I admit it: I jumped on the Taylor bandwagon – or train – late. But I am on it now and I just want to say a few words about this amazing woman.

First, oh yes, I have known about Taylor Swift for years. I loved her very first song on country radio called “Tim McGraw” for obvious reasons. I mean, writing a song about a Tim McGraw song…. Well, yes, it got my attention. And then I loved “Teardrops on my Guitar” that followed it. Then came a fun song and video called “Our Song.”

I watched her videos on CMT and learned about how this young girl went up and down Music Row in Nashville to sell her songs. She had the whole package: pretty, young, daring, some musical ability, and being her own epic songwriter.

When she decided to ‘branch out” and leave country music radio I admit I was a little annoyed. What? Country music is not good enough for you? So, I put her on my back burner, and I really didn’t invest my time in knowing her songs for awhile. My daughters were huge fans and I was fine with it because Taylor was such a good role model. Her words spoke to teenage girls and I liked that she wrote without crude language and she didn’t act shockingly on stage. You know what I mean.

I still heard her hits on the radio. I liked them.

It wasn’t until she became more of a woman, a self assured one, not afraid to speak her mind, and always doing it with kindness, did I check in with her again. I googled, and started watching some interview shows where Taylor appeared, and I listened to how intelligent, and how funny, she was. I liked what she said. I liked how she looked. Beautiful – and never trashy.

I admired how Taylor was someone who spoke and wrote as an ‘open book’ with nothing to hide. She became relatable. To me and to so many.

When the ERAS tour started and I started hearing about the love fest each concert was, I watched as stadiums full of young women bonded together, and how they knew all her words. They dressed in era clothes, and those beaded bracelets took on a life of their own. The concerts were all a celebration of girlhood and womanhood.

Taylor has always been philanthropic. She is an empathetic person who cares deeply about her fans. She does quirky things for them. She relates just as one of them because she has fandom for other performers. She gets it. Taylor gives back in more ways than we know. But, the ways we do know are huge! And she is never pompous about her giving.

When she was touched by Travis Kelce’s attention (he wanted to give her a beaded bracelet) she responded like a normal young woman would. A bit giddy. She loves being in love – and she shows it. And, she writes about it. She started following him to watch his football games. Her fans did too. It was really very cute.

They seem like a good couple. Both are tops in what they do, and both had great childhoods, good family values, and handle stardom with some humor. I hope it works out because I think they both want the same thing going forward. But we shall see.

I am really glad that Taylor Swift is so big right now. She has done it her way, with lots of talent, hard work, smarts, and always with grace. It’s very awe inspiring really. She is such a wonderful role model to girls and to women everywhere, in America and around the world.

I’m on board. I am riding the Taylor train now. I have watched her ERAS movie – and was blown away by it. The beauty of it. The amazing ‘show’ with scenes (eras), dancing, and of course ALL the music!! But, I have some catching up to do with listening to all her music. I love lyrics and she is famous for hers. It’s going to take a deep dive, especially now with even more music just released.

So, here I go.

The past couple of weeks have been busy ones for me. Good and tiring busy times. I spent 8 days with my daughter who has the new baby and a 3 year old. Then I drove and spent a day with my other daughter and her family, and I brought the 6 1/2 year old twin boys home for a few days since they are ‘tracked out’ of school right now. They were here until yesterday.

This morning I am catching up on emails, and taking a bit of time to get the house in order, and of course, time to sit here and pass along a few thoughts.

While traveling this past week I listened to a new podcast from John Dickerson, called “Navel Gazing.” John is a long time newsman, a writer, and a historian. Since his college years he has kept a notebook in his back pocket, literally writing down his thoughts, funny conversations, important milestones, and really everything that happened to him each day. He has decided to go back to the beginning of his note taking and revisit them, using them to turn into a podcast. I loved listening to his first one. You can find it on Slate.com. John talks on it about why he writes and I connected with what he said. Writing is expressive, individual, and lasting.

So, here I write.

Two days ago OJ Simpson died. Quickly there have been memes popping up on social media. Some quite funny. It is his legacy. The man, who was once a gifted and famous football player, then actor and spokesman, became the name of someone who ‘got away with murder’ literally. When he was on trial it was televised so the country could watch, including me. The judge, the defense attorneys, the state attorneys, and even witnesses, all became famous from appearing on TV. Everyone had an opinion. I watched the whole trial and thought without a doubt that OJ was guilty. The evidence showed a man with a blowup anger problem, a physically strong man, and he was jealous, and his ego was hurt by his divorce. His ex-wife had a restraining order against him. The DNA showed blood in his bedroom and the timeline that was laid out showed he could have killed his ex-wife and her friend, gotten home, cleaned up, and then packed, got in the limo, and off to the airport. He even had injuries on his hands.

But, as we know, the jury found him not guilty. I remember that I was with my husband and we were walking off the Farmstead golf course when someone coming on it said the verdict was in and OJ was free. I knew the jury had started deliberating but I never thought it would be decided so quickly. And I did not expect that outcome. I was shocked.

I grew up never exposed to the division of races of the real world. I went years before understanding that people of various colors had beliefs and stereotypes. I felt justice was equal for everyone. So, the OJ Simpson trial was eye opening to me.

Of course since then I have seen how treatment for blacks and for other colors is different than those with caucasian skin like mine. Unfortunately time and time (and time and time) again it still happens and now with cellphones we all witness it so much more often, more than we ever want to see.

Prejudice is not born within us. It is taught. It is passed down in families. It comes from fear. Perhaps some ignorance. And it comes from those who think they should be better than others.

It is raising it’s ugly head right now at the southern border. Now, let me say first, yes, we have a big problem with people trying to sneak in to our country illegally. I know many in our country are not happy about it. Our immigration system needs more money put into it, and smart minds to create a better way so we can handle the influx, and then we can help them assimilate into our country. I believe if people are given an easy, quicker way to apply to come in, and we processed them in a timely manner then the numbers of those sneaking in would go way down.

The fact that these people coming to the southern border look different, and that they speak a different language, makes it easy to put them in a category where prejudice flourishes. (They are outsiders. Not like me.) Then add in all the false information spread that immigrants will take away our jobs, and steal, and sell drugs, and murder…. And woooo. Well, here we are. So, here’s a fact check for you: these people do not take any jobs from Americans already working. Most immigrants work labor heavy jobs in fields, and in hotel rooms. Hard jobs that don’t make much money. They don’t want to steal because they want to stay here. They don’t want to draw attention to themselves. In recent years I have heard of 2 cases where an illegal immigrant murdered someone. Want to compare that to all the murders from the people who are born citizens of the US? Don’t get me started on our gun climate, and how we quickly kill each other.

There is one man, you know who he is, that loves to spew all the fake facts about immigrants – to rile people up and to have them think he is with them, and he says he will immediately make the border issue go away if he is elected. (Remember how the Mexicans would pay for it? He was unable to do it when he was president for four years.) He really makes no sense most of the time, and deflects by instead blaming others. He has no answers, no real plans, yet people follow him, and they hope he can return our country to how it was before so many immigrants came to America.

Ha. oh wait!!! Our history is forgotten. “Bring us your tired and poor.” We are a country of immigrants. All our descendants came from somewhere else. And, all came looking for a safe place to live, a warm home, a community with similar goals to raise children, to live in peace, and to enjoy their best life possible.

My family came from Germany. Leaving their homeland behind, crossing the Atlantic on a ship, starting out with very little, just wanting a chance, a little bit of land, and having faith that it would all work out.

How did we get so turned around from then? Why do we feel so entitled?

Prejudice.

Page two.

What do we teach our children and Grandchildren? Do we pass along these prejudices? Do we show them that it is okay to look at others as ‘less than’?? Or – Do we live as examples to them – and show them how to live with love for all?

After the last 2 weeks of time with my grandchildren I see that they are really sponges. They don’t miss a thing. I spied them pausing, thinking about something they would see or hear. I could almost see their little brains taking it in and trying to figure it out. You know that look.

Grandchildren can be exhausting when you realize how important time with them is. Teaching the right lessons takes patience, and it takes continuity. It is not easy! Our words and our actions matter.

I believe it really does take a village to raise kids up and to make them happy and caring people, and to teach them that they are unique and wonderful individuals, and they have an important place in this world. Too many children don’t get the benefits that come from a village. It takes parents and grandparents, and teachers, and neighbors, and librarians, and volunteers, church members, and coaches, and really anyone who is kind, and gives a smile, who cares, and lends a hand.

Page Three

When a child doesn’t get all he or she needs from the village and then acts out badly we never blame ourselves. It’s somebody else’s problem. Right? The child ‘slipped through the system.’ Or they came from a broken home. Or they didn’t study hard enough. They just didn’t try. We then have a young person that will become a teen with no direction. Or, a teen who doesn’t care if he steals, or bullies, or escapes with drugs. As a society we want to punish him, and even put him in prison. And, really, by that time our laws do require it for a civilized and safe society.

We all are responsible for those who fail. We look away. We don’t give time or money. We live in a dog eat dog world. We like a pecking order and nobody wants to reach down to lift someone up.

I believe we need to spend lots of our tax money for preschool and early childhood programs. We can’t wait. It has to start at a young age. I also believe if we do, then we will be able to spend less on incarceration, on mental health, on other social programs.

Page Four

Our children and grandchildren are the first generation in a long time that will not do better than their parents. I have a 30 year old friend (my hair stylist) who can not buy a starter home. She and her boyfriend have a baby on the way and they want to put down roots, and stop paying apartment rent, and they want to provide for the baby once he/she arrives. Both parents work in careers we all need but they scrape by and will never achieve financial wealth.

All jobs are needed to make the world go round. Everyone is important. I believe the minimum wage needs to be upped so that a full time, hard working person can live. I don’t think that is too much to ask. My friend and her boyfriend will never be able to afford daycare or a private preschool for their child.

Final page

I know there are incredible and countless ills in our country, too many to fix. But as I have put my thoughts down here I can’t help but hope that we see how changing the American system to honor our children, and to provide what they need, will help us all in the long run. Putting time and money towards children is never a wrong thing to do!

It will be like a domino effect. Start at the beginning. Watch the tiles go in line as they grow, as they move forward, and then we can be in awe at how life flows.

How to help? Volunteer. Be a mentor. Give money to charities that work for the children. Locally we have two wonderful ones: Teach My People, and Miss Ruby’s Kids. And vote for candidates who understand that our tax money needs to go to our children – to their health, to their education, and remember ALL children (legal or illegal) deserve our love and care.

Yesterday was Good Friday, the day that Christians remember that Jesus went to a very painful and demeaning death, put up on a cross, a slow and inhumane way to take a person’s life back in that day. He suffered for hours. He took on the pain – and He prayed.

Jesus was a man of peace, and a man who led others to live with unconditional love especially for the sick and poor, the widow, the hopeless, and those who were considered in the ‘out group’ because they looked different, or lived in the wrong place.

As we know, Jesus was also God’s son, so although he was a flesh and bone man, he was also divine. Hard for our brains to wrap around that. But after physically dying on Good Friday, he was taken down from the cross, and his body was placed in a tomb with a heavy rock blocking the entrance. His body was ‘prepared’ with oils and cloths.

More to come….

Right?

Okay, before we get to Sunday I thought I’d write about a few other things. In the broadcasting business, that’s called a ‘tease’!

Things of this world:

I am home right now while hubby spends a little time with our daughter, son-in-law, and our granddaughters. He and I are splitting our time so one of us can stay home with our high maintenance pug Miss Daisy. Hubby and I will switch… and I get the better end of the deal because I will be there for Easter Sunday. I’m also going to spend a few extra days with our daughter and her little ones as her husband’s time off ends and he goes back to work.

Since I am here with Miss Daisy, and our kitties, I watched a movie I wanted to see “Nyad.” Annette Benning played Diane Nyad, the woman who in her 60’s swam from Cuba to Florida. She had been a long distance swimmer all her life and this was her biggest challenge. The movie was well done and Jodie Foster was excellent as Diane’s best friend and coach, Bonnie.

New topic: The Francis Scott key bridge disaster. I lived in Baltimore a long time ago, and I went over that bridge a few times. I didn’t use it often because I lived in a northern suburb and I would drive west around the beltway, or through downtown and through the Inner Harbor tunnel. But, Baltimore is a place that still has my heart. I finished college there, lived on my own (with my roomie) after college, had my first real job there, and eventually met my husband there. We married there. I have wonderful memories of “Charm City.” I know the financial hit this will have on so many hard working people, and it will effect travel for many also. But, these people are down to earth and tough, especially those from East Baltimore who work the docks and at Bethlehem Steel. I know it will be a long, hard journey back to normal life. A side note: it is interesting that the 6 lives lost were all from Central America countries, men who came here to America for a better life for their families, and they were working the night shift fixing potholes. God be with their families as they try to move on.

Trump is now pushing special edition “American Bibles” and it is one more despicable thing from him. This one ranks pretty high on the ‘you have got to be kidding me’ list!! Ha. He’s a so called billionaire taking money from his followers. The money is not going to a charity. It is not going to a good cause. It is going in to his pockets to help feed his ego – and keep his campaign going. During Holy Week. Remember how Jesus overturned the tables of those outside the temple trying to take money from people coming to worship, telling them they needed to pay to go in, and buy coins, etc. ??? Need I say more.

On my drive to Charlotte today I plan to listen to the new Beyoncé album, “Country Carter.” I have heard the single that was released a few weeks ago called “Texas Hold ‘em” and I like it, and it has become a linedancing hit. I know Beyoncé sings Dolly’s “Jolene” on the album and has Willie on it also. Those are two big heavy hitters in the country music world. Normally I’m not fond of an artist hopping genres, especially if it seems like it’s for the money (remember Steven Tyler’s country music album?!?! ). But maybe Beyoncé’s music will introduce those who don’t normally listen to country music to it – and that’s a good thing.

As I finish up this Musing, let me take us to tomorrow. Easter. I find it interesting that in general Easter does not get the hype as much as Christmas – in today’s world. You don’t hear Easter songs blasting in the stores. You don’t countdown to Easter morning the same way, and the Easter Bunny is no match for Santa Claus. There would be no Easter without Christmas. But, Christmas would not matter without Easter. As a kid who went to Sunday school, I have heard the story of the crucifixion of Jesus, and the rolling away of the stone to find the tomb empty on Easter morning, many times. I am not surprised by it anymore. But, can you imagine the shock of those back then to see it empty, and then to those who actually saw Jesus walking on earth again? The big picture is that God showed them – and us – that He can conquer death, that physical death is not the end. It is WHY we are Christians. We believe, with faith, that God has a greater purpose, one we can not understand now. Jesus had already taught us about love, and kindness, and peace – but his final lesson was about salvation.

Hallelujah! Happy Easter!!

For the past twelve years I have gone to the CMA Festival each June, except for the two years when the CoVid epidemic stopped it from happening. Each time, every year, I used a tour company based out of Nashville called Johnny Walker Tours. I loved working with them, and they always took care of me. I bought CMA Festival tickets and hotel packages. In the first years I bought up to 6 of them, some years 4 packages, and the past couple of years I got 2 of them.

The tour company was good at holding my seats, in the Gold Circle, on the aisle, row 11. I would hear from them in the Fall to put down a deposit and then pay the balance in March.

Last week the CMA Festival officials announced the line-up of country music artists on all the stages, and the time schedules for this June’s fest. Seeing the announcement on Facebook made me think, hmmmm… I need to pay for my packages and I wondered why Johnny Walker Tours had not sent me an email.

So, I sent off two emails to them last week. I waited, and then a few days later my emails bounced back into my mailbox. I then googled the company and got bad news: they are permanently closed.

Now, I take responsibility for not noticing that I had not heard from them last Fall. I should have. I got used to them reaching out to me, year after year, and knew they considered me a good repeating customer.

Here’s the thing: I feel very sad that the company closed, and I hope they didn’t need to shutter their doors for financial reasons. But I also feel disappointed that they did not send out a letter or email alerting past clients like me, and letting us know of the need to find festival packages elsewhere. My excellent tickets in the Gold Circle were never offered to me through a different company. I heard nothing.

So, this June I am not going to Nashville for the CMA Festival. I could scramble and find some tickets, certainly not as good as the ones I had, and try to find a hotel. But at this point the hotels in walking distance to all the lower Broadway action are booked.

I will survive. In May & June I am going to three Tim McGraw concerts, on what I call my “Tim Mini-Tour” and I am looking forward to them. I have been blessed to have the CMA Festival experience so many times, and I know I will do it again. I just need to start from scratch and find the right tour package, and I have already reached out to sites on Facebook where CMA Festival fans chat.

The big story here is businesses come and go, even those that seem to be secure, and successful – and caring. For years I felt that Johnny Walker Tours was that. When they closed their doors last fall they had no obligation to me, and thankfully I had not given them a deposit yet. But they left me ‘high and dry’ without any notice.

I can’t help but think this would make great lyrics for a country song.

They left me without a word.

I got left. I got ghosted. I got burned like a sad country song.

The American justice system moves slowly. Have you noticed?

I guess I was not aware just how slowly the judges in court move because thankfully I have never been involved in a court case. I have never been sued, or indicted, and I have never even been called to be a witness in a case.

On television shows the episodes have trials that end within an hour.

I understand that the real justice system works by the rule of law, and uses previous cases as standards. I understand about the amount of time lawyers need to prepare for a case, and the time to enter ‘discovery’, and then it takes time to get jury members, all before the actual case gets going, and then that can be long. Oh, and then if a person is found guilty he or she has the right to appeal and hope for a different outcome with a new trial.

The process can take months, often years.

Lately I have watched some of the real cases that have been televised. I find them fascinating. I learn how the justice system works from watching them. And then during court breaks the commentators explain what is happening for the layperson like me.

First I watched the Murdoch trial because it happened not too far from where I live, and it was a look at small town’s southern ways, and enormous abuse of power, and of course murder.

I watched the House of Representatives Committee on the Insurrection on January 6th, and although it was not a trial with a judge, it worked through all the facts in much the same way. Many on the panel were lawyers before getting into politics. Their preparation and the decision from their findings at the end was presented to a federal attorney to continue it on. It is now the “Smith case” we are waiting on in Washington, DC.

A couple of years back I watched the televised court case against the father & son, and their neighbor, also not too far from me, who murdered Mr. Arbery, the young black man who was jogging down their street.

Now, we have seen all the indictments about Trump’s many wrong doings. (I know, he is innocent until proven guilty.) Actually, he was found guilty of sexual abuse already. Lest we forget – he has to pay millions. And, he was found guilty in the New York case about the Trump organization’s false financial statements to banks and insurance companies. He has to pay more millions for it. He and his children have other stipulations and limitations for doing business in New York.

The other cases, the ones in DC and in Georgia, may not go to court before the November election. So, there is a pretty good chance that a man who has already been found guilty of crimes, and is awaiting other trials, will be on the ballot for president of the United States. I find this incredibly bold on his part – but he is the ultimate of narcissistic self love. Right? But I also find it so very puzzling that so many American citizens don’t seem to care about his crimes, and his upcoming cases.

I really wish the cases against Trump would be put before other pending cases, and that the trials would happen before November. It makes common sense to me – which is something we seem to be lacking these days. I also wish that Trump and his lawyers would not be able to continue to stall, and slow down the process. They have made it known that it is their intent: delay, delay, delay. Trump lawyers are using every legal angle possible to slow down the justice system.

Civics lesson: The foundation and the workings of a good democracy is based on the three separate and equal parts of our government: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. Each are supposed to work independently, and should not become more powerful than the other two. It is a balancing act all the time. Lately it seems to some that even the highest court, the US Supreme Court, has not stayed away from politics (executive and legislative.) The judges lean left or right. They have made decisions that have stirred up people, and that seem to favor one side or the other. But justice is supposed to be blind to all that.

The newest Supreme Court judges openly lied to the legislative branch when they were questioned about their fundamental beliefs and how the rule of law takes precedent. Both stated they supported Roe vs. Wade and that it was the law of the land, but then once voted on and appointed to the highest court they reversed themselves and created a path for states to make their own abortion law decisions. It has caused the situation we are in now where women have to flee certain states to get health care, and to make their own choices about childbirth.

The overlapping of the justice system with today’s politics is very disheartening. And, the future, if Trump were to get elected (heaven help us all) would unbalance the branches even more. He has stated that as president he would create immunity for himself, and free convicted Jan. 6th Insurrectionists. He wants to be above the law. As a full blown narcissist he truly believes he should be. He want to drag out his own court cases to make himself judge and jury… and then deny any wrongdoing.

I titled this post “in the end the truth will come out” because I really do believe it. But ‘the end’ may take a long time in coming! A long, long time! A common phrase is that history will show the truth, and that looking back is clearer than while in the midst of it all. And, yes, that is true. Hindsight is 20/20. Right? And, in the end justice will prevail. But can we wait? Can a slow judicial system save us? I worry it won’t. For a healthy democracy it must prevail. Without a fair and unbiased court system we will have anarchy, and the Justice branch, the one that is usually considered ‘the heavy hand of the law,’ will become the Executive branch – and that will not be good. Trump wants it that way.

Hello to my readers. I don’t always know who you are but I appreciate you stopping by. These are my rambling thoughts…

First, babies are miracles!! Our family has a new one. Welcome Charlotte Amelia! I am so thankful that my daughter had a normal c-section delivery this time around. No long labor. No drama. No need for the baby to go into the ICU. Charlotte is perfect – with beautiful skin and lots of dark hair. I look forward to watching her grow and change, and to experience her little personality as she starts to express herself.

Grandchildren are so fun to watch! The twins are in a t-ball league this spring and games start next month. Hubby and I plan to travel there to watch them in their first ever season.

Madelynn turned 3 yesterday. She is a happy chatterbox now. I understand most of what she says, and I love interacting with her. She is a little sponge, and every day says something new.

Did you watch the Oscars Sunday night? There were quite a few funny and awesome moments. A high point for me was the “I’m just Ken” production number with “Mr. Cool” Ryan Gosling. Besides being very good looking, Ryan oozes coolness and talent. He is smooth and flawless. I also loved the Billie Elish number. And bravo to John Cena for his bravery. Even with that body of his, it was a bold moment!!

As for the movie winners, I agree that Oppenheimer deserved the big win. I watched it a few months ago and I think I want to watch it again to watch the amazing performances. Besides “Barbie” all the other big movies were pretty deep – and at times depressing.

Change of subject…

What is with Kate Middleton?? What is with all the secrecy about her medical condition? I think in general we need to be more open and honest, so the Royal Family not being forthright about Kate is just making the situation worse. And now a ‘retouched’ photograph has backfired on them.

Speaking of not being honest…. Ha. You know where I am going! The orange man and his followers continue to baffle me. Truly, how does he live with himself – and how do so many find him appealing, and feel he is worthy of being president? If his first four years weren’t scary enough to change minds, then nothing will I guess. But this next time could be much worse if somehow (God help us) he is elected. If he isn’t, let me say it now: he will say the election was stolen – again. We will have months of denial, and perhaps more violence, and more indictments, and on and on. Can he please just go away? I don’t want anything evil to happen to him, but I wish he would stop messing with our country. He has done enough damage.

We are getting the exterior of our house painted right now. Bye bye brown – and hello lighter and brighter. I’m hoping for a Joanna Gaines style look. To be continued.

Spring has arrived here! Oh, the azaleas are about to burst everywhere! Color is coming!! This is a favorite time of year as I watch all my perennials push through the ground and grow bigger and taller each day. The sun is warming up the ground and I truly see growth by the hour!

Also, this time of year is the start of live music concerts! I’m waiting because any day now the CMA Festival line-up will be announced. The festival is in June. All the artists are amazing but I do have some favorites that I like to see perform every time. Keith Urban is always there – and he is always amazing!! Always! I love seeing Thomas Rhett, the Brothers Osborne, and others who appear there often. But, it’s also some of the older country artists and the surprise performers that make the event extra special. Of course I want to see Tim McGraw, but even if he doesn’t perform at the CMA Fest this summer, I have tickets to three of his shows – in Philadelphia, Raleigh, and Charlotte. I call it my Tim ‘mini-tour.’

I posted separately about this, but the governor of my state, South Carolina, signed a law last week that immediately went into effect: now gun owners can openly carry a gun. They can also carry concealed if preferred. They do not need a special permit. A police officer can not stop any person carrying without another reason or cause. So, in South Carolina now a person can walk around with a gun on his hip or in a shoulder holster, loaded!! So, a person can use the look of a gun to threaten, to act tough, and to terrorize. One hot-headed moment can cause a tragedy. One bully situation can cause a tragedy. Even one frightening moment can cause tragedy. Shoot first, think later. As a citizen of this state I feel that my safety is now jeopardized. I do not believe that more guns, and seeing guns on people, is better. In fact I feel the opposite. Thankfully gun carriers still can not legally bring them into schools, and some other places. But the old days of the ‘wild west’ has come here. Tough cowboys looking to bring their own justice. It is very scary.

I live in a very red, conservative state. I know. You might say if you don’t like all the gun freedom, and the lack of freedom given women, and other issues – just move. I do get quite frustrated living here for sure. But, the beauty of nature, and the wonderful climate here, and the proximity to my children and grandchildren, are very desirable. No place is Eden. No place has everything good, or people who see things the same. I feel like I need to give my perspective, my opinion here.

If you are still reading you surely see that.

I come across people in this state who I feel wear blinders. These are people content because ‘it has always been that way.’ ‘My parents raised me this way.’ Yes. Change is scary at times. Learning new thoughts and looking at life differently is difficult. Nobody likes to be forced to do it. Nobody likes to widen their worlds. Politicians are very aware of this mindset and they use it. Dark social media is flourishing due to it.

I live as an open book. I have nothing to hide. Clean living. No regrets. No fear. I don’t mind saying anything in my musing posts. I don’t believe in conspiracy theories. I try to see the good in all people. And I know people are complicated – affected by their pasts. Feeling less than. Or feeling they weren’t given a fair deal.

I believe that lifting others lifts us all. I believe life should not be a competition and we do not have to have losers to have winners. No! And, I believe in turning eyes out, and not worrying about me, me, me.

Ego and narcissists are destroying us. Not wanting immigrants to get a new life. Not wanting other children to get a wonderful education. Not willing to pay for good medical care for everyone. Basics of life we should want for all.

At my age I wonder what my mission is, and what God expects of me… and years ago when I started writing these posts I put thoughts down I didn’t really know where it would all go. But I have been posting“Marla’s Musings” for years now. It’s one of my legacies – to leave behind. These writings will float around the internet past my time on earth.

What if YOU did the same thing? Would you be free in your writing? Would you rethink your lifestyle? Your hopes and dreams? Would you write about issues that will stand the test of time? Will you be humbly proud of who you are?

It’s a great exercise to do. My ‘This and That” went from light to serious. Sometimes you just don’t know! Ha. Marla’ Musings can be all over the place!?!!

All morning I have been glued to my computer because this morning I became a grandmother again! Daughter Kristen and her hubby Jeff had a beautiful perfect little girl.

While I have been waiting for news, and pictures and videos, I have been hanging on my computer – and I have also been watching CNN reviewing the results of “Super Tuesday.”

You now can see why it is I titled this post “The good news and the bad news.”

What a relief and a blessing to know both mama and baby are fine and to see some pictures to prove it. Thank you to the daddy for keeping me in the loop. I can’t wait to get there and to see them for myself, along with the big sister.

As I feel the warmth inside of me of this new life, and I thank God for the beauty of it all, I smile and I think back on the years when I was a new mother. Those first days were and are so meaningful – scary, amazing, and really all kinds of emotions wrapped up together.

Of course the opposing feelings are blasted at me on the TV as I see the primary results from 16 states and see that Trump won the Republican ones without exception. I feel incredibly sad, and confused, and wonder why so many in our country support such a terrible person. I don’t say it lightly. I really feel a heaviness about humanity.

One part of me is so hopeful about the future this morning because a new life has come to join our family, and I can’t wait to watch her grow up.

One part of me is truly scared about our future because we have allowed a demoralizing, selfish, careless, criminal man to run for the highest office in our country. And he is not hiding who he is. And it doesn’t seem to matter to people.

On this day that is both so very good and so bad, I feel strong in my faith that God creates, and brings love through this new child. I also feel my faith falter as I wonder how so many accept Trump as their leader. They proclaim they are doing it because they are Christians, but
I believe the followers of Christ Jesus should be looking to find a more humble servant, and want an honest and ethical man, a man who wants to protect, someone who will work for all but especially those in need, and one who will work towards unity and peace. It isn’t him.

All I can say is ….. hold on! It’s gonna be a wild ride.

Life has incredibly good days and some really difficult bad days. And sometimes it happens all on the same day!

For me – today is one of those days.

It is March 1st and the beginning of Women’s Month. All of March is a month dedicated to half of our population. It seems a bit odd, doesn’t it?

I did a bit of research about the beginning of the designation and why it was created. It is not a surprise to me that President Jimmy Carter proclaimed the first one in the U.S., in 1980. After the rise of vocal feminist groups of the 70’s it became apparent that women were often overlooked, and it was time to celebrate those who were courageous and who helped build a fairer, more just, society.

Since then every president has issued a proclamation to make March “Women’s Month” and I posted President Biden’s most recent one, for this Women’s Month, on Facebook.

I was born with an ‘independent gene.’ That’s the only explanation I have for always having the feeling that I can take care of myself, and that I am a strong woman. I have never doubted that I am. I come from a normal, middle American family, and I had a mother who was happy in her role as wife and mother. She was a good role model for being that – and I know as the saying goes that I have turned into my mother in many ways. I appreciate that she took the role seriously. She grew up at a time when not all women went off to college, or drove, or worked and lived alone (If they did they were called a spinster.)

When I went off to college I never feared my future. I knew I would be okay, even though I wasn’t set on where my life would take me. That ‘independent gene’ I have gave me plenty of confidence to go for a job, to take care of my bills, to do the right things to get ahead.

Not every woman has the gene, or has the circumstances that I had, and I know they struggle to live a safe, contented life. Even still today. Some women have never been told that they are important, or as good as anybody else, and that they deserve the same equal lifestyle. Thankfully, back in the 1960’s and 1970’s a group of very strong women spoke out for all women. We can never thank Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Bella Abzug, and others, enough for they did not fear speaking out and they used politics to work for women’s rights.

In doing my research on Women’s Month I read about other females who fought for all women, so many throughout the years, all the way up the recent “MeToo” movement from just a few years ago.

At this point you might be asking, if there is a women’s month, then why isn’t there a men’s month? Well – Men had the power throughout time. History was written by men. Therefore women were often omitted, left behind, given less, and kept pigeon-holed. Some roles and jobs were out of bounds for women.

It took suffragettes and the feminists of the 60s and 70s to stop that cycle. Women had to earn the vote, and they had to work to get equal status (and they are still working on it). Young women today don’t always realize what their grandmothers and great-grandmothers before them had – and didn’t have. The women’s movement is still ‘fresh’ in terms of time, and there are still some men (older ones especially) who fight against it.

I also posted on Facebook this morning a list of today’s women who are being celebrated for their accomplishments. A few names are known, but many are not. I was taken back by how a large percentage of them started non-profits and companies that help others. It’s an interesting list of women of all backgrounds, colors, and geographical locations. Take a look.

Women today are in a place that offers so much more in opportunities, and choices. And a lot of women before them struggled and never gave up to get them here, to this place for us all. But there is a conservative group, small in numbers but loud and disruptive, who is trying to take away some of women’s important rights. We have seen what happened to the abortion freedom in this country. Unbelievable. But it happened. It is scary for all women. Women have come too far to go backwards.

So this month, this Women’s Month, make a point to do the following…

Appreciate other women.

Support freedom of choice.

Promote causes that help women.

Use your voice and your vote.

Every community has charities that give to women’s causes…. For young mothers, for single mothers, for women needing career clothing, for women needing affordable childcare, for birth control and medical assistance, for education, and for housing.

This is a good month to pause, to think of other women and their needs, and to help.

“I raise up my voice – not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.” – Malala Yousafzai

The results of the South Carolina Republican primary that happened yesterday was not a total surprise. Donald Trump ‘won’ it with some 60% of the total votes. That means Nikki Haley got 40%.

Listening to the media you would think it was a huge blowout for Trump, but it wasn’t really. Think about it. Of every 10 votes, 6 went with Trump and 4 went will Haley. In other types of contests one would think that’s kinda close.

The primary system is weird. It’s supposed to be a way for party members to vote for the candidate they prefer, and have one name picked by convention time, and then for Election Day in November. Lately it is a ‘do or die’ situation after just 3 or 4 state primaries. That’s not fair. It is not fair for a candidate who is receiving 40% of votes.

of course, the big problem is all the money that it takes to campaign, and how candidates have to lure big donors who are willing to keep their campaign alive – by paying for travel, hotels, signs, flyers, etc. It all take so much money.

I was listening to an NPR program this morning that said Nikki Haley still has money. So, she should keep on going. There is still plenty of time for things to change. Change? I don’t mean to be morbid but something might happen to Trump before convention time. He could continue to be found guilty in the various court cases against him. He could get very sick – or, yes, even die. He is old – and he is out of shape. We don’t really know what will happen in the coming months, so why not continue to let Haley state her case – and to continue to campaign?

I live in South Carolina and Haley was my governor for two terms. The people of the state liked her. Even as a Democrat I saw some good things she did here, like bring big corporations and business to the state. They brought jobs. They brought money into the area.

I continue to be dumbfounded why Trump has such a hold on people in my state and around the country. Seriously, WHY? I don’t hear answers that make any sense to me especially when there is a more even keeled, kinder person to consider. Haley has run a state – and she represented the country in the UN. She has many of the same Republican platform stances.

What is it about Trump? What do you like? Is it his brashness? His ego? Do you like how he speaks to others? Do you want him because you think he will change the border? Have you forgotten he already had 4 years to try and build that wall and he did not get done?

The economy is better. Even with a ‘do nothing’ Congress we have low unemployment numbers. Yes, we need to raise the minimum wage, and we need to focus on the return of a middle class. So, even for those who don’t want to give ‘free gifts’ to the poor in America (because that is what Dems do, right?) at least vote for a Republican with a track record of being for business and employees.

There is only one thing that Trump is a master of: deception. He has somehow (I see right through him) fooled many, and lied and lied and lied. He got some media sources to lie for him too.

I wonder if people really stop and think about what another Trump presidency would be like. A man unhinged. Mean. Vindictive. A man who cares only about himself. ONLY!!! A criminal. A man willing to do anything legal or illegal for his own glory.

The Republican choice. It doesn’t seem so hard to see.

I’m a Democrat and I want the Republican party to get their act together, to get back to solid party values, and to pick a candidate that if elected will actually work for our country.

Nikki Haley, I am sorry that you did not win in South Carolina yesterday. But 40% is okay. Keep going. Keep staying true to you. This is how democracy is supposed to work.

I had a revelation just now. I was scanning my Facebook feed, reading some posts for women about finding your tribe, and reading about how we need to support each other, and that happiness comes when you are understood and can laugh.

Here is my ‘a ha moment’: I struggle with finding my tribe. I do a lot of activities each week, and I am around many people daily. I see the same ones over and over BUT I don’t consider them to be ‘like me.’ We share common interests but we do NOT speak deeply about life, issues, and hopes.

Part of this circumstance is because of where I live. Part of it is that we live in such a hyper-sensitive time about beliefs and politics. Sometimes I feel the people I run into are not deep thinkers. Shallow. But, also, some avoid expressing an opinion in fear of a push back. They prefer to stay quiet.

Thinking of girlfriends, I can think of only 2 that I talk with that think like me. Only 2. Only 2 get me. Sometimes on Facebook I notice that someone will give a thumbs up on one of my posts. But, usually, I have about 5 or 6 Facebook ‘friends’ who are willing to respond at all. And those who respond I have not seen for years, or even have met in person. We are apart geographically but close in our way of looking at life.

I really appreciate them. They keep me sane at times. They help me realize I am not alone. Some days I really need that.

The idea of having a tribe is a woman thing. Women from an early age ‘play’ with girls who like the same things. By young adulthood they cling to important women friends to help get through college, through dating, then independent living, and a strong bond forms – and you just know. They are there for you. You can say anything and they still love you and a late night conversation with wine is a blessing.

I won’t name other names, but my bestie Sue is one of my 2. We started back in college and we have gone through all the stages of growth together. We have never had a major difference of opinion, because we just see the world the same. When we get together, which is too rare, we talk nonstop about everything! No topic is off limits. We can sit for hours and let it out. It’s therapeutic.

At this point of my life, yes – in my older years – I don’t run across women who want to hang and ‘really talk.’ I guess lately I have been frustrated about it. Saddened. And, maybe that is why sometimes I prefer hanging with younger women. They talk about interesting things!!

Aging for me has made me more of an activist. Time has given me the opportunity to educate myself more – to be up on the news, to read more, to have an opinion based on that.

But I can’t find a tribe who is the same.