Friday 5: It’s been a while

It has been, hasn’t it?

Happy Friday! Today is National Fig Newton Day (No. No, absolutely not. Never. Disgusting.) and National Without a Scalpel Day, which celebrates minimally invasive procedures, apparently.

But it’s been a while. Things are not great here in the USA. Donald Trump’s regime unleashed its jackbooted gestapo on the people of Minnesota and it’s ugly. At least one civilian was murdered, because now it’s okay for the police — and “the police” — to use deadly force whenever they want.

The Department of Justice is issuing subpoenas to politicians who speak out. It’s chilling, and I’m not sure what can possibly save us all. I donate to the mutual aid societies that are closest to the most recent disasters. I nag my representatives. I pray.

Happy 250th, USA.

It feels wrong to be here, nattering about Fig Newtons and posting about crafts when everything is so heavy. Then again, throughout history, people still wrote and painted and danced as their countries were self destructing. This is all uncharted territory for me, but what I do know is that I feel better when I write. And I feel better when I craft.

And so, here I am.

This week’s Friday 5 theme is, coincidentally, It’s been a while.

What are you learning these days?
I am teaching myself to juggle. That was one of my New Year’s resolutions for many years, but after many years of not learning to juggle, I stopped resolving to do it. In December, I used one of my many Visa gift cards to buy juggling beanbags, watched a Youtube video, and started practicing every day. And I’m doing it! I’ve been recording my daily practice and I hope to edit it all into a video once I’m competent.
What’s been energizing you lately?
Regular exercise. I’ve said this before but I am so angry that exercise makes me feel better. Since the gym is only five minutes away, it’s much easier to work it into my morning schedule again. I go 2-3 times a week, attend my in-person yoga class once a week, and use Supernatural (RIP archive link to Wired mag) to fill in the other days.
What are you reading?
I started Katabasis a few days ago. I heard it was very good, but I was intimidated by both its size and the fact that it was about academics. I placed a Libby hold anyway, because on an e-reader you can highlight unfamiliar terms and learn the definitions. And the heft of the book is conveniently hidden. I’m about a third of the way through and am really enjoying it. Are you on StoryGraph? Because I am and it’s pretty quiet there. Feel free to add me.
What’s the best thing you ate recently?
Last week I went out to eat with Mom, and we split a slice of gluten free key lime pie (she keeps to a gluten-free diet). It was so, so good.
What are you doing differently today from a year ago?
I am spending more time in the living room and less time in the office. Am I spending less time online? No, because I have my Surface and a brand-new Steam Deck. It is gorgeous. I haven’t had a portable gaming console since my PSP in 2005. Nephew A gave me a Steam card for Christmas (with his own money!) and I used it to purchase The Roottrees are Dead, a mystery game. Loved it, and loved that I didn’t have to sit at my “work” desk to play it.

And that’s it, friends. I have a post about my December cards, a post about my January cards, and a post about my 2026 vision board in my drafts folder. One of them will be up on Monday.

Be kind to each other. Everyone deserves to be safe, loved, and warm.