In The News – This Old House 2

The Doves

When we moved into this old house after the extensive resurrection, I put up a bird feeder and soon after, what seemed like a family of doves appeared. I did not have dove visitors at our previous farms, and really fell in love with them, felt they were a sign.

“There will be peace here, Karen.”

Fifteen years later, they still visit my feeder – which I placed right at the kitchen window so that when I do that dreaded chore (dish washing, bleh) I can at least observe my feathered friends. When they aren’t at the feeder, we often see them sitting on the roof of our house.. and at night they tuck themselves into the thick pine we planted at the front gate, now a large tree. Sometimes they are “birds on a wire”, sitting just in front of that pine tree on the power lines that run down the road.

Every time something really horrible happens here in this country lately… I watch with great hope.. to see if it will turn Tr*mp et al’s heart, bring him and his entourage the understanding that their own hateful rhetoric throws fuel on the fires of division that we all know will end us if we don’t quit the shit, and awful things happen as a result. When he was nicked with a bullet I had hope that he would see the error in spewing hatred, because that hatred came right to his home to roost. (Nope)

This assassination of a D leader and her husband this week, the critical injuries of another two… and a hit list of 70 more… should have been another turning point. There was the initial statement that seemed appropriate. But it was soon followed by a chaser of…

…”D’s are sick of mind, hate our Country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities – And they are doing a good job of it. There is something wrong with them.”

Just days earlier, the Speaker of the House who claims to be a devout Christian, called for the governor of California to be tarred and feathered.

Two people were just murdered because of this kind of hateful false rhetoric. People who are not sound of mind look to their “leaders” and act on what they are being fed. That is not rocket science and denying or ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

I hate politics, always have. I choose common sense, accountability, decency… equality… freedom, prosperity for all. Not a party. Why do I speak up? Why do I think anyone cares what I have to say? Being honest here… I’m criticized by certain members of my own family for doing so…. but I don’t do it to please or annoy anyone else. NOT STANDING UP AND SAYING THIS ISN’T RIGHT, THIS IS NOT WHO WE ARE….. feels wrong. I’d love nothing more than to be able to go about my life blissfully unaware of the ugliness oozing from the pores of this country right now. But we owe it to ourselves, to our children, to our fellow countrymen…to not turn a blind eye, to be brave regardless of whether it will be criticized by your friends, family, neighbors. DO something, SAY something, and for God’s Sake… LITERALLY…… choose kind.

History has already taught us these things, why.. why.. why… isn’t this country capable of learning from past mistakes… so that we DON’T REPEAT HISTORY.

Peace.

Ogunquit

Just a three hour ride from our farm, Ogunquit, Maine has become a favorite place to visit. For the past 40 years we have vacationed on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, where I have certainly had a love affair with the rugged natural terrain and the charming New England villages, the cottages, the beaches and dunes and the restaurants, the artists…. the farming community and the summer revelries, the quiet ones and the big ones like illumination night at the campgrounds and the agricultural fair. All of those things are still wonderful… but tourism has really done a number on what used to be the vineyard experience. Now.. ferry reservations are hard to get and not always reliable, the price of summer rentals is through the literal roof, the crowds and traffic… I feel for the locals, they must hate it all, even as they need the income it brings. Sadly, in the past 30 years, the uber wealthy have taken over and caused a very real housing crisis. Families who have lived on island for generations have had to leave or are struggling to stay put…. employees and employers struggle to find help or housing because there is very little affordable housing. All of these things have changed the experience a bit, and it’s a little heartbreaking to witness.

A friend recommended Ogunquit… just a jump up the coast from the Vineyard as you arrive in the State of Maine…. and let me tell you… it’s a beautiful thing. Just as on the Vineyard, the sea air is refreshing.. the water clear and bracing… and strangly… in just that little distance.. the people are friendlier. Happier, it seems, less harried. My guy has a hard time unwinding, as his job is very demanding 24/7…. but here… he lightens up and that indeed makes my world a little lighter too.

Our sunrise walks along Marginal Way are our most favorite part of the day….

The red sun is caused by the smoke coming down from the Canada fires…. there was a faint smoke scent in the air during our visit.

The food… the food!! Halibut or Lobster, blueberry stuffed french toast, the bakeries, the ice cream…. two favorite breakfast places I recommend if you travel to this wonderful town are The Greenery Cafe (and order yourself a Honey Lavender Latte, you’ll be glad you did) … and The Egg and I.

Restaurants we love our The Maine Catch, Robertos… Barnacle Billys in Perkins Cover just down the road, and there are many others to choose from.

And speaking of Perkins cove… it doesn’t get more charming than this quaint little seaside town…

A charming shop owned by two lovely men….

I hope to return to this magical place for many years to come, God willing and the creek don’t rise.

As we were sitting on the lawn of Anchorage by the Sea relaxing with fellow vacationers, we witnessed the cat fight between The Orange Scream and the X-ecutioner. Now… the Mr. is a conservative republican forever and a day, so you can imagine the conversations we don’t really have, for they always become arguments. I could not revel outwardly in this Knew-it-was-coming moment , nor could I remove the “told you so” smirk from my face, but being on vacation had a soothing effect of sorts, so we both just kinda watched it unfold, one in horror but in disguise, and then there was me, the smirker.

In the history of ever… have you seen a more appropriate representation?

I don’t wish harm on anyone, and especially these United States and our fellow countrymen, no matter what your affiliations, religion, life choices, as long as you’re not hurting others. And that’s exactly why I am so alarmed at what this country is becoming… Tr*mp’s America. That doesn’t mean I don’t recognize the reason we arrived at this destination that is Tr*mp 2.0. And I blame that on the past failures of both parties, and the lack of solving our very real and long time problems, including immigration reform, healthcare reform, government overspending, corruption… the lobbying… and the division that has been encouraged for decades now, but more so in recent times. And it really comes down to this simple truth – together we stand, divided we will fall… hard. The End. Literally.

Anyway!… out of the muck of the place and back to the 🌟JOY🌟.. . and people…please give yourself this simple gift… let go of the crap that drags you and catch joy wherever you can. I find it in a good book, in the clear water I wade through, the smooth rocks and pretty shells nature provides, my children and grands… the smiles of strangers… good food shared with others… the animals (!) and even a 35 year marriage where we are really more alike than we are different, when we’re not waving vigorously our flag of the opinionated stubborn italian/irish/german cloth we are cut from. Immigrants, all of us. Remember that, too..and how empathy and kindness can go hand in hand with fixing what’s broken… and should.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods…

Till soon –

Harkness and Seaside

Yesterday was one of those early May days that remind a person of the simple joys of being alive and being able bodied to *just do things*. It was warm, sunny, breezy… T-shirt weather, my favorite. I got my barn chores done early, took a quick shower and hopped in the car with my doggo, Kai…

The air smelled of fresh earth and spring blossoms and because I headed down to the shoreline, salty balmy air. I wish there was a feature on this laptop to transport the scent along with the photos. When I do these walkabouts I breathe deep and slow, sort of nourishing my lungs and my peace of mind with all that goodness, flushing out any lingering toxins.

Harkness park is such a jewel bestowed on the residents of this state, and the now abandoned Seaside Sanatorium is an eerie contrast, just down the road from it. Seaside has an interesting history…. you can read more about it here if you’re so inclined.

First, behold Harkness Park…. It never ceases to amaze me and truly my gratitude overflows for people who had the forethought and the generosity to bestow their properties to the general public, for the welfare of all. Amen for those beacons of light, for the humanity they embody and share with us all.

On to Seaside – it was an eerie experience, haunting, really. I was glad there were a few other dog walkers there. Hard to imagine why this property didn’t flourish for generations to come as a hospital, a respite, a recovery centery, an elderly housing complex …… any of these things could have been beautifully done here and right on the water, surrounded by a nice neighborhood and nearby bustling town.

I had a physical last week and thankfully all is as well as a 60 year old can expect. I still have 20 pounds to lose but I did lose a little weight, and the sugar and cholesterol numbers improved. Had my eyes checked a few days ago and all good there too, just a small bump in the reading glasses number. I’ll take it. The hiking and walking and barn chores and light weight training is helping me stay strong – I always remember what a dear older friend of mine said some years ago…. I asked her what her secret was to staying so fit and strong as she approached 80. She said… KEEP MOVING. KEEP DOING ALL THE THINGS. DON’T START BEHAVING LIKE AN OLD PERSON. And so I plan to do just that. I hope you’re taking care of you, too – it’s so important to find something you enjoy doing to help your body and mind stay active… if you’re not already doing so, it’s never too late to start. Just do it. Sadly…. she ended up with dementia in her late 80’s, but she is lucky to have strong family support and the money to live in an excellent facility near that family with her own apartment.

On that subject… I have several friends who are living with and caring for their spouses who are suffering from either dementia or alzheimers… and several community members have either died from or are living with the same awful disease. It seems more prevalent now than ever -scary! What I have learned from both of them is…. family and friend support is so important. One of them has very little of either and at this point feels very isolated and alone, feeling trapped in her home as she cares for her husband. The other has tremendous family support and has found a support group that really helps her in various ways. It makes all the difference. If you know someone who is in the same position, please reach out in any ways that you are able. …. and no small deed is too small. If you are unfortunately IN that position as care giver…. remember…. you matter too. Reach out, don’t suffer alone…. and carve out time for self care, whatever that looks like to you. It’s not impossible, and it might at first feel uncomfortable to ask or seek, but do it… for you. You are just as important as the patient.

I hesitate to say anything at all about the present political climate….. I and many others are sad for this country and hoping with all we’ve got that eventually most of this country will right the ship and lean in to decency, grace and humanity again….. We deserve so much better, we are capable of so much better…. The world deserves better from us.

Onward.

The Peace of Wild Things

It’s hard to find the balance when it comes to how much news to digest right now in this current whirlwind of upheaval. How to react and not react, to take some kind of action or to let it go, to remain silent or speak up. I tend to speak up. A lot. Trying for balance though…. Let go or be dragged is one of my little mantras… little quotes I use when I’m feeling the weight of it all to remind myself when I need to do just that. Also… keeping an open mind when you find your thoughts are completely at odds with those of others you respect and even love. Right now in particular, that can be a hard thing and some folks are losing relationships they valued for decades because of it.

In my older years (I’ve just arrived in my 61st year) as some of the responsibilities and pulls of a younger life wane, I take to the woods or beaches more often to ground myself and for better health. I’ve heard the term “forest bathing” but I’m not sure it’s that for me, exactly. The peace is in the trek and the observance of nature and its beauty… especially with my dog, Kai. He is a gentle timid soul who has known abuses I’ll never understand fully. But since coming to me as a 2 year old, he’s learned trust and love and to be (mostly) comfortable in his own skin. We are definitely a team… with my significant hearing loss, he is my ears on the trails and our surroundings. Having gone through this transformation with Kai, our bond is a strong one and I am forever grateful he’s in my life, and for the rescuer who trusted him with me.

Speaking of “Older”…. you’ve probably heard the saying… aging is not for sissies. And maybe you’re at the age where you can relate. Inevitably, we all experience a breaking down of this or that, some worse than others. If we’re lucky, we get to keep going, reasonably sound, for a while to come. Not everyone is that lucky and we never know when our time on this earth might be coming to a close… So.. I choose not to be too freaked about the lines in my face, the eyes that look weary, the extra pounds I’m constantly fighting… the aches of a life lived in an active body. I no longer have a uterus or any semblance of normal hearing. Every one of these things in, so far, sixty years, is a privilege, not a right given to all. I’ll take it, with gratitude.

The wild voilets, trout lily, fern and swamp marigold are all in bloom this week. I look forward to these signs each Spring heralding warmer days ahead. Finding that first yellow bloom with the dappled leaves beneath it leaves me a little giddy and a little hopeful. Don’t we all need a little of that.

The grands are of the age now where they love to explore… and so they, too, are enjoying little trail walks with us. Keeping them from getting completely soaked in the little streams is the challenge of the moment, but their wonder and excitement is contagious❤️

I’ll close this post with a breakfast shake I like to throw together… it’s delicious and good for you…. Spinach, banana, blueberries, honey, hemp seed hearts and ice… however much of each you prefer, and switch it up with any number of other healthy options you might have in the fridge. Just toss it all in a blender, pour in a glass and drink up the goodness.

Till soon –

Hope Floats

I’d like to see a bit more of this world before I leave it, and I still hope to do a little of that… but I have to be realistic in that I married a man who has a hard time being comfortable outside of his well trodden box. In recent years to help ease my wander lust I’ve taken to hiking the trails that are in abundance around our state, amazed at how many there are for the public to enjoy. The diversity of the geography of Connecticut as a state gives me a lot of options and it’s a great way for me to get exercise, too . I’m not a gym rat, I just don’t enjoy spending a lot of time in one place running or walking to nowhere. But when out in the woods or along the beaches, there’s always something to marvel at, to discover, to appreciate. And nature brings me peace.

When checking out a new trail system in Essex, CT I discovered a little free library at the trail head. I browsed the books and found a gem to take home – Following Atticus, by Tom Ryan. If you’re a nature lover, a dog lover, a lover of old souls however complex… I highly recommend his two current books and especially subscribing to his blog or “substack” a new term to me. He’s currently on a five month hiking journey driving across country with his two rescue dogs, which has become an annual trek. His photography is just beautiful… He describes his journey, the landscapes, the people he meets along the way, with kindness and an honesty that is so needed.

An excerpt from Tom’s post this morning…. and if you’re not familiar with E.B. White.. he gave us Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and many other stories….

_______________________________________________________

……..In 1973, White received a letter from a man who had lost his faith in humanity. Many of you have undoubtedly read White’s response, but for those who have not, here it is.

North Brooklin, Maine,
30 March 1973

Dear Mr. Nadeau:

As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.

Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say, the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society — things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.

Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.

Sincerely,
E. B. White

____________________________________________________________-

If you’re so inclined… his two books are Following Atticus, and Will’s Red Coat. If you would like to check out his Blog/Substack… it can be found here. I highly recommend a subscription. The visuals of his travels alone are so beautiful.

https://tomryan.substack.com/

So I’m looking at the start of a new decade and with this one in particular, the aging process really kicks in physically and mentally. There’s no question I have let myself latch on to some excuses and some fears when it comes to pushing physical boundaries to reach better fitness- I’ve let the pains that come with living an active life slow me down and I got lazy too. My number one goal is to stay relatively healthy and active till the day I die, like most of us, I suppose. I’ve contemplated many things that go hand in hand with that goal, but no. 1 for me now is to stop letting fear ( will I make my arthritic neck and hands worse?) and complacency stall me. At this point most of us have some issues- mine is some arthritis from all the years of horse and barn work, significant hearing impairment and the stress that comes with it, and the pain associated with “ fibromyalgia” , whatever that really means. Also, My stress reliever is making and eating food. Not always the healthy kind. My face is puffy, I’ve got a menopause gut, and I could lose 25 pounds and not be too thin. It’s time to stop complaining, stop fearing age and hold myself accountable. My hope is to come back with another picture that shows progress in a few months and a better path to healthier aging. Some simple changes I’ve made in recent months are increasing my hikes and walks, drinking more water and eating and preparing more healthy meals- greens, berries, nuts, fish in more abundance. Less meat, much less processed foods. Now I’m coming back to the gym just for 20 minutes of light weight training about four times a week.

Till soon, friends…

It’s been a while

Almost a year since I’ve been here, so much to cover and where do I start? I guess right where most of us are struggling at the moment or at least have some concern.

This world and this country in particular are in quite a state. Depending on your leanings, most likely you’re either cheering or you’re horrified by what we are all witnessing. There doesn’t seem to be much in between. The division among us and how intense it is, is frightening. The mistrust and misuse of our government and our news sources even more so, their integrity in tatters. My son asked me the other day…. “do you think we’ll ever come back together as a country? The divide seems so huge, runs so deep, it seems impossible. ” There are times I think that’s the likely truth… but as I said to him… I’m reminded that this country has been in upheaval before. Just magine the divide during the civil war… where the north and south had completely different views on slavery and it was a very big part of the south’s way of life and prosperity. We all know how that ended. And the young country did seem to move on, eventually, mostly and for the greater good.

I am an unaffiliated voter, my husband a dyed in the wool Republican. Many an argument has infused our cohabitation since M*G* has arrived and right now the air is so thick with the discord we could cut it with a knife here in this old house. I can’t deny our governing bodies have been ignoring major problems for a long time… overspending, over taxation of the working middle class, immigration reform, healthcare reform, our crumbling infrastructure, corporate greed… the list goes on and these are the things the Mr. brings up when I question his loyalty to his party’s current path. The failures of both parties for a long time are why we now have an orange nuclear bomb dropped right in the middle of it and the fallout reach is everywhere with it’s tentacles in absolutely everything. That is where my significant other and I are in agreement. And that’s where it ends…. because as I watch the reckless behaviors and actions and attitudes of this Tr*mp. 2 administration, as I watch women’s rights being yanked back and the rules of law being blatantly ignored, abuse of power rampant (and they are giddy with it)…. the previously trusted relationships with our allies shredded, our environmental protections discarded, our public lands under siege, the words diversity, equality and inclusion pummeled, when facts no longer matter….. I cannot help but be appalled, embarrassed, ashamed for this country. And that brings profound sadness and even disbelief that we are where we are.

But you see how far down a rabbit hole one can be dragged, and so I have to remind myself to let go on occasion and search for peace within and out there in the universe of our lives. To do good things where I am, to grow where I’m planted… to assist where I can for the greater good. No matter where you stand on all of this… I hope you’re able to do the same.

I completed my 60th year this month! Holy shit! But I’m not complaining one bit. Sixty is not old… it’s damn lucky. I’m still pretty active and I plan to continue for a long time if life permits. I hike or take long walks regularly with my best buddy/rescue dog Kai. Getting out in nature is my respite, my recharge.

My barn chores and grands keep me busy. My arthritic neck and hands remind me I’m not a spring chicken, but it’s all part of the luck of still being here and having more good days than bad. I’ve cleaned up my diet some and try to get in more greens and berries and whole foods, much less processed crap. One of the things many older people hear when they end up at a clinic with illness is that they are dehydrated. So I’m making a concerted effort to drink more water because it’s not something I crave. Hydration is important so if you do just one thing for yourself in your current state of being, drink more water.

And be grateful for every.single.day. Don’t take any of it for granted, it all goes by so damned fast.

Farm update – with the sale of our little cottage by the sea, Stella…. we’ve had more time to focus on improvements here. Up at the barn we’ve still got our mini horses, our two quarter horses, two goats and 16 or 17 chickens depending on the day’s count and my patience for doing it. We brought home a rabbit and my granddaughter Mia immediately named her Hoppy. She’s very friendly and a welcome addition to our farm family.

The grands – they’re now 2 years old and almost 2, my daughter’s son and son’s daughter. Being a “Mimi” – a name my granddaughter chose for me, is such a wonderful chapter in life. We get to experience young personhood and all the wonders and discoveries over again through their eyes, but with less responsibility, LOL. A third is on the way! I am their caregiver for a portion of each week as both moms went back to work part time and it’s so true, they keep you young! ish….

We converted my office into an art studio with a little side of toddler toys now that I am retired from my editing/writing/family business responsibilities and I have been able to dive back into my art inclinations. I’ve set oils aside and have begun exploring the world of water color, a completely different universe.

A recipe I’ve tried recently and really like – This one is so delish and refreshing. I don’t really have an opinion about Meghan, but so many do. I’m glad I don’t live anywhere near the spotlight. I give this a thumbs up. I did use spinach instead of shard and shaved parmesan instead of feta.

Meghan Markle Sussex Veggie pasta salad

Ingredients

For the pasta salad:

12 ounces paccheri or fusilli pasta

Kosher salt

1 cup English peas, shelled

1 bunch Swiss chard (about 5 cups loosely packed leaves), chopped

Optional: 1/2 bunch lacinato kale, ribs removed, chopped

3/4 cup snap peas, sliced

Optional: 1/2 zucchini, chopped

1 cup feta cheese, plus more for garnishing

2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnishing

1 tablespoon fresh dill, plus more for garnishing

For the vinaigrette:

1 shallot, sliced

2 garlic cloves, grated

2 lemons, zested and juiced

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon dried chili flakes

1/3 cup olive oil Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Create a bowl of ice-cold water and ice cubes to shock your vegetables to stop the cooking process.

2. Bring 4-6 quarts of water to a boil and season with ¼ cup salt. Blanch peas for 30 seconds and move to ice water to shock.

3. Blanch Swiss chard leaves for 45 seconds to a minute, until tender and move to ice water to shock.

4. Add enough salt to the water so it “tastes of the sea” and boil the fusilli until fully cooked according to package instructions.

5. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool.

6. Dry peas and Swiss chard on a towel until ready to use.

7. Chop chard into bite-sized pieces.

8. To make the vinaigrette, combine the shallot with the dried chilli flakes in a large bowl.

9. Add cooked and cooled pasta. Toss to combine, add chard, peas, snap peas, feta, and herbs. Toss and season to taste.

10. Serve, garnishing with more herbs, feta, and lemon as desired. Enjoy!

I don’t keep track of the traffic here anymore when blogging, but if you’re visiting and are so inclined… let me know what you’ve been up to, and if you keep a blog, where to find it! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods –

Till soon –

Where will we go from here

I’ve had some interesting conversations with some of my republican friends, and I’m encouraged that we all seem to have the same concerns. To be clear, I am politically unaffiliated and some feel that’s a cop out. For me it feels like the most honest thing I can do, because I see merit in policy on both sides of the proverbial aisle. Extremism on both sides of the spectrum aren’t sustainable or fair and it will be the downfall of our democracy if we can’t get our collective heads out of our asses. I also feel large corporations are mostly running this country, not the talking heads we elect to the top office chair, although they do have the power to inflict some real damage, as has been evident for some time. I’m paying attention, but I don’t have all the answers, I can only vote, and shake my head. But I’m not even happy with my vote options, although I’ll do it begrudgingly because right now I do feel there’s one choice much worse than the other.

Reading today’s headlines, I’ll say this…. I give Johnson credit this morning for bucking the extremist MAGA cult, knowing it might lose him his job. Paul Ryan, John Boehner and Kevin McCarthy hit the same wall. I hope more of them grow some balls and come back to a reality that is better for the health of this country. And I hope republican voters find a saner middle ground candidate.

Meanwhile… although I don’t fall for the bullshit depicting Biden as corrupt, senile, blah blah blah… it’s actually painful to watch him navigate his too old journey into what could be another four years, hard to imagine it, truthfully. While Trump becomes more nuts and corrupt and divisive with each passing moment. He’ll throw anything and anyone under the bus for his own gain or defense, and.. it’s always about him.

Voters keep seeing only what they want to see along the full political spectrum, many out of touch with what’s actually truth and what’s actually going to benefit them. We’re not collectively fighting for all of our rights, just the ones we hold dear. That’s not what this country was founded on.

Together we stand, divided we fall. Period. It’s that simple. That’s it. We deserve better, we need better. We had all better come up with… better, or this country won’t survive it in any way we would approve.

And for those looking forward to or encouraging a civil war, wake the fuck up, because I don’t know how history hasn’t taught you the most powerful and simple and truthful lesson of them all….. you could lose every single person and thing and value you hold dear, including your own life, but especially those of your loved ones. Be careful what you wish for. No one wins a war, ever. There is always always tremendous loss. For everyone.

Of Weddings and Elections and Goals, oh my…

Two weeks to go until my daughter’s wedding! What??!!! Seems like yesterday we started thinking about it and man, TIME FLIES. If you’ve done this before you already know… some of the planning is fun, some of it tedious and some of it downright nerve racking. All of it is expensive. I don’t know if this is unusual because I haven’t done this much, but in our case, the grooms family hasn’t really participated in the planning, by their choice. I’ve certainly reached out and asked if they would like to share ideas or suggestions or input of any kind, but they are just a different and distant sort of folk, for lack of a better way to describe it and wanting to be respectful. SO… as a result… this entire wedding is pretty much what my daughter and I put together with input from the groom of course. We certainly want him to feel this day is his as well as the brides.

When my daughter said yes to the dress, I quietly had some reservations. Elements of the dress were beautiful, and some elements didn’t compliment her. Not surprisingly, she felt the same when the actual dress in her size arrived and we pondered what to do about it. When we met with the tailor for the standard alterations, we made a great team, the three of us. We made some big changes that really brought it together beautifully thanks to the tailors talents, of course…. and I am so happy for my daughter, she loves it and I love that! I’ll show you the before and afters, after the wedding.

Regarding the state of the world, of all the upheaval, the greed, the corruption, the absolute evil, the continued erosion of our environment and culture and government and want for truths and justice and equal rights for all, affordable living for all, freedom to live as we wish, women’s rights… the list goes on and on and on….. this crazy crazy election season (WTF is the best and easiest way to express it) and the cult environment I would never have believed possible had I not been witnessing it myself….. it leaves me almost speechless when I try to make sense of it all, and that’s one heck of a statement because I don’t have trouble speaking my mind. I wouldn’t have believed where we are now was at all possible… I always thought of us as a forwarded moving country, building a stronger, kinder, wiser nation. Sadly, we’re going backwards in so many ways, and so many people are cheering it on and even hoping for civil war, willfully ignoring the dangers of all of it and also ignoring the lessons of past history. How it’s lost on these people that they, too, could lose everything that means anything to them should something of this nature break out, is beyond my comprehension. We are capable of better healthcare, an end to homelessness, fair tax laws, fair wage, freedom and equality for all, border control, better education, repaired and stronger infrastructure, and on and on and on. But our government can’t get out of it’s own way, our party system has become cult-like, it’s failing us all by not functioning together like two wings on the same bird. Ultimately, human nature is apparently failing us all. Except not all of us are guilty of it. But it takes the whole village to want it and to cooperate, and that we do not have.

And that’s all I’ve got to say about that for the time being. You see how that train of thought’s tracks run all over the place.

Goals… I’ve still got the same ones… better health tweaks I sometimes do and sometimes don’t, lose some weight, keep going with the exercise, find inspiration where I can, do good where I can, live my “dash” as fully as is possible. Below is the latest painting on my easel, still work to do on it, but I haven’t decided how I want to round it out….. I’ll come back to it as inspiration rises…. This is swan hill overlooking the Connecticut river, a hike I’ve taken a few times, admiring the view.

Till soon,

A Snow Day

Years ago we’d get many of these through the course of a New England winter. Now, not so much. It makes life easier for my guys, because they’re responsible for a lot of snow plowing, and it makes life easier for me when it comes to the barn chores for sure…. but… one can’t help but wonder what it means for our climate in general. Our shorelines are being decimated every time we have a storm of any kind, seaside cottages, homes, beaches being washed away, roads and basements flooding as the water rises and the winds/rains become more harsh.

Today is the first real snow we’ve had of the season and it is beautiful. The dogs rejoiced as they ran out into it at 5 am this morning, and then quickly retreated once business was done because brrrrr.

Everyone and their brother, third cousin and Great Aunt Evelyn and her neighbor were out grocery shopping yesterday due to the prediction of heavy snow, including the grands, who met up in the baby food Aisle with their moms in tow. They recognized each other immediately with smiles and giggles.

We met with the wedding coordinators at the facility for my girl’s wedding and they are such a lovely group of people, this is such a relief. They helped me herd all the cats – planning a wedding is such a big undertaking nowadays and I’m not experienced with these things at all. I thank you for your suggestions on which dress I’ll wear, and it was unanimous – so I decided to go with dress B. Below is the 1902 mansion where the ceremony and reception will be held, a lovely old sea captains home by the sea, a simple ceremony to be held on the back lawn if weather permits. This mansion has not been updated in a very long time, so it has the old world charm still intact, which I love.

Regarding the orange scream, that piece of shit is still giving Putin high fives , all he talks about are the revenges he will execute, no regard for the law and so far has yet to be held solidly accountable. He jumbles words just as much as the other old man some want to disparage, even jumbles history! and lies outright, over and over again. Now and once again attacking yet another military man, this time his opponent’s husband, for being “absent” as she campaigns- the man is DEPLOYED, something he would have no understanding of as he was a draft dodging cadet bone spurs. And where is Maleficent? Nowhere near him. She’s not stupid, I’ll give her that. This country deserves so much better – I pray for all of us every day, that someone of strength and integrity and vitality and ability to lead comes on the scene and saves our sorry ass government before it’s too late. It almost feels too late, we are so far down this divided rabbit hole of untruths and unbridled fury. This is no longer about “policy”, of which I hold a mixed bag. It’s about decency, humanity, security, democracy.

Sadly in this house we have never been more divided than we are in the current political atmosphere. As an unaffiliated voter, I try to keep an open mind and vote according to what I believe are our most pressing needs at each election. The husband is a staunch Republican. Which hasn’t been a significant problem until such a raging narcissistic asshole took control of his party. Now if I see Faux news on in the man cave, I walk back out.

*Sigh… it is what it is.

Till soon, friends – May sanity and peace ultimately prevail.

Recovery

So. I don’t normally get this kind of personal up in here, but I feel like writing about it will be therapeutic.

At my last gyno check up it was discovered my uterus walls had “thickened” and polyps were present. One very painful biopsy experience later, it was determined the old girl needed to be removed to avoid future cancer possibility and they needed to be sure there wasn’t any lurking. While I hated the idea of major surgery, I’m all for cancer avoidance where ever possible.

Monday was surgery day – and I’m here to say all went well, pathology benign much to my relief, but man, it feels like I was punched in the gut for 10 hours straights. It surprises me that this is practically a drive-thru surgery – I mean, they’re removing an organ through four holes they make in your abdomen, and then some elsewhere. I’m no fan of hospitals, being home is probably safer in the germ category. But jeez, you’d think they’d want to make sure all your systems were GO again, after such a shock to the body. As soon as I was awake and able to stand, they had me clothed and escorted to the waiting car. I don’t even want to know what positions they put you in during surgery, my back is still screaming of it.

So I’m home, not lifting anything more than 10 pounds, resting, walking, drinking fluids, taking as minimal an amount of pain meds as possible because my stomach never likes them. God bless Peapod grocery delivery. My family is doing much of what I usually do, they’ve been great – and the frustration is obvious too, because they do have all their usual “stuff”. I think once I’m healed and back to normal activities they will have a little more appreciation for all I get done around here on the regular…. just sayin.

I have rewatched Virgin River, because I LOVE VR!!… and might rewatch the last season of Outlander because DITTO!!. Watched the first season of True Detectives with Woody Harrelson and Matthew Machonagy (that’s spelled wrong, I’m certain) – loved it. Watched 1000 pound sisters and BY GOD I’M DETERMINED TO LOSE THIS EXTRA 25 pounds!!!!!!!!!. That’s a sad show – I feel they are being exploited. Watched The Marsh King’s daughter – worthy! I have books on my night table but haven’t felt like picking one up for some reason. Lazy, I think. It’s probably the drugs.

So that’s where I’m at. Looking forward to a better week ahead and the week after that, getting back to more normal life here on the farm. I hope all is well in your world –

oh just one more thing…. I cannot believe… I just cannot…. that we have before us the possibility of another four years of absolute integrity disintegration and mayhem with The Orange Scream in the oval office. I just…. can’t. Canada is looking so attractive. Maybe the Amalfi Coast, though. Where would you pick up and start over again if you could take all those who matter to you, with you?

Till soon –