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.
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 –
How nice to see a post from you! I’ve not been too active with blogging these days either. Your grandchildren are lovely! They must love coming to the farm to see all the animals! Your painting is fabulous, too. – Jenn
Hi Jenn! Thank you for stopping in. The grands and their parents live on the farm – each built a house here so they are growing up with the farm animals and the gardens and hay fields as their backdrop – something I would have loved as a child of the ‘burbs who loved horses. Thank you for your kind words! The medium of watercolor is so different from what I’m used to, so I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m loving the looser style and ease of use of the paints – just brushes and water and paint and paper! Oils are so much more complicated.
Your grands are beautiful! I’m sure you are beside yourself knowing they will grow up together and surrounded by family and critters.
Your water color is beautiful. You are very talented.
I have missed your posts and am glad to “hear” from you.
Thank you for the kind words! So good to see you here again – I plan to start blogging again fairly regularly, it is a respite and the peace is needed. I enjoy hearing from my blog friends too, feels like coming home. I hope all is well with you and yours!
Hi Karen! So nice to “see” you! It’s been a while for sure.
Ugh. The whole political climate is a cluster@&#%. Unbelievable. I knew it would be bad but I never thought this bad. My whole family supports this current administration. Why? I have no idea. It makes me feel like an island in the sea. So alone, but grateful for people like you who share my opinion.
I do have to laugh though. A couple of them are millionaires and, I know it’s mean of me, but I kinda get a little gleeful when I see what’s happening to the stock market. ( I pulled my very small 401K out in December) I just know that they’re monitoring the financial news on the daily.
On a better note. Your grandchildren are darling! So cute! And you’re right! They do keep you young. I don’t have any of my own but I have lots of great nieces and nephews. Plus, there’s a young family right next door with 2 little ones that I am close to. I’m excited to hear about your number three when he/she arrives.
You are very talented! Was it you who painted the picture for Hillary? I was wondering.
It was a pretty rough winter here in Upstate NY but as my husband always said, “we need the rain and snow for the water table”. It’s been almost 15 months since he died, and I miss him every day, but it’s getting a little easier. Seeing all the flowers waking up and poking their little heads out helps. My magnolia tree is budding as well.
For now, I’m just waiting and watching , Every time I read pro trump garbage on Facebook, I respond with this:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Thank you for reconnecting! Hope to read more from you soon!
Hello there Cheryl! Great to see you again as well! And, please keep the faith…. throughout history, good has always prevailed. Plenty of good people in higher places are as appalled as we are at what is happening, and so very many of us as well and we’re donating and volunteering and speaking up… and that’s where the light gets in – all those cracks in their bogus angry cruel armor… are us.
I love that quote! And I am glad you are finding some peace in the midst of your grief. Love to you xo
Yes, the watercolor was my way of thanking Hilary for being a dear friend and kindred spirit… I have some of her weaved towels here and they’ve lasted for over 15 years of use in my kitchen. When I look at them I’m reminded of the steadfast tried and true friendships that endure.
Good to hear from you and getting the update on your lovely family. Speaking of which: how is your Mom doing? I always enjoyed her comments and way of seeing life through such a wise and knowledgeable lens. Personally, I happily rested during the Biden years, but at 80 years old, I am protesting again — most recently at the SS office with other Retirees. I need a tee-shirt saying “Retirees Never Quit.” – Stay safe – healthy – and true to your heart…because “in your heart you know what’s right” (an old Barry Goldwater ad).
Hi Eileen! Good to see you again! You know what… I’ll have mom reply!….. and yes, keep doing what you’re doing… it all matters now more than ever!!!!!
Hi Eileen, Karen’s mom here. I am still on top of the grass at 85 and view each day there as a good day. Still politically commenting here and there, shooting emails off to politicians, and have joined several postcard writing brigades. Two weeks ago, I was writing them for Susan Crawford for the Wisconsin Supreme Court judgeship and she won last night! Several of my friends will be in Hartford on the 5th protesting the Musk/Trump regime. (They are younger than I am, some by decades.)
Glad you are protesting to save Social Security, and yes to a tee-shirt saying “Retirees Never Quit!” It’s the truth and they also do a lot of the volunteering in their communities.
I have no idea how all this is going to turn out but I think it will be up to the American voter to save us. We white haired women have the wisdom of our years to pass on and a knowledge of an America that while never perfect, was very much better than this.
Be well and stay strong. I will check in on Karen’s post from time to time. I thought she had stopped doing it. In the end “We’re all just walking each other home.” (Ram Dass)
Kathleen – So good to hear you are well and still so active. Thank you for the personal reply and update. I don’t know about you, but I thought we had already solved many of the issues that are resurfacing again. I feel encouraged again after a period of despondency. A surge of good governance is beginning to show itself. And at 91, Jane Goodall visited the Capitol and spoke about her childhood in war-torn London. Her advice “Be Brave” – I think we are. – Best wishes, Eileen
Hi Eileen, At 91, Jane Goodall can be our inspiration. I have an 83 year old friend who is going to a local protest march with her dog and a sign she made that reads Dogs Against DOGE. She is also in a cast for a broken ankle.
There are a lot of young women stepping up as well. Green sprouts midst a desert of crazy.
Be well.