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There is just too much uncertainty in the world right now. Way too much. I worry about many things. I worry that every time we go out and do a show that someone won't come home. The brown shirts are disappearing people at an alarming rate. It doesn't matter who you are. From aldermen to anyone speaking a foreign language. You just have to look foreign to be disappeared. The definition is very vague. I worry about when I go to work. Grocery stores are fair game. ICE raided a Walmart. If no one catches it on camera, no one will know where you are. Journalists have been disappeared too.
My business and my daughter's business depend on attending conventions and festivals in both Chicago and Boston. We travel some distance to get there. Do we know where there are road blocks? Do we know where the target neighborhoods are? Chrono goes into anaphylactic shock with just the smell of sweet peppers. Pepper spray would kill her. I''m freaking terrified.
Drought continues. In theory, it'll rain on Tuesday into Wednesday. I am not holding my breath. The garden is finishing up. The internet truckers are warning of shortages. There is less stuff to haul. I haven't seen port data to support this. I have seen a lot of freight coming through town this week so I am not sure. Shortage reports could be regional. The Off-grid folks are saying "Don't throw anything away. You may not be able to replace it." That is depression-era advice. Whole Foods again had one whole section of the dairy case empty. This time it wasn't eggs. Butter and yogurt were scare. Like with the pandemic, manufacturers are short lids or containers for food stuffs. The specific concern was over clam-shell containers. The chip and water isle were over half empty but that could be because of football. The produce section wasn't totally full either. Who knows?
To be sure, I have started to work on my list of missing supplies. I ordered a mini chainsaw in July. It never came. So I ordered from a different company. We'll see if it shows up. So far, there is no confirmation. I also ordered life straws. Our water supply is dicey at best. I live in fracking country. There is no telling whether the water supply is safe. With a drought ongoing, that pinches us a little more. The ground hog knocked over the rain barrel. It hasn't rained since. Another thing on my list is a good flint. Ace hardware has them. With a chainsaw, I can start cutting wood off the dead tree. The mulberry needs a haircut as well as the cherry. This gives me plenty to do. Sewing machine repair is also on the list plus several home repair items.
So, despite the uncertainty, life must go on. Small victories. I got the window box prepped for winter. After sanding, I applied a coat of linseed, turpentine and beeswax to the surface. It needs to be done annually. The painters did a poor job. Nothing was sanded before paint. Come spring I'll do the other side. Tuesday, before it rains, I'll get a layer of wool fleece in the bottom of the box. Then add soil and transplant my catnip and thyme there.
Muffins are baking in the solar oven. This morning I fixed the problem with the Sun Oven. The glass door latches were too tight to use, making it so the door didn't seal. I found a Philips screwdriver and loosened the toggles until they fit. The oven holds heat much better. With 18 squash/pumpkins, I'll be baking and freezing a lot. Tomorrow, I'll bake another squash, probably in the same solar oven.
I hope I am just being paranoid. It comes of generational trauma from the last time. I do see history repeating itself. Maybe, maybe not. Carry on!
When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin bread.
My business and my daughter's business depend on attending conventions and festivals in both Chicago and Boston. We travel some distance to get there. Do we know where there are road blocks? Do we know where the target neighborhoods are? Chrono goes into anaphylactic shock with just the smell of sweet peppers. Pepper spray would kill her. I''m freaking terrified.
Drought continues. In theory, it'll rain on Tuesday into Wednesday. I am not holding my breath. The garden is finishing up. The internet truckers are warning of shortages. There is less stuff to haul. I haven't seen port data to support this. I have seen a lot of freight coming through town this week so I am not sure. Shortage reports could be regional. The Off-grid folks are saying "Don't throw anything away. You may not be able to replace it." That is depression-era advice. Whole Foods again had one whole section of the dairy case empty. This time it wasn't eggs. Butter and yogurt were scare. Like with the pandemic, manufacturers are short lids or containers for food stuffs. The specific concern was over clam-shell containers. The chip and water isle were over half empty but that could be because of football. The produce section wasn't totally full either. Who knows?
To be sure, I have started to work on my list of missing supplies. I ordered a mini chainsaw in July. It never came. So I ordered from a different company. We'll see if it shows up. So far, there is no confirmation. I also ordered life straws. Our water supply is dicey at best. I live in fracking country. There is no telling whether the water supply is safe. With a drought ongoing, that pinches us a little more. The ground hog knocked over the rain barrel. It hasn't rained since. Another thing on my list is a good flint. Ace hardware has them. With a chainsaw, I can start cutting wood off the dead tree. The mulberry needs a haircut as well as the cherry. This gives me plenty to do. Sewing machine repair is also on the list plus several home repair items.
So, despite the uncertainty, life must go on. Small victories. I got the window box prepped for winter. After sanding, I applied a coat of linseed, turpentine and beeswax to the surface. It needs to be done annually. The painters did a poor job. Nothing was sanded before paint. Come spring I'll do the other side. Tuesday, before it rains, I'll get a layer of wool fleece in the bottom of the box. Then add soil and transplant my catnip and thyme there.
Muffins are baking in the solar oven. This morning I fixed the problem with the Sun Oven. The glass door latches were too tight to use, making it so the door didn't seal. I found a Philips screwdriver and loosened the toggles until they fit. The oven holds heat much better. With 18 squash/pumpkins, I'll be baking and freezing a lot. Tomorrow, I'll bake another squash, probably in the same solar oven.
I hope I am just being paranoid. It comes of generational trauma from the last time. I do see history repeating itself. Maybe, maybe not. Carry on!
When life gives you pumpkins, make pumpkin bread.
