I still wonder how all of you even started a new post, moving your thoughts through your fingers and onto the keyboard. Now it's tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, time to begin again.
We've been in tough spots before, even in our memories and extended memories. There are family stories of poverty, death in the flu epidemic, orphanages, death in wars, "coffee-sop" for dinner (bread in coffee), child labor, and on and on.
I saw Beth today, first time in weeks since a deer ran into her car. She told me of a book she's reading, The Fourth Turning is Here, Neil Howe. I will get it and read it, as soon as I can. From her description it seems we may be at the cusp of the fourth turning.
Back to my take on our turn of events, we have been in ugly spots in our own life times, and know how we handled them. For my part, that has been Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq; being a single mother and how that formed my life. How back in the sixties I wrangled credit and a mortgage from male bankers, raised two daughters on women's wages. Together with my sister started a business.
Well, here we go again. Hold on to hope. Stay engaged, always push back, don't make it easy. Today I started on a simple project, a thank you note to every Democratic Congress member for what they have accomplished. We must make real the world we want to live in.
I'm sad to report real life is rather slow, here at home. My blood pressure is closing in on normal, and then in a fit of sneezing I seized up my back. I even dug out and reinstalled my toilet booster seat so I can rise up from the throne without moaning in pain.
The season is changing before my eyes. The trees in full color last week are bare branches this week. The red maple in one of the court yards has put on a lovely show. Half the leaves are a red skirt around the base, the rest seem to have delayed falling for another week or two.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteSomething turned, that's for sure, in the 'don't drink that milk' kinda way. Gird your loins is the phrase that comes to mind. Deep breaths. Meanwhile, daily life is the great leveller. Sorry to hear about the back. Hope that doesn't linger long. October was glorious here - then November came. Another turning! YAM xx
Back problems are absolutely rotten...a good job you have the booster seat. Just remember, this too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteWe grieve, we carry on. We fear for the consequences elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteWe have to think positive..while preparing for anything else.
Pirate used to have cocoa sop in the 40's when he was a child.
I hope you can ease your back soon xx
Thanks for posting. I needed your voice.
ReplyDeleteThe tree against the blue sky made my day! Sorry you sniezed youre=self into a buckling pain- Coughs will do the same thing, I have found. At this age just glancing sideways can do it. We will get through this slop somehow. We have each other and that should be enough...as long as our loved ones are not brown/black/Muslim,/ trans/ gay/ female/ poor/ elderly or ill.....Project 2025 will be slapping our loved ones silly.
ReplyDeleteYour red maple tree is beautiful. Taking pleasure in the small things and nature is more important than ever. As you state, we've all experienced hard times ... we've done it before, and we'll do it again. Fasten your seatbelt; it's going to be a bumpy ride.
ReplyDeleteBack pain is terrible. I hope you can find some relief and recover quickly.
The Fourth Turning. Yes, I think I need to check that out. The world, the human population has been through boom and bust ages repeatedly. they say nations and empires endure a span of 200 - 250 before everything goes tits up. I guess we have reached out sell by date. if Trump et al do even half what they have said they would do we figure out how to survive.
ReplyDeleteThe book you were talking about has become popular- the library waiting list is long….also for the previous one “The Fourth Turning” by same authors.
ReplyDeleteMum used to give us ‘Milksop’ (piece of bread in warm milk + sugar on top) Saturday afternoons during the winter. Thanks for reminding me of how we all loved it, from me, the oldest right down to our baby brother.
I know how devastated I feel here in another country, so I can only imagine what Kamala supporters are feeling there. So much at stake. Take care, Joanne. It all begins with self care!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your inspirational post, Joanne. I'm feeling so discouraged and frightened. Not so much for me, but for my daughters and grandsons.
ReplyDeleteLike Marie Smith I hurt for you and with you. This too will pass - and I hope your back improves quickly. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteYou're fighter. You get up and keep on going. That's what we have to do with the current world situation even if it seems hopeless.
ReplyDeleteI hope your back feels better soon!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful thing that you are doing -- writing notes.
ReplyDeleteI love this Joanne. It is a time for tenacity. We all need to remember that when this is over (and it will end) something will come next. Back problems suck. Feel better soon. We need you at the front!🤣
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom as always, Joanne -- thank you!
ReplyDeleteI remember Milksop every week the night before payday and always hated it, my sister loved it and gladly ate mine while I was sometimes allowed to have plain bread instead, with a bit of jam on it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement to go on and the idea of writing and thanking the Dems who actually serve the voters. I'm so glad you posted!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteIt's the end of the year, always a bit of a depressing time I think, but those trees sound spectacular, and Christmas will be here and the new year and Spring to look forward to, and I doubt that much of what he wants to do will be possible. Heads down and get on with what we can do ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHope your back improves soon. Back pain is especially debilitating. As for the situation with your government, with control of the White House, the Senate, the House and the Supreme Court in his back pocket, most of the governorships and the majority support of all segments of society, even those he bashed, ridiculed and disparaged, Trump has been unleashed to do anything he wants, and none of it will be good. And he has a team of sycophants and downright crazies waiting to help him do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post, Joanne. We need to hear this now. Hope you feel better real soon.
ReplyDelete"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all..."
ReplyDeleteand I like milk sop! (and coffee sop sounds good)
That’s the spirit! Never give up, never never never never ❤️
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ReplyDeleteRe Milksop: I used to have these as a child. They were called 'pobs' in Yorkshire! Re the beautiful maple: pick a few of the best leaves and press them. When I was in Japan, a fellow traveller put them inside the back of her transparent phone case.
ReplyDeleteYes, here we go again.
ReplyDeleteHope is so vey important in these appalling times with the world in such chaos and catastrophe. Unbearable at times. Some nights I don't watch the news as I get too agitated. God knows what this insane criminal will wreak on the world and on his own country as there is not a shred of loyalty or kindness or decency in him.
ReplyDeleteHang in there Joanne as we all must.
XO
WWW
When I think of the term, "Strong woman," I think of you. Strong, smart, persistent, capable. That is who you have always been and still are. I look up to you a great deal and wish I could follow your example more closely.
ReplyDeleteWelcome words.
ReplyDeleteHope your back gets better soon. You are a fighter. I actually think of you often, when I'm drying the dishes with one of your teatowels. Best I've ever had!
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/eG0F1PY_kVM
ReplyDeleteRecorded morning of Nov 6 after election. I’ll sleep better tonight.
MS Nell
The Democrats need to have a good hard think about why their vote collapsed so catastrophically (12 million votes fewer than 2020). It seems they just aren't connecting with people's fundamental concerns.
ReplyDeleteWe need to control how engaged we are, I think. Being upset means wasting time on dealing with negative emotion. But the positive stuff, now that is not a waste of time at all.
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing, Joanne. I'm always in awe of all you do for everyone around you and your community. Thank you for your reassurance. Sigh... We'll get through this. We'll get through this.
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, I hope your health gets better soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing life when you look back - so brave!
The acorn outside: a symbol of nature waiting for its time - not desperate about losing its leaves, knowing they will come back again in spring. I wish you well!