Knew I’d been absent for a while, but didn’t realize it’s nearly a month since I posted anything or commented on others’ blogs. There’s a variety of reasons for that, including an elderly cat who has an uncanny talent for knowing when I’m on my computer. Loki reminds me of son, Zebu, who when young had radar for when I was on the phone and would also demand to be held. Since I have a standing desk, it’s hard holding a cat and typing one-handed. I’m literally doing so right now and it’s slow-going! This would all be much easier if Loki would use the sling. He won’t.

But isn’t this supposed to be a post about gratitude? It is, indeed.

Today I am:

• Grateful that I successfully gave Loki his pill which he swallowed on the first try!
• Grateful that this morning I took my final antibiotic for the self-inflicted then infected wound I suffered on my ring finger knuckle when using my guillotine paper cutter on August 29. PSA: always, always be mindful when using sharp implements! And always, always wash a wound no matter how much it stings!
• Grateful that earlier in that week was the glorious wedding ceremony and celebration for Zebu and his new bride in which there were happy tears, much rejoicing, and dancing. Lots of dancing!
• Grateful for my morning-of-wedding decision to forgo the professional hair and makeup gathering with the bride, mother-of-bride,  and attendants, and instead go to the tidepools with nephews and families. Yes, my “wedding hair” had a wind-blown look but that’s okay because we saw lots and lots of these purple sea stars:
  
  (Also? My decision to examine tidepools and search the undersides of boulders for treasures was affirmed by every single one of my tidepool companions who basically said, “Yo, couldn’t believe you even considered doing that hair and makeup thing.” PSA: Pushing yourself to do something out of character isn’t always a good decision and perhaps “comfort zones” exist for a reason.)
• Grateful for the latest local organizing win in which our city council has adopted a six-month moratorium on A.I. data centers as they research and craft language that bars such industry from our community while also allowing for sustainable and job-producing industries to come. Please, if you’re concerned about the real or potential threat of this tech-bro nightmare being inflicted on your community, reach out and I’ll share how we organized to reach this point!
• Grateful I’m now typing with both hands after Loki fell asleep in the little tent I constructed on the couch. Woot!
• Grateful that candidates who are unapologetically pro-Palestine continue to win primaries around the country. Last night in Providence, Rhode Island, David Morales, who was endorsed by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), defeated the incumbent mayor. Per today’s email from JVP:
  Morales intertwined justice for Palestinians with a populist program of support for working class Providencians, saying: “The mayor should be more concerned with fighting the affordability crisis in Providence than defending a genocide.”  
• Grateful that today, Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer finally and quite unexpectedly came out against Enbridge’s delay tactics and the Line 5 tunnel permits. Whitmer’s about-face probably has something to do with Climate Defiance’s recent action. In 2023, I wrote about the Line 5 crude oil pipeline here, and want to send thanks again to all who heeded that call to action!

Okay, I’ll stop before Loki wakes up again. Please, if you are so inclined, share in the comments something you’re grateful for so that I can celebrate with you. We need every glimmer of hope and good stuff during these difficult days. Solidarity!