Jenn Howe

😐

😰

😭

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

How many of you are still with us and hanging in there?

How many of you Americans are ready for this Coronavirus-Trump Shitstorm to end? 🙋🏻‍♀️👏🏼✊🏼

Over 8.8 million infected in the U.S.

Over 106,000 infected right here in Arkansas.

Not long ago, I got VERY sick myself — I had to miss over a week of work. 😷 🤒 🤧 Luckily, it was NOT Covid-19. 👏🏼👏🏼 But it left my immune system weak…and I’m probably in much greater danger if I DO contract Covid-19 now, so I’m being extremely careful.

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Right after I recovered from my recent illness, I was in for another unpleasant surprise — I was attacked by a large dog in a nearby neighborhood.

Yes, you read that correctly —

I was viciously attacked by a dog.

Only me. 🙄

I had to involve the local police, go to the doctor to receive shots and antibiotics…the whole package. This is a picture of one of the bites (on my thigh), to give you an idea. ⬇️

I also had a bunch of teeth/puncture marks all over my body, like these (close-up shot)… ⬇️

I managed to avoid stitches, but many of the puncture marks were quite deep and tried to become infected. I had muscle soreness and bruising, hard knots under my skin, etc.

What a freaking nightmare.

It was like the movie “Cujo”…except I was on a bicycle, just minding my own business, when the mammoth dog darted out of someone’s yard and headed right for me. He was so powerful that he quickly caught up to me, then he sank his teeth right into my leg and JERKED ME OFF THE BICYCLE. 😳 I was laying in the middle of the road screaming and crying as the dog continued to attack me.

Not the best day. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Not the best YEAR, if we’re all being honest, right? 😂

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Other years have been hard, but 2020 is just…WEIRD. The weirdest ever. One totally BIZZARO thing after another keeps happening. It’s like living in an episode of “The Twilight Zone”…it’s just too unbelievable.

Like the following event, which happened to me back in May. May 6th, to be exact:

I woke up in my house at about 4:30 pm (for night shift work), and I quickly realized that something wasn’t right. I felt something lightly touching me.

I flipped on my nightstand lamp and saw that the entire floor was…moving. Moving and pulsing and…

my floor was covered in a wall-to-wall carpet of LIVE TERMITES.

And here’s the real kicker: they were also on the side table, the bed, AND ME.

That’s what I had felt touching me. Termites.

😳

Have you ever felt that you were going to spontaneously pee on yourself?

They weren’t just in my bedroom, either. They swarmed SEVERAL rooms.

That night, I had to evacuate my home (temporarily — things are “normal” again now, whatever THAT is…LOLOLOLOL 😐), but anyway…honestly…

…have you ever known ANYONE who has both been attacked by a ferocious dog AND woken up to find termites in their hair?

Well, now you do. 💁🏻‍♀️

Allow me to introduce myself — I’m the Queen of Bizarre Occurrences. 👑 😆

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In other news…

What could be more terrifying than angry dogs or swarming termites?

Yep, that’s right: our President.

Americans…we need to get out and vote in RECORD NUMBERS. This election is more important than any in our history, and you better vote like your life depends on it, because in many cases — IT DOES. The entire world will be watching. Your children and grandchildren will ask you one day if you stood on the right side of history…if you voted for or against out-in-the-open lies, sexism, racism, and outright hate.

As for me, I’ve already voted…

The Orange and Evil One has to go. ✊🏼 Unfortunately, he has many crazy, cult-like followers, and I’m gonna be so nervous as the results come in. I genuinely don’t know what I will do — or how our country will ever recover — if he wins again. But EVERY person should have their say and cast their vote. It’s your right. And now, more than ever, it’s your DUTY.

VOTE. 🗳

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So yeah…maybe let’s talk about something a little more pleasant now?

Travel has been a big no-no, in general…but I did get a rental car and drive to the northwestern part of my own state for the last little bit of vacation I had for the year. Of course, I wore a mask and distanced myself the few times I was around people. For the most part, though, I was outdoors and away from others.

I first went over the mountains and headed toward Fayetteville…

⬆️ I just love these small-town diners on remote highways. ⬇️

⬆️ If you look closely, you will see them (above)…cowboys. 🤠😂 Also: it isn’t healthy, but when I splurge on a soda…DR. PEPPER FOR LIFE. 👏🏼 👌🏼 💯 #YourSodaSucksIfItIsntDrPepper #facts

⬆️ Beautiful fall colors right outside my hotel room. 🍁 💚

⬆️ I was in the land of the Razorback, but my baby girl is a RED WOLF, so…#represent #AState #RedWolves #HowlYes 🐺🤘🏼

My adorable red wolf approved… ⬇️

What do I like about Fayetteville? That’s easy… 1) Lots of great coffee shops ☕️, and 2) AMAZING bicycle trails! 👏🏼🚲

And guess what two things were right next to my hotel…

⬆️ OLD PINE coffee roasters and PHAT TIRE bicycles (and rental). I mean come on. That’s all I need.

The bike trails around Fayetteville…WOW. They are simple, clean, safe, peaceful, and beautiful. They also can connect you to most parts of the city with relative speed… ⬇️

Lots of ridin’. 🚴 Then back to the hotel to chill. The room was comfy. The hotel even let me bring my bicycle up to my room. Ace. 👍🏼

⬆️ Polaroids. Word. ✌🏼

⬆️ Did you think I wouldn’t be reading the latest from my favorite poet, Billy Collins? Dude, you be trippin. 📖 ❤️

I like to leave photos and/or notes behind when I stay in different cities/countries. Here was a bit of “hotel room life wisdom” for whoever might have found it in Fayetteville… ⬇️

It’s true, though. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #BeHereNow #BeMindful #AndManyOtherHashtags

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Next stop was Eureka Springs.

The drive up the mountain was glorious because the leaves were changing and the weather was PERFECT. Once I arrived in Eureka Springs, I spent an afternoon shopping in the historic district. ⬆️

But my final destination was one that means a lot to me. I was returning for a sort of “anniversary” visit, and I’ve had exciting and memorable experiences there in the past…

…the celebrated and haunted 1886 Crescent Hotel! ⬇️

It felt like a homecoming, and it was divine. 👻 🏨 🌙 💕

I love so many things about this hotel, but I think my FAVORITE thing is…the hotel cat, Jasper! 🐈 ⬇️

KING. ⬆️ 👑 🐱

As usual, a lot of freaky (supernatural?) things happened during my stay at The Crescent…but this time, it wasn’t for an audience or a movie. It was just for me. 😌

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I’ll end the blog as I often do — with several random photo moments:

Happy trails.

Call for information.

My grandson is the cutest and saddest little bag of popcorn you ever did see. ❤️ 🐱 🍿

Somewhere up in the mountains of Arkansas.

Filthy. #DirtyMartini 🍸 👌🏼

Mary, Mary, quite contrary…how does your garden grow? 🎶 🌸

NOT just married. 🔔 💍

Cozy moments at home.

Making pumpkin purée and preparing to roast pumpkin seeds. 🎃 #TisTheSeason

Hidden deep in the woods.

The giant spider that guards my house. 🕷 🕸

Leaf-lined paths. 🍂

This angel, my sweet daughter, is 23 years old now. How lucky am I? #TheLuckiest ❤️

Colorful debris.

Doors for MUSICIANS ONLY. 🎵 🚪 #legit #LocalDoors

A lot going on here. 🎹

A sliver of sky.

Finally took down the Christmas tree…almost 2 years later. 🎄😜 And now it’s almost time to put it back up again. 😂 🤷🏻‍♀️

Feeling autumnal. ☕️ 🕯 #FallVibes

End on a colorful note. 🔥 🌅

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That’s all for this blog, folks.

I have to run — there’s a LOT happening, and I’ve much to do. I’m excited, scared, and overwhelmed. Mostly excited, though. A lot of things in my life are about to change…and I mean BIG changes.

2020 has been a real dumpster fire, but if you’ve made it this far…you’re one of the lucky ones.

Hold tight, you guys.

Stay safe, love yourselves, and keep fighting for a better tomorrow.

I’ll see you all on the flip side of the election…

With love and hope,

Jenn

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