cornerofmadness

So much was going on today I felt it deserved it's own separate post.

If my kitchen was fully functional, I might have tried some pane dei morti and you can find a little write up
here. and here.

I was going to share pictures that have been on my mind of my great grand mothers but for the life of me I can't remember what file folder they're in and it's been too busy of a day to find it.

Speaking of which, sorry I owe lots of comments. I am just slammed. I will get to them. Promise.

Last night ysabetwordsmith shared an article on New study: Viewing art in galleries 'immediately' reduces cortisol levels, boosts health which I found fascinating and I wonder what else art can do. With that in mind I did go to the Witch Walk art trail in Athens tonight (I was on the fence) Here is the facebook event post

A free, family-friendly “spooky art trail” featuring glowing upcycled installations and community-made magic along the Ora Anderson Trail. Costume friendly!
The Witch Walk is a first-year pilot designed to empower youth and foster multigenerational connection through hands-on creative collaboration. By transforming the Ora Anderson Trail into an immersive, upcycled art experience, the project fosters artistic skill-building, environmental awareness, and community pride—culminating in a free, one-night “spooky art trail” for all to enjoy.

Sounded fun. and it was...but would have been better if I didn't have to drive an hour to get there because it wasn't quite as expected. The Dairy Barn is open with free snacks, pizza and hot apple cider for us (the Dairy barn is now the arts center) and they had environmental booths set up and tons of stuff for the kids. There was an accordion player and an art scavenger hunt.

And Ora Anderson Trail turns out to be a one mile trail...up a hillside...through the wetlands...in the dark. Lit by luminieres. So being the I can do this person I am, I grab my cane and up I go. In the dark. (and OMG people why do so many of you need flash lights half blinding me. I can tell who has never been in the woods in the dark before).

I was expecting a different kind of art. It was basically upcycled stuff (tires, other detritus) turned into 'scary things' It was basically a horror trail with no one popping out at you. At the top of the hill was a theater, a puppet show on offer (sort of the big puppets you kinda wear) Well puppets are at least part of the Sicilian day of the dead (or so I read. I am not Sicilian) Also I hate puppets. I turned around and went back and that's when things got weird

I'm not more than a few yards from Puppet central when I feel someone behind me. Not surprising it's well attended but it's just me and a young man in all black with the barista hipster look going on, short beard, slightly longer hair. I invite him to go around me as I am slow with a cane going downhill in the dark. He does but around the next bend he is behind me again. And again. And when invited he doesn't go around me. When I can finally see the lights of the dairy barn, he isn't there. But I have to go through one more dark woods spot and there he is behind me again. It was strange (I feel a horror story coming on)

And let me share all the other fun stuff. fandomgiftbasket opened and I got two Hazbin Hotel gifts (from the same person so thank you to them)


Emotional Support Pigs and the Cats They Sleep On and and a bunch of icons

As for me I wrote a few stories. Hope you like them

Someone in the Dark Hazbin Hotel

Evil Minds That Plot Destruction Buffy the Vampire Slayer

The Jealous Kind Hazbin Hotel


Are You the One That I’ve Been Waiting For? Hudson & Rex

So I didn't open emails over the weekend because of the con. I open it today and in my two online only classes I have 40 students between two classes. Out of those 40 THREE wrote me to say we can't see the notes for the final unit. I turned that on a week ago sunday and the quizzes were due yesterday. The final on this is due friday.

THREE people out of 40. And they're right. The notes are messed up. I fixed it. I extended the quizzes and the final (the class locks off next week because friday is technically the last day of class) so my question is WHY would you not contact the professor if something was wrong.

And the other stuff isn't working either and IT says it's McGraw Hill who says I'm doing it wrong, you know the same thing I've done for 20 damn years. And btw am doing exactly how they're telling me to do it. screams into the void.

But as for yesterday, I came home to go to Bob Fest vs going to the last day of the con. Honestly I can bump this back to every other year too. I know where all the vendors are and how much more could I use from any of them? Sure the coffee/honey/maple vendors I can always use (as if I can't get it from Kroger, literally in the coffee's case, they're local and carried by Kroger) How much more glass can I get from the glass blower (the answer is a blue bird for mom and a purple one for me) I did skip the jerky (getting too expensive) got the cheese from my cheesemonger.

And I was going to get some bougie boozy jam. How much are these? two for 35$. Sure thing. She sees me with jelly jars in hand. I sneak them onto a shelf and scamper off. You can't scamper with a cane. Lordee no.

I did buy a left handed hand carved spoon with a scraper (which is why it's handed, not that I suspect it matters much) It's walnut and he carves the wood type and date into it. 2012. I was sad for my spoon. It's been going to festival after festival for 13 years and no one wanted it. Poor spoon (which yes that is animism right there) I was going to give it to Dad but I think I'll keep this poor unwanted spoon (I stir left handed anyhow)

I pet some long horns (owned by one of my current students) and came home.

( have some con pictures under here )

And it's music monday. Since it's spooky time let's continue with the spooky music


Another full albumn for you. This is my favorite by Midnight Syndicate


I have always loved these house displays (Im not tech savvy enough to do this) here's one that's a tribute to Ozzy (Locally the rock station is calling this Ozztober)


And for the K Pop fans

It was a rough start to a good day. Once again the first DexCom I put on failed (this is the second time in 2 weeks) Lost my cute patch, pulled it off, once again a sensor wire lost in my arm (I sure hope these are NOT magnet reactive when I have my next MRI) SO much blood too when I pulled this off. The second one is fine but dammit that's 2 duds and that's like 600$ lost.


So last year the guy who started a small pop culture con at my university also started a tiny renn faire. Last year it rained but TH and I went. This year it was hot and sunny and I dressed, picked TH up at the university and we went up there. MUDDY because it rained for the last 5 days but it was fun.

They have a juggling show...and that's about the only entertainment other than a Punch and Judy puppet show run by my former work friend L. (but since she's been annoying me and TH we pretended we didn't see her and that'll fly since she was up with all the kid games and we didn't go there)

Other than that it's food trucks and vendors. The GyrOH place (which has a brick and mortar in Gallipolis and gives Rio staff/student 25% off) was my choice, that and the specialty lemonade stand (32 oz of Shark Attack lemonade (strawberry, raspberry and gummy sharks)).

There was A LOT of 3-D printed stuff (that were obviously printed off the same pattern because like 4 shops had the exact thing but the one with the gryphon...I should have bought it). There were jewelers, a couple of witch shops, there was the wheat wench (bread), fudge vendors (didn't do it) but I DID go for the local couple who do interesting jellies and do the Rio farmer's market (never when I've been there) including dandelion, red clover, goldenrod and a whole range of boozy jellies. I picked up the golden rod (out of curiosity) and garlic (which I know I can make glazes from)

Several of the same vendors from MothMan were there, including my former student who we want to teach Yoga for us.

I did find one I have NOT seen before P. House Games I do love games. I almost bought the dream game but I did get the cryptid hunter card game but more important, they were open to me talking to them down the road. I REALLY would love to try to come up with a physiology game for labs (there needs to be ones other than ones geared to the immune system) since gamification is big in teaching now. If nothing else they have artist contacts and know how to put out a board game. That seems useful.

I did pick up dandelion tea from my local tea dealer (she also works at the university) I am a dandelion fan (probably need to worry about the vitamin K) the tea will probably be gross tasting, or at least a li ttle bitter but I'm interested in the other health benefits of dandelion.

Picked up some Christmas gifts too and hey I finished a fandomgiftbasket story that I really like. tried to do some art requests. watched canva tutorials on blending and layering. no help. Hell the things they told me to click on didn't even exist. So sorry art requests. Ain't happening.

Watched the first episode of Law & Order Toronto. It wasn't bad. Will watch more. Mom and I are stumbling our way thru the first season of Hudson & Rex. Well at least the dog is cut (otherwise this is not great)


It's science saturday

Groundbreaking' gene therapy is first treatment for Huntington's disease to slow the condition this is major. Huntington is a horrible disease. I had Huntington patients and honestly they still haunt me.


Recycled glass could help fend off coastal erosion

Tug or fetch? Some dogs sort toys by how they are used

What happens if pregnant women stop taking Tylenol? In other words do not listen to Trump and RFK but we knew that

Swapping old immune cells in the brain with fresh ones could treat disease fascinating

Still the best name for a con, still tacked onto a tiny con in Athens that fights in a basketball court. Mostly my friends are running it (trying to rope me in but right now I'm quoting my health issues as why not but I will look for vendors for them).

Speaking of health issues, I could hardly move today, I'm so exhausted. I got there an hour later than planned but it worked out. I wanted to enter the raffles and this year...not a lot there that I was interested in anyhow. I didn't win anything this year (last year I won three things so it balances) and one of my friends said, 'watch me win the thing I didn't want but accidentally dropped my ticket into' And she did. She was going to give it to me (a merman illustration) but someone else wanted it more than me so I gave it to him. Karma owes me (and I don't mean the storm it served up, more on that later)

I didn't get to any of the talks because I knew I would never be able to get to them and manage to stay long enough to get to the raffle (in the future I will have to plan my one-day con trips well if I can't get my energy back). I did however get some fun stuff at the vendors.

I picked up A Shade of Winter from Henlo Press a paranormal mystery (some fool forgot her cheaters today. Not mentioning any names....) I've got the first book in several of their series already... which led me to a conclusion (more on that later)

I picked up a couple's earring set of Ozzie and Fizzarolli from Helluva Boss from Unicorn Massacres Designs. It's a cute set. I've bought from them before (artist is trans with a lot of trans rights stuff if you want to take a look).

From Dany Cat Designs I got some soap for me and for gifts. I still have one bar left over from last year. She didn't have any of the dice soap with her this year. I picked up Hades for myself along with Make It So

I said NO more wall art so naturally I bought two postcard sized bits of art from Cocomomo Art because her Hazbin stuff is probably the best I've seen for sale in the past several cons. She also recced a hopepunk queer anime, Promare. I need to find it.

Speaking of wall art, I should have walked past Amanda Scharf Illustration but her water colors were too damn pretty. Did I need a water color of Angel Dust? No. Do I now own one? What do you think? She had so many colors too. If the purple had only been a little richer....I went with dark blue.

There is an artist I get earrings from every con (and other vendors probably hate her) because she sells them for 3$ a pop vs what everyone else does (but I'm also betting she just buys the charms in bulk somewhere) I need to find out if some of my friends wear bigger earrings. Wish evil_little_dog wore earrings because she'd love half of these and sadly the artist doesn't do pins.

I did get some birthday/holiday gifts too. I'll see several of these vendors again in a few weeks at Final Boss con on my university. There was one person selling ITA bags which I need desperately for all my pins but honestly these looked like grocery bags for the same price as much more intricately done backpack styles so I skipped it (and I can make the banners for the pins myself if I take a minute to do it) I was glad I went. Got a few hugs from friends. Yeah I'm not a hugger but on the other hand it's nice to have people who are genuinely happy to see me.

I left the con and went to Kroger for cheese (this one has the fancy cheeses) All was well. I got my cheeses and some absolutely yummy olives that I'm sorry I didn't buy more of. Came out 15 minutes later and it looked cloudy. Five minutes later as I'm getting my Tim Horton's coffee rocket fuel to drive home on, it's even darker. By the time I go 2 miles to Avalanche pizza to pick up my death in a box (otherwise known as the skeletonwitch) it's BLACK. The manager is telling the staff to tell patrons the deliveries will be delayed because of the incoming storm.

I grab my pizza and beat feet. I don't get 5 miles out of town before it let loose. The wind was first, so strong I was literally knocked off the road three times. Then the rain came so hard I thought 'got to stop at the rest stop just up the road and ride this out.' It was raining SO hard I couldn't see the rest stop and missed it. I inched another mile down the highway to the red light where I know there is a gas station. Waited it out there for about 15 minutes. Thankfully my ebook held out because some one forgot to charge it (not mentioning any names) and it was down to 7%.

Luckily after that it was light rain or none all the way home. I'm glad I went. I wish I had energy that 2 hours didn't all but kill me. So that decision I came to at the con...for some damn reason there are a half dozen things I want to do on the 3rd (all in vastly different directions) Ohioana Book festival in Columbus (very late this year), the Gallipolis street steampunk festival, free comic book day, heartwoods mental health festival (in a Chillicothe park), a psychic fair in Logan, the mother's day glass sale in the Hocking Hills.

I decided not to go to the Book festival. My friend isn't going to be there. I haven't read 90% of the books I bought there last year (I'm working on 2 now).I need a new book like I need slapped. Worse, they'll be signed so I won't want to part with them. That doesn't help my space issue. I think I'm better off either doing the steampunk/comic book thing (they're in the same direction) or the glass/mental health fair (also in the same (but different) direction). Decisions Decisions.

Came home and started to watch the newly dropped Gaslight District pilot. Been looking forward to this. I haven't watched more than a few minutes (too tired) and I'm not sure I like the animation style but I'll need to see more.

I'd take pictures but I'm horrified at what came out of that closet. I pulled out an old rollerback carryon bag that I knew was in bad shape but was using as storage....of paperwork from 2004-2005. Holy hell. I'd forgot my bank was originally something else. There are credit cards and former 401Ks SO much paperwork to burn. So much bullshit paper to haul to the recycler tomorrow (though I suspect it'll end up in a landfill I don't trust these multi-recycler bins). I even found the original things wrong with this apt walkthru from 2005...

I don't always get calls on my cel but I did tonight about my oncology visit (just confirming it for later this week) and found on last Thursday they DID get my MRI approved but yeah Adena didn't bother to call me. I'll have to deal with that tomorrow.

So let me tell you about the renn fest. I got to the exit off 71S (which is a major n/s interstate with heavy traffic) and had to pull onto the side of the road because at 1045 (for an event that opens at 1030) the traffic was backed up that much. 45 minutes to get to the site and my heart sinks. 'sold out ticket holders only.' But before that I see (since I'm now doing this every other year) that one of the farms about a mile from the renn site has been converted to a housing development that has houses in the 500K + range. That blows me away, keeping in mind this is 1030 on a sunday by noon it'll take you 1-2 hours to go those few miles and now there's this housing plan...Now I wonder what happens to the renn fest once these wealthy people get fed up of 8 weeks of this nonsense.

Anyhow so I go to the gate because I have this half price entry thing from the library and there is literally just ONE ticket booth because now they are limiting tickets (which frankly they have to) so in the future no more going without a prebought ticket online. But at least I didn't drive 100 miles for nothing.

I go for the shopping, I'm not going to lie. I did see Dirk and Guido Swordsmen did not retire after all so I watched some of their show. The fest had grown even since 2022. There is so much to see that even after 4 hours I didn't go into every shop and only saw part of Dirk's show and a small part of an escape artist's show. Granted I didn't need to be in every shop. I did find one that had cool stuff...that I don't think should be there. Previously (until the expansion) it HAD to be handmade. Now most are but several aren't. This wasn't. It had cool glitter lava lamp kinda halloween/christmas decorations. if this was in the Yule village (new this year) I wouldn't mind but I really want this to be for artists. (i didn't buy anything there but there was temptation)

I got some outstanding jewelry which...was the only thing priced appropriately. Maybe because they can sell so much. in 2019 one of the vendors told me it was 1000/for a tent (let alone the actual structures). I'm not sure if that's all 8 weeks or per week but regardless that means vendors have so much upcharge it's insane. I'm like oo a wooden mug, dad would like it. 39.50....no 395. For a mug. Keep that please. cloaks for 550$. Dudes, even I can sew this. Yes you probably have 100$ in fabric and your time but...so the clothing was so over priced I could buy two-three simple steampunk gowns handmade off etsy (or one fancy one) for what they wanted. I think they're going to price it to the point no one wants to do this any more. Maybe they're getting those prices. (not from me but we all overspend in these places)

I did see something I want to try with an upcoming hat, using upholstery fabric around the hat band. That was cool and I should be able to do that.

I did well walking but getting back to the car I started to feel my age (i.e. 4 hours in the heat non-stop walking/standing was getting much) but when I got out of the car at the truck stop to pee (hey they FINALLY have actual toilets at the fest) my body said WTF did you do??


( ALL the fall festival photos under here. I'll share my haul tomorrow )


let's continue with the Music Monday Alphabet theme with sharing songs that begin with a certain letter. Feel free to chime in with your favorite song(s) that follow the weekly letter. Hit me with your favs. I love hearing new music or revisiting older pieces. This week's letter is Y

( oh there are plenty of Y )

This went better than I expected if I'm honest because Columbus is a NIGHTMARE to drive in and they are doing a SEVEN year road re-routing around downtown (including cutting off the beltway as I found out today but at least that wasn't difficult) However the usually mostly empty US-35 between me and Chillicothe and US 23 between Chillicothe and Columbus was a) packed b) pretty sure everyone was drunk by 1130 AM. Holy fuck.

But getting to the parking garage (mostly empty) was easy and they had plenty of school buses shuttling us to St. John the Baptist Catholic church (more on that later) where the festival is held around the surrounding streets. I'll be honest it's sort of what I expected except for less vendors. It was mostly food and some midway games (i.e. it's a street fair) This year was a celebration of Abruzzo which is where my family is from. And when I got home I saw I should have looked at the flyer they gave more closely as it explained some of the vendors and about the culture there.

I got a yummy pepperoni roll (and later some italian ice because it's a thing with me) and 20$ in over priced cookies 98% I could make myself if not so lazy (the only one worth the price was the sfogliotelle which are hard to make) They were yummy too so I don't regret them.

Most of the vendors they did have were selling things like solar panel generators (I did not win one), some junk, one with murano glass (which told me why Homegoods is selling it cheap. China bought out the naming rights) She had pictures of the Italian artists creating her stuff (in theory) and I got green glass hearts for mom and blue glass (with adventurine in it) earrings for me. They had that ceramic kitchenware (Italian themed of course) you see everywhere (at 3 times the price).

I spoke to the ladies of the Chicchi club, an Italian women's club but at 150$/year it's more than I want to pay. There were spinning wheels you can win stuff one (the one with pictures of Saints for kids was...disturbing) There was a chuck-a-luck wheel and suddenly it's 1985 when those used to be at every fair.

So the church. I used to go to this when I lived in Columbus. It was (maybe still is as there was an Italian to English prayer sheet) Italian Language and the entire church inside was ringed at the ceiling by those nearly life sized saint statues that Catholics so love (but when you have so many of them it throws your right into the Uncanny Valley as is eerie AF) The steps up have the names of famous Italians (I couldn't get a pic) It's a gothic church and after I climbed those steps (If there is a handicapped access I have no idea where it would be) I saw major changes were made. The statues are gone (You can see the platforms for them up near the ceiling vault in my pics). There are still some up at the altars but that's not a surprise.

But I was an hour too early for the church history tour and I thought okay that could be interesting. Back down the steps, go watch bocce, drink mochas sweat like I'm dying because I wore jeans. It was only supposed to be 65. It was 83. The church history was less exciting than I hoped and half of it was an explanation of what is Catholicism (transubstantiation, the stations of the cross etc) and I didn't want to leave because a) a seat even if it's wood (no being comfy in a Catholic church) b) I was over the a/c vent. It was only 35 minutes long (swore it was an hour at least) but the biggest change was the huge St. John the Baptist stained glass window (put in the year I left Columbus)

It was fun but there was more to do at night (it goes to midnight) so if I go back, it would be me staying overnight somewhere and giving it a try at night. Also it's not something I need to do every year.

Took my books to halfprice bookstore. Remembered why I stopped doing this (20 books = 4$) just donate them to the library Dana. Hit up Trader Joe's, hit up Tim Hortons on the way home (this one closed earlier than mine, they weren't happy and neither was I with that sugar free burnt- assed nastiness but at least it was caffeine.

Have some pictures ( Church pic )


Saw a woman in the church was interesting. She had an Australian style 'walkabout hat' with a braided leather band covered with enamel pins but not fandom pins. They were saint pins (they were on her purse too) which I had no idea existed (but now I have ideas for my fandom ones) She had a shirt with Mary on it stepping on a snake reading I tread on thee (I'm assuming a riff on the don't tread one me flag) and Mary is often depicted stepping on a snake (the one in the picture here isn't but the one from the church I grew up in had it) This is a person who might make it into a story

Otherwise known as the writerly ways edition. So I did as I said I would, got up early and arrived at Point Pleasant for the Mothman Festival. It was cool and FOGGY. I could barely see the memorial silver bridge and while there was no traffic, the tiny public lot (reserved for the handicapped) had 2 places left at twenty after nine (it opens at 10). I took one. At least I could have parked close at the 20$ a car lots if not for that.

This was a good idea. It was still relative cool half the time I was there (close to 90 when I left at 12:30) The crowds weren't too bad but the coffee shop had people out the door. Hard Pass. I remembered last year there were food trucks and coffee in this small green space (where a building used to be) and bingo. Coffee no line. While there I checked out the vendors and one turned out to be one of my former students now an occupational therapist who does yoga in Gallipolis. We talked a while, I'll take her name to the wellness committee to come help with the faculty and tell the dean of students (because she was really hoping to work with students) about her. so that was nice.

On that end of town were the Imperial Storm troopers and Boba fetts raising money for suicide prevention (here's some cash) and I got into one of the stores I had spotted last time I was in town but the rain stopped me. It's barely bigger than my living room with t-shirts and tumblers and I don't see much of a future for it. Oh well.

The line to the get your mothman selfie was long. To get into the mothman museum even longer (hard pass on both since I'm local. I can go any time) I did sneak around back because there was SO much money stuffed into the shiny hiney I had to get a pic (hope it came out because now the sun's boiling and my screen is barely visible)

Many of the usual suspects were there vendor wise. New to the scene was the guy from
Expedition Bigfoot Yes I got his books (shame, Dana shame) I actually only bought 1 other book from Dave Sprinks. I passed on Weird Willis's work but only because I called over the giant line, James, you gonna be in Jackson Library next month? Yes, cool, buy from you then. (he's another paranormal investigator that I've gotten to know over the years) I even ran into the guys I bought the stuffed Nessie from at the Kecksburg UFO festival.

I could have bought so much more but I behaved myself. I got cheapo sasquatch earrings and got holidays gifts. I found hazbin art of all things and I spoke to the Ghostbusters (making up the direct opposite end of the festival from the stormtroopers) raising money for heart disease studies. Sadly the ladies said their base is a firehall in Charleston WV (a little far to go for meetings for me) but we got to talking about Husk and Hazbin Hotel (one of them hadn't seen it yet, me and her friend were enablers) I mentioned I'd be in Charleston soon for Tsubasacon and they're event runners for it. She was excited I might wear my steampunk (as the theme is cyberpunk vs steampunk) and even more so if I come as Edalyn in her PJs like I did last year.

As I told mom sadly I'm not even 100% sure I can go because of the angiogram and in talking to mom I realized oh...I can wear my expensive steampunk daydress but NOT the corset. That backpressure could pop the clot from the angiogram.

Anyhow after my wallet wept big fat tears and I'd been there for 3 hours and it was getting hot/crowded I left. I would do this again next year same bat time same bat channel because it worked for me. The only downside is a) some stuff was sold out but who cares really? It's not like I NEED this stuff b) all the talks are in the afternoon and sure I could have hung in there for another half hour but eh, I've heard most of this before and I'll probably hear it again at the Loveland Frogman Fest next year.


But by this time I was hot and I had to PEE because I refused to pee in a gross portapotty on the sidewalk. I drove up the university to pee and to go look at the links I forgot to do yesterday (and snitch some gloves so I could work on the tv stand (more on that tomorrow)


So let me get to the writerly ways. I personally find these festival artistically stimulating so who is YOUR favorite cryptid? Who could you see writing into a story? Who have you already done? There is one romance series there about the mothman. I read book one and it was very obviously written by someone who hadn't been to Point Pleasant...or even Google Earthed it. I didn't bother with second two but that was in my head thinking up this question.

And in writing news I just finished my penultimate chapter of my wipbigbang by the time I get the last chapter done and all the editing it'll be 90K. I am crying.


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NonBinary Review #39 Mistaken Identity


The Cumberland River Review: Now Seeking Submissions


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Today was the Jack Pine Studio Glass Pumpkin Festival His glass studio is a big draw in the Hocking Hills. I've never been to it. I had looked at Google Maps before I left (because I'm old apparently) My GPS was obviously not taking me Google's way. I know what it's doing, going the LONG way which is faster in some ways because it's highway.

I go off Vigo road...and it immediately becomes a different road not on Google. I go a few miles and no signs of 327N which was supposed to be right there (If I go on that south it'll take me back home) . I give up, turn around, go the long way. I get to OH-180 and GPS says you have arrived.

No, dear I'm in some Trump worship back country hellscape but I AM on OH-180 so I just watch mail boxes for the numbers so I know where to go (I did several years of home health, I'm a map reader, know the tricks) OH loves having a road go one way then take a 90 degree angle...multiple times but I get there. I peek into the 1001 degree studio and nope out of that (I've seen glass making many times. It's one of the things I would have liked to learn to do but between bad shoulders and asthma I don't think it's meant to be)

So these glass pumpkins are gorgeous. I do mean gorgeous, some are even flattish on one side like real ones. the little ones start at 65, the medium at 100, I didn't even check the big ones. They have the hand-carry grocery store baskets. I'm surrounded by people (in the dozens) with 4-8 pumpkins each. I mean yeah I got a 5$ coupon for prearranging my parking but my god. I mentioned I was surprised at how many people were buying to the lady next to me. Well they ARE collectibles and he only does it once a year.

Yeah, okay but are they really?!? There is at least 50 left from last year and this year's pumpkin of the year has at least 100 and more coming out all the time (this is just day one) . I decide, okay I'll buy one for mom. Let's pick up one I'll like down the road. I found one that was somehow 25$ less than all the others. It's my favorite color (purple) and in the basket it went. Suddenly I got pulled to this black one with blue glittery drips. It's also on sale....100$ later some dumbass has 2 overpriced hand blown art glass.

I liked the other vendors and did get mom a tiny octopus (blue glass). And that's it. I bypassed all the jewelry. I'm rather proud of myself for that. There was one thing I nearly bought. This woman was hand painting canvases and turning them into clocks. It was halloween themed with ghosts/bats being the numbers. But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed like unprotected canvas would just get dusty and very hard to clean (and it was nearly as much as the two pumpkins together) I gave it a pass.

My best buys were food. Schmidt's (from Schmidt's Sausage Haus in German Village in Columbus, a staple since the 1880s) had a food truck. Gimme your giant hot dog smothered in kraut and fried onions AND OMG is that a black raspberry cream puff?!?! Yes please. And then there was a boba tea place that Americanized it. I had the Lake Logan, strawberry lemonade/cotton candy tea/kiwi bobas. SOOOOOOO sweet, so good, so tired (my sugar is probably off the scales)

On the way back (since my GPS knows my address exists) it took me back the way Google Maps had it and if I hadn't turned around I would have found 327...eventually)


Before I left for the festival, I was talking to my parents and I could hear my dad laughing at me. Everyone knows I hate heat. If you don't know it, the Weather Channel lets you check weather in like a half dozen zip codes. MY area was hotter than FL, GA and even Las Vegas. It was 90+

So I'm clearing out the part of the room where I'll have the TV stand put (right now it's on a rickety stand held up by two big bins of books. Rocket is NOT impressed by this and does not know how to handle it so he's opted for wandering and howling. So helpful.

I looked through the books. There are things I've had in there since the 80s and never read. I never will. So 5 bags of books are going for donations.

Speaking of donations I forgot this part yesterday. So my friends gave me some donation suggestions for my clothes one of them was My Brother's Keeper (a Baptist charity) in Wellston and since it was dead center of the festival I went inside. Keep in mind I'm coming from PT so I'm in a t-shirt and those knit type shorts that I don't usually wear out but they're the best for PT. I ask the lady are they taking donations

Lady: yes we are

Me: okay what are your hours since I don't want to walk them thru the festival

Lady: (obviously relieved) oh thank you. We've been SO busy today. Our hours are on the door.

She looks at me and then says are you from McArthur?

Me: no I'm from this area (McArthur is about 15-20 miles north)

Lady: Do you know the St Francis outreach there?

Me: No but I'm sure I could find it.

Lady: You could do that. I'm sure they'd want your clothes.

Me: (puzzled) okay sure. Alright then I'm going back to the festival. thanks

Lady: come back and shop sometime.

I leave wondering WHY did the Baptists just send me 20 miles away to the Catholics knowing I'm from here? Is it my clothing and she thinks I'm too poor to have clothes worth their time? Is it the Welsh dragon on my shirt and she thinks it's demonic? Did she see the Victor and the Bully Sinner pin on my purse? Do I send out former Catholic vibes?!?

Guess I'll be calling the Catholics (or just drive around until I find an anonymous bin which is my preference)

Found a fun channel on YT Pasta Grannies. They are recipes but they are also the history/culture/language of the regions and these women. And also the handmade dough makes me feel 6 again making it with my grandma

Mom and I went to my aunt's place to help with the funeral arrangements. I ended up taking over (by request) the selection of hymns and readings. I knew two. I have never seen these hymns. Weird. It also looks like I'll have to give one of the readings.

Today they also declined my MRI again in spite of the insurance saying a bad nerve conduction test would count. I hate medical mutual.

Let me tell you a little bit about the gem festival. It's technically gem and craft show at the local greenhouse/farmers' market. They had a ton of vendors. I did find a few things at the craft vendors as gifts. As for the gems, Mom got a really cool carved bird, a serpetina heart and a few others smaller stones. I got a bunch of small stones (also for gifts) and then I got a pendant. (which now I suppose will remind me of my uncle's passing) It's moonstone, amber, pearl and smoky quartz