Iowa in my mind today for another thing :)

Great pics from my son from Tarpon last night.  Holiday parties and a great sunset picture.  Can't wait till I am there at the end of the month even if for a few nights.  And my first plane ride since Jan 2019.  Trip feels very significant for many reasons. He sent pics to picture frame so I can't upload them, but this one is a close one I have in my files.  :)  Son definitely looks like this southern swing is agreeing with him.  So good for a mother to see.  

Got distracted by my other listening in the morning - Seth MacFarlane with Bill Maher...did not expect to be drawn in, but this first exposure to MacFarlane got me.  Finishing the listen this a.m.  Headed out for my walk a bit tardy because I lost track of time.  

Talked to sister #4.  She will pick me up around 11 a.m. tomorrow for her classmate's NYD party.  Am curious who is on the invite list this year.  Went last year and it was a small crowd but it sounds like she put a bit more planning into this year.  I saw people from town who I had not seen in years.  I am thinking the same will happen tomorrow.  

The afternoon brought IOWA to mind.  I keep harping on IOWA as a place for people living in the major metropolitan areas of the US paying too much to live, eat and play - "Why not IOWA?"  Saw a piece about Amana, Iowa.  Visitors have been coming to our scenic seven villages for over a century.  Some come for our foods and to sip our wines and beers. Others, for the quality handcrafted products, art, and variety of quaint shops that line our streets. Maybe it’s the ambiance created by the architecture or the numerous festivals that take place in each season. Whatever it is, we’re glad you’re here.  Before I had heard about The Hotel. The Hotel at Kirkwood Center welcomes you with contemporary elegance, award-winning facilities and exceptional service. You’ll find our AAA Four Diamond hotel in Cedar Rapids, just a few minutes from The Eastern Iowa Airport; over 100 pieces of local and artisan art are dotted throughout our accommodations and public spaces, lending a sense of uniqueness and modern charm.  Before I had heard about Pella, Iowa.  In the summer of 1847, a company of immigrants from the Netherlands settled in Marion County, Iowa, on the divide between the Des Moines and Skunk Rivers. In their own country, they had been persecuted on account of religion, being dissenters from the state Reformed church, and so they called their new home Pella, the name taken from a biblical city of refuge. Upon the seal of their new town they inscribed the words “In Deo Spes Nostra et Refugium," or “In God Our Hope and Refuge.”  Cedar Rapids on the river.  I had not visualized a big city on a river in Iowa. Cedar Rapids is a vibrant city, encompassing unique attractions, exciting events, specialty shopping, a dynamic art scene, and a large variety of restaurant and nightlife options. You’ll find that Cedar Rapids offers one of the best places to live, work and play in the Midwest.  But I also heard yesterday about the book banning law...  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during an interview with The Associated Press, Nov. 8, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. On Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, a federal judge temporarily blocked key parts of an Iowa law that bans some books from school libraries and forbids teachers from raising LGBTQ+ issues.  I for a minute worked for Meredith Corp when they bought the magazine I worked for in TX.  Largest employer - Hy-Vee.  Grocery business.  I am conflicted, but also feel that a wave a new people might help build on the good that is already there and soften the edges a bit on what might be working against the "live and let live" some of the Iowa residents.   Interesting rabbit hole to say the least.  

Something new I am hearing in the background my MacFarlane interview - Great Barrington Declaration?  I had never heard that term before.  Listening to another Housel (Perell) this a.m. Precise setting, unstructured wandering. Like his talk.  Did not wake up until 5:30 a.m. so I will keep an eye on the clock.  :)  Will walk to Unionville and then 2 p.m. Chicago DC.  

Venus, your ruler, in the most sociable area of your chart will bring out the best in you as the old year turns over into the new. Not only will you get the chance to be a party person but you could make some seriously useful contacts as well.

Today, Libra, you should be feeling especially energetic and enthusiastic. Therefore, this is a great day to start a new enterprise, perhaps involving your home, or just about any kind of life enhancement. More than one opportunity could present itself to you. One could entail creative activities and the other might be more mundane. Undoubtedly, whether you decide to take both or only one, you're going to be busy for a while. Work hard!

Give yourself space to quiet down and hear your own thoughts before New Year's Eve festivities commence, dear Libra, as the moon enters Virgo and your house of introspection. Listen to your heart if it's telling you to take it easy tonight, even if doing so requires missing out on some fun. Try not to feel overwhelmed by your to-do lists when a harsh t-square forms between Luna, Venus, and Saturn, bringing a stressful energy to the table. Make resolutions around the power of transformation when auspicious Jupiter activates later this afternoon, encouraging personal growth as we enter 2024.

Oh and today is NYE.  :)  No social planned except DC.  I am latching on to the power of transformation.  Keep a good thought for that.  Week ahead - I do want to see about borrowing a laptop from the town Sr Ctr to take to Florida with me.  My laptop is a bit clunky and I am thinking they might have something lighter and newer.  All I want is something that I can hook up to wi-fi and check email and write.  And I want to reach out to a financial person to see if she can help consolidate everything so that my son has one person to call when the time comes and all will be in the right place doing the right thing even with my not so smart work over the years.  DC today, party with sister tomorrow, noon EOLD, Massage, Thursday CT DC that I will try to reconnect with, Lansing on Saturday and maybe a former school #2 BB game.  Trying to get to BB at #2 and Wrestling at #1 this month.  

Have a good Sunday.  Happy NYE.   

PS: on my "preserves" that were too perserving...I had to think about my eating from a jar that had been opened perhaps 3 years ago and had not gotten moldy.  Perhaps it does not have enough natural ingredients to even rot.  :)  Glad I walked that to the dumpster before I used anymore.  I am back to honey as my toasted item topping of choice.  :)