Middle aged musings from farm & hearth
Mr. President, Dr. Biden, Madam Vice President, Mr. Emhoff, Americans and the world, when day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry asea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. In the norms and notions of what just is isn’t always justice. And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it. Somehow we do it. Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president only to find herself reciting for one.
And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect. We are striving to forge our union with purpose. To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man. And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all. Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true. That even as we grieved, we grew. That even as we hurt, we hoped. That even as we tired, we tried that will forever be tied together victorious. Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid. If we’re to live up to her own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made. That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb if only we dare. It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit. It’s the past we step into and how we repair it. We’ve seen a forest that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. This effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated. In this truth, in this faith we trust for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us. This is the era of just redemption. We feared it at its inception. We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour, but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves so while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe? Now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be a country that is bruised, but whole, benevolent, but bold, fierce, and free. We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation. Our blunders become their burdens. But one thing is certain, if we merge mercy with might and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children’s birthright.
So let us leave behind a country better than one we were left with. Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one. We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the West. We will rise from the wind-swept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution. We will rise from the Lake Rim cities of the Midwestern states. We will rise from the sun-baked South. We will rebuild, reconcile and recover in every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful. When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.
Amanda Gorman – Inaugural Poet
Holy Government Shit Storms, Batman. I just don’t have appropriate words. Or rather I’m too disgusted by it all to speak without many, many expletives right now and we just don’t need any more of that, do we.
GOAT THERAPY! I know I’m repeating a post theme here.. but I just love my goatgirlz…. Star and Bella provide daily entertainment and just plain love in the ways goats show it. They call to us constantly if we’re out in on the property in range of their view,… so much so that Star actually gets laryngitis on occasion…. and when we enter their pen they’re on us like white on rice.
ART THERAPY! I’ve been painting more too…. and managed to auction off one of my St. John paintings to benefit the animal rescue I have befriended on St. John – for $650.! I’m no professional, so that’s a big chunk for one of my little paintings, I was thrilled. St. John lovers from from all over the country were bidding and can you believe the winning bid, which I determined within hours of starting the process… lives about 10 miles from me? Just over the river. What are the odds?
This one just finished… the Nathan Hale House with an early evening sky….
Some funnies for you before closing…. and if you can’t relate on some level, you’re truly special 🙂
I’m not a ritual-practicing religious person, but I find myself praying for our country’s soul lately. Please… powers that be.. above all, Good over Evil.
Till soon, Friends…. thank you for stopping by –
…. and for most of us that’s exactly what it will be, a “little” Christmas compared to what we’re used to. Strange times indeed. This past month I have taken a step back from newsfeeds and my appalled reactions to so much of it. I am grateful for this family’s health including our mothers and for the promise of better days ahead. I hope you are weathering the multitude of storms and are feeling some optimism for the future.
I put Christmas up here in this house before Thanksgiving was done – we needed the cheer so I pulled out all the stops – even the SnowVillage that’s been in big bins in the basement for years came back out. It’s true we won’t have the bigger family gathering we usually do, but that’s OK – it helps to know we are placing some insurance on having everyone round the table again next year by being cautious this year. This will be the first Christmas without Dad. (Fuck Covid) Last year he brought with him a mini drone that he loved – we pushed it around between us and had a good laugh…. I can tell you for certain it will not matter, whatever the issues in a push and tug relationship, once they’re gone, you’ll be reminded of the good, the bad, and you’ll miss them. Also, no matter what you thought you were doing right while they were around, you’ll find regrets.
From the looks of these gingerbread men you’d think we’d been drinkin –
Sally’s favorite seat in the mancave…
We’ve had some beautiful snow, although it makes barn chores a little more difficult. My goatgirls Bella and Star are not impressed with the white stuff, but have adjusted .. eventually.
SO much joy I get from these two… they talk to us all the time, huddle around our legs, I’m grateful I can hear some of their little goat girl mumbles… mehhh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh.
More snow pics here on the farm….
My daughter’s home next door can be seen in the photo below…
My son’s home is deep in the mist of the picture below. Happy News to share with you on that front in the next post…
Some laughs to share with you next…. and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, a joyful, peaceful holiday season in whatever the ways you celebrate, and good health and much happiness in the New Year – XO
Sharing this beautiful song , one of my all time favorites… click on the link and click skip the ads… enjoy ❤
Till soon, friends…
How refreshing it is to hear an intelligent rational all inclusive uplifting inspiring speech intended for All Americans and the World tonight . Amen and God Bless Us All-
A poem written by an unknown author (to me anyway)
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 –
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 –