Steph, please listen to all this good advice, you need to take care of your own self. Caretaking is super hard, and caretaking problematic family members is awful.

Love and virtual hugs to everyone. Everything just seems awful. We need some good news.

Teppy, I am thinking of you right now. Psychosis is hella scary and I hope things get figured out.

My brother is still in jail, his lawyer wants him to plead guilty but mentally ill in hopes that he will get a shorter sentence. (It, in fact, doesn't help because we've been down that road.) It just means you go to prison. And we all know the quality of mental health care in the prison system. UGH.

AAAAAND the mother fucking cherry on the shit sundae of this mother fucking year:

My niece and her husband had moved in to help my dad around the house--they both worked different shifts, so Dad wouldn't be alone and there would be someone to mow the grass, walk the laundry down to the basement, etc. Well, my niece's husband was arrested for child molesting. A friend's child. And it happened UNDER my father's roof. He is devastated and crushed that it happened and depressed that he had had no idea and didn't stop it.

Can someone please smash whatever evil amulet that has created this god-forsaken timeline? Please?

How awful for everyone, Cash!

Drama all round. Wacko SIL, who I would feel bad about calling wacko, but really she always has been, lost it at work and was let go. Lost her extremely well paying PA job when they are so severely short on health care workers. So apparently it was quite the breakdown. Her husband says she has been getting worse and worse with delusions and general crazy. She always has been into the crazy, like Michele Obama being a man and that kind of thing. Her mother has severe dementia, so he is wondering if maybe she has some kind of early onset or something. Obviously trying to get her taken care of, but easier said than done.

And my namesake hurricane is being very bad and I am worried sick for all those in its path. Worried about all the stubborn people who won't leave. Worried for all those who try and leave but find there is no shelter. Mostly worried because I know there is a severe shortage of competence at the national level.

The world has gone mad. It is all just too much.

ION, since my knees are still sore my son actually picked up a mess on the floor the dog made. I must have looked really pathetic. But woo! Didn't have to clean it up myself!

And we caught a mouse in the no-kill trap and he was set free to hassle someone else. I suggested he be released next to some house with a Trump sign, but likely they just took him into the woods.

Oh, Cashmere. I'm so sorry. How terrible!

Oh, Cashmere that is horrible. I'm so sorry.

Oh shit, Cashmere. I'm sorry.

Cashmere, that's so horrible. I'm so sorry.

Laura, best wishes for your family. It sounds like your SIL really needs help, I hope she gets it.

I'm so worried about the people in the way of the hurricane.

Also for some reason it reminds me of my ex Laura, whom I barely ever think about. She was a different kind of disaster.

OH man, Cash and Laura, those are both awful situations! Best of luck to both your families!

Damn, you guys. Much love all around.