State of the Union

or, what my house looks like right now, literally and metaphorically.

Right now, my house smells like the butt of Satan.

This is because my toaster went rogue this morning and turned two pieces of rye bread not into toast, but into flaming torches against the morning darkness.

While I appreciate its attempt to drive away the black night of the soul¹, I’m not as happy that I’m sitting here smelling acrid smoke formerly known as bread².

I only mention this as distraction from the real issue.

And that issue is: The Library Book Sale was this weekend.

And holy cannoli did I take advantage of that. Like…this much:

Yes, that is an entire set of childcraft books. They are, I found, not encyclopedias.

I can explain. (or not)

My grandma had that top set at her house and I used to read them literally every time I went to stay with her, so…nostalgia. The bottom set IS encyclopedias, but not the kind I meant. Dangit.

I may have gone a bit overboard.

(A bit, she says, without a hint of irony.)

IN MY DEFENSE:

a) I spent a whopping $20 on literally everything you see here. I bought a few on Friday at a whole dollar a pop, then went back on Sunday when they literally let you fill up an entire bag for $5. I filled up three. BIG bags. and,

b) I was looking for a set of encyclopedias, so while I was distracted, apparently, three bags of books followed me home and I kept them³.

Most of these are destined for being cut up for book pages or collagey bits. I couldn’t resist a few that I actually want to read, though, so those came home with me too.

What gets read will go to local little free libraries, so really…I regret nothing. I’m not fond of giant stacks of things all over my house, but they’re books, so I’ll try to ignore the mess for now.

This week is fairly chill.

J’s off doing technical things to machines I still don’t really understand despite having him explain it to me like I’m five (several times). He’s in Florida this week, helping out some folks who got hammered by the hurricanes.

Which means I’m home alone, left to my own devices, unattended⁴.

I’d love to say I’m going to do some crazy, wild things, but honestly, I’m just looking to rest a little. Swap out my summer wardrobe for my winter one⁵, cut a bunch of fabric into little(r) pieces so I can make book covers, probably process a bunch of these books. Chill, in other words.

I’ve also got some lessons from the Gel Print Summit to watch and try, but honestly…I’m due for some relaxing, and I’d rather just let my brain bubble and my body rest this week. Some spoon regeneration would be awesome.

So that’s where I’m at right now. What are y’all doing?

Hope it’s a chill week for you, too. (And that no rogue toasters ruin your morning.) :)

1. My neighbors probably not so much, since it was so vehement in its attempts that ALL the smoke alarms in the house went off (four) simultaneously, and then all my doors and windows were open to try and usher said smoke out of the house.

2. Also, we have now discovered that Oliver does not like smoke alarms. From the second shrill BEEP, he howled along, like it was accompaniment to his newest single (dropping on Spotify at noon on the 23rd). BEEEP BEEPAWROOOOOOOBEEP. They’re going to kick me out of this neighborhood.

3. note: possible lie.

4. MUA-HAHAHAHA!

5. Because it’s chilly! Finally! It’s under 50º here right now, in fact. HELLO, SWEATERS.