Saturday Schmatterings-A Collection of Random Thoughts

      My weather text let me know today is the nicer day of the weekend. I've got the usual laundry going, but not doing any baking this morning. I want to make pumpkin bread to send back with my daughter, but  I don't have flax seed at home and will get a few tablespoons from my other daughter. My recipe makes quite a bit and since the bread is soft, she can eat it, though may have to tear away the crust. Baking aside, here's a few other random topics I'm pondering.

Pfizer Booster Shot

     I scheduled DH and myself for Thursday morning, right at 8:00 so I can get the shot and be back for my 9:00 meeting. We both had a day of being tired-the next day, so hoping I'm OK for our sisters weekend, which has turned into a sisters and cousin weekend. Here's my totally uneducated theory on why there are so many break through cases. Variants aside, I think the dosage amount was still a variable with the first rounds. Depending on people size,  lifestyle, and tolerance, the duration of efficacy was less in the broad population than the test subjects. The booster will be sort of a "top off" for adults, helping to balance out what might have been a too conservative dose for the average adult. Do I think we'll need annual boosters? Yes, but over time, perhaps not annual, but similar to other types of vaccines people get. 

     I just wish all the politics of the Covid-19 vaccines would wash away. I hold all politicians accountable to this narrative. Trump was the savior getting the vaccine in warp speed. Trump did a horrendous job of rolling it out. Biden in all his glory came in and fixed the distribution and will get people vaccinated in time to celebrate 4th of July. Biden's system created distrust with part of the masses, now not trusting anything that his administration is behind, so that includes the former miracle vaccine Trump was credited by them for pushing forward. It's complete craziness. And its the same apparently country after country with their own left-right battle over public health. 

Christmas Shopping Panic

     I'm lucky that I have no young people to buy for that have a list of the latest and greatest thing they want in their stocking or under their tree. As adults, my kids take care of their own wants, and genuinely seem happy with the little gifts we purchase for them, but roun dhteir gifts with cash. Boring, but practical. The can use towards travel, an electronic doo dad that I know nothing about, or just tuck away towards future wants. My MIL is always a struggle mostly because she needs nothing. In fact, I've seen a few of our gifts recirculated in the "goodie" boxes she puts together at Christmas. We try and think of experiences for her, or something everyone enjoys or can be used at the lake to make something a bit easier. Past gifts have been extra large stainless step garbage cans (those things are expensive!), one for garbage and one for recycling, floating swans, which  are supposed to be a deterrent from animals that might come on the docks and leave poo behind, and new easy open door handles.  

Food wise we have no deep rooted traditions that if not available, would put a damper on our holiday get together. Butter-I guess if butter was not available, we'd struggle with not having all the cookies and treats and that might feel less than Christmas. I make Oreo cookie truffles and if I failed to bring them on Christmas Eve, ther emight be a sad face or two, plus all the other recipes that use cream cheese. OK, so no butter and no cream cheese might change  traditions. After last year though, who cares if we end up eating popcorn and pizza if it means we can easily gather with family and friends and not worry that someone might be making someone else sick. My point is, I'm not buying into the panic hype and don't think you should either. 

Fallen Leaves and Blustery Weather

     I love hearing the howling wind. I can say that when I'm snug inside, and now with very little have to driving. My office window is southern facing and the neighbors fence is perhap 8 feet. The wind sound echos off the fence to my window and sounds more wicked than it actually is. I like walking in the fallen leaves. The crunch and shuffle give me that feeling that people get when they pop bubble wrap. It's satisfying. Pup loves to shuffle in the leaves as well, plus poking his nose deep to smell what the leaves might be covering. I love a good summer day by water, but this time of fall when there are still some leaves on the trees but many are down, and the wind howls, but without blustery snow, feels like a perfectly fitting sweater. 

     It's time to switch a load of clothes, read comments and response, and read a few blogs myself. I also need to color my hair this morning-can't stand the gray roots any longer. I've other things to get done but early afternoon the girls and I are going to get out a bit-my daughter is feeling like she's feeling well enough to resume activities and the younger wants a couple restock items to take back to school. We're taking DD2 and my MIL out for dinner tonight as well. Onwiththe day. 

Just Some Thursday Thoughts

I'm meeting my friend N for coffee this morning. I wrote about my friendship with her a couple years back in my post Lunch With a Friend. She and I have  compatible/ying yang jobs at different agencies, so coordinate regularly by phone and e-mail but  don't get to meet up in person with just the two of us often enough. She, like me, accepted her position thinking it was much different than how it actually played out. She is excellent at her job, but has daily challenges moving efforts forward because of systemic slow downs and over cautiousness. Like me, keeps her eyes open for new opportunities, but is not in an active full on job hunt. Did I mention she too was recruited as a candidate for the dream job? I'll get caught up on her next steps. Regardless, there is a pretty major change in her work place, one that impacts mine, but specifically how, won't play out for several months. I'm trying not to be cryptic, so I'll just say, times, they are a changing in my professional life. 

DD2 has her Spanish National Honor Society  dinner tonight. This will be her first year, so there is the induction ceremony, preceded by a "Spanish speaking country of origin" inspired meal. I'm guessing tacos, rice, etc. will be served. She has play practice after school, so will be bringing clothes to change into. I'll come from work, hopefully with enough time to pick DH up, otherwise, we'll have three cars at the school again. That has happened twice already in DD2's short driving tenure. 

DD1 isn't planning on coming home for Easter. She is traveling earlier that week for work, plus will be in town the following weekend for her friends bachelorette party and cousins bridal shower. The Friday before is my day off and DD2 doesn't have school. If it works out, we may take a short road trip and head across state lines and spend Friday and Saturday, heading home Saturday night. I've tried to arrange this multiple times, but her work or fun life have intervened to put off the trip. DD2 hasn't seen her apartment since her sister moved in over a year ago, with all her personal decorating touches. DH is thinking of coming along too, but then we'd not be able to stay over, or would have to find someone for the dog. Who would think a simple overnight trip would be so complicated to make happen?

I'm trying to be disciplined enough to post  every day, perhaps trying out some writing prompt from writers sites like Post 40 Bloggers.  As I am now Post 50, I wonder if I should find a different site for ideas. Suffice it to say, on days I clearly have no topics in mind, a random reflection or story may grace my blog page. If you write a blog, how do you decide what to write about when nothing particularly sparks your imagination? Do you simply choose to not post, or are you also using ideas form blogger sites? What would you like to read more of/less of  from bloggers? Let's have a chat, shall we.