6,400 blog posts... :)

Rainy day and smoke detector "incident".  :)  Can't remember if I posted yesterday that my landlord was down on Tuesday to change out my vintage 2003 smoke detector for a 2025 version.  That was done without incident, but then Wednesday morning happened.  Landlord said "just trash it" as to the 2003 one.  So I threw it in the trash in the kitchen.  All good.  Then on Wednesday morning, a squeal started and it was emanating from what I thought was the landlord's bedroom area upstairs.  It would go and then go off.  But then about 7:20 a.m. I texted the landlord to say "I don't think it is my apartment since my detector is on the opposite end of the apartment from where the noise was going off.  No response.  So then about 7:30 a.m. I called the landlord saying I wanted to make sure everything was OK up there because I was hearing the smoke detector go off and it was coming from their bedroom area.  He paused for a minute and then said, have you checked your trash...and voila, that is where it is coming from.  I shared "my apologies and could I be a bigger loser", he said "just take the battery out" and we hung up.  BUT it was squealing and I could not get the battery out so I - in my pajamas - took it down to the parking lot and smashed it on the pavement, battery popped out of the wreckage and I threw the pieces in the dumpster.  I hope nobody has any video of the back parking lot.  :)  I would have been a sight smashing the detector.  Oh well.  :)  

So the rest of the day was all uphill from there.  Walked with family friend.  EOLD discussion.  Cleaned apartment.  Blog work.  Got picture from son of him at the Tigers-Astros game.  No pool due to rain.  GREAT eggplant parmesan for "linner" thanks to landlady.  Reading another Silva I picked up on Monday.  Day filled out well even with rain and no pool.  

Today - walk, MASSAGE!!!, walk up and back to pool.  Weather is supposed to be great through Sunday.  

You usually come across as super self-confident but the sun’s move into the most sensitive area of your chart tomorrow could put a dent in the mask you wear. It’s all in the mind though – you’re as tough or as weak as you choose to be.

Your attention will be in hot demand this morning, dear Libra, as the Leo Moon and Mars align. Putting you in a position of significant influence, this cosmic climate encourages you to leverage popularity to further personal goals and good causes. Act with diplomacy, and your peers will rally to support your vision. Open the conversation to receive feedback and fresh ideas once Luna and Mercury unite this afternoon. Now is also an ideal time to expand your reach through networking online or within group settings. Consider what you want to be remembered for as the hours pass, taking steps to secure this legacy.

You might feel like your heart requires a bit more attention than usual, Libra. There could be a close loved one who is even needier than you. Either way, this situation is going to cause tension in an important relationship. If you're not currently involved with someone, this is probably for the better. Things aren't always as they seem.

Feel a bit fragile as the smoke detector incident brought to tangible life.  Will move softly through life today.  Will let my massage do its magic.  Get a bit anxious about September - brother's birthday and what a difference a year makes, auto insurance due, landlord and the talk of Frontier vs Comcast for the building, computer and Windows "extinction", pool closed - season of change could hit me on many fronts.  I will tread softly into September too.  Have a good Thursday.  

Daylight, pool schedule - doesn't take much :)

"Over the course of August 2025, Connecticut will experience a shortening of daylight by approximately 1 hour and 13 minutes."  Shoprite check out time 7:02 a.m. $33.28/$20.76 day -"savings to date $609.91", ran dishwasher, did load of wash, walked, early meal #2, landlord came in to change out my smoke detector - 2003 vintage to new 1 p.m. CA DC, walked to pool, swam with swimming ladies, walked back, found eggplant parmesan on my stoop from landlady for linner today, IOWA DC at 7 p.m.  Full day and just off as I did what when.  

Sister #6 called right before I went to IOWA, she was on her walk.  She is getting ready to go back to work on Friday.  I am glad I did not take sister #1 up on going with her to sister #4 for Monday and Tuesday.  My days filled in very "satisfyingly" since she took off on Sunday.  Sister #1 will be heading back home today.  

Landlord said Frontier fiber optic will be available in the building in a bit...I need to do the math to see which way I should go.  I know nobody else in this century has a tube TV and does no streaming...I will see if this is the thing that gets me to say goodbye to the hated COMCAST.  :/

Today LATE start.  It is 5:48 a.m. already...scheduled to walk at 9 a.m. Rain may negate swim today. Weatherman just said - sacrifice a rainy Wednesday for a good weekend.  Will see where things land.  EOLD at noon.  Theoretically 9 a.m. walk, noon EOLD, 3:30 p.m. swim.  Clean apt somewhere between EOLD and swim.  

Nobody I know in the evacuation zone in NC.  :)  Do need to check in with one friend about her mom in Wilmington to make sure she is not near the explosion that happened.  Hit and run that set off a gas line explosion.  Scary.  

In the praise the lord category - tomorrow is Massage Thursday!!!  

Although you may disagree with someone’s plans you are advised not to let them know. If they can see you have doubts they may get angry when those plans start going wrong and blame their failure on you. Keep quiet and keep your distance.

A mature and romantic energy surrounds you this morning, dearest Libra, as the Cancer Moon aspects Venus and Chiron. These vibes are perfect for reassessing long-term goals and how love fits into the equation. Just ensure that sacrifices are made on both sides when the need for compromise arises, and try not to let issues from the past cloud the future. You'll crave lighter interactions once Luna enters Leo later today, aligning with Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto as evening sets in. This cosmic climate boosts your popularity on a broader scale, though you'll need to maintain authenticity while navigating different personalities. 

Your steady nature will be greatly appreciated today, Libra. A well thought out plan of attack is the one that wins approval from the higher-ups. You know the best way to proceed and now all you need is the confidence to follow through with your ideas. Getting things started should be easier for you today since your mind is working in harmony with your heart.

I will keep quiet today and I my "authenticity" is an issue at times.  The only relationship I am really analyzing is with my brother.  What a difference a year makes.  All mine as to what changed it.  I am looking for a door or window that is may become open a crack for me to do more than outreach in June.  Head and heart in harmony?  Keep a good thought for that.  Have a good Wednesday.  

Last week of pool schedule...change up required :)

No lazing around today at the pool, new schedule put it right up again PA DC so swim and home.  Today I will plan for more hanging around with the swimming ladies.  Fear tomorrow will be a wash out.  Every day leading up to Sunday closing is precious.  :)  

Yesterday I could be more relaxed about time to leave for walk.  But walk to Shoppes to recon for today, stopped by library to restock, ate "linner" early, pool, PA DC.  Text from TX friend that mutual friend of hers and sister #1 who has a son in Atlanta hospital is getting a double lung transplant.  Went from no hope over the weekend to all hope for today.  We will see how it goes.  

Today - Shoprite, dishwasher, clothes washed, walk, CA DC, pool.  Thinking of walking to and from pool today because of timing and weather forecast.  We will see.  Then IOWA DC at 7 p.m.  

Dreams last night had lots of trauma in them for other people.  NC/CT location mish-mash.  Feels like they filled my night's sleep.  7:03 p.m. to 4:12 a.m.  TX friend sent me a text at midnight-ish which the "ping" woke me up for a minute but did not check.  Turns out that it was "multimedia" and un-open-able by my phone technology.  I will check in with her today.

Steer clear of discussions about topics where your knowledge is limited, because if you make claims that cannot be backed up by facts you could end up looking foolish. No one expects you to know everything, so don’t expect it of yourself.

Your morning could come with its fair share of obstacles, dear Libra, as the Cancer Moon and Mars square off. Luckily, the sun and Chiron align to help you find the support you need, encouraging you to reach out to colleagues and loved ones for aid. These vibes also bring softness to your interactions, helping you feel more in line with the people you cherish. Roadblocks dissipate and your sense of control grows midafternoon, thanks to a sweet union between Luna and Jupiter. Reveal projects you've been working on from behind the scenes while the nodes of fate stir tonight. 

You have a great day ahead of you, Libra. Everything will work out like clockwork. By the end of the day, you'll still have the energy to do something fun with your evening. It's a wonderful day for group activities. If you aren't involved in any, why not try a sport, hobby, music, or art?

Keep quiet, hang on until afternoon for things to settle in, I never seek anything fun for the evening - but maybe that will just mean my late in the day walk back and forth to the pool will be peaceful.  Have a good Tuesday and I will attempt the same.  :)

No Unionville Sunday. Oh well.

My OSJL 2023 purchase has made it through another season.  Last week of town pool this week.  Will see if I get to sister #4's before she shuts her new pool.  She is shooting for Oct 1 close down.  I will pass on going down to mind, cat-house-pool at #4's while #1,3,4,6 gather at the Cape in September.  Don't know if brother is gathering with them.  

Yesterday - no Unionville walk, but did sleep like a log last night.  7:03 p.m. to 4:18 a.m.  So sister #1 and GC came over for their breakfast upstairs at landlord and landlady's.  Then we all walked down to Farmers' Market.  Then GC headed off in the new car.  Fingers crossed that his real long ride was efficient and successful.  Sister #1 and I visited for a bit then at noon - she headed to sister #4's and I walked to the pool.  Trying to make up for no morning walk.  

Interesting conversations yesterday with sister and pool ladies and pool guy-not a regular, but he and I talk sports.  He is a Clemson grad and loyal fan.  But the conversation yesterday had to do with two things I had not heard about.  Furries in school?  Our local Intermediate School is addressing it - 4,5,6 grades.  One of sister #1's classmates is hearing about it through her grandkids' experience. And sounds like sister #6 deals with it at her high school.  And from another classmate, letter going out to parents of local high schoolers - no sports as of Fall 2026-27 school year due to lawsuit with our town and a couple of other towns and deciding not to ban trans athletes from their teams...  Glad I am old and my son is old.  

BUT I was completely uplifted by an email from my son and the facilitator of the Ann Arbor DC which I don't get to go to because it conflicts with Lansing, but great back and forth with her.  I told her I heard from my two favorite Michigander 42-year-olds within minutes of each other.  :)  

Big weather change between yesterday and today.  Probably good that GC was here.  Sister #1 would have found my apt a bit toasty in the overnight hours.  Did not bother my sleeping, but regular people would find it a bit "close".  But today weather has turned.  Will make for an interesting swim this afternoon.  

Today will need to swing by and restock bedside table.  Finished Emperor of Gladness book last night. So walk, swim, PA DC.  Will be tight between swim and DC with the new pool hours for the last week, but the DC attendees will I'm sure excuse my wet hair look.  :)

Obstacles exist to be overcome, so look at the barrier that is blocking your path as a challenge rather than a catastrophe. Keep pushing and don’t lose heart if nothing much seems to be happening. You will smash through that obstacle by the end of the week.

Promote inclusivity and pull in new connections, dear Libra, as the Gemini Moon aligns with the sun and Chiron. You'll feel elevated with each positive interaction you experience, helping you see the beauty in humankind. Your charitable side may also come out, and good karma will be gained when you invest in causes that are important to you. The ambiance shifts once afternoon emerges and Luna enters Cancer, forming harsh squares with Saturn and Neptune. A desire for professional recognition can stir up intense emotions, so it's essential to maintain a healthy balance by appreciating relationships and pleasures that are separate from work. 

Today you may be confronted with one of the harsher aspects of your personality, Libra. It can be a bit of a shock when such a thing happens. It may be that your temper flares or you wrestle with feelings of jealousy. You're normally on top of your emotions, and losing control in any way is upsetting. Don't fret. You're human like everyone else. Learn what you can from the experience and move on.

Will see what the topics of the day are today.  :)  Have a good Monday.  Seems hard to say last week of pool starting on Aug 18.  So much for Labor Day being a "marker".  Oh well.  

Lobsterfest et al.

Old poster, 43rd LF this year.  Interesting event in town.  So I built the day around getting a gifted ticket from family friend's husband who gets complimentary tickets for letting the fire people park cars on his property next to the fire station.  In the past I had gone to their house to have my lobster, but this year sister #1 and GC were here so I did take out to apt on Saturday. I looked pretty sharp :) in my bathing suit and coverup, wet hair and all going by to pick up my dinner.  Tried to make as little eye contact as possible, but my PD boys in blue spotted me and two sweaty hugs from people working the fest.  

So yesterday - walk, met family friend husband on Rt 44 to do ticket hand off, then home, pool, pick up lobster - lobster, ear of corn, container of chowder.  All very good.  Then LA DC.  CT Groove was the band for Music on Main...so I did not go off to sleep until that ended at 9 p.m.  :)  Talked to TX friend who was in Arkansas for her sister's stepson's funeral.  36 yrs old.  ATV accident.  

Deciding not to go to sister #4's to mind her pool, house and cat while she is on Cape Cod with sisters #1,3,6.  I am just not handy and feel that handy might be needed with the addition of the pool.  Will wait until she gets back and before my NC company passes through.  

Today sister #1 and GC are headed into town from their hotel to have breakfast with my landlord and landlady.  Then GC will head back to PA in his new 2018 Jaguar and sister #1 will head to sister #4's after she goes to the Farmers' Market and we go for a walk.  Sister #4's will be #1's base camp for going to her college roommate's house at the beach in Old Lyme and to Boston where she is speaking at a funeral.  Then back to VA for her on Wed or Thursday.  

The week ahead is going to be of major importance for your long-term aims. Make use of the sun’s final days in the friendship area of your chart to reach out to people who can help you reach your goals. Don’t try to be an army of one.

Let mindfulness and spirituality guide your movements today, dear Libra. As the moon moves through Gemini and your solar ninth house, the universe will be in the mood to communicate and collaborate. Crystalize your visions for the future while navigating these vibes, but be open to suggestions from the other side. Watch for signs or opportunities that might reshape your dreams. Meanwhile, Mercury and Mars move in tandem, encouraging you to influence through action. Back up your ideologies and goals with genuine effort, and your peers will take notice. Quiet down to meditate and review your choices later this afternoon when Luna squares the nodes of fate. 

 The planetary positions are telling you to watch what you eat, Libra. Why don't you think about eating more fruit? Buy the nicest fruit you can find and really be good to yourself. What you do for your body will bring great benefits in a week or two. It's time to get a lot of sleep, too.

As to fruits and vegetables - I have a lot to eat and leftovers from others' dinners from Friday night.  Finally had a good peach to wrap up meal #2 yesterday after the lobster et al. Very excited for meal #2 today!  Communicate and collaborate...that will take a bit more thoughts.  Will see who I am drawn to reach out to.  Have a good Sunday.  

Company and angel numbers day :)

Lots of moving parts to Friday.  Walk. Pool. Sister #1.  GC and newly purchased Jaguar pulls onto The Green across the way from the apt.  So out of my understanding but have to let that go.  People do what people do.  

Back and forth with doula at CCLD about writing an article for FEN blog.  Listening to a video I started to listen to yesterday by an author of Before I Lose My Own Mind: Navigating Life as a Dementia Caregiver by Beverly E. Thorn.  Very thoughtful - unsettling to me/tear my heart out, but because of the how end-of-life happens when supported and what if one is not...  Family friend's husband set up for my lobster fest ticket hand off for today.  Dinner at Rooftop.  Sister and GC got ice cream down the block.  Then they headed to hotel.  Not sure if will see them today.  They have sister's high school group gathering.  

Sister #4 and I talked about me going down there to watch cat and pool when she goes to Cape in early September.  I will give that some thought.  

Today - walk, pool, lobster fest pick up, LA DC.  

Why is everyone being so nice to you? Are they planning something? Should you be on your guard? If you really are that suspicious then maybe you should get your head examined, because the fact is just about everyone thinks you are great.

The stars conspire to shower you with blessings, darling Libra, as the Gemini moon forms sweet aspects with Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Believe in your power and creativity, trusting that allies will help you along the way as fresh opportunities arise. Don't be shy about self-promotion, especially when surrounded by influential peers. With elevated charms and loved ones by your side, there's no limit to how far you can go. Circulate your ideas and work to grow interests this evening while Luna aligns with Mercury and Mars, proving that you're more than talk. 

It's time to be more aggressive regarding your needs, Libra. Think of your heart as a powerful muscle that needs a tough workout. You'll want to surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and support your efforts. Pump yourself up with vitality and self-confidence. Make time for exercise and meditation. Bring more balance and harmony to your life.

Listening to Dr. Thorn and getting the cosmic guidance of "time to be more aggressive regarding my needs"... We will see where day and the next season takes me.  

Hard to even process all input from yesterday...

I should have taken notes as the day went on.  Trying to single out each thought now...challenging.  FEN blog boss with a wife leading him to this thought after I shared an incredible video with him and the others on the blog team - Very poignant and compelling... It's a huge difficult decision to stop treatment and accept the advance of a fatal disease. And on top of that, the problem of finding a decent hospice service and obtaining a hospice designation to start the process.  Then a request from Cape Cod DC facilitator - Hi Anne, I am wondering if you can help me with response to this inquiry. I am running out the door for a meeting(  with MAiD advocate) And know that I will have some ideas, but need to think on it. I also thought you would have some good ideas.  No coincidence in my mind that I had just watched the video and sent blog boss the email about sanctuary concept.  The request she got that led her to reach out to me - During a recent death café, the subject of support for those who are not actively dying, but for those who have chosen to eschew treatment and move toward a hopefully peaceful death came up. Three women, all with terminal diagnoses wanted to find support, hopefully through a group, for them as they approach death. They are not undergoing treatment, at present - one is currently on hospice care. I am well familiar with support groups from the bereavement side, but wondered if you know of a group, a method, an avenue, etc. to provide these three (and others) with that type of support. This makes so much sense to me and yet I felt I had nothing I could offer, other than their sharing their stories, their trajectories, and their humanity with one another. I’m open to any and all suggestions – both for them and for a greater, at large population, as well. Thanks, in advance for your insights and concern.

Full heart and mind for me as I responded to both.  

Balance of day - great walk with family friend and she offered me two tickets to the local lobster fest for me and sister #1 for Friday night dinner...had not shared yet that the gentleman caller was coming... So they are going to drop off a ticket for me so I can pick up a dinner on Saturday.  Gentleman caller's name is mud on many levels right now.  Ahhhh to be not concerned with GC issues.  :)  Great swim with swimming ladies.  We are getting down to the end of the season.  Will miss the afternoon dips and silly routine of me setting up the chairs for the ladies - we are a 75, 80, 85 year old spread in ages and I am sure the kids working at the pool have a good laugh about our daily routine.  Just me and the 80 for the next 3 days while 85 is off to a VT music event weekend.  Her travel partners are her son from MD and the man I rented the apt from when I moved out of my family's house the summer of my junior year in high school. Can't close a circle on a life story much better than that.  :)  

From reading Emperor last night - "Words cast spells. You should know this as a writer. That is why it's called spelling."   You know that set my hair on fire in a wonderful way.  :)  

Today - walk, pool, sister #1 and 83 yr old GC show up at some point before dinner reservation at Rooftop at 5:30 p.m., sister and GC staying in next town over.  Might not see them after tonight based on what is up with them and GC mission of buying another Jaguar on Saturday.  Yikes.  Sister has her high school gathering Saturday after the car shopping excursion, then she will head to sister #4's on Sunday.  GC will either be on a train home to PA or driving his new car home.  I have less than no interest to the finish of that story.  My other today thing is picking up or having dropped off the ticket for my lobster dinner for Saturday.  Family friend and her family are so kind to me.  She showed up for our walk yesterday with 18 home grown eggs and 8 home grown tomatoes. I dug right in to the tomatoes.  Where is the Duke's mayo and homemade bread of my NC memories when you need them?  :)

Saturday - walk, pool, lobster linner, 5:30 p.m. LA DC.  

Afraid to open the car insurance renewal info from AAA this a.m.  Due in September...hope my cosmic guidance gives me strength.  

You will get through twice as much work as your colleagues today and there may be some jealousy when they see how far ahead of them you are. Don’t let that worry you for even a moment. Why should you care if they can’t keep up?

The Taurus moon and Jupiter join forces to improve your professional standing, dear Libra. Use this energy to plead your case when it comes to sealing deals, gaining opportunities, or increasing income. Though negotiations may feel overwhelming at times, you're sure to benefit in the end. A new assistant or colleague could come into the picture once Luna aspects Venus and the nodes of fate this afternoon. Go out of your way to make friends with fresh faces that step into your field. Keep a low profile under tonight's quarter moon, especially within your social media pages. 

There may be some tension in the air for you, Libra. Large forces are moving through your life that are suddenly coming into conflict. People who have been on a certain path for a long time now have to face the music. How well have you physically and mentally prepared? The strength of your framework is now being tested against the prevailing winds.

I might be facing the music when I see how much car insurance is going to cost for my bag of bolts care that I drive once a week when it is not swim season.  Oh well.  Hope the winds do not blow me over.  Have a good Friday.