These people are just not serious. A credit card spending limit of $1 for purchases and travel expenses?!?

As a #longtimefed I was under strict limitations about how I spent funds. To buy a box of paper or subscription to an academic journal or pay for a translation, I had to have approval from multiple people. Then, to have the bill paid, I had to submit several pages for each purchase.

FYI, the credit card was the required payment method.

1. Paintings by local amateur artists, lining the halls of the community center.
2. I haven‘t played D&D in…many years and am not likely to take it up again, so I donated my dice to a group that meets at the library.
3. News roundup podcast that replaces the one from WaPo that I dumped.
4. Lunch with friends at the Mexican restaurant.
5. We endured the windblown power outage with just some inconvenience.
#5joysfriday

Book 1 of the series. I‘d read some of the later ones, so it was interesting to go back to where it all started. #serieslove2025

As a #longtimefed I served under 7 POTUS. I only voted for 3 of them, but I did my job the same regardless. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution when I first joined the government and every time I moved to another office. My employer was the American people and not POTUS.

Higher level managers and administrators are already political appointees. There‘s no need to root out the “disloyal” employees. The result would be the real “deep state.”

I think I need to clarify that I‘m a retired #longtimefed and not a current employee. I‘m writing these posts because I‘m angry and insulted that feds are being thrown so unceremoniously under the bus. Again. Sadly, this isn‘t new. It‘s just fed bashing on steroids…or ketamine.

Since Social Security is part of my pension BY LAW, I guess that makes me part of the “parasite class” now. I just want to sit under my own vine and fig tree.

I don‘t usually read comics but I liked it. While I was at the library there was another graphic novel by her on the next shelf, so I grabbed that too.
#authoramonth

I worked for the government for 35+ years at three different organizations. I‘ll come back to that later. As a #longtimefed I have a lot of thoughts about…all this. For a host of reasons I‘m reluctant to share much on “public” media for now, but I consider Litsy MY “safe space.”

I don‘t want to hurt anyone‘s feelings or make anyone uncomfortable, and I don‘t expect to change anyone‘s mind. If you want to ignore these posts, you can mute the tag.

1. I‘m feeling pretty good today.
2. I‘ve had trouble getting to sleep for most of my life, but once I do I can sleep well. Lately it‘s been a bit out of whack.
3. Make the room cool (not cold), dark, and quiet. Play soothing music or a sleep story podcast if needed, but don‘t play with your phone for any other reason. (I need to be better following this advice!)
#mentalhealthmonday

Happy Presidents‘ Day* to those who celebrate.

Some good ones who must be looking on in horror at what we‘ve become, and some bad ones who must be patting themselves on the back for their part in getting us here.

IMHO part of the job of President is respecting the people who work for you. ALL of them. In this time of “narratives over facts,” starting tomorrow I‘ll share a few narratives about my experience as a #longtimefed employee.

We have no electricity, so we went out to eat. We‘re both grumpy and hungry. Not very hyyge! No reading, just eating soup and salad. #hyggehourreadathon

I have found that being in book clubs helps fend off reading slumps because there‘s always another book that needs to be read by a certain time. But not completely!

Sometimes I will read a chapter or two of Tolkien and that gets me back into the swing of things without committing to a full reread. Another way is to find a shorter audiobook and listen while on a couple long walks.

#sundayfunday

A touching tribute to her mother and a fitting conclusion to her autobiography. However, I plan to read Letter to My Daughter as well.
#serieslove2025

1. I saw a hawk during a walk in the woods. A few days later on the same path I met a nice dachshund named Winston.
2. Gurdeep Pandher kept popping up on my Facebook feed, so I went ahead and followed him.
3. Mapquest
4. My sister was recently in Europe for vacation and sent me this picture from Strasbourg.
5. Town hall with my congressional representative.
#5joysfriday

I did better on this section: 20/110. I‘m including plays I saw in the theater!

1. Although I later read the book and saw the movie, when I was in high school I was part of the crew for the tagged book. I could have recited most of the dialogue at some point!

2. Richard III which I saw at the Washington Shakespeare Company in 2019. It was a memorable production.

3. Tom Jones. The play, not the singer!

#TLT

Now for something completely different! Urban fantasy!

Last week I saw the #BDWAB display at the library. I told one of the librarians that I‘d read two out of three mysteries books I‘d checked out last summer, and she suggested I try a genre I don‘t normally read.

I have absolutely nothing against urban fantasy. It‘s just not a typical genre for me. This was a fun story though, and just like that I have another #series on my list.

Believe me. I would LOVE to be able to ignore political machinations and trust that, on balance, my government is doing the right thing even if I may disagree on some of the details.

That‘s not what we‘re dealing with here, folks. We have a couple of sociopaths flooding the zone with arbitrary decisions about maps and intentionally breaking things simply for revenge. Who cares if people are suffering?

Feel free to unfollow me.

1. I feel pretty decent today.
2. Reading, walking, journaling
3. Therapy, self-care, finding personal space
#mentalhealthmonday

I‘m not watching SB LIX. Instead I‘m reading this BDWAB selection with no TV and no music. Just a nice scented candle and some mango pineapple lemonade. #hyggehourreadathon

Sometimes when I reread a book, I like to change up the mode. If I read it the first time, maybe during the reread I‘ll listen. It brings out different aspects of the story, especially with a mystery. For example, when I know whodunnit (if I remember 😜), I can pay more attention to how the characters interact and so forth.
#sundayfunday

Fun fact! The title comes from The Tempest, which I probably ought to read at some point because…

Book club selection! Sometimes the romance aspect of the story veered into soap opera territory, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series. #serieslove2025

1. I found the Daily Beans podcast.

The rest of #5joysfriday is related to the same event and may take more than 451 characters to relate.

The TV in the study crapped out the night of the plane crash above the Potomac. Of all nights! This led to aggravation but then to some joys.
2. We got a new TV and set it up with only minimal arguments. We just needed to phone a friend to help sort the Roku remote.
3. Then we went out for pizza! ⬇️

Civil War spy story with some interracial #steamylove #feelinthelove

Finally! A book I actually read for AP English! Don‘t ask me about it, though, because I don‘t remember a thing. 🤣
This helped bring my score to 14/100 for this segment. Highlights from more recent reads:
1. Persuasion
2. Purple Hibiscus
3. A Prayer for Owen Meany
#TLT

Interesting and thoughtful story that addresses many issues still relevant today. #BlackHistoryMonth

1. Last week was a roller coaster ride, but not in a fun way. Saturday was good though. I had an errand to run that stretched into a visit to the bookstore and a late lunch.
2. More than anything, I‘m dumbfounded by the mental gymnastics exhibited by the TCF and his minions. For example, the plane crash was caused by DEI. It‘s exhausting!
3. Catching up on various videos and catching up with friends.
#mentalhealthmonday

Because I can‘t resist making new grids on PicCollage, here‘s my aspirational #serieslove2025 reading plan for Black History Month.

I‘m reading this for #hyggehourreadathon tonight and debating whether to have a glass of wine.

Tagged book was one of MANY on the latest #TLT quiz from @dabbe that I haven‘t read, but it‘s on my shelf. #sundayfunday

In light of recent developments, I decided to lean into Black History Month for the month of February. My remaining book club and #authoramonth selections are already poised in that direction. While looking at my TBR list, I remembered something from my year end stats that I forgot to post at the time.

On both Goodreads and StoryGraph, Finding Me was the highest rated of the books I read in 2024. Isn‘t that interesting?

The tagged book isn‘t necessarily going to be one of my favorite books for the year, but it‘s my favorite for the month. #wrapup

1. Davey Martinez rocked Washington Commanders gear at the Nationals Hot Stove event on Saturday, but they lost anyway. No matter because the Nationals Opening Day is in less than two months.
2. With help only from the warmer temperatures, I cleaned the dribs and drabs of snow and ice from the parking lot.
3. The days are getting longer, and that will accelerate in February.
4. I ran into a friend I hadn‘t seen in a few months. ⬇️
#5joysfriday

Not much better this week! 12/100 #TLT

Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-ap-literature-free-response-titles-list-2

Some highlights
1. Kindred
2. The House of the Spirits
3. The Great Gatsby

Follow up to My Name Is Mary Sutter, about a determined young woman who serves as a doctor during the Civil War. It‘s several years later, and Mary is working in Albany, New York. When a surprise blizzard strikes and two young girls disappear, she doesn‘t rest until they get justice. I don‘t believe there will be a third book, but I‘ll look for others she has written. #serieslove2025

I read Book 2 for book club a couple years ago, so I was happy to circle back to the beginning of the story. I listened to the audiobook version, which was a good production using three main narrator voices and a fourth narrator for the “framework” story.

Meanwhile, two more are actively in progress.

#serieslove2025

1. On the surface I‘m fine. Deep down, however…
2. The tagged book and, apparently, anything by Jenny Lawson.
#mentalhealthmonday

I‘ve been reading various other things this week, so I‘m back on Sunday again. Watching football and eating potato skins. #hyggehourreadathon

I like all different kinds of mystery books, but especially procedurals with a hint of romance. #sundayfunday

I hope the coming week is better for you @BookmarkTavern

Running away from home was a mixed bag, both in terms of the trip itself and what I was running away from, but the week had many joys.
1. I visited a park that commemorates Williamsburg during the Peninsula Campaign.
2. I had occasion to use this lovely candle.
3. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde spoke truth to power.
4. Politics Girl was 🔥this week.
5. Greek food for lunch was delicious.
#5joysfriday

I took AP English during the time covered by the survey! Don‘t ask me what we read, because I don‘t remember. It wasn‘t any of these books, though. Still, I think of it as one of the best classes I took in high school. All 12/100 books are ones I read as an adult. Highlights:
1. Anna Karenina
2. Bless Me, Ultima
3. The Cider House Rules
Survey link: https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-ap-literature-free-response-titles-list-1
#TLT

GPS missed it by “that much” on Monday, but I did find the used bookstore Turn the Page on my way out of Williamsburg yesterday. (It‘s not in the Litsy database.

I managed to restrain myself and only bought the tagged book.

It was also charming to listen to big band music while browsing, and even the bag is cute.

1. I‘m retired! However…willful ignorance on the part of my colleagues used to drive me crazy!
2. I couldn‘t think of anything so I looked it up and got the tagged book. 🤷🏻‍♀️
#two4tuesday

I didn‘t go to Dublin(!) like a friend of mine did, but I‘m in Williamsburg and, more importantly, away from the DC vibe, as well as the faux news that will no doubt be blaring out of the other room at home. Today I plan to check out a couple bookstores and a local park, and try to avoid the siren call of news and social media.

Meanwhile, here are some suggestions from the Red Wine and Blue webinar I watched last night.

I‘ve run away from home for the next couple days and brought the tagged book with me. I‘m a little late to #hyggehourreadathon because I was watching webinar with Heather Cox Richardson. I have a feeling that once I start reading I won‘t last five minutes before I fall asleep in this nice comfy bed.

The first thing that came to mind…
#sundayfunday

This started out moderately promising, but by the end I couldn‘t wait just to be done already. Parker is okay, but Wimsey is kind of a jerk. The story is rambling and a little cringey. #authoramonth

I don‘t know exactly what this #snowycover has to do with the book I just read, but it was a very interesting story. #25alive

1. I picked up the tagged book from my free cycle group.
2. The house was at the end of a long drive in the woods, and when I got there I saw a bald eagle in the trees.
3. Then I went to my favorite indie bookstore followed by a late lunch of loaded fries and spiced winter ale.
4. I spent several hours waiting while my car was being serviced, but I had a good book (and some entertaining canned TV programming) to keep me occupied.
#5joysfriday

I‘ve read 12 of these, most of them as an adult. Here are some favorites.
1. Jacob Have I Loved
2. The One and Only Ivan
3. I, Juan de Pareja
I read another Robin McKinley book I enjoyed, so I‘m adding the tagged book to my TBR. #TLT
Here‘s the link to take the survey: https://www.listchallenges.com/litsy-full-list-of-newbery-medal-winners

Thanks, Lynn, for running this giveaway! #49bdaygiveaway

Who needs Benoit Blanc when you have Maggie and Ethan? Will they find #lastinglove or … something else? #25alive