journiland

[journiland]

Ugh. My lips are swollen, bumpy, and itchy. As far as I know, there's been no cashews in the house... They're not quite as swollen as they get with cashews, anyway.

The likeliest culprit seems to be the Earth Balance margarine I had on toast before I went to bed. I brushed my teeth after, but it's greasy so some could have stayed on my lips all night.

I really hope it's not the pea protein in it... that would rule out Beyond Burgers, vegan protein powder, the margarine... and probably a host of other things.

I'll wait until the swelling is gone and see if a smoothie causes a reaction.

[journiland]

Oldest and grandkids are coming today, so my house will be chaotic for a week or so. I'm happy I'll get to see them but worried my energy isn't up to it.

[journiland]

Haha....I didn't realize it was weed!

I was watching "Midwestern Magic Cleaning" on YouTube, and I saw this poster on someone's wall.

I like the concept of thinking of the mind like a plant. (Mine would be withered, unwatered, and fertilized with Round-up.)

If you like watching cleaning videos, you might like this guy. He's practical and open about his struggles with depression.

[journiland]

I was watching "Midwestern Magic Cleaning" on YouTube, and I saw this poster on someone's wall.

I like the concept of thinking of the mind like a plant. (Mine would be withered, unwatered, and fertilized with Round-up.)

If you like watching cleaning videos, you might like this guy. He's practical and open about his struggles with depression.

[journiland]

The easiest solution would be to stop deporting all the farm workers!

Forced Farm Work Doesn't Work

I see that America is thinking of using forced labour to replace deported immigrants on farms. Human ethics issues aside, I don't think this will be a good deal for farmers.

Here's why....

For 11 years I worked seasonally at an organic certified blueberry farm. The first couple of years I worked for piece rates along with overseas backpackers. Eventually I worked up to being the leading hand. I trained and supervised the workers, planned the harvest days, managed the packing shed, inventory and learned how to prune and manage blueberry plants. I learnt a lot. I sweated a lot.

Fruit picking is hard work in often extreme weather conditions - for berries you are working in the heat. To be of any use to a farmer the picker needs to work at speed, maintain high standards, pick correctly, handle the fruit properly, sort, grade and pack accurately and do this for hours on end, days on end and in many cases for months on end.

The farmer needs people who can shoulder this work. Damaged fruit through rough handling, unripe fruit picked too soon, damaged plants or crops not getting harvested in time cost the farmer their livelihood. A picker needs to be able to learn quick, work quick and endure. Training people up takes time. This becomes wasted time (and money) if the picker leaves the job or does not become a useful resource for the farmer.

Anyone in government who thinks that forcing people (immigrants, welfare recipients, addicts, single mums, whatever) into farm work to make them 'pay their way' is delusional.

Agricultural conscription will not 'help' farmers. Sending farmers a forced mixed bag of 'too hard basket' people to deal with is an insult to the farming profession and the people who work in it. It also shows a complete ignorance about what it takes to produce food and get it to the table.

America, if you have a rural labour shortage problem right now then ask YOUR FARMERS what it is that they need to fix it. I can guarantee that it will not be busloads of rounded up welfare recipients.

[journiland]

you're just mad because you're hungry and tired and your legs hurt and you head hurts and you're too hot and you have depression

[journiland]

Did I write this?

My brain sure does love telling me that everyone hates me. With zero proof, might I add! Why do I keep believing it?

[journiland]

[journiland]

Today's harvest:

I'm thinking the zuke is one that I hand-pollinated late. I've got a couple like this recently... Maybe I don't spread the pollen enough. (The other two are cukes).

[journiland]

Is funny...I jot down things (brain insights , garden plans, on here and in ColorNote (notepad app) so I can remember it, but then I nearly never go back and look at what I noted.

I should randomly schedule reblogs of some posts.

[journiland]

Brain dump for future reference, because I tend to forget and think nothing interests me:

My stepbrother used to have a job cleaning out homes at the projects after the tenants left. He quit because he said it was really disgusting. Except for the heavy lifting part (and my energy issues), I think I would have loved that job. I don't gross out easily, gloves are a thing, and I like making chaos into not-chaos. It doesn't work with inhabited homes, because I get overwhelmed by figuring out what to do with stuff that's not mine. I didn't like cleaning at Guy's house because there was a lot of stuff to work around. I don't mind cleaning the church because there's not much stuff and I like seeing things nice and neat.

(Yes, we own an entire house that needs redone, but I can't take the car 5 hours away when both boys have jobs and we only have one vehicle. If we get a second functioning vehicle before it gets cold, I'm hoping to get up there. Though I'm overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in it that's not mine, I think I could make good progress.)

I need a practical hobby. I keep watching car cleaning videos and camper remodels, but it is out of my skills, funds, and energy to buy a car or rebuild our camper. But of course, after having no motivation or interest in anything for...quite a long time, this is what my brain finds interesting.

[journiland]

I need a practical hobby. I keep watching car cleaning videos and camper remodels, but it is out of my skills, funds, and energy to buy a car or rebuild our camper. But of course, after having no motivation or interest in anything for...quite a long time, this is what my brain finds interesting.

[journiland]

happy pride especially if you’re still in your shell <3

Not everyone can come out, not everyone wants to, and that’s ok. You’re still part of our family. <3

[journiland]

So June's official totals were as above.

Not bad, unnecessary spending was less than $12, I apparently would have blown $85 (but didn't), and earned a few bucks.

I am going to keep track for July, too...but more of a low-spend challenge than no-spend.

I've been unofficially doing a No-Spend month. As usual, food from the grocery store or farmer's market is allowed. Gas is allowed. Necessities are allowed, with the caveat I think through whether it's definitely a necessity or if there's an alternative.

[journiland]

Reblogging the jelly. Need all the luck!

I just reapplied for the remote position I've been hoping to get. Please send me good vibes or an employment jelly or something! 🍀

[journiland]

I just reapplied for the remote position I've been hoping to get. Please send me good vibes or an employment jelly or something! 🍀

[journiland]

Lest someone thinks my house is spotless when I talk about obsessively cleaning something....

Before:

The living room had become a dumping ground, since we don't often use it. (I hang out in the library, Vampire in the computer room, the boys mostly in their rooms, or occasionally in the library or computer rooms). A lot was Middle Kid's laundry, but I had put in a ton of blankets, pillows, etc. that needed sorted and decluttered.

We were going to get rid of the queen mattress because we didn't need it, but then I realized Oldest usually sleeps on the living room floor with the kids when she visits. This should be more comfortable...but I don't have a place to store it.

After:

Still needs work, but it's an improvement. I do not want a mattress permanently in my living room, but it's better... for now.