9/28 Harvest

 These are the biggest pumpkins I've ever grown, so I'm feeling a little proud. Also got more acorn squash, zucchini, and cucumbers.

9/22 Harvest

 

Veggie Fried Rice

Here's tonight's dinner, which has been one of our favorite meals to cook this season:

And here's another organizing shelf, this time made out of Duplos:

Lego Spice Rack

Continuing with the organization theme, I decided to tackle some messy cabinets in the kitchen. I still have a big bin of Legos from my childhood, so I figured, why not put it to use? 

It's pandemic, and I don't know what I'm doing with my life.

Stronger Together: Building Unity Through Community

In fall of 2019, Caera and I started volunteering in a new diversity, equity, and inclusion program called Stronger Together. It was originally supposed to be a big, multicultural, family-friendly outdoor event held in downtown Arlington in May, complete with educational activities, swag, food, music, games, art, and more. Because of the pandemic, we had to postpone until September and reconfigure it into a virtual event, which took place today. The brochure is here, if you're interested in the particulars. Caera ran two events: Gaelic Language Introduction for Children, and LGBTQ Vocabulary. 

I'm grateful something like this is happening in our community, and I hope it can get more attention in future years when we can gather in person. I especially want to thank Will Nelson, Director of Equity and Student Success at Arlington Public Schools, for spearheading this event. He's also been leading virtual anti-racism classes and a book group to continue the work.

What's for Dinner? Roasted Root Veggies

 

Platform Update

 I've been working on the frame inside the garage, awkwardly navigating around my equipment. I'm constructing it in four sections and will put it all together outside (otherwise I'll never be able to move this thing by myself).

Sad and Sweet

 Need more kitten pics? Of course you do. You may be wondering why Pangur Dubh is wearing a funny jacket. Caera has been trying to get her to stop suckling on her own nipples, and this her latest invention. It turns out that Pangur was likely separated from her mother too soon, and she comforts herself by purring and suckling. Unfortunately she suckles a little too often and forcefully, making the area really inflamed (and she's got surgery scars that still need to heal as well). So this is our solution, which kind of works. We figure it's better than a cone of shame. We'll see how long it lasts before she tears it apart.

Storage Space Project

Having a covered workspace is important to me. I enjoy doing construction projects, and the garage is obviously an ideal space for such activities. At least, it would be if I had space to move around in there. When we moved in the beginning of 2018, the process was rushed and chaotic, and a lot got dumped in the garage for later sorting. I also have a lot of construction and landscaping tools to store in there, which makes wading through the clutter extra frustrating. I'm pretty sure our two-car garage is the smallest size one can get away with and still technically be considered "two car." The shelves help, as do my equipment on wheels, but I still need a little more space in order to get organized and functional.

I need a covered area to give myself some breathing room in the garage, so I decided to get a simple 10' x 17' portable garage and set it up in the back of the house. I have reasons why I'm not building a permanent shed at the moment. Since I won't be pouring a concrete base but will still need a level frame to mount the garage onto, I decided to use up some suboptimal studs and posts and build a platform raised on adjustable concrete blocks. That way nothing will be resting on the ground, I can level it as needed, and the structure will remain temporary.

I made a crude drawing of the platform I have in mind, maximizing the use of materials I already have:

I've managed to temporarily clear out the garage enough to get started. I can just barely fit the frame inside, and it will involve continually moving equipment around, but I think I can make this work.

Kittens

Caera and I are both still grieving the loss of Lucy and Ceilteach. However, Caera was feeling a strong urge to visit the shelter and give two new kittens their forever home. I was reluctant, but I'm glad I caved. I know it's possible to paradoxically grieve a painful loss and also welcome new pets into our hearts.

The striped one is Sagan, who is named after Carl Sagan. He's super curious, very lovable (and huggable!), and ready to explore the cosmos. The spunky black kitten is Pangur Dubh. She's named after a white-furred cat in a medieval Irish poem whose name is Pangur Ban. Since her fur is black, we call her Pangur Dubh.