Life According to Steph: Thursday Thoughts - And what's the future, who will choose it? Politics of love and music

Basking in the sun when it's out. Looking good this week, Philly.

Sharing as I always do that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The statistics are shocking. If you have been sexually assaulted, you can call 1-800-656-HOPE to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. It is confidential and free, they don't even get your complete phone number when you are routed in. Visit RAINN to learn more. I believe you, I support you, I respect your privacy, and it is not your fault.

Winning shit. I won a produce box from Mischief Markets (thanks Kelly for sharing about them) and a $50 gift card to Saxby's in an Instagram giveaway. Holler.

Making shore chore lists. I'm hoping to finish redoing the bathroom vanity this weekend and get some spray painting done as well. A lot of what I'm doing this year is cosmetic upgrades. For a vacation rental, you have to keep it fresh and then update your photos or people get bored and continue to pass by your listing.

Applauding the first black woman mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot. Lightfoot is a lesbian, as is Madison, WI’s new mayor Satya Rodews-Conway, that city’s second female mayor and first openly LGBTQ mayor. It’s nice to see all the first female/native/black/gay/transgender/Muslim/etc getting elected over the past few years. It’s about damn time and thank you, I will keep mentioning the firsts because it’s been mostly white men in positions like these for so long the change is exciting and overdue. Representation matters.

Cooking air fryer stuff. Chicken tenderloins seasoned with Penzey's Northwoods seasoning. 10 minutes and they're perfect. I have yet to make anything with any breading on it to imitate actual fried things, but all in due time. I also found this handy time sheet.

Laughing at this, spotted in South Philly.

Keeping up with the 40/40: 40 minutes of exercise a day for 40 days during lent, which basically comes to a day off a week. Most of mine is walking with light weights. I am not a person who loves dedicated exercise. Let me run around with the dogs on the beach for an hour and I'm happy. If I'm moving consistently, feeling strong, have energy, and am doing enough arm weights so I can lift myself off the toilet at 80, I'm good with it.

Marveling at the destruction of Bruce and Bender, and also at how cute they are together.

Listening to Are You Out There by Dar Williams - what comes after the hyphen in the Thursday Thoughts title is always a lyric from a song that was on when I started the post

Reading: library books and ignoring my Netgalley advance copies. Show Us Your Books is Tuesday. Philly friends, new spaces are opening in the main branch of the library soon.