Partially exhaling, and other sources of encouragement

The red wave turned out to be a pink ripple, though the election's not all done yet. Hope still springs eternal, with the best midterm turnout in decades. Some very good state measures protecting reproductive and voting rights, too. 

NJ district 7 is not called yet though the GOP candidate is claiming victory, no doubt ready to shout rigged if he loses. My own district 12 was an easy win for Coleman, a Good Person, despite the mysterious countywide failure of election machines.

On, while we wait for final results, meanwhile resuming at least shallow breathing, to nature and Freecycling.

I pulled a few butterfly bushes and put them on Freecycle

Then stood back as my in-box rained requests on me. They were gone in a couple of hours to a happy new home. 

I also got a long complaint that nobody should plant butterfly bushes because they're invasive. I thanked the writer but reserved my judgement. True they're prolific self seeders, but they support all kinds of insect and bird life, so I can't see it's a bad thing. 

And I made a new idea for hot breakfasts now the warm weather is receding. 

A lot of grated and chopped sweet and bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, capers, because I didn't have black olives, and bit of instant mash because I didn't have a raw potato, in a yeast batter. I used half and half masa harina and wholewheat flour, thanks Chris, still using the tortilla flour from you.

It was good hot from the pan for supper and toasted to hot for breakfast.

These might replace the fruit-stuffed pita that's been breakfast for a while. It's a kind of all purpose food.

There was a Textiles and Tea program yesterday, which I'm too wrung out over the elections to do justice to, but tomorrow is another day. 

Meanwhile

There's a lot to be happy about.

Happy day everyone, keep breathing till we secure our democracy! We got this.

Daring feats, weekend reading and full disclosure

Up front today is the news that as of yesterday, polls are showing a substantial increase in women registering to vote. Jaw dropping, is the phrase of the day. Dobbs may have been an ugly gift in an ugly wrapping.

And this is the midterms, traditionally a time of voter apathy and the party in power dropping congressional seats. So we're hopeful. We need to hold the House and increase the Senate.

In other news (!) I made a daring venture this morning, drove all the way to the library. This involves a couple of towns, many intersections and traffic lights, and is the furthest I've driven post op, as they say in the trade.  My brain can't believe I can see this well without the glasses I've needed for nearly fifty years.  Turns out I can.  Trala.

And here's today's haul, now that I can read regular print and can even fetch the books myself 

I'll let you know how it goes.

I also had an encounter of the nicest kind as I was leaving, reaching out to push the door opener. I noticed a little guy with his Mom watching intently, and asked him if he'd like to push? He leapt to it, I thanked him and pointed out he'd opened TWO doors, the lobby being designed that way 

As I left i heard him all excited "I opened TWO doors! I did. I did open two doors, I did" i have a feeling his mom will have to hear about this mighty feat for a while.  Not unlike old ladies, " I DROVE to the library, I did I did".. 

And I also did some Sock Ministry work, I did, I did, and my shoulder is okay up to now, it is, it is.

Speaking of mighty feats, Mary Moon cleaned her refrigerator. If you don't read her blog you should, she's a terrific writer, see her Bless Our Hearts. 

Anyway she's also a terrific cook, feeding husband, two generations of family, growing food, and canning and pickling. Which means her fridge is a real food workshop.

Mine not so much. I do cook, as you know, and it's usually for one. I bake a lot snd mostly that makes its way to handsome Son and neighbors, never lands in the fridge.

The reveal, complete with protest bumper sticker, visible from the front door.

It echoes. The bottom picture is the chest freezer, not self defrosting, which has a protective inner coating of ice

When Handsome Son was very young I had a big vegetable garden and a big chest freezer. I used to defrost in July, and give the ice chunks to him and the kid next door to have iceball fights in the hot sun. I don't have that motivation right now, so I'll get to it at some point.

Speaking of food, which we are, and self image we're smart enough not to take from the media, here's a take I like

Happy day everyone, we're in charge of the Great Us, and the people who've pissed us off this year, SCOTUS and others,  you'll regret upsetting the distaff side.  Dollars to donuts.

In other good news, Ukraine is holding off the pesky Russkies, and they're trying to invade by feet,  not miles, right now.  Go Ukraine!  Bye Putin.