I came across a YouTube video of some people who came up with contact-free candy delivery systems. And a blog for local matters had some photos of outstanding Halloween decorations - one was a pirate skeleton sitting on their front lawn, another a dragon on a gable roof.

My plans to vote this morning have been thwarted by the high winds, downed trees etc. Maybe this afternoon I can go by and wait in line.

No internet right now but cell service. There was a tree that came down on the shed in the backyard but other than doesn't look like there is damage to our place.

M's mom's anxiety and paranoia are in overdrive right now because of the storm. There are limbs from our oak tree on the sidewalk and she is convinced the city is going to fine us for it. That they will drive by and see it or someone will report it.

Like our neighbor who has been an ass.

And she's worried the neighbor will complain about the tree that fell on the shed.

So she called her daughter saying she needed to bring the grandsons here now to pick up all the limbs and get the tree off the shed.

We are still under a tropical storm warning until this afternoon.

I mean the skies are clearing off and it's not as windy as it is so it's probably safe for her to clean up. I did go out and pick up the largest sticks/small branches and then called public works to try and find out about the exact responsibilities but of course no one answered because there are trees down and power outages.

I told once the winds die down more I'll help her in the yard but that it will be ok if some things don't get done today.

I hope that helped calm her anxiety some -- I feel like in the midst of a tropical storm is not when the city is going to be sticklers. Good on you.

meara talking about butter chicken recently made me want butter chicken, so I found an Instant Pot recipe that I'm going to try tonight, yay.

My low level election anxiety -- or, well, stuffed down hard anxiety -- is climbing levels. I have to keep reminding myself that, what? I guess... that my having anxiety over it isn't going to affect it one way or the other, but that's not really working now. I guess just stop, breathe, and refocus.

Between the predicted storm, recent "clashes" with the police and expected disruption from the election, a lot of places in DC are boarding up their windows. (I did notice that a lot of the boards are being reused from before, since they still have painted words on them.)

My low level election anxiety -- or, well, stuffed down hard anxiety -- is climbing levels. I have to keep reminding myself that, what? I guess... that my having anxiety over it isn't going to affect it one way or the other, but that's not really working now. I guess just stop, breathe, and refocus.

Yeah, I realized the other day that I was showing anxiety about EVERYTHING, and really it's all election anxiety, and I should stop worrying about my work Halloween costume.

On the subject of anxiety:

[link]

ltc has a fever and will be getting a Covid test this afternoon.

ltc~ma, sj

{{ltc and family}}

On the subject of anxiety:

Indeed. I did actually take the high road and say to ungrateful entitled ass son that I understood that he had new house/new job position/impending fatherhood stresses on top of all the rest of stresses weighing us all down. Eh, maybe it will help. Whatever. Still pissed and hurt, but trying to be all adult and stuff.