A Wrong Made Right

 My Friend Kim, who Owns the Event I had the problem with in February, contacted me immediately after she found out what had happened.  She wanted to hear from me the specifics.  The Event is her Baby and entrusting it with reliable Staff is always a difficult thing to do.  A lot of people have strong personalities and as a Business Owner you must Deal with that of your Staff and your Clientele, with Finesse, Discernment and Fairness.  She made things right with me and we talked for quite some time, about all kinds of uplifting things, as well as about what had unfortunately happened.   I feel much better about it, told her I just needed a cooling off period, since I had been offended and insulted... which wasn't expected after going out of my way to correct a mistake I hadn't even made.  She hadn't gotten the whole Story from Anne when confronted about it, not Surprising.

 She agreed, never should have happened as it played out and apologized on behalf of her Manageress.  I'm satisfied and Good about it now, promised her I would begin attending again.  I miss everyone, never my intention to punish all for one Woman's folly/behavior.  She'll deal with it from here on out, which is best.  She's going thru a lot personally and I knew this, which is primarily why I hadn't bothered her with the Drama.  She needs to concentrate on her Health and have Good Energy for that.  With having compromised Health myself, it's why I avoid Negativity and Drama at all costs.  Good Health is paramount for us all.  When you have a lot on your Plate, you're spread thin, have to delegate responsibilities, and rely on people to Help out and cover things, Trusting they will be good Ambassadors for the Company, I understand.  Sometimes they drop the Ball and are not.

I got a lot on my own Plate, so had a Point of Reference with Kim's situation right now, and she with mine.  She's a Rock Star with dealing with all that's on her own Plate actually, personally and professional, so, she knows she's got my Mad Respect for her, she's Inspirational.  She's ran a Successful Business for Decades while juggling Raising a Family, battling Cancer and going thru a Divorce, it's a lot.  I have empathy, Life can be so hard and unfair even if you're Strong.  Moving On, The Man and I concentrated on our own Business at hand that day and got just about everything but the Art out of the Old Showroom.  We Donated some and brought the rest back Home.  It will rotate back in when Space in the New Showroom permits.  I'll keep the Art, Gallery Style, Showcased until Move Out Day in the Old Showroom.

It is funny to me how many other Vendors are still Curious and Care so much about whose getting that Showroom, since, I don't really Care one iota myself.  *LOL*  Will be interesting to see what the new Occupant will do with it tho', but, whatever... not my business, don't Care.  Mebbe they'll do something Positive with it, mebbe not, total crap shoot with the Newbies.  There's still high turnover and lots of internal Politics and Posturing that I prefer to stay out of completely, that way I stay Drama Free.  *Smiles*   I'm just not one to involve myself with the Posturing and Politics that always goes on behind the Scenes of any Organization that exists... and, it ALWAYS exists.

My Contentment is more valuable to me than dealing with all the personality and ego in any Grind.  My personal Mantra concerning Business is always to be Nice to all of them and Close to none of them, that way, Harmony prevails between us.   Business and Pleasure can be combined, but, remember what is Business... and what is Pleasure... about all of it.  I can easily do Business with Friends, but, I don't personalize Business, it's a means to whatever End I wanna make it and I'm strategic about what I wanna make it.  I can be very transactional that way about my Business dealings.  Don't allow Business to wreck Relationships, no Business is worth it.  Keep your Relationships Healthy.  Accept that sometimes you'll be Dealing with Strong Personalities.  It's Okay, I got one myself... and... I'm Opinionated.  *Winks*

I'm pleased that with a particularly crazy Election Cycle looming in November, that things are as Healthy as they are in Business right now.  But, Gas prices have gone Bananas in Arizona again, we're still a Dollar or more above National average.  But, we have a lot of Far Right still in power in our State, doing shit like re-enacting Archaic Policy they've dredged up from the 1800's and such, so, until we Purge those Asshats Politically, expect poor Leadership.  Those that Vote In poor Leadership should take heed and pay closer attention, don't continue being Fools.  Foolish decisions always have long reaching consequences.  A Mistake repeated more than Once is a Choice.

I'm getting more done around here now that I've realized how much I got done at the Antique Mall once I made it an intense focus in a block of time with a known Deadline.   Not that I have to create a Deadline at Home, but, it would be Helpful to set some Goal Dates for certain Projects instead of leaving them more open ended.   The Grandsons say they will be here to retrieve their belongings on May 10th.  They'll only be here 24-48 Hours due to Work obligations Allen has at the new Job.  So, it will mostly be us all helping them load up their stuff, I hope they will bring a big enuf U-Haul to get it all, we'll see.  The Young Prince has asked me to help with new Wardrobe, so I've been holding back Inventory they liked and asked for.

I know finances are tight for them, but having their own place, without having Roommates, will make all the difference.  Spreading costs only works if you have reliable people to Share the Space with who hold up their end of the arrangement and everyone gets along in Harmony.   The fact Allen has trouble Sharing Space with too many personalities matters.  The Young Prince would rather have more solitude too and less personalities to deal with.  So, they're best off having a little House with just the Two of them sorting out their personal priorities and habits.  I'm excited for them finally getting one to Rent and experience as a Newlywed Couple.  If it works out, they may consider being Homeowners one day themselves and Buy, if the Location is right.

I have never been much of a Fan of Renting Space, I'd rather Own it, but, it's not for everyone to Invest in Real Estate.  I personally think it's a Wise Investment Vehicle and Rentals just make Landlords richer at the Renter's expense.  I know a lot of folks who have preferred Renting Space and avoid what they wouldn't like about having the responsibilities of Owning Property tho'.  Sometimes I've been Surprised that savvy Business folk I know have not Owned the Real Estate they've lived in long term.   I had just assumed they Owned it, but Leasing desired Space is often Popular if most of their assets are tied up in their Business.  Investments are a personal choice, I like Investing, so, always have, it's Served me well to Invest wisely.

The Kiddos now have me binge listening to U-Tube Music on my main TV.  I prefer Music to Shows and discovering new Music I like is a Rush.  I like that I can plug in a Genre of Sound I prefer and U-Tube just runs with it and has been On Point to find Music that's Fresh to me and similar enuf to my Taste to really enjoy discovering.  I've found some new Music Artists I'd never heard of before, that I just now LOVE and are New Favorites now.   Like Teddy Swims "Lose Control" and Jelly Roll "Save Me" and "Need A Favor".   Both of these Singers look Hard, big Guys with Facial Tats and all, but have the most Beautiful Passionate Voices, Songs they Sing with Heart and great Lyrics, gave me Chills.

Surprised to find some Country Artists whose out of the C&W Box Songs I actually enjoy a lot.   Lil Nas & Billy Ray Cyrus do a duo "Old Town Road" that I liked and got the Humor of.  It had controversy in C&W Circles... it was removed from the Country Charts for not being "Country Enough", but the innuendo went deeper than that, clearly.  Which to me was even funnier and I'm sure was the Point of the Artists doing the collaboration and bucking norms. *LMAOROTF*  When something like that breaks barriers successfully, Status Quo often resents it and tries to marginalize it being popular with the masses. 

  I liked it a lot, and the video made me Laugh out loud.  I also like both Artists and their collaboration was on Point IMO and had a sense of Humor about it.   Since non-conformity is something I ascribe to and completely understand, Status Quo being so predictably Boring and rigid.  With Artistry, Freedom of expression should always prevail, regardless of the Status Quo... which, YAWN and Fuck it.   Those that take themselves too Seriously are such a Bore  and in that can be such a Joke anyway.  *LOL*   Billy Ray was one of the few C&W Genre Artists I ever liked in the early 1990's, he was controversial by pushing boundaries to Music Norms then too.  And, he was easy on the Eyes... even with a fucking Mullet.  *Winks*  I like his Daughter Miley's Music too, the Gal's got a set of Pipes on her.

I like Crossover Artists and that usually sparks Controversy in the Music Industry when Artists have the Raw Talent to successfully Cross Over.  They typically get Negatively critiqued for doing so, even if their Work is exemplary and well received by Listeners.  I think it just Threatens those that stick with a Genre, want to Control it and try to exclude, and perhaps that's all they have in them?  Just sayin'.   Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" Release is doing very well, and she was Inspired to make it after an experience when she did not feel Welcome... you Go Girl, I Support that.  If the Welcome Mat isn't offered nor extended, just kick the fucking Door down then and just Walk on In and Own the place.  *Winks*

I had the Three In The Mornin's again, but, I'd taken a long early Nap, so, it's not Surprising.  In Retirement I'm finding I Work when I wanna Work and just Sleep when I wanna Sleep.   So, it doesn't really matter when I'm up or when I'm deciding it's time for a Siesta.  *LOL*   So long as I can Wake Up when needed... to do what I need to do, I'm Golden about my odd Sleep habits now.   The Man is jealous that when I'm Tired, I can just Sleep thru damned near anything and go right out.  He marvels that when my Head hits the Pillow, I'm Asleep almost immediately and never wake up until I'm fully Rested.  So, my Insomnia isn't lack of Sleep so much as just keeping Weird Hours.  *Smiles*

I'm tooling around the House getting things done between 3:00-5:00 a.m. now most Days.   Then I might just go back to Bed and Sleep some more... or... not need to.  I almost always take Naps now like a Toddler, or, I'd get fussy like one too.  *Bwahahaha*  So, if you Call or need me and I'm Asleep at some Bizarre Time, it's my New Normal, Deal with it.  The Kiddos are like, "Is Mom/Gramma Asleep again Grandpa?"   Yep... and... learn to NOT Wake me unless it's an Emergency Okay?  Better yet, just Dial 911 and Wake me when the Emergency Services arrive... you've Got This.  *Smiles*   Now that everyone is Grown, well, Honestly, my Caregiving is more Laid Back and there's Three Generations on Hand here, they should be able to handle some shit as a Collective I figure.  *Ha ha ha*

The Man will sometimes be petulant and make pitiful claims like, "I haven't eaten all day Honey...", 'til I remind him he's got Legs, knows where the Kitchen is, where the Food is, and doesn't need Safety Prompts or Supervision if he just uses the Microwave.  I Outline how it Works:  If you're Hungry, EAT, Eat 'til Full, then Stop.  Simple.  Se, se puede!  *LOL*   The Kiddos take more pity on him and indulge, but, I know him, if he can get someone to do something for him that he can damned well do for himself, despite the TBI limitations but using it as a handy lame excuse, he'll milk that shit for all it's worth.  *LOL*  I just have to give him The Look and he knows Homegirl don't Play that.  *Smiles* 

Princess T cracked me up on the ride in to School this Morning.  She said "Straight" Anthony wore a Skirt to School Yesterday and made a point to ask her how he looked in it?  As if she's the Transgender Police or Expert becoz she has a Trans Sibling.  She said he didn't look that good, he's a Handsome Guy now, but can't Rock a Transgender Look like her Brother can, but, she didn't wanna hurt his Feelings either.   A gutsy move to wear one to High School or in Public when he's always presented as a Dude, have to admit.  I asked her if she felt he's doing it for Attention or if he genuinely likes wearing Women's Clothing and is just being authentic to Self or just Confused?   She said, "Not sure, it IS Anthony..."   And, we both Laughed, since, Anthony is Anthony and his Attention seeking Track Record antics are Legendary.  *Smiles*  I'm glad she was Kind to him tho'.  

She said all the Teachers are now making it a point to diss the "Super Seniors" as it nears Graduation, full well knowing she IS one.  *Le Sigh*  "Well, is THAT what they're Calling you these days?", I quipped to Lighten the Mood with Dark Humor and an Eye Roll.   She Laughed and said, "Yeah, Retard has fallen out of Political Correctness favor... and SUPER sounds so much less condescending or patronizing, huh?"  *Insert her doing a huge Eye Roll with a sarcastic Laugh*   I know it stings and hurts her Feelings and is totally inappropriate and unprofessional of the Staff.  But, that's what the Special Needs Students often have to Deal with, it's not just the Students who are Bullies and total crass Assholes sometimes.  And filing complaints fall on Deaf Ears and causes retaliation, so, we no longer bother.  Waste of Time and Emotional outlay expended, nothing really Changes.

I'd rather her Mother and I meet some of them in the Parking Lot after School and do some intimidation of our own, but, Princess T would rather we not catch Charges.  Tho', she said the Fantasy is a nice  Visual to Imagine.  *Winks*   Every Teacher and Administrator this Year made it a point to never meet me in Person, too cowardly I guess?  *Winks*   She said her Teachers gush about me in flattering ways, which annoys her, she imagines it's to make sure she says only Nice things about what they say about ME?  *LOL*  But, are too Stupid to realize what they say about HER is more important and relevant to me... so, it's amusing to her really.  I could give Two Shits what they Think or say about ME, but my Kiddo, otra cosa!!!  She finds it particularly ironic that "Educators" can behave so ignorantly, immaturely, unprofessional and stupidly, yet, act like ALL Students should be Exceptional, so as to make THEIR Jobs easier.  Hard to Earn Respect being that way.

  She says, "I have Learning Disabilities, I'm not a Tard or a Moron, they don't seem to Get that."  She doesn't Care to be PC, and Yes, she'll freely use the now forbidden R Word and said she's been Called much worse, so the Pearl Clutchers and those with Delicate Sensibilities can just Deal with the insensitivity too.   I tell her it isn't a Nice Word, but replacing it with Patronizing Words like Special or Super is worse IMO and hers.   Come on, it's insulting and probably has been chosen on Purpose as an Insider Joke. The Staff talk about the high functional Kids like her in front of them, as if they also don't even know they're there and are invisible, it pisses her off.  Lord knows what they say or do in front of the severely Developmentally Disabled Kids that those poor Souls can't communicate to their Loved Ones?   Especially those who are Non-Verbal or can't express or protect themselves in any kind of way.

 I don't even want to Imagine... but, I can speculate, given what my Kiddos have told me for Two Generations of dealing with blatant Disability Discrimination that is rampant in The System.  Societal biases don't end or are put on Pause at entering any Campus.  Several of my Grandkids have made it clear not much has improved since my Kids were School Aged.  And Yes, Adults often Teach their Kids how to Treat other Human Beings.  So, when you see or hear any Kiddos projecting wicked shit, remember, they usually are Learning what they Live.   The Apples aren't falling far from the Tree that bore them and the Fruits that Tree produces.   Never have had any clarity as to why Kindness, Harmony, Peacefulness and Civility is so damned hard for some folks?   I just have to assume they are Tortured Souls on the Inside and it just spews outwards when it just can't be contained and masked anymore and ruptures like any Toxic Infection that must have a Release???

But, some Kids succeed in spite of obstacles.  Above is the Middle Granddaughter in Mexico on the Left, at her Graduation Ceremony.   She too had Special Educational Needs and Learning Disabilities.  There's another Older Sister between this one and Princess T, whose in College now on a full Scholarship and is a Gifted Advanced Student.  This one pictured is The Daughter's Fourth Child of Five.   She's dyed her Naturally Blonde Hair dark... she doesn't have Red Demon Eyes either *LOL*... she has my Pale Grey Eyes which tend to pick up reflections of other Colors you're wearing and the Red Sash clearly did that.  *Bwahaha*  I couldn't find a Red Eye Reduction Filter to correct it.   She looks so much like I did in my Graduation pix that it's eerie!   If I could dredge it up I'd prove it and you'd see, we look like we could be the same person.  *LOL*   Dredged it up Below, uncanny resemblance, huh?  *Smiles, it's like looking at yourself transported Young into the Future.*

*******

Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

Being Carded At The Goodwill On Senior Day

 Food Porn of the Day: Cheddapeno Biscuits from Church's Chicken, delicious.  So, it's Two in the Morning and I have Senior Insomnia, it doesn't bother me when I do get it sometimes, but, it will mean I'll probably Tap Out for a Nap later in the Afternoon.  Which, isn't Productive.   I feel rather like my Second Childhood is full upon me now and I'm reverting to the habits of an Infant or Toddler in so many ways.  *LOL*  Growing Old is mandatory, but Growing Up is quite optional, I prefer to Grow Old Disgracefully.   I did get Carded tho' at the Goodwill on Senior Day, first time ever!   It was actually flattering as it turned out.  So, let me tell the Story of proving I was at least 55!  *LMAOROTF*

 My Cashier looked to be 12, she was probably about 20 in actuality and Younger than the majority of my Grandkids, I told her that.  But, I still had to dutifully produce my ID to prove I was 55+ and Qualified for my Discount and wasn't lying about being a Senior.  *Bwahahaha*  Dutifully I did so, she looked genuinely shocked at my Birth Date, scrutinizing it for Authenticity in fact.  Like I was some underaged Kid trying to Buy Alcohol with a Fake ID!  *Smiles*  Wow, Color me Happy, it made my Day, since, I have Qualified for the Senior Discount a long, long time now.   Long enuf that if anyone thinks I'm not even 55 yet, and I'm closing in on 70, well, fucking booyah!  God Bless 'em!!!  *LOL*

She hadn't Carded the Two Seniors in front of me, nor the One behind me, who I was sure were all at least my Age or Younger than me.  When queried about that, she told me I didn't LOOK like I was a Senior!  I told her I was already a Great-Grandma many times over, so not offended, just flattered and curious.  I Blessed her and told her she was my Favorite.  Young People Love to hear that.  *Winks*   The Lady behind me was jealous and said she's never been Carded... she turned out to be over a Decade Younger than Yours Truly, poor thing, that must sting, I had no Words.  Just gave her a Sympathetic Look, whaddya gonna do?  So, I floated out of Goodwill feeling quite Youthful and buoyant of Spirit.  Hey, anytime someone shaves over a Decade off the Age they Think you are, it's a Good Day!  *Bwahahaha*

But, not everyone was having a Good Day unfortunately.  Then I get to SAVERS to pick up Princess T after School and the Dear Young Hispanic Gal who works the Self Checkout looked near Tears.   All the Kids there are usually very Uplifting and they always call out my Name and seem genuinely Happy to see me.  They've all Adopted me as a Surrogate Grandma and I Adore each and every one of them, good little Workers they all are and good Ambassadors of their Store.   She had Cheerfully Greeted me as usual, but I could tell something was Wrong, her usual Cheerful countenance was just Off.   She admitted there was and the worst thing had just happened to her.  Tearfully she told me what had just happened to her concerning a Customer who was a Dreadful Karen!   Ruh Roh!

Their Job is to not only help Customers with Self Check-Out Kiosks, but to monitor the Registers to ensure everyone was Checking Out properly and Scanning everything appropriately.   They help you if there's a problem or even do it for the Tech Challenged Customers or those who abhor Self-Checkout Kiosks.  There are no Cashiers now, and, it's not random, they do this with each and every Shopper, no exceptions or bias, it's Store Policy.   Well, this Karen, who doesn't even NEED me to describe her demographic, took Issue and called the Lovely Young Gal a Racist!!  Then added insult to injury, "I'm not the Type you should be Watching, you're the Type everyone should be Watching!!!"  *Gasp* Yeah... one of the Bold Overt Racists she clearly was, projecting what she is upon this Young Lady who isn't Racist at all, but is Mexican, and what The Karen said was Racially Hatefully Offensive on purpose!

It really had clearly Traumatized this Young Gal to be humiliated publicly, be called a Racist for no reason.   Then having this actual Racist Customer make a huge Spectacle of being Racist and viciously Hateful towards her in front of Customers on a busy Senior Day!  She said nobody came to her defense and just watched the Spectacle the Woman made.  It made me so Angry she'd endured that shit, and everyone around said or did nothing.  But, I wasn't Surprised, Racism, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Anti-Semitism, Discrimination against the Disabled, and Misogyny has escalated.  Mostly due to 45 making it Fashionable to be biased, angry, hateful Low Life Humans like that and like he is.  His Cult has embraced the Hate and Cruelty is the Point with them all it seems.  When you Vote In Leadership like that, The Herd follows their Lead and Mimics them.

 She had been trying not to Cry but broke down while telling me what happened and asked me for a Hug, which I promptly gave her a Big Grandmotherly One.  I was choked up.   Consoling her that this Woman's response revealed the Karen's own Racism and was just a handy excuse to project her Hatred Openly, which, that Type always do.  I also made her Laugh out Loud by saying she didn't even need to describe the Demographic {which she tactfully hadn't, but we all 'know' by now, so no Words needed, you had the Visual in your Head} and that I was pretty damned sure who that Woman also Voted for.  *Bwhahahaha*  She Thanked me for making her Laugh out Loud and improve her Mood, since, it was the beginning of her Shift and she hadn't been sure she could get thru it.  She was still so shaken and upset by that confrontation and humiliation that she just wanted to go Home and Cry.

I also told her The Karen was damned Lucky Gramma Dawn wasn't there to Witness the Insult or I would have gone Dark Dawn on her in defense of one of MY Kids, in front of God and everybody in the Store.  *Winks*   She Thanked me, knowing I would have defended her without hesitation.  I confront that kind of inappropriate behavior and Hatred just as openly as those Assholes care to unleash it in Public upon some Victim they target.   Fuck the Racists and Hate filled Fuckers of this World.  Curses upon them and may each and every one of them burn in eternal Hell when they come to Judgment before our Creator, who Created us ALL.   If the Racists and Hate filled have a Problem with The Creator's Creations, even some of us, well, take it up with The Lord, you pompous ignorant arrogant Fools, and see how that goes for ya.  *Winks*

Princess T said she remembers how she felt when being the Victim of blatant Racism, so, it made her Angry too when she got there.  I remember in Affluent Subdivision Hell, when we owned Villa Boheme', it was the worst The G-Kid Force had ever experienced overt Racism and blatant Discrimination.  It's a major reason I abhorred that Community and the demographic it represented.  I do feel there's a special place in Hell for the Inhumane, whether they are so to Humans or any other Sentient Being.  It's a Sick Twisted and perverse State of Being, they're defective and like an infectious Disease within Society.  Comforting that Dear Young Person shouldn't even have to ever be done if Humans treated Humans properly and exercised some Humanity and good breeding/upbringing.  It's just not IN them tho', out of the abundance of the Heart the Mouth always Speaks, it's their 'Tell'.

  We have all unfortunately Witnessed the very Worst of Humanity, that have none apparent IN them tho'.  So, they are living among us and we all must suffer them at times.  Tho' as a Collective we should never Tolerate them, Behavior Tolerated is Behavior Accepted.  It's unacceptable on all levels in a Polite and Functional Society and should be confronted and put In Check firmly.  With consequences that aren't marginalized and are enforced without exception.  When Society is Intolerant of such behavior, it's rarely exercised or expanded upon.  You might not be able to Change the Person whose that way, but you can often Control to some degree, their Acting Upon what Society will not Accept or Tolerate.  No consequences, and they'll go Wheels Off the fucking Rails, since there's no Societal Guardrails, Trust and Believe.  If you wanna Pray for them go ahead, they need it.  But, I Believe their Karma is coming back on them... and, so be it.

 When Society as a Collective makes it crystal clear what behaviors won't be expressed without considerable consequences and punishments to the Offenders, it is a deterrent to most.   To behave appropriately and civilly or risk serious consequences if they choose not to.  Every Action should have a corresponding consequence to it that is appropriate.  That is how Behavior is Modified.   Even if Privately they might still be abhorrent Beings, only the ones totally incapable of restraint will Act upon their Urges.  But, those closest to them know what and who they really are.  Do you see any of 45's Family or Friends in Court with him right now?  Nope, conspicuous by their very absence, aren't they?  Most of his Inner Circle have bailed like Rats from a sinking Ship.

You see, Atrocities happen becoz of Humans like them not being put In Check.   It should have happened from The Jump, we see what happens when it didn't.  Society declines when the dysfunctional and abhorrent are in Charge and good people say and do nothing.  Silence is complicity and merely enables Extremists and The Lunatic Fascist Fringe to Act Out openly and confidently now.   I've lived thru some trying times of the Past, but the Present right now is pretty FUBAR and about as bad as I've ever seen it actually.  It's that current Elephant in the Room!  That deeply disturbs me for our Future Generations to Inherit an Earth and a Society that has become so polluted with what they'll have to try to run damage control behind to clean up and put Right.  I think they could be The Change needed tho' and I think many are Passionate enough to do the Right Thing and turn things around for the better.  Every Generation has had those who Tried, perhaps they will Succeed.

Okay, so, other than that everything's been Swell.  *Bwhahaha*  The Daughter has been quite Sick again so we're gonna hafta get more Tests run to find out what ails her?   I know there's been many Years of Neglect, Lack and Substance Abuse that have taken a heavy Toll on her.  As a Mom it grieves you to see the Toll taken.   I'm glad she's now here and under our Care, she's got a better chance now of a Healing Touch and appropriate Medical and Dental Care, that she hasn't had in over Two Decades.   She's been Homeless for over Two Decades, a long time to be without the basics.   But, a lot of the Seriously Mentally Ill end up that way and often prefer it, due to inability to function in Traditional ways and make good decisions for themselves on a consistent basis.

She did have a Mental Health Episode with her Brother, so, he's staying at a Friends Home for a few days and she feels badly about that.  He Loves his Sister, but sometimes unintentionally Triggers her.  He has a knack for that, since he has Autism and no real filter at times to refrain from saying or doing something or quit when told, enough already.   She is not one to get the least bit confrontation or argumentative with, she'll go feral on you.  She admitted she went feral on him and neither of them wanted to tell me, since, they didn't want me upset and neither wanted blame put on them or me to be mad.   He doesn't know that she told me what happened and that she blames herself for what the outcome was, once Triggered, well, the inevitable transpired.  And, I'm SURE Alcohol was involved.  Well, they're still both Alcoholics.

I don't drink.  I don't drink becoz I would be a Mean Drunk and easily Triggered, without exception, I KNOW me real well and my Ancestry does not tolerate Alcohol well.  And, those with Native American Ancestry should avoid the Firewater... no bueno for Indians to drink and that's just a Fact and Observation.  EVERY file I ever processed at the DA's Office involving a Tribal Defendant had Alcohol involved, I kid you not, EVERY one.  I have told all Future Generations they shouldn't partake of Alcohol, Drugs or Cigarettes, but, well, once Grown they do what they choose to partake of, don't they?   And, on my Maternal Nanna's Ancestry were the Irish Travelers, drinking and fighting being not so uncommon either.  *LOL*   So, our DNA and Hereditary factors has some Markers of what best to avoid.  *Smiles and Winks*

Another Chicken Joint piece of Trivia... above are the Seven Thousand Dollar Doors that The Son installed in a local KFC when he was a Teenager.  I can't walk thru them without thinking, My Son hung those Doors when he first worked as a Glazier after High School!  Back when he was a Teenager, he was Fixated on what the Custom Jobs Cost and would come Home and excitedly tell us.  That Day he came Home Jazzed to tell us he'd hung some Seven Grand worth of Doors on the then New KFC that had just been built locally in Da Hood.  Back then you could still Buy a Home for around Fifty Grand, so, do the Math.  I can only imagine what these Custom KFC Doors with the Chicken Bucket Handles would Cost these days if they were Seven Grand way back then a couple Decades ago?!  They are Metal designed to look like Wood and have a Specialty Glass.  He said they were so heavy to hang, thus he was proud of himself for hanging them and his Employer Trusting him to, so early in his Career as a Glazier.

Another one of my Dear Designer Friends from the boycotted Event called me Today and wanted to know exactly what happened.   He was upset about it and said he wanted to offer an apology for what happened.   Of coarse he did nothing Wrong and thus can't make Right what he never was involved in that was Wrong. I told him that tho' I appreciate him reaching out, he wasn't the Problem and that Problem still exists there in the form of who did Offend and Insult us.  So, I need some Time to not be exposed in any way to that Woman who doesn't know how to Treat People Right and caused the Offense.  It wasn't Okay, it made me not want to be there or come back right now.  He was in complete Agreement it wasn't and is going to speak with the Owner, he's not sure she is aware of what happened.  I haven't told her simply becoz she put that Woman in a position of Authority.  Perhaps they're Business Partners, which it's not my intention to put her in an awkward situation or position with someone she relies on in the Business.

Whether after being told, the Owner contacts me or not, would have no bearing on how I feel about her personally, she's never done anything but treat me well.  Having a problem Employee or Business Partner is an Internal Problem they have to work out however they will... or won't. Every Designer there that I do business with has treated me well too.  But a very Negative Experience is not something I want to risk putting on Repeat.  People like that Woman who don't Treat people appropriately, well, they rarely Change and if forced into an apology, rarely mean it or see the error of their ways.  It's been my experience they resent being reprimanded for an infraction and try to justify whatever they do and make excuses rather than Own it.  They are just bad for Business, any Business IMO.   I don't want that Woman in my Orbit, I don't Like her and I sense the feeling is mutual actually.  

When I went in to SAVERS to pick Princess T up this Day, the little Gal who'd had that Bad Experience with The Karen said yet another similar experience transpired!!!   Not as bad, just that it was another Racial Slur by a Karen directed at her for no reason at all, so, after having experienced the first one only a Day before, it was a Trigger for her.  She had been cleaning the Glass on the Windows and Front Doors and a Customer walks by and sarcastically says, "Well... Nice to see one of your people actually doing their Job..."   OMG!!!   She said the Woman looked down on her with utter contempt as she was squatted down there Window Washing... and, she had no Words to respond to such an obviously Racist Statement out of the Blue and so unnecessary!!!  

 She hugged me again and I told her I was so very Sorry she had Two Karens in a row.   She's such a great Young Person, Friendly, Hard Working, Kind and always Cheerful to everyone.  She always has a Smile and Bubbly persona... for Hatred to be directed her way is totally unprovoked.   The Man told her that you just have to put Dirt like that Woman under your Feet and keep on Keeping On, don't let them Live Rent Free in your Head a single Moment.  The Man experienced much Religious Persecution, in the Military, his Religion were even Segregated for a long time, most people don't know that. But, we all know that Bad and Negative Experiences do impact the Psyche, especially of the Young.  How we're Treated does impact us even if we'd like it not to sometimes.  Even having to repeat what happened to someone Trusted and Kind makes you have to relive and Feel whatever it was.   I truly Hope this doesn't keep happening... but in Today's Political Climate, unfortunately, it might and probably will.

One of my Older Hispanic Friends, whose my Age, said dryly and with intentional Gallow's Humor, that she's been Mexican a long time, the Kid will just have to get used to it and toughen up.   I know what she means, but my God it shouldn't have to be that way.   I know when I was Young, I used to get in Fights when anyone would say Racist things about my Dad or Xenophobic things about my Mom.   As I got Older, I realized that being reactive was typically what the Offender desired to provoke you to Wrath.  So, like The Man relayed to the Youngster, you learn to put Dirt like that under your Feet and keep on Keeping On.  Don't waste your Time or Energy on People so ignorant and Hateful, they're simply not worth it.  Everyone has a Right to BE, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  Every Human Being deserves to be treated with Dignity, Humanity and Respect.

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Blessings, Love and Light to you all from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

A Good News Post... A Pleasant Change

 We had our first triple digit temperature Day Monday, only Three Degrees below the Record and Ten Degrees above Normal for this time of Year.  Climate Change is Real.  It had felt really Hot, so I wasn't surprised to learn we'd broken into triple digits.   The Man and I had Sourced some Specialty Tees on 50% Off Day and then we'd gone to the Antique Mall to clear out more of the Old Showroom.   I Donated Two Boxes of the Merch and took a single Box of it back Home.   I'll do this each day now this Week, so that by the Vacate Date of the 27th, I should have most of it done.   We went out for Brunch afterwards and had some new items on the Menu at DENNY'S Diner.  So, we'll start the Post out with Food Porn of my Brunch.  *Smiles* 

It was a lot of Food so I gave about half of it to The Man.  Not that his Order was Small, but, he had given me the English Muffin to eat my Eggs with... so, I gave him my Sausages and half of the Waffles.  It all was very good, we hadn't been to a DENNY'S in a long time even tho' a couple locations are quite close.   I also had their new Sweet Creme Iced Cappuccino, it looked nothing like the Photos of it on the Menu, but, was very good regardless of not being as attractive as their Menu Images.   I'd started a different Post and got it almost finished and then decided to just delete it.  It wasn't a very Uplifting Post, not that anything is Wrong on a Personal level.  It's just a lot is going on in the World that is troubling and sometimes I Wrestle with whether or not to Write about what I Think about it all.  

Regardless of what I Think about it all, won't change any of it tho'.  So, I Vented about it by banging out my Thoughts via the Keyboard, then just Deleted the whole thing afterwards.   Works for me.  *LOL*  Besides, it was 102 Degrees Outside and I had a shitload of Tees to get Priced, so, fixating on everything going to Hell in the World was a waste of precious Time and Energy.  I have a finite amount of both, so, decided it would better serve me, and you too, to just Move On and come up with a more Uplifting Post.   So, here we are.   I Photographed a few of the Tees to use as Blog Fodder, as is my new Custom.  *LOL*   The Iconic Arizona Tees {above and below}, were particularly appropriate given our Temperatures of the Day.  *Bwahahahaha*

I think I'll put at least One of them on a Mannequin Display when I bring this load of fresh Merch in.   The Daughter came Home from Work and needs to go to the Store, so, I'll probably swing by The Antique Mall again and just put everything in Tonight, then I won't have to Tomorrow.  When I was Working the Showrooms earlier, an Older Couple were being a Pain in the Ass.   Often you get a sense that certain Customers are intentionally trying to get in the way and just be an unnecessary nuisance becoz they see you trying to Work your Space.  Usually it's not so Obvious as it was with this Couple.  They looked like the Stereotypical Privileged Pretentious Sixty-Somethings who have this Air of Entitlement and are just inconsiderately Rude.

Well, I was at the entrance of the New Showroom and they made a big Production of hanging around my Showroom at first.  Getting in the way and pretending to look at Merch I knew damned well they had zero Interest in, too obvious.   My Cart full of Merch was in the Aisle in front of the Showroom, and that means it's a tight squeeze for them and their Cart to also be in the Aisle.  I try not to obstruct Customers and give them the Right of Way.   Normal People might squeeze by once on their way down any Aisle at the same spot at the same time.  This Couple, individually mind you, squeezed past me SIX times EACH... back and forth, back and forth incessantly and individually, even tho' they were together!   It was very Weird.

 Meaning TWELVE fucking obnoxious squeeze-bys within a very brief period of time while I'm trying to Work, yet also make an effort not to obstruct anyone actually Shopping.   They were NOT actually Shopping tho', just kept walking back and forth down that very short piece of Aisle so as to excessively squeeze by me and make me stop and accommodate them each time.  *Eye Roll*  It was all I could do not to finally ask, after the Twelfth Pass By, "Can I Help you with something, you look as if you expect to find it right here somewhere, but can't?"  But, Honestly, I didn't want to engage nor did I want to offer Help to these Assholes, it was doubtful they had any real reason to go back and forth so many times.    Since, who the fuck Walks up and down a 15 Foot crowded section of a single Aisle a Dozen Times within less than 10 Minutes anywhere, with absolutely no reason to?!   

Squeezing past the same person over and over and over again is just being obnoxious.  Not once did they say Excuse Me or apologize for coming back thru over and over and over again, bumping into me or the Cart each time they crashed thru the narrow Space carelessly, to pass Politely you would take Care and Finesse to do it without crashing into things.  They didn't look like they were searching for anything at all, just making a Production out of wanting to be in the way intentionally and Sigh heavily and audibly every time they squeezed past the same goddamned spot unnecessarily.  Like WTF, who does that?!   I just Smiled each time as if it wasn't bothering or inconveniencing me and that seemed to irk the shit out of them actually.  Probably Why they just kept doing it... but, I gave them Zero Satisfaction with any Reaction or Response they clearly were attempting to provoke and elicit.  *LOL*

It was Slow in the Mall and so not a lot of People to have to Work around or who would be in the way, or I'd be in the way of, which is why they were so damned obvious.  Anyway, finally The Man came up and I quietly let him know what they were doing incessantly and how many passes they'd already made in a brief period of time.  They didn't know he was with me, so, he pretended to be a Customer and deliberately blocked them coming back for another pass by... and acted oblivious that he was now in THEIR way.   And... it worked... they just gave up waiting for him to now move out of the way and had to bugger off to another Aisle.  *LMAOROTF*   It was Brilliant and I gave him a High Five after they were out of sight.   Other than that annoying Asshat Couple, everything was Swell tho'.  *LOL*

Since they'd been in the way tho', I didn't get everything done before we had to leave to go get Princess T after School.   So, later The Daughter went with me to finish up what I needed to get done.   With nobody now in the way, we got it done quickly and without incident.   I'd Sold the last piece of Display Furniture out of the Old Showroom by then, yay, now I don't have to transport it.  *Whew*   I had Customers still in the New Showroom up to the Mall getting ready to Close and Sales had been really Strong in both Showrooms.   Below is a Tour Tee that the Swifties should like from her Reputation Stadium Tour.  I've got it priced far below what they're asking Online for this one, so, it should be a Quick Turn. 

  

I ordered Princess T's Yearbook this Morning, it's the first Year she's actually wanted one, even tho' in the past I still ordered her one.  I thought perhaps she'd regret not having them if I didn't?   But, The Young Prince never did and never wanted anything to remember High School from, he insisted I NOT waste my Money on them.  Of coarse for The Grandson his High School Experience was a horror and quite complicated, so I can understand why.   Half the time he wouldn't even show up for Picture Day and he never did get to Graduate, since, Schools began refusing to Educated someone with his condition.  I always felt that violated his Rights by Law to receive an Education, but, they skirted around all that in a way they find that they can.  Alternate Schools weren't any better.

And, I refused to send him to the Reform School they tried to have us enroll him in as a last ditch effort to be in compliance with the Law.  He wasn't a delinquent and didn't have Behavioral Challenges, so even the Principal of that School said it would be inappropriate placement.  When a School calls it Intake rather than Enrollment, has Razor Wire around the entire Campus and every Door has Lockdown Security Devices, we weren't stupid about where they had sent us.  They made a referral after they wouldn't accept him back at their regular Schools anymore.  Discrimination against the Seriously Mentally Ill is at archaic levels in all of Society still and is mostly still Fear based with total lack of Humanity extended towards that Community.

The Young Prince once quipped that it was easier being Gay in Society than being SMI, which spoke volumes.   I once heard Comedian Wanda Sykes quip that it was easier being Black than being Gay, which also spoke volumes.   So, if it's easier being a persecuted Ethnic Minority than being Gay... and easier being Gay than being Seriously Mentally Ill, well, think about that for a moment wouldya.   On the scale of difficulty, especially if you would be all Three, which, The Young Prince is... being a Gay Transgender Hispanic Schizophrenic.   The Young Prince would deadpan, "Strike Three, you're Out, as far as Society is concerned."   And they wouldn't be Wrong about that.  Which is just Heart rendering, there is nothing I can do about that for my Grandchild's treacherous Journey thru this Life.

Right now The Young Prince is not doing well and finally was Open about being Honest about it.   Usually they won't be, since, worrying me is the last thing they want to do. {Proud of myself for mostly using the right Pronoun they have asked me to... but, I truly have to consciously alter my speech pattern about not saying he/him and it's difficult to.}   But anyway, they felt badly for masking it every time we talked or wrote to each other, so, finally coming Clean was better for both of us, no Secrets.  Since, I kinda 'knew' anyway and The Young Prince told me they knew they weren't fooling me.   You sense when there is a disturbance in The Force, so to speak, about any of your Kiddos, at least I always do, regardless of what they might try to hide.  Sometimes I won't press it, letting them tell me when they're ready to be transparent and Honest about whatever it is.

Nothing worse than 'knowing' someone isn't Fine and they're telling you they're Fine, and they are NOT.   I do have a lot of concerns when that Grandchild is NOT Fine, since Suicidal Ideology has been a pattern since they were only Seven Years Old.   Self Harm is a very real possibility with The Young Prince, more likely to do that than to hurt/harm others.  Often they tell me they don't Like Living, and with the Life Hand Dealt, well, it's a very tough row to hoe to BE Them.   The Beautiful Genius Mind that this Guy has tho' is exceptional and so Unique.  I am trying to convince them to delve deeper into their Art and begin Creating the Magic that it is.   Their Art would Sell easily becoz there is nothing like it that I've ever seen and it's so Unique, Edgy and Cool.   All the Art I have that they Created, everyone asks me about where I got it.

 The Young Prince has always lived and breathed Art of all kinds.  Can play any Musical Instrument, do Cosmetology, Paint, Draw, Sculpt, Invent, Perform Theatrically, Write, Create Fashion, Dance, Create Special Effects, all with no Formal Training.  There is very little they can't do and IQ is 148, so, legitimate Genius.   I Miss this Kiddo, so much Fun to hang out with, always such stimulating deep conversations.   There is literally no Topic that they don't seem to know literally everything about!  I kid you not.  Mind like a Steel Trap and a Sponge, from a very Young Age, would research everything and memorize it all.  Categorizing and Storing it all in that complex Brain they have, then trot it out if you needed to know something, no matter how random or deep it was! 

  When we had the Killer Bee attack for example, I'm telling The Young Prince for the first time and they started telling me EVERYTHING about Killer Bees!  Like a Killer Bee Expert!  If any of us wants to be completely Informed about anything at all without doing the actual Research ourselves, all we need to is ask The Young Prince and the Data will be instantly rolled out without hesitation... quicker than if you Googled it!  *LOL*   And, for shits and grins, if ya wanna Fact Check the Information given, you'll realize it was 100% Accurate.   And you're like, HOW in the World???!!!!   Can you only Imagine the Hours poured over Data being voraciously consumed and then Stored away in that Brain?!   It doesn't seem possible and now I know why I've always been told about the Fine Line between Genius and Insanity... and... it makes perfect Sense.  

 And so when Educators told me my Grandson couldn't be Taught, I Called Out Bullshit when I heard it.   The Young Prince would merely tell me they couldn't Teach what was already Known, that's Why.  *LOL*  And, if their information was faulty, well, The Young Prince would challenge it and debate it.   Which, didn't make a Child very Popular with anyone arrogant enuf to assume a Kid couldn't be that damned Intelligent or Knowledgeable, perhaps making the Adult look bad.   I once had a pompous Teacher tell us in an IEP that my Grandchild asked too many Questions in Class.  I countered with, "Does that only bother you becoz you don't have the Answers?"   Yeah, you could hear a fucking Pin drop when I dropped that one in a room filled with his Teachers and Administrators picking my Kiddo apart as if the Child was the Problem!

 A Child can NEVER ask too many Questions, that's how one gains Knowledge and becomes better Informed and challenges Information that may be inaccurate!  If the Kid asks you something you don't know, just say you don't know, no shame in that, then research it and get back to them... Simple... you're the Teacher!  You'll gain their Trust and Respect, and perhaps even Teach both of you something New.  *Winks*  Hey we all know what we know and don't know what we just don't know, but, far too many people Think they Know what they don't Know and that's usually the bigger Problem.  *Smiles*

I got some Good News from the Young Prince that should change the whole trajectory of how they have been feeling.  They FINALLY got a House to Rent and move in on Wednesday Morning!  *Whew*  They've been living in a Motel all this time and had a major break-in and Theft where ALL their Tech items got Stolen there, so, they've been desperate to find a Rental come up.   There in Clovis it's small and inexpensive, but has a lot for a small Town and so there's plenty of Shopping, but, not plenty of Housing.  Rents are affordable, just not plentiful.  The exact opposite of Phoenix.  Anyway, he said it's a small One Bedroom House and they get it April 24th but the Landlord will not charge them any Rent until May.  They'll be here in about 2-3 Weeks to get their possessions and completely move in.  I'm so Happy for them.

Now, more Good News, The Granddaughter whose expecting a Baby Girl in 8 Weeks had a Photo Session done by her Younger Sister, whose madly Creative in all the Arts.  They turned out so Beautiful I'm Sharing them in this Post, she looks absolutely Radiant and the Baby is doing Fine.   She got really big on this Baby so I think the Birth Weight of her Little Girl is going to be bigger than her Son was.   I remember being big like this with The Son and he Weighed in at Birth at almost 11 Lbs., yes, that's not a Typo, Eleven Pounds!!!   The Granddaughter hasn't told me what the expected Birth Weight of their Baby Girl is expected to be, their Son was just over 7 lbs..   He's just over 2 now so a nice Age spread, the Siblings should be close, I'm 2.5 Years Older than my Brother and we were extremely close as Kids and still are now.

She Married a Man who already had Three Older Children, so, both Kiddos will have Big Brothers and Sisters.   Since the Granddaughter Married Late and had her Kids later in Middle Age, after she established her Career as a Nurse, she's glad to have a Big Instant Family.  As she's getting Older she's looking more and more like her Mama, our Oldest Daughter.   Initially only the Youngest of our Oldest Daughter's Trio of Girls looked like her and had her Darker Coloring, the Two Oldest being Blonde and quite Fair.   Now that this Grandchild is experimenting with dying her Naturally Blonde Hair Dark, she looks a lot like her Mom now!  Our SIL is German descent, so he's very Blonde and Fair.   The Great Grandson of this Granddaughter is very Blonde and Fair like his Mama was as a Kiddo.  Her Older Sister, the Oldest Grandchild of the Trio, is Fair but has one Dark Child and one Fair Child, and her new Baby, a Boy, looks like he'll be Fair too.  Genetics can be a Mixed Bag...

 

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Blessings, Love and Light from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian