Peace of Mind

My Saturn Vue is OnStar equipped, and I pay the $200 plus a year for the basic service. It gives me monthly updates about the functioning of the systems in my car, oil life history, and I know if I ever have an emergency I can push a button and talk to someone. I have only used it a few times, but what a relief, when I need it. 

Recently, the tire pressure gauge indicator light mal-functioned.  It indicated low tire pressure, and when I went to have the tires check, they were actually over-inflated.   OnStar told me the tire pressure gauge of the front passenger side tire was malfunctioning. I decided I wanted to spend the money to get it repaired.  One time, I got into my car in the morning, and the tire pressure indicator light was on. I went down the street to get air in the tire, without realizing the tire was almost totally deflated If the indicator light had not been on, I would not have realized the problem. 

I am willing to pay for peace of mind.  

Wireless

I have a wireless network at my  house that I really do not take full advantage of.  I have recently spent more time in the living room or at the dining table using WIFI to connect remotely to the Internet.  And, just recently, have started sitting in the backyard to do the same, although years ago, when I first set up my wireless network, I spent a lot of time on the front porch and in the backyard using my wireless network. 

I may have recently written that I purchased a WIFI enabled printer that I did not hook up to WIFI when I first purchased it.  Recently, I did complete the WIFI connection and, although there is a bit of delay in the printing process, I am glad to have enabled the WIFI printer process. 

My Back Yard

When Mack was alive, he liked to be outside, and we used to live in my backyard.  I have retreated from the backyard, for no particular reason, but realize that I can once again enjoy being in my backyard.  I need to do that.  

The reality is that my neighborhood has changed, and I do not feel as safe in my backyard as I once did, in the later hours.  And, when Mack was alive, he alerted me to any changes he perceived that might have signaled danger.  I miss Mack.

NCAA Final Four- March Madness - Basketball

Since Texas Tech lost to Villanova in the Elite Eight, I am not really interested in watching the Final Four games, which consist of Loyola-Chicago against Michigan, and Villanova against Kansas.  Today, Michigan won against Loyola-Chicago.  My hope is that Villanova will win against Kansas, and win the championship, so Texas Tech can say they lost to the champions.  Many people in Lubbock feel the same way!

Holy Week

I was born and raised Roman Catholic, and by the time I became a young adult, I grew to love the ritual and tradition of Holy Week, culminating with Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.

I am not longer a practicing Catholic, but most years, I am aware of Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter. This year, for some reason, Holy Week snuck up on me and I had no real awareness of it.  It was unsettling when I realized yesterday was Good Friday, and I took no real notice of it until my coworkers pointed it out to me.  I am not sure how I missed that.

I do not do much special for Easter, but I do like to note it.  I will.  Tomorrow. 

Dust or Pollen

It was a beautiful day today, and fortunately, I was able to accomplish all of my chores and errands, and still have the opportunity to sit outside for more than 3 hours.  And, I am enjoying it very much.  Thanks to WIFI I can even blog from my back yard!  But, the problem is I have been sneezing, coughing and hacking since shortly after taking to the back yard.  I am not sure what the problem is, dust or pollen or both.  We are in a drought, and although we got some rain this last week, we are still in a drought.  The problem with rain in the desert and semi-arid regions is that it takes very little rain to awaken some plants, cause them to sprout, bloom, produce pollen, and get ready to reproduce again the next time it rains.  

So, I am not sure what is in the air.  But, whatever it is, we will deal with it. 

Rain it Did

So we actually did get a measurable amount of rain, and some pea sized hail last night and over night.  Which was good, because tonight, I spent some time outside pulling weeds   I was glad to be able to do so, because it does clean up my yard.  But it was also physically invigorating to do so, which  made me feel better.  And, of course, the sense of accomplishment is always valuable. 

Oh, the Joints in My Hands

Oh, the joints in my hands are hurting tonight, and I did nothing strenuous to tax them, so I am thinking it is in response to the change in the barometric pressure we experienced today.

This morning, the weather forecasters said 40% chance of rain, and there were sprinkles on and off throughout  the day. But the day started mild, and stayed that way till mid to late afternoon, when a front blew in with cold air. .

And then the wind came, very stout, chilling the air, and after a couple of hours, the pea to marble sized hail, and rain. It rained more than once.  Not much, not even drenching, but it rained.

Enough to impact the joints in my body that react to the changes in barometric pressure.  Not bad, but causing some discomfort.  

Taki

Taki took to rubbing her face on the laptop tonight.  Cats do that for various reasons. I am not sure why, tonight, she took to rubbing her face on the laptop. I did some checking, and that behavior is for various reasons.  Cat Behavior.  

Taki has taken to wanting more attention lately. I do not understand that. But I am pleased, unless she tries to bite.  She is doing better about not biting.

Rain? Really?

So the local news channel said that it rained overnight.  Well, it did on the north side of my house, but no on the south side.

Is that really rain?

The Slippers and Shoe Goo

My father introduced me to Shoe Goo years ago.  The truth be known, my father was a very curious and inquisitive man, and tried to keep up with all the new innovations and products that came along.  He did  not make it to the computer era on his own, although when we visited, he was very interested and curious about what a personal computer could do.

Well, I recently wrote about the demise of the slippers that I had purchased this past winter season, including the Dearform Bootie Slippers I had, that had a sole separate from the bootie top.  I got to looking at it, and decided I could use Shoe Goo to re-attach the sole to the bootie top, and I did that this weekend.  It is not elegant, but it will extend the life of these slippers. Especially because the other woolly slippers have totally disintegrated. 

I have started using the leather suede fleece lined slippers, but I like having the option of more than one pair.   Go Shoe Goo!

The Footstool

A few years ago, a co-worker suggested that I get a footstool to use to sit on when I was doing weeding and other low level ground work in the yard. It was an invaluable suggestion, and I wish I had had a footstool years ago.  So, this past week, when I was doing some yard work, I dragged out the footstool, and put it to good use.

And, then I sat in my backyard at the patio table, and read.  I usually sit with my feet propped on the legs of the patio table, but that is not the best height for my comfort.  Well, the footstool was out, having been washed, and waiting to dry before I put it up, and I discovered the lower step was the absolute correct height for my comfort.  That was Friday, and I kept the footstool out all weekend, as I sat out multiple times and used it to prompt my feet up with absolute comfort!  Yeah!

Reading

I have been on vacation since the 15th of March, and in that time I have read 5 books: Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley (I did not realize that title was a quote from Shakespeare, but it is; 4 stars); Glass Houses by Louise Penny (love her Inspector Gamache series and would recommend it to all who love a good mystery; 5 stars); A Sudden And Fearful Death by Anne Perry (4 stars); The Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter (2 stars); and The Dark Horse by Craig Johnson (4 stars.)  

It seems I have read a lot during the month of March, because other books I have read this month include:   Song of the Lion by Anne Hillerman (5 stars);  Oolong Dead by Laura Childs (4 stars); 212 by Alifair Burke (4 stars); and The House of the Unexpected Sisters by Alexander McCall Smith (5 stars).

I used to read this much, but got out of the habit when I became addicted to playing "Words with Friends," which is a perfectly acceptable pastime, because it does challenge the brain, and I can play while watching some TV shows or certain sporting events.  (Not basketball, basketball is too fast and requires undivided attention if I am really interested in the game, and not just the outcome.) 

But we are in between sports seasons, except for basketball.  The Texas Tech team made it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, and lost today, so I am not really interested in the rest of the tournament.   The Boston Celtics are doing well, and will be in some part of the NBA tournament that lasts for ever, so I will be able to watch them sometimes.  I have already watched the Yankees play a spring training ball game, and baseball season will start soon. But, I can read and listen to baseball, as well as play "Words with Friends" and listen to baseball. 

Well, I digress.  I have enjoyed all of the reading that I have done recently.

Watering Trees and Yard Work

We are in the midst of a drought, and although we have had some light mist in the last week or so, I would not call it measurable, even if the National Weather Service does.  So, one of the chores I wanted to accomplish this week was to water my trees.  I waited for Friday, because it was supposed to be the warmest day of the week, and although mostly I just move hoses around, they leak at the joints, and I usually get wet when I am watering.

And, I wanted to clean out my rain barrel, and I knew that I would get wet doing that.  

So, even though it was supposed to be very, very windy, which stirs up the dust, I decided to wait until Friday to do these chores.  I started early afternoon, at which time it was predicted the wind would pick up.  It only took me a couple of hours to get these tasks accomplished, and sure enough, by the time I was done, I was soaked.  But it was a really warm day, and after I finished, I sat outside and read for a while.  Although I was wet, I was still comfortable, and the wind did not pick up until very late in the afternoon, by which time I was well dried off.  

Timing is everything. 

Intersecting Cats

My two cats, Haiku and Taki have gotten better about sharing proximity.  They will both sit in the living room with me, and sometimes, even on the sofa at the same time, but in very different positions: usually Haiku on the end opposite from where I sit, and Taki on the sofa back behind me.  But not always.  

They also can both be found on the bed a the same time, but usually in very different quadrants of the bed, but more recently, both will lie at the head of the bed, on opposite sides.  They may both eat at the same time in the area where their dishes are in the kitchen, but Haiku is apt to eat better, and she is a finicky eater, if her dishes are set away from where Taki is eating.  And, if Haiku is eating, Taki can chase her away from her food simply by approaching, and staring at her, even though she may be 8 inches away.  Obviously, though, she is invading Haiku's space.  This creates a problem, because Taki is way overweight, and gets too much food, and Haiku does not eat enough, and only eats small amounts at any one sitting.

I have been on vacation this week, and doing a lot of computer work and reading, and Taki has taken, more and more, to wanting to sit on my lap.  Which is great, unless Haiku is already there. 

Yesterday, though, Taki was nestled in my lap, and Haiku came into the living room. She obviously wanted on her spot at the other end of the sofa, but as is often her custom, she wanted to walk across my lap to get there.  I encouraged her to just jump on the sofa at the other end, but she did not.  So, I encouraged her to jump on the sofa at my end. And, lo and behold, she did.  She then, very gingerly, walked across my chest so she could get to the other end of the sofa. Taki was not disturbed from her spot on my lap!  This took a great deal of mental energy and courage for Haiku, who is an easily intimidated, shy and retiring creature.  I was so proud of her!  

The Strangler Vine - A Commentary

I recently finished the book The Strangler Vine by M. J.. Carter.  It was a book I found, when I was looking for selections to offer my book club.  I had not heard of it before, and had was not familiar with the author.

The victors write history in their own image and likeness.

I did not especially like this book, nor the main characters Avery and Blake, who, although perhaps trying to be righteous, were too caught up in the intrigue of the East India Company to be good mane. Having said that, if I were in their shoes, I think I would have co-opted in the same way.

I did not like the treachery, the underhandedness, the disrespectful and evilly deceitful behavior of the officers or officials of the East India Company.  Do I believe it true, to some extent, at least.  Do I believe their are implications of the way our own government acts today, yes, and I am not a conspiracy theorist.  

The conquest by England of other lands did result in feudal systems that depended upon subservient labor to produce the wealth of the country.  The plantation system in the American South is just one example.  And even in the 21st Century, there are those who would shamefully re-write history, calling slaves "guest laborers" in textbooks.

The truth is that the East India Company may have begun as a benevolent corporation to work in partnership with the native Indian populations, but soon grew to be more interested in profit, riches and power, than the welfare of the native populations.  

And, while the East India Company's "history" is propagated on the tea, spice, and silk trade, an honest look at history tells us that the opium poppy was a cash crop with profits like no other.

I have read that the real reason that the British wanted access to trade with China was not silk, but opium.

And, in our modern day, there are stories of farmers in the war torn Middle East who forgo food crops for the profits of a cash crop of opium, traded to the West.  The result is that some few get rich, but the poor laborers suffer and they and their families have a diminishing access to locally grown food crops.

Do I believe that only Anglos engage in the misappropriation of power and wealth? No.  Look at Saudi Arabia, look at South Africa, and other African nations, at Southeast Asian nations, and South American nations.

What I do believe is that if we turn a blind eye, and allow history to be written in the perspective of the victor, we will never learn from our past.

Slippers

I am hard on slippers.  Last fall, I needed a new pair of slippers. I purchased a pair of warm, woolly, loose-fitting slippers.  After a few weeks, the right slipper started to wear at the big toe.  Not bad. But the sole was separating from the boot of the slipper.  I did not throw them away.

So I purchased a pair of Dearform slippers.  They were bootie slippers that I usually purchase.  After a while, the right slipper began to wear at the big toe. I did not throw them away.

I went out and purchased a pair of leather suede fleece lined slippers. But I did not wear them.

All season long, I alternated between the woolly slippers and the Dearform slippers. At one point, I started putting a pair of loose fitting slipper socks in the woolly slippers, because that increased the warmth of the slippers.  The slipper socks were old, and were already worn, but have been worn through enough that the need to be disposed of.  And, the loose sole of the Dearform slippers has become a safety hazard, because I slightly trip on it, as folds under, from time to time, and have been fortunate so far not to have an accident.  So, I have stopped wearing them, and need to throw them away.

In the last week, the loose sole on the woolly slippers has become a tripping hazard, also, as it folds under, so I know I need to dispose of those also.

Which is why I have the leather slippers in reserve.  At this time of year, it would be difficult to buy a pair of slippers locally.  And, although I usually wear a size 7, which is the size of both the woolly slippers and the Dearforms, the leather slippers were not comfortable in size 7, so I bought a size 8.  This would be difficult to predict online.  So, although at this time of year, I could purchase slippers online, it was better to purchase a pair locally and have them in reserve.

Red Flag Warning Day

The National Weather Service  has posted a Red Flag Warning Day.  This means very high winds with wildfire warnings.  We have had a lot of these days lately, and a lot of wildfires in West Texas.   The wind warnings started about noon today.  When I got up this morning, we actually were having some drizzle, but the weather forecasters said a lot of it was virga because the humidity was so low. 

I went out into my backyard early this afternoon.  The temperature was mild, the wind was not blowing and I considered sitting outside for a while, but I could see the haze in the south, and about 20 minutes later, when I checked again, the wind was roaring.  And has continued to do so into the early evening.  The red flag warning has been extended until tomorrow morning. This is unusual, since most of the time, once the sun sets, the winds lay.  Not today.  

West Texas Basketball

Texas is known for its love of football, and West Texas is no different than any other part of the state.

But guess what, West Texas has a long history of basketball excellence.  One place it started is with the Wayland Baptist Flying Queens , who are in the NAIA tournament 2018. The Texas Tech Lady Raiders won the 1993 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The South Plains College Basketball history is amazing. And for the 6th year in a row, the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 championship will be held in Lubbock.  And in recent years,  the Lubbock Christian University Women's Basketball team  won their championship in 2016 and are in the running again this year.   And, this year, the Texas Tech Red Raiders are in the NCAA tournament.  



Go basketball!  

March Madness 2018

I like basketball, but I do not watch it just to watch it.  I have to be interested in a team that is playing. This year, the Texas Tech men's basketball team is in the hunt.  They won their first round of 64 game against Stephen F Austin University last night, so will progress to the round of 32 on Saturday.   I am excited about following their progress, and have good hopes for their success. 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Brackett.

Out to Dinner

After the Bernie Sanders event, I went out to eat.  I have been craving fried oysters, so I went to Riversmiths which is downtown, not far from the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.  I have eaten there before, and the food has been good.

Not so today. The oysters were not well cooked.  I should have sent them back.  I did not. My bad.  They upset my stomach.  

The next time I want fired oysters, I will go somewhere else. 

Bernie Sanders Comes to Lubbock!

I could not believe it!  On Wednesday, from two separate sources, I received notice that Bernie Sanders was coming to Lubbock.  The meeting was free, but the Bernie Sanders organization email wanted me to RSVP.  I did.  But, I decided that I was not going to take the chance of not getting in.  

In 2008, Bill Clinton came to Lubbock, and spoke at the Lubbock High School gym (where Buddy Holly went to school.)  A friend and I went a couple hours before the speech began, and we almost did not get in.  I was not going to take that chance again. So, although the doors did not open until noon, I arrived at  the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center shortly after 10 AM. I brought a book, found a seat, and was content to read, which is what I would have been doing at home. I met up with a woman who has been involved in the Democratic party, and she took me under her wing, so to speak.  We were able to be near the front of the line, and get good seats.  

I had announced this at the NASW meeting on Thursday.  I saw several social workers at the event: Stacy, Selly, Earline, Graciela, and Adelaida.  There may have been more.

It felt soooo good to be among people who demonstrated support for the kinds of issues that I support.  I did not believe there were that many progressives in Lubbock.

I was concerned, as was my "mentor" that the crowd would be small, but there was standing room only.  And, no dissenters spoke up!  What a relief. 

I have not been able to support the Democratic party in Lubbock because it is so staid and conservative.  I could support this. 

Thank you, Our Revolution Texas

Andy Wilkerson

Jim Hightower

Bernie Sanders

Nina Turner

The Fiend Caffeine

Thursday night was book club night.  As usual, we went out to dinner before the meeting, this time to Cattle Baron's and had a nice visit.  I was cold, and at Barnes and Noble I bought a Chai Tea.  I should know better. It has caffeine, and I rarely do caffeine any more.  But, usually a couple of glasses of wine counter acts that.  Well, not so on Thursday night. I finally went to bed, about 2:30 AM.  And tossed and turned forever, it felt like. I tried playing the pain management CD that puts me to sleep, but that did not work. I just could not get comfortable. I finally got up, made some Sleepytime Tea, which usually does nothing to help me sleep, and the results were no different that night.  I read, and finally became drowsy around 4:30 and drowsed off and on until it was time to get up to go to work, about 6:45 Friday morning. 

I was not too tired at work, and then ran errands afterward, but went to bed early Friday night.

Thursday Afternoon Paperwork

So, I had Thursday afternoon off, with no particular plans.  I checked my emails, and lo and behold, I had the CEU approval information and forms for the South Plains Branch NASW annual workshop in my inbox.  This includes verification forms, evaluation forms, and sign in forms.  So, I spent part of Thursday afternoon putting our specific information on these forms.  I usually would do this after work, in the evening.  It went quicker, because I was not as tired.  That was good. 

March is Social Work Month

March is Social Work Month, and our local sponsor, Raider Ranch which supplies lunch and a meeting room for our monthly meeting, did a special lunch for us this month.  Not everyone showed up who RSVPed, which I hate, but we had a nice turn out.  Raider Ranch did a really special meal.  That was great!  They did door prizes.  And the presentation was very good, and included a CEU!

It was a busy week

It continued to be a busy week.  I worked late Wednesday, in anticipation of getting off early.  Thursday, I left work early. I went to the NASW meeting, and Thursday evening, I went to the book club.  Friday, I stayed late, about 15 minutes, and then ran errands.  Today, I went to the Bernie Sanders presentation.  Now, it looks like Beto O'Rourke, Democratic candidate for US Senator from Texas will be in town on Sunday afternoon.

I am not sure when I am going to get housework done, but I want to go.

Time Warp

I have been in a time warp this week.  I usually go to work late on Monday, because I have a late afternoon obligation, which I enjoy. But before I went to work this past Monday,  I had to complete some tasks for the South Plains Branch of NASW.  So, rather than sit at home and relax before I went to work, I was working. It was not difficult or stressful, just time consuming.

So, at work, I had to complete documentation from the Friday before. I hate doing late notes, for two reasons: First of all, it is just not best practice.  But, it also makes me have to adjust back and forth between the late note day and the current day. To me, it is dizzying.  In other words, I get confused. And have some vertigo, and occasionally, nausea.

After leaving work Monday at the prescribed late hour, I had an errand to run for South Plains Branch NASW to get copies made, then went home, fed the cats, stuffed some envelopes, and ran more errands: This included going to the library to return some items that were due, but of course, while I was there, I picked up some more reading material. Then I dropped off mail for South Plains Branch NASW, and got take out dinner, and went home.  It was almost 8 PM when I arrived home, which surprised me but was in line with what I should have expected.  I did the best I could to go through my normal routine of cat attention, email, computer games and what have you, as I tried to wind down for the night.   But, it was a late night.

I realized, Monday evening, that I had signed up for an RSVP CEU activity, sponsored by the Lubbock Medical Society that would start Tuesday early evening, but last at least until 8 PM.  When I had signed up, I had planned to go home from work, feed the cats, and go to the event. In the meantime, I was scheduled for another meeting for another volunteer activity at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock, that I felt I could not miss.  I hated it, but the cats would just have to be fed late.  I put out extra food at breakfast.  I coordinate an RSVP CEU activity, and hate it when folks RSVP and then are unable to attend without any notice, or show up without RSVPing.  I do not want to be one of those people. 

Tuesday morning, I tried to start early, because I needed to vote before going to work. I showed up at the polling place, and learned that instead of voting in the school library, we were now voting in the gym, which was accessible through the school, but was around the block from the school library, where I parked.  I voted and then hiked back to my car and went on to work, arriving a few minutes later than I had hoped.

Oh well.  

I kept all of my patient contacts Tuesday, but was able to document very few.  Again, I hate the necessity to do late documentation, but it is what it is.

I arrived for the volunteer activity at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock, late in the afternoon after work, and it was a very productive meeting, which ended without my feeling stressed about getting to the RSVP CEU activity, sponsored by the Lubbock County Medical Society.  That training was a great training, and a wonderful meal, to boot!

So, I arrived home late Tuesday night.  The cats were not too happy, but were given their favorite treats and food, and settled down, and even sat with me for a while. True to form, I had difficulty winding down enough to sleep. 

Of course, Wednesday morning, I slept in later than I had planned but was still able to get to work at a reasonable. time. I did my Wednesday tasks as planned, but still had to do the late documentation from Tuesday.  Once again, I was shifting between yesterday and today, so my mind had trouble focusing and adjusting.

What helped was that I had planned to take off Thursday afternoon. How I will complete my Thursday documentation means I will have to cancel some group time the next week, if I cannot complete it on Friday. But, meanwhile it meant I could stay late (45 minutes) on Wednesday to complete my documentation for Tuesday and Wednesday.  And, I can stay late on Friday if I need to.

After I left work, I ran errands.  I had dinner and was trying to wind down, and it took me a while to decide it was Wednesday, and tomorrow, Thursday, I had morning obligations at work that I would not be able to document until later.  I have permission to leave late Thursday morning, for the afternoon off, and I would go the South Plains Branch NASW CEU meeting.  When I will do the late documentation, I do not know.  I do know that when that happens, it will once again put me in a time warp.

Being in a time warp is minimal, disconcerting, but usually causes me mental distress, nausea, and a lack of confidence. 

I dislike being in a time warp.

Hopefully, soon at work, my time will be straight-forward, not in a time warp, and somehow I will be able to do the documentation that is required of me on the day it is due.

Winding Down

So, I went out after work tonight. And true to form, whether it is social, or educational, a movie, or sports I am left with needing to wind down after wards.  I have had some wine, and have engaged in the usual pre-bedtime activities that help me prepare to go to sleep, but so far, no help.

That is okay.  I have dealt with this before.  I will get sleepy soon.

Dinner Was Late Tonight

Tonight, I went to a CEU training sponsored by the Lubbock County Medical Society.  It started at 5:30 PM  went through 8 PM.  I had planned to leave work in plenty of time to feed the cats and then go to the training.  Well, events intervened, so I fed the cats extra in the morning, knowing it would be after 8 PM before I returned home.  I weighed cancelling, but it was a topic I wanted to hear: Human Trafficking, and I hate to make an RSVP and cancel at the last minute.  So, I did attend the training. It was good. 

When I arrived home shortly after 8 PM, Haiku and Taki were waiting for diner at the door.  I fed them quickly with dry food, then added two types of moist food, including human tuna that I had opened in the morning.  Haiku, as she does, ate several times, then cried at the selection she was provided.  But then she ate more. 

I hated to be late feeding the cats.  But they survived.  

Grayscale on Electronics

I was watching the Today Show Monday and they were talking about not being addicted or as addicted to your smart phone.  One of the suggestions they used was to change the screen to grayscale.  And it is true:  the screen is much less interesting and does not stimulate the pleasure centers as much.

I began thinking about it.  I have begun watching the original Perry Mason shows on TV.  These are the old ones in black and white.  And, I find that even if I do not watch the show closely, by the time the show is done, I am lulled and ready for bed.  It makes sense.  First of all, it is the lateness of the night (10:30 PM.)  But it is other things:  the repetitive music, the absence of loud noise, usually, and the boring black and white scenes.  Even when the plot has twists and turns, I still am usually ready to go to bed after the show.  

Maybe grayscale does have sedative or at least, non-stimulating properties. 

I'd Rather Read

For I don't know how long, I have been addicted to playing "Words with Friends" and have accepted their challenges.  And have tried to complete the challenges.   And, I knew that as I did so, I was not attending to other interests in my life.  I justified it by thinking that sharpening my word skills was a valid endeavor. And it is.

But, I realized that playing "Words with Friends" limited my other activities.  Most recently, I have started reading again instead of playing "Words with Friends", and I realized how much more meaningful reading is to me, than playing "Words with Friends." It is not that I will not play, it is just that I will play on my own time frame, and not to complete  a challenge or otherwise be co-opted  into playing when I have better things to do.