Let's Boogie.

I was in the waiting room at the doctor's office today. I was a little late and a little distraught with all that's been thrown at me the last couple weeks.

A mom walked in with her 4 year old daughter, and twin, 2 year old boys. She sat down in an open chair on the opposite side of the room. One of her sons, however, made eye contact with me and slowly made his way over. He stopped right in front of me, completely sober faced and still looking me in the eye, and put his hand on my knee. I chatted with him. A smile flickered, but he just stared, completely quiet. His eye lashes were wet, probably from a recent meltdown.

His mother called to him and asked her daughter to bring him over, but he came right back. Eventually his mom picked him up, and put him on her lap. A short while later, he was playing with his brother at the toy table.

I have no idea why he was drawn to me, but maybe somehow he could tell I was having a rough day, too.

...who needs unhindered access to the public library most?

This brought back some unpleasant memories.

I discovered it while researching the pros and cons of fines on library materials—the impact on those in poverty. It showed up in search results because someone had commented that, "[b]eing poor is library fines."

But, you know, what's most important is that people know the rules, be good stewards, be responsible... Never mind the reality of unstable housing/jobs/family life and the fact that a young child has absolutely no control whatsoever over such things. Never mind that fines for an already financially strapped household will more likely result in a parent completeley banning his/her child from checking out any library books (now considered an unnecessary and avoidable cost) than any grandiose lesson of stewardship.

This is long overdue, but here's ma, again. She trekked all the way back from her red state to this blue one to rejoin her peace coalition group (of which she is a founding member) for the 4th of July parade. She was disappointed that I didn't join in (Stud and I showed up to provide vocal support, street side), but she also very much accepted that it would be completely out of character for me to willfully place myself in the center of any attention...much less for the entire length of a parade.

I was a very proud, very hoarse daughter.

Is this not the most useless and obnoxious phrase...or at least at the top of the list?

I first heard it used by Dr. Phil in one of his tough ultimatums. (Never mind why I was watching Dr. Phil...though this may have been the last straw because I haven't watched it since.) I don't know if it's increased in popularity due to his pseudo psycho clout or if I'm just hypersensitive to it now, but it seems to be cropping up more and more and it really grates on my nerves. Technically, "unless" and "until" are two different concepts, but one or the other is totally &^%(*#@ unnecessary.

There. I got it off my chest. I wouldn't feel better unless or until I accomplished that. (It hurts!)

I'm not the first to notice or the first to say something, but it bears repeating. Sherwin Williams, you need a new logo.
I cringe every time I see it, and can't fathom how the image of dumping paint, blood red paint, no less, on the Earth signifies "quality, integrity and service".