Thanksgiving is two days away and I sit here thankful for many things and people. Here are a few of them:

I’m thankful I am not traveling anywhere by air over these coming busy days!! Ha. I have been listening to weather issues that will delay flights all across the country, and I also heard of two mishaps where planes bumped into each other on the tarmac. Thankfully nobody was hurt but those planes had to be sent to the hangars to be thoroughly checked out. Flying is crowded in the sky and on the ground right now. And, then add in the passengers who have short tempers and have long waits, and, yes, I am glad to be driving on the roads for Thanksgiving. Of course, traffic on the roads will be crowded also. We are fortunate to travel back roads most of the way – so I am thankful for that.

I am thankful for a home I love. I have lived many places, and in many kinds of homes, over many years, and I am thankful that at my age I have ended up here. I love the views, and the space to plant. I love the connection with nature in this spot. I love sharing it with hubby and the pets.

I love the ladies in my book club. We have been meeting monthly for years and years now, and we come from different backgrounds and have different opinions, but we have lively discussions and learn from each other. We have read so many books together and their viewpoints bring me to a perspective I might not always see on my own. I love that! I am thankful for their insight.

I am also thankful for the people I have met through music. I muddle along, be it playing my flute or ringing handbells, but together we make some beautiful sounds and share in the experiences. I started out as a band geek in school and have continued to make music a priority all of my life. I say that music makes the world go round and it really does! I can’t imagine life without it.

I am thankful that I took my music love farther and that I have added in linedancing! I love dancing to upbeat, foot stompin’ music, and learning steps – and remembering them in the proper order! Ha. It’s fun to dance with other ladies, again of different backgrounds, but we all enjoy dancing and getting exercise without it being too hard to do!

My last weekly activity is quilting with another amazing group of women, who use their talents to create beautiful quilts and blankets for others. I joined this group also many, many years ago, and some ladies have come and gone, even passed on, and we always continue to have a common purpose. They are a reality check to me each week because I know that some think politically different from me. I struggle as I listen to conversation sometimes, but I am thankful that I am still there each week.

Which brings me to politics: what am I thankful about? Well, I am thankful for those who understand my beliefs and who also want the country to go in the same direction. Right now ‘misery loves company.’ I am thankful for my faith. I am thankful that I have stayed true to who I am.

I am always extremely thankful for the family that hubby and I created over the years. Time can go by quickly, and looking back I think of all the crazy, amazing, some simple, some extravagant, experiences we have been a part of…. Births, milestones of childhoods, graduations, marriages, and births again! I am thankful for a hubby who understands the importance of it all. I am thankful for a very giving husband. We are in our 40th year of ‘wedded bliss’ and really it has been that. Bliss. Fun. Always interesting.

I am thankful for making it to this point with good health. Tomorrow may be different, but I try and live a balanced life: some movement, some learning, some stillness. So far it has served me well.

As we gather on Thursday and fill our stomachs, I am thankful for ‘daily bread’ and never having an empty stomach. I appreciate that it is not even a thought. Hungry? Enjoy some food. Too many do not live that way though. We must always care for each other. God gave us this place we live in to tend to each other, to share in community needs and joys.

I am thankful for all of God’s gifts, most especially His grace and unconditional love. I am reminded of a hymn my mother liked, and I remember being a child in Vacation Bible School singing: “This is my Father’s world.”

This is my Father’s world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world,

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, and rocks and seas

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,

the birds their carols raise.

The morning light, the lily white

Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s World

He shines in all that’s fair.

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world,

O let me n’er forget

That tho the wrong seem oft so strong,

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world.

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is king, let the heavens ring!!

God reigns, let earth be glad.

I think I am going to write a little bit of this and a little bit of that today. Let’s see where my mind goes…

First, the past couple of nights I have had some vivid dreams. Two nights ago my dad was in my dream, which I think is the first time I have seen him this way since his passing in May. I should have written down the events of the dream right after I woke up to remember it better, but even now I know it had to do with religion and believing in God. It was about still having faith. And, yes, I know my faith, my belief, and trust, in God has not changed, but I also know I have been questioning a lot about organized religion lately. We live in a time of the rising of the national evangelicals and I have been thinking so much about how they are effecting our country, seeping into the politics (more like flowing) and even trying to take control over much of our civil life. When dad was alive he and I talked religion and politics a little bit over the years, but not as much as I would have liked. I knew where he stood mostly and I trust he is now experiencing the beauty and peace of heaven. But, maybe this dream was a way to reassure me. Maybe.

Then, last night I had a very different dream with different people. I remember being in a beach town environment. I feel like I was with my husband on a work trip that was there. He had to spend some of his time in meetings. We were in and out of a hotel, and at one point people were lining up along the streets, and I asked why? The answer: Donald Trump was coming. In a parade, or a caravan down the street. We did not stand around and wait and went on our way. At one point then I do remember saying “I guess we missed him. We must have been indoors.”

I’m not a big dream interpreter. But both of these dreams stuck with me after waking in the morning. They have to have some significance somehow. I am glad my dad was in my dream, but not Donald Trump. But, you know, I didn’t really have him in the dream. People were just waiting for him. I’m sure a lot can be made out of both of these dream experiences!

Speaking of Trump…. Just an hour ago Matt Gaetz withdrew from his plan to be the next US Attorney General. I don’t watch much news anymore for my sanity, but I saw the headline come across on my phone. I think I also heard a huge sigh of relief come across the country. Ha! I have to say I find it amusing that he resigned from Congress to become the Attorney General (and escape the allegations about to come out of his involvement in sex parties and having sex with a 17 year old girl), and now he is left unemployed. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!?!

As I said above, I have greatly reduced my viewing of news right now. I needed a break. I needed to lift myself up and not feel hurt all the time about the election results and what ‘may’ happen in the coming 4 years. I am not in a vacuum though and I do know about the cabinet position appointments, etc. At this point that is enough to see. It is depressing enough.

I have reached the time each year where I struggle a bit with depression. We just had the election. And now we are coming towards the holiday season(s) and I tend to get all hypocritical about them. My brain overthinks. I don’t like how Christmas decorations are up already. I want one holiday at a time. Thanksgiving isn’t even for another week and a half. SLOW DOWN EVERYBODY!!!! I feel like the magic of Christmas gets lost because we start everything so early. I know, bah humbug Marla. I feel this way every year. I get annoyed with the commercialism and the pressure for making everything right. By the time December 24th comes around then we think “oh right, it’s about Jesus too.” And a few days later everyone is taking down the lights and decorations because they put them up so darn early.

The first 2 weeks of December prove it also. My calendar for those two weeks is getting full already, filled with music and concerts I am involved with (flute & handbells), other concerts I’d like to attend, and with holiday lunches and dinners. The week right before Christmas? Nothing. It’s hurry, hurry, hurry…. Get it all done early!

Speaking of over-doing it? Anybody else tired of the hoopla leading up to the release of the movie “Wicked”?

Let me turn the page here, and turn into a place of thankfulness, not griping. Okay? Forgive me.

I am thankful that almost all of my holiday gift shopping is done online now. It’s so easy to order by computer, and have it delivered. I will try though and spend one day running to local shops and picking up a few last minute items later. I know they need my business. And yours.

Here’s something good to say: What about those Gamecocks?!?! The football season started with a few losses and I was prepared for ‘the usual,’ but the team has been looking good lately, winning, and having some exciting games to watch!! Yay!!

Question: Are you doing Christmas cards this year? I am thinking I will not. Although, I have a new granddaughter and I’d love to share my beautiful family, I might bypass the ‘snail mail’ greeting this year. Many see what I post on Facebook, and my Christmas list keeps shrinking every year. Maybe I will make a digital one to send via email this time.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the music. Again, I prefer not to start it early because it sounds more magical in the Advent and Christmas seasons. What are your favorites? I have both ‘sacred’ music and fun Christmas carols on my song list. I also have favorite artists. Some are very old school. Timeless. Nobody sings Christmas music better than Johnny Mathis.

I look forward to the music in DECEMBER!!!

Happy November and Thanksgiving. Let’s give thanks before we move on. OK???

Listening to the thoughts of the other political side can be really hard to do, but also enlightening. Right? Maybe a bit scary too. Do most of us give them a chance? Do we really listen to them?

I have been accused of not listening.

Yet, I have never deleted or snoozed anyone who is politically different from me because, truly, I feel the need to hear where they are coming from, and I want to hear their explanations on why they support ‘him.’ I always want to know why. I want to try and figure out what it is that made them vote for him.

Here’s the thing: most of what I hear is based on untruths. Facts don’t seem to matter. Statistics don’t matter. It could be about crime numbers, or inflation, or unemployment. Numbers at the border. Even gas prices.

Numbers don’t matter when it comes to children having sex change operations (very very few). They don’t matter when it comes to gays luring others (very very few). Or, of athletes and how they identify themselves (very very few).

Numbers don’t matter anymore. But fear rules. There are people out there who are experts in creating fear where there should never be any to begin with. They exaggerate or outright lie – on purpose. And, oh, the facial expressions they use when telling to you about the fear! The eyes rolling. The body language! They are really good at making you feel really, really worried.

As a proud Democrat I don’t like hearing the lies because that means that I am put into their false narratives. I am a Democrat, so in their eyes I must be either a bad person or delusional, or I have bought into all the liberal rhetoric. Yes, I have heard that. I realize it is said on both sides of this great divide. I know that.

It often sounds like a good excuse to me. See, I look up facts. I read. I follow trends. I look back at “how we got here.” Sometimes I am surprised. Even disappointed. But at least it’s accurate. And this is really important: I have learned how a democracy must work to stay intact. I understand the 3 equal branches of government, and how if one gets too much power we can lose our checks and balances. We will no longer be a government for the people, of the people, and by the people.

I wish more people would do their homework.

The past couple of days I have had a pretty intense back and forth with someone who voted for, and seems to love, Trump, and she has big hopes for what he will do in the coming 4 years. She has clearly told me her reasons for voting for him. They are: stronger policing in our country, the desire for a closed southern border, and being tough with all other countries, financially with tariffs, and in strength with our military. She seems to have little regard for our connections with our friendly foreign countries, but wants Trump to buddy up with our adversaries. Although our ‘back and forth’ was sometimes ‘edgy’ and I ended up getting frustrated, and probably losing this friendship, it was informative for me. This person clearly said to me that she did not vote for other women, or for our country’s children. Yes, she really said that. The comments left me baffled and I got upset – and I realize I could have been more diplomatic in my responses, but my emotions got the best of me.

She said more…. And this is really what shook me!

This person said to me that she believed it was the Democrats that prepped, thought out, and were responsible for the actions of the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.
Yes, I said the Democrats! She truly felt that the people there that day were actors, hired to meet up and create the horrible scenes we all watched on TV. She blamed the Democrats for the whole event. She felt it was staged. The flags, the violence, the destruction, the poop in the Capitol. The noose for Pence. All of it!! She felt it was some group from the left side who wanted a big publicity stunt. I’m not sure WHY they would want to stage it but that didn’t matter. But, unfortunately, totally lost on her, was that it was not factually correct – at all!! Hundreds of testimonies under oath from everyone from White House staff to DC police said it was the far right militant groups that converged on that day, invited by President Trump, encouraged to come ready – to stand down. Thousands of emails, and phone calls, and videos were entered in as evidence. Let me say it again, the Democrats did not make the insurrection happen. Testimony came out that Trump knew about it, rallied them on, went back to the White House and watched it all unfold for 4 hours. He was responsible for it as the sitting president, because he did not want to vacate his position, and he tried every way legally and illegally to stop the votes from certification. Trump was found guilty of his involvement and impeached.

So, where did my friend get these crazy ideas?

She also told me in our ‘not so nice’ back and forth comments that the Democrats were the big liars and that they were the ones who made up stories all the time. She said Dems were puppeteers. She felt that I was lost in all the Democratic lies. She continued on that the Democrats were the deceptive ones, and that they were ‘out to get’ Trump no matter what.

Again, where did she get these ideas?

Well, I think we know where she got them. Her beliefs were repeated to her over and over – for years now. They aligned with her own feelings but were without facts. They were also told without any kind of nuance required for understanding complicated situations. Her side was right and the other side was wrong. Blaming others is easy.

Each time I tried to say it was not true, and that I was a Democrat who was not like that, and that I wanted the very best for all Americans, she didn’t believe me. She said that I was caught up in some sort of liberal false belief that was being pushed on everyone. Sound familiar?

So, our division is huge… and I have a feeling we will never chat again. It’s one example of what is happening across the country. With family, friends, co-workers, neighbors. I mean, “he” was just elected as our next president. So, more than half of America, for one reason or another, felt that Democrats were not being truthful, or were not believable, and that they were not really wanting to work for making America a safe, equal, fair, beautiful place to live.

And, really, that blows my mind. I am a Democrat and that is exactly what I want! It is what every American should want.

How sadly did we get here???

Again, where did they get these ideas? Yes, we do know. But, how can we stop it? How can we require truth again? How can we FIND truth?

As a proud Democrat I find all the misinformation about the party as a personal attack on me. What MAGA thinks and says is not seeing me. In fact it is dehumanizing. I am not a liar and I would never support candidates who are okay with lying. I am not ‘out to get anyone’ and in fact I am the opposite, because I want to help as many people as I can. I truly believe when all are lifted up we all will do better.

We have heard about fake “Conspiracy theories” all too often. They appear constantly through social media. They are even ‘suggested’ on regular media like TV, radio, podcasts, and feeds. Who posts them? Where are the sources? It is said that both domestic and foreign interrupters are responsible. Then they are shared like wildfire.

They are false. They hurt people. They are out of hand. Too many believe the theories without any fact checking. Too many are willing to accept what they want to hear (which is disturbing in itself.) Too many have been told to never believe a Democrat.

Hey, listen…. It’s not all one sided. I know that. I know that Democrats ‘spin’ and that spinning used to be a normal part of campaigning. But we have all gone way overboard now and it to the point that nothing real matters. From what I see the far right has attacked more, put out the false narratives, and made up stories. They have done it to the point of causing violence. Truth is not honored, and lies spread.

Spreading lies has actually become an occupation. Yes. It’s big on social media. People get paid to do it. “We now know the title of “Influencers” but don’t forget that even many more are secretive!

So, maybe the question should not be “where do they get these ideas?”

Instead we need to focus now on asking “what is truthful anymore?” How can we get back to it? How will we survive if we don’t? What do the facts and statistics say?? What is real?? Oh. And, please, don’t deny good numbers if it happens by the opposing party. It’s childish. It’s dangerous. It’s a mean spirited game. And, yes, I know that both parties have done that. It’s gotten to the point where we don’t even acknowledge the good that happens in the country.

I know the next four years are going to see more of all of this. I suspect it will even get worse.

It has made me want to stay away from people and certain situations. I’m so tired of 8 years of it. And now we will continue on. I know I can’t forever stay away but my faith in people has really taken a beating. Twice.

Is it too much to ask for rising up, and taking time for checking facts and speaking truth???

Is it too late?

So, it was seven days ago that America voted for our next president. Since that time I have felt so many emotions. The day after, on Wednesday, I did a lot of crying. Then I felt a bit numb, and I have gone back and forth in being disappointed in our country and the choice it made, and still confused why people accept him.

As what happened to me the first time we elected him (I prefer not to use his name – we all know who I am talking about) when I went out in public I looked at people I saw differently. I thought in my head: Did you vote for him? Why? You look to be okay. Living a safe, and good life. What caused you to go for the one with no integrity? The habitual liar and cheat?

Maybe you didn’t watch his rallies. Maybe you didn’t hear him put down people all the time. Maybe you didn’t see him present himself as a buffoon. Maybe you thought his name calling was funny. Maybe you felt sorry for him because he had his ear grazed. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

I am still not able to watch much news yet because I just don’t want to see his face and hear his voice anymore. I had hoped that the election was going to take him out of the news, except for when his criminal cases were covered.

I do see some headlines now and then that pop up on my phone about his cabinet and his administration picks. I am not surprised at his choices, but they scare me. He seems to be picking people who I figured he would. These are “yes” people to him. Are they smart? Hmmm. Will they work cautiously within the guidelines of democracy? Hmmm. Will any of them push back when he comes up with some crazy idea? Hmmm.

It’s only been one week and I find myself already feeling sorry for our current Sec. of State Blinkon who has worked tremendously long and hard with leaders in the volatile Middle East and for Ukraine. The time he has put in. The amount of work! Now it will go away. I feel sorry for so many other civil servants, and those in the Democratic Party who have also put themselves out there to work on issues and projects that will now be reversed. We talk about government ‘waste’ but yet we don’t think about how this change will waste all the forward steps, and the talent of so many Americans.

I think about the setback for womens rights, and the setback for the hopes of safe gun control in America. I definitely worry about anyone in our country who is not white or Christian. Will we see an uptick in gun violence? Will it affect those who don’t fit ‘the look’? It’s very concerning to me.

I have seen the meme about the circus coming to town and ‘you know who’ as the head clown. It does seem a possibility. Americans have voted saying they want the one who playfully lies, who seems to wear a disguise of having ‘something’ – I can’t even identify what it is. Really, what does he have? Do you think he has bully power? You like that? Do you think he is intelligent? I mean, really??? Do you think he will lead with any sort of compassion?

It’s one week into this – and my emotions are still all over the place. Sad. Angry. Disappointed. Fearful. I am not feeling that the next 4 years will be a calm time. I don’t think it will a safe time. I don’t think the United States will be a ‘beacon on the hill’ to the world. (Ya’ll love Reagan so I thought I’d throw that one in.)

It’s only one week later. Nothing he does EVER makes each day, or week, better.

I use my musings and my writings as self-therapy. If you are inclined, you can read along.

So much is on my mind right now.

I have maintained a couple of Facebook friendships with women who are deeply MAGA and who voted for Trump on Tuesday. A couple of them have responded to some of my posts with their takes on issues, and they are very different from mine. And, that’s ok. Still, it is hard for me to read what they say, even though I want to know what they are thinking.

And, the sad part is that they comment about issues and fears that are just not true. They say classic lines right out of the Trump and Fox playbook. They have heard over and over the lies and they believe them. They think their fears will be alleviated now with Trump as the upcoming president. It’s too early to say “I told you so” but I think it is coming.

Here are a couple of falsehoods I have read in the past couple of days that I’d like to speak on:

Trump is not going to make medical care and medical insurance better for you. He has no plan. He doesn’t care about your high health costs. He wants to dismantle Obamacare out of spite.

Trump is going to stop ‘forcing’ you to ‘go electric’ and buy an electric-car. Look around. How many gas vehicles are on the road? Millions. Look how many gas stations are everywhere in America. Electric has been introduced as an alternative, and a cleaner option. Nobody, certainly not Democrats, were ever going to force you to buy a new car. Who told you they were?

Trump is not going to lower your food prices. Food costs, along with most goods, have varying prices set by supply and demand, by weather variations to crops, by transportation issues, and more. He will not wave a magic wand and make eggs cheaper. Oh, and by the way, Democrats don’t control the weather.

Trump is going to make you safer from the big, bad immigrants. I actually read a comment from a woman that she is afraid to drive on long trips because the immigrants might get her. She has totally been fed fear and believes it. I’d like to remind her: She has locks on her car doors. She has a cellphone. She certainly has no way of identifying a person that she sees on her trip and knows their status and their right to be here. oh, and by the way, we have some citizens that are unfortunately not trusting types too. Regardless of president we always have to practice basic safe driving options and schedules.

Trump is going to make take home pay better. Again, he has no plan. He has never talked about raising the minimum wage, or incentives for companies who give yearly raises, etc. Did I miss it ? I have listened to way too many of his rallies and never heard anything about helping the hourly wage earner.

Trump will not be a foreign leader hero and stop war. He has no idea of diplomacy and he is laughed at by world leaders (check back to his first presidency), except the enemies who want to destroy democracy. People have told me that they voted for Trump because he is a bully and believe he will stop another Sept. 11th. That awful day was in 2001. That was 23 years ago and we have had both Republicans and Democrats as presidents leading our country since then. Our CIA and FBI continually stop all kinds of sick plots and individuals who are planning harm to America. They do their work quietly and without recognition. It is a non-partisan effort. We owe them a lot.

Trump will make sure our food is ‘cleaner’…. And it’s a wonderful thing to have Robert Kennedy come on board. Well, many of the safeguards and regulations for food and our environment are going to be loosened under Trump. You think that is good? He has promised the fat cats that, and he has told ordinary citizens that it’s a good thing too. There will be less oversight, making it easier for big business and conglomerates, but more dangerous for consumers.

Trump will take care of the small business owners. Well, Harris had a plan. I heard hers. I never heard Trump say how he would help people starting a business. And, let me say, starting a business from scratch is extremely difficult. It takes drive, lots of time, money invested, and then possibly a five year return. It’s not for everyone. And even for those who try many of them fail. Trump can not save a struggling small business.

Trump will show the world that we don’t mess around with anybody… cuz, you know, we are America!! And, at the same time he wants America first, and to make us great again. He plans on tariffs that will cause foreign manufacturers to pass on price increases for anything coming to our country. The retailer is not going to ‘eat’ those increases, so they will be passed on to the consumer. Prices will go up, not down.

To make America great he wants to kick out people as quickly as possible. You know, the ones that are raping, stealing, taking our jobs. Can you name more than 5 that have done that? He has no plan to help those who come to pick our fields and do other manual labor that our citizens don’t and won’t do. Hard jobs. Low pay. He has no plan to increase punishment for the Americans who hire them, pay them under the table, etc. Because, you know, they are citizens so it’s not their fault. (Said with sarcasm).

I truly believe that over 8 years of constant Fox News indoctrination and Trump fear mongering we have come to this place. Way too many Americans have been encouraged to be mad. Mad about everything! And, not to think. Trump will take care of it. And this is Trump, the man who has bankrupted numerous companies, fired endless people on the spot, paid off many others not to talk, and who is an obvious textbook narcissist. He will say anything to look good. To win. And he did. But that does not mean that he is good on his word. In fact, he is the opposite. That does not mean you will be better because he will be your president. He doesn’t care about you. He probably snickers knowing how gullible you have become.

I will end for now saying YOU (not me) elected a felon, a louse, a womanizer, all in hopes for some of what I listed above. He has NO PLANS but pompously says he will do it. And you believe him.

It’s not time to say “I told you so” yet.

I don’t ever want to say it.

PS: You realize Trump could not vote on Tuesday? It’s because he is a felon. As well, Trump can not hold many jobs in our country – and he can not even serve in our military or on a police force. He is an impeached felon. But you elected him president.

The results of the presidential election have made me wonder a lot about how women feel about themselves and each other.

On Election day, while people were still voting, I had a hair appointment. I told my hair stylist/friend, who just had her first baby one month before, that she had now joined a group that is like no other. I told her women bond from all the experiences of pregnancy, child birth, and how feeling the unlimited love for the child is like nothing else. I told her she would now have conversations the rest of her life with women that men will never understand. Right?

Women, called the ‘fairer sex,’ are really extremely strong, and are experts of giving. Love for another, for others, rule their lives. That is, of course, when a mother CHOOSES to become one and make it her life, because then she does everything she can for herself and the baby.

So, I was very hopeful that the bond of women, the belief that women hold to always support each other, would stop Trump from becoming president again. Women know how pregnancies are unique and how all kinds of medical issues can happen. My own daughter was pregnant with twins and she had special needs due to that, and she was closely monitored by medical professionals. Thank God. There are still many miscarriages. Ask any woman. They either had one or know someone who did. There are all kinds of other issues: the fertilized egg implanted in to the fallopian tube. Irregular formation of the fetus. And, sometimes, no heartbeat. I believe that every woman mourns during those times.

Trump purposely put ultra-conservative judges on the Supreme Court. Yes, he had help from the Republicans congress. Women lost their ability to get a safe abortion in many states and since then we have heard incredibly sad stories. Women telling real stories about having to travel out of state. Women having to be secretive. And you know, we have not heard about the ‘back alley’ abortions but you can bet they are happening.

So, I truly thought women would support other women with their vote. But they didn’t.

My other sincere disappointment is how women excused the language and behavior of Trump as it comes to women. We have all heard it. No excuses. We know how vile he can be. Crass. Disgusting. We also know he was convicted of sexual abuse. He paid off call girls. He had been linked with Epstein, who preyed on girls and young women for sex, used them, hurt them physically AND mentally forever.

But, I thought, women are strong – and they can speak through the vote, and they will make a statement. And, a part of this campaign was about reminding women that voting is private. Men don’t have to know. I, along with hundreds across America, wrote out postcards that included the line “your vote in important and private.” They went to people all across the country. Signs popped up in public womens’ bathrooms reminding women that they have power.

Well, I don’t have to tell you how the vote went.

I say all the time “I will never understand.” And, it’s true. I will never understand how women turned their backs on other women. On our teenage girls. On our young daughters. I will never understand WHY this was not an important issue. In fact, why it was not a defining issue on deciding how to vote for Tuesday.

I am a woman. I’m not a crazy over the top feminist, but I want all women to have freedom of choice, and to have equal opportunities, and I get teary eyed thinking that not every woman wants that.

I am sorry that women now have to get through the coming 4 years. But, had we voted together there would have been a different outcome. Women are more than half of all Americans. Women are strong. We just weren’t bonded.

We let each other down.

We often hear in America we have the right to vote. Many places around the world do not give citizens that right, and they are therefore run by one person, or a few at the top, who make all the decisions.

Our forefathers came across the ocean, leaving England, to make sure that where they wanted to live had representation by all the people. For the people. A basic principle therefore is that every single citizen has a right to vote – a vote for who will lead them, and for important issues, and our freedoms.

Tuesday is our day to vote. Yes, some, including myself, already took the time and ‘early voted’ either in person, or mailed it in. But Tuesday is the big day. It’s the deadline to make your vote count.

I have voted in every presidential election since turning 18. I learned early that it was really a gift to me and to all Americans, given by our forefathers so that we could ‘self govern.’ I have always taken the opportunity seriously. And, I have always felt that if I wanted things to be different I could not speak out unless I voted.

Last week I spoke with someone who has never voted. Never. It took me aback when I heard that. Did he not learn about our country’s history in school? Did he not understand the gift we are offered here? Did he not want to be a proud citizen of our country? Did he not want to have a say in who leads us?

It is hard for me to understand how someone gives up this gift. There is no cost to it. Voting only takes a little time and it doesn’t happen all that often. Yes, there are challenges with our voting system. States do it differently. They have rules and options that some others don’t. There is always a teeny tiny chance of someone trying to mess with the system to change the outcome. (We had a big uproar about it last time. I have not forgotten the false claims by you Donald Trump.) People are devoted to getting it right though. Our whole democracy is based on a free and fair election, and a peaceful passing of leadership.

So, consider your vote a gift. It’s something for you to give to our country. Women and people of color have not had the ability to vote as long as white men in America. So, if this is you, then it’s even more important. People before you worked really hard and they struggled so you could vote.

Tuesday – accept your gift! Go and make democracy work!

Go vote.

I have always preferred fun and cute costumes vs. the ones full of blood and gore. There is nothing better than seeing precious little children dressed as their favorite super heroes and princesses!! Thankfully, in movies, the children can still see cartoon people who are good and fight evil. They always win in the end.

So, I say today “Happy Halloween” because in just a few days we will see the blood and gore. Election Day, and the days following, will be a time of real scary life. I am worried about it. I dread how people will react.

I read an article this morning about all the safety measurements being put in place to protect the poll workers and counters. Most of these people are volunteers doing their civic duty. They are people who want to ensure we have a free and fair election. A free and fair election is a founding principle of democracy. Across America the election offices and the polling locations are being fortified. Fear is great that someone will hurt a worker or even worse, and damage buildings.

There is also real concern about the rhetoric from Trump that may lead to violence. It’s interesting. I had a MAGA acquaintance tell me the other day that it is Harris encouraging violence, yet, I have never heard her, or people in her camp, speak of violence in any way. Never. Not once. In fact I hear instead only hopes for a peaceful time and a fair and safe transition of power. So, all I can figure is that conservative media is putting false worries in the minds of those who follow Trump. By doing this they are making MAGA nervous, twitchy, and ready to respond.

They have truly become the party of fear.

The folklore of Halloween says that people wanted to dress up and scare off bad spirits. It was the night before “All Saints Day” when those who had died during the year were to be honored. Halloween night was meant to “fool” the spirits so they would stay away and not cause trouble.

We all have different beliefs on bad spirits, or the devil, or satan, and anti-Christ types. Throughout time many religions have told us of the “fallen angel” who wanted to do harm in the world. It’s pretty heavy stuff. As we look around us we can certainly feel that there are those today who thrive on horrible rhetoric and actions. They are ready to pounce.

Election Day and the days that follow will be those days.

So, as I look to my week ahead, to the days right after November 5th, I think I may hibernate for awhile. Regardless of who wins, it will be a time of volatile emotions, and people slinging words back and forth, and even people wanting to lash out physically.

Tonight, I will enjoy the pictures of my grandchildren and so many other little ones as they dress as super heroes, as princesses, and such. Their joy of Halloween will make me smile! Their innocence to the ways of the world will give me comfort.

The grown up blood and gore is about to start.

I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s. Just writing that makes me surprised how much time has gone by in my life. Sometimes my childhood seems like yesterday. But, I think about all that has changed since I grew up and I know time does not stand still. It never does and thank goodness.

I never want to be one of those people who says ‘back in my day’ and ‘those were the good ole days.’ I have been known to wear rose-colored glasses but I am not blind.

I truly believe that every time period, every decade, has both absolutely wonderful things about it, and also some pretty horrible times too. That’s life. That’s humanity. That’s nature.

The first time I heard “Make America Great Again” I questioned that statement. The very first time. I thought it was single minded. Very one sided. America has always had amazing times of plenty, and of growth, and of inspiration. Yes! But, America has also had some really dark times. Slavery. Civil war. Mass shootings. The list on both sides is full.

We can’t change history and we should not want to change it. But history is a teaching lesson for us all. By knowing more we can do better.

I believe anyone who tries to control what we can know and learn is against who we are. Remember the book “1984” written by George Orwell in 1949. It was fiction about a country with a totalitarian government. A dictator that controlled everything. Citizens of the country had limited books, music, and videos. Microphones were listening in. We think about now how “Alexis” might hear us (I don’t worry about that. I have nothing to hide.). In “1984” it was ‘big brother’ listening in. We do not want to live with a ‘big brother’ listening and watching us. We certainly do not want any kind of dictator here in the US. We are founded on freedoms to do, say, act like we want to, as long as it does not hurt another person. We do not want censorship.

It is hard to believe we are just weeks from Election Day. Most states have early voting and some have started already. So, now is the time. I told myself that I would use October to push for any way to assure a free and safe election. I will use my voice and my “Marla’s Musings” to speak to those who will listen.

There is such a huge difference in the two candidates and sometimes I just can’t believe how obvious the attributes of each are, but yet ignored or overlooked.

You know, I believe that if Trump wins the election and becomes president again we will see craziness in the Executive branch. I believe what Trump says in his rallies. He has outrageous ideas of kicking thousands of people out of our country. He wants to use his power to do what he can without approval of congress. That is the sign of a dictator. He wants to put his cronies in to help him continue to deregulate important laws in place for our safety…. And to ban rights, and more. He wants to end our connections with Allies. He truly wants to create a caste system of who is in and who is out. This is totally against what America is, a nation founded by the people, for the people. Not just white people. Not just those of European genealogy.

Do I think Harris will be a good president? Yes, I do. I think she respects the limits of the office and she will follow the laws of our land. I believe she has experience in all three branches of government and has devoted her life to being a civil servant. Will she make mistakes? Sure. But, Harris will keep our country steady, and she will work with other countries to live in peace. I believe she really cares about making life better for ALL the people in the US. She will consider ideas of smart minds. She will work with Congress and the various governmental organizations. She will work in the confines of democracy.

So, I always look forward. I have lived a lot of life. I remember the past but I don’t want it back.

It’s October 2024. If you want a bright future and some peace in America, I think the decision is an easy one to make.

Harris and Walz.

Vote for a great America for the future.

We here on the east side of the United States are getting our butts kicked right now. First Helene came through and caused life-changing damage, power outages, and major water issues from the panhandle of Florida through into Virginia. And as we now know the mountains of North Carolina got hit like never before. People are still missing. They are hard to reach. Some are presume dead.

Now we are just hours away from Milton smacking into western Florida, and it going straight across that state with severe winds and rains. Flooding will be a huge issue. Structural damage will be devastating. Thousands have already evacuated from its path, temporarily displaced. Maybe permanently in need of new housing.

The day after Helene I heard how bad it was up in the mountains because I live in South Carolina and many here along the coast, in the lowcountry, have family and friends ‘upstate’ near Ashville, Boone, Chimney Rock, and other towns in the western Carolinas. The mountains are home to many but it is also a ‘cooler’ weather getaway for those who live by the shore.

Almost every state has the possibility of some sort of a natural disaster, be it a hurricane, or a tornado, a wildfire, or earthquake. No place is completely safe. This time it was in the mountains.

It took 2 or 3 days for the nation to hear just how bad Helene was up there. Once the media saw the destruction the attention quickly turned into an emergency situation.

One thing about Americans, we have always been sympathetic to those hit by a natural disaster. Maybe it’s because it can happen to anyone, anywhere. We live on land surrounded by water and the power of storms and quakes can be unstoppable.

You believe that, right?

Because, after the news came out about the flooding, the mud slides, the roads and bridges out, and so many people missing, somehow word spread throughout social media that it was yet another political conspiracy. Memes said that weather can be manipulated. What? Posts from conservative media outlets said the president did not send in help like he should, and that FEMA was not distributing funds.

Lies. All lies.

If you believe it, then I want you to first see a therapist, and then second, go back to science class in middle school. If you are one to perpetrate these very mean spirited lies then I hope you get down on your knees and ask for forgiveness.

Natural disasters happen.

Through the years our country has created federal, state, and local agencies to handle the aftermath of them. We have technology now to often see the disasters coming so people can prepare and get out of the way. We are fortunate to live in a time where communication can get word out for help. And, we have thousands and thousands of first responders, crews, big equipment for reconstruction, and more.

So, you now who is spreading the lies. Right? You know which party has in writing in a book called “Project 2025” their projected plans to eliminate the agencies and associations that help in time of natural disasters?

I have gotten pretty fed up with all the lies, all the time, from Trump and the Republicans who seem to bow at his feet. Lie after lie after lie. So much lying that people have lost a sense of reality. They don’t know what is true anymore. They believe because….. ??? I really don’t know!! It’s scary. And, it is to the point of even affecting the people who reach out in times of natural disasters. Those who go in and help in dangerous conditions. The power linemen and women. The medical professionals. Construction workers. Teams to feed and clothe and house those left with nothing. Some paid. Many volunteers.

It is appalling how much lying there is.

It is disgraceful and it is inhumane.

Dare, I say… it is deplorable.