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My 73 birthday was Monday. On Tuesday night my living room temperature was 48 degrees. Water was turned off. I stayed in bed wearing my winter pjs, my heaviest pjs, a long sweater, 2 pairs of wool socks, a scarf, a hat and gloves, 3 blankets and a comforter. I was fine. I had a camping lantern, an extra battery, my cellphone and my kindle. I snacked on GS cookies. I was fine. Not so for many other people in Houston and across Texas. Many are still suffering. The Republican state government knew about the potential problem of deregulation. Ten years ago cold had caused a similar problem. For the sake of money, no insulation of vital energy sources took place. Some of that money made its way in the form of political contributions to Cornyn, Cruz, Crenshaw (my Representative) and many others. Cruz made his way to Cancun and seemed surprised that his neighbors and his daughters’ school friends and their parents shared that tidbit. He lied, blamed his kids and then justified his actions on being a good dad. What a champ. AOC was down here today and many Texas Democrats in state and local government joined her. Our state and federal Republican elected officials were MIA. Thanks for all the good wishes and contributions. They mean a lot. The Houston Food Bank is a great place to help if you want to make a meaningful contribution. Many rabid Republicans are defending Cruz and his cruddy compatriots. I hope enough Texas Republicans, however, are as disgusted as I am and remember when elections come around. The tragedy of preventable events can break you as can the lack of accountability. I won’t be broken.

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Heather, I hope you bask in the knowledge that you have created a community that adores your clarity, respects your insights and each other's, and is truly a unique creation. When you take an early night --surely well deserved-- we can take turns sharing what's important to us. Tonight, I've been thinking of an article I read with very specific instructions for keeping the progressive surge going and expanding its influence. I hope others will find it a blueprint for action, too. Peaceful night, all.

https://indivisible.org/democracy-guide?akid=70164.55085.rO-UQ6&rd=1&t=8&utm_medium=link2_20210108&utm_source=email

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The Maine coast looks frigid, frozen and fantastic.

With no regular LFAA tonight, this suggestion should be of interest.

One rewarding aspect of LFAA is the many books, songs, films etc. that readers recommend, often followed by "just bought it" or "just ordered." For those on a budget (who isn't?), especially with less income during pandemics (plural), here's a good resource: renew your library patron registration at your college/university/high school alma mater. A great many will extend lifetime borrowing privileges to alumni. I long had a library card from my undergrad AM, though since it's 900 miles away there's no use but for rare reunions. My grad AM is 3 miles from home, but libraries now are only a few keystrokes away.

The advent of electronic materials like digital books and e-journals makes access infinitely easier, with some exceptions. Thinking beyond books or monographs, the wealth of information in scholarly periodicals in particular can be a revelation. Public and school libraries still operate during the current pandemic, and thus remain valuable resources even when closed to walk-in traffic. The whole process of gaining access is pretty straightforward.

PROCEDURES

-- Check alma mater library websites for policies and procedures, OR

-- Email/call the Circulation Dept at the library (if calling, ask for staff or supervisor)

-- ID yourself as alumna/us and ask about borrowing privileges

-- A few mins are needed to create patron records w/ contact information, password/pin, etc

-- Contact Reference or IT Help Desk for more details or technical help

CONSIDERATIONS

-- Policies vary between libraries

-- Appearing in person generally required to create patron records (may differ w/ pandemic)

-- Some will restrict or deny alumni access to electronic resources

-- Other restrictions on patron status or using e-resources may exist

Is anything important overlooked? I was Circ staff for nearly 20 years, but c'mon you librarians and teachers, we know you want to share.

There's nothing like owning a physical book, of course, and bookstores really need customers (except when it's an Evil Empire). But libraries need patrons too. Electronic visits count as patron traffic just as much as borrowing physical items, perhaps more these days. Frequent patron use bolsters library budget requests and demonstrates value in the community. Using our access privileges now will boost libraries in the future. Otherwise, if/when they reopen fully, we may find that this precious public asset is gravely weakened and diminished.

Hope this helps; a universe of fact, knowledge and wisdom awaits.

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Chef Andre, Beto and AOC stood in for Clueless Cruz. There *are* people who care about other and restore our faith that there are good people who care about each other.

Thank Buddy for the lovely foggy, post-snowfall shot of the peaceful harbor, with the flag flapping in the wind.

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And, President Biden was sworn in a month ago today. Look what he has already accomplished! As always, Heather, thank you from Texas.

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Thanks for all that you do. You have been an invaluable quarantine companion, providing latter day fire side chats to me and so many others.

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We are all Texas. Rest up, we've only just begun.

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Take two nights off.

Play some cribbage with a friend.

Another glass of wine, please.

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It’s getting warmer in Texas! 59 in Ft Worth today. So those of us that weren’t hard hit are getting back to something like normal.

Love the picture! Thanks to Buddy!

Have a restful evening! 💙

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Time marks so much, some things marked longer,harder and more trying than folks have the stomach, patience or heart for! Here’s to hoping for better days, ways and a safer direction! Please!?

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Some good news and some not so good news. A good week, overall. Texas will survive, RL is dead, vaccinations will get back on schedule. Thank you for your voice.

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What a week! Rest well, much love from all of us regulars to you. 💜

Don't feed the trolls; they'll either see reason or they won't, time will tell.

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In a monumental upset over prohibitive betting favorite Ted Cruz, Joe Manchin wins last week's "Biggest Political Asshole in the World" competition. When reached for comment by this reporter

on his upset victory, Manchin choked back tears as he dedicated his win to "Rush's tragic death".

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Quite the week. No insurgents . No crazy tweets ...just a president who cares and hasn't stoped working since he walked into the White house 🥰 I feel a rush of calm all over the world. My world at leste.

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hard to believe all that in a week! but yes it did happen. And America landed a rover with a drone on Mars.

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I'm glad you're taking the night off. Enjoy some family time; the history marching on will let you catch up. Great photo; Buddy has a nice eye.

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