still friends with Istvanski and Howsey on a couple of those other social media sites.

On her website, you'll find links to what she's doing and her blog!

I hope y'all will check her site out because you never know when you might need a filmmaker or director!

Happy Birthday, MITM!!

 

Every year he forgets his birthday! This year, like every year, we have a party. Some years, it's been just the two of us, and then there've been big parties in other years. One year, for the first and ONLY time, I sprang a surprise birthday party on him and while he was gracious to all there, later he said, "Please, never again!" My favorite story about his birthday happened years ago while he was filming a documentary overseas in a warzone! His translator knew from his passport his birthday and arranged an impromptu celebration for him that somehow included gifts! 

Last night, we had a joint celebration with BGM who had a dance recital earlier. Afterward, the entire Krewe came back to celebrate her, and an early birthday party for the MITM! I just realized that we have absolutely no pictures of the cake, but rest assured the cheesecake was DELICIOUS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my darling Man-In-The-Moon!

The things you don't want to read

 Today I thought I'd just leave that other social media site alone and content myself with the occasional look at my email. So, it was late in the afternoon when I saw what follows:

Skatepark Sunday. Joy.

Edit: not too long after posting this several of the sportsball enthusiasts near me is decided to have a brawl. One of the dipshits involved decided he couldn’t deal with the ass-whipping he was getting so he pulled out a gun. In a park full of kids. Over sportsball. He fired one shot while I grabbed my child and his friend and hit the deck behind a large concrete obstacle. It was over pretty quick and the shooter and his team took off. The cops showed up and I’m pretty sure one of the members of the opposing team dimed  out the shooter. No one was hurt but several children were scared. Badly. 

All of this was so pointless.

Everyone involved is OK physically, but what does this sort of event do to the mental well-being of children and their parents? After having to explain what happened in Uvalde and a few days earlier, Buffalo, to have this happen in your own safe and fun place, how do we tell our children they're safe and no harm will come to them?

How?

I know one way and that is to  

VOTE 

EVERY 

SINGLE 

REPUBLICAN 

WHO 

HAS 

VOTED 

AGAINST 

GUN 

LEGISLATION

OUT!

I lucked out the other day because no weapons were involved. Today was too close to my people, so maybe they lucked out, too.

But, we can't depend on luck or fate or being in right place to protect our loved ones. We have to take our righteous anger and common sense and protect all children and ultimately, all of us.

Today I did something totally insane and I'm telling you because I need to get it out of my head

I was sitting in super nana's car while she put the Home Goods shopping cart back in the stall (WTF are those things called, anyone know?) when a very large young man started pushing the car next to us as if to push it over. He was very visibly distraught and pounding on the car to set the alarm off. His actions surprised me, but at first, I almost ignored him. Then, a small slender older woman appeared and turned the alarm off and continued to do the same each time he set it off. When super nana got in the car, she realized that something more was happening and opened her door to ask if the woman was OK or did she need some help. Now not only were we concerned, but other women stopped to offer help. The young man, I think he couldn't have been older than 18, was becoming vocally belligerent, so my daughter asked if the woman wanted her to call the police which she said she did. By now we learned he was her grandson, on the autism spectrum and off his meds. This is where the story takes a turn...

I was sitting in the passenger seat when all of a sudden he made a move toward his grandmother. To be clear, not only was he 3 times her size and weight, he was visibly angry, loud, and threatening. My daughter was already speaking with the police and explaining what was happening, but I opened my door, jumped out, and yelled for him to back off. His response was to call me, a "shank ass old whore" and to fuck off. Well, at that point you can guess my response which, of course, was, "Naw, you fuck off!"( I know what a magnificent and totally intelligent adult answer.) I'm not a small delicate woman, but he could have decked me with a punch, but I think because I didn't cower or seem to be afraid of him all he could do at that point was call me a "fat old bitch" I responded with "Is that the best you can do, son?" 

Now we had a few women standing with his Grandmother 2 car widths away from him, so he took out his phone and started recording. By now at least 10 minutes had passed from the time my daughter dialed 911. Fortunately, my daughter had told the operator that the kid was unarmed and having some sort of mental issue, so they dispatched a single motorcycle cop and not a police car with sirens blazing to deal with the situation. So, we left...

As we drove away, super nana asked WTF did I think I was going to do if the guy had tried to hit me? She also told me that she had told the 911 operator that now there were 2 Grandmothers in possible danger because her mother had gotten out of the car! I can honestly say I don't know what I was thinking, but I knew I could not sit there as he towered over his Grandmother! Somehow, I was strong and fearless. All I can say is I am glad he backed down.

It wasn't until a little later that I began to shake and realize how insane my actions were. But, sometimes, isn't that what we have to do? We have to practice active bystander intervention. We have to step in when something is there is a potential for harassment or violence. But, we also have to do this safely, not only for ourselves but for those around us. 

I think I did the right thing.

This is what happens when you don't pay attention to updates on blogger

 So, the other day I could NOT figure out what I was doing wrong when trying to hyperlink to another site. Well, sweetpeas, I now know what happened and why I fucked up  couldn't use the old method!

Seems the really slick smart folks at Blogger had changed the method and now there's a symbol that you use instead of the old html formula I had finally mastered! (This change is the sort of stuff that happens when updates occur whilst one is away from blogging for a minute!) So now I know what to do when I'm trying to insert a link!

I think I've done this correctly. If not, please let me know in the comments where the link sends you, if it in fact does! 

'cause it's Friday; you ain't got no job... and you ain't got shit to do.

 A big round of applause for the movie "Friday" and the very funny Chris Tucker as Smokey for today's post title. So, today will be a stream along those high notes. (no pun intended, I think)

Today as I was reading the newspaper I could hear a song that was familiar, but yet unknown to me. Captain Chaos was listening to a 90s hip hop song the same way we used to (and still do) listen to classic rock when he was a kid. Nothing new, I know, we all seem to find our "popular" musical comfort zone from somewhere in our teen/early 20s years.  I'm just happy that none of us is anti-music or locked into only one genre and dismissive of others.  

****

Easily distracted today by the sweet smell of BBQ that's floating around the neighborhood today. It's a pleasant day after a short heatwave that was followed by grey and overcast skies and a weird drop in temps, but as I'm always reminded, we do live in a desert no matter what anyone says. Of course, we might be reverting to that reality very soon given the increased water regulations in LA County. Water conservation is nothing new in California where most of us remember the even-odd watering days and bans on excess water usage both indoors and out. We've all taken the 

<a href="https://www.watercalculator.org">Water Calculator</a> to see how we score and also, what we can do to conserve even more. Fortunately, here in California, it's already mandatory when replacing old toilets and faucets to use low-flow toilets and faucets, so all the Krewe homes are covered. This is an issue we're all facing or will be facing at some point in the future no matter where you live. Climate change is real and happening everywhere.

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The MITM is watching the NFL (National Football League) Draft and following the picks of the New Orleans Saints. I am a WhoDat Saints fan and yet this year, I can't be bothered about what happens. I think it's because no matter what happens in sports or politics here in America, Colin Kaepernick is still without a job, even while the concept of free speech is currently being considered yet again in the Supreme Court. Tell me again why taking a knee against police brutality isn't protected speech...

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It's been 30 years since the LA riot after the Rodney King verdict. We were here with 2 of the Krewe still at home and 2 away in NYC at Columbia. At that time we lived far north of where everything was happening, but could see the clouds of smoke and were watching the entire event unfollow on the news. The East Coast boys called to tell us that they were watching TV as areas they knew burned. There are ceremonies planned to mark the events. No one I know can or will forget those horrible days.

****

That's it for today. I hope my attempt earlier at doing a hyperlink worked, but according to the preview it doesn't, so we shall see. We've been a bit busy around here, so I can't promise when I'll blog again, but I will try and visit all y'all soon! As my favorite comedian, Trae Crowder, says, "I love you like chicken!"

xoxo

Tuesday TMI

 So, after some consideration, it seems that this post is really more of a Tuesday Rant.

For a variety of reasons, it's very quiet here today because all work is solitary and is taking place in different areas of the house. Even Ghost Face Killa (aka The Dog) has disappeared into some undisclosed location. All of this isolation has allowed me to slowly become extremely irate about the state of commercial TV. 

Ah-ha, you say, now I know what Savvy has been doing since she's disappeared from Blogville for the past few days! 

Or maybe not, but that's OK because it's Tuesday and I've got a full-on rant that needs declaration! 

First, I'm pissed  astounded that TFG's favorite grifter is still shilling for his cheap ass pillows! His "gratitude"for the support he and his employees have received through "these difficult times" is yet another dog-whistle to the fundamentalist followers of TFG. Interestingly, at the bottom of the screen in a small font it says "This is a sponsored PROGRAM" and not just a regular commercial.  I do wonder who's paying for it. Thankfully, the mute button works on the remote.

Next, broadcast news. WTF happened to unbiased reporting? You know sort of the "just the facts, ma'am" reading of the news. I can remember Walter Chronkite when he announced that President Kennedy was dead his only show of emotion was the removal of hs glasses and a slight break in his voice. His reporting on the Vietnam war was straight forward and concise.  Maybe I'm just old and becoming intolerant, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to watch network news. 

(To be clear, I am not including FOX entertainment "news" in this conversation because FOX isn't a legitimate news operation as far as I'm concerned.)

I do watch a local channel for local news and weather, but they only get 30 minutes of my viewing time. Info about world events comes from a variety of print and online resources from different parts of the world, so that issues of importance are viewed from a many points of view. I've gone back to doing more background reading on issues and people of importance. (With gratitude to the great Los Angeles Public Library!) 

Another thing that's been making me grimace is the term side hustle! I don't know what it is about that term, but it seriously grates on my last nerve!(I didn't realise how often I've been using the mute button!) I understand the meaning of the slang term, but is there a serious reason why part-time occupation/job can't be used? Once you start making money you're considered a sole proprietor and it's a business you're running! 

OK, I am seriously slipping into old lady land, but sweetmarysunshine, can't we at least attempt to be adults using our words and not relying on slang all the time?

There's more, but I think I need to go outside and sit in the sun because I'm getting increasingly more irritated and I think it's with myself!

Thank you for indulging me, sweetpeas.

xoxo

I said I wasn't going to, but this was damn funny!

We Don't Talk About Jada (Encanto Parody)

We don't talk about Bruno...

 

Or what happened at the Oscars on Sunday.

It's Thursday here in Lalaland and I've been people-watching as I have my morning coffee. The MITM* is sitting across from me (earbuds in and humming) as usual and only looking up when I tap his computer to get his attention. As I may have mentioned, super nana and Mr Matrix live on a busy street one house away from a large grocery store, so there's a lot of foot traffic to observe. Always the cutest are the young parents pushing strollers because most of the time they're engaging with each other and their children. The saddest is the single parent pushing a stroller while talking on the phone. I don't say sad because it's just a single parent since I don't know their marital/coupled status, but because they aren't talking to their child! I've seen some of the same dads pushing strollers for a few days and the behavior isn't a one-off. Maybe it's because when the members of my krewe were stroller age, I didn't have a mobile, so by default I talked to them. The boys were 17 and 18 months apart so we were always a loud traveling circus on our walkabout. The children in the stroller, for the most part, seem totally uninvolved almost slack-faced, not really aware or enjoying the activity. I'm talking about toddlers in strollers, not infants, so the ability to communicate is there.  

(Sweet Mary Sunshine, but reading what I've just written makes me sound as if the next words I say/type will be "Get off of my lawn!")

The MITM has been deadheading roses and also cutting some to bring inside. I wonder if some of the neighbors are wondering, "What happened to that cute YOUNG couple that bought the house?" We were outside the other day doing the same job and when we came in noticed that we really did look like old pensioners in our (unknowingly) slightly matching black sweaters and khaki pants! I like to think the only that keeps us still in the hip old folk's camp is that he was wearing au courant low-top sneakers and my khakis were rolled up just enough to show off my old school leather moccasins! (I hope y'all know neither of us really cares about what other people might think!)

The MITM is getting his second Moderna booster today. I'm just getting over a cold, so I'll get mine next week. We're not taking any chances given the concern about yet another possible surge of yet another variant of COVID-19 here in the Southland. We all still wear masks when we're out and about and I dare a muthafucka anyone to confront me about it! I'm in the better-safe-than-sorry camp.

That's it for today, sweetpeas! I have arranged roses to place around the house, courtesy of the MITM, and an herb garden to tend to!

xoxox

*Man In The Moon or as he used to be known theguywhothinkshesthebossofme

What a day!

 I spent a good portion of today watching the confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. To say that I was surprised by the Republican members of the Judiciary Committee would be disingenuous. Their behavior was unworthy of their positions and yet, so very true to what the GOP has become. 

I could expand on how I really felt during some of the questioning by some of the committee members, but I think BGM summed it up when she said that Ted "Karen" Cruz looked like the bad fox in "The Return of Mary Poppins" and I have to agree with her! The theatrics, inanity, lies, and falsehoods were embarrassing to watch and extremely hard to listen to! As much as I deplore their actions during these hearings, I am confounded by how they were elected and what were those voters thinking? Or perhaps that's it, they weren't thinking.

Tomorrow will be the third day of hearings and I can hardly wait for that shit show what the day will bring.

Here's to hope, sweetpeas.

xoxo

Sunday, fun day?

 Well, my loverlies, blogging every day turned into here we are and it's Sunday, and what happened to Thursday, Friday, and Saturday? I'm going to put it down to good intentions, but sorry follow through. 

Or something like that.

So here we are, St. Patrick's Day was Thursday and quite a few bloggers had great posts, but I figured anything I did would pale in comparison. (or maybe I was just too lazy  busy) Friday and Saturday slipped past me in a whirl of continued laziness activity around here.

Today we went plant shopping for our herb garden. BGM and I are using her Spring Break to do some container gardening! So far we have 6 basil plants, 2 rosemary, 2 flatleaf parsley, 2 different types of red chilies, and a solitary mint plant. The MITM couldn't resist the lure of live ladybugs for the rose garden. BGM is going to document the daily evening release and write a report for her class. (who knew there were so many rules about ladybugs?)  I figure gardening will be good for at least a half-day activity. We're also going to do a bit of organizing in her room each day. I'll spare y'all a daily update on that activity. But we might take pictures for The Bloooooggg!

Busy days ahead, sweetpeas, busy days.

xoxo

Surprisingly, I don't feel old today!

 Today is "Pick A Decade Day" at BGM's elementary school. She chose the 60's and dressed like a hippie. Her outfit was overalls, a tie dye tee shirt, a couple of mini braids framing her face with the rest of her long hair loose, shades (yes, I told her to call them that), and a clip-on flower in her hair!

While I was braiding her hair, she asked me how I wore my hair in those days and what color was it! When I told her I wore it long and wild, and it used to be all black, she ever so innocently said, "I can't picture you looking like that with black hair!" I told her there were a few pictures that proved it was true. (I didn't mention that I used to wear a scarf as a blouse, hip-hugger bellbottoms, and sandals all the time.) Anyway, at that point, we were both laughing, but for different reasons I'm sure!

What does this have to do with not feeling old? Well, my darlings, hearing a 9-year-old laugh so genuinely and freely will knock away years off your life. It also reminds you to relish each moment and forget whatever number you're currently carrying. Besides all of that, thinking about how much I changed during that decade truly made me laugh, but that's a topic for another time!

So, here's to tomorrow and a bright future for all of us. xoxo

I may have missed Monday, but Tuesday is nowhere near as busy

 Yep, Monday whizzed past me, sweetpeas!

For a variety of reasons everyone in this house had to be awake early (Gawd, on a Monday, too) and busy with a variety of assignments, so I missed blogging. Well, I wasn't really busy, I was just trying to stay out of the way of the really busy people. So, consequently, my computer and I were estranged for a portion of the day, and when we were finally reunited, I didn't have words to share. Actually, I was too engaged watching The Chelsea Detective and then, reading the NYT. It really was easier mentally to watch a murder mystery than to read the daily horror show scroll by on my screen.

But here it is Tuesday afternoon and I'm sitting across from the MITM watching him moving to beat only he can hear (he's wearing earbuds) as he writes. I guess it's a sign of the times that working at a partners' desk can feel as isolating as an office cubicle when you're both writing.

To be clear this is not a complaint, just an observation.

It's very similar to talking to yourself whilst cooking, but there's someone else in the kitchen who thinks you're talking to them. Proximity assumes conversation, I guess.

Or maybe, I'm just too much in my head right now.

I've been waiting all day for a call back regarding an appointment and I am slightly pissed off aggrieved that I've had to wait.

Huzzah! while I've been looking at my screen, the lovely MITM has opened a bottle of wine! 

So Cheers, loverlies! I'll see all y'all tomorrow!

xoxo

Observations on a Sunday morning

 We're at super nana and Mr. Matrix's house this weekend, so I have a view out the breakfast room window onto a busy street. This morning while I was drinking my coffee I noticed an elderly man stop and look down at something near the edge of the driveway and the neighbor's yard. It was a book. He picked it up and started flipping through the pages stopping occasionally to read a section, then continuing to flip pages. He stood there for at least 15 minutes, moving only when the MITM drove up and parked in the drive. I opened the front door to let the MITM and BGM in and as I did, the old guy looked up, I smiled and said, "Good Morning" He half smiled and waved back. I think he expected me to say something about the book, but I didn't. I'm just glad he took it!

I made the mistake of looking at the NYT online this morning, so seeing and having a pleasant encounter was a very good thing.

Little things are making me smile today. 

Or maybe it was the lemon jelly doughnut the MITM and BGM brought home. 

No matter what I am going to enjoy the little pleasures life gives me and be thankful for them.

Take care of yourselves, sweetpeas

xoxo

Holey Moley! It's The Doc's Birthday!

 No picture this time because I don't have a recent one for some reason! I know, right? What kind of mother doesn't have a picture of her child to share with friends on his (hold on I have to do the math because I forget how old he is today)  49th birthday???

No party, just gifts delivered earlier, funny text messages, and no early morning wake-up call! 

I like catching them off guard with those calls.

So, please join us in celebrating Doc's day and leave him a good wish or two!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOC!