What a week this has been!! Politically charged. We can all use a little good news.
My son’s non-profit Bunker Arts Collective won the 2024 Mayor’s Arts Award by both the mayor and the cultural arts commission for the city of Everett, Wa! He didn’t even know his non-profit was nominated. He will be doing an interview and a video showcasing their work. Very exciting. Hopefully this will give them the visibility they need to really make a difference. Even his cat Root Beer, the CEO was mentioned.
Check out one of the murals that was installed. It was installed in pieces to be portable because the target building, a school is about to be closed.
Right Now:
Hosting an online ministry service and then I will spend the rest of the morning in student ministry. My normal Sunday routine. Camp registration opened and all the students are so excited!
This Week:
I am having lunch with a friend on Monday to catch-up on stuff. Haven’t been able to meet for a bit so that will be good.
Friday, taking my MIL back to the doctor. Both in-laws are not great health wise. One we knew, a cancer diagnosis that is terminal. The other was not completely unknown to us but the pace in which decline hit was immediate and swift and we did not anticipate caring for both of them at the same time. So anyway, my husband is doing his share, and I am doing mine in the form of doctor’s visits and the like. You do what you have to do. They are in denial which makes care difficult. Our nephew is also helping as well of my FIL’s daughter.
Reading:
Finished The Brothers Karamazov! What a book. It was pretty good, I will work on getting my review up soon but man, did it sidetrack me for other reads. 900+ pages. Oooof.
I am also done with Lucy by the Sea. Review is here. I’ve decided that I really like Elizabeth Strout.
My book club read for February is Trust. I know nothing about the book. It just sounded good to me but I heard it was a doozy!
Watching:
Still watching Lockerbie on Peacock. Very good but heavy. Can only watch an episode here and there. Plane crashes and their aftermath is a tough subject.
Some friends mentioned Severance to me. I’ve heard of it but have not watched it. I looked it up and it sounds like something I’d like. Might check that out.
Grateful for:
- The little bit of rain we got last weekend. Both of the largest fires are still at 95% containment. Unbelievable that there are still hot spots.
- Like-minded friends who I can vent to about this political clown show we are calling the President’s office.
- All the great books coming out this year. I was looking at my review copies and they are just so good. Lots to look forward to.
- BLTs. The perfect sandwich. Crisp lettuce, the perfect amount of mayo and perfectly cooked bacon atop a slice of tomato. Perfection.
With everything going on around us, do what moms tell their kids, “Find the good people” because they are out there.
Book Chatter 
ditto for all your grateful. Have a lot of people surrounding me who voted the clown show in 😞
craving a blt now. But in Illinois decent tomatoes are 6-7 months away
Happy Sunday!
Congratulations to your son! That is such wonderful news (and I love that Rootbeer is the CEO).
I agree that reading has become the calm and goodness in the wake of the absurd and horrible things being done by this administration. Just so hateful.
Right? How are we supposed to get through all this when we are experiencing a hostile government takeover?
Congrats to your son & the nonprofit. And you for finishing that very long Dostoevsky novel, wow! The news stinks right now, ugh … we need some happy news for sure. Have a great Sunday. I think you’re getting more rain later in the week right? Hope it helps.
According to my weather app, it says rain today through Thursday but it doesn’t look like rain is coming at all. Bright blue, no clouds.
congratulations to your son! That’s very exciting!
I’m a huge fan of Strout’s work. I’ll miss those characters when she moves on from them.
Yes, it’s been a very stressful two weeks! My anxiety has been through the roof.
Hooray for your son’s non-profit award! You must be so proud of him. Too cute that Root Beer is mentioned. 🙂
I’m so sorry about you in-laws and their health issues. It’s so stressful, especially when they’re in denial. I had to take my mom to the ER last week, but they ruled everything out and think she is simply suffering from vertigo. Kind of scary for a 91-yr-old who can risk falling! I hope you and your husband can take care of each other during this stressful time.
Congrats on finishing that huge book! Looking forward to reading your review.
Yes, BLTs (maybe with some smashed avocado) are the best sandwiches!
Take care, Ti!
Congratulations to your son!
You have a lot on your plate. I’ve been left in charge of my 98-year-old dad and his 96-year-old wife, and, believe you me, I understand.
I’m anxious to hear what you think about Trust. I picked up a copy a few months back.
I don’t mind caring for the in-laws at all. I just wish they’d be realistic and not in denial. Makes care very difficult. They tell you all is well and then I found out it’s not at all well per doc’s notes.
Congratulations to your son and his nonprofit! That mural is beautiful. Two bright spots in an otherwise dreary time.
I am sorry to hear about your in-laws. It’s hard having to care for ailing parents, but, as you said, you do what you have to do. It doesn’t make it any easier or less stressful though, does it? My mother-in-law and brother-in-law were here for Christmas and she’s not doing too well. It’s hard for my husband because they live so far away. I am glad his brother can be there for her.
If you do check out Severance, I hope you like it. It took me a few episodes before I got into it, but my husband liked it right from the start.
I am trying to manage my anxiety, but it’s been tough. I am grateful for people I can vent to as well. We aren’t in this alone.
I hope you had a good week and enjoy your weekend, Ti.
Sorry to hear about your inlaws, but I hear you. It is far more difficult to help with care when older adults are in denial. I’ve dealt with this with my dad for the last 7 years. Grateful he is still with us, but boy does he make things a lot harder than it needs to be.
I am so glad you stuck with Karamazov. It is a doozy of a book. If you want to read a less chunky one by that same author, I’d recommend Crime & Punishment.
Congrats to your son and Root Beer. How’s otterpup?
The Otter Pup is still hanging in there and quite plucky these days. She knows she is the queen and has us doing all sorts of things for her like fluffing her blankets, moving her bed to track the sun, putting her fave TV show on, Adam 12 and Emergency. She’s limping along and has some bad days but still has good days so we let her call the shots.
My book club will be doing TRUST in March. I read it the year it won the Pulitzer and found it difficult but over the intervening time I’ve found the story really stuck with me.
Trust is so interesting in the way it’s laid out.
I still haven’t started the Brothers Karamazov. Eeek!