Today in Facebook there was an ad for pet-friendly washable rugs. I was startled, because Bob and I have been talking about getting one for my office. The one that's currently on the floor must be over 25 years old. The addition of the two Beagle girls to our household is driving the decision, not the age of the existing rug -- I don't care much about household furnishings or shopping. 

So I went to the link, browsed, read up on the product, and ordered a 4X6. We have an echo dot in the living room and recently got one for the kitchen, and I'm sure that's why the ad was in my feed, because I have never googled or otherwise searched for a rug. I'm not complaining, I love smart technology even though I know lots of people are upset about privacy issues. Not me. It enabled my father to turn on and off lights and music when he couldn't walk. The Echo provided him with much amusement and company at a challenging time.

This is appalling. Sure megaphones are obnoxious and student protests during public events are embarrassing. But speech restrictions, over reactions and disciplinary actions are so much worse. How can university "leaders" be so clumsy and obtuse? Meanwhile, the rest of us annually have to waste time on insulting training videos while top administrators (not to mention coaches) get to intimidate students? What happened to being empathetic and respectful? Undoubtedly, tax dollars will be spent defending this unacceptable behavior, and funding (non-transparent) settlements.

My mother turned 90 last Thursday, and we had a cake party at her house on Saturday. Twenty-three people came. It's the first time we have had that many at her house in a very long time, long before my father being gone or the pandemic. It was nice and I'm glad we did it. I was surprised that I was not more preoccupied by my father's absence. (If I put that on Facebook, someone would surely comment "he's always with you" or a similar annoying platitude. Yes, I know. I really do. But responding that way, no matter how well-meaning, feels like a push back - it denies my right to mourn, to feel sorrow.) But today it is on my mind. Earlier, I was overwhelmed by it. I'm remembering numerous other family gatherings. If he was living, we more than likely would have held it elsewhere. The reason -- he would have objected to her wearing herself out cleaning (which she did, for two days.) Still he would have enjoyed it, and I suspect it would have included much food besides cake.

 Last night on the news there was a story about New York's population loss. Bob and I agreed that we don't care about out-migration. You don't love NY? Then stop b*tching, LEAVE and don't let the screen door hit you in the a*s. Two aspects were mentioned: A young a-hole was interviewed who moved to the ignorant State of Florida because his wife works in health care and didn't want to get the COVID-19 vaccine. OMG! How awesome they moved - our State gene pool already improved. Another thing brought up was State and municipal employees leaving after retirement. I want them to go and stop complaining, but it still pisses me off when someone reaps the benefits of a public sector pension and then takes it to a backward anti-tax State to spend.

 One year today. 😢

On New Year's Eve, I learned that my lifelong "best" friend's father died the night before. He was 98, and had been failing for a few months. I'd known him since I was five, having met my friend in Kindergarten. Yesterday I messaged my friend's sister, since we are also friends, due to my long history with their family. She said that she and my friend are really struggling. I get it. Of course their dad has only been gone a short time, but after nearly a year, I am still struggling on a daily basis. I wish I had some brilliant words of wisdom for them, but I don't. I know he wasn't well, couldn't get out of bed or do what he wanted, lived a good long life, as had my father, and unlike my father, this man had lost his wife nine years ago, but those statements don't matter. Life is hard. Happy New Year.