Even as a #longtimefed when I knew there was a chance he (yes, always a man) would say a sentence or two that pertained to my organization, no matter who was giving the SOTU address, I wouldn‘t watch. It‘s been mostly performative for a while now.

Tonight I might run the floor cleaner to drown out the TV in the other room, but more likely I‘ll watch Netflix with headphones.

1. I haven‘t recently lost a friend or family member, but my response to what‘s happening in this country now is a kind of grief. Which is a complicated set of emotions…
2. Last year I attended a grief seminar. I wasn‘t experiencing traditional grief at that time either, but I was “mourning” the loss of what I had thought was a close friendship. During the seminar I received a valuable insight:

YOUR FEELINGS ARE YOUR FEELINGS
#mentalhealthmonday

I spent more than half of my time as a #longtimefed at the Defense Department‘s regional center for Latin America and the Caribbean*, and that‘s where I was working when I retired. The place I knew is completely gone now. I‘m sure this notice I saw on Facebook Saturday was not voluntary, but I‘m disappointed nonetheless. I don‘t know if it will even help them survive the axe. Dr. Perry (but NOT Ash Carter) signed a letter appealing to Congress ⬇️

During tonight‘s #hyggehourreadathon I‘ve been peeking in on the Oscars and reading this #authoramonth selection.

Look at these beautiful endpapers!

Really bad writing can sometimes be amusing in a Mystery Science Theater 3000 way, but a bad story really annoys me.

I‘ll bail in a heartbeat if the story is so bad that I don‘t even care what happens.

#sundayfunday

Another Sunday, another #longtimefed travel destination. I had two trips to Guatemala: one to the modern capital which is fine, and one to the colonial capital of Antigua which is charming and beautiful. Even though the one day I was able to get out of the hotel it rained.

I set this aside to pivot to African American authors in February. For March my #serieslove2025 reading will focus on women authors.

This was a melancholy story about murder and family obligations. Vera is growing on me.

Here‘s a #longtimefed post “about books.”

If you think politics doesn‘t affect your reading life, consider book banning. Consider libraries* and librarians and even bookstores being censored / threatened / defunded.

I worked for many years at an organization under the umbrella of an academic organization for Defense and civilian professionals. It has an award winning library. I liked to peruse the “leisure reading” section of “popular” books.

I spent most of my time as a #longtimefed more or less in the realm of soft power. It‘s another topic I can‘t possibly do justice to in 451 characters, except to say I know whereof I speak when it comes to this area.

Pulling direct aid from the developing world, especially in the cruel and abrupt way we did so, opens up a huge space for China to swoop in. But we “need Ukraine‘s minerals” to combat China.

Then we humiliate Zelenskyy in the WH.*

1. Spent the night with my sister on Friday. We went to a lovely choral concert and the next day to a cat themed art show.
2. The former pastor of my church came back as a special speaker and offered some good insight into coping with…all this.
3. I took some old towels and a blanket to the animal shelter and learned they have a pet food bank.
4. I got a much needed haircut.
5. Two interesting Black History Month presentations. #5joysfriday

As a #longtimefed I was always hearing about the “Washington Post test.” In other words, don‘t do anything that could end up becoming a story in the Washington Post. Even if it was presented inaccurately, the damage to the organization‘s reputation would be done.

During the 45 administration, the phrase “Democracy dies in darkness” was added to the masthead.

Now the editorial focus is on the two pillars of personal liberties & free markets.

I never thought I‘d have a #ranttime about cats, but here we are.

Someone posted this in a black cat appreciation group on Facebook. I‘ve seen the English version at least a half dozen times by now. Nevertheless, someone else commented that they wanted it in English, and the original poster obliged.

This makes me angry in ways I can‘t begin to express in 451 characters, so I‘ll just say this: No seas un copito de nieve.

At one point I was making an active effort to watch every Best Picture winner, so I managed 56/96 this week. Here are the top three favorites.
1. The Return of the King
2. Amadeus
3. Casablanca
A couple hidden gems
1. Marty
2. Gentleman‘s Agreement
A dud I won‘t finish: Cimarron (racist AF)

Moving up the TBW (RIP Gene Hackman😥)
1. Unforgiven
2. The French Connection

Survey link: https://shorturl.at/jp3WT

Thanks @dabbe for another great #TLT

I‘ve recently started a couple books but haven‘t gotten very far in them yet, so I‘m calling it for February reads. #wrapup

As a #longtimefed I kept my own journal of what I did each day. Among other things, it made it easier to prepare my accomplishments at evaluation time.

Here are 5 things I did in a particularly memorable week.
1. Met with boss for weekly progress review. Provided a written summary on which boss took copious notes.
2. Made follow-up calls on all discussed projects. Left messages because nobody answered. Because they were out doing the work. ⬇️

Even as a #longtimefed I didn‘t know or realize everything that other feds do. I was often frustrated by indifference to admin/support staff and the observation that it‘s the type of work that‘s only really noticed when it‘s done poorly or not at all. Yet here I am taking the work of other feds for granted. While
I write about my own experiences/observations as they pertain to the current situation, I recognize it‘s a much bigger picture.

1. All things considered, I‘m feeling okay today.
2. Music always helps my mental health.
3. I‘m such a nerd, I listened to the LOTR soundtrack.
#mentalhealthmonday

I‘m happy we have a #ranttime tag now!

The NPS has existed for more than 150 years and includes sites in all parts of the country. From Guam to Maine, from Alaska to Puerto Rico, and everywhere in between. Many of the monuments you think of in Washington, such as the Lincoln Memorial, are NPS properties.

What‘s happening to our parks is shameful. The photo is from Yosemite. I hope it‘s not trashed by the time I get to visit someday.

As a #longtimefed I worked all but about two years in Washington DC. I hated the traffic but loved and still love the city. This attack on feds is also an attack on the city. While the majority of feds work around the country, and far from all DC residents work for the government, shutting down so many agencies at once is going to have an effect on the city.

But here‘s the thing: all federal employees are human beings, as are all DC residents.⬇️

I took my #huggehourreadathon a little early while my husband was still at work and the only background noise was the cat snoring on the arm of the couch.

This was an interesting story that takes place in a mining community after “a tragic event bathes the world in darkness.” Themes of corporate greed, family, love, and exploration.

I liked the use of a different color palette for the before and after times.

#authoramonth

I don‘t read self help books very often. I guess I find memoirs and novels more meaningful for life advice?

The tagged book is one I read a couple years ago as part of a summer book club. It was interesting enough but didn‘t really stick with me. In fact, upon consulting my reading journal, I see that some of his advice actually annoyed me. Example: Never ever quit. IMHO sometimes quitting is exactly what you need to do.

#sundayfunday

It‘s Sunday. I‘m taking a break from my #longtimefed rants to show a picture of a lovely place I got to visit several times during my employment.

No weekend break in the new regime! They‘ve fallen in love with the trick of posting big news on a Friday night. This week it was the firing of three top officers at the Pentagon. After previously firing the Coast Guard commandant. I wonder why??

As a #longtimefed I sometimes had the opportunity to see high-level officials in person. I also saw four POTUS speak, from much farther away than I was for GEN Powell. Clinton was the best speaker.

These people are just not serious. A credit card spending limit of $1 for purchases and travel expenses?!?

As a #longtimefed I was under strict limitations about how I spent funds. To buy a box of paper or subscription to an academic journal or pay for a translation, I had to have approval from multiple people. Then, to have the bill paid, I had to submit several pages for each purchase.

FYI, the credit card was the required payment method.

1. Paintings by local amateur artists, lining the halls of the community center.
2. I haven‘t played D&D in…many years and am not likely to take it up again, so I donated my dice to a group that meets at the library.
3. News roundup podcast that replaces the one from WaPo that I dumped.
4. Lunch with friends at the Mexican restaurant.
5. We endured the windblown power outage with just some inconvenience.
#5joysfriday

Book 1 of the series. I‘d read some of the later ones, so it was interesting to go back to where it all started. #serieslove2025

As a #longtimefed I served under 7 POTUS. I only voted for 3 of them, but I did my job the same regardless. I took an oath to uphold the Constitution when I first joined the government and every time I moved to another office. My employer was the American people and not POTUS.

Higher level managers and administrators are already political appointees. There‘s no need to root out the “disloyal” employees. The result would be the real “deep state.”

I think I need to clarify that I‘m a retired #longtimefed and not a current employee. I‘m writing these posts because I‘m angry and insulted that feds are being thrown so unceremoniously under the bus. Again. Sadly, this isn‘t new. It‘s just fed bashing on steroids…or ketamine.

Since Social Security is part of my pension BY LAW, I guess that makes me part of the “parasite class” now. I just want to sit under my own vine and fig tree.

I don‘t usually read comics but I liked it. While I was at the library there was another graphic novel by her on the next shelf, so I grabbed that too.
#authoramonth

I worked for the government for 35+ years at three different organizations. I‘ll come back to that later. As a #longtimefed I have a lot of thoughts about…all this. For a host of reasons I‘m reluctant to share much on “public” media for now, but I consider Litsy MY “safe space.”

I don‘t want to hurt anyone‘s feelings or make anyone uncomfortable, and I don‘t expect to change anyone‘s mind. If you want to ignore these posts, you can mute the tag.

1. I‘m feeling pretty good today.
2. I‘ve had trouble getting to sleep for most of my life, but once I do I can sleep well. Lately it‘s been a bit out of whack.
3. Make the room cool (not cold), dark, and quiet. Play soothing music or a sleep story podcast if needed, but don‘t play with your phone for any other reason. (I need to be better following this advice!)
#mentalhealthmonday

Happy Presidents‘ Day* to those who celebrate.

Some good ones who must be looking on in horror at what we‘ve become, and some bad ones who must be patting themselves on the back for their part in getting us here.

IMHO part of the job of President is respecting the people who work for you. ALL of them. In this time of “narratives over facts,” starting tomorrow I‘ll share a few narratives about my experience as a #longtimefed employee.

We have no electricity, so we went out to eat. We‘re both grumpy and hungry. Not very hyyge! No reading, just eating soup and salad. #hyggehourreadathon

I have found that being in book clubs helps fend off reading slumps because there‘s always another book that needs to be read by a certain time. But not completely!

Sometimes I will read a chapter or two of Tolkien and that gets me back into the swing of things without committing to a full reread. Another way is to find a shorter audiobook and listen while on a couple long walks.

#sundayfunday

A touching tribute to her mother and a fitting conclusion to her autobiography. However, I plan to read Letter to My Daughter as well.
#serieslove2025

1. I saw a hawk during a walk in the woods. A few days later on the same path I met a nice dachshund named Winston.
2. Gurdeep Pandher kept popping up on my Facebook feed, so I went ahead and followed him.
3. Mapquest
4. My sister was recently in Europe for vacation and sent me this picture from Strasbourg.
5. Town hall with my congressional representative.
#5joysfriday

I did better on this section: 20/110. I‘m including plays I saw in the theater!

1. Although I later read the book and saw the movie, when I was in high school I was part of the crew for the tagged book. I could have recited most of the dialogue at some point!

2. Richard III which I saw at the Washington Shakespeare Company in 2019. It was a memorable production.

3. Tom Jones. The play, not the singer!

#TLT

Now for something completely different! Urban fantasy!

Last week I saw the #BDWAB display at the library. I told one of the librarians that I‘d read two out of three mysteries books I‘d checked out last summer, and she suggested I try a genre I don‘t normally read.

I have absolutely nothing against urban fantasy. It‘s just not a typical genre for me. This was a fun story though, and just like that I have another #series on my list.

Believe me. I would LOVE to be able to ignore political machinations and trust that, on balance, my government is doing the right thing even if I may disagree on some of the details.

That‘s not what we‘re dealing with here, folks. We have a couple of sociopaths flooding the zone with arbitrary decisions about maps and intentionally breaking things simply for revenge. Who cares if people are suffering?

Feel free to unfollow me.

1. I feel pretty decent today.
2. Reading, walking, journaling
3. Therapy, self-care, finding personal space
#mentalhealthmonday

I‘m not watching SB LIX. Instead I‘m reading this BDWAB selection with no TV and no music. Just a nice scented candle and some mango pineapple lemonade. #hyggehourreadathon

Sometimes when I reread a book, I like to change up the mode. If I read it the first time, maybe during the reread I‘ll listen. It brings out different aspects of the story, especially with a mystery. For example, when I know whodunnit (if I remember 😜), I can pay more attention to how the characters interact and so forth.
#sundayfunday

Fun fact! The title comes from The Tempest, which I probably ought to read at some point because…

Book club selection! Sometimes the romance aspect of the story veered into soap opera territory, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series. #serieslove2025

1. I found the Daily Beans podcast.

The rest of #5joysfriday is related to the same event and may take more than 451 characters to relate.

The TV in the study crapped out the night of the plane crash above the Potomac. Of all nights! This led to aggravation but then to some joys.
2. We got a new TV and set it up with only minimal arguments. We just needed to phone a friend to help sort the Roku remote.
3. Then we went out for pizza! ⬇️

Civil War spy story with some interracial #steamylove #feelinthelove

Finally! A book I actually read for AP English! Don‘t ask me about it, though, because I don‘t remember a thing. 🤣
This helped bring my score to 14/100 for this segment. Highlights from more recent reads:
1. Persuasion
2. Purple Hibiscus
3. A Prayer for Owen Meany
#TLT

Interesting and thoughtful story that addresses many issues still relevant today. #BlackHistoryMonth

1. Last week was a roller coaster ride, but not in a fun way. Saturday was good though. I had an errand to run that stretched into a visit to the bookstore and a late lunch.
2. More than anything, I‘m dumbfounded by the mental gymnastics exhibited by the TCF and his minions. For example, the plane crash was caused by DEI. It‘s exhausting!
3. Catching up on various videos and catching up with friends.
#mentalhealthmonday

Because I can‘t resist making new grids on PicCollage, here‘s my aspirational #serieslove2025 reading plan for Black History Month.

I‘m reading this for #hyggehourreadathon tonight and debating whether to have a glass of wine.