Road trip

This is my new denim jacket for the next decorating denim event on campus. I believe in being prepared. 

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Road trip

These are my new 2 lb weights. I'm adding lifting to my aerobics. No disrespecting on the size. I'm starting small and building up. As for aerobics I've done at least 1/2 hour a day without missing a day 197 days in a row. That's 210 minutes a week. 

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Road trip

These are the three shirts and the adorable Squishmallow Eugene bought me. I'm wearing one of the shirts today along with my Hello Kitty saddle shoes and (of course) my Hello Kitty tattoo. You might say I'm repping the fine feline!

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Fros, Fades, and Braids (picture book)

     Kids have a habit of noticing differences in people and asking questions, often to the chagrin of parents or adults. Their curiosity is perfectly natural. Sean Qualls' Fros, Fades, and Braids: A Brief History of Black Hair in America is perfect for curious young readers.

     "Why a book about Black hair, specifically Black hair in America, right now? Black people have a deep and complex relationship with their hair. In the United States alone, Black people spend billions of dollars on grooming and hair care products."

     The book goes back to the days when straight hair was considered good and curly or frizzy hair on Blacks bad. Blacks with straight hair were considered  better. Straightening tools and concoctions were popular, even if they contained dangerous chemicals. It goes on to the use of naturals and afros in the 60s to make statements like "Black is beautiful" and "Black Power" and on to the wonderful variety of styles Blacks rock today.

     Styles are described and illustrated. Major players are introduced. I see Fros, Fades, and Braids as affirming for Black children and illuminating for their white peers. 

On a purrrsonal note, yesterday was a beautiful, warm, sunny day. After our delicious 😋 😊 breakfast at Governors Eugene and I went on a road trip all the way to Machias where he got us Subway subs and we had a picnic in the woods. On the way we stopped at thrift shops. Eugene bought me two pound weights,  3 shirts, a jeans jacket, and a beautiful big Squishmallow. At Goodwill in Belfast I was telling one of the workers who was stocking merch how the good organization and beautiful arrangement of the goods made shopping there so much fun for me. She told her supervisor what I'd said so she could share my words with all the workers. 

See something, say something is not only about reporting bad stuff. Complimenting people costs nothing and can really make them feel happy. 

A great big shout out goes out to my wonderful husband, Eugene. 

Jules Hathaway 

     

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Clean Sweep

I saved the best for last. I just got news I'd been praying for. CLEAN SWEEP IS ON AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2023. It couldn't be held in 2024 or 2025 because of renovations in the building in which it's held. It's a giant yard sale at UMaine of all the stuff--clothes, appliances, school supplies, electronics etc--students leave in the dorms. Imagine an ice hockey arena filled with quality merch. A lot of good stuff is diverted from landfills. The money goes to good causes like the campus food pantry. Stuff not sold is given to organizations that can use it like towels and bedding to the Humane Society. And for me volunteering for it is better than a magic kingdom vacation for other people. I get to do something I love doing with people I really like, especially my best friend, Lisa Morin. One of the for sure highlights of my year. The picture is of three fine cats I acquired in 2023. What am I hoping to find this year? Cat shirts, anything cat 🐈 😻 🐈‍⬛️ related, cool writing materials, a working watch, books, drag clothes with pizzazz and sequins galore, stuff my family would like, and--I bet you guessed this--SQUISHMALLOWS!!

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Juice

There was another group doing an event on voting next door to the SWell event. When they were cleaning up I stopped by to see how it had gone. I saw that they had no sugar added juice. It's hard to find juice I can drink because most have as much sugar as soda. They very generously gave me 12 boxes. It means so much when so much of what I can eat is boring or yucky or both of the above. 

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Demin

Well yesterday was a purrrfect day for me. Three awesome things happened. The first was that SWell had a craft day. Of course I was paparazzi. And when I saw a brand new box of fabric paints I was inspired to paint my jeans. But I couldn't exactly paint them on me. Fortunately I hadn't yet donated the bags of clothes I'd brought in to Black Bear Exchange. So I had something to change into. This is my painted jeans. I really like them. They're a tribute to my best little cat in the world. I will surely look fine on denim day. 

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