I went to the grocery store and to the booze store. Now I'm simmering some mulberry juice with the idea of making a more blackberry-ish version of grenadine for a half-thought-out variation on the scofflaw cocktail. If it works out, I'll share with friends. If not, I'm sure I'll find other uses for the rye.

We've been moving plant pots around on the side of the house. H overbought, as he always does. "Well, we had it last year!" Yes, love, but only after the other plants failed. We bought it to fill in the gaps. There are no gaps, yet. And by the time there are, we'll have to buy more plants. Chill (I have taken your keys).

But I think we've got it sorted, now. I wanted *a* flowering vine to twine up the trellis behind the statue. He brought home *five*, one yellow, one orange, two with large purple flowers, one with small purple flowers. All because I can't plant the purple morning glory seeds I bought, because they're banned in WA, who knew? So finding the right sorts of pots (depth, size, etc.) and places to put said pots (with verticals to climb), and moving the pots of herbs that were there into some sort of deliberate-looking order: lily barrel, terracotta, brown, culvert section (next to upright porch roof support for twining vine), terracotta, brown, lily barrel, terracotta, brown, culvert section, upright, terracotta, brown, etc,. yadda. So much fun. But it will look nice when everything is growing, twining, and blooming. And like someone planned it.

I like large statement planters with assortments of happily coexisting flowers and vertical leaves and things. He likes wee litters of pots with a different thing in each pot. Coexistence is hard.

Well, I went out and got groceries. Only it's raining and the wind gusts are over 30mph, so I am now utterly bedraggled and THE CRANKIEST. I cut my finger open trying to wrangle my umbrella.

I bought bras today, which is just to more annoying clothes shopping ever. I rewarded myself with also buying a pretty dress.

Now I am on a train downtown. I am bedraggled again and now I have cut the thumb on my other hand trying to wrestle my umbrella closed in this goddamn wind.

I guess the universe is demanding blood as a hockey sacrifice?

Maybe you need a new umbrella? One that doesn't try to eat you?

It's raining here, too, and the lights have been flickering a bit. Just went out and got Mexican food for dinner -- the "small" guacamole came with a full-size bag of tortilla chips. I guess chips and guac can also be my brunch tomorrow, before my flight. That and leftover burrito, because the burritos from this place are easily two meals and probably could really be three meals.

That does sound like a vicious umbrella.

I hope your warranty is not voided, Lee.

I tried to go to the cemetery this morning. I knew it would be closed in the sense of the office being closed and no funerals going on, but I didn't realize the gates would be closed and padlocked. Didn't really realize there were gates. Now I know. But there's a nice wide grassy verge between the road and the fence, so mom and I stood there for a while and admired the view, and one of the (many) cyclists biking by called out "shabbat shalom" which was nice.

then a little consignment store shopping. I think I left my spoils in the car. They'll be fine there until tomorrow. I'm tired.

Mmmm, chips sound super delicious right now.

Maybe you need a new umbrella? One that doesn't try to eat you?

I admit that this is a possibility. The umbrella has never hurt me before today, but maybe it's gone evil.