Monday Musings ....

It is all about me ...

I must apologize right up front.

I am very boring today.

I am so boring … I am going to talk about the weather. So if you get through this drivel, thank you. I appreciate you to no end.

And I will do my best to produce something that is more engaging next week.

I mean it. Really.

It is 7:30 on Sunday evening.

It is currently 86° in my house. Well, at least downstairs. I won't check upstairs for awhile …. it feels like a blast furnace when I open the door!

If you remember, last year I had a whole house fan installed.

I am totally in love with the fan. I have been able to sleep relatively comfortable if the nighttime temperature drops to 71-74°. Above that, it is still a bit toasty but sleep-able!

But I haven't figured how to keep the house cooler during the day.

Wait …. I hear something.

I should stop baking bread at 450°? Or maybe quit making jam for 4 hours straight?

You may definitely be right!

But isn't steam a great way to sweat away the toxins???? Please tell me yes!

Time for the news of the week.

OMG!!!! I read a book I really loved.

I LOVED this book!!!

This is based in the early 1960's. Four women went to college, had careers, had independent lives and then found themselves as housewives in a subdivision near Washington DC. And they seem relegated to coffee klatches and creating jello salads.

There is so much to say about this. But I don't want to spoil it for you.

But let me say this ….

if you were ever discouraged to be a doctor but encouraged to be a nurse … this book is for you.

if you were ever told to “smile more” or called “Sweetie” by your boss … this book is for you.

if you can remember where you were when President Kennedy was assassinated … this book is for you.

I really enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry and The Sunshine Girls but this was a book I couldn't put down.

And now, I need to read The Feminine Mystic by Betty Friedan and A room of One's Own by Virginia Woolfe.

I am currently reading ….

And even though I am only a few chapters in …. I really enjoy Backman's character development of the weird, quirky misfits that live in his mind and therefore, his books.

I started The Silent Patient.

It hasn't grabbed me yet … but I need to get a little farther.

And finally, I am looking forward to …

This was written by the author of Still Alice … a book about early onset Alzheimer's. More or Less Maddy is a novel about bipolar disease. It should be interesting and enlightening.

Staying busy … As they say, there is no rest for the wicked.

Sunday was busy ….

The Quad City Outdoor Women's Club came at 10 for a flower arranging class.

As you know, my strength isn't flower arranging. I am great with color but I struggle to make bouquets in my hands.

But Connie is good so we do this together …

The struggle was the heat. Flowers do not like to be cut and arranged in 85° temperatures with humidity to match. Fortunately, flowers are pretty resilient once they soak up fresh water and cool off.

Kind of like us.

It was a great group of women and friends and a fun way to spend Sunday morning.

But I wasn't finished yet …. a 16 year old claimed it was her best birthday EVER.

AND a Hipcamper arrived from Texas for her 3 day visit on the farm.

Two hundred and forty nine …. Speaking of birthdays.

The United States of America turns 249 on Friday. And I am scared.

The big so-called beautiful bill looks like it might pass with massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

And I could ever-so-slightly possibly understand if it was being done to balance budgets. But billionaires get tax cuts and my taxes will go up $2700. And the deficit continues to skyrocket.

I am frustrated at my elected officials. Their staff barely listens when I call. It is truly a “Let them eat cake” moment.

The so-called Christians in the House and the Senate and especially in the White House, have totally forgotten the Sermon on the Mount.

But there is one thing that combats fear … And that is joy.

And joy is the goal of the Stand Up for Freedom Party 2025.

The brainchild of my friend Joanie (not Joni!) … I am certain it will be a great event.

I did go to the Red White and Blue dinner this Saturday night for Scott County Democrats. I sat with the Re-Sisters for a fun evening. Unfortunately, I had to call it an early evening.

But I am NOT missing Saturday's event and I hope you will join me.

The hatred toward Hispanics, immigrants, Muslims and everyone else that isn't an old white male has to stop …. And the only way we can fight that hate is with happiness, fellowship and joy.

Hopefully, we can remind people that as imperfect the United States has always been …. we can be better than we are right now! Strive to be kinder, more accepting, and inclusive.

It's a good time to remember … We are better than our current administration. We just need to survive.

Housekeeping notes …. I have altered my schedule this week on the farm.

I will be open on July 4th from 9 to 3.

Come visit with your out-of-town guests. As you know … there is nothing more Iowa than Miss Eff's.

Maybe that's not the right comparison anymore.

I hope to be a much kinder person than Iowa is right now. 😉

I will be closed on July 5th so I can enjoy a relatively quiet weekend.

Now back to jam making because I have THREE jars on the shelf.

Talk to you later.

Cathy

www.buymeacoffee.com/misseffie

I will never put this blog behind a paywall. But if you would like to support my efforts to keep this little farm growing in the future … consider the “buy me a coffee,” option. You truly would be keeping a roof over my head!