After Dallas, Baton Rouge and Nice, I surrender

This vintage typwriter is our featured image.

Phew! The s–t storm that the landscapers were creating in my yard just ended and I can finally hear myself think. More importantly, Eli feels safe enough to come out of hiding.

To me, the tree shredding machine in use for the better part of an hour sounded like a jet engine on steroids. I can only imagine what it sounded like to my cat. All I know is, the second that racket started, he tried to dive under the bed. When he discovered there wasn’t any room there, he sought refuge elsewhere.

Eli, the In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot.
In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot Eli catching up on the latest news. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic

Lately I’ve been wishing I could hide under the bed. Not that it would solve anything. But given recent events in Dallas and Nice and Baton Rouge — and current events in Cleveland — I just need a break from all of the madness.

My faith in humanity is taking a beating. My moral outrage is almost spent. I can’t cry anymore. I’ve had it. I’m pooped.

Fortunately, I found some stories that have nothing to do with cop killing, terrorism, or presidential politics. Since I’m exceedingly generous — and since we can all use some good news at this point, I’ve decided to share links to my favorites. In no particular order, here they are:

  1. In California, Ventura County Animal Service just got a big grant from the Petco Foundation. According to published reports, the agency will use it to fund a program that helps people keep their pets. You can read more here.
  2. A new study just identified some really cool pets for people who want something other than a dog or cat. Of course, getting one might be a little tricky. Find out why here.
  3. Eli hates going to the vet. And to be honest, I hate taking him there. If you and your pet feel the same way, “mobile pet care” could be the solution. Read this to learn more.
  4. A large donation will allow a New York State humane society to help people who can’t afford to feed their pets. Read more here.

I hope this lifts your spirits or makes you smile. Maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem, after all.

Duty calls

This vintage typwriter is our featured image.

Don’t you just love getting mail from the government?

Your pulse quickens, your stomach knots and your mouth gets all dry. Your hands shake, you start to sweat and your head is pounding.

You study the return address, trying to figure out whether or not to open it. Maybe if you ignore it, it will just go away. Maybe you’ll “lose” it.

Then again, maybe not.

And in all fairness to much-maligned bureaucrats out there, sometimes those envelopes do contain good news. Sometimes it’s your tax refund.

Most of the time, it’s not.

Alexandra Bogdanovic
Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic

I got my property tax bill from the Town of Greenwich recently. And then the state sent me a note informing me it’s my turn to report for jury duty.

I already paid my taxes. As for jury duty, I’m supposed to go later this week. On one hand, I’m dreading it since I’m supposed to be at the courthouse early and it will probably take an hour to get there. On the other hand, it would be kind of cool to be chosen for a high-profile case.

I suppose it would be fairly easy for me to “get out of it” if I really want to. I have a paralegal certificate — so I know a bit about the law. I also spent the better part of 21 years covering cops and courts…

Then again, the experience could provide some very interesting blog fodder.

In any case, I will definitely let you know what happens… as soon as I can.