Woke up at 4 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. Frankly, I read too much about the antics of the GOP and OM. When will I learn my lesson?

This morning, the first thing Don and I said to each other was no more news except vote count updates. That’s it. And, of course, anything President-elect Biden has to say. That’s a given. OM is going to make the next 70 days as difficult as possible but we have won. And that can’t be changed, no matter how many silly lawsuits he files.

If you don’t follow her already, I suggest you follow Jessica Yellin on Instagram. She’s a former CNN reporter with years of experience and she deals in ‘News, not noise.’ She has an update this morning that puts everything in perspective and it calmed me down.

So, I’m taking back my life once again and tuning him out. The less air we give him, the sooner his detestable flame blows out.

Today, we have a phone call with an organization that is helping Screen Actors Guild members change their insurance to a different policy. They’ve changed things at SAG and the policy we had, which I loved, is too expensive. So they’re offering a variety of policies. It’s a pain in the ass, frankly. And I’m so sleep deprived that I hope I can take it all in.

We have some chores to do outside over the next few weeks, not the least of which is emptying out the shed and ruthlessly throwing things in the dumpster that is arriving on Thursday.

We’ve had an unusually long and sunny warm spell here but that will change in a couple of days. It’s been lovely, truly, but I miss cooler nights, so I’ll be glad when things get back to normal.

I forgot to mention Alex Trebek yesterday. We were so saddened to hear he’d passed away. We watch Jeopardy every night. I grew up watching Jeopardy, starting way back when Art Fleming was the host. It was a nightly ritual at our house. And it’s been a ritual ever since. I rarely miss it a show. Alex was a kind, gracious, and slyly humorous host and I could always tell he was that way in ‘real life’ as well. Such dignity and grace. He will be greatly missed. Both Don and I had to take a deep breath last night before we started watching the show; the first time we’ve watched with the knowledge that he’s no longer with us. Rest in Peace, Alex.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Let’s look at something that has nothing to do with the election. What do you say?

I received this beauty in the mail on Saturday.

This beauty was made by the incredibly talented Arlette Shelton, who also made the sofa/settee that you all love so much. I’ve had this bookmarked on my browser and favorited in Etsy for a long time. I finally saved up enough money to buy it.

Arlette’s work is impeccable.

I always like a dash of red in a room.

A late in the day photo in the living room:

Still not sure about this wallpaper, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to take it all down and put something else up! So I will hang lots of paintings and artwork, which I’d already planned to do anyway. It will help break up some of the pattern. Though it should be said that I want a lot of pattern in the room like you see in many English cottages.

I found some wallpaper on another site that I like even more and I’m going to use it in the bedroom. It will be quite pretty up there.

Side note: I had so much fun late yesterday afternoon. One of the guys I went to high school with – actually, I’ve known him since I was 12 – organized a Zoom reunion of those of us who were involved in drama and Thespians . There were people there from the classes of 1968 – 1970 and it was so lovely to see them after so many years. We laughed a lot, sharing stories of our mentors and certain productions, but a lot of time was spent in simply filling each other in on our lives since graduation. My best friend Laural was there. Donna, my decades long friend who, incidentally, reads this blog, was there. It was such fun that we’re organizing another session in January and are tasked with finding more students from those years. I’m on it.

I was very active in theater from the age of 12 on and, between junior high school productions, summer theater productions, and high school productions, I made many friends from all over the city. Both Laural and I remember those days fondly, so seeing some of my friends from those days was just the tonic I needed. (Of course, I blow dried my hair and put on makeup! Heaven forbid they see me “as is.”)

Okay. We have to go to Lowe’s.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

I had just turned the television on and five minutes later I was shouting for Don to come into the den because I could tell Joe Scarborough was about to announce this. We stood together, screaming and cheering and jumping up and down.

Minutes later, we went out on the porch and rang our cowbell over and over again. We could hear our neighbors across the road cheering in response. And as we rang the bell, a pick-up truck with a big Trump flag drove by. Oh, the irony. Perfect. (I haven’t danced in the street yet, but I will today.)

I was so moved by people everywhere pouring out onto the streets in celebration. It was like VE day, or more accurately, a day when a dictator is no longer in power. Stunning. I’ve never seen anything like it before in this country. Democracy is saved. Fascism is toppled.

And the fireworks in London, the bells ringing in Paris! The whole world was watching and cheering us on.

President-elect Joe Biden. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Hope. Compassion. Goodness.

This morning, I am feeling a peace that I haven’t felt for over four years. So is Don. I can’t stop smiling. Yes, I know OM will create any trouble he can, but you know what? He’s no longer relevant. I’m not going to allow him to enter my celebration. He’s out. And every grifter that he appointed is out, too. My best friend called yesterday and she said she was so happy but worried about OM and I urged her to just BE. To be in the moment and to enjoy the victory of good over evil. My sister called me saying “I just need to hear your voice.” Darko called. We spoke to our friend Rob out in San Diego. I imagine you were doing much the same.

Enjoy this, my friends. Bask in it. After four years of this madman, we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank God.

Much, much love to you all.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.