I don’t know what was going on in the stars, but the first half of this week almost crushed me. I spent Monday in tears and on the phone with tech support trying to resolve issues with a new work laptop. I missed my dad horribly. Someone stole the head joint of the kiddo’s flute out of a classroom. Said kiddo had her own issues with middle school stress. Brandon and I had a fight (about NAZIS of all things). The situation in the Ukraine is unbearable, and the Republicans are typical assholes (DeSantis, Boebert, Abbott and Greene, I’m looking at you).

This was after a very calm last-week where I took some time off and the three of us went to Ann Arbor to eat sushi and nose around bookstores. I also made another pine needle basket. It was idyllic.

But in typical fashion, things balance out and swing back the other way. We got a rental flute while the new head piece is on order. Brandon and I are strong, the kiddo is resilient to middle school angst, and tech support did its job (mostly). External events and people can still be awful but focusing on making my own small home and family as peaceful and supportive and nurturing as possible is the response.

Regardless I am looking forward to a weekend.

I’m in the office for a few hours today, and then kiddo and I are having a bonding night together with takeout and a movie. Theater rehearsal tomorrow and a Girl Scout cookie booth on Sunday and the usual housework and errands in between. Regardless, it sounds pretty damn good to me.

Be well and don’t let the news of the world grind you down….at least not irretrievably.