Facebook memories reminded me that this was Lennie and Gail’s idea of sharing the couch 7 years ago.

Finished my version of Tree for All Seasons tonight

My father who has never made the effort to have a relationship with his grandchildren is now threatening to disown them unless they spend time in Arizona. Neither lives there. He announced this by sending me an email, not reaching out to them.

Took a sock knitting class this afternoon from a young woman with no understanding of left handed knitting. I like the shop, like the owner and like the other people who show up for her classes - just wish she had more imagination.

Thunderstorms and high winds in the forecast tonight. Heard sirens a few minutes ago - based on direction I am pretty sure it is the park district lightning detector also sure that there will be people on Facebook complaining it is too loud, went off at the wrong time.

Rain on the windows.

Aunt Emily.

Tara Jensen’s Lunch Box Loaf - mixed the dough last night, folded it this morning, left it sit during the day, shaped dough and let rise for a few hours then baked. #sourdough #breadsky

Watching MS Now for the election results and want to remind this all white panel talking about how Talerico quoting the Bible makes him unique and want to remind them about Rev Warnock and Rev Jesse Jackson.

Either this guy is not very good at rabbit hunting or there are a lot more rabbits than I thought.

Gail has been pretty happy with the food choices this week. Yesterday she helped make yogurt parfaits and got to clean the container. Tonight there was sashimi although she wanted more than 2 pieces, and some of the cheese I grated for quiche.

Somehow my phone number has ended up on a list of California homeowners and it is solar panel sales season. I am not in California and not in the market for solar panels.

Making a Michigan Tart Cherry Bundt Cake tonight from Lebanese Baking by Maureen Abood. Just gave Gail the well scraped mixer bowl and let Lennie lick the yogurt measuring cup. They are fans.

I went to Wool and Company in Elgin today - amazing knitting store. Also has an on line presence. Not everything listed on line is available in the store but it is still a worthwhile experience. I will be back even though it is a drive.

Local woman who claims to be a meteorologist but who’s work experience is all in art, antiques and accounting has been melting down for days online about changes to the weather warning sirens. Now that I have looked her background I am ignoring her weather reports.

Visited 2 local farms today. The turkey was in a pen with goats and sheep. It puffed up whenever one of the young goats got too close.

We have 3 bunnies in the yard.

Five years ago today - Lennie found a muskrat at the dog park. I would not let him take it home.

Got a call yesterday at work from a volunteer from a political organization asking if I could help with their lobby day in less than 2 weeks - training is during my work day, lobby day is a work day - my answer was “no, I work and have to plan my days off in advance” also “don’t call me at work”

I just listened to a presentation on Native Gardening where the presenter advised people to be aware of height restrictions on plants in certain locations. Someone in the comments claimed those restrictions don’t apply to native plants anymore.

I live alone in a suburban neighborhood. I leave the lights on in front of my house all the time. They are three yellow tinted, downward facing high efficiency bulbs. My neighbor stopped his bike ride to criticize me for wasting electricity. ComEd says I am the most energy efficient house.

I had a hair appointment today. I put it on my calendar wrong because the AI summarization tool in my message app on my iPhone summarized the message incorrectly.

Sponsoring this cute little guy who lives on a local farm.

Park District is holding a Pup and Pour movie at the beach. They are showing Arthur the King and are having a Howl-ywood red carpet contest. I think I need some costume ideas - it has been a few years since we won first place in the Doggy Dip costume contest.

Gail got good news from the vet today - the cyst was benign and a hair follicle cyst so she can’t even blame it on Lennie. The Vet did not endorse wrestling with Lennie or rolling in rabbit droppings until fully healed but was happy that Gail was reviving well.

I will not be able to use my garage without being yelled at by an angry mother robin for a while.

Gail had the cyst on her right shoulder removed on Monday. Surgery went well. Tonight she tried to beat up Lennie, jumped up and put her front paws on my chest, and pranced down the street on our walk. Her discharge instructions say no stairs, no getting on furniture and no strenuous activity.

There is a tornado warning and storms coming. Gail does not want to eat in the kitchen because it is not safe, but she also doesn’t want to eat by my armchair because that is not where dinner normally is so she is hiding under the kitchen table.

#breadsky #sourdough Weekend Cinnamon Rolls from The Perfect Loaf by Maurizio Leo

#breadsky #sourdough Everyday Light Rye Bread (Caleb Baltonowski) from Dobre Dobre by Laurel Kratochvila

Tennessee Treeing Brindle at work locating raccoons while his sister stands there and says “dinner is waiting at home.”

I am planning an event on May 30 and just found out that both of these cuties will be attending.

#breadsky #sourdough Hot Cross Buns from The Perfect Loaf by Maurizio Leo. They smell and look delicious - too hot to eat yet. Took two days to make and seem worth it.

#ryebread #breadsky #sourdough tried a recipe for sourdough rye yesterday. Realized I had dark rye flour, not light rye as specified. Tried it anyway. Overhydrated and not pretty but delicious with a satisfying crust crunch and chewy interior. Would be amazing with some cheese and beer.

Update on Gail, still raining, still nervous. I spilled wine on her emotional support blanket - cleaned up but she wanted to keep the blanket and is licking the wine spots. Might have a scared, drunk, drugged dog later.

It is raining again and Gail is terrified. She took a tranquilizer and I have provided her with a blanket. She is still disappointed that I will not join her under the kitchen table.

Found a pair of my favorite silver loafers on EBay for a reasonable price. Ordered them. tomorrow I need to make myself throw away all my worn out shoes.

If you are a candidate for public office who is able to recognize Holi and the Eid’s in your social media accounts but can’t acknowledge Passover on the correct day - don’t be surprised that people are skeptical when you claim to be horrified by antisemitic acts of vandalism in your neighborhood.

If you cannot merge or allow others to merge - you should not be allowed to drive in a construction zone.

Gail is aware that the weather forecast says we are not in the tornado or severe thunderstorm warning but she does not trust it and is hiding under the kitchen table for the duration.

Making lasagne. The house smells very good.

Local self-styled political and Middle Eastern War expert has just discovered the Houthi’s exist and everything he posted on Facebook about them is factually incorrect.

Local public television station put on a free lance political reporter who talked about TSA and clearly has never heard of the Anti-deficiency Act in his life.

Self-described ethnic restaurant expert on Bluesky who thinks the Chicago suburbs end at the north edge of Wheeling and claims to be an expert on authentic Middle Eastern food is presenting pictures of his favorite - completely non-Kosher Jewish deli food.

I just looked at a JJill sweater add and I am sure that the “photos” are AI generated. Not going to order anything from them if I can’t see what it really looks like and I stop by a store once every 3 years.

My father who will not admit he is too deaf to communicate via phone and get any kind of transcription device, emailed me tonight to ask me to call his sister and find out about his brother who apparently was in an accident and is now in hospice.

Took Gail and Lennie to the Vet for a recheck on Gail’s cyst. Infection gone - scheduled cyst removal. Lennie told everyone he was there and reported that he did not detect any raccoons outside.

My county has gone to a vote center model where ballots are printed on demand at any polling place so you can vote anywhere. The clerk’s office has done a lot of publicity on this. My precinct committee person has been arguing that this is not true all day on Facebook.

I complained to a progressive organization about unauthorized texts and they signed me up on their email list.

I have opted out of texts from the same progressive organization multiple times this election cycle. Got another one tonight.