July the 5th because things have be crazeeee around here since June 15th

Oh yeah and I'm NOT EVEN talking about the USof A and all of the insanity that's going on here (Thanks to Trumpito and his minions)! We and The Krewe have expanded our bubble and now the MITM and I are in Burbank with super nana, Mr Matrix, and BGM (also including, Moxie and Tommy Lasorda,  aka the dogs) for a while since both of them are working from home! Mr Matrix has a big project that his taking more of his day than before, so we're here to help out and also spend more time with BGM!

super nana is maintaining her usual day that starts earlier because her boss is in another timezone but can end a little earlier than most, most of the time anyway.

 ***************

It's also a very big day for Stretch* because it's her  

*REDACTED* birthday!

We called and sang to her this morning and posted greetings on all the shared social media sites. In the past celebrations would have been yet another opportunity for a big family gathering, but 2020 has changed everyone's plans. BUT, we're just adding up all the missed parties and will have one or 20 huge parties when this is all over! That's my plan anyway! 

So, leave her a greeting if y'all are so inclined because she will see them!

*****************

We're good here and for that I am grateful. The MITM and I are still on elder lockdown, but we've traded locations for a while, so it is sort of a vacation. I mean, I had to pack a bag and travel with a destination in mind, so that qualifies as a trip in my mind!

So, there y'all go, so stay safe, wear your mask, practice physical distancing, and wash your damn hands!

I leave all y'all! xoxox

*Stretch, for those of you who might not know, is wife to Captain Chaos, mother to The Kid and Big Boy Chaos (BBC), sister-in-law to The Doc and The Dancing Lady, super nana and Mr Matrix, and auntie to Big Girl Matrix (BGM), and lovely daughter-in-law to me and the MITM!

Just a thought

Today I read that our pal, 63Mago*, has been blogging for 10 years! Congratulations to him that's for sure! Blogging is so much more fun than that other social media site! Huzzah for him and everyone else who's still blogging!

E@L** is also back blogging. At least, he did today. Drop by and encourage him, if you're so inclined!

Ok, that's pretty much it for me today. I started this to talk about how I started blogging in Nov. of 2006. Go figure, right?

Anyway, stay safe, wear a mask when you're outside, and wash your hands often!***

* check him out on my sidebar

**Expat At Large also on my sidebar

***I've forgotten how to do hyperlinks!

What a Week!

There isn't much to add to the news we've all read and seen about this past week! I am glad we have a chance to not only reconsider the past, but a very real opportunity to change our collective future.

I can only hope that every person who stood or walked in protest will remember to vote in November. 

VOTE as if your life depended on it because it DOES!

Today is his birthday!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the MITM aka Man In The Moon!

Celebrate with us as we raise a glass in his honor!

Hang in there, sweetpeas!

I had another post ready, but after today I figured we just needed to have each other's back and keep on keepin' on as the song said.

Times are tough right now for all of us here on this continent, and across the pond. Hell, everywhere on this planet! But, remember there is goodness and kindness in Blogville!

I love all y'all!
xoxo

I picked the right week to not watch the news

I stopped watching network news earlier this week and even with that small move, I was not untouched by the horrors that filled the screens around the country and probably the world. Between the rantings of Trumpito and his undisguised white supremacist views, there was, once again, the death of George Floyd, a black man, filmed and televised. There was the accusation by a white woman against Christian Cooper, a black man, once again filmed and shared over and over again. 

These are just two things that I know about that happened during my self imposed television withdrawal.

This morning I learned about the arrest of Omar Jimenez, a CNN reporter, and his crew by police in Minneapolis at a demonstration yesterday. This during a LIVE broadcast. You could hear the reporter and his crew cooperating with the police, in fact, asking what did the police want them to do. The reporter and his crew were all wearing CNN identification as journalists do when reporting on any demonstration. 

He is black.

A block away his white colleague was not arrested.

This is not just a black-white issue.

It's not minority communities versus white communities.

It's more than the top 1% versus the rest of us.

This is a moment in time when we as Americans decide what type of a society we are going to be going forward. 

I don't have the answer. But, I think together we can figure this out.

At least, I hope so.

***********

I haven't forgotten COVID-19. I don't think any of us can right now. For every day we have fewer deaths, we still have people succumbing to this new virus with variations appearing in different groups in our society. It seems that there is no longer a demographic that's safe or excluded.

I miss seeing the rest of the Krewe. We are incredibly fortunate that we're with the Cap't, Stretch, The Kid, and Big Boy Chaos! To be in the middle of all of this, to be in the same city, and yet apart would have been heartbreaking. As it is now, I miss the ability we had to just hop in a car and see super nana, Mr Matrix, and Big Girl Matrix. I miss seeing The Doc and The Dancing Lady!

I know, we all miss the way things were.

We'll find a new way.

I know it.

I love all y'all!

xoxo

Holy Moly! I just blogged yesterday and here I am today!

I think I might be on to something here, loverlies! Blogging instead of posting on that other social media site Our pal, FirstNations, has cut the cord (after getting jailed far too many times) and has resumed blogging! I have forgotten how to do hyperlinks, so check her site out from the sidebar (Steve. Because 'Steve' is almost as nice a name as 'Paul' was.) and delight in her words!

So, where am I? Yes, blogging again and reading al y'all and trying to form coherent comments. (I say this because I just had a conversation with the MITM and we were both astounded that I could not remember something he had done just a week ago. Make sense?) Anyway, enough about me (too late) what the hell are y'all up to now? Safer At Home guidelines are being lifted in some areas and not in others, so tell how it is where you are!

The MITM and I have decided (after listening to his scientist brother) that we aren't going anywhere unit there's a vaccine. Cap't Chaos and Stretch, along with the rest of our krewe are in agreement with that plan, so that's the plan here. I'm going slowly crazy, but so is everyone else, I guess.

Memorial Day 2020

The news has called today a Memorial Day unlike any other. 

Personally, if it weren't for the pall of COVID-19 hanging over all of us, it's very much the same as every year. The majority of people see today as the "unofficial beginning of summer" and not a day of remembrance for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It has long bothered me that Memorial Day is seen as a great hook for sales of every sort, from sheets to cars to blenders! How crass we've become. But then again, I am not surprised by anything since November of 2016 and sadly, we've come to expect vulgarity and crassness from people. 

So, it was with gratitude that I watched Joe Biden and Dr. Biden lay a wreath at the memorial in Delaware today. Not only were they both wearing masks as the CDC has recommended, their security detail and staff were also masked. It is a sign of concern for the health and safety of those around them which, unfortunately, too many people fail to understand is the whole purpose of wearing a mask in public.

I hope all of you stay safe, stay healthy, and stay hopeful.

I love all y'all.

xoxo

64 days as of today here in Los Angeles

I counted from March 13, 2020, up to today how long we've been under a mandatory Stay-At-Home order from Mayor Eric Garcetti. Capt Chaos and Stretch have been our designated shoppers, so the MITM and I have only been outside in the garden. Walks around the block, always wearing a mask, of course, have been the extent of physical exercise. Physical distancing is being practiced by people who understand why it's still important, but sadly, the news seems to focus on the moronic halfwits who don't give a rats ass about anyone other than themselves! 

I've found it so difficult to understand why people protesting are carrying weapons, waving nazi or confederate flags (or both at times), threatening folks who are masked is patriotic and supportive of America? By what stretch of the imagination is personal freedom defined by putting others at risk? I've heard from the Captain that even though there are fewer drivers on the road, far too often drivers are taking insane risks by speeding, blowing through stop signs, and other dumb moves! Sadly, here in Lalaland, the stats for car crashes under the Stay-At-Home order is the same as last year for the same 64 days! I can't think of a better time to be even more cautious than now!

On a happier note, we've been doing a lot of cooking and baking here! The Kid is making a Cuban style pork roast tonight, the MITM will be making another Chicken and Sausage gumbo soon, and I'm going to roast a leg of lamb this weekend. It's been quite a gastronomic adventure living with folks who love to cook during this pandemic! (Hey, I have to make a few lame jokes to keep from crying - which I seem to have been doing a bit of lately!) 

I've also been doing a lot of reading. I'm in the middle of Erik Lawson's book "The Splendid and the Vile" and have a stack that will keep me busy for a few weeks. What about y'all? What's keeping you busy?

So, there it is, my loverlies, my sort of weekly update from behind the COVID Curtain here in L.A.!

How y'all doing? 

aaaarrrraagggghhhh

i can't believe how irritable i am today.

I had to post that statement because it was just bubbling inside of me! Now that it's out, I'm feeling so much better! Is this happening to you? Even though I know we're staying "safe inside so that we can see all our friends later" the feeling of restlessness is present. I'm missing my other children, my granddaughter, my friends being in my space, not on a screen.

I know, so is everyone else, sweetpea! 

(This was much longer, but I decided to save it for another day.)

May 6th, 2020 (I think)

Well, in case you've been wondering WTF happened to me, here it is in a nutshell:

I killed yet another MAC! OK, maybe it really wasn't my fault this time, but I am without my own personal computer yet again! (I'm using an old one that belongs to Stretch right now) Mr Matrix had loaned me an old one of his, but it's now dead. Given the current restraints regarding our current pandemic budget I'm not buying a new MAC anytime soon. Dropping a few thousand dollars just seems to be the height of folly right now. Especially since I ain't working!

So, how y'all doing?

I expect there to be a ridiculous rise in COVID-19 cases soon given that so many folks have decided that it's their patriotic duty to go out without masks with no thought for anyone other than themselves. I can not understand how this thinking (or not thinking) works! But then again, I'm not going anywhere until there is a vaccine available and/or SCIENCE says it's safe again to be out and about, even if that means wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing! 

I don't know anymore WTF folks are rallying around conspiracy theories or still supporting Trumpito, but I no longer try to explain why I do what I do or what I believe.

(Sweet Mary Sunshine, this is turning into a modified rant which was not my original intent.)

I'm off to catch up with all y'all!

Stay safe, wear your mask, and wash your hands! xoxo

I know it's Sunday

I think I'm starting to slowly go crazy.

Or maybe it's just cabin fever.

I don't know anymore. But one thing is true: we will be doing this for at least another month here in LA!

Stay safe, stay inside, if you must go out remember to wash your hands as soon as you can. 

Of course, if you live around here, put your face mask on when you go outside!

There's more to the guidelines, but I think you've probably learned the drill by now.

There's a meme going around that says something along the lines of

Don't think of this as staying inside, think of it as staying safe.

It's a gentle reminder that we want to see all of our friends when this is over.

I love you all. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to The Dancing Lady!!

Quarantine Birthday Doughnuts 

The Dancing Lady is celebrating her day in her pajamas (which is why the pic is cropped) and having DOUGHNUTS for her birthday breakfast!

Y'all know how much this Krewe likes to party, so as soon as we can there's going be a HUGE CELEBRATION of birthdays, anniversaries, births, graduations, and what the hell, parties just for the pure delight of being together again!

This year it's a world-wide Birthday Party, so help us celebrate her *REDACTED* birthday and leave a good wish! 



P.S. I love all y'all, so remember: wash your hands, keep 6' distance, and wear a mask (but not hospital-grade, unless you're a health care worker) when you go out!

Movie Mania! or What Happens When BGM is Being Homeschooled!

I know it's Monday, but that's about it

I feel as if we're all back in kindergarten and being punished because of a few miscreants acting up, so none of us get to go out for recess!

I'm not serious. 

I KNOW we're coming from a place of privilege because we have homes to stay in, food to eat, soap and water to keep clean. But, honestly, when I look at the news and see people ignoring the physical distancing mandates it just pisses me off! The arrogance is startling and yet, not surprising. As a society, we've become blind to the suffering of others and the inequality that exists. I am hopeful that this crisis has exposed the ugliness that is just below the surface.

This is sort of a downer post, but I've come to realize that we need to roll with the ups and downs of this sequestration and if that means tears, screams, curses, and blessings are contained in one post, well, as BGM says, "Oh well, sorry, boys..."

I'm off to make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread! 

xoxo

Be kind, be strong, and take care of one another

Those were the words from Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, just now.

I can't think of anything better to remember today.

We will get through this together.

What day is this? I don't know anymore

Man, it's getting strange around here.

But, seriously, we're inside, we have food, WiFi, we're not alone, and this ain't a damn warzone by any stretch of the imagination!

But, it really does help to have a place to just talk/vent/whine or whatever! I've had some off moments that I know come from watching too much news/talking heads. Like so many others, I look at our family and friends and wonder what lies ahead. There are moments where tears will suddenly spill down my cheeks and just as quickly, stop. I think I'm not alone with that particular experience.

All we do know is that it will get worse before it gets better. 

Stay safe, practice physical distancing, keep in touch via whatever platform you use, and wash your damn hands! xoxo

"Wow. The Covid 19 makes you spit bars. Lol" comment from youtube

Love in the Time of COVID-19 (with apologies to Gabriel García Márquez)

(In all honesty, I am not going to even attempt to write anything as gorgeous as his, but I figured the title was too good to pass up!)

Like everyone else around the world, we're staying home and watching the news/movies/Instagram/Facebook/Twitter. I'm working my way through the stack of books I was planning to read eventually. We're taking advantage of all the virtual museum tours, historic house tours, and national parks. The Krewe has started hosting "The Shenanigans Club" online for all the littles (as they are called, as opposed to the "olds" which is us!) every day after "school" ends. Big Boy Choas is visiting with his school pals via FaceTime. Big Girl Matrix has taken to just standing on the sidewalk and yelling/talking to her pals up and down the street! The kids are adapting to homeschooling without too many issues. I know they are fortunate that their schools have sent home packets for individual study. It also helps that Stretch is a teacher and super nana a former teacher! Local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) stations are, as I think all PBS stations, are providing not only the usual educational programs but also sending newsletters filled with ideas for combating "cabin fever" and maybe a little mental health break for parents/caregivers!

Here in L.A. and across our state, we're a half step away from the shelter in place order that Gov. Cuomo released, but unless idiots who continue to flock to the hiking trails, beaches, and open areas quit and stay inside, that's the next step. We have a chance to flatten the curve right now here in L.A. to protect not only the "olds" but those in the medical field, the firefighters, EMS, police, grocery store workers, pharmacists, and everyone else who continues working to provide essential services for the rest of us! I'm guessing that the same is true for all y'all around the world. 

I don't know what's coming next, but I do know that we will, as global citizens, get through this together. It will not be easy, nor will it be without human loss, but it will happen. Or as Annie sang:




UPDATE: there's something new here in Blogville! There's no hyperlink because I seem to have forgotten how to do that, so check out:

https://write-panic.blogspot.com/

Second UPDATE:

Jon is right. Grace Jones version is WAAAAAY better!

In times of trouble...

I copied this from our friend, John's blog "Going Gently" (I seem to have forgotten how to do links, so check his blog out on my blogroll/sidebar). The comment below is a gentle reminder about what we're all experiencing on some level right now.

Stay safe, stay calm, and remember to wash your hands! I love all y'all and we will get through this!




Brother Richard, of the Capuchin Franciscans

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

things that have happened since we last spoke

the MITM had shingles

then he had a cold

now he has deep muscle pain from the shingles

there was a baby shower for our niece

he missed it

his brother and his wife were in town

they came over

his sister and her husband were in town

they came over

our 51st anniversary came and went

exciting shit, right?


then there's 

Big Girl Matrix playing golf

and 

Big Boy Chaos playing with his Hogwarts Lego days after his 8th birthday in the early morning hours

see y'all soon!

things that make you go "WTF"

...are far too numerous these days to articulate.

So long, dear friend!

LX

Charles Robert Lewis 

January 20, 1950 - December 18, 2019

it's all over but the shouting

Trumpito is giving his State of the Union speech tomorrow.

His trial in the Senate is on Wednesday.

I will die in a country very different from the one I was born in.

We would hope that when our end comes, it will be from old age, but the possibility exists that it could be from something very, very different.

And so it begins

For only the third time in American history, articles of impeachment have moved to the Senate for trial.

While I hold no love for the current president this is a solemn and incredibly serious occasion. It brings me no joy that our country will have to witness a trial for "High Crimes and Misdemeanors" by the man who swore to uphold our Constitution and protect our nation on January 20, 2017. I hope that serious consideration and thoughtfulness will prevail in the Senate and justice for the American people will happen.




But, I'm not holding my breath that will happen.

A quick revelation shared

I've been having beaucoup plenty strange dreams lately. I'm not sure why, but I'm starting to think it has to do with moving back to Lalaland. The dreams have nothing to do with the Krewe, just being back here! It dawned on me that we lived in Savannah longer than we'd lived in any other place in the world! We left California the first time when we were 20, came back for a short stay in San Francisco, moved back down to L.A. for a few years,  left again for overseas, came back and stayed until super nana went off to college. 

Then we left...

for what we thought was forever!

We lived in Savannah for 23 YEARS. I didn't even live in my mother's house for that long. Being back in L.A. (for good and not just a vacation) has been a combination of being incredibly joyful and being incredibly overwhelmed! So much has changed and yet there is this feeling of sameness as if the real L.A. hasn't changed, it's just become a bit more adept at hiding that reality. This is a constant source of conversation as we drive around town. So, with all of this in mind, we're slowly narrowing our search area down for housing, but it's still a chore. 

On the upside, this city is a fantastic place for sustainable (don't you just love that word instead of saying "used"?) (UPDATE: additional terminology is thrifted) furniture to replace what we either sold or gave away! I am looking forward to that little exercise. 

**********

Since my post the other day, I'm finding it easier to stay away from that other social media site, but thanks to y'all's comments I'm not shying away from political posts or even thinking about reactions! As the saying goes, I have no more fucks to give at this point.

Be well, my lovelies! I'm off to do something...

constructive.

It's 2020 and I can see clearly now...

So, here we go!

Over the last few weeks, I've learned a few things that slightly unnerved me! On that other social media site someone reported a post I'd shared and it was removed because it "violated community standards" according to Facebook that other social media site. Then, I heard that I was being "muted" by some friends because I'd become too much of a "political downer" as far as they were concerned. (Go figure, right? I'm the political downer??? Do they not watch the news?) And finally, the MITM heard from some old neighborhood friends that my social media posts were the topic of conversations (and not always favorably) about me, but never with me! All of this has perplexed me because I thought it was clear that anything I shared or said was to keep ME from falling into complacency and accepting the insanity here in the USA as normal! 

What to do?

I noticed that one of our Blogville pals said he was sort of switching over to Instagram and instead of blogging. I totally get it! It's image-based and doesn't really require a response from the poster. I like it, but I'm more of a scroller and not a poster on that site. Then there's Twitter! Another place for "hearing" different voices without actual involvement. I'm a "liker" and "retweeter" there with the occasional post or response. There are other sites, but I'm not ready to commit/get involved. *sigh*

So, here I am back to my safe place! I'll be making the rounds to visit all y'all and also, trying to be a slightly more consistent Blogger!

***************

I had a birthday celebration on NYE at super nana and Mr Matrix's home. All of the Krewe, family and a few friends showed up to help celebrate and party! It was a blast (quite literally) with confetti and streamer cannons fired off by the Good Gentlemen and Honorable Lincoln Street Cannoneers aka Cap't Chaos and The Doc, lots of music, great food, and a delicious chocolate cake! No pictures because NDA's were signed to protect reputations and livelihoods! Or maybe because we were too busy drinking having fun!

A couple of days later while getting rid of some of the decorations, I got hit in the eye by a piece of foam core board! Again, no pictures, but after 3 hours in Urgent Care, the last thing I wanted to do was document the injury! Trust me, it was not pretty! I asked for a black eye patch because my 7-year-old grandkids would love it, but the request was politely declined! Baby Girl Matrix and Big Boy Chaos were fascinated for about 10 minutes, then just monitored my recovery with pithy sayings! I missed out on 2 Birthday lunches because of my own vanity! (It doesn't matter that we're in L.A. and everybody wears sunglasses indoors, I couldn't do it!) I was promised rain checks for the lunch dates, so all wasn't lost.

***************

There you have it! An almost complete update on what's been going on around here with me and the MITM! What's been happening in your world, sweetpeas? xoxo

Yikes!

I have missed more than I had thought!

Captain Chaos had a BIRTHDAY on November 11th and I forgot to post. I have no excuse, but I did wish him a Happy Birthday! 

He's a funny guy!

*************

Here's to all y'all with all our love and affection for the kindness and generosity you've given us

throughout the years, but especially this one!

Happy Holidays, Loveries!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUPER NANA!!

Last year, super nana, Mr. Matrix, and Big Girl Matrix were celebrating her birthday in Paris! This year we're all together and will celebrate in total Krewe fashion because y'all, we do know how to party.

So, please join the MITM, the Krewe, and me in wishing our sweet girl* 

One of my favorite super nana photos!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

*She may not be blogging anymore, but super nana still reads this blog, especially on her birthday!

Are you still dancing?

To Earth, Wind and Fire, of course!

Every time I see those words, I starting singing/humming the song. (chair dancing as I type)

**********************

So here we are, October 3rd! I'm in Burbank and super nana just asked me, "Why aren't you blogging?" I had no good answer (or even a bad one), so here I am! We're still nomads (I'd say Bedouin, but I'm neither Arab or North African, and sweetmarysunshine, I'm the last one who wants to be accused of cultural appropriation) and actually still enjoying it. Looking at real estate in Lalaland is an adventure, especially when you're from this place and remember what it used to be. 

******

California, and Los Angeles specifically, has seen a monumental rise in homeless population for a variety of reasons many of which have existed for a long time. Part of the problem can be traced to the closure of mental hospitals under then Gov. Ronald Reagan and on into his presidency and the Republican controlled Senate. Check out this link from Salon Magazine:

https://www.salon.com/2013/09/29/ronald_reagans_shameful_legacy_violence_the_homeless_mental_illness

(Seems I've forgotten how to do a hyperlink!)

But that's only a part of the problem. The disparity between rich and poor has grown incrementally and is startlingly apparent in areas far removed from the traditional "Skid Row" area in Downtown L.A.! Campsites along major streets and under overpasses are common sights. Seeing tents pitched in alleys behind what would be considered middle class areas is no longer surprising. And yet, with all of this real need for housing, we have empty luxury apartments that are written off by developers or priced far beyond the means of working people. To be clear, here, as in far too many places, people are living paycheck to paycheck and one misstep can end up in an eviction or foreclosure. Too often it's not even a misstep, it's an unexpected expense that sends a person or family reeling out of financial control. Seeing campers, cars, SUVs, and camper trucks lining residential and industrial streets 24/7 is a sight not expected in a city that has a budget that dwarfs COUNTRIES is beyond startling. Los Angeles is trying to address this issue, but it may be a case of too little, too late I don't know. What I do know is that there are people working to solve these problems and they are in the public and private sector. Throwing money at the problem isn't the solution. Like any other problem that occurs when you're dealing with people, we're looking at a multi-pronged approach. Providing housing must be coupled with providing needed services to those who need them. I know that this is an issue for many cities, not only here in the USA, but in other countries. I also know I'm starting to ramble/babble, but it's only because this city, my city, has changed so much and is so different, I feel almost lost here.

***********

Now, back to me and the MITM. Given all that I've shared (and believe me, I cut out a LOT), we have nothing to complain about because we have options and living on the street and pushing a shopping cart isn't one of them. 

And for that, I am grateful.

******

This is how this post had started before I realized just how ungrateful I sounded:

After living in 2600 square feet in a single family house with a HUGE garden, looking at an apartment less than half that size stacked/surrounded by dozens of units is a tad off-putting. 

It looks as if given the MITM's schedule, things won't be settling down until sometime during the first quarter of 2020. April will mark one year back in Southern California and the beginning of yet another chapter here in the city, my city, Los Angeles! 

Do you remember the 21st night of September?

So long to summer even if it's going to be 93 here in Lalaland! I can never resist this song in September, but then, like so many, I danced to Earth, Wind, and Fire then and still do now!

So, here's our update:

The MITM and I are still enjoying our nomadic life and rediscovering the city we both grew up in. The Krewe is still happy we're out here, so that's a good thing. I don't miss Hurricane Season in the Southeast, nor do I miss the "should I stay or should I go" feeling that so many of my friends in SAV are experiencing. Bugging out during an evacuation isn't fun, nor is it easy, but staying and the hurricane worsens is even harder. I wish my pals in Georgia and Hope (who isn't blogging now) in the Carolinas, the best of luck and that Dorian takes a BIG turn out into the Atlantic and spares them the devastation inflicted on the Bahamas!

Right now, housing in SoCal, like so many other places in California, is scare and EXPENSIVE! So, as much as we'd like to stay in the city, we're looking outside of the basin and have expanded our search to places within an hours drive from here. I am not as happy about this, but we shall see...

The MITM is still unsure when he'll be going back to deepestdarkestafrica, so we have time to continue our search for a permanent location because as y'all might remember there are 40 or so boxes of books that need to be moved and NOBODY wants to move those more than twice (in to the moving van, then out of the moving van)! At least, nobody who's doing it for free!

So, there you go, a brief, but pretty accurate update. I promise not to let 2 months go by before I blog again!

Now, off to catch up with all y'all!

xoxo

A new film by BGM and Mr Matrix

Technology and creativity in the summertime!

BMG wanted to make another film, so Mr Matrix helped her do her storyboard and then BGM made her movie. We got to see the raw footage before editing and all the other things that go into a movie were done. She had fun making her vision happen!

Our Official Welcome Back to California!

6.4 earthquake in Ridgecrest, California!

Ridgecrest is 2 hrs and change away from Burbank (were we are right now) which is how we measure distance here by time, not actual mileage (140 miles), so we felt it as a rolling motion. We were here during the Northridge quake which was a 6.7 and we sure as hell felt that one INTENSELY. The epicenter was in a remote area, but still populated. There has been damage there, but as of now no reported deaths or injuries. 

There have been and will continue to be aftershocks across the area. Y'all might see or hear about the earthquake via the news, but know that the MITM, the Krewe, and I are OK! 

xoxo

For Lewis

For our friend and fellow blogger, LX (I can never get the umlaut to work over the X)!

A short story from the MITM

I had a dog when I was a child.  A Black Lab.  She raised me.  We went everywhere fearlessly, recklessly and playfully.  We roamed South Central L.A., her running, me on bike, on scooter and on foot.  We knew every short cut, every alley, every fruit tree, every place to see something wondrous.

She died when I became a young man.

I had a dog for sport when I was a young man.  Another Lab.  A great hunter, retriever, and water dog.  I was taught to hunt at a young age and as a young man thought I was the best hunter of all.  Thought I was invincible.  The Lab knew otherwise.  He kept me from making a fool of myself many, many times.

He died when I became a man.

I had a Rottweiller when I had a family.  She helped my wife and I raise our kids.  She was loyal, loving, strong and valiant.  She fought off the things that go bump in the night.  She protected her house and her family.  She saw the children through their teens.  She died the day my sister passed away from cancer.  People said my sister must have gone to the hood side of heaven and needed our Rotty with her.

I don’t know about that, but I like the sound of it.

I’m now an old man.  I bought a dog.  A Brittany Spaniel.  I told this dog that she would die with me.

I died.  I don’t know what happened to the Brittany that sat with me through the weakness of age.  I haven’t seen her since.

Damn, it's June 24th!

All right, here we go:

Staying with super nana for a few weeks and then back to the Captain's place.  

Yeah, I know, why haven't we found a place of our own yet, right? Well, sweetpeas, I would like to move only ONE MORE TIME and not just take any place and end up moving again, so we're taking our time. We've moved more times than I want to remember (it's close to 20 now) over the half century we've been married, so I am in no rush to move again. We downsized the contents of our 2500 sq ft house and what's left is in storage (including 40 boxes of books), so I am REALLY in no rush to unpack any of what's left, as in the contents of a 26' moving truck.

The MITM has turned into an urban farmer because super nana and Mr Matrix have fruit trees in the backyard. So far, he's made Peach Cobblers. Today, he's making Peach Jam! He's planted basil and Italian parsley. Mr Matrix has planted Dragon Chilies. (I've just watched.)

There will be pictures later. 

Maybe even today!

xoxo

Checking in

It's been a whirlwind around here, but we're good. I'll blog about what's been going on this weekend.

Left Coast Update

Things I've learned about moving across country:

1. Write ALL of your passwords down in a secure place and keep them with you.

2. Don't ask me why that's important.

3. MARK all of your boxes with the contents as detailed as POSSIBLE.

4. Don't ask me why that's important.

5. Make sure you carry your phone charger with you at all times.

6. Yeah, that's right, don't ask me why that's important.

7. Plan ahead for help at both ends of the trip.

8. Ask the MITM, The Doc, Capt. Chaos, and Mr Matrix why THAT'S important.




There will be more, but right now, I need a beer!

Getting out of Dodge...or Savannah, to be precise!

Yep, it's true the MITM and I have sold our house here on The Plantation and we're moving back to LaLaLand aka Los Angeles. The house was on the market for only ONE DAY when we got an offer from the first couple that saw the house! We had, in addition to their initial viewing, 2 others before the offer was made. We countered and they accepted, so after the inspection and appraisal, we are done. I really thought the house would be on the market longer, but I was seriously wrong!

I could not have picked a better day to fly out, APRIL 1st also known as April Fool's Day, but it ain't a joke, I have a ticket and I will be leaving on a jet plane at 11AM on Monday. The MITM and The Doc (who arrives the day I leave) will drive out on the 3rd and probably be in L.A. by Saturday. They've done the drive before, so are confident they can cover the 2,465 miles/3967km in 36 hours or so.

We did a big purge and sent a LOT of things off to auction, so we've automatically downsized in terms of things, but even with all of that there are STILL a LOT of boxes EVERYWHERE in this house! Book boxes are handy because the size is uniform and makes packing a truck easier, but SWEET MARY SUNSHINE you can end up, depending on the size of your library, with quite a few! (We have 40 *I stopped counting after 20* according to the MITM) Then there was the kitchen...*sigh* Y'all know how much we both enjoy cooking and entertaining, so you can imagine what that packing event was like!

Don't even get me started on the closets. BUT, if you haven't gone through your own clothes in over  a year, I suggest you do so ASAP even if you aren't planning a move. Marie Kondo (google her) is right, if an item doesn't spark joy, LET IT GO! You'll be happier and even better, the clothes you aren't wearing can be used by someone else who needs (or wants) them! 

(Take a moment to read a hilarious account about the Marie Kondo "Tidying Up" method at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes)

Also, if you don't have a document shredder, GET ONE and use it routinely on any piece of paper that has personal identification on it! You will thank me for this one little piece of info later. Some cities offer document disposal/shredding free of charge once a year, so check and see if yours offers this service. I never did, so learn from my mistakes! Of course, we still have a multitude of boxes of paper we HAVE to keep for personal and professional reasons, but that's one of the joys being an adult, right? *sigh*

Here's one pic of the "Great Room" as the realtor called it after we'd removed artwork, decor and packed.

This was taken during the early stages of packing. It looks really different now! I think there are more pics on the MITM's iPad, but trust me it's just bare rooms with stacks of boxes in them. I'd post the one pic he took of the garage that's also filled with boxes, but it's just a bigger space with even MORE boxes and wrapped art work leaning against stacked boxes!

One of the things I've learned during this process is that we should only keep those things that have meaning and/or real use. Memories will always be with us, generally speaking, so keeping a "thing" but not using it serves no purpose. But even after saying that I know we've kept items that have sentimental value only to us and that's the difference. Sentimental value is personal and has nothing to do with monetary value or even usefulness! So, yeah, I'm keeping the handprint in clay The Doc made when he was 5, and the misshaped camel Captain Chaos gave me, and the handmade books super nana made in grammar school, and yep, even the cute birthday card Mr Moose gave me years ago! 

We'll miss Savannah and we'll miss our friends here, but thanks to social media and phones, we can stay in contact. We'll just be in another destination vacation spot! 

I hope our news was worth the wait and now y'all understand why my blogging was so intermittent!

Back to packing. xoxoxo

Watch This Space!

There will be news 

~SOON~

(To be clear, it has nothing to do with the Mueller report)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOC!

The Dancing Lady posted this on Facebook, so I figured it was OK here, too!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DOC!

He's one of the good guys and one of the hippest guys around! Join us in wishing him the ABSOLUTE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!

xoxoxox

Still the one!

March 8, 1969

Happy 50th Anniversary 

I couldn't forget to share this today! Also, it's really hard not to blog when there's something to celebrate! xoxo

Seems we're taking a brief hiatus here...

Things are taking a turn for the better (to be sure), but it means that blogging might have to take a backseat for a little while. Now, that being said, I might totally ignore what I just said and blog every day, but I truly think that ain't gonna happen, but I need to just put it out there for all y'all, just in case it seems I have disappeared.

That other social media sites are easier to handle right now because it can be a hit and miss proposition using only small amounts of time, you know like taking a break from some intensely tiring work or just needing to step away and hang out.

Anyway, I'll be back eventually.


xoxoxo