Dog and book days I was deadlining late this week, aiming to get an almost-complete version of the “basics of resistance” book (co-authored with Kit Perez) to reality-checkers. Ava did not approve of all this focus-not-on-her. The beloved little diva was driving me nutz. So even though March is supposed to be my frugalista month, off Ava went to Furrydoc’s Dogotel. I hit my self-imposed deadline a day early. The timeout was glorious — except on the day it rained and I kept thinking, “Oh, I’d better bring Ava in from outside.” Then I’d remember. I’m dogless. —– One of…
Author: Claire
And finally something from NPR that doesn’t revolve around victim disarmament or DACA. Want some realistic disaster fiction? Particularly you neighbors here in the Pacific Northwest who await The Big One? Yesterday afternoon a local NPR affiliate, KNKX, reported that the Bellingham Herald commissioned a novella about surviving the inevitable megaquake. The Riverstyx Foundation in Bellingham conceived and funded the “Imagining the Big One’” project at the instigation of its president, businessman Jim Swift. Foundation director Heather Flaherty said they were concerned by lack of preparedness and wanted a novel way to engage people. “It seems like the facts are…
My Internet went out for a few hours this morning. The sudden loss left me contemplating the last article I read online before I was cut off from all traces of civilization. Although actually, if the article I read in any way represented normal civilization, we’re better off without it. No, the article wasn’t about war or degredation. It wasn’t about #metooing or the latest pecksniffian effort to cut off somebody else’s free speech. Not about politics, brutality, or corruption (but I repeat myself). In fact, it was meant to be a feelgood story. You may have heard of the…
I ate breakfast this morning on the screen porch. Fresh blueberries in Greek yogurt with honey from the dear Friends of the Blog at Molon Labe Apiary. (I used the honey their bees produced during last summer’s wildfires, which I hope they did end up calling Smoking Gun, per Ellendra’s suggestion.) It was only in the low 40s, but mild and pleasant. The screen porch looks out on the fern-covered hill that rises just 12 feet from the back wall. Between house and hill is a small gravel plain that will eventually be a patio. It’s a teeny, tiny view,…
Second annual Frugal March begins. Last March, I set a goal of spending no more than $500 all month. A couple unexpected expenses came up, which I cheated and put on credit. But not counting those, I slid in roughly at goal. Last summer, car payments entered the picture. They’re lowish as vehicle payments go, but … ugh. Between those and almost constant construction expenses, large or small, a $500 month seems long ago, far away, and downright impossible. I’ve been blessed by angels since then, though, and gotten through both car and construction with the help of friends. Now…