Wayne Gray

Thanks for the good thoughts, all. And I was wrong. It was a freaking 7.0. That’s wild. When you consider a 7 is ten times as strong as a 6.0, it becomes apparent why 7 and higher quakes are both rare and usually destructive. There was very little structural damage here. We don’t even have a cracked window. Man, I love this little old house.

We had a rather significant quake today in Northwestern California. Ratings have varied between 6.0 and 7.3. I'd put it around 6.3-6.4, just based on past experience: no way it was a 7. We shook quite a bit and for quite a while. The cats were spooked and ran around like crazy things till they found a hiding spot, and the whole house shook and groaned. But this little dwelling has been around since 1940. It has yet to fall, and there have been far stronger quakes in its history. We lost a single ceramic reindeer. Other than that, there was no damage and no injuries. So I'll take it. I hope everybody is doing well out there.

you will do what you must. While that's true, you are not required to have all the answers right this minute. you have people who love and look after you. Let them. you are going to see a professional who can help. Let them. you will adapt, and that will take time. Take that time. you're worth the effort. 💚

Good luck, Cassie!

Yes. The way of boys is so mysterious.

My favorite way to have a pumpkin ... https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-savory-stuffed-pumpkin-with-sausage-and-gruyere-225029 It's much like pork belly - delicious, but a tiny bit will do. 😛

When I was growing up in rural Kentucky, my father shot a bunch of crows who kept destroying our garden. Then he and my mom cleaned them, and they went into the crock pot with a package of Lipton's onion soup mix. I'm not gonna say it was good, but it was edible (after about six hours of bubbling on low). And memorable. LOL

Swimming is a fantastic fitness regimen. I can't do what I love (weightlifting) to stay in good condition anymore. Well, I shouldn't do it, but I sneak it in when my joints allow. Now, it's mostly bodyweight exercises and my Versaclimber, with maybe two weight-lifting sessions a week. It just depends on the shoulders and what they will allow/tolerate.

Thanks for the nice words. I’ve always liked to sing, so I’m glad it appeals. 🙂

you already know my thoughts on this, my friend, but I don't mind repeating them. I liked how Charlie got to experience life a bit with his trip to New York. He learned about himself and gave a lift to another person who needed it. Then, he got to be with a lifelong love closer to home and closer to his sensibilities. It's a good story. Thank you for sharing it.

Do you know that axiom, "If you love something, sometimes the best thing you can do is let it go."? I've appreciated it but never considered what it means on more than a superficial level. Well ... that has changed. I'm in an open relationship with my husband. I'm polyamorous, and he accepts that. He and I have each other, and we each have a boyfriend. My boyfriend is a super sweet, lovely guy named Matthew. We've been together now for about three years. While camping with Matthew a couple of weeks back, he shared that he had decided to move back to St. Louis, where he had spent most of his adult life. It felt like I'd been hit in the stomach with a sledgehammer. Our rural environment has deeply challenged Matthew. He struggles to find work or keep a job, but most importantly, there is a severe lack of robust mental healthcare here. He desperately needs that. I know all of this. As I sat there, processing what he'd just told me and trying to keep my feelings off my face, I also realized the deeper meaning of that axiom above. I know what it means now. So I smiled, put my arm around him, and told him that if that's what he needed to do, he should. He asked if I would be all right, and I lied without a split second of hesitation. "Yeah. I'll be fine." I've got him till mid-November, then he's gone. I'll miss him. But ... I love him. So that's how it has to be.

Thanks for sharing these, tim. I liked the first one, but the second ... the second one I love. It sent chills chasing over my skin. The repeating "chorus" ties it together in a unique way. Additionally, comparing depression to a too-faithful hound is brilliant. Thanks again. I'm glad you get some respite here and there from the dog. 💚

You've had a few rounds with mother nature. Cut yourself a bit of slack and chill if you're able.

You had me at "...naughty weiner..."

Super glad you're okay, kbois. Thanks for taking time to update us. I live in the land of giant trees, and when a storm blows in, one or more can come down and take out power lines. We lose power yearly, and I grew tired of losing food when we did. To that end, I bought one of these guys. https://www.bluettipower.com/products/bluetti-ac500-b300s-home-battery-backup Well, kinda. Mine is a model they don't sell anymore, and this one is an evolved little brother version of it. Mine's larger, heavier, more expensive, and has the same capacity as the one I linked above. Better, the one above is modular, and you can add capacity as you like. With Florida's sunshine, a few solar panels would also keep it in power. Even without the panels, you can plug it in, and when the power dies, it'll be a big ass battery to run appliances. I know it'd be an investment, but I like never losing food, being able to run lights, and having charged phones. All are handy things. Regardless, keep on keeping on.