You Have No Idea Why I, A Small Rant

You – the metaphorical you – posted online that if I am not loudly and performatively denouncing what is going on right! now!, then I agree with the bad guys and I am terrible and you will block me and you will cease to do business with me.

Okay, fine. You do you.

However.

You have no idea why I – the metaphorical I – am doing what I am doing. Or not doing.

Maybe I do agree with the other side.

Maybe I am strong social justice warrior who is finding a few minutes to unwind.

Maybe I am a craven coward hiding my head in the sand.

Maybe I bask in privilege and assume they will never come for me, regardless of that poem.

Maybe I have a job that prevents me from speaking publicly on any issue.

Maybe I am from a segment of society that does not see mistreatment by the US Government as a shocking new twist. Welcome to my world.

Maybe I can’t afford to.

Maybe I am lazy with a well-developed sense of self-justification.

Maybe I belong to a vulnerable demographic.

Maybe I am dealing with a disease that is taking all my extra registers right! now!

Maybe my brain is consumed by looking after a sick child, or sick parent, or sick spouse. Care-giving is hard.

Maybe I believe in big checks and private opinions.

Maybe I have a family member who has been taken and hearing you bleet about it reawakens my pain.

Maybe I have a family member who has been taken and hearing your support heartens me.

Maybe I don’t care.

Maybe I have been fighting the good fight for years and am having trouble coming off the ropes one more time.

Maybe I don’t believe in adding to the noise.

Maybe I live where speaking out puts me in danger.

Maybe I don’t exist for your satisfaction.

Maybe I did and you missed it.

Maybe I do and the algorithm isn’t showing those to you.

Maybe I have a separate political platform that you read avidly and quote from regularly.

Maybe I am shocked, and stunned, and struggling with what to say.

Maybe I am in the thick of it and just spent my day delivering groceries and protecting preschools.

Maybe I have reasons that are my own.

You have no idea.

Winter Storm Fern, Family Photography

Dogs of the outside world. Cheering for a friend who will be competing this weekend. The Canine Chronicle: Fan-Favorite Flyball Tournament Returns For Milestone 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Wishing you speedy paws!

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Family Reports In

Photo of stone cabin with trees in falling snow

Photo of grass and leaves lightly covered with snow
Photo of a see-thru frozen leaf being held by two fingers
Photo of snow-covered path leading off a set of outside stairs
Photo of snow scene with snow blower, cleared driveway, and car, with trees and houses in the background
Photo of snow-covered porch with a path partially uncovered

Last weekend’s winter storm as seen by family members distributed across Pennsylvania(2), New York State, Boston, Bham, & Atlanta.

Technical Details

I’m usually all about attribution. I thought this worked better as a gestalt than as a catalogue of names and dates and places. I did ask if that was okay.

Or I was distracted by the storm and couldn’t face all the labeling. [Cat Statue]

Vertical photos appear in random order. Places listed in reverse alpha. [Order]

Final Flakes

Photo of snow-covered porch with a path partially uncovered

The storm lasted longer for some than for others.

Onwards!
Katherine

Rubber Ducky, Multi-Media Menagerie

Awareness of the outside world. CNN: Don’t say ‘Watch out for ice’: FEMA warned storm announcements could invite memes, Cohen, Jan 23, 2026.

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photo of yellow rubber duck sitting on old railroad car

While husband was being serious at the railroad museum … [Railroad Abstract]

… I took pictures of my newest rubber duck, courtesy of the gift shop.

Why a duck? [Cat, project explanation]

Onwards!
Katherine

Cat Statue, Multi-Media Menagerie

Awareness of the outside world. Stand With Minnesota & Will Tell Stories For Food: How To Help if You are Outside Minnesota.

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photo of small green cat statue in brick alcove

Grumpy are we.

Project Explanation

Ridiculous cold continues for most of the week. I got nothing. First of all, nothing happening, therefore nothing to write about, we may even be below our temperature limit for morning walks. Secondly, I have been, and will continue to be, distracted.

Hear that horses? Nothing to write about. No drama. Looks at home team. Stares hard at Milton. Let’s all hunker down, stay well, & get through this nonsense.

Therefore, breaking out a new project for this week’s posts. Enjoy. Stay warm.

Onwards!
Katherine

Quad Horse, Art

Art of the outside world. Paint a model horse. National Model Painting Month 2026 & BCS: My NaMoPaiMo sign-up. Not my thing but sounds like fun if it is your thing. I enjoy reading about it every year. Sign up deadline is 31 January.

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Computer drawing of horse made from rectangles, brown

Computer drawing of horse made from rectangles, grey

Computer drawing of horse made from rectangles, blue and pink

Two IRL horses & a decorator model

Process Notes

I posed the question, “Any ideas for off-horse activities?” debandtoby suggested, “Painting or sketching horses?” [Homework]

This was an excellent idea. An artistic challenge. An interesting use of time. Who knows what I would discover if I sketched daily for the next six to eight weeks? I was certainly familiar with the visuals.

Unfortunately, the project did not take into account that my brain was fudge. I had the time. I did not have the bandwidth. What I discovered was that Quad Horse was as far as I was going to get. Injury repair does not leave space for massive self improvement. Who knew? [Quad Cat]

Computer drawing of horse made from rectangles, black and white

Computer Quad Horse is a recreation of my sketching. I did draw. Just not much.

Onwards!
Katherine