Weekend Open Thread

Close your eyes and ground yourself in the moment. As you absorb the healing power of the crystal, you will feel your inner cat energy blossom within you. You are now in a space of pure tranquility, and are now prepared to discuss the events of your week.

Tip: Try not to focus on yesterday or you’ll fry the tranquility.
You already voted!

98 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread

  1. Dulcie January 21, 2017 / 9:36 am

    Good morning peeps!
    I have a an upsetting comment! Saw some footage on the news last night that showed a dog being manhandled and mistreated on the set of the movie “A Dog’s Purpose”. The dog was distressed and terrified as they tried to throw it into a “raging river”. I couldn’t get the image out of my mind. The report was that several animal agencies are requesting that people boycott the movie. I certainly will. I didn’t sleep last night.

    • Dulcie January 21, 2017 / 9:51 am

      But with the help of today’s post I am chanelling my inner cat and achieving peace and tranquility…ahhh…

      • Faye January 21, 2017 / 10:36 am

        They cancelled the red carpet primeur. Once I See terrified or abused animals I cannot get the visuals out of my mind.

      • Boosmom January 21, 2017 / 10:48 am

        Wow! Saw the preview for this movie just yesterday at the theater. Hope everyone boycotts this one.

    • belphebe January 21, 2017 / 11:01 am

      Animal cruelty is a terrible thing, I agree, but I have to question the motives behind the group that released this video NOW! If it really was from the filming of that movie, why was it not released in 2015 when the incident happened, so that it could have been dealt with?

      Or even a month or two ago, when the movie trailers started coming out? Why wait until the release date?

      I think that whomever staged that video should be dealt with because they purposely harmed an animal to support their allegations, and they should also be fined for potential box office losses to the movie because of this smear campaign.

      Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’ll enjoy the pretty kitty and take deep breaths.

      • Dulcie January 21, 2017 / 11:12 am

        How do you know it was staged? I believe my news feed is credible.
        In fact how could anyone go through the cost and effort required to “stage” the extensive set and numerous camera men etc????

      • Arne January 22, 2017 / 4:13 am

        Once the social media mob has tasted blood and picked up their pitchforks facts don’t matter any longer.

    • doxaholic fka ladybug January 23, 2017 / 3:13 pm

      I was pretty horrified when I heard about this (didn’t watch the video because I just can’t tolerate to see any animal suffering) and hoped there was some sort of reasonable explanation.

      I thought that fellow animal lovers might want to read this:

      http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gavin-polone-a-dogs-purpose-outcry-what-happened-whos-blame-967160

      (In short, the claim is that two takes were edited together, creating what was shown on TMZ……”TMZ’s edited version gives the impression that the dog was thrown in and eventually drowned, since the two parts seem to be connected. You never see him pulled out and OK. This is highly misleading.”)

      I’m glad the producer addressed the story but wish he had offered up both takes to show what he says really happened.

  2. Gigi the cat lady January 21, 2017 / 10:19 am

    It’s a grey day outside and I feel grey too. My husband just left to go shopping for books and movies downtown, he asked but I didn’t feel like going. I don’t feel like doing anything, I do have some shores to do around the house that I can’t put off but that’s about it for today.

    The one bright spot today is that tonight we will be getting take-out pizza from our favourite pizza place, I haven’t had pizza from Miss Italia for almost a year!!

  3. Faye January 21, 2017 / 10:39 am

    Watching CNN for the Pussy Hats demonstration. And the Ass Hattedness on the other side.

    • Phred's Mom January 21, 2017 / 12:52 pm

      Yo, stay classy.

  4. AJ January 21, 2017 / 10:42 am

    Ohm. Ohm. Breath and release all the negative energy, inhale the tranquility. Ahh, much better. Finally have a break from the rain which has been pounding SoCal for the 2-3 days, I kept expecting to see Noah’s ark go floating by sometime. Not too much planned for the weekend, probably just some chores and (trying to) ignore the news plus trying to finally get over the cold I’ve had all week.

    Went to hockey last night and had a great sell-out crowd, over 12,000 people cheering on our team!!!! And even better we won 5 to 1! Would have been a shut out but somehow the opposing team scored a goal that I’m still trying to figure out how they got it. They knocked one of our guys into the boards so hard he was down on the ice and then a few minutes later they’re announcing the goal. Huh????!!!! It almost seemed like the refs rewarded them for hurting our guy. Guess you can call it a pity goal, can’t have the first place team shut out by the fifth place team, lol.

    • Laura January 21, 2017 / 3:32 pm

      My husband grew up playing hockey, and frequently when I think a hit should be illegal, he explains why it’s within the rules. It can be a rough game, even though they’re trying to lessen injuries. Sometimes it seems like the players don’t want the roughness limited!

      • AJ January 21, 2017 / 6:23 pm

        I have no prob with the roughness and I know some hits are legal but this one got the opposing player a game misconduct. There’s checking and then there’s deliberate attempt to injure like this hit was. We did have a few scuffles and one major fight right at the end, I know a lot of it was frustration from the other team because of the way the score was going.

  5. Duckie ? January 21, 2017 / 10:45 am

    Nothing exists except this kitty and his rainbow nose warmer.
    ? ?

  6. Murray C. January 21, 2017 / 10:59 am

    Two rainbows in one week – I think that’s deserving of praise, Mike. Yes, hopefully the beginning of tranquility – AND a doggedness – cattedness? (certainly not catTIness)

  7. allein ? January 21, 2017 / 11:10 am

    Sitting in bed, Stars came in for some petting but she just left. Really need to get up and go do some cleaning at home , and empty the dishwasher here so I can clean up the kitchen.

    Here’s an animal puzzle for you from Mensa.

    BEASTLY HINKY PINKY

    Each clue leads to a pair of two-syllable rhyming words, the second of which is an animal. For example, a royal dog is a REGAL BEAGLE. Can you solve them all?

    1. Amusing rabbit
    2. Urban meower
    3. Keyed-up snake
    4. Ready-to-reproduce slowpoke
    5. Roly-poly Aussie parakeet
    6. Ill farm bird

    • Gigi the cat lady January 21, 2017 / 11:29 am

      I guessed 1, 2 3, and 6 but I’m having trouble with 4 and 5. ?

      • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 11:35 am

        I’ll admit I did not get #3 until I looked at the answers.

        • Laura January 21, 2017 / 3:37 pm

          Where are the answers? I’m stuck on #3, too.

      • Elaine C Williamson January 21, 2017 / 2:33 pm

        Four is easy, fertile turtle. Five is pudgy budgie.

    • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:50 pm

      OK, here are the answers.
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      Do not keep reading if you’re not ready to give up!
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      Here you go:
      1. funny bunny
      2. city kitty
      3. hyper viper
      4. fertile turtle
      5. pudgy budgie
      6. sick chick

      • Gigi the cat lady January 21, 2017 / 4:18 pm

        I found all the others except #4 because fertile turtle does not rhyme the way we pronounce it in Canada, we use the British pronunciation and it’s not the same as the American one, we say “fur-tile” as in a floor tile.

        https://jakubmarian.com/pronunciation-of-fertile-in-english/

        • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 6:06 pm

          Ha! I didn’t even think of that possibility!

        • Dulcie January 21, 2017 / 10:29 pm

          Furdle Turdle

          • allein ? January 22, 2017 / 1:05 am

            Furtile Turtile? 😛

            • Haha January 22, 2017 / 2:53 am

              Hmm… A furry tile with turtle shell patterning for colors.
              I would consider this for home decorating purposes.
              ????

            • Dulcie January 22, 2017 / 10:17 am

              Yes I like that!

  8. allein ? January 21, 2017 / 11:13 am

    And she’s back, purring in my lap.

    It’s Saturday! Everyone dance!

  9. tara January 21, 2017 / 11:18 am

    Ah – beautiful tranquil kitty. So peaceful.
    I’m off to march with P***y-hat on and will try hard to channel this kitty.
    Love to all today.

    • Laura January 21, 2017 / 3:40 pm

      I saw some wonderful creative and very, very funny signs from the march in Washington. People are so good at all the silly signs that get the point across so beautifully!

      • Haha January 21, 2017 / 9:28 pm

        My daughter texted me several times throughout the day. She said she saw several, “interesting” signs. I look forward to her getting home and enjoying the resulting discussion.

    • Laura January 21, 2017 / 3:57 pm

      We’re having a quiet weekend. Melody slightly pulled a leg muscle running at the dog park a couple days ago, and was only able to take a short walk yesterday before she started limping again, so she has had to miss a couple therapy gigs. And Sebastian has another ear infection. That’s a chronic hazard with cocker spaniels, I fear.

      I’ve been starting to use the new wheelchair taking the dogs out and such, to build some muscles for when we go on longer sightseeing trips, like around the zoo. So far, all I’ve learned is that I have no muscles! But it’s nice to go out with my husband to walk the dogs and come home with no back pain. We won’t discuss my arms and shoulders. ?

      My husband recently got a meat smoker (his older one disappeared in a move), and he just smoked a big bunch of salmon. Yum, yum, and yum! I think I’m going to enjoy his efforts, especially the fish. Plus it keeps him busy, which is important in a retired husband. ?

      I hope everybody has a good week. And remember: if you don’t like the current state of the government, the mid-terms are only 2 years away!

      • Haha January 21, 2017 / 9:32 pm

        I noticed it before, but wanted to let you know that it makes me feel proud of you and inspired when I read about your positive attitude and gumption with your new wheel chair.
        Yay! And keep it up! Thank you for sharing!

        • Faye January 21, 2017 / 10:08 pm

          Ditto!

  10. Duckie ? January 21, 2017 / 11:20 am

    Someone please explain p—y hat thing to this naïve Canadian?

  11. debg January 21, 2017 / 11:42 am

    Finished my 4th p$$yhat last night, and although I’m not driving down to Denver for the march, I’ll wear it around town as I do a few errands today.

    When my company posted a neutral story about the p$$yhat project (noting that it was happening, and that people knit and crochet them, causing shortages of pink yarn), we got a lot of support on Facebook but most of the comments were negative. Apparently, even mentioning a controversial subject these days means that you’re taking a side. I’m glad that my company hasn’t tried to apologize, and in fact will post more stories about it, with pix from the Denver march.

    Health and tranquility to everybody this weekend.

  12. Yadre January 21, 2017 / 11:43 am

    I can sense great anger and annoyance in your country. Be remembered that it takes max. 8 years, people! In countless countries hateful politicians have had power for years, with no end in sight. I don’t like our prime minister eighter, but right now there is no better alternative. Luckily there are so many kittens and puppies to look forward to here! 🙂

    • Dubravkamcvmd January 21, 2017 / 12:23 pm

      There’s a significant and, in this case, unfortunate, difference between leaders in other countries and the President of the United States. Our President can affect the lives of people world wide, sometimes for good, but in this case, likely disastrously.

      • Phred's Mom January 21, 2017 / 1:03 pm

        Yadre is right.
        “likely disasteously”
        A bit hysterical here. aren’t we?
        Have you no faith in the system, the
        Constitution? Look at his children,
        his wives all in the same room!
        I am taking a vacation from
        Cutetropolis for a while. I don’t
        come here for hysteria, but for
        the cute critters. Bye.

        • Haha January 21, 2017 / 3:45 pm

          I try (try-I’m not perfect) not to judge. What goes one way towards one person or group goes back to the original. Both ways. Negative and positive. It is so hard to explain to a teen. Trying to look at all sides.

          My favorite thing I saw on tv today at the march/rally; a man dressed as Lincoln with a sign that said, “With malice towards none”.

        • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:49 pm

          I’m trying to have faith in the system. I’ll admit it’s hard sometimes with all the doom and gloom I see on facebook and the other blog that I read regularly (I’ve been reading a bit less of both the past week or so). I try not to spread it myself, though.

            • dubravkamcvmd January 21, 2017 / 7:33 pm

              It’s my favorite political blog too. I remember when Josh Marshall first started the blog, I think in 2000, he asked people to send him contributions so he could go to New Hampshire to cover the primaries. I sent him $35! That’s how long ago that was!

            • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 7:41 pm

              Thanks 🙂

            • Murray C. January 21, 2017 / 8:02 pm

              That was really stirring, Debg, thank you. As the author references, have you not wondered which side of a question would you have been on had you lived during the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. I ask myself that question all time. I think what we have to do is hope for good but be unrelentingly attentive and constantly questioning. You could say we should be like that all the time!

            • Haha January 22, 2017 / 6:41 am

              Thank you.

        • Lucy's Mom January 22, 2017 / 5:47 am

          It breaks my heart to see this lovely site devolve into just another political forum. There is no shortage of sites where diverse political views are welcome, but I thought we were all here to enjoy and celebrate The Cute. I’m not looking for controversy or debate; I’m looking for a warm and furry port in the storm that is modern day life.

          • Haha January 22, 2017 / 6:50 am

            My hope is that this will be contained to the weekend open thread.
            I applaud Mike for starting with the calming recommendation of a peace seeking kitty.
            I look forward to the cute and witty and funny to come.

            • Faye January 22, 2017 / 9:58 am

              Seems contained to weekend Open Thread.

              I never intend malice. So everything but politics and religion for Open Thread?

          • Murray C. January 22, 2017 / 9:58 am

            I think that the Weekend Thread after a particularly big bump in the road gets a bit ruffled and has to settle down – and will – we’re all here for the cute and how it helps us through the hard times.

            • Dulcie January 22, 2017 / 10:55 am

              I am okay with the political remarks. It is a time of huge change regardless of our stripe. (Or in my case “leaf”!). So people need to express their worries and fears. The future is uncertain and we find solace here. And some may have to just get used to reading things opposite to their preferences. I have had to do that most of my voting life as my party rarely gets elected!

          • Blue Footed Booby January 23, 2017 / 8:20 am

            @LUCY’S MOM
            One person’s “just politics” is another person’s life and death. If it’s ok to post “omg my dog just died :C” I think we should be a little tolerant of those getting emotional because they have actual skin in the game.

            • Julie January 23, 2017 / 4:52 pm

              @Blue Footed Booby – THANK YOU!!

              This is called “Open Thread” and that means we can discuss anything and it’s not moderated. NTMTOM clearly has faith in us to be civil, empathetic and intelligent, otherwise he wouldn’t have created this sharing opportunity.

              To date, I’ve been so proud of this group because I have felt we have all behaved online as we would in real life. In real life, if you didn’t agree with someone’s political views, but you considered them a friend, you would show them empathy and compassion. You wouldn’t tell them that you didn’t want to hear about it because it wasn’t why you came to the get-to-together.

  13. Jan January 21, 2017 / 11:55 am

    Lily regally surveys her kingdom and wishes everyone would focus on what’s truly important… mousie toys and treats for HER!

    • Faye January 21, 2017 / 12:04 pm

      Oh Lily is gorgeous. And I see that you properly acknowledge her royal essence.

      • Ricky's Mom January 21, 2017 / 1:43 pm

        I salute Lily!

    • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:54 pm

      She looks so high up! Stars and Stripes don’t seem to like heights too much. Stripes will sometimes jump up on the entertainment center in the living room but the highest Stars will ever be found is the back of the couch. (She seems to like looking out into the backyard in the mornings, because that’s where I’ve found her every morning the past week I’ve been babysitting, but I haven’t seen here there at other times of day. I feel like she just needs a little newspaper and a tiny cup of coffee.)

      On a side note, Stripes is snoring next to me on the couch. I believe Stars is still on the bed where I left her a few hours ago.

      • Duckie ? January 21, 2017 / 5:18 pm

        Allein, give her the newspaper, and a cup of catnip tea instead.

        • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 6:06 pm

          But she likes her coffee…

    • Smartypants January 21, 2017 / 9:01 pm

      I love it – looks like she’s leaning out of a convertible!

  14. Duckie ? January 21, 2017 / 11:58 am

    i wish there was someone we Canadians could talk to about Trump.

  15. Ricky's Mom January 21, 2017 / 1:42 pm

    I couldn’t leave Ricky to go to DC, but I will shortly set out to join the Women’s March on NYC, albeit without a notable hat. Solidarity forever!

  16. Patty January 21, 2017 / 3:12 pm

    I am still sick. I have not been able to talk for 3 weeks. I went back to the clinic for different antibiotics, and he prescribed prednisone for inflamed vocal cords. Here’s hoping this round does the trick.
    The weather is sunny and warm for January in KS, the dog and I went out and sat in the sunshine for a while. I have been taking her out in the yard to do her business, because bronchitis and walking very far makes coughing happen. The sunshine felt pretty good.
    My sister was all “Thanks for the germs” I said, “That’s what you get for coming over, hanging out drinking my coffee and using my wifi. You knew there were germs here” I don’t feel bad at all for any of my relatives getting sick from me. Maybe it’ll teach them to not call for rides or babysitting when they know I’m sick.
    I don’t have plans for the weekend, just going to hang out and work on my things to crochet list. First up is a bowser costume for my (adult) son’s turtle. I think I’ll send along a cute dinosaur one I found too. His kids will love them.

    • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:18 pm

      If you know someone is sick and you voluntarily go hang out at their house, you don’t get to blame them if you catch it!

      Hope you are feeling better soon. After I had the flu/borderline pneumonia my voice wasn’t back to normal for over a month. I took to keeping my usual Starbucks order in the notepad on my phone so I didn’t have to try to be heard over the noise of the store. Though I have to admit, sometimes it was nice to have an excuse not to talk (introverts and laryngitis go together well, I guess).

      Glad you’re getting some sunshine, at least. It’s been cloudy here most of the week.

    • Murray C. January 21, 2017 / 6:10 pm

      Bless you, Patty – making a turtle sweater and you feeling like crap. You can’t stop thinking about others, can you – good on ya. I hope you feel better soon – it’s so frustrating having something that lingers so long.

      • Patty January 21, 2017 / 11:32 pm

        Crocheting gives me an excuse to sit around watching tv, but making me feel like I am accomplishing something. I will definitely post pics of the turtle costumes when they are done.
        On another subject, do cats’ toe beans always match the color of their fur? I ask because Callie, who is part calico, was lounging on my lap getting her belly rubbed, and I was looking at her feet. Her back feet, one has black fur on it, and all the beans are black. The other one has black fur, but there is a splotch of yellow fur, and that toe bean is black on one side, and pink where the yellow splotch is. I tried to take a picture of it, but it was too blurry to see, and her feet are fluffy.

    • Smartypants January 21, 2017 / 9:02 pm

      I would love to see pix of turtle costumes!

      • Haha January 21, 2017 / 9:35 pm

        I second the motion! 😉

  17. allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:24 pm

    So I’m looking at a pair of boots on Famous Footwear’s website. I don’t like to order shoes online since sizing can be so variable, but they don’t have them in any stores near me. Considering ordering two sizes (which will at least put me over the free shipping minimum) and then I can return them in the store. I have a pair of shoes from the same brand which are a size 9 and slightly big, and a comment on another site said the boots run slightly big. Boots are always a pain. But at 62% off…

    • Not That Mike The Other Mike January 21, 2017 / 3:30 pm

      If they have a good returns policy, then you should feel good about buying. Just be sure you know what your responsibilities are under the returns policy.

      • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 3:43 pm

        I know I can return them in the store, and there’s one close enough to work that I can go there at lunch. I generally won’t buy clothing online except from stores that I can also physically go to, because I don’t want to deal with the hassle of shipping stuff back if it doesn’t fit. I have bought shoes from them online in the past (and unfortunately ended up returning all of them).

    • belphebe January 22, 2017 / 12:53 pm

      I hear you about trying to buy shoes online. I don’t like doing that either. One store I deal with lets you pick up the shoes at the store, so no shipping fees, but if you return them, they charge you a restocking fee!

      They won’t carry the shoes (or clothing in my size) in store, so I can try them on, and then penalize me if the size is wrong. Stupid stores.

      Good luck with your purchase!

  18. Smartypants January 21, 2017 / 4:37 pm

    Wow, just saw aerial video from Washington march. Many, many thousands of women & friends. Yay!

  19. Duckie ? January 21, 2017 / 5:30 pm

    I just gave myself a special treat. I made a cup of vanilla tea, and sat out on the sundeck to drink it. It was neither cold nor wet, nor noisy, and birds and squirrels were frisking about. My strawberry plants seem to have survived our recent ice age. The back yard has been cleaned, and the air was fresh, and smelled of damp earth. Spring will come, and we will all hopefully have a brighter outlook on life.
    And NTMTOM will be there for us in the meantime.
    Why not, everyone, just go to the (slightly) open window and take a deep breath. It will help.
    Peaceful happy thoughts to all.
    ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    • Murray C. January 21, 2017 / 5:38 pm

      Great idea, Duckie. I’ve been pottering about all day in prep for a dinner party I’m having next Sunday for all the people who provided us with food while I was laid up with my shoulder. I’m leaving up a lot of my Christmas decor with a bit of added Valentines things. It’s gloomy and wet here with more rain tomorrow but the temp is above 45 and I went outside to shake out some tablecloths and it was a good thing. Nice fresh air. Taking down Christmas is hard for me, so it helps to have a party to blur the edges!

    • Smartypants January 21, 2017 / 9:26 pm

      Great advice, Duckie!

      It was warm enough here that I had the window open much of the day (v. unusual). And my orchid that I’ve had for years is getting ready to flower for the first time (I bought it off the ‘clearance’ cart at the supermarket, so I don’t even know what color blossoms to expect, but there are at least 5 of them).

      • Haha January 21, 2017 / 9:41 pm

        I was given an orchid as a gift. Not having a clue as to their care, google came to the rescue. Come to find out different varieties require different styles of care. (Insert shrugging shoulders here) Congrats on your bloom! They can be beautiful fragrant and long lasting. As long as the fragrance is pleasing, may it be a reflection on your life! 🙂

  20. fkaWaldenPond January 21, 2017 / 8:24 pm

    Some turbulence in the comments today… expected. (?) I am feeling calmer seeing the big turnouts at the marches.
    Re ‘hysteria,’ as a regular I won’t take it as trolling and respond, off the top of my head with this—Yes, thank goodness for the slow grind of government machinations but I do not agree with ‘Look! all his children and wives in the room,’ observation as indicating a good thing, actually on the contrary.
    I understand the expression of fear and sadness here—that speech yesterday certainly wasn’t all rosy and looking forward with optimism… So, take time out if you need it, we’ll still be here when you return.
    But onto other stuff—Alien! I buy footwear online and haven’t had a problem yet. I have small feet so often I have no choice.
    And peeps! I got my eyes tested (finally) this past Monday and I am officially getting older as I now need reading glasses and glasses are freaking expensive! I have distance glasses for movies and driving but I have hit that spot where I need different pairs for different activities. There is a boutique chain called Bailey Nelson http://www.baileynelson.ca/ here in Canada and my optometrist vouched for them (she is affiliated w Lenscrafters.) Peeps, my frames w lens were all in $145—I ended up getting the ‘Frank’ in Brown horn if anyone cares. Really, really reasonable and stylin. I recommend.

    • allein ? January 21, 2017 / 8:35 pm

      I like ’em! My friend got her glasses from Warby Parker and she really liked them.

      • fkaWaldenPond January 21, 2017 / 8:37 pm

        Right, looks like they use the same business model. Affordable. 🙂

  21. warrior rabbit January 21, 2017 / 8:51 pm

    It’s been a mixed bag week here. Lots of rain, with the creek flooding the parking lot at work. More rain expected tomorrow through Tuesday. I’d work from home (as it will flood again), but I can’t figure out how to VPN in. I may have to Uber in/out. Or take the bus (involves walking, though).

    The cat has been spooning with me every night for almost a week. That’s different, and cozy. I make sure to thank her every morning. It’s been a while since I was part of the CO community, but I recall I was not alone in thanking feline companions for snoozing with us.

    It seems I need a root canal. Infection and everything (whoops, forgot to get the antibiotics). That will not be cheap, even with insurance. It doesn’t hurt. I only found out because I had my semi-annual cleaning. They’re so pushy about getting a cleaning every three months, and they don’t seem to listen to me when I say insurance only pays for every six months. I’m sure I could benefit, but I’m not paying out of pocket. Every time, it’s the same song-and-dance. I usually end up saying when I when the lottery, I’ll do it every three months, but until then, it’s every six.

    I went to the march this morning in San Diego (it rained a little bit, but was mostly sunny). About 30,000 people were there. It was fun, heartening… and there were some great (creative) signs. My favorites: “First they came for the Muslims… And we said, hell no, motherf**kers!” and “We are the granddaughters of the witches they couldn’t burn.” Also, “Abuelitas contra Trump.” (Simple but effective.) Everyone you could imagine was there. It was so crowded. And orderly/peaceful. I feel a little better already.

    • Faye January 21, 2017 / 10:14 pm

      Thank you for a heartening description. ?

  22. Doxaholic fka Ladybug January 21, 2017 / 9:13 pm

    Some friends and I went to the Women’s March today here in Los Angeles. It seemed like millions of people. Women, children, men, old, young, black, white, brown, gay, straight….

    It was beautiful.

    Even when we could’t get on the bus to get to the train…even when we couldn’t get on the train to get to the march….even when we finally made it downtown and couldn’t see three feet in front of our faces…..

    It was amazing.

    I heard The Edge play live 100 yards in front of me….heard Alfre Wodard and Lily Tomlin and other awesome women speak. All of them talking about love and standing up for others and ourselves…..talking about being kind and loving towards each other…..no matter what.

    It was inspiring.

    I am exhausted and grateful and in awe…..and so happy I am not alone.

    Hope is not lost.

    • Smartypants January 21, 2017 / 9:29 pm

      That is wonderful – so glad to hear about the marches from both you and Warrior Rabbit. And glad that it was safe & peaceful.

    • Faye January 21, 2017 / 10:16 pm

      Yay!

    • Murray C. January 21, 2017 / 10:42 pm

      Sounds fabulous and very uplifting. A great experience to cherish.

  23. belphebe January 22, 2017 / 1:09 pm

    It’s funny that the open thread picture is of a cat… meditating. 🙂 I’ve just purchased some hypnosis mp3s from a site because they were on sale for $1 each. They are for various themes from wealth to weight loss to “enlargement” (although I don’t know how meditating helps one enlarge their naughty bits) to self esteem and other things people want to improve.

    It’s all about forming habits and sometimes you know what you need to do but you need to hear it from someone else before you will change.

    For example, on Friday night, I listened to one mp3 about getting organized, something I know I need to do and keep putting off. On Saturday, I finally packed away some LEGO projects so that I can use the shelf they were sitting on. Not a lot of progress, but still progress. Whether it was because I listened to the mp3 or because thinking about the mp3 got me thinking about being organized doesn’t really matter. At least it’s progress.

    I still have a long way to go before my place is organized, but I just have to focus on one area at a time, and eventually, I will be done.

    • Warrior rabbit January 22, 2017 / 1:29 pm

      Good for you! (Don’t try to figure out why… Just ride the wave.)

      I have tried various tacks in the past…. starting with a corner, or setting the oven timer for 15 minutes, etc. Somehow I start out well but lose steam. Sometimes I start out too ambitiously, like 15 minutes every day, and that becomes onerous, or the corner is too overwhelming (papers! can’t make decisions!).

      This year I have started the 365 method, letting go of one thing every day. Just one thing. Manageable. Not overwhelming. If you miss a day, two things next time. Or seven on Sunday.

      I think that, like everything else in my life, this is probably going to work better for me. Slow and steady, incremental… I seem to make more inroads this way.

      So far, I’m on track. The process has even made me be more aware of what’s coming into the house as well. I guess it’s like budgeting, dieting… They are all of a piece. Start monitoring — whether money, calories, or things — and you really see everything.

      Anyhow, I feel good about this. I haven’t cleared shelves or large areas, but by dribs and drabs, I’m getting rid of unnecessaries.

      • Murray C. January 22, 2017 / 2:16 pm

        This all resonates with me since we HAVE to downsize and we are up to the gills with stuff! I’ve been getting rid of books – mostly gardening books right now since I don’t think I’ll need them when we move. I know enough to do a little garden at this point should the opportunity arise. And I’m going through what’s called a “morgue” – I was an illustrator and in order to do drawings that might be required one needs reference, so I have files of people, places and things and I’m dumping them. With the computer one hardly needs a paper morgue anymore anyway. I have a ton of other things – art supplies galore, textiles – Duckie, I haven’t forgotten and I’m closer than ever to getting to look through all that stuff. I have 3 or 4 old trunks, 78rpm records, furniture, costumes, gardening implements. Egad, my anxiety increases just listing all the stuff – I will stop now!

  24. Julie January 22, 2017 / 4:54 pm

    To all the Cute-tropolites who participated in a Women’s march anywhere in the world…

    I SALUTE YOU! You ladies ROCK!

    • Doxaholic fka Ladybug January 22, 2017 / 5:50 pm

      Thank you, Julie!

    • Murray C. January 22, 2017 / 11:36 pm

      I second Julie’s motion – thank you!

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