Brain Dump

With my severe acne, I often felt like a leper. People either stared or avoided looking at me. Some didn't want to be touched for fear I might somehow spread it to them. Then I dealt with bed bugs. I don't blame people for worrying. BB monsters are highly "contagious." They spread almost faster than rumors. Did you know they are a 1st World problem? And 1st World travelers are spreading them everywhere. The miserable little monsters are able to live over a year without eating, and they only eat blood and are attracted by carbon dioxide that you breathe out. Few poisons work on the monsters, and they quickly build up immunity so it doesn't help to keep spraying. In fact, that makes it worse. So make it thorough for a once and done. Encase mattresses and pillows, where they like to hang out, in sealed BB proof plastic. Treat corners and creases. Food grade (not pool grade) Diatomaceous Earth cuts them and dries them out but they have to walk through it, and it's impossible to train the little monsters. The BB monsters do not jump or fly, but they do scuttle and hitch rides. For heat to kill them, it has to be hotter than 125 degrees. Boiling water kills instantly. Vacuuming daily -- immediately removing the vacuum bag and taking it outside or in my case taking the canister outside and emptying it in a garbage bag, sealing the bag -- and putting it immediately in the outside trash is helpful. I confess, I don't vacuum everyday only because some days rolling out of bed is a challenge. Putting belongings in black plastic bags - because they absorb heat - and putting them outside in the sun on a hot day or in your car in the sun so the temperature reaches 140 for a couple hours will all stages. Washing in hot water kills but is unhelpful if your water is kept at 120 degrees. I keep mine lower so I don't accidentally scald myself with hot water; it also saves on the electric bill. Putting things in the dryer on the hottest setting also kills but often ruins anything not designed to take anything so hot. It is not about a dirty or clean house. I acquired mine when I helped with a clothing drive. Numerous friends acquired them from secondhand furniture, either for themselves or helping a friend. Do not beat yourself up. Be kind to yourself. Repellants but not killers include tea tree, peppermint, rosemary, and cedar oils. 

The Little Prince quote

REAL 24 Aug 2026

Still summer. Hot is expected. Doesn't mean I have to like it. How to make it a positive? Reminds me why I love fall. Not much walking. Battled with a storm, trying to recover my car after the cover was blown off by 60 mph winds. Housework counts as exercise, which I did. The heat makes sleep restless. Eating is greatly improved. 

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Church

~ A/C, fans, ice

~ Sister visit

~ Visit dear friend 

~ God's grace            

Brain Dump

Wait...to benefit A I, "they" are buying old and rare books, copying them and then destroying the physical books? This is not what I thought they meant when they said computers would mean using less paper and saving trees. That WAS the advertisement. I remember. Destroying books is not saving trees. Destroying books is destroying the same tree twice. Not impressed. Stop it. 

TBR 2026

76. Reflections on Life 1 by Staci Stallings nonfiction. Short essays of inspiration and encouragement by one of my favorite authors. 

77. When God Doesn't Fix It by Laura Story nonfiction Christian inspirational. Laura Story (Elvington) shares her journey with her husband Martin, more particularly from his diagnosis of a brain tumor, surgery, and beyond. She talks about the Mythes and the Truths. She wrote "Indescribable" and "Blessings" and "I Can Just Be Me." Inspiring, uplifting, encouraging, especially for those in the midst of trials and tribulations that feel like they never end. Some don't and it isn't because God doesn't love us. He has a different plan than we do, and His plan is always better than our plan.  

78. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Science Fiction Adventure. I loved the movie, so a friend gave me the book. I loved it, too. Some things I liked better in the movie, and some things I liked better in the book. The movie is loosely based on the book, but I feel like they enrich each other. There is a little swearing and adult situations in the book that are not in the movie, but it didn't detract from the story; it made sense in context. I'm not a science-y sort, but I did find it interesting. The main characters captured my heart. The end is unexpected and perfect. Happy. Happy. Happy.

79. Seeking Persephone (The Lancaster Family series Book 1) by Sarah M. Eden Regency romance. Loved it! The movie does it justice. Funny, touching, heartwarming, and so much more. Wonderful characters. Well done retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I only wish I'd read it sooner. Better late than never.

80. Courting Miss Lancaster (The Lancaster Family series Book 2) by Sarah M. Eden Regency romance. The hero and heroine are introduced in book one. What a joy to read their story. Another delightful story with laughter and love and learning. Looking forward to it being made into a series. 

REAL 17 Aug 2026

A few short walks. Yard work - trimmed bushes and pygmy palms. PT some days. Housework, like vacuuming, four of seven days. Eating not great, this past week, not good at all. I'll do better this week. Sleeping in the recliner mostly. No, I don't always remember to take time with my feet up on my bed. I forget. But when I remember I enjoy the new bed an hour or two at a time. This is going to be another hot week.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday

~ Glorious blessed rain

~ Thanks God for watering my plants

~ New books

~ Cooler temperatures 

~ God's grace            

Brain Dump

Data Center side note: What no one talks about: They are noisy. They are not quiet. The constant sound never stops, ever, 24/7/365. This came out when a local city voted to deny the request for a Data Center in their city. 

Woohoo!

I love the movie series "Seeking Persephone." On Monday, Sarah M. Eden, the author of the books, and Jake Stormoen, the actor who places the Duke of Keilder, announced the next two books are on the docket. Yay! Looking forward to seeing them.

REAL 10 Aug 2026

Took one short walk, waiting for vacuum canister to dry after rinsing it. Otherwise, still too hot for walking, but temperatures are going down, slowly. The BER months are coming. Eating holding at pretty good. Sleep is better. Woke to a dream instead of a nightmare for the first time in years: Visiting ancestral home in Scotland. I'm all in. Some days I do PT - need to improve.