Summoning 18: Class Planning #DoMagick

Ritual went, as usual, this morning. Nothing extraordinary to report.  I went and had a three-hour coffee/lunch with my writing friends and while there, they helped me with my FB Live Video. Then got home and the exceptional spouse and I went to Lowes to buy a new mailbox. So we had a bit of a scare yesterday. I get emails from USPS with pictures of my mail in it (it’s called Informed Delivery and you can sign up for it at usps.com). So far, for months now, it’s been accurate. Each day I get the exact mail pieces my daily email tells me I’m getting. Well, two of the pieces of mail it said were in Friday’s mail, were not. Both were letters from the IRS. So immediately I’m panicking and thinking we’re being targeted by identity thieves. We usually have things like checks, credit cards, etc delivered to our PO Box, but unfortunately – some sensitive mail still has to come to your house. Our neighborhood has recently been plagued with a number of thefts and break-ins – most of them crimes of opportunity. I have some neighbors who don’t do very smart things, like leaving cars and doors unlocked – that sort of thing. I suppose having a plain mailbox falls into that category because it’s just asking identity thieves to steal your shit.

Well, the exceptional spouse and I have been talking about beefing up security around the house, including cameras and an alarm system. Last night after panicking over the two missing IRS letters, we added security mailbox to the list of things we’re installing.

Last night I reported the two missing pieces to the post office. Surprise, surprise – the letters showed up in today’s mail, but it was enough of a scare that we decided to take preventative measures. Oh – and the IRS letters, long story short, were just telling us we owe $1.81 in penalties and interest for filing an amended return. Perhaps that’s why the envelopes were returned. Whoever took them didn’t want our tax bill? I can’t imagine why not.  🙂   I think either the mail person forgot to put them in our box, or whoever took the letters saw US Treasury and immediately thought they were checks, but upon closer inspection realized they were bills and put them back? Which would suggest a neighbor? OR, they were delivered erroneously to a neighbor and the neighbor brought them back and put them into our box because they don’t want my tax liability. I have a number of creative scenarios there.

Anyway, I did not write today. I just did some conference and class planning. Now I’m going to go screw off for awhile. Maybe have an adult beverage. Tomorrow I teach classes and have about 5-6 readings scheduled. I may continue with the class planning and schedule tomorrow. It’s not writing, but it all has to be done. Only 3 weeks to workshops, and 4 weeks to a week-long Divination Intensive. It has also occurred to me I have an open topic anthology piece to write for my friend Edgar Kerval. I should go.