The title is metaphorical. There are cloudless skies over the Central Coast at the moment, without even much smoke haze. We do have a “100% chance” of rain tomorrow.

When I chose the title, I was thinking about the Morton Salt Company tag line, When it rains, it pours, indicating that the days of clumpy salt were at an end, at least for Morton customers. It was based on an older English proverb, It never rains but it pours, suggesting bad things come in groups. Marketeers obviously meant for the upgrade to be viewed as positive, but to the extent that it is in common use today, it can tilt either way.

Good things and bad things come in groups. Or so we perceive.

It’s on my mind because, after eight months of searching for a job, I now have two, with the possibility of a third.

One is a gig economy editing job that ebbs and flows from my life, so while I am grateful for it and especially its pay rate, it’s perhaps slightly less predictable than the weather, at least the weather here.

Another is the possibility of becoming a notary public/loan signing agent, presuming I passed the NP test, which I will find out within the next two weeks. This career requires hundreds of dollars in upfront investment as well as ongoing self-marketing, in which I have a poor track record. It exposes all my assets to legal forfeiture should I mislead or even err, and requires me to behave as an agent of the state, including locked storage and constant tracking of at least one inconveniently-sized ledger and two seals, with disposition of same in my will.  I haven’t decided whether I will follow through on this.

On the positive side it is flexible work, and relatively lucrative–$200-$500 per signing. Also, I would be able to administer oaths of office.

The main news is I have accepted a permanent job. It started yesterday, so I am a little superstitious about announcing it, although I am happy and hopeful. I will be performing a variety of tasks for a small alternative medical office not too far from my home. The advantages include an all-female staff, variety, building expertise in a new area, helping people feel better, convenient location, and no weekend duties. I will still have a benefit gap, but I’m tired of waiting for the full-benefit job, and especially tired of repeated rejection. This group seems eager to have me on their team. The interview process was creative and fun.

If things go well for the first six months, maybe I will update LinkedIn.

Meanwhile, the pouring: Suddenly I am having trouble finding time for my workout or grocery shopping; asking my husband to prepare dinner, if we have any food; falling asleep early; and leaving the house in the morning with an inventory of items for the day, at least one of which I seem to have forgotten each day so far. The hours start low and ramp up, so I’m not even full time yet–good thing!

I will figure it all out. Very happy to be employed at last.