Author: Karen

All Votes Matter

Republican candidates for Congress generally outperformed their polls, they had a good election season. WHAT THAT MEANS… is Republicans showed up to vote, their votes were counted, … and enough of them chose not to vote for Trump. Also, Trump has been saying all along he wanted his supporters to show up at the polls even though his own votes are always mail in, as are the military not currently home to vote. So, naturally- the initial tallies would reflect a Trump lead. The dems have been telling their folks to get their votes in early – no surprise there are so many mail -ins….and due to COVID concerns, many people chose that option, dems and reps alike. It’s not rocket science, it’s not illegal and so far, despite even republican leaders asking the President and his campaign to show any proof at all that there is election fraud – ZERO. ZIP. CRICKETS. I’m seeing all kinds of crazy conspiracy crap and you know who’s whining the most? Those FUCK YOUR FEELINGS flag wavers. The most heartbreaking thing about this election for me is to see how nasty it has become, that neighbors and friends feel comfortable waving that particular flag on their houses, their boats, their trucks, their places of business.
Both parties have a lot of work to do. What we need is a government who can work together on the myriad of issues we have before us. What we need is for health care to be affordable, taxes to be fair and not outrageous as they are now for many, wages to be fair to the employer and the employee, equality for all in all aspects of life, we need to support our police, law and order and that does not exclude fair application of it. We need honesty and integrity from our elected officials, a rejuvenation of our infrastructure, a healthy respect for our environment and climate change, support for the business community and especially small businesses, and for all to realize that a pandemic should NEVER be a political talking point – we are all in this clusterfuck together and if we don’t start coming together no matter what they do in DC, we are all screwed. Every one of us. The Democratic and Republican parties have lost their way in some respects and we are all paying the price. Middle ground is the only way to come together and if you’re one of those chirping Civil War!… how you don’t see you will lose too is beyond the beyond.
We need a middle ground, and we need to stop attacking each other. We need a new breed of government who represents sound economic, health and environmental policy that benefits us all, not the elites who currently fund them. They aren’t in it for you, and the sooner we all figure that out, the better we will be for it. All of us, red, blue, white, black, yellow, brown, green.
I’ve had people mock me (of course behind my back but those things have a way of coming around) because I put my thoughts on the current state of things out here. I don’t see it as a waste of time…. I have always wanted what is best for this country, our people and our neighbors, the people in my life and outside of it… we all benefit from a better, kinder world. If my little space here containing my words sends out one little enlightening, encouraging ripple into a better world… it’s worth your criticism.
I pray that this election is proven to be a fair one, and if there is election fraud, let that be clear and resolved quickly, not fabricated.. and whomever wins ultimately, I pray that the first priority is to heal this divided nation – UNITY above all else. .. and that the majority of us wish for the same .
God Bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Where we go from here….

What a night. While decision is not yet in, still… half of this country supported what should never be supportable.   I am so sad and embarrassed for our country at this point no matter what this particular election outcome ultimately turns out to be, that’s my simple truth. Here’s what I am taking away from it – There has always been the potential for good and evil in this world, and it all comes down to the very basic and flawed realities of the human makeup. What an absolutely beautiful world it could be for every living being on earth if not for those human flaws – ego, greed, prejudice, jealousy, cruelty, hate.
So where do we go from here? I choose not to wallow in anger, disbelief, disgust, add whatever negative you want here – Each of us continues to have the ability every day to make choices, to take steps in the decent, humane, kind, rational, truthful, intelligent direction with the general purpose of living our best lives and doing no harm to and even lifting others as we go. I’m choosing to spend this one precious life in the company of and alongside the actions of those who clearly do the same. I am so blessed grateful to know many of you – 💕👊
Onward –

One has to wonder what toxic crap has oozed out of the ozone layer…

Yesterday Trump embraced the actions of Trump Train supporters in Texas who surrounded a Joe Biden campaign bus in an attempt to slow down the bus and run it off the road. Police were called and had to arrive to break up the attempt so that the bus could get to it’s destination.
Trump tweeted a video of the caravan surrounding the Biden bus with the caption, “I LOVE TEXAS!” I couldn’t care less if he were a citizen, whatever, dude. But he is the President of The United States- the behavior is disgusting coming from the highest office in the land.
Yesterday in this small town, a group of older women stood near a previously antagonistic Trump supporter, both holding up signs for the candidates of their choice. The good news – the normally antagonistic was kind, even took pictures for one another, it was the kind of encounter we should all be capable of. Meanwhile, several times young men driving by waved “the finger” at the group of women as they drove by. The President probably loves those young men of Ktown too.
Trump embraces the divide in this country, in fact he encourages it. Not fake news – his words and action speak volumes on their own without help from the media. How anyone hasn’t yet learned from the lessons of history that divided we will ALL FALL is beyond my comprehension. This is no longer about politics, tribalism is front and center and some of you are embracing it whole heartedly. Sadly, what I’ve come to know is, those who continue to embrace and cheer on Trump’s asshole rhetoric can only do so because that type of behavior, those “values” are part of their makeup as well. With some it comes as no surprise to me because I’ve seen it via bullying or juvenile mocking or racism in your makeup long ago.
For others, I’m sad that tax breaks for the wealthy and a false narrative that police are going to be “defunded” and the bullshit line that Christianity is being attacked are enough for you to not do the research to know that’s simply not true. For some reason you believe a five time draft dodging, never religious science and climate denying three time married cheating lying bankrupt foreign dictator coddling racist narcissist idiot is your hero – all these things proven by his past narrative and actions, not fake news. It’s as if some toxic crap dropped out of the ozone layer and half of us were affected.
FUCK THAT. We need more than thoughts and prayers to turn this country around, we need a government that works in a unified fashion and ends the divide of We The People, and I just don’t see that coming to fruition with the current cast of characters and while so many of We The People continue to embrace the divide, the hate, the rhetoric, no matter which side of the divide it’s coming from. One thing is absolute – It should NEVER come from the President of the United States in the blatant way it is now.
Tuesday one way or the other will not heal that divide.. it’s ultimately up to We The People, because our governing officials all across the spectrum are failing us. I already know who will be offended by this post if they bother to read it through, and that knowledge both saddens me and releases me from ignoring what I think is no longer ignorable.
Onward –

Some inspiration when inspiration is hard to find

 

Did you watch last night’s debate?  The moderator did an excellent job staying on point  and didn’t allow any steamrolling. I think the threat of mic shutting down kept the two men in check.  That tactic should be used in every debate moving forward, don’t you think? If only we could install a buzzer for any lies.    We did get some answers, and as usual, Tr*mp peppered his responses with many falsities.  I don’t think Joe did enough to rebuke Trumps’ claim that in all his years in politics he got nothing done.  Bottom line is, I don’t think either of them performed in a way that will deter their supporters or gain new support.  It is what it is. 

As I have stated here many times before, this farm and the animals in our care keep me grounded and I am so very grateful for their presence in our lives.

…and Fall in New England is just so darned  beautiful…. There’s no question in my mind it is truly a blessing to live in this region where each season brings it’s own brand of natural beauty –

Swans on the Connecticut River

Chapman Falls at Devil’s Hopyard

 

The Hammonasset River

Dealing with more of a stay-at-home approach during the pandemic has given me the opportunity to focus more on painting – this is my newest piece to be gifted to my daughter – her house on a misty morning in the field next door.

 

Wishing you good health and peace of mind as we all muddle through the election season  and pandemic issues and whatever the outcomes shall be – Hopefully we come out the other end of this year in better form all around.

Till soon, friends –

 

 

This and that and out and about

Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any more bizarre……

I need to make this clear before I go any further… I don’t wish harm or illness on anyone, ever.  That being said… it’s no surprise that the POTUS contracted Covid, is it?   As well as almost half his staff and a family member or two.  Not to mention the myriads we don’t know about who attended his maskless rallies in recent months and the myriads of dead (over 200,000 now and counting)  because he chose to treat the whole thing as a  “Democratic Hoax” in the initial, crucial first months.  He has no one to blame but his own arrogance, ignorance, greed.  It’s mind boggling.  A day ago I thought to myself….. perhaps… this experience will humble him some and he will come out of it with more empathy and smarts for the rest of us moving forward.    No… yesterday’s photo-op in a sealed car where he is again putting his secret servicemen at risk proved otherwise.  When he was initially diagnosed he also attended an event knowing he tested positive.. without notifying anyone until he was back at the WH.     He is so unfit for the position he holds.. on so many levels.   There are no excuses worthy of keeping him there.  I implore anyone reading this.. PLEASE.. vote him out in November.  Please.

The debate?  What a sh*t show.  What a shame.  And that’s all I’m going to say about that.

My son’s house just over the hill is almost complete – move-in day is just two weeks away and I am so excited for them.  As with my daughter’s home next door, the upstairs will remain unfinished for now, an effort to keep the mortgage down, expenses manageable.  When either start a family of their own,  the second floors will be finished.  When we bought This Old House and renovated her beginning in 2009, this was exactly what we had envisioned for the property – Being in the home building business, my husband has a good eye for property potential and I have been in love with this old house (“Saving Grace ” or Gracie as I call her) since my teen years.   We are so very lucky to have been able to acquire her and bring her back to life, and turn this farm into a family compound.  That both of my children are as enthusiastic about this farm as we are is more than just icing on the cake.

M  & M… at the granite/marble warehouse picking out counter granite…

Installed last week, and it is beautiful…  She is also an “M”… when she saw the kitchen almost finished she said… I am not worthy of this kitchen!… but she absolutely is, in spades.  Not only has she worked hard to pursue a career in the optics field, she is already a good cook as well.  I couldn’t be happier for my son, who has chosen a great partner to share life with.  More announcements on that front in the near future.

Meanwhile… I continue to find respite on this farm, my Saving Grace.  The GoatGirlz, Star and Bella are thriving here.  We are all enamored with these two silly girls and their calls to us whenever they spot us nearby.

Leah has become very comfortable with being a “home” horse instead of a show horse…  and we’re thinking we aren’t going to return to the show world in the near future.  The Sh*t Show is still out there.

On the health front, I have lost a solid 10 pounds in the last month, the next ten will be harder.  My relationship with food is complicated.  I love it, I love to make it for myself and especially for others, it is my anxiety and boredom reliever and has been for my entire life.  Bad habits are hard to break!   But.. with less sugar and carbs in my diet, I am feeling better overall – the fibromyalgia pain is less.    Onward…

We have not gotten as much use out of our little seaside cottage this year, too much going on around the farm and work, and of course not having the bigger gatherings there  due to Covid concerns.  Stella continues to be a refuge regardless and next year we’ll spend more time there for sure.

I’ve been trying to instill this next thought in my husband’s mind for 32 years now.  All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy.  It actually makes him a very grumpy, overworked overtired boy.  Last weekend I did manage to get him to take a day trip to one of his favorite destinations, Vermont… and he actually smiled for a while and took a few deep breaths.  We came home with apples, cider and a pie from the Scotts Farms Orchard in Dummerston and cheese from the Grafton Cheese Factory – it was a very good day.  The colors are not quite peak here in New England, and after the recent tropical storm, here near the shoreline there are a lot of BROWN trees from the sea salt-stained winds.

Wishing you all good health and the happiness to be found in the places we call home, the family we love and the time we make for ourselves – it’s so important.

Till soon –

 

 

 

Like Gold

Here in CT, not much is more joy inducing to a horse woman than seeing the Holloway Hay Truck parked in front of your barn.  The Holloway  Family has been delivering their signature awesome Upstate New York hay to new England farms for many years.  We used to get a delivery once yearly, but when we moved to This Old House (Gracie as I fondly call her) we had hay fields of our own and the Mr. wanted to capitalize on that to save money.  Well, sounds good in theory, and we’ve been applying that theory for years now – but truth is, hay is harder to grow than you’d think, and not cheap.  Weather is factor, good machinery is important, knowledge and application of seed and fertilizer, etc.etc.  Good drying time and ventilation when stored is also important.

Also, cow grade hay and horse grade hay are two different animals, too.  What we’ve been growing is mostly cow grade – stalky, not enough grasses, timothy too gone-to-seed by the time we bale it.  So.. the cow farmer up the road who helps us with the haying gets most of it.   The rest isn’t enough for me to keep my guys in hay all year, so this year we ordered a full load from my favorite, Holloway farms –   and I now have 700 bales of  GOLD in our lofts.  It’s a beautiful thing.  You’d be amazed at how giddy a girl can be over a loft full of good hay that will last a whole year or more.

There are two cuttings of hay in this load – first cut on the bottom, the lighter colored, and second cut on top – considered the prized hay, tending to be more grassy.  Both are good feed hay, regardless.  A hay field in a good weather season can get two cuttings, one in June, the next in September-ish.

Fall has officially arrived! Do you decorate for the seasons?  As soon as the little pumpkins come out I’m all over it…. my daughter and I have already made our first trip of the season to Scott’s farm down the road  –

On the health goals front – using the SlimNation.com apps and menu plan, I’ve lost almost 10 pounds in 3 1/2 weeks – about 15 – 18 to go.  Feeling better, sleeping better, better attitude over all.   Going into the holidays will be interesting and a struggle with the diet because I love to eat, and cook and bake.  But I’m determined to keep it up, because feeling better is the only way to be if you can help it.  We can certainly control what we put in our mouth, right?   Lord help me please.  🙂

Till soon  friends – 

 

 

What will you dwell on

A wise person once told me… what we dwell on is who we become. I’d like to think most of us are not the noise pollution we are being fed by those who’s motives are not anchored in and for the greater good. Aren’t we all soul-weary from the onslaught?

Another wise person reminded me how important it is not to get caught up in that swill. We’re only going through this way once – be kind to yourself, be kind to others, look for the good, respect and enjoy our vast diversity, support your causes, don’t contribute to the divides, seek truth, have compassion, seek joy – it’s especially abundant in the little things. If something in your life is really dragging you down, let it go. Lift each other💕 I’m starting this day with a renewed appreciation for all that is good and I’ll nurture it where I can .

Some inspiration for today –

The common thread

We can’t erase the evil that careened into our country on this day 19 years ago. We can’t bring back the dead, those who were unaware of the peril they would face, and those who charged into that mass inferno selflessly to do what they signed up to do- save lives. Some survived the heroic effort, many did not- Arthur Barry, Thomas Hannafin, boys from my ‘hood who grew up to be men of the FDNY, I’ll always say your name in prayer on this day , I’ll never forget your sacrifices, your heroic efforts.

If you can even think it of that horrible event, one thing came out of it I wish had stayed with us all- our love for our country, our caring and respect and kindness toward each other as we shared a common thread of grieving our dead, loving our country, condemning the rage filled hate in the hearts of those who would attack us, picking up the pieces, together , Unity, flags displayed proudly, so many flags. Compassion. Resolve. It was a beautiful thing that rose from the ugly twisted steel, the scars on our land, the ashes.

For ourselves and the sake of those who can’t be here because of the events of that awful day- let it have taught us something. Let us remember, and find that common thread again.

🇺🇸❤️

Dear September…

….you’d  better come in here acting like  you’ve got some sense. 

Boy, could the headlines be any more of a sh*t show? Actually I shouldn’t even tempt it.   This post was originally (like 20 minutes ago) a political post.  But I’m so tired of my own damned outrage at the insanity I deleted the whole thing.   So here you go… a little lightness I need as much as anyone.

The goatgirlz!!  Oh, the joy they bring.  Star and Bella are like two toddlers we’ve adopted – they talk to us whenever we’re outside, even if we’re off in the distance.  If we’re sitting among them they climb all over us, and they love to chase my son around the paddock.   Goats love stuff to climb on – so our girlies got a picnic table we had up at the firepit that was getting a little dodgy, and they love their new perch.

 

Have you picked up any new hobbies or nurtured old ones during the pandemic?  I’ve picked up painting again and have found it to be very therapeutic .  I’m not a schooled artist and my paintings are a bit primitive, but I have learned a few tricks as I go along and while practice will never make me perfect, it has helped me get a better result when I paint.  These two I am very happy with – they were so much fun.  The first is a fall scene in Woodstock, Vermont – Sleepy Hollow Farm.  I added my son’s cat to it after this picture was taken, as this is a gift for his new home, soon to be completed… and I call it Lily in the leaves.   I really should go upstairs and snap a new picture but I’m lazy today, so you get the leaves without lily.

I just completed this one  below- using a photo I took of a wave on South Beach , Martha’s Vineyard.  Oh, how I have missed my favorite island this summer.  Hopefully by next year  travel will be a safe option again.

My vegetable garden is pretty much spent …. and for the 10th year in a row, our apple orchard produced zero apples – we’ve definitely done something wrong up there on the hill with the planting of those trees… but the raspberry and blueberry bushes provided bags and bags of frozen berries in my freezer for all kinds of baking and smoothies and cereal, etc. as the year rolls on.  I also have sauce in the freezer from the tomatoes we harvested.  It was just a -meh  type garden year.

Down at the shore cottage things are looking a little brown after a freak storm battered the community, flipping boats on their moorings, tumbling trees, battering foliage and turning it a scorched brown.  I’ve done some kayaking, mom has spent a few lovely weeks there and we all have frequented it for meals on occasion, but we did not get as much use out of it as previous years, mainly because of high heat and humidity and poor weather in general.

Here’s an awesome recipe I’ll share late in the season, but it is one of my favorites and because nowadays you can get just about anything any time of the year, you can probably make this all year long.   Whoever thought of throwing blueberries and corn into a salad together and then that honey lime dressing?  I thank them profusely for the gift of it.

My son’s house is coming along,  tentative move in date is October 15th –  his soon to be fiance’s birthday!   (yes, that’s happening soon! shhhh…. )

I am so happy for my son, for our whole family… because this lovely young woman has become a much loved member of our family in the six years they have dated.  Seeing them build the future together is such a joy.   They guide each other through thick and thin, have aided each other in building their careers, and they are strength to each other’s weaknesses,  bringing out the best in each other.  It’s a beautiful thing.

Mom with her favorite grandson, on his side porch

As for me, I have started a new diet plan – day five and I’m down four pounds.  I’m finding it totally do-able. I’m not hungry, I’m eating healthy, and the weight is slowly coming off.  The weight loss will slow, for that was probably mostly water weight – but I am finding this plan is excellent – doable, healthy eating.  I shop for the groceries and cook the meals, the meal plan and grocery listed are provided by the founder of the program. He’s traveled nationwide with his program and his clients span the globe, but he happens to live right here in town and has helped many of my neighbors, how cool is that!?  Here’s my before picture – 27 pounds to lose at day 1, down 4 already.  Believe me, this picture does not really show -all the fat -.   I’ll keep you posted on this, but if you’re looking for a program yourself and others have failed you (like me!) …. this..is working.

myslimnation.com – Robert Nevins

BEFORE……….

Stay tuned for the progress…..

And here are a few funnies for this strange, strange year….

Ah… that’s much better than the miserable political post I had intended.  Stay safe and sane, all –

Till soon –     

 

This and that on a rainy Sunday

 

Not very creative with the blog post title, ay?   But it is raining on this Sunday afternoon and I can justify sitting here to blog for a bit.

How have you all been, what’s it like in your neck o’the woods regarding pandemic living?  Here in New England, many are abiding the mask wearing in public tight quarters spaces.  Our town Hall is still only open by appointment and working via e-mail, phone, etc. for the most part.  Businesses are open with the restrictions many of you are familiar with.   Strange times.  I don’t yet feel comfortable sitting indoors in a restaurant, but we have dined at a few with outside patios.

I feel sorry for the teachers who are dealing with a mess of kids wearing masks (talk about awkward and frustrating) … and the fear some of them are feeling being so exposed if they’ve been very vigilant in their own social distancing.  And I feel sorry for the youth who have been so restricted in their socialization and education experience.  Parents are trying to assuage their fears, balance work and home and childcare needs, a nightmare, really.   Healthcare workers are now seeing the second wave, according to my friends in that field.  Every sniffle, every achy muscle day (for me that’s always, damned fibromyalgia) every scratchy sore throat brings a little thread of dread – is it the virus?  The bad kind, the mild kind or the no symptom kind? .. should I quarantine?   Should my husband and I be sleeping in separate beds?  (hey, sometimes that’s actually appealing anyway) Jeez I wore my mask, washed my hands,…. the anxiety of it all rolls on and on….      I no longer wipe down every single surface of every item I bring home from the grocery store though, as I did initially. That got old and tedious and felt like overkill. Washing the produce and washing my hands after handling feels like it’s enough.

We’ve been getting stuff done around the farm, my daughter and her significant other love their home nextdoor and it’s a joy to see them mowing lawn, weeding garden,  seeing the back door light go on at night while they let the dogs go potty.  And having my daughter nearby to share the barn chores again is a huge blessing.  My son is building his home on a lot at the back of our farm.   I may have mentioned it’s what we do for a living, home building, so this is one area where we -get stuff done- in rapid succession and at a more reasonable price than the typical homeowner.

A glimpse of my son’s home to be –  the red “barn” is his garage… the interior of the home being done slowly as materials, labor and bartering come along, the upstairs will remain unfinished until they become a young family.  The goal is to have as minimal a mortgage as possible (young couple and all that goes with it).

The joy these two goat girls give us are immeasurable. They are so friendly, talking to us all the time, from a distance and right up close.  Truly they are like two toddlers looking for our companionship and attention whenever we are outside.

The upcoming election – oh, man.  ( here’s where you skip the next two paragraphs if you still remain a 45 supporter, I’m not looking to insult anyone) – It has taken a toll on me, watching what I believe is the slow unraveling of America as we (I? I shouldn’t speak for you)  believed it to be.   I’m sad for us all.  I’m not a huge fan of B*den but I also recognize he’s not the slow sleezy do-nothing some would have you believe.  His running mate choice was his best option in my opinion. I look forward to watching K*mala debate the deadwood P*nce.  I am encouraged by some of my republican friends who are now saying there is no way in hell they would vote for Tr*mp again. One dyed in the wool republican neighbor said 45 is a trainwreck he’s ashamed he voted for and he will vote B*den come November.   I’m hoping there are many many more out there like him.  And yet…. there’s the uncertainty of what  will happen should he lose.  I doubt he’ll accept the results, no matter what they are, unless he is the winner.  And there are so many nuts threatening civil war, it’s frightening.  We are at a crossroads, this country… and I hope and pray and beg and plead for our collective soul to rise and rid itself of all the corruption, hate and fueled divide – especially the politicians, including the current P*TUS, who feed it relentlessly.   We the people deserve better.

Yesterday it was reported the P*TUS lost his younger brother, of which he was close.  I would imagine that is a very tough loss for him, and even more so now.  While I despise what he’s doing to our Country, I find I have empathy regardless.  Although the reason for his brother’s passing has not been revealed, I suspect he may have contracted COVID-19.  When he was first reported as ill was precisely the same time the P*TUS started wearing a mask occasionally in public.  I don’t know if we’ll ever know the truth of it.  After having dismissed initial warnings about the virus and playing it down repeatedly for a length of time, well.. the irony and indeed the tragedy of it is what comes to mind.  Of course, I’m speculating only.

Stella by the sea remains a respite for all of us.  We each use it together and separately when free time comes up.  It does my heart good to see the kids enjoy the kayaks, the  grilling of burgers and hotdogs and roasting of marshmallows in the firepit with their friends  (small safe gatherings are possible outdoors). I am loving my new kayak – the one that is discontinued and  I bought for a bargain price.  She glides through the water easily and while a little more tippy than my old steady Ruby, she’s fairly stable regardless and is more agile, lighter to carry.   I have yet to come up with a name for her that feels right- but every vessel must have a proper name…… suggestions welcome.  She’s red orange and yellow.

A photo I took while kayaking  – some of the Thimble Islands out in the distance..

We finally laid my father to rest thanks to the kindness of dear friends who have a lovely old  1976  Egg Harbor boat.   It was a small gathering, just my sister and I, my husband, my niece, and the lovely couple who took us up the Connecticut River  to the mouth of the river into LI Sound –  just beyond the lighthouse at Saybrook Point.   Since it’s not technically legal to dump ashes there , that’s not technically what we were doing .   There was the traditional burial Psalm 23 reading, we tossed white roses out into the waves along with what wasn’t really my father’s ashes in a biodegradable urn,   and  read the following   below as well…     my tears were for several reasons, but the most important one was the overwhelming knowledge in my heart that it was exactly as my father would want it – exactly where he wanted to be in the end.  I felt a sincere closure for him and for me, and that is such a blessing.

Wishing us all good health and peace of mind during these trying times –