Last weekend, it was 85 degrees and we took a nap in the hammocks. This weekend... my dog is collecting hail. I love sitting at my desk and looking out into the backyard. But not so much today. It hailed thick for about 15 minutes, leaving about an inch of ice on the ground. The sun has since come out, and it's all melted, for the most part, just half an hour later.

"This isn't normal." For the three years here in Oregon, I have heard this for perhaps 3/4 of the year. So... what I am to understand is that there IS no normal here, right? Ah, okay, now that we've gotten THAT straight...

This morning I did a short volunteer stint w/ the Salem Film Festival. Saw Shadow of the House, a work by Allie Humenuk, a documentary about the work (and neuroses and complex history with Cuba) of Abelardo Morell. It was a great work; I love creative pieces about creatives. So many layers to be interested in. And perhaps the best part of film festivals... the filmmakers are present for Q&A afterward. I have two free tickets I need to spend tomorrow as well. But the piece, both in its creation and its content, was uplifting, inspiring and just beautiful.

Yeah Salem.

Met some nice people while volunteering, to boot. And therein lies a key element of what is not right about my presence here. I haven't done enough of this, this type of getting out into the community and supporting the things I want to see here. So finding a non-animal related volunteer commitment is now moving to the top of my personal to do list.

Frankly, sitting at home and listening to NPR or watching TV news about the world going to hell is greatly contributing to my fear and anxiety about the future. If I get away from that and into something much more rich and nourishing, I don't think it will be as much of a problem.

My shift was only 9a-12:15p, so we had the afternoon free. Scot's attempt to slow roast a brisket didn't fare well, so into the crock pot with the remains of a bottle of Sweet Baby Rays, some leftover Fighting Cock (a hotter BBQ sauce) and a few other odds and ends did their work and broke down the cut to a fantastic BBQ beef. Great recovery.

We meandered over to Independence (it's 15 minutes away, but the new movie theater there is comfy, a bit cheaper, and has better projection than the one that's just down the road... and better popcorn) to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Well worth matinee price. It was an excellent balance of cute, comedy and raunch.

Before heading home, we sought out Running with Scissors, a scrapbook/cardmaking/papercraft store that has sprung up on C Street. OMG. It's adorable. Very well organized, excellent space to browse, and a fantastic selection of high end scrapbook supplies, with plenty of things for cardmakers. Nothing much for bookbinders or those into handmade paper, but it's really an excellent store. Classes, a nice open space for crops, and friendly staff. Can't beat it.

Good things.

Umpqua Bank sends a mailing announcing "Rainbow Rewards" where you can earn "up to 20% cash back." As they are no doubt already tracking my debit card purchases I figure what the heck, so I sign up with is simpler than most.

Methinks they jumped the gun. There are only three participating retailers in Salem. Portland isn't much better, with only 13 participating retailers, with four of them being gyms.

Dud. Get the pool a little deeper before inviting people in, that's my advice. I'm totally UNDERwhemled by this attempt to generate commerce.

But hey, the bank provides a water dish for your dog, should you, you know, bring him into the bank.

In other news, more reason to be wary of cheap imported Chinese crap! Now they are finding diethylene glycol, a toxic ingredient found more commonly in antifreeze in products such as toys, tires and toothpaste. Ugh.