I. I wrapped myself in fleece for a nap while it poured down rain. The sound of it on the skylight. The thunder. It made me ridiculously happy to be cosy and warm with the dogs flanking me like watchers, one on either side.
Little beauties.
II. My low back is not pleased with me since I’ve been opting to do all computer-related activities from the divan instead of my office chair, but it’s autumn, and my body wants to be tucked in with fleece and dogs and candles and tea and fingerless gloves and not sitting upright in an office chair. I’m popping Robax and telling my back I’ll give it yoga. Maybe. If it behaves.
P.S. I’ll probably never give it yoga.
III. I’m still giggling over “Chapter 52” and how apt it is and how people on Instagram thought I was declaring actual bankruptcy because no one clicks through on Instagram, so they just got the blurb about how bankruptcy gets us free.
It’s okay, though. I don’t mind, because there are people for whom an actual bankruptcy is a source of shame and if I eased that even a little bit, I’m glad. There’s no shame in admitting that capitalism fucked you and you did what you could to get free.
Always do what you can to get free.
IV. I am slathered in Vicks Vapo Rub because I find the sensation and scent comforting and I haven’t hugged a human since Monday and that’s a long time to go without a human hug. The only downside to the comfort of Vicks Vapo Rub is that the dogs abhor it, so I don’t get canine hugs while I’m slathered in it. They’ll come over for some love and then give me this shocked, indignant look, and then back off like I’m toxic. I’ll wash it off before I attempt sleep tonight, though, so they will forgive me and take their places flanking me on either side like watchers.
V. “How’s your pandemic?”
I am growing to fucking hate this question.
My pandemic is like the rest of 2020 has been. It’s a fucking dumpster fire. It is raging. It stinks.
VI. So I stalk beauty like my life depends on it because it does.
VII. Billie Eilish concert tomorrow, live-streamed into my livingroom. My youngest and her bestie will be there, too, and even though they’re in Alberta and I’m in Ontario, it feels like we’ll be together and that works for me.
Also Bilie Eilish on Carpool Karaoke is the cutest thing ever.
VIII. Like I said. I’m stalking beauty.
IX. Beauties, even if Sookie does need grooming and they’re both disgusted with me because I’m slathered in Vicks. 
X. This is my second ten things today. I did my first ten things for Isabel’s writing sanctuary, and it felt so good to have a safe, private space to write in, so I am, as ever, grateful to Isabel and her offerings. My cowriters in sanctuary never fail to move and inspire me.
XI. There might be a drive-in movie in my future. Yes, this is #11. I’m a rebel.
Because I live in the woods in a fairly remote, rural area, the pandemic hasn’t been as invasive – very few cases in the area but it did shut down all the festivals (West Virginia has dozens and dozens of festivals most years), caused businesses to put up “only 3 people” or “only 8 people” at a time, masks, and some other minor inconveniences. Past that, I’m good. The groups that are hurting most are the non-profit organizations that have no way to raise money due to the plague.
I’m so glad you’re in a safe space. I live in a pretty big city, right by downtown and I’m feeling some fear. <3 Also feeling the loss of festivals, which has been awful for me, but we're finding ways to deal with it.
My back sends greetings to your back. I am also working from a couch with a heating pad and nap blanket and my back is not happy. I love you and your life. So much. <3
I love YOU so much. <3
I was one who commented before clicking through. It works on both layers. We owned and operated a semi in the early late 90’s and fuel prices at that time drove us into bankruptcy. It was horrible and I was shamed to no end. Add to that, the credit companies consider a Freightliner semi a Mercedes (b/c Mercedes owns Freightliner) so my credit report showed I defaulted on a $100k+ Mercedes, instead of the trucking business. That made my life impossible.
It was a long time ago, but we’ve remained debt free since then, until this move to Vermont (we bought a house.)
Vermont is a very healing place for me, I’m learning. I’ve done a LOT of healing through the years, but haven’t ever felt welcome in the towns/areas I’ve lived in. I feel totally in my element here and I’ve never in my life experienced that, so it’s a whole new layer for me.
I’m having surgery again in 2 weeks and with the huge rise in Covid cases, I’m regretting that I scheduled a surgery. I don’t know if I’ll actually go through with it. It needs to be done and I want to be done with surgeries, but I just don’t know if I have the courage to go through with it.
I need to do more art but I keep just sitting and staring, then reading news, then staring out the window. I am not depressed or anything, but I feel pretty numb right now.
I bought several bags of tea ingredients to make something called Queen’s Blend that is sooooo good and comforting. It makes me super happy to have a new favorite.
I haven’t been in winter in many, many years. I’ve lived in the US south or mid-south and now I’m in Vermont and I might be a little nervous. Can I still handle winter? We shall see.
My new eyeglasses are coming soon and I’m overly excited. The big surgery changed my prescription (for the worse) by quite a lot and I haven’t been able to read books or write much (maybe why I haven’t been able to do art?) But this was the first chance I had to get to the eye doctor since last December. So if there’s something in winter to look forward to, it might be hunkering down, staying home, and reading (possibly writing) for months on end with the correct prescription so my eyes won’t constantly have to be angry with me.
It totally works as a metaphor and as a literal truth! I’m glad you were able to get free. <3 And I'm so excited for you re: your glasses! YES TO READING!!