Donut Flashback

Ten years ago: Tiny Dog makes a wee donut shape in the dog bed. So small. And so endearing. 

Natural

 When things are difficult, sometimes it's necessary to listen to music at a volume designed to drown out everything else inside my head.

Today's earworm: Natural (Imagine Dragons). So very loud. It works.

Bunloaf

Changes

 Herself speaks.

This past weekend was filled with aiding two people close to me with preparation/implementation of some Big Steps In New Directions in their lives. I won't discuss the details here, for they are not my stories to tell. Suffice it to say, it's a time of Change.

While I am indirectly impacted by the upcoming transmutations, my role here is to be as supportive as possible. It is not a time for my feelings about anything. Just for my aid where aid is needed.

I'm a bit drained. That's OK, though.

The hardest part through it all, is realizing how very much I would like support myself. I don't know what to ask for, or how. 

I need the most rudimentary of things: a hug, a meal prepared by someone else. Or even someone to take me by the hand and tuck me in bed early to get some rest. 

I'll take my own hand, and do what I can. 

Texas

Serious topic today - abortion. You have been warned.

Texas, where the powers-that-be prohibit requiring children to wear masks in school. Texas, where the powers-that-be prohibit some of the same children -- for according to Texas Family Law, an individual under 18 years of age is a child -- from obtaining abortion services, since abortion beyond about six weeks (a time point where most individuals don't even know they are pregnant) has been outlawed. And the Supreme Court, through inaction, let the law stand. 

Abortion care is necessary health care. I won't spell out the numerous reasons, because I am too angry to do so. There are plenty of other sites that will provide those explanations. 

I don't have to explain how people become unexpectedly or unwantedly pregnant; you can easily imagine all the ways. (Especially if you are a woman -- we spend most of our lives thinking about how not to become pregnant, and a mere fraction of our lives thinking about how to actually become pregnant.)  Remember to include pregnancies due to rape, abuse, coercion. And don't forget, too, those expected or wanted pregnancies that go wrong somehow. 

I don't need to give examples of who might need an abortion, or why. Reasons are as varied as women are themselves -- economic, societal, personal; for safety, be it physical or mental; for health (or lack thereof), of woman or of fetus. So many reasons. 

No one contemplates abortion lightly. I think about all the women I know who have chosen to terminate a pregnancy, and not one was flippant or casual about the decision. It is always a serious matter. Those of us who have never found ourselves in circumstances where abortion was one of the contemplated options, can consider ourselves lucky. I know I do. 

To be able to exert control over one's body and one's biological destiny is paramount. 

Abortion in Texas has become the domain of the privileged: those who can travel, those who have funds to seek out black-market care, will still be able to do so, for a price. Can't pay? out of luck. Back alleys return. Abortion has become much more dangerous. 

I think about the fact that mine is the only generation that didn't have to potentially die not to have a baby. 

We were so fortunate. 

And for those who wondered why we mourned the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg so much: Texas is why. This is it. 

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

The lady buns are squabbling again. Tufts of fur, flying. Mr. Mustache is part frightened, part eager to join the fray. As long as there is a wall between them, though, they can tolerate some proximity. 

Critter

 I would be remiss if I did not mention this stunning, seven-inch-long centipede that undulated swiftly and with purpose across our campsite at the base of the mountain the first afternoon of our recent adventure. It was shocking and amazing. And yes, I did sit with my feet up off the ground for the rest of the evening.