• Late September weather. Warm days and cool evenings. Perfect porch sitting time.

Positive Facebook friends. Sharing pictures. Posting uplifting quotes.

Women supporting women. I will be at the rally this Saturday in spirit!

Honesty even when it’s painful.

Vaccines and scientists and medical personnel who do it for us.

Old country music. Classic songs. Escaping in to music.

Wearing clothes older than my children. Still fit. What goes around comes around.

Pets happy to lie next to me as long as possible. Couch buddies.

Good sleep. A blessing!

Being Mimi. New kind of love for grandchildren. Heart full.

Reading a great book. Closing it when done and letting it linger.

Anyone who speaks with respect for others.

Babies. Smiles. Chubby legs.

Happy hour wine.

Close football games. Nailbiting. Exciting.

Playing music with friends. Tooting my flute. Ringing some bells.

Aging without complaint. Lucky genes. Hair dye. Moving without pain.

Identical boys but also different. Innocence. Sweetness. May it last a long time.

Gardening. Watching plants grow. Seeing buds open up. Pulling weeds.

Reminiscing. Old friends still in contact. Shared memories.

Security. Marriage. No drama. Best friend. Trust.

Home.

Shared beliefs. Understanding. Community.

Nature. Blue sky. Watching and seeing the beauty in it all. Sunsets. Riva reflections.

Creativity. Talent. Wow moments. live concerts.

Contentment. No regrets. Satisfaction.

I have written about my personal experience on 9/11 before. I was living in northern New Jersey and I was president of the Sparta Friends and Neighbors Club, and we were just starting our regular monthly meeting – on that beautiful blue skied morning. All our kids were back to school after summer vacation. Ten minutes or so into the meeting lots of cellphones started ringing and we quickly found out something big and bad was happening. After just a few more minutes of us all hearing the news we decided it best to quickly end the meeting and for everyone to go home, to check on loved ones (our town was only one hour outside of NYC), and to spend the next hours praying while we watched it all unfold on TV.

I stayed behind for awhile because the Sparta Friends and Neighbors meeting took place in my church fellowship hall. I knew the church secretary well, and she and I and a few others watched a big screen TV in the hall. It was there that I saw the second plane go into the second twin tower.

The days and weeks that followed that day were spent seeing over and over the horrible images from all the locations where the planes went. The World Trade Center (which I had been in not that long before, up on the top floor), the Pentagon outside of DC, and the field in the middle of Pennsylvania.

Heroic stories emerged. Incredibly sad ones too. There were so many of both. My local NJ newspaper had whole sections of obituaries. I made a point to read each one. I felt it was important to know these people who were innocent victims, most living their lives and off to work for the morning. It was important also to know the names of the first responders, the fire and police men and women who went running in. Some never came out. And, there were those incredibly brave people on the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, knowing that it was headed for more destruction and they had to stop it. And here we are now 20 years later, knowing there were long term effects on those that survived the attacks and made it through that horrible day – incredibly affected, physically, emotionally, and mentally. It was a life changing day for everyone.

Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I don’t really like calling it an anniversary because it brings to mind a happy event. For sure it was not. Maybe tomorrow is better called the 20th year of remembrance of that day. That sounds more appropriate.

I was planning to play my flute with the community band in a 9/11 observance concert tonight at a local church. But, i have a sore throat and cold symptoms and even though it’s not CoVid I am staying home and not participating. I dont want to spread my germs that might make another get sick, and perhaps have lower defenses in fighting off CoVid. So, I plan to stay home.

Tonight and tomorrow I know that there are TV specials and other local events scheduled to acknowledge the day. Some people say we can’t forget what happened. Some say we need to show our children what happened. Some want to rightly honor the responders, the helpers, and all those who put one foot in front of another when it was really hard to do. There was so much pain among so many families looking for the missing, and seeing the absolute destruction of famous landmarks in our country. I know I never felt safe living there after that day, and I wanted to move out of the NJ-NY area. OH, I went back into the city. In fact my hubby, daughters, and I went back on the Friday after because we had theatre tickets and the then Mayor Of NYC Guilani asked people to come in and get back to life. So we went – but it was weird. Eerie. Smoke was still rising and could be seen for miles. The smell was in the air. Photos were posted outside fire stations – along with black bunting. I don’t remember the Broadway show we saw but I do remember that the whole cast came out on stage at the end, and we all stood up and sang “God Bless America.”

Tomorrow I will again reflect on that day 20 years ago. It really doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago. It’s one of those dates that a person will always remember where they were, who they were with, and how frightened they felt. It was a time when TV news reacted and covered it all without opinion or rhetoric. There was no time for politics. It was raw. It was extremely emotional. It was ”live” and we went through it together. I am already seeing people posting pictures on Facebook from that day. I hope they understand that it can be upsetting to some to see them and then have to relive the horror of that day. Even 20 years later. It’s not something I can ever forget.

Anybody wondering where I have been? Why it’s been awhile since I have posted a Marla’s Musings?

Well, I have written several of them, but once I finished and then reread them, I thought they are too depressing. So – I spared you. Ha You are welcome. I find myself saying the same thing over and over again. I start typing and I think “didn’t I already write about this?” Lately I feel like I am using this blog as a place only to vent, and to complain, and to let out my frustrations.

Why? CoVid. Texas. Hurricanes. Virtual learning. Wildfires. Anti-vaxxers. Abortion Laws. Afghanistan. Trumpers. Gerrymandering. Variants. Politicians. Climate changes. Deniers.

I actually wrote a whole post last week on bitterness. Hmmm. Wonder where my mind was?!?

Today, if this post sees the light of day (or my Facebook page), I hope it’s to stress many positive things! Let’s see how I do…

I just had a wonderful weekend hanging with my hubby, my daughters and their families, and watching the South Carolina Gamecocks win their first football game of the season! (Oh – and Clemson lost.) I love the family get-togethers and I love the fact that everyone else does too. Even my grandson Logan, who had taken a bad fall on Saturday and required 4 stitches, still wanted to get together – and eat great game snacks!

The weather was fabulous in my little piece of the world. Sunny with less humidity. It was a nice couple of days of beautiful temps and we had good weather for driving to and from Charlotte. It wasn’t bad traffic either because we take backroads and stay off major interstates.

My flowers are hanging in there as we get into September.

I have read some really great books lately. Go to “Goodread.com” and see my latest list. I recommend a few of them that are there. My book club plans to start up at the end of the month and I look forward to seeing the ladies again and catching up on how our summers went.

Although my church still does not have a replacement for our newly retired Music Director, I have joined a handbells group at the local Methodist church and I am ringing again. We have had two rehearsals so far.

Speaking of starting up – I have recently started going to a “Dance Exercise” session every Wednesday at our local rec department. (I keep looking for Leslie Knopf. Ha) It’s been fun, and it’s a pretty good little workout for me! It’s an hour and a half long and we learn steps to songs by Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, etc. There is usually one country song thrown in – it’s the south. It’s kinda like being at a wedding reception every week. Lots of line dancing. Yes, we do the Electric Slide. We are all ladies, and one very brave man, and we are all ages, young to old.

More music good news: our community band rehearsals continue, and we have a performance this Friday evening. We will be part of a remembrance of 9/11 at a large Catholic Church near by. It is open for all, so if you are local and want to know more, contact me!

The next night hubby and I are going to a “Songwriters in the Round” event, which features Nashville songwriters and up and coming performers. We went to a “Songwriters in the Round” the Fall before CoVid hit and I loved it! It had artists I recognized and definitely songs that I knew well. This year, as in the past, the event is for charity. It is held outdoors – at the home of a wealthy couple who are kind and donate their place for it.

Oh – the pros hit the field starting Thursday! Yes, NFL football is about to start! I love watching every Sunday – oh, and sometimes Monday night and Thursday night too. ha! Can you get too much football?? Hubs and I have also been catching some tennis from the US Open on TV. He and I went to the Open a couple of times when we lived in northern New Jersey. It was worth going to once, to experience it. But it is sure a lot easier and safer (and cheaper) watching from my comfy living room couch.

So… that’s a pretty old list of GOOD things going on. It’s important for us all to work on staying balanced because of the news of the world every day. It can wear you down. The pain of so many dealing with natural disasters, and more Is heartbreaking. The political craziness and the huge divide in our country is sad and scary. Daily shootings. CoVid deaths. No end in sight.

But – God is good. He is forever ‘with us’. We are to be his examples of Christian living. We are people of hope – and love. We are people of inclusion and equality. So, each day we start out holding these values in our hearts – and then put them in our actions. And therefore others will see the goodness in us all.

Hello Musings readers. I spent all last week with my grandchildren, and it was an absolute joy to get to be Mimi and help out with them. I spent Monday to Friday at my one daughter and son-in-law’s home because the daycare where their baby daughter goes had an employee test positive for CoVid. I’m not sure if she was already vaccinated or not (I hope she was), but protocol was to quarantine, and for all the babies to not come in for a 10 day period. So, I went to my daughter’s to care for their sweet 5 month old, and it certainly was a pleasure to do. I don’t like that CoVid was the reason for the shutdown at daycare but I was glad to have some wonderful one-on-one time with my newest grandchild.

Since last writing here we are seeing in the news that CoVid positive people are filling up hospitals again. We are also seeing that schools that have started back are having children test positive and they have to then stay home. Our local county is not off to a very start. A couple of the schools in the county have over 300 children at home, waiting out the quarantine time. Hopefully none will have bad symptoms and require hospitalization.

As somewhat predicted, the CoVid Varient has become a big concern for young people. The older people vaccinated are protected, and soon will be eligible for a booster shot. I don’t consider myself old – certainly not elderly – but I will gladly go get the booster when it is available for me. Just as I now get a flu shot each year, I want my body able to fight off the flu and CoVid. I am doing the right thing. I am protecting me – and I am doing what I can to stop the flu and CoVid from spreading to others.

I think you have to be living on a mountaintop somewhere, away from all people and the news, not to know about the latest CoVid concerns. Either that, or you continue in denial about it – and maybe you have not known anyone personally that has been seriously affected. Maybe that is why some are still not going out to get vaccinated. Still, it boggles my mind.

And, because of the unvaccinated and the numbers going up, our church has gone back to wearing masks inside for worship. I really, really wish I could ask all those who sit around me if they have been vaccinated. It would make life easier. Vaccinated with other vaccinated people are pretty safe together. It’s the unvaccinated, who might also be CoVid carriers (without symptoms) that are more likely to be the spreaders.

The old adage “one step forward and two steps back” is how we are living right now with Co-Vid. We got to taste a bit of normal living earlier in the summer. People were outdoors, and the seriously ill numbers were down. So, restrictions loosened. It felt good to be doing things we had not been able to do for over a year.

Now that we are back it’s doubly hard to stop activities. Right? Some people refuse to go backwards. So, masked up we go!

I belong to a quilting group at my church and we continue on each week. I’m glad we do. We meet together in a room and work on putting together quilts to give to the needy, to those who need a ‘pick me up,’ and for those who actually need some warmth. I work around a table with 3 or 4 other ladies tying knots as we finish up quilts. Do I want to ask if they are fully vaccinated? You better believe it. But do I? No. I hope and pray that they are.

I have read online about people changing doctors because they and their staff will not divulge if they are vaccinated. They use HIPA privacy laws for their stance. I can’t help but think, if that is what they say then they are not vaccinated. If they were Vaccinated then they would freely and proudly say “yes, it is very safe to come here.”

I wear a mask that says “I am vaccinated.” I want others to know that I have done the right thing, and I continue to do the right thing by masking up.

The amount of distrust has elevated – and it’s because it has come to a ‘life or death’ concern.

So, Here we are today: schools are in peril. Funerals, weddings, worship services are back to where they were before. We mask again going into stores and businesses. We fear ‘the other person’ because we don’t know if they are an antivaxxer and silently spreading CoVid. We wonder if they have denied the science – the facts – the need to work as a community to fight this pandemic.

I live in the south where the numbers of CoVid cases are larger than other areas of the country. I live in a rural area with folks born and raised here. I get that they don’t always see the ‘big picture’ and want to stay in their bubble. I live among some who are strong on freedoms and use their religion as a shield. “God will take care of me.” “God puts us here on earth for a certain amount of time.” “It’s in God’s hands.”

Hey!!! No it is not! It is in our hands as to how we react to circumstances around us. God gives us free will, and he gives us messages to love and to treat your neighbor as yourself. God is watching us and wondering why we go astray like we do. And… I believe, when we do have our final breath God may ask us “why?”

So… as I love on my grandkids and enjoy them so much, I also worry about their health and well-being. I hope and pray that they do not get CoVid and that the adults around them make good decisions. I also hope and pray that every student 12 and older get vaccinated, and those under 12 don’t become a casualty of CoVid.

Because now, it’s about the children. Really. What will it take to get us all vaccinated to save children?

I wish I knew.

Sexual harassment on the job. I’m wondering, how many of us women feel they have experienced it in one form or another. How many have felt uncomfortable with a male co-worker or boss? What woman has not walked the fine line of accepting flattery vs. feeling it was a ‘come on’ and inappropriate in the work place?

Many, many years ago when I was in my 20’s I worked in a predominately male newsroom at a radio station. I was fresh out of college and I was eager to learn, to get ahead, and to be a good employee. That big AM radio newsroom, as I think back on it, was all white males but me in the mornings. . Most were definitely above board and I never felt they liked me and worked with me because I was female. They treated me properly. I think they appreciated my hard work, my willingness to put in long hours (and to arrive at 5:00am!) and I never felt that I was an object to them. All but one. I will call him the “Italian Stallion” because he was Italian and he thought he was a ladies man, and he had a very high opinion of himself. He used to like to tell off-color jokes in the newsroom, and he used to have this way of looking at me that I know was sexual. He lingered with a stare, or he would play with his mustache. It was obvious to me that he enjoyed flirting and thinking he was “God’s gift to women.” He was married to a lovely woman and while I worked there she had their first child.

Nothing happened. I ended up taking another job position at the station and went to the FM side. I was still working on the same floor, but in a different area, and did not run into the Italian Stallion very often.

I never reported him. I never did more than keep a professional relationship and I certainly never flirted back. Although, I did hear that another woman in the newsroom that worked there after me did get ‘intimate’ with the news director – to get ahead in her job. Did she? Maybe. The rumors abounded that she used her body to get an on-air job. The boss was ‘happy’ to do it.

I bring up my experience because as you know New York Governor Cuomo resigned his office earlier in the week after 11 women came forward with charges of inappropriate, and some illegal, advances from the governor over the years. Another Italian Stallion. He claimed he never did anything inappropriate and it was just how he was raised. He said that the gestures were never meant to be sexual.

Had he not resigned he was going to face impeachment. He felt pressured. But he did not apologize for his behavior.

As we know, we have had a couple of Presidents in modern history who have been charged multiple times, by more than several women, for being inappropriate in the workplace, while holding office, and IN the office in the White House, and therefore creating a situation where the women either quit or felt extremely uneasy. The presidents did NOT apologize either although they had to live through weeks of news stories. (Did they secretly feel Some sort of weird male bonding over it?) Pres. Clinton was tried and impeached by the House of Representatives for telling lies about it. He did not have to leave office. President Trump had been open, perhaps proud, about his crudeness, even caught on audio, and he has lied over and over. He stayed in office his 4 year term – a very long, long 4 year term.

But, remember back, when Trump was elected, women from all over America immediately responded and went out into the streets in cities large and small and peacefully protested him and his behavior. . The numbers were staggering. This women’s movement, which became the “Me Too” movement, came from women saying ‘no more’ – and it happened to ‘me too.’ I remember watching the protests on TV and feeling so proud of all the thousands of women out in the streets. I so wanted to be there. I wanted to be part of those showing up, and speaking up. I think it got me thinking YES I can be a part of peaceful action. I can be heard. I admire all the strong women who spoke out about their bad work experiences, the awkward relationships with their bosses, and who have gone on and retained attorneys and sued to bring justice. I don’t think any male working now, in today’s world, is unaware of the “Me Too” movement and it’s strength. Since it formed there has been a real push for equality pay, and for equality in the treatment for all employees, male and female.

So, for Gov. Cuomo to say he didn’t know better, or did not feel he was doing anything inappropriate, is really impossible to believe. Cuomo is a Democrat and so am I. It is the party that prides itself on being socially aware and that works to put women’s rights high on their party platform. He knew his behavior was questionable. He had been told. He did it anyway.

It takes a long time for change. The tide is turning slowly. Men in media have been called out, and they have lost their high positions of profile. Other politicians have been caught and called out too. I don’t know about other businesses. Hopefully change is happening there also. We know there is not equality yet – but the day will come when men who want to use their power and position to flirt in the workplace, and to expect favors and more, will be fired. It will not be tolerated.

The new census report just came out and white Americans are not as large of a percentage of the population as they once were in the country. The days of the white male feeling superior are ending – and it’s all for the better. Women and men will be closer to equality. Women will say “me too” when it comes to being an equal player in the field. It makes me proud to be a part of it.

Is today Groundhog Day? Like in the movie, you wake up and it’s all the same? Do you feel like you have been here before?

This morning I sit here and think about what my weekend will be. I am back to living how I was over a year ago. Staying at home as much as possible. Working on projects here. Reading. Gardening. I’m putting together quilt squares on my dining room table for the church quilt group – working on it alone. I’m back to wondering if it’s safe to be out among people. Should I attend worship on Sunday morning? Am I safe In stores? At restaurants?

The truth is I do feel pretty safe for myself. I am fully vaccinated and I have been since I was allowed to go get the shots back in March. I never doubted their worth in bringing down the pandemic numbers. I wanted to protect myself AND I wanted to protect people I may come in contact with in my community.

So – I want those who have chosen to be unvaccinated (not those who can not get the shots due to health issues) to understand what it feels like to be me right now.

I trust scientists and the medical experts. I believe in goodness over underlying motives. I do not think our government or the pharmaceutical companies are in on some grand scheme to put chips in us, or to make massive amounts of money off of us. The vaccines are offered to every single American for free.

I have followed the CDC recommendations all along. I hibernated in the beginning of the epidemic because it was so new and we were still figuring out how it spread, how bad it really was, and who was most effected. I immediately started wearing a mask if I did have to go out anywhere. I consciencely kept my distance from others in stores. I used more hand sanitizer than I ever had before.

I protected myself and others the best that I could. I worried about myself of course, but I did not want to be a spreader either. I did not want to live with knowing I could have caused someone else to get sick. I did not want to be negligent and then be responsible for sending people to hospitals, and to putting such a heavy load on all the medical workers on the front lines. I did not want to be part of the problem.

In the first months of Co-Vid and the change in my life, and everyone’s, I took on a positive attitude. I used the time to walk more, to read more, to garden. Hubby and I had a kitchen remodel happen during those early months and items were delayed, the work took much longer, but I went with it… because we were going through the first pandemic in my lifetime.

When vaccines became available, as I said before, I gladly got in line (spaced properly) and waited and got my Moderna shots. I felt a sigh of relief afterwards. I had a sore arm and was a bit tired the next day but it was nothing compared to what could happen if I remained unvaccinated.

Finally this past summer arrived and life returned back to a new normal. Businesses changed some, and entertainment venues, etc, all started to re-open. I was thrilled to go to an outdoor country music festival. Unmasked. Standing close together.

But, too many did not get vaccinated. The virus lived on and as we have learned, it has mutated and is easier to spread and is effecting younger people. Hospitals are filling up again and doctors and staff are overworked and tired again. They are seeing very sick people. City and state officials are back to mandating masks and social distancing like before. Schools are starting up again with restrictions and masking In place, and there are worries about the children, especially under 12 years old. I fear for my three young grandchildren.

I admit it makes me angry. I did everything I could do to protect myself – and to not be a person who might transmit it to others. I hibernated, and I got vaccinated, I masked, I used more hand sanitizer than I ever had before. I’m frustrated that others didn’t do the same. I’m scared about how bad it might get this Fall. I wonder if we will ever come together enough to beat Co-Vid.

I know that politics has played too big a part in the decisions of the unvaccinated.

I am disappointed in the anti-vaxxers. I feel they are selfish, or have been told false information, or are either lazy or hard-headed.

So, this morning I watched the news and I felt like I had seen it all before. I’m waking up again to life in a pandemic. The same one we had last year. Another day with CoVid effecting us all. I’m concerned about what tomorrow will be like. Will it be the same?

Another Groundhog Day. .

TGIF ! Happy Friday! The last one in July! Oh – summer just seems to go by so quickly!

Soon, around here, the children will be heading back to school. The first day for students is August 16th I think. It just seems too early, because ‘back in my day’ (oh, yes, I’m sounding like an old person) we never went back until after Labor Day. Even then it was still hot and we didn’t have AC in most of the schools. I remember windows open in classrooms, longing for a breeze.

Today the concern is much greater than trying to stay cool. It sounds like schools across America will be starting back up with masks required for all. The Co-Vid variant is running rampant. The unvaccinated are getting sick and hospitals are filling up again. I had hoped that schools would be back to a ‘normal year’ and that teachers and students would be able to pick up where they left off when Co-Vid first hit. But, not yet.

I’ve been thinking about when we had other pandemics and horrible outbreaks in our history. Obviously the communication was not the same and the medical choices were limited. When smallpox or polio, or even influenza spread – did Americans feel divided on treatment? Were there large groups of people back then afraid to try an experimental drug? Did we have politicians weighing in on what to do?

Schools use to require smallpox vaccines, and polio sugar doses. The babies started to get MMR (Mumps, measles, rubella) shots. Tetanus shots were required for camp, and construction jobs. Traveling overseas meant whatever the country you were heading to you were required a series of shots. And now – thankfully anyone can get a yearly flu vaccine. These were and are all life saving, and sometimes they have totally eliminated the problem.

From the start of Co-Vid and it’s arrival in the United States I never felt that it was being used as some sort of scare tactic. I did not think the news stories were false. I praised the quick action of scientists and doctors and I was in line ready to get my vaccine. I had no fear. No doubt.

So, here we are – back to masking again. And, yes, I’m back to second guessing if I need to go out into public places… even though I am fully vaccinated! I should feel okay and safe. I do – but I also do not want in any way to be part of the problem. I want to do anything I can in my power to get us all through this time. But, here’s the thing: I don’t know who has been vaccinated and who has not – in the grocery store, or at my band rehearsals, or at church even. And since so many have not gotten the shots, our government has had to require masks for all of us again. So okay. I will continue to do what is best for community.

If these past five years have shown me anything, it is that a lot of Americans are stubborn. Question: How did they become this way? Were they just born believing they can do what they want (or not do what they want)? Did they live through a time that made them spoiled? Only self-serving? Are we all at fault for what is happening now?

Side note: I spent time with my daughter last weekend and we watched episode after episode of old “Sex in the City” shows. 1. They still hold up well today – and they still make me blush at times. 2. I think I write like Carrie Bradshaw, always asking open-ended questions.

So, here’s one…

How can you watch four DC and US Capitol police officers testify about their January 6th experiences and not hurt for them – and for where we are as a country?

I have learned that those with opposing views or beliefs often prefer to stick their heads in the sand and plead ignorance. On many topics… the insurrection on January 6th is one. But it’s not the only one. Sworn testimony. Facts and honest telling of the events. Some just don’t watch and listen, and then go on and say anything outlandish that they want to say. I’m thinking of a few members of our Congress. No punishment for purposely telling lies. No integrity in their soul No bad feelings in getting away with it.

Here’s another thing I have learned: Some people like to blame their busy schedules for not being informed. They say they are too busy to care. Or, they say they work the hours when important hearings and news is on. Guess what? You can pull it up on many media outlets at any time – 24/7 – when it is convenient for you. Your can watch video clips, you can google news stories, and you can make what goes on around you a priority…. because it effects you! It matters.

Yes, ignorance is bliss. It’s also dangerous.

I recently spoke to someone who is of my daughters’ generation and she told me that she is tuned into the events of our country and the world much more now than she was back in college. She works full time now, she pays taxes, she pays bills, she has rent due each month, she drives a vehicle, and she lives like a real adult now. (Poor thing – ha) She and I could talk about issues and she knew about them. She had opinions and I respected them.

Education leads to understanding. Making time – and being open-minded brings a higher level of acceptance. Of agreement. Of connection.

Schools will be back at it again in the next month, but we all need to keep learning. We need to find ways to work together to solve the problems facing us: pandemics, and bad politicians, and narrow-minded people unable to see beyond their little corner of this great big world.

Watching “Sex in the City” Carrie Bradshaw never had all the answers, and neither do I, but she kept writing and questioning… and so do I.

How many of you are watching some of the Olympics in Tokyo?

NBC has the rights to the games but you can find it on sports channels too. The Today Show is covering it each morning with the whole Today crew, to the point of eliminating other true news stories that are happening in our country and around the world. I usually watch The Today Show to get my news when I start my day, but during this time I find I switch channels, and I only have a little interest in the whole Olympics event.

Am I the only one?

Why am I not interested? Why do I prefer to tune out and watch other programming?

Is it an age thing? Or, heaven help me, am I unpatriotic? Some will say so.

Here’s my big take-away from the Olympic effort by all the athletes over there:

Most of them have trained since childhood for this moment. Most of them are in a sport that does not have a professional avenue to continue a career. Most of the sports I watch I find to be such a ‘one and done’ try… and winner takes all, and one slip up and you are out. You lose. The amount of pressure put on athletes to go to the other side of the world, during a pandemic, to achieve greatness in one moment, to not let down teammates and their country… it’s crushing – and it just seems sad. Even though they smile and talk to the Today Show hosts, how can they not feel disappointed if they don’t medal? And for the most part, it IS the ones that medal that get the TV interview. So – Is it just me? Do I want to watch Simone mess up? Do I want to see people lose by a tenth of a point? A tenth of a second? A slight trip of the foot? Or a bad turn at the pool wall? Is skateboarding tricks really worthy of being ‘Olympic?” Is it crazy that some are fined for wanting to put more clothes on??

Do I want to see our country go up against others countries and compete? Don’t we do enough of that anyway?

I know, I seem cynical about the Olympics. I should be thinking about the athletes achieving dreams, and enjoying new experiences, and making new friends. Yes, yes. That’s very nice. I have nothing against all of that.

But, I just feel we live in a time now where we are in dire need of promoting unity, and inclusion, and acceptance. I think we need to be Uber-aware of world issues, and the pandemic around the globe is huge. Did you know that around 100 US athletes did not get vaccinated yet they flew half way around the world to compete? They put their ‘personal performance” first ahead of the need to protect the community of people that they are in. Yes, I know the athletes get tested daily – and precautions have been set up – to keep them all as safe as possible without requiring vaccinations. But, why not even the playing field and require it? What really is MOST important?

It seems ironic that the athletes are allowed to travel from everywhere and NOT be vaccinated. Yet, we ordinary people can not. Their own families can’t travel to watch them in person. And, hey, I’m okay that they and we can not freely travel. I get the need for caution until we get the pandemic is behind us.

We live in a time where news has a ‘hot’ period, and then once time goes by we, the public, don’t want to hear about it anymore. We are there with CoVid. That was SO last year! We don’t want to hear about the new strain, and about the unvaccinated getting sick (and it’s there fault anyway, right?), and we want to move on…

To find something new to get involved in. To the next big news story, and to something that will get our minds off of the old problems.

And right now that is the Olympics.

One day years from now someone will be able to say “I skateboarded in the Tokyo Olympics during a pandemic.” Okay. Whatever.

PS: I love sports. I am an avid college and pro football fan. I love the NCAA basketball “March Madness” event. I appreciate the God-given talents, and the hard work that is put in, that makes a person an athlete. I know some who don’t care about sports at all – any of them. That’s not me.

I took it to heart. I listened and I decided to move forward.

I have unfriended someone on Facebook that brought me great distress at times. It’s something I had never done before in all my years on this social media source. In fact, I used to think I would never delete anyone because I wanted to be accepting of all. I wanted to see what those with different beliefs thought about and…. you know, I just wanted to try to like everyone. I prided myself for a long while on having discussions, and debates, and I felt it might enlighten me. Oh sure, I secretly hoped it might enlighten the others too. I have never wanted to be stuck in the past, unwilling to move forward… to learn… To discuss… To offer opinions. I have always wanted to be an active participant.

Some will most certainly say I am hard-hearted at times, and that I can be slow to change. So, this might be a late move for me to make – to unfriend a person. I should have done it a long, long time ago. But, hey, better late than never, right ?

It’s weird because I have mixed emotions about this unfriending thing that I did. I feel a bit defeated. I was unable to keep a relationship going – and unable to smooth over the rough spots. Finally, tho, There was too much hurt and division, and lots of talk that went around in circles, and it got me to a place of saying ‘that’s enough.’ I had said it before but then I kept coming back. This time: REALLY ENOUGH! I didn’t like that so many people jumped in and the comments also became unbearable. So this time it is final… and I am glad I am here.

Life in cyberspace is so unique – different from any other way to interact. It’s an open door to research, to learning, to reuniting with friends, to sharing opinions (like I do here), and to seeing the talents of people through music and photography. Of course, it’s a beautiful way to share family and friend pictures. But as we know it has an evil side too. People rant and photo-shop fake pictures. False websites are created. Stories are tilted and sometimes total lies are spread. I even call some of it propaganda, used to harm a whole group of people. I don’t have tough skin and I get hurt easily on line because I see so much of spewing lies, of calling people names, and being vicious – because it is just so easy to do. Too many people are typing from home, alone and angry.

I know people who will never use social media at all for that very reason. And, I get it is their choice, and that’s fine. I believe with anything and with everything there is a goodness, and social media has positive attributes, and there is evil, and we need to learn to root out the bad, and to try to use only the good. I have fallen short on that sometimes. I know that. Still – Social media is not going away and it’s part of our world now and in the future.

But!! Politics – oh politics! Sometimes I truly wish it would go away. Most of the time I wish it had a ‘truth monitor’ that registered on every post… from lying, to honest to goodness truth. How nice would that be? I don’t mind “policing” social media because I think it needs to be done. I’m tired of all the personal freedom talk and want some sense of community restored. Social media and politics mixed together have torn us apart. It has made us see the sides of others we didn’t ever want to see – or believe existed. It’s been eye opening for sure – with our eyes often hurting and crying from the outcome. Wide eyed – and astonished! Once you see it you can’t unsee it. Humanity shows the good and bad on social media. And we look at people differently because of it.

So… Here’s what I believe:

To live without social media is missing out on some pretty awesome connections, so I won’t give up on that part of it. Facebook posts give me daily pep talks, and many shared messages of love, and some days I laugh at jokes, and smile at dog videos, and children… they are the best! I love many things about being online. I still believe in the worth of social media.

But, yes, I have taken to heart the advice of others recently, and one in particular, who said to hang with those of like minds. Even on Facebook. It’s what I intend to do. I follow some pretty awesome groups that lift me up, and I enjoy reading articles that pop up. Facebook knows my algorithms… and therefore I see some great things online. But: Will I unfriend anyone else? Should I block more people for my own sanity and for the good of those who follow me and worry about me? I hope not but I don’t know.

One thing I do know though is that I took a step. And I’m glad I did.

I’ve been catching up on Facebook after the busy holiday weekend. I have noticed quite a few similar posts (and responses and comments to them) that I find kind of alarming and sad. I have read posts from people in groups I follow, about the hijacking of the American Flag. They said that ultra-conservative groups and Trump followers have taken over the flag and made it a political sign for them. It’s a symbol of being patriot – as in ‘those’ people. You know, the crazy ones who stormed the Capitol, or who also fly the other flags. Some who posted wondered if others in the group had flown the American flag over the 4th of July. Huh? Not fly the flag? Come on! Nobody is going to stop me from being a proud citizen of the United States of America and flying the American flag. In fact, we have two flags on our property, and to me it says I live in a country that I love and support. It does not mean anything else. I do not worship the flag – or believe it is more than a symbol of our country. I understand when some feel America has let them down and therefore they have trouble with saluting the flag. That’s their right. And they may have a very legitimate reason to feel that way. Let them make their own decision. I get annoyed by people telling others what the flag must mean to them. It means different things to different people. But the flag is for us all.

The other big subject I am seeing in these group discussions is the kidnapping of religion by the same ultra-conservative people. The fundamentalists. That evangelical group that is trying to get In to politics. I read that some liberals are turning away and are not attending church now. They believe it doesn’t speak to their beliefs anymore. The conservatives are too loud and taking it over. They have heard pastors and preachers talk from the pulpit during worship about supporting one political side. Directly. Taking a political side. This really makes me sad. And, I think it makes God sad. Some of the posts say something about feeling extremely disappointed and lost – and then many others see it, jump on with comments about feeling the same way. Many!! Their churches have let them down. One woman even wrote that she no longer wears her cross necklace, afraid that others will think she is a conservative fanatic. She stated she has too many conservative family members that attend church but are caught up in the indoctrination. Huh? So, yes. I have made it my online mission to respond back when I see this, and to offer that churches, and denominations, vary greatly and not to give up on religion altogether. To keep looking! I’m partial to where I worship, an ELCA Lutheran church, because it teaches about God’s grace and love. It is a very accepting church – where it says “All are welcome” and means it. Remember: Nobody thinks the same. We are individuals but we are all God’s children. As one person wrote on a liberal leaning post: they (Conservatives) call us sheep… or liberal lambs. Soft. Bleating. But, they don’t know it’s a compliment because we are the Shepherd’s sheep. He knows us all and when one goes astray He cares and never gives up looking for that one.

So – This made me go ‘huh’ again: Many news sources are talking about the new Delta variant of Co-Vid here in our country (and around the world) that is making people sick. Co-Vid cases are going up. But – Who is getting it? It’s the people NOT vaccinated. Those people who have been vaccinated are safe from it, and therefore commonsense tells me it’s much better to take the chance with the shots then to be unvaccinated and to get sick. Statistically, scientifically, morally it is the wise thing to do. Still, many don’t. Huh?

By the way, can I say thank you to everyone who has been vaccinated? Yes – thank you! You are the ones who have brought the number of Co-Vid cases down. You are the ones who have seen the big picture and care not only about your own health but the health of your family, friends, and anyone you encounter. Thank you.

Here are a few more ‘huh?’moments I have encountered lately…

Vacationers on the beach who leave huge holes in the sand. Even if you don’t know about the turtles coming up on the beach at night to lay eggs, you have to be aware of people walking at night. A foot step into a hole can be bone breaking.

One more thing about vacationers that make me go ‘huh’: It seems many come to this area expecting to be waited on, and not need to be kind and patient. I hear from local friends in the service business that it is happening often. The lack of employees at restaurants, bars, and stores is making the situation worse. But… huh? When did we forget that sweetness is attractive, and that each person needs to be respected?

Here’s something that made me go ‘huh.’ Someone put me down for using an electric car. He preferred to stick with gasoline… like being a person who cares about the environment and saving money is a bad thing. Huh? I tried to tell him how well it is working out for me. Perfect for running errands. No money spent on gasoline regardless of the price. The way of the future. Clean for the environment. But, why the negative reaction to a positive thing?

As I re-read this post now, I hope it doesn’t come across like a gripe post. But, truly, don’t we all sometimes just shake our heads and say ‘huh?’ I suppose the things that make us feel that way seem like common sense but then – They are tossed aside. They are the things that play in our brain, that cause a pause… That make us just want to say ‘huh’?