Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Had a lovely Christmas Day at my Mom's apartment with sister's family. Took turns choosing Christmas specials to watch. Niece and nephew liked their gifts of slippers/gloves/gift card. Mom loved her chocolate present.

Back to work the next day and rest of the week. We had a cubicle decorating contest and the top manager's kids were the judges. Our section was Santa's Workshop and I was Mrs. Claus. On my desk, I put down black paper to create stove and made a tray of gingerbread cookies from construction paper. I should have brought cookie cutter for the gingerbread men cause my free hand figures were less tidy. Since I brought treats for coworkers and gave a Christmas specials/movies quiz to get the grand prize Champagne cupcake, I left a few cookies and piece of fudge for the judges. I think they might have tipped the scale in our favor. Anyway, we are getting chicken strip lunch as a reward. Took down everything today. I grabbed a couple boxes to use for storage.

New Year's Eve I'm getting kittens from a friend. I commented how empty the house feels with my cats gone (ferrets spend most of the day in their room) and friend offered a kitten from her cat. I said I would take 2. So I will have a very Happy New Year.

Christmas Story 2018

Twas the night before Christmas and I could hardly bare it

Not a creature was stirring, not even a ferret

The stockings were hung on the bookcase with care

With hopes of St Nicholas soon would be there

Mama in bed taking a long nap

As Eowyn, Luthien, and I waited with the Santa trap

Visions of red toys and dangling Christmas balls

Filled my dreams of what this Christmas thing befalls

When all of a sudden there popped such a spark

Eowyn jumped up to find it was all dark

A streetlight went out and trees covered in ice

No longer dimly sparkled, which was very nice

The moon glowing upon the new fallen snow

Covering the mushy leaves unraked below

When what to my wondering ferret eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so bright red and quick

I so badly wanted give that toy a lick

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came

And he whistled and shouted and called them by name

Now Jingles Now Jangles Now Ivy and Holly

On Snowball On Sparkle On Tinsel and Jolly

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall

Now dash away dash away dash away all

As right before Luthien yawned the wild flurries whirled

Our hearts danced and us ferrets twirled

So up to the rooftop the coursers they flew

With a sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too

And then, in an instant we heard on the roof

the scratching and pawing of each little hoof

As I drew in my head and jumped over a ball

In the door St Nicholas tripped over the light cord to fall

The sprung trap lit the tree and Santa let out a yell

And the vibrations shook the decorations to ring like a bell

He got up and placed the decorations back

And I took the opportunity to crawl into his sack

I had drunken all the milk so Eowyn got more

He ate the sugar cookies we had set on the floor

While Luthien heated the cocoa in a wag of a tail

I gave him a napkin from his bag without fail

His face was red like a cherry as he went Ho, ho, ho

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow

The stump of a pipe he held in his teeth like a charm

And the smoke blew up to set off the smoke alarm

To unplug the battery he swiftly rushed

Then took a look at us and rightly blushed

He was chubby and plump a right jolly old elf

And I squeaked when he petted us in spite of myself

All over his boots we rubbed our fur

Then I heard mama beginning to stir

Santa spoke not a word, but finished his cookies

He filled up the stockings, even for us rookies

Then laying a finger aside of his nose

And giving a nod, out the door he rose

He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a holler

And away they all flew as we furbabies got taller

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night

Christmas Letter 2018

Merry Christmas to my dear friends and family. Slept in the New Year and enjoyed the next day off. Drove Mom to my Dad's cousins’ reunion at a pizza place. Attended a baby shower for my cousin having her first child, a boy she gave birth to a couple months later. Started volunteering for VITA again (my 4th year) answering newbie questions and checking their work. Celebrated ferret Boromir's 1st Birthday. Had fun shoveling the driveway from all of our snowfall the old-fashioned way. A snow blower would be just another machine I don’t know how to use, plus got to gas up and fix when parts break. Spent Valentine's Day at work and then doing taxes for VITA. Sent Mom a Heart shaped pizza and brownies. Watched the Winter Olympics on TV. Celebrated cat Precious's 12th Birthday. Celebrated ferret Luthien's 2nd Birthday. Missed the St. Patrick's Day parade because it was just too cold outside to enjoy it so spent the day at home doing house chores.

In the spring, I enjoyed the blooms from the bulbs I planted the prior autumn. I hosted Easter dinner with Mom and sister’s family in attendance. Celebrated cat Frodo’s 12th Birthday. Attended my niece's confirmation. Two neighbors’ trees fell into my yard and crushing the fences so had to keep cats inside until fences were fixed by the neighbors (and one tree broke my glass birdbath). Had Mother's Day dinner with my sisters' families with Mom at a restaurant. Hired a lawn care company since nephew wasn't out of school yet and they ran over my Miniature Roses and Dutch Iris so no blooms from them this year. My male Beta Pontus died after a year from getting him full grown and became first fish to be buried in backyard. I visited cemeteries on Memorial Day with family.

In the summer, I got a baby male Beta named Erebos. I snaked my first drain. Ordered a new birdbath via internet since it was sold out in the store and it arrived broken so returned it to store. I will have to wait to get a new one next year. Visited Dad at the cemetery for Father's Day and played Taps on my smartphone for him. Had a chipmunk in my house a couple weeks before it left. Got a trap for the rodent, but all I caught was Luthien licking the peanut butter. Some coworkers got hit with Floods of 2018 and I was happy to be living on a slope. Plus, happy my sewer didn’t back up into my basement and drown my ferrets (ferret room is in the basement). Enjoyed 4th of July Urbandale celebrations with sister's family and Mom. My male Beta Helios I got last year as a baby died and got a baby male Beta named Atlas. Dryer broke so hung wet clothes up outside on a clothesline. Thank goodness the prior house owner left behind clothes pins or would have been screwed. Took the heavier items to Mom’s to dry and then brought over all laundry every week until the dryer was fixed. Had ferret Eowyn and cat Precious catch the sniffles and after a couple weeks got better. Had panic attack when getting cats back inside from the backyard when noticed an owl (it hooted) in my walnut tree. Had another panic attack when Frodo disappeared from the yard squeezing through a gap between fence post and gate. I found him a couple hours later in the front yard bush. Celebrated my Mom's 79th birthday at her apartment. My great-niece was ready to jump out the window to swim at the water park next door. During my Staycation, went to the local amusement park, zoo, and pool swimming with sister's family.

Nephew celebrated his 14th Birthday with his father's side 90 miles from us so we got together later at Mom’s place to give him presents. And then, poor Precious with a lung infection making him cough became worse from not eating compounded by fleas to die in August. Frodo took Precious's death hard and stopped eating. I had to spoon feed him for a month. Then started walking strange so took to the vet for an arthritis diagnosis. Took nephew and sister out miniature golfing as a thank you for helping me with my yardwork. Female Beta Eos I got last year as a baby died so got a new female Beta Metis. Celebrated my 43rd birthday with family at at a restaurant. My Metis lasted 5 days before dying so got a baby girl Beta named Ananke who is getting bigger and now a young lady. Went to niece’s and nephew's piano recital. Taught nephew how to remove a bush, he loved using the axe.

Autumn arrived celebrating Eowyn's 5th birthday. Got hired on to a Tax prep company so will earn extra money next year. Carved Jack o' lanterns with snoopy ferrets ready to poke their heads in the holes. Beggar's Night was fun with 9 kids coming to my door. Last group of 4 petted Boromir. I picked him up to prevent escape out the door and kids thought he was so cute to ask to pet him. He was a good boy. Next, Male Beta Atlas died. I got him this summer as a baby and he was growing up to be a beautiful male fish. Shortly after, got a new male fully grown and named him Atlas Jr. Through the fall Frodo lost weight and finally died in November when I was at work. Celebrated niece's 15th birthday at a restaurant. Commenting how strange it is sleep without a cat and no longer have the cat alarm waking me up demanding breakfast, a friend offered a kitten born in November to me. I replied I could take two. So I will have to wait a couple months to collect when they are weaned from their mother. My heart is healing.

Went to brother's house for Thanksgiving and went out with sister's family for Black Friday specials. Put up my Mom's Christmas decorations for her. Ferrets are happy to play in the boxes and under the tree skirt as I put out my own decorations. Had a friend help with new icicle lights on the roof shingles. I think I’ll leave them up there all year and just put away the yard decorations. Will celebrate Christmas at Mom’s place, both Christmas Day and Extended Family Christmas. Now aren’t you glad I keep an online journal to remember all this. Have a Wonderful New Year,

Jordan Harvey Eoywn (ferret) Luthien (ferret) Boromir (ferret) Nyx (fish) Erebos (fish) Ananke (fish) Atlas Jr. (fish)

Another Thanksgiving done and Black Friday gone

Celebrated niece's 15th birthday at a buffet restaurant. She loved my gift of Skechers shoes. Who doesn't love Skechers? Friend offered her kittens just born the week before to me since I'm in misery missing my kitties. So have to wait a couple months to collect when they are weaned from their mother. My heart is healing.

Went to brother's house for Thanksgiving and went out with sister's family for Black Friday specials. Not very many good sales if allowed to say that. Anything I badly want is often not on sale. Did get a ladder and new icicle lights for my roof. It's so pretty. Next got a vacuum and attachment to clean the dryer vent so maybe my clothes will come out dry instead of moist. Dryer just got serviced last summer and parts put on to make it work again. Put up my Mom's Christmas decorations for her. I got my decorations and ferrets are happy to play in the boxes and under the tree skirt.

Returned to work to put up my Christmas tree and garland at my desk. Everybody loves my candy cane lights. Now have work on Christmas letter and Christmas Story of ferrets trying trap Santa Claus. No cats in the story this time.

RIP Frodo

I got a new white male Beta fish and named him Atlas Junior last weekend.

Today Frodo cat died. I was worried last night from his getting lethargic on me and refusing to eat (I played Elvis songs for him), but at bedtime he perked up to drink some water. Then this morning I saw he ate a little food during the night. He was meowing the second he heard me stir in my bed. I gave him his medicine and went to work. Came home and he was gone. Ferrets paid their respects before I covered him with rose petals and wrapped him in a blanket I got from the nearby store. Too dark and ground too cold to dig a grave tonight, so will bury him tomorrow after work. At least, I don't have to worry about Frodo anymore like I have the past 2 months. Frodo was 12 years old so he has lived his life.

Winter Almost Here

Celebrated Eowyn ferret's 5th birthday with cupcake. Ferrets love frosting and I eat the cupcake. Frodo cat got a can of tuna.

Spoon fed Frodo until he started eating on his own again. Took the pets out to enjoy the days of warm weather. Frodo finally quit hiding and strengthened his arm muscles to move around while dragging his bottom half. He even went outside on warm days and enjoyed some fresh air.

Email got hacked again and discovered a device in another country was synced to my email. Lodged the typical complaints but who knows if anything happened to the people who hacked me.

We had tornadoes near my Mom's hometown and my hometown. Many friends and family in the danger zones. Don't know how many tornadoes are normal for October.

Had to rent Joan Jett's Documentary Bad Reputation online cause it wasn't playing in my area of the world. Loved it and highly recommend it.

Had some flurries that didn't stay long enough to count toward the 1st Snow Contest a TV station has every year so no snow blower awarded to anyone yet.

Celebrated Boss's Day by giving my manager a breakfast and lunch buffets. We coworkers gave her a gift card as well. My manager's manager got a gift card for a manicure from the office.

Got hired on to a tax preparation company so will earn extra money and hopefully pay off my vet bills among other bills.

Carved Jack o' lanterns with snoopy ferrets ready to poke their heads in the holes. Beggar's Night was fun with 9 kids coming to the my door. Last group of 4 petted Boromir ferret. I picked him up to prevent escape out the door and kids thought he was so cute to ask to pet him. He was a good boy. Work had a Halloween costume contest and Chili cook off. I didn't win any prizes, but got free lunch.

Saw Bohemian Rhapsody in the theater. March to November is a long wait.

Vanquished the fleas for the large part. Found a flea med that kills fleas in 6 hours so here's hoping.

Sent in my Absentee Ballot and happy Election Day is over.

New White Beta male fish Atlas died. I got him this summer as a baby and he was growing up to be a beautiful male fish. Nothing else to report.

Adventures at the Vet

Sad week. Took Frodo to the vet from his limping (he resembles a seal on land) and received the news he has arthritis in his hips and knees, plus a small solid mass the size of a pea in his tummy tissue. He was greatly traumatized at the vet going through blood test, urine test, claws clipped, and X-rays. He was happy to return home. Giving him his pain meds and now he stopped eating. Had to inform the family that we might be saying good-bye to Frodo if he doesn't recover his eating. And got a another huge vet bill I have to put on the credit card. Such as life, at least for me anyway.

Autumn is Coming

Well, my black walnut tree has dropped tons of walnuts in my yard that nobody wants, not even squirrels who eat my peanuts. Nephew celebrated his birthday with his father's side 90 miles from us so we got together later to give him presents. He received a zipper sweatshirt from me. It was a little big so probably went back to the store to be exchanged. Got new parts for the dryer so it is completely fixed. Couldn't afford to renew the warranty so will hope for the best and replace appliances if I must. Got the teeth cleaned at the dentist's office. Got a coupon in the mail so got a hair cut at the salon (6 inches whacked off). I said I wanted job getting hair. I have yet to have an interview to test it out and soon it will grow out. Frodo cat took Precious cat's death hard and let the ferrets he usually smacks near him. He needed a buddy. Then he started hiding in the closet to escape the flea spray (I thought) so when I got a flea foam he came out and last night he slept in bed the first time in a week. Took nephew and sister out miniature golfing. Nephew had said some family are so competitive that they take the fun out of games so in our miniature golf adventure, we didn't keep score.

Female Beta fish Eos died so got a new female Metis. Celebrated my 43rd birthday (tell no one) with family at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Brought Angel Food Cake to work and only 2 out of a dozen co-workershad a piece. My Metis lasted 5 days before dying so got a baby girl Beta named Ananke. Had a tailgate party at work and brought a giant cookie to work that was mostly eaten. Went to niece and nephew's piano recital. Did a phone interview for a job and a few days later received the rejection email. Chopped weeds in the yard and taught nephew how to remove a mulberry bush. Oh yeah, and picked burs out of my sister's shorts. Neighbor dog found his way into my yard so neighbor had to fix the fence (a loose piece could be moved and dog crawled under the fence). Out of state relative came over and dinner with them with the family. Still dealing with fleas that probably won't really go away until it's cold. Tried to bake oatmeal cookies, but short a half cup flour so cookies baked into mush. Another co-worker bit the dust so we said our good-byes and good lucks with their new job. I'm wondering when my turn will come.

Nothing else to report.

RIP Precious

My cat Precious died last night. I buried him in the backyard after work tonight and sang Amazing Grace for him. I got him from a friend who insisted I take kitten her cat had (1 of 9). Precious had a twin who looked just like him. Her son picked Precious for me cause he was so sweet and I had a sweet disposition. I got him at 9 weeks old and 2.2 pounds. Tiny shrimp of a cat I called him. He grew bigger and his heaviest weight was 22 pounds. Had someone take his picture because he was the biggest cat he ever saw as we were outside. Vet techs said he looked like a Maine Coon. Actually had someone say their friend wanted a Maine Coon cat and asked me how much I wanted for Precious. I replied he was not for sale and continued our walk. Yes, I got Precious to walk on a leash. Actually he walked around sniffing everything and I just followed him. He loved to chase feathers and his buddy Frodo I adopted from a shelter. Later on I got a ferret that the cats didn't like and it was comical watching Faramir the ferret chasing Precious around the apartment. He loved drinking out of the kitchen faucet and getting in the fridge. He has been with me in 2 apartments and now a house. He loved my house backyard where he didn't have to wear a harness. He relaxed on the concrete bench and I brought him bowls of ice on hot days and he wouldn't come inside. At age 12, he lived a full life. He will be missed.

I am the Master of Weird Dreams

Kept having a recurring dream this week while I was working.

It is 1981, I'm 5 years old, and I'm sitting alone at an airport, I think Kansas City but not sure. I am on my way to Los Angeles to be in the Annie movie as an orphan extra (if you spot a girl in pigtails cause Mom kept my hair short wearing a lavender dress with white shirt that was me). My Mom went to the rest room and I sit on a bench singing to myself. A man walks by and sits on the bench a couple feet way. I do a double take at the man cause I recognize him as Freddie Mercury. I shake with excitement and shock. You're Freddie Mercury, I gasp and sing a bit of Another One Bites the Dust. Yep, that's my song, the man says. The rest of the band arrive and Mr. Mercury offers a band autograph for me. I have no paper and pen. They grab pen and paper to sign it. I ask what it says cause I haven't started school yet to read it myself. Mr. Mercury points to the 4 names and To the Songbird (cause I was singing when he walked by). They wave good-bye and I sit with my autographed paper. My Mom arrives and I explain who she just missed. We go to the gate and I chat to myself looking at books, sing to my Mom, and we board the plane.

Then after while on the plane, I have to go the rest room. There is a man in front of me. Seeing I am holding my crotch and jumping around, he lets me go ahead of him. It's Brian May. I come out and Oh, it's you again. He recognizes the songbird from the airport bench. I return to my seat next to Mom. The stewardess comes over and asks if I would like to sit up front in 1st Class behind the curtain for the remainder of the trip. I sit with the band Queen drinking from champagne glasses. I am offered a Sprite. I comment how a ghost of an old lady was behind them and one of their grandmothers had died recently. We have conversation until we land and I return to my seat next to Mom. We run into each other getting off the plane at the gate. We waved good-bye a second time. My Mom orders me "Come on" and comments how strange the band looks. Mr. Mercury replied, "I may look weird, but I'm not the one having an affair." Mom is shocked I said that to them and yanks on my arm to leave. We arrive at the movie studio and movie orphans were excited I met the band Queen.

But I know it is just a weird dream cause Queen was touring in South America in 1981 so they never would have met me in North America that year. It was a nice dream though.

Midsummer Happenings

Survived the flooding in Des Moines. Walnut Creek that flooded was north of my journey to work so got to work okay. Got rid of 2 shrubs along my house. Had to use an axe to whack the wood trunk apart. Don't have to worry about it anymore. Day before the 4th of July, got off work early so stopped at the grocery store. Got a nail in my tire and rushed to mechanic before they closed to get it fixed. Spent 4th of July with Mom and sister's family. Got a stash of parade candy from niece and nephew so shared it at work. It took about a week but it did disappear. When I came into work the next day, the computers were down from a power surge frying the server so ended up with the day off.

Lost my male Beta Helios I got as a baby and got another baby Atlas. 2 fish buried in the backyard now. Claims adjuster informed me that my roof leakage is not from storm damage, but normal wear and tear so insurance won't cover it. Got 2 interviews for new jobs. One employer called my home phone while I was at work so no interview cause they refuse to call my cell phone while I'm on my lunch break. Dryer broke down on me so happy I had clothes line poles in backyard. Tied a string and grabbed clothes pins prior owners left behind and hung up the clothes the old fashioned way. Hung my heavy towels and jeans on chairs to take to Mom's place to dry them. Had to take the next week a whole laundry basket full to Mom's to clean since the dryer fixer had to order a new cord (old cord was fried in a power surge).

Had a ferret and cat catch the sniffles and after a couple weeks got better. Came home from work and after lifting up the garage door, the car won't start. Had it towed and I need a new ignition system cause it's been fried. Have to use separate keys for door and ignition now. I drove a car in the 90's so I can handle the 2 key concept. When got the car back, they bumped the antenna so had to return the next day for them to reconnect the antenna to play the radio. Between car, roof, and dryer, I'm asking God what is the next issue I have to deal with. I feel so cursed. Had panic attack when getting cats back inside from the backyard when noticed an owl in a tree (it hooted) in my walnut tree. Owl was the size of my cats.

Got estimates for the roof repair, the 1st one was way too high. Several roofers were booked up for months and went with the one who could come the following week after their lower estimate. Came to work to find the water shut off for repairs. My coworkers were happy when it came back so they could have coffee. My Staycation began with a job interview in person and was told the District Manager would contact me within a week. Manager never contacted me so I guess I was not desired. What they wanted was a CPA who would sell their brand and work for next to nothing. Yeah, I can tell you how to sell your brand: Good product people can't live without and good customer service. My sister says I don't get jobs cause I'm not pretty. Yeah sure, I interview with women so I'm sure they are not looking at my bosom size nor pretty/ugly face when determine my qualifications for the job.

Celebrated my Mom's 79th birthday. My great-niece was ready to jump out the window to swim at the water park next door. Went to the local amusement park with sister's family. Bought a funnel cake with ice cream I shared. Niece and nephew seem to enjoy it as much as me. Flea issues returned though ferrets get them worse than the cats. Gave ferrets a Dawn bath rubbing the dishwashing soap on them. Black clouds flew over my city without a drop of rain, but then 12 tornadoes appeared in towns east of my city. One town had 2 tornadoes. Amazing there were no fatalities. Went to zoo and pool swimming with sister's family. Experienced my Mom's pool that is heated. I had to do that more often.

Work gained 2 new clients so coworkers were shifted around. I hope I get a new job soon. If I made one friend somewhere, I might deal with my stress better. But, people always run away from me, then avoid me (my next door neighbor I was getting to know has done this) to leave me wondering what I said wrong. Was it the cats, the ferrets, the Beta fish, my dead end job, or my overbearing family? Started exercising again to lessen my flab exploding out of my clothes. I can't afford a new wardrobe. My managers manager gave us Marcos' pizza for a job well done last month. We joked this was our bonus since we didn't get our 2nd quarter bonus from lack of revenue. Dryer fixer had to order new parts and will come next week to complete the dryer repair. He got it to run so I could dry my clothes, but other parts needed ordering to complete repair.

Hope August is better. All I ever wanted was a career and a family and so far been denied both. I guess I'm asking too much from life.

Summer Half Gone

May adventures included door leaking water, had a thunderstorm where rotating clouds passed over my city (but no funnel cloud came down), went on a date with a man I met on online dating site to find a codependent dud, had a neighbor's tree fall into my yard so had to keep cats inside until fence was fixed (and tree broke my glass birdbath), had Mother's Day dinner with 2 sisters and Mom (Mom got a dozen of red roses), hired a lawn care company since nephew wasn't out of school yet and they ran over my Miniature Roses and Dutch Iris so no blooms from them this year, let the ferrets have yard time to have them be naughty trying to escape so privilege was taken away, my pink male Beta Pontus died after a year from getting him full grown and became first fish to be buried in backyard, received a phone call for a job offer and returned the call to find the voicemail box full so couldn't leave a message, got interest from a temp agency to find I don't really want to go down the temp road again (the job I responded to was a direct hire), work brought in new vending machines, work had a cornhole tournament and we were given free bomb pops to watch the finals, work decided to let us wear shorts for causal Fridays, and I visited cemeteries on Memorial day with Mom and 2 sisters.

June came with Han Solo movie I saw in the theater, Frodo disappeared through the hole between gate and fence post to be found in bush in the front yard, bought a new blue baby male Beta named Erebos, snaked my first drain, weeded the yard, applied for the Homestead Credit, got a new inhaler so I can do yard work without an asthma attack, had to take the car in 3 times in one week, ordered new birdbath via internet since sold out in store and it arrived broken so returned it to store and have to wait to get new one next year, visited Dad at the cemetery for Father's Day and played Taps on my smartphone for him, mowed a third of my yard when nephew got tired (I never have mowed a lawn before) and had an asthma attack and happy I got a new inhaler, did a phone interview for another job offer, had a chipmunk in my house a couple weeks before it left, cooked dinner for visiting aunt and family, door flew open after I thought I shut it and ferrets got out and one made it to the neighbor's deck who knocked on my door to give it back in the pouring rain, and roof started dripping in 2 places so have to get roof fixed.

July begins getting rid of 2 shrubs near the house, floods of 2018 hit Des Moines and felt lucky my house in on a slope, had to take car in when nail found a way into a tire, enjoyed 4th of July Urbandale celebrations with sister's family and Mom, returned to work to find computers were down so got the day off, blue male Beta Helios I got last year as a baby died and got a white male named Atlas, another job offer came with phone interview later this week and in person interview for another job offer next week when I take vacation, and dryer broke so hung wet clothes up outside on a clothesline. Thank goodness the prior house owner left behind clothes pins or would have been screwed.

Nothing else to report.

Congratulations to Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex

Well, Diana's second son got married to an American. I bet she would be so proud and give the new Duchess of Sussex a hug. I missed the entrance of the wedding, but got woken up by a hungry cat to switch the TV on to see some of it. It was nice to see Sarah behind her daughters and ex-husband (since she wasn't invited to William's wedding). I wish them happiness and present this poem.

If I were to write a poem
For your big wedding day
I would use silly words
and try to make it rhyme.

If I were to write a poem
for a once sweet young boy
I would say I'm proud of you
and have a joyous time.

If I were to write a poem
For your wish come true
I would wish I could be there
but natural forces pulled us apart.

If I were to write a poem
for Henry and Meghan
I would give them a big hug
from the bottom of my heart.

If I were to write a poem
for a delightful couple
I would toast the love birds
and present you the only copy.

Emily Dickinson poem

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

Spring is here

The good part about owning a house is planting flowers. I have flower blooms of hyacinths and daffodils. Plus tons of purple violets all over the yard. I love violets. My Cat TV (aka Bird Feeder) are attracting red wing blackbirds and crows. See robins, sparrows, and chickadees too. My hummingbird feeders evaporated so something is drinking them up. Saw some bees by my flowers so making my contribution of honey to their hives.

Attended my niece's confirmation and got to see family again. She loved my cross necklace gift with mother of pearl. Much better family gathering than my Mom's cousin's funeral a few weeks ago. Poor family discovered so many loved the deceased that they ran out of food. Mom was given a basket of flowers.

I swear I will die alone

Tried out a dating site to find a man. I find men who hide under sunglasses and a hat in their profile photo or worse, their show off their naked chest. Excuse me, if you want someone to fall in love with your personality, why are you hiding it (and yes, a naked chest is hiding because they are trying to attract a superficial woman who won't deep deeper into their personality)? Even better, I keep reading profiles that are nothing but complaints about how lousy the dating site is or the women they meet are cheap whores and scammers. I have to wonder why they are on a website that is so awful. Maybe they can't figure out how to delete their profile. I do my ranting off the dating website, like here.

Even worse, this dating site recommends men I don't want. They give me smokers (I have asthma), men who don't want kids nor marriage, and men who live 1000 miles away. I swear I'm going to die alone like that scene in Bridget Jones's Diary where she is lying on the floor surrounded by cats. Hopefully someone will miss me before my cats, ferrets, and fish starve to death, but I wouldn't count on it until my absence effects someone else's day like my boss.

I'm ready to give up again. 10 years ago I tried a dating site to find an a**wipe who stiffed me on a $100 hotel deposit cause he didn't take the room that he asked me to reserve. Yeah, he drove 200 miles in a snowstorm in the middle of the night to feed his dog after our date on New Year's Eve/Day. A year later while I am dating someone else, he decides he didn't give me enough of a chance and asked me to send sexy photos of myself to help him decide whether or not he should take me on a date again. Right. I replied that after the way he treated me the past year that I believed he should be down on his knees, kissing my tushy, and begging for me to give him another chance. He didn't reply.

I swear I will die alone.

More Holidays

Celebrated ferret Boromir's 1st Birthday with a cupcake and can of tuna. Had fun shoveling the driveway from all of our snowfall. Visited the dentist after 2 years of trying to secure my job and thus, insurance, to find a new dentist (old dentist stopped their service for me when the state privatized Medicaid). Took the piece of garbage car in to change a headlight and change all 4 rotten tires. Get better traction in the snow now. Spent Valentine's Day/Ash Wednesday at work and then doing taxes for VITA. My Mom called to thank me for her Heart Pizza and brownies I had delivered to her home. It was so big she had to invite people over to help her eat it. Watched the Winter Olympics on TV, snowboarding and figure skating are my favorites. Celebrated cat Precious's 12th Birthday with a cake and tuna. Gained 3 clients at the company and lost a client due to them declaring bankruptcy. One new client demanded a sealed room to work audits for their company so we got to hear a lot of noise in the office to create one. Celebrated ferret Luthien's 2nd Birthday. She got some peanut butter she loves so much in addition to the cupcake and tuna. Cousin gave us an addition to the family, a baby boy named Charge Jamison. Missed the St. Patrick's Day parade cause it was just too cold outside to enjoy it so spent the day at home doing laundry, dishes, etc. Joined a dating site again. Tried a dating site 10 years ago and met 1 a**wipe before running out of money. I doubt I will find anyone this time either since I am cursed with attracting players with no hearts. Who wants a dork who likes ballet, skateboards, poetry, classic rock music, and animals. OMG, I'm such a nightmare to deal with. Had to use my home warranty to clear the central vacuum's filter to make it work again. Got a new bird feeder and bird bath for the yard since spring is coming. Yes, I spotted my flower bulbs I planted last fall blooming the other day, about 3 inches high now. Soon, I will be planting flower seeds next month after I hostess Easter dinner. VITA ends tomorrow with a pizza party. My animals will be so happy when I stop coming home late. Nothing else to report.

Have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

Black History Month Challenge

I once read in a newspaper where students were asked to name 20 Black Americans who are/were not athletes nor entertainers. Many could not. One high school class of mine did that challenge and I think we did make it to 20 people. Let's see how many I can name. Let the challenge begin.

1. Phyllis Wheatley: Poet who met with George Washington during the Revolutionary War.

2. Sojourner Truth: Abolitionist and Women's Suffragist who bared her breasts and gave a famous speech "Ain't I a Woman?"

3. Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the Underground Railroad and later scout, spy, and soldier in Civil War.

4. Frederick Douglass: Abolitionist who published his autobiography as a former slave.

5. Solomon Northup: Violinist who published his autobiography 12 Years a Slave.

6. 54th Massachusetts Infantry unit that inspired the film Glory.

7. Bass Reeves: Lawman out of Ft. Smith, AR who entered Indian Territory (Oklahoma) to capture fugitives and some say was the inspiration to the Lone Ranger.

8. George Washington Carver: Professor and inventor of peanut products who revolutionized they way southern farmers planted cash crops.

9. Buffalo Soldiers: Black Soldiers of the Wild West were given this name by the Indian tribes they encountered.

10. Ida Barnett-Wells: Journalist and a founder of NAACP.

11. Madam C. J. Walker: Built a beauty line empire similar to Avon/Mary Kay targeting black women's hair and skin care.

12. WEB DuBois: Author of Souls of Black Folk, professor, and a founder of NAACP.

13. Booker T. Washington: Professor who published his autobiography Up From Slavery and help build Tuskegee University.

14. Thurgood Marshall:1st black Supreme Court Justice.

15. Langston Hughes: Author of The Crisis and part of the Harlem Renaissance.

16. Wiley College Debate Team that inspired the film The Great Debaters.

17. Gwendolyn Brooks: Author of Annie Allen that won a Pulitzer Prize.

18. Zora Neale Hurston: Author of Their Eyes Were Watching God.

19. Maya Angelou: Author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and read a poem at the inaugurations of Presidents Clinton and Obama.

20. James Baldwin: Author of Notes of a Native Son.

21. Alex Haley: Author of Roots and Autobiography of Malcolm X.

22. Toni Morrison: Author of Beloved that won a Pulitzer Prize and received Nobel Prize in Literature.

23. Alice Walker: Author of The Color Purple that won a Pulitzer Prize.

24. Tuskegee Airmen: Pilots in WWII.

25. Emmett Till: Teenager who supposedly whistled at a white woman and shortly after was murdered. His funeral and murder trial gained media attention to become a catalyst in the Civil Rights Movement.

26. Rosa Parks: The woman who refused to give up her seat to a white man that sparked the Civil Rights Movement after attending a rally in memory of Emmett Till.

27. Martin Luther King Jr.: Leader of the Civil Rights Movement and received Nobel Peace Prize.

28. Elijah Muhammad: Leader of Nation of Islam beginning in 1930's.

29. Malcolm X: Islamist preacher who published his Autobiography written by Alex Haley.

30. Jesse Jackson: Christian preacher and civil rights activist who ran for president and hostage negotiator.

31. Quincy Jones: Music producer, songwriter.

32. Spike Lee: Film director and producer.

33. Mae Jemison: 1st Black Woman in space as an astronaut.

34. Clarence Thomas: Supreme Court Justice.

35. Condoleezza Rice: 1st female black Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

36. Colin Powell: General of US Army, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and 1st black Secretary of State.

37. Barak Obama: Senator, Author, and 1st Black President of the US.

Happy Valentine's Day

Had a good January. Slept in the New Year going to bed at 11 PM and enjoyed the day off. Then back to work hearing about about a new pay system the corporate office wants to inflict on us. Instead of raises we usually, they will pay us bonus related to how much work we produce over the budget. Which means many employees are looking for new jobs I'm sure. I call it "20 different reason not to pay us".

Drove Mom to my Dad's cousins reunion at a pizza place. Younger generations don't bother to visit people they only see once a year so the cousins have their own gathering in January.

Attended a baby shower for my cousin about to have her first child. Got to see her out-of-state sister and family plus my out-of-state aunt. My sister and niece got a stomach bug at the last minute and decided not to come, so took nephew along to visit out-of-state uncle. They played games down in the basement. Told nephew a baby shower is like a birthday party: have cake and punch, play games, and open presents. One guest was a little girl who helped my cousin open presents and then lifted her shirt up to announce that she tooted. Good to see the family again.

Started volunteering for VITA again and busy checking other people's work to make sure they entered everything in correctly. Explained to people I worked with last year about buying a new house and getting a new HRA account through my job so my tax form next next form will be different from this year.

Nothing else to report. I eat, sleep, work, and volunteer. Such as life.