(grins)
We were poorer than dirt
but we DID have twigs.
Do you still have some green in your part of the world?

Evenings, my friend!
The first strange snowfall is melting here.
There are tiny rivers everywhere, which I enjoy seeing.
(smiles)
As a kid, I would float twigs along the melt off, participating in twig races with my brothers.

And this is 1.7C
because it is impossible to ever get back to the 1.5C 'goal',
a goal set by leaders knowing it was still too high for coral reefs to survive it.
(sighs)

This is deliciously doomy, my friend!

I did NOT know about the Thames explosive-laden ship.
Thank you for this delightful tidbit!

Anyhoo... consider just paying people half decently.
Increase the minimum wage.
Support unions and better employment standards.
The cost of this to the average American will likely be the same and life would be much, MUCH easier.
(rant over)

Of course, as a Canadian, I tip waitstaff and hairdressers, etc.
But that's extra.
A bonus.
On top of a half decent wage.
A solid minimum wage.

Like who tips grocery store workers for handing them a Good To Go aka discount meat/produce pick up?
Only Americans.
Or package delivery people when the recipient has no control over delivery times and half the time isn't even at home?
Again, only Americans.

If I was the OP, I would have gotten suspicious as soon as I found out the fiancé was texting his ex and not involving her in the conversation.
If it is secret, it is NOT a friendship-type relationship.
We don't tend to hide friendships.

I'm still friends with both of my exes
(those relationships didn't involve sex, however)
and my Dear Wonderful Hubby is fine with that
BECAUSE I DON'T HIDE THESE RELATIONSHIPS.
The Dear Wonderful Hubby is often copied on messages and he usually accompanies me when I see them.

Woot! Happy release day, my friend!