The Rabid Librarian's Ravings in the Wind

So we don't have HBO, and we wanted to watch 'The Gilded Age',

2026-06-07T14:53:49.705-04:00

and Lexington Public Library only has Season Three, inexplicably. Two copies.

In case you didn't know, anyone in a contiguous county (including Fayette) can get a library card at the Jessamine County Public Library and have full borrowing rights if they're an adult. Unlike the Lexington Public Library, they still have physical CDs, older books in series, Hoopla, and Freegal music, which I miss. It fills in some of the gaps. They're at 600 South Main Street in Nicholasville, so not far away, and they also have a studio and a Library of Things, where you can check out practical things like birding backpacks and telescopes. All you need is an ID with your address on it. Their website with full details is: https://jesspublib.org/

The library, as you exit

I also found the first book in the Amelia Peabody mystery series, which I dearly love. So, unlike LPL, they keep older books in series. We've had to request books from interlibrary loan because LPL no longer has the earlier books for the series we want to get into.

Also, JCPL has access to Freegal Music, which LPL used to have. You can download a limited number of songs a week to keep. For as long as you want. Period. I managed to get several albums that way when I used it before. So that is nice.

I'm also really excited because they have Hoopla, which allows you to check out five items per month--books, audiobooks, movies, or TV series. I plan on checking out Life is Beautiful, a 1997 movie that is very highly acclaimed that will apparently make me cry, and the dramatised audio version of Crocodile on the Sandbank once I am finished re-reading the book.

Also, some time ago, LPS got rid of all their CDs, and they had some Shinedown ones I got to listen to. I know, I can stream them. It's not quite the same. 😊 So between the two libraries, a lot of service gaps get filled.

The library card is kind of spiffy

'The Gilded Age' Season 1
(written by the same person who
wrote for 'Downton Abbey'

My favourite mystery series, first book

Gorgeous

2026-06-06T15:20:14.423-04:00

Okay, it's not at the beach, or even a field, it's a parking lot, but this was my view of the sky at sunset last night when I walked out of the Chinoe Kroger here in Lexington yesterday evening. Beautiful, isn't it?

Apparently

2026-05-31T21:30:20.707-04:00

Chair yoga is not for me. I used to do yoga back in the day when I could get up from the floor fairly easier, and I really enjoyed it and found it beneficial. I thought chair yoga would be great, so I went to a library programme, but I didn't think about how much arm work there would be, things like raising the arms above the head and hugging yourself. I have one torn long head on the biceps tendon and the rotator cuff is also torn on the right which was never repaired; on the other side both have been torn in a fall and repaired, but it has been hurti for awhile, so I've been wondering if I should go back to my orthopaedist. I still have range of motion issues on that injured side and probably always will. There's only so much moddification I can do. I did modify the legs a little. I didn't put my lower legs on my thighs, as that does hurt, even after knee replacement, although I can do it briefly. But my back hurts today from doing the twists, and I had to get dog food and cat litter today. Even though the food was 18.5 lbs and the cat litter was 'lightweight' (the torn rotator cuff/biceps tear on the right was from pulling regular cat litter off a shelf, so I'm really careful with that and only use the lightweight, but it's only 10 lbs. difference). So everything kind of hurts today, even with Tylenol. I'm signed up to do it again next Saturday. I'm thinking maybe not. If I do it, I may stick with books and at home videos where I can modify in peace. I know it's not a competition, but it feels like I'm failing if I don't try to do them as demonstrated in front of other people. And I suffered for that idiocy today.

Went to a lovely concert today

2026-05-31T21:20:57.676-04:00

of mediaeval music presented by Musick's Company - the Center for Old World Music in the New World 'Medieval Chivalry: Tales of Knights and Courtly Love'. I was happy because I could read much of the Middle French and Middle German lyrics.

I travelled a lot the other day, and found this gem

2026-05-30T10:27:16.923-04:00

This gorgeous card catalogue is in the Boyle County Public Library and has been repurposed as a seed library. Patrons are allowed to take up to three seed packets each visit by notifying circulation staff. The binders include informational newsletters on how to grow plants. Drawers are organised according to type of plant [Flowers, Herbs, Vegetables, etc.]

PS Yes, after I took the photo my sense of order overcame me and I closed the open drawer that was nagging me.

My Goodreads review for All These Ghosts, which was book #10 for the year (out of a goal of 15, so I'm ahead) Whoo!

2026-05-25T12:18:38.203-04:00

All These Ghosts by Silas House
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a beautiful collection of poetry. I originally borrowed it from the library, then got it in audiobook form (narrated by the author), and then bought the book so I could own the text as well. I wanted both. I highly recommend both. Hearing the poems in his own voice, with his accent, made them leap from the page. I am a 9th-generation Kentuckian, although I am from the Bluegrass, not the Appalachians. But this volume filled me with pride for my people, especially 'Those Who Carry Us'. My favorite poem is 'For Those Who Have Loved Old Dogs'. As he reads it, his voice nearly breaks. You can tell he loves the dogs he has himself had. You feel a nearness to the author in the text, but in his voice even more so. The book is a wonderful collection of poems that make you feel, think, and wonder. They touch you just as poetry should. The audiobook is as if you had invited the author into your home, had him over for salmon cakes and beans, and by the fireplace, telling you stories afterwards.

View all my reviews

Another beautiful poem, one anyone who has loved a dog will appreciate

2026-05-25T11:59:13.459-04:00

I was listening to the audiobook version of Silas House's 'All These Ghosts', which is a new book of collected poems. It is narrated by the author. When he came to this poem, his voice nearly broke, and I cried. I think you can tell why and where. It's a beautiful volume of poems. I bought both the book and the audiobook. Hearing the poems in his own voice, in his accent, is worth it as well.

[Photo is of my own beloved dog, Cerys, now gone so many years, almost 20. But she lives on in my heart as if it were yesterday, my Cer-Bear 1991-2007]

For You Who Have Loved Old Dogs

Old Andy is a big dog, black as a
night sky in the most lonesome winter months.
He is fat even though he doesn't eat
much these days. His man is one of the best
folks I know. They were hiking deep in the
high mountains when good Andy's back legs stopped
their work. The old dog folded himself down
on the path, his eyes lighting on his mani's
to apologize. My friend carried him
nearly a mile, this great sprawl of blessed
animal, who must have lain in his arms
both thankful and ashamed. They collapsed
together at the end of the steep trail,
holding on to each other, exhausted.

I'm thankful for you who take care of old
dogs. I'm glad you have one another when
you need a friend the most, that you've had times
of stillness, watching the world, that you know
the grace of silence together. I thank
the infinite eternity and the
God of my understanding for people
like you, who carry them when they need you.

Three times now I've held an old dog
in my arms as they left me. Three times
I felt their heartbeats fade away on my palm,
witnessing a shooting star become
more darkness. The end. All lost and gone.

I've grieved for each of them just as much as
I have for people I've loved. I've carried
the sweet sorrow with me, a heft I wish
I did not have to bear but one that I
will always cherish now. The burden
of my empty arms is the greatest weight.

Silas House. All These Ghosts. Durham: Blair, 2025, p. 59.

A poem that seems apropos by Sara Teasdale

2026-05-24T18:38:31.847-04:00

'There Will Come Soft Rains'

Enchanting

2026-05-19T07:20:22.618-04:00

Ye Vagabonds :: Willie O Winsbury
by u/RustyBike39 in Irishmusic

Gorgeous harmony. I love the song 'Willie O'Winsbury' anyway, but this version...is absolutely beautiful, and it was nice to see the musical instruments at the shopkeeper's. I'm assuming it was in Donegal from the one sign. Have a listen if you love traditional Irish or Celtic music. And do so if you're not familiar with it. You'll fall in love with it, trust me. They have a YouTube page as well:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMftOxnC_Jh5JAjyllxDgYQ

Oooohhh!!!

2026-05-15T12:22:01.440-04:00

So I got an email yesterday from Amazon about a new update to the Kindle Scribe that gives you the ability to add shapes from the writing toolbar, but also Smart Shapes, which allows you to draw a shape, say a triangle, then hold the pen for a moment, and the shape will snap into perfect lines. What they didn't say in the e-mail is:

You can then move and rotate the shape by manipulating it, even reactivating it later. This currently just works in notebooks, but it's really useful.
The same update lets you handwrite on images in eBooks with enhanced typesetting and on Word documents sent to Kindle.
Most importantly, this update is available now for my Kindle Scribe (the 2022 original Scribe), but not yet for the two later models. Hmm...

Anyway, if you have the original Scribe and the update hasn't downloaded yet, you can download it manually by going to this page and downloading it to your computer, then moving it over via USB. Be sure you choose the correct version for your device. And if you're reading this later, it should be version 5.19.4 [or presumably later]. The image below is Amazon's demonstration from the email, but yes, it works just like depicted.

Every Little Thing Is Going to Be Alright

2026-04-20T21:11:00.002-04:00

I first heard this on the British mystery show 'Beyond Paradise', although I was already familiar with Kate Rusby and had a couple of her CDs. This popped up after I posted another video on Facebook. This seemed to be good for me lately.

Wonderful birthday present

2026-04-05T01:40:00.004-04:00

I finally got unemployment in the middle of the night on the night of my birthday [hey, I happened to be up at 3 AM looking at my bank account, expecting a whopping 94¢, and instead two payments for both missed payments in March were there.], which was a complete surprise, as I was still watiting a month after my appeal for a scheduled date for the hearing. In fact, I'm still getting correspondence about how that will be scheduled soon. (?) But no, I received the paperwork today. [I called yesterday to make sure before I touched any money]. That's the good news. The bad news is it's going to throw me off Medicaid, just that amount, never mind that I'll get paid twice more this month--or I'd just taken a distribution I haven't gotten yet out of my retirement because I didn't have any money coming in while I appealed and had bills and, well, had 94¢. I have Medicaid until the end of the month, anyway. If I have a job by then, it shouldn't matter. Otherwise I'll either have to get another insurance at 1000 dollars or so a month that won't cover hardly anything or do COBRA (and I checked, I have till May 4th to do it) and pay about $1300 for medical + dental a month--but I'd met all my deductible AND my out-of-pocket expenses so would literally only pay premiums, no copays, medication co-insurances, or any other medical costs. Any ER, surgery, or MRI at an in-network facility (and most are) would be $0.00. Hopefully, it would be for a short time. And unemployment only runs partway through June. In other words, I need to find a job pronto, anyway.

I did apply for a cataloguing position in my hometown (Danville), and I have one near there to apply for at the Garrard County Library, a children's librarian position as well. There's a librarian position here at UK, but I want the career coach at the Alumni Career Centre to look at my curriculum vitae and give me some feedback, since you don't normally see much written about format or what to put in those, and it's required.

I also just applied tonight for two UK research positions that are primarily training, and they're in the same department, making a lot more money than I ever have, and they sound very intriguing. The job descriptions were very vague. I'd like to interview just to learn more.

So far I've had four interviews, and I've been shot down on two of them, but two are still pending, so fingers crossed, both with the state. So, we'll see...

Quote of the Day

2026-04-05T01:20:00.002-04:00

Quote of the day (image is from a plaque by Daniel Miller available on Etsy; I've linked it, so follow it if you'd like to purchase one):

A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't become right, and evil doesn't become good, just because it's accepted by a majority.

--Booker T. Washington

Navigating the job hunting world

2026-03-27T21:59:00.004-04:00

I have another interview set up for Tuesday. It's a state job with the Department of Natural Resources tracking abandoned oil wells and gas tanks. Not a library job, but it has state benefits and pays well. It's a virtual interview. Wish me luck!

That's:

34 job applications
4 interviews completed or set up
8 rejections (1 post-interview)
2 webinars attended
1 job fair attended
1 job fair planning to attend

Also:
UI applied for the very day I lost my job, but was denied.
UI appealed, awaiting hearing to be scheduled (20 days past acknowledgement of receipt of appeal letter--I sent an email yesterday because I couldn't get anyone one the phone and they won't let you stay on hold, it just ends the call if no one is available, and they got back to me this morning say it was with the schedulers still) [not an issue with my employer, but rather an issue with the explanation of the 'waiting week' requirement'.]
Medicaid was applied for, too and approved.
SNAP was applied for, too and approved (finally--it took exactly 30 days)
Moved every bill I could to May.
Took a small distribution from retirement to pay bills; I couldn't move; I can't draw on my pension until May without penalty for the rest of my life because I'm turning another year older, 24 hours into next month.

It has been a very busy 38 days. Whew!

The job fair was a bust. I got there a little late because I had to go to the library to print some résumés after my 15-year-old printer died, and they had a lot of trouble with their printers. A lot. But we got it all worked out. I got there about the time you'd expect a lot of people to get there after work, but most of the prospective employers had packed up and left. The only ones left were construction and a temp agency (I have tried temp work before, and it was not a great experience, would not recommend at all. I got two one-day replacements in food service, even with clerical experience (back in the day, mind you, but still, I was very annoyed). I remember it was with the Snelling agency. They were absolutely useless. We had an excellent temp who covered me while I was out on medical leave. They really wanted to hire her for an open position, but couldn't because they'd have to pay over 30% more to her and them as part of a finder's fee in the contract, and it was just untenable, so they lost her to another employer.) Anyway, it turns out I could just upload my résumé to the website, so I grabbed a card to prove I'd gone, scanned the QR code, uploaded what I needed, and just went home. I'd already had a webinar and interview that day.

The interview that day was for a patient access position and went so well I was invited to come in Monday for several hours to shadow the people I'd work with to see how we'd get along, sort of a long second interview, I guess. The next day, I got an email saying they'd decided to take the position in a different direction, but that I had good qualities and would be considered for other positions within their practice. So I don't know if that meant they retooled the position, went with another candidate, or what. It was a little confusing. But I'm okay with it. It would have been a good job, and I think I would have liked working there, but I would rather work in a library, of course.

I am trying not to be constantly on the phone or computer doing this sort of stuff. I am volunteering for the Kentucky Talking Book Library as a proofreader. I picked up my first book and have my first two chapters to listen to. Essentially, I listen to the recording and see if there are errors, mark any issues with a timestamp, and turn in the paperwork so it can be cleaned up before final production. These audiobooks are loaned to patrons with low vision, ADHD, dyslexia, inability to hold traditional books, and other issues that keep them from enjoying standard books. It is a division of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.

A month later, and it's been a bit dire, but I'm okay

2026-03-22T02:38:00.007-04:00

32 job applications put in with:

4 rejections
2 interviews scheduled

1 completed (and it was for a library!)

26 up in the air

2 job skill webinars scheduled

one completed (on résumé building)
one on Tuesday on strategic upskilling

1 job fair scheduled (March 24th)

2 Career counselling sessions attended through the UK Alumni Career Centre

Of the 61 books I currently have out from the Lexington Public Library:

19 books relate to job hunting
9 relate to getting particular library jobs [as subject matter]
5 relate using mindfulness for work or to prevent burnout

I also bought the 6th edition of the classic What Color is Your Parachute? (used, from Better World Books) because I'd seen a companion at Barnes & Noble called The Job-Hunter's Workbook, and I'd been intrigued by the exercises. I have an old copy of WCIYP? (I think it's 2012), But this was different. So I got both and returned the copy of the text back to the library, getting both of them used for less than what I'd have spent on the workbook on its own there at Barnes & Noble, and then, also, for less than that one book, I added What Color Is Your Parachute? for Retirement. The whole order was just over $20, and considering that it includes two $1 donations, that's pretty decent.

The interview this week went really well. I did a little stumbling here and there verbally, but never once said the word 'thing' instead of a specific noun. I was not nervous at all. I felt prepared. I was very excited about the position, as it served a particularly overlooked population. We'll see how well it goes. I really think it would be a good fit for me and vice versa, fingers crossed. In the meantime, I have another interview scheduled for this coming Wednesday.

I'm also starting to volunteer with our state talking book library, which creates and distributes books for those with low vision or other disabilities that prevent them from using standard books (including dyslexia or ADHD). They start you out as a proofreader, and that sounds exciting, where you compare the text with the spoken word to catch any errors. Eventually, you may go on to narration if you like. This gets me out of the grind of looking for jobs at my desk, only requires an hour or two a week, and offers a remote option for proofreading, so I could do it even once I get a job.

My unemployment appeal was accepted, but the hearing date hasn't been set yet, so I have not been receiving payments. On the one hand, I am old enough to draw my pension, but I'm not at full retirement age for the plan (65), and my birthday falls right into next month. So, if I take it now or anytime in April, it is substantially less than in May, and since it works just like Social Security in that once you draw it, the amount that you draw it at is what you get for the rest of your life, which is less if you draw early. I confess that I'm really angry that I'm in the position that I'll likely have to do this, shaving hundreds of dollars A MONTH for the rest of my life from something I earned because I lost my job this close to retirement, but not close enough. Considering the difference between 58 and 59 was about $400, I think it could have been substantial. But it happens a lot. My mom lost hers right as she hit 62, without a pension. She drew Social Security early and was on unemployment at the same time.

Unfortunately, even if I win the appeal, that'll likely put me over the income limit (no doubt in April), and I'll lose my insurance (Medicaid). I'm likely eligible for subsidised health plans, but it'll still mean a significant portion of my premium going toward a less robust plan. On the other hand, it's better than the COBRA option, which costs over $ 1,200. If I had kept my insurance, which admittedly, I'd met my out-of-pocket, but oh my, how would I have done it short of draining my retirement?

I did call every creditor I could, pushed back as many bills to late April or May that I could (most worked with me), and then took enough out of my retirement to pay the rest of the bills for March and get into April so that I'd have a place to live, a phone, car insurance, etc. It didn't throw me off Medicaid (it was under the limit), and then the day after, I pulled the money out, and after a month of daily paperwork, I was approved for SNAP, so I was afraid the distribution would mess all that up. Still, it apparently didn't matter as it was a low amount and wasn't recurrent. I have not gotten the EBT card yet. Fortunately, a couple of friends have helped with food during the month when there was nothing at all coming in.

The last thing I did with my final paycheque was to pay for my storage unit, where almost all my things actually are, so I wouldn't lose it at the end of the month (you only have three days to pay past the due date), leaving me about 32 cents in the bank. I've never been what you'd call financially comfortable, but this is the first time in a very long time that I haven't had a paycheque coming in to fill things back up. So the distribution really was the only way to go, especially since the SNAP application was going so slowly (they tell you to upload a document, but then you have to call requesting why--in the last case, it was because work had signed a form with a computer-generated form rather than a person signing it. Once I took the distribution, I had to send in the stub, a statement, and my 15-year-old printer just died. I saved a signature file and used it, since I couldn't print and didn't have time to go to the library to print the one sheet and then take a photo to upload to the Commonwealth's website. It is an image of my actual signature, not a computer-generated one. It was, fortunately, accepted.

I hope that means everything has gone through. I have worked hard to get all of that through. People who complain about SNAP have no idea how difficult it is to get and keep the benefits. I have had two friends on disability who have had it. Both got less than $20 a month. One had to fax his renewal, and we spent weeks trying to get it to them (this was before the upload option) and had to actually call the governor's office at one point, finally, only to discover that the machine was broken--had been for months, and then by the time we were able to get in the other route, it was too late and they lost that. I've found the upload process easy; it's just the sheer amount of paperwork. And I've filled out a form saying I'm already registered to vote twice online, yet I still got a form today that I'll mail out Monday. I'm very grateful they've awarded it to me. I hope to use it soon. Having no income at all for over a month, with no savings, nothing, was hard. I had just what I had in the bank from my last paycheque, plus the final one, 3 days' work [they paid me a full day for the day they let me go], plus 3 days' worth of PTO. If it weren't for my retirement savings and the fact that I rent from a friend rather than a complex, I'd be in a much worse position. I don't have much in my retirement, though, not what I should. So hopefully this won't last long.

In the meantime, I'm actively looking, and I'm staying upbeat. I'm really trying to get back into librarianship again--it's where my passion lies, after all, and my skillset is the greatest there. Here's hoping I'll be back in a library soon.

And just in case you hadn't noticed it on the sidebar, here's my résumé.

This week

2026-03-08T01:17:00.001-05:00

I have put in 15 applications, 6 today alone. I'm doing what I can to find a job as quickly as I can.

My unemployment benefit claim has been denied because I did not understand the waiting week--I thought it was the first full week after you apply, when actually they backdate your week to the beginning of the week in which you apply. So, for me, I lost my job on a Wednesday and applied that day, so my waiting week started February 15th, even though I was let go on the 18th. While I was reeling from that and applying for unemployment, Medicaid, SNAP, and everything else I could think of, calling about my retirement and how to pay off my line of credit and the dryer I'd bought through my paycheque, I'd put in a couple of applications, but in fact I'd needed to put in five. When I had to put in the claim, it became obvious that I'd been wrong about the week (the first week following I did have five, and was fine on the requirement, because I thought that was my waiting week, and I already had enough lined up for the next week--this week to make everything work.

I went ahead and appealed it immediately, throwing myself on their mercy. I really didn't understand the wording of their FAQs, the phone just referred me back to those FAQs, and the Internet just let me down completely, because it seemed to say it was the week after, too. I explained that I often have trouble understanding certain concepts that may seem cut and dry to most people, due to my autism, which is often the case. They did say at the time to keep claiming it in case they decide to grant it later.

In the meantime, I do have Medicaid, which was a big one to me, as my healthcare is a priority.

Tired...

2026-02-22T22:52:00.005-05:00

Applications for two library positions and one scheduling one in. Set up a profile on Zip Recruiter and updated my LinkedIn (temporarily, I'm going to really tweak it after reading the library book), updated my online curricula vitae and résumés for patient access, library, and general categories. Applied for various benefits. Not bad for four days.

Tomorrow I see my doctor about changing my ADHD medication. It should hopefully help keep me from making mistakes like what happened the other day.

My roommate told me a year ago, when I first started having trouble, to take my diagnosis report in and ask for accommodations so that I'd have some protection from the Americans with Disabilities Act. My anxiety kept me from doing it. I thought it would be seen as an admission that I couldn't do the job, when, of course, I could; I just couldn't do it as things were. I was afraid they'd just fire me or find some reason to let me go. And now we're here.

Well...at least I lasted long enough to get new knees.

Really?

2026-02-21T23:02:00.001-05:00

Okay, now my perpetual affirmation calendar just is playing with me. But anyway, done! 😂

Numb

2026-02-21T09:30:00.003-05:00

So I went to the library yesterday and found these. First thing I'm doing today is making a to-do list for today (ADHD essential), then a schedule for the week. Then I'm reading the LinkedIn book so I can tweak my profile there. I may go to the YMCA. I canceled it (I won't be able to pay for it), but I have a week left and with all the snow and ice and being sick I wasn't able to go all month so I don't want to waste the money I paid this month. It would probably help with self-care. I still haven't broken down or let any of this really 'hit' me. I've felt a little anger, a little sadness, but very shallow emotions--exactly like when someone in my life dies. I never cry at funerals. I push my emotions down. Sometimes they come flooding out when I'm alone or when I'm with my roommate, but otherwise, I feel kind of numb. I have one more therapy session we added before my insurance ends. That should help. But going to the Y might help with the somatic stress too, as I carry out all in my body instead of letting it out.

My affirmations calendar has a sense of humour

2026-02-20T22:57:00.001-05:00

The photo is of my affirmations calendar page on the day I was let go.

Today's saying is 'I am exactly who I need to be in this moment.' I am meeting this head-on. I've worked since I was 16 years old--42 years. In all that time, I've never been fired, although I've been laid off (twice), had my hours reduced (twice), and my job eliminated (once). Three of those have happened at Shriners, and I've always been loyal and kept going like it didn't matter, but hey. Anyway, I've picked up my things, spoken with various people about options and benefits I may be eligible for, begun applying for jobs, etc. I've made a list of things to do, and I'm already about halfway through it after two days. Tonight I'm trying to integrate the things I had in the office that I'd like to keep in my room. The rest will go into storage until I have another office. Tomorrow I'm going to work up a schedule for the week. I've tried to move some appointments from March to next week, and looking for another job with benefits, especially healthcare, is my main priority. I cannot go without my medicine. It literally would be a death sentence.

Anyone with leads, feel free to send me anything. I didn't get fired for anything malicious or deliberate or anything like that. If circumstances were different, I'm not sure it would even have happened. But here it is, and in a way, it might be good. I've sort of used Shriners as a comfortable crutch for years, clinging to it rather than taking risks out in the world trying for jobs that might have been better in the long run for my career, As much as I loved being a librarian, being a solo librarian for so long has hurt my chances of getting a mid-career job because I've only supervised a few high school students, not other professionals, even though I've done all the different things a librarian does in a library.

The librarian position here was perfect for me in terms of my neurodiversity issues; the patient access positions stressed them. Ironically, the final one was better than the others. I was doing better, with it, though I struggled with my ADHD medicine failing, and it directly led to my discharge. I am scheduled next week to discuss changing it with my MD. Too little, too late. But maybe it will help for next time. I've also learned a very hard lesson: coming clean about a disability before it becomes an issue isn't a sign of weakness; it's a way to protect yourself, at least as long as the ADA survives current attacks. I actually had an offer for an interview the week I came back from my last knee replacement, and I wish I'd taken it, but I didn't feel it was right to ask off on my first day back, as it wasn't fair to work. I really regret that now. It was a library job with the state, providing children's books to kids with low vision or who are blind. I sometimes feel I was more concerned about work than vice versa. I was once told it wasn't my business to worry about the number of patients on the schedule or who was out that day when asking off, that wasn't my job, when I thought it was just common courtesy, and trying not to be a bother. Oh, well. No longer my problem. I am exactly who I need to be in this moment. I will continue to be. I will do better. And I am equipped to handle all situations effectively, even if in the short term it seems bleak. In the long run, I will prevail, and flourish, and never give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me fail.

Have a good night.

So...I'm no longer at Shriners anymore

2026-02-18T22:53:00.008-05:00

It wasn't by choice, but I'm not at the medical centre anymore, at the organisation I've called home for 28 years and 11 months. In that time, I've met some amazing people I will miss. Hopefully, new doors will open for me. Wish me luck!

So tired

2026-01-30T00:08:00.003-05:00

I came home and couldn't think straight; I was so tired. I'm on the bus because while I managed to dig my car out of 3 1/2" of compacted snow and ice, I can't get the thing reversed over a shelf of ice in the driveway. I hate ice storms. Monday, I managed to get to work thanks to a veterans group, Camp Heroes, and home thanks to our medical centre administrator. Tuesday, the Fayette County Sheriff's Office, KY's WinterCare folks got me there and back. I couldn't go out the back as per usual because of the back gate being blocked by snow and ice, so I had to go out the front, down and up the same steps I fell off of in June, without any snow or ice. When I was driven, I had help, but I was on my own after that. I took off Wednesday, eating the occurrence, because I knew the temperatures were, if anything, going to plummet further, so it's not like things were going to get better soon, and I needed to dig us out. I did manage to open my trunk to get my little collapsible shovel out, get into the shed to get the snow shovel and a regular shovel (which was great for the ice), and get the layers of ice clear in front of the gate enough that I can squeeze into our out of the backyard's gate. I haven't been able to touch the front steps yet. I cleaned my car mostly off, and got in and ran it for a while, but as I said, couldn't surmount the ledge. I'm pretty sure my tyres are finally no longer frozen to the driveway, at least. But as frustrating as this is, I think it's the Universe protecting me. I'm having power steering issues that may be serious, and not good on the snow. It may be that I shouldn't drive until I can get it looked at, especially on snow. So I'm on the city bus in the meantime.

I forgot that they'd still be on the Snow Plan at this point and went to the regular stop, which is now a Snow Plan stop, then went to the one across the street and caught the right bus after about a half hour, all at about 9° Fahrenheit. The bus wasn't so bad except when it let me off at Shriners on a giant mound of ice and snow where a snowplough had come through. Fortunately, I'd brought my hiking poles with snow tips, rather than my cane, but even with those, you had to kind of have a leap of faith to balance on that and not fall in the street. I may get off at the Kentucky Clinic tomorrow and walk the last block despite the icy sidewalks just to avoid that in the future.

Anyway, I came home, warmed up two microwavable heating pads (I chipped at ice till 11 pm last night while working on the car, and my back is hurting today), and then I collapsed for four hours, did three loads of laundry while the temperature outside was in the double digits, and helped my friend set up another e-mail account on Outlook. They're still on the Snow Plan tomorrow, so I need to figure out when to be ut there tomorrow as that bus comes earlier than the other.

So we're about to get hit with a major winter storm

2026-01-24T15:40:00.003-05:00

and I do mean major, followed by frigid temperatures. I mean, it's just now starting to snow, and it's 13 degrees now, but that's rather balmy compared to what it will be. Here are the alerts in effect for Lexington at the moment:

Weather Alerts- Lexington, Kentucky

Winter Storm Warning Until Mon 7:00 am EST

1 of 2

Action Recommended: Make preparations per the instructions\

Issued By Louisville - KY, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area Portions of south central Indiana and east central, north central, northwest, and south central Kentucky

Description ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ MONDAY...

WHAT...Heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain along and south of the Bluegrass and Western Kentucky Parkways. South of the Parkways, storm total snow and sleet of 4 to 8 inches with total ice amounts up to three quarters of an inch. Localized areas may see total ice over three quarters of an inch. Across southern Indiana and north central Kentucky, mainly snow, heavy at times. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 15 inches. Localized higher amounts of snow and sleet possible.

WHERE...Portions of south central Indiana and east central, north central, northwest, and south central Kentucky.

WHEN...Until 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Monday.

IMPACTS...Expect power outages and tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. In Indiana, for Indiana Road Conditions please visit http://511in.org In Kentucky, for Kentucky Road Conditions please visit http://goky.ky.gov

Cold Weather Advisory From Mon 12:00 am until Tue 11:00 am EST

2 of 2

Action Recommended Make preparations per the instructions

Issued By Louisville - KY, US, National Weather Service

Affected Area Portions of south central Indiana and east central, north central, northwest, and south central Kentucky

Description ...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EST /11 PM CST/ SUNDAY NIGHT TO 11 AM EST /10 AM CST/ TUESDAY...

WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero expectedW

HERE...Portions of south central Indiana and east central, north central, northwest, and south central Kentucky.

WHEN...From midnight EST /11 PM CST/ Sunday Night to 11 AM EST /10 AM CST/ Tuesday.

IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 15 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, neighbors, and pets. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

Well, it never hurts to be prepared, especially if you have major anxiety issues that can only be helped with obsessive steps. I have charged my large car-battery-sized power bank (the one that can be charged either through AC current, via car adapter, or solar (that one I don't have an adapter for, but cool and that runs my CPAP for several hours a night, and I have the CPAP adapter at the ready. I have also charged every electronic device that takes one in the house. I have made sure that all five flashlights either have batteries or are charged. The crank one is in the car in case it is needed there. It also has a radio. I found the 20 LED tealights and 20 regular tealights to put in our many hoarded jars for light, as well as my five normal scented candles, plus at least two he's borrowed from me. I found a cache of matches and bought two lighting wands in addition to mine, as mine is low on fuel. He also has a few boxes of the wooden matches. The car has half a tank of gas for charging the power bank and keeping any vapour lock from happening, but not a full tank because the power steering is having issues, and I think it'll need to be fixed soon, and I may have to switch to the bus anyway after I can get out on my own. My wipers are up. I have deicer and WD-40 for thawing locks and doors, and they are in the utility room with an extra scraper/brush. I have done everything I can think of to prepare. I managed to get all of our foodstuffs except yellow onions, which I thought were pretty good. I was on the waiting list (#!0) for a service that takes healthcare workers to work in severe weather, but I've been assigned a driver, so I think I've been bumped up. I'm going to check. That'll help on Monday. It occurs to me that I did not request a ride home yet(!). Here's hoping we all get through the storm okay.

PS I just put in my request for a ride home...it's pending. Hopefully it's not too late.

Do not taunt the tech gods

2026-01-17T07:22:00.008-05:00

The other night, during the Great Verizon Crash, T-Mobile sent a text that had everything in it but nyah, nyah. nyah, nyah. The snark is great in this one. Considering I hadn't had any issues, and it was already this late, I would have thought this obvious. That being said, I've only had two outages in the 20+ years I've been with T-Mobile and one case of delayed texts. I'm not particularly happy about recent events (Starlink partnership (aka Elon Musk) and the monetary support of the ballroom, the latter basically to push through a fibre merger with the FCC), but overall I've had nothing but a great experience with them. I have my phone, watch line, and internet with them (the non-fibre kind, which uses their mobile network through a gateway). Had the ballroom thing come up sooner, I might have considered changing, as I'd had my devices paid for some months, but I'd just upgraded my phone and I've got almost two years of credits (it was taxes + activation fee only, I didn't have to actually 'pay' the price of the phone itself, and I can't shell out $1199, even for principle--it was the only way I could upgrade, and my phone was over four years old and was going to lose support fairly soon.)

Anyway, it can happen to any network at any time. Cut back the snark, lest ye be struck by the cell phone gods. They abhor hubris as do all such beings.

Favourite books

2026-01-11T03:13:00.005-05:00

These are some of mine

Picture Book: Curious George by H.A. Rey and Margret Rey
Children's Book: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Young Adult Book: The Grey King (Dark of Rising Sequence # 4) by Susan Cooper
Mystery: The Last Camel Died at Noon (Amelia Peabody Mysteries # 6) by Elizabeth Peters (Barbara Mertz)
Fantasy: The White Dragon (Dragonriders of Pern #3) by Anne McCaffery
Science Fiction: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Classical Literature: Timaeus by Plato
Late Antiquity Classics: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Mediaeval Classics: Consolation of Philosophy by Boëthius
Renaissance/Early Modern Classics: Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Regency/Victorian/Edwardian Classics: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Modern Classics: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Play: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Novella: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Short Story: 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson
Non-Fiction: (I can't choose!) Most recent was probably The Art of Living by Thích Nhất Hạnh
Comic: Sandman by Neil Gaiman
Graphic Novels: Maus I and II by Art Spiegelman
Most Recent Book I Read: Camouflage: The Hidden Lives of Autistic Women by Sarah Bargiela