It's Thanksgiving Day!
The temperature is ten degrees. We have over a foot of snow outside with snowpiles eight feet high in some places. Our public works department is very efficient in keeping our roads clear.
So much to be thankful for.
Family
Friends
Health
Nature
Education
My beloved dogs
A lovely home
The chance to live my dream living in the Smokies for 17 years
A chance to live near my daughter and her family
A working boiler
Air conditioning
Good investments
A coffee shop minutes away
New friends
Our neighborhood holiday party
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
History Repeats Itself
It has been said that history repeats itself. Always. Though I wish it weren't so.
We are in seriously dangerous times. A sociopathic, pathological liar who idolizes dictators is one problem. But he isn't the only problem. The real problem is the masses that allow his behavior.
We've seen this throughout history. A bully takes the pulpit and tells everyone someone is to blame for societal ills. They aren't problem solvers. They distort, play witch games, terrorize and fire people.
In the case of government, the taxpayers continue to fund this behavior. Protests are quiet now. No one has been killed today in a mass murder.
Just look at social media. Notice who heralds themself. Notice who responds to your posts. That should tell you everything.
This will be a short note. I don't have the energy to motivate the populace. They are too busy with their technology, their texting. They text because they don't want a real conversation. That would involve engaging with you. They are too busy at beer joints with loud music. They don't want to talk - they medicate.
I am deeply saddened to see it come to this. History repeats itself. It already has.
We are in seriously dangerous times. A sociopathic, pathological liar who idolizes dictators is one problem. But he isn't the only problem. The real problem is the masses that allow his behavior.
We've seen this throughout history. A bully takes the pulpit and tells everyone someone is to blame for societal ills. They aren't problem solvers. They distort, play witch games, terrorize and fire people.
In the case of government, the taxpayers continue to fund this behavior. Protests are quiet now. No one has been killed today in a mass murder.
Just look at social media. Notice who heralds themself. Notice who responds to your posts. That should tell you everything.
This will be a short note. I don't have the energy to motivate the populace. They are too busy with their technology, their texting. They text because they don't want a real conversation. That would involve engaging with you. They are too busy at beer joints with loud music. They don't want to talk - they medicate.
I am deeply saddened to see it come to this. History repeats itself. It already has.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Coming Of Age
Coming of age often means a time of reflecting. Looking back, seeing yourself as you thought you were. Seeing those with whom you interact. Wondering if your vision was an accurate one. Wondering if you were too deep inside yourself. Wondering...
Frost wrote,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Frost wrote,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
But did it? Aren't the roads really the same? Is there really any difference? Are they interchangeable? Or are they a means to justify an end?
Are we just too focus on the individual?
Because in the end, any road takes us closer to ourself or further away. Our soul always knows what is right for us. We don't, however, always listen.
What is your soul telling you?
Monday, October 1, 2018
All The Ways
It was that very moment when I knew things had to change. An epiphany of sorts. It is all the ways we avoid taking responsibility for ourselves. The friend that didn't call to ask whether we got the job. Or if we recovered well from surgery. A happy birthday phone call. Or even being in someone's home. They return late from work, pour themselves a glass of wine and don't bother to ask if you would like one, too. The sadness one feels at being forgotten. Switch that up and one could sum it up by not asking for the things you want. But times continue to change and what worked fifty years ago, isn't applicable today. Younger generations don't know that. But they will. Especially as their own mortality closes in.
You see the younger generation believe, as they do that you will speak up for yourself. Help yourself. They do so they naturally think you will do it as well. They simply don't understand or care about generational change. They care more about themselves. I reduce it to lack of manners. Of thought. I imagine my own parents felt the same way.
This all began nearly fifty years ago. It had something to do with the marriage, although I haven't quite worked that out completely. Prior to that, I just took care of whatever I needed. Maybe it was in the person with whom I chose to spend my life. Maybe early on my bodymind knew I was totally on my own but it didn't register in the brain. Clearly! So maybe I sought this out in others. Who knows.
As I attempt to recover from my own foibles and laughter at having typed that in the first place, my thoughts return to the film, The Wife. It is remarkably profound in so many ways. A talented writer, for reasons discussed in the film, leaves what could have been a stellar writing career to look after her husband. That not so tacit understanding that she wasn't good enough, a female who wouldn't be published because female writers weren't taken seriously back then, coupled with his egomaniacal nature left her in the dust. At least, not authored. Or recognized.
Turning seventy is a decade of reflection. Reflecting on the people who have been close to you. Cared for and about you. Those you will leave behind, those who will continue with you. I've been doing a lot of the former lately. Uneven relationships. All completed. No sadness, regrets, just moving on.
So in all of this what you are really doing is making other people more important than yourself. And that realization is the moment that everything changed.
You see the younger generation believe, as they do that you will speak up for yourself. Help yourself. They do so they naturally think you will do it as well. They simply don't understand or care about generational change. They care more about themselves. I reduce it to lack of manners. Of thought. I imagine my own parents felt the same way.
This all began nearly fifty years ago. It had something to do with the marriage, although I haven't quite worked that out completely. Prior to that, I just took care of whatever I needed. Maybe it was in the person with whom I chose to spend my life. Maybe early on my bodymind knew I was totally on my own but it didn't register in the brain. Clearly! So maybe I sought this out in others. Who knows.
As I attempt to recover from my own foibles and laughter at having typed that in the first place, my thoughts return to the film, The Wife. It is remarkably profound in so many ways. A talented writer, for reasons discussed in the film, leaves what could have been a stellar writing career to look after her husband. That not so tacit understanding that she wasn't good enough, a female who wouldn't be published because female writers weren't taken seriously back then, coupled with his egomaniacal nature left her in the dust. At least, not authored. Or recognized.
Turning seventy is a decade of reflection. Reflecting on the people who have been close to you. Cared for and about you. Those you will leave behind, those who will continue with you. I've been doing a lot of the former lately. Uneven relationships. All completed. No sadness, regrets, just moving on.
So in all of this what you are really doing is making other people more important than yourself. And that realization is the moment that everything changed.
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Me, Too?
Sexual harassment?
Why has this become a partisan issue of late? It is well nigh sad that exposing this becomes a political issue. It is well nigh sad that the stigma forever against people telling their story is one of backlash.
"Oh, she enjoyed it" is often said.
"She encouraged it."
Nearly every female has suffered sexual harrassment of some sort. Others have been groped, raped, denied promotions unless they pay the game.
This doesn't just happen to women.
I sat through the Anita Hill hearings against Clarence Hill, the Supreme Court nominee. Her statement was totally blown off. This man should not be on the other side of the bench. He should be a defendent. He should have been imprisoned. He should have gotten professional help to handle his violent behavior, if the courts deem it so.
The Me, Too movement exposed the vast numbers of people subject to this predatory behavior. The Catholic Church hid theirs forever.
Once again, we see a perspective Supreme Court nominee. Let history NOT repeat itself.
Sexual harassment? Rape? You tell me.
Why has this become a partisan issue of late? It is well nigh sad that exposing this becomes a political issue. It is well nigh sad that the stigma forever against people telling their story is one of backlash.
"Oh, she enjoyed it" is often said.
"She encouraged it."
Nearly every female has suffered sexual harrassment of some sort. Others have been groped, raped, denied promotions unless they pay the game.
This doesn't just happen to women.
I sat through the Anita Hill hearings against Clarence Hill, the Supreme Court nominee. Her statement was totally blown off. This man should not be on the other side of the bench. He should be a defendent. He should have been imprisoned. He should have gotten professional help to handle his violent behavior, if the courts deem it so.
The Me, Too movement exposed the vast numbers of people subject to this predatory behavior. The Catholic Church hid theirs forever.
Once again, we see a perspective Supreme Court nominee. Let history NOT repeat itself.
Sexual harassment? Rape? You tell me.
Friday, September 7, 2018
What A Compliment!
You know how I feel about self-aggrandizers. Fb is full of them. I am a bit hesitant to share this good news but I shall.
A friend from out of town who has owned a gallery of fine artistan crafts and paintings visited this weekend. As they were completing a tour of my cottage home, I mentioned the watercolors on the wall were mine.
My friend queried me several times.
"Yours?"
She saw them, liked them and didn't realize I painted them. She wanted to see more. I presented several to her.
She looked at me and said the kindest words. I am too shy to share them and it really doesn't matter. I paint because I must. It just feels good. It doesn't matter what others think because I enjoy them. I won't share my work in a gallery, yet I have been asked on several occasions. It is just my way of looking at the world.
But really. What a compliment!
A friend from out of town who has owned a gallery of fine artistan crafts and paintings visited this weekend. As they were completing a tour of my cottage home, I mentioned the watercolors on the wall were mine.
My friend queried me several times.
"Yours?"
She saw them, liked them and didn't realize I painted them. She wanted to see more. I presented several to her.
She looked at me and said the kindest words. I am too shy to share them and it really doesn't matter. I paint because I must. It just feels good. It doesn't matter what others think because I enjoy them. I won't share my work in a gallery, yet I have been asked on several occasions. It is just my way of looking at the world.
But really. What a compliment!
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Happy Anniversary!
47 years ago today, I got married. September 5, 1971. It was the only free time my fiance had between his many activities including law school.
That initially told me a lot. Limited time to get married? What about time to live a marriage? Either way, I celebrate this day. I celebrate for all the love and care in my heart that lasted 30 years, 28 of them married ones. I celebrate for the precious lives of my children. And maybe most importantly, I celebrate me.
This isn't an ego celebration. I am just passing through. I celebrate the me that was conceived from two good people. Their marriage completed as well - after 25 years. I celebrate the honor, integrity and love that is a part of a healthy marriage. And I celebrate a goal of doing no harm.
Friends are in town. They are on their way to Vermont. Got a text last evening that they would like to meet. I knew they would be up here soon. So this is dandy.
I kind of think my friends will return to New England - from whence both were born. They love skiing and ski often. They've been married a long time, too. A very healthy marriage indeed.
Way too much going on next week so I will just enjoy the moment.
That initially told me a lot. Limited time to get married? What about time to live a marriage? Either way, I celebrate this day. I celebrate for all the love and care in my heart that lasted 30 years, 28 of them married ones. I celebrate for the precious lives of my children. And maybe most importantly, I celebrate me.
This isn't an ego celebration. I am just passing through. I celebrate the me that was conceived from two good people. Their marriage completed as well - after 25 years. I celebrate the honor, integrity and love that is a part of a healthy marriage. And I celebrate a goal of doing no harm.
Friends are in town. They are on their way to Vermont. Got a text last evening that they would like to meet. I knew they would be up here soon. So this is dandy.
I kind of think my friends will return to New England - from whence both were born. They love skiing and ski often. They've been married a long time, too. A very healthy marriage indeed.
Way too much going on next week so I will just enjoy the moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)