Nothing new under the sun

 Dear John,

I watched a movie last night.  It was about a woman whose boyfriend dies.  She ends up meeting someone new, who arranges to meet her after he gets her boyfriend's old number that she had been texting.  I wouldn't have thought much about it, but the boyfriend's name was John.  So, at that, I was like...HEY!  It was a cute movie - part of it centered around Celine Dion and she was very funny.  The movie is called Love Again.

I also started watching a new series - It's called Poker Face and stars Natasha Lyonne.  She's like a human lie detector, and wanders around getting justice for people.  S came in near the start of the second episode, and she enjoyed watching it too.  We have probably 5-6 more episodes to watch, and I'm looking forward to it.

It's time to cancel our Hulu/Disney+ subscription.  It was great for the last year.  I watched a bunch of stuff I wanted to see.  I think we're done with this service for a while.  There are several things I want to watch that will be coming to Disney+, but a break will be good.  I did pay $40 for a year of Starz, though.  I can finally finish watching American Gods.  

Thanksgiving is coming up on Thursday.  I guess your family has started a group text without me, as I haven't heard anything about their plans.  I wouldn't be participating regardless, but it's interesting.  I would like your brother to tune up the lawnmower next year, so maybe I'll keep in contact with his wife.  S saw her and their daughter at an NHS activity today.  S likes the younger girls and enjoys hanging out with them once in a while.  S was helping out at a basketball tournament, and her cousin was playing.  That was a nice surprise for her.  

I'm not feeling super thankful this year again.  I will make the effort to appreciate the things I have instead of focusing on what I've lost.  

Missing you.

Love,

A

Notes on Fall

 Dear John,

It seems that S is really done with your mom.  Her only grandmother, and she has no interest in seeing her.  We used to stop by or go out to dinner every time we went to the dentist, since they're in the same town.  We went there today, and I asked S if she wanted me to call your mom.  Her response was a flat No.  I guess being forgotten for the past few years has negated all the previous relationship-building they did.  Also, your mom kind of treated her like she did you - more critical than necessary while being totally soft on all the other kids.  Oh well.  I'm sad for her, but I don't blame her.  

Work is annoying.  I think I'm going to have to go to the doctor, because my blood pressure is high, and I should probably treat it.  I had to mow the lawn this weekend - the mowers are done for the year and I'm not paying a higher fee for "fall cleanup."  It took a few pulls for the lawnmower to start.  I think I'll ask your brother to tune it up next summer.  

I did manage to get someone to come and put that piece of fascia back up.  I couldn't reach on the ladder - the guy I hired couldn't really either, though he got closer than I could.  He ended up screwing it back in rather than nailing - probably better that way anyway.  It will probably stay in place until I have to get new siding.

Speaking of screwing things in, I decided to order a new set of power tools.  Your old set is dead - the batteries don't charge at all anymore.  I assume I will be able to sell the tools themselves on Facebook marketplace or something.  We shall see.  I guess it's my Christmas present to myself.  I don't know if I will use them, but I don't want to be without a drill or saw.  

I did get a lot done this weekend, with the yard and cleaning the house.  I guess that's good.  My cousin came down - he is visiting a man that he once mentored at the maximum security prison down here.  I guess the kid had a bit of a rough start, single mom, gang-member dad in jail, I think.  But he was doing OK until he one night got drunk and stabbed someone to death.  I admire my cousin for sticking with him - not many would.  I don't agree with my cousin on most of his views on religion, but I'm glad he's following the principles he espouses.  

Thanksgiving is next week, and S is doing the same thing you would.  Assuming that we'll be done with our Thanksgiving dinner early enough that she'll be able to go to her boyfriend's house too.  I hope she enjoys herself.  I would have liked to go to my sister's.  But I'll be going to the botanical gardens for my friend's birthday Friday or Saturday, so that will be fun.  

Time to walk the dogs and then go to bed.  We're watching The Lion King - I don't really like the movie, but S wanted to watch.  I guess I'll have to wait til it's over before I can go to bed.  I miss the days when you would watch the terrible movies with S.  I miss you.

Love,

A