Hello Darling Ones,

How are you holding up the day before something happens?

A long time ago when I was seeing the TTHM he always dealt with my anxiety over something nebulous and impossible to know by saying, “something will happen and then you deal with it.”

I carry that bit of wisdom with me and probably will forever. Thanks, TTHM.

Here’s what I’m doing while I wait for something to happen.

• Googling: Is it illegal to take a picture of your ballot Minnesota. I filled out my ballot and sent it in awhile ago. It was accepted on October 7th and will be counted according to the MN Secretary of State website.
• Listening to ol’ Pappy John Cougar Mellencamp. The Coug is my sonic security blanket. If things go poorly tomorrow I’ll pull out the Paul Simon and Frightened Rabbit. But for now, it’s all about The Cougs.
• Randomly shouting “PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER” at the cats/
• Checking in on my friends to make they have a snack plan in place. This is not a drill, sweet and salty must be at the ready.
• Making calico beans in the crockpot. This is my new favorite comfort food. I eat it with a grilled cheese. I cannot vouch for that recipe, I didn’t use it. Recipes are for unimaginative fraidy cats.
• Writing this list.
• Last night I bugged my family about getting matching Christmas pajamas. We had to act fast because they were on sale for $5.70. I can’t wait.
• Doing a little bit of work (yay!)
• Soon I’m gonna turn all the rotten bananas in my freezer into banana bread (see how I’m gonna have my sweet snack base covered)
• Reading The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry because a social media friend suggested it. “I come into the peace of wild things
  who do not tax their lives with forethought
  of grief.”

All these things are doing a pretty good job of keeping me sort of focused but unfocused at the same time. I keep reminding myself to take deep breaths, unclench my teeth, and relax my shoulders. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can do about my tremor which goes off the charts when I’m stressed out. Maybe if there’s a peaceful transition of power it will go away completely?

Be kind to yourselves, Darling Ones. Something will happen and then we can deal with it.

Optimistically yours,
Jodi