Category: Uncategorized

We The People

We have a President who repeatedly refers to half the nation as the enemy. He referred yesterday to Democrats as a party of crime. He described them as he would a toxic gas. The press as the enemy of our country, prisoners of war are not heroes, disabled reporters he feels comfortable mocking, he dismisses sexual assault victims and female reporters, and berates anyone who doesn’t agree with him. He has never given one fuck about the average Joe in this country, not one thing points to that direction. Acquiring wealth and stardom have always been his goal. He was a Democrat until he decided to run for office and knew a large portion of the republican base would follow his fear mongering rhetoric, he knew what to throw on the fire to win. His biggest goal is to win and be the boss and be glorified. My words are certainly not the proof- his own actions are.
I cannot lie and say I don’t agree with some of his goals for our country. But selling our soul to accomplish those goals just isn’t worth it and isn’t even necessary.
We have many things to be thankful for in this country, and we can thank members of both parties for those gifts. The reason I am not affiliated with a party is- there are sound ideas and plans and accomplishments from both camps, always have been through history, I believe the combination brings sound answers to whatever the issues are – and fair balance. We are no longer open minded and we have a commander in chief feeding the divide. We all lose in the end with this kind of leadership.
I’m real tired of seeing people I consider friends mocking snowflakes. As if a snowflake isn’t the first person who reached out to you in a time of need, or opened their home or wallet to you when you needed it most. Maybe that libtard stood up for your kid when he or she was being bullied. The same can be said of  Republicans and Conservatives – perhaps they were the saving grace for you in a bad situation. It might be the right wing nut that changed your tire on the side of the road in the middle of the night. I’m tired of putting off an appointment because the person I would see thinks the man fueling this division is awesome. Awesome?? I don’t know how you can ignore the hate. Anything but awesome. But He shouldn’t have the power to divide us.
Anyone who bothers to read my social media posts knows I am open with my opinions and I use it regularly to voice them. I believe keeping the conversation going helps us solve problems and keep an open mind. I learn something from an opposing view sometimes too- isn’t that something. Social media is a great way to share family pictures , good news, lost dogs, items for sale, friends gatherings, jokes, recipes, and even political news. It’s also a good way to get really pissed off at someone you would otherwise have a lot in common with, someone you used to like and accomplish good things with .
Something we all have control over is how we talk to each other and what we put out there, what we promote. We also have control of who we let in our lives, and even who we allow to pollute it. I’m going to ask my friends ( anyone reading this) to stop promoting blatant hate in-the stupid petty mean ways the bots out there and our current President or any other politicians or people with agendas that are certainly not our well being promote unless it’s information only and not mocking and hate. They are not who we are. They don’t stand next to us at our volunteer events where we are actually accomplishing some good, together! They do not sit on the bus and share the weather or the family news or a smoke on the way to work in the morning. They aren’t holding the door open as you try to get in the elevator with many packages, they aren’t comforting you as you prepare to bury a loved one. They don’t bring food to your door when you’re going through a rough patch.
Investigate what you share, make sure it’s truth and not just a pathetic attack that happens to align with your party of choice.  This applies to all affiliations. Truth matters. Decency matters. We are not each other’s nemesis. That is a line being fed to us to encourage the divide.
United we stand. Divided, we fall. We are better than that.
We are all – We The People.
This is where I drop the mic- because all this division is exhausting and disheartening. Whether you agree with me on the President or not, I hope you’ll agree to the rest of this post. I hope I’ll see a “like” or a comment from friends of all political affiliations. We as a nation can find common ground again, together. We are the fabric- not the politicians. … we… the People. ❤️🇺🇸

Purple Mushrooms

   Did you know there was such a thing?  Purple mushrooms?  In all my years of trudging through the woods on horseback or with dogs, I did not.  A local friend who goes mushroom hunting on a regular basis  posted a few pictures recently, and I was amazed!  Purple Mushrooms?  What? 
    The bullshittery that is occurring in Washington has me (and a zillion other people)  on edge lately, and the best way I know how to  get away from all the nonsense is to get out in nature – put my face to the wind on the water or take a hike in the woods with the dogs.   Yesterday I left the dogs behind to avoid their tread on what I was looking for, and went exploring in the woods behind our farm – in search of the elusive Purple Mushroom.   I knew the odds would be in my favor after the recent 8.5 inch rainfall in our area.  I kid you not – local roads were flooded, some caved in due to rivers run amok adjacent to them… driveways washed out, a local restaurant with a river alongside it had water on it’s first floor, water coming in the windows – it was that crazy. )   Seems our weather is becoming more extreme with each year – this past winter brought unrelenting cold, then the summer held unrelenting humidity – and now crazy amounts of rainfall as autumn slides in. 
  The hunt!… 

And the discovery.… for me it was almost like finding a unicorn
out there in the forest… and yet apparently, they are fairly common. 
I was downright giddy. 

 I also spent a little time with my face to the wind on the water
with my niece, S. on Saturday.  
If you love the water but have never tried Kayaking,
I highly recommend it. The practice is a soul soother – 
you can go at your own pace – 
a lake, a pond, a river, a cove, the ocean – any will do. 
The typical boat does not cost a fortune, can be stored in a garage
or out near the woodpile and will
last you a lifetime with basic care. 
My 74 year old Aunt still enjoys it, too . With a little planning
and practical caution the practice is ageless and the exercise
is good for you, body and soul. 
I hope all is well in your neck o’the woods – 
🍁Happy Fall!

Our Circus, Our Flying Monkeys

     Our political system is absolutely ruptured- watching yesterday’s tragedy was heartbreaking on so many levels. I’m still in disbelief that that is indeed our circus- those are the flying monkeys that run our country. I truly feel we the people- Republicans, Democrats, left and right, are largely not being represented by those who stand for who we actually are as a country. The blame for what our system of governance has become lies all over the spectrum, and that’s largely why I am an independent. 
     As for Br*tt K*vanaugh, he is clearly emotionally unfit for a seat on the Supreme Court, whether he is guilty of the sexual assault he’s accused of or not. Funny how the people who are witnesses to the supposed act aren’t fit enough to testify. Would that have flown if it were a Democrat defendant? Hell no. Did anyone come away from her testimony thinking she was lying? How many times did he say he likes beer? His own yearbook reflects his attitude at that time , and classmates have come out saying he’s lying about other things. All that screaming and crying and spitting –  While you might be a Hillary hater, and I was not a fan, – under 11 hours of scrutiny before the same committee being accused of murdering four men, not once did she behave like the raging lunatic Kavanaugh became. And she did not murder those four men, whether you’ll interpret that mess that way yourself.  Me thinks he does protest too much. In case you didn’t know- he was playing to all beer drinking male voters who may have been “rowdy” in their young years- , right from the Trump play book.
     As for the alleged victim- Who would put themselves in that position if they didn’t believe they were telling the truth? Nothing to gain! And a lot to lose.  Starting with the polygraph experience! So tired of every woman who stands up for themselves being dismissed BY OTHER WOMEN and especially by that disgusting administration and their hypocrisy when trying to undermine the opposing party over the years- No wonder most don’t report it!   L Gr*ham’s own words for his book regarding sexual assault victims apparently didn’t apply this time- of course! Hypocrite. All of it, broken.
     Believe people when they tell you who they are.

Show Glow

  Well let me tell ya – What a ride, literally!  K and I experienced our first big horse show last week – five days away from our farm, attending the Empire State Fall Quarter Horse show at the Syracuse, NY fairgrounds.  Ever been?  WOW.. many buildings, an impressive Colosseum,  parking parking and more parking areas,  more cement  and pavement  walking than I think I’ve ever done.   I can only imagine what it’s like when the big fair is in progress.  My mom tells me we were there once when I was very little – I have a vague memory of walking through big gates and through some cow barns, but that’s it. 
  
  We stayed at a Holiday Inn nearby, but many who show often bring campers that they use for housing. 
  K and Leah had a great show – both were a little nervous on their first day, but by the second they settled in and did very well.  I’m so proud of my girl and this little horse, a new team still getting to know each other – it’s quite intimidating to go out there with the seasoned folks, but she did just that and with ease I wouldn’t be capable of, I’m a bit of a wuss in the competitive atmosphere.   The smile says it all 💓

  Photos below are of a few of our friends – what a great group of people to spend five days with – all supportive of each other, even when competing in the same event –  a welcome camaraderie we all need to see more often everywhere in life.

      It’s looks all glittery in these photos but the truth is those jackets are worn for about 15 minutes – the rest of  these people’s time is spent cleaning stalls, filling water buckets, sweeping isles, cleaning tack, feeding horses, exercising them, brushing them, practice practice practice and some sitting around waiting for classes too.  By the end of each day, it feels as if we’re wearing as much dirt as we are clothing.

     It’s all worth it, though – every penny and every bead of sweat equity.  The lesson in showing is it takes hard work and dedication. It takes caring for another living thing who depends on you to do so, it means disappointment as well as triumph, building relationships, elbow grease, determination. It means learning the art of  losing gracefully as well as celebrating the win. The friendships along the way are the icing on the cake – an important icing.

    At the end of the show we were so ready to get home – we missed the dogs, we missed our  people.  The gorgeous sunset  behind us and rising moon ahead were the perfect cap on a successful week.

   

I hope all is well in your neck o’the woods.   
Till soon, friends… 

30 years and 6 blueberries

    The Mr. and I have been married for thirty years as of today, with a little speed bump we muttled through four years in.  Not  a lot of people can say they’ve been married twice… to the same person, but that’s what we did.   The first time around we were married young and still had some growing up to do. We jumped ship but then climbed back up the ladder.  Long story shorter –  I am grateful and blessed to have this man and  beautiful family to share life with,  good times, bad times, mistakes, do-overs and all. 

     We have our differences, still, sometimes BIGLY – YUGE even… some of you will get that drift. Sometimes we can get on each other’s very last nerve for the stupidest thing, and then finger  that nerve like playing a one string guitar…

    For example… just last week on a work morning at 5:30 a.m. I finished up a batch of blueberry pancakes and set it before him with plenty of extra syrup and butter, which he likes.  What came out of his mouth instead of thank you was  “How many times do I have to explain I want just six blueberries in my pancakes, not a whole handful.  Seriously, is six such a hard thing to remember? Six blueberries?”     Now, you gotta laugh at such OCD foolishness, not to mention the rudity.  Laugh I did, only to irk him more… That one string guitar, ya know.  And then I told him off.  Because seriously?    

    So do those stupid little things still  put a little wedge between us now and again?  (and I surely have my own stupid moments) …  You betcha.   But when I come home tired and filthy after a long drive and a long week of horse show and he’s cleaned the kitchen and fed and cared for my dogs for five days and rubs my aching back and thanks me for all I do when I am home, well,  like I said above – it’s those important things, the love in little ways.. and family – that are the tie that binds, the glue that bonds. 
   I bet you can guess what I made him for our 30th Anniversary breakfast this morning. 
  

Fall Classic

  That was the name of the horse show this past weekend…The Fall Classic.  
   Well.. on Thursday?  It felt like anything but Fall.  We were sweating like menopausal women in a steam room, all day,  I kid you not.  Of course, some of us WERE menopausal women, but even the kids were dripping.  It was YUCK.  BUT… my girl pulled up her big girl boots and chaps and hat and jacket and went out there and wowed us – even got a third place in several of  her classes.   Leah was a trooper, too – such a kind and good minded mare.  Amen. 
 By Saturday, when the husband had to fill in for me because I was running an artisan market here in town with a fantastic co-manager, the temps had dropped enough that people were wearing light jackets…  
    We’re home for a week to catch up on work and house cleaning and laundry and bill paying and then we’re off to another show in Syracuse for five days.  After that we’ll take a break and practice at home until next April.   Amen again. 
   Meanwhile.. I’ve been harvesting the last of my little garden plots – the Zinnia seeds I was gifted by Hilary of Crazy as a Loom produced a stunning array of color, still going strong.  The artichokes that we left on the vine have blossomed – have you ever seen artichokes bloom?  WOW!  They’d be a great accent in borders!  My purple pepper experiment was a good one – the sweet  peppers are gentle on the digestive tract and so pretty – ending up in a variety of colors.  I’ll grow them again next year, I loved adding them to the fry pan, sauteeing with onions, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet italian sausage.  Alittle S & P, oregano, butter in the bottom of the pan – delish! 

 
     After a few fall-like days, the humidity has returned, most likely due to the storms out in the Atlantic.  Wishing all in the storm’s path safety and no damage to properties, hoping it is not as bad as they have predicted.  Our storm surges down at the cottage have been big already, and it’s not even hitting us directly. We’ve pulled in the kayaks and seat cushions and umbrellas and closed all windows.   This picture was taken yesterday after a rain shower – Stella (our cottage) is just under the rainbow’s end on the left, tucked in the trees.  Notice Filbert the flamingo, now a little droopy –  still out there to weather the .. weather.

  I’m admiring the tenacity of this lone sunflower too.  The pot sits beside the gate to the horse barn, and this one flower decided to stretch for the sun as tall as it could muster, as the pot is mostly in the shade. 

 As I published this, the skies opened up and it’s pouring,
with lightening and thunder added for excitement.  
 Sometimes I love a rainy day…
sometimes, like when I left the horses out in the fields, 
not so much.  
Out I go…
Till soon, friends – 
Thank you for stopping by…. 

Let’s go Horse Show! ..and other stuff…

   Our new girl, Leah, was apparently foot sore due to a decision her previous owner made. She was letting her go barefoot behind to see if her feet would hold up.  We wondered why she only had front shoes, but figured if she was used to it, so be it.  Well, she wasn’t.  The great news is.. the farrier thought this was the case and without further expensive diagnostics we solved the problem with a set of hind shoes to match her fronts.  She’s sound again and as of Wednesday we’re off to our first horse show with Miss Leah and K. 
  The humidity is back – Seriously, enough already! We woke up this morning to windows wet on the outside, barely see-through-able…  I am so thankful for air conditioning and I’m praying we have decent weather for the show.  The heavy artilliary the horses and riders have to wear can be brutal in that kind of heat.    I spent this morning helping K condition her show tack and polish the silver on it… on our steamy back porch. Bleh. 
   We discovered K’s chaps are a little too snug, and it’s true they’re supposed to be snug but not breathtaking, if ya know what I mean.  Those suckers aren’t cheap, I sure was hoping we could get away with the old trusty pair,  especially after splurging on that ultra bling jacket. … but it wasn’t looking hopeful.  Until I discovered… CHAP EXTENDERS are a thing! Look them up!   Ordered and on their way.  Too bad they don’t make jeans extenders.   Someone out there should invent them, they’ll make their fortune. I could use a pair myself, I’d help the cause.
  
 

     Did you watch John McCain’s services?  The eulogies by his daughter Meghan (powerful),  Kissinger (now that was an interesting choice, but sound words for a divided nation),  Bush ( best speech he has ever given, really)  and Obama ( always a poignant speaker,  maybe a little petty at a certain point, but powerful message as well)  had me in tears.    As my mother said… This is what we can be, let’s hope it lasts past Senator McCain’s burial. 
      I was curious as to what the Twitterer in Chief might be doing while everyone else was at the services.  It had to be hard on him,  not to be included.  So I glanced at his twitter feed, since that’s where he goes when he’s most frustrated.. and sure enough – he was spewing tweet after tweet after tweet, couldn’t help himself, I’m sure.  Such a little, little man. 
    The America of John McCain is generous and welcoming and bold. She’s resourceful, confident, secure. She meets her responsibilities. She speaks quietly because she’s strong. America does not boast because she has no need to. 🇺🇸The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great.”🇺🇸
 – Meghan McCain
 I hope  you’ve had an enjoyable Labor Day Weekend, 
and all is well in your corner of the world. 
Wish K and Miss Leah Good Luck! 
Till soon, friends… 
     

Friendly Firepits

    I was going to write about The Orange Scream today, not because I think anyone out there needs one more opinion piece on the subject or that I’ll turn anyone’s thinking  around should your opinion differ from mine… but because personally I find writing therapeutic.   Let me just say this, cause I gotta be me – DJT is mentally ill, I’m convinced of it.  There is no defense for this brand of leadership that encourages violence and the divide of our citizens, using false narratives time and time again.   By ignoring what is right before our eyes, we are selling our souls for monetary gain, trashing the planet and our humanity along the way, awful thing.  I’m sad for all of us. 
 On to the friendly firepits. ….
  We’re in the middle of yet another heat and humidity wave here in Connecticut. I’ve got fans on the horses, a fan on the chickens and bunny too.  I get the barn chores done early before the sun reaches out over the barnyard and the dogs are outdoors only for bathroom breaks. 
   We’ve been visiting the cottage as work and weather permits… The fire burning  below was the evening before the humidity returned. What a gorgeous night it was. 
     There is a tradition on Island called Friendly Firepits – Once a year on a specific day,  fire pits around the community are lit and the host of each firepit serves refreshments. All members of the community are encouraged to join any or all of the firepit gatherings and enjoy conversation and snacks/beverages with the hosts.   I think we need Friendly Firepits installed all around the nation, don’t you? 
   
    This is Stella’s friendly Firepit.  The Pink Flamingo float in the distance lives on….  we learned his name is “Filbert”. 
   The scow below is a neighbors – and I learned it’s story when I posted this pic on our community page.  This beautiful old blue boat is used to ferry people back and forth to a bigger boat now, and was the very first boat of it’s now 60- something owner  back when he was a young lad summering here on the island.  The “boy” and boat have been together for a very long time. 
   Meanwhile… we’ve got a horse show coming up… or not.  Miss Leah currently has a small abscess in a hind hoof wall.  Such is the unpredictabity of horse show life.  Depending on how fast it blows out and heals, we’ll either have a show next weekend.. or not.  Either is OK by me – a healthy rider and horse is my first concern.    
Speaking of that rider – her show jacket has been taken in where needed, she’s ready to rock’n’roll.  How’s that for bling??..

   Two friends introduced me to some fun apps recently –  flightaware24.com – a flight tracker that also tells you where the plane currently flying over your house is headed –  and yeah, we don’t really need to know that, but still, it’s kinda cool. 
The other is skyview… point your cell phone up to the stars, and it tells you what you’re looking at and gives you some descriptive information, even maps out the constellations for you.  So much fun.  That bright red star I had been  looking at out over the fields is actually Mars!  That bright but much smaller white “star” out in the big distance is Saturn!   
That’s all for now – thank you for stopping by
this little “friendly firepit”. 

Vitamin Sea

   We’ve heard sad news about a neighbor down at the shore.  This was the man who rented his cottage to my mom for a few weeks each year until we acquired Stella by the Sea.  Cancer is a cruel disease, and  in this case even a doctor can’t cure himself if the damned thing decides it’s not letting go.  Residents of the island have been known to say the waters and the quiet, simple island life are the reason we’ll all live long.  The Dr. proves us wrong, as he is as fully emersed in the salt of the place and  loves it as much as anyone can. I am so sad for his family, his young grandchildren, his wife and sons.  Just a few weeks ago I was chilling in the now deceased float (unknowningly with 2,000 barnacles and crabs attached just inches below me)  and he and family passed by in their little boat – waving, smiles.. sea spray, sun, salt and happiness. That was the picture I saw, I wish I could tie it to an anchor and buoy so it would hold fast and steady and stay.  
   
     Stella remains a respite for us all – we come and go as time and  weather and schedules allow. 
 

      

  That’s mom out there!  – Having been raised during summer months at a tiny cottage just like Stella on the shores of Staten Island many moon ago, she’s known the healing powers of  salt water too.  Now that the railing is in and the steps painted that lovely blue hue (boat bottom paint)… entry into the water to swim and kayak is much safer for all of us and she’s joined us in the pursuit of refreshment from the sea.

One of my favorite weeds grows along our sea wall. 
Queen Anne’s Lace.

Meanwhile.. up at the show barn… K and Leah continue to bond… 
What a sweet mare, we are blessed.  Their first show in just a few weeks..
😬
 Saw this recipe shared by Hilary of Crazy as a Loom..
made it.. LOVED it. 
Right now native corn and zucchini are abundant..
This is an awesome meal all by itself, or a perfect side. 
Serious YUM. 
Recipe here
 I hope all is well in your world..
Till soon, friends… 

I want to be your friend…

   A friend shared this on her FB and Instagram yesterday… and it struck a certain cord with me.

   When I was a young person I never though of myself as attractive. I was a brunette olive skinned  green eyed athletic kind friendly generous warm 120 lb. person, but I thought I was ugly.    There are very few photos of me smiling because I thought I had an unattractive smile… so I didn’t.  I was not the popular  blonde blue eyed girl dressed in designer clothes and pumps in HS, and we’re programmed by peers and society that those things are important, so I believed.  I tried not to stand out.. .just let me blend in, and that’s what I did.  I had trouble focusing on any subjects in HS and college that I wasn’t interested in and I was busy being “busy” with the things that did intrigue me- like horses, animals, time spent with the boyfriend and g-friends, and a few subjects like English, writing, music (band) that I enjoyed.   So I didn’t think I was particularly smart either.  My experiences since have shown me my truths, but that was then, this is now.  How we talk to ourselves, never mind how others talk to us… our self talk is so very important.  Keeping it positive is key to our well being and we are the only ones in control of that conversation.

   I strongly believe that the relationship a girl has with her father shapes an important part of what she believes of herself , too- and while my father wasn’t evil in any way, his narcissism didn’t make room for him to nurture others, so my sister and I did not have that important corner built into our foundation.   I think what I love most about my husband is that he is such a caring, devoted father – with just enough tough and a whole lot of love for our children.  I see how it helps them believe in themselves and I hope in my efforts as a mother I did the same.

    It took me many years and a lot of living, some big mistakes, some therapy even, and  some caring people, good role models in my life , like my mother,  to get to this place I am now.  I really really like who I am, who I have become. I’m no dope, I’m a decent mom, a good friend,  I’m generous where I can be, and I put in more at work than I’m asked. Heck – even at the age of 53 with 25 extra pounds, wrinkles, age spots, grey hair, tired eyes –  I like the person I see in the mirror. A lot.   The old part of me that is still me thinks what I just typed sounds conceited – don’t I see the fat? the short legs? the small breasts? the imperfect skin? .  The wiser me knows I’ve earned every piece of me and it’s all a beautiful gift.  That’s true of you, too, and I say it’s time to believe.

   So I read that statement up there at the top yesterday and I said .. Yes.  Exactly.  What am I waiting for? Why the hold up?    I’ve been fighting with the same 25 lbs. for years now –    When you’re 5’4, 25 lbs is a lot of extra weight to lug around.  I’ve taken some off, then put it back on. Then took some more off, then put it back on.  I tried the big diets, the little changes. They work and then I fail to follow them.   Food is my stress reliever, I don’t drink much or smoke, etc.  I do work out, but I don’t love it, I’m no gym rat.  Hence – those 25 lbs.   But I have a few health issues, High BP and fibromyalgia, that really demand I take better care of myself.   I woke up this morning – read that statement up there one more time, and said this is it.  Today is the day I figure this out and stick to the plan.  Of course I’ve said that 1,000 times before.  That doesn’t mean this time it won’t work. That’s defeatism and I’m not about defeat.   My life and it’s quality depends on it.  The fibromyalgia tells me daily to pay attention to what I’m putting in my mouth, to keep moving. I walk, muck stalls, garden, kayak, light weight train. That’ what I enjoy, so that’s what I’ll stick with.

   The other pact I’m going to make with myself is to stop following the news daily –  In my opinion, the asshat we currently have in office doesn’t deserve my peace of mind, I will not pay for his ignorance and those of his ilk.  I do feel humankind will be the cause of it’s own demise, but I can’t change humankind. I can only do good in the place I reside right here, right now and hope it has some ripple effect.   The pebbles tossed in the ocean, you know.   I’m also putting the iphone down – not lugging it around everywhere I go – it’s an awful habit I’ve gotten into, almost like pavlov’s dog.

Enough.   Are you with me?  I kinda love me, do you love you?  Feel free to share in the comments below the habits you choose to take care of you, and even what you love about yourself, I want to hear it.  –  There are plenty of excuses any of us can find and hold on to –  If you’ve been stalling, like me… we aren’t a fail, we’re a new jump start.   Ready?   Let’s do it….. and for Heaven’s sake – smile. Every chance you get.