THE KILLER PRINCESS

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Not too long ago on a Sunday evening after the dogs had dined and it was dark, Princess insisted she needed to go outside. So of course I opened the back door and out she ran. She stayed longer than usual and when she came inside, she was excited. She twirled in circles and danced across the kitchen. 

Eventually, she settled down, but it wasn't long before she wanted to go out again, and when she came in, she was still excited. It was cold and I didn't go out with her. She made two or three more trips to the great outdoors before she decided it was okay to stay in for the evening.

When it was time for everyone to go out before bed (last call for whizzing all), Princess, Franklin, and Penelope trooped outside, but I noticed Penelope wandering around without bothering to pee. I stepped out on the deck to remind her it was potty time and as I walked across the deck, I realized something furry and flattened was on it. 

There it was: a dead rat. That was why Princess had been so excited. Once she realized I had seen it, she ran to Mr. Rat to tell me about the thrill of the kill. 

Leave it! I shouted. I didn't want to deal with it. When Penelope killed a rat in the yard a couple of years ago, something dragged away the corpse overnight. Would we be that lucky this time?

Morning arrived and I peeked outside. The monster was still there. So I put on my big girl panties, marched out to the garage to get the pooper scooper, scooped the rat, and made it disappear. I'm not saying where it went. 

Princess was disappointed. She wanted me to sautee it in a little olive oil with oregano, garlic poweder, and onion powder, and cover it in parmesan when it was done. She assured me the tail was a delicacy.

Yuck!

I think my age shows in my feet. After the soreness in my left foot finally went away, within a couple of days, my right foot started to hurt. At some point, both feet will hurt at the same time and the dogs will have to take care of me. Princess will probably serve me her recipe for Cheesy Italian Rat. I hope Penelope prepares a salad to go with it. 

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

P.S. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't take any photos of the rat.

THREE NOT FOUR

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

It's been three years, not four, since I was attacked. It's funny how time becomes all muddled. I realized the number of years today because it's January 6th. When I was at home recovering in 2021, Carol called me to say TURN ON YOUR TV and of course I saw insanity and asked her what was going on. They're breaking into the Capitol building.

I've seen some crazy things in my life, but that was by far the craziest.

Today the FBI arrested three fugitives from justice here in Florida––people charged with assaulting police officers that day who didn't show up in court. Eighty-some people are still wanted for acts of violence that day, but thousands are on the FBI's Most Wanted site because they're accused of participating in the insurrection. More than 1,200 others have been charged and 890+ found guilty of federal crimes. Out of those found guilty, more than half were sentenced to prison time. 

The winner of the longest prison sentence, so far, is the leader of the oath keepers, who got 18 years. Some other oath keeper members received multiple year sentences. Some of those people had long lists of convictions from the past before they became insurrectionists. 

Note the guy in the foregound of the photo above taking a selfie. A lot of these idiots filmed themselves or were turned in by "friends" and family. That's what you get when you're a devout follower of a president who isn't a real president. He says he'll make America great again. Why didn't he do it during the first four years he had? He didn't drain the swamp. He shit in it and made it worse when he wasn't cheating at golf and bilking foreign governments out of funds to enrich himself. I don't want someone in office who says he'll be a dictator on the first day or any other day. He wants to use the office for revenge against anyone who has picked on him; that is, they told the truth about him. That's not what the presidency is about. 

After complaining about work, I threw myself into it and worked my butt off this week. I was off on New Year's Day, but Tuesdsay through Friday I went all out and did my best. Thank you for your support and understanding when I opened up about how hard it's been. I work six days during the coming week. That will be rough so I have to pace myself.

Princess and I were supposed to go for a training session this morning, but I had to reschedule. My left foot is red and swollen. It's been sore all week. I don't know if a dog stomped on it or if I smacked it against something. Usually it would be bruised, but it's not. Anyway, I'm staying off of it this weekend. I wanted to start putting away Christmas decorations. That's not happening. I don't care if the trees are up until February or May or next Christmas. I had started taking my tree down three years ago and I put it back up post-insurrection because it gave me some comfort and hope. 

Maybe I'm to become Miss Havisham with Christmas trees and cookie crumbs instead of a wedding dress and what used to be food for my wedding guests.

I read until about 12:30 last night and then couldn't sleep. I had cramps in my feet and one leg. It rained pretty hard during the early morning hours and I felt cozy in my flannel jammies under my favorite blanket. 

We've only had one night chilly enough for the girls to wear their jammies.

Franklin has only worn clothing once. That was right after Christmas 2022 when we had several nights in the 20s and he actually welcomed wearing an elf suit and covering up with a blanket.

I'm going to take a shower now and read for a while. Good night all.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

VOTE BLUE LIKE YOUR FREEDOM DEPENDS ON IT, 

           BECAUSE IT DOES.

FOUR

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

It's been four years since someone attacked me and said he was going to kill me. 

I didn't even think about it until the middle of the afternoon during a meeting when we were talking about first quarter goals.

My anxiety was terrible during part of December, but I'm happy to say it's pretty much under control now. 

My supervisor asked me what my career goals for this year are. I said not being fired and making her laugh, which made her laugh. 

Is your 2024 off to a good start? Do you have goals/resolutions or changes you want to make in your life? 

My favorite compliment at work is when a client tells me I was so worried about xxxxxx and you made it quick and easy. 

What kind of compliments do you love to receive? Don't be shy! Share with us!

I don't think I told you I spent Christmas Eve with Carol and Christmas Day with Rebekah, and I'm so fortunate to have Maureen right across the street. She has come to my rescue  many times. It's a wonderful thing to have such good friends. When my anxiety was particularly bad, Rebekah came over to spend a day with me. We did a lot of my Christmas decorating together and set up my new Ring cameras. It seems nothing happens these days unless we capture it on video.

Tell me what you're up to because I care about all of you and always like to know how you are. 

VOTE BLUE

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug