Big Brother - My thoughts on the season

 I am one episode behind, but I got spoiled on who got evicted. 

I haven't seen the big 1000th episode yet. 

Boy, this season is bonkers. 

I'm loving it. 

Do I have a favorite? 

Not really. 

I like Dee and Devens, but I think they are playing a crazy game, continually burning their alliances. 

The closest person I have as a favorite is Taylor. 

She knows how to play the game, and I hope she can make it far, but at this point her alliance is very small. 

I also like Yash. 

One person that you might be surprised that I liked was Kamu. 

The main reason that I liked him was that he didn't take anything that happened personally. 

He was even tempered, and respectful. 

Even when Devens blindsided him, he shook his hand and said "it's just a game." 

He would have gotten revenge for sure if he had had the opportunity, but he never lost his temper or was difficult to be around. 

He even was able to poke fun at himself, admitting that he lost two physical challenges to women in their 50's. 

Haley needs to learn from Kamu. 

librarianintx

Big Brother Episode 7/30/26: SPOILERS!

 The agent of chaos has been evicted - by unanimous vote

Oh Jason. I hoped you would make it far in the game. 

You played a terrible game. 

But you are a good person. 

Big Brother is not easy. 

I wish you had been able to separate your emotions and your insecurities from your game play. 

I was impressed that Rome was able to handle his eviction with grace and not take anything that happened personally. 

For me, watching Jason's time in the Big Brother house was by turns awkward, funny, frustrating and painful. 

I am very glad that Julie told you were in the Top 3 of voting every week for America's Vote. 

I'm also glad she made the point that you are an icon too. 

Learn and grow from this experience, remember the good times, hold on the friendships you made, and start working on your next adventure.  

All my best to you.

librarianintx

Big Brother episode 7/15/26 - SPOILERS!

Jason, Jason, Jason...

I'm so disappointed.

You were one of my favorites. 

Listen, I am not an Angela fan. 

But she didn't deserve what you did to her. 

No one does. 

It was hurtful and unnecessary. 

Play the game, but don't play with people's emotions like that. 

Angela has cried a lot in the Big Brother house, but this time I understand her pain. 

You took advantage of her as an LGBTQ ally / family member, which is straight up horrible.  

Too bad for you that you bragged to the wrong person. 

You're safe this week. 

But your days in the house could be numbered. 

Never forget, Karma can be a bitch. 

librarianintx 

Big Brother 2026 - Premiere - SPOILERS!

 What a wild ride the first night of Big Brother was!

Yay for Rick Devens from Survivor crossing over to BB. 

I think he'll be a fun addition. 

Boo for Angela being added to the cast. 

I'll remove my booing if she decides not to be bully like she was the first time she played the game. 

And THANK GOODNESS Rachel is NOT a houseguest this season!!

Her brief appearance was more than enough for me. 

So, who is the third "celebrity"? 

Everyone is saying it's Dee from Survivor. 

I guess we'll find out tomorrow night. 

My early favorites from this season: 

Jason - yes, I know him as Selena from "RuPaul's Drag Race." 

Yay, the first drag queen on BB! 

I hope the houseguests are nice to him.

LaTrice - I gotta root for the oldest houseguest. 

She's close to my age, but she looks a lot younger!

I like her personality so far. 

I also have to root for the two Texas guys - Chuck and Barrett.

We'll see if I still feel this way a few weeks into the season. 

librarianintx

Fourth of July

Happy semiquincentennial!

If you are old enough, where were you on July 4, 1776?

I was in Estes Park, Colorado, on a driving trip throughout the state with my mom, dad, and sister. We also went to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Carson City, among other places. We visited the Mint, had dinner at the Broadmoor Hotel, and panned for gold.

I was eight years old.

We lived in San Antonio at the time.

The next summer we took another driving trip, this time to California. We visited Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and San Francisco among other places. We went to Disneyworld, saw the California redwoods, explored Fisherman's Warf, and saw the Pacific Ocean.

These trips were important and long-lasting family memories.

My dad passed away in December of 1977.

He was 41 years old.

Live life.

Make memories.

Love others.

librarianintx 

Antidepressant Part 2

This isn't a further political rant. 

I want to talk about something that I didn't expect my antidepressant to help with. 

It wasn't on my radar at all. (unintended pun) 

Antidepressants help with depression and anxiety. 

I didn't know they can also help with phobias. 

I have had a severe weather phobia for as long as I can remember. 

I know I have blogged about it previously. 

Was it a coincidence that my phobia improved when I started taking the antidepressant? 

I don't think so. 

My weather phobia made my life very difficult at times. 

Living in Texas, severe weather can happen year around. 

I would obsessively check weather forecasts, worry for days, and go to great lengths to make sure I wasn't alone during a storm. 

It was exhausting, frustrating, and negatively affected my physical and emotional health. 

I am not cured of my weather phobia, but it is SO MUCH better. 

I don't check forecasts like I used to, and I understand that forecasts can change, so there is no reason to worry days in advance. 

I rarely have the physical symptoms like a racing heart, restlessness, and feelings of fight or flight. 

I have finally learned to feel safe. The wind can howl and the rain can beat on the windows, but I know I am protected, even if I am alone. 

Weather doesn't rule my life anymore, and I am grateful every day for the calmness I can experience, even in the height of a storm. 

librarianintx

Antidepressants

 I don't usually get political in my posts. 

Not because I don't want to. 

I refrain for professional reasons. 

But a recent topic has spurred me to act. 

Transparency is important. 

Representation is important. 

Honesty is important. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. 

So here goes. 

I have lived with anxiety my whole life. 

About five years ago I started taking an antidepressant. 

The effect has been life changing. 

I wish I had made the decision years ago. 

I would have lived so much easier and fully. 

My antidepressant medication has dramatically improved my anxiety. 

I can do so much more than I used to.

I am grateful for it every day. 

Now our government has begun a campaign to "deprescribe" SSRI medications. 

This initiative includes financial compensation for doctors who work with their patients to reduce or discontinue antidepressant medications. 

I understand that antidepressants are not for everyone. 

There are usually side effects with these meds, especially in the beginning. 

Sometimes it takes a while to find the right medicine at the right dose. 

But for many, these medications mean a fuller, happier life with achievements they hadn't thought possible. 

While I am a proponent of these meds, I am also a firm believer in holistic treatments and lifestyle activities to alleviate depression and anxiety. 

Yoga, Tai chi, meditation, acupuncture, breathwork, art, music, journaling, exercise - all fantastic and helpful for overall health and wellness. For some people, these might be all they need. 

But many other people need pharmaceutical intervention.  

What works for me is a combination medication and lifestyle activities. 

I take a medication, and I also exercise, journal, listen to music, draw, etc. 

These medications are all legal. 

Doctors are allowed to prescribe them. 

Patients are allowed to take them. 

The decision to taper or stop should be in the hands of the patient, not the government. 

Period. 

librarianintx