Thurs. Feb. 20, 2025: Sometimes, You Just Need the Burger

image courtesy of eonardovieira260998 via pixabay.com

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Waning Moon

Mars Retrograde

You can read about the latest on the garden over at Gratitude and Growth here.

Yesterday improved from my initial frustration with it.

I finished the polish on the anthology story and got it out the door. The submission period was mid-January to mid-March, so I am firmly in the middle of it, and the editor thanked me. If it’s not too wacky immediately and suits the rest of the submissions, she’ll give me editing notes at some point in March or April, and then make the decision from there. If it’s what she wants, I’ll be delighted to be part of the anthology.

If not, it will go back out on submission, and I’ll probably do more with these characters at some point in the future.

It felt good to finish something and get it out the door.

I played with some ideas for the piece to honor my mentor. I spent far too much time stressing on social media. I finally got enough other stuff done, such as getting out some LOIs and catching up on email, that it was time to bundle up and head out with the rolly cart.

The sidewalks were impossible, and the street not much better. Some of the plowed snow is taller than I am.

I made it to the store, cold and a bit on the grumpy side. Did my shopping. Guess what? More than I planned. A theme when I grocery shop.

I rolled it home in the street the whole way. There was no way I could make it back on the sidewalk with the cart full. I have to say, all the cars (and the streets were busy) were kind and careful. Much appreciated.

Came home to find the latest gas bill is over $1K. WTF????? Guess I’ll be in touch with the DPU. AGAIN. We’ve kept the thermostat at a steady rate. We’ve closed off rooms. Yes, it’s been cold, but this is excessive. I’m not the only one complaining, either. The DPU has already promised us relief.

Got everything hauled up the stairs and put away. Had a light lunch. It was well past lunchtime by then, because I’d left so late, and maneuvering through the snow and ice took twice as long as usual. I’m at the age where I have to worry about breaking a hip.

My back, however, went back to being seriously unhappy.

A friend was worried about me being out and about and made some suggestions, which made me wonder if the elder services center down the street ever takes seniors to the grocery store in their van. I mean, technically, I’m qualified – I’m in my sixties. I keep forgetting. I will check with them. They are only 2 blocks away, and 2 blocks is easier to maneuver than a mile and a half.

Tried to fix the logic issue in VICIOUS CRITIC. It’s better, but not entirely fixed. It will be.

Tessa commandeered the sofa for the afternoon, which meant Charlotte had to sleep in a chair. The Princess Was Not Amused. Bea, however, thought it was hilarious, safe in her perch up on the condo.

It was sunny out, so even though it was cold, people were in a pretty good mood, and I felt my own mood lift.

Did the rounds of elected officials. I’m getting responses from them regularly, and not just cut and paste standard answers. They are working on specifics, and that makes me feel better.

Finished the next book for review. I will write and send off the reviews this morning and request my next assignment.

We don’t eat much red meat anymore, but we craved a hamburger yesterday. I didn’t want to go the fast food route, so I bought ground beef at the store, and made us burgers, with herbs and spices. They tasted good, but it sat like a lead lump in my stomach most of the rest of the night. My mom was happy, though.

Since we no longer have food safety in this country thanks to the dismantling of the government by a pair of sociopathic narcissists, one of whom has crowned himself king, I figured we should enjoy it before it’s too dangerous.

Slept reasonably well. Did yoga before my morning meditation. Getting back into that habit sets up my day better.

I have online meditation group, then I’ll do the reviews, and hopefully some other writing. Later on, I will go down to the store at the end of the street to get eggs (if they have them). This afternoon, when it warms up all the way into the 20’s, I will try to dig out the car, at least partially. I figure it’ll take me a couple of days.

I’m going to do as much as I can on other projects, hoping the ghostwriting notes come back to me today. I’m getting down to the wire with my own needs here. The class prep is taking more time than I expected, mostly because I keep rearranging stuff. I want to make sure each class has plenty of material, but without overloading the students.

Have a good one!