I decided to post a weekly journal (again!) Feel free to join me. Just post a journal entry on Monday summarizing the previous week. Or make your journal a photo a day. Whatever you like. If you are a family history researcher, you know it is good to remember to document your own life! Link your journal entry in the comments of my post so I’ll be sure to read it and so will anyone else who sees it. If more people join, maybe I’ll learn how to do a “linky”party.

Week of September 5-11, 2022

I’m late posting today. It has been busy.

Monday, September 5

Such a beautiful morning! 67 degrees! I can’t remember the last time I felt that coolness. Since the rain made its recent return, the snails are back and most mornings I find one in or on this pot that holds petunias. One bloom in particular must have been very tasty over night. So this morning there was a medium size snail facing a small snail. Often, I’ll put my fingers on the shell, the snail will retreat, and I can lift it off the pot. Not today. The larger snail retreated part way, but seemed intent on staying where it was. I shrugged and walked away. When I returned, the little snail was riding piggyback (snaily back?). I missed the show! And the motivation. I don’t know much about the personal life of snails.

And I keep thinking – they were facing each other. The small snail crept its way up onto the bigger snail and turned around so that they are facing the same direction.

* I went to the mall for the first time in a very long time and bought some 75% off summer clothes.
* Started the audio book The Templar’s Last Secret.

Tuesday, September 6

* Met a friend for tea and a pastry at Crema Bakery. I am so sad that they are closing in a little over a week. They have been such troopers and helpers during the pandemic. I’ll try to go back one more time before they close. It was so nice to catch up with my friend and eat a delicious croissant with chocolate. Then we bought more treats for our families and a treat for a friend working at a Beto office. Nice to see her too and get another sign before the election.

* Church book group started a new book: Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers. This one will spark conversation. The author doesn’t mince words.

Wednesday, September 7

This crazy boy is 10 years old today. Born in foster care and adopted by us, he has never had a hungry, abusive, or traumatic day in his life. He fooled us into thinking he was choosing us when he was just too afraid to wander and explore. He made me a believer in generational trauma. Full of fears, his favorite activity is going to bed or napping with one of his humans. It’s safe! He can relax! That, and eating. He developed a fear of the sound of a bell years ago when Tina was watching Bob’s Burgers. ?!?? I once considered starting a social media account for him called “Bubba Doesn’t Like the Sound of That”. Storms today, so I spent a lot of time on the couch with him serving as his comfort human. Happy Birthday, Dreamboat! You drive us crazy, but we love you.

* Some ESL students and I met at church to make port pillows.
* The microwave died. My husband went right out and replaced it.

Thursday, September 8

First ESL class of the fall semester. There were glitches, but everything pretty much worked out okay.

Friday, September 9

* Finished my Sepia Saturday post early! Again! Eveline’s Senior Year: Baccalaureate
* Finished 50 more Get Out the Vote postcards.

* Husband and I watched Thor: Love and Thunder. Some comedic moments.

Saturday, September 10

Finished some port pillows while watching the UT/Alabama game. Not the game anyone expected. I’m a Longhorn fan when they are the underdogs.

Sunday, September 11

Nothing much. Youtube church. I don’t remember what else!

In other news:

Not dead! We were sure this moringa tree that my daughter desperately tried to keep alive was a goner. But it is coming back from the roots.

I know we considered pulling up this miniature crepe myrtle during the long, hot summer. It looked fried.

* I also started reading Ancestor Trouble: A Reckoning and a Reconciliation. I’m afraid I have too many books going at once.
* And, of course, Queen Elizabeth died and there was the 21st anniversary of September 11, so I watched many remembrances and news of these historic events.

I’ve been working my way slowly (on purpose) through a book of Mary Oliver poems: Devotions. I read this one the day after Dreamboat’s birthday – another rescue dog!

BENJAMIN, WHO CAME FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE

What shall I do?
When I pick up the broom
he leaves the room.
When I fuss with kindling he
runs for the yard.
Then he’s back, and we
hug for a long time.
In his low-to-the-ground chest
I can hear his heart slowing down.
Then I rub his shoulders and
kiss his feet
and fondle his long hound ears.
Benny, I say,
don’t worry. I also know the way
the old life haunts the new.