The tease of Texas weather

In February, Texas teases us with bright, glorious days, maybe a bit brisk but sunny with clear skies, and then wallops us with cold, wet days. Today is one of the cold, gray wet ones that chills you to the bone. Yesterday was the same, and it gives me a great case of the blahs. I sit and my desk and freeze, partly because I’m cold-natured and partly because my small office-living area has three large windows, one small one, and French doors. That’s a whole lot of glass, and on sunny days it’s wonderful. Not so much today.

Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s my mood, but I foresee scant accomplishment for today. Yesterday I was on fire and got so much done that I was smug and a bit self-satisfied. So maybe today is payback by the gods.

Sorting receipts and bills for the accountant is an annual chore that I dread. But being a compulsive rather than a procrastinator, I get it done so that it’s not weighing on my mind. Throughout the year I keep relevant paperwork in two folders—one for general tax matters and one for professional writing expenses and income. Yesterday I vowed I would sort one folder—but I actually sorted both, categorized expenses, and came up with questions for the accountant. Plus I discovered an automobile insurance deduction I’m eligible for.

And I had lunch with a good friend, talked out a project, and elicited her support. If it comes to fruition, she’ll assist me with research, so I’m doing the happy dance. And in the evening, we entertained friends we haven’t seen in too long. So it was a good day, and I guess I had a right to be smug. Maybe I can rest on my laurels today.

Lately I’ve decided that the two most overused words in the English language are “inappropriate” and “offensive.” Too many of us decide if it’s not exactly as we would do it—from apparel to music to whatever—it’s inappropriate. I am struck by the number of teen girls being sent home from school (particularly in Texas) for “inappropriate” dress or hair. I’m all for modesty and occasionally appalled by skimpy outfits on teens at church, but who really sets the standard? Too many young girls are getting an awful message when they are sent home for inappropriate dress, particularly when, as in one instance I read about, the explanation was that their outfit (and dancing) would cause impure thoughts in young boys. A friend insists that the only ones who have impure thoughts are the male teachers. But it’s that old blaming the rape victim—“she asked for it.” No! It’s a masculine problem.

But boys have their problems too, particularly teenage boys with dreadlocks. They are sent home and/or told they can’t walk across the stage unless they cut their hair. What authority says dreadlocks are wrong? Who says we all have to wear our hair the same way? With the dreadlocks, it’s white men who have no idea of working with curly, kinky hair. I heard of a different instance today—a sixteen-year-old boy who was growing his hair out for Locks of Love to support his sister, who had lost hair during treatment for a severe auto-immune condition. Ordered by the school to cut his hair, the boy chose to drop out of school. Tragic.

And a final note while I’m clearing out my brain: I’ve read good advice (I think from the Bloomberg campaign) for talking with Trump supporters: stick to his policies and the issues and avoid commenting on his orange-ness or his mental state. I am working hard these days to avoid being snarky, especially on Facebook, but darn, it’s hard! Both his orange-ness and his mental state are such tempting targets.