Wednesday, October 28, 2026

My World of Wonders: October 29, 2026



Where have I been this week? The National Gallery of Art, Northern Virginia Community College performing arts center, the Farmers Market, a long walk, Dyke Marsh, the drug store, the library, Mt Vernon, another long was around the neighborhood. 

Who have a talk with this week? My sister, my sweet bear, Helga, 

What have I been thinking about this week? My oldest brother has cancer and is not doing well. He has largely isolated himself from the family for most of his adult life.  He is a complicated individual. I sincerely doubt he will survive this hospital stay. 

What artsy stuff am I up to? The current show comes down today, the new show goes up Friday. I have been doing all of the behind the scenes organizational things that this involves.  

What have I been reading? A so-so book on healthcare policy, an interesting book on Whisk(e)y, started a book about delivering mail in rural Virginia. 

Who deserves a slap this week? Anyone who thinks it is not worth their time to vote. In the USA, elections are lost based on turnout. If you are eligible to vote and you don't bother, five out of five slaps. Democracy not exercised, is democracy at risk. 

Thanks Debra

Who gets a hug this week? The musicians of the National Symphony for carrying on in the midst of chaos. I think we lost Oboe boy to the Pacific Northwest, I wish him well, he will be missed. 

What am I avoiding this week? Facebook for the most part, the political shitstorm is happening. I unfriended a high school classmate and decided that is enough. 

19 comments:

  1. Anyone who is eligible but can’t be bothered to vote has no right to complain about what the government are doing.
    Sorry to hear about your brother.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I skipped an election in Florida once, for the next four years anytime I was unhappy with the actions of the governor, I reminded myself, if I didn't vote, I can't complain,

      Delete
  2. I unfriendly a high school classmate this week, too. And she’s not even a Trumpist. Still, I had enough of the rest of her politics.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Time to take out a few more data center bots.

      Delete
  3. It is harder to unfriend family on FB, but fortunately none of my family go too extreme.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, I thought the painting was a really good painting by an amateur. No, it is a Van Gough.

      Delete
    2. He struggled to sell works during his lifetime, a talented amateur

      Delete
  4. Luckily, most of my friends are as like-minded as me, though I have a couple who I think may have blocked me because of my politics. Oh well.
    My brother is a member of the cult so our conversations are short and monosyllabic so he can understand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a few family members I simply don't talk politics with.

      Delete
  5. I was at a baroque concert on Sunday which featured some lovely oboe playing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oboe Boy had the greatest hair. He was on sabbatical last year, and is gone from the roster this year.

      Delete
  6. Sorry to hear about your brother - the illness and the estrangement.
    My second son doesn't communicate with his siblings and barely communicates with me. It breaks my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry about your brother. I understand completely the Facebook situation, as you know I gave that up years ago. I think you have quite a few people here who will help you deliver those slaps to the voters who don't vote.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a neighbor I may need to drag to the polls.

      Delete
  8. You deserves a slap this week? Where to start?

    And sorry to hear of your brother. You both sound so different from each other.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are very very different. I try so hard to be nice.

      Delete
  9. Musicians are a resilient group of people. They continue because they know their music makes people happy. I'm staying away from FB, too. It's an ugly place to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have tickets for a couple more shows, and the spring season is just recently gone on sale.

      Delete