The first time I went to the Grand Canyon with my family in 1976 we flew into it in one of those little propeller planes. I don't think that's legal anymore. I think the last time was when I was driving to Louisiana by myself (and two cats and a snake but they did not help drive) and I just drove forever to get to the parking lot and overlook and just stood there for a while enjoying it before going on to find somewhere I could spend the night. Worth it, but hardly the recommended practice. I should go when I'm not on my way somewhere else some time.

Timelies all!

Mr. S had a bad day overall. Behaved badly in the morning, behaved badly at school, etc. He claims he didn't take his meds, though I know Gary gave them to him.

In better news, my folks have found a place in Florida for my mom. Now they just have to figure out getting there.(My mom can't walk on her own or with a walker.)

Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon are freaking spectacular and you aren't going to run into places like them anywhere else so perfect for some Forced Family Fun that fits into the Southwest theme of the trip but every stop is different. It's all outdoors-y and easy to reach.

(Um, can I join your family for this vacation?)

Today is my early day ( I am a 34 hr/week employee) and I just logged off without even giving warning to anyone.

Good for you!

Thank you to everyone who sent me cards and messages, and the DoorDash gift card. I really appreciate all of it, and knowing that you're thinking of me and my family.

How are you doing, Hil? I am sure you must be exhausted trying to catch up. I hope you are able to get some rest.

In better news, my folks have found a place in Florida for my mom.

This is good to hear. I'm sure it is a relief to have at least that portion settled.

How are you doing, Hil? I am sure you must be exhausted trying to catch up. I hope you are able to get some rest.

I'm doing OK. A whole lot of work stuff that I need to catch up on -- things like writing exams and prepping stuff for upcoming weeks that the colleagues covering my classes couldn't do.

Hil -it's good to see your pixels. Take care of yourself.

YAY to new jobs and other good news.

sorry I read stuff and my mind is blank.

M and I went to Habitat for Humanity Restore looking for something to make some wall shelves. Didn't find anything. We were planning on having leftover curry & rice for dinner, there wasn't any chicken left but we were going to do something with it.

M's mom had tossed it out because it had been in the fridge for 2 days (today was the 2nd day) which is too long and even though we repeatedly told her last night our plans she "forgot". She hates leftovers. HATES THEM. Even if the food is redone into something else. And she hates having leftovers in the fridge, to her if it's over 24 hours it's spoiled and needs to be thrown out (but she'll leave food out on the counter over night and not throw it away so I don't understand). M had a meltdown. It wasn't just that the food got thrown out, I mean that was part of it. But he worked really hard and yeah it was a jar of curry sauce but he really thought about how to doctor it up and and it came out really good. He was really proud of how it tasted (and it was good!) and his mom just threw it out. She also didn't really like it and made some comments when he made it. So it wasn't just his mom threw out leftovers but -his mom made all his hard work into trash.

It was a lot more than just food or just leftovers. I mean, that's a big issue because she keeps throwing out stuff that we could eat and it's wasting money. She threw out half a loaf of bread because it was "stale". We have a ton of eggs from his sister we could have made bread pudding or french toast or something but nope,. It went in the trash.

There is a lot of other stuff going on and it's been getting worse. I know his mom hasn't been in the house by herself in over a month I think. I have a dentist appointment in Brevard Monday so we are going to go up Sunday and spend the night, that way if I get dizzy or car sick I can recover and then also his mom gets some time alone and we get to see Mom.

His depression and anxiety are so much worse and he hasn't had a good experience at the VA talking to them or with taking medicine (he keeps getting side effects). So I don't know if he will do anythign.

He did call about his problems sleeping and they are sending some equipment to test him for sleep apnea.

But we have to move out. M doesn't want to , he wants to keep living in the house he's been living in for years until his Dad died and his mom finally got it through probate (that was a saga). His mom gets super mad and threatens to kick him out (not me oddly) and then later says no she doesn't really want us to leave. What would she do without us. She lived in Iowa for a decade so she can figure out living in her home town alone.

I'm hoping he'll talk to his brother and have his brother put out some feelers for anyone who might have a place coming up for rent near here.

In the meantime I keep putting on my oxygen mask (so to speak) and making sure my mental health is good and putting it first even if I end up feeling a little selfish

Good to see you Hil. Condolences.

I played trivia tonight with friends! At a bar! I’m still not sure I’m comfortable with it even though I already did it. But I am SHAMED because we came in 4th out of 5 teams!! However we lost the most points on a round about “explorers” and I do not feel bad forgetting dead white men like that.

Wishing you the best, askye. It sounds like a move you need to make.

I just learned a friend lost her husband (who was only in his 50s) to Covid/pneumonia last night. He was fully vaccinated and boosted. She is in her 40s, another in the widow-far-too-young crowd. Their daughter is in 9th grade. I'm just devastated for them both and filled with rage that this happened and wishing there was anything I could do.

Pix, that is awful. I'm so sorry.

{{{Hil}}} You have been in my thoughts.

{{{Teppy}}}

{{{askye}}} Your living situation sounds so stressful. I’m sorry. Good luck finding another place.

Nora, continued job~ma and interview~ma!

My meatless tomato sauce if anyone is interested: 1. Put onions, celery, and carrots in food processor and pulse until they’re in small bits. 2. Cook the veg in olive oil on medium heat for several minutes. 3. Add chopped garlic and a pinch of red pepper flake and cook an additional minute. 3. Add one can of tomato paste and cook for several minutes. 5. Add ½ cup of wine and deglaze the pan. 6. Cook down the wine for two minutes. 7. Add 2 to 3 28 oz cans of tomatoes, a parmigiano rind if you have it, and whatever herbs you like (I usually use flat leaf parsley). 8. Simmer on a low heat until you’re ready for dinner. Oh, and salt and pepper at every step.

This should make enough sauce for a lb of pasta with extra sauce to freeze for another night.

I mean... sometimes you want puttanesca.

I was going to say this, Trudy. I also sometimes put olives or capers in my spaghetti with tuna sauce, but not when I make it for ltc because she hates both.

Our week has mainly been about juggling cars. Mom got a new car. So, I’m taking her old car and TCG is taking my old car because his was falling apart. But we had to get Mom’s car to a mechanic an hour away in order to have hand controls put on. So we’ll only have one car until probably Monday, and have to figure out how to pick it up while also having someone get ltc from school. But in the end we’ll have two reliable cars, both of which I can drive if necessary. So, it will be totally worth it.