When A Clever Post Title Hook Eludes You

 

Above is the Pix my Friend Giselle took of me buying my stuff at the last Event for The Son {Cig Case} and myself {Mannequin Hand}. Well, after The Daughter being gone for 3 Weeks I can tell she's Home now.  I woke at 3:30 a.m. on a day I can actually Sleep In... dammit... and went to the Kitchen to get something refreshing to drink and it had been Deep Cleaned in the middle of the Night, nice Surprise.  But there were some recently dirty Dishes in the Sink coz she also Cooks and Eats at Crazy Hours and leaves "Clues" and "Evidence" behind.  *LOL and Winks*  I don't mind, coz when she Cleans, it's spotless and she's very OCD about it looking Perfect.  She's a bundle of contradictions like that tho', sometimes when she's occupied a Space it can also look ransacked and scary.  *LOL and Le Sigh*  

So there were some uneaten Carne Asada Ramen Cup O'Noodles on the Counter, and evidence of some Cooking and making something from Scratch going on in that Sink of dirty Dishes as well.  But, since the rest of the Kitchen had been whipped into a thing of Beauty, I'll just quietly do those few Dishes and take one for the Team without Complaint.  *Smiles*  She had also brought Home loads of Treasures, likely items she'd worked out in Trade for who she's been doing Work for these past 3 Weeks.  If they need Help she'd do it for Nothing if they're very Old and Broke.  But, if they have something she could use or think we could, or want, then she'll gladly also work something out in Trade if they don't have Money to offer her for the Work she's done for them.

So, she came Home with some really Sweet "Traded" items coz most of the Old Guys she's Housekeeping and Caregiving for are Scavengers like I am and have Hoarded Up some Good Stuff.  *Smiles and Winks*  She got a Street Sign that she Sweet Talked the Recycle Center Guy out of, he can't Sell them but Gifted it to her coz it's the Surname of Four of her Kiddos.  So, she's Surprising Princess T with it to hang in her Room.  Then, she got a Foot Bath for her Dad and a Blood Pressure Cuff.  And an Antique Canning Jar and Samsung Digital Camera for me.  She loaded up so much in my Truck when I went to get her, no Wonder she asked me to pick her up, she Needed a Pickup Truck, it looked like she was Moving a whole Household!  *LOL*

She now has a Vintage Bicycle with a Basket, Clothing, Vintage Dolls for me to Sell at the Antique Mall or Donate to Charity of what I can't use for Resale.  She'd done the Hair of all the Dolls so they looked newer and dressed them all.  She said they hadn't looked like that when she got them, she'd taken great pains to get them presentable and not like Zombie Dolls and Buck Naked.  *LOL*  I forget what else she was pulling out of Bags and Plastic Tubs she'd thrown into the Truck, it took Minutes for her to load it all up and then unload it once we got Home.  So she had been quite Productive and Resourcement during her 3 Week hiatus from Home.  She rarely comes Home empty Handed and while in Mexico she learned how to Scavenge anything you'd Need or Want... or Create it.

The Pump had indeed gone out for the Irrigation to the Front and East Side Yard in Front, so has to be replaced Today since the Water is coming at Midnight on Sunday/Monday until 1:45 a.m.... whether we're ready to receive it all or not.  So we were scrambling to Test the Pump, The Son removed it, put it in a Bucket of Water, yep, it's Fried and won't even turn on.  The Daughter reminded us Mando had left a smaller Pump and we could use that one until I have the Money on Payday the 1st of August, to get the proper sized one.  But, we couldn't locate it and now she thinks it got taken?   Not by Mando coz he doesn't have it nor did he have any use for it, he got it for us to pump Flood Water out of a Barrel we Collect it in that runs off the Roof during Monsoon Storms.

But she went over to Rob's to see if he'd come and taken or borrowed it?  He claimed he hadn't, but he had our Rake, she got it back, now it's MIA again already.  So, she thinks it is Rob and he, like her Brother, when he's had a few, forgets what he's Borrowed or Loaned.  We're always returning his things that he leaves over here and forgets about completely.   And we've loaned and borrowed so much from one another now that it is difficult to recall what belongs to whom?  *LOL*  I'd rather he ask first so I can tell him if it is something I KNOW for certain is ours and not his.  But I don't even know where Mando Sourced the Pump from and it could have been Rob.  Rob is always bringing over Free Stuff that he thinks I could use or Need, and often it's a Gift to Keep, like that recent Display Rack.

So, what's a Rake mistake when he's Gifted me with an Expensive Commercial Display Rack recently?  He can have said Rake, I have another one I bought to replace it already and just told The Son to keep in the RV Garage Mahal Stored, when he's done using it... rather than Outside leaning up against the Wall.  Most Yard Tools are mass produced and all look the same, so mistaken identity is understandable... is that my Rake... I forgot I Loaned it to them... and if he needs it back then he's just taking it not realizing it wasn't even his Rake to begin with.  Anyway, que sera sera, now I shall HAVE to go to "Tractor Supply Co." Today to get a new Pump and see if I have enuf left in any Account this close to EOM not to have to Charge it?  I may have Deposited enuf from Earnings at the Antique Mall this Pay Period to cover the Cost?

Princess T went to her Boyfriend Rusty's when she was sure her Mom would be here to help me with Irrigation, she didn't want me trying to do it without Help.  She helped last Rotation since her Uncle was at Work and her Mom never did show up but had tried to send Mando to help.  Which, we didn't want and so Rob turned him away.  And since she doesn't Work on Monday Morning or Sunday, she could be available to help me with it again when it comes if I'd needed her to.  Rob says he's available if necessary, since he's doing the Irrigation before we get ours for his Parents anyway.  They always have their Rotation just before we do, and then Manuel, the New Neighbor behind our Property who Bought Laura's Mini Farm, gets their Rotation after ours.  So, The Son has gotten to know Manuel really well already, they are a nice Young Hispanic Family that Bought the place and very Neighborly.

When you have Irrigation you Learn to be cooperative as a Community since it's quite necessary to make the Irrigation Rotations go smoothly with no problems.  So you simply must get to Know your Neighbors, which is a good thing, especially those by you who will be their Water before you and directly after you.  I think Irrigation is a Pain in the Ass, but Water is like Gold in the Desert and distribution of it by Irrigation is a Privilege not afforded to many Residential Properties anymore.  The Water is given Free, you only pay an Annual nominal Fee for the Distribution of it by Salt River Project.  You can Opt Out at any time and some folks are too Cheap, or consider it too much Maintenance and a hassle to Opt In.  Or, some Mini Farms have converted to Desert Landscaping on their Acreages and don't require it now.

I Love having this much Greenery and Pasture coz it cools down around your Home considerably, and looks good, but, to whom much is given, much is required, it's a lot of Upkeep and regular Maintenance.  So a lot of the converted to Desert Landscaping Properties in the Community do often belong to Residents who are Aging Out and can no longer Maintain Pasture, Crops, Livestock on their Mini Farms now.  And some opt to Sell once they reach that Age where it's Too Much now and they have no Younger Generations living there with them or don't have the Resources or Contacts to Hire the Help instead.  I was up so early I got the rest of the Yardwork done before the Sun came up fully so I had a lot of Shade but it was Wicked Humid so I'm Sweating like Hell.  This may require a dip in the Pool to Cool Off.  The Son had raked the Yard so piles were easy to pick up of Yard Debris of Leaves and cut Grass.

The Pump ended up setting me back about $350 even with my LOWE's Military Discount.  Other Stores didn't have the Pumps and we got the heaviest duty all Metal one, some were $159 but Plastic and only Warrantied for a Year, this one has a 3 Year Warranty.  Plus think one is more Horsepower and Pumps more Water per Minute by quite a lot... so is more efficient.  The Son will put it in now, we stopped at a Fav Mexican Restaurant ZAMORAS in Old Towne near where our Historic Home is that we Sold, for Breakfast/Brunch.  Ran into my Friend John there, he's Retired now, he's 71 and had worked for CIRCLE K Convenience Stores for 27 Years but had a Heart Attack, Two Hip Replacements and Back Surgery, so he said it was just too hard to keep going and he Retired last Year when he turned 70.  It was good to see him again, had been about a Year since we had.  The Daughter is gonna Clean the Old Pump so she can get it working again and have it for backup.

So, now everything got accomplished and it's only 10:30 a.m. still!  We brought Takeout Home for The Man to eat.  It's good to have accomplished so much so early.  I got all my newly bought Fiesta Ware put away too on the Display Rack, there were several New Colors I didn't previously have.   There's Projects now at Home I can Work on Inside, now that most of the Outside stuff got accomplished so early before it got stupidly Hot, it's already 110 and it's only 10:41 a.m. now!!!  So I think another Record Breaking kind of day.   I did our load of Laundry so I'm all caught up on chores before Noon.  The Daughter was telling me she talked to her Middle Daughter of the Trio in Mexico, whose completely turned her Life around, she had been the Prodigal Child.  She is now worried about her Older Sister, the Oldest of the Trio there, who has always been the "Responsible" one.

The long time Boyfriend broke up with the Oldest one and moved out, he had been helping with expenses, but, she lost her Job and had to drop out of College coz not all expenses are Paid by her Scholarship.  So, it was the Trifecta of Bad Things happening all at once and now her Younger Sister is worried about her.  She said she's been drinking, which is totally out of Character for that one, she's always been the very wholesome one and took on Raising her Two Younger Sisters and Supporting them after their Paternal Grandma Maria Died and left them basically Orphaned and to fend for themselves when we couldn't get them into the U.S. for me to finish Raising the Trio.  I think the Child is probably on Burnout at a Tender Age coz she's had to grow up so fast and assume so much responsibility and Care of the Family there all by herself really.

Plus, I think I mentioned that their Dad got Sentenced and will likely spend the rest of his Life in Prison now, he never did turn his Life around and was posing Dangers to everyone by his associations and reckless behaviors.  I'm glad he's out of the way but I know it's hard on his Youngest Four Daughters, there is a Younger Child by his Ex-Wife, who is Younger than his Children he had by our Daughter, and all his other Kids by other failed Relationships.  He's left a lot of hardships and heartache in his Wake and came from a very respectable influential Family so I know it has cause them a lot of pain and shame.  There was no Saving him from himself however, that's how it is with some People.  I just think it's been a LOT in recent Years for the Kiddos to Deal with and they're still Youngsters only just blossoming into Adulthood.

I don't know what happened with the Boyfriend, they had been Childhood Sweethearts and Lifelong Friends before they Dated.  He was a good Guy and they seemed to be doing very well together, so this was a Surprise.  And she's not taking the breakup well at all, Young Love on the Rocks is never taken well tho' and I'm sure she's brokenhearted.  This was her first Love really, she wasn't one to Date anybody before him.  I'm saddened to hear it didn't work out for them and that he left her becoz I know she was in Love with him.  But, anyone that can Walk Out of your Life was never tied to your Destiny.  Hard to acknowledge that fact when you're Young tho'.  Sometimes even when you're Older.  Heartbreak is Heartbreak at any Age.  And it's never pleasant to have your Heart broken.

The Daughter has been Cleaning Inside and Outside ever since she got Home so she's gotten a LOT done in just a Day.  I really appreciate it coz it needed it.  She and I swam earlier in the Pool and got a Metal Sign off the Deep End that had blown in during the Storm last Night, which had really strong Winds and Dust.   The Sign had been on the Wall by the Deep End where our Diving Board used to be.  We had the Diving Board removed when we Bought the Home becoz Insurance won't Underwrite the Property with one due to Liability Issues and we wouldn't be using it anyway.  Another Sign had blown off the Wall too, we have Old Street and Traffic Signs we got from Salvage Purchases.  It was so hard and took so much time to get that Sign off the Bottom coz it was in very deep Water, our Pool goes to 10 Foot so we had to move it up the incline of the Pool, which met with resistance to our efforts. 

She Tidied Up our Back Patio, Poolside, and we brought some things inside The RV Garage Mahal from there too.  Tonight when the Irrigation comes I'm going to help The Daughter to do it.   She and Rob got the new Pump installed while The Son was taking a Nap.  She was Thankful for Rob's Help and expertise in installing Irrigation Pumps and he brought a Big Umbrella for them to work under the Shade of.  She did the Cage around the Pump, which is a Mesh Wire Cage surrounding it to keep debris away from getting sucked into it and she'd made a Metal Tray for it to sit on with Mesh between the Tray and the Pump Bottom as well to keep out and strain any debris further.  This should keep it cleaner than the previous Pump, which did show signs of having some clogging over the Years it's been submerged and working in the Ditch.

So, anyway, by Midnight when the Irrigation arrives we'll know if everything is now working fine or not?  *All Body Parts Crossed since I had to spend so much Money I didn't really have to replace said Pump*  Payday can't come quickly enuf coz we're completely Tapped Financially and I haven't even made my Truck Payment yet since I had to use the Money for Emergencies that arose instead, plus the MUCH higher Utility Bill this Month.  It should still arrive on time to pay the Truck Note without a Late Charge by the time we get our August 1st Pensions hitting.  I used to pay everything early, and pay off Loans early, and have most things Paid for, now we're just trying to make the damned Ends meet most Months.   And Emergencies seem to be happening back to back without ceasing, and you cannot adequately prepare for that.  I have an Emergency Savings just in case, but I try not to indiscriminately tap into it or too often.

 

Next Months "Sweet Salvage" Event will fall after my Birthday this Year, sometimes the Four Day Event has fell right at my Birthday, but it's always the 3rd Thursday of the Month for Opening Day thru Sunday when it Ends.  I already bought myself my early Birthday Pressy Online Weeks ago when the Seller gave me a Deep Discount on it so that I could afford it.  I don't expect to do anything Earth Shattering for it, mebbe take myself out for a nice Meal, unless that's something the Family wants to do for me.  Mostly they know a Good Birthday to me means just having some Me Time to do whatever I wanna do.   This Year it does fall on a Weekend, a Sunday, when everyone has the Day Off tho', so I can be Footloose and Fancy Free since I'd have no commitments and wouldn't be taking anyone to Work or picking them up. 

I just watched a good Movie with Dermot Mulroney called RUTHLESS on AMAZON Prime, he's aged well, I hadn't seen him in anything for a long time.  It's kept me up while doing Irrigation since The Daughter and I had to do it, The Son drank too much and then got argumentative so we just told him to go to Bed, he's got Work early anyway, and the drinking is becoming quite problematic when he's depressed and overdoing it.  The last thing you need to do when you're feeling down is do something more of a depressive like Alcohol and I keep telling him that.  I know everything sucks right now pretty much for most folks, but drowning out sorrows at the bottom of a Bottle never works out or improves things.  And I will almost always get Triggered around anyone drinking too much to where they're now acting belligerent or throwing themselves a big old pity party.  I told him this is gonna get him kicked out if he doesn't start moderating how much he partakes coz nobody wants to Deal with it.  But a Grown Ass Adult has to Control their own Behaviors and reap consequences of when it's not Okay with everyone else.

I know he doesn't have anywhere else to go and only has part time Hours at a Minimum Wage Job and no Transportation.   So, I don't want to have to ask him to make other arrangements with no options.  But, if he can't moderate the Alcohol consumption sufficiently, he has to do it somewhere else, not here.   Tough Love requires Tough Calls, and right now I got too much else to Manage and he knows that, so he has to get his fucking Ducks in a Row.  It's upsetting to me coz he does a lot around here to Help when he's Sober, but Alcoholics once they drink, it's just downhill from there with how they are and what Bridges they burn behind them due to their Substance Abuse Issues.  He got Clean but he has been unable to get Sober and it's a Problem that's caused most, if not all, of his other Problems. 

  If anyone has a Loved One battling their Demons and Self-Medicating to do it or numb it, they know it's complicated and the only Solution is abstinence, if and when they can Manage that.  Some do, some don't or never will, but it's up to them... it ain't up to me.  I'm Clean and I'm Sober and I made the Choice not to Drink or Drug, even tho' many of my Friends went down that Road, and even quite a few of my Family.  Every Adult has to decide what NOT to do as much as they have to decide what to do in Life.  If you fail to make Good Decisions on a consistent basis it's pretty much a Given it will Negatively impact Life.  Not just for you either and the collateral damage is perhaps the most damaging part of it, when your own Bad Choices Negatively impact the Lives of other people.  It doesn't even matter how Successful or even how Famous someone is, if they keep fucking up, it catches up to them.  And I have a low tolerance anymore for anyone else's fuck-ups.

*******

When a Clever Post Title Hook eludes you... just say that for your Post Title... Winks... Dawn... The Bohemian

Intellectual Property Infringements And Scams

 I've picked everyone up from Work, SAVERS had another bounty of the Fiesta Ware Mugs in about 15 different Colors, some duplicate Colors. Selling in Sets of 5 of your Choice for one low Price.  They had both kinds of Handles but I only got the Art Deco preferred Handle ones coz for now I don't plan to resell them, even tho' I have a lot of their Mugs, more than any Sane Woman should own, so, what's new, Right?  *LOL*  So, yeah, I bought Four Sets of Five coz they had some of the Rarer Colors and even some Colors I didn't previously have.  If do Need or Want to Resell them I can get more for One Mug than I Paid for all Five of each Set.  Some Colors are very similar but different, like the Cobalt Blue & the Plum or the Cinnabar and Claret.    Above is my Haul of Mugs from Today.

The Yellows and Oranges were easier for me to distinguish the different Shades I got.  The Marigold, Antique Gold, Cobalt Blue, Tangerine, Sunflower, Medium Green, Yellow, Original Red, Rose, Gray, Mango Red, Chartreuse, Periwinkle, Heather and Persimmon are some of the Retired Colors.  So I don't mind having duplicates of those or Rarer Colors that were Limited Production.  Some got Relaunched later on in the late 1980's like the Cobalt Blue, Tangerine, Sunflower, and about 18 other Colors.   I've learned how to distinguish Back Stamps since over the Decades it's changed.   Some aren't Stamped or Backstamped and are still the Real Deal too... especially some Vintage made before 1973.  I don't Care if my pieces are Older or Newer frankly, I wanted the variety of Colors produced over the many Years mostly.

 I also got a Cath Kidston beautiful Fabric Tote for less than $2 and Two large Plush My Lil Ponies, which are for Resale.   The My Lil Pony Collectors will pay big bucks for those and they still had the Ty Tags on them and could be New Old Stock, they both have the Rainbow and Glittery Manes and Tails.  One is called Rarity and the other is called Rainbow Dash according to Princess T.  One is a Unicorn and one has Wings. We looked them up and they go for around $40-$80+ each, I paid $6 each.  They are from 2014.  I got another one of those Purses with the Woman's Face, same Brand as the previous one and similar, but different Face... both to Resell.  I thought I'd Photographed the other one, but I guess I didn't.  It's similar to the one Below the 1st Lady Face Bag Pix tho' that I Cribbed from Online Images of one like it.

I got some Mongolian Beef with Steam Rice and Spring Eggroll for Lunch at "Dragon Garden" while waiting for Princess T to get off Work.  They didn't let her out early like usual for a Saturday.  But, she was out by 2:15 p.m., which wasn't too bad and gave me time to eat my Lunch at the Restaurant, then get something from the Convenience Store for her Uncle that he wanted me to pick up.   I was talking to the Older Cashier at the Convenience Store, she's around my Age I'd Guess and said her Car has been Hit and Run damaged Two times this Week while in Parking Lots and there's nothing the Police can or will do since it's Private Property!  The damage is extensive and her Car will be Paid Off next Month so she said she just Cried, coz the 2nd time was the most damage and she didn't even know it had happened coz it was on the Passenger Side rear Door. 

 Her Boss was concerned when he saw her Vehicle and asked her, did you get in a Bad Accident and are you Okay?  She said No, Why?  And he told her to go look at the Passenger Side of her Car.  It's Thousands of Dollars worth of damage and she'd just paid to have the Bumper fixed from the last Parking Lot Hit and Run damage done to it just days prior!!!   Both times the Cops said that unless there are Injuries, on Private Property it's a Civil Matter and they can do nothing.  I knew that already, and it's a Law that I think should be changed in favor of Victims of Parking Lot Accidents and especially Hit and Run Perps who cause them and just take off.   It's one thing if you didn't know you damaged something coz it was slight and perhaps you really couldn't tell there was impact, but when you do significant damage, you KNOW YOU DID.

Of coarse people can be reluctant to leave a Note becoz I once had a Friend who tapped a Vehicle in a Parking Lot accidentally while backing out of her Space.   She couldn't wait for whoever the Vehicle belonged to, to come back, so left a Note admitting she backed into it and caused slight damage and giving her information.   Well, the Victim then filed a Big Claim for significantly more damage to their Vehicle than she'd done, becoz tho' she'd been Honest, they weren't.  So, it's tricky on a Private Property incident where Police won't get involved and file Accident Reports if there are no Injuries.  I felt so Bad for this Older Lady, she's working at a Convenience Store as a Clerk, the Store is owned by an East Indian Family who are very Sweet, but probably can only pay Minimum Wages to their Non-Family Employees.  Most of them work there that are the Family, so they only have a couple Workers who aren't related to them.  We've come to know them pretty well.

The One Grandfather wears a Turban, which is usually Grey or Light Blue in Color, and is swarthy Complexion, but has the same Grey Eyes as me, identical Color Eyes in fact.  So, anytime I come in he tells me what Beautiful Eyes I have!!!   And I say, "You too.", and then we both Laugh.   His look more striking becoz tho' I'm swarthy too, he's Darker complexion than me, so it really makes his Eyes stand out more to have such Dark Skin and such Light Eyes.   If you aren't Fair, and have Darker Skin, but you have Light Eyes and/or Light Hair, people do always comment on your Eyes.  Becoz it's just more unusual for someone with a Darker Complexion to have Light Eyes and/or Light Hair.   Anyway, the East Indian Family are so Friendly and if you're a Regular they tell you about any upcoming Deals they're gonna have when they mark down Product they know you usually Buy there.  There is a McDonalds attached to their Chevron Station too.  Both do a brisk business.

Okay, unfortunate Update on the RYZE Mushroom Coffee, seems there are a lot of fakes circulating with identical Packaging similar enuf to the Original that you can't easily tell.  I just thought it was Suspect, RYZE Official Site had Deals but you have to Subscribe.  And I've always had good results Buying anything from E-Bay Sellers, especially those with excellent Feedback.  I just decided to order the Product from Two different Sellers and then compare it to You Tube Warnings about the Fakes out there on what it should look like, smell like, taste like, both Sellers seemed Suspect compared to what the RYZE Website Coffee Sells, but, pushes Subscriptions and Monthly Charges, which I don't want until and unless I would use the Product enough to make that work for me.  I would be New to drinking it so wanted to just try it first.

  The 1st Sellers didn't smell or taste bad, but seemed more like a Cocoa and tasted like a Coffee Mocha, I can't do Cocoa or Mocha, so it kinda upset my Stomach and I quit drinking it after a couple Cups.   And that was before I knew about the Fakes out there... and it didn't Look like what the Real Deal should... smell like they said it should... or taste like what it should.  The 2nd Sellers Product just seemed Suspect when it arrived, Packaging just seems 'Off' in several ways, some Chinese Writing on the Bubble Wrap surrounding the Pouches, looked very Suspect and Smelled/Tasted Bad.  So I know that one was a Scam for damned sure and Reported it to E-Bay as a Fake Product that would be an Intellectual Property Infringement.  I just wouldn't want more Buyers to get ripped off or drink something that could be Suspect and actually therefore Harmful if it's not what it claims to be. 

 Who knew the Fakes were out there in abundance?  I didn't.  But if you Google it, apparently it's a Popular enuf Product that even AMAZON and TARGET, or other Reputable Online Sellers have Sold what Buyers found out were Fakes and perhaps aren't Vetting Product properly, which is just Scary to me... just WOW!   Let the Buyers Beware is the best Advice you can give anyone and so I'm mentioning it so nobody gets ripped off.  Okay, so you Live and Learn so now I'm only drinking LAIRD Mushroom Coffee that I got from "Whole Foods" which I have in the Single Serving Cups for my Coffee Maker and is brewed more the Traditional way and with Arabica Coffee blend.  Until RYZE doesn't get Tricky with their whole Subscription Push, which is the Major Complaint folks Report, I'll avoid their Brand from their actual Company and not Buy any at all from any 3rd Party Sellers who may or may not be intentionally Selling Fakes.

Anyway the LAIRD Tastes and Smells right at least and wasn't crazy Expensive like RYZE Official Site is unless you Subscribe.  I don't Subscribe to anything, don't want Auto Shipments of any Product and being Billed Monthly for anything I use.  I feel if they have to push that then it's just a Company I'd rather not do business with actually even if they have a good Product.  So, that's the Lowdown on Mushroom Coffee and the apparent Scams abounding with it since it's become a Popular Product.   I Love Coffees and have my Favs, Teas too.  I'm just quite disappointed that Scams are out there preying on Consumers and that you have to be so Careful nowadays with all the Scamming and Unregulated Products posing as something they're not, ripping people off, and perhaps not even being Safe!  I don't know if Intellectual Property Infringement Cases get taken to Court and Sued, but they should by the actual Producer of Products to cut down on Knockoffs.

I know that even in the Antiques and Collectibles Market tho', Knockoffs and Fakes abound and even Seasoned folk have sometimes gotten fooled by a really good Fake.  If something is a Reproduction they should say so, but they don't always, so that they can Scam a Buyer into paying the Price for The Real Deal even tho' they know it's a Repop they're Selling.  Nobody likes to feel they got Scammed and Played by an unscrupulous Seller.  We've had Vendors that got kicked out of the Mall for doing such things to Buyers.  Especially some that Sold Faked Sports Memorabilia with Faked Authenticity to make it seem Legit!!!   And a Couple I knew who were Big Buyers for Sports Memorabilia Resale got Hosed by a Seller who Sold them Thirty Grand worth of Fake Merch!  They had a Lawsuit against the Guy but I don't know how that shook out?   Can you Imagine tho' outlaying Thirty Grand for Product that turns out to be Fake and might ruin your Reputation or being Imprisoned or Sued if you then Sold it as Authentic?!

The Son just told me he Tested the Irrigation Pump and it has indeed gone on the Fritz and won't turn On.  So, we'll have to replace it Tomorrow and I don't know if I even have enuf to do that but we simply must coz Irrigation will come at Midnight Tomorrow whether we're ready to properly receive it or not.  I was hoping it wouldn't be something expensive or at least not need the outlay for replacements or repairs until after Payday on the First of the Month... Le Sigh.   They are typically $100-$500 for Residential strength Pumps.  I could manage on the low end of that, but definitely not the high end of it unless Princess T loaned me the Money and then I'd pay her back.  She's the only one who has a decent Savings built up, mine is slowly building but I don't wanna tap into it just yet until it's built up more.  We Save all Year specifically so that come Tax Time we have enuf for however much Income Taxes have increased on regular folks... seems every Year it's more and more and the alleged Tax Breaks for anybody but the Rich are a Joke.

I haven't heard from The Young Prince yet so I doubt they'll be here this Weekend like he'd planned to be?   Usually he'd call to say they're on their way from New Mexico otherwise.   The Niece hasn't said she's on her way either yet from Texas.  The Daughter did finally call me for Pickup Tonight and it's getting late and a Monsoon Storm is brewing so I won't wanna be out commuting during a Dust Storm or Haboob, too dangerous with low visibility and can damage the Windshield of a moving Vehicle, pitting the Glass like it's been Sandblasted, and destroying your Paint Job on your Vehicle too.  The Safety factor also is terrifying if you get caught in one coz visibility is at Zero and few people know how to handle being in one, you're supposed to pull as far off the Road as you can manage and turn your Lights off.   We got Home before it hit tho', whew!   She reminded me that Mando had left us a small Pump that might work for Irrigation, now they're trying to locate it.

When The Daughter was a Toddler, this was her BFF, Sarah, I wish I'd kept in touch with the Family, her Mom was a Friend of mine and her Husband was Military too.  They'd lost their Oldest Daughter to Crib Death when she was an Infant so they were very protective of Sarah, as I'm sure you would be after losing a Young Child beforehand, your Firstborn at that.   I just don't recall what Sandy's last name was tho'.  Sarah was slightly Older than The Daughter and such a lovely Child, so I'd have her over all the time.  She was a tiny little Sprite.  Sandy was a Redhead with Copper Penny colored Hair and her Baby Daughter that Died had the same Color Hair.  Sadly, the only Pixs Sandy had of her Baby were the Death Photos in her little Coffin, and she looked just like she was Sleeping.  Back then Parents of Babies that Died of Crib Death were dealt with harshly by the Authorities so both Parents had PTSD from what they'd gone thru, both losing their Baby and being Suspects of Negligence or Infanticide until it was determine the Baby Died of SIDS.

Above is our Middle Granddaughter of the Trio in Mexico.  She's The Daughter's Child No. 4 of the 5.   I'm hopeful that eventually they all can get to come to America and get whatever Paperwork they need as Dual Citizens in Order so they can be in Mexico or America as they so desire to be, since, they had a Parent who was a Citizen of each Country.  I think Mexico will always been their Heart and their Home since they were Born there and lived all their Childhoods there.  But they really would like to come to America at least for visits and to meet the Maternal Side of the Family.  Especially The Man and I before we Die coz they've never had a Grandpa, Maria's Husband Died when their Son, Salvador, their only Child, was only 13 Years Old.  He was Assassinated, since he was very high up in Government and that Sadly is common in Mexico.  Almost all of Maria's Family are also very high up in Government there.  I met some of her Family, some even Live here in America and have Properties in both Countries.

Gas is back up to Four and a Half Bucks a Gallon, due to the whole Iranian Fiasco escalating further.  There's no Strategy or Exit Ramp to that whole shitshow he started for bogus reasons.  And to profit from with Contracts he and his Family made a lot of Money on and now don't know how to fix what they have Globally fucked up due to their insatiable Greed, Corruption and absolute Incompetence.  He's no Master Deal Maker, that's always been a fabricated Myth about him made up for TV Ratings and the Cons he's always running.  Even that Book "The Art Of The Deal" wasn't Written by him, Tony Schwartz Wrote it as the Ghost Writer based on Interviews and Time spent with Donnie Two Dolls.  And we all know what a Habitual Liar and Bullshit Artist Donnie has always been and will always be, so you can't Believe what he says most of the time, he makes shit up every time he opens his Mouth.

 But, every Accusation he's made is actually a Confession... that's a 'Tell' for him that is always a common thread and distraction tactic he uses with consistency.  If he Accuses anyone of anything, you can rest assured it's something he's done, plans on doing, and will do.  I'm still shocked our Country hasn't done something to remove him and keep us all Safe long before now, since he's dangerous and a threat to National Security, they know he's committed Illegal Acts and numerous Crimes of a very serious nature over a broad spectrum of Criminal Activities.  He really should have been Imprisoned some time ago, yet they've decided he's above the Law and can commit any kinds of Crimes with impunity.  Not that he's acting alone and he's definitely protecting all who do his bidding and are complicit... including Pardoning those who were Convicted and imprisoned for their Crimes.  The amount of Money he's Grifted, Extorted and Conned folks out of is staggering.  He's corrupted and perverted every aspect of Government he's installed someone in.

*******

Ranting & Venting because is all needs to be openly said and put on blast... Dawn... The Bohemian

How Habits & Mood Are Altered By Extreme Heat Advisories

 

I went ahead and Published Two Posts this Morning, I had plenty backed up Unpublished and the one that had Published first was a dud of a Post that I didn't even like, when I re-read it.  We're going Long with this one, coz I was Wound Up Tighter than a 7-Day Clock, Sorry!!!   I can sometimes tell where my Head Space was at when I re-read a Post, or even when I'm Writing one, and my Head hadn't been in a good Space clearly that day!  *LOL*  I apologize for any Posts like that where it was more Therapy and an Emotional Release for me than a good Read for you all.  *Sorry... Smiles and Winks*   No sense deleting them once they Publish, they can be Purged a bit later when nobody much has Read them.  Now a popularly Read Post I keep up longer and don't Purge right away, but those with less Statistical evidence of popularity, in the little Trash Can Icon that Deletes them it goes.  *Ha ha ha*

My Brother called this Morning, it wasn't a Happy conversation coz we talked mostly of his declining Health and grim prognosis, his recent Surgery that lasted from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and wasn't successful at all!!!   And then our Dying Cousin on the Rez and how piss poor the managing of an outbreak of Tuberculosis on the Rez has been.  At least now they're all getting Tested, but the fact anyone whose been around her for the PAST THREE YEARS is being Tested means, it's an Advanced Case of the Disease and they should have probably done something like this Three fucking Years ago.  Since several of the Family Died within the past Three Years, my Brother and I wonder if they all had undiagnosed TB and were just left to spread it and Die?  We're quite cynical about how the American Government has been Historically towards the Indigenous... attempted Genocide has been the Historic Track Record. 

And then we talked of Alcoholism, since, The Son had called his Uncle while Drunk one Night and that had been awkward.  My Brother knows that The Son and The Daughter are Alcoholics and didn't take my advice to never Drink the Fire Water.  He doesn't like to be around or talk to someone under the influence of Alcohol any more than I do, nor does his Partner, Marcie, so they told The Son to call when Sober only.  I will have to talk to him about it too since that Night I knew he'd been drinking and when he said he called my Brother, I thought, Ruh Roh, that couldn't have gone Well.  So, I'd tried to call my Brother after that and didn't get a response, so, knew he was likely upset to have had a drunken Call.  Nobody wants to Talk to or Deal with a Drunk... Nobody.   He's glad both of the Kiddos got Clean from Drugs, but like me, wishes they'd get Sober too.

He hasn't talked to The Daughter in a long while becoz she had her Uncle tell her never to call if she's been Drinking.   And when is she not Drinking?  So, she just doesn't call him to respect that boundary he's set.  She has to have at least Two Mike's Hard daily, just to Deal with her Mental Illness Demons and take The Edge off her constant Psychosis.  Psyche Meds would or might work better, but, she's not seeing a Shrink coz now they do it all by Telehealth and she's too Paranoid a Schizophrenic to Trust any Telehealth Calls.  She Imagines more people could be lurking about in the Room that you can't see on Screen, Listening in, or the Shrink might not even be wearing Pants and you wouldn't know it?!  *Bwahahahaha*  Funny, yet, these are things that make her legitimately Paranoid about Telehealth Calls so she refuses to do them and I can't blame her.  Who knows what's going on out of Frame during one of those Calls... REALLY?  *Winks*

Sorry if NOW you're wondering on your own Telehealth Call, is that Doctor wearing Pants... and who else is in the Room Listening in that I can't see?  *Bwahahahahaha*  I know during Pandemic when I had to do Zoom Meetings with Teachers and Administrators while Princess T was still in High School being allegedly "Home Schooled" by me, that sometimes I didn't get out of my Pajamas to do them.  *LOL*  I wear a T-Shirt and some Jammie Pants with Cute Graphics, so, whatever.  And I knew sometimes they'd be distracted by what was in the background coz Princess T later would tell me, when School resumed, that they thought our Home was Cool and talked about what had been in the Background.  And that if I took the Zoom Call Outside they could see Ducks floating by in our Back Pasture.  So they thought we had a Lake or Pond in our Back Acreage... but, it was just Irrigation Day and we Flood the Pasture, so it does attract Migratory Birds.  *LOL*

She HATED that they talked more about ME and our Decor, than about what the Zoom Meeting should have been the Focus of.  *LOL*  Your Gramma's Dreadlocks are so long and she's so Cool. {I often did the Zoom on the Floor and so my Dreads cascaded down to the Floor around me and did appear very Rasta-Rapunzel Like.  Ha ha ha}   Now, I don't know Why Princess T got Annoyed that her Teachers, IEP Team, Administrators and Principal thought I was the COOL Gramma?   I mean, I was flattered to hear it... I was one of the "Cool Kids"!  *Winks*  But, she countered with, "But Gramma, you're NOT SUPPOSED TO BE One of the "Cool Kids"... you're OLD!  And I get tired of all my Friends and Teachers always telling me how "Cool" my Gramma is!"  Okay then. *Bwahahahaha*  

 The things our Kiddos get embarrassed or annoyed about as we're Raising them knows no bounds, doesn't it... I'd of been an embarrassment if I was the "Uncool" Gramma too, Sure of it!?  *Winks and Laughs*  We're supposed to embarrass our Children and our Grandchildren, it's part of the Job and I took it seriously, clearly.  *Smiles*  Anyway, I preferred to be thought of and talked about as an "Old Cool Kid" and have Positive shit said about me by them, Right?  Better than folks saying Negative shit about you!!!  *Winks*   Anyway, now she's more used to it and she's Grown, so now she doesn't mind me being talked about flatteringly by her Friends and Co-Workers at SAVERS, she knows they all Like me and always tell her I "Smell Good".  *Bwahahaha*  That's better than someone saying you "Smell Bad" or "Smell Old", Right?  Or look Busted.  *Winks*

Today I should go pick up my Checks at the Antique Mall and bring in more Inventory but it got really Hot really early and I'd have to leave The Man here alone or drag him along.   The Son may be Home by Noon, but then I'd have precious little time between then and when I have to pick the Grandchild up from Work to get anything done at the Antique Mall... so, decisions, decisions.  I also toyed with going to The Gym, but that urge passed quickly after I fed the Wild Birds, Watered the Plants and Front Yard, and was drenched with Sweat coz it's not only Hot, but Humid... and Humidity in The Devil.   I don't know that it will be 118 again Today or not like it was Yesterday?   It was Scorched Earth Yesterday and all Week doesn't look much better actually.

 Officially they said it only got to 112, they were inaccurate and they always are about the "Official" and Recorded temperature which is always way lower than actual Recorded Temps everywhere around the City Unofficially.  For them to Officially call a Record Temp broken, it's Off the Charts Hotter than that Unofficially.  The Hottest Temp ever Recorded Officially, it was 122 on June 26, 1990... I remember it Well!  Unofficially it's been Hotter than that many times tho' and recently.  I don't have to go in to the Antique Mall early now coz the Manager just called me to ask if I could work a Shift Tonight for my friend Brigid and I said I could.  Since I needed to pick up my Checks anyway and bring some Inventory in, I'll now just wait for Tonight instead since I'll be Working 5-9 now.  I've missed Working and seeing Friends there, I've been Isolating too much and Seniors shouldn't do that, it's detrimental and quickens cognitive decline.

I do have a full House here, but it's all Family and you really do need more exposure in general Public to not become de-socialized.  Which is really easy to fall into the habit of as you get older and just don't go out as much or mingle and socialize as often anymore.  I do more things Solitary now and don't mind doing so, it's Peaceful and I don't always opt for Social Events very often.  I enjoy them when I do but limit it to perhaps just once a Month for an Hour or Two.  So, my Shifts that I fill in for Co-Workers for at the Antique Mall are Four Hours of being around People, which is beneficial and I do enjoy it.  I just don't always have the Stamina or Bandwidth to take on Regular Shifts of my own so prefer to just be a Call In to fill a Shift for someone who didn't show up or is on Vacay, Sick, had an Emergency, whatever.  I live close by so can get there within 20 Minutes.  You can not really get anywhere in the City quicker than that due to Traffic.  *Le Sigh*

My Friend Kim, who Owns "Sweet Salvage", the Event I attend and Cover Monthly, asked if I have Pixs of their very 1st Show?  Which I'm sure I do once she gives me the exact Year, Day and Month.  Then I can pinpoint which Folder of Photos in Archives to check for them in and then send them to her.  I think I've only ever missed a scant few Shows in all the Years they've done them.   And I used to go to her Brick N Mortar Store back when she and Katie had that Store before they began the Occasional Monthly Four Day Events.  That had become a Thing Nationwide and Phoenix had been Late to the Party so Kim & Katie, then Partners, decided to do the First one Locally and it was a Hit from Day One.   Kim is Brilliant at Marketing, Styling, Hosting such a thing, and has so many Cultivated Relationships in the Industry, so got everyone on Board at once time or another to be a part of it.  Katie and I have a similar Aesthetic and when she came out with a Clothing Line too I bought quite a bit of it coz she and I wore the same Size.

I knew the 1st Event was right around my Birthday and sho' nuff it was August 18th, 2011, my Birthday is the 16th, and my Memory served me Right that it was Summer of 2011.  I remembered coz Princess T always went with me and she was around 6 Years Old at the time.   I ended up with 30+ Pixs I sent to her to see if she could use any of those from the 1st Event?  I've included many of them in this Post to Re-Share again. I'm sure I have more, since, in the Early Days I'd sometimes be able to go all Four Days and Cover it for Social Media.  Back then many Bloggers Locally did, but now none do and I'm the only one I know of that still does and my Industry Friends know that and appreciate it.  I think it's important to document Local Small Biz Events, promote them, and the History of them all.  So many no longer exist and all we have are the Memories and whatever Photos someone might have taken.  Few are as Pathological about taking random Pixs like I always have been tho'.  I still get Inspired by those early Images, Shows, Events and Shop Vignettes.   The Chair above is part of a Set of Four, of one of the 1st Major Purchases from "Sweet Salvage".  So Old they are stuffed with Animal Hair and Straw!

And I really did bury Kim in an Avalanche of Nostalgic Imagery from the 1st Show once I opened all the Folders of Archived Pixs I'd taken at it.  I guess I went 2 of the 4 Days for that Opening First Show on the 18th and the 20th.  Back then there were so many places to go that you hadda Pace yourself and I'd cover all of them Downtown at once while I was in Central Phoenix.  Lots of my Friends in the Industry during that Era had great Brick & Mortar Shops all up and down 7th Avenue from Indian School Road all the way to Camelback Road.   So you'd literally spend a few Days covering it all.  Now, so few are left and hanging on that it really makes me Emotional sometimes of what has been Lost.  What remains is still good, but the heyday was the absolute best and had the most Salvage and Vintage Era Items up For Sale, and Unique Creations that were OOAK and not Mass Produced or just Imports.  Tho' in those days the Imports were Killer too, from 11 different Countries all across Europe that my Friends purchased direct and shipped back from Pickin' all across Europe.

Back then they also Picked all across America as well and attended all the Famous American and European Flea Markets and Shows.   Now nobody can afford to do that and so lots of things happened along the way making Importing risky, expensive and sometimes impossible.  And Traveling the Countryside even here at Home in America, became also risky, expensive and sometimes impossible as well.  Very few do it anymore.  Those who can and do really have to ask Premium Prices so Bargain Hunting for the rest of us to get Primo items, is a thing of the Past really too.   Quality Merch now commands high prices I'm just not usually willing to pay and so I can see why it's not that profitable for the Sellers to even carry it anymore.   The evolution of the Industry is such that folks Buy what is affordable and usually even disposable or mass produced coz it can be had Cheaply and isn't a Financial Investment anymore.  It won't gain in Value, it never had Value.

My Fav Vignette of the First Show is pictured Below that Kim and Katie did, I still Own several pieces I bought from that Vignette and that Show.  All this time I had thought it was Katie's Vignette until Kim told me it was a collaborative effort of the both of them, so I'm glad I now know that.   Kim always had a more refined Aesthetic and Katie a more Bohemian one, so I'd just thought Katie had come up with it.  At the time it was very Magnolia Pearl Inspired and I was Buying a lot of Robin's Work {still do and Collect it, the Vintage Line of it}, so I was glad to see some Boho coming to Phoenix.  At the time most Aesthetic around Arizona leaned heavily into the Western Theme of Decorating and the Anglo Version of Native American Decor.  I knew from my Paternal Side that they made things for Cultural reasons and Ceremonial Reasons... and then they made stuff to Sell to the Tourists and Non-Indians, it's quite different and I can tell the difference.  Never much liked the Anglo Version of Native American Decor or Collectibles, it's not Authentic, but it Sells well to Non-Natives so that's why it was produced.

 

Anyway, the Birthday Celebration Event is in August for "Sweet Salvage" and I'm looking forward to it since it always falls on or around my own Birthday.   Not many of the Old Regulars attend anymore, I don't know what happened to most of them, but many were Older, so, I Hate to think they've Passed Away, but it is a possibility, or, they're now Housebound or don't do much anymore?   I don't do as much anymore either compared to previous Years, so, it happens.  And there were many who attended with other people and would never go just by themselves.  I prefer to do things by myself and just meet folks while there, but have my Freedom without an entourage in tow.   I'm kind of Selfish with my rare Free Me Time so I Guard it closely and don't Share it with anyone.  And I doubt I will anytime either.  Even when I go, I might spend 1-2 Hours tops and very little of that time is special Socializing much.  And then I'm Good for another Month.  *Smiles*    

I do enjoy everyone but it's Situational Friendships that I've had for Years and it's not like we ever meet outside of the Event and we probably never will either.  The exception is when I Sell to Industry Friends and Invite them over to Buy when they've asked me if I'm ready to open up my Private Collections to Sell Off some of it?   I don't have to and Primo Items I'm reluctant to Sell Off in the first place, and definitely not at Bargain Prices.  So, you'd have to Buy a lot at one time, Cash, for me to give you a First Cousin Deal on my best stuff.  I could Sell it myself for a lot more piece by piece in my own Spaces.  Yet, at our Antique Mall, the Primo items don't always have the Demographic coming in to pay what it's worth and I don't take Lowball Offers Seriously.  And you would Risk some Theft or Manhandling, so, it's something that must be considered.  To Sell things costing several Hundred Bucks or more there is Rare, people coming in generally don't spend that much even if they're Buying several items, let alone a single Primo Item. 

Anyway, it was Fun to do a Deep Dive into the Past for Kim's Photos of that 1st Event.   I had forgotten how Colorful some of the Styles were back then in 2011.  The Colorless Palette came later when that became a Thing, I liked it but tried it and found it impractical with a busy Household of Three Generations and Pets.  You can't keep it Clean enuf and I like Color in my World, so, tho' I can still Admire it if done Well, I don't want to Live with it in our Personal Spaces.  There are a lot of Styles I like or Admire, but I couldn't Live with on the Day to Day.  I know what I like to be surrounded by and I know it's not for everyone, but then, your Personal Private Space doesn't have to cater to anyone but you and your own Family Members living there. 

 I always find it Curious when someone visits someone else's Home and then says something to the effect of, they didn't like how it was Decorated or Styled.  We're talking about Clean and Styled Homes.   Coz, well, it's not all about YOU when you're a Guest anywhere.  Do YOU at YOUR Home, expect everyone else to do the same.  If a Home is Clean and Styled, then I can Respect however that Homeowner Decorates or Style their Personal and Private Spaces.  I don't have to Like it, I don't Live there.  And I can be Over the Moon about a Style or Decor that I absolutely fall in Love with and would like my own Home to resemble.   And, I've seen Shop Vignettes and Magazine Pages in Styles that I felt like I could just Move In and live like that!  *Smiles*  And each New Home has been a Blank Canvas to do something different to compliment the Style of the Home we've Bought, coz each has been strikingly different.

Anyway, Today while doing my Deep Dive to 2011 of an Event that has managed to Survive 15 Years and tough Economic Downturns, many Changes in Designers participating in it, the Owner Surviving Cancer, as well as a Pandemic, I'm reminded how much Time has sped by too.   And how few Businesses have Weathered all of the Storms or Issues of Life endured.   I'd like to see some resurrections of some of the Style Sensibilities of 2011 that the Event Showcased.  What's being done now has kind of been overdone even tho' it's Trending and Popular at the Moment.   I like some of the recent Trends but when you see it overdone and everywhere, you want to see something Fresh and different, even if it's been resurrected from a long time ago and given a Fresh Spin.  And some Bold use of Color is overdue to be an Option from all of the Natural Colors and Colorless Decor most Popular now.  I like Natural Elements and Naturalist Collections, I have them everywhere at Forever Boheme', so don't get me Wrong, and Sepia is my all time Fav Non-Color.  But some Bold Color would be a refreshing Change now.

I got a Black and White Leather Kenneth Cole Tote Style Fashion Bag priced and a 1990's Retro Print Hat, with the Two Vintage Dolls in the Lead Image to bring in to Inventory when I go into Work Tonight.   I could have gotten more Merch Priced but I don't have a lot of Space to cram it in there right now.  So I'm Okay with bringing in this small amount of Fresh Merch that I think will easily Sell.    I could have looked up Pokemon Cards but didn't feel up to Pricing more of those until I Sell Off some in our Locked Case that I just put in there the other day.  If you keep bringing them in then Customers come in more often, and often Buy more than just that if they've taken the time to come back.  So, it's a common ploy not to bring it all in at once and stagger stocking Fresh Merch so Customers will come in again and again more often. 

LATER: Work went well, they messed up coz apparently Brigid had called a Co-Worker Friend to ask if she'd cover for her and fill-in, the Friend agreed.  Either Management didn't know that and called me to fill-in when she called to tell them she was Sick, perhaps she neglected to tell them she had asked someone to cover for her already?  You're not supposed to do that, choose someone yourself to take your Shift, the Manager makes that Call, and he did when he asked me.  So, they couldn't send either of us Home, we'd already driven there, Gas isn't Cheap, and neither of us was willing to just go Home, so they let us both stay, not our Fault, either one of us.  It turned out good coz Judith didn't wanna stay and it is her regular Shift, so she took that opportunity to leave early.  There was now enuf coverage for her to leave, with the additional person filling in.  It was really busy too, lots of Customers coming in at the last Half Hour.  Lots wanting to see things in Locked Cases.

Yolanda had brought in Bo-Sa Donuts so I had one.  I don't usually like Donuts or Sweet things but Bo-Sa makes a really god not-so-sweet Donut.  I had a plain one with Pineapple filling and a crumble on top, tasted a bit like a Pineapple Upside Down Cake but lighter.  And someone else ordered Pizza for everyone, so there was Pepperoni from Little Caesars and I had a slice of that too.  I bought a Grey & White Rabbit's Foot Keychain from a New Vendor.  I have a Project I want to do to Decorate a Steer Skull utilizing it and some Pearls.   Kind of like what my Friend Heidi did with the Necklace but I want it on a Steel Skull as an Embellishment and to hang on the Wall.   There were actually a lot of New Vendors and they had done their Booths really nice and Showcased some decent Merchandise, so, I Hope they do well enuf to stick around.  It improves the Mall's Reputation when we have good Vendors who have Style, Merchandise well, and have Quality Inventory.

 

Some Vendors who do Season Themes already Decorated their Space for Halloween and I was enjoying that.  I did take some Pixs while on Shift Tonight.   And some Pixs of how Hot it was getting Today, we did break a Record.   Officially it was 117.  And it's supposed to be 117 again Today but the Record for Today was set at 119 some time ago and I doubt "Officially" it will get to 119, but "Unofficially" of coarse it will around the Inner City.   Anyway, I got all of the Yardwork done before 8:30 a.m. and The Son had worked on it last Night while I was at Work and cut all the Pasture in preparation for Irrigation coming at Midnight on Sunday/Monday to about 1:45 a.m. so we'll have a pitch Black late Night Rotation again.  We haven't had a good Rotation Time in ages.  But, The Daughter said if I come get her Today she'll come Home in time to Help me with Irrigation in case her Brother cannot?  He Works at 5:00 a.m. on Monday so I doubt he'll wanna do Irrigation from Midnight 'til almost 2:00 a.m. and then have to be in Work 3 Hours Later.

  

Princess T doesn't Work on Mondays so I can Sleep In after I get Irrigation done at least.  The Son said he'll Walk to Work so I don't have to be Woke Up just a few Hours after going to Bed after I get Irrigation Done.   Rob sometimes will Volunteer to help me since he's up doing theirs just before ours anyway.  He's got his faults but is a good Guy and a good Neighbor to us.   He's always liked our Family and gets along with us better than with his own Family, who are devout Mormons so don't like that he's an Alcoholic.  I understand, I told him I don't like that my Son and Daughter are Alcoholics either.  Rob is careful not to come around me if he's been drinking and is respectful of me not liking to be around anyone under the influence, he knows it's Triggering to me.  My Psycho Sociopath Ex Husband was also an Alcoholic and Drug Addict, so I just can't be around someone Using either or I get Triggered and get very agitated around them to where I'll react viciously.  In a Perfect World we'd never have to Deal with or be exposed to other folk's Substance Abuse Issues.

But, in this Imperfect World, sadly, Substance Abuse is on the rise and far too many folks are Addicted to Alcohol or Drugs, perhaps both.  I don't Care if it's Illegal Drugs or Prescription Drugs someone is abusing, it's all the same to me... the only difference is who their Drug Dealers are.   Some Doctors IMO are worse than the Pushers on the Streets who do it Illegally, becoz most Docs are Dealing Drugs to get people dependent upon them, Legally and with few, if any, Legal consequences of the harm they are causing who becomes Addicted and the collateral damage to their Families.   The Son and The Man for a time were both Addicted to Prescribed Opioids, neither one of them would have used Illegal Drugs Voluntarily.   I don't think a lot of Addicts wake up one day and think, well, let's become a Junkie and ruin my Life and the Lives of all my Loved Ones too.

 

But both of them sustained serious enough Work Related Injuries to require Controlled Substance Rx and became dependent upon it, then abused it after they got strung out on it badly by Doctors making too much of it available.   Then The Son's Insurance Cancelled when he lost his Job due to his Injuries from that Job and he started them getting his Opioids on the Streets and it got laced with Fentanyl!  He got Clean all by himself coz he knew he'd otherwise Die, coz every hit with Fentanyl is like playing Russian Roulette every single time and he'd OD'd Twice already.   He's been Clean now Five Years and I'm Proud of him for that.  He said he still has Nightmares about backsliding.   The Man got Clean when I told the VA not to renew his Pain Management Meds.  Then I got my Eastern Medicine Chinese Doctor to Cleanse his System of them, at great Cost Out Of Pocket coz Insurance will cover the Narcotics that are Addictive, but not Eastern Medicine to get you Well from the Western Medical created Addiction to Painkillers.  

 The VA had The Man on a Cocktail of Drugs that never should have been prescribed together:  Oxy, Morphine AND Methadone together!!!  Yeah, I'm no fucking Doctor but I knew that was irresponsible and a potential Death Cocktail, so I changed his Doctors at the VA several times when some just seemed to be overmedicating Vets and handing Addictive Drugs out like Tic Tacs.  So I do have compassion for people whose Doctors got them strung out and dependent on Addictive Medications that now they're struggling like any Street Junkie whose strung out on Illegal Drugs.   It destroys the Lives of many people and Kills so many.  I know a lot of Seniors who are Prescription Junkies.  And The Son said when he was a User, most of the Rx Drug Suppliers were Seniors Selling their Meds to supplement their Fixed Incomes, so the Drug Dealers were Old People in Retirement Communities that supplied the Pill Poppers.  I always found it Amusing then when Senior Friends would move to a Retirement Community saying it would be "Safer" from Urban Issues like Drugs.   Shit, that's where all the best Drugs are at and Junkies know it!

And when The Son worked at "Total Wine" he said their best and most Regular Customers were the Senior Community buying Alcohol, more so than any other Demographic.  And I don't doubt that at all coz most of my Friends who are Seniors drink quite a lot, it's why I don't hang out with them when Invited.  I don't wanna end up being the Designated Driver or have it be my Day to Watch Them and make sure they all get Home Safely and Alive after they've Closed Down a Restaurant and run up more of a Tab at the Bar than with the Food.  I literally had Managers come up and tell me they were glad when I would come to the Gatherings of some of my Senior Friends to their Restaurant, coz at least then I'd get some of them to Eat with the Alcohol they'd be consuming while there Socializing!!!   The Managers could see I'd only order a Diet Soda and something to eat while the rest would be kicking back Alcoholic Beverages one right after another.  

Finally, I just quit going and accepting the Invites.  Made me too nervous knowing each of them was Driving afterwards.  I don't wanna be complicit or having to give everyone Rides Home.   It's just not my Scene and I wasn't even Miss-Party-All-The-Time when I was Young and during my Wayward Youth... the Drug Scene and Alcohol consumption never was my Jam even then as a Young Hippie.   I can't say I wasn't Wild in other ways, but getting High or Drunk wasn't something I did or was even tempted to do.   And, I did know, that if and when I would partake of even a small amount of Alcohol, I was easily intoxicated and a Mean impaired individual, I'd Fight anyone even after a couple Drinks.  *LOL*   And who wants to be THAT Person?  I didn't and so I mostly abstained.  I'm also a notorious Control Freak and so I like to be in Control of myself, my surroundings, and my Behavior... impairment makes you more Out of Control and I don't like that at all.

The Son took us out for Breakfast to "First Watch" as a Surprise this Saturday Morning, which was nice.  This close to EOM my Budget for eating out is gone.   So, that was an unexpected enjoyable Morning.  We got there early before the Rush happens and went to the one a little further from Home coz the one closest to us always has long waits for a Table and it's too Hot to be piled up waiting.  There were a lot of Babies and very Young Toddlers there with Families so I thought Ruh Roh, coz many were seated right by us.   Adorable, but nothing can spoil a nice Meal like fussy Children who can't be comforted or whose Parents let them Scream incessantly or run around if they have mobility.   But, every one of those Kiddos was so well behaved you didn't even know there were over a Half Dozen Infants and Toddlers there!!!  *Whew* 

The Man ordered the Salmon Benedict, which, even tho' I don't like Salmon, it looks Sublime.  We forgot it came with Spring Mix, which, he won't eat and usually I remember to ask for a substitution like Potatoes or Fruit.  But, I took it Home for The Daughter, she'll be Home Today and she Loves Salads and I had Grape Tomatoes at Home and Ranch Dressing.  So, it wouldn't be Wasted.  I know it's risky right now to eat Salads let you get that Explosive D going around, so we'll wash it really well first before consuming any of it.  So far not many Cases in Arizona anyway of that.  And I'm boycotting anything Taylor Farms, it's the only way to hold such Companies accountable, since the Federal Government is rewarding such Behavior now by taking Bribes to cover up such things and not properly fund the FDA due to Worm Brain Roided out RFK, Jr. and his ridiculous Conspiracy Theories and Quack Medical Advice.  

We do currently have bad outbreaks of Measles in the State tho' and Kids will Die becoz their Families are rabid Anti-Vaxxers and would rather their Kids Die of Preventable Illnesses and Diseases once eradicated by Vaccines... and infect other Kids.  To me it constitutes Child Neglect and Ignorance, I feel sorry for the Children of Families who won't adequately Protect them, regardless of what they're Neglecting to Protect them from.   Becoz they ran with Low Information or Buy into Unproven Conspiracy Theories that have zero Proof, Evidence or Factual Basis, no Science behind it, but, they fully Believe anyway.   They also tend to be among the Election Deniers as well, where, if they Win it wasn't Rigged, but if they Lose it was Rigged.  Every single one of them who thinks the 2020 Election was Stolen coz our System is so Rigged, also doesn't Believe the 2024 Election was Stolen becoz of coarse it's not Rigged when all their Side Wins!!!   They Control everything right now but aren't Investigating the 2024 Election, or the 2016 Election, just the one they Lost Six Years ago!!!  That's just Crazy as Fuck.   Heads I Win, Tails you Lose, kind of irrational thinking.

Any of them that start Talking the Crazy Talk about Stolen Elections I just shut down immediately by saying, well, if you're Right about The System being Rigged, we should Investigate 2016 and 2024 as well then. Coz it's either Corrupt and Rigged, or it's not, you can't have it both ways.  So, let's begin Serious Investigations then into who Won in 2016 and 2024, I think that's a very good Idea in fact, if we're gonna Question and Debate only 2020, that is not Enough... we should Investigate ALL Elections then for the last Decade and see Whattsup?!  *Winks*  Did your Guy legitimately Win or was his Wins, both of them, Rigged too?  That always has them then sputtering and at a loss for Words coz they know they're just Talking Nonsense and some Bullshit.  Plus, I do like to Mind Fuck them, it's so Entertaining and Wicked Fun to... I Amuse myself at their Expense every time I get the chance to coz the Setup is so damned easy.   They rarely can Prove anything, or Win a Case, without Facts or Evidence to Support the Nonsense they Parrot all the time.

  

You can see that I had the Yogurt Granola Fruit Bowl with a Blueberry Muffin for my Breakfast.   The Son had some kind of Chicken Mexican Burrito Breakfast that I didn't get to Photograph.  He gave me his Side of Fruit that came with it tho'.   I had that Fav Honey Caramel Crunch Iced Coffee they make there.  And, since The Son had Hot Coffee and they serve it with a big full Carafe of it for his Refills, I made myself another Iced Coffee with the rest of that too since my Specialty Coffee doesn't come with Refills.   And their brand of Coffee Used is a really nice one and they have Three Flavors of Coffee Creamer at the Tables.   It was a nice Family outing with just the Three of us.  The Son is going out for a Luncheon later with a Female Friend of his whose picking him up for it later on.  He has Saturday and Sunday off.   Princess T has Sunday and Monday off.   I'm not sure, but The Young Prince and Allen had said they might get here by the Weekend, so, we'll see?   And The Niece is coming from Texas as well to Visit, so we'll have a Full House.  I'm looking forward to it.

I enjoyed Working last Night becoz I got to Socialize, with Co-Workers and other Vendors who'd come in that Night.  My Friend Crazy Ed was there working his Spaces, he hadn't seen me in a while and was glad my Medical Results came back good by Test No. Three.   Ed's a Dear Friend of mine and we really enjoy each other and understand each other's level of 'Crazy'.  Ed takes Meds for his and knows I Manage mine without Psyche Meds.  If he forgets his "Crazy Pills" I can tell tho'.  And he gets such a kick out of all the Residents here at The Asylum and our Stories, he says it's better than watching a Novella or American Soap Opera, coz you can't make these things up.  *Ha ha ha*   He calls The Daughter's Amusing Stories "The Tales And Trials Of Talana".  *LMAOROTF*  She's Amused by Crazy Ed and said for a Guy almost 80, he sure has Aged really Well, which he has.   He still moves all his own large Furniture, and only looks like he's in his early 60's.  But he's had a rough Year with his Health, which he said happens by the time you're nearing 8 Decades around The Sun.   It comes with the Territory but beats the Alternatives.

Kim was so Grateful for the abundance of Images I still had of their very first Event in the Summer of 2011.  I only kept Digital Photo Archives since the Summer of 2010, before that I didn't even Own a Digital Camera.   And before Digital I was more discerning about what Pixs I took coz remember back when you didn't know how they'd turn out and you'd have to pay to get them developed and end up paying for some shitty ones that didn't turn out?  *LOL*   And you couldn't Download to a Computer, or see your Pixs in Real Time.   I was fortunate that my Brother was a Professional Photographer and a lot of times he'd Develop mine for Free for me coz he knew how to run the Commercial Machines that did it and had access to them.   He always had his own Darkroom at Home too since it was his Livelihood.   And he had Contracts to Develop Photos for Crime Scenes, Stakeouts and such for Law Enforcement and Forensics.   He did a lot of Photography for Models, Weddings, Special Events, the Playboy Clubs, Car Shows, and of coarse Hollywood.  So he was always in demand before he got so Sick.

Now he does his Photography more as a Retirement Hobby since he's been Medically Retired now for a lot of Years and likes to Gift his Friends in the Industry with his Talents at Covering and Photographing them.  When he was so Sick a lot of his Hollywood and Industry Friends Donated a lot for his Treatments and continued Support so he is trying to Pay it Forward some for that Loyalty and Generosity extended.  A lot of his Celeb and other Influential Clients and Friends also ensured our Mom's Care when she required Long Term Care and then Hospice.   A lot of Hollywood's Finest are very Philanthropic but most do it Anonymously so you'd never know, they don't want or need to be Named for what they do with confidentiality and no accolades. 

  Numerous Prominent Hollywood Entertainers right now is on the Side of Righteousness against this Corrupt and Evil Regime too and being Outspoken and Fearless about confronting it.   And I know which ones stand on the Wrong Side of History too and pay attention to that, and cozy up to this Psychopath and defend his Actions and Criminality.   Irregardless of their Body of Work that I might have liked.  If they are MAGA and Support it, I Question their Character, Moral Compass and reasons for doing so?  Nobody gets a Free Pass just coz they're Famous and I like their Body of Professional Work over the Years.   And there are some Surprises, to be sure, whose Supportive of The Cult and are Donnie Two Dolls apologists and Fans of what he's doing and has done.  But they are way fewer than those Opposed, which is a good thing becoz Celebrity is a Powerful Platform in America.   And a lot of Americans are Star Struck and personally I think a lot bought into the Hype of Donnie's faked made-up Resume' via his Celebrity, that wasn't based on any Facts or Truth... about who he was or how he became Rich.

Anyway, Robert DeNiro, who I Admire as an Iconic Actor, has been extremely fearlessly Outspoken against the Regime, among so many others in the Entertainment Industry who are no Fans of Donnie Two Dolls or his Cabal of Vulgarians in Power.  And it's a long List, not a complete compilation, but just a few I know of: Johnny Depp, Mark Ruffalo, Rosie O'Donnell, Debra Messing, Tom Morello, Matt Damon, Jimmie Kimmel, George Clooney, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lawrence, Shakira, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Susan Sarandon, Ben Stiller, Don Cheadle, Eva Longoria, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen, Kerry Washington, Russell Simmons, Sarah Silverman, Stephen King, Bette Midler, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Richard Gere, Elton John, Cher, Judd Apatow, Benicio Del Toro, Tyrese, Steven Hawking, T.I., Chelsea Handler, Mike Mills of R.E.M., America Ferrera, Michael Moore, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio.  I could go on and on actually, so many take bold stances Fearlessly.   I applaud them for Speaking Out and being Activists for Just Causes.

What I'm wearing Today to go to Work... and the evidence I need a Neck Lift.  *Bwahahaha*  This is the best I can manage at taking Selfies, I totally Suck at it and only recently learned how to make my Phone's Camera turn around and face me.  *LOL*  My Necklace matches this new Shirt I got at SAVERS for only $1.49 and I just Love the Print of.  My Earrings match the Eyeballs on the Fabric too.  It's a comfortable Cotton short Sleeve Shirt with a knotted Tie at the Bottom Hem of it.  And the Necklace I got real Cheap from our Antique Mall.  The Vendor had some of the best Stone and Crystals Pendant Creations on simple Chains for around Twenty Bucks each.   Trying to get a Closeup wearing it proved to be harder than I thought it would be, I'm just no good at Self Takes.  But, I'm Sharing my attempts regardless, these were the best of Four taken, the other Two were worse.  *Ha ha ha*  Mebbe I shouldda taken the Pixs of both the Shirt, Necklace and even the Earrings before I put them on?  *Smiles*  Oh well...

Below is what the Temps Outside are Today and it's not the Hottest part of the day yet.  *Whew*  Below that is what the Temp in the Truck was before turning on the Air Conditioner to Cool the Interior off... we're all Medium Rare now.  *LOL and Whew*   The Son bought me an Iced Caramel Macchiato from the Golden Arches on the way Home.  He'd gotten off Work 2 Hours early coz they had Inventory and he was used to doing Inventory at a Super Wal-Mart and a Big Total Wine, so a Dollar Tree Store was so easy for him he got it done in record time, his Boss was impressed and let him take a longer Break, then told him he could just go Home if he wanted to.  You didn't have to threaten him with a Good Time, so he accepted her offer to leave earlier.   

It was Unofficial of coarse but the Temperature Gauge on my Truck, even with the AC On reached 125 eventually.  I didn't manage to Photograph that Reading coz I was driving and not stopped.   But you can see the progression in the Trio of Pixs I did take of my Readings as Evidence of how high it was getting on Readings.   Officially it did break a Record, but the Official Temps are always several degrees below everyone's Unofficial Readings from our own Locations and what our Gauges and Thermometers are Reading at various Locales, which, is more Accurate that the Official.   Which is done at the Airport in an enormous Open Space over Grass.   In all Urban Environments and the density and built up of a Metropolis, it's much, much Hotter really and we all know it.  

 There were many times when The Man was still Active Duty, on the Flightline, when they could not fly the Jets coz the Temperature and the Air was too Hot and they wouldn't have lifted.  Birds can't get lift either at certain high Temps.   Anything over 110 can make flight dangerous or impossible.   I remember a Day when it was 119 and the Doves just sat right by you and never flew off, they just couldn't and wouldn't.   If you sat quietly in the Shade from that kind of Extreme Heat and the subsequent Warnings, Wildlife just quietly sat in the Shade with you, like, it's too damned Hot for us to even be Afraid of you right now.  *LOL*

*******

Try to Stay Cool my Friends... actually and figuratively... Dawn... The Bohemian