in the news – Page 8 – This Old House 2

Reflection and Moving Forward

The only way to accept the shocking results of this election and move on is to acknowledge the anger over big issues not being addressed, voices not being heard. That’s something I have never disputed and it’s why no party claims me. In my opinion the entire system is to blame and the entire system just got a big F*uck U from more than half the population.

What offends me even more than the divisive and hateful vitriol that got Trump elected is the mean juvenile hateful crap spewed all over the media and internet, and some of it came from the people I called friends. It’s one thing to dislike a public figure for their policies, their mistakes, even the lies- I have no problem reading an informed accurate piece about my choice of candidate – always open to enlightenment. The mean behavior , the schoolyard bully jokes, ….. that stuff shows me a side I can’t reconcile. Until this election I thought we as a country had evolved as a people. I thought our fiber contained more threads of decency. We’ve got a long way to go and today I am sad for all of us.

Show me a sign

I was going to write about the upcoming election, because truly I am so disgusted and I want so desperately to understand the dividing forces, the hypocrisy, the hate. I have been engaged in “conversations” on FB – what a zoo that is. I have had many heated conversations with my own spouse and the bottom line is it only got me more aggravated and nothing changed. So there’s no point in going there here. My body is feeling the tension, the anxiety, the worry, the hurt, the WTF. YES.. more than anything, the WTF. My only power is the vote, and I will rock it.. with her.

So what’s a girl to do?

Make something.

I went to Hobby Lobby, which I usually boycott because of certain practices of theirs we won’t go into here.. but I needed something only they would have. Dammit. While browsing the isles I found this whale – I love his soft, KIND expression.

I decided this was the perfect sign for the cottage at the cove. I had intended to make the entire thing myself, but hell, when the perfect platform is right there in front of you, already done – half off, well.

I just needed to paint and glue the letters. Done deal.

The guys are hammering away at the exterior.

And the seawall has gotten some repair work too…. If they took two steps back, they’d both be in the drink.

Last thing for today… I had to pick a different door color because the Mr. wants to paint the interior of the garage the same color as the doors… couldn’t justify the more powerful blue I had envisioned if it has to serve that purpose too… so this is the color scheme we’re going with – the door is Benjamin Moore Grenada Villa and the trim will be Dove White.. siding cedar shingle stained the approx. color you see here on the siding.

I’m not religious as you know if you’ve been reading here for very long, but I’m going to pray for all of us during the coming week – May our Great Country survive the horrible divide that has come between us and may we heal what has been aroused, poked and inflamed – the very worst that lies in our makeup. I’m pleading with every one of you – whatever your choice…. GO VOTE. It matters. It Matters. IT MATTERS.

– Just sayin.

Deck & Patio continued and I just have to say it….

Let’s see if I can do this tactfully. No matter who you’re voting for, you’ve made up your mind a while ago, right? I think it’s true of most people. If you’re voting for the orange scream , it’s not going to matter if he spews Parseltongue through Voldemort at this point, he’s in. – F*ck the government. If you’re voting for HC, you know she doesn’t have a perfect record nor is she the warmest of characters, but you also know she’s not the evil incarnate, so you’re gonna go safe and stay the course, hoping for the changes that are needed, and F*ck the government. As for this stupid e-mail clusterf*ck, (there goes the tact) if we’re being real here, GWB lost something like 22,000 e-mails mysteriously, never to be hacked, never to be prosecuted, and he, Powell and Rice all used private servers in the same way HC did. The FBI said outright it did not appear that HC had attempted to HIDE anything. She herself is saying MAKE THE INFO PUBLIC!! Now that it’s HC on the chopping block, this is a hideous crime and some are chanting lock her up. Really? So are ya planning on locking up the others too? yeah OK. They have yet to come up with anything that was truly criminal, and yet here they go again. Against their own policies!

Whatever. If the orange scream wins, the entire government is going to get the F*ck Y*u it’s been asking for for a very long time. The people are fed up, too many things have not been addressed and gone by the wayside for far too long. The corruption, the obstructionism, the arrogance, the list goes on. No matter who you’re voting for, No intelligent human being can blame all that on one administration, one party. If HC wins, she’s going to have to do things a little differently this time around, and there’s no doubt in my mind, she will meet with the same vicious crap that has plagued her AND BO during his run. No matter what lever, chad or circle you fill in, we’re all in for a ride and none of us knows how exactly that’s going to pan out. May the force be with us all. *sigh.

Anyway… we’re making progress with the exterior of the cottage. The winds pick up and the chill sets in early down on the water, so M wants to get the outside done before it gets too cold for the crew to be comfortable out there when the ground freezes.

Back Porch, or street side… removed. For those who answered my question – it appears you are absolutely right.. the “front” of a waterfront house is the water side. The Street is the back. You learn something new every day if you’re open to it 🙂

The back deck had a lot of rot underneath, even though it looked sturdy from above. So, it’s been replaced with this… and it comes in the same color the cedar shakes will be stained when re-sided.

You may notice the roof lines of the house are much straighter now that all underneath supports have been replaced and balanced. Walking inside the cottage no longer feels like a funhouse experience.

I will plant a small seaside garden in that lower level – M is bringing in soil from the back fields of This Old House to do so. Bluestone is being laid for the patio.

I need to google plants that are happy along the water – the salt and weather can be pretty tough in the winter season.

New England shores do include sand beaches, but much of that is trucked in. Most of our shorefront consists of rocks and rock outcroppings, some sand, many shells from muscle, clam and oyster beds. Our cove happens to be the perfect environment for them so they are found in abundance. We have a very small “beachfront” in front of the cottage, completely covered during high tide. There are many shells to be found because the Sound protects us from the worst of the Atlantic Ocean weather and the waves that make it to shore have traveled some distance in shallower waters, making them pretty tame before they hit our shoreline shells. Walking into the water, you have to have water shoes to protect from stepping on any of these….

My dear blog and birthday buddy Sally C. picked a lovely shade of blue for the doors of -Once Upon A Tide- It’s called Southern Belle #819 – Perfect, as she’s a southern belle herself.

Another that caught my attention is Old Navy…

Once the siding is up I’ll have a better idea of the right shade. Opinions? Leave em!

Have a good day all, and as always, thanks for stopping by.

Karen

How low are we gonna go?

Seems there is no limit. I wasn’t going to talk about the candidates anymore, but jeez, I just keep getting confounded by the bullshittery.

Did you watch the debates? Here was the Tangerine Screams time to proverbially SHINE, if ever there was one. (there was indeed less of an orange hue to his complexion that night, perhaps someone important finally said something?) And yet he was just more of the same… because I guess when push comes to shove you can only be you. Apparently it doesn’t take much to shove him into defense mode either, he is bated very.. very.. easily. For a man to hold such an important office and wield the kind of power he would have, that should make every single one of us nervous.

And yet.

So coming away from that debate, we learned he will always be him, he will never straighten up and fly right, for lack of a better way to say it. He will not become “Presidential” in any way, shape or form. He didn’t deny he hadn’t paid Federal taxes because “he’s Smart”. Oh, but he’s denying he said that now, even though it came right out of his mouth for all of us to see. Doesn’t seem to matter! He didn’t deny calling women some ugly names, saying they *deserved it*. He never answered any of the questions put to him without having to be asked more than once, and even then… did we come away with any.. answers? He didn’ t deny being sued twice by housing authorities because he was discriminatory against blacks years ago. His answer was, in simplest terms, others were doing it too. He settled with them! That doesn’t erase the behavior, D*nald. He was rude with the interruptions, he was bated into anger easily with simple comments. Jeez, you gotta have a thicker skin than that if you’re gonna have your fingers on those nuke codes. Again.. that should make every single one of us more than nervous… how about scared sh*tless.

Two things I have to give the D*nald… he was right about Trade issues, I do agree with what he has to say on that subject. I agree that we shouldn’t be the World’s police without some form of payment, the burden of cost on many levels should not be all ours and it has been in many instances.

Hillary was Hillary… I don’t love her. But I will vote for her this time. I keep coming to the same conclusion because I don’t like my options… there’s no other logical choice. What’s really pathetic is that these debates are no longer about We The People… the issues before us and solving them. We all know what they are and know we have to find a better way, real solutions all across the board. As for the first Tr*mp-Cl*nton debate, didn’t matter who you were cheering for. It was mostly about jeers and leers and sneers, eye rolls, snorting, smirks, chuckles, insults and even some lies yet again. For the Great Country that we truly are, how sad that it’s come to this. Shame on all of us, shame on our government.

I’m not a religious person but I’m compelled to say, God Help Us All.

*Sigh – lets catch up, shall we?

My thoughts on the jack*ss who refuses to stand for the National Anthem at sporting events is exactly this….

Hey there, sir… you’re damned lucky to live in this U.S. of A, and one of the many reasons you should pick some other form of peaceful protest is the very reason you are able to do that despicable act in the first place. And yeah, I think it’s a despicable act because MANY PEOPLE DIED in order for you to have that right. They died serving their country, they believed in that flag, in what it stands for. The reason you make that obnoxious salary for PLAYING A SPORT, yes indeed you play it well, is because you live in this amazing country. You should consider it a privilidge. You should be grateful to those who gave their life so that you could do such an ignorant thing and not be penalized for it, severely if I had my way. Let’s talk about that for a minute… If I had my way. If I were the owners of the NFL teams or any other team for that matter – one of the rules in the contract, because I own your ass in that contract, is that you stand for the Anthem, you pledge allegiance to your flag and country and you show respect for it and the people who gave their lives for your freedoms. If you do not, you’re off the team. That big fat paycheck you think is owed you.. is not. You earn it, and that’s one of the ways that are expected of you.

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In other news… although this seems petty, trite, sooo non-issue compared to what we’re looking at on the political scene these days… I can’t help but feel a little vindication for Team Aniston after all these years. Just that.

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And Last for today, but certainly not least… I am so utterly disappointed in this election year I don’t even know what to say to express it accurately. I will certainly not ever vote for Tr*mp, Jeez, let me count the thousand reasons why, but I am also disappointed in H*llary in the ways she still thwarts her own campaign in unnecessary ways. To be clear, I don’t believe she’s the villian or the murderer or the lying sociopath some of you believe her to be, and we’ve already been through all that so please… no more hashing it out here. But I wish I felt better about casting a vote in her direction. Honestly, even though she is far more qualified than the Tangerine Scream, it doesn’t feel great… and with such an important decision being made, I’d like it to feel great. I bet many of us have the same feeling if we’re being honest, even if you’re a ….. Tr*mp…. supporter. Surely.. you have reservations, even if you aren’t gonna come out with it. If you’re a sane person, you’d have to have SOME reservations.. Ah, but I’m stepping over that line again.

When all that is golden is lost

You’ve probably caught some of the Olympic fever going around, and I have watched a few bits and pieces while trying to beat the heat that has blanketed New England this week. Last night I watched an HBO show hosted by Bryant Gumbal -( haven’t seen him in a while, reminds me of just how much I have aged, let alone him.) He and three others discussed reporting they had done regarding the ghosts of Olympics past, and… questioned the role of the IOC. What an intricate mess, these Olympics we herald.

What’s the IOC? I’ve never paid attention before until now.. according to Wikipedia and their website… They are an all volunteer group –

international, non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin, on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president. The IOC is the supreme authority of the worldwide modern Olympic movement. The IOC organises the modern Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, held in summer and winter, every four years. …. their mission – Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles. The Olympic Movement works year-round to promote Olympism and use sport as an agent for positive social change around the world.

With the S*chi games we did hear some grumbling about the $51 Billion dollar Olympian Complex P*tin built, displacing many of the poorer sector by demolishing their housing complexes to create his show case. A prominent journalist who spoke out against the obvious issues was executed not long after the games. Oddly, on a stretch of road/bridge where the lighting was out due to “repair work”. The complex now sits mostly unused, and the company that owns part of it is going bankrupt. In Be*jing, 134 human rights attorneys went missing, some jailed, some never to be heard from again. These are just some examples.

The Beijing complex – all but abandoned. Ath*ns – ditto. S*chi, barely used. Many many human rights issues arose within those countries during the bidding, the building, and the ultimate abandonment of the olympic facilities. In an interview with a retired member of the IOC, he was asked if they were aware of all the horrors bestowed on the locals as the Olympic stadiums are built? His answer was basically – we weren’t aware of them because they are not our business. We are not there to change the governing or laws of the countries who host. That is not our job. But you have to ask the question – shouldn’t it be their job, when decided who will win the bid to host… to make sure it’s all done humanely? To benefit all, not just the leaders who want the publicity? To not significantly negatively impact the society in which it is being held in the big picture? As he was repeatedly asked why none of the offenses were the concern of the IOC, he simply stated, (annoyed) that’s just not our job.

But it should be. Look at their mission statement – Seeks to create a life based on the joy of effort, the education value of good example, social responsibility… etc etc etc.

Apparently they didn’t get their own memo.

The Olympics are an inspiration and a unification in so many ways around the world – for these athletes and the people they represent. On that we can all agree.

But.. There is so much more that happens in the underbelly. I was truly shocked to see it’s underbelly. I have often thought – why don’t they just build an Olympic Stadium somewhere for the winter games and one for the summer games and call it a day. Use those for all games. Wouldn’t that make the most sense? I wasn’t even aware of the above issues.. OR the below, for that matter.

Be*jing

Ath*ns

S*chi

At the games in Rio, water quality issues abound – severe pollution in the venues for sailing, rowing and other water sports has clouded athletes and visitors enthusiasm and frightened many. Raw sewage seeps into the bay where these events take place – it’s beaches 1.7 billion times more toxic than a US beach. There is risk of contracting Hepatitis, Cholera, other bacterial infections, and Z*ka is still being transmitted by moquito, among other things. Rio had 7 years to clean up it’s environment, which they said they would do, and yet they didn’t. Officials had hoped the Olympics would force them to finally do the clean up but that’s not what happened. Shouldn’t the IOC be concerned for the health and well being of participating athletes also instead of deliberately looking the other way and putting them in harms way?

Link to the HBO show HERE

Getting back to what really matters

I’ve been getting tangled up in the ugliness of our current political scene and my body has been telling me it doesn’t appreciate the stress. I’m sure many of you can relate… when you’re the kind of person who can’t help but Give A Sh*t about what’s going on out there, how people are treating each other, how disrespectful and downright hateful some of the conversation is…. well, it’s just hard to tune it out. Every time I sit at the computer to work at my editing job or scan facebook, I peek at CNN and the headlines are always – not the good stuff-. When the husband and I sit down at night to watch a little TV before bed, we check the news. Same negative crap. I was just about to start a post on the increasingly obnoxious behaviors of our political candidates, one in particular who just keeps unraveling.. and yet!!… (ah, but I digress).

What’s a girl to do.

I’m purposefully redirecting my attention to the little things. They’re actually the big things, the most important things that bring me moments of peace and calm and absolutely, joy.

My kids made me an empty nester this year – I’ve shared some of my horror at the thought with you in previous posts. If you haven’t already experienced it yourself, I can tell you that it’s not all bad. (Wow, did I just say that.) Oh, I do miss the sound of their heavy footfalls upstairs as they rouse themselves in the morning, and the breakfast and dinner chatter that occurred on a near daily basis. SOMETIMES I miss making big meals regularly that will feed four plus leftovers, but on that particular point I don’t miss the gigantic grocery shopping and I enjoy making simpler meals more often for just the two of us. What’s awesome is both of my children live in the next town over, just ten minutes away, and they’re doing great – they are responsible with work, love their own spaces and they take care of their “stuff”, including bill paying and learning to cook. You know you did something right when they do those things and enjoy the process.

Icing on the cake – we still see them regularly and they ENJOY coming home to visit.

A text I got from my son yesterday – He had gone fishing after work…

“So I didn’t catch anything but it was pretty awesome, no one else fishing, high tide, 3 people had easel set up and were painting the bridge, saw two horseshoe crabs and a really cool big dark brown bird with a huge beak was hanging out ten feet away. “

…and this pic from my daughter – Look at the tomatoes on my girl’s window sill – she’s got two big patio pots on the back deck of her condo and she’s proud of the harvest, as am I.

They’re noticing .. and appreciating.. the little things. The important stuff.

– It’s a beautiful thing.

And because I can’t be anything but me…. let me just end this post today with these words of wisdom I would like to bestow upon the powers-that-might-be.….

Enough said –

But does he really want the job? (Viewer Discreption advised once again)

My husband is cheering the D*nald on, as are some of my good friends… friends I have long considered to have rational opinions on the subject of politics, even when our views didn’t align. Something about this particular election has become so polarizing. Entire relationships are being ruined over this circus. I’ve unfriended a HS acquaintance because her views are so out there, and the humor mean and yes – stupid – I could no longer look at her the same way, nor could I just shut up when I saw something flagrantly outrageous. Her remarks were reminiscent of the mean girl or bully attitude we all remember or may even have been a victim of in our youth and the stupidity of the humor besides the meanness is just another example of how we are dumbing ourselves down. I think that saddens me more than anything else. As for the Mr…. I understand his complaints, he has reason to gripe. I have to give him this – He’s a very hard working middle class business man who has seen obscene taxation and policy that undermines the success of our nations small businesses. Change Is Needed, to be clear.

So, back to the job – the POTUS. I believe the D*nald was unhappy with the state of affairs here in the US and wanted change, a sentiment felt by many. I believe he indeed thought the GOP needed a shake down, and rightly so. I think initially he intended to do just that and end it, but it snowballed. I don’t believe he actually wants the job, I bet he didn’t think it would get this far. Now he’s stuck. BUT…. he’s already back- peddling, subtly. He is many things, but he isn’t stupid. He’s planting the seeds. Yesterday at a campaign event in Ohio…….

“I fear the Election in November is Rigged”. – Donald Tr*mp

Already. *sigh

Think about this – Can you imagine a man who takes orders from no one, (admitted and confirmed by his spouses, offspring and employees),…… conforming to the restraints of living in the white house, for four long years, maybe eight…. under the watchful eye of many, having to conform to centuries old rituals, the pomp, circumstance,.. and most importantly scrutiny? The role of POTUS is so much more complex than the dictatorship he is accustomed to. And oh, that thin, thin skin is going to chaffe constantly. At the age of 70 when he could be kicking back and enjoying that massive empire he has built, do you really believe he wants this job?

I think not. I think yesterday’s statement at an event in Ohio was telling…. he’s already coming up with excuses for a possible loss. Maybe hoping for it, and he’s using inflammatory remarks, mocking the very Democracy that makes us the great nation that we are, to achieve his goal. Like us or not, we are still Governed by the People, controlled by the majority. Don’t like what you see right now? We have only ourselves to blame.

A line from a childhood classic comes to mind as I see a dictator before us whose position and message should embody unity, yet only serves up inflammation…

Don’t Drink the Milk, It’s Spoiled.

Porch Sitting and Community gathering and OH, what a SUCKY MOVIE, but a few good books

I wish for every person to have a place to call home where there is a porch to sit and contemplate, to rest, to find respite from the troubles of the world. It need not be fancy – it need not be decorated with fine furnishings and fancy trinkets. Heck, where I come from a folding chair out in the driveway or in the open-door garage would suffice as you watched the action out on the street or watered the postage stamp “lawn”. (That always cracked me up – a neighbor just two doors down had a lawn about 20 x 20 with a sidewalk down the middle – and don’t ya know that lawn was perfectly edged and fertilized and watered, always. ) I’ve talked about porches before, forgive me for singing their praise here again. I just feel right now especially.. we all need a porch sit.

This is my backyard view, can you see the hummer at the feeder?

Thank you to the few who braved comments in my previous posts. I don’t ever swear that I will agree with you and I almost always have more to say. But.. I am grateful for your comments when they are genuine and not with malice. I think we accomplish that most often, even if we don’t walk away in agreement. I wish that for the world too… and the porches.

Saturday was the second farm market of my four market season. The turnout was terrific and the vision of neighbors, children, strangers, vendors and volunteers coming together, sharing good conversation, browsing the “stuff” and just enjoying something that is NOT the stuff of headlines.. well, it was so good for my soul. If you’ve got these kind of community markets or town picnics, etc. in your area, don’t pass them up. They are an affirmation of all that is GOOD out there, so be a part of it when you can. Join in, support your locals, talk to your neighbors, strangers, children, vendors, volunteers, etc. etc. etc.

Our sons went to school together and this guy is just always with a smile

on his face and a willingness to lend a hand. We need more of that.

Mike and I watched BY THE SEA last night – Don’t waste your time on this movie. Directed by and starrring Angelina and Brad Pitt, it was terrible. Briefest summary – nothing but glamour shots of two shallow people dressed to the nines with very little substance underneath. We kept watching because we thought – surely there’s more to it than this…. but.. there wasn’t. When they finally reveal something that is indeed a tragedy for some people, you don’t even care, these guys are so shallow. And.. someone please throw her a cheeseburger, with bacon.. every day for the next six months. I had high hopes, because although there didn’t seem to be much chemistry in their Mr. and Mrs. Smith roles, Angie did such a great job with her first to directorial movies, I thought this would be a hit too. This one was so bad I don’t know what she was thinking other than an opportunity to wear what she perceives as fabulous cloths while she sulks around in beautiful malta. Clearly she failed at directing herself.

Are you a reader? I am at a loss when I don’t have something to read on my bedside table. Hard to fall asleep without reading at least a little bit before lights out. I just read Anderson Coopers new book, a correspondence between he and his mother (you may have seen the interview on TV)… and I have to tell you… I like him a lot, I like her very very little.. to be blunt, what a flake. Just received both Nobodys Fool and Everyones Fool from Amazon, looking forward to diving into those as I’ve heard they are a good read. I need to leave the TV off for a while, too disgusted with no answers …nothing ruins sleep better than the nightly news as of late…

… Off.. to the porch.

ALL LIVES MATTER

All lives matter! I sympathize with every single human who loses their life unjustly and lord knows there is injustice In this world daily. Sadly, racism ( of all kinds!) still exists and I doubt it will ever be eradicated fully due to our less than stellar human nature. Sad,embarrassing fact. I hope all of you who encourage the Black lives matter slogan are just as horrified this morning as five innocent cops lie dead and six critically wounded as you were yesterday for the two black men who were presumably unjustly killed. More so- why? Because you have no idea what your life would be like without the law should you need protection. We are damn lucky there are men and women willing to put their life on the line every single life- loving day for YOU and ME, regardless of color. If we keep encouraging separatism we are adding fuel to the fire. Are there some rogues? You betcha. In every walk of life. What we need to do is work on poverty and education issues, and people need to step up and help themselves and stop destructive behavior- whatever their color. ALL LIVES MATTER.