@stevendbrewer@wandering.shop

I told myself that since I was going to be doing Watch City today (even tho I didn't go) it was OK that I didn't get any work done.

Watch City load out. Nopity-nope-nope.

There was a brief lessening in the rain around noon and I felt a little guilty, but here's 2pm — half-way through the event. OK. I'm officially glad I'm not there.

Because I like to torture myself, here's the radar at load-in.

After checking the forecast, I sadly decided to cancel my plans to sell books at the Watch City Steampunk Festival this year. https://stevendbrewer.com/watching-the-rain-on-watch-city-from-home/

Thy spathe and spadix, they comfort me… #BloomScrolling

Today, I taught the last class and presided over the last Faculty Senate meeting of my career. I don't formally retire until August, but this was a huge step. And it's my 38th wedding anniversary! My wife & I are celebrating at 30B. Cheers!

As they came around the corner, Jimmy saw a shadow detach from the wall. He ducked as someone swung a bat which whistled above his head and bashed the wall. He sprang back with a curse. (5/5) #wss366

"It was not like this the last time I was here," Jimmy said.
"When was that?"
"Hmm… How old are you?" He chuckled and she rolled her eyes.
They walked around a decrepit and boarded up building that had once had public bathrooms. (4/5) #wss366

There was no-one visible through the chain-link fence. There was an overflowing trash can near the entrance and litter scattered everywhere: empty cans, cups, and fast-food wrappers. Coral even saw some syringes laying on the ground behind a bench. (3/5) #wss366

He fired up the engine, backed out of the driveway, and roared out of the neighborhood.
"Are we going to the same place?" Coral asked.
"No. This time we're meeting in a park."
A half hour later, he pulled into an empty lot next to a run-down municipal park. (2/5) #wss366

"Go?" Coral squeaked. "But I just got out of bed!"
"Change. Fast!" Jimmy said.
Coral ran back to her bedroom, threw on jeans and a clean top, then hustled back.
Jimmy had wolfed his omelet and washed up. As soon as she was ready, he led her back out and they got into the big truck. (1/5) #wss366

Ooh! Ooh! Is it Donald Trump?

He grabbed the handset and listened. Coral could hear a mechanical voice that repeated a string of digits several times. Jimmy replaced the handset in the cradle.
"Let's go," he said, abandoning his breakfast uneaten. (5/5) #wss366

In moments, he joined her with an identical omelet for himself. He cut a bite and was about to eat it when the phone rang.
Coral stood and started to reach for the phone, but Jimmy got there first. (4/5) #wss355

He poured a dollop of cream in her cup, then began to cook another omelet for himself.
She took a sip of coffee and inspected the omelet. It was simple, eggs lightly browned and folded over, with spinach and melted cheese inside. She took a taste and found it delicious. (3/5) #wss366

"What are you…" she started to ask.
"Have a seat, #kid," he said, cutting her off.
She sat down. In moments, he had served her a cup of coffee and slid a plate with a fresh omelet in front of her. It looked delicious.
"Do you want cream? Or sugar?" he asked.
"Cream only," she replied. (2/5) #wss366

In the morning, Coral woke up with a snort. It was already light. For a moment, she panicked, but then remembered it was Saturday. She laid back and closed her eyes. But then she sniffed and smelled coffee. Stumbling out to the kitchen she found Jimmy cooking at the stove. (1/5) #wss366

Pawpaws in bloom. Their flowers are unubtrusive, but charming when you see them. #BloomScrolling

"Where will you sleep?" she asked.
"I'll just sit by the phone." He put his big automatic on the table, then leaned a chair back against the wall by the phone. "Good night."
"Good night," she said.
She went into her room, shut the door, and was asleep in minutes.
(4/4) #wss366