I want to make a blog post, but I’ve been having trouble finding my words (again). The news from the Middle East has made it hard to focus, to find joy amid such suffering and fear of more to come.

So I’m going to post silly little thoughts instead of an essay to let you know I haven’t forgotten you, my fellow earthlings.

Accents

Wednesday, I told Alexa to add onions to the grocery list. Being a Michigander, I pronounced ‘grocery’ ‘gro-shree.’ I swear, Alexa had an attitude when she haughtily replied, “Onions added to GROW-SIR-EE.”

Speaking of pronunciation, I like the way the Brits say schedule (sHedule) instead of the US way, sKedule. I watch enough British TV that the British version has been coming naturally out of my mouth. Probably sounds like I’m putting on airs.

Even though I was born and raised in Michigan, Mother and neighbors had southern accents. The side-effect for me is that I don’t always hear southern accents as such. It doesn’t sink in that a person is speaking with a different accent than that of Michiganders. One example for which I was teased by workmates and Hubby–Dr. Phil.

I didn’t realize Michiganders’ accent was different than Califorians’ until I first went there. When ordering food at restaurant, the waitress excitedly said, “Oh my god! You’re from Michigan! I’m from Royal Oak!” I was like, ‘how’d she know?’

Techno Mumbo Jumbo

Do you know the difference between a modem and a router? I get them mixed up all the time.

Thursday, I awoke to find we had no connection to the internet. This became apparent when I came downstairs and said, “Alexa, good morning.” Instead of turning on the lights and reminding me to seek joy, she said (in a voice not her usual one), “I’m sorry. I can’t help you with that right now.”

I called our internet provider. After a long argument with their AI robot, it finally connected me with a human. I said the router wasn’t working. He told me that wasn’t their problem, they provided the modem; the router was for our wifi.

“Fine then,” I said. “I need a new modem.”

“Our first available appointment is Saturday at 1:30 p.m.”

“Don’t you have a driver in the area I could just meet up with?”

“That’s not possible. You could go to our store.”

I often live without the internet when the power is out, but with power? I didn’t want to go two and a half days without using my computer, experiencing poor cell phone reception, and no TV. Sigh.

He gave me the address of their nearest brick and mortar location, 29 miles away.

A 58 mile drive and several arguments with their set-up AI later, we were reconnected with the world.

Funny how uncomfortable one can become when Alexa refuses to help and I can’t watch my YouTubers. Oh the problems of the rich and spoiled.

Never Too Old

Speaking of YouTube…Not sure how 90-year-old glass artist Aileen got into my YouTube feed, but I subscribed to her new channel, Gallery 22 Martinsville, to see what she does with this medium. She’s two months and 21 videos in so far.

More Life with Dogs

We had to take 13 and 3/4-year-old Henry to the vet for an annual exam. Other than slowly becoming paralyzed from the back to the front from degenerative myelopathy, he’s in great shape.

The vet was impressed. He is down to 72 pounds which the vet says is muscle loss.

He is having increasing difficulty dealing with young Freyja’s energy. She is especially rambunctious in the mornings. I’m constantly correcting her.

Henry won’t snap or growl at her.

This has prompted me to browse the local shelter’s website for a grown up but not senior dog. I thought Freyja could burn off her energies on the rescue dog.

Hubby said, “We can’t have three dogs.”

“But we’ve had three dogs before,” I argued back.

“What makes you think they wouldn’t both gang up on Henry?”

He’s got a point.

Website News

I’ve spent a significant proportion of my time lately drawing, collaging, and painting. Ideally, these activities would inspire my writing. Instead, my imagination keeps veering toward the visual rather than the verbal. If you didn’t notice, I added a new “Arts & Crafts” section to my website so you can see what I’m up to when not writing.

Another Lovely Poem by Mary Oliver

Lastly, I want to share with you a poem I came across today because someone in my Instagram feed quoted three lines from it this morning, sending me on a search for the entire poem. It takes me a step closer to finding joy in the sorrows.

Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

Mary Oliver

Random Caboodle #4