LIFE + LIFE LESSONS
First of the Month Ramble
Wonderings, random thoughts, and maybe a giggle or two.
Happy October, everyone. Many, across the globe, have begun the eagerly awaited, kind of pandemic free slide into the major holiday season. I give these people the space to do what they have to do, to feel a sense of “normalcy”, at a time when so many things are strange and uncertain.
I don’t feel the same excitement about the holidays and I can’t say that I have since before my twenties. There is, however, an enjoyment that I derive from seeing so many happy-ish people. The early release of fall doughnut flavors was a plus. (Thank you, to the rebels at Dunkin Doughnuts who made that happen, in some areas) I got some in the second week of August. We all needed a win.
Have you noticed that people are a little nicer as of October 1st? As a peripheral curiosity, I’d like to see what the Kens/Karens/Privalettas/Beckys are gonna do; to see if that calcified layer of privilege will be penetrated by all this positive energy. If all else fails, retail therapy and loads of Pinot should do the trick. Add in the euphoria of changing leaves and … well, stay tuned.
Those first few nips in the air in October make me crave Michael Myers films, and candy corn pumpkins; to be able to harshly critique a scatter-brained get-away while drunk from sugar. It’s the stuff that Fall is made of… 😊
Also, I’m wondering how paper shortages are going to affect the next three months of advertising, toilet paper, gift wrapping, and such. Not to encourage more toilet paper hoarding to rival that of March 2020, but with all that’s looming, I personally found myself purchasing a little extra this month.
Do the great TP hoarders of 2020 still have stores left from their initial haul? I wonder… 🚽 😟
Another thing I love about the holiday season is that people are generally more giving and will donate to worthy causes without any expectation beyond the obligatory receipt for taxes. My attention and some of my spare funds are going to organizations that help survivors of sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic abuse. I’ve learned that donating to smaller, local organizations has the biggest impact.
Speaking of taxes, is anyone concerned about the new tax law changes coming down on January 1st, 2022? As a gig-worker/ self-employed person, I have to admit that at first that leading line about the IRS monitoring all financial transactions over $600 peaked my attention. Then, reason kicked in to remind me that we pay taxes anyway so, no biggie unless it is. It didn’t take a lot of research to ease any misgivings about the changes; I read turbo tax articles and I feel a lot better.
As an adjacent thought: Will I get another stimulating check?(Ooh, I know it’s stimulus for any grammar nazis that I may have triggered) It would be stimulating if I got one 😉exponentially so if it were not taxed. Not to mention, that it would be super helpful, like right now, you guys?📣 Are you listening?
Considering that just about every contemporary nation has been more compassionate in their support of it’s people, during the pandemic, I think it’s the least the gov’t can do. Just my opinion. *looks at car repair bill*
My life is vastly different from it was this time last year, it’s exciting a little scary, which boils down to me facing a series of unknowns down the road. Such is life, I told myself, to cope with these powerful and valid emotions.
Should I publish a Chapbook of poetry? Compile an essay collection for eventual publication? Should I splurge on these super comfy slippers? 🤔
No one knows what the future holds, we only know what we can do, and sometimes we don’t know what we can do until we try something new. That is what I intend to continue to do.
©️KS Hernandez 2021
Some of my poetry for interested parties:
Poetry from the collective here.