Fifteen Minutes of Scrawl

Since my friends and I go to Galena, IL (nearly) every year (and head there today), I decided to look up some facts about it (most directly from the Wiki page "Galena, Illinois" )!  Apparently, the reason it has fabulous hills, valleys, bluffs, and exposed rock is because it wasn't covered in glaciers ages ago It's named for galena (the natural form of lead sulfide) which was also mined by indigenous peoples to use in burial rituals Before a large rush for mining galena, Galena's population was ~200 Then, in roughly 1828, Galena had a similar population to Chicago (~10,000) due to said rush But also in 1828, there was a huge flood which allowed steamboats to go down Galena's streets Elihu Benjamin Washburne, who was a prominent Galena lawyer, later served in Congress during the Civil War, and then as Secretary of State and Minister to France for Ulysses S. Grant when he was president The DeSoto House Hotel in Galena's downtown is the oldest operating hotel...

Here are two short pieces based on things that have happened in my life recently (or even today).  Assemble The other day, and even tonight, I had one of my friends over to help with my new condo. The first saw me anxiously looking as she unpacked the pieces of my new desk chair and kindly offered to just assemble it on her own if that would be helpful. At first I declined, but as she kept unpacking and I found myself unsure how to help, I took her up on it.  It was so peaceful and lovely for us to just be in the same room each doing our own kind of work. I was trying to finish up some computer tasks for work because I was about to take three days off and I didn't want to leave my team in the lurch. She methodically and deftly assembled my desk chair enjoying--or so she said--having a break from computer work.  In the end I had an actual comfortable chair to sit in that could hold my weight and shape well. She had to go, but I thanked her. Tonight, a different friend came...

It's painted now, but here are some more things I need to do! Ask my neighbors if I'm allowed to use their couch on the back porch Place my in case of emergency save my dog stickers in my windows Locate and then relocate all of the things the painters put away Actually move the bulk of my stuff in (gotta pack that too) Figure out the floor plan for my living/dining room area Take stock of what other items I may need to acquire Select what will go into my basement storage unit Meet my neighbors and introduce them to Hoban Hang up the curtains I ordered (after they arrive) Hire someone to clean the condo once a month Have my window's thermal seal resealed Put together the furniture I've gotten Find an outdoor rug for my patio Change some lightbulbs Put up art (Prompt by me) Photo by Dyana Wing So on Unsplash

Time for puppets and a hot tub.  "Which puppets are you feeling inspired by?" is a wild question Ah so now because John was represented in the puppet show, he is coming But it also seems like the therapist was implying he'd already been invited (which is probably the case) Oh I didn't know Guillermo lost a brother to alcoholism... Is Shekinah just sleeping? This moment between Kara and Guillermo does make me want to hope they'll work it out "The power of the puppets!" is a wild quote I don't know how two people who have known each other for years can go on a date pretending they've just met Well Shekinah probably is right that this isn't a safe space for her Sarper is doing stand up with puppets Shekinah made a good point that the topic had switched off of them and Sarper should be allowed to sit But, Shekinah, I cannot emphasize enough that you haven't apologized for telling Thais to "go back to her country" Zied does seem so s...

A recent episode had a somewhat deceiving title. Anna locking in immediately on counting the rice Ify telling Catherine to always listen to the songs Sam sings Catherine discovering room 4 Ify immediately figuring out what Catherine has figured out Ify discovering the Grant room (5) The Grants deciding on their own to shuffle around Jiavani pouring the rice in her drink and drinking it Demi (and others) trying various ways to not describe what they see Demi being the first one (we see) to actually ask differences between what he's supposed to notice Demi asserting that there weren't twins in the office rooms, but rather just one guy Catherine not getting that it's Spaghetti Man Ify indicating he can identify Grant just by the back of his head Demi being so pumped to count the rice once he knows the win condition For the final counting of the rice using both the earthquake and Elaine The Grant conga line (Prompt by Dante Gonzalez) Thumbnail of "The First 14 Minutes of G...

Time for some finalities? Catie is going to a funeral-themed bar for her bachelorette because it's the death to her hoe life Honestly, I'm glad Catie has more friends than the men she's made out with That said, I'm not sure these friends are good friends since they don't seem to see that Catie's behavior is destructive CATIE! YOU. ARE. ON. CAMERA. I CANNOT EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH Also, have you told Josh what you want sexually? Marissa, you were supposed to be sure before applying for the visa I get Edward's frustration WE DON'T NEED TO SEE SHEA AND ANABELLE MAKEOUT NAKED IN THE SHOWER Oof, I'm sorry for Allison, but she does need to seek therapy now That said, I understand Allison a lot more now Ashia, the dance Maxwell's mom is mentioning is not a strip dance Rod...don't bring alcohol to a dry wedding Like, yeah, car salesmen have a sleazy reputation, but also, Rod, what else is Maxwell supposed to do other than try and reassure you? What els...