Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Tuesday was a bit more fraught than planned

The failure of the landscapers to move snow, see management's story on this.  

Possibly quite true, but I saw only two guys working. Both white. I think our nice Guatemalan crews, lived and worked here for decades, many with family refugee status from the 80s, I remember, were afraid to come in.  Here's management speaking 


Speaking of ICE, please sign up for Chop Wood Carry Water newsletter. Jess Craven produces it at Substack, https://substack.com.

It's packed with well researched information and suggestions on actions to take. I've forwarded today's email to several people who may want to do some of the actions 
I emailed the CEOs of Enterprise car rentals, Target who are letting ICE stage in their parking lots, and Hilton who are housing them.

And I emailed both my senators to remind them to vote NO on funding DHS, which contains ICE.  About the crypto Bill, my senator on the committee, Cory Booker, is already on side about it, I was in touch last week.
 
Now that Minneapolis has scored a bit of victory is the time to push harder, not let up. This is where we can crush it. 

Do it for Renee. Do it for Alex. Do it for Keith. Who? He was a Black man killed in the street LA a few days before Renee in Minneapolis. Notice most of us only heard of the white people. 

If you've never done this kind of protest before, now's the time. Hilton is international, so you can aim for your own segment and email. The other issues are pretty much a US responsibility.

Then Handsome Son got his bumper torn off last night in the work parking lot, I don't know the deets, but it was an ice rink with mountains of snow. So he spent the day dealing with insurers, body shop, dealer, fitted in a dentist appointment to all this. He's now driving with his license plate on the dash. I was very anxious about whether he could manage, but as often, he showed me he certainly can cope. 

I didn't go to my knitting group, despite having a ride, because the ice and frozen snow between my door and the nearest spot to pick me up made it a hazard I thought I wouldn't risk. See the hazard in question. The road is out there beyond the mounds.


And the severe cold doesn't work for me too well. After complaints and pictures to management they finally cleared the lot this evening.

I did finish the cowl and modeled it for you.




It can be worn with one button fastened, like a collar, or two or all,  whatever the wearer likes. I hope she does like it.

Then this evening Gary called urgently in search of aspirin. Chest pain, digging snow, his doctor said two aspirin right  away. So I found and provided them and will call in a while to check.  After a little chat he felt better. I think it was mainly muscle strain and fear, but I'll check anyway.

I have not responded yet to a lot of your comments, and  I think you see why. 

But there's always room for a light note. Here's one

Happy day everyone, let's all do our bit. This is the bit of history we're called on to live through and do our part.  







15 comments:

  1. Yes that is the year I was born! How did that work?

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  2. ICE is bad news whether its on sidewalks/parking lots or in communities beating up/killing people. And in lighter news, DAMN, how did that coffee calculation know my year of birth?

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    1. I expect someone can mathsplain how that works.

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    2. Algebra. You are subtracting your age from the years last two digits at the END of the calendar year (once you've had your birthday). Next year you'll need 86 cups of coffee.

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  3. Hilton, being very international; it would be worth my while to make my views known.

    That lighter note is trickery and witchcraft.

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  4. ICE is the Gestapo. I will again follow your lead. I did the math for us both. How do they do that?!?

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  5. That snow and ice can be such a mess and dangerous. And expensive. Good luck for Handsome Son. Yes, I've been doing the same, although with our Rep, hopeless. At least our Senators are both on our side.

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  6. Ice and ice are the worst. It’s hard to cope with either.

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  7. Math Magic!
    I hope Gary is okay. I know that must have been scary. I believe you were wise to stay home.

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  8. Great work by your son with his vehicle situation. I hope it's all entirely done ASAP, though I know these things take time. Sounds like you're relieved and proud with how he's handled it so far. The snow clearing in your development is not a good scenario and is a small symptom of our country's enormous problems, as you know. Ha, that "coffee math" is funny but only works if one hasn't had a birthday already in 2026, of course!

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  9. Fun coffee equation that actually did work, who knew.
    Yay for winning the yarn chicken game with the cowl! I like the colours.
    I hope Gary isn't suffering any sort of heart episode. Perhaps he'll learn to always keep aspirin on hand, just in case. And I'm sorry that Handsome Son has had to deal with an injury to his car. That's stressful - for both of you.

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  10. The cowl turned out well. We got cold but not the snow, thankfully. My representative, if I can call him that, is Tom Emmer. I don't need to say more. At least the car wasn't damaged, other than the bumper.

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  11. The next No Kings protest will be March 28th! Mark your calendars and watch for your local organizations to spread the word. Join the march!!

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  12. The next No Kings protest will be March 28th! Mark your calendars and watch for your local organizations to spread the word. Join the march!!

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  13. Love the cowl. My favourite colours! Hope Gary was ok!

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Please read the comments before yours and see if your question is already answered!