A Facebook friend of mine (married to a long-time Internet friend) was at the Gilroy festival yesterday, although at least his group had gone home before things went south.

I had flashbacks to the Boston Marathon bombing, because the garlic festival is one of those homegrown popular events that is part and parcel of local identity and culture.

Karl - thank you for checking in.

Who the hell shoots up a garlic festival!?!

Someone who wants people afraid to leave the house for the simplest of events. It's a terror move. This make people even more afraid to go to the county fair, or even shopping at WalMart. This is how you strike even more fear into the hearts of people. It's one thing when it's a big target in a city, it's a totally different kind of fear when it starts happening at the local gathering in a small town.

Good thoughts to Laura's stepdad, meara's dad, and chrismg's mom!

I am about to fall asleep at my desk. The air conditioning fans turned off a few minutes ago, which usually happens at 5, and the Pavlovian conditioning is real! I can't believe I still have to be at work. Also I woke up at like 4 and am not sure I ever got back to a deep sleep.

Fred, I am so sorry. Coco sounded like a wonderful cat.

Gud, I hope today is better, too. I hope you get the help and love you deserve.

All health and communication~mas to Buffista's parents today.

Yikes Jesse! I spent an hour on chat with my insurance company disputing $90. In the end they agreed $40 of that shouldn't be on me. I went over to the providers office and they were like "yeah, we didn't bill anyone for the last two months, it's been crazy here, and we agree the two bills we sent you days apart don't make sense and aren't right!" And finally called me back and agreed with me on the $90!

Thanks for the thoughts, all. I'm down to 2 cats. I haven't had so few since 2005.

Timelies all!

I'm so sorry, Fred.

I'm sorry, Fred. Two is not a bad number of cats to have because then you have room for more when they come to your door asking for help.

My sympathies, also, to all with health or family health issues. I know the frustration and stress that can cause for all concerned.

I'm sorry Fred. It's harder when "your" cat leaves.

Good thoughts to sick and injured parents and Buffistas.

A sharp jerk on the choke chain of normal public behavior to US citizens, including Tribblehead in chief.

Aside from general assault on the planet, I'm sitting in stupor due to Bears Ears and DAPL right now, and the fact that the rain forest is Brazil's (and their current president's to sell off, of course) not the world's.

I'ma be under the front porch with the dogs. Fleas are better than people today.