Couch 247: Choose Cheese!

You were very productive, Una!

I've been getting much more cleaning done due to the whole mold problem. We have a remediating company coming tomorrow to give an estimate. And H, by chance, just discovered a slowly leaking pipe in the basement (it's in a really weird location in the crawl space, so I'm not surprised the inspector didn't see it). So now we may need to have a plumber out to fix that, too. Sigh...

On the plus side, I attended not one, but two (well, one and three-quarters) Unitarian Universalist services today, thanks to the magic of Zoom and their starting an hour apart. I wasn't into the first one, so bailed before the end (I had my camera off). It felt like some sort of ADHD service, like, "OK, we're going to sing a song for a minute, then there will be a reading that lasts a minute, then we'll show these pictures of nature with music playing for a minute, then..." It felt very disjointed, even though it was all tied to the theme of nature because of Earth Day.

The second one, I liked much more and stayed the whole time. It was focused on the African Ubuntu philosophy, how we're all connected: "“A person is a person through other persons.” Maybe I'll try going in person (no pun intended!) to that one soon. Or maybe take baby steps and do Zoom with my camera on.

Lemon, that proves your a real dr. Drs always think im joking.

LT - I had a choir practice like that once! We sang just little snippets of all these songs! It was very unfulfilling! I ended up quitting.

Ta-da! Found my everything bagel seasoning!

I used my detectiveness! I checked when the order came - it was very recent. So that gave me a geographical area in my apartment. Then it appeared to have arrived solo, and i located a tiny box. Ta-da! I opened one, and tucked the other behind it on the lazy susan.

I am so tired today. I took a 2-hour nap after work, got up and took my nighttime pills, ate a yogurt, wrote today's poem, and now I feel like it is time to go to bed for the night! Yeesh. I'm feeling every one of my 61 years tonight, and then some. I didn't even go for a walk today I'm so tired! Maybe I'll wake up early tomorrow all refreshed and go for a walk before work... I think I didn't drink enough water today.

I know I've always been a homebody, but lately I find myself quite envious of my friends who are full-time RV'ers. Like 3 years ago or something they sold their house and most of their possessions and took off in their RV, and never looked back. Right now, they both have finally found completely remote jobs, even more 'work from home' than I am, because I'm required to have a hard-wired, permanent internet connection. They just have to have internet and can work from anywhere, so they have now begun criss-crossing the country, staying in different campgrounds weeks at a time and crossing things off their respective bucket lists. Totally living their lives. I mean I know it's not all fun and games; they have had a lot of trials with their RV breaking down numerous times and stuff. But I'm still envious of the freedom their life offers them. No mortgages, no yard work, no HOA breathing down their necks... I doubt I'd be able to do it though, despite my envy.

Ok I'm rambling I'll be quite. Night couchies!

Hope you were able to get some good sleep last night, Artie.


With the RVing thing (which sounds like a nightmare to me!), maybe it's something to consider if you're able to take a couple weeks of vacation, like renting an RV? Or something to aspire toward in the future? Or maybe just think of places you'd want to visit, then you can plan to do that.

Yeah but cleaning out the toilet - i saw how they do that on tv. That would bother me. Dont you guys have separate bathrooms right now? I swear thats all i pay rent for, is my own waste facility. Shelter, ha. Maslow.

Art the fact that you’re jealous says something. I would encourage you to actually do this- doesn’t have to be selling the house overnight but just start small. Hire a RV for the weekend and plan a trip for yourself with all the money you’re saving from not seeing L. Or book a ticket and stay in another state and hotel.

Take a journal and a camera.

I would also love to do this too.. I do feel like I have a normadic soul sometimes.

someone I know also did this as well, though she is older. Her husbands pension allows them to travel for 6 weeks at a time. The last place she was in was Malta. She stays in hotels too and they have a static caravan for a base in the UK.

Just wanted to add, that, OTOH, i do like wilderness camping and digging a hole to poop in.

Somehow I have a feeling of what SD would say….

Y'know that small cheesecake I mentioned that h bought not long ago? Can y'all believe that dang thing is still in the fridge with one tiny piece left? It shows "best if used by" 3 days ago haha. It appears that sugar has again lost its power over me, as long as I stay off it. It's helping to tell myself I'm allergic to it - it causes me to 'break out' in compulsive eating behaviors.

It's impressive that you've been able to resist temptation!

Well done on making conscious choices to avoid your triggers- you’re showing great self-awareness and determination.

Keep up the fantastic work Art!

Not showing myself in the best light, but I feel like after 10 months I’m done with hating Fin and all of that associated hurt.

It feels different in my heart and I’m ready to let go.

I also went hiking with my friends on Monday . The sunlight and trees did my soul good. There was also pastries involved, so maybe that’s the secret cure to all.

It's so hard to let go... I think you're doing well with it though! A wise person once told me it takes as long as it takes.

I still have my moments of missing L - but I'm not angry with her anymore. And I know that what I miss is not her per se, but the way our relationship used to be. Anyway I wrote a lot of angry poetry "at" her, not that she'll ever see it haha. But it helped get it out. I'm not really even feeling hurt anymore.

I'm so happy to hear you went hiking with friends! I love getting out in the woods and listening to the trees... always good for the soul.

Thanks Lemon! I should have also said that the weekly OA meetings are a huge help too. Keeps me mindful.

Just logged off from this month's poetry challenge zoom call. Georgia Popoff was the guest poet this evening, and boy was she inspiring!! She talked about something called "persona poetry" which I hadn't heard of before. I have begun exploring this form, reading about it then maybe tomorrow I'll try to write one and see where it goes. She also talked a bit about revising poems, and read some of her work. These monthly calls are such fun!

My friend decided to tag home with me . I made beef noodles for lunch. After I put it on the table she told me she couldn’t eat beef. I should have asked before. I wished I had more time to clean up tbh.

She read the ingredients on the noodle packet, but wasn’t 100% convinced and I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. I washed the pan and restarted with another flavoured packet. So I’m feeling proud of myself that I was in chef mode, even if I have minimal cooking skills.

I checked up online the packet does say “beef” on it,but it doesn’t actually have any meat or meat derivatives.

It sounds like you had a fantastic time.

It's great that you're open and eager to give it a try and see where it takes you.

The calls seem like a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow poets, learn from experienced writers, and fuel your creativity.
I hope you do continue to enjoy the journey of exploring persona poetry and revising your work!

I have a feeling that that wise person may have been me. . It’s so much harder when you’re dealing with yourself.

I am not there with Rob though at all. I found out that Fin had been ill enough to hospitalised. I hated him, because it was easier. I don’t want to be twisted by bitterness.

Also In all honesty it was a baby hill with great views.

Today in random things that Dr. T has said (tied to the conversation):

"I mean, I've never tried on a woman's bathing suit before. Not that I'd tell you if I had."