The Social Porcupine

I believe dreams find reality through imaginative and innovative compromises.  As a young girl, I loved to barter at thrift stores. I would find stacks of books, of ten or twenty, and rarely pay more than a couple dollars. Some said I was addicted to the books. I did devour them nearly as quickly as I purchased them. But there was also a certain thrill to bartering that somehow added a certain glory to my books.  The better the deal, the better the read, it often seemed.  I think that I saw the world as I saw Goodwill, one of my favorite stores.  Everything and everyone tuned toward my dreams. The passage was wide, the path smooth. And the price? A single smile that charmed all toward my desires. The world truly wished me good will.  I saw life as our founding fathers must have, as they must have viewed what we ambiguously call the American Dream and its master, Liberty.  And then my world crashed.  Goodwill posted a notice, stating something along the lines of: “We no longer barter.

Other people, "What is an au pair?"  Before Germany, I would answer, "Basically a nanny who doesn't get paid very much." During Germany, I would sometimes say, "A servant."  After Germany, I decided to actually look up what it was I had done. As an etymologist enthusiast, I'm surprised I didn't do this before I submitted my application.  au pair = on par with, from the French and means literally, on an equal footing.  Of course, that is merely the definition and origins of the phrase. What is an au pair actually?  Face value: An au pair is a young person (male or female) between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six who, wishing to learn more of another culture, goes to live with a family. In exchange, they will help with the children and light chores and receive a small pocket allowance that is not to be considered wages. It is standard for them to work four to six hours a day, and they shall work not more than thirty hours a week. They are to h

I didn't attend a single funeral last year.  And yet I know more people that died last year than any other year. As far as I know, only one was classified "due to COVID". I was saddened to not go to the first two funerals (I was in Germany).  This post has been begging attention for quite some time. But this is a topic that is hard for me to face, though it feels ever imminent, always present.  Shirley was one of my favorite clients. Normally I would just listen as she ranted over some horrendous happening. She had her favorite stories that she liked to repeat. 'Twas fine by me as I missed a lot of what she said, and thus always garnered a new detail. Some people would have thought she was grumpy. She probably was. But I loved her. I felt I brought her happiness. Which made me happy.  On my last time cleaning, before leaving for Germany, she hugged me and said, "You're one of my best friends."  I wanted to say the same. I wondered, but would it be a lie?

  I'm back! And am I so glad, too!  This break has been just what was needed. But where to start? How to update you all? Is it even possible?  I never did get back on here to let you all know how elections went for my dad. I made one post on Facebook and Instagram. Suffice it to say, my dad isn't a state senator, and yet we did really well as a Libertarian running against an incumbent and received a little over twenty percent of the vote. If my dad decides to run again, I know just what to do (and not do!), and am certain we might win.  That being said, as soon as I decided to take the social media posting break, I realized, "I'm actually fine and was just being melodramatic. I have so many things to share!"  I stopped myself, remembering this wasn't a decision made on a whim, but the build-up of months, almost a couple years. In a way, I haven't had a chance to breathe since I went to Above Rubies. And this last year has been beyond hectic all on its own,