Sippin’ Sunday Afternoon

Rain is gently pattering on the windows and the house smells faintly of honeyed incense. Pull up a chair – I’ll pour the drinks and we’ll chat about the week.

I’ve been spending a bit more time online discussing politics (as I usually do during an election year) and surprisingly it’s going quite well. I’ve only had one person tell me we should “agree to disagree” about outright lies, a few folks offer interesting feedback and discussion, and a lot of requests for resources to share. It makes me hopeful. But politics doesn’t have to be all serious, and I’ve made two memes this week: one showcasing Trump’s now-infamous ear bandage, in which I use anti-masking nonsense to critique Trump, and another making fun of JD Vance for swearing at his kid while on a phone call with Trump. If you’re offended by either of these, well, there’s no accounting for humor.

In other political news, the Cass Report is undergoing a much-needed investigation in the UK, and the misleadingly-named “Kids Online Safety Act” is dead in the US House after passing 91-3 in the Senate. I called every one of my congressmen’s offices multiple times voicing my opposition.. Both my senators voted for it, and my representative never got the chance. I spent some time trying to find out why that was; the official statement only listed vague concerns. I couldn’t find anything official, but venturing into spaces I have no desire to revisit in a hurry, here’s what some conservatives were saying:

• some were genuinely concerned about the first amendment issues surrounding KOSA; others about the massive surveillance enacting and enforcing the act would require. I’m glad some are listening
• some didn’t want to give “liberals” a win during an election. I would write the off, but we saw this happen out in the open in regards to an also-disastrous border bill
• some wanted the House version of KOSA and felt it better to move that forward than revise the Senate bill
• a not insignificant number were upset with revisions to the bill, namely
• they were upset that enforcing the duty of care mandate fell to the federal government and not the states. Some openly argued for weaponizing state AGs against “the liberals”
• they were upset the law would apply equally. You might recall the book bans that got the Bible removed as well? They didn’t want that happening again. They want only one viewpoint censored and theirs protected.

KOSA is dead but not buried and certainly not extinct. Its ideas will resurface and once more we will need to put it down, regardless of what kindly, agreeable-sounding name they give it.

But enough about politics for now, let’s talk about other things for a bit.

Monday was a Monday but Tuesday was even worse, turning into a sensory overload day that saw me coming home and curling up in my favorite blanket and honestly I don’t quite remember what happened between then and waking up on Wednesday. I suppose that’s a good thing.

Wednesday was rehearsal and D&D. Our session was short – we started a fight we couldn’t finish and since three players were not able to be at game and to prevent a TPK our DM found a logical way and reason to end the fight and transport our characters to the tavern where our party first met.

Thursday was Lughnasadh, or at least one of the dates on which it is observed, and I suppose it apropos that I went and picked up our office’s Thursday Panera pickup. After realizing no one had signed up to get it and calling to make sure it was still there, of course. One person said I would be the hero of the office, and I can’t say they were wrong.

Friday was Four Leaf Clover Day, and when I stated that I can never find a four leaf clover my mom said both my dad and his mom (my grandma) could find them easily. Then a cousin chimed in and said grandma had taught them how to do it and that once I learned the trick I could find them easily. However, I still don’t know what the trick is, no one is nearby to teach it, and it’s just too darn hot to be outside right now.

I expected a package on Friday and so obviously I checked my delivery box every half hour. To occupy my time I went around and made a chore list of the things I needed to do on Saturday. Unfortunately while making that list, which also involved me checking for burned out lightbulbs, I broke the globe on our over-skink light. I think I got confused between left and right while trying to unscrew a screw by reaching behind the globe and turned it too much in the wrong direction, cracking the lip holding everything in place.

This is the kind of light you only change if absolutely necessary because it’s such a pain to get to – there’s no real way to stand anywhere.

But eventually my package arrived and when I went out to get it a dragonfly immediately landed on me, which I’m taking as a good sign.

I got up early on Saturday and enjoyed breakfast and then headed out and began my chore list by doing some necessary shopping. I felt real good about things and kept going until I looked at the clock and realized it was 11:30 and decided since I was headed towards lunchtime and I would make a list of what I’d accomplished:

✅ Grocery Shopping
✅ Laundry
✅ Dishes
✅ Kitchen Drawer Repaired
✅ Vacuum
✅ Vacuum Cord Repaired
✅ Light bulbs replaced
✅ Light fixture globe replaced
✅ Sweet Tea made (2 pitchers!)
✅ Trash taken out
✅ Summer Simmer Pot

I’m just a bit upset at the lightbulb situation. It’s been a while since I needed to buy any and apparently plain incandescent light bulbs just aren’t a thing anymore? I know there was a proposed law about phasing them out but I thought that’s had been overturned.

Do I like paying ten dollars for four “led” bulbs that may or may not last as long as the package state?

No.

Do I have a choice?

Unless I want to sit in darkness when the sun goes down, also no.

Saturday afternoon I discovered the “Cat Ladies for Kamala” group and while I cannot remember ever buying political merchandise I would buy this image in as little time as it took to get my payment info. While it’s awesome they’re accepting cat ladies of all genders, they’re not selling merchandise. Maybe someone will do it, though.

Saturday was also Mead Day, but I could not find any mead being sold within an acceptable driving distance. But Saturday evening a friend reminded me of the MST3K episode “Fugitive Alien” with a quick design they’d mocked up for digital pen practice.

This morning I enjoyed a breakfast of coffee, Honey Nut Cheerios, sourdough toast, and a bear claw before scrolling social media. This afternoon lunch will likely be leftovers, and tonight I’m thinking of doing spicy buttered chicken. This week is full of full show runs for Twelfth Night so I’m making boxed jambalaya to reheat throughout the week.

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What are you up to?