This past week was one more example of political interference in our lives, and how party ‘angles’ or ‘spin’ is used with most everything that happens to divide us.

I’m talking about the Chinese balloon flying high above the US. It became THE topic for the week once it was discovered by American civilians, curious about that white dot way up high in the sky. Commercial aviators saw it and reported it. Oh – It’s not the first one. From what I have read, there have been spy balloons identified over our country a few times already, and they flew in the sky during both the Trump and Biden leadership time. The past ones just did not get the media and civilian attention.

Satellites circle the earth constantly taking pictures, and looking for ways to get some secret locations, or movements, from adverse countries. The US is big in satellite surveillance.. But the balloon technology allows this surveillance to be closer, and slower, and it can go undetected at times. It’s like a drone way up high, instantly sending back pictures, all the way around the world.

I got a bit of an education about the spy technique this past week once the Chinese balloon was discovered and was made known to the public. We all did. All of the news outlets led their nightly programs with pictures of it, maps of it’s path, and guesses about what it was doing. All of the ‘talking heads’ on opinion shows had a field day speculating about the balloon.

As a person who lives on the coast of South Carolina I was able to go outside and look into the sky and see it, and I also saw US military planes flying below it. Monitoring it. And, not a half hour of seeing it over my head, it was shot down into the ocean right off of where I live. Because it happened so near to me it made it seem ‘more personal.’

There was talk all week from conservatives and the news networks that they want to shoot it down immediately! They were upset that our leadership decided to let it float along. This group said our president was weak, and not showing how bad ass America can be when it comes to foreign relations. People who never ever thought about spy systems before talked like experts and exclaimed disappointment in Pres. Biden. Keep in mind – they could. Because they did not have to make the decisions about it. And, it was the ‘other’ side.

That ‘other side,’ our president and the party in power, took time to calculate the options, to consider where debris from the balloon might fall, and maybe most important to think about how China might re-act to a harsh action. US – China relations are not good already. Every move means something. So – caution is key. Well thought out response was needed. Pres. Biden even admitted he told the military to shoot it down, but the experts in the technology and in foreign affairs, said ‘wait’ – and Biden listened to them.

Okay, maybe waiting til the balloon went over the ocean was too long to wait. I sure don’t know. In fact, we may never know. Maybe China got some pictures that will help them know more about our missile silos, and our military bases, but it’s doubtful much was discovered that they don’t already know. Maybe our experts said the balloon was not getting any more info than what Google Earth can show these days.

So – one political side had the ‘luxury’ to cry wolf loudly, and to get upset that we didn’t blow the balloon out of the sky immediately. They could easily blame the president and the other party. They had nothing to lose in being loud and saying THEY would have handled it differently.

I believe that somewhere in the middle is the truth.

I believe that this spy balloon was not immediately dangerous, and that we Americans were not in dire trouble. If we were, I have enough trust to know our military would have done what had to be done quickly. I also trust the hundreds of American civil servants, who are not political, who work their whole careers (during both Rep and Dem power reigns) to do whatever they can to keep us all safe. I know many have much more knowledge than you or I on spying, and I know they weigh all the possibilities to make a good decision. They are not concerned about winning elections, or putting a majority in Congress. They work free of all of that. They work for us.

But, you know what? That’s not exciting. Thinking, waiting, watching – it’s not attention grabbing. And, it’s so much more fun to point fingers and to throw around blame for the other side. It’s so much better in keeping some people mad, and divided.

Because, being in the middle – might really get us the best answer – the most truth. But it’s not political.

I just finished a book called “Untamed” by Glennan Doyle. I’m writing a post about it today because I think it’s a worthwhile read for every woman in America.. I highly recommend it! The book is an autobiography of Glennan’s life and even though I do not relate to her personal life experiences (her struggles with bulimia, alcohol and drugs, finding real love with a woman after being a wife & mother in a traditional marriage) her analogies in each chapter had me agreeing, and saying ‘yes – that’s right.!’ I dog-eared a bunch of pages!

I’m an avid reader – of all kinds of genres – and I love books for many different reasons. Some are easy and fun reads, some are historical so I learn about the past, some are wonderful ‘who dun its,’ some delve into social issues, some let me know about other cultures, and of them all some of them I want to hold on to to reread from time to time. Glennan’s book is one to keep to refer back to when I need to read some wise, encouraging words – from a talented author who says it so well.

I’d have to this book is up there with John Pavolitz’s “If God is Love Don’t Be a Jerk” which I now keep in my car to pick up from time to time , for moments when I have a few minutes to fill. Both of these books our books that I can randomly open to any chapter and read a bit and feel my thoughts are validated. Both books speak to me about how we are to live life – as a woman, and as a Christian.

Also – both books have some humor in them which is important, along with some deeply profound thoughts. Both books are positive, and they offer a way to see the world in as it changes.

I was happy to learn that my daughters have already read “Untamed.” They already knew all about it. I hope other young women do as well.

I’m sitting on a Saturday morning watching CMT music videos. It’s been awhile since I spent time catching up on the hit songs & videos. It brings me joy! This year I need (yes, need) to enjoy more country music concerts. I already have my tickets for the CMA Fest in Nashville in June, and I am heading up to my bestie’s in PA for a similar country music weekend event on the Jersey shore the following weekend. I also have tickets to see Lainey Wilson at Coyote Joe’s in Charlotte next month. But, I definitely need to make it to a few McGraw concerts this year. And, I will always go see Keith, Dierks, and Eric. I might have to travel – but I will. Life is short. I have good health and can do it now, so I need to do it! 😊

Music makes the world go round!

So do grandkids! I’m off to babysit my granddaughter on Monday for a whole week. Will it be exhausting? Caring for a 22 month old little one? Physically. Probably – but it is SO WORTH IT! These are precious moments! The troubles of the world disappear when you hang with a toddler. The time will be good for my soul!

I live in a rural area by a river and it’s duck hunting season. So every morning now, about ten minutes before sunrise, the hunters start shooting – 6:45am ish. These guys get up really really early, and head out in their little jon boats (often camouflaged with fake grass and reeds) in the dark, find a spot, and wait for when it is legal to start shooting. It’s pretty cold out there too. But they are dedicated, and they like shooting down ducks. I’m not really sure how it works. Do they wait for them to start flying? Do they make a noise to stir them awake? Do they bring home the ducks, prepare them, and eat them? Do the hunters ever think about the loud sounds of gunfire that wake people? (No!!) I don’t get the thrill of duck hunting but I realize we all have different ‘hobbies.’ I also realize it is something passed down from generation to generation, one never in my family’s story.

Why is gun shooting cool? Why does it seem like a macho ‘right of passage”? What are we teaching our little boys?

I wonder: Why are top secret documents being so easily misplaced? And, has this been a problem with all presidents over time – but the media never made it an issue before? Were past presidents and their staffs guilty of misfiling, misplacing, perhaps because they are overworked and overtired? Were documents quietly turned in before? I feel like the found documents have become such a political issue – and a game of ‘tit for tat.’ You found mine, well then I will find yours. You sue me, I will sue you. You get a special investigation, I get a special investigation.

I asked this on Facebook the other day and I truly want to hear some reasoning on this subject: so I will ask again. One of the first things Republicans did in the House once they got a speaker and finally got down to business was to shrink the number of employees at the IRS. Why? For years the IRS has been understaffed and backlogged. Processing tax returns takes time. And, some of the returns need to be ‘red flagged’ and audited. More employees improve the system. More illegal (or accidental) wrong returns will be caught – and that means more people will owe more…. which then goes into the state and federal accounts for bettering our country. Statistically the wealthy will be most effected. Oh, and isn’t employing more people a good thing? More people working means more people contributing to the system. And more people needing charity or federal assistance. What am I missing? Can it be that some want to lessen the chance that they themselves are caught?? Do some want to get away with illegal returns??

Man, it seems there have been a lot of people dying in only in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Way too young! The latest is Lisa Marie Presley. The poor woman had a tough life, with a famous family, as an only child, married 4 times, losing a son to suicide, and struggling with drug issues off and on. She rarely smiled in pictures. She had her daddy’s eyes and his addiction troubles. Her pain here on earth is over.

I follow a local app called GAB (Georgetown and Beyond) and I have seen obituaries lately of people in their 50’s. Here, where I live, people live hard. Georgetown is a rural southern town, yes, it’s the county seat, but it’s still full of so many people struggling to make ends meet. I wonder how much this leads to an early death. I find it interesting that some – in their 50’s – are grandparents already. So they were early parents – not ready to raise a family. I read the obituaries – and they leave me wondering what led to the early deaths. Obits rarely say the cause of death. There is still a way of life here that is mostly blue collar, factory work, with limited ways to better yourself – and there are little avenues to better life financially. Education is not stressed. It’s still about survival. It’s about ‘born here and die here.’

If you are a Dunkin Donuts person, you must try their warm avocado, tomato, and bacon sandwich. You can thank me later.

Speaking of restaurants and recommendations, when you see an online post about how good a restaurant is, do you believe it? We have a few community online sites that speak of local restaurants and thy recommend them in posts, but I have to say, I think they are usually the owners, or friends asked to write them. I don’t believe them.

Hey!!! Get over Hunter Biden. Move on. Republicans, you need to start acting like grown ups who care about important issues.

Do you have a football team choice you think will make it to the Super Bowl? Yesterday were two wildcard games and today there are two more. Hubby and I like to watch. Then it’s on to league championship games – and on to the BIG GAME! So, are you excited about Rihanna as the halftime performer? I have no interest in watching her. Tim McGraw is in concert before the game – as part of the celebrations leading up to it. I’d rather see him for halftime. But, he and other country artists don’t put on ‘spectacles’ or do more dancing than singing. It’s about the music to them. Not the ‘show.’ So, I I don’t think we will see a country artist picked for halftime anytime soon. But they perform the National Anthem. Last year it was Mickey Guyton, considered country but not really. No name has been announced yet for this year. I just checked.

I will end this with reminding you that tomorrow is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I hope you pause to think about civil rights in America. I think we need to remember the hardships, even bloodshed, that our country has gone through for what should be a simple thing: Equal rights for everyone. It is crazy to think we have not been able to live together peacefully. In fact hate crimes are on an upswing. You can’t help but think the meanness spewed about the border refugees, and the rhetoric by some in recent years, including a president, has set the US back. Rep. John Lewis said change takes generations – but to never give up. We must lose the word ‘entitlement’ – we are all in this together!!

Peace to you.

I remember when I was in college and as a young adult laughing (kindly) at my mother because she watched C-SPAN on TV. At that point in my life I was busy with many things – classes, a job, and hanging out with friends. Yes, I was a Mass Communications major and I then went on to work in a radio newsroom, and in other areas of radio and TV. So, I was somewhat connected to the news of the day. I worked in a building in Baltimore that housed the NBC-TV affiliate and two radio stations. I remember so very well being in the newsroom when Three Mile Island’s nuclear plant upstream from us had a leak. I remember Reagan being shot on the street in DC, and I remember many other news stories during those years that I was there. But – I never remotely thought to sit and watch C-SPAN and our Congress in action. In fact, during that time, MTV was new and my television at home was often turned to it. I did watch hours of music videos, one after another.

My mother watched C-SPAN because CNN was barely around, and there were no other 24 hour news networks. “The Big 3” (CBS, ABC, and NBC) had their morning news shows and nightly 6:30pm half hour. There were some Sunday morning programs like “Meet the Press” but we obviously were busy on Sunday mornings, and we didn’t have the ability to tape shows or have the ability to pull up ones that had already run.

Times were different. So my mother watched C-SPAN. It was how she could watch our legislature in action. Unscreened. Unfiltered. Basically one camera live showing whatever was happening in the chamber. As a kid for a few years we lived right upside of DC, in Rockville Maryland, and back then we drove down into Washington often, and we could walk right into the Capitol. The people’s house was open for us all. I have stood in the Rotunda – walked the hallowed halls of Congress. We watched the proceedings from the balcony. We even rode the shuttle cars under the Capitol to the cafeteria in the large Congressional office building next door. We freely walked in that building too and popped into our Senators and Representatives offices. In the cafeteria we ate right along with the legislators. Somewhere we have a picture of us on the shuttle.

Yes, times were very different. My mother admired the members of Congress. I think we all did. We had the opportunity to be up close to them.

Because the House did not have a Speaker yet this past week, the C-SPAN cameras (yes they are still the only ones there) were allowed to show anything they wanted to show and that is why we saw lots of negotiating, and we saw who sat next to who. We saw much more than we often can. (The house has open seating within the party sides. Seniority allows for up front seats though.)

I watched a lot of the coverage this past week . C-SPAN shared the live feed with the other media outlets so it was easy to watch. It was a great civics lesson on how our elected leaders do their work. There is a lot we complain about when it comes to Congress, but I was fascinated by the orations. Most were well done. Congressmen and women have much experience of speaking in front of people, and they have writers on their staffs to prepare the words.. So, there were some really good speeches I found it interesting that the House still uses vocal votes, not electronic ones, for big issues…. like electing a Speaker of the House.

Am I becoming my mother?!?! Ha! Well, we all know there is no way to deny that the acorn falls near the oak tree. My past, her interest in Congress, our trips to the Capitol, my jobs in news stations , have all led me to where I am at this age.. At 66 I am my mother!!!

Am I going to watch C-SPAN all the time now? No, there are many more choices now where I can tune in and get the news. I also have decided if I’m going to watch, and care, that I should go one step farther and be an activist. It’s my right as a free American. I’m not just going to know about politics and politicians, I’m going to work for certain issues, and contact state and federal Congressional members. The world of technology makes it pretty easy to do that now, and I think if my mother had it back in her day she might have reached out too.

Parents teach their children by how they ‘live.’ When I was a kid my dad always got Newsweek Magazine delivered in the mail each week and he read it front cover to back. I often picked it up from our coffee table and read it too. The 6:30pm nightly news was always watched in our home.

We become what we know. We care about people and issues, even our country’s government and Congress, by what we see and learn.

I like to think that my political awareness and interest has a family connection. I appreciate that my parents made it a part of my growing up. I get it now why Mom liked to watch C-SPAN.

We are getting ready to say goodbye to 2022. Are you happy about it? There are only two more days left in the year, and it is a custom to think about making resolutions for a new year coming, perhaps for a new start with something, or for a stop to something, or maybe to make changes for better living in the coming months.

Have you started to think about one – or two resolutions ?

First, I think I want to look back on the year that is about to go and to give it a proper send off. In general it’s been good. Really good! I am fortunate that there were no major life changes – or a death – close to me. We all have been in relatively good health, and we are financially comfortable. Just that sentence alone is something that so many can not say. I don’t want to take that for granted.

There were lots of fun experiences throughout the past year. I was blessed to have good people around me, and even when I was alone I felt contentment. Again, I know I am lucky to be able to say that.

So, 2022, I’m not really happy to see you go. I’m not searching for a big change, or a new love, or a pot full of money. Nope. I’m good. If 2023 ends up like 2022 I will be fine.

Therefore – what kind of resolutions should I think about for the new year? What isn’t going right in my life that needs work?

One is my church connection. I have been an involved member of my church for many many years but this past year I stepped away from it. It’s not that my faith is faltering for I continue to keep it foremost in my life. I want to continue to grow in faith, to learn more with an open mind, and to rely on God’s closeness in my life. I stopped a long time ago asking God to do things for me – because instead I should be doing things in His name. Big difference. I have nothing to prove. I am thankful for God’s grace. I stopped thinking that God will be happy with me if I do the right things, because He is already happy with me, and he is forgiving to me when I mess up. That gives me a lot of peace. So, my resolution for the new year is to respond better to that. I am becoming more ecumenical due to playing music at various churches and that’s a good thing. In this new year I hope to find some ways to ‘be active’ with peaceful methods of giving. I’m just not sure how yet – or what I will do. Maybe it will be shown to me, but I need to be alert to possibilities.

I do know this coming year I will continue to prioritize my husband, my grown children and my amazing grandchildren. I want to continue to be in their lives, to enjoy them, and to help them when I can. These are precious times.

I want to use my crockpot more! I keep seeing all kinds of videos on line about easy one pot meals and I want to try some out.

I want to continue with practicing the piano. This past August I made up my mind to sit down at the piano and play it at least every other day. I have kept it up. Practice makes perfect, right? I know that playing often keeps my fingers and my brain working.

I’m all about working my brain these days… not just with piano playing, but with reading, and with my line dance classes. I’m at the age where brain activity is important. Use it or lose it! I want to also get back into crossword puzzles. Ever since we stopped getting a real newspaper delivered I have gotten away from doing them daily – and I miss it.

I will also continue to support human, social, and political issues I believe in. I think by engaging with things ‘beyond myself’ I can’t help but feel more compassion for others. And really, we ALL need to do that!!! It’s how we can learn to live in peace beside each other. I will always believe in equal rights for all, and I will support causes and politicians that are heavy on making changes for equality.

My other passion is turning our country around when it comes to the gun psyche we have here, and the false belief that guns save lives, or provide protection. They don’t people!! Gun accidents, especially by children, and irate moments, and road rage, and the mentally ill – all are deadly with guns. Mass shootings in America is an every day event – and it’s just so sad that half of our politicians worry more about getting votes to stay in office, more than keeping people alive. I have not been personally touched with a horrible gun death yet – but it could happen any day here in America. My grandsons are off to public school this year and I bet they will learn shooting drills – as kindergartners. I don’t want them to grow up in a Wild West world where everyone is ‘packing’ and a dispute is settled by gunfire.

As we turn the calendar page (or should I say our phones automatically go to 2023) these are things I hope to focus on, and issues where I will put my time and efforts.

Last resolution: Do my best to focus on positivity! Don’t let the ups and downs of daily living, of what is in the news, or what I see on social media, ruin my day.

I welcome all of these things in 2023! I look forward to where the new year leads me.

It’s almost Christmas Day. Here’s a reminder: Dec. 25th is the FIRST day of the Christmas season, not the last one. Christmas lasts until January 6th, the first day of Epiphany. When you start the celebration early, you tend to get tired of it early. It’s a challenge I have every year. Everybody is in such a rush! . Trees up early. Lights on houses lit by Thanksgiving. Christmas music on the radio by December 1st. It seems everyone is in a hurry to have Christmas – and then in a hurry to get it over with too.

So, are you doing anything different this year? Maybe trying to pause or take it slower? And, are you doing anything to help reduce the stress of the season?

I’ve got all my gifts purchased. Most are wrapped. I spent time over two days this week listening to Country Christmas music while I wrapped. There is such great music out there. The classics are wonderful – but there is just SO MUCH to choose from!. Do you have a favorite? Do you try and keep gifts ‘even’ in quantity and price? I do, and it gets difficult sometimes. I guess I worry that it will look like I favor one person over another, and I don’t want anyone to feel like they are less. Because, they are not. Do you have that one person who is really hard to buy for? I think we all do.

Temps are supposed to be pretty chilly here over Christmas, which is unusual. I live in the south and I love that I don’t have to bundle up to go upside. This year I might have to though – but thankfully there will not be snow. Wondering: Why do so many Christmas songs have lyrics about snowmen, and sleigh rides, and ‘baby, its cold outside’? Jesus was born in a desert area and climate.

Speaking of Jesus: He is the reason for the season! Another reminder. Sometimes we get so busy with everything else we forget about the baby born in the stable in Bethlehem. Mary & Joseph left Jerusalem to get away, to save the baby boy from death, and they could not even find a room in an inn. Mary delivered Jesus with just Joseph there, and animals. Have you had a baby? You we’re probably in a hospital – with painkillers and a pediatrician and other specialists standing by just in case. Imagine this very young couple dealing with labor and childbirth alone! A bright star was high in the night sky for the next days after the birth – and shepherds followed it and came down from the hills, and learned wisemen came from afar. They knew something was up! How? From the prophets who foretold what would happen. Still -most thought that another grown king was going to come and save them!

We should have learned then that kings are not spiritual leaders. Right? Even today we worship the wrong ones. We look to those with the most money, or with a wonderful PR department. The arrival of Jesus as a baby was the opposite of all that was expected. And since then He has turned the world upside down. Read the Be-attitudes. Blessed are those poor in spirit, those who need comforting, the poor, and the weak, the hungry, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who are pure in heart. Jesus’s arrival and his message was different than what society put favor in, what people looked up to. His messages was about acceptance of all, about the love of your neighbor (and enemy), and reaching out to teach and help.

As Linus said in the Peanuts Christmas story…

And suddenly there was with an angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.”

Okay. So, it wasn’t Linus who said it first. It comes from the book of Luke. The angels announced his birth, and they said he will bring the way to peace and goodwill. Here. For us. All of us. On earth.

Christmas seems to me today to be about spending money, and tacky sweaters, and Santa Claus at the mall, and special coffee drinks, and blow up balloons in front yards. No wonder we want Christmas to be over on December 26th. Trees shed their needles, light strands burn out. Garbage cans get filled with bags of paper and boxes. Everything pretty has lost it’s shimmer.

So it’s time to move on. A new year – and a new celebration is around the corner. Right?

Hmmm.

I hope to keep the true Christmas story – and the meaning of following Christ – for a lot longer then to the new year. To epiphany and beyond! (Said in a Buzz Lightyear voice!) Imagine if we all could.

Today is December 14, 2022 – 10 years ago to the day since the Sandy Hook mass shooting of the children and teachers at the elementary school. Can you imagine being a parent and preparing for Christmas, and having a 7 year old so excited about Santa Claus? It’s ten days before Christmas and the excitement is building. Even in the schools it’s the final week before the holiday break and special parties and programs are being prepared.

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.

It’s supposed to be the time of peace and goodwill to men and women.

The unthinkable tragedy that happened ten years ago today is beyond heartbreaking. In fact I think it is so hard that many people prefer not to think about it, to put it in the past, to forget that horrible day. I had CNN on earlier and they were reporting on this ‘anniversary’ and it was still so difficult to watch.

But the parents of those innocent children never will be able to do that. Every year now as they prepare for Christmas they relive December 14th, and all the horror of their blooded children shot dead in their decorated classroom.

The parents from Uvalde, the families of the Las Vegas dead, and all the other mass shootings in the United States (too many to name them all) will somehow get through Christmas again without their loved ones, so many of those gone by gun violence were so young.

You are thinking, geez Marla, what a Debbie Downer you are! Gun violence in America is just going to happen. Move on. Forget it. Be happy at Christmastime. Well, my biggest wish for Christmas is that we collectively do something about the gun epidemic we have in this country. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, and the impact of his time on earth, we have to think about his teachings. It was about loving your neighbor, working towards peace, turning the other cheek. It was about helping those in need – in anyway. It was not about arming yourself, or fearing others, or putting your rights before others – especially children.

Today is an extremely sad day in our country. The mass murder of 7 year olds at school – and since then we have done NOTHING to stop it from happening so easily again. We may not stop all of them, but we haven’t even tried to make guns safer, to limit gun ownership, and limit the types of weapons we allow citizens to purchase. It is disgraceful. It is beyond callus for those parents who hurt from our non-action.

So, I apologize to the survivors. I send a hug to all the parents today hurting.

I will continue to work on some changes to make America less gun-crazy, and more peaceful – through voting, through donations, through peaceful demonstrations, and through expressing myself here and wherever I can. I can not live my life as a Christian without putting children above guns.

I will always remember my daughter’s entire grade singing at their holiday school program so many, many years ago “Let their be Peace on earth – and let it begin with me.” Out of the mouths of babes. Let them grow up. Let their parents and grandparents know they are safe from mass shootings at schools. Just do something.

Today is the first Sunday in Advent, and as I do every year, I feel the urge to write a musing. I have so much on my mind as we go into the pre-Christmas season. Advent is the time of preparation as we await the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus. My Lutheran roots tell me that Advent is it’s own, very special time. Without it Christmas becomes a big blur throughout December. The church calendar I am familiar with has Advent for 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, and then the ‘season’ of Christmas extends to the start of Epiphany, January 6th.

I’m not a conservative Christian in most ways, but when it comes to honoring the past, and putting the emphasis on Jesus at Christmas I push back on so much of the commercialism, and all the glitter that blinds us to not see the glow of Star of the East. I like lighting the Advent wreath candles. Opening Advent calendar doors. Singing Advent hymns.

Advent is a time of patience. It’s a time of waiting. It’s a time of hearing about why Mary and Joesph left their homeland and traveled to Bethlehem before the birth. It’s a time to re-tell the story of what was going on then, and why the normal places for them to stay were full, and Mary & Joseph had to find a spot in an animal stable. Somewhere safe, somewhere simple.

It prepares us for the joy of the Christ child born on Christmas Day.

These days it’s all so hectic, and all about shopping, and special music programs (not a one happens AFTER December 25th during the true Christmas season.) It’s all about rushing around, here and there, Don’t get me wrong. I love all the music and I am playing at least five times in performances during the first two weeks of the month. Band and handbell groups. I have rehearsals mixed in too. I enjoy it and the music is absolutely beautiful this time of year.

But everything is squished in. It’s hurried. A bit crazy. Each year I tell myself I am not going to get caught up in the ‘extras’ of Christmas and barely have time for the ‘reason for the season.’ Every year I say it. Yet, this morning i printed out a blank December calendar to write everything in. Each day has something going on.

As I sit here I think, what do I want on my Christmas list this year? What is important this year? Remember the beautiful song sung by Amy Grant: “My Grown Up Christmas List.” The words include: that wars would never start, everyone would have a friend, right could always win, and love would never end.

My list this year includes all of that, and:

Acceptance for all people, for all kinds of people.

More live music opportunities. Concert experiences. (Ok. It’s a selfish desire. Sorry, not sorry.)

Good health for my family.

Peace – in our minds and hearts. Peace stops violence.

Peace brings contentment.

I wonder if we could stop the expectations of the season… Would it be better? Centered more on Christ? Would we go into January (still the Christmas season) without being worn out? Drained from December? Happy it’s over?

So, today, the first day of the preparation season of Advent, I have taken my fall decorations down. I am beginning the process of SLOWLY “preparing the way.” Preparing for the way of the Lord! Preparing the lights that shine like the stars in the sky. Preparing the presents to remember the Magi brought gifts to the Christ child. Preparing to experience Christmas fully.

Not yet. But soon.

I consider myself a pretty common sense person. Yet, almost every day I see or hear things that make me go ‘huh?’ Here are a few.

The new meaning of the word ‘woke.’ From what I can tell it’s calling a person a name because they are a type that makes certain everyone else is included, and is treated equally. Perhaps some think that ‘woke’ people go too far, but can you really go too far when it comes to caring for someone else and wanting them to share in all that is possible?

Dr. Oz vs. Fetterman. Remember when Dr. Oz WAS a physician and was all about people having good health and using medicine and surgery to improve their lives? All of a sudden he puts a man down for having survived a stroke? And, he uses it as political leverage? What happened to a doctor speaking about a person overcoming obstacles? About the strength it takes to rehab, and to get back, and want serve in a civil leadership role?

Herschel Walker. Herschel was an awesome football player back in the day. It’s a rough sport, and as we are finding out now, ‘getting your bell rung’ on the playing field has short term AND long term problems. I think maybe Herschel had too many concussions and maybe that’s why he can’t remember paying girlfriends the money to go have abortions. Or, maybe he has “Trump Syndrome” where you never admit to anything, lie easily and often, and think you are the better than everyone else.

Kanye West. Ye. Huh? Please, Ye, go get treatment. You have had mental issues for a long time. You actually have money and can afford to pay for help. Go, get help.

How did Halloween become such a HUGE money spending holiday?? It’s second to Christmas. Yep, I don’t get it. I like pumpkins, gourds, and other fall things but I don’t get the zombie, scary, horror, bloody, guts and gore – and ALL the money people spend on it to make their homes look like houses of terror. My real question is why do people like the dark side of Halloween?

Why are school boards becoming hotbeds for parents, for pushing book banning, and religious issues?? Hey, parents, want to make a difference in your child’s life? Set an example of how mature people should act Be respectful. Go be a classroom volunteer and help a teacher. Read to your kids – often! Have family discussions around the dinner table. Pray with them at mealtime and bedtime. Take responsibility for raising children. And, I guess if you can’t handle what is happening in your local public school, then homeschool them. Oh wait. That requires time and attention to your kids.

Wordle – yes. Heardle – maybe. Nerdle – huh?

Political violence. Who is ultimately responsible? How can anyone think it’s acceptable? Ever? I know both political parties have their share of wackos but there is definitely a larger number of people causing havoc coming from the Republican side these days. If I was a member of that party, I would be quite disappointed.

November temps in the low 80s. It’s lovely but I still say “huh”? Global warming? My spring bulbs are sprouting. I have seen a few trees flowering, confused and thinking it’s Spring.

And speaking of November, why do we still change the clocks? I REALLY don’t like it getting dark at 4:00pm. It’s time to stop changing our clocks!

Election deniers. Huh? Real definition is living in an alternate world where truth doesn’t matter and you can say anything without any responsibility. Add Alex Jones to that list. Other similar words: Crazy. Hurtful. Bizarre. Beyond confused. Power above caring.

Speaking of…. Trump said yesterday he will ‘very, very, very, probably” announce soon that he will run for the presidency again. HUH????? Please, just go away. Put your time, efforts, and (other people’s) money into fighting all those lawsuits against you. Remember the ‘stop the madness’ ad? I plead to Trump to stop – just STOP!!! He has done enough damage to our country. Go away.

Oh, and speaking of narcissistic men: Elon Musk. Huh?

At this point I just want to say that if women ran the world we all would be better off. Sure, there are a few crazy women out there, but women are not the ones that shoot people in mass killings, or break in to homes to ‘make a point,’ or want to hold supreme power over others, or want to decide what others do with their bodies, and decide who they love. If I see a woman running for office – I applaud her. I support her. I usually vote for her.

We all have times when we see and hear things that just seem obviously ‘right’ yet others are unsure about it. I think it’s important in these crazy days to say ‘huh?’ And call it out. There are enough sane people out there that need to say ‘huh?’ Because just because we read something, or hear something, or like a certain person, we can’t give it a pass. It’s why we are where we are right now. We can be better.

What makes you go ‘huh?’

Yesterday ‘early voting’ started here in South Carolina so it’s time for me to do my civic duty. I’m off to the poll in just a couple of hours, way ahead of the actual “Election Day” on Tuesday, November 8th.

Most states have early voting now and I think it’s a great idea to make it as easy as possible for citizens. Most have mail-ins and some have drop-off voting too. There are lots of ways to get your vote in and people have no excuse for not participating. As I have always said, if you do not vote you do not get the right to complain. But better yet, if you do not vote you do not get the opportunity to make our country better.

I have always taken voting seriously. I have taken it seriously even when I have lived in counties and states that usually go opposite my choices. Even when I feel like my vote doesn’t leave the county I live in and when I get frustrated by it. That seems to happen frequently.

This election seems more serious than most. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel a heavier weight riding on the outcomes from this Election Day. Obviously, the Supreme Court reversal of Roe has many, including me, upset and wanting to get back to allowing women the right to choose. But also on the ballots across the country are candidates who still deny the truth in the last national presidential election. Even though lawsuit after lawsuit, case after case, has shown that President Biden received the most Electoral College AND popular votes, there are people denying this truth and running on lies. Now the cynic is me says that all candidates lie, and to some extent it is true that promises are made that never get accomplished. But, the extent of blatant lying, and wacky beliefs, and fringe loudness is over the top these days. So, voting by the reasonable people becomes a ‘must’ so we can keep sanity in our system.

Our system. Some think I might be over dramatic when I worry about the democratic system. But I do. We are living in a time when forces are working to stop a true democracy, and prefer to see autocratic leadership. We came close to this during President Trump’s term, but thankfully he was too scatter-brained, and he had a revolving door in his administration. He could not accomplish what his ego wanted.

When I think back on how Trump said the election was rigged BEFORE it happened, and how he tried to declare himself a winner before all the votes were counted, and how for months after (and really up to now) he declares he won – and cites lies about voting machines, and hidden suitcases of votes, and then tried to create new Electoral College voters, and to top it all off, he threatened his own Vice President to stop the final count and approved of and led an insurrection to the Capitol. If that isn’t someone trying to undermine democracy I don’t know what is! (And if you don’t believe all those things happened then you are living in a world not based on realities, and are accepting the lies.) I truly hope justice happens for Trump. He has created so much heartbreak and divided us all beyond what I thought could happen.

Yes, democracy is being threatened when we have people put into our heads that the voting system in America is tarnished – when those with a megaphone purposely try to get us to question if our vote counts, and if we truly elect our leaders.

That’s why this mid-term election is so important. Yes, we want our taxes to be used well, and we want medical and pharmaceutical needs to be reasonably priced, and we want our cities to be safe, and we want gas prices to go back down some. We want immigrants to be properly vetted, and we want our veterans taken care of in all their needs, physical and mental. There are countless issues facing America – and you can vote for the candidates who reflect your personal approach to solving some of the problems.

I have heard on the news that early turnout to vote is big – already bigger than in past elections. That gives me hope that the sane Americans are pushing back. I think those who never worried before are worried now, and I hope that is why bigger numbers are turning out.

I’m voting today – but will have to wait until November 9th, or later, to know the results. Michael Moore said the other day he thinks this will be a huge vote for democracy – and I hope he is right. We need to start getting past this loss of faith in the system, and we need to stop those out there trying to make it continue.

How to do it?

Go vote!!