Suburban Ennui

More side blogs than you can shake a stick at: my photos @fotointerrupted, art diary @artblg2000, my collages @snipstress

[huariqueje]

Strawberries - John Thorgren

Swedish , 1918-2000

Colour lithograph , 56 x 79 cm. Ed. 105/310.

[womaninterrupted]

I’ve been wanting to post all day but it’s been such a doozy of a day and week. The heat makes everything feel so much more intense and exhausting. Today was day two of my new part-time job because I cannot have a broke summer. So far it’s been intense but also extremely rewarding. I’m caring for a 92 year old woman in her home. She’s very self-sufficient, but also has dementia, and has a rotation of caregivers who come in 5-ish hour shifts including her daughter who manages her care. It’s been such an amazing learning experience and it’s also been so nice getting to know her. I’ve been reading up on how best to talk to her, distract her when she needs it and keep her entertained and safe. I also help care for her beloved dog. He’s an absolute sweetheart although he did nip me today but that was totally my fault. She lives about four minutes away which is amazing because it was a million degrees and I still had time to take a quick shower after doing ALL the chores at my house (Mr. Interrupted is sick and the kids are working) before rushing over for my shift at 2:30. There have been a few challenges but so far she loves me and her dog, and I love that she watches MSBC or CNN instead of Fox (I didn’t even know that was possible) and has an awesome old school Brooklyn accent. When she lets me care for her and I can get her settled in the evening I feel so good that she is content and safe. When she doesn’t understand why she needs to have anyone around in her home where she’s lived on her own for a long time I honestly have a hard time arguing with her and just try to convince her to keep me around for the companionship. I mean, she’s not wrong but also she does need some looking after. I have cried with her both days I’ve worked so far because one thing about me is I’m a crier and also I am empathetic to a fault. If you ever need someone to have a good cry with I’m your gal.

On Wednesday my houseguest went back to Rome. I think we showed her a good time over the last three weeks and I’m exhausted from that but also I was sad to see her go.

We are having a few friends (not mine but the girl’s) for Fourth of July tomorrow and I’m cold curing my Momofuku Bo Ssam as I type this. I think I have almost everything I need. Have to run out for some lettuce and kimchi in the morning though. I love a Fourth where no one needs to man the grill. I also really wanted to make Nam Van which is the most delicious Laotian cold “soupy” fruit salad that I discovered at a family event in Georgia last year and am obsessed with. A concoction sort of in the vein of Filipino halo halo. Maybe I should save it for next week’s grad party instead though. For tomorrow, I may just serve some watermelon and brown butter Rice Krispy treats instead.

I know the news has reported on it but I simply can’t wrap my head around the fact that Taylor Swift got married in MSG. It makes no sense. I won’t believe it’s real until I see actual photo proof. Nothing seems less romantic than MSG. What does a wedding there even look like?

[queensinchains]

THE SHEEP DETECTIVES (2026) dir. Kyle Balda

[womaninterrupted]

Love Island movie night should be against the Geneva Convention. That was a sick psychological experiment.

[achillesinhighheels]

#bymyselfmaxxing

[peoplematchingartworks]

[womaninterrupted]

We’re keeping our outdoor time at a minimum due to the heatwave. Martha was very agitated poolside last night and now I have to keep a close eye on what she does outside and how long she stays out.

Martha: (at some unseen enemy she’s spotted from the backdoor) Bork bork bork!

Me: You need to go out there or are you just talking shit? (Holds door open)

Martha: (extra loud now that there’s no glass between her and her enemy) Bork!

Me: Glad that’s settled. Now step back inside.

[discontinued116]

Henriette van Gasteren

[fotointerrupted]

[aarchval]

Agnès Varda, A self-portrait in the studio, Rue Daguerre, Paris, 1956.

[likitesplit]

[motionpicturesource]

DECISION TO LEAVE (2022) - Directed by Park Chan-wook

[nomeusstuff]

[misscromwellsmonocle]

The Lazy Italian Girl (1757) by Jean Baptiste Greuze

[quendergeer]

god, you take a five minute break and some asshole paints a picture

[trans-lykanthropie]

I bet Jean Baptiste wasn't helping with the washing up or doing the laundry

[womaninterrupted]

Guys, I am not sure if I told you all about the mosquito dunk buckets I put around the yard but I feel like it’s all I talk about lately. This is the first year that I am able to hang out outside and not be devoured by bugs. It’s a miracle. It is very woodsy here and so it’s no small feat.

[womaninterrupted]

For those asking about the mosquito dunk bucket: get a 5-gallon bucket, fill with water, add some decaying leaves, put chicken wire on top (I made holes in lid and cut out the center for chicken wire attached with zip ties to make sure small animals wouldn’t fall in), and add a quarter of a mosquito dunk which has bacteria that kills mosquito larvae. See this link for more. It’s very inexpensive, safer than pesticides and doesn’t harm other pollinators. You only need to add a new dunk tablet once a month.

[womaninterrupted]

I made an amazing dinner tonight: grilled marinated jumbo shrimp (lemongrass, lime, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, thai chilies), grilled baby bok choy (sambal oelek, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, rice wine vinegar) and roasted potatoes. I turned a failed sourdough loaf into some rather toothsome focaccia-adjacent breadsticks and it was better than tossing it. Kind of works with some manchego or artichoke dip.

[womaninterrupted]

Every time they voluntarily cuddle I get so excited and then Martha turns towards Stella and Stella growls and bares her last two teeth and it ruins the moment.