Why Do We Hurt The Ones We Love?

         When Estella meets up with Horace and Jasper they become family.  Estella’s desire to create fashion doesn’t work out to her expectations.  At least not for a while.  Eventually she is given opportunity to work for a prestige designer and learns things about her own past that do not set well with her.

The first she learns is the location of a family heirloom she had lost just before meeting up with Horace and Jasper.  The Baroness has the family heirloom and Estella wants it back.  She arranges for Horace and Jasper to steal back her necklace and makes herself the distraction by shedding her darker personality which her mom had named “Curella”

https://screenrant.com/cruella-main-characters-ranked-worst-to-best/

At the time of the break-in the “distraction” notices that the necklace in question is dangling from the Baroness' neck and removes the necklace as Horace escapes the guards who found him trying to steal from the empty vault.  As Jasper tries to escort Cruella away from the Baroness the necklace ends up in the belly one of the baroness’ Dalmatians.  

The next day Cruella emerges into more than a distraction.  Cruella wants revenge.  She decides to leave Estella behind her and allows the evil to consume her.  Still wanting the heirloom, she orders Horace and Jasper to kidnap the dogs for the necklace is bound to come out of one of them at some point.  She is so unkind to Jasper and Horace who had always had her best interest and she them.  She is so consumed with revenge that she doesn’t recognize how her behavior is wrecking her relationship with them.

I think Jasper and Horace start giving into her demands out of fear and are no longer comfortable with their once good relationship.  They miss Estella but Cruella thinks of her former self as a wimp and won’t allow Cruella to show any sign of compassion.  She is mean.

I love the show.  I have seen it several time.  I have laughed each time.  I laugh more during the "Estella" moments rather than the Cruella parts. And yet I hear opinions and critisms.  Granted, I myself wouldn’t recommend it for children – but there is a lot of humor if you aren’t set out to take the movie seriously or analyze what each movement represents.  Come on, already, people!  Why is it that so many Disney movies have been criticized because of its underlined themes.  These movies were created to entertain.  And I am definitely entertained when I watch Cruella.

https://d23.com/cruella-chronicles-hear-from-emma-stone-and-emma-thompson/

I love the soundtrack.  I love Emma Thompson’s portrayal of the Baroness and Emma Stone as Estella.  I love the humor – especially right now with the world in such a crazy and often scary time.  And to all of those who criticize this movie I ask, “Before you spent money to see this movie, you were aware that Cruella is the villain, right?” 

Separating the Wheat From the Tares

          The prophet announced for church members to receive a vaccine and mask up to all of those who don’t have underlined health issues where a mask/vaccination would only jeopardize the underlined complications. Many who are capable of wearing masks and refuse vaccinations are upset just as there were some women upset about the revelation to stay home.  There were members finding it hard to believe black men would be able to hold the priesthood.  Each time we disagree with the prophet we are rejecting counsel from God. This act of rejection has been compared to those who shot arrows toward Samuel the Lamanite for preaching to the people a message that they didn’t want to hear.   

Mormonad by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

         It isn’t just the prophet relating this message but many political leaders as well.  Several states are making it mandatory for health workers and teachers to get the vaccination or risk losing their jobs.  At first Oregon was giving instructors the option to get the vaccination or agree to be tested for COVID once a week.  But because the Delta Varient becoming so popular and flooding the hospitals out of beds, there is no longer the option of being tested once a week. Vaccines are now mandatory. The county where I currently reside had been reported to have the most cases in the state.  Of course there is only one hospital.  The most recent upset has been that a patient died in the waiting room while waiting for a bed. 

          Jenna has several friends whose parents are against the vaccination.  One of her best friends’ mother works as instructor in the school system.  I think her pride will cost her job.  I also believe that she will either organize or join a group of those who desire not to have the vaccine but wish to keep their jobs and sue the governor I guess.  I’ve said it before that I would not wish to be in the governors or other leaders shoes for anything.  What a wicked and prideful time which we live in.  

          My head is swimming with thoughts, judgments, offense, disappointment, betrayal, confusion.  I have attempted a post so often and it has always come out disjointed and as hard to follow as the media, opinions and misleading information of others.  Perhaps I ought to take an idea from each paragraph and try focusing on just that instead of trying to transition each one into the next. 

          Our schools seem to be short staffed as it is.  And while I agree with it, I think this mandatory vaccination is going to leave schools short staffed even further.  I predict that there are several people who will have to learn the hard way.  Sadly, there will be some that will never learn.

Raining Sideways

 I'm certain people are getting tired of my weather posts.  

I am.  

I have a couple of ideas in the works, 

but still disjointed thoughts that don't seem to flow.

I could hear the wind yesterday morning -

I had not heard the rain, but it had obviously rained.

The wind had blown it onto our porch.

Here are some pictures I took as the sun rose:

What Color?

 Do you see the hot pink that this permit used to be?

It faded in the heat or was choked by the smoke

Welcome to the Superstition of Friday the 13th

 Today is Friday the 13^th.  Mandated mask restarts today.  I would have not made the connection if Jenna hadn’t been so vocal about it. A year and a half ago (also Friday the 13^th) we had our last day of school and were sent home for the remaining of the year.  They opened up too soon in my opinion.  Trump had bullied them and they willingly followed.  Now our kids are sick.  Our hospitals are filled up again.  Some say the pandemic is worse than last year when they sent us home.

“We are a rural county” some say.  “We shouldn’t have to mask up as the larger cities do.”  Really?  Everybody in our county just stays in our county?  No traveling to Lane County?  Roland went to Lane County just the other day.  I heard that our county has the most cases and the least amount of beds.  Granted, there is only one hospital besides the VA. 

We managed an RS activity last night – I would guess our last one this year – that is in person.  Stake has one planned for next month.  I would guess that one will be recorded for viewers at home.  The committee wants to do a quilting activity in November.  Call me pessimistic, but I don’t see that one taking place either.  This pandemic is going to last forever because we don’t all agree.

I heard that Canada just opened its borders to Americans but that America hasn’t opened up to Canadians.  Why would anyone from Canada even want to come to the states right now?  And why would they open their borders?  No Canada.  Stick with your guns.  Do not let the Americans in.  Stay safe.

Truth is I am fine with staying home and having virtual contact.  I have said it before and will express it again:  It isn’t the disease that frightens me.  It is man’s behavior – which I suppose in itself is a disease.  It’s not a hoax.  Too bad some others have to find that out the hard way.

A Letter to Jack Clown

 Real letter Corey had written to Jack in the Box:

Dear Jack,

Oh, you cruel, cruel clown! How dare you play with my heart and taste buds so callously.

I wonder, Jack Box, if you understand the damage you have done to my psyche, tongue, and stomach by introducing the sensational menu item, your Hershey-filled Chocolate Croissant Bites only to rip them away from me like a child is snatched from his loving mother's arms. I assume you must delight in the ruthless torture of loyal customers such as myself.

These sweet little flaky delights have been my one bright spot of sunshine in this dark pandemic-saturated world we currently find ourselves in. Congratulations, Jack! Like some devious drug dealer, you have succeeded in hooking me on these scrumptious pieces of heaven only to pull them away from me with no concern for the consequences to my now-dying taste buds.

As that warm, melty, gooey, chocolatey goodness once filled those delicate flaky pastry bites, so was my soul filled with the joy that came from partaking of each warm, delicious morsel of your now-discontinued product. If you think your Mini Churros, New York Style Cheesecake, or Chocolate Overload Cake could possibly fill the void you have left my palate with, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. I am bereft, Jack. Bereft because of you!

I guess my question to you, Jack, you malevolent mountebank, is simply this: Why?

Why offer these enticing delights for a "limited time?" What were you trying to prove? That you could crush a customer's heart, appetite, and dreams just as easily as you captured them? Was this just some perverted, sadistic experiment to you?

Jack, I have been a loyal customer of your brand for some time now. I enjoy so many of your menu items. Your customer service has been beyond compare. But alas, Jack, how dolefully you have disappointed me with this latest, pitiless ruse. How empty you have left me feeling now that I can no longer sate my cravings with your mouthwatering creation.

Tonight, Jack, I only wanted one thing: these bites. When your employee told me they were no longer available, she may as well have thrust a dagger into my heart. And so, Jack, I went home—aggrieved, disconsolate, and unsatisfied.

You, Jack, have the power to rekindle the cold, dead, unlit fire in my heart. I make a heartfelt plea to you. I don't need these Chocolate Croissant Bites. My health and weight are better off without them. But for the sake of my sanity and the lack of gaiety you have left in your barbaric wake, please, Jack, I beg of you, bring back the one solace I had during these times of distress. Bring back these tantalizing treats. Grant me my Chocolate Croissant Bites once more.

Cordially yours,

An anxious, troubled soul and patron of your once-magnificent establishment,

[Corey Cannon]

Forget the Extreme Heat Warning - Don't Breath in the White Sky

 

We have another “Extreme Heat” warning.

Last time the temperature did not get as

hot as they said it would.  I don’t think it will

today either though last time I think there

really was moisture in the clouds whereas

today has been smoky and now the skies are

white and the mountains are hidden.

I can smell the smoke through my window. 

Yuch!!

Back to the Drawing Board

 

           Roland’s boss had told her staff – “whoever has vacation coming up, take it now.”

           Roland took off the last weekend in July and returned on Tuesday.  Meanwhile he received an email from the school that everyone outside of Utah will be laid off on September 6.  It’s not a big surprise for us.  We have known for some time that he could be laid off any day now.  At least now had an idea of when. 

           Roland returned and worked a day and a half when his boss asked if he had any sick leave.  Roland told her yes and she told him to take them off starting then.  Monday was his first day of sick leave and his last day of employment.  Everyone was let go.  So now what?

           To be honest, he seems a lot more worried than I.  He’s been applying for other jobs all along but felt a blow.  I wasn’t surprised.  He’s putting in for unemployment which seems to be more work as he has to report in each week and file the “paper work” each time. 

           He feels like he is applying for the same jobs over and over again and getting frustrated with lack of communication.  Welcome to my world, babe!  But God has a plan for us.  I honestly believe that.  He does not look at the situation with the same eyes of faith that I do.  We’ve survived on less.  We’ll be okay.

           I have called dozens of companies that are withdrawing automatic payments to either change banks or cancel altogether.  No more TV entertainment but we will keep the internet.  How else will we be able to apply for jobs? I changed phone carriers – again – although for the most part I think I would do okay without a phone.  But that’s another post.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

           Job hunting is frustrating.  They say there is not discrimination with hiring seniors or someone with a masters.  But there is.  We’re getting up there in years.  We’re not as spry as we were when we were 20 but we have grown in ways that the younger generation has yet to experience.    We’ll see up ahead eventually.  The pandemic is not over.  I think we may be better off if we are not working.

The Skies Are Filled With Smoke and Helicopters

The airport is within walking distance. 

Each year we can hear the helicopters . 

Some are looking out. 

Most appear carry buckets that appear

to be half the size of the helicopter. 

Each year the chopper noise increases –

or seems to anyway.   

 

More than it did in 2019 when

the fires were so close and in

2017 when the entire state

was on fire.  We were surrounded

by smoke from every direction and

wouldn’t have been able to safely

evacuate as every direction had

fires burning.  Even last year. 

 

Smokey skies can sometimes make for

amazing sunsets.  I would rather not have

the amazing sunset and have no smoke. 

Bless the firefighters who risk their lives

to keep us safe.

Here is one that Jenna took

Unbelievable – Let’s Talk Numbers

           Would you believe that I finally joined the world of touch screen phone?  I changed my plan – or rather my carrier who does not support flip phones.  I went with them on a whim.  It will save us almost 10 dollars a month – which isn’t huge.  But if I can save 5 dollars here and 10 dollars there, it adds up.  Before you know I have save us 45 dollars not to mention the subscriptions to various things which adds up as well and before you know it I have removed over 100 dollars of unnecessary luxury spending. 

           So I now have a touch screen but have learned that the automatic machines at the other end of the line don’t recognize my pushing numbers.  Oh, that is so not cool.  I am already annoyed with automatic machines as it is.  So impersonal.  How many jobs have been replaced by machines?  A company does not have to pay wages to a machine. 

`I like when the machine appears to be as frustrated as I am and connects me to customer service.  But this machine did not give me customer service.  It said that I would have to try again.  I can’t yell at the machine.  Well, I can, but it doesn’t have voice recognition.  That is why I’m punching numbers.  My touch screen gives me exactly two seconds to tap on something or the screen disappears.  AHHHHHHHH

Overwhelmed With Thoughts

  

https://www.happify.com/hd/5-things-
you-can-do-if-feeling-overwhelmed/

           I have had many ideas – some which I have jotted down but no complete thought.  It doesn’t seem to be a priority.  Whatever Roland is doing takes priority over anything that Jenna and I may have planned.  Right now it’s the back room – which is important.  But I also believe know that he needs to take breaks. 

           He’s taken Jenna to Roseburg a few times which has given me opportunity to blog and either a nap takes priority or else I just haven’t been motivated to write.  He gave me the assignment to paint the trim while they’re gone, but I can’t find a paintbrush.  Nor do I wish to spend my time looking for one the entire time they are gone.  I did put up some masking tape around the door trim – at least I put in some effort, right?  They are going to Lowes and I did put in a request for more paint brushes.  Disposable ones would be nice. 

           Anyway the room is coming along.  Perhaps it will be ready for Christmas?  That would be cool.  I will be sure to post some progress pictures later on.

A Smile in Each Picture

 I have been able to locate 3 cameras and 5 chargers.  Unfortunately  only one of the chargers will accept on of the batteries.  Thus I have been using a camera that Roland had purchased for Jenna during her sophomore year.  I have noticed the streak found across many of the pictures I've taken.  I tried to clean the lens but have learned that there are three scratches on the lens.  I took a picture of a white napkin and discovered the three scratches make a smile face.  How weird is that?