My thoughts are all over the place this morning. Here are a few things bouncing around in my brain:

Texas! What a mess. Ted Cruz – what a jerk. Seriously, what senator would not stay and pitch in to help the state you have been elected to serve? I have never liked the guy but he seems to have gotten more and more out of touch as time goes by. And, he has no spine. Trump said horrible, false things about his father – and Cruz is back on board with the guy. Will Texas vote him out? The Lack of integrity so he can get reelected is just ridiculous. He has been caught lying about the Cancun trip. He’s a cad.

Rain! I’m sick of it. But I am living in a place that is not dealing with really bad weather issues. Again, Texas! But, there are so many states that have snow and ice right now. I Really feel for people living in those states. Cold. Slippery roads. Shoveling. I sure had enough of All of that living in Ohio and in New Jersey. So, I can take the rain. Plus, I keep reminding myself it’s really good for the trees and plants.

Sidenote: we played a little game in our family last weekend where we each picked a song that is special, or amazingly performed, or has awesome lyrics – or all of that. I picked the song “Bring on the Rain” by Lee Ann Womack. It’s a bit of an obscure song, but I love the lyrics. Take a listen. It’s beautiful, haunting, and encouraging. Basically it says you can get through anything. Even when it’s raining… and you feel like crying. But “tomorrow’s another day – so bring on the rain!” “I’m not going to let it get me down. I’m not gonna lose any sleep. …And, I’m not afraid. So, bring on the rain.”

Trash. It’s such a problem around here right now. Our roadsides are littered with it from a year of nobody picking it up (prison crews have been on CoVid lockdown). I have made it my little mission to work on this problem. I have emailed our state Congressional members. I have contacted local officials. I wrote on Next Door Neighbor, and put an editorial in our local newspaper. I have decided to take control of my piece of road and have started going out to clean it up every two weeks or so. Just in that amount of time I find new beer bottles, alcohol minis, soda cans, fast food wrappers. Obviously these items are tossed out car windows by people who don’t seem to care. It’s very frustrating. I went out a few days ago, when there was a break in the rain, and cleaned up all around the business that is down on our corner… it’s called “China Chill,” a convenient store and gas station. I drive by it just about every day and the trash around it was such an annoying eyesore to me. So, I went out and picked up a lot of it. We need to take responsibility – and set an example. A lot of people saw me out there, but nobody said anything. That’s okay. Just don’t throw more out your windows or drop trashy stuff on the ground!!

Waiting. Baby Watch is in full gear right now. My newest grandchild should arrive in the next couple of weeks. The due date is March 2nd. My daughter looks great, and is ready. Little Madelynn’s room is ready and everything is prepared for her arrival. I will quickly throw my clothes into a suitcase and head there when labor starts. Since it’s CoVid life now I can not go to the hospital, but I will be waiting for when they bring her home.

Speaking of hospitals, one of our neighbors fell last week, hit her head – and her husband called an ambulance. She went to our local hospital, and while still in the ER Alone (again CoVid life) she decided to get up out of her bed and walk – and she fell and broke her hip! She had to be transferred up to a bigger hospital where she had hip replacement. Her wrist is broken too. She has stitches on her head. She had a brain bleed but thankfully it stopped on it’s own. She is not a ‘youngster’ and she is not a person who moves around much, so her rehab will be challenging. Her husband is also not a ‘youngster’ and is slight in build. He won’t be able to lift her, etc. It’s not a good situation. I pray they get through this.

Due to CoVid life I am on social media more. I’m stuck inside. And the rain doesn’t help either. I have had some interesting conversations on topics that leave me pretty unsure on how we can ever get along with each other. One topic: the confederate flag. A country music singer Luke Combs apologized this past week about having the confederate flag in past pictures, and in not getting ” it”… that it is a sign of racism. He said he knows better now. He’s a South Carolina guy. Raised in the mountains near Asheville. Well, the comments on his post were unbelievable to say the least. I know I live in the south and I live around some rural ‘good ole boys’ but it wasn’t just that type who wrote about being proud of their white heritage, and the confederate flag being a part of it, and how they were not going to change for anyone. I saw it over and over. The thing about Facebook – I can click on their names and pull up their personal page. Depending on the security blocks they have, I can learn a lot about them…. where they live, what they support, comments about politics, etc. Oh my! Some are very scary! What I learned the most is these people seem to be very afraid of losing their ‘place’ in the world. They do not want others to come up in life, and they certainly don’t want ‘them’ to take their stuff. Lots of fear. Lots of acting tough and being defensive! No comments about trying to understand how the flag symbol can be offensive… or that removing it is an act of kindness.

My other FB interaction has been with someone who is a conservative and supporter of Trump. We have gone back and forth for weeks now. Occasionally we tick each other off, but we also ask questions and try to listen. She is as determined in her beliefs as I am in mine. We won’t change each other. I just like that we can see some gray in this black & white world. She won’t budge on Her desire for ending legal abortion. She won’t budge on economic worries. I won’t budge on my belief on women having rights over their own bodies, and I won’t budge on governing with compassion… which can take money. We disagree on immigration. We disagree on foreign relationships. We disagree on energy sources. But – we talk (through FB) and when she asks a question I answer it my way. She answers her way. I consider her a friend, and I truly care about her and her family. I’ve never asked her about the Confederate flag. She’s born and raised southern. I might just have to ask.

Our one pug Honeybee continues to be a day in, day out, concern. Last week she had a pretty big seizure. Since then she has had a head tic when awake. It’s not there all the time but often. It stops when she sleeps. It could be from the medicine she has been on, or it could be something neurological. We had a full body scan done on her a few weeks ago and no tumors or cancer areas showed up in her head or anywhere else. So, it’s a mystery. Each day we see if she is still having some quality of life. I think she is. Not every day. But enough to keep her with us.

Time to finish up here and get my rainy day started. Errands to run in it. “But I’m not gonna let it get me down… bring on the rain!”

Remember that Helen Reddy song? Such a women’s anthem back then! I am woman – hear me roar! It was a brave lyric for the time – and maybe it still is.

I have always been a rather independent woman. I’m not sure how I grew to be that way. I came from a home that was very traditional, in a good way, where Mom stayed home and raised the three kids. She worked a few part time jobs once we were older, but her time back when I was a little was spent cleaning, cooking (no microwave), ironing (No permapress. Even sheets were ironed), and in ‘raising’ us to be responsible people with morals and values. My mother didn’t even get a driver’s license until she was 30. She did not go to college. She was a stereotypical mom of the 50’s and 60’s.

My parents made it possible for me to go off to college. I have said it before, but again I will say it, it was such a wonderful education for me OUTSIDE of the classroom. I lived in a dorm and got to know young women from other places. A lot of them were from Ohio, where I was from also, but I roomed with a girl from Massachusetts. Across the hall from me was Keiko, from Japan! I don’t recall being nervous about going off to college, or worried about missing my parents. Back then we only had phones connected to our room’s wall! And, therefore, I only talked to my parents when I was in my dorm room, and we had established that Sunday evenings was the best time to talk with each other. Just once a week.

I had to be self reliant. But, it came easy to me. I worked while I went through school. All the time. After graduating I moved back home for a short while but then I quickly got an apartment with my girlfriend – and that was it. I spent 6 years or so sharing living space but I was ‘on my own’ – paying my own bills, buying my food, working – and working a lot. Providing for myself.

So, when I got married, I knew it was for love – and for the adventure. Not for money. I had confidence I could take care of myself. I was just fine alone. I felt that way then and I feel it now.

Why am I telling you this story?

I was a young woman in the late 1970’s and in the 80’s who felt I was able to do anything. I never thought that a man would think I was using female charm, or sex appeal (ha- that makes me laugh), or flirting (I was terrible at that) to get ahead. I made a point to not mix business with pleasure. I may have had a few crushes on guys in my office but I kept it to myself. I drew the line.

Lately, I have been seeing posts about our new, strong, hard-working FEMALE Vice President – and the posts say she slept her way to where she is. Posts call her a ‘slut.’ Yes – that word is used!! They seem to dismiss the fact that she went to law school, served as a DA, and then became a senator. She had years of studying and years of training. She poured herself into her Work. She proved her self. She got promoted – and she got elected.

But, as a woman she is said to have used her body to get her jobs, and that she didn’t really deserve them. What is especially sad is I am seeing these posts by other women!! Women who have listened to the Trump rhetoric and who believe it – because he said it. They takeThe word of a man, who was a compulsive liar and womanizer, and do not support the woman. I find it appalling and sad.

I believe in equal status. I don’t think a woman should ever get ‘special’ treatment in business or politics because of her gender. I want the most qualified, and the most experienced at times, and the best fit for serving me in government. But, if I think two candidates are equal, yes, I will vote for the woman. I’m a woman. She might just understand me. She will come to politics with a woman’s point of view and we need that.

It pleases me to watch, to see more women ‘breaking the glass ceiling’ in job positions and in making more money. It pleases me to know I am represented… as a woman. I want diversity – in gender, and in color. I think it’s time to let the older, white men take a back seat and let others in. Maybe even drive for awhile.

So, I guess my message to other women is this – be proud! Be supportive. Even if you have to roar a little bit to get recognition – do it! Change comes from attention. The adage ‘the squeaky wheel gets the oil’ is true. It’s not a man’s world. It’s OUR world. Do NOT let name calling, and false rhetoric be believed. Do not let women be patronized. Act equal. Speak equal. Support equality. I am woman – yes, hear me roar – and hear me laugh, and See me learn, and give advice, and run businesses, and mother, and even be the Vice President of the United States .

Yesterday the Senate trial against ex-president Donald Trump ended with the closing statements and the vote. As was expected the ex-president was acquitted from his 2nd impeachment, His 2nd one of a one term president. Twice impeached in only 4 years. A majority of Democrats AND Republicans in both houses of government said he was guilty of inciting the people who came to Washington DC on January 6th and that he was responsible for their action, so many of them were waving Trump flags, wearing MAGA hats, and chanting about his lie that the election was stolen. “The Big Lie” that he cultivated for so long. There was no doubt in the minds of those representatives and senators, and even some that voted to acquit, that he was guilty. Yet, due to their constitutional belief they could not find him guilty because he was a private citizen and the timing was too late, and, because of the required 2/3rd vote which was not reached, so the ex-president Trump sneaked out of it.

The trial was fascinating to me. I’m a bit of a news junkie and I’m someone who prefers to watch everything with my own eyes. I made a point to do that. In these days of slanted opinion stations, I wanted to see for myself how the trial was handled, and what each side said, and how the senators reacted. Unfortunately, the cameras in the chamber never were turned to the members who listened and watched, but I still was able to get a pretty good idea about how the trial was conducted, and I heard evidence, and I watched videos, and I listened to both sides argue their cases. I saw how they were prepared, and sometimes how they were not prepared.

So, all in all, the ending of the trial, and the way it did end in a rather close vote, was a validation to the wrongdoing of ex-president Trump.

After the vote, I turned to Facebook to see reactions. As sadly expected, I saw Trump supporters elated, and some even giddy. I saw lots of rows of American flag icons, and perhaps it was just me, but I felt there was a bit of gloating, and celebrating. Our team won. Ha ha

But, why feel that way? Because our country’s PRESIDENT, the person who holds so much power, who represents us all to the world whether we like it or not, who will go down in history as one of 46 (so far) American presidents, was impeached twice, was found factually guilty of inciting people to storm the US Capitol, and to stir them up to the point they wanted to do bodily harm to our Vice President and Congress? It in undeniable.

Is this something to celebrate?

People died that day. Others were hurt. Many now have been arrested and have their futures Forever changed. Our elected leaders are now living in fear. There were death threats. Even threats to non-elected civil servants just doing their jobs. Trump, the man who years ago said over and over and over again that President Obama was not born in the United States, purposely hurting him and his family, creating doubt in his followers’ minds, lying about birth certificates – he did this. Then when on the campaign trail time and time again Trump went after people with his words. Hurting words. Demeaning words. And he said that his followers wouldn’t even stop him if he shot someone in the middle of Manhattan. He put down whole groups of people…. people from other countries, those with other religions. He threatened. He used his position to try and get others to lie for him. Some did.

Our government has a lot of work to get done. We have disagreements on programs, and how money is spent, and how much to help people, and how little to provide as services. We can debate all those things. But the character of a man is not debatable. What is in someone’s heart, how they react, what they do or don’t do. How they treat others. How they want to be given respect – expect it in fact. But they don’t give it back. It’s not debatable.

So – why are we celebrating?

I don’t get it. I said just the other day that even after 4 years of Donald Trump as our president I still have moments of saying “really?” This man was OUR president? One of only 46… since our foundation as a country. It used to be a position of honor. Held by intelligent men. I know not all of them were magnificent. All had faults. But, in my opinion, none came close to the crudeness, and the amount of lies, and the bully tactics Trump used, even on his own administration. He displayed a lack of participating in meetings, and in preparing for summits, and In letting members of his cabinet do their jobs. He was NOT a leader. He was unable to be anything but what he was. He didn’t WANT to be anything but what he was.

I believe Trump’s day in court is not over. The criminal courts will soon have a turn at him. Some are probably anxious to bring some justice. One day he will not be like “Teflon Don,” the mafia head. He will finally face some punishments for the fraud, and the possible money laundering, etc. that seem to be a part of his life.

He’s a sad man. As much as I don’t want to hear anything about him anymore, I’m guessing his name will continue in the news for a longtime. But…

He is not worth celebrating.

If you have ever had a pet you know the love that you experience from them, and the love you have FOR them.

I grew up with dogs as pets In our homes, specifically Boston Terriers. Our family always had one. They were family members. We had Pal, and then Ace, and one we named Deuce. The only time I ever lived without a dog was when I first graduated from college and lived in an apartment with a girlfriend. I don’t think pets were allowed and in my early 20’s lifestyle of long hours of work and then going out after work it did not make for the sense to have one.

So – One of the first things my husband and I did when we got married was get a dog. We got a Boston Terrier puppy named Ralph. Then because My hubby grew up with German Shepherds we got one of those too, and we named her Ally. When we had our daughters and as they were growing up we got two little toy poodles, cute, holdable girly dogs.

Now we have two pugs. Who doesn’t love a pug?! They are unique with smashed in noses and curly tails. They were bred to be pets for the royals of China. And since then they love royal treatment! Working dogs? No! Ha One of our pugs, Honeybee, I got from a breeder in North Carolina, and she became ours at just 8 weeks old. Our other pug, Daisy, was a rescue so to speak. She was a victim of a divorce, and the husband who was able to keep the house also got to keep her. But he didn’t care about her. He let her run the streets. Anyway, long story short we got Daisy and are glad we did.

Here’s the thing… all dogs are wonderful, but they don’t live long lives and it’s heartbreaking to go through their old age and then have to make decisions about them. It’s really, really tough. They are like children. They are best friends. They love unconditionally. If you have had a dog you know this.

We are going through old age right now with Honeybee and she has been diagnosed with some age and trauma issues. Her back hips have dysplasia and her spine has two places that are worn down with no cushion left. Bone on bone. Just like with people. We just had a full body scan on her. Her bone issues can’t be fixed, but we can reduce swelling and pain through medication. She will need meds the rest of her life. I think she also has some dementia too – she likes to stare at walls. Plus, pugs have eye issues and so she doesn’t see well anyway. Maybe she doesn’t know that she is staring at a wall. She trips over things. She needs doggy steps to get into bed. She has fallen off the bed a few times in the middle of the night. She walks slowly. She loses her balance over the water bowl.

It doesn’t seem fair that dogs don’t get to live longer lives. Other animals can live much much longer. Tortoises. Elephants. It doesn’t make sense.

So, unfortunately, our thoughts turn to how long we will have Honeybee. It is always an extremely difficult decision for any owner/parent of a pet to make. Wondering when quality of life is gone. Wondering when the pain is too much. For now, we think she still has some good days. She loves being with us. She still eats. We think we have a little more time together and for that I am thankful.

On Tim McGraw’s latest album he sings a song called “Doggone It” about a favorite dog that has gone on. Here are some of the lyrics:

If there’s one spot of sun on a porch up there

I bet you’re lying in it.

If there’s a Chevy I bet you’re shotgunnin’.

If there’s huntin’ and fishin’ in heaven…

I hope the good Lord lets you tag along.

If there’s a mailman, bet he’s running.

And I know you’ll be waiting for me at the pearly white

Picket fence…

And I’ll miss you ole buddy til then.

Doggone it, amen

Doggone it, man’s best friend.

Since the Inauguration on Wednesday I have started and stopped a Marla’s Musings post a few times. I would get a spurt of excitement and want to write, and then stop myself, thinking it might be considered gloating. I don’t want to do that at all. It’s not why I want to write about the Inauguration. I remember 4 years ago how horrible I felt when I watched President Trump take the oath of office. I was in shock. I was pretty darn depressed. But I watched.

So, I know that there are a bunch of people across our country feeling very disappointed because Trump did not get re-elected, and they held out hope until Wednesday’s ceremony. I won’t go into why they still did hope because there has been so much said and written about that.

I have just a couple of people who I follow on Facebook who held out that false hope, and who continue even now to post fake information about our new president. In a way it’s good for me to see their posts because it keeps me ‘real’ in terms of knowing there is still much division – so much work to be done. It will take a long time to come back together, probably never completely, but enough to like each other again and to look beyond political leanings.

I know that most Trump supporters won’t give Biden the time of day right now. I know they are sticking with the false rhetoric and beliefs they have heard over and over… you know them: sleepy Joe, and he is going to turn us into a socialistic country. He will take all our freedoms taken away. He will take away guns. Even that he is a secret pedophilist. All those far left fears that have been spread – Just lies to create division.

But in reality, Biden has always been a moderate Democrat. He is not as left as say Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders. So, we elected a proven politician that knows Congress, and knows how Washington works, and he just moved into a very familiar place. After being a Congressman for years, and then Vice President for 8 years, Biden is experienced and sure of himself. That is why he started off ‘running’. Plus, he has had since mid-November to think about and prepare for his first days in office.

My Facebook friends who don’t like Biden say he is taking away everything Trump did. They say he is taking away thousands of jobs. (Stopping the pipeline construction – but They do not mention he is adding jobs in new energy source creations.) They even say he does not like the military because he took out the individual armed forces flags from the Oval Office. I see the posts. I TRY not to react. Sometimes I do and regret it, but I want so badly to get back to truth.

Inauguration Day was a very special day – in many ways. The beauty of our country was on display with the promises, and the words spoken, the amazing music, the poetry! The mall filled with American flags – so majestic!! I wish every single American could have watched it because I just don’t know how you can not watch and not be proud. Not be hopeful. Not want us to come together for a common goal of health, fairness, and peace for everyone. If you were at work, or you just didn’t want to watch it live, I suggest you pull it up on YouTube and experience the event. It’s not too late.

I remember as a kid watching Inaugurations with my mother. We watched all kinds of governmental festivities, and that was before the internet, and all the options that are available now. I hope it is still something considered special in today’s homes and in our schools. It is a day that sees beyond the divisions of red and blue. We NEED to take time and see the good stuff. We NEED to because we see so much of the bad stuff that our views become too one-sided. Social media today is quick to point out the bad. We know that for sure.

Even Garth Brooks was attacked for performing. He’s a Republican, and he was honored to be asked by First Lady Dr. Biden to sing, and he accepted saying it was meant as a sign of unity. Half of social media has not been kind to him for performing. Such a shame!

Those who did not watch missed seeing and hearing the amazing Amanda Gorman. Yes, there have been short clips shown on the news, but do yourself a favor and pull up her whole poetry reading on YouTube. She is a shining star – and an awesomely talented young woman. She reads, no she GIVES her poem, from her heart and with beautiful movements.

Yes – Everything was lovely! And, best yet, there was no violence in our Capitol.

I have seen negative posts about how our National Guard and all the other police forces there In strong numbers was overkill (pardon the wording) and… where were they in the summer? Why were they not protecting cities from looting? I think we have learned, whatever the reason – be it the rogue BLM people looking to cause trouble (not the BLM movement majority) or the rogue Trump supporters (not the Trump majority) at the Capitol, we can not allow more violence. We cannot allow small groups to create havoc. Nobody – left or right – wants any kind of looting, of destruction, and certainly we do not want loss of people and businesses. So, yes, our men and women of the military and police force stood strong, and kept Inauguration Day safe and peaceful. It was not ‘normal’ but it went on, and thanks to all our ways to watch The day at home (or work) we could.

You know, I am thinking how MAGA… means make America great again. One of the ways to do that is to honor the beauty of our government in action, and to watch the rituals of Inaugurations. So much of what makes America great is still happening! It’s one reason I never liked the expression “Make America Great Again.” IT is STILL GREAT!!! It never stopped being great! It is an amazing democratic country and we have much to love about it! The peaceful transfer of power and the hoopla that goes with it is one way to experience the greatness!

In recent years around January 1st I have picked a word that I think needs emphasis. With a new year I think about what is going on and What word is important that we need to focus on. Words matter. The word I chose for 2021 is a word that I personally want to think about as the year moves along. It’s a word that is positive in a time that may not be.

This year my word is community.

It’s an interesting word for me to choose because in general I do just fine by myself, thank you very much. I can keep myself occupied when I am alone. I am happy being by myself. I do not crave being with people All the time. I’m content with who I am.

So, why did I pick the word community?

First, my reason is due to the fact we had to change our lives so much when the CoVid 19 pandemic became real in our lives. We had to isolate ourselves to stay safe. We had to change our daily behavior. It’s been over 9 months now and we have stopped or changed the ways we gather – to go to church and school, to get together for activities. At first I admit it was an okay thing for me – because, like I said, I like to be alone. It gave me an excuse to stay home, to read more, and to watch more movies and TV shows.

But as time has gone by I long to get back to ‘the way it used to be’ when we could be safely indoors, be close together, able to live life face to face without fear. Talk without masks. See smiles. Hang with friends and laugh.

But, the bigger reason I chose the word community is the need to get back to thinking of ourselves in living in community with each. Despite the differences we have – politically, economically, socially – we need to realize That we can’t get through our lives alone. In fact, differences make the world go round! If we all thought alike all the time, or enjoyed the same things, or wanted all the same things, everything would be more boring. We wouldn’t have a variety in fashion, in art, music, and in lifestyles, and job choices. We would not have creativity. We really could not survive!

Lately all the talk is about personal freedoms, and the fear that it might be taken away. We live in a country that promotes our freedoms. It’s a part of our foundation. But, why was it put there? I think it was for the acceptance and good of ALL. Notice I said ALL. It’s about allowing people to have choices.

But in my opinion our personal freedom should never be ranked above what is for the good of the community. Therefore that is why censorship is allowed to happen at times. Yes, allowed – and really needed. For the good of ALL people. For the community. We can’t have people putting out misinformation, lies, and such that hurt the community. We can’t have personal freedom run amok without rules of civility.

For us to get past this very tense time Happening now, to move forward, I feel we need to emphasis the importance of living in a community. We need to put our thoughts towards what will be good for not just me – for myself, but for the good of our neighbors – for those who are like us AND for those who are different from us.

Community involves acceptance. Community means living side by side peacefully. Community means caring beyond ourselves.

We really need a sense of community right now.

Do you ever ask ‘when will this be over?’ I’m not talking about the CoVid pandemic this time. I’m talking about the election craziness. You know, that election that happened back in early November? The votes have been counted, and in some states recounted, and verified, and certified. The Electoral College members have voted. Everything has happened but the final step that takes place tomorrow in Congress when the Electoral College votes are certified.

But it’s not over.

I can tell you I am worried about actions that are planned for tomorrow. Some members of Congress plan to slow the process down. Without any facts, and after the built-in checks and balances have all been done, these people still intend to cause havoc. Led by Cruz of Texas this group of deniers plan to disrupt what should be a pre-determined event. A formality. Why? What is there reason? Do they really Still think Trump won?

That’s going to happen inside the Capitol. Outside, in downtown Washington, thousands of Trump supporters plan to converge for a “Stop the Steal” Rally. It doesn’t matter to them that there was no steal of the election. It doesn’t matter that independent election officials from all 50 states have found no changed ballots, or lost ones, or malfunctioning voting machines, or anything to show that the outcome was not accurate. It has been proven over and over that the outcome is right and our president-elect is Joe Biden.

And, as I write this, what is commonsense to rational people who know how democracy works, is being denied by a group of citizens who have come to follow Trump through lie after lie after lie. Year after year after year. Nothing seems to matter to them. Truth? Facts? Our cherished electoral system? Democracy? Nothing. It’s illogical. It’s crazy. I still have some friends and family who are part of this group. It breaks my heart.

I know many of these Trump supporters have left mainstream TV media and social media. They don’t like what they are hearing there. What is it? Truth and facts. They have gone off to places and sites that encourage them to keep supporting Trump and his desperate lies. So, I know they won’t be reading this. I know they won’t ‘allow’ themselves to read anything that questions Trump’s rhetoric. They are stubborn. They are ‘lost’ to reality. Some are threatening. And – some are armed.

So, I’m scared. No doubt about it. Tomorrow is a day for sane people to stay inside. I believe in peaceful protest, and that Americans have a right to gather and march About an issue or an injustice. But, this group is led by a very irrational leader, and he has ‘called’ his people to do something. He is desperate. A few days ago he tried to get the Georgia Secretary of State to change vote totals. Last night he even told his Vice President to do something.

I don’t understand why Trump is doing what he is doing. Oh yes, I know he is a huge narcissist. He is a liar. He will say anything to get himself off the hook for anything. He has been this way for all four years As president and he is making the transition of power difficult to the bitter end. It’s always been about him. In fact, he has been this way his whole life and that’s something that I am sure psychologists have studied and can explain much better than me. But, it’s obvious. It.is.obvious.

So… I’m counting down the days until he is no longer president. January 20th can’t come soon enough. Because until then, the lies will continue. The desperate attempts to upset our American system will continue. The fight to deny truth will continue.

I’m tired of writing about Trump. I am tired of seeing him lie on TV, and I’m tired of seeing him act like a shuckster selling his lies at rallies. I’m tired of his endless tweets. I’m tired of watching our country split. I’m tired of reading comments on social media from those so taken by him. I’m tired of the office of the presidency of the United States looking like a daily circus. I’m tired of so much.

So, I’m counting. 15 days.

Until then, stay in – stay safe. Do some praying if you do that.

Good morning and happy 2021 ! I’ve been up for awhile because my pets don’t care that I stayed up and watched the new year come in last night. Nope. I have one kitty that loudly meows when she wants food, or to go outside – and she did just that an hour or so ago. But it’s okay.

I’m sitting here this January 1st, with it still dark outside, hearing a gentle rain, and looking at my Christmas tree lights one last time. I will start putting away the holiday decorations later on today – or tomorrow. There’s really no rush living in CoVid world. Right?

As I sit here and in this setting of peace and beauty it’s the perfect time to reflect on last year… Maybe differently. I have seen many posts from friends about 2020 and how it turned our worlds upside down. And, yes it did. 2020 will forever be remembered as that year CoVid 19 changed us all. It arrived with little fanfare but crept in and then by February we started to take notice. Hindsight shows us that we took way too long to react to it, and too many denied it. (That’s not a political statement. It’s just a fact.) But here we are on the first day of a new year with a pandemic filling hospital beds around the country. We still can’t quite figure out why it affects some people more than others. At first it seemed only the elderly and those with other Underlying conditions got really sick and died. But, now we hear reports on the news about young, healthy, vibrant people getting sick – and some not making it. We hear the reports every single day. Death every day. Yet, somehow most people who test positive to CoVid have minor symptoms and end up being fine. It’s the not knowing. It’s scary.

CoVid 19 has made us vulnerable. It has shown us that some things are bigger than us, and the fact that it is invisible until we see a sick person’s symptoms creates a huge mystery about it. And, yes, that makes it more scary. if only we could see it being spread… or identify who has it, and who does not. How much easier it would be to control and to isolate the cases!

CoVid doesn’t work that way so we have to reach down deep inside and think about how we can do our part to stop it from spreading. Looking back at this past year I think that this has been our downfall. Personal choice. It used to be, even here in America, that houses would be quarantined (with a sign on the front door) when someone was sick inside. The health department demanded isolation for the greater good of the community.

We have lost the feeling of ‘we are in this together’ and that we must take care of our neighbor. People prefer to look out only for themselves, and let others fight their own struggle. I don’t know why it happened (Or maybe I do) but in recent years ‘freedom’ has become stronger than compassion. Oh, some will say that they care about the well being of others… but don’t make me change my lifestyle for their sake. I care but I am fine so let me be. Just leave me alone. They too often prefer to look at how much money it will cost, or prefer to blame others. It’s not my problem.

So, I sit here quietly and I look at my Beautiful Christmas tree, lit with all the different pretty colored lights. I think about how they are connected by one cord, and we All know when one light goes out they all are affected. How frustrating it can be to lose the beauty of the lights by just one! Right? The whole strand of lights has to be okay, and the electricity has to go from one to another, for all the lights to shine.

The pandemic has forced us to physically space ourselves apart, and to ‘stand alone’ so we can keep going… but in the long run we can’t. We Just don’t work that way. We were not made to work that way. Depression comes. Sadness. Economic failures. Loss of spending times together. Giving support to each other. Laughs. Hugs. Celebrations.

As we start this new year we have huge hopes for 2021. But, without the common connection – and getting Back some compassion for others – we will be dealing with CoVid for a long time. It takes us all to connect. Wear a mask. Get the vaccine when it’s your turn. Do what is best for us all as a community.

Remember. Christmas isn’t just about the lights. It’s about Jesus coming to us on that first Christmas, to show us how to live, and care, and support each other, and reach out to the needy, the sick, and those poor in heart and soul. So here’s to a happy new year today, and here’s to a happy new start, and here’s to the hope we have for this new year together. May we connect with each other like the bulbs on the Christmas tree, sharing a common cord – And may we color the world with love and caring.

Happy new year!!

Merry Christmas my dear family and friends! Yes, today is still Christmas – as we celebrate the season and joyfully celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. God’s child sent to us to bring hope, to teach us about God, to be an example of love and grace, given for us all.

We all know that this year experiencing Christmas has been very different. There were not nearly the opportunities to be together, to hear live music, to watch children’s programs, to worship in church, and to gather for parties and family time. I missed some of the normal events but I also felt less stress before Christmas. For years I have felt that we go ‘over the top’ and get caught up in the commercialism, and the non-religious part of Christmas. This year we had no choice but to narrow down our activities, and to focus on ‘the reason for the season.’ So, yes CoVid is bad and scary – but it has also brought a silver lining. It makes me think about Linus in the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Wise words from that adorable toon boy!

I am self-quarantining for 10 days or so since coming home from my daughter’s home. Even though I only traveled by car, and never got out along the way, and only saw my close family members at my daughter’s home, I want to make sure that I did not get exposed to CoVid – and I certainly do not want to pass it along if I might be a-symptomatic. It’s a good time to stay in. It’s chilly outdoors, and this week between Christmas and New Year’s is a quiet week anyway. I can watch movies, and football, and get back to more reading. I’ll try not to go stir crazy! As was this time, when I am at one of my daughters’ home and am playing with the grandboys I get a break from the troubles of the world. Now that I am back home, I’m catching up on it. The explosion in Nashville was so strange. I know that block really well that get destroyed by the blast. It’s right off of Broadway, where all the honky tonks are, and where CMA Festival takes place. I have walked that block a lot when going back and forth from the hotel I stay in each summer (except this past one due to CoVid.) The Doubletree Hotel is on 4th Street. The RV that exploded was on 2nd, between Broadway and Commerce. Thankfully there were no deaths. There were police heroes – and we need to acknowledge those very good ones who put their lives on the line to keep order and to handle panic situations.

Did you hear a Merry Christmas – or even a Happy Holidays from our president? Trump has checked out even more than he was before. And, I’m alright with that for the most part. I’m glad he finally signed the bill to provide $600 to Americans who need it. $600 doesn’t seem like much. But, it’s $1200 a couple, or family, and that can help pay a month’s rent, or buy food. Last time when the checks were sent out we got one. I don’t understand why but we did. We certainly didn’t need it. So, we decided not to deposit the check. This time I have decided that if we get one that I will go ahead and cash it – and give that money to local charities who can use it. I encourage you to do the same if you are in a situation where you are living okay And are not waiting for this extra money to pay for basic needs. There are others who need more – it’s a great way to give back.

Would that not be what Jesus would want from us?

There are 12 days of Christmas and the season ends on January 6th. I can’t guarantee that all my decorations will stay up that long though. I like to keep the festive colored lights up through New Year’s Eve. But, usually by then I’m ready to box the decorations up, and clean the house well. It’s a New Year’s Day activity. A new day… a new year… a new start.

We are all ready for a new year and a new start! We are ready for getting the CoVid vaccine, and for returning to normal in 2021. We are ready for new leadership, and for calmer days ahead. We, Fabians, are ready to welcome a new baby in 2021! We are ready to experience joys – and some disappointments – in the new year.

Christmas leads us into the new year… and I don’t think that should be overlooked. We end a year and start a new one as the news of the Christ child – and the season of celebrating Him goes on. His hope, His love, His peace continue as we go…

And that’s a pretty wonderful thing! Merry Christmas to all!

Hello! Here we are just a few days away from Christmas, and the concern of another spike in CoVid after the holiday is upon us. Just like what was seen a week or two after Thanksgiving, the fear is now about Christmas gatherings. I know many of you have changed your normal Christmas celebration this year and You have decided to meet up with only a few close family members, or maybe not even do that. Some people I have talked to are staying home for Christmas and they will mark the day quietly with only immediate household family.

We Fabians are basically doing the same thing. We will stay in all day at my daughter and son-in-law’s home, along with my other daughter, her hubby, and two grandsons. Only 6 adults, and two children will be together on Christmas Day. It’s a smaller celebration than normal. We won’t go out to church Christmas Eve. We won’t eat out anywhere. We will stick with just our inner circle, safe and distanced.

Still, I am worried. I know that stopping the spread of the CoVid virus is not an easy thing to do. There have been reports the last few days on TV that mutations of the virus are now being found in Europe, meaning it’s even easier to catch than earlier. Scientists say it is a normal thing to happen but still it is disturbing. It’s definitely not good news to hear with Christmas just a few days away.

Until the vaccine is widely received and most of us are inoculated the easiest thing we can do is to wear a mask. Anytime you are away from home, and around people who are not your immediate family just wear a mask. It’s really a no brainer at this point. We know enough about CoVid to know it spreads through our noses and mouths. We need to cover them up. We all need to mask – and we need to stay six feet apart when possible.

Yet, this morning on Facebook, I had a few people react to me negatively when I made a comment about a picture where people were standing shoulder to shoulder and un-masked. I asked why and I voiced my concern about it. The picture was of people in the music business hanging together, celebrating – in a bar.

Well, I was laughed at online (You know the ‘haha’ emoji), and others told me to stop nosing into other people’s business. “Let people out there have fun” one said. Another called me a Karen (the term for an over-the-top liberal woman). I can take it. Being called a Karen is better than being called someone who purposely ignored health warnings, and didn’t do the right thing. Or – Someone who possibly caused harm to others and myself.

But, I find it interesting/sad/scary/unbelievable that today, some 9 months after we started learning about CoVid 19, there are still Americans out there who do not take getting and spreading the virus seriously. They are either unaware or in denial about the hundreds of thousands who have been sickened by it, and the thousands that have died. Is it due to ignorance? Perhaps they have not heard any news in months? Living with their head in the sand? Or, is it stubbornness? Or, they don’t believe the news anymore? But – Is there anyone out there now who has not heard of a family member or a friend effected?

This Christmas will go down in history as being the one where we had to hunker down, and we didn’t travel, and We didn’t spend it with aunts and uncles Cousins, and the relatives you only see once a year. It unfortunately is the Christmas where people will say “I told you so” after it’s over, and the one where our hospitals will face more over capacity needs. People will get very sick and people will die. 2021 will start off in a pretty scary way. It will be a nasty new year if we don’t mask ourselves.

So – it you haven’t made a Christmas wish yet – or you haven’t thought about what gift to give to others that will make a difference… Make it a Masky Christmas! Swallow your pride. Overcome your doubts. Think of others. Do your part to keep others safe and healthy.

To be merry – we must be masked! So… please…

Have yourself a very, very Masky Christmas!